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    Tyson Fury tipped to pull out of ‘hardest night ahead of him’ Oleksandr Usyk fight despite brutal training camp

    TYSON FURY has been tipped to PULL OUT of his historic heavyweight clash with Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King will bid to become the first undisputed ruler of the division in over 25 years in a lucrative Saudi showdown next month.
    Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to throw down on February 17Credit: EPA
    Their undisputed heavyweight title fight has been postponed multiple timesCredit: Getty
    Former WBC welterweight champ Shawn Porter reckons Fury may pull out of the boutCredit: AP
    Fury, 35, held Usyk’s WBA, IBF and IBO titles during his first reign as heavyweight champ, which lasted a mere 11 months.
    And Shawn Porter believes the size of the task on his hands may prompt the Wythenshawe warrior to contemplate withdrawing from the historic showdown.
    The former WBC welterweight champ told ProBox TV: “You look at a guy like Tyson Fury, a guy who has been around this track so many times.
    “I think that a fighter will get to a point where they see the hardest night ahead of them and they’re like, ‘Man, I just had so many of those hard nights, I am not going to have that hard night.’
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    “What we know about Tyson Fury is that he is a showman, what we know about Tyson Fury is that he likes things to be his way or no way.
    “Which is why he went after Francis Ngannou, because those are the kind of fights that he is looking for.
    “He is looking for things that are going to give him the money and the recognition and the nights that he is not going to have to train hard for anymore.”
    Porter isn’t the only former world champion to reckon Fury may do a runner from the fight.
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    TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
    Former super-middleweight champ Carl Froch said on his YouTube channel: “He’s got a bit of timber on him, a bit of derby that he needs to reign in before the fight.
    “I think it’s gonna be a tough one for Tyson to have a good Christmas and New Year, relax, and let his bald head down over Christmas and New Year.
    “He’s got a wonderful family, we’ve seen on Netflix.
    “He’s got a big family, his wife and seven children.
    “So, he’s gonna want to relax and have a good time.

    “Is he going to want to be training over Christmas and New Year, which he’s going to have to do, if he’s going to be ready for the February event?
    “I’m not so sure, I’ve got a feeling that fight might get pushed back until March. You heard it here first.”
    He added: “Hopefully it does happen in February.
    Read more on The Sun
    “The Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight for the unification – for the heavyweight undisputed unification fight – has to happen.
    “I’m optimistic it will, I’ve just got my reservations that it’s going to happen in February.” More

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    Boxing champion announces birth of first son and then divorces wife just TWO HOURS later

    RYAN GARCIA has announced both the birth of his first son and his divorce from his wife.The former WBC interim lightweight champion confirmed his split from Andrea Celina just two hours after revealing the news of the birth.
    Ryan Garcia announced the birth of his son and divorce just hours apartCredit: Getty
    The former WBC interim lightweight champion confirmed the arrival of son Henry LeoCredit: Instagram @kingryan
    In an Instagram post on Friday, Garcia announced to his followers that son Henry Leo had been born.
    Alongside a snap of the newborn baby, he wrote: “Honored To announce my beautiful first born son.
    “Praise the lord. I am so thankful, I love him so much already. He is so fast already haha. Took him just 8 min to arrive.
    “You know where he got that speed from lol. God did! And God will.
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    “Henry Leo Garcia. He will be ten times stronger, ten times wise, ten times better looking but he will need to work ten times harder. Thank you lord I love you.”
    However, shortly afterwards, he uploaded a statement confirming his and Andrea’s divorce.
    The pair tied the knot in 2021 and have two other children together.
    In his statement, Garcia told his fans: “As I step into a new chapter in my life, it’s with a heavy heart to share that Drea and I have decided to divorce.
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    Garcia also announced he and his wife Andrea Celina have splitCredit: Instagram @dreacelina
    Andrea has two children with the 25-year-old boxerCredit: Instagram / @dreacelina
    “While this decision marks the end of our marriage, it’s important to emphasise that our relationship as co-parents remains our top priority.”
    King Ry has amassed a 24-1 record with 20 knockouts since making his professional debut aged 17.
    He has since become one of the sports biggest stars and moved up to a 136lbs catchweight for a super fight with Gervonta Davis last April.
    The seventh round KO loss is the sole defeat on his record to date.
    Garcia bounced back by knocking out Oscar Duarte Jurado in Houston in December.
    The 25-year-old’s next bout has yet to be confirmed as he targets a 25th pro victory.
    The couple had been married since 2021
    Andrea has 140,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram / @dreacelina More

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    Anthony Joshua breaks silence on huge Francis Ngannou clash and appears to reveal date for Saudi showdown

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has broken his silence on his showdown with Francis Ngannou – and he’s seemingly leaked the date for their crossover clash.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion will throw down with the MMA man-mountain in a multi-million-pound Saudi showdown later this year.
    Anthony Joshua will be back in action later this yearCredit: Getty
    AJ will throw down with former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou in his firstCredit: GETTY
    The Watford warrior broke his silence on the fight on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA
    Eddie Hearn shocked the combat sports world early on Saturday morning by announcing the duo’s Riyadh Rumble.
    Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn, however, stopped short of revealing the date for the fight.
    But Joshua appears to have revealed the date in his first social media post since the announcement of the contest.
    Taking to his Instagram story this morning, AJ shared the well-known Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas meme featuring main character CJ.
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    In the meme, CJ says: “Ah s**t, here we go again.”
    Joshua, 34, wrote “8/3/23” underneath the meme – seemingly alluding to the date for his clash with the Cameroonian clubber.
    It’s more than likely, however, that the pair will throw down on March 9th as the eighth is a Friday.
    Boxing fans were quick to react to AJ’s post, with one commenting: “On a Friday?”
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    ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
    Another said: “What happened to not being interested in Ngannou and rather be[ing a] world champion?”
    And another said: “Easy nights work to set up a big 2024 for AJ LETS GOOO.”
    One remarked: “Fact he’s gonna get maybe 50 million quid for this fight is mental.”
    Another chimed in: “Here we go again to make some f***ing money!”
    Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou announced himself to boxing fans around the world last October with a stunning display against Tyson Fury.
    ‘The Predator’ shocked the world with an incredible performance in his first professional boxing match, in which he DROPPED Fury.
    Fury’s blushes were saved thanks to a split decision verdict, although the rise in his stock made Ngannou the real winner of the night.
    Francis Ngannou dropped Tyson Fury in their Saudi showdown last OctoberCredit: GETTY
    Boxing fans are still digesting Joshua’s decision to throw down with Professional Fighters League pounder Ngannou.
    But long-time promoter Hearn revealed last week the fight could come to fruition if a showdown with mandatory IBF title challenger Filip Hrgovic couldn’t be made.
    He told iFL TV: “Right now, we have three fights that we’re in discussions for.
    “They’re all big and that doesn’t involve Deontay Wilder for March. Our aim, and they’ve expressed this is to fight the winner of Fury-Usyk.
    “That’s all we want to do, obviously there’s the Hrgovic fight out there for the world heavyweight title.
    “There’s a Francis Ngannou fight out there which would be absolutely colossal.
    “There’s other heavyweights as well, there’s a Zhang fight possible as well with Queensberry.”
    Hearn was critical of Ngannou’s skillset ahead of his clash with Fury, saying: “If you watch him on the pads.
    Francis Ngannou shocked fight fans with his display against Tyson FuryCredit: REUTERS
    “I don’t want to be disrespectful.
    “But there is absolutely no way in the world that Francis Ngannou could win even a Southern Area title.
    “Johnny Fisher is our guy, Southern Area champion.
    “Johnny Fisher vs Ngannou is a total mismatch, Fisher would have him out of there in a round.”
    But after watching him bamboozle Fury, he said: “I can’t believe what we were watching.
    “A complete novice in everybody’s book just beat Tyson Fury. Ngannou won that fight.
    Read more on The Sun
    “He dropped him. I mean, they did very little in the back end of the fight.
    “But Fury looked like … you’re talking about the lineal heavyweight champion of the world.” More

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    Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou tale of the tape: How the two heavyweight boxers compare ahead of March blockbuster

