Boxing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Conor Benn ready for ring return on Josh Warrington undercard after smashing personal bests and running Covid ragged

      by

      CONOR BENN smashed a couple of running personal bests by chasing Covid out of his system.The 24-year-old saw last month’s headline fight with Adrian Granados cancelled when he tested positive just days before.
      Conor Benn is back fighting fit after contracting coronavirusCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But the undefeated WBA Continental welterweight champ is back in the gym ahead of the rescheduled clash on September 4 in Leeds.
      SunSport visited the son of British ring legend Nigel to witness the medical marvel in action and learn how he beat positive coronavirus tests with an even more positive attitude.
      Benn said: “I think it’s been down to my mental strength.
      “I know people have all been affected by Covid differently and I mean no disrespect to anyone who has lost their life or suffered seriously with it.
      “But I have had to jump straight into another training camp, so mental strength has had to play a massive part.
      “The only way I could prove to myself that I am fit and healthy enough to fight so soon after the virus was to be crushing the numbers in the gym and on the track.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      “I had to jump back into hard training while people were telling me I had to be careful and cautious.
      “So every time I trained, whether it was early morning runs or sparring in the afternoon, I pushed myself like I never have before to prove that Covid has not affected me long term.”
      Benn travels from his family home in Essex to Southend at the crack of dawn to race around the seafront and up and down the brutal 185 steps at Leigh-on-Sea.
      It is there — under the cloak of darkness, alongside teenage training partner and Southend United wonderkid Beau MacDonald — that he recorded personal bests just a fortnight after being bedridden.
      My muscle soreness was terrible and I was tired and falling asleep on the sofaConor BennOn the effects of coronavirus
      Benn revealed: “I just took five seconds off my average time for every rep on the Leigh-on-Sea steps and I smashed my quickest five mile by 10sec at 3am on Monday morning.
      “The first Covid test I failed was on Wednesday, July 28, but I felt fine.
      “Then I had to take a few days off because my muscle soreness was terrible and I was tired and falling asleep on the sofa, like an old man, which I never do.
      “My aches and pains were getting me out of bed in the morning and I lost my sense of taste and smell.
      “But, apart from that, I had no cough or headache and no other symptoms. I am an elite athlete and this is my job, so I could not let anything get in the way of me becoming a world champion.
      “I could not have a doctor tell me I need two weeks’ rest and explain a long list of risks, it would have played on my mind and affected my training.“I know the risks and I am fine accepting them, thank you.”

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      Benn was gutted to be pulled out of the first installment of Eddie Hearn’s Fight Camp shows and volunteered to face Granados on the two Saturdays that followed, where he would have remained the star attraction.
      Instead he is leaving his ego at home to take his heavyweight appeal to Headingley and support hometown hero Josh Warrington and Olympic legend and undisputed lightweight queen Katie Taylor, with a modest support slot on the packed card.
      Benn said: “I am a headline fighter and my Fight Camp show was the only one that sold out — but I am no diva.
      “I was doing heavyweight numbers on Sky and I will do them on DAZN but that doesn’t change my attitude, it’s a pleasure to be on Josh Warrington’s undercard.

      “I am a fighter and I will fight anywhere and any place.
      “When you start complaining about where you are on the bill, you have a problem, it makes no difference to me.
      “People will still tune in to watch me fight if I am the first fight on the card, opening the show at six o’clock, because they know they are guaranteed action.”
      Conor Benn is a Wow Hydrate and Freetrain athlete.
      Benn is pounding the pavement as he gets set to return to the ringCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Benn returns to the ring against Adrian Granados on September 4Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Conor Benn vs Adrian Granados – Live stream, date, UK start time, TV channel for welterweight Fight Camp clash More

