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      Jake Paul drafts in boxer who DROPPED Tyson Fury as training partner for huge Tommy Fury December fight

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      JAKE PAUL has found a new training partner in former cruiserweight world champion Steve Cunningham – a man Tommy Fury knows well.Tommy and Paul look set to lock horns on December 18 in Miami following months of a relentless back-and-forth online and a heated backstage row in August.
      Jake Paul is gearing up for his upcoming boxing fight with Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul has drafted in Steve Cunningham, who famously knocked Tyson Fury down in this 2013 boutCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      The YouTuber is 4-0 ever since trying out his luck in the ring but is now set to battle a professional boxer for the first time ever and has thus boosted his preparations.
      According to the Daily Mirror, the 24-year-old drafted Cunningham, who famously knocked Tommy’s brother Tyson down in the latter’s US debut in 2013.
      The Gypsy King, though, got back up to his feet – just like he did against Deontay Wilder – and earned a knockout victory.
      The undefeated heavyweight recently sang the American’s praises and even admitted that he was outboxed that night.
      Fury previously said: “I fought Steve Cunningham, he was a very good cruiserweight world champion, 215lbs, 6ft 3in, chiselled.
      “He gave me one of my hardest fights I’ve ever had, but what happened in the end of that fight? It was brutal.

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      “And I didn’t do it by outboxing him because I was getting outboxed. I had to go to the well to get the job done.
      “Knock him spark out, only time he’s ever been knocked out. Not too shabby.”
      Paul and Fury both fought as recently as August 28 on the same card, with the former beating ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley over eight rounds.
      Earlier in the night, the British star did the same against the American’s sparring partner Anthony Taylor on points in a four-rounder.

      Tyson Fury admits he was outboxed by Steve Cunningham but still says he got the job done More

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      ‘Well that escalated quickly’ – Eubank Jr reacts after £66k eBay bid on microwave he signed.. which he vowed to match

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      CHRIS EUBANK Jr is on the verge of handing over more than £66,000 to charity after a microwave he signed in Newcastle went up for sale on eBay.The middleweight boxer promised to match whatever the kitchen appliance sold for – and this morning it had reached a hefty amount.
      Chris Eubank Jr has been left as stunned as all of us at the microwave saleCredit: Twitter/ChrisEubankJr
      The boxer could barely believe a fan wanted him to sign the kitchen appliance
      Chris Eubank Jr shared the eBay listing of the microwave he signed – it appears to have been sold for more than £66,000Credit: Twitter @ChrisEubankJr
      Unsurprisingly, Eubank Jr was shocked at how things had snowballed, writing on Twitter: “Well that escalated quickly.”
      The listing is no longer available, presumably because the auction has ended.
      After attending a press conference last Thursday at St James’ Park for his fight against Wanik Awdijan, he took a stroll through Newcastle.
      But after stopping for a number of selfies and the odd autograph, one plucky lad ran up to him carrying the kitchen appliance and bizarrely requested the signature.
      The Geordie man, in a black jacket and black cap, provided the Sharpie pen ready and deadpan said: “It’s the only thing I’ve got.”
      Eubank Jr could not believe his eyes and initially said: “Nah, not the microwave!”

      But then the Sussex scrapper handed over his bag, stayed cool as a cucumber and put pen to plastic.
      The microwave attracted a huge amount of interest since it hit the auction website.
      The owner added: “Signed microwave by Chris Eubank Jr – signed in Newcastle.
      “This is the most famous microwave in the UK.”
      The middleweight boxer shared the listing on Twitter, writing: “Been sent a link to an eBay auction thats selling the microwave I signed in Newcastle.
      “No idea how much it’ll go for but to make this a more meaningful situation whatever the winning bid is I’ll match it & give the money to a charity of the winners choice.”
      Eubank Jr battered Awdijan into submission at the weekend – the German-Armenian pulling the plug on their fight after just five one-sided rounds, claiming broken ribs. More

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      ‘We also train blind-folded’ – Tyson Fury’s coach opens up on ‘special’ relationship with champ and win over Wilder

