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      Jake Paul’s advisor says only WWE star Brock Lesnar can compare to YouTuber’s rise in fight game after just four bouts

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      BROCK LESNAR is the only fighter to rival Jake Paul’s rise in the fight game, the YouTuber’s advisor stated. American Paul is 4-0 as a boxer and has featured in two headline pay-per-view events.
      Jake Paul in his fight against Tyron WoodleyCredit: Amanda Westcott
      WWE star Brock Lesnar won the UFC titleCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The last was a points win in his home of Cleveland against ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 39, over eight rounds.
      It added to knockouts over online rival ‘AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, both 37.
      Paul, 24, has quickly become one of the most talked about fighters since his professional debut only 20 months ago.
      And his advisor Nakisa Bidarian, also founder of talent firm BAVAFA Sport, said only Lesnar’s leap from WWE to UFC is comparable.
      Bidarian told SunSport: “The truth is, the only combat sports star in history that’s had the same success out the gate that Jake has, is Brock Lesnar. 
      “Jake came with an instal base of fans but they were not pay-per-view purchasers.

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET JOSHUA TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6 AT 60/1 OR ANYTIME AT 25/1
      “Brock had been a pay-per-view star in a different entertainment product. 
      “His fans were used to purchasing his content, so I think what Jake is doing is ahead of any other fighter, to be honest.
      “You can love him or hate him, but you have to respect him and really see how strong this movement is.” 
      Lesnar, 44, debuted in the UFC in 2008 and in the same year, in his third promotional fight, he won the heavyweight belt.
      After seven UFC fights, he then left and in 2012 returned to the UFC, fighting in the octagon once more, a brief cameo in 2016.
      By then, Conor McGregor was the new face of the company during a period where Bidarian served as a UFC executive.
      The truth is, the only combat sports star in history that’s had the same success out the gate that Jake has, is Brock Lesnar. Jake Paul’s advisor Nakisa Bidarian
      And he watched as McGregor, 33, became the biggest attraction in combat sports.
      But that followed after years of the Irishman building his brand back home before making a splash Stateside.
      Bidarian still remembers the night McGregor returned to Dublin in 2014 in a sell-out before knocking out Diego Brandao.
      And Paul’s homecoming in August against Woodley gave off a familiar feeling.
      Bidarian said: “By the time Conor came to the UFC he had already been a champion in a smaller regional promotion. 
      “He had kind of like 14 fights of building his support within that market. I think it was his third fight in the UFC that he headlined in Dublin.

      “That was an unbelievable night, the energy was amazing and that was really the first time that he headlined a card and really owned the conversation. 
      “Look at Jake, he went into his fourth fight ever, his first fight he wasn’t a headliner, he was co-main, second fight no audience, third fight no audience. 
      “So it was his first headliner with fans and I felt the same energy in Cleveland that we had in Dublin that night.
      “So it definitely gave me some level of similarity.” 
      Bidarian confirmed Paul plans to return by the end of the year and is in talks with four fighters, including Tommy Fury, 22.
      Fury, who won on Paul’s undercard last month, is at the top of the list despite rejecting two offers already.
      Bidarian said: “I definitely think there’s two other fighters specifically that are bigger fights for Jake. 

      “But there’s also a feeling from Jake’s side that listen, there’s always this constant chatter of, ‘Fight a boxer’. 
      “So Jake’s view of it is, I brought this guy [Fury] to my card, he tried to come into the ring, he hung out backstage to try and stir the pot.
      “This is the perfect next step for me.”
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul clash behind the scenes after the Tyron Woodley fight More

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      Jake Paul’s advisor says Tommy Fury isn’t ‘focussed on boxing’ as much as YouTuber and slams ‘comical’ snub to $1m deal

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      TOMMY FURY has been told he is not as ‘focussed on boxing’ as much as Jake Paul and rejecting $1million to fight his rival was ‘comical’. Fury publicly admitted he declined two offers to face Paul and responded ‘get your figures up and then we can talk’.
      Jake Paul offered Tommy Fury a $1m fight dealCredit: Getty
      Tommy Fury has declined two offers to fight Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The YouTube star then responded by bumping the deal up to $1m and was even putting money from his ‘own pocket’ into the package.
      But again Fury shot down the effort, believing he was being lowballed and stated $1m was ‘not even worth getting out of bed for’.
      Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s advisor and founder of talent firm BAVAFA Sports, hit out at the response, which he called laughable.
      Bidarian told SunSport: “There’s no base of fans that are proven to be purchasers of Tommy Fury, Jake is now going into his third headline pay-per-view.
      “He’s doing numbers that are bigger than any boxer in the US other than Canelo, who is at a different price point.
      “So it’s not even a discussion of what they want, we’re giving them an unbelievable offer and more so if you really believe in yourself.

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET JOSHUA TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6 AT 60/1 OR ANYTIME AT 25/1
      “This is four times, five times what you’ve ever made plus upside.
      “Go in, beat Jake, be the new face of this movement and guess what? Jake’s probably going to want a rematch.
      “And then you can dictate terms. But until then, you’re coming into Jake’s promotion, to Jake’s event, this is an unbelievable offer.
      “More than most UFC champions get as a guaranteed base. It’s comical them saying it’s not worth getting out of bed for.”
      Paul, 24, is in talks to fight Fury, 22, by the end of the year and is set to start training for his return to the ring.
      In the meantime, he has continued his internet feud with the former reality TV star, who in 2019 featured on Love Island.
      Paul was quick to mock Fury after footage emerged of the 7-0 light-heavyweight dancing topless in a nightclub.
      And Bidarian argued it highlighted the difference in commitment between the two boxers.
      I’m not sure Tommy Fury is focussed on boxing the way Jake is. Here we are four weeks removed and I’m not seeing Tommy training, I’m seeing other videos of Tommy out in the public domain.Jake Paul’s advisor Nakisa Bidarian
      He said: “I’m not sure Tommy Fury is focussed on boxing the way Jake is.
      “Here we are four weeks removed and I’m not seeing Tommy training, I’m seeing other videos of Tommy out in the public domain.
      “If he really is serious about his career, this really is the absolute best offer that could ever present itself.”
      Bidarian has already warned the latest online offer will be their third and final.
      And he fears Fury will miss out on facing Paul, much like Conor McGregor’s training partner Dillon Danis did this year.
      Danis, 28, was offered the chance to fight Paul in March, but rejected it, citing an injury to his knee.
      Retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37, was instead given the opportunity and was then knocked out in April.
      Bidarian said: “It reminds me of Dillon Danis, who had the opportunity when Jake considered fighting him.
      “Jake made a couple of very, very good offers to him, again multiple of what he’s usually paid.

      “And he outpriced himself or didn’t want to fight, we’re not sure what one, and that fight’s now never going to happen, Jake’s moved past that.
      “It doesn’t make sense to fight someone’s that’s 2-0 in MMA against not very good opponents. I think Tommy has the potential to do that to himself.
      “It would be disappointing, he’s a fine young man who’s worked to get to this stage and I hope he capitalises on it.”
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are in talks to fight at the end of the yearCredit: Amanda Westcott More

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      Anthony Joshua comes in STONE heavier than Oleksandr Usyk during weigh-in at 17st 2lbs despite trimming muscle bulk

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA will weigh over a stone more than Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night.The Watford 31-year-old hit the scales at the same 17st 2lbs (240lbs) he battered Kubrat Pulev at in December.
      Anthony Joshua weighs in ahead of fighting Oleksandr UsykCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk embrace each otherCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And Usyk, 34, reached his career highest of 15st 8lbs (221lbs) leaving 19lbs between them.
      Sensational looking AJ roared: “Wow, I just got given the microphone. Thanks for coming out, I was here Wednesday sparring, won a world title here (the O2).
      “I don’t take this position for granted I commit myself to hours and hours in the gym and we will deliver.”
      AJ was a perfect 17st 2bs when he expertly bullied and knocked out Pulev with speed and power.
      That was a brilliant return to his brutal best after the December 2019 rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr was a cautious points win scored at 16st 13lbs
      The British ace looked like a bodybuilding hulk at 17st 9lbs when Ruiz Jr stunned him in their original June 2019 clash.

