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      Game of Thrones colossus Hafthor Bjornsson weighs in three-and-a-half-stone heavier than rival ahead of boxing fight

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      HAFTHOR BJORNSSON weighed in three-and-a-half-stone heavier than his next boxing opponent Devon Larratt.The Game of Thrones star has been preparing for his super-heavyweight fight with strongman rival Eddie Hall over the past year.
      Hafthor Bjornsson weighed in three-and-a-half-stone heavier than his next boxing opponent
      Hafthor Bjornsson and his next boxing opponent Devon Larratt
      They were due to fight this weekend, before Hall was forced to withdraw after suffering a bicep injury in training.
      So instead, Bjornsson, 32, will fight world No1 arm wrestler Larratt, 46, in an exhibition bout in Dubai.
      The Icelandic actor – who has already lost NINE STONE – weighed in for his third boxing bout at 23stone.
      Whereas Canadian Larratt scaled a still massive 19stone 5lb.
      Bjornsson – known as ‘Thor’ – has boxed in two prior exhibitions to prepare for his grudge match with Britain’s Hall.
      The first was against Irish cruiserweight Steven Ward, 31, and the second with England’s Simon Vallily, 36.

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      Hall, 33, opted against warm-up bouts, which he slammed as ‘fake’, but revealed he has been put to the test behind closed doors.
      He told Muscle and Health: “I’ve been doing some good exhibition fights as well, not just sparring, so I’m actually getting in the ring with guys who want to take my head off and that’s what it’s all about. 
      “It’s about trying to take someone’s head off. Unless you’re actually in the ring with someone trying to take you down, you’re never going to experience that. 
      “You can be like Thor and you can set all these fake exhibition fights where guys are told to tickle you and not really take your head off, but that won’t do you any favours. That’s just teaching you to be tickled.”
      Hafthor ‘The Mountain’ Bjornsson reveals all about his journey into boxing in new documentary More

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      Boxer who sparred both Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk fears for Ukrainian after experiencing Brit’s explosive power

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      MARTIN BAKOLE revealed the ‘big difference’ between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk is their differing power. The heavyweight contender has sparred both AJ and Usyk, making him an expert ahead of their unified title next Saturday.
      Martin Bakole with Anthony Joshua’s next opponent Oleksandr Usyk
      Anthony Joshua has used Martin Bakole in sparring several times
      Bakole has been used by Joshua on several times with the pair even becoming good friends.
      But it did not stop him from joining Usyk’s camp to help mimic AJ ahead of the Ukrainian’s mandatory title challenge at Tottenham’s stadium.
      Bakole, 28, opened up on the sparring and admitted the former undisputed cruiserweight king, 34, never hit as hard as Joshua, 31.
      He told iFL TV: “He’s a top guy, and he’s got good skills. He has a top record, and everyone knows he’s the best.
      “But heavyweight is not like a cruiserweight. At heavyweight, one punch can change your stuff, but he’s good.
      “I sparred him for two weeks, and I don’t know if it’s the way that he prepared for it, but he never hit me with a punch that hurt me.

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      “Maybe he’s saving that for the fight, but cruiserweight is not the same as a heavyweight. If you see him, he looks small.
      “He needs to put some weight on because at heavyweight, they have a nice punch.
      “At cruiserweight, he has nice skill, but I don’t think he has the same power as AJ. AJ has more power than him.
      “I sparred him, and I never see any big punch like when I sparred AJ. That’s the big difference.”
      Bakole was once in a similar position to Joshua, when he fought Michael Hunter in 2018, the American who went from cruiser to heavyweight.
      And Hunter scored an upset as he tired Bakole out before winning in round ten.
      It leaves Joshua warned not to put all his eggs in the knockout basket with Usyk primed to go the distance.
      I sparred him, and I never see any big punch like when I sparred AJ. That’s the big difference.” Martin Bakole on the difference between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua
      Bakole said: “You know boxing is more than a big punch. It’s skill as well. I learned a big lesson from that.
      “When I fought Michael Hunter, I was only looking for a big punch to stop him.
      “After that, my coach said, ‘What were you looking for that?’ We learned from that, and I started working on speed as well as power.
      “That’s what Usyk was doing, and he was doing that at cruiserweight, and now he’s doing that at heavyweight.
      “If he had enough power, he would have knocked out Chisora. Let’s see what he is going to bring on September 25th.
      “I think he’s working on going the distance. I didn’t see anything where he can knock AJ out.”
      Fans stunned by Anthony Joshua’s ‘lean’ physique ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight More

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      Jake Paul trolls Tommy Fury and tells Molly-Mae to ‘get her boy’ after video of rival beating chest in nightclub emerges