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      TYSON FURY’S mentor SugarHill Steward revealed the pair ‘train blindfolded’ as he opened up on their ‘special’ relationship.The American has guided the Gypsy King to stunning back-to-back KO wins against the previously unbeaten Deontay Wilder.
      SugarHill Steward has guided Tyson Fury back to the top of boxingCredit: Alamy
      The trilogy was put to bed in stunning style on October 9 when Fury floored the Bronze Bomber three times on the way to an 11th-round stoppage.
      And much of the credit for his scintillating rise to the top of the heavyweight division has been put at the door of the nephew of the great Emmanuel Steward.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, SugarHill has opened up on how he has helped guide the Morecambe mauler to one of the greatest comebacks ever in sport.
      He said: “Me and Tyson are a great team, the dynamic duo. People try to give me credit but I pass it straight on to Tyson.
      “Lots of trainers give the right instructions but if the fighter doesn’t do it? Then it’s not worth talking about.
      “When I tell him what to do, he does it.

      “It must be a special relationship – a bond – for a person to respond to you.
      “I can’t sit here taking credit although I do know what people are talking about. I couldn’t do it without him. Just like he couldn’t do it without me.”
      SugarHill, who describes Fury as ‘the right person for me’, has eked out every bit of power in the Brit to make Wilder’s ‘pillow fists’ jibe look foolish.
      And the Kronk Gym coach has revealed some unusual training methods that have helped Fury along the way.
      We don’t talk about a specific person. We want whoever the best isSugarHill Steward on Fury’s next opponent
      He added: “They say he dips his hands in gasoline to toughen them up.
      “That’s true. We also train blind-folded.”
      Fury was floored twice against Wilder in the trilogy fight – but SugarHill says that he ‘saw he was OK’ and saw that it was just ‘his instinct’ to get back up and fight on.
      Now thoughts have turned to ‘who’s next?’ – with an undisputed title fight against the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk versus Anthony Joshua rematch the one most people want to see.
      But SugarHill is concentrating on looking after No1 and not worrying about anyone else.
      He added: “We don’t talk about a specific person. We want whoever the best is.”

      Fury is undefeated as a fighter and the only man to ever beat WilderCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury battered Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight to defend his WBC titleCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury sends video message to family of four boxing fans who died in crash on way to watch him fight Deontay Wilder More

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      Anthony Joshua tells Mike Tyson’s old coach Ronnie Shields to turn him into DOG for Oleksandr Usyk rematch

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has told potential new trainer Ronnie Shields to bring out the dog in him against Oleksandr Usyk.The 32-year-old Watford ace has left under-fire mentor Rob McCracken to go on a tour of some of America’s best gyms following the punishing September loss of his heavyweight world titles.
      Anthony Joshua wants Mike Tyson’s old trainer Ronnie Shields to bring out the dog in him in his rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Instagram @tristan.kalkreuth
      The Brit tried to out-box the Ukrainian in their first fight but will chance tack next time outCredit: AP
      And the 2012 Olympic golden boy spent a couple of days studying the unanimous points loss with Mike Tyson’s former trainer, before doing some padwork with the 63-year-old.
      And respected veteran Shields, who is currently guiding WBC middleweight champ Jermall Charlo, claims Joshua wants to tap into his inner beast to avenge his last toothless performance.
      Shields told The Boxing Voice: “The first thing he told me when he came here, he told me, ‘listen, I know people don’t think that I’m a dog, I’m just a pure boxer, look, I’m gonna be a dog in this next fight’. And that’s his words.
      “He told me, ‘I’m gonna be a dog in this fight, I just need you to show me how to be the best dog that you can teach me to be’.
      “That answered the question for me because my thing to him was, ‘why did you box the whole time?’, and he said he thought he could out-box him, and that was the game plan.
      “To me that was the wrong fight, now he knows that was the wrong fight. To teach a man to be a dog he has to have the dog instincts in him already.

