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      George Kambosos vows to ‘destroy’ Teofimo Lopez and end ‘four kings’ era of Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney

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      GEORGE KAMBOSOS has vowed to ‘destroy’ Teofimo Lopez and the ‘four kings’ lightweight era at the same time.
      Throughout the 1980s, boxing was graced by Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns.

      George Kambosos has vowed to ‘destroy’ Teofimo Lopez

      Teofimo Lopez is the unified lightweight championCredit: Handout – Getty

      They were a quartet of superstars who all fought each other and earned the ‘four kings’ nickname.
      Now promoters and managers are licking their lips at the prospect of another golden era, this time in the lightweight division.
      Unified champion Lopez sits atop of the throne, with ready-made unbeaten rivals awaiting him in Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney.
      But Aussie Kambosos, who challenges for Lopez’s belts in May, has promised to wreck those super-fights by ruling over the lot of them.

      He told SunSport: “What’s a king to an emperor? A king might rule one land but the emperor will come over and rule many lands.
      “They can be the ‘four kings’ no problem but the emperor is coming and coming to rule America.
      “I’ve already ruled Australia, I came over to the UK and ruled there.
      “Now I’m coming over to rule the US and destroy the supposed top leader, their king, the guy who is holding it down for them.”

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      George Kambosos challenges for Teofimo Lopez’s belts in May

      Lopez, 23, shot to superstardom in October, as he dethroned pound-for-pound contender Vasiliy Lomachenko, 32, on points.
      Floyd Mayweather protege Davis, 26, is a career super-featherweight but has the power and backing to move up the weights.
      Haney, 22, also mentored by Mayweather, was controversially handed the WBC belt in 2019, with Lomachenko elevated to ‘Franchise’ champ.
      And Garcia, also 22, is primed as America’s next ‘Golden Boy’, but is yet to fight for world honours.
      Kambosos, 27, meanwhile muscled his way into title contention by fighting across America and Europe, climbing the ranks.
      He sealed the deal in October, flying 9,000 miles to beat ex-champion Lee Selby, 34, in London to become IBF mandatory.
      And Kambosos is adamant his career stands out above the other contenders, having travelled far and wide while taking on all comers.

      Gervonta Davis is Floyd Mayweather’s protegeCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Devin Haney is the WBC lightweight championCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ryan Garcia is primed as America’s next ‘Golden Boy’Credit: Tom Hogan
      He said: “I’ve earned it the hardest way.
      “Lopez has all the belts, he’s beat three former or world champions, the second guy is myself, I’ve beaten two former world champions.
      “Devin Haney has only beaten one, and Gamboa was shot as ever, Ryan Garcia hasn’t beaten a world champion yet.
      “Davis, he’s all over the place, he’s at 130, so he’s not really in the mix at 135.
      “I’ve had to earn this the hard way. I’ve been overseas, the US, preparing all over the world with hard sparring sessions.
      “This has been well earned, everything that has come has been deserving, but now I’m ready for those world titles.”
      Lopez rolled the dice when negotiating his first title defence, refusing a package put together by his Top Rank promotion.

      Lee Selby lost his IBF world title eliminator to George Kambosos in OctoberCredit: Getty

      Teofimo Lopez beat Vasyl Lomachenko in OctoberCredit: Handout – Getty
      Instead, he gambled and went to purse bids, with social media app Triller blowing the competition out of the water with a £4.3million bid.
      The huge payment to secure the rights further increased Lopez’s argument as a box office attraction, which started the night he upset Lomachenko.
      But Kambosos is ready to stand up to the New Yorker and burst his bubble while spoiling his reign before it even gets going.
      He explained: “No one has ever turned round to Teofimo and said, ‘I’m coming straight at ya. I don’t care what you’ve done’.
      “They’ve all been scared of him, I don’t know why. He’s a young, 23-year-old little kid.
      “I’m not scared of any man, I saw what Lomachenko did in that fight in the later part, I’m bigger, stronger, faster and more explosive and more violent.
      “Just like Lopez shocked the world, it’s going to be very embarrassing come our fight.”

      George Kambosos pictured with his next opponent Teofimo Lopez More

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      Deontay Wilder vs Andy Ruiz Jr tale of tape: How Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua rivals compare ahead of potential fight

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      DEONTAY WILDER and Andy Ruiz Jr are on a ‘road to redemption’ that could see them fight this year.
      Wilder is still smarting after his sensational seventh-round KO loss to Tyson Fury in February last year.

