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      Regis Prograis admits boxing becoming a ‘popularity contest’ and says fighting on Jake Paul’s undercard is ‘no-brainer’

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      REGIS PROGRAIS has no problem admitting boxing is becoming a ‘popularity contest’ – so fighting on Jake Paul’s undercard was a ‘no-brainer’. YouTuber Paul faces retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren on Saturday, his third professional fight, exclusively on FITE in the UK.
      Regis Prograis features on Jake Paul’s undercardCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul fights ex-UFC star Ben AskrenCredit: Getty
      The undercard also features ex-UFC champion Frank Mir, reggaeton star Reykon and entrepreneur-turned boxer Joe Fournier.
      But amongst the celebrity names and millions of social media followers is light-welterweight contender Prograis, who will fight Ivan Redkach.
      It offers the purist form of boxing on the pay-per-view card, and the chance for potentially new fans of the sport tuning in to see the real side of the sweet science.
      But Prograis is aware of what he stands to gain while sharing the spotlight with others who in reality are not fit to lace his boxing boots.
      And even Al Haymon – the mysterious boxing mogul credited for guiding the backend of Floyd Mayweather’s career – is convinced by partnering up with Triller.
      Prograis, 32, told SunSport: “This isn’t an opportunity you can turn down. It’s a different platform, a different fanbase and a good fight for me.
      “I think all round it’s great, so I couldn’t turn it down. It was a no-brainer from the start, but I still had to talk to Al Haymon.
      “For me, my coach, my manager, it was definitely a no-brainer. It’s too much exposure for me to help build my brand.”

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      Prograis, an immediate favourite in Britain for his thriller with Josh Taylor in 2019, was at first admittedly critical of YouTube stars lacing up the gloves.
      He attended the rematch between Logan Paul, 26, and KSI, 27, two years ago, which Jake’s older brother lost by scrappy split-decision.
      And he came away from it referring to the pair as ‘clowns’ who were leaving a stain on boxing’s reputation.
      Now, while starring on a bill headlined by Jake, 24, Prograis can see more clearly the benefits of having a new audience driven by the celebrities.
      He said: “I don’t look at it being frustrating or nothing like that. Boxing is becoming a popularity contest.
      Regis Prograis and opponent Ivan RedkachCredit: Getty
      “It is what it is. They’re way more popular than I am, and it is what it is. For me, I’m not made about it.
      “I’m getting exposure and they’re bringing new boxing fans to the table now.
      “I went to the fight between Jake’s brother Logan Paul and KSI in LA at the Staples Center and it was just a different fanbase man.
      “There was a bunch of kids, from 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 running around the building.
      “That fanbase will see me fight and they’ll become my fans. I don’t have no complaints about it.”
      Regis Prograis training ahead of his next fight
      Regis Prograis is a former WBA welterweight champion More

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      Watch moment Jake Paul rival Ben Askren was knocked out in just FIVE SECONDS by Jorge Masvidal in unwanted UFC record

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      BEN ASKREN – who fights Jake Paul this weekend – was on the wrong end of the fastest knockout in UFC history against Jorge Masvidal. The welterweight pair fought at UFC 239 in July 2019 after a bitter build-up, but no one could have foreseen the dramatic early stoppage.

      Jorge Masvidal knocked out Ben Askren in just five secondsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Jorge Masvidal’s flying knee was the fastest KO in UFC historyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Within just five seconds, Masvidal had run across the cage and planted a flying knee on Askren, before landing two more shots on the deck.
      The unprecedented finish surpassed the previous record for quickest KO held by Duane Ludwig, which was six seconds.
      Askren, 39, went on to have one more fight in the UFC after his unwanted history-making defeat.
      But again, it resulted in a loss to Damian Maia and afterwards the American grappler retired and underwent hip surgery.
      Askren appeared content on the sidelines, coaching wrestling, until he signed to fight YouTuber Paul, who is 2-0 in his boxing career.
      The pair headline this Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
      Paul, 24, trained with Masvidal, 36, in preparation and predicted he would top the UFC star’s finish.
      Askren has been reminded about the knee in the pre-fight press conference, with Masvidal even getting a FaceTime on stage.
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      Jake Paul FaceTiming Jorge MasvidalCredit: Getty

      The former Olympian admitted he is not bothered about the KO, but slammed his old rival for backing Paul.
      Askren told James Lynch: “I think, either way, it’s bad. I mean, people aren’t digging it whatsoever.
      “He just looks like a dope. He really, really, really does. I don’t know what he’s doing. I don’t get it. I think it’s annoying.
      “I have no issue with the fact that I got beat by a knee, and hey, that’s part of my life. I live it. I’m not embarrassed by it.”

      Jorge Masvidal and Jake Paul training togetherCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul More

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      Lawrence Okolie responds to eagle-eyed Good Morning Britain viewers who spotted boxer’s clock is ten minutes fast

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      LAWRENCE OKOLIE responded to eagle-eyed Good Morning Britain viewers who spotted his clock being ten minutes fast. The newly crowned WBO champion was a guest on the ITV daytime TV show to discuss his inspirational rise.
      Lawrence Okolie responded to eagle-eyed Good Morning Britain viewers who spotted his clock being ten minutes fastCredit: Rex
      It has all been documented in his new best-selling book ‘Dare to Change Your Life’.
      And as Okolie was talking about his journey from fast food employee to top of the boxing summit, fans noticed his clock was ahead of time.
      One tweeted: “Why is Lawrence Okolie’s clock 10 minutes fast?”
      Another posted: “@Lawrence_tko is like me, has his clock 10 minutes fast.”

      Okolie, 28, responded: “Good eye.”
      The Londoner was first inspired to box while working at McDonald’s and watching Anthony Joshua win gold at the London 2012 Olympics.
      Fast forward just four years and Okolie himself competed at the 2016 Rio Games, before turning pro a year after.
      He was signed by idol Joshua, 31, and within five years of his first pro fight, Okolie knocked out Krzysztof Glowacki to win the belt.
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      Despite his clock at home being wrong, the cruiserweight should have no problem telling the time after he was gifted a £40,000 Rolex from Eddie Hearn.
      The promoter told Okolie the Sky-Dweller was up for grabs if he ever won the world title, and happily coughed up once the job was done.
      Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing captured the moment the Rolex was handed over, as promised. More

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      Ex-UFC star says Jake Paul ‘is not a fighter’ and was ‘afraid’ of him in sparring after YouTuber had nose busted

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      FORMER UFC middleweight Markus Perez insists Jake Paul isn’t a ‘real fighter’, claiming the YouTuber was ‘afraid’ of him during their sparring session.The former Disney actor will lock horns with retired mixed martial artist Ben Askren in a boxing match in the early hours of Sunday morning.
      YouTube star Jake Paul (L) will face ex-UFC welterweight Ben Askren (R) in a boxing matchCredit: Getty
      Former UFC middleweight Markus Perez reckons Ben Askren will knock out Jake PaulCredit: GETTY
      Paul, who is 2-0 as a professional boxer, has been tipped by many to knock out the former UFC welterweight.
      But Perez, who recently sparred with the social media star, reckons the 24-year-old will end up being stopped by Funky.
      He told AG Fight: “To tell you the truth I had no idea who he [Paul] was, but when someone related to him offered me $300 (to train with him), I decided to accept.
      “When I arrived at his house with my friend Alexandre Pantoja, I politely went to greet everyone.
      “But when I went to shake hands, he gave me a closed fist. Then I looked at Pantoja and asked, ‘That was the guy I came to help?’
      “He started the sparring going hard, and I hit him with a jab in the end of the first round and his nose started to bleed.
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      “From that point on we started to fight.
      “I called for him to beat me up and he was afraid, just circling and staying out of my range.
      “Of course, he is able to box and has a good cross, but he is clearly not a fighter – just an adventurous (type).
      “Askren is a real fighter. He will close the distance and beat him up around the body and liver, just like I did.
      “A fight is always a fight, anything can happen, but I believe he will knock Paul out around the second or third round.”

      jake Paul will clash with Ben Askren in the early hours of Sunday morning

      The abrasive Paul has vowed to add 36-year-old Askren to his list of victims, saying: “These MMA guys think because they throw punches they know how to box.
      “The world complained because I knocked out a basketball player and not a real fighter.
      “So now I’m giving the people what they want by taking on a ‘real fighter.’
      “After Ben Askren is added to my knockout meme collection, what can anybody say?
      “This is why I’m confident in my ability to destroy this guy.
      “They have no head movement, they’re slow, they aren’t going to the gym every day and boxing.”
      Jake Paul vs Ben Askren – Watch LIVE, channel info and start time More

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      Watch as Andy Ruiz Jr’s son trains Canelo Alvarez in gym ahead of huge Billy Joe Saunders world title fight

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      CANELO ALVAREZ was being put through his paces as he prepares to fight Billy Joe Saunders – by Andy Ruiz Jr’s son. The Mexican superstar unifies his WBC and WBA titles with Saunders’ WBO crown on May 8.
      Canelo Alvarez pictured with Andy Ruiz Jr’s son and trainer Eddy ReynosoCredit: Instagram / @any_destroyer13
      Canelo Alvarez hitting the pads with Andy IIICredit: Instagram / @any_destroyer13
      But a week beforehand, Ruiz makes his anticipated comeback against Chris Arreola, his first fight since rematch defeat to Anthony Joshua.
      The ex-heavyweight champion and Canelo share the same gym under esteemed trainer Eddy Reynoso.
      But it appears Reynoso was given the day off and instead replaced by Ruiz’s eldest, Andy III.
      The youngster is a keen boxing fan and beamed as he held pads for Canelo, who fired off quick combinations.
      And his dad has also reaped the rewards since he relocated to Canelo’s adopted US home of San Diego.
      There, he has dramatically transformed his body under Reynoso, dropping to 18st 4lb, having ballooned up to 20STONE before his loss to AJ.
      Ruiz, 31, said on his YouTube channel recently: “All this hard work and dedication is gonna pay off man.
      “I’m tired man, you see me do all those f***ing drills man? But, like I said, all this hard work and dedication is gonna pay off.
      Andy Ruiz Jr’s dramatic body transformation
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      “Everyone’s gonna see the difference. Everyone’s gonna see my hard work, that’s what it’s all about.
      “I’m ready for my next fight. I’m ready, excited, ready to prove everybody wrong.
      “I must have lost 40lbs [2st 12lbs]. After my fight against Anthony Joshua, my defeat in Saudi Arabia, I gained to like 310lbs [22st 2lbs].
      “I was depressed, I was mad at myself because I knew I should’ve trained, I knew I should’ve done better in my last fight, but it’s never too late.
      “Now is the beginning to see the real and new Andy Ruiz Jr.”
      Andy Ruiz Jr linked up with Canelo Alvarez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso More

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      Watch moment Tyson Fury was FLOORED by Steve Cunningham in New York but picked himself up to fight on like vs Wilder

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      TYSON FURY has proven time and again he is a man who will just not stay down. The Gypsy King is unbeaten in 31 fights, with just one blemish on his record, a 2018 draw against Deontay Wilder.
      Steve Cunningham floored Tyson Fury in 2013Credit: Action Images – Reuters
      Tyson Fury got up from the floor and beat Steve CunninghamCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      That night Fury – who was only two fights in during his sensational comeback – was twice floored by Wilder.
      But each time he got back up to fight on, and in the eyes of many was unfortunate not to win the WBC title on points.
      In the final round, a three-punch combination looked to have laid out Fury, until he miraculously rose to beat the count.
      It left those watching on stunned – but it is not the first time he has hit the deck, brushed himself down, and boxed on.
      Fury made his US debut in 2013, when he travelled to New York to face former cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham.
      In round two, disaster struck as the visiting Brit moved off with his hands down and was nailed with a looping hook over the top.
      Clearly not as ferocious as Wilder’s right hand in Los Angeles, but still Fury was on his backside.
      Amazingly, as he did with the Bronze Bomber, the 6ft 9in switch-hitter retaliated with pure aggression and ended the round on top.

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      Fury eventually closed the show in the Big Apple against Cunningham, battering him on the ropes before a right hand finished the job.
      And despite his 12th round heroics against Wilder, 35, he would have to wait until the Las Vegas rematch to enact revenge.
      But he did so in fine fashion, dropping the American twice before beating him into submission in round seven in February 2020.
      It has set him up with an undisputed title decider against long-time rival Anthony Joshua.
      Fury, 32, and Joshua, 31, are both being presented with site deals to host their lucrative unification.
      Tyson Fury picked himself up off the deck in round 12 against Deontay Wilder in 2018Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Deontay Wilder was twice dropped by Tyson Fury in their 2020 rematchCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul vs Ben Askren undercard: Steve Cunningham vs Frank Mir topping huge bill including Reykon

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      JAKE PAUL has the third pro fight of his fledgling boxing career this weekend against ex-UFC grappler Ben Askren.But before the main event, there’s a HUGE undercard on in Georgia. Here’s who is on the bill…
      Steve Cunningham and Frank Mir battle on the undercard
      Who is fighting on the Jake Paul vs Ben Askren undercard?
      A tasty encounter between former boxing world champ Steve Cunningham – who once dropped Tyson Fury – against ex-UFC champ Frank Mir – who once submitted Brock Lesnar – features on the undercard.
      The show will also feature musical performances by Justin Bieber, The Black Keys, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Diplo, Major Lazer and Mt. Westmore (Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Too $hort and E-40).

      Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren (Cruiserweight)
      Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach (Light welterweight)
      Steve Cunningham vs. Frank Mir (Heavyweight)
      Joe Fournier vs. Reykon (Light heavyweight)
      Junior Younan vs. Jeyson Minda (Super middleweight)
      Lorenzo Simpson vs. Francisco Torres (Middleweight)
      Quinton Randall vs. William Jackson (Welterweight)

      When is Jake Paul vs Ben Askren?
      Jake Paul vs Ben Askren takes place on Saturday, April 17.
      The undercard begins at 2am UK time.
      Then the main event is expected at around 5am UK time through the night into Sunday morning.

      What live stream and TV channel is Jake Paul vs Ben Askren on?
      Jake Paul vs Ben Askren will be broadcast live on Fite.TV and the Triller app.
      The event is available to purchase for $23.99 (£17.42) on Fite.TV.
      What have they said?
      Ben Askren: “If I want to beat up an amateur boxer, it ain’t gonna take me more than three months of training to do so.”
      “I did say when I retired, I will never be a full-time fighter but if something interesting comes up, I’d be willing to accept that.
      “This falls into that category I think. I’m not going to be a full-time boxer but I got an interesting opportunity and I’m going to take advantage of it.”
      Ben Askren and Jake Paul CLASHED at their press conference
      Jake Paul: “You f****d up, Ben by taking this fight. April 17, I promised my team, my family, my brother who is there right next to you right now, I promise to make you go down as history as the world’s worst UFC fighter.” More

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      Floyd Mayweather looks in fighting shape aged 44 as he poses topless on yacht ahead of Logan Paul boxing bout

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER looks in fighting shape aged 44 as he posed topless on a yacht ahead of his exhibition with Logan Paul. Mayweather is enjoying a sunny beach break in Miami as he uploaded the snap on Instagram.
      Floyd Mayweather enjoying a sunny beach break in MiamiCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather
      Logan Paul is set to face Floyd Mayweather in a boxing exhibitionCredit: Instagram / @loganpaul
      It comes with the retired boxing legend still looking to reschedule his pay-per-view spectacle with YouTuber Paul.
      They were initially signed to fight on February 20, but it has been postponed to allow fans to attend.
      Mayweather’s right hand man, co-creator of The Money Team, P-Reala, revealed an announcement in imminent.
      He told SunSport: “We’re going to be making an announcement soon.
      “I can’t give a specific date right now because we’re still working on intangibles but it’s going to be sooner than people expect.
      “We were working out things from the initial February date, everything is in order, everything is in line.
      “We’re excited, Logan has a great following, and within the next couple weeks we should hear something.”
      Mayweather closed out his career officially in 2017, stopping ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, 32, in ten rounds.

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      But he returned a year later for an exhibition in Japan, wiping out featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in just two minutes.
      Paul, 26, has boxed only twice before, both against online rival KSI.
      The first was a draw in a white collar bout in 2018, but when the two turned professional a year later, KSI, 27, won by scrappy split-decision.
      Logan Paul reveals five reasons he can beat Floyd Mayweather More