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      “He says he has it in him, if things work out and I’m training him and once it comes down to it, now in the gym is the time to show it and in the fight you’ve got to show it too.
      “It’s going to be hard work, we sat down and talked about everything and I think everything went great.”
      McCracken’s work with Joshua has been rightly celebrated but he was forced to allow two more coaches into the corner after the June 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr.
      Angel Fernandez and Joby Clayton helped Josh regain his belts from the Mexican and knockout Kubrat Pulev in December.
      But some of the tactics and cheerleading captured on camera, in between the late rounds Usyk comfortably banked, left fight fans baffled.
      And Shields has revealed Joshua has already afforded him hours just to talk about the sweet science and he has been surprised by his lack of knowledge.
      ‘NEVER TAUGHT THAT’
      He added: “In the last two days everything seemed to go well. The first day was just all talk, we talked for about three or four hours.
      “We watched a few rounds of the Usyk fight together and I just pointed out some things that I thought he should’ve done that he didn’t do.
      “‘We had a great talk yesterday, today was even greater. There’s something I showed him that he said, ‘man, I was never taught to do this’.
      “It surprises me that a guy who was the heavyweight champion of the world doesn’t know certain things.”
      Team AJ insist no decision has been made on the future of the backroom staff and Joshua is just on a busman’s holiday to the US soaking up knowledge from a range of gyms and trainers.
      But Shields seems to already be formulating a plan for the Englishman to exact rematch revenge over Usyk, that could spell the end McCracken’s brilliant tenure.

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      The former featherweight said: “‘Obviously it wasn’t the right game plan, I told him he didn’t fight like himself. I think he’s a much better fighter than what he showed in that Usyk fight.
      “I watched a few rounds with him and his team, I told him about certain things and he said, ‘yeah man, that’s what we should’ve done, but we didn’t do it’.
      “When you have a game plan you have to work on it every day, you have to get it down pat before that fight and when you get in there you have to do things you did in the gym.
      “I don’t know what their game plan was, obviously it wasn’t the right one and I guess he didn’t feel like it was the right one so this is why he wanted to make a change.”
      Anthony Joshua training with Mike Tyson’s former coach for Usyk rematch 211020 More

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      Logan Paul leaves plush Mayfair restaurant with mystery ladies before heading to the celebrity hotspot Tape Nightclub

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      LOGAN PAUL is enjoying the sights of London as he plots his next move in boxing.The YouTuber was spotted leaving plush Mayfair restaurant in London with a couple of mystery ladies.
      Logan Paul and friends dined at the C London restaurant in MayfairCredit: BackGrid
      The group then headed on to Tape NightclubCredit: BackGrid
      Logan made time to chat to another couple of ladies who were waiting for a taxiCredit: BackGrid
      The next stop was celebrity hotspot Tape Nightclub.
      But Paul, who last fought boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition, made time to chat with a two women who were waiting for a cab.
      The Italian eatery is famous for its caviar served with blinis and sour cream.
      But 100g would have set Paul, elder brother of Jake, and Co back £250.
      Starters range from £13 to £28, with a mouthwatering choice of mains.
      Veal kidney with risotto alla Milanese costs £32.50, but if you want to push the boat out the wagyu fillet of beef Rossini is £92.
      The restaurant also markets two ‘daily menus’, where the diner can have three courses for £52.
      The YouTuber might have spent a fair whack at the plush eateryCredit: BackGrid
      Logan was pictured with two women in tow on his night outCredit: BackGrid
      Everyone seemed to be in high spirits after dinnerCredit: BackGrid
      The 26-year-old social media star is ready to return to the boxing ringCredit: BackGrid

      Paul surprised many people by going the full eight rounds against Mayweather in Miami in June.
      And the 26-year-old has since claimed he would KO the unbeaten boxing legend if they went 12 rounds.
      The elder Paul brother told the True Geordie, he said: “My conditioning is f***ing good, bro.
      “If the fight went 10 or 12 rounds, I think I would knock him out. I say that in full conviction.”
      The Maverick believes Mayweather was fatigued at the end of the final round.
      He continued: “I saw him breathing heavy for the first time that eighth round and it was because I had been leaning on him.
      “I’m 30 pounds heavier. Like no matter how you cut it, me leaning on a guy that size is gonna get him tired no matter how good he is.
      “I was coming alive too. That’s what we trained for, we sparred for 12 rounds. I’m probably throwing 120 punches by the 12th round.
      “My conditioning is good, I had a little ‘uhh’ in the fourth round then second wind came in.”
      Paul is eager to return to the squared circle, saying last month: “I have to.”
      Sibling Jake is set to fight Love Island star and brother of WBC king Tyson, Tommy, in a grudge match in November.
      Last time out, Logan fought against boxing legend Floyd MayweatherCredit: BackGrid
      The group seemed to enjoy their trip to LondonCredit: BackGrid
      Logan Paul managed to last all eight rounds against MayweatherCredit: Getty
      Logan Paul says he knows who his next opponent is More

