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      Jake Paul’s sparring partners reveal how good he is in boxing ring as YouTuber prepares to fight ex-UFC star Ben Askren

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      JAKE PAUL has divided opinions since he burst onto the boxing scene in polarising fashion. But behind the scenes, from the YouTuber’s first white collar fight in 2018 heading into his third professional bout, he has put his efforts into becoming a fully fledged prizefighter.
      Jake Paul pictured with his sparring team in MiamiCredit: Instagram / @jakepaulvbenasken
      A first-round win against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ on his pro debut in January 2020, and viral knockout of ex-NBA player Nate Robinson last November leaves the American 2-0.
      But he faces his biggest step up to date on April 17, facing retired ex-UFC welterweight Ben Askren.
      Here SunSport speaks to those with an insight on Paul’s abilities, having shared the ring with him.
      Jake Bostwick, 18-10 MMA fighter
      Bostwick, 31, was invited into Paul’s Miami training base to give a feel of how an experienced MMA fighter moved in the ring.
      And Brit – also a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship star – was left shocked by Paul’s dedication to the sweet science.
      He said: “I genuinely rate his boxing, I rate his work ethic and I rate how comfortable he is in there with someone of my calibre or anyone else he’s working with.
      “I hit him with some clean shots, he didn’t care, threw some shots back, slipping, moving, his jab is good.”
      Bostwick, having been behind the scenes in Paul’s camp, warns fans will be in for a surprise come April 17 and the further the social media star’s career progresses.
      Jake Paul pictured with sparring partner Jake BostwickCredit: Instagram / @brutalbostwick
      He said: “I believe for sure he’s going to shock people.
      “Honestly, I think Jake will knock him out within two or three rounds, I really do, 100 per cent.
      “I feel like his boxing’s going to be way better than Askren’s, he’s the bigger man, he uses range well. I really think he can knock him out cold for sure.
      “With those 10oz gloves, and he boxes how I feel he can, especially by April, I think he can sleep him, cold.”
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      Robin Safar, 11-0 light-heavyweight
      Safar was asked by his trainer – and friend of Paul’s head coach BJ Flores – to help out with sparring last year.
      The heavy-handed puncher sparred Paul before he beat Nate Robinson last November.
      Safar, 28, said: “He’s got good speed and good reactions. He’s naturally born with speed, explosiveness and reactions, that’s what you’re born with.
      “I feel like when I sparred him, he was developing his ring IQ, he was trying to think in the ring.
      “He’s a good kid and he’s got ambition for what he’s doing, he’s determined and I believe anybody can do anything in life, no matter who you are or what your background is.

      “Jake is still green, but for being green he’s good. I think he’s really good.”
      Paul is yet to go past two round in his fights, due to his low level of opposition, but Safar revealed he is developing knowhow between the ropes.
      He explained: “He’s really good for a YouTuber, he’s a smart kid because he wouldn’t be in the position he is today if he wasn’t.
      “In boxing, you’ve got to have a brain and I know Jake’s got it.
      “If he can use his IQ the way he does outside of boxing, in the ring, and add the determination and ambition, he can be really good.”
      Ahmed Elbiali, 20-1 light-heavyweight
      Elbiali was also on hand to help Paul in his preparation for Robinson and the pair sparred once.
      He admits to holding back on the novice, but noticed some potential in the millionaire vlogger under the guidance of ex-cruiserweight contender Flores.
      Elbiali, 30, said: “Jake’s athletic and powerful, but you can’t compare him to seasoned professionals, there is no comparison.
      “He seems relaxed and composed which is really good. He has a great right hand, great right hand, very strong, to the body or head.
      “He used his jab well and he listens to BJ well.
      “BJ is a good fighter, a good coach, he knows the sport very well and he’s passing on a lot of knowledge to Jake too.
      “Jake truly, truly, truly, does listen to BJ and he truly does love the sport of boxing and he really believes what he’s saying, he’s not bulls***ing.
      Ahmed Elbiali pictured with Floyd Mayweather
      “And that’s where I respect it, a man with passion is unstoppable.”
      Elbiali has also backed Paul to have the power to KO Askren, despite lacking in fighting experience compared to the ex-Olympian.
      He said: “Do I see him beating Ben Askren? I do, by knockout.
      “Just because of the way boxing works, when you put on 10oz gloves and you’re a man from 200-pounds to 168-plus, and you can pop, and this kid can pop, he’s going to knock out Ben Askren.
      “I’d say Ben Askren’s only advantage is he’s a true prizefighter.
      “He’s been under the big lights, he’s an Olympic wrestler, he’s done a lot. It’s a good fight.”
      Watch YouTuber Jake Paul training to fight ex-UFC star Ben Askren More