      But, in his defence, he had been preparing to fight 22st Jarrell Miller who was booted out of the bout for being riddled with steroids, letting the chunky Mexican slip in at the last minute and shake up the world.
      AJ has his training team have confirmed he felt too heavy for the iconic April 2017 win over Wladimir Klitschko and the laborious Carlos Takam stoppage six months later – when he was 17st 12lbs and 18st 2lbs respectively.
      The London 2012 legend’s lowest professional weight came in his third fight when he was just 16st 5lbs for the 2012 win over Hrvoje Kisicek.
      Usyk, 34, was the undisputed cruiserweight king down at 14st 4lbs and he sneaked up in weight in his first two heavyweight clashes.
      Last time out in October, when he outpointed Derek Chisora, he made it up to 15st 7lbs and said he was disappointed not to hit 16st.
      Anthony Joshua hit the scales at the same 17st 2lbs (240lbs) be battered Kubrat PulevCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Oleksandr Usyk reached his career highest of 15st 8lbs (221lbs) leaving 19lbsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk face off one more timeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Tyson Fury tells Usyk tactics to beat Anthony Joshua and predicts late stoppage for Ukrainian if Brit can’t land early

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      TYSON FURY has offered Oleksandr Usyk some advice on how to pull off a shock and beat Anthony Joshua.The Ukrainian superstar faces the British heavyweight champ at Tottenham on Saturday.
      Tyson Fury has offered Oleksandr Usyk advice on how to beat Anthony Joshua
      AJ defends his titles against the Ukrainian at Tottenham on SaturdayCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Despite being widely-recognised as one of the greatest cruiserweights to ever grace the ring, he still goes in as underdog after stepping up a division.
      Undefeated Usyk got his mandatory shot at Joshua after the much-anticipated unification clash between the title holder and WBC champ Fury collapsed.
      The Gypsy King is now preparing for his own defence in a trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder next month.
      But he will be tuning in tomorrow to watch his rival in action and believes Joshua will be in for a very tough night unless he can produce a knockout early.
      Speaking to BoxingScene, Fury said: “I expect it to be awkward for a few rounds.
      “And I expect AJ to run out of ideas really.”

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET JOSHUA TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6 AT 60/1 OR ANYTIME AT 25/1
      He continued: “If he doesn’t land early and get him out of there, I see it being a tough night and maybe even a stoppage loss.”
      Fury also told Usyk exactly what he has to do in order to beat ‘one-trick pony’ Joshua.
      He said: “Keep hitting that target and, sooner or later, the big bodybuilder will fall apart at the seams – like an old, cheap cushion, falling to bits.
      “He runs out of ideas quite quickly.
      “He’s a one-trick pony.”

      🥊 Joshua vs Usyk: All the TV, stream and undercard info ahead of Saturday’s heavyweight bout

      Anthony Joshua insists he’s not in boxing for the fame More

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      Eddie Hearn reveals he wants Tyson Fury to beat Deontay Wilder and set up super fight vs Anthony Joshua in ‘early 2022’

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      EDDIE HEARN admits he wants Tyson Fury to smash Deontay Wilder so The Gypsy King can finally face Anthony Joshua.WBC heavyweight champ Fury was due to face AJ in a multi-million-pound unification bout in Saudi Arabia last month but was ordered to have a trilogy fight with Wilder.
      Tyson Fury will renew his rivalry with Deontay Wilder on October 9Credit: PA
      The Gypsy King was victorious in his rematch with American last FebruaryCredit: PA
      And Eddie Hearn is hoping Fury wins so a fight with Anthony Joshua can come to fruitionCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
      And Joshua’s promoter Hearn is hoping the Wythenshawe warrior will replicate his stoppage of the American next month to preserve the biggest fight in the history of British boxing.
      During an appearance on Good Morning Britain: “He [Anthony Joshua] just wants the undisputed championship, so whoever comes through that fight [Fury vs Wilder].
      “As a Brit, we hope that Tyson Fury does the business.
      “I don’t think he is as well prepared as he was for the second fight, but I still think he has got more than enough ability to beat Deontay Wilder.
      “Fingers crossed for an AJ win tomorrow night, fingers crossed for a Tyson Fury win, and then we can see that undisputed fight in early 2022.”
      Hearn, 42, first revealed his intention to stage Joshua vs Fury in ‘January or February’ in the summer.

