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    How Maurice Hope MBE overcame racist hate that forced him out of his home to become a legendary boxing world champion

    MAURICE HOPE — because of his nasty, contemptible, bigoted neighbours — endured far more pain outside the ring than he did from the blows he took in his illustrious career.Antiguan-born Hope, 72 is the son of parents who were part of the Windrush generation that arrived from the West Indies in the 1950s.Maurice Hope MBE overcame racist hate to become boxing world championCredit: Darren FletcherHope’s parents moved with him to the UK from the West Indies in the 1950sCredit: GettyMo went on to achieve boxing success in the UK representing Great Britain at the 1972 OlympicsCredit: GettyMo was nine years old when he left the sunshine and the island’s 365 beaches to join them in the cold, grey streets of Hackney in East London.And like so many Caribbean kids of that era he made a huge and triumphant success of his life thanks to boxing.It began when one of his brothers persuaded a reluctant Mo to join the famous Repton Club, which led him to represent Great Britain at the 1972 Munich Olympics.And it was there for the first time the schoolboy was subjected to personal racism — if only he knew worse was yet to come.READ MORE IN BOXINGReflecting on that shameful experience Mo — now honoured with  an MBE for services to boxing — said: “Of course, it still hurts.“But eventually I learned how to use that hate to my advantage.When he turned pro in seven years from 1973 the fired-up Mo became British, Commonwealth, European and world light-middleweight champ, making history as the first black British immigrant to win a world title.The boy who used to play barefoot in the sugar- cane fields on the island of his birth had, against all the odds, achieved fame and fortune.Most read in BoxingMo moved his wife and children out of Hackney when he bought a £125,000 house (£3million in today’s money) in up-market Winchmore Hill one of North London’s leafy havens for rich celebrities. Rod Stewart lived close by.I went there to write a ‘didn’t he do well’ feature for SunSport and Mo proudly showed me his large stately home with its three-car garage, landscaped gardens and open-air swimming pool.The heartbreaking chance meeting between Muhammad Ali and Colin Hart where boxing legend revealed ‘I’m not scared to die’Mo never mentioned the fear and loathing he and his family were suffering and I assumed that he was enjoying a thoroughly-deserved idyllic lifestyle.It was only this week when I read fellow writer Ron Shillingford’s up-lifting biography — aptly titled Land of Hope and Glory — that I found out the truth.He revealed that the couple Hope were buying the house from told him people in the street had begged them not to sell to black people.Needless to say when the Hopes moved in they were ostracised and then the vile, abusive threatening letters began to arrive.“Go back to Africa”, and “Go back to the jungle or we will burn your house down” are just a couple of the threats that came through their letterbox.When Hope informed the police he was advised to install state-of-the-art security and when he was away training his wife Pat was so scared she walked around with a bleeper all the time.Inevitably to ensure the safety of his family  Mo was forced to move out.It makes the blood boil that Hope, a self-effacing, warm-hearted, generous man was treated so despicably. Britain was a different place 40-plus years ago.Whenever I wrote anything praising a black fighter the repulsive letters from National Front supporters addressed to me — anonymously of course — would descend.It is a fair bet that wherever Anthony Joshua is living today the local community has welcomed him with open arms.One story about Mo that isn’t in the book shows he could be a bit cheeky.At the Commonwealth Games in  1998 he was coaching the Antiguan boxing team.I hadn’t seen him for years so I got a message to him in the athletes’ village and invited him to lunch at my hotel.He turned up with the usual huge grin on his face with three ravenous members of his team who didn’t have to make weight. READ MORE SUN STORIESIt turned out to be a VERY expensive reunion and my sports editor was none too pleased when I presented him with the bill!Land of Hope and Glory by Maurice Hope with Ron Shillingford is published by Pitch Publishing and priced £25. More

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    Teofimo Lopez vs Steve Claggett: Start time, live stream, TV channel and full card as The Takeover returns to the ring

    TEOFIMO LOPEZ defends his titles once again this weekend in a fight against underdog contender Steve Claggett. Lopez is coming off a controversial points win against Jamaine Ortiz back in February. Teofimo Lopez beat Josh Taylor with relative ease when they fought a year agoCredit: APAnd before that, the Brooklyn-born fighter beat Josh Taylor in one of the performances of his career. Claggett has never performed on a stage as big as this, and he’ll need every ounce of luck in order to come out with a win and Lopez’s titles here. Lopez also beat Vasiliy Lomachenko earlier in his career, but the 26-year-old has struggled to stay consistent since then. When is Lopez vs Claggett?Lopez’s fight against Claggett takes place this weekend on Saturday, June 29.The fight will be held at the James L McKnight Center in Miami Beach, Florida.Ring-walks for the main event are likely to get going at around 11pm ET/8pm PST/4am BSTWhat channel is it and can it be live streamed?Lopez vs Claggett will be shown live on ESPN+ in the UK.You can live stream all the action from the ESPN app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.In the UK, Sky Sports will broadcast the fight on their Main Event channel. Lopez vs Claggett full cardTeofimo Lopez vs. Steve ClaggettRobeisy Ramirez vs. Brandon Leon BenitezSona Akale vs. Nico Ali Walsh, rematchElvis Rodriguez vs. Jino RodrigoEmiliano Vargas vs. Jose ZaragozaRohan Polanco vs. Luis HernandezEuri Cedeno vs. Dormedes PotesYan Santana vs. Brandon ValdesLorenzo Medina vs. Detrailous Webster More

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    Sunny Edwards vs Adrian Curiel: UK start time, live stream, TV channel, undercard as Brit returns to action this weekend

    SUNNY EDWARDS is back in action this weekend as he takes on Adrian Curiel in the flyweight division. The Brit lost his world title to Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez by stoppage back in December, but was competitive throughout. Jesse Rodriguez beat Sunny Edwards in emphatic fashion last yearCredit: GettyEdwards is now looking to get back to winning ways in the boxing ring en route to what he hopes will be another world title shot. But standing in his way is Mexican Curiel, who swapped knockouts with Sivenathi Nontshinga in their two fights last year. The fight is a dangerous one, but Edwards will be confident his slick boxing will be able to overcome Curiel’s pressure. When is Edwards vs Curiel?Edwards’ clash against Curiel will take place on Saturday, June 29. The fight will be held at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona in the US. The main event of the night is Jesse Rodriguez’s world title clash against Juan Francisco Estrada. Ring-walks for Edwards vs Curiel can be expected at around 3.30am BST. What channel is it and can it be live streamed?Edwards vs Curiel will be shown on DAZN in the UK.You can subscribe to DAZN in the UK for £14.99-a-month, which commits you to an entire year of action.A flexible pass, worth £19.99-a-month, is also available, and you can cancel anytime.The action is available for live streaming on the DAZN app, which you can download onto your mobile or tablet device.Edwards vs Curiel full cardJuan Francisco Estrada vs. Jesse “Bam” RodriguezSunny Edwards vs. Adrian Curiel, 12 roundsYamileth Mercado vs. Ramla Ali, 10 roundsArturo Cardenas vs. Danny BarriosGabriel Muratalla vs. Carlos FontesFabian Rojo vs. Daniel GonzalezLeonardo Rubalcava vs. William Flenoy More

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    Tyson Fury breaks silence after suffering fresh undisputed heartache ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch

    TYSON FURY has broken his silence after suffering yet more undisputed heartache at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King had his dream of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years shattered by the slick southpaw last month.Tyson Fury faced Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles last monthCredit: GETTYFury suffered a split decision loss to the slick Ukrainian in the historic showdownCredit: GETTYFury has suffered more heartache as their December rematch won’t be all the belts as Usyk has vacated the IBF titleCredit: REUTERSFury, 35, suffered a split decision defeat in the historic Saudi straightener but will have the opportunity to exact his revenge on the Ukrainian in December.But he won’t be able to win all the heavyweight marbles as former pound-for-pound king Usyk vacated the IBF heavyweight strap earlier this week.Fury, however, seemingly isn’t fussed and is focused solely on avenging his first-ever professional loss more than holding all the heavyweight hardware.In an impromptu FaceTime with Saudi bigwig Turki Alalshikh and rival Anthony Joshua, he roared: “I’ll get it done. I’ll get the f***ing job done.”READ MORE ON FURYJoshua, who suffered back-to-back defeats to Usyk sternly replied: “No you won’t – but either way, I’m waiting for you.”A defiant Fury responded to AJ’s verbal jab by saying: “I’m gonna get the job done.”Fury was shocked when the judges anointed Usyk as the first undisputed king of the heavyweights since Lennox Lewis.He recently said of the verdict: “I thought I boxed his head right off him for most of the rounds.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“He landed a good punch in round reight, that busted my nose. “In round nine he had a 10-8 round, and I gave him round ten.Watch Tyson Fury train as he reveals he’s in uncharted territory for first time ever ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch “Other than that I didn’t give him any other rounds, I gave him rounds eight, nine and ten.My problem in that fight was that it was probably too easy.“At times it was too easy, it was like I was in there with a local amateur boxer and I was enjoying it too much and messing around.”And for that I paid the ultimate price in round nine when I had too much fun and got clipped.“I was always told, ‘Never mix your work with having fun.’ And I always gave my middle finger up to that.”But now it has come back to bite me. I still enjoyed it, thought, it was all good.”Fury will renew his rivalry with Usyk in another Riyadh rumble on December 21 and is confident of getting the job done second time around.He added: “I have watched the fight back lots of times and still have the same answer, I thought I did enough and won the fight. Usyk knows he didn’t beat me.“It was close enough, one judge had me winning by a round and one judge had him winning by a round. And then the final one made the decision.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I have to get him out of there because I won’t get a decision, which is unfortunate because it’s hard enough to win a fight, let alone winning it when you have you knock someone out.“But I am confident and looking forward to the challenge.”Tyson Fury will have the opportunity to exact his revenge on Usyk on December 21Credit: PA More

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    Watch Anthony Joshua come face-to-face with bitter rival Tyson Fury as he blasts Gypsy King for ‘looking like a tomato’

    ANTHONY JOSHUA took aim at Tyson Fury in an impromptu FaceTime with his long-time rival.AJ was put in touch with The Gypsy King on Wednesday just hours after the announcement of his September showdown with Daniel Dubois.Anthony Joshua had an impromptu FaceTime with rival Tyson FuryCredit: X@TURKIALALSHIKHSaudi boxing bigwig Turki Alalshikh urged Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk so he can face AJ nextCredit: X@TURKIALALSHIKHJoshua had some choice words for Fury, who he branded a tomatoCredit: X@TURKIALALSHIKHJoshua, 34, had not long finished deriding Fury for his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last month and branding him an “idiot” when Saudi boxing kingpin Turki Alalshikh decided to FaceTime the former WBC heavyweight champion.And he didn’t mince his words after Alalshikh told Fury the Watford warrior is lying in wait for him.Joshua said: “I’m waiting for you, I’m waiting for you.”Fury, 35, promptly replied: “Go on, I’ll get it done. I’ll get the f***ing job done.”READ MORE ON JOSHUAAmid all the laughter, Joshua sternly replied: “No you won’t – but either way, I’m waiting for you.”Fury, who will look to get the better of Usyk at the second time of asking on December 21, defiantly responded: “I’m gonna get the job done.”Joshua re-emphasised the domestic pot of gold awaiting the Wythenshawe warrior, saying: “Either way, I’m waiting for you.””Look,” Fury said in response to Alalshikh’s excitement at their long-overdue Battle of Britain. “I’ll get it done first and then I’ll fight him there.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJoshua seemingly grew sick of Fury’s repeated vows to avenge his first professional loss, saying: “Stop using this [points to mouth] and use these raises up his fists].”Fury, who is already back in the gym preparing for Usyk, replied: “I’ll use them both on your face, you big ugly dosser.”Watch Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois’ intense first face-off ahead of blockbuster British fight”Shut up,” former two-time unified champion Joshua responded. “You look like a tomato.”Put some sunscreen on, you idiot. You look like a tomato.”Alalshikh began to wind down the call by promising to see Fury on Thursday, which prompted AJ to say: “Oi, I’ll see you tomorrow [too].”I’ll be waiting here as well.”Boxing fans around the world have been waiting for the best part of a decade for a Battle of Britain between Joshua and Fury to come to fruition.How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.And AJ admits he’ll be crossing his fingers for Fury to exact his revenge on Usyk in their end-of-year Riyadh rumble.He said: “I want him to win the rematch, in a way. “I don’t mind any more whether he wins or loses. I just want to fight him.”It’s been dragging on. Fury ducks a lot of people, he doesn’t fight many people, many top-tier people.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He needs to get on with it and come and fight me and stop wasting my time.”I don’t want to wait until I’m 40, 41, 42 to fight him.”Anthony Joshua will be rooting for Tyson Fury to win his rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty More

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    I’m glad ‘IDIOT’ Tyson Fury got spanked by Usyk, blasts Anthony Joshua as he tells Gypsy King ‘come and fight me’

    ANTHONY JOSHUA is sick of “idiot” Tyson Fury disrespecting boxing, is glad Oleksandr Usyk “spanked” him — and still hopes for the chance to punish him himself.The 34-year-old 2012 Olympic gold medallist was at Wembley on Wednesday to announce his September 21 IBF world heavyweight title shootout with Daniel Dubois.Tyson Fury fought Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles in JuneCredit: PAThe Gypsy King’s dream of becoming undisputed heavyweight king was shattered by the UkrainianCredit: GETTYFury was made to eat all of the negative words he aimed Usyk’s wayCredit: PALong-time Brit rival Anthony Joshua was happy to see Usyk do a number on the Gypsy KingCredit: GETTYBut he was more interested in reigniting his war of words with the Gypsy King, 35, and accusing the Mancunian of being a stain on the sport.The Watford hulk was ringside in Riyadh last month to watch Fury get his nose smashed and his dreams shattered, with Usyk being crowned undisputed king ahead of him.And, instead of offering his heartfelt commiserations, Joshua — usually the mild-mannered diplomat of the noble art — went both barrels.And he growled at Wembley Arena: “I’m glad Fury isn’t the undisputed champion. I just think he’s an idiot.READ MORE ON AJ“If it was someone else I might think it was a shame.“I’ve always said he’s an idiot, he’s very disrespectful.“Not in a way I care but I just feel like he thinks by stepping on other people that makes him feel better.“I’m in competition with no one. I’m in my own lane but he has to step on people to make himself feel good, and that’s not good.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“The way he disrespected Usyk, calling him a little rabbit and a middleweight, it’s not good for the sport.“If I respect you and you respect me we can lift this sport up and people think we are two of the most elite fighters in the world.Winner of AJ vs Dubois will get a huge reward“But Fury will step on you and make you look like a guy who’s just walked out of the pub and he’s not on your level.“Then he goes and gets spanked — he deserves it.” Ukrainian hero Usyk — who has now given up his IBF belt “as a gift to Joshua and Dubois” — triumphed with a split decision after Fury threw away the early rounds, dominated four to seven, but was then bashed up for the final sessions.Fury was gracious and generous in the immediate aftermath.But he has since said he was robbed by the officials, the fight was too easy and compared the Olympic gold medal winner and former cruiserweight undisputed boss to a local amateur slugger.It is that sort of nonsense that has infuriated AJ — who has lost two Usyk decisions graciously — and he hopes Fury’s December 21 rematch and his Dubois bout lead to the warring pair finally settling their differences.Anthony Joshua faces Daniel Dubois in a huge domestic dust-up on September 21Credit: GETTYAddressing Fury’s trash talk, he said: “It’s up to him what he says.“Usyk is a good fighter, there is no denying it. Just give him his flowers and move on.“I want him to win the rematch, in a way. “I don’t mind any more whether he wins or loses. I just want to fight him.“It’s been dragging on. Fury ducks a lot of people, he doesn’t fight many people, many top-tier people.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He needs to get on with it and come and fight me and stop wasting my time.“I don’t want to wait until I’m 40, 41, 42 to fight him.”Anthony Joshua still hopes to share the ring with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty More

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    Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois forced apart and almost come to blows before bout after ‘AJ threatens rival with chair’