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      ‘Grab him, rough him up, push and shove him’ – How Anthony Joshua can beat classy Oleksandr Usyk and win titles back

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA, a month after losing his three heavyweight titles, is now in California attempting to find out how he can beat Oleksandr Usyk in their return fight next year.Joshua has been on a tour of selected gyms picking the brains of some of America’s top trainers and fighters in the hope they can advise him on how he can win back his WBA, IBF and WBO belts from the outstandingly brilliant Usyk.
      Anthony Joshua was completely outclassed by Oleksandr Usyk last monthCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      He has already visited Canelo Alvarez and his trainer Eddy Reynoso, as well as Virgil Hunter, who masterminded double world champion Andre Ward’s immaculate unbeaten career.
      And if those exceptionally talented guys cannot work out the best strategy for him on how to get the better of Usyk, nobody can.
      We must give AJ credit for swallowing his pride and publicly accepting he was tactically brain-dead when comprehensively outpointed by Usyk on that disastrous night at Spurs’ ground.
      Boxing trainers are rather like Premier League football managers — they are constantly under pressure and face the sack as soon as things start to go wrong.
      Robert McCracken, who has trained Joshua from day one, has quite rightly been fiercely criticised for not having a Plan B when Usyk took control in the early rounds.
      At the moment there is no suggestion that Joshua is about to part-company from the man who helped him win Olympic gold and turned a novice into a multi-millionaire champion of the world.

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      But there is a distinct possibility of major changes to the personnel who will be working in his corner.
      Eddie Hearn does not try to hide that Joshua’s performance last month was woeful and said: “The tactics weren’t right and he underperformed — but why?
      “AJ will always look at his preparation and see how he can improve. If that means bringing people in he will do it.”
      Joshua is 32 and not even the legendary Eddie Futch, who trained five world heavyweight champions  — Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe and Trevor Berbick — would have been able to significantly change his style before he clashes again with Usyk in March or April.
      Malik Scott tried to turn Deontay Wilder into a smooth fighting machine before his trilogy battle with Tyson Fury.
      Wilder worked beautifully behind his jab for the first two rounds but as soon as Fury floored him in the third he reverted to type — swinging and missing wildly with his dynamite right and leaving himself wide open.
      The legendary Eddie Futch trained five world heavyweight champions during his careerCredit: Getty
      You do not have to be a Futch or a Manny Steward to know exactly what it would take for Joshua to restore his reputation and gain revenge over Usyk.
      He simply has to fight ugly and jump on the Ukrainian from the start — grab him, rough him up, push and shove him around to eliminate his  superior skills and tire him out.
      Ray Arcel, the New Yorker considered the greatest trainer of all time, coached a total of 20 world champions, including Roberto Duran.
      He died at 94, 27 years ago — but his philosophy lives on.
      Arcel once said: “The secret of being a boxing trainer is to know and understand the individual you are working with.
      “I don’t care how much ability  you’ve got as a fighter, if you can’t think you are just another bum in the park.”
      I have no idea what Joshua was thinking on September 25, but his mind seemed to be many miles away from White Hart Lane.
      The late Ray Arcel is considered the greatest trainer of all time and coached 20 world championsCredit: Getty More

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      Naoya Inoue to defend bantamweight titles against Aran Dipaen in Japan on Dec 14 after savage Michael Dasmarinas KO

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      JAPANESE sensation Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue returns to the ring on December 14 as he defends bantamweight world titles against Thailand’s Aran Dipaen.The three-weight world champion, who is rated as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, demolished Filipino Michael Dasmarinas inside three rounds back in June.
      Naoya Inoue is one of the most feared fighters in boxingCredit: Getty
      The Japanese superstar demolished Dasmarinas last time outCredit: Getty
      And now, after two fights in the US, Inoue will return to fight in Japan in front of an adoring home crowd.
      The 28-year-old holds the IBF and WBA bantamweight titles having already won belts at light-flyweight and super-flyweight.
      He has won all 21 of his professional fights to date, stopping 18 of them in the process.
      Meanwhile, his opponent Dipaen has already lost two of his 14 pro contests.
      He has only fought outside of Thailand on three occasions, two of which came in defeat.
      Dipaen travelled to Russia and lost to Zafar Parpiev in just his third bout, before then facing Tommy Frank in Sheffield two years ago where he was beaten by split decision.

