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    Meet Anthony Joshua’s 6ft 8in boxing prospect who has sparred Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder for Tyson Fury fights

    EMANUEL ODIASE is Anthony Joshua’s 6ft 8in prospect garnering a reputation for being the perfect Tyson Fury replica. Odiase, an ex-amateur standout in Germany, has since relocated to Wolverhampton under the guidance of AJ’s 258 management stable. Anthony Joshua with heavyweight prospect Emanuel OdiaseCredit: @emaodiaseOleksandr Usyk has had Odiase in camp with him three timesCredit: @emaodiaseDeontay Wilder had Odiase in camp with him before fighting Tyson FuryCredit: @emaodiaseThe huge heavyweight prodigy is only 2-0 as a professional but he has already shared the ring with Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk. He told SunSport: “It’s not bad! I was in the ring with Wilder when I was about 21, I was young. I had about 12 amateur fights. “No one can say they shared the ring with one of the biggest punchers in history with like 12 amateur fights. “I’ve been getting great experience from day one, to be honest. Now it’s about transferring everything I’ve learned in camps over to the pros.” READ MORE IN BOXINGHe was recruited by Wilder when he was still an amateur as the American prepared to rematch Fury, two years on from their 2018 draw. And in 2021, he first met Joshua who at the time was gearing up for a potential Gypsy King face-off. That Battle of Britain infamously fell through as Fury was contracted to a trilogy bout with Wilder, which he won in 11 rounds. But not only did it give Odiase the chance to share rounds with AJ, it also paved the way for the two to build a relationship. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThat soon turned into a business opportunity when Odiase decided to turn over this year. He said: “We got along pretty well, stayed in touch and I sent him some of my amateur fights to get his feedback.  Fans fear Anthony Joshua will be ‘sleeping for a week’ after Francis Ngannou BREAKS scale on punch machine“And last year when I made the decision to turn pro, I said to him, ‘I’m ready to go pro now, what do you think about different managers?’ “I asked him about different people, Egis Klimas, Usyk’s manager as well and then he was like, ‘You want to speak to my manager.’ “And that’s when I said yeah and it all started from a message on WhatsApp, to be honest.” It was through his connection with Joshua and manager Freddie Cunningham that he then met his now-trainer Joby Clayton. And Odiase has set up camp in Wolverhampton and adopted the UK as the new home of his career. It was also through his boxing links – and more specifically heavyweight veteran Gerald Washington – that he was recruited by Usyk’s team. He has been in camp with Usyk three times, last March in Turkey for a would-be Fury fight, in Poland before the Daniel Dubois bout and more recently in Spain. Odiase sparred Wilder while still an amateurCredit: @emaodiaseJoshua has signed Odiase to his 258 management stableCredit: @emaodiaseUsyk used Odiase to prepare for his fight with FuryCredit: @emaodiaseBut just two weeks before Usyk was due to challenge for the undisputed crown in Saudi Arabia, Fury withdrew with a cut sustained in sparring. The title unification has since been postponed to May 18 – leaving the door open to Odiase to rejoin the sparring squad.He said: “As long as it suits my schedule because I need to stay building with my coach Joby Clayton over in Wolverhampton. “So that would be something I’d discuss with him, if he gives me the green light to go then I’d go because it’s great experience to spar a world champion of that calibre.” Odiase was introduced to British fans with a six-round points victory over Amine Boucetta, 31, in February. And he hopes it was the first of many in 2024. Odiase said: “My plan in my head is to get out at least six times this year. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’ve done one, five to go, that would be the best case. If it’s more, then that’s great, if it’s less than that’s bad. “So we’re aiming for five more. I trust my team in 258 because they’re the best in the world to get me those fights and opportunities.”Odiase wants six fights in 2024Credit: @emaodiase More

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    We’re twin sisters, 27, who both secretly battled same disease… now we’re plotting Olympic gold at Paris 2024 together

    TWO TWIN sisters aiming to bring back Olympic gold for Team GB this summer have been battling the same disease since being 13.The 27-year-old Londoners Lina and Laviai Nielsen first started to dream of representing their country in the relay race together while chasing around the primary school field.
    Twin sisters Laviai and Lina Nielsen are hoping to bring back the gold this summerCredit: Rex
    The success of the siblings is even more remarkable after the pair were diagnosed with the same diseaseCredit: Reuters
    That looked set to become reality when they were selected for Britain’s 4x400m team at the 2017 European Indoor Championships.
    However, after a stress fracture in her foot ruled Lina out, it took another five years before the pair were chosen together again.
    But they were unable to compete alongside each other at the 2022 World Championships as Lina suffered a relapse of the multiple sclerosis that both sisters suffer from.
    Up until that point in their careers they had kept it secret after originally being diagnosed aged 13, but the flare-up prompted them to finally reveal their story.
    READ MORE ON SPORT
    Laviai is still yet to suffer major symptoms like her sister, and she told BBC Sport: “We’re still deciding not to take medicine because we’re not sure of the side effects.
    “We’ve always been pretty good with our diet and nutrition, but after Lina’s flare-up we’ve taken it even more seriously. So far it’s all gone well.”
    Despite those previous setbacks, the duo are hoping it will be third time lucky after being chosen together again for the World Indoor Championships this weekend in Britain’s 4x400m team.
    Laviai explained how they hope to not only make it to at least the final, but that she is desperate to compete over 400m hurdles and join her sister in a bid for Olympic gold at the Paris Games this summer.
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    And Laviai tried to put into words just exactly what it would mean if they were to stand together on the relay podium.
    She said: “We would definitely celebrate it greatly. It would be huge.”
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    Lina, who finally made her international debut in 2022, has now switched and made the 400m hurdles her primary individual event.
    She added: “There have been so many setbacks along the way.
    “It’s the nature of sport – it is cut-throat. Sometimes you need luck on your side.
    “Hopefully we’re all good this time round. It can’t get better than finally racing together in front of a home crowd.”
    The sisters are hoping it’ll be third time a charm at the World Indoor ChampionshipsCredit: Getty
    Laviai Nielsen pictured winning the 400m ahead of Lina in Birmingham this monthCredit: Rex More

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    Amir Khan backs Anthony Joshua to force Battle of Britain with Tyson Fury and reveals Francis Ngannou fight prediction

    AMIR KHAN has backed Anthony Joshua to knock out Francis Ngannou and force Tyson Fury to the negotiation table. Joshua faces Ngannou on March 8 in Saudi Arabia in the same Riyadh venue where Fury was dropped by the MMA star in October.
    Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou ahead of their March 8 boutCredit: Getty
    Tyson Fury fought Ngannou in his last boutCredit: Getty
    The Gypsy King needed a controversial points victory to escape with his unbeaten record and reputation barely intact.
    So if AJ can make mincemeat of Ngannou, it could rejuvenate demand for a Battle of Britain bout with Fury.
    Khan told SunSport: “If he gets the knock out or outboxes Ngannou and makes it look so easy, I think it will be a big statement in the world of boxing, especially the heavyweight division.
    “There’s still that talk that the Joshua and Fury fight should still happen so this is a good chance for Joshua to show how good he is.”
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    Fury, 35, got off the floor in round three to escape with a disputed split-decision verdict in his favour.
    And he now faces Oleksandr Usyk, 37, on May 18 after a cut sustained in sparring forced him to postpone from February 17.
    Ngannou, 37, meanwhile turned his attention to Joshua, 34, after he was denied an immediate rematch with Fury.
    But AJ goes into the bout with ten rounds of valuable video evidence to study as Khan, 37, backed his fellow Brit to get the job done in style.
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    He said: “Obviously, Ngannou surprised us all because that massive fight he had with Tyson Fury and how close the fight was, it could have gone either way.
    “I don’t know if Tyson took his foot off the gas, not expecting what he came to do.
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    “But the fight with Joshua, Joshua’s gonna know now how hard he gave a fight to Fury.
    “So I’m sure he’s going to be on his A-game. He’s not going to make the same mistakes and he’s going to train very hard for this fight.
    “Because like I said, maybe Tyson overlooked him and thought it was going to be a walk in the park but really he surprised us all.
    “So I think this is only going to make Joshua train even harder. But, I got Joshua winning.
    “I think it could be a mid-round, mid-fight knockout maybe four, five, six rounds. Or, it could be a 12-round decision.”
    Amir Khan speaks to SunSport in Saudi ArabiaCredit: SunSport More

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    ‘I don’t duck a challenge,’ says Anthony Joshua as he reveals he signed to fight Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder

    ANTHONY JOSHUA insists he ducks no challenge – and used signing to fight Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder as evidence to that. Joshua returns on March 8 in Saudi Arabia against MMA star-turned heavyweight boxer Francis Ngannou.
    Anthony Joshua insisted he ducks no challengeCredit: AFP
    AJ said he signed to fight Tyson Fury and Deontay WilderCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    But it was due to be Wilder in the other corner only for the American to blow the super-fight by losing to Joseph Parker.
    AJ and the American had signed contracts in December to meet in a blockbuster bout in Riyadh.
    But before Joshua stopped Otto Wallin, 33, in five rounds, Wilder lost to Parker, 32, causing the bout agreement to become null and void.
    AJ told Sky Sports: “We met up, we spoke to lawyers, we signed contracts, all that good stuff.
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    “It’s a fight that fans want to see. I’m not saying it’s completely written off.
    “It’s a fight where everything was signed and sealed. It just needed both of us to deliver. And he didn’t meet his end of the bargain.”
    Joshua in the summer of 2021 also signed to face Fury in what at the time would have been for all four heavyweight world titles.
    But the Gypsy King was contractually obligated to meet Wilder in a trilogy bout, thus cancelling the Battle of Britain showdown.
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    And Joshua, 34, said: “You now what it proved to me, I’ve signed to fight Fury, I’ve signed to fight Wilder, I’ve signed to fight a lot of people.
    “I just do good business. I’m a good prizefighter, I don’t duck a challenge.
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    “I’m always up for it. I just feel to myself I’ll always be here and ready to fight any time.”
    Fury, 35, was set to fight Oleksandr Usyk, 37, for the undisputed crown of February 17 but a cut sustained in sparring postponed the bout to May 18.
    He came into the unification having been floored by Ngannou, 37, in October and deemed fortunate to walk away with a split-decision win.
    And after a rematch was snubbed and Wilder, 38, suffered shock defeat, the ex-UFC champion turned his attention to AJ.
    And Joshua added: “He had a good outing as well against Tyson Fury who is the current WBC champion.
    “So I think it will be good for me to see where I’m at. You should always overestimate people if you want my opinion.
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    “Never underestimate anyone, always overestimate people and that way you’ll never be surprised.” More

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    Dame Denise Lewis stands down as UK Athletics president after just two months amid BBC Sport pundit row

    DAME Denise Lewis has “temporarily” stood down as president of UK Athletics after just two months in the role.The former Olympic gold medal heptathlon winner landed the gig in December.
    Dame Denise Lewis has stood down as president of UK AthleticsCredit: Getty
    But concerns over integrity were raised after she also decided to continue working as an athletics pundit for BBC Sport.
    And Lewis confirmed on Instagram Stories that she was “temporarily” leaving her UK Athletics role.
    She said: “I’ve had to make the difficult decision to temporarily step away from my role as UKA president – with the upcoming Olympics and a hectic summer ahead.
    “I would only want to accept the role when it can have my full attention.”
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    The Times reported this week there were concerns that Lewis’ integrity “could be compromised” due to her duel role at UK Athletics and the BBC.
    Lewis had apparently been accredited for next week’s World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
    The BBC refused to confirm to the Times whether or not she will be appearing on screens for the event.
    And they did not respond after being asked whether her UK Athletics presidency would compromise her integrity as a pundit either.
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    Lewis’ representatives at M&C Saatchi Merlin also declined to respond on her potential studio appearance in Glasgow.
    Lewis was elected UK Athletics president after the organisation announced annual losses of £3.7million last year.
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    There has been a big decline in revenue from sponsors and organisations — including the BBC.
    Lewis’ announcement that she is “temporarily” stepping down follows Dame Katherine Grainger’s decision before the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
    She was chairman of UK Sport at the time but temporarily stepped away to work as a BBC commentator for rowing.
    Lewis’ gold Olympics medal came at the Sydney 200 Games.
    Four years earlier, she bagged bronze in Atlanta.
    Lewis was also a gold medallist at the 1998 European Championships.
    And she twice bagged silver at the World Championships in 1997 and 1999 before retiring in 2005. More

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    Apollonia Llewellyn puts on busty display in black leather corset and stockings as fans say ‘mind blowing’

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN has been dubbed “mind blowing” by her fans after putting on a busty display for her followers.The boxing ring girl left little to the imagination as she posed in a black leather corset on Instagram.
    Apollonia Llewellyn put on a busty display in a black leather corsetCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Her fans dubbed her ‘mind blowing’ as she stunned in matching stockingsCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    She paired to skimpy outfit with a pair of matching see-through stockings.
    Apollonia leant back as she smouldered for the camera in the sultry snap.
    Alongside the post, she wrote in the caption: “Never had a b**** like me in your life.”
    Her fans were left swooning in the comments section, with one writing: “Beautiful girl.”
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    Another simply added: “Perfection.”
    A third follower called her: “Mind blowing.”
    Meanwhile, one more hailed Apollonia as: “Absolutely stunning.”
    The model has amassed 578,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly shares snaps from her travels and photoshoots.
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    The boxing ring girl has 578,000 followers on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia put on another busty display at the footballCredit: INSTAGRAM @apolloniallewellyn
    However, her more risqué uploads have seen the blonde bombshell risk Instagram bans in the past.
    One recent post saw her put on another busty display whilst showing her support for League One side Barnsley.
    Apollonia Llewellyn sends fans into meltdown by going make-up-free in lacy see-through dress for raunchy clip
    Apollonia also treated her fans to her favourite pics from a bikini break.
    She had previously flaunted her curves in another skimpy snap as well as almost bursting out of her swimsuit in a separate post.
    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 More

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    Boxing legend Gennady Golovkin appears to hint at retirement by announcing shock career change

    GENNADY GOLOVKIN appears to have confirmed his retirement from boxing after taking a prestigious job.The two-time unified middleweight champion is the new president of Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee.
    Golovkin is the new president of the Kazakhstan Olympic committeeCredit: X/@GGGBoxing
    The boxer, 41, took to X to confirm the news.
    He wrote: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for everyone for all those warm wishes I am receiving all day on my election as NOC Kazakhstan President.
    “I am more than happy to represent my country in the global Olympic Movement.”
    ‘GGG’ has never confirmed his retirement from boxing but has not fought since 2022.
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    His last fight was a defeat at the end of his trilogy with Canelo Alvarez.
    Triple G looked a shadow of his former self on the night.
    In a further indication that he will leave boxing behind for good, he was ordered to defend his IBF middleweight title in February last year against Esquiva Falcao but opted to vacate his title rather than defend it.
    The same thing happened when the WBA ordered him to defend his title against Erislandy Lara one month later.
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    That led to heavy speculation that the Kazaskhstani would announce his retirement soon.
    But Eddie Hearn, who has promoted several Golovkin fights, insisted the boxer is not done yet though.
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    Hearn told Boxing Scene: “I haven’t talked to him in much depth about his career. But the impression that I get is that he definitely wants to continue fighting.
    “I think at 168, he was 160 for a long time. I think part of Gennady Golovkin is like ‘look, I don’t want to fight [Esquiva] Falcao, I don’t want to fight [Erislandy] Lara, so I don’t need the belts. My name carries enough value.'”
    Golovkin also insisted prior to his defeat to Canelo that he would not retire regardless of the result.
    The new Kazakhstan Olympic President said: “I would love to have a fight in my home country of Kazakhstan. You’ll see me in the ring (again), most likely I’ll continue.” More

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    Epic Street-Fighter themed promo for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou released as fans predict stunning end to fight

    BOXING fans predicted a stunning end to Anthony Joshua’s fight with Francis Ngannou after watching the Street-Fighter themed promo video.The humongous heavyweight pair are set to collide on March 8 in the next super-fight staged in Saudi Arabia.
    This is the Street-Fighter themed promo for Anthony Joshua vs Francis NgannouCredit: X formerly Twitter / @Turki_alalshikh
    The heavyweight stars transformed into cartoons in the epic promoCredit: X formerly Twitter / @Turki_alalshikh
    It is the latest stunning trailer for a big Saudi Arabia fightCredit: X formerly Twitter / @Turki_alalshikh
    Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh has invested millions to bring the biggest stars over to the Middle East.
    He is not only forking out huge sums to pay the fighters but also to ensure the production is on never-before-seen scales.
    That has resulted in a series of amazing fight trailers and the latest is based on the Street-Fighter video game.
    During the promo, Ngannou and Joshua clash in the streets of New York and cut to cartoon characters battling it out.
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    Their epic tussle takes the pair across the globe and culminates in the ring where they both land simultaneous knockouts.
    So fans are convinced the real bout will end in similar way as one said: “That’s how you do a creative promo trailer. Predicting a double knockout?”
    Another added: “Why are they both happy to act like they are getting knocked out?”
    Ngannou, 37, put his MMA career on hold last year to make a move to boxing and faced Tyson Fury, 35, in his debut bout.
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    He astonishingly scored a knockdown but lost a controversial split-decision, with Fury moving on to fight Oleksandr Usyk, 37.
    The undisputed title bout has been rescheduled to May 18 after Fury suffered a cut in sparring.
    Fans fear Anthony Joshua will be ‘sleeping for a week’ after Francis Ngannou BREAKS scale on punch machine
    And promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed the Saudis are lining up Joshua or Ngannou to fight the winner for the undisputed crown.
    Hearn said on The MMA Hour: “His Excellency said the winner of this fight faces the winner of Fury-Usyk.
    “That is a dream chance for us because we chased that for so long.
    “AJ is going to beat Francis Ngannou, and then he’s going to beat the winner of Fury-Usyk, and he’s going to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion.”
    Joshua and Ngannou land double KOs in the trailerCredit: X formerly Twitter / @Turki_alalshikh
    It left fans predicting a wild end to the fightCredit: X formerly Twitter / @Turki_alalshikh More