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    Anthony Joshua looks stony-faced as he glares at Francis Ngannou after ex-UFC champ’s taunts over his chin

    ANTHONY JOSHUA looked stony-faced as he glared at Francis Ngannou following a taunt over his chin. The giant heavyweight pair meet in a crossover clash on March 8 in Saudi Arabia.
    Francis Ngannou aimed a dig about Anthony Joshua’s chin
    Joshua looked stony-faced as he glared back at Ngannou
    And they came face to face for the first time at a press conference, where Ngannou questioned Joshua’s punch resilience.
    He said: “I’m going to fight him, so what do you think I’m going to do? Look for his chin.
    “I mean, that’s what happens in a fight. In a fight, you try to hit somebody in the chin or wherever you can hit him, right?
    “Yes, I heard that he doesn’t have a chin. I don’t know if it’s true or not. We are going to find out.
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    “I hope I get the opportunity to test that out. That’s my wish, that’s what I’m wishing for.”
    Joshua, 34, did not take his eyes off Ngannou, 37, as tensions appeared to rise on the top table.
    The ex-UFC champion astonishingly dropped Tyson Fury, 35, on his boxing debut in October before controversially losing on points.
    But Joshua vowed not to underestimate the Cameroonian and his fearsome power like those before him.
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    He said: “If Tyson underestimated Ngannou, I sure won’t. Francis has lost the element of surprise with me.
    “We knew Francis had a reputation as the biggest puncher in the world but the surprise was how well he boxed.
    “He was exceptional on the inside and made life very complicated for Tyson. So much so that I do belong to the opinion that he beat Fury.”

    ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
    Joshua facing off with NgannouCredit: AFP More

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    What Eddie Hearn said to Anthony Joshua after being left stunned by Francis Ngannou’s body

    EDDIE HEARN admitted he was left stunned at the sheer size of Francis Ngannou. The ex-UFC champion takes to the ring for the second time on March 8 in Saudi Arabia against AJ.
    Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou ahead of their March 8 fightCredit: PA

    And the two came face to face for the first time at a press conference, where promoter Hearn saw Ngannou up close.
    He was left gobsmacked at the size of the 6ft 4in and 19 stone MMA star.
    Hearn told Queensberry Promotions: “Francis Ngannou was talking and I was looking at him thinking, ‘Look at the size of your head, your neck!’
    “I actually turned to AJ and thought, ‘Actually, you look like a middleweight compared to this guy.’
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    “I mean it’s the first time AJ has ever actually competed with anyone who is remotely the same in terms of frame and mass.
    “This guy is bigger. So we hear the stories about how strong he is, we hear the stories about how hard he can punch.
    “I still find it difficult to subscribe to, I don’t believe you can just stroll into the sport and just beat the elite.
    “But he so nearly did it against what many regard as the best heavyweight in the world.
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    ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
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    “So we take him very, very seriously. It’s a fight full of jeopardy but one that if you use your brain, and use your skill and your speed, you should win.”
    Ngannou, 37, dropped Tyson Fury, 35, on his boxing debut last October but lost a controversial decision.
    And with the Gypsy King snubbing a rematch to fight Oleksandr Usyk, 36, for the undisputed crown, Ngannou was forced to look elsewhere.
    But Joshua, 34, who weighed 17st 13lb in his last fight, vowed not to underestimate the Cameroonian like those before him.
    He said: “If Tyson underestimated Ngannou, I sure won’t. Francis has lost the element of surprise with me.
    “We knew Francis had a reputation as the biggest puncher in the world but the surprise was how well he boxed.
    “He was exceptional on the inside and made life very complicated for Tyson. So much so that I do belong to the opinion that he beat Fury.” More

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    Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou winner to challenge Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk for undisputed heavyweight title

    THE WINNER between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will be in line to challenge for the undisputed heavyweight title. Ex-UFC champion Ngannou takes to the ring for the second time on March 8 against AJ in Saudi Arabia.
    Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou facing offCredit: AFP
    Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight for the undisputed titleCredit: EPA
    Just three weeks beforehand, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk contest all four world titles for the first time in heavyweight history.
    And His Excellency Turki Alalshikh – Saudi’s boxing boss – wants the winners of both superfights to meet for the undisputed crown.
    He said: “You will see the result of this match will connect about the result of the 17 February – this is our idea.”
    Promoter Frank Warren added: “For the winner, the big fight’s happening on February 17, with Tyson and Usyk.
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    “The winner of that – would we like to see them with the winner of this fight? Everybody in boxing would love to see that.
    “So everybody has got something to aim for. It’s huge a moment of excitement for boxing.”
    Ngannou, 37, put on hold his MMA career to to face Fury, 35, in October, even dropping the WBC champ only to controversially lose on points.
    Now the Gypsy King will take on Usyk, 36, for the chance to become the first ever four-belt undisputed heavyweight champ.
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    Meanwhile Joshua, 34, had signed to finally fight Deontay Wilder, 38, in a blockbuster deal worth £100million.
    But the American was beaten by Joseph Parker, 31, so AJ looked elsewhere in the direction of Ngannou.
    Joshua has long dreamed of reigning over the division with all four titles to his name – now he could be two wins away from that.
    His promoter Eddie Hearn said: “If you can imagine the winner of this fight against the winner of Fury v Usyk, it’s been a long dream of Anthony and his team to be undisputed.”
    His Excellency even revealed a brand new undisputed belt has been created to crown the division’s true champ.
    The title, draped in gold and silver plating with black leather, also includes stones and the names of previous champions.
    And all four governing bodies appear to be on board as their logos also featured on the unveiling poster.
    An all-new undisputed title unveiled More

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    I returned to boxing to lose weight after my baby… now I’m world champ but still work in completely different career

    NINA HUGHES only returned to boxing to lose baby weight – now she is a world champion while still working in a completely different job.The super-mum turned professional in 2021 after a successful amateur career and won the WBA bantamweight title after just five bouts.
    Nina Hughes only started boxing at 25
    She won the world title at 40
    But a career in boxing was not something she could have ever contemplated when going to her first boxercise class at 25.
    It was only after six months of actual training and persuasion from her trainer that Hughes decided to step into the ring.
    She told SunSport: “I joined the boxing gym purely for fitness, no intention of boxing. But my coach at the time talked me into it!”
    Within a year and Hughes was fully hooked and even won a national title which later earned her a spot on the Team GB squad.
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    But Hughes missed out to Nicola Adams in the London 2012 Olympics, which was the first to have women’s boxing.
    So she decided to hang up her gloves and start a family, welcoming first born son Leo into the world shortly after.
    But little did Hughes know that becoming a mum for the first time would also bring her back to boxing again.
    She said: “I stopped boxing for a few years and didn’t think I’d ever get back into it to be fair.
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    “I had my first child, put on loads of weight and thought, ‘Right, I’m going to start training again to lose the weight.’
    “I set myself a target of having one fight to motivate me, because I knew I’d have to make the weight then.
    “Then I just fell back in love with it and started enjoying it again. More for a hobby than anything else but I was still winning and was selected to box for England.”
    Hughes went onto become a four-time national amateur champion and did not slow down even after her second son Caelin was born.
    In fact, she even boxed right up until her last week of maternity leave was due to end.
    Hughes wanted to add one more amateur title to her name until those dreams were KO’d by the coronavirus pandemic.
    But, after seeing the rise of women’s boxing throughout the lockdown period, Hughes was inspired to also turn pro, at 39.
    She said: “I was watching these girls that were doing well and there were people that I’ve sparred and that I’ve boxed and I was looking at them thinking, ‘I can still beat them.’
    “That’s what made me think that I had to give it a go.”
    Hughes turned pro and went part-time at her legal secretary role, which she still works in to this day.
    It means training and running on her lunch breaks and working a reduced week.
    Hughes, 42, revealed: “They were all really supportive.
    “My bosses, they’ve been to most my fights. One of them and another colleague even flew out to Dubai to watch my world title fight.
    “They’ve been really supportive. I work from home two days, I only have to go into the office one day so I can get my extra training in, training on my lunch breaks.
    “They’ve made it easier for me and really helped me out.”
    Hughes is a four-time national amateur champion
    Hughes juggles being a parent with boxing
    Hughes had made one defence of her world titleCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    Hughes travelled to Dubai in November 2022 as an outsider against Jamie Mitchell, who had beaten Shannon Courtenay for the belt a year prior.
    But Hughes stunned the American, 38, on points to become a 40-year-old world champion.
    She said: “We were always fighting for that opportunity and when it came there was no way we were turning it down or come back empty handed.
    “We’d watched Jamie Mitchell previously and it was always a fight that I believed I could win so even though I was an underdog, I was going into the fight 100 per cent confident.”
    Hughes had chased a unification with Ebanie Bridges, 37, until the Aussie star lost the strap to Miyo Yoshida, 35.
    So now she has turned her attention to Yoshida on route to becoming the undisputed 118lb queen.
    Hughes said: “For me now, I want to unify first and then become undisputed. That is the main goal now.