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      JAKE PAUL trolled Tommy Fury and told Molly-Mae Hague to ‘get her boy’ after video of the Love Island star beating his chest in a nightclub emerged.Paul and Fury, both professional boxers with celebrity profiles, have been feuding online throughout the year.
      Jake Paul trolled Tommy Fury and told Molly-Mae Hague to ‘get her boy’
      Jake Paul showing off his ‘impression’ of Tommy Fury
      Love Island stars Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae HagueCredit: instagram
      And after they each won in late August on the same night, it kickstarted talks for the pair to fight at the end of the year.
      But it appears Paul is wasting no time in trying to get under Fury’s skin as he mocked his boxing rival and mimicked him in a TikTok video.
      In the original clip, Fury is seen shirtless in a club in Liverpool gesturing to fans.
      And Paul responded by writing on a sign ‘date Molly, don’t take Molly’ before telling Hague to ‘come get your boy’.
      Molly is the street name of ecstasy, but there is no suggestion Fury was on drugs during the clip.
      Fury’s team have been contacted for comment.

      Paul continued his online dig by impersonating Fury, brother to heavyweight champion Tyson, and making faces to the camera.
      He then said: “My closest friends, coaches, team-mates, if I’m ever at a club, shirtless, at a table by myself going like this… someone pull me out of that f***ing club, immediately.”
      Fury, 22, recently improved to 7-0 with a win over Paul’s sparring partner Anthony Taylor, 32, on the YouTuber’s undercard.
      Just hours later, Paul went 4-0 after beating ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 39, on points over eight rounds.
      In the weeks after, he named Fury as his ideal next opponent, explaining he wanted to fight a ‘real boxer’ next.
      Tommy Fury is in talks to fight Jake PaulCredit: Amanda Westcott More

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      Eddie Hall slams Hafthor Bjornsson’s ‘fake fights’ and claims The Mountain’s punches have ‘no snap’

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      EDDIE HALL has slammed Hafthor Bjornsson’s ‘fake’ exhibition fights, claiming The Mountain’s opponents are told to ‘TICKLE’ him.Speaking to Muscle and Health, Hall also took aim at Bjornsson’s ‘no snap’ punches, insisting they don’t hurt anyone.
      Eddie Hall has branded Hafthor Bjornsson’s exhibition bouts as ‘fake tickle fights’Credit: Simon Howard – Muscle and Health magazine
      Hafthor Bjornsson fights arm wrestler Devon Larratt this weekendCredit: EPA
      And the Brit, 33, is confident of a win when the pair finally clash next year, declaring: ‘I can bang harder.’
      Hall, who has lost six stone, was due to take on his strongman rival this weekend in a boxing grudge match.
      But The Beast suffered a detached bicep earlier this summer, leaving him unable to compete.
      Bjornsson, 32, will instead take on world No1 arm wrestler Devon Larratt on Saturday after shedding nine stone.
      And it will be the Game of Thrones star’s third exhibition bout in front of an audience, with Tyson Fury already in his sights.
      However, Hall has questioned the intensity and validity of the previous two fights, claiming Bjornsson’s opponents were instructed to go easy with ‘tickles’.

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      He told Muscle and Health: “I’ve been doing some good exhibition fights as well, not just sparring, so I’m actually getting in the ring with guys who want to take my head off and that’s what it’s all about. 
      “It’s about trying to take someone’s head off. Unless you’re actually in the ring with someone trying to take you down, you’re never going to experience that. 
      “You can be like Thor and you can set all these fake exhibition fights where guys are told to tickle you and not really take your head off, but that won’t do you any favours. That’s just teaching you to be tickled.”
      Hall also fired shots at Bjornsson’s punching technique, claiming the Icelandic giant hasn’t thrown a single one that could cause damage.
      And that will give the British behemoth the edge next year.
      Hall added: “Since we started prepping for this fight 18 months ago, I have not seen one single punch that Thor has thrown on a heavy bag, on a person, or on a mitt that’s made me think, ‘wow, that could hurt somebody.’ 

      “Not one punch have I seen that I think could hurt anyone. Thor just pushes everything. There’s no snap in his punches. 
      “I’m the complete opposite. Every punch I throw is snappy. It lands a crisp sound on the bag or a crisp sound on the opponent’s headgear. 
      “I know I can bang quicker and harder than he can – evidently.”

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      Eddie Hall suffers detached bicep ahead of fight with rival Hafthor Bjornsson More

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      The vegan diet of an Olympic heavyweight boxer and how lack of meat gives Cheavon Clarke the edge in training

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      VEGAN boxer Cheavon Clarke has told promoters ‘show me the money’ before he cooks up a storm in the professional ranks. The Team GB star got to the quarter-finals in the delayed Tokyo Olympics but was knocked out on a split-decision by Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov.
      The vegan diet of an Olympic heavyweight boxer Cheavon Clarke
      Clarke was on the squad for five years and even acted as cook when his team-mates fancied a meatless meal.
      And the Jamaican-born boxer revealed silver medallist Ben Whittaker and flyweight champion Galal Yafai were among his happy diners.
      Clarke, 30, told SunSport: “When I cook, and the boys eat it in camp in Sheffield, they enjoy it, some of them can’t taste the difference.
      “I enjoyed it, for example Galal Yafai, Ben Whittaker, they’re my good friends and they used to eat my food all the time.
      “They’ll all tell you, I used to cook for them all the time, even the coaches, I’d invite them over for food.”
      Clarke turned vegan in October 2018, a year before winning bronze at the European Games.

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      Most boxers are told a rule of thumb would be to consume meals three hours before training.
      But Clarke’s super-speedy digestion means he can enjoy eating under an hour before heading to the gym.
      He said: “For me, the benefits for myself are my digestion has improved a lot.
      “For example I can cook up a meal, my favourite Birds Eye one is the Southern Fried Strips.
      “I could whip something like that up, eat it and I’m able to go and train again within half an hour, 45 minutes.
      “Whereas before, if I had like chicken or beef for example, I’d be chilled out for ages, I’d be tired, you know when you eat and feel tired?
      “So they were the benefits for me, and it adds nutritional value, a lot of fibre.”
      When on the GB squad, Clarke would wake up as early as 7am, weigh in, before heading to the running track half an hour later.
      Cheavon Clarke cooking up a vegan meal
      The Team GB boxer got to the quarter-finals in the Tokyo Olympics
      Afterwards, he would have oats for breakfast before going to the gym for a pads or strength and conditioning session.
      Lunch would then follow, usually consisting of a wrap with Birds Eye strips and vegan mayonnaise.
      Sparring in the afternoon would cap off the day’s training and Clarke opts for a stir fry or a green cuisine meal with sweet potatoes and gravy for dinner.
      But now, for the first time in half a decade, his usual routine is no more after his GB journey ended in Japan.
      Clarke is yet to turn pro and warned promoters will need to get their wallet and chequebook out to seal his signature.
      He said: “I’ve been enjoying my time off, to be honest.
      “People will be calling for conversations, but I’m just enjoying my break and if they want me to go pro, they best come with the money.
      “Show me the money!”

      GB athlete, Cheavon Clarke has partnered with Birds Eye Green Cuisine range, which helps ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. The Birds Eye Green Cuisine range includes meat-free meatballs, grilled chicken pieces, burgers and sausages. The products are made from pea protein, so are rich in fibre and protein, as well as being a good source of iron.

      Team GB Olympic hero Galal Yafai bought PlayStation 5 by big brother Kal after winning Tokyo gold medal More

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      Jake Paul says ‘idiot’ Conor McGregor may have ‘mistook’ Machine Gun Kelly for him after UFC star’s row at VMA’s

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      JAKE PAUL has heard ‘idiot’ Conor McGregor may have ‘mistook’ Machine Gun Kelly for him after the MTV Video Music Awards bust-up. McGregor hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons after he was captured exchanging words on the red carpet with rapper Machine Gun Kelly.
      Conor McGregor clashed with Machine Gun Kelly at the MTV Video Music AwardsCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul pictured with Machine Gun KellyCredit: Zuffa LLC
      Then, he even threw a drink at the artist, who was joined by his partner Megan Fox.
      YouTuber-turned boxer Paul, who has long been calling out McGregor, is a friend of Machine Gun Kelly’s.
      And the 24-year-old heard the scuffle may have been a case of mistaken identity.
      He said on ESPN: “Some people are saying that Conor McGregor mistook him for me because we look the same, like blonde hair, little bit tall.
      “That was like the rumour that happened, I think it’s hilarious.
      “Conor McGregor is a real fighter, why is he on a celebrity red carpet throwing drinks at Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly? It’s just disrespectful.

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      “But Kells handled himself like a professional, he didn’t get hot, he didn’t retaliate because I think he knows that Conor just looked like an idiot.
      “This guy is falling apart and trying to find any reason to get attention.”
      McGregor, 33, attended the awards with a walking cane as he continues to nurse the broken tibia suffered against Dustin Poirier, 32, in July.
      He is already training ahead of his expected return next year and even invited Machine Gun Kelly to his comeback fight.