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET JOSHUA TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6 AT 60/1 OR ANYTIME AT 25/1
      He told iFL TV: “I think that was pretty much the case anyway. But fighting September 25, it’s very difficult to do a fight in December.
      “And a lot of our conversations now about the undisputed fight are end of January, February.
      “So it probably helps [that Fury-Wilder was postponed]. Fury might’ve wanted to do another fight in November or December.
      “And then the whole thing is, like, never-ending.
      “I don’t even know if [Fury-Wilder will] happen in October, to be honest with you. Who knows?
      “But at least if this fight does happen and AJ beats Usyk successfully, then we’ve bought fought around the same time and then we can try and make the undisputed fight.”
      Joshua, 31, is confident he will one day share the ring with Fury, telling the Daily Mail: “It will happen.
      “I know what people are saying about boxing politics, but I’ll promise before the end of my career I will have done everything in my power to fight Tyson Fury.
      “We saw it with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao (not fighting until they were beyond their primes) but that was a superstar fight.
      “Me and Fury is streets, two warriors, two fighters who have come from the amateur system in the UK, and have taken the world by storm. We’ll get it on in Britain.”

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      Anthony Joshua wishes both Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury luck in their trilogy fight More

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      Biggest UK PPV costs EVER as fans fume over £24.95 bill for Joshua vs Usyk including Mayweather against Pacquiao

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA and Oleksandr Usyk’s super-fight will rank as one of the most expensive pay-per-views in British boxing. Fans vented their anger with the title clash costing £24.95 on Sky Sports Box Office.
      Anthony Joshua pictured with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
      That is despite that price point being the same since Joshua’s rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019.
      Tyson Fury and of course, Floyd Mayweather, also join AJ in the list of box office stars in the UK.
      Here, SunSport runs down the most expensive boxing PPVs in the UK.
      Joshua vs Usyk
      The £24.95 bill was meant to be a one-off due to the magnitude of Joshua’s must-win rematch against Ruiz.
      But amid the coronavirus pandemic, to combat the loss of ticket sales, AJ’s return against Kubrat Pulev stayed at the increased price.
      Now, with potentially Joshua’s most challenging and intriguing fight to date, Sky saw it fitting to keep the cost at £24.95, which includes a massive undercard.

      Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk ahead of their fightCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET JOSHUA TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6 AT 60/1 OR ANYTIME AT 25/1
      Joshua vs Pulev
      Fans again felt let down when it was announced Joshua’s comeback fight after one year out would cost the record price of £24.95.
      But, the Brit was left missing out on around £8m as only 1,000 fans were able to attend at Wembley Arena, opposed to the 60,000-plus at Tottenham.
      Still, many were convinced to concede the additional fiver, as it sold a reported 948,000 PPVs.
      Kubrat Pulev was knocked out by Anthony JoshuaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Fury vs Wilder II
      The rematch between Fury and Deontay Wilder also saw a price hike of £5 from their 2018 draw.
      Fans paid £24.95 on BT Box Office, despite the main-event taking place in the early hours of the morning, but those who did saw a masterclass from Fury.
      The UK PPV sales were not released and the cost of the trilogy bout on October 9 has also not yet been announced by BT.
      Tyson Fury in his rematch win over Deontay WilderCredit: Getty
      Ruiz vs Joshua II
      After Joshua was stunned in June 2019, his career was left on the line in what was one of the most anticipated British fights of all time.
      To mark the occasion, Sky set a record price of £24.95 and backed it up with a stellar undercard.
      Despite rage in certain parts, fans were clearly convinced as 1,575,000 PPVs were reportedly sold as AJ reclaimed his throne on points.
      Andy Ruiz Jr was beaten by Anthony Joshua in 2019Credit: Getty

      Mayweather vs Pacquiao
      After years of drawn out negotiations, boxing’s two top attractions finally agreed terms to fight on May 2 2015.
      Sky aired it in the UK and set the price to £19.95 but would charge an additional £5 if it was booked after midnight on May 1 by phone.
      Mayweather’s points win sold a record 4.6m PPVs Stateside with an additional 942,000 coming from Britain and Ireland.
      Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015Credit: Getty More

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      Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk fight purses: How much AJ & Ukrainian rival could bank from world title clash

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA could bank a massive £30million for Saturday night’s defence against Oleksandr Usyk.The 60,000-plus seater Spurs stadium sold out in just about 30 minutes – and could have done so three more times over.
      Anthony Joshua could bank £30m against Oleksandr UsykCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      If the average price of those seats is £250 then the standard gate alone could be as much as £15million.
      And that is without totting up the 80 VIP hospitality boxes in the stadium that go for around £10,000 a pop and could coin in an extra £800,000.
      The Sky Sports Box Office Show is priced at £24.95 and if it hits the magic 1,000,000 mark then that’s around another £25million in the kitty.
      That equates to a conservative sum of around £40million.
      And it will be split between champion AJ – who is fighting on a home show as the unquestionable A-side of the equation – and the brilliant but certainly B-side challenger.
      With Joshua, 31, taking home the lion’s share, it could leave Usyk, 34, still with a handsome £10m payday.

      🥊 Joshua vs Usyk: All the TV, stream and undercard info ahead of Saturday’s heavyweight bout
      Joshua’s rematch with Ruiz sold 1.2m pay-per-views, Parker in 2018 did 1.1m, Povetkin sold 800,000, and the first Ruiz fight drew around 500,000 – even at 4am.
      AJ banked close to £20m against Kubrat Pulev, his last fight in December, and that was behind closed doors with just 1000 fans.

      Hearn gives tour inside Tottenham Stadium ahead of Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk with AJ getting home dressing room More

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      Anthony Joshua’s sparring partners reveal Oleksandr Usyk fight prediction and say ‘it’s only a matter of time’ before KO

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      OLEKSANDR USYK has been warned ‘it’s only a matter of time’ before Anthony Joshua imposes his size to break down the masterful challenger. Joshua defends his WBA, IBF and WBO titles in a mandatory defence against former undisputed cruiserweight king Usyk on Saturday.
      Anthony Joshua pictured with Demsey McKeanCredit: @demsey.mckean

      Shokran Parwani and Anthony Joshua after sparringCredit: @shokranparwani

      Helping AJ prepare with slick southpaw sparring have been Australian Demsey McKean and German Shokran Parwani.
      Both have given their insight to SunSport, predicting a slow burner as Joshua, 31, gradually makes his presence known, before closing the show towards the backend.
      McKean, 30, said: “I think AJ gets the later round stoppage, in the later rounds.  He has to break him down a bit first.
      “He’s the biggest heavyweight going so I think it’s only a matter of time until he breaks him down and gets the stoppage win.” 
      And Parwani, 29, added: “My fight prediction is I think AJ will stop him at the end of the rounds. 
      “He is conditioned for 15 rounds, he’s sparred guys, six guys, different attributes, different styles, different techniques. 

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET JOSHUA TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6 AT 60/1 OR ANYTIME AT 25/1
      “He sparred them all really great, with lots of calmness and everything he does is practising and everything he does in the camp, he’ll do in the ring. 
      “It’s nothing new for him and I think he will stop him and really shock everybody. 
      “Because everybody will be shocked how great AJ is because he’s a fantastic boxer and he has a great mindset.” 
      McKean was approached by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn for sparring, with the pair previously in talks over a fight in the UK.
      The Aussie was ringside for Josh Warrington’s no-contest with Mauricio Lara in Leeds and got a feel for British boxing fans’ unrivalled support.
      And he fancies getting in on the action himself in the near future.
      McKean said: “The UK guys are pretty much ruling the heavyweight division at the moment, so there’s plenty of good matchups over here. 
      “Plenty of world-ranked fighters, so it will be a case of seeing who they can get me that’s available.
      He’s the biggest heavyweight going so I think it’s only a matter of time until he breaks him down and gets the stoppage win.Demsey McKean predicts Anthony Joshua to beat Oleksandr Usyk
      “I’m a big crowd fighter, I thrive off the crowd so just being there was different. 
      “I was getting the tingles just sitting there watching and waiting my turn, I love it here.” 
      Parwani was in camp with Derek Chisora, 37, last year before the veteran was beaten by Usyk, 34, on points.
      And he sparred Lawrence Okolie, 28, in March prior to the cruiserweight’s WBO title win against Pole  Krzysztof Glowacki, 35.
      Having become familiar behind closed doors with the best in the country, Parwani is ready to announce himself on the big stage in Britain.
      He said: “Hopefully I will fight here in a Matchroom show. 
      “I want to fight everybody at cruiserweight and I have sparred many great cruiserweights in Russia, UK, Germany. 
      “Hopefully I can fight in the UK and fight the best because my goal is to one day be champion.” 
      Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk ahead of their fightCredit: Getty More