      Ruiz Jr flopped in his rematch against Anthony Joshua – only six months after shocking the world by stopping the Brit.
      Here, SunSport compares the two deposed heavyweight champs ahead of a potential mouthwatering clash…
      Age
      Wilder is the older of the two at 35 with Ruiz Jr a youthful 31.
      But such was his battering at the hands of Fury, Wilder may well look all those 35 years and more on his return.

      Experience
      There’s not much between the two in terms of experience.
      Wilder turned pro in 2008 whereas Ruiz Jr joined the sport in 2009.

      Deontay Wilder is adamant he will become a world champion againCredit: Instagram / @bronzebomber

      Andy Ruiz Jr is on the comeback trail too – and losing weightCredit: Instagram @andy_destroyer13
      It is Wilder who has more fights – 44 to Ruiz Jr’s 35, but most of the Bronze Bomber’s bouts lasted only a matter of minutes.
      It is Ruiz Jr who has the better grounding, having almost three times as many amateur fights as Wilder.

      Power
      Both have clear power in their fists – but there is only one winner on this one.
      Wilder had knocked every single one of his opponents out before meeting Fury. His one points win before this, against Bermane Stiverne, was avenged when he KO’d his countryman in the rematch.
      Ruiz Jr stunned Joshua with his power in July 2019 sending the Brit crashing to the canvas FOUR times before the match was halted.
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      Ruiz Jr meekly surrendered his world titles to Joshua in their rematchCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Wilder wanted the Fury trilogy fight – but doesn’t look like getting it any time soonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Fitness
      With the power on show, fight fans might not be expecting the fight to tick into the latter stages.
      And both boxers will be hoping for similar.
      Wilder looked leggy from the off in his battering by Fury, while Snickers loving Ruiz Jr has well-documented problems with his weight.
      But the Mexican has undergone a body tranformation following his lame show against Joshua, and he might even have the better engine in this.

      Desire
      Wilder talks of how he ‘will return to greatness’ but after some wild accusations following the Fury loss, it’s hard to take things seriously with him.
      Undefeated for 12 years, and a five-year WBC title reign came crashing down in spectacular fashion in February 2020.
      Ruiz Jr became the first-ever Mexican heavyweight champ when he dethroned Joshua in 2019.
      But he admitted he let himself down with ‘six months of partying’ and was embarrassed in the rematch as AJ easily won back his belts.
      The Destroyer owes it to himself as much as anyone – and that fire might be burning a little brighter than it does for Wilder.

      Tyson Fury’s dad John says Deontay Wilder needs a punch in the mouth and tells dethroned champ to keep twerking More

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      Dillian Whyte baffled by Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight delay as he slams ‘nonsense in boxing’

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      DILLIAN WHYTE is baffled by the delay to announce the biggest fight in British boxing history between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
      Whyte and AJ’s shared promoter Eddie Hearn revealed in June that the financial terms were agreed and the Gypsy King confirmed and celebrated the announcement. 

      Anthony Joshua is closing in on a blockbuster showdown with Tyson FuryCredit: AFP

      Tyson Fury celebrates defeating Deontay Wilder in February 2020Credit: PA

      Dillian Whyte is baffled by the delay in announcing Joshua vs FuryCredit: PA:Press Association

      But this year has seen contrasting comments from both sides of the super fight, with WBA, IBF and WBO boss Josh claiming a deal is close to completion while a heavy and downbeat-looking Fury claimed progress has ground to a halt.
      A £200million June clash in Saudi Arabia is expected, once the broadcast arrangements can be agreed, but Whyte – who secured a rematch with Alexander Povektin five minutes after his loss in August – is puzzled by the ongoing hold-up.
      Ahead of the March 27 rerun in Gibraltar, Whyte told SunSport: “I need to focus on my own fight and get my own win before I start screaming and shouting about anyone else but I really don’t know what to make of it.
      “I don’t know what is going on, I cannot understand how such a big fight is so hard to make.

      “It does not make sense to me, what could be taking so long?
      “There is a lot of nonsense that goes on in boxing, often fans and even reporters don’t get to know about it so it’s hard to understand.
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      “I think if everybody knew all of the facts, all of the time, then a lot of people would think very differently.

      “People might stop listening to what they see on social media, or what they are told, because there is always more to what you are being told.”
      Whyte’s revenge mission against the 41-year-old Russian has been delayed three times after the former world champion contracted coronavirus.
      Battles in November and January were scrapped and even the March 6 plan was pushed back.
      But the Brixton Body Snatcher doubts how Povetkin – who recovered from two knockdowns to land the shock KO win – could leap out of a Covid-19 ward and into a training camp so quickly.

      Dillian Whyte is gearing up for a make or break rematch with Alexander PovetkinCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd

      “He never had Covid,” Whyte said. “He just wanted more time to train or prepare.
      “You don’t recover from coronavirus overnight like that, it was some sort of miracle recovery.
      “But this is boxing and I am used to all the games and tricks.
      “For someone that has had covid, he has looked in photos better than I have ever seen him look before! I’m not sure someone coming off their sickbed would look that good.
      “Thankfully the fight is now on, there are now more delays and we are ready to rock.”

      Anthony Joshua labels the Tyson Fury fight ‘a warm up act’ and believes his fellow Brit is close to retirement More

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      New US golden boy Vergil Ortiz Jr reveals shock OAP Brit rocker Ozzy Osbourne has helped inspire sensational 16-0 start

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      BOXING’S new Fab Four could be overshadowed by the terrifying Prince of Darkness this year.
      Lightweight sensations Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis are all grabbing world titles, mega-money deals and social media fame with their actions online and in the ring.

      Vergil Ortiz Jr is the American welterweight sensation who has won all 16 fights by KOCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ortiz hit all the right notes against Vargas

      But fame-dodging 22-year-old welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr has raced to 16-0 – all via brutal KO – on a diet of heavy-rock guitar thrashing straight out of bat-chomping Ozzy Osbourne’s playbook.
      It’s hard to believe Dallas’ young fighting force is fueled by the tunes of a 72-year-old Birmingham make-up lover but piano-playing throwback Ortiz Jr is full of surprises.
      “I like to play music, it is a big part of my life and, I can’t lie, it started with Guitar Hero,” he told SunSport.
      “Just playing that computer game got me into rock music and then it taught me timing and hitting the right notes and strumming at the same time. 

      “Playing a real guitar is the same thing really, there are just a lot more f****** notes to learn and remember!
      “I love Black Sabbath and play a lot of their songs, if I could have been born in any other era it would have been the 1970’s so I could have really enjoyed the music of the 80’s and 90’s.”

      Ozzy is a hero of Ortiz’s and has inspired his success – and guitar playing

      Ortiz Jr’s last win over the respected Samuel Vargas – who takes on Conor Benn on April 10 – went viral for hitting all of the right notes.
      The sickening sounds of the shots that stopped the veteran inside seven punishing rounds were harder to listen to than even one of Kelly Osbourne’s tracks.

      But to menacing Ortiz, the rasping shots and thudding blows were music to his finely tuned ears.
      “That’s what I liked about the Vargas fight”, he said. “I always go back and watch my fights, often on the same night.
      “Punches usually never really sound like they should do but when I watched the Samuel Vargas fight back they sounded exactly exactly how I heard them as we were fighting.
      “I definitely have an on and off switch, I can control my emotions. 
      “Even in the locker room I am still smiling and feeling relaxed. Once they call my name I start changing and, once the bell rings, I am a whole different person.”
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      Ortiz Jr’s name was thrown into the headlines last year when his legendary promoter Oscar De La Hoya labelled him the ‘future of boxing’.
      The praise could have blown him off track or off the rails but instead it has inspired him to work even harder and take a massive challenge against ex-world champ Maurice Hooker on March 20.
      He said: “It was an honour when Oscar made that comment, I don’t even know how many weight divisions he won world titles in but I know it’s a lot. 
      “A comment like that coming from someone of that calibre means a lot and it motivates me to work even harder.
      “I was really happy when he said that but it also confirmed that my hard work isn’t done. I will never be satisfied.
      “I don’t care about what people have to say about me, people will always talk and I think it’s a healthier lifestyle just to focus on yourself.”

      Ortiz Jr is trained by the brilliant Robert Garcia as well as his father Vergil Sr.
      Boxing history is littered with tragic tales of father-and-son teams collapsing and even Lopez broke down in tears over the fractured relationship with his father before the brilliant undisputed win over Vasiliy Lomachenko.
      But the Ortiz family are working hard to keep their emotions separate from their trade.
      “Me and my dad are still the same, we separate home life and our boxing careers,” Ortiz Jr said.
      “At home he is my dad and at the gym he is my coach.
      “We do a really good job at separating those, my dad cares about me but he will be tough on me because he wants the best for me.
      “I am not the sort of bratty kid who will ever think his dad is being hard because he wants to be mean, I am not dumb, I will always know why he is doing things to make me better.”

