Aurelia Butler

More stories

  • 225 Shares149 Views

    in Boxing

    Eddie Hearn undergoes brutal 72 hour fast that transformed UFC chief’s body as promoter unveils healthy diet plan

    EDDIE HEARN underwent the same brutal 72 hour fast that transformed Dana White – before getting back to healthy eating. UFC president White last year went 86 hours without food, lasting with only water and claimed he felt like a “superhero”.
    Eddie Hearn underwent a brutal 72 hour fastCredit: David Venni / Men’s Health UK
    UFC president Dana White transformed his body
    Now boxing promoter Hearn – who recently featured on the cover of Men’s Health – has followed up with a three-day fast.
    He tracked his progress on Instagram before finally feasting at 7.30pm after living off just water and electrolytes.
    Hearn posted: “Job done! 72 hour fast complete. Feel good and was a good mental challenge!”
    The man behind Anthony Joshua’s career then shared his healthy diet plan.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    It consisted of 500ml detox drink, green veg in spinach and broccoli as well as sweet potato and avocado.
    Hearn also had some coconut protein balls, a protein shake, peri chicken, a chicken curry and a coconut banana cookie.
    The 44-year-old recently embarked on a demanding ten-week workout programme to get in shape and now feels better than ever.
    He told Men’s Health UK: “When I wake up in the morning, I go into the bathroom and I get a glimpse of myself and go, ‘F**king hell yeah,’ and that’s good enough.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    “That makes me feel great for the day.”
    Hearn’s outlook has completely changed as he focuses on improving his fitness even further.
    He added: “Right now, physically, I feel better than I’ve ever felt in my life, and I’m 44 years old.
    “I’m excited to see what’s going to happen in six months, what’s going to happen in 12 months, what’s going to happen in three years.”

    Read about Eddie Hearn’s workouts on the new Men’s Health app, available to download now.

    Hearn featured on the cover of Men’s HealthCredit: David Venni / Men’s Health UK More

  • 288 Shares179 Views

    in Boxing

    I’m a boxing champ with a 100 per cent KO record and BEAT Oleksandr Usyk… here’s why Tyson Fury will defeat him too

    ARTUR BETERBIEV stands as boxing’s only champion with a 100 per cent knockout ratio – while also holding a rare win over Oleksandr Usyk. The feared Russian has 19 wins all inside the distance with unified WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight belts to his name.
    Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
    But he was also an established amateur boxer, winning gold and silver medals in world and European championships.
    Beterbiev shared a rivalry in the unpaid ranks with Usyk, coming out a 2-1 loser in their three-bout series.
    And in their 2011 AIBA world championship quarter-final in Baku, he dropped the Ukrainian with a body shot.
    Reflecting on the bouts, he told Sky Sports: “That time my weight was only 83kgs. I’ve never been 90kgs in a fight.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “We had another fight too in the amateurs. There was a match [in Russia], I had fight with him there at 81kgs and I beat him on the first day.
    “You know Oleksandr Usyk, he does his job very well. What I can say, good for him.”
    Beterbiev, 38, returns on Saturday in a title defence against Britain’s Callum Smith, 33, in Canada.
    Meanwhile Usyk, 36, faces Tyson Fury, 35, for the undisputed heavyweight crown on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    And Beterbiev backed Fury to defeat his old amateur rival.
    He said: “I said when they fight, Oleksandr Usyk with Joshua, I said I think Joshua is going to win.
    “I’m more for Joshua because he’s a real heavyweight. He’s not a cruiserweight.
    “There’s a big difference. I say who is preparing well, will win. Now too, I think Tyson Fury is going to win. But who’s preparing well, he’s going to win.”
    Artur Beterbiev is the unified light-heavyweight championCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

  • 250 Shares149 Views

    in Boxing

    Francis Ngannou vows to KO Anthony Joshua as UFC legend pinpoints why Brit is an ‘easier’ fight than Tyson Fury