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      UFC champ Francis Ngannou dreams of fighting Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury but draws line at idol Mike Tyson

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU is still dreaming of fighting Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua – but draws the line at idol Mike Tyson. The newly crowned UFC champion first set his sights on a boxing career aged 22.
      UFC heavyweight champion Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
      Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson is Francis Ngannou’s idolCredit: Getty
      But after moving to France, he instead embarked on an MMA career as it was easier to find fights.
      Fast-forward 12 years and Ngannou is the UFC heavyweight king after knocking out Stipe Miocic.
      Miocic, 38, previously revealed he would never face Tyson, but was open to challenging boxing champions AJ or Fury.
      And Ngannou similarly could never fight his hero Iron Mike, but still has the desire to achieve his goal of reaching the boxing summit.
      He told TMZ Sports: “I’m in the same spot as Stipe as well.
      “I don’t want to fight Mike Tyson but I would like to fight other heavyweights such as Tyson Fury. Absolutely, I’m open to that.
      “Remember, boxing was my primary dream and I still have the fire and the dream inside me and I believe that at some point I’m going to make the step.”
      Ngannou, 34, is being primed as the UFC’s version of Tyson, a fearsome puncher capable of captioning the wider public’s attention.
      Tyson Fury was called out by Francis NgannouCredit: Reuters
      Unified heavyweight champion Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
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      And the Cameroonian star beams as he talks about the comparisons with boxing’s youngest heavyweight champ of all time.
      Ngannou said: “Every time that they compared me to Mike Tyson, you know for me it’s just an honour that they can attach my name to somebody like Mike Tyson.
      “Growing up, hearing about Mike Tyson, even though I didn’t have a chance to see him fight because I was in a small village and we didn’t have a TV and stuff.
      “It was very hard for us to have access of those stuff but as soon as I had a chance I just go on YouTube and keep watching Mike Tyson tape and I was so impressed by him and was just dreaming to become like him.”
      UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou warns Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury he wants to box More

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      Dillian Whyte accuses Tyson Fury of ‘running away from me twice’ in X-rated response to rival’s teasing ‘King’ post

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      DILLIAN WHYTE has branded Tyson Fury a ‘coward’ and accused The Gypsy King of ducking him.Fury, who is currently gearing up for a blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua, once again declared himself the king of the heavyweights over the week.
      One these nuts in ya mouth u run away from fighting me twice #coward— Dillian Whyte (@DillianWhyte) April 4, 2021

      The WBC champion proclaimed himself to be the baddest man on the planet by tweeting a mock poster of himself and his divisional rivals as Roman gladiators.
      He wrote: “There has only ever been 1. @Tyson_Fury @BronzeBomber @DillianWhyte @anthonyjoshua @usykaa.”
      It didn’t take long for Whyte to get wind of Fury’s post, which he responded to in blistering fashion.
      He said: “One these nuts in ya mouth u run away from fighting me twice #coward.”
      Whyte is no stranger to firing shots at Fury, who he’s claimed to have ‘bashed’ and ‘dropped’ multiple times in sparring.
      But he’s unlikely to get his hands on him any time soon as the former unified heavyweight champion has inked a two-fight deal to face Joshua.

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      Dilian Whyte was once served as a sparring partner for Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram
      Dillian Whyte claims to have ‘bashed’ Tyson Fury in sparringCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      The Brixton Bodysnatcher’s sights are currently set on a grudge match with former WBC king Deontay Wilder.
      Whyte, 32, called out The Bronze Bomber last weekend with a mock-up poster of the pair.
      The accompanying caption read: “I want to punish @bronzebomber the Coward is full of fear.
      “Come see me fraud clown.”
      Wilder, who hasn’t fought since being dethroned by Fury last February, recently revealed he’s open to trading leather with Whyte.

      He said: “Dillian Whyte is an easy style for me, trust me.
      “It’s an easy fight, trust me. His style is easy, he got a wild, wild style. People think I’m wild? C’mon.
      “He wants to call out the best fighters, but he don’t want to fight the best fighters.
      “Dillian Whyte, get your s*** together, man.
      “That’s all you gotta do, go fight the right fights and stop running away from the fight.”
      Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn is eager to make the grudge match happen.
      He said: “We need to see Deontay Wilder back in the ring. The HW division is a better one with him in it.
      “Dillian Whyte can be matched with anyone. But Wilder-Whyte is a thrilling barnburner.”
      Dillian Whyte admits he would love to smash Deontay Wilder’s face in More

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      Anthony Joshua begins fight camp for Tyson Fury fight after holiday with venue for world title bout expected imminently

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has officially started training for his undisputed heavyweight title fight with Tyson Fury.The first instalment of the long-awaited Battle of Britain is pencilled in for the summer, with a July date the most likely at this moment in time.
      Anthony Joshua has officially begun training for his showdown with Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram
      AJ recently paid a visit to David Beckham during his trip to Miami
      But the unified heavyweight champion of the world is now back in the gym ahead of his clash with The Gypsy King.Credit: Instagram
      Joshua, 31, has been soaking up the sun in Miami and Mexico ahead of the multi-million-pound fight.
      But according to the unified heavyweight champ’s promoter Eddie Hearn, AJ’s preparations for the biggest fight of his career are now underway.
      The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “We can’t wait.
      “AJ has started his training camp and Fury has been training very hard. They all want the fight.
      “They are going to be presented with a few proposals on where to do the fight and everyone has to agree on where to do it.
      “There is no other fight out there that comes close for either guy. July is the date.
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      “Really I think end of next week it will be done.
      “Talks have progressed extremely well and we’re closing in on securing the venue and there will be an announcement in due course.
      “We’re at the stage where it’s probably best not to say much more than that.”
      Joshua vs Fury may be on course for July, but The Gypsy King’s dad – John – has demanded Hearn book the fight for June.
      In a recording posted on social media he said: “This is a video to Eddie Hearn and all his supporters of AJ.

      “We’re not bothered about Anthony Joshua one iota. And here’s what you can do – if he wants to fight in June, get it ready for June, Eddie.
      “We’ll take him as a warm-up fight, him. We value Anthony Joshua that much we’ll take him as a warm-up fight in June.
      “So get your arse in gear, getting everything [that] needs doing done and we’ll take him in June.
      “We’ll have the first fight with him.

      “Because Tyson is fighting twice this year, but we’d like AJ to be the first on the butcher’s block.
      “So get your arse in gear, mate. Wave your magic wand and let’s get this fight started.
      “Because nobody is bothered about you or AJ in any way, shape or form.
      “AJ, up first, chopping block, June. And if you can’t put up, shut up. Do that.”
      Eddie Hearn says that Wembley back on as venue for Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury fight More

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      Watch Prince Naseem Hamed’s son Aadam Hamed, 21, copy famous dad by dancing while hitting punching bag

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      PRINCE NASEEM HAMED’s son Aadam showed he’s a chip off the old block by emulating his father’s trademark dance moves in the gym.Prince Naz dazzled boxing fans in the ’90s with his showmanship inside and outside of the ring.

      Prince Naseem Hamed used to taunt his opponents by dancing and keeping his hands lowCredit: Getty
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      The former WBO featherweight champ would bamboozle his opponents with slick footwork and would even taunt them by dancing midway through the fight.
      And his son Aadam, 21, appears to have inherited his fleet-footedness.
      Last weekend, Aadam posted a video of himself hitting the heavy bag while dressed in a shirt and trousers.
      Aadam effortlessly floated around the bag as he landed his shots, which he broke up with the shuffle his dad used to deploy.
      His accompanying caption for the clip read: “Ain’t nothin but a g thing.”
      Boxing fans were blown away by the footage and immediately drew comparisons between Aadam and his old man.
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      Aadam Hamed showed he’s a chip off the old block in a recent social media videoCredit: INSTAGRAM@AADAM.HAMED
      Aadam Hamed is set to make his professional debut later this yearCredit: Instagram / @aadam.naseem
      One said: “Like father like son 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”
      Another said: “Destined to be a champ! Your Father & Muhammad Ali provided you with BLESSINGS.”
      And another said: “Watching this clip I could see your ole man, he was amazing boxer and show man.”
      One remarked: “Son of a legend creating his own legacy.”

      Aadam is set to make his professional debut this year, although a date for the lightweight’s bow has not been finalised.
      But if his dad had things his way, he’d wouldn’t be anywhere near the ring.
      In 2015, he said: “My son, Aadam, I’ve told everybody, is going to win Wimbledon one day.
      “My eldest, Sami, is 17. He’s going to be an actor, and my other son, Sulaiman, is the cutest.
      Aadam Hamed is champing at the bit to get inside the ringCredit: Instagram / @aadam.naseem

      “He’s the natural fighter. But I don’t want my kids to fight.
      “Beyond the smile and humour, the flying carpets and all the ­razzmatazz, I wanted to knock someone out cold.
      “If you ruffled those feathers, I really wanted to knock someone out.
      “Why would I want a guy with that same intention standing opposite my son?”
      Brit legend Prince Naseem Hamed’s son Aadam, 20, shows off blistering hand speed with fans excited over emulating his dad More

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      Jake Paul warned he’ll be thrown to ‘the floor’ and mauled in ‘dirty fight’ with Ben Askren by Georges St-Pierre’s coach

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      JAKE PAUL is in danger of being ragdolled and thrown ‘on the floor’ in his showdown with Ben Askren.The YouTuber will throw down with the former UFC star in a boxing match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta on Saturday week.
      Jake Paul (L) and Ben Askren (R) face off after their pre-fight press conferenceCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul is the favourite going into his showdown with Ben AskrenCredit: Getty
      Despite only having two professional fights to his name, Paul goes into his bout with the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight champion as the bookies’ favourite.
      But Zhabi, the long-time coach of MMA great Georges St-Pierre, reckons the 24-year-old will be in for a rude awakening.
      During a lengthy breakdown of the fight, the Tristar Gym coach said: “I think Ben Askren wins.
      “Here’s why, I saw Jake Paul’s last fight, he’d knocked out some guy with a couple overhand rights, stunned him a few times, dropped him.
      “But here’s where Jake Paul — I don’t think he knows what he’s getting into.
      “Number one, Ben Askren is a wrestler, yes and his forte is not striking, we all know that. He’s not the greatest striker.
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      “But he’s been in there with killers. He’s been in there with like legitimately dangerous human beings.
      “Robbie Lawler, Douglas Lima — I can go on and on, the list is super long. He’s been in there with real killers, and I know he didn’t use boxing, but he took shots from these guys… it was some serious shots. Ben Askren never wavered.
      “The computer was still working, he didn’t panic. He’s a true competitor.
      “He’s been training in MMA, he’s been learning how to strike.
      “Let’s call it fifteen years, he’s been striking — let’s call it ten years, let’s be very reserved here.
      “It’s not only boxing offense that’s the issue.
      Jake Paul is cutting no corners with his diet
      “I guarantee you that he takes a shot better than Jake, I can guarantee you that, I’m guaranteeing you that right now.
      “So Jake’s going to go in there, and in the first two, three rounds he’s going to be dancing around and he’s going to jab Askren. He’s going to look alright, he’s going to look good.
      “Askren’s going to hit him back and it’s going to be a give and take. But here’s what Jake doesn’t know, Askren has proven that he’s got an incredible chin.”
      Zahabi reckons Olympic wrestler Askren, 36, will use his years of grappling experience to ‘maul’ Paul in the clinch.
      Firas Zahabi reckons Ben Askren will ‘maul’ Jake Paul in the clinchCredit: Getty
      He added: “Ben Askren is going to maul him in the clinch, dirty box him. He’s going to get warned by the referee, but it doesn’t matter.
      “Barring the exception that Askren’s chin is finished (after that Masvidal KO), Askren is going to maul him.
      “It’s not going to be pretty. It’s going to be a dirty fight.
      “It’s going to be a seesaw battle a little bit early on, then all of a sudden Jake is going to fatigue and Ben Askren will be all over him.
      “He’ll throw him on the floor, ragdoll him.
      Jake Paul and Ben Askren will trade blows a week on SaturdayCredit: TRILLER

      “Maybe even picks up and slams Jake Paul once or twice. It would not surprise me.
      “Ben Askren probably doesn’t have a clause where if he gets disqualified, he doesn’t get paid. In my opinion, Ben Askren doesn’t care if he gets disqualified.
      “He’s going to pull on his head, step on his feet — shove him so he’s off balance, and it’s going to be a mauling.
      “How is he going to pick and poke, stick and move and stay away from Askren?
      “Once they lock up, once they lock up, I guarantee you, Jake’s battery is going to start to drain.”
      Watch Ben Askren train with legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach as ex-UFC star prepares for Jake Paul fight More

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      Paris Fury shows off growing baby bump five months in as she and Tyson prepare for sixth child

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      TYSON FURY’s wife Paris has shown off her baby bump as they prepare to welcome their sixth child into the world.Fury’s beau flaunted her motherly shape in a recent Instagram post, in which she donned a long and flowy black dress.
      Paris Fury shows off her growing baby bump in her recent Instagram postCredit: Instagram/Paris Fury
      Tyson and Paris Fury are preparing to welcome their sixth child into the worldCredit: parisfury1/Instagram
      Paris Fury put on quite the Easter spread for her childrenCredit: INSTAGRAM@PARISFURY
      Her accompanying caption read: “20 weeks along now with baby No’6.
      “Gone fast so far, but have been so busy with my book coming out in Oct @hodderbooks, @loosewomen show, full time Mam duties during lockdown and our daily businesses commitments.
      “Definitely been kept on my toes.”
      Paris enjoyed the Easter weekend by setting up a table full of chocolate eggs for her young children – Prince John James, Venezuela, Prince Adonis Amaziah, Valencia Amber and Prince Tyson Fury II – which she shared to her Instagram story.
      Fury, meanwhile, carried a cross through Morecambe Bay with his brothers Tommy and Hughie and dad John.
      The Gypsy King shared a snap of the quartet to Twitter, writing: “Happy Easter, blessed by God!
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      “He is not here, he has risen, just as he said, come see the place where he lay. #mathew28:6.”
      Fury, 32, is currently preparing for a blockbuster undisputed heavyweight title fight with unified champion Anthony Joshua.
      The first of two fights – which were agreed last June – is expected to take place in the summer.
      And Joshua’s promoter – Eddie Hearn – recently revealed the biggest fight in the history of British boxing will be announced this week.

      He said: “We always had a time frame in place in the agreement that everybody signed.
      “That can be extended but it’s not the intention to extend it and we are all working to that time frame.
      “Really, I think by end of next week it will be done.
      “We can’t wait. AJ has started his training camp and Fury has been training very hard. They all want the fight.

      “They are going to be presented with a few proposals on where to do the fight and everyone has to agree on where to do it.
      “There is no other fight out there that comes close for either guy. July is the date.
      “The world tour is going well but I’m not answering any questions on that and I won’t tell you where I’ve been.”
      Watch Tyson Fury teach sons how to box before all three boys gang up on him with Paris joking ‘they don’t fight fair’ More

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      Dillian Whyte calls out ‘fraud clown’ Deontay Wilder and says ‘I want to punish’ former heavyweight champ

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      DILLIAN WHYTE called out ‘fraud clown’ Deontay Wilder and said ‘I want to punish’ the former heavyweight champion. Whyte is already looking ahead to his next opponent, having exacted revenge on Alexander Povetkin with a fourth round knockout in their rematch.
      Dillian Whyte called out ‘fraud clown’ Deontay WilderCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
      Deontay Wilder has been in a long war of words with Dillian WhyteCredit: Reuters
      Immediately, Wilder was the touted name, having shared a bitter rivalry with the Brit in the past.
      And it appears Whyte is just as keen, as he posted a video of the Bronze Bomber trash talking him, and called to set up the grudge match.
      He posted: “I want to punish @bronzebomber the Coward is full of fear. Come see me fraud clown.”
      Whyte, 32, spent over 1,000 days as the WBC’s No1 ranked challenger for Wilder’s belt, but never got his crack at the title.
      In the end, Tyson Fury ended up twice challenging for the American’s crown, drawing the first before snatching it away in February 2020.
      Wilder, 35, is yet to fight since his first career defeat, and was signed to a trilogy bout with Fury.
      But the immediate rematch clause expired in October, with the Bronze Bomber now fighting his case in court.
      Meanwhile, Fury, 32, has signed to fight Anthony Joshua, 31, in an undisputed title decider.

      It leaves Wilder in the lurch, and Whyte ready to settle the score.
      He lost to Povetkin, 41, last August, but got his revenge in March, also winning back his mandatory status for Fury’s belt.
      Wilder was one of the first names on Whyte’s lips, and his latest Instagram post reminded the world of their verbal warfare.
      He uploaded a video, where Wilder says: “Dillian Whyte is an easy style for me, trust me.
      “It’s an easy fight, trust me. His style is easy, he got a wild, wild style. People think I’m wild? C’mon.

      “He wants to call out the best fighters, but he don’t want to fight the best fighters.
      “Dillian Whyte, get your s*** together, man. That’s all you gotta do, go fight the right fights and stop running away from the fight.”
      Promoter Eddie Hearn has plans for Whyte to possibly fight in America in the summer.
      Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr, 31, are potential opponents, as well as WBA ‘Regular’ champion Trevor Bryan, 31.
      Dillian Whyte admits he would love to smash Deontay Wilder’s face in More