Aurelia Butler

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    ‘We were told it was a done deal’ – KSI’s promoter reveals Conor McGregor walked away from shock fight on Alcatraz

    KSI and his team were told a fight with Conor McGregor was a “DONE DEAL” before their shock showdown fell through.The YouTube sensation was on course to throw down with the UFC icon in a boxing match on Alcatraz.Social media phenom KSI was on the brink of landing a huge showdown with UFC Icon Conor McGregorCredit: GETTYThe YouTube sensation was set to face The Notorious on AlcatrazCredit: GETTYBut the fight fell through, much to the shock of KSI’s manager Mams TaylorCredit: MISFITS BOXINGThe crossover clash was trending in the right direction before McGregor, 36, walked away from the lucrative bout.In an interview with Misfits Boxing’s YouTube channel, KSI’s manager, Mams Taylor, said: “We thought it was a done deal and we were told it was a done deal.”Taylor admits he’s in the dark over why the fight fell through, adding: “I don’t know exactly because I wasn’t part of the negotiations with Conor.“But I think Conor made a statement recently about that and referenced it subtly, so go back to that.”READ MORE BOXING NEWSFormer two-weight UFC champion McGregor confirmed he was in talks to throw down with social media sensation KSI last month.And he claimed he pulled the plug on a bout with the influencer as the offer on the table wasn’t a true reflection of his “worth”.The Irishman said: ” There was an opportunity, or should we say a deal, to fight on Alcatraz recently in June.”And they came to me, and it wasn’t my worth. As a fighter, we have to know our worth.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSConor McGregor snubbed the chance to fight KSI as the offer didn’t reflect his “worth”Credit: AP”I hold every pay-per-view record in the book. I hold every gate record in the book.”McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier nearly four years ago.Conor McGregor appears to confirm his future with two fights left on UFC deal after Donald Trump meeting He hinted that he may never fight again moments before revealing he’d snubbed the chance to box KSI.But he performed a U-turn just SECONDS LATER by doubling down on his promise to deliver the “greatest comeback in sports history”.The UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion said: “My comeback would be slated as the greatest.”Or the biggest, most anticipated comeback of all time. So it has to be right.” More

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    Tommy Fury will fight on same card as own brother with Love Island star set for family affair

    TOMMY FURY and brother Roman will fight on the same boxing card.The 2019 Love Islander beat YouTube’s biggest boxing stars in Jake Paul and KSI in 2023 – but has not returned since. Roman Fury and brother Tommy will fight on the same card in HungaryCredit: @romanfury_Fury had hand surgery last year and was due to face MMA fighter-turned-boxer Darren Till in January. But he pulled out after the former UFC middleweight threatened to KICK him in the head.It led to speculation over Fury’s future in boxing – but he took to social media to announce his comeback fight on May 9 in Hungary. And older brother Roman – who is 4-0 himself – is due to feature on the undercard despite neither of their opponents being confirmed. READ MORE IN BOXINGRoman, 28, posted: “May 9, Budapest, back with a BANG.” The cruiserweight was due to fight Misfits Boxing rival Chase DeMoor, 28, on KSI’s undercard in March.But KSI withdrew with illness and the event has not yet been rescheduled. Tommy – still linked with a rematch with Paul afer his split-decision win in Saudi Arabia – posted: “Two years out. One surgery. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”The hardest battle I’ve faced has been the mental battle of being away from boxing. “But I’m back stronger, sharper, and more HUNGARY than ever. May 9th, Budapest… It’s showtime. Let’s go!” Tommy, 25, is also still believed to be contracted to Misfits – amid rumours of also rematching KSI, 31, following his controversial win. Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul in February 2023Credit: GettyKSI was beaten by controversial decision against Tommy Fury in October 2023 More

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    Josh Warrington reveals row with his own team over boxing retirement before making U-turn… and calls out three rivals

    JOSH WARRINGTON was in a row with his own team over retiring from boxing – and thankfully made a U-turn before it was too late. The two-time featherweight world champion appeared to call it quits for his career after defeat to Anthony Cacace in September at Wembley.Josh Warrington snubbed retirement to make a boxing comebackCredit: GettyWarrington laid his gloves on the canvas – the universal boxing signal that a fighter is retiring. However, no confirmation followed – much to Warrington’s own frustration.But after being convinced to allow some time before confirming his decision – Warrington rediscovered his passion for the sport.He told Ring Magazine: “I wanted to put something out about retirement. READ MORE IN BOXING“I actually had a bit of an argument with my media manager, James Marshall, because I just wanted to get it out, anything out, a video or a statement of something.“But he said just to relax and to think about it. Listen, I had like two weeks of moping about, feeling sorry for myself and so I needed to let out some frustration. “I went back to the gym and felt like everything was still there; the fitness, the timing, the sharpness, a little bit of sparring, a little bit of pads.“I thought to myself ‘f***king hell! There’s loads left here’. Why didn’t it happen on the night against Cacace? Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”So then I started to delve a bit deeper to try and work out what went wrong and all of a sudden you come to the conclusion that it’s still there physically and mentally, it just needs adjusting in a few places and that’s it.”Warrington first won gold in 2018 against Lee Selby and made three defences before a shock loss to Mauricio Lara in 2021. Caoimhin Agyarko fills in on late notice to fight on Dalton Smith undercard Their rematch then ended in a draw after a clash of heads before Warrington beat Kiko Martinez to regain the title in 2022. But Warrington is without victory in his last three – losing to Luis Alberto Lopez, Leigh Wood and Cacace.The Leeds super-fan now returns on Saturday in Sheffield against Asad Asif Khan – but has bigger names in his sights.The 34-year-old said: “First of all, I just want to return, get the arm raised and dust some cobwebs off. “Then I want to be busy – I’d like to think I could get another two fights this year. There’s no reason why not. “I know I haven’t got a belt at the moment but I’ve got a big fanbase behind me and, nine times out of ten, I’m in an entertaining fight – although it was a little bit of a stinker at Wembley.“But I’m a two-time world champion with a great resume so I don’t see why I can’t walk into some big fights or at least keep active and busy.“I’d love to put the Leigh Wood one to bed and then to get the Cacace one after that would be even better. “I’m disappointed that we could never get the Wood rematch over the line in the first place.Read More on The Sun“Mick Conlan is another one where our names have always been mentioned over the years but just hasn’t come to light. “But most definitely – he has been in some entertaining fight and people just want to be entertained don’t they?”Warrington laid down his gloves after defeat to Anthony CacaceCredit: Getty More

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    Frazer Clarke was left feeling like ‘Phil Mitchell with a bottle of vodka’ after brutal Fabio Wardley KO loss

    FRAZER CLARKE says he was left feeling like a real-life drunk Phil Mitchell in the aftermath of his devastating knockout loss to Fabio Wardley. The pair treated British fans to a 12-round modern classic in March 2024 – which ended in a draw. Fabio Wardley’s brutal KO of Frazer Clarke in their rematchCredit: GettyThe infamous meme of drunk Phil Mitchell on EastendersCredit: BBCSo there was nothing to split them heading into the Riyadh rematch last October – until Wardley knocked out Clarke in the opening round. Clarke needed emergency surgery on his jaw and cheekbone but returned to his partner and two children soon after. But opening up on the emotion of defeat, he told Ring Magazine: “Oh man, it was just… “You know when you used to watch episodes of Eastenders where Phil Mitchell was on a mad one with a bottle of vodka on the park bench? That’s how it felt every day to be honest.” READ MORE IN BOXINGClarke had to quickly dust himself down and transform from beaten boxer to dotting dad. And the father-of-two added: “You know what makes it hard? It’s the fact that when bad things happen in life, the world still carries on. “When I got back on the Monday morning, I went straight from the airport to my daughter’s school. “She’d seen what had happened in the fight and was all upset so I went to see her straight away.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I wanted to just let her know that I was alright because I was very worried about what she’d seen. “Then I went to see my son too and we had a lovely night with the family just really being thankful that the situation wasn’t worse than it was. Frazer Clarke faced his girlfriend’s wrath after car park row with David Adeleye and calls out rival to grudge fight “It could have been a lot worse, the way it looked on TV. As mad as it sounds, we had a nice night with a lot of laughter and love, everyone was just happy I was back in one piece.“But then the next day, on the Tuesday, my Mrs went back to work, the kids had gone to school and I find myself at home on my own. “I just drew the curtains and stuck Only Fools And Horses on and sat there. I didn’t touch my phone for about a week because it was just blowing up. “And I couldn’t get away from seeing the knockout which I didn’t really want to see – so yeah, it’s a dark place.”Clarke – who won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 – had to fight calls to retire following his first professional defeat. But the 33-year-old has always backed himself – and had to do so again.He said: “You have this unwavering delusion that you are invincible and I’m not afraid to say that.You know when you used to watch episodes of Eastenders where Phil Mitchell was on a mad one with a bottle of vodka on the park bench? That’s how it felt every day to be honest.Clarke on his loss to Wardley“I’ve had some of my friends ask me how I’d get on against a prime Mike Tyson, Anthony Joshua or with Tyson Fury. “You seem to always back yourself and think you’ll find a way so I’m not embarrassed to say that,“I didn’t think what happened was possible and that’s just the headspace you get yourself into. “But looking back now I was probably a little bit naive against Fabio Wardley, who is a very dangerous puncher. “It did happen but this is what being a champion is about; reflecting and learning and I’m definitely doing that now.Read More on The Sun“I’m not taking that as a loss or a failure, it was just one of the biggest lessons I can ever get that’s going to propel me going forward in my career.”Clarke is back on Easter Sunday in Birmingham against Ebenezer Tetteh – on the undrcard of Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron’s rematch. Wardley KOd Clarke in round one of their rematchCredit: Getty More

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    Liam Cameron blasts Ben Whittaker contract row as a ‘joke’ but promoters insist dispute over rounds is resolved

    LIAM CAMERON and Ben Whittaker’s team STILL look to be at odds over how many rounds their rematch will be fought over.The two are set to meet on Easter Sunday in Birmingham – six months on from their bizarre draw in Saudi Arabia. Liam Cameron and Ben Whittaker’s team are still in dispute ahead of their rematchCredit: ReutersBut controversy has also surrounded the rematch after a stunning dispute over how many rounds the bout will be contested over. Cameron was sent a contract for 12 rounds – while Whittaker’s team are preparing for ten – the same terms as the original fight. Promoter Ben Shalom of Boxxer spoke out to suggest the dispute had been resolved by means of financial compensation. But on the Monday of fight week – six days before the scheduled bout – Cameron contradicted Shalom’s comments. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe posted online: “Boxxer have my terms to accept to change the fight to 10 rounds but they are refusing to send me a contract to vary the deal and are trying to suggest they can change the rounds without a contract. “Going into fight week not knowing how many rounds I’m fighting is a joke for me and for my opponent. As I post this it’s still a 12 round fight.” In another twist, the British Boxing Board of Control – sanctioning the bout – told BoxingScene the fight was scheduled for ten rounds. BBBoc’s Robert Smith said: “As things stand it’s 10 rounds. But I haven’t seen any contracts.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSShalom also added: “10 – confirmed with the Board and communicated to all parties.”The fight in Riyadh prematurely went to the judges scorecards after five rounds when the pair went over the top rope.Injured Whittaker was unable to continue – with many feeling Cameron was on the road to an upset.Whittaker and Cameron went over the top rope in their first fight which ended a drawCredit: Getty More

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    Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois finalising undisputed world title fight deal with date and venue revealed

    OLEKSANDR USYK and Daniel Dubois are reportedly finalising an undisputed world title fight deal – with the date and venue already agreed.The heavyweight superstars have long been tipped for a rematch after their epic but controversial scrap in August 2023.Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois are close to agreeing a rematchCredit: GettyUsyk won that battle in Poland with a ninth-round KO – despite Dubois arguing his low-blow in the fifth should have been scored a knockdown. And after doing the double over Tyson Fury, the Ukrainian is now set to step in the ring with Dubois once again.Britain’s IBF heavyweight champion has beaten Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua since losing to Usyk.And Dubois, whose February fight against Joseph Parker fell through due to illness, will now have the chance to become the undisputed champion of the world as talks over a rematch grow closer.READ MORE IN BOXINGRing Magazine claims a contract is in the final stages for Usyk and Dubois to fight at Wembley Stadium.The date that’s been pencilled in is Saturday July 12.And it will see all the heavyweight belts on the line, with Usyk currently holding the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBO and The Ring belts.Earlier this month, Dubois declared he was targeting a title fight against Usyk despite Derek Chisora becoming the mandatory challenger for his IBF belt.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSDubois said: “Definitely July, a big fight in July against Usyk. That’s what I want.”There’s talks, negotiations happening behind the scenes, the two teams are going back and forth.Daniel Dubois given huge boost in rematching Oleksandr Usyk for undisputed titles ahead of Joseph Parker fight”I’m just doing my job as a fighter and staying ready and getting prepared for when I get a call on whoever is next, I’m ready to unleash hell.”The Usyk fight would be like the AJ fight but way bigger, the biggest fight in the world.”That’s the fight that really excites me and there’s revenge there as well.”The Usyk fight for undisputed would create history, that would be a massive historic event.”Just like the AJ fight, the build-up at Leicester Square, it would just be amazing to be a part of that sort of fight.”I’ll be the man to stop him, I just see it. I’ll be the first man to beat him. Fight news is coming soon.”On April 22, the IBF are set to order Dubois to defend his belt against Chisora, but title unifications can supersede mandatory challengers.But Dubois added: “I’m not really interested [in the Chisora fight] like that, but sure, why not?”You know, I’m more up for [Joseph] Parker, Usyk and AJ, those guys, the top names. But I guess take him on as a comeback fight or something.”Usyk became the heavyweight division’s first-ever four-belt undisputed king with his May victory over Fury. But he was forced to vacate the IBF belt to proceed with his December rematch against Fury – which he again won on points.Read More on The SunDubois inherited the vacated IBF strap after being elevated from interim champ. And that now sets up a blockbuster undisputed showdown with Usyk.Dubois argued this low-blow should have been a legal shotCredit: TNT Sport More

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    ‘I’ve never seen that before’ – Stunning moment Lomachenko stopped mid-fight to beg rival’s team to throw in the towel

    VASILIY LOMACHENKO was so good he would beg his opponent’s team to put an end to his dominance. The masterful Ukrainian long sat atop of the pound-for-pound rankings due to his utter brilliance. Vasiliy Lomachenko pleaded with Richard Commey’s corner to stop the fightCredit: X @SkySportsBoxingLomachenko shrugged as his plea was ignoredCredit: X @SkySportsBoxingThat was on full display in 2021 when Loma dropped Richard Commey with a chopping left hand in round seven. Commey made it to his feet and beat the count but Loma showed sensational remorse by gesturing to his opponent’s corner to stop the fight. They ignored his pleas and again Commey found himself in a world of trouble just moments later – barely managing to hold himself up. And again, Loma looked to the opposition’s corner to call for them to save their man from a further hiding. READ MORE IN BOXINGCommentator Crystina Poncher said: “Loma’s looking at his corner wanting him to stop the fight. I’ve never seen that before.” Commey’s corner once more ignored Loma’s advice and the Ghanaian amazingly survived to the final bell. Loma said after the fight: “I saw his situation. It was very hard for him. That’s why I said, ‘Hey, stop the fight’.”But he’s a true warrior, he has heart, and we continued and we showed 12 great rounds.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCommey, now 38, fought only twice more to draw with Jose Pedraza and lose to Jose Ramirez in his last fight in March 2023. Loma would box three more times, beating Jamaine Ortiz, suffering a controversial points loss to Devin Haney before stopping George Kambosos. He won the IBF lightweight title against Kambosos in Australia last May but vacated the title soon after. Loma has not officially announced his retirement but signalled the end by turning down talks with Gervonta Davis. He has lost only twice, up in weight against Teofimo Lopez in a 2020 upset and then on points to Haney – which several felt he won.Lomachenko beat George Kambosos in his last fightCredit: EPA More

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    Tommy Fury confirms boxing comeback against mystery opponent after ‘hardest battle I’ve faced’

    TOMMY FURY has confirmed that he will return to action in HUNGARY on May 9.The boxer, 25, has not fought since defeating KSI in October 2023.Tommy Fury has not fought since 2023Credit: GettyFury, 25, has announced his boxing returnCredit: Instagram / Tommy FuryFury, who still possesses an unblemished 10-0 record, will finally set foot inside the ring again next month, although his opponent has not yet been announced.Confirming the bout, which will not be under the Misfits banner, TNT wrote on Instagram: “Two years out. One surgery.”The hardest battle I’ve faced has been the mental battle of being away from boxing.”But I’m back stronger, sharper, and more HUNGARY than ever.READ MORE IN SPORT”May 9th, Budapest… It’s showtime. Let’s go!”Prior to his bout with KSI, Fury narrowly overcame Jake Paul via split decision in February 2023.The Problem Child’s team claim that Fury snubbed a $6million (£4.5m) offer to rematch on Netflix last year.Earlier this month, a member of Paul’s team said that TNT would not be getting another lucrative offer to take him on again.Most read in BoxingBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKPaul’s promotional partner Nakisa Bidarian told SunSport: “Tommy was offered an unbelievable deal to headline versus Jake on Netflix and they had a false sense of expectations.”Jake’s not gonna ever offer him that kind of money again. Now if Tommy Fury showed up and said, ‘Jake, here is $20million to fight me and I’m gonna make $20million.’ Right, all the power to you.Jake Paul reveals Tommy Fury is harder puncher than Mike Tyson but brands Love Island star ‘airhead’ “But they’ve never made an offer once. And we’ve made multiple offers to try to make that rematch happen. “And if you’re very confident that you’re gonna be Jake Paul, you should have jumped at the opportunity to fight him for $6million plus upside on Netflix.”It’s just beyond ridiculous that they didn’t.”Despite claims to the contrary, rumours have persisted that Fury and Paul could still rematch this winter.The Problem Child, hoping to stay active, is expected to also fight this summer.While Fury has had a lengthy lay-off, Paul has continued to be active in the ring.Since losing to TNT, the only defeat of his career to date, Paul has beaten Nate Diaz, Andre August, Ryan Bourland, Mike Perry and Mike Tyson.Fury, meanwhile, had been due to return against Darren Till on January 18 in Manchester.Read More on The SunHe sensationally withdrew from the fight, however, after Till threatened to “kick” him in the head.The former UFC star stayed on the card, instead defeating Anthony Taylor.Darren Till beat Anthony Taylor in ManchesterCredit: Getty More