    FRANCIS NGANNOU has vowed to knock out Anthony Joshua – believing it will be an easier night’s work than against Tyson Fury. Ngannou put his MMA career on hold last year to cross over to the boxing ring for a fight with the Gypsy King.
    Francis Ngannou fights Anthony Joshua nextCredit: AFP
    Joshua and Ngannou will meet in Saudi ArabiaCredit: AFP
    And the boxing debutant astonishingly floored Fury, 35, but failed to keep him down before losing a controversial decision.
    But Ngannou, 37, claimed he will not make the same mistake of letting Joshua, 34, back up when they share the ring in March.
    He said on The MMA Hour: “I think most likely [I will] knock Anthony Joshua out. I think that he’s easier to go down than Fury.
    “That was my first fight in boxing. As anyone, I’m just improving, and the gap of improvement for a beginner like me, it’s huge.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “I’m just a beginner improving. No one still knows what I can do. Not that he’s not a strong fighter.
    “He’s a very tough fighter, but he’s easier to send down than Fury, and it’s harder for him to get back up than Fury.
    “If AJ takes the punch that Fury took, I don’t guarantee that he is getting up.
    “I have heard that he doesn’t have a chin, I am going to find out.”
    Most read in Boxing

    ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    Joshua was expected to face Deontay Wilder, 38, until the American was stunned by Joseph Parker, 31.
    So AJ was forced to look elsewhere for a blockbuster bout and fell on the ex-UFC champion, who praised for British star for his last win over Otto Wallin. 32.
    Ngannou said: “He looked amazing. Congratulations to him. He was doing his job properly. His speed was there.
    “He looked sharp, very sharp, but on the other hand, I think there wasn’t a response in front of him.
    “I think I will have a better response in front of him that will put him not in such comfortable positions and situations.
    “I think he’s still the same fighter, that doesn’t mean he can’t lose. I’m intending to hand him a loss. Things will change.
    “Things will be different. I will not stand there and just look at him. It’s going to be different.
    “I’m going to throw some bombs out there, and he’s going to be mindful of what he’s doing.” More

  • 213 Shares159 Views

    in Boxing

    UFC legend announces shock comeback just weeks before 50th birthday despite admitting he has brain damage symptoms

    UFC legend Mark Hunt has announced plans to make a comeback – despite previously admitting he has brain damage symptoms. Heavyweight Hunt – who turns 50 in March – is an icon in New Zealand with a storied kickboxing and MMA career.
    Mark Hunt celebrates his win over Sonny Bill Williams in 2022Credit: Getty
    But he has not fought since November 2022, when he became the first to defeat All Blacks star-turned boxer Sonny Bill Williams.
    Now, Hunt revealed he is looking to make a return in 2024.
    He said on Instagram: “I’m looking forward to a good new year this year,’ Hunt said in a video message.
    “[In] 2024 I’m looking at fighting again, three or four [fights] maybe. I’m taking some offers.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “It’s especially a challenge at my age. I’m going to be 50 this year, but looking forward to the challenge and financially it will be great.”
    Hunt has also opened the door to a move into bare-knuckle boxing.
    He commented on the post: “3 fights and I will take the belt.”
    Hunt had 29 MMA fights, nearly 50 kickboxing bouts and four in the boxing ring.
    Most read in Boxing
    And in 2017, Hunt admitted to suffering from brain damage symptoms.
    He said: “My body is f****d but my mind is still here.
    “I’ve still got my senses about me and I know what’s right and wrong, which is the main thing.
    “Sometimes I don’t sleep well. You can hear me starting to stutter and slur my words. My memory is not that good anymore.
    “I’ll forget something I did yesterday but I can remember the s*** I did years and years ago.
    “That’s just the price I’ve paid – the price of being a fighter.”
    Hunt has been fighting since 1999, and has competed as a boxer, a kick boxer, a wrestler and a MMA fighter. More

  • 250 Shares179 Views

    in Boxing

    Tyson Fury was ‘not 100 per cent focused’ in Francis Ngannou fight as sparring partner lifts lid on major distraction

    TYSON FURY’S sparring partner Martin Bakole has claimed the Brit “was not 100 per cent” focused on Francis Ngannou ahead of their showdown in October.Fury, 35, was the overwhelming favourite against former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou, 37, as the MMA star was making his professional debut in boxing.
    Tyson Fury was knocked down by Francis Ngannou before he scraped a split-decision winCredit: Getty
    But the sporting world was left stunned in the third round as The Gypsy King was sent tumbling to the canvas.
    He got back to his feet and sealed a controversial split-decision victory, but his performance left many thoroughly underwhelmed.
    Prior to the fight, it was confirmed he would face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown providing he came through Ngannou.
    Fury-Usyk is now set for February 17 as they both bid to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    And Bakole, 30, who sparred Fury in the lead-up to his clash with Ngannou, has revealed the Usyk bout being signed was a distraction for the Morecambe boxer.
    Speaking to IFL TV, Bakole said: “To be honest, I was in Tyson Fury’s camp.
    “If you watch my interview [at the event] when people are asking me, I was saying I will not be surprised to see Ngannou drop Tyson Fury, because, to be honest, Tyson was not 100 per cent focused in the gym.
    “For me, my opinion is the signed contract with Usyk affected his mind for the Ngannou fight.”
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    He then went on to add: “I’ve never seen Tyson training like that.
    “He was doing four rounds, six rounds in the gym for sparring… Maybe he’s watching this and knows he wasn’t 100 per cent focused.
    “That’s not the Tyson Fury I know when he was preparing for Klitschko, Chisora, and Dillian Whyte. This was different.”
    As Fury prepares for undefeated Ukrainian Usyk, 36, it has now been revealed that Ngannou will face Anthony Joshua on March 9.
    Both blockbuster heavyweight dust-ups are taking place in Saudi Arabia, with AJ eyeing the winner of the undisputed bout as he hopes to finally get his hands on Fury. More