    ANTHONY JOSHUA and Daniel Dubois almost came to blows three months before their world title super-fight.The heavyweight Londoners will clash on September 21 at a glittering Wembley stadium – in front of the biggest audience in the ground’s history – for a mega-money purse.Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois almost came to blowsCredit: GettyBut they almost kicked-off the rivalry early in the dark and dingy bowels of the little arena next door before 34-year-old AJ walked away from the scene.And the two-time champ warned the wonderboy eight years his junior that he was a dangerous street fighter – survivings scrapes on the streets and with the law – long before he was a celebrated boxer and respected OBE“Yeah we had a bit of aggro,” the London 2012 legend grinned. “It’s good.“There are two aspects to it, the competitive side, the Queensberry Rules of boxing. But there is also the instinct that one has, as a fighter.READ MORE IN BOXING“And that is just how it is. Before I boxed, I was a good fighter, that’s an instinct you have when someone calls you out.“He said ‘let’s go now’. And I said: ‘let’s go then’. No security, I just stepped away, I thought I would be the bigger man.”Dubois put the tense situation down to the brutal jet lag he was suffering after a 12-hour flight back from Copacabana beach in Brazil.The 26-year-old Adonis had to cut short a busman’s holiday training and recovering in the South American paradise to zoom back to London to announce their clash.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJoshua vs Dubois full Wembley fight card Anthony Joshua vs Daniel DuboisAnthony Cacace vs Josh WarringtonJoshua Buatsi vs Willy HutchinsonHamzah Sheeraz vs Tyler DennyJosh Kelly vs Liam SmithMark Chamberlain vs Josh PadleyAnd that helped spark a fractious moment with the superstar he was once taken up to Sheffield to help with sparring sessions, nine years ago, before he became a legend of British sport.“I was jet-lagged that was all,” the powerhouse said.Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois will fight for IBF heavyweight world title on September 21 as Usyk LEAKS mammoth fight“My mind was not in the right place, but it was all good and all part of the fun and getting into the groove.”Hall-of-fame promoter Frank Warren – who missed out on AJ’s professional signature after his 2012 coronation – is the mastermind behind Dubois’ career.And he witnessed the opening round unfold and he reckons his man has the upperhand already for a fight that has all the ingredients to be a red-hot firefight.“It just nearly went off upstairs,” he purred a couple of days before the gold-dust tickets go on sale.“But you will have to wait until the film goes out to see it. It was quite lively. We did a face-off around a table and it got a bit spicy.”And Warren’s promotional opposite number Eddie Hearn revealed the tension was so high the pair had to be pulled apart.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe told The Stomping Ground: “It was at the end when they said, ‘September 21st and not before,’ and Daniel said, ‘Well if you want to go now, I’ll go now.’ “AJ said, ‘Do you want me to smash this chair across your face? Don’t ever disrespect me like that again.’ And he went for him. They had to be pulled apart.”Joshua stares Dubois downCredit: Getty More

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    Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois: Date CONFIRMED, TV channel, live stream and undercard for mega all-Brit bout at Wembley

    ANTHONY JOSHUA will take on Daniel Dubois in a highly anticipated all-British bout later this year.The two Londoners will clash for the IBF heavyweight belt after Oleksandr Usyk confirmed he was vacating the world title.Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou in MarchCredit: GETTYDaniel Dubois beat Filip Hrgovic in June to claim the interim IBF heavyweight titleCredit: GETTYAJ was victorious in his last outing against Cameroonian powerhouse Francis Ngannou in March.Joshua knocked the former UFC champ down in the opening round before flooring Ngannou twice in the next, with the third knockdown leaving him out for the count.The heavyweight has won all four fights since his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2022.While, his British rival, Dubois, goes into the highly anticipated bout on the back of a stunning win over Filip Hrgovic in June.READ MORE IN BOXING’Dynamite’ has also felt the wrath of Usyk after he was knocked out by the Ukrainian in August 2023.Dubois faces Joshua knowing that the winner of the all-British clash will put themselves in the frame to fight the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2.When is Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois?Joshua vs Dubois will take place on Saturday, September 21st.The main event will likely begin at approximately 10.45pm BST.Wembley Stadium will host.What TV channel is Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois on and can it be live streamed?Joshua vs Dubois will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office, DAZN and TNT Sports Box Office.Pricing for the bout is yet to be confirmed.Most read in BoxingJoshua vs Dubois undercardHere is the full Riyadh Season Card:Anthony Joshua vs Daniel DuboisAnthony Cacace vs Josh WarringtonJoshua Buatsi vs Willy HutchinsonTyler Denny vs Hamzah SheerazJosh Kelly vs Liam SmithMark Chamberlain vs Josh Padley More