    • 175 Shares129 Views

      in Boxing

      David Haye, 40, promises ‘brutal, fast’ KO in ‘one-off freaky’ fight against Joe Fournier

      by

      DAVID HAYE is predicting a ‘brutal’ and ‘pretty fast’ KO of his mate Joe Fournier.The pair will fight on September 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as Haye returns to the boxing ring.
      David Haye is predicting an easy night’s work on his big boxing comebackCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Best pal Joe Fournier will be the opponent for Haye in SeptemberCredit: Getty
      But he insists it is a ‘one-off freaky thing that has happened’.
      The Brit has not fought since he suffered a second successive defeat against Tony Bellew in May 2018.
      But he is lacing the gloves up once again at the age 40 to take on best pal Fournier – who has had nine pro fights and nine KOs.
      But the 38-year-old is better known for his taste of the high life and is the owner of several nightclubs and bars.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, Haye, who says it’s all about ‘settling a score’, is predicting an easy night’s work.
      “There shouldn’t be any version of reality that sees me losing this fight.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      “With two Achilles tendons snapped, I should be able to find a way to win this fight.
      “He just doesn’t see my body holding up for eight rounds, he doesn’t see it.
      “The quicker I get it over and done with the better for everybody.
      “The power is always there. The power has never gone anywhere. The power has never been my issue. I’ve just got to focus on the timing and rhythm.
      “Once I get my timing there, it should be pretty brutal, pretty fast.”

      The fight is on the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya vs Vitor Belfort in LA.
      Haye vs Fournier is set to be an eight-round pro fight – NOT an exhibition – and will count on the records of both men.
      The big card also features Anderson Silva vs Tito Ortiz.
      David Haye ‘to come out of boxing retirement aged 40 for comeback fight against Joe Fournier’ on Oscar De La Hoya’s undercard More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Game of Thrones star Hafthor Bjornsson finds Eddie Hall replacement and set to fight arm wrestling legend Devon Larratt

      by

      GAME OF THRONES star Hafthor ‘The Mountain’ Bjornsson has found an opponent to step in for Eddie Hall.The 6ft 9in Icelandic giant will now fight Canadian arm wrestling icon Devon Larratt in the boxing ring on September 18.
      Hafthor ‘The Mountain’ Bjornsson will now box arm wresting icon Devon LarrattCredit: Instagram / @thorbjornsson
      Bjornsson wants the Eddie Hall fight – but will have to wait a while longerCredit: Instagram / @thorbjornsson

      Strongman legend Hall suffered a DETACHED BICEP which left Bjornsson desperately looking for a new opponent.
      But Larratt, who is widely regarded as one of the best arm wrestlers of all time, has stepped into the breach.
      Larratt, 46, has won 53 of his 61 arm wrestling bouts and is currently the holder of the ‘Legacy Hammer’ – the sport’s most prestigious prize.
      Bjornsson wrote on Instagram: “And it’s on! Finally a fight confirmed for September 18th!
      “[Devon Larratt] Good luck, you’ll need it this time around!” 
      Larratt, who was a member of the Canadian Special Forces and was deployed SEVEN times in Afghanistan, responded: “I have a hard time with the word no. Thanks [Thor] and [Core Sports] for the opportunity. Five weeks for Lincoln hawk to become Rocky.”
      SKY BET – GET £30 IN FREE BETS BY BETTING AS LITTLE AS 5p

      SKY BET – GET £30 IN FREE BETS BY BETTING AS LITTLE AS 5p
      Brit Hall, 33, was due to face his strongman rival in September 18 in Florida, in a fight dubbed ‘The Heaviest Boxing Match in History’.
      Hall shed a staggering 6st for the bout, but had to pull out last month.
      Hall wrote on Instagram: “I’m so devastated to say I detached my bicep on Monday but I’ve already got it reattached on Thursday AWAKE and recovery is going well.
      “Unfortunately this means the fight between me and Thor will be rescheduled but the fight night is still going ahead – Sept 18th – and all PPV’s will carry over and including the rescheduled fight night also.”
      Hall was crowned the World’s Strongest Man in 2017, with Bjornsson – who won the title a year later – accusing The Beast of cheating.
      Last year, Bjornsson broke Hall’s deadlift world record of 500 kg (1,100 lb) by deadlifting 501 kg (1,105 lb).