      Inoue will be an overwhelming favourite heading into the fight as he looks to set up an undisputed clash against either Nonito Donaire or John Riel Casimero.
      WBC champion Donaire and WBO title holder Casemiro are set to face off in a unification clash, with Inoue hoping to face the winner.
      Following his knockout win back in June, the Japanese boxer said: “I prepare myself to knock them out, whether with a head shot or a body shot. I came prepared and to get a win by knockout is good for me.
      “The first round, I just wanted to see what he had. It depended on how he came out, and after a little while, I thought I could get him out.
      “Getting the win makes me smile, but to be able to fight the winner of Casimero and Donaire, that brings me another smile.”
      Inoue already beat Donaire in 2019 when he won a thrilling fight by unanimous decision. More

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      MMA league PFL in talks with boxers and other ‘crossover athletes’ looking to fight for ‘life-changing’ $1million prize

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      PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE are in talks with boxers and other ‘crossover athletes’ – all interested in their ‘life-changing’ $1million prize.The PFL has a unique quarters, semis and final MMA format, which see the last two competitors in each weight dramatically fight for the mega winner’s cheque.
      Boxing champion Claressa Shields after her winning PFL debutCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Champion Kayla Harrison, boxing legend Mike Tyson and CEO of PFL Peter MurrayCredit: Professional Fighters League
      Its third season – which comes to a close in Florida on October 27 – has been a historical one for the MMA organisation and CEO Peter Murray.
      Viewership on ESPN has risen by 100 per cent and marquee names have also joined their stable across six weight divisions.
      That includes ex-UFC champions Anthony Pettis 34, and Fabricio Werdum, 44, as well as undefeated boxer Claressa Shields, 26.
      But according to Murray, there is more to come, with other stars enticed by the three-fight a year format, lucrative prize money and championship belt up for grabs.
      He told SunSport: “Those fighters who performed well and won, they’ve earned their shot in the championship for the big money.
      “So it provides an added drama for fans, and for fighters a big payday. A million dollars is life-changing money. 

      “It’s big money in this sport, so fighters have the chance to make more money in the PFL.
      “Fighters have been looking for an alternative and we have certainty been compelling fighters now or they’re now compelled to go into free agency. 
      “Now they have a real option as the No2 MMA organisation in the sport today. 
      “We’re speaking to a lot of different crossover athletes, boxers, who have brought a skill and desire to compete at a high level in MMA.”
      Shields, a three-weight boxing champion, made her MMA debut with PFL in June and will now return in the finale of season three against Abigail Montes.
      Also headlining that night is double Olympic judo gold medallist Kayla Harrison, 31, who won the women’s lightweight 2019 championship.
      American Harrison faces Taylor Guardado in this year’s finals, looking to become a two-time champ.
      Next year PFL will launch a challenger series, with the winner going on to compete in their regular season.
      Professional Fighters League CEO Peter MurrayCredit: Professional Fighters League
      Pay-per-view will also be rolled out, as well as a combine which will evaluate athletes on mental and physical abilities. 
      Murray said: “We’re launching a challenger series, which is new. 
      “We’ll be launching a combining which is new and we’re also launching pay-per-view, which is new. 
      “And pay-per-view will come after the start of the PFL season this coming spring.”
      Murray also revealed PFL are closing in on a UK media partnership, having not yet signed a network deal.
      He said: “Number one, the UK is a priority market from an international perspective for the PFL, it’s one of our top priorities. 
      “Number two, we will absolutely have a new media partner in 2022, or partners, which will expand the visibility of the PFL and provide access for fans in the UK to not only the season product but the other properties I referenced.” 
      PFL plot UK debut to take ‘innovative’ NFL-style play-off format international More