      McGregor told Adam’s Apple: “It’s all good. Come to the next fight.
      “They’re more than [welcome]. Come watch me perform any time. I’ll perform no problem.
      “Everyone is more than welcome to come to my fights and come to the shows.”
      Conor McGregor invites Machine Gun Kelly to his next fight after VMA’s scuffle and says he has ‘no problem’ with rapper More

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      Tyron Woodley wants to fight Logan Paul after missing out on Jake rematch in tattoo row

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      FORMER UFC star Tyron Woodley wants to box Logan Paul after missing out on a rematch with the YouTuber’s brother, Jake.Ex-Disney actor Jake agreed to have a rematch with the MMA star if he made good on their pre-fight tattoo bet and inked ‘I love Jake Paul’ on his skin.
      Tyron Woodley recently had his hopes of a rematch with Jake Paul dashedCredit: Getty
      And The Chosen One has set his sights on a clash with Paul’s older brother, LoganCredit: Getty
      The former UFC welterweight champion likes the idea of beating up both Paul brothersCredit: Getty
      But The Problem Child has moved on from a second clash with Woodley as the former UFC welterweight champion has yet to get the tatt.
      And with a lucrative bout against Jake no longer on the table, The Chosen One is hoping to take his frustrations out on Logan.
      He told TMZ: “Logan, you can get it, too!
      “They both could, to be honest. But I gotta beat Jake up first because that’s just something, I just hate that he can walk around and say he beat me in anything.
      “Thumb wrestling, craps, dice, spades. I just hate that he can say that because I don’t feel like he won.”
      Woodley, 39, was supposed to get inked by Jake’s tattoo artist, Tatu Baby, immediately after the fight.

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      But according to the MMA vet, the artist never showed up.
      He said: “I wasn’t willing, I was waiting.
      “We was in the basement of the hotel waiting, no food, up late, looking stupid. Nah, it was not willing, it was waiting.
      “I was waiting on him to follow through with they end of the deal.”
      Woodley – who parted ways with the UFC in April – is still willing to get the tatt, which he plans to put on his knuckles.
      Logan, you can get it, too!Tyron Woodley
      He said: “I should get it on my knuckles so when I punch him in the face, he’ll see how much I love Jake Paul.
      “I’m gonna put these knuckles all across his little temple and that big ass jawline.”
      Woodley isn’t surprised Paul has performed a U-turn on a potential rematch and believes the social media star is afraid to share the ring with him again.
      The Missouri mauler told MMA Fighting: “It went from, ‘Get the tattoo, and it’s a rematch,’ to ‘get the tattoo and we’ll think about a rematch,’ to, ‘Oh, he didn’t get the tattoo, so there’s no rematch.’
      “It sounds like he’s just f***ing scared to fight.
      Jake Paul’s boxing ‘hit-list’
      “He knows he squeaked out by the hair on his chinny chin, chin; a lot of people thought he lost the fight. He got saved by the ropes.
      “Man, s**t, if I was him, maybe I’d just run off into the wind, as well.
      “But if he’s sitting there acting like that’s not why we’re doing the fight, he’s a iar.”

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      Jake Paul blasts MMA fighters after beating Tyron Woodley More

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      Anthony Joshua ranks ‘tough’ and undefeated Oleksandr Usyk as his second-hardest opponent ahead of Tottenham tussle

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA reckons Oleksandr Usyk will provide him with the second toughest test of his professional career.The Watford warrior will defend his unified heavyweight titles against the undefeated Ukrainian a week on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
      Anthony Joshua will lock horns with Oleksandr Usyk a week on Saturday
      And AJ reckons the Ukrainian will give him one of the toughest tests of his careerCredit: Getty
      Unified heavyweight champ Joshua is relishing his showdown with the former cruiserweight king
      Slick southpaw Uysk, 34, has bamboozled all of his opponents with his footwork, with none of his 18 professional foes able to solve his unique puzzle.
      Joshua is all too aware of the skills possessed by The Cat, telling the BBC: “On paper, he sits number two, behind Wladimir Klitschko.
      “They’re very different technically, but on paper he’s an Olympic gold medallist, he reigned for over 10 years, he’s number one.
      “But Usyk is number two because of his success at cruiserweight and then his success so far at heavyweight.”
      “One of his strengths is that he’s getting in the ring with me.
      “I’ve got to give him credit for that, it’s going to be tough.”

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      Joshua, 31, has put a special emphasis on ring work in his latest camp in preparation for the fleet-footed and elusive Usyk.
      He added: “He’s a southpaw, he’s been fighting orthodoxes his whole life, we fight southpaws once in a blue moon.
      “I’m doing a lot of ring work, certain fighters do a lot of road works, pads, bags, shadow boxing.
      “But with a southpaw, it’s all to do with positioning and we’re doing ring work, a lot of southpaws are counterpunchers.”
      AJ is relishing his upcoming clash with his fellow Olympic gold medallist, saying: “The date is set and we are fully locked in.
      “September 25, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I put it all on the line again and it’s time to defend my crown.

      “We are two Olympic gold medallists who have fought our way to the top and never avoided challenges.
      “The stadium is exceptional, the atmosphere will be electric, I’m honoured to be the first person to fight in such an awe-inspiring venue.
      “The stage is set and I am ready to handle business.”

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      Fans stunned by Anthony Joshua’s ‘lean’ physique ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight More