Boxing

FLOYD MAYWEATHER’s showdown with YouTuber Logan Paul has been branded a ‘circus show’.
The former four-weight world champion is set to take on the controversial social media star in an exhibition match later this year.

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, 44,was meant to return to the ring last monthCredit: Getty

The Money man is set to lock horns with YouTuber Logan Paul (right)Credit: INSTAGRAM/LOGANPAUL

The pair, 44 and 25 respectively, were meant to clash in February but their meeting ended up being postponed.
Mayweather’s latest exhibition bout has been maligned by many in the boxing community, including former WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman.
He told World Boxing News: “They should do whatever they want to do as it’s not real boxing.
“It’s fighting, but it’s NOT boxing. It’s like a circus show.

“But, fight fans like to see fights, and they are providing entertaining fights for the fight fans.
“The boxing purists would argue it regardless if they call it entertainment or not.”
Thurman, 32, is baffled by the popularity of YouTubers and their ability to cross over into the boxing world.
He added: “There’s a glitch in the matrix in that the YouTubers have a tremendous fan base. Those fan bases will follow them regardless of what they do.

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Floyd Mayweather retired from professional boxing in August 2017 after beating Conor McGregorCredit: AFP
“So there will be a fan that will always go see them whatever they are doing.
“They are just taking advantage of the world right now. I can’t blame them for that.
“It is entertainment as one of the last fights ended in a KO (Nate Robinson). And it’s all about hitting the headlines.
“It reminds me of Conor McGregor or wrestling. It reminds me of the ultimate warrior – snapping into a Slim Jim!
“Anyone stirring up controversy, and right now, there is not a lot of entertainment, and they are doing something different.
“A lot of people are backing it that enjoy it. Some fighters want them to get knocked out.

YouTuber Logan Paul has yet to taste victory in his professional boxing careerCredit: Getty

“But we’ll see what happens when the YouTubers are willing to put themselves in a tough fight situation.”
Thurman has no qualms with Mayweather opting to face YouTubers in his retirement but insists his clash with Paul won’t be an entertaining affair.
One Time said: “Listen, it’s Floyd Mayweather. It won’t be entertaining as Floyd doesn’t bring entertainment in the ring.
“He brings money, status, and fame. But that’s not entertainment.”

Floyd Mayweather back in training ahead of fight against YouTuber Logan Paul More

FLOYD MAYWEATHER is well known for not doing things by half – so his birthday party was always going to be an elaborate affair.
And this year’s 44th was just that, so much so that a MOVIE has been made about it.

Floyd Mayweather was dressed to impress for his big dayCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

The bling was always likely to be on displayCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

Mayweather’s 44th birthday celebrations were as raucous as you might expectCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

The film starts showing the undefeated boxing legend talking through what clothes he will be wearing for the high-end celebrations.
What follows are numerous parties – some featuring strippers and pole dancers – with VIP DJs serenading the man known as ‘Money’.
Mayweather is also presented a birthday cake with his age on later on, before taking a jet ski out from a superyacht for a spin.
The retired boxer, considered by many as the GOAT, is also seen hanging out with some flamingos in Aruba as the partying takes a more chilled route.

SunSport reported how YouTubers the ‘Wooter Boys’ treated Floyd to a super rare Topps chrome card featuring NBA legends Kobe Bryant AND LeBron James.
The amazing collector’s item featuring two of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA is thought to be worth around $15,000 (£10,800).
After giving the card to Mayweather, one of the gifters urged him to look after it, saying it could be worth $100,000 within ten years.
To which Floyd replied: “Can I let LeBron sign it?”

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The retired pro boxer was determined to look his bestCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

One party was held at this luxurious mansionCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

Floyd was throwing bills as he celebrated turning 44Credit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

There was plenty of booty on show throughout the nightCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

The Money Team were on hand with the goodsCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

Mayweather is a fan of the NBA, was regularly seen courtside at games and has previously outlined his intention to own a franchise one day.
He 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.
However, they have insisted it will happen this year – and Mayweather 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.

There were plenty of girls invited to the bashCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

Mayweather then took a trip out on a jet skiCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

The undefeated boxer enjoyed spending time with the flamingosCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather

Floyd Mayweather back in training ahead of fight against YouTuber Logan Paul More

MANNY PACQUIAO admitted he is ‘leaning towards’ fighting Mikey Garcia but confirmed talks with Terence Crawford are ongoing.
The Filipino icon is yet to return since dethroning Keith Thurman of the WBA welterweight title in July 2019.

Manny Pacquiao admitted he is ‘leaning towards’ fighting Mikey GarciaCredit: AP:Associated Press

Terence Crawford is still in ongoing talks to fight Manny PacquiaoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Mikey Garcia is in talks to fight Manny PacquiaoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But due to inactivity amid the coronavirus pandemic, Pacquiao was stripped of the belt.
It led him to target unbeaten WBO champion Terence Crawford, 33, following SunSport’s reveal that the pair had a deal in place last year.
But now, PacMan, 42, has said Garcia, 33, is the frontrunner to face him and ensured fans he has kept in shape since his last fight by playing basketball.
Pacquiao told ABS-CBN: “We’re leaning towards Mikey Garcia, but we’re also talking to Crawford.

“It depends on who I get to face, what’s important is I’m ready.  We never really got complacent, we’ve always continuously worked out.
“We keep on playing basketball aside from boxing.
“Actually, right after my fight the last time with Thurman, I didn’t work out boxing, but I kept playing basketball.”
Pacquiao, who has won titles in a record eight divisions, was in line to fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 32, this year.

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But McGregor – who lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 – was dramatically beaten by Dustin Poirier on his UFC return in January.
The Irishman, who initially knocked out Poirier, 32, in 2014, is now set for a summer trilogy bout, with his mega-money boxing return shelved.
Pacquiao had planned to donate some of the proceedings to help fight the affects of the Covid-19 crisis.
But the boxing legend – set to run in the 2022 Philippines presidential election – has vowed to continue aiding his compatriots.
Pacquiao said: “We will keep on giving, we will continue to help as much as we can, even if it’s just in small ways.
“I would love to be able to help everyone out, but our resources are limited, so we’ll do the best that we can, no problem.
“The only thing that I can assure the people of, is that as long as I can help, I will help, to the best of my abilities.”

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DEONTAY WILDER is reportedly being lined up to fight Andy Ruiz Jr this year.
The two heavyweight boxers are coming back from devastating world title defeats, and are both managed by American Al Haymon.

Deontay Wilder is looking like he will fight Andy Ruiz Jr this yearCredit: Instagram / @bronzebomber

Ruiz Jr shocked the world when he battered Anthony Joshua in June 2019 to become unified champ.
But six months of partying saw him come in unfit and overweight in the rematch and he was easily outpointed by the Brit.
Wilder drew with Tyson Fury in their first meeting in December 2018.
Their rematch proved one of the most memorable nights in the sport when Fury pummeled the previously undefeated American into a seventh-round stoppage.

Now, according to World Boxing News, Wilder and a slimmed-down Ruiz Jr are on the ‘road to redemption’ and a blockbuster fight ‘in late 2021’.
First up for Ruiz Jr, however, looks to be a scrap against Chris Arreola in April.
Arreola, 40, was knocked out by ex-WBC king Wilder in 2016.
The American has only fought three times since that defeat, with his current record standing at 38–6–1 with two no-contests.

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Andy Ruiz Jr is looking in much better shape than the last time we saw him boxCredit: Instagram @andy_destroyer13

Like Ruiz, Arreola has not been seen since December 2019, in a losing effort against Adam Kownacki.
And Wilder has been rumoued to be set to fight either Charles Martin or veteran Robert Helenius as he attempts to get back into world title contention.
The 35-year-old, who claimed a heavy ringwalk suit and tampered water led to his defeat to Fury, did have a rematch clause.
But the Gypsy King’s team insist that has expired. And while Wilder is still pursuing that case, he might have to tread a different path for now.
Fury is of course in talks for an undisputed clash against fellow Brit and WBA, WBO and IBF champ Joshua.

Ruiz Jr was out of shape and outpointed by Joshua in December 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Wilder was sent crashing to his first ever defeat by Fury in February 2020Credit: Reuters

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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.”

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CARLOS TAKAM is gunning for Britain’s best in Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury – following missed chances with the pair.
Takam has won four on the spin, following consecutive defeats in the UK, against AJ, in 2017, and Derek Chisora a year later.

Anthony Joshua beat Carlos Takam in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Takam now wants a pop at WBC heavyweight champion Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters

The 40-year-old is already plotting revenge and will be willing to return to England for either rematch.
His promoter Joe DeGuardia told Sky Sports: “We are working on various possibilities for Carlos.
“To answer your question, yes we would certainly entertain fighting any of Britain’s top heavyweights.
“Carlos wants the best fighters out there.”

Takam was in line to make a comeback in the UK in December, as Fury searched for a homecoming opponent.
The WBC champion, 32, has not fought at home since 2018 with his last four all Stateside, including a brutal win over Deontay Wilder, 35, in February 2020.
But after their stipulation for a trilogy expired in October, Fury turned his attention to an undisputed title decider with Joshua, 31.
And to prepare, he wanted a tune-up bout in Britain, with Takam and German Agit Kabayel both considered.

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But, in the end, the money could not be fronted, meaning Fury goes into his career-defining fight with Joshua in the summer after a long layoff.
And it also means Takam, who believed he was all-but certain for another title shot, was denied a crack at Fury’s unbeaten record.
DeGuardia said: “He was 100 per cent confident. He clearly thought that he was going to win.
“He was training very hard and was very much looking forward to the fight.
“I think we were at I would say 98 per cent done [in negotiations] and then it just changed in one day.”

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