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      Avni Yildirim says Canelo Alvarez is ‘not invincible’ and hopes P4P king overlooks him for Billy Joe Saunders fight

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      AVNI YILDIRIM insists Canelo Alvarez is ‘not invincible’ and welcomed the thought of the Mexican overlooking him.
      Canelo puts his super-middleweight crown on the line in a WBC mandatory defence against Yildirim this weekend.

      Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim ahead of their fightCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Canelo Alvarez fights Avni Yildirim in a WBC mandatory defenceCredit: AFP or licensors

      The Turkish challenger has it all to do, faced with the task of becoming the only man bar Floyd Mayweather to hand Alvarez a loss.
      And despite Canelo winning titles in four divisions on the way to becoming pound-for-pound king, Yildirim will not get caught up in his mystique.
      He told SunSport: “Canelo is an outstanding fighter and a great champion. But he is not invincible. He is human just like me. We‘ll see what happens.
      “I am perfectly prepared, ready to go and can‘t wait to walk into the ring. I will do my best to make my people proud.”

      Canelo, 30, fought just once in 2020 as he battled with his former promoter Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy, which ended in an amicable split.
      But despite the sole performance, it resulted in Alvarez handing Callum Smith his first loss while in the process inheriting the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine belts.
      The superstar wants to waste no time this year and already has a unification against WBO title holder Billy Joe Saunders, 31, verbally agreed.
      Despite the proposal, Yildirim, 29, refuses to feel disrespected and hopes Canelo’s lofty 2021 plans result in his downfall.

      BOXING SPECIAL: GET CANELO TO BEAT YILDIRIM AT 20/1

      But the underdog contender warns if Canelo has one eye on Saunders, by the time the first bell sounds, he will force that to change.
      He explained: “Billy who? It doesn‘t matter to me what anybody says. I couldn‘t care less
      “It can only be good for me if he thinks of anything else but me. I hope he does. But I‘m sure that I will get his attention. We will all find out Saturday night.”
      The ex-sparring partners prepare to headline in Miami, 2,655 miles away from Canelo’s adopted American training base in San Diego.
      Alvarez was due for a homecoming in Mexico, which would have been his first fight there since 2011.
      But amid the coronavirus pandemic, to ensure fans could attend, it was instead scheduled for Florida.
      Canelo’s last 18 fights have all been Stateside, where he has become a regular in Las Vegas.
      So much so, he has been levelled with accusations that judges favour him due to contentious scorecards in the past.

      Billy Joe Saunders is the WBO championCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Canelo Alvarez is the unified super-middleweight championCredit: USA TODAY Sports
      Against Mayweather in 2013, many felt Alvarez was given a masterclass in defence and counter punching over 12 fairly one-sided rounds.
      But still, judge CJ Ross infamously scored the bout a draw – whereas the other two sided with Mayweather – causing her to step down afterwards.
      When Canelo fought middleweight rival Gennady Golovkin for the first time, the two put on a 12-round thriller in 2017.
      Despite one judge scoring in to GGG narrowly, and the other a draw, Adalaide Byrd gave Alvarez the nod by TEN ROUNDS.
      Still, Yildirim keeps faith in the commission and officials, and rules out needing a knockout to guarantee an upset.
      He said: “I don‘t think that way. Of course, I know how it feels to be on the wrong end of a controversial decision. But that doesn‘t affect my style.
      “I am never worried. I know what I am capable of and what I have to do. I don‘t think about anything which is out of my control.
      “But I have full faith in the WBC and the WBC officials.” 

      Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim are ex-sparring partnersCredit: Instagram @avniyildirim

      Canelo Alvarez pictured with Avni Yildirim More

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      Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno: How boxing legends’ records compare after rivals become pals filming new Sky documentary

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      MIKE TYSON and Frank Bruno have formed a brotherhood 25 years on from their last fight.
      The pair first fought in 1989 before rematching in 1996 – both of which were brutally won by Tyson. 

      But Bruno, 59, claims the pair are bound together by brotherly love after he flew to meet him in America for a new Sky documentary.
      It came just a month after Tyson made his remarkable comeback aged 54 as he boxed to a draw with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr, 54, in Iron Mike’s first fight since retiring 15 years prior.
      Bruno was cheering his former foe on all the way, and here SunSport details how their careers compared.
      MIKE TYSON
      Even before turning pro, Tyson was making a name for himself as a teenager with strength way before his years under the guidance of iconic mentor Cus D’Amato. 

      By the time he made his debut aged 18, he was already one of the most feared fighters in the world and racked up 27 wins – with only two going the distance – before challenging for the title in record time.
      Tyson in 1986 became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time as he knocked out Trevor Berbick at the age of 20 years and 145 days.
      But the life as Baddest Man on The Planet would later catch up on Iron Mike, who made nine defences of his belt before succumbing to the sport’s most famous upset.
      In 1990, Tyson, while partying and taking drugs the night before, was KO’d by American outsider James ‘Buster’ Douglas in Tokyo, Japan, sending shockwaves around the world.

      Mike Tyson knocked out Trevor Berbick in 1986 to become champCredit: AP:Associated Press
      His prime athletic years were lost to addiction and a three-year prison term, started in 1992, for a rape he still fiercely denies.
      But when he came out in 1995, it took him only a year to reclaim the WBC title, as he savagely KO’d Bruno, who had reigned as champ for just six months.
      In the years following, he lost to Evander Holyfield twice – the second time after biting his rival’s ear – was KO’d by Lennox Lewis before retiring after two dismal defeats.
      Amazingly, after the success of Tyson’s Hotboxin’ podcast, launched in 2017, he stopped drinking and using cocaine putting him in line for a comeback. 
      And after he began dramatically transforming his body in early 2020, he returned in the November and now has his sights set on a trilogy with Holyfield.

      Mike Tyson pictured after his comeback fightCredit: USA TODAY Sports

      FRANK BRUNO
      Bruno made his debut in 1982 and it took him four years and 30 fights until he challenged for the world title, later losing to Tim Witherspoon in 1986.
      In his next attempt, three years on, he was wiped out in round five against Tyson, the first of the series, before losing to Lennox Lewis in 1993, his third try at the belt.
      He finally achieved his goal in the fourth and final attempt as he outpointed America’s Oliver McCall in 1995, leaving the nation on its feet.
      Britain’s favourite heavyweight champion walked away from the ring in 1996, coincidently after losing to Tyson.
      The Brit legend has never looked close to a comeback but remained in boxing, and in great shape, by helping rising stars at his former amateur club, the Peacock.
      The former champ last year was the padman for prospect Daniel Dubois at an open workout in London.
      Despite fans wanting Bruno to stay happily retired, it can’t be denied the MBE looks in great shape.
      But it can only be celebrated that as of yet he will only be watching Tyson’s comeback trail, not taking part in it.

      Frank Bruno pictured after winning the WBC titleCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Tyson Fury reveals he licked Deontay Wilder’s blood ‘like a vampire to get the feeling of what my prey tasted like’

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      TYSON FURY has likened himself to a vampire after infamously licking Deontay Wilder’s blood in their heavyweight title fight.
      During the Gypsy King’s victory over the American in February 2020, fans noticed one moment where he leant in and licked blood that had come out of Wilder’s damaged ear.

      Tyson Fury has revealed why he licked blood off Deontay Wilder in last year’s title fightCredit: Richard Pelham

      Having made a pre-fight threat to do so, Fury has given his take on the incident and joked that he now has his rival’s ‘cooties’.
      The 32-year-old told ESPN: “[I was] like a vampire.
      “In the pre-fight interview, I said I wanted to taste Deontay Wilder’s blood this time.
      “So I had an opportunity to do it there in round six, so I had to taste his blood just so I could get the feeling of what my prey tasted like.

      “I was like a hunter that night, I was a lion and he was a gazelle. A large gazelle.
      “And I took him down and that was it, game over.
      BOXING SPECIAL: GET CANELO TO BEAT YILDIRIM AT 20/1

      I hope he doesn’t have any germs or anything. Or else I’ve got his cooties now baby!
      Tyson Fury

      “It’s a different mindset, an animal instinct comes out inside the boxing ring and it’s either him or you.

      “It’s weird because I’ve not noticed anybody lick anybody’s blood before – I hope he doesn’t have any germs or anything.
      “Or else I’ve got his cooties now baby!”
      Fury claimed the WBC belt with a dominating performance in Las Vegas, which ended in the seventh round when Wilder’s corner threw the towel in.

      Over a year later, the Brit is yet to fight again owing to a cancelled trilogy fight with the Bronze Bomber and the coronavirus pandemic.
      With a unification battle against Anthony Joshua on the horizon, Fury has admitted that the wait has not been beneficial.
      He noted: “I should have boxed, because I’ve been so inactive.
      “By the time I fight again, looking at maybe June if this Joshua fight happens, that will be a year and six months out of the ring, which is not ideal preparation for any super-fight.”

      Tyson Fury admits he ‘feels sorry’ for Deontay Wilder after Bronze Bomber’s bizarre rematch excuses More

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      Former world champ Antonio Tarver, 52, set for boxing return vs ex-UFC heavyweight king Frank Mir on Jake Paul undercard

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      FORMER light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver has come out of retirement at the age of 52 to box ex-UFC star Frank Mir.
      The Magic Man revealed earlier this week he’d inked a deal to return to the squared circle, which he last graced in 2015.

      Antonio Tarver will return to the ring in April for the first time in over five-and-a-half yearsCredit: Reuters

      Antonio Tarver will be welcomed back to the ring by former UFC heavyweight champion Frank MirCredit: Getty

      And early on Friday morning, it was announced the former two-weight champion’s opponent for his comeback fight would be former UFC heavyweight king Mir.
      Shortly after the announcement of the fight, Mir tweeted: “I am a competitor. I have been all my life.
      “I take on challenges to grow and better myself as a person.
      “I have always wanted to test myself in the boxing ring so when this opportunity arose I jumped on it.

      “See you April 17th @Antonio Tarver.”
      During the latest episode of his Phone Booth Fighting podcast, the two-time UFC heavyweight champion added: “Everybody knows I’ve been signed to BKFC.
      BOXING SPECIAL: GET CANELO TO BEAT YILDIRIM AT 20/1

      “So I’ve been in the gym working a lot of boxing because of bare-knuckle.

      “An opportunity arose where somebody arose where somebody was kind of like, “Hey, would you do a full boxing match against a former world champion?”
      “I was like, ‘Absolutely.’ I’m up for challenges. I think obviously it forces you to push yourself and extend.
      “At the end of the day, it makes me a better warrior all around – and a better coach for (my daughter) Bella. It got presented to me.
      “April 17, would I be willing to take on former light heavyweight champion of the world Antonio Tarver.”

      Antonio Tarver is a former two-weight world championCredit: Reuters

      Frank Mir (L) is a former two-time UFC heavyweight championCredit: Getty

      Tarver’s clash with Mir, 41, will be his first outing since his split draw with Steve Cunningham in August 2015.
      Submission specialist Mir, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since beating Roy Nelson at Bellator 231 in October 2019.
      Tarver vs Mir will serve as an appetiser for Jake Paul’s showdown with former UFC welterweight Ben Askren.
      The YouTuber’s clash with the former ONE Championship and Bellator 170lb champion will take place in Atlanta.
      A venue for the contest, which is being promoter by Triller, has yet to be announced.

      Watch YouTuber Jake Paul training to fight ex-UFC star Ben Askren More

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      Tyson Fury admits long layoff is ‘not ideal’ ahead of blockbuster Anthony Joshua unification fight as announce nears

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      TYSON FURY admits his long layoff ahead of his undisputed heavyweight title fight with Anthony Joshua is far from ‘ideal’.
      The Gypsy King hasn’t set foot in the ring since his emphatic dethroning of former WBC king Deontay Wilder last February.

      Tyson Fury hasn’t fought since he ended Deontay Wilder’s reign as WBC champ last FebruaryCredit: Reuters

      Tyson Fury admits his layoff is far from ideal ahead of his showdown with Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA

      And ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Joshua, which is slated to take place in the summer, Fury admits his inactivity could come back to haunt him.
      The 32-year-old told ESPN: “I should have boxed, because I’ve been so inactive.
      “By the time I fight again, looking at maybe June if this Joshua fight happens, that will be a year and six months out of the ring, which is not ideal preparation for any super-fight.”
      Fury’s long-awaited Battle of Britain with Joshua has yet to be finalised, although the fighters’ respective teams are confident an agreement will soon be reached.

