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      Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury ‘very close’ to finalising undisputed fight as Eddie Hearn rules out delay till December

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury are ‘very close’ to finalising their undisputed super-fight as Eddie Hearn ruled out a potential delay till December.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.
      Promoter Eddie Hearn pictured with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are still in talksCredit: The Sun
      Fury himself taunted that the clock was ticking in a recent social media posts, amid concerns a proposed July fight was escaping their grasp.
      But AJ’s backer Eddie Hearn assured the deadline – set to expire this weekend – is not a deal-breaker.
      And various mega-money site deals are being laid out to both camps in the coming days, which could accelerate talks to the next stage.
      Hearn told SunSport: “It’s a self-inflicted deadline from both teams that we agreed that should give us enough time to secure it.
      “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.”

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      Current coronavirus restrictions have all-but ruled out hopes of a dream Battle of Britain at the Three Lions’ Wembley Stadium.
      Instead, the all-English unification is set for an away fixture with the Middle East among the lucrative suitors.
      But even then, with current questions marks over live crowds and travel abroad, interested parties have made it clear they will front more money by the end of the year.
      That, however, is not an option in Hearn’s eyes, as he warned it is now or never for potential bidders, as the show must go on for July.
      He said: “I think everybody is aware, I know you might want to do this fight in November or December, but you can’t.
      “All these people that want the fight know this is the only time it will happen.
      “You have to do it now. When you make your offer, it’s got to reflect that.”
      For the first time in heavyweight history, all four belts – the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO – are set to be on the line.
      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

      Unified WBA, WBO and IBF champion Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury is the WBC and Ring Magazine championCredit: Reuters
      Waiting it out for a bigger payday and the end of 2021 could muddy the waters and potentially scupper the historic title decider.
      Hearn is confident Joshua, 31, and Fury, 32, understand to finalise the fight as soon as possible, they will have to settle for less than what is being offered for the end of the year.
      But still, the current packages being put together will more than guarantee them both career high purses.
      “I think they accept the world is different to what it what 18 months ago,@ Hearn added.
      “Is there as much money in the fight now as there was 18 months ago? Maybe not.
      “Not from a TV revenue point, just from a site deal point of view, there’s uncertainty over travel, uncertainty over crowds.
      “It still comes down to the fact this is the time. If it doesn’t happen now, both fighters will take other fights, who knows a belt will go.
      “Whichever offers they take which is presented, every one of them is by far and away the biggest financial opportunity for both fighters.”
      Hearn hits back at Tyson Fury’s dad John over lack of support for Anthony Joshua fight More

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      Dillian Whyte could face Deontay Wilder or Andy Ruiz Jr at end of the year after summer return in US, Eddie Hearn says

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      DILLIAN WHYTE is in line for an end of year blockbuster against Deontay Wilder or Andy Ruiz Jr – after enjoying a summer break in America. The British fan-favourite put his career on the line in March, as he knocked out Alexander Povetkin in his must-win rematch.
      Dillian Whyte pictured with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Andy Ruiz Jr is a potential contender to fight Dillian WhyteCredit: Marc Aspland – The Times
      Former WBC champion Deontay WilderCredit: The Sun
      It came after he was stunned by the Russian, 41, in August by rolling the dice and staying active at the top of the heavyweight division.
      With a possible wait to face either Anthony Joshua, 31, or Tyson Fury, 32, who are still in negotiations, Whyte, 32, is set to make his return in the US.
      A win would build his brand Stateside, while lining him up with America’s top two talents.
      Eddie Hearn told SunSport: “I had a chat with him the other day.
      “I feel like he’s been massively under pressure in all these big fights for a long, long time. 
      “I feel like he needs to go and enjoy himself and by doing that, go to the US and raise his profile in a good fight in New York in the summer or something like that, that’s what we’re looking at. 
      “I think realistically the bigger fight with Dillian is going to come at the end of the year. Whether that is Ruiz or Wilder.
      “I don’t think Wilder knows what he’s doing. He needs to get back and fight. We’ll see.” 

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      Whyte has won plaudits for his love of risky matchmaking, with credible wins over Povetkin, Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora and Oscar Rivas.
      The mix of ex-champions, experienced campaigners and fellow contenders means he has earned his long-awaited shot at the title the hard way.
      But with the threat of AJ and Fury occupying the belts until their double header is completed, Whyte can be afforded a slight step down across the pond.
      Hearn said: “You’ve got Jermaine Franklin, who’s a US heavyweight, 20-0, he’s fighting Stephan Shaw, who is a 14-0 heavyweight. 
      “The winner of that could be an option.”
      Another name is Trevor Bryan, 31, currently the WBA’s secondary ‘Regular’ champion.
      Dillian Whyte knocked out Alexander PovetkinCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
      It would offer Whyte a different way into title contention, while earning him his first piece of gold at world level.
      Promoter Hearn said: “It’s not a mega-fight but it’s a very credible fight, ‘Regular’ title.
      “Dillian would love to win that fight, that’s an option as well.”
      Whyte was ranked the WBC’s No1 challenger for over 1,000 days without receiving a shot at the title, which was held by Wilder, 35.
      After he beat Rivas, 33, in July 2019, he was finally instated as mandatory, but one left uppercut from Povetkin saw the status go up in smoke.
      With Whyte set to again play the waiting game, Hearn plans for him to remain busy, while taking the pressure off slightly.
      Eddie Hearn hopes to take Dillian Whyte to America in the summerCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      That will involve potentially hitting the road, adding more chapters to an already storied career.
      He explained: “It’s a bit of a waiting game with the WBC, but he knows he’s back in position.
      “He’s just gotta stay active, and by staying active I don’t think he should go back into the UK.
      “Everyone has seen him in the UK in big fights, that’s what you expect from Dillian Whyte.
      “UK fans are not going to be happy for Dillian Whyte to take a couple of lesser fights.
      “But to do that with a story by going to America, we can do it maybe internationally, that’s something that will appeal to him.”
      Dillian Whyte admits he would love to smash Deontay Wilder’s face in More

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      Tyson Fury already sparring for Anthony Joshua fight as he takes on amateur boxer ‘Austrian Bull’ Aleksandar Mraovic

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      TYSON FURY is gearing up to face Anthony Joshua in their eagerly-anticipated undisputed title bout by sparring with amateur boxer Aleksandar Mraovic.The 32-year-old is expected to face his British rival in the summer in the first of their two contests after agreeing a two-fight, £500million deal.
      Tyson Fury has been sparring with Austrian amateur boxer Aleksandar Mraovic
      Fury is preparing for his summer showdown to face British rival Anthony JoshuaCredit: Instagram austrianbull
      A venue and date still need to be sorted out, with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn declaring Wembley and Saudi Arabia are two potential options.
      Despite the uncertainty of where he will be pitting his wits against AJ, Fury – who fans have joked has edited his rivals Wikipedia page – is keeping focused as he continues to train.
      Fury is currently training in Morecambe before he heads out to Las Vegas to link up with trainer SugarHill Steward.
      With Steward out in America, Andy Lee has been putting the unbeaten Mancunian through his paces, with Fury looking trimmer than ever.
      As a result, the WBC heavyweight champion has been training alongside Joseph Parker, who has teamed up with the Irishman following Fury’s recommendation.
      And New Zealand’s Parker has seemingly recruited Austrian amateur Mraovic, 24, to prepare for his upcoming bout against Derek Chisora on May 1.
      But Mraovic hasn’t just been doing rounds with the ex-WBO champ, but also with Fury after he posted a snap on Instagram of the pair inside the ring battling it out.
      Captioning the upload, he said: “Nobody can take this moment away from me, thank you @gypsyking101.”
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      Mraovic shared this picture on his Instagram story of him alongside Fury and Joseph ParkerCredit: Instagram / @austrianbull

      Mraovic then shared a picture of him alongside both Fury and Parker on his Instagram story.
      He has previously sparred Dillian Whyte, and the Body Snatcher was on hand to comment on Mraovic’s post.
      A proud Whyte simply said: “Repping.”
      To Which Mraovic replied by saying: “#MaximumViolence.”
      Meanwhile one fan commented: “Ohhh man you are so lucky.”
      Another quipped: “Take his championship belt and run brother.”

      Tyson Fury works on body punches as he prepares for Anthony Joshua More

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      Ebanie Bridges weighs in for Shannon Courtenay fight in sexy lingerie after being slammed for ‘flaunting body’

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      EBANIE BRIDGES kept her promise by weighing in wearing ‘sexy lingerie’ for her fight with Shannon Courtenay. The Aussie faces Courtenay for the vacant WBA bantamweight world title on Saturday, on the undercard of Conor Benn’s headliner against Samuel Vargas.
      Ebanie Bridges kept her promise by weighing in wearing ‘sexy lingerieCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Ebanie Bridges pictured making the bantamweight limitCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Shannon Courtenay and Ebanie Bridges fight for the vacant WBA bantamweight world titleCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      But much of the feud between the two challengers has been centred around underwear.
      Bridges, 34, enjoys weighing in wearing lingerie and believes ’embracing her femininity’ will help bring more eyeballs to women’s boxing.
      But it was hit with criticism by Courtenay, 27, who has become tired of the conversation surrounding their weigh in attire.
      She said: “You’re saying you want to get more viewers, I want more viewers for the correct reason.
      “People like Katie Taylor didn’t work her backside off to pave the way for women like me and you to be in this position, to talk about underwear.
      “I’ve got a 14-year-old sister, my coaches have daughters, I’ve got a goddaughter, I want to be a good role model.
      “I want to show hard work and dedication is what gets you here, not flaunting your body. That’s my only problem with this.”
      Despite Courtenay’s view, Bridges wore lingerie while scaling under the bantamweight limit at Friday’s weigh in.

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      And she received the backing of fellow fighter Mikaela Mayer on Twitter.
      WBO world champion Mayer posted: “If I had t**s like @EbanieBridges I’d be steppin on that scale in some bomb ass lingerie too!
      “I wear what makes ME feel sexy & confident and she has the right to do the same. “Be sexy, don’t be sexy, be sexy but not right now” s*** we can’t win!”
      Ebanie Bridges is a former bodybuilder
      The Aussie likes to weigh in wearing lingerieCredit: Instagram ebanie_bridges
      Boxing star Ebanie Bridges continues ‘sexy lingerie’ feud with Shannon Courtenay More

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      Amir Khan could fight Conor Benn next as Eddie Hearn plays down talk of grudge match against Kell Brook

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      AMIR KHAN’s swan song could pit him against Conor Benn if the welterweight prospect gets through Samuel Vargas on Saturday night.The former WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion is looking to have one more fight before bringing the curtain down on his career.
      Conor Benn will be back in action this weekend against Samuel VargasCredit: PA
      Amir Khan is currently looking for a dance partner for the final fight of his careerCredit: Reuters
      Khan had hoped to go out with a Battle of Britain against Kell Brook but has been unsuccessful in his latest bid to land the fight, which has prompted the undefeated Benn to call for a clash with the Olympian.
      Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn is intrigued by the potential fight, telling iFL TV: “I know there’s been a lot of talk about his interviews where he talks about Amir Khan and Kell Brook, but why not?
      “If Conor Benn does a job, would you like to see Conor Benn against Amir Khan? Listen, you know I’ve tried to make Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook for years.
      “Let’s be honest, it ain’t what it was. It ain’t really a big fight compared to what it once was.
      “Even if I end up promoting it, it ain’t really a big fight anymore compared to what it was.
      “Now, Amir Khan vs. Conor Benn, that’s a different kind of story, a much different narrative.
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      “You got a guy [Amir Khan] that is at the end of his career against a guy that is a young upstart that happens to be Nigel Benn’s son.
      “I’m absolutely loving being in the career and being involved in the career and journey of Conor Benn.
      “Since he comes over, he’s been all over the place.
      “He’s worked his absolute nuts off to become a world-class welterweight.
      “We’ll get to see that on Saturday. Against [Sebastian] Formella, he beat him up, and Formell went into a shell. Vargas won’t do that.
      “He will not go into a shell. He will stand and fight until you put him out or the corner saves him, and I think this is going to be an absolute thriller.”
      Eddie Hearn is intrigued by the prospect of Conor Benn fighting Amir KhanCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
      Hearn, however, is refusing to look past Vargas, adding: “I think it’s going to be a really, really tough fight that will go back and forth.”
      He continued: “The most dangerous thing we can do is overlook Samuel Vargas. This is a 50-50 fight.
      “Look at the level Vargas has operated at and lost at. That’s where his losses have come.”
      It’s unclear whether Khan, 34, would accept a fight with Benn given his eagerness to share the ring with Brook.
      He recently told talkSPORT: “So I called Eddie Hearn and I said ‘let’s make it happen’.
      Amir Khan is still eager to share the ring with Kell BrookCredit: SKY SPORTS

      “Eddie said ‘no worries’, spoke to Kell’s family and Kell’s father wasn’t interested in it. He said ‘no, we’re gonna look at other options’.
      “What other option is there for Kell Brook to make a good payday and fight someone with a big name like myself? Unless he fights someone with a world title or in America.
      “So I’m scratching my head man, I’m thinking like, ‘What’s he going through?’
      “What’s going on with Kell Brook? How come he doesn’t want the fight? Let’s make it happen.”
      Kell Brook says there’s only one winner and that’s me in response to Amir Khan’s challenge More

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      Anthony Joshua’s Wikipedia page changed to say he has LOST to Tyson Fury… so is rival up to his old editing tricks?

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      BOXING fans have joked Tyson Fury is up to his old tricks after Anthony Joshua’s Wikipedia page was changed to show he has already lost against his rival.Though a date and venue are yet to be agreed for the blockbuster bout between the two British giants, AJ has already been knocked out judging by Wikipedia.
      Anthony Joshua had his Wikipedia page changed to state he has already lost against Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram
      Boxing fans have joked it was the Gypsy King that changed AJ’s record as part of his mind gamesCredit: Wikipedia
      The 31-year-old’s page stated he had been stopped in the seventh round at Wembley on July 10, with his record changed to 24-2.
      Fury revealed back in 2018 that he was banned by Wikipedia for altering Wladimir Klitschko’s record too often before their meeting in 2015.
      And fans think the 32-year-old is at it again, where he has potentially given clues as to where the fight will be held as Eddie Hearn looks to secure a venue for the domestic dust-up.
      Taking to twitter, one user commented: “Tyson is using every trick in the book to unsettle Joshua ffs.”
      Another remarked: “It’s probably Fury’s mind games.”
      A third quipped: “Must have been the time traveller. Best get some money on it.”
      While Wembley is an option for Fury and Joshua, Matchroom promoter Hearn has also declared Saudi Arabia could host the event.
      And the 41-year-old has stated that he will present both fighters with all the offers that have been presented to them.
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      Fury hasn’t fought since dethroning Deontay Wilder in February 2020Credit: Instagram / @kronksugarhill

      He declared: “At the end of this week the fighters and their teams will be presented with all the offers and options that are on the table, of which there will be multiple ones.
      “We’re in a good place. There will be around three or four offers presented to both camps this weekend, and then it’s over to them to discuss which ones they want to take, the dates of those fights.
      “Same thing applies, two fights this year. It is a summer fight, that’s everything we’re working towards and as confident as ever that this gets done.
      “I know there are some negative people out there and people who don’t think we can pull it off, but we spend a lifetime pulling things off and I believe we will get this done and I believe you will see this fight in the summer.
      “The next step is basically to get everybody to agree to the venue and the date and they’re going to have multiple options to choose from.
      “There’s no other fight for Tyson Fury, there’s no other fight for Anthony Joshua. This is the fight, everyone accepts that.”
      Hearn hits back at Tyson Fury’s dad John over lack of support for Anthony Joshua fight More

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      Games of Thrones star Hafthor Bjornsson shows off huge hulking body ahead of boxing fight against rival Eddie Hall

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      HAFTHOR BJORNSSON showed off his incredible figure as he prepares to face rival Eddie Hall in the ring.The strongmen are set to meet in the ring in September, in what is billed the ‘heaviest boxing match in history’.
      Hafthor Bjornsson showed off his incredible figure as he prepares to face Eddie HallCredit: Instagram / @thorbjornsson
      The two Strongmen rivals meet in the ring in SeptemberCredit: Instagram / @eddiehallwsm
      Both have dropped a significant amount of weight ahead of the fight, and Bjornsson took to Instagram to reveal his latest transformation.
      The Game of Thrones star – known as Thor – boxed in an exhibition against Irish cruiserweight Steven Ward in January.
      But Hall, who was hit with criticism of his boxing skills by UFC legend Joe Rogan, has remained unfazed.
      The Brit has undergone a drastic body transformation of his own, despite still eating 7,000 calories a day during training.
      He revealed he cut down to 25st 5lb in the summer.
      And that is still over two stone heavier than Nikolai Valuev, the heaviest champion in history.
      But punching legend Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch weighed as heavy as 29st 7lb the night he fought Joe Siciliano in 2007.
      Hall would far outweigh the current crop of heavyweight stars, and his coach wants the former World’s Strongest Man to one day be among them.

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      The trainer, who goes by the name Lydon, said: “I’m seeing massive differences every time Eddie comes to training.
      “I give him something to work on, he comes back and he’s nailed it.
      “We’ve got him from being like a man who is like a steel bar and quite rigid because of his size – the size is still there – but now he’s got a lot of whip in his punches.
      “He’s really punching crisp and hard.
      “I said to Ed that by the time he boxes Thor, I want him in the position where he’s able to box any British heavyweight.
      “He’s doing ringcraft, technique and by the time he’s ready to box this time next year I feel Ed will be able to box any British heavyweight.”
      Eddie Hall decks YouTuber Nile Wilson after he volunteered to take punch from former World’s Strongest Man More

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      Forgotten world heavyweight champion Mahmoud Charr to make long-awaited ring return on May 15 vs Christopher Lovejoy

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      MAHMOUD CHARR is set to return to the ring for the first time in nearly four years with the heavyweight to face Christopher Lovejoy on May 15.The 36-year-old hasn’t competed since winning the WBA ‘regular’ belt in October 2017 after he outpointed Alexander Ustinov.
      Mahmoud Charr hasn’t fought since outpointing Alexander Ustinov in November 2017Credit: Getty
      American heavyweight Christopher Lovejoy has racked up 19 consecutive victoriesCredit: Twitter@@lovejoyboxing
      His inactivity has led to him being named as the WBA’s Champion in Recess after a fight failed to materialise against Trevor Bryan in January.
      The WBA had stated that Charr’s first bout back would be against the American, but the Diamond Boy will come up against Lovejoy instead.
      California native Lovejoy, 37, will be competing outside of Mexico for the first time in his career as he travels to Hamburg next month.
      He has built up a reputation as being heavy-handed after knocking out all 19 of his opponents, though just one of his rivals had winning records.
      Commenting on his eagerly-awaited return to the squared circle, Charr declared: “It’s time to finally get back in the ring.
      “I am in absolute top form. Lovejoy will take the first defeat of his career.
      “And this is just the beginning!”
      In an exclusive interview with SunSport, Charr stated he is desperate to face the winner out of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
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      Asked who he thinks will come out on top in their undisputed title fight, he commented: “Willpower beats talent.
      “But both have will AND talent. I appreciate both of them very much.
      “Both are absolute top boxers. It’s going to be a close one.
      “To be honest, I don’t want to commit myself.”
      Mike Tyson calls out Tyson Fury, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis for mouthwatering exhibition fights More