      The welterweight division is perhaps one of the most frustrating in the sport right now as top stars Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr refuse to fight each other to designate an unquestionable No1.
      But that could be good news for British fans as Ortiz would have no problem clashing with an English hero while he waits for his chance to strike out for gold.
      “The division is being held up a bit by some of the world champions, once we get an undisputed champion I assume they will move up and the belts will get moved around again.
      “But ideally I would get to fight all of these top guys at their best, before they move up.”
      When SunSport floats the idea of an Amir Khan or Kell Brook cracker, Ortiz beams over Zoom: “Oh definitely!”

      Anthony Joshua labels the Tyson Fury fight ‘a warm up act’ and believes his fellow Brit is close to retirement More

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      Ben Askren trolls Jake Paul with new ‘slow-mo’ sparring video as Freddie Roach comes in to coach ex-UFC star

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      BEN ASKREN released sparring footage ahead of his fight against Jake Paul and joked about whether it was in ‘slow motion’ or not.
      The retired UFC welterweight faces Paul on April 17, at the 75,000-seater Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

      Ben Askren released sparring footage ahead of his fight against Jake PaulCredit: Twitter @Benaskren

      Ben Askren joked about whether it was in ‘slow motion’ or notCredit: Twitter @Benaskren

      His opponent, a YouTuber-turned 2-0 professional, has accused Askren of lacking speed and boxing skills.
      The former ONE Championship and Bellator champion hit back as he referenced the jibe in his latest training post.
      Askren, 36, captioned the sparring video: “Bens sparring is on point. But the question seems to be – slow motion or real time?
      “Check out the vlog and you decide. On April 17th it’ll be nothing but real time and JP won’t be able to keep up.”

      Askren despite being vastly more experienced as a fighter, was renowned for his limited striking style but high-level grappling accolades.
      As a result, he emerges as the betting underdog against Paul, 24, who has two knockouts in as many fights.
      But in a new development, Askren will link up with esteemed, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, most renowned for coaching Manny Pacquiao.
      He told MMA Junkie: “I’m only in LA for a week, so I’m gonna get as much as I can out of Freddie Roach.

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      “I’m gonna pick his brain. So I started training, maybe six weeks it’s been.
      “First couple of weeks was just like strength and conditioning, let me get back in shape because I couldn’t really start training until December 1 because of my hip surgery.
      “I couldn’t do anything until December 1.”

      Ben Askren retired from the UFC in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      YouTuber Jake Paul is 2-0 as a boxerCredit: Instagram More

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      Sonny Bill Williams quits rugby to become full-time boxer as body can no longer ‘meet the demands’ of sport

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      SONNY BILL WILLIAMS has quit rugby to become a full-time boxer as his body can no longer ‘meet the demands’ of the sport.
      Williams, already 7-0 in the ring,  won two rugby union World Cups with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015.

      Sonny Bill Williams has quit rugby to become a full-time boxerCredit: Instagram @sonnybillwilliams

      Sonny Bill Williams won two rugby union World Cups with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015Credit: PA:Press Association

      He last played in rugby league for Sydney Roosters, but will hang up his boots in the sport altogether now.
      Williams told Nine Network: “I was humble enough to understand my knee couldn’t meet the demands, although the mind wanted to, of the week in and week out footy, especially in the NRL.”
      The second-row forward played his last game of rugby league in October in a semi-final loss to the Canberra Raiders in the 2020 NRL playoffs.
      He was then in line to play in the 2021 season with Toronto Wolfpack.

      But the deal fell through after the Canadian team was denied readmission to the mainly England-based Super League.
      Williams will now focus his efforts on boxing once again, having campaigned as a heavyweight from 2009-2015.
      His last fight was a points win against American Chauncy Welliver, but the Kiwi was last year open to facing the returning Mike Tyson, 54.
      Williams has the backing of his wife Alana, and will now have more time to prepare for bouts, opposed to the six weeks he used to squeeze into his rugby schedule.

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      He said: “I spoke to my manager, I said: ‘I’m keen to get back into the ring, I’ve got a couple of years, I’m 35’.
      “I spoke to the wife first and she had blank eyes, but like usual she supported me.
      “I want to know how I will go in six months instead of six weeks.”

      Derek Chisora says Deontay Wilder is set to earn £60m for Tyson Fury trilogy fight More

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      Anthony Joshua labels Tyson Fury ‘warm-up act’ and insists he is ‘looking past’ him but rival is eyeing retirement

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has labelled the Tyson Fury fight ‘a warm up act’ and believes his fellow Brit is close to retirement.
      It comes amid reports the two heavyweight champions are ‘on the brink’ of confirming the fight.

      Anthony Joshua has promised to ‘close the show’ when he fights Tyson FuryCredit: Youtube

      And Joshua has promised to ‘close the show’ when they finally get it on in the ring and take home all the belts.
      Last time out AJ stopped gritty Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round – and all eyes immediately turned to the Battle of Britain with Fury.
      Speaking to JD Sports’ Road To Undisputed, Joshua, 31, has promised the Fury fight is just the start, and not the end.
      He said: “He (Fury) can bring whatever he wants, it don’t matter to me.

      “The press conference antics, the fight antics, the hands behind the back, I love that stuff that’s all part of it you know that’s his job, but my job is to close the show.
      “He’s a warm-up act [with his antics], he’s there to do all that stuff but ultimately my job is to close the show and that’s all that matters.
      “For him, he said that after he fights me, maybe he fights Chisora, then he’s ready to go off into the sunset.
      “For me, I’ve still got so much more I want to do in this boxing game, the road to undisputed is part of the journey it’s not the end to the journey.

      AJ sat down with podcast star Savage Dan for a revealing interviewCredit: Youtube

      “That’s why I know I will get past this fight because I’m looking past him, I want more, this isn’t where this stops.
      “The fight, god-willing, will be this year, I’m saying it is going to be this year, I’m going to speak into existence and I will be victorious.”
      SO NEARLY THERE
      Last week, AJ revealed the Fury fight was close to being given the green light with the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts all be on the line for the first time in heavyweight history.
      Joshua even hinted at an early summer showdown date, saying: “June should be the date.
      “Trust me. For the fans, for the people that have been calling it on for many, many months.
      “Shoutout to Fury and his team as well, hungry go-getters, that’s what we are.
      “UK stand up. And to the world – we’re bringing it. I can’t wait. Undisputed.”
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      Tyson Fury battered Deontay Wilder in February last year to win the WBC heavyweight titleCredit: Reuters
      A non-disclosure agreement has prevented both parties from sharing key details of the negotiations.
      Both men agreed on a two-fight deal last June, although the finer details of their clash were only just recently finalised.
      Fury set up the clash when he handed Deontay Wilder his first ever defeat as a pro with a seventh-round stoppage win in February 2020.

      Anthony Joshua demonstrates his insane power as he pummels a punching bag More

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      Watch Floyd Mayweather train on punch bag as boxing legend, 44, prepares for fight vs YouTuber Logan Paul

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER is back on the punchbag ahead of his planned boxing fight against YouTuber Logan Paul.
      The pair were scheduled to meet in the ring on February 20, but that got postponed.

      Floyd Mayweather is back in the gym ahead of his anticipated boxing fight against Logan Paul this yearCredit: Instagram

      However they have insisted it will happen this year – and Mayweather, 44, is keeping fit ahead of it.
      The undefeated boxer shared a training clip on Instagram of him working the bag, but it was a relaxed routine to say the least.
      But Mayweather will be keen to shake off the excesses of his 44th birthday celebrations where a MOVIE was made about it.
      His partying included spraying banknotes in a club, riding a jet ski and playing with flamingos in the sea.

      But now it is back to business and and an exhibition fight against Jake Paul’s older brother Logan, 25.
      Mayweather has previously opened up on the cancelled fight as he spoke to fans in a Clubhouse meet-up call.
      Mayweather, 43, said: “We’re gonna do Logan Paul, and we pushed it back because we want an audience, we want to bring 80,000 people to watch.
      “We’re trying to do it at the Raider’s stadium in Vegas for 80,000 people.”

      Mayweather owns a number of gyms in the USCredit: Instagram

      Mayweather wants a crowd before he signs off on the Logan Paul scrapCredit: Instagram

      Paul has revealed the scrap will be on Showtime and despite going against one of the GOATs of boxing and with his own record of one pro fight and one defeat, insists he’s not ‘scared’.
      Speaking on his podcast IMPAULSIVE, he said: “People are asking me if I’m like scared. No, no I’m not scared.
      “The feelings I’m getting right now are just excitement.
      “I’m excited, I’m blessed to have this opportunity and I think we’re gonna wow a lot of people.
      “I just don’t believe I’m gonna get in there and people are gonna see what they expect to see.”

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      Logan Paul insists he is ‘not scared’ to fight MayweatherCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But Mayweather’s uncle Jeff has claimed the fight is OFF.
      He told Fred Talks Fighting: “That fight’s not happening. I don’t think it’s gonna happen. And if it was gonna happen, it would already be.
      “You gotta realise, when Floyd is doing something, you gotta promote it for like about, I say, at least four to six months.
      “And let that fight build, you know, to its maximum capacity.”

      Floyd Mayweather was gifted a £11,000 Topps card More