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    Errol Spence Jr set for April unification fight against Yordenis Ugas at Dallas Cowboys’ 65,000-seater Texas stadium

    ERROL SPENCE JR and Yordenis Ugas are set for a welterweight unification in April – with Dallas Cowboys’ 65,000-seater stadium playing host. Spence was set to face boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in August before pulling out with a torn retina suffered during sparring.
    Errol Spence Jr and Yordenis Ugas are set for a welterweight unification in AprilCredit: AP
    Ugas and Spence are in talks for Dallas Cowboys’ 65,000-seater stadium playing hostCredit: EPA
    The unbeaten American then required surgery on the gruesome injury but has since returned to training.
    Ugas was elevated from the undercard in replacement of Spence and stunned 43-year-old Pacquiao – who later retired after the upset loss.
    According to The Dallas Morning News, the Cuban is in talks to unify his WBA belt with Spence’s WBC and IBF world title versions in two months time.
    Spence, 31, has headlined at the AT&T Stadium before, with 47,525 in attendance to watch his March 2019 win over Mikey Garcia, 34.
    Ugas, 35, had requested the three-belt 147lb unification but was instead ordered to face mandatory challenger Eimantas Stanionis.
    It infuriated the 2008 Olympian, who hit out at the WBA for prohibiting his pursuit of a unification bout.
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    Shortly after however, Stanionis agreed to step aside and instead fight Radzhab Butaev.
    And that fight is set to feature on Spence’s pay-per-view title fight with Ugas, who confirmed talks were progressing.
    In an interview with SunSport, he said: “My team and I are working on a gameplan, and you’ll see it when we’re in the ring.
    “I have the best team in boxing that supports me every day and no one works harder than us. 
    “It cements my legacy in the sport and puts my name with all the other great Cuban and welterweight fighters in the history books.”
    Yordenis Ugas pictured with Errol Spence Jr More

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    World scariest man Martyn Ford shows off bulking physique ahead of fight with ‘Iranian Hulk’ Sajad Gharibi

    MARTYN FORD showed off his beast physique in a social media video after bulking up for his fight with ‘Iranian Hulk’ Sajad Gharibi.And Ford lived up to his self-proclaimed ‘World Scariest man’ nickname with a jump scare towards the end of the video.
    Martyn Ford showed off his beast physique in an Instagram videoCredit: Instagram @martynfordofficial
    Ford cracked out with a laugh after jump scaring his audienceCredit: Instagram @martynfordofficial
    Opponent Sajad Gharibi has also showed off his huge physiqueCredit: Instagram @sajadgharibiofficial
    The bodybuilding giant frequently shows off shirtless, flexing his muscles and tattoos to his Instagram audience of 3.3million followers.
    But he now looks bigger than ever ahead of his showdown with the even bigger Iranian Hulk.
    It is Ford’s first foray into the boxing ring but he warned fans his April fight at the O2 is only the beginning.
    The caption on his Instagram video read: “I’ve been working on a strategy for April …. and this, I genuinely believe will work.
    “Genuinely can’t wait to let go off these hands and show the world what I’ve been working on. When I say, April is only the beginning, I truly mean it. I absolutely LOVE this fight game, it’s trapped me, it’s brought me in, and I’m Obsessed.
    “As you can see, I’m not taking this lightly, I’m coming in ready to show all the doubters exactly what I’ve been doing and that I can stand there proud, head high knowing all I’ve done and am doing to achieve the unthinkable.
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    “Those in my camp have seen, are excited and already believe. What others think, doesn’t phase me. I know me, and I know what I can do when I’m hungry and believe me, I’m starving.
    “It’s been said, we are expecting a HUGE crowd, the pre sale are through the roof, I can not express my gratitude, and I promise I will make each and everyone of you proud and leave you with memories to look back on.
    “This is just the beginning…”
    Many of Ford’s followers were blown away by his physique and several gave compliments to the scary figure.
    One fan wrote: “Such a scary dude but a nice guy.”
    Another added: “You are a monster mate.”
    And a third said: “Have mercy on the Hulk. This kid does not have much fighting experience.” More

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    Canelo Alvarez’s coach reveals what Anthony Joshua must do to win Oleksandr Usyk rematch including ‘better combinations’

    CANELO ALVAREZ’S coach urged Anthony Joshua to make use of his physicality and ‘better combinations’ when rematching Oleksandr Usyk. AJ was outclassed over 12 rounds by Usyk in September, but raised eyebrows as he opted to try outbox the masterful southpaw.
    Canelo Alvarez and his coach Eddy Reynoso
    Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua will rematch later this yearCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    Since the loss, Joshua has spent several months re-evaluating his coaching squad with rumours he is looking for a new trainer.
    He then spent time with Canelo and the Mexican’s cornerman Eddy Reynoso in their adopted US training base in San Diego in October.
    Reynoso, who does not speak English, has since subsequently revealed an approach to lead Joshua, 32, into his rematch with Usyk, 34, this year.
    And the trainer already has a blueprint figured out for 6ft 6in, 17st 2lb AJ.
    Reynoso told Fight Hub TV: “Work his distance more, better combinations.
    “He has a lot of good traits, good physical traits but he doesn’t take advantage of them.”
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    Reynoso has guided Canelo, 31, to world titles in four division and most recently undisputed glory at super-middleweight.
    And his impressive stable also consists of heavyweight Andy Ruiz Jr, 32, lightweight Ryan Garcia, 23, and super-feather champ Oscar Valdez, 31.
    Joshua has won Olympic gold and unified world titles as a professional under head coach Rob McCracken.
    But ahead of his must-win rematch with Usyk, AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn admitted now could be the time for change, amid talks with Canelo’s team.
    Reynoso said: “I would love to work with Joshua, why not? My job is to train fighters and I will see if I can make it work.
    “It’s a question of the timing of the next fight. We talked with Eddie Hearn and Joshua’s management and we will see what happens.”
    Canelo Alvarez, Eddie Hearn and Eddy ReynosoCredit: Instagram @eddiehearn More

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    ‘He’s just chilled and training’ – Eddie Hearn explains Dillian Whyte’s silence since Tyson Fury fight announcement

    EDDIE HEARN revealed Dillian Whyte is ‘just chilled and training’ after Tyson Fury accused his rival of giving him the silent treatment. Fury’s promotional team won the purse bids for the WBC mandatory title defence with a massive £30.6million offer.
    Dillian Whyte pictured with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    And while Whyte is yet to publicly comment on the grudge match, Hearn insisted it is only because he has better things to be focussing on.
    He said on The MMA Hour: “As of this morning, we haven’t received a contract. That’s not unusual but we don’t have it.
    “It’s a process you go through. Someone said to me I’ve gone quiet but I lost the purse bid, it’s not my fight to promote.
    “He’s just chilled and training. There’s a way to deal with Fury and sometimes going on the quiet side is a decent.
    “Do you really want to get in a slanging match with Fury and use all that energy? Do your work, do your training and go and try and knock him out.
    “There are no conversations about another direction, this is the only direction, this is the fight.”
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Whyte, 33, is also locked in a dispute with the WBC after they gave him only a 20 per cent of the cut.
    But the the No1 contender argued his ‘interim’ title should guarantee him up to 45 per cent and is currently in the process of appealing the split.
    So with Hearn faced with the prospect of handing the Gypsy King 80 per cent of his £23.5m bid, he refused to let his ego rule and pay over the odds.
    Fury, 33, has been very vocal since his promoter Frank Warren won the rights to stage the fight, and goaded Whyte to ‘come out of hiding’ amid his silence.
    He said on Instagram: “Whyte feathers, coward. Where are ya Whyte feathers?
    He’s just chilled and training. There’s a way to deal with Fury and sometimes going on the quiet side is a decent. Eddie Hearn on Dillian Whyte
    “You wanted your world title shot with [Deontay] Wilder for three years, you never got it.
    “You was mandatory for me for three minutes and you got your fight, didn’t you coward? ‘Tyson Fury’s a coward, he don’t want to fight Dillian Whyte’.
    “But all of a sudden it’s on your toes and you’ve gone silent you little b****. Come out of hiding Whyte feathers. Come and get it.
    “You’re getting a good hiding, you wanted a bit of free money didn’t you dosser?
    “But now you’re getting eight million, which is seven-and-a-half million too much for you, you old dosser. Come out and say something, bum.”
    Tyson Fury accused Dillian Whyte of giving him the silent treatmentCredit: Getty More

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    ‘It was just like sparring’ – UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov slams Conor McGregor’s ‘fake fight’ with Floyd Mayweather

    UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has branded Conor McGregor’s boxing match with Floyd Mayweather a ‘fake fight’.MMA mogul McGregor entered the boxing world in August 2017 for a multi-million-pound showdown with the former five-weight world champion, which was aptly dubbed ‘The Money Fight’.
    Conor McGregor entered the boxing world in August 2017 to take on Floyd MayweatherCredit: GETTY
    But the UFC’s poster boy suffered a tenth-round TKO defeat to MoneyCredit: GETTY
    And the Irishman’s bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov has dubbed the bout a ‘fake fight’Credit: ALAMY
    The UFC’s poster boy suffered a tenth-round TKO defeat to Money who many, including Nurmagomedov, believes carried The Notorious.
    During an appearance on The Nelk Boys’ Full Send podcast, he said: “It was just like [a] sparring fight.
    “And for me, it was not real fight because this guy [is] not a real boxer, and Mayweather what he did, for me it was more like a fake fight.
    “This is just my opinion. Maybe, maybe not… Then, what was between us, it was real.
    “Everything that happened before the fight, inside the fight, after the fight.”
    Three months after his retirement fight, Mayweather claimed he took it easy on McGregor to make the fight ‘look good’ for fans.
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    The 44-year-old star told Fight Hype: “Everybody tried to protest the Mayweather-McGregor fight, right?
    “But I’m gonna tell y’all the truth, I’m gonna tell y’all the truth: You know I carried McGregor. You know I made it look good for y’all.”
    Nurmagomedov, who retired from MMA in October 2020, was offered a staggering NINE-FIGURE payday to share the ring with Hall-of-Famer Mayweather.
    But the Dagestani wrecking machine rejected the mega-money offer, with his manager Ali Abdelaziz telling TMZ: “Listen, we got offered $100million to fight Floyd Mayweather.
    “Dana White was on board, everybody was on board. But, you know, Khabib is an MMA fighter.
    “If Floyd wanted to come to fight, get his little ass whooped, no problem.”
    Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down a whopping $100million showdown with Floyd MayweatherCredit: GETTY
    Nurmagomedov confirmed the offers ahead of his retirement fight, saying: “Always, like every month people call me and they ask me, ‘You going to fight with Floyd Mayweather if we pay you $100m?’
    “It’s like crazy. I want to be focused on Justin Gaethje, please.
    “Every month, some people from Saudi Arabia, from Emirates, from a lot of countries, like always try to make contract with me.”
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    Jake Paul says Tommy Fury MUST fight on brother Tyson’s undercard to ‘gain some fans’ before rescheduling grudge match

    TOMMY FURY has been told to secure a star role in brother Tyson’s next undercard if he wants to reschedule a fight with Jake Paul. The British former reality TV star in December pulled out of his celebrity grudge match with Paul following a broken rib.
    Jake Paul told Tommy Fury to fight on brother Tyson’s next undercardCredit: AP
    Tyson Fury with younger brother TommyCredit: Instagram @tommyfury
    The furious and stubborn American is now refusing to give his online rival another shot – unless he earns it the hard.
    Paul, 25, told Behind The Gloves: “Of course he wants the fight but right now, he needs to go fight on his brother’s undercard.
    “Maybe gain some attention. Gain some fans. Because, people only know about him because of me and his girlfriend.
    “So he needs to go fight on a Tyson Fury undercard, maybe get a W, get a knockout or something spectacular.
    “Because right now, it just doesn’t make sense and I’m not giving him that payday, I’m going to make him work for it, because I’m cynical like that.”
    Tyron Woodley, 39 later signed as Fury’s late replacement but was knocked out in the rematch, just four months after losing on points to Paul.
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    He now joins YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37, on Paul’s KO list.
    But Fury’s fight withdrawal means the 5-0 social media sensation is still yet to face an opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
    He recently hit out at Paul and claimed the internet phenomenon ‘never wanted to fight’ and insisted his ‘injury was legitimate’.
    Fury, 22, said in a statement: “I really don’t want to keep talking about this but I just can’t stay silent after comments Jake Paul has made in a recent interview.
    “I’m absolutely sick of Jake Paul saying that I was ‘scared’ to fight and insisted his ‘injury was legitimate’.
    “I had a broken rib and a bacterial chest infection which left me completely medically unfit to box – as stated by multiple medical professionals.
    “I’m now fit and healthy and have very clearly stated that I am ready to fight on a rescheduled date… but where is he?
    “Me having to pull out the fight was the best thing that ever happened to him and he well knows my injury was legitimate.
    “This man never wanted to fight me, if he did we’d have a rescheduled date for you all and the fight would be back on which is exactly what I want… The easiest fight of my career.”
    Tommy Fury squaring up to Jake Paul in 2021Credit: BT Sport More

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    Watch Eddie Hearn face-off with Jake Paul after joking he ‘started this mess’ by promoting YouTuber’s first fight

    EDDIE HEARN faced off with promotional opposition Jake Paul – after joking he ‘started this mess’ by staging the YouTuber’s first fight. The Matchroom boss and Paul helped finalise a deal for Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano’s historic women’s super-fight.
    Eddie Hearn facing off with Jake PaulCredit: Michelle Farsi

    But only two years ago Hearn welcomed the American celebrity into the sport by staging his debut against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’.
    Now the pair are going head-to-head – quite literally – as they promoted Taylor and Serrano’s Madison Square Garden headliner.
    Paul, 25, stopped video gamer Gib in just one round and has since gone on to become a pay-per-view star and 5-0 unbeaten fighter.
    Has has even called out the likes of ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, 33, and current No1 pound-for-pound boxer Canelo Alvarez, 31.
    And Hearn admitted he is to blame for Paul’s polarizing splash in the sweet science.
    He said on The MMA Hour: “I promoted his first fight, two years ago. I started this mess.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    “I put him in against a YouTuber, and the best way I can describe Jake is, people say to me, ‘Do you like Jake Paul?’
    “And I say Jake — the terminology is different in the UK. — plonker, grade-A plonker, dipstick. But I like him.
    “I don’t mean that disrespectfully. Half the time, I think he’s on a wind up. You know what I mean?
    “Like, we were doing a media scrum today and he was talking about fighting Canelo, and I’m looking at him going, ‘Are you just laughing inside?’
    “And I think it’s a little bit of both.”
    Paul has also knocked out ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37 as well as former UFC pair Ben Askren, 37, and Tyron Woodley, 39.
    He’s put in the work in the gym. He’s fallen in love with the sport, genuinely, and I think he’s good for boxing. Eddie Hearn on Jake Paul
    He is still yet to face an opponent with prior pro boxing experience, but has no shortage of challengers pleading to put a stop to the social media sensation.
    However, Hearn admitted Paul is ‘good for boxing’ and told detractors to just accept it.
    He said: “I think fighters, because of what they’ve sacrificed, sometimes hold it against Jake Paul and say, ‘Well, I’ve been grinding in the gym for 15 years!’
    “Yeah, but you’re not good enough and you haven’t built the profile that he’s built.
    “Why shouldn’t he be allowed to do that? He’s put in the work in the gym. He’s fallen in love with the sport, genuinely, and I think he’s good for boxing.
    “I think he brings a different kind of audience.”
    Eddie Hearn, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and Jake PaulCredit: Michelle Farsi More

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    Boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko signs up to Ukrainian army as Vladimir Putin gears towards imminent Russian invasion

    FORMER heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitshcko has signed up to the Ukrainian army amid rising tensions with Russia.The Ukrainian government are bracing themselves for an imminent invasion from their neighbours following Vladimir Putin’s deployment of nearly 90,000 Russian troops to the border.
    Russia have sparked fears of an imminent invasion of the Ukraine by deploying close to 90,000 troops to their borderCredit: AP
    And former heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko has joined the Ukrainian army in preparation for an invasionCredit: GETTY
    Klitschko is determined to defend his homeland should Russia invadeCredit: EPA
    And Klitschko has joined his country’s army reserves to defend his homeland should the situation escalate to all-out war.
    The 45-year-old told CNBC: “I signed up as a reserve for the territorial forces, for defending the city of Kiev.
    “Because of everything that is currently going on around Ukraine. The aggression from the Russian side.
    “For weeks if not months, there have been reports on how serious this is.
    “One district from here, my little girl is going to school.
    “The school is currently closed because the ambassadors have sent the families home.
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    “It is the love, the love for my city. It has brought me here today for the love of my home, family, neighbors, and daughter.
    “I took this initiative. I am now taking part in this territorial defense.”
    Superpowers around the world – including the USA and NATO – have warned Russia they will retaliate if they attack the Ukraine.
    But Klitschko’s older brother Vitali – who is currently the serving mayor of Kiev – is hopeful diplomacy and the threat of global sanctions will stop the Russians from invading.
    He said: “Before our enemies make an attack against Ukraine, they have to sink.
    Vitali Klitschko is hoping the ongoing tensions don’t escalate into a full scale warCredit: AFP
    “We’re strong. This will be a very painful price for everyone.
    “We hope our diplomats, Ukrainian diplomats, will give all knowledge to stop this aggression in a diplomatic way.
    “If not, we have to prepare to take weapons in our hands and defend the country.”
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