More stories

  • in

    Meet KSI opponent Luis Alcaraz Pineda, the Mexican who’s lost his last four, three by KO and wants to face Jake Paul

    MEXICAN Luis Alcaraz Pineda is set to be the second of KSI’s two boxing opponents on Saturday night. YouTube star KSI – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – returns to the ring after three years out.
    Luis Alcaraz Pineda is the Mexican boxer fighting KSICredit: Misfits Boxing
    Luis Alcaraz Pineda training for the fightCredit: Misfits Boxing
    Luis Alcaraz Pineda will be KSI’s second opponent of the nightCredit: Misfits Boxing
    And he plans to make up for lost time by extraordinarily fighting TWICE in one night.
    He is set to open the DAZN pay-per-view event at the O2 against rapper Swarmz, real name Brandon Scott, 25.
    And then he will close the card against little-known Pineda, 23, who was only drafted in on late notice.
    Pineda is 2-5 and made his professional debut in 2017, losing but then winning twice after.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    Although his form of late has been poor, losing his last four with three coming by knockout.
    KSI was initially due to fight Alex Wassabi, 32, the American who beat his brother Deji in March.

    But Wassabi was withdrawn amid a concussion scare and later controversially replaced by musician Swarmz.
    The backlash was so fierce, due to Swarmz’s inexperience, that KSI made the bold decision to recruit a second opponent.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    That was meant to be Ivan Nikolov – although the Bulgarian was seen to be a white supremacist with neo-Nazi tattoos.
    So KSI went back to the drawing board, replaced Nikolov with Pineda and the show goes on.
    KSI’s comeback has been centred around building up to a grudge match with Jake Paul, 25, who is 5-0 as a prizefighter.
    But Paul is yet to face a recognised boxer, something KSI is set to beat his arch rival to.
    His manager Mams Taylor said: “I was like, ‘Bro, what if you fight a pro boxer before Jake Paul does’.”
    But if Pineda, who is said to have had 50 amateur boxing bouts, gets it his way, he will be the one fighting Paul.
    He told Viddal Riley: “If they give me the opportunity, I’m willing to fight Jake Paul.”
    KSI and Luis Alcaraz Pineda at the pre-fight press conferenceCredit: Misfits Boxing
    KSI comes face to face with Luis Alcaraz PinedaCredit: Misfits Boxing More

  • in

    Carl Frampton stuns viewers as he solves maths round on Countdown after BOTH contestants fail in Dictionary Corner stint

    FORMER world champion boxer Carl Frampton stunned Countdown viewers by solving an incredibly tough maths round on the show.The 35-year-old, who hung up his gloves last year, was the celebrity guest alongside Susie Dent in dictionary corner for this week’s episodes of the Channel 4 programme.
    Frampton won world titles in two weight classes and unified the super-bantamweight divisionCredit: PA:Press Association
    It looked like he stunned himself by successfully getting the 698 target
    Rachel Riley was left thoroughly impressed by Frampton’s maths skills
    And the Northern Irishman stepped up to show his number skills when both contestants had failed to get the target.
    The task was to work out a way of reaching 698 using 75, 7, 8, 10, 4 and 2.

    Frampton, a two-weight world champion in the ring, started by multiplying 75 by 10 to get 750.
    He then multiplied the 8 and 7 together to make 56 and took that off the 750 – leaving him with 694.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    The former fighter then simply added the four to reach the magical 698 without even using the 2.
    He appeared to stun himself, everyone in the studio and even those watching from home by reaching the target.
    And he received a round of applause for the superb effort.
    But Frampton gave no indication that he was skilled at Countdown before the show aired.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Speaking to Belfast Live about how it went, he said: “It was a great experience.
    “I’ve done things in TV studios before and there was no audience so maybe that helped, but it wasn’t nerve-wracking or anything, and the fact that I was confident I was going to be helped along made things a wee bit easier for me.
    “It was a great day, you do five shows and get them all done in one day, so I’m looking forward to seeing what it actually comes out like and I feel like I didn’t let myself down!”
    Revealing he does watch the show at home from time to time, he went on to add: “If I was in the house at that time I would have stuck it on [the TV] because I don’t mind doing wee things like that because I feel like the odd thing like that every now and again keeps your brain active, especially when you’re not doing much with it.
    “I’m probably equally as bad [at numbers and letters] but I’d say I’m slightly better with numbers than with letters.” More

  • in

    Meet YouTuber Fousey, who fights Deji, suffered a broken nose in boxing debut and dramatically transformed his body

    YOUTUBER Fousey returns to the boxing ring as a changed man – having transformed his body and recovered from a broken nose. The American – real name Yousef Saleh Erakat – faces online rival Deji on Saturday.
    Fousey is the YouTube star who fights KSI’s younger brother DejiCredit: Misfits Boxing
    Fousey has dramatically transformed his body
    Fousey was left with a broken nose in his first boxing bout
    They co-headline the DAZN pay-per-view event topped by Deji’s famous older brother KSI, who fights twice in one night.
    Deji and KSI are two of the most recognisable characters on YouTube in Britain, with over 50MILLION subscribers combined.
    But Fousey is a star in his own right, with almost 11m subscribers to his name having been a prankster pioneer on the social media app.
    He first boxed in 2019 against fellow content creator Slim Albaher, losing decisively in round four of a scheduled six.

    Fousey was left visibly exhausted and suffered a broken nose due to the sustained damage he took in the exhibition bout.
    The injury was so severe, he had to undergo surgery but it has not stopped him from pursuing boxing.

    He signed to fight Deji after the two went back-and-forth at a boxing event last year.
    Deji was coming off a loss to Jake Paul in 2018 and before facing Vinnie Hacker, he called Fousey an “easy fight”.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    He later lost to Hacker and recently Alex Wassabi, leaving him winless in his three boxing bouts.
    And even brother KSI has backed Fousey to leave another damning defeat on Deji’s record.
    He said: “I think he’s going to lose.
    “Fousey is going to keep going forward, and Deji is going to keep going back, and before you know it, the fight’s over.
    “Then, Deji’s just there like ‘Oh, s***’. “I think it’s going to go to decision, and I think Fousey is going to win.”
    I don’t think Deji’s ever been touched in the way I’ve touched him. As soon as he walks into it, and he feels what I bring to the tableFousey
    Fousey believes he has the power to stop Deji in his tracks.
    He predicted: “I think Deji’s very skilled, and very good in this sport despite the losses he’s taken.
    “I think he’s going to come out and let his hands go, and that’s fine. That’s fine, everyone has a plan to let their hands go.
    “But, I don’t think Deji’s ever been touched in the way I’ve touched him.
    “As soon as he walks into it, and he feels what I bring to the table, I think that plan is going to go out the window.”
    Read More on The Sun
    Fousey had to undergo a dramatic body transformation to get himself fighting fit.
    He uploaded a video on social media of his eight month transition, which left him with hulking abs and pecks.
    KSI with his younger brother Deji
    Deji has lost all three of his boxing bouts
    Fousey training to fight DejiCredit: Misfits Boxing More

  • in

    Why is KSI fighting TWO opponents on the same night, how many rounds will there be?

    KSI is back in the ring this weekend for the first time in nearly three years – but he’s having two fights in the same night. The YouTube sensation hasn’t fought since a points win over Logan Paul in November 2019.
    KSI will take on TWO opponents this weekend at the O2 ArenaCredit: Reuters
    But now he’s back and looking fitter than ever, ready to fight in his hometown London at the O2 Arena.
    KSI was originally supposed to be fighting Alex Wassabi, but the clash was scrapped because of an injury to the latter.
    But fans fear not, as the 29-year-old is set to fight TWICE on the card instead.

    Why is KSI fighting twice this weekend, how many rounds will there be?
    After KSI’s original scrap with Wassabi was nixed, there was a scramble to get a new, credible opponent in for JJ.
    Rapper Swarmz was drafted in to compete with KSI, having never fought in the ring before.
    After some dissatisfaction from fans a second opponent, to fight KSI on the very same night, was arranged.
    Ivan Nikolov, who had a winning record as a pro boxer, was picked.
    But Nikolov was removed from the event after he was found to have neo-Nazi tattoos and and white supremacist beliefs.
    Fight poster for KSI vs SWARMZCredit: @misfitsboxing
    So instead of Nikolov, professional boxer Luis Pineda was brought in.
    KSI will open the card with his clash against Pineda, before competing in the main event against Swarmz.
    Both fights will be three rounds each.
    “I replaced my second opponent because… he’s a white supremacist,” KSI said.
    “Ivan isn’t my opponent anymore. He has been removed.
    “The matchmaker also got fired for allowing this to happen in the first place. But yes, my new opponent is Luis Alcarez Pineda.
    “He has a better record to be honest, 2-5, so he hasn’t lost as many times as Ivan. He’s Mexican, younger as well, 23.”
    Most read in Boxing More

  • in

    Anthony Joshua pictured for first time since Oleksandr Usyk loss as Brit plays chess poolside and plots next move

    ANTHONY JOSHUA can be seen carefully plotting his next move – as he plays a game of poolside chess while the sun sets.It is the first time AJ has been pictured since his heart wrenching loss to Oleksandr Usyk in Abu Dhabi.
    Joshua played chess and relaxed next to the pool with his right-hand man JC Elite, who hinted a comebackCredit: https://www.instagram.com/jcelite14/?hl=en
    AJ gave an emotional F-bomb laden speech after losing to Usyk for a second timeCredit: AP
    The Brit, 32, was outboxed by the Ukrainian, who claimed a split decision victory – 113-115, 115-113 and 116-112 – to keep the heavyweight crown.
    Southpaw Usyk defeated him for a second time, leaving the 32-year-old’s career in limbo.
    But the two-time former unified world heavyweight champ’s right-hand man JC Elite has hinted Joshua will dust himself off and get back to it.
    The trusted member of his training camp shared an image of the pair playing chess by the pool in his latest Instagram post – and appeared to be getting the better of his pal.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    He wrote: “Rest, recover, regroup, we move and go again”.
    AJ can be seen relaxing in the photo, topless with the sun setting behind the duo.
    With sunglasses on, the Watford fighter concentrates on the chessboard.
    Joshua previously revealed he wants to return to the ring in November or December.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    He made the shock announcement just hours after suffering the loss to Usyk.
    Joshua lost his cool post-fight, throwing two of Usyk’s belts out of the ring before storming off.
    He then returned to the ring to pay respect to the Ukrainian winner, before dropping numerous F-bombs in an emotional speech.
    Joshua then answered questions on his future by vowing to return before the end of 2022.
    Speaking after the loss, he said: “I will become three-time world heavyweight champion.”
    AJ added: “About who I fight. Come one and come all I will fight anybody.” More

  • in

    Conor Benn already breaking records in camp as sparring partner Jordan Flynn backs power to ‘surprise’ Chris Eubank Jr

    CONOR BENN is breaking records in training ahead of his fight with Chris Eubank Jr – who has been warned about the welterweight’s power. The pair are matched for a DAZN pay-per-view blockbuster on October 8, almost 30 years after their dads’ famous rematch.
    Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn ahead of their catchweight clashCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    And while Eubank Jr, 32, admitted at the press conference that he was yet to start training, Benn, 25, is already ahead of schedule.
    Unbeaten light-welterweight Jordan Flynn, 26, is part of the Tony Sims gym where Benn is preparing for the fight of his life.
    Flynn told SunSport: “Already he’s been smashing it with his runs, I think he’s got the record for his fastest run in the triangle run.
    “He did it in like four minutes and three seconds, so already right at the start of camp he’s faster than he’s ever been.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “He’s flying already and he’s so far out.”
    Benn will have to jump up 10lb from his usual 147lb weight class with the bout set at 157lb.
    Eubank Jr on the other hand is a career middleweight at 160lb, who has even campaigned as high as 168lb.
    Although the two division gap does not worry Flynn, who has watched Benn spar super-middleweight and stable-mate John Ryder, 34.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    He said: “He’s looking massive, I can’t lie.
    “The thing is, Conor walks around heavy anyway so he’s still going to have to lose weight to get to the weight they’re fighting at.
    “He’s still going to be big and strong, plus he spars big guys.
    “He spars John Ryder, big guys come in for sparring all the time. Conor is a big guy anyway.”
    And Flynn insisted there is no fear of Benn lacking the punch power up in weight.
    He revealed: “His power is different, it’s explosive.
    “I know that Eubank has been in with big punchers – like George Groves – but it’s a different kind of power.

    “Conor has natural explosiveness. It’s more shocking power, I’d say.
    “Eubank will definitely be surprised, I actually think he might take Conor lightly.
    “Eubank might think Conor is too small and it will be a walkover but he’s definitely going to be in for a shock, because no one works as hard as Conor.”
    The catchweight clash at the O2 comes with Flynn preparing for the seventh fight of his career, at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.
    He said: “It’s very good for me, to be training amongst it. It’s amazing. It makes me want to keep pushing on and be in big fights myself.
    “And especially being in that gym, you can’t hide as well. When Conor’s doing the runs with everyone else, you have to keep up.
    “You have to keep up and do the same stuff, so it makes sure I’m ready for my own fight as well.”
    Read More on The Sun
    His fight comes on October 15, one week before Benn and Eubank Jr renew their family feud.
    But Flynn admitted: “I probably will be there, I’ve not decided yet. I probably will, it’s too big to miss out on!” 
    Jordan Flynn pictured with training partner Conor BennCredit: Instagram / @jordz_flynn More

  • in

    F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: FP1 to get underway with Lewis Hamilton looking to eat into Max Verstappen’s huge title lead

    THE Formula One season gets back underway and Lewis Hamilton is looking to salvage his season with a fresh start at the Belgian Grand Prix.The seven-time F1 world champion has been on a trip to Africa to unwind during the mid-season break and has come back refreshed and raring to go.
    Max Verstappen currently leads the standings on 258 points ahead of Charles Leclerc on 178pts and Sergio Perez on 173.
    So there remains a lot to play for in the second half of the season – get set to see how it unfolds as the F1 calendar rolls on once more.

    TV channel: Sky Sports F1
    Live stream: Now
    Friday, August 26: Practice One 1pm, Practice Two 4pm
    Saturday, August 27: Practice Three 12pm, Qualifying 3pm
    Sunday, August 28: Belgian Grand Prix race 2pm

    Stay up to date with all the latest from Spa-Francorchamps… More

  • in

    Iranian Hulk deletes ‘photoshopped’ pics after humiliating defeat in the boxing ring where he looked ‘HALF’ the size

    A BODYBUILDER dubbed the Iranian Hulk has reportedly deleted social media pictures that fans reckoned were “photoshopped”.It follows a humiliating defeat in his boxing ring debut – when his figure appeared drastically different from the sculpted frame that made him famous on Instagram.
    Iranian Hulk Sajad Gharibi is a social media sensationCredit: Instagram @sajadgharibiofficial
    But he suffered humiliating defeat in his boxing debut against Kazakh TitanCredit: WICKED N BAD
    Fans thought Hulk did not quite match his Insta-famous muscleman physiqueCredit: WICKED N BAD
    Social media sensation Sajad Gharibi, 30, was barely able to throw a punch in a pitiful display against Kazakh Titan.
    And fans noticed he cut a sorry figure compared to the muscular giant he appeared to be in Instagram snaps shared with his one million followers.
    Instead of his famous rippling biceps and six-pack torso, Gharibi looked unfit with a bulging tummy straining under his t-shirt.
    He also appeared shorter than his claimed 6ft 2in – standing around the same height as 5ft 7in strongman Titan.
    read more on bodybuilders
    Rookie boxer Gharibi turned his back on his opponent several times before the referee stopped the fight in the first round.
    One fan said: “Somebody please pay Iranian Hulk to never step foot inside a boxing ring again.”
    Since that embarrassing bout in Dubai, Gharibi has wiped dozens of pictures from his profile, reports the Daily Star.
    Only 14 pictures and videos are still visible on his account, while the more spectacular images have vanished.
    Most read in Boxing
    Gharibi – also known as “the Persian Hercules” – has become famous for his colossal physique.
    His is known for posting snaps and videos of his strongman antics including breaking concrete in half, punching walls, and pulling cars.
    Little is known about his childhood in Ahvaz, but he has previously said he had a traditional upbringing with family values at its centre.
    Throwback pics show him as a weedy eight-year-old before he beefed up aged 14.
    Later he claimed he represented Iran in powerlifting competitions.
    He has claimed to be able to lift 50lbs more than his purported 380lbs bodyweight.
    Gharibi is said to have flirted with MMA before setting his sights on a career in boxing.
    Earlier this year he was lined up for a clash of the titans bout with Brit bodybuilder Martyn Ford.
    But 6ft 9in Ford – dubbed the “world’s scariest man” – pulled out citing fears for Gharibi’s mental health.
    Before the scheduled bout, they faced off in Dubai – and tempers flared as Ford shoved his opponent to the floor.
    Ford also fanned the flames by claiming Gharibi digitally alters his Instagram snaps.
    Read More on The Sun
    He said: “I think he’s just fooled the world with Photoshop, if I’m honest.
    “Seeing him in real life is not as impressive as seeing him in pictures.”
    Sajad Gharibi is known as the Iranian HulkCredit: Instagram
    He claimed to be a champion powerlifter weighing 380lbsCredit: Instagram @sajadgharibiofficial
    Recently he set his sights on a career in boxingCredit: Instagram @sajadgharibiofficial
    Some of his more spectacular Instagram snaps have now been deletedCredit: Refer to Caption
    Martyn Ford claimed Gharibi was less impressive in person than in his photosCredit: Instagram @sajadgharibiofficial More