    ANTHONY JOSHUA will be back in the ring later this year against the surprise package of 2023 – Francis Ngannou.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion will continue his career rebuild with a lucrative Saudi showdown with the MMA man-mountain.
    Anthony Joshua will be back in action in MarchCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
    AJ will be back in action against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY
    The pair will clash in Saudi Arabia on March 9Credit: INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA
    Promoter Eddie Hearn announced the shock deal early on Saturday morning but stopped short of revealing the date for the fight.
    SunSport, however, understands the Riyadh rumble has been earmarked for March 9 – the date initially reserved for AJ’s now dead-in-the-water clash with Deontay Wilder.
    Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou shocked the world last October with a virtuoso display against WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, who he dropped in the third round of their “Battle of the Baddest”.
    The combat sports world is abuzz with predictions for The Predator’s shock opponent for his ring return.
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    So SunSport thought it’d only be right to break down all the pre-fight numbers ahead of their March meeting.
    Age
    Father Time is on the side of beloved Brit Joshua in his clash with the Cameroonian clubber.
    Joshua turned 34 last October, while Ngannou celebrated his 37th birthday a month before he locked horns with Fury.
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    ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
    Physical
    Both men are absolute mountains, there’s no doubt about that.
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    But AJ – who went 3-0 last year with wins over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin – is the taller of the musclebound duo.
    The Watford warrior stands at 6’6 in comparison to Ngannou’s 6’4 stature.
    Ngannou is, however, the heavier of the pair having weighed 19 st 4lb for his clash with Fury.
    Joshua, meanwhile, weighed in nearly two stone lighter than Ngannou for his clash with Wallin – tipping the scales at 17st 9lb.
    The duo’s respective reaches are virtually identical, with Ngannou edging out the battle with 83-inch-extending arms in comparison to Joshua’s 82-inch reach.
    Anthony Joshua is the bigger man of the duo – standing at a whopping 6’6Credit: GETTY
    Cameroonian clubber Ngannou is the heavier of the pairCredit: AFP
    Records
    Joshua has more career fights to his name than Ngannou, taking to the ring 30 times as a professional.
    AJ has registered a whopping 24 stoppages and only tasted defeat three times, two of which came at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk.
    Ngannou has a combined record of 21 fights in boxing and MMA and has picked up 12 knockouts in his 17 wins.
    He has four defeats to his name, the last of which was controversially inflicted on him by Fury.

    Anthony Joshua has knocked out 24 of 28 his career opponentsCredit: Reuters
    Francis Ngannou has 12 brutal knockout wins on his resumeCredit: GETTY More

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    Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou: Date, TV channel, live stream and card info for huge Saudi crossover bout

    EDDIE HEARN has confirmed that Anthony Joshua will take on MMA legend Francis Ngannou in his next fight.The bout is expected to be a ten-round boxing match between the two-time former heavyweight champion and the ex-UFC title holder and is another coup for Saudi dealmaker Turki Al-Sheikh.

    Anthony Joshua beat Otto Wallin last time outCredit: REUTERS
    AJ recently overcame tricky southpaw Otto Wallin on the blockbuster bill in Saudi Arabia on December 23rd.
    Before last month’s epic card, Joshua was expected to fight long-term rival Deontay Wilder after his meeting with the Swede.
    But any hopes of a deal went up in smoke after the Bronze Bomber was on the end of a shock defeat to Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia.
    Ngannou raised many eyebrows in the world of boxing following his stunning debut against Tyson Fury in October 2023.
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    Many thought the UFC legend got the better of the Gypsy King on the night, but the heavyweight champion was victorious by way of split decision.
    When is Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou?

    Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou is expected to take place in March 2024.
    An official date is yet to be revealed but check back soon, as SunSport will have all the information you need ahead of the huge bout.
    The crossover clash will take place in Saudi Arabia.

    What TV channel is Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou on and can it be live streamed?

    TV details for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou have not been announced, but it’s likely that the fight will be broadcast on DAZN.
    Eddie Hearn has revealed a press conference will take place on January 15th in London which will reveal further information.

    Undercard
    No other fights on the Joshua vs Ngannou card have been announced yet, but check back soon as SunSport will have all the details.
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    MAIN EVENT: Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou More

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    Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou CONFIRMED as Brit will fight Tyson Fury tormentor in March in Saudi Arabia

    EDDIE HEARN has confirmed Anthony Joshua’s next fight will be against UFC legend Francis Ngannou.After reports emerged on social media late on Friday night, the Matchroom boxing chief took to X to announce that they were true.
    Anthony Joshua is set for a bumper Saudi showdown in MarchCredit: Reuters
    He will face UFC legend Francis Ngannou, the man who floored Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
    AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed the fight is a ‘done deal’Credit: Getty

    And he announced that the exact date for the mega-money clash will unveiled at a press conference in London on January 15.
    Hearn wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Tonight we confirm it’s a Done Deal! @anthonyjoshua v @francis_ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – press conference Jan 15 in London with full details dropping soon.”
    The bout is expected to be a ten-round boxing match between the two-time former heavyweight champion and ex-UFC title holder and is another coup for Saudi dealmaker Turki Al-Sheikh.
    The news comes after AJ’s £100million two-fight deal with Deontay Wilder went up in smoke last month after the American suffered a shock defeat to former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.
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    The first of the duo’s back-to-back fights was set to take place in Saudi Arabia on March 9.
    But a spring return to action still appears to be on the cards for the Brit, even though a long-overdue showdown with Wilder isn’t.
    Hearn also recently revealed that he hopes Joshua can replicate the schedule he had in 2023, in which he fought three times in the space of ten months, winning all three.
    He beat Jermain Franklin by unanimous decision back in March before knocking out Robert Helenius in the seventh round in August.
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    Joshua then stretched his winning-streak to three by forcing Wallin to retire at the end of the fifth round last month in Saudi.
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    Meanwhile the 37-year-old Ngannou put his MMA career on hold last year to fight WBC champ Tyson Fury, 35, in Saudi.
    He shockingly dropped the Gypsy King only to be controversially beaten on points but his stock has risen.
    And now he has secured what promises to be another bumper payday against one of boxing’s finest after banking £8m for his last outing in the ring with Fury.
    Ngannou posted his own message to fans on social media tonight amid the news, saying: “Making big moves in the new year. 2024 is going to be [fire emoji].”
    Joshua is desperate to return to the top of the mountain in the heavyweight division and become a three-time champ.
    However, he and the rest of the top contenders are currently waiting to see who emerges triumphant when Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face-off in their unification fight.
    That mouthwatering showdown will also take place in Saudi on February 17 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
    Usyk, who beat Joshua for the WBA, WBO and IBF straps and then triumphed in the rematch, has a record of 21-0, while undefeated Fury sits at 33-1-0.
    Francis Ngannou was widely-praised for his performance against the Gypsy KingCredit: Reuters
    Anthony Joshua looked back to his best when he battered Otto WallinCredit: Getty
    Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will unify the heavyweight division in FebruaryCredit: EPA

    TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT More

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    Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith: UK start time, live stream, TV channel for huge light-heavyweight world title clash

    BRIT Callum Smith will look to do with no other man has when he takes on Artur Beterbiev next weekend.Beterbiev defends his WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight titles in what should be a cracker of a match-up.
    Artur Beterbiev beat Anthony Yarde last year by TKO8Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Callum Smith hasn’t been in the ring for 18 monthsCredit: PA
    Smith was a world champion at 168lbs but has since moved up in weight and looked impressive.
    Beterbiev, 38, has won all of his 19 fights by knockout but looked vulnerable in his win over Anthony Yarde a year ago.
    Smith and his Russian opponent were supposed to fight back in August, but an injury to Beterbiev set the fight back a few months.
    Smith dispatched of Lenin Castillo with a brutal knockout before folding Mathieu Bauderlique in half last year.
    He hasn’t faced anyone like Beterbiev, however, and he has to do so on away soil in Canada.
    When is Beterbiev vs Smith?

    Beterbiev’s big clash with Smith will take place on Saturday, January 13.
    Ring-walks for the main event will likely get going from 4am UK time on Sunday, January 14.
    The fight will be held at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

    What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

    Smith vs Beterbiev will be shown live on Sky Sports Arena and Main Event in the UK.
    You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go app, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

    Smith vs Beterbiev undercard

    Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith – for IBF, WBC and WBO light-heavyweight titles
    Jason Moloney vs Saul Sanchez – for WBO bantamweight title
    Christian Mbilli vs Rohan Murdock
    Imam Khataev vs Rodolfo Gomez Jr
    Christopher Guerrero vs Sergio Garcia Herrera
    Mehmet Unal vs Dragan Lepei
    Leila Beaudoin vs Elizabeth Chavez Espinoza
    Moreno Fendero vs Victor Hugo Flores
    Wilkens Mathieu vs TBA

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    What has been said?
    Smith said: “I’m no stranger to fighting on away soil, having boxed in Saudi Arabia twice, across America, and now heading to Canada on August 19.
    “There was no hesitation from me going to Canada to fight Artur Beterbiev, and I will be returning to Liverpool as a world champion once more.
    “I’m excited to finally get my opportunity to become a two-weight world champion.”
    Beterbiev added: “He’s good opponent. He’s good challenge for me.
    “If we talk about my past opponents, I never say someone’s going to be easy for me, if it’s going to be easy for me or not.
    “Like him too, I’m preparing for Callum Smith for 100 per cent like he prepare for me too.
    “I have boxing coach and condition coach for power training, cardio.
    “Every camp I ask them after sparrings or after my toughest trainings with my condition coach, ‘how is it? Is it better than five years ago or not good? How do you think?’ And they tell me it’s better than five years ago but I don’t know.
    “I feel good too, but I think they lie to me. I feel good, I’m good. I feel everything good.” More

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    Deontay Wilder’s loss to Joseph Parker could pave way for shock MMA switch after talks for never-before-seen fight

    DEONTAY WILDER’S £100million deal to fight Anthony Joshua looks to have been KO’d – but it has opened the door to a shock MMA switch. The pair of former world heavyweight champions had signed to meet in a March 9 blockbuster in Saudi Arabia.
    Deontay Wilder after his December defeat to Joseph ParkerCredit: Getty
    Wilder had been expected to beat Parker and set up a fight with AJCredit: Getty
    But it was axed after Wilder suffered a loss to Joseph Parker, 31, just moments before AJ stopped Otto Wallin, 32.
    So the American is now left to reconsider his options following defeat – but Joshua was not the only super-fight on the table.
    Wilder had held talks with MMA promotion The Professional Fighters League, who last year prised Francis Ngannou away from the UFC.
    Discussions were ongoing for the boxing star to meet Ngannou in the middle with a never-before-seen hybrid fight of mixed rules in an MMA cage.
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    And PFL CEO Peter Murray insisted the loss to Parker does not kill the deal – it in fact only aids it.
    Murray told SunSport: “We had a number of conversations and conversations are ongoing.
    “I think despite Deontay’s loss, I believe it’s now a great opportunity for Deontay to take on a new challenge in MMA and modified rules to get these two hardest-hitting fighters in a cage together.
    “I think that’s a fight that fans would absolutely get up for and for both Francis and Deontay, I think it’s a real conversation.”
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    Murray hopes Wilder, 38, could now look for a fresh start altogether with his boxing career facing uncertainty.
    He said: “It’s a great opportunity for Deontay to take on a new challenge.
    “He’s a great fighter, despite the loss, he’s a great fighter, a great boxer and he has interest to get into a modified rules MMA fight.
    “I think this gives everybody the opportunity and flexibility to take it on.”
    Ngannou is yet to debut with the PFL having instead crossed over to boxing in October to fight current WBC champ Tyson Fury.
    And he astonishingly dropped Fury – only to lose a controversial decsion.
    With Joshua, 34, also forced to look elsewhere, Ngannou, 37, has been touted as a potential opponent for that March 9 date.
    And Murray confirmed the Cameroonian will fight in both the cage and ring this year – which will mark his anticipated PFL debut.
    He said: “It will definitely be in 2024.
    Read more on The Sun
    “Francis has announcements coming in boxing and in MMA. You’ll be hearing from us in the coming weeks on that.”
    Francis Ngannou knocked down Tyson Fury despite losing on pointsCredit: GETTY
    Anthony Joshua has been linked with fighting NgannouCredit: Getty More