      Hall weighed as heavy as 197kg (30st) in 2017 when he was at the peak of his strongman career.
      But earlier this year, he posted a side-by-side picture which revealed he was down to 161kg (25st).
      And he most recently confirmed he is down to 158kg, now at a lowest of 24st 8lb.
      Eddie Hall picked up a bicep injury that ruled him out of the September 18 fightCredit: Instagram / @eddiehallwsm
      Eddie Hall suffers detached bicep ahead of fight with rival Hafthor Bjornsson More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      Watch as Jake Paul is ‘shown up’ by Amanda Serrano in training with fans more impressed by world champ in background

      by

      JAKE PAUL has been training with boxing star Amanda Serrano and fans online said the YouTuber was ‘shown up’ by the world champion.Showtime Boxing uploaded footage of the pair punching heavy bags in the gym and fans were quick to give their opinions in the comments.
      Jake Paul was filmed training alongside star boxer Amanda Serrano
      And fans online reckon the YouTuber got ‘shown up’ by the unified world champion
      Serrano linked up with the YouTuber after it was announced she would co-headline on Paul’s undercard against ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley.
      The unified featherweight world champion will face Yamileth Mercado and she has been getting into shape alongside Paul.
      Showtime posted the footage late on Monday and it showed the two undertaking similar drills ahead of the bouts.
      With a coach guiding them, the pair can be seen throwing straights on heavy bags.
      The post caption read: “@jakepaul & @serranosisters putting the work in.
      “#PaulWoodley #SerranoMercado #MondayMotivation.”

      SKY BET – GET £30 IN FREE BETS BY BETTING AS LITTLE AS 5p
      And fans were quick to heap praise on Serrano in the comments after one suggested Paul was getting ‘shown up’.
      One wrote: “She got more power than him.”
      Another added: “Damn, her form was better than his.”
      Tank commented: “She’s better than him in every single aspect. And this is the guy who wants to fight Canelo.”
      And Moneymakinmon chipped in with: “LMAO that’s the worst straight I’ve ever seen.
      “But then again, he is an entertainer.”
      Paul, 24, faces Woodley, 39, on Sunday, August 29 in his fourth and most challenging fight to date.
      He is 3-0 in his boxing career but has so far beaten only limited opposition since his January 2020 debut.
      That includes against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37, a renowned grappler.
      With Paul confronted by a fighter who has knockout power for the first time, the social media star admitted he has it all to prove.
      How Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley compare ahead of their boxing match

      He said: “For sure, this is my make-or-break fight. This is my hardest challenge.
      “Tyron Woodley has been boxing way longer than I have. He’s been knocking people out while I was in high school in science class.
      “This is definitely a tough challenge, and it’s the perfect narrative.”

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      Jake Paul’s full ‘hit list’ of opponents including Canelo Alvarez, UFC star Conor McGregor and YouTube rival KSI More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul hopes Tyron Woodley fight goes ‘a couple rounds’ after fans claimed stunning Ben Askren KO was ‘rigged’

      by

      JAKE PAUL hopes his fight with Tyron Woodley goes ‘a couple rounds’ to avoid fans accusing him of another fix. The YouTuber is 3-0 in his career, all by knockout, and beat online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and then ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 37.
      Jake Paul fights ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley on August 29Credit: Alamy
      Jake Paul knocked out Ben AskrenCredit: Getty
      Most recently, he finished retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37, in less than two minutes with a stunning right hand.
      With only a combined five rounds in three fights, Paul faces his biggest challenge to date on August 29 against ex-UFC champion Woodley, 39.
      And the social media star-turned prizefighter is desperate to show fans his full boxing arsenal after some accused his last win of being ‘rigged’.
      Paul, 24, told SunSport: “I’ve said it, I wouldn’t mind going a couple rounds with this guy.
      “To show my inside fighting, to show my work to the body, to show how I set shots up, to show my head movement, defence.
      “To show that I can take a hit. I haven’t been able to show any of this, so I really wouldn’t mind it going a couple of rounds because then I think the boxing community will be like, ‘Oh, damn this kid can actually fight’.
      How Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley compare ahead of their boxing match

      “Even in the last fight, I knocked Ben Askren out, people were like, ‘There’s no way this is possible, it’s rigged’.
      “Yeah, I want a challenge and I want a tough fight.”
      Paul’s unbeaten start to his career has attracted as many critics as it has done supporters.
      But now, signed to American network Showtime – where Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather both starred – he knows the lights have never been brighter.
      Paul said: “I think there will be a very different audience tuning into this fight that will be more boxing-purist. 
      “And I think they’re going to be judging me, they’re going to be judging my skill, they’re going to be judging everything about the night. 
      “They’re going to be looking at everything and thinking, ‘Hey, should I like this kid or not?’
      “Even in the last fight, I knocked Ben Askren out, people were like, ‘There’s no way this is possible, it’s rigged’.Jake Paul
      “So this is my make-or-break fight, the biggest moment of my life. 
      “This is my time to truly, truly shine and show off my boxing ability that I’ve worked so hard to grow and to gain.” 
      Despite Paul’s infancy in the sport, his career as an internet sensation with over 20MILLION subscribers leaves him the A-side attraction.
      So much so, even British reality TV star Tommy Fury, brother to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, is a feature on his undercard.
      Fury, 22, who appeared on ITV’s hit show Love Island in 2019, faces Paul’s sparring partner Anthony Taylor, 32.
      A win for the celebrity pair sets them up for an expected pay-per-view fight of their own.
      But Paul insisted being the ‘boss’ at the negotiation table is no mental advantage and is instead just happy to use his platform to benefit boxing.
      ‘I’M A FIGHTER’
      He said: “I mean, I guess I don’t know how they look at it. For me, I don’t think it makes a difference.
      “I’m going in there like I’m fighting the best fighters in the world and they should be thinking the same thing. 
      “Just because I’m the boss, I don’t hold that against them.
      “I want everyone to win here and at the end of the day, I want to change this sport and give fighters the biggest paydays of their lives. 
      “I think everyone on the card is getting the biggest paydays of their boxing careers. And so I’m for the fighters at the end of the day. 
      “There’s a lot of s*** talk and hoopla, but at the end of the day, I’m a fighter, so I’m for the fighters.” 
      Jake Paul ahead of his fight against Tyron Woodley
      FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE More

    • 250 Shares129 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul faces up to 12 months in jail after being charged with criminal trespassing for ‘looting’ in Arizona protests

      by

      YOUTUBER Jake Paul faces up to 12 months in jail after being filmed in a mall as it was looted during the George Floyd riots.The wannabe boxer was filmed in an Arizona mall as it was looted during the George Floyd riots but has previously denied any involvement.
      Jake Paul is reportedly facing criminal chargesCredit: Alamy
      The YouTuber was filmed at Scottsdale shopping centre in May 2020Credit: Instagram
      According to American website TMZ, local authorities have pressed charges after federal cops dropped their case against the 24-year-old.
      Paul was reportedly charged with two criminal misdemeanours for criminal trespass and unlawful assembly by the city in May 2020.
      It’s believed these charges were dropped when the feds launched an investigation but have since been revived after the withdrawal.
      Reports suggest the feds couldn’t pursue their case due to a lack of evidence against Paul.
      The incident in question is alleged to have happened at Scottsdale shopping centre in May 2020, days after Floyd’s murder.
      Paul was filmed among a group of people breaking glass windows and destroying kiosks, although he was NOT seen causing any damage.

      Paul denied the allegations in a statement released in May 2020: “To be absolutely clear, neither I nor anyone in our group was engaged in any looting or vandalism.
      “For context, we spent the day doing our part to peacefully protest one of the most horrific injustices our country has ever seen, which led to use being tear-gassed for filming the events and brutality that were unfolding in Arizona.
      “We were gassed and forced to keep moving on foot. We filmed everything we saw in an effort to share our experience and bring more attention to the anger felt in every neighbourhood we travelled through; we were strictly documenting, not engaging.
      “I do not condone violence, looting, or breaking the law; however, I understand the anger and frustration that led to the destruction we witnessed and while it’s not the answer, it’s important that people see it and collectively figure out how to move forward in a healthy way.
      “We are all doing the best we can to be helpful and raise awareness; this is not the time to attack each other, it’s time to join together and evolve.”
      Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley official fight trailer More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley date: Live stream, TV channel, UK start time as UFC ace takes on YouTube boxer

      by

      JAKE PAUL returns to the ring this summer against yet another former UFC star.The Problem Child’s fourth professional outing will see him lock horns with former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley
      Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley will take place on Sunday, Aug 29Credit: Reuters
      The blue touch paper for their fight was lit moments before Paul’s demolition of Woodley’s good friend Ben Askren in April.
      The pair were involved in a heated back-and-forth in the dressing room that left Woodley fuming.
      And their subsequent slanging match on social media has teed up the interesting grudge match, which, on paper, is the toughest fight of Paul’s young boxing career.
      Here’s everything you need to know about the pair’s upcoming bout:
      How Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley stack up ahead of their showdownCredit: SUNSPORT
      When is Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley?

      Paul and Woodley will look to settle their ongoing feud on Sunday, August 29.

      Where is Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley taking place?

      The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Jake Paul’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio plays host.
      There could be up to 20,000 spectators in attendance at the fight.

      Tyron Woodley will be looking to avenge his good friend Ben Askren when locks horns with Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      What channel is the fight on?

      A UK broadcaster has yet to pick up the rights for Paul vs Woodley.
      Showtime Sports, however, will air the fight in the United States.
      FITE TV won the international broadcast rights for Paul’s two-minute demolition of Askren in April and could screen the fight again.

      What time will the fight take place in the UK?

      The fight is set to get underway at around 4am on Sunday, August 29 UK time.
      It will be held in Paul’s home town of Cleveland, Ohio.

      What have they said?
      Paul said of the former UFC star: “He’s a good striker. He’s known for knocking people out. But I think when I beat Tyron, people have to put respect on my name.
      “But that’s not what I’m here for, to be honest. I already know how good I am. I know that this is going to be another easy fight.
      “That’s why Showtime is in business with me. You’re looking at the future of boxing.”
      Woodley said of his clash with the social media star: “Easiest fight of my career and biggest purse of my career all in one night.
      “Basically, they brought me in to take out the trash. Can’t wait to shut this b***h up.
      “This is getting done for the culture, the whole MMA/boxing community, to rid this guy of combat sports.”
      Jake Paul offers to DOUBLE Tyron Woodley’s ‘multi-million dollar’ fight purse if he wins bout in heated face-off More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Manny Pacquiao vs Yordenis Ugas tale of the tape: How pair compare with Filipino fighting more than TWICE as many times

      by

      BOXING legend Manny Pacquiao makes his return to the ring at last – but not against the man he planned to fight. Pacquiao was due to challenge for Errol Spence Jr’s WBC and IBF welterweight titles on Saturday in Las Vegas.

      But American Spence pulled out with an eye injury, allowing Cuban Yordenis Ugas to fill in as a replacement.
      Ugas will now put the WBA belt he received after Pacquiao was stripped due to inactivity on the line against the Filipino icon.
      And here, SunSport runs down how the two compare ahead of their world title fight.
      Manny Pacquiao
      Pacquiao announced himself to the US market in 2001 as an unknown but former flyweight world champion.
      In his first fight with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, he beat Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and became an overnight sensation.
      In the years since, Pacquiao has gone on to win titles in a record-breaking EIGHT divisions against some of the most decorated names in the sport.
      More recently, PacMan has campaigned at welterweight and after defeat to Aussie Jeff Horn in 2017, his career looked in doubt.
      But he turned it around with three consecutive wins, against Lucas Matthysse, Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman.
      Manny Pacquiao beat Keith Thurman in his last fightCredit: USA TODAY Sports
      The last saw Pacquiao dethrone Thurman in July 2019 but amid the coronavirus pandemic, the southpaw has been unable to return.
      It means he will have been out of the ring for over two years by the time he meets Ugas between the ropes.
      Pacquiao has a wealth of professional experience over his Cuban opponent, with 41 more fights.
      And despite giving away height and reach, PacMan is by far the quicker operator with both his hands and feet, despite being aged 42.
      Manny Pacquiao training for his boxing returnCredit: Getty

      Yordenis Ugas
      Ugas was an incredible amateur in his homeland of Cuba – renowned for their talents in the unpaid ranks.
      He even won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and established himself as one of the best boxers in the country.
      But in 2010 he decided to defect from Cuba – where turning professional is prohibited – to become a champion in the paid ranks.
      Despite his immense talent, the transition saw Ugas lose three times in his opening 15 fights, with world title aspirations slipping away.
      But since then, the talented ex-Olympian has lost only once in 12 fights, against former champ Shawn Porter.
      He most recently beat Abel Ramos last September to win the WBA’s secondary, ‘Regular’ belt.
      But he was then elevated to the full champion due to Pacquiao’s inactivity, much to the frustration of PacMan.
      The title debate will be settled in the ring, where Ugas has a three inch height and two inch reach advantage.
      Cuban Yordenis Ugas replaced Errol Spence JrCredit: AP
      FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE More