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      Conor Benn vs Samuel Vargas: UK start time, live stream, TV channel and undercard for Saturday’s welterweight bout

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      CONOR BENN is back in action this weekend as he takes on Samuel Vargas in a step-up welterweight clash in London. Benn hasn’t been in the ring since his unanimous decision win over Sebastian Formella last December.
      Conor Benn beat Sebastian Formella back in December 2020Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      And The Destroyer, son of British boxing legend Nigel Benn, is now back, as he hopes to become the sport’s next big star in the UK.
      When is Benn vs Vargas?

      Benn’s big clash with Vargas will get underway from around 10.30pm UK time on Saturday, April 10.
      The undercard will get going form 7pm.
      The event will take place at the SSE Arena in Wembley.

      What channel is Benn vs Vargas and can it be live streamed?

      Benn’s welterweight bout with Vargas will be shown live on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Main Event.
      You can live stream the action from the Sky Go and NOW TV apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

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      Conor Benn is looking to rack up another win on his record when he faces Samuel VargasCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      What has been said?
      “Vargas brings a real threat and one I’m really excited for,” Benn said.
      “This is a guy who put [Amir] Khan on the deck and a fighter who has been in with Errol Spence.
      “He’s definitely going to bring the heat on April 10, and I’m going to match fire with fire — so it should be explosive.
      “Growing up around my dad I was always naturally drawn to the sport of boxing.
      “Once I felt confident in my abilities as a boxer, it was a natural fit.” More

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      Meet Joe Smith Jr, the man who KO’d Bernard Hopkins, has his own tree surgeon business, and is aiming for a world title

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      JOE SMITH JR sits back in his chair, ponders the question posed to him, looks around the room, thinks a little more, and comes to a decision. “The craziest moment of his career?” he asks back. “I mean, looking back… Andrzej Fonfara, Bernard Hopkins, there have been some amazing times and unexpected moments in my career.

      “This Saturday I’m hoping to do that again and finally secure myself a world championship.”
      It’s been a long road for Smith Jr. He’s a simple man who’s lived the ultimate life of labour, sprinkled with lashings of the extraordinary.
      He began boxing at 13 at Heavy Hitters Gym in Ronkonkoma and began work, cutting down trees with his father, just a few short years later, before getting more fruitful work with Laborers Local 66 in Long Island, New York, where he grew up.
      Smith Jr held the constriction gig on his back but ploughed forward with a full-time pro boxing career in his sights, picking up the opportunities that worked their ways into his path.
      Signed to Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, it was time for Smith Jr to start seizing those opportunities. And he did, despite opening up as a 33/1 underdog in a fight with Fonfara in 2016.

      Smith Jr smashed Fonfara around the ring for over two minutes before the referee stopped proceedings in the first round. His next opponent? Only the legendary Bernard Hopkins, a fight in which he was another sizeable underdog.
      Hopkins never returned to the ring after his evening with Smith Jr. B-Hop was sent tumbling through the ropes, onto the arena floor and into retirement by a much stronger and hungrier man. TKO8.
      Smith Jr returned to work on the construction site the week after.
      “I literally went back to work after the Hopkins fight, just that week later,” he reminisces. “I worked for a couple weeks then I realised I had other big fights coming up. I stayed there a little longer but then when we opened our own business I stopped working full-tine.
      “I walked into the job site after the Hopkins fight and the guys were like ‘what the hell are you doing here? You just fought a legend knocked him out and you’re back here at work? Something’s off!’ I was like ‘I need to make money!’.

      Losses to Sullivan Barrera and Dimitry Bivol have followed, but so have emphatic wins over Jesse Hart and Eleider Alvarez.
      Next is Maxim Vlasov, for the vacant WBO light-heavyweight world title. And he’s finally the bookies’ favourite.
      The construction work has stopped, but Smith Jr now runs his own tree service business, Team Smith Tree Services, with his father. The dirty work now gets left to his own workers, while he gets down to business in the ring.
      But there was a time where Smith Jr wasn’t so convinced his boxing career would lead to anywhere special. Enter trainer Jerry Capobianco.
      The vacant WBO Light Heavyweight title is 𝙊𝙁𝙁𝙄𝘾𝙄𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙔 on the line in Tulsa. 👑⚖️ Joe Smith Jr. – 174.8 lbs⚖️ Maxim Vlasov – 175 lbs#SmithVlasov | TOMORROW | ESPN & ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/dZfUmgKV6e— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2021

      Smith Jr adds: “My trainer Jerry, he said ‘give me everything you’ve got for a few years and I’ll make you a world champion’. At first I was like ‘you crazy?’. But as my career went on I started getting the bigger fights I knew this guy wasn’t lying to me.
      “Now, I go into every fight the same way, that guy there opposite me is there to hurt me, he’s trying to take away what’s mine so I’ve got to go in there and stop him from doing that.”
      A big win over Vlasov sets up a huge unification fight with current 175lb king Artur Beterbiev, who turned 36 in January.
      “It’s going to be there that Beterbiev fight,” Smith Jr says.

      “I just need to win and set up an opportunity like that for myself. That’s the main thing on my mind, stay focussed on this fight, do whatever it takes to win and there’ll be some huge opportunities to come.
      “We’ll see what happens in the ring with Vlasov but I’m going to go after the stoppage of course.
      “He’s an aggressive fighter. He comes forward, throws a lot of punches.
      “A lot of the guys I’ve fought are more boxers and counter-punchers. But Vlasov will be busy and aggressive. Whatever he brings I’m prepared for it all.
      “I can’t wait to get in there on Saturday night. It’s been a long time coming, I can’t wait to put that belt above my head and walk out as a champion.”

      Newly married to his long-time girlfriend Kelly Reilly, Smith Jr plans to spend his hopeful post-win months relaxing back in Long Island, by the water where he can jet-ski. More simpleness accompanied by thrill.
      “I’m a big jet-skier,” he says. “I love going out on the boat too. That’s the sort of stuff I love to do.
      “I’m looking forward to the summer, once I win this fight we’ll go jet-skiing right by my house in Long Island. I can’t wait.” More

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      No-nonsense Liam Williams will take frustration out on Demetrius Andrade after years of chasing world champions

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      THROWBACK fighter Liam Williams will take his frustration out on Demetrius Andrade when the banging bridesmaid finally becomes the bride.Plenty of fighters claim to be their divisions avoided boogie man but the fiery Welsh dragon has the record to prove it.
      Liam Williams will take his frustration out on Demetrius AndradeCredit: The Sun
      Demetrius Andrade defends his WBO title against Liam WilliamsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The 28-year-old Clydach man – who prefers training to Twitter and other promotional tools – has been chasing a middleweight world title shot for almost three years.
      And American WBO champ Andrade has finally accepted, with Williams set the huge task of travelling to Hollywood where he will almost certainly need a KO to dethrone the 29-0 star on Saturday, April 17.
      “Everybody likes to think they are avoided but I will honestly fight anyone from super-welterweight up to light-heavy,” he told SunSport.
      “I literally want to fight anyone with a belt or a big name and am not afraid of losing to absolute top names or champions.
      “Unfortunately boxing is a sport where fighters can hide behind their sanctioning bodies, managers, promoters, broadcasters.
      “There are so many ways to worm your way out of fights these days.
      “I have had to sit on the sidelines and wait my turn, I have tried being nice and being nasty, I have beaten everyone put in front of me and I will not be denied any longer.”
      No-nonsense Williams has tried to goad Chris Eubank Jr into a domestic clash and Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin into firefights.

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      He was more respectful when he offered former gym-mate and friend Billy Joe Saunders a battle of Britain.
      But, without a world title belt or a giant fanbase following him, he has so far been ignored. 
      But the old-school man has vowed to use the the 11st 6lb belt as bait, once he drags it back to the UK and join the long list of Welsh fighting icons
      “When I win this fight, the options and opportunities are endless,” he said. “And I am going to get the massive fights and massive paydays I deserve.
      “I want to go on and make a massive name for myself, alongside some of Wales’ other great fighters like Joe Calzaghe, Nathan Cleverly, Gavin Rees and Lee Selby.
      “For me to put my name alongside those former world champions will be massive.
      “He is a tall and rangy southpaw so he is going to come out poking and picking at the start and make the beginning a challenge.
      “But then I am going to get on him, break him down and stop him. I think anytime after rounds six or seven I will be able to stop him.”
      Liam Williams feels unstoppable in training More

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      Conor Benn desperate for family reunion to introduce baby Eli after burying pain to focus on Samuel Vargas fight

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      CONOR BENN is burying his family pain to focus on his fight with Samuel Vargas tonight.The welterweight, 24, and wife Victoria welcomed baby Eli on January 24.
      Conor Benn – who fights Samuel Vargas on Saturday night – with his baby EliCredit: The Sun
      Conor Benn and wife Victoria welcomed baby Eli on January 24Credit: The Sun
      But coronavirus travel regulations mean his dad, legendary fighter Nigel based in Australia, and the rest of his family are yet to meet the new arrival.
      The 17-0 ace has put on a brave face as he prepares for his step-up against the respected Colombian.
      But Essex-based fighter Benn is just desperate to reunite his family.
      He told SunSport: “Eli coming at this stage of my life is such an amazing blessing — but the hardest part is that my dad and all my family in Australia cannot be here.
      “The Zoom calls are lovely and I know everyone looks forward to them but they are also upsetting.
      “With every call we are telling dad about the latest new thing the baby has done and, although I can see and hear how proud he is, I can tell not seeing it in person is hurting him.
      “But this is just another form of sacrifice I am having to put myself through to achieve my goals.
      “It was hard enough leaving everyone behind as a teenage boy to come over here.

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      “Now I have my own beautiful young family and I am unable to have everyone together.
      “It’s hard to even schedule a video call with my family because, even if we get around the time difference, the baby might have had a rough night so is sleeping.
      “We just have to focus on all the positives and there are plenty, I know a lot of people are far worse off.”
      Nigel retired Down Under to dedicate his life to God and passed his faith, as well as his power, down to Conor.
      Conor got his son’s name from the Bible, his own name was more wacky.
      He said: “Eli is a man of the Bible and I am a strong believer in biblical names, which makes the fact that my name came from the Terminator film even funnier.
      Conor Benn training for Samuel VargasCredit: The Sun
      Trainer Tony Sims on the pads with Conor BennCredit: Mark Robinson NMCPool Matchroom Boxing
      “It’s an odd name, there isn’t any rhyme or reason for it. Dad just liked the name from the film.
      “Eli is a short and powerful name, a man of the bible, a man of faith and that is how I plan on raising my son.”
      Nigel did everything he could to ward his son away from boxing, unsuccessfully.
      Conor, though, insisted his boy will not follow in the family footsteps.
      He said: “I won’t raise him that way. The world is so much bigger than boxing, there is more to life than fighting.
      “You can get so caught up in the aggression of the sport that you forget to enjoy anything else.
      Conor Benn insisted his son will not follow in the family footstepsCredit: Mark Robinson NMCPool Matchroom Boxing
      Conor Benn has done back-to-back fight camps after beating Sebastian Formella in NovemberCredit: Mark Robinson NMCPool Matchroom Boxing
      “You always have to have that fighting mentality. I don’t want my son to be a fighter — and don’t think he will be.”
      Conor has done back-to-back fight camps after beating Sebastian Formella in November.
      Victoria had to handle the last stages of pregnancy and Eli’s first months almost single-handed while her husband trained.
      But there will be no expense spared after tonight’s fight.
      Benn added: “My wife has been more than incredible. She has effectively been a single mum.
      “I will do everything I can to make it up to her. Whatever she chooses she more than deserves.”
      Conor Benn weighing in with Samuel VargasCredit: Mark Robinson NMCPool Matchroom Boxing
      Conor Benn successfully makes the welterweight limitCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

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      Despite all Amir Khan’s benevolence, I believe he’s now tarnished his image with eight-episode BBC show Meet The Khans

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      AMIR KHAN is said to be worth around £23million.He earned it the hard way by risking his life in the ring, so nobody could begrudge him a penny of his fortune.
      Amir Khan’s new BBC reality show has damaged his imageCredit: PA:Press Association
      When Khan was a baby-faced 17-year-old he brought honour to Britain by winning a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics.
      He continued to bring even more kudos to this country by turning pro and then becoming a two-time world champion.
      Amir is unquestionably one of the most likable and talented fighters produced on this island and he has always respected his fans. He is media friendly, forever cheerful, available and helpful.
      Much admired for his philanthropy, he set up a foundation which provides large sums of money to charities in Asia and Africa, as well as at home.
      Khan strongly supports women who are the victims of violence, is an ambassador for the NSPCC and he allows underprivileged kids to use his state-of-the-art gym.
      In recognition of his services to his home town, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bolton.
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      Yet despite all his benevolence, I believe Amir has now severely tarnished his image by agreeing, together with his wife Faryal, to take part in an excruciatingly bad eight-episode BBC reality show Meet the Khans: Big in Bolton.
      It goes out on Monday nights — and I have watched the first four while cringing in horror.
      It’s in the worst possible taste and only those who take some pleasure in seeing obscene ostentation will find it enjoyable.
      This is a vehicle for the Khans to flaunt their wealth and their shameless love of extravagance of the worst kind.
      Amir is filmed driving around Bolton in his red Lamborghini and lets it be known he has a Rolls-Royce in the garage — which he probably takes to the supermarket.
      There were scenes of the two of them relaxing on a luxury yacht he rented when they were visiting Dubai.
      There are constant shots of his lavishly furnished mansion — and Faryal is forever being shown in her bedroom wearing her bling and designer clothes.
      In this week’s programme, Amir was in a Mayfair jeweller deciding which £100,000 watch he should buy. He has let it be known he bought his son a £30,000 Rolex for his first birthday.
      The way I look at it, is that I work very hard for itAmir Khan
      Justifying his opulent lifestyle, Amir said: “The way I look at it, is that I work very hard for it.
      “I’m always one punch away from getting hurt, so I like to treat myself or treat my wife. But I do respect money and that’s one of the reasons I do a lot of charity work.”
      Faryal chimed in: “It’s not up to us to tell people what to think. But in the show we are completely honest.
      “We can’t really apologise for who we are. We’re going to be our real selves, whether anyone likes it or not.”
      Amir added: “I’ve watched a lot of these reality shows and I like them because it gets to the real person, what they are really about, what they are really like.”
      By criticising Amir, I now know what the person who shot Bambi felt like.

      He doesn’t seem to realise he hasn’t done himself any favours by displaying how filthy rich he is for the world to see.
      No doubt there are many of his fans who will have joined the millions that have lost jobs or even gone bankrupt due to the pandemic — and they won’t be too impressed.
      I am certainly not either.
      Amir Khan’s wife Faryal breaks down in tears over abusive trolls who taunt her over husband’s cheating scandals More

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      Jake Paul will dedicate Ben Askren fight to his ‘brother’ Shamir Bolivar as YouTuber’s bodyguard sadly passes away

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      JAKE PAUL revealed he will dedicate his fight against Ben Askren to his bodyguard Shamir Bolivar, who sadly passed away. Bolivar, the CEO of Shadow Group Security, was confirmed dead on Thursday, April 8.
      Jake Paul will dedicate his fight against Ben Askren to his bodyguard Shamir BolivarCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      Jake Paul pictured with Shamir BolivarCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      Bodyguard Shamir Bolivar sadly passed awayCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      He also worked with rapper 6ix 9ine and had been a stable in Paul’s recent training camp.
      The YouTuber paid respect to his ‘brother’ online and vowed to dedicate his next fight to Bolivar.
      Paul, 24, posted: “I still can’t believe that you’re gone… this just doesn’t seem real and I can’t comprehend it at all
      “My heart hurts deeply… I want to wake up and have someone tell me this was a dream.
      “You were such a great soul that was always there for me.
      “You did so much for everyone around you and it won’t ever be forgotten… you took care of your family and kids.
      “I’m at a loss for words… I know everyone will do our part to carry on your legacy. The Shadow Group, I’m dedicating this fight to you my brother.
      “I know you’ll be in the ring with me still watching my back.

      “Just a day ago after sparring you came up to me and said how proud you were of me and and my mindset.
      “You said I was like a warrior that you would want to go into battle with… and I guess now In 9 days, we will go to battle together… rest in paradise legend.”
      Paul is 2-0 in his boxing career since turning professional in 2020, beating online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.
      He faces retired UFC welterweight Askren, 36, on April 17, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
      Watch Ben Askren train with legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach as ex-UFC star prepares for Jake Paul fight More

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      Anthony Joshua ‘working really hard’ to secure Tyson Fury bout as Gypsy King says ‘one day left’ amid agreement deadline

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA revealed he is ‘working really hard’ to secure an undisputed title fight with Tyson Fury. But the Gypsy King taunted ‘one day left’ as their agreement deadline draws closer.
      Anthony Joshua is ‘working really hard’ to secure a fight with Tyson Fury.Credit: Instagram @anthonyjoshua
      Tyson Fury taunted ‘one day left’ in a social media postCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101
      Quick update. Myself, @258mgt & @MatchroomBoxing are working really hard to make the fight happen. I want to give my fans what they want & you know I’ll do whatever I can to deliver. Hoping to share some positive news soon.— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) April 9, 2021

      The heavyweight champions signed a two-fight deal in March, and promoters gave themselves a 28-day period to have a venue and date set in stone.
      But as the deadline approaches this weekend, Fury has twice referenced on social media that the clock is ticking.
      In his latest, he wrote: “1 day left.” Accompanied by three alarm clocks.
      But AJ was quick to assure fans himself, his management group 258 and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing are still in talks with the opposition.
      He tweeted: “Quick update. Myself, @258mgt & @MatchroomBoxing are working really hard to make the fight happen.
      “I want to give my fans what they want & you know I’ll do whatever I can to deliver. Hoping to share some positive news soon.”
      Hearn confirmed the deadline is not a deal-breaker, and various mega-money site deals are being laid out to both camps in the coming days.
      He told SunSport: “It’s a self-inflicted deadline from both teams that we agreed that should give us enough time to secure it.

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      “Both teams will have the options presented to them this weekend, so there will be discussions early next week.
      “We’ll say, ‘We like that one’ or, ‘We’d like a bit more money’. All these different things are yet to be discussed.
      “We’ll work together and say well this is the option, let’s go.
      “We’re very close and we’re around the numbers which I think gets this done. I think once it’s presented, I think we’ll be fine.”
      Hearn hits back at Tyson Fury’s dad John over lack of support for Anthony Joshua fight More

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      Mayor Sadiq Khan wants London to host Joshua vs Fury and will ‘do what we can to support Eddie Hearn’

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      MAYOR Sadiq Khan has promised to do “what he can” to help Eddie Hearn stage Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury in London.Promoter Hearn is dreaming of a world heavyweight title unification fight between the two Brits at a packed Wembley, perhaps on July 24.
      Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua hope to fight this summer, with London mayor Sadiq Khan and promoter Eddie Hearn eyeing London as the venueCredit: AFP
      Sadiq Khan insists he is willing to try to help Fury vs Joshua take place in LondonCredit: Getty
      Promoter Eddie Hearn hopes the all-British showdown will go ahead this summerCredit: PA
      Wembley could be 25 per cent full for Euro 2020, with possibly more fans at the semi-finals on July 6 and 7 plus the final on the 11th.
      And Khan said: “I’m keen to see Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury.
      “Wouldn’t it be great to see those two champions boxing amongst their own fans?
      “We’ll do what we can to support Eddie. If Eddie and the teams want the fight in London, we’re ready.”
      Slimmed-down Fury is preparing to take his camp to Las Vegas ahead of the possible showdown – for which the Middle East Is still the likeliest venue.
      Hearn has said: “When you look at the Wembley option, which is still teetering around, maybe unrealistic, but it’s another option that we’d like to present.
      “That would be July 24th, for example, which is the end of the Euro period.

      “Once you start going too deep into August, you’ve got the Olympics and so forth.
      “I put this fight up there as the biggest sporting event of 2021.”
      But Khan report Sky Sports as saying: “’Eddie Hearn can do anything. I mean this guy is amazing. I call Eddie a friend, I’m a fan of his. 
      “The fact that he pulled off Joshua-Klitschko, 90,000 was impressive. We worked closely with him.
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      “I’m keen to see Joshua-Fury, I think it will be amazing.
      “I’m not going to tell you who I’m backing, but wouldn’t it be great to see those two great boxers, world champions, boxing among their own fans.
      “Both Tyson and Anthony will tell you how grateful they are to their fans in this country.”
      Hearn hits back at Tyson Fury’s dad John over lack of support for Anthony Joshua fight More