    “I’ve been chasing the Ebanie Bridges fight for a long time ever since she had the belt but she’s no longer got the belt so now I really want the Yoshida fight.
    “That’s the main one we’re targeting. And then hopefully fight Dina Thorslund who has the other two belts for undisputed.”
    Hughes walking to the ring with her eldest son LeoCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    The bantamweight wants to become undisputed champCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

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    Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undisputed belt revealed.. but fans all think it belongs in different sport

    THE WINNER between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s historic undisputed title fight looks set to be awarded an all-new belt. The unbeaten champions contest for all four WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO straps for the first time in heavyweight history on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
    Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight for the undisputed crown on February 17Credit: EPA
    An all-new undisputed title will be awarded
    And to mark the never-before-seen occasion His Excellency Turki Alalshikh – Saudi’s boxing boss – unveiled a brand new undisputed belt.
    The title, draped in gold and silver plating with black leather, also includes stones and the names of previous champions.
    And all four governing bodies appear to be on board as their logos also featured on the unveiling poster.
    But despite the excitement of the sport finally getting one true champion in the heavyweight division – fans could not help but liken the belt to something out of the WWE.
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    One said: “Wrestling vibes.”
    Another agreed: “WWE vibes.”
    One raged: “This looks horrible. Looks like something out of the UFC or WWE.”
    Anthony Joshua, 34, and Francis Ngannou, 37, also meet in Saudi on March 8 just weeks after the unification bout.
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    And it was announced the winner will then be in line to challenge either Fury, 35, or Usyk, 36, for the undisputed crown.
    His Excellency said: “You will see the result of this match will connect about the result of the 17 February – this is our idea.”
    Promoter Frank Warren added: “For the winner, the big fight’s happening on February 17, with Tyson and Usyk.
    “The winner of that – would we like to see them with the winner of this fight? Everybody in boxing would love to see that.
    “So everybody has got something to aim for. It’s huge a moment of excitement for boxing.”

    Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou fight on March 8Credit: Reuters More

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    Apollonia Llewellyn leaves little to the imagination in skin-tight see-through top as fans say ‘thank god I’m single’

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN teased fans with a funny skin-tight see-through top as she hit the streets of LA.The Misfits boxing ring girl struck a serious pose for the camera as she showed off her body in a white crop top and jeans.
    Apollonia Llewellyn teased her fans with a funny tee
    The boxing ring girl has dressed to impress since arriving in the US
    She recently stunned fans in a colourful bikini
    She accessorised her look with a white handbag and headband that pushed back her flowing blonde locks.
    But it was her tee that captured attention with the words “Your boyfriend stalks my Instagram” sprawled across the front.
    Fans loved Apollonia’s look and found the message amusing, with some responding in jest.
    One follower replied: “I’m right here stalking it with him too 🤤”
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    Another added: “Thank god I’m single then 🥵”
    A third wrote: “Because you are so amazing 😍🔥”
    And another commented: “Stunning 🥰”
    Apollonia, 23, spends a lot of her time in the US and recently wowed fans as she posed in blue lingerie while in Miami, Florida.
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    She regularly uploads racy snaps to her Instagram page where she is closing in on an astonishing 600,000 followers.
    Last week she showed off her peachy bum in a pink bikini which delighted her fans.
    And she flaunted her curves in another stunning bikini snap while in Spain.
    Inside Apollonia’s glamorous life as influencer, ring girl and model …
    Apollonia burst out of this tiny silver bikini as she drank her ‘morning juice’Credit: INSTAGRAM
    Conor McGregor was among 8,000 fans who enjoyed this see-through lacy outfitCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Thousands of Apollonia’s fans enjoyed the view on the ring girl’s holiday to New YorkCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia braved the snow in the Lake DistrictCredit: Instagram
    Apollonia really enjoyed this bowl of pasta on her summer holiday to SantoriniCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia invited fans to ‘sit and stare’ at this picture, and thousands took her up on the invitationCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Fans were worried Apollonia’s top had shrunk in the wash as she enjoyed this hearty breakfastCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia’s followers were in awe of the stunner’s new hairdo as she wowed in a tiny yellow bikiniCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia sent a cheeky message to her fans as she posed in this glamorous see-through numberCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia told fans ‘no caption needed’ as she squeezed into this skin-tight see-through playsuitCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia revealed he ‘idea of happiness’ is being ‘wind swept on the beach’ with this busty snapCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia left very little to the imagination as she ‘brightened fans’ Mondays’ in a skimpy wet T-shirtCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia shot to recognition as a member of the Misfits Boxing fight night team
    She has garnered her a huge social media presenceCredit: INSTAGRAM @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia has over 570,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    She has turned down a staggering £100,000 to pose nude beforeCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    The model insisted she isn’t money-orientedCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia shows off her jet setting lifestyle onlineCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    She also holidayed in New YorkCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia is no stranger to a bikini pictureCredit: INSTAGRAM @apolloniallewellyn
    She has built a huge following on social mediaCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia works as a model alongside her social fameCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn More

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    Anthony Joshua credits X-rated blast from Tyson Fury’s old trainer for getting him back to his vicious best

    ANTHONY JOSHUA snapped up Tyson Fury’s old trainer to return him to his vicious best.And he hopes doing a better job than Fury did against Francis Ngannou in October will finally secure their fantasy all-English heavyweight showdown.
    Anthony Joshua credits trainer Ben Davison with getting him back to his bestCredit: Getty
    Davison previously worked with the Gypsy King prior to his time with JoshuaCredit: PA
    When the Watford ace, 34, took a Riyadh rumble with Otto Wallin on six weeks’ notice, he moved in with Fury’s former coach Ben Davison.
    Davison, 27, brought out the vintage best in AJ, who smashed the Swede’s nose and cheekbone to smithereens in five rounds during last month’s Saudi Arabia fight.
    The reward — after Deontay Wilder was beaten by Joseph Parker on that undercard to KO their shootout — is a March 8 battle with ex-UFC heavyweight champ Ngannou, 37.
    That is just three weeks after WBC king Fury and WBA, IBF and WBO boss Oleksandr Usyk decide an undisputed ruler on February 17.
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    And new-look Joshua will have his eyes on the four-belt clash knowing another spectacular win of his own could convince the new Saudi shot-callers to finally make him and Fury happen.
    AJ said: “The reason I was able to gel with Ben is because he doesn’t try to change your style.
    “He just kind of looks at your attributes and then adds to what you are good at.
    “I got to a stage where I was trying to change my style — a bit of back-foot-boxing, boxing behind the jab, stick-and-move, not being explosive, controlling the pace, and stuff like that.
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    Davison helped get Fury back into the fight game after moving in with himCredit: Getty
    “But Ben was like, ‘That’s not your body type. You’re a f***ing big unit, you’re explosive, go and f***ing knock people out’.
    “Basically, work to your body type. So, we got along. He gets it.
    “I am a power puncher. I break eye sockets. I broke Wallin’s nose and eye socket, Robert Helenius just got sparked out.
    “I ruined Dillian Whyte’s career with an uppercut, the list goes on. Ngannou has to deal with me and that will make it a good fight.
    “I will have a one-track mind, it will just be bam-bam-bam-bang.
    “A good performance is a boring fight as the better fighter is totally dominant. I don’t want a slugfest, I don’t want to swap punches and think, ‘What the f*** am I supposed to do?’ I don’t want to take ten rounds to land a knockout shot.”
    Davison rocketed to prominence as he became Fury’s saviour when everyone else had given up on him.
    After a doping rap in 2016, a mental health breakdown that drove him into temporary retirement and ballooning to 28 stone, it was Davison who moved into Fury’s family home and coaxed him back into the fight business.

    ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
    Now British fight fans could get excited that the Davison derby, between his giant students past and present, might finally happen.
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    AJ added: “There are two fights people want me to have, Wilder and Fury, and they haven’t happened yet.
    “People want to see it in the UK — me and Fury. As long as we get the fight, that’s the main thing.” More

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    Glam British athlete Lauryn Davey shows off peachy bum in bikini yacht snaps as fans say ‘you definitely float my boat’

    OLYMPIC hopeful Lauryn Davey took social media by storm once more with another bikini snap.Lauryn has been causing a stir thanks to a host of steamy pics across her social media channels.
    Lauryn Davey took social media by storm once moreCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn posed in a tiny bikini for her Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn shares a series of steamy pics for her followersCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    This time, the 24-year-old took to Instagram to share some snaps from her most recent holiday.
    And the heptathlete left her 26,200 followers in awe with a tiny blue bikini.
    Lauryn posted on Instagram: “Whatever floats your boat.”
    The Welsh athlete’s fans were left absolutely stunned as they stormed the comments’ section.
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    One fan commented: “You definitely float my boat.”
    Another wrote: “Keep staying positive.”
    A third said: “How to make a bikini look hot.”
    This fan posted: “Looks stunning, the environment looks pretty good too.”
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    And that one gushed: “Beautiful.”
    Lauryn is currently a medical student at Swansea University alongside her exploits as a heptathlete.
    And the Brit hopes to represent Team GB at future games ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
    Check out more from Lauryn below
    Lauryn has attracted a large following on social mediaCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn shares a series of bikini picsCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    And she often leaves very little to imaginationCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn often shares pics of herself on holidayCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn also keeps fans updated on her fitnessCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn took social media by storm during her trip to SwedenCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She braved the cold with a tiny bikiniCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn is an Olympic hopefulCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She wants to join Team GB in the near futureCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Lauryn shares pics from the gymCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey More