Aurelia Butler

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    I arrived in London to coach Anthony Joshua but his training camp was a JOKE – I immediately told him to fly me home

    ANTHONY JOSHUA’S former coach has taken another shot at the British boxer – claiming he instantly thought the training camp was a “joke” when they worked together.Trainer Robert Garcia was brought in by AJ last year following his first defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
    Anthony Joshua and former trainer Robert Garcia’s war of words is still going onCredit: PA
    And after Usyk, 36, won the rematch last August, Garcia was publicly critical of Joshua, 33, which led to his dismissal from the camp.
    AJ was told afterwards that he needed a “stricter camp” after having it too “easy and quick” by the American.
    Another dig was then fired by Garcia as he claimed that the 2012 Olympic Gold medallist would lose to lightweight Gervonta Davis.
    The animosity between Garcia and Joshua, who previously said his first trainer Rob McCracken did not teach him defence, appears to be mutual.
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    The 33-year-old Watford-born star, who has bounced back from the Usyk setbacks with a unanimous decision win over Jermaine Franklin before Saturday’s seventh round knockout of Robert Helenius, has claimed that he was taught nothing by Garcia.
    But his now apparent foe hit back this week in extraordinary fashion when asked for his thoughts on AJ’s comments during an appearance on the Little Giant Boxing podcast.
    He said: “I don’t really pay attention to that. I didn’t hear it. Somebody read it to me, but to me, it’s just what boxing is, man.
    “When you’re with a fighter everything is going well then at the end something goes wrong and the first one to blame is the trainer.
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    “One thing I will tell you, when I first got to training camp in London in England, the first week, there was things that they were doing, people involved, it’s just not my style.
    “And honestly I have all the emails where I told the management team, I said please fly me home, it was a joke.”
    Garcia then added: “The way it was going, the people involved, things they were doing to prepare for a fight, things were going on in training camp I would just sit and laugh by myself.
    “I told the management team can you just please fly me home I’m not going to be part of this, they convinced me to stay, change things around, which I did – I changed things around and we ended up doing good.
    “But one week into camp I was ready to leave camp so if that was the case [that they weren’t happy with me] they should have sent me home when I wanted to go.”
    Joshua is now preparing for one of his biggest challenges yet with an expected showdown against KO artist Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champ, in Saudi Arabia in December. More

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    Eddie Hearn trolls Jake Paul over ‘awful’ Nate Diaz fight and says YouTuber couldn’t win regional title

    EDDIE HEARN has mocked Jake Paul’s fight with Nate Diaz – branding it an “awful” display of boxing.The YouTuber-turned-boxer returned to the win column with a unanimous decision victory over the former UFC star earlier this month.
    Jake Paul locked horns with UFC Legend Nate Diaz in a boxing match earlier this monthCredit: GETTY
    The Problem Child got back to winning ways with a decision victory over the MMA iconCredit: GETTY
    Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn wasn’t impressed by The Problem Child’s displayCredit: PA
    Paul, 26, dropped MMA legend Diaz in the fifth round on his way to picking up his seventh professional victory, although the knockdown did little to impress Hearn.
    During an appearance on The MMA Hour, the Matchroom Boxing chief said of the fight: “It was awful.
    “Don’t get me wrong, the event was unbelievable. You did a great job.
    “Brilliant. But when you’re talking about — you know MMA like the back of your hand.
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    “I know boxing like the back of my hand, and I’m watching that like [face in his hands], ‘This is so bad.’”
    Problem Child Paul has aspirations of eventually challenging for a world title, something Hearn believes is the ultimate pipe dream.
    He said: “We have something in the U.K. called an area title, which is in a specific radius — it’s kind of like a state title.
    “These guys wouldn’t win a state title – that’s the level they’re fighting at.
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    “But listen, props to Nate. He definitely didn’t have ability, but what he did have was grit.
    “But Jake just doesn’t have the ability or the experience to break someone down and stop them. And I was convinced he would.”
    Paul lamented his failure to stop Diaz, who has only ever been finished once in MMA.
    But Hearn doesn’t believe he had the skill-set to stop the fight inside the distance.
    He said: “The reason that Nate didn’t get stopped is that Jake didn’t have the ability.
    “He doesn’t know how to break a fighter down, cut off the ring, beat him up, and stop him.
    “But I give my props to Nate: super tough. Super tough. But you’re talking about low, low level in terms of standard.”
    Paul is expected to return to the ring later this year, although there currently isn’t a frontrunner to be his ninth professional opponent.
    Jake Paul is expected tor return to the ring later this yearCredit: Getty More