      But despite a two-fight deal being agreed last year, Fury claims there has been no further progress in making the biggest fight in the history of British boxing.
      BOXING SPECIAL: GET CANELO TO BEAT YILDIRIM AT 20/1

      The former unified heavyweight champion said: “They’ve had a full year to try and make this fight happen. It is what it is.
      “We’re no further forward today than we were a year ago.

      “The way it is at the moment [with COVID-19], I don’t think it has got much to do with the fighters.
      “It’s to do with the venue, date, place, site fees. It’s to do with everything but the fight itself.”

      Fury is itching to compete this year, so much so he’s willing to fight all comers.
      He said: “If that fight [against Joshua] doesn’t happen this summer, it’s got to happen sooner or later.
      “But Top Rank has to give me two fights this year. I will fight two times on ESPN. I don’t care who it is.
      “If it’s not Joshua, we’re looking to fight in April or early May, and the end of the year.

      Tyson Fury is on course to face Anthony Joshua in a summer unification fightCredit: PA

      “If it is Joshua, then June and the end of the year. Bang, bang. So, 2021 is looking bright.”
      SunSport understands Fury’s multi-million-pound dust-up with Joshua is set to be announced at the start of March.
      A non-disclosure agreement is preventing both parties from revealing key details about the ongoing negotiations.
      It’s understood Saudi Arabia are the frontrunners to land the fight, although Qatar, the USA, Dubai, Singapore and China have all expressed an interest in staging the bout.

      Tyson Fury claims Anthony Joshua fight no closer to agreement and reveals four main sticking points over talks More

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      Jake Paul tells all over infamous ‘Project X’ house party with Chris Brown and Noah Cyrus and boxing fight in garden

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      JAKE PAUL has opened up about one of his infamous parties filled with ‘dozens of celebs’ and a boxing fight in the garden.
      The YouTuber-turned-boxer is well-known for his hectic lifestyle, and his hosting duties follow suit.

      Jake Paul revealed the details of his ‘Project X-style party’ he held in 2019Credit: Instagram / @jakepaul

      The YouTuber managed to get hundreds of people down and a dozens of celebrities tooCredit: Instagram / @loganpaul

      A boxing ring was set up with an organised fight taking place during the nightCredit: Instagram / @andrewblue

      Back in 2019 the 24-year-old held a party that he described as like ‘Project X’.
      That was a 2012 film that told the story of three high-school geeks who held the party of parties.
      And Paul’s looks like it followed the same style.
      Speaking exclusively to SunSport, the Ohio personality said: “So I actually threw a party, I believe it was in 2019 at my house.

      “And it was the craziest party that I think anyone that was there had ever been to so many people left that party being like, ‘That was the real-life Project X.’
      “There was motorcycles doing backflips in the front yard. It was like a club on the inside. We actually had a boxing match. In the middle of the party.
      “And yeah, there was just like, dozens and dozens and dozens of celebs there from Chris Brown to Noah Cyrus I got I don’t even know how many celebs are there, but it was crazy.
      “And I think everyone will remember that that party for a while.”

      BOXING SPECIAL: GET CANELO TO BEAT YILDIRIM AT 20/1

      Paul reckons it was the craziest party any of the guests will ever go toCredit: Instagram / @andrewblue

      The host is pictured blasting some sort of cannon while stood on top of a basketball hoopCredit: Instagram / @andrewblue

      Brother Logan described it as ‘the best party LA has ever seen’Credit: Instagram / @loganpaul

      The police received numerous complaints about the bash held in Los Angeles. Older brother Logan described it as ‘the best LA has ever seen’.
      Jake has revealed that he fancies having a go at NFL before hitting the red carpet of Hollywood after he finishes his boxing career.
      The YouTuber is preparing for his third pro fight when he takes on former UFC star Ben Askren in April.
      But Paul, 24, is already planning out his career after he has hung the gloves up.
      And not surprisingly after becoming a social media sensation, the Ohio personality fancies trying his hand at acting.
      But not one for shying away, Paul also wants to try out the heavy-hitting sport of NFL while he’s in his youth.