  • 288 Shares109 Views

    in Boxing

    I sparred Tyson Fury before he got dropped by Ngannou, he slacked in the gym and only did four rounds at a time

    TYSON FURY got embarrassed by Francis Ngannou because he was slacking in the gym, according to one of his sparring partners.The Gypsy King eked out a controversial split decision victory over the former UFC heavyweight champion in their Riyadh rumble last October.
    Tyson Fury locked horns with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou in a boxing match last OctoberCredit: AP
    The Gypsy King was dropped by the boxing novice but eked out a split-decision winCredit: AFP
    Fury’s sparring partner Martin Bakole has revealed he was slacking in the gym when it came to sparsCredit: INSTAGRAM@MARTIN_BAKOLE
    Fury was cut and DROPPED by the boxing novice in the third round of the crossover clash, which will live long in the memory of boxing fans.
    And according to Martin Bakole, the WBC king’s lack of adequate preparation from a sparring perspective almost resulted in him suffering his first professional loss.
    He told iFL TV: “I’ve never seen Tyson training like that. He was doing four rounds, six rounds in the gym for sparring.
    “Maybe he’s watching this and knows he wasn’t 100 per cent focused.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “That’s not the Tyson Fury I know when were preparing for [Wladimir] Klitschko, [Derek] Chisora and Dillian Whyte.
    “This was different.”
    Fury, 35, is seemingly leaving no stone unturned for his undisputed heavyweight title fight with former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk next month.
    Bakole knows a thing or two about Usyk having sparred undefeated Ukrainian on multiple occasions.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES

    TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
    And he reckons the former cruiserweight king could cause a huge upset if Fury doesn’t mind his Ps and Qs.
    He said: “This is a hard question. Very hard question. 50/50.
    “On points, I can see Usyk. And a knockout, it may be a surprise, but the Gypsy King.
    “Because he has to fix his mistakes, you know, people judge him against Ngannou.
    “Imagine if he stops Usyk, they will say that the Ngannou fight was a little bit of a mistake, he didn’t take it serious.
    “It’s so hard because I know Usyk is world-class. Top-class movement. But the Gypsy King … I’ll go draw for me.”
    Fury is anticipating a tough night at the office against slick southpaw but insists: “There’s only one winner, and I am destined to become the undisputed champion.
    “More than that, I am destined to cement my legacy as the No. 1 fighter in this era.
    “To do that I have to beat this little man and that’s it, simple as.
    “Easier said than done I understand, he’s a tricky man, good boxer, slick.
    Read more on The Sun
    “But I have seen many people like him before and when they fight the big men they struggle.
    “He’s going to struggle on February 17 and he’s going to lose, I will break him for sure.” More

  • 238 Shares119 Views

    in Boxing

    Anthony Joshua receives chilling warning from Francis Ngannou who claims Brit ‘doesn’t have a chin’ ahead of Saudi clash

    FRANCIS NGANNOU has vowed to give Anthony Joshua’s chin a good test in their shock showdown.The former UFC heavyweight champion will throw down with the golden boy of British boxing in a lucrative March melee in Saudi Arabia.
    Anthony Joshua will be back in action in Saudi Arabia in MarchCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
    AJ will face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY
    Ngannou has vowed to hand AJ his second professional stoppage lossCredit: PA
    Ngannou, 37, bagged the Riyadh rumble with AJ on the back of a stunning display against Tyson Fury last October, in which he dropped the Gypsy King.
    And The Predator is confident the left hook that floored the WBC heavyweight king will put AJ out for the count.
    During an appearance on The MMA Hour, the Cameroonian clubber said: “If AJ takes the punch that Fury took, I don’t guarantee that he’s standing up.
    “I’ve heard that he doesn’t have a chin. I’m going to find out.”
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    Long-time AJ promoter Eddie Hearn was critical of Ngannou’s boxing skills prior to his shock display against Fury, who eked out a split decision victory over the MMA man mountain.
    The Matchroom Boxing chief has somewhat changed his opinion, although he believes Ngannou will be “easy work” for Watford warrior AJ.
    Ngannou, however, plans to give both men a rude awakening with another shock display in Riyadh.
    He said of Hearn’s comments: “Eddie is a promoter, that’s a routine for him.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

    ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
    “He says the same thing all the time, just not about Francis Ngannou but somebody else.
    “That’s just what he does. The date is set.
    “It’s two months from now, and if any of them think they’re going to have easy money, that’s too bad for them.”
    Ngannou is so confident of getting the better of AJ that he’s already mentally drawing up plans to rematch the Nigerian-born Brit in Africa.
    He said: “At the end of the day, it’s great stuff for both of us.
    “He could be my brother and I’d still fight him because it elevates us both, it elevates the sport, it elevates the continent.
    “It’s not about a fight.
    “You are not fighting somebody because you hate him, you fight him because it’s a challenge and the fight always elevates both fighters.
    Read more on The Sun
    “Eddie Hearn said a lot of s***, but one thing he said that makes sense is maybe a potential rematch in Africa with Joshua.
    “I think that sounds cool. We will call that Black Excellence.” More

  • 250 Shares169 Views

    in Boxing

    Anthony Joshua loses in bizarre tug-of-war against a LIGER as Brit boxing hero enjoys trip to zoo with football legend

    ANTHONY JOSHUA might want to avoid the re-match claws – after losing a tug of war with a LIGER.The boxer even posed with an “I lost” sign as he reassured the rare hybrid of a lion and tiger that it was the king of the rumble.
    Anthony Joshua strained seriously but still came a distant second in his one-one-one with the liger at the exclusive zooCredit: The Mega Agency
    The extremely-rare hybrid proved it was the best of the beastCredit: The Mega Agency
    The boxer did the zoological equivalent of throwing in the towelCredit: The Mega Agency
    Joshua joined the cub for some up-close feeding timeCredit: The Mega Agency
    Ex-footballer Alessandro Del Piero, who won 91 Italy caps, was with his family when he too challenged the liger in another mismatchCredit: The Mega Agency
    There’s nothing for AJ to feel grizzly about as he warmed up for what could be a spectacular year in the ring with a touching bear encounterCredit: The Mega Agency
    AJ was visiting a Dubai zoo, along with Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero, when he took on his unlikeliest opponent ever.
    The Brit, who won all three comeback fights in 2023, must soon start preparing for a bout with UFC icon Francis Ngannou, probably in March.
    Many believe that’s a strange route to proving he is the top cat of boxing – but it’s nothing compared to his latest method of relaxing.
    The ex-world heavyweight champion grinned but gritted his teeth as he pulled on a rope – with a huge liger at the other end.
    READ MORE TOP STORIES
    There are thought to be fewer than 100 of the animals in existence, reportedly all in captivity.
    It’s the offspring of a male lion and female tiger, making it the largest cat in the world.
    And when this specimen got its teeth into one end of the rope, it was too strong for the weight and straining hands of Joshua at the other end.
    Needless to say, ex-Juventus striker Del Pierro went the same way as AJ when he followed suit in his own tug of war with the liger.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

    ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
    All in all, it was no surprise when Joshua looked more confident elsewhere at the Fame Park zoo, especially when he bottle-fed a baby lion.
    The 34-year-old – a guest of Dr Saif Belhas, the billionaire owner of the invitation-only venue – was also pictured hand-feeding a bear, holding a sloth and draped with a massive python.
    But he’ll hope setting up a clash with the winner of February’s bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury proves less slippery.
    Joshua could only smile as he succumbed to defeat vs the ligerCredit: The Mega Agency
    Away from the liger, AJ found it less stressful with other animals at the zoo, including some slightly large but nevertheless still big catsCredit: The Mega Agency
    Joshua also posed with a python, having snaked back into contention at the top of heavyweight boxing with three straight winsCredit: The Mega Agency
    Azzurri icon Del Piero, known for his super-fast finishing, was happy to be snapped with a sloth, known for its super-slow lifestyleCredit: The Mega Agency More