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    Mike Tyson sends Tyson Fury chilling warning as boxing legend ramps up training with ex-UFC champ Ngannou

    MIKE TYSON has warned Tyson Fury he won’t put a “one-sided” beatdown on Francis Ngannou.The Gypsy King faces the former UFC heavyweight champion in a controversial crossover clash in Saudi Arabia in October.
    Tyson Fury faces former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in OctoberCredit: ESPN
    Boxing legend Mike Tyson will train Ngannou for the Saudi showdownCredit: TWITTER@FRANCISNGANNOU
    Iron Mike is adamant The Predator will give Fury a run for his moneyCredit: INSTAGRAM@FRANCISNGANNOU
    Cameroonian clubber Ngannou, 36, has enlisted the services of boxing legend Tyson for his professional debut.
    And Iron Mike is adamant The Predator won’t be a heavy bag for Fury and insists he’ll give him a run for his money.
    The former undisputed heavyweight champion told ESPN: “He’s had many professional fights, he’s just never experienced a professional boxing match.
    “Working with him yesterday, he has the aptitude and I see a good future in his life, it’s not going to be as one-sided as people thinks it is.”
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    Tyson knows Ngannou faces a near-impossible task to become the first man to beat Fury in the professional ranks.
    And that’s why he plans to work him to the bone to get him ready for the toughest fight of his combat sports career.
    Tyson said: “I was speaking with Francis once he came in [to the gym] and I asked him, ‘Are you sore today?’
    “And he said, ‘No.’ That was a big mistake.
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    “We are going to work him and exert everything he has for this particular match.
    “Because he is going to have to do that, and I definitely believe that it’s going to be a tougher fight than everyone thinks”.
    Ngannou’s Saudi showdown with Fury will be a ten-round affair, although the Brit’s WBC heavyweight title won’t be on the line.
    The former refugee knows he faces an almighty task to get the better of Fury but is adamant he’ll pull off the greatest upset in boxing history.

    He said: “My dream was always to box and to box the best.
    “This is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet.
    “All I will say to Tyson for now is he better dance in that ring.
    “Because if I touch him, he’s going to sleep.” More

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    Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk set for ANOTHER delay as boxing chiefs making ruling on mandatory challenger

    TYSON FURY’s undisputed title fight with Oleksandr Usyk is facing yet another delay.The pair’s historic unification fight collapsed in the spring and hopes of an end-of-year showdown were scuppered when Fury accepted a crossover clash with ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in October.
    Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed fight collapsed earlier this yearCredit: REUTERS
    Gypsy King Fury has further delayed the fight by taking a crossover clash with Francis NgannouCredit: ESPN
    Eddie Hearn has claimed the IBF will order Filip Hrgovic, left, to face the winner of Usyk vs DuboisCredit: PA
    Unified heavyweight king Usyk has had to make do with a mandatory title defence against Daniel Dubois.
    But Eddie Hearn claims the Ukranian will have to deal with IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic – who retained his position with a 12th-round stoppage of Demsey McKean on Saturday – immediately after the Brit.
    The Matchroom Boxing chief, who co-promotes the Croatian, told Boxing Scene: “He needed to get that fight.
    “He needed to be active, and also the IBF confirmed that, after the Usyk-Dubois fight, they will call the immediate mandatory now for Filip Hrgovic.
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    “So he will fight the winner of that next.”
    Boxing fans had hoped Fury’s overdue clash with Usyk would take place in Saudi Arabia before the end of the year.
    But promoter Frank Warren insisted the fight wouldn’t happen this year prior to the announcement of the Ngannou bout.
    He told talkSPORT: “He will not be fighting on the Skill Challenge show in December because they’re talking about their show now being postponed until January.
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    “I think their head of boxing Amer Abdallah said they’ll probably be moving it to the first quarter of 2024, that’s up to them.
    “Prince Khaled is a fantastic person, I really like him, but in the meantime we have to move on, we are going to announce something.”
    Former pound-for-pound king Usyk hasn’t held back with his criticism of Fury for facing boxing novice Ngannou.
    He told Sky Sports: “The guy is going to earn some decent money.
    “For Francis Ngannou, this is a great opportunity, but for Tyson Fury, it’s definitely not.”
    He added: “Doesn’t it seem strange that instead of choosing a top-10 guy, he is choosing someone who has never boxed before?” More

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    Boxing ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn goes braless in risky see-through lace dress as fans brand her ‘mesmerising’

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN has been branded “mesmerising” by her fans after going braless in a see-through dress.The boxing ring girl donned the risky outfit for a pair of snaps as she soaked up the sun on holiday in Santorini.
    Apollonia Llewellyn went braless in a see-through lace dressCredit: Instagram / @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia stunned in the risky outfitCredit: Instagram / @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia soaked up the sun on holiday in SantoriniCredit: Instagram / @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia showed off her look on Instagram as she posed on the Greek island.
    Her skimpy dress left little to the imagination as she joined the no bra club to put on a busty display.
    She paired the white dress with a matching bag and heels, flicking her hair back for the camera in one of the pictures.
    Alongside the post, Apollonia wrote: “Greek nights.”
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    Her fans were quick to swoon over the model in the comments section, with one writing: “You’re incredible.”
    Another added: “You look gorgeous.”
    A third follower also wrote: “So elegant and beautiful.”
    Meanwhile, one more simply said: “Mesmerising.”
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    Apollonia was hailed as ‘mesmerising’ by a fanCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia is a boxing ring girl and modelCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    The ring girl previously caught the eye at a Misfits Boxing event earlier this year but has also become a star on social media.
    Her 565,000 Instagram followers are regularly treated to racy snaps from her travels and modelling shoots.
    Apollonia has already put on a busty display during her trip to Santorini as she tucked into breakfast.
    She spilled out of a skimpy bikini to the delight of her fans on a sunny morning on the island.
    Another recent upload saw Apollonia hailed as “gorgeous from head to toe” by one fan as she posed in a different white dress.
    The stunning blonde also debuted a new curly hair do in one post, which saw her show off her physique in a yellow bikini.
    Apollonia regularly shares racy Instagram snapsCredit: Instagram
    Apollonia has 565,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn More

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    Team GB sprint star Daryll Neita out to make her mark at World Championships… and then break ‘all the records’

    DARYLL NEITA is determined to be remembered as Britain’s fastest woman in history when she retires.Leading track-and-field stars descend upon Budapest this week for the 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships, which start on Saturday.
    Daryll Neita, left, wants to leave a legacy as Britain’s fastest womanCredit: Getty
    The World Athletics Championships get underway on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    Globally, this is a golden era of female sprinting, with Jamaica in particular dominating the two main disciplines.
    Domestically, Dina Asher-Smith, 27, has led the way for a long time, establishing national records for the 100m (10.83sec) and 200m (21.88) back in 2019.
    Neita, 26, is not far behind — 10.90 and 22.23 are her PBs — but at some point over the next 12 months, she believes she can be No 1.
    Speaking to SunSport at a special National Lottery shoot, the Londoner said: “I’m going for all the records, I believe they’re there to be broken.
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    “I don’t believe I’m anywhere near my potential yet.
    “I want the records. I want to be in the history books. I just want to have my name there and be remembered forever.
    “I feel that’s what sport is all about. We need to push the records. They can’t stay the same for a million years. They’re there to be broken.
    “That’s so inspiring for all of us girls that don’t have that record. We want it. We want to be the best. That is how I want to be remembered.
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    Neita is focused on breaking the British recordsCredit: Stella Pictures
    She reached the final of the 100m at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Stella Pictures

    “But not just for running fast times and getting medals. Also for being an inspirational person.”
    Neita was based in Florida until late 2021 but left for a new training group in the Italian city of Padua to avoid the disruption of the Rana Reider sexual misconduct saga.
    Extensive periods of time are spent away from her mum, stepdad, brother and boyfriend — and her adorable Chihuahua, Melon.
    Reaching the Olympics final in 2021 was the catalyst for her inner belief and confidence.
    Though she missed out on the 100m world final in Eugene in 2022 by 0.01 SECONDS, she responded with bronze in the same event at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
    At the start of every season, she writes her goals in her private diary — and 2023 is the “year of golden sparkles”.
    The plan is to double up in the Hungarian capital as well as next year at the Paris 2024 Olympics but she would fancy having a go at the long jump one day.
    Neita, who grew up in Greenwich, admitted: “I want medals this year. So I’m not playing games. It’s all or nothing for me.
    “Nobody really wants to be away from home, family and friends.
    “There are opportunities that I may miss out on, not being at home, but I’m in Italy because this is the place that’s going to help me get the work done.
    “I’m just very locked-in. I know what I want.
    “I believe I’m achieving things that I am meant to.
    “I’m 26 now. I am not 19, 20, 21. I’m in my second cycle. It’s time to get it going.
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    “I’ve improved but then so has the rest of the field. So I can’t take my foot off the gas.”
    National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes, including vital funding into sport — from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers  make amazing happen at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk #MakeAmazingHappen #ThanksToYou More

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    Eddie Hearn makes bold Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder prediction after AJ secures first KO win in nearly three years

    EDDIE HEARN is adamant Anthony Joshua can “comfortably” outbox Deontay Wilder in their long overdue grudge match.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion sealed a 2024 showdown with the Bronze Bomber with an explosive knockout victory over Robert Helenius last Saturday.
    Anthony Joshua secured a showdown with Deontay Wilder thanks to a brutal KO of Robert HeleniusCredit: GETTY
    The pair’s showdown is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia in JanuaryCredit: GETTY
    Eddie Hearn is adamant AJ can outbox devastating knockout artist WilderCredit: REUTERS
    AJ picked up his second win on the bounce since consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk with a brutal seventh-round KO of The Nordic Nightmare – a short-notice replacement for Dillian Whyte.
    Hearn was delighted to see the Watford warrior pick up his first stoppage win in nearly three years and firmly believes the golden boy of British boxing can do a number on the former WBC king now that he’s got his mojo back.
    The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “I think that he can beat Deontay Wilder comfortably, but he could also get beat by Deontay Wilder.
    “I don’t think necessarily, I mean, the good thing is he got – what was it – seven rounds in against a tall opponent who can punch a bit with the backhand?
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    “I think it’s difficult to replicate certainly the power of Deontay Wilder.
    “But I’ve always felt that AJ can outbox Deontay Wilder.”
    Joshua, 33, showcased improved footwork against Helenius but his hesitancy to trade in the pocket was evident.
    Hearn believes AJ has somewhat lost the killer instinct he had early in his career but reckons his more methodical approach will serve him well in his Saudi showdown with Wilder.
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    He said: “I prefer him to box tentatively than his old style against Deontay Wilder.
    “I know he can beat him with that style as well, but I would like to see him box Deontay Wilder, try and break him down.
    “If he lands the right hand on Wilder like that, the fight’s over.
    “And vice versa, if Wilder lands a right hand.
    “That’s why it’s one of the best fights in boxing.”
    Anthony Joshua is now riding a two-fight win streak after his KO of Robert HeleniusCredit: REUTERS
    Joshua and Wilder were on a collision course in 2018 when they held all the heavyweight hardware.
    But their eagerly-anticipated grudge match, which Joshua welcomed after putting Helenis, never came to fruition.
    AJ said of fighting Wilder his post-fight interview: “Roll on. There’s no worry to me when it is.
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    “I’m just happy we can get the fight going and I think people appreciate that.
    “I’m doing my best to keep heavyweight boxing on the map.” More

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    Ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn spills out of bikini in busty display as fans ask ‘did that top shrink in the wash?’

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN has sent her fans’ temperatures soaring after revealing just how hot it – and she – is on her latest holiday.The former Misfits Boxing ring girl has built an enormous fanbase on social media.
    Apollonia shared some snaps from breakfastCredit: Instagram
    The influencer has been visiting Santorini in GreeceCredit: Instagram
    Apollonia is enjoying some summer sunshineCredit: Instagram / @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia has 565,000 Instagram followers and many of those loved her latest upload.
    The influencer has been spending time in Santorini, Greece.
    She relaxed by the sea as she enjoyed a feast of a breakfast including juice, bread, cheese, a croissant and fruit.
    Apollonia also enjoyed some coffee as she chilled out in a bikini – and revealed temperatures were at an extremely pleasant 78F, or 26C.
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    She captioned her post: “How to start the day.”
    The influencer followed her words with a series of food emojis.
    The influencer has over 500,000 Instagram followersCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    She shot to fame after appearing on a Misfits Boxing cardCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Fans loved the post, which quickly received over 4,000 likes.
    One commented: “Perfectly natural beauty.”
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    While another wrote: “Gorgeous.”
    A third joked: “Did that top shrink in the wash”?
    Another added: “Bon appetit, Apollonia.”
    Apollonia has received plenty of gushing comments from fansCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    The social media star has a huge fanbaseCredit: Instagram More