      Plenty of bottles of champagne were ready and waiting to be drunkCredit: Instagram / @andrewblue

      Paul sits on the edge taking in the entertainmentCredit: Instagram / @andrewblue

      There were plenty of guests and even a giant panda at the bashCredit: Instagram / @mezuomusic

      Paul said it was like a club on the inside, in part thanks to the live musicCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul

      Jake Paul lives the high life and is hoping to be a successful boxerCredit: Instagram @jakepaul

      Watch YouTuber Jake Paul training to fight ex-UFC star Ben Askren More

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      Watch ex-UFC star Ben Askren training for Jake Paul fight as TJ Dillashaw admits MMA world is ‘very nervous right now’

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      RARE footage of Ben Askren training for his upcoming boxing match with Jake Paul has been released.
      Ex-UFC welterweight Askren is coming out of retirement on April 17 to face the YouTube sensation.

      Ben Askren training for his upcoming boxing match against Jake Paul

      Ben Askren pictured with his boxing trainer Cornelius Bundrage

      Jake Paul pictured after a training session

      Paul, 24, is 2-0 in his career, both by knockout, and also has a white collar win in 2018 to his name.
      While Askren, 36, despite having vast more amount of fighting experience in MMA, was renowned for his wrestling and grappling style.
      He has recently been captured preparing for his boxing debut by hitting the pads, landing combinations.
      Askren only had six knockouts in his 19 MMA wins, where he won titles in Bellator and ONE Championship.

      Former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw is rooting for the American but admitted those in the MMA business are ‘very nervous right now’.
      Dillashaw, 35, told Mike Swick: “Askren should win right, but I’m nervous about it.
      “You watch him strike and it’s like the MMA world is very nervous right now that he’s gonna be.
      “He should win the fight. He should be smart enough.

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      “I mean Jake Paul is gonna get tired, he should be able to wear him out and make him lose his explosiveness and dance around and get the win.
      “But I wouldn’t say Askren’s the better striker I think he’s just the better competitor and that’s what’s gonna win him the fight.
      “At least I really hope so, my fingers are crossed because man, crazy.” More

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      Floyd Mayweather feeds flamingos in pink shorts on romantic Aruba holiday with British stripper girlfriend Anna Monroe

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER fed flamingos as he enjoyed a Caribbean birthday getaway.
      The boxing legend was at one with nature in Aruba with British stripper girlfriend Anna Monroe.

      Floyd Mayweather fed flamingos on holiday in the CaribbeanCredit: Instagram

      The boxing legend is enjoying a 44th birthday getaway in ArubaCredit: Instagram

      Mayweather celebrated his 44th birthday on Wednesday in the scorching sun.
      He’s used to drawing a crowd for a party, but this time he settled for a few of the exotic birds as he took a stroll along the beach.
      ‘Money’ was dressed in matching pink cap and shorts while wearing plenty of bling – donning a watch and two chains.
      His girlfriend Anna also posted a snap of herself sunbathing in Aruba.

      Anna – who works as head stripper at Floyd’s Girl Collection nightclub – has been dating Floyd officially since New Year’s Day.
      Last week Mayweather threw a glitzy birthday bash in Florida featuring models in skin-tight outfits.
      He arrived in a $2million Bugatti with the likes of rapper Rick Ross in attendance.
      Mayweather took things ‘to the next level’ by introducing girlfriend Anna to pals at his birthday party as ‘his princess’.

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      He soaked up the sun in a matching pink cap and shortsCredit: Instagram

      Mayweather took his British stripper girlfriend Anna Monroe with himCredit: Instagram
      But the former five-weight world champion denied they were engaged in a social media post in January.
      A pal told SunSport: “Floyd introduced Anna to all of his friends as his ‘Princess’.
      “He was really keen to show her off and Anna was proud to be by his side at the party.
      “Their relationship is getting more and more serious. Introducing her at such a big event like that takes things to the next level.”

      Mayweather has been dating Anna Monroe – head stripper at his Girls Collection club – officially since New Year’s DayCredit: Instagram @thereal.annamonroe

      Mayweather is keen to meet Monroe’s family having already introduced her to his friendsCredit: Instagram

      Mayweather enjoyed his future-themed 44th birthday last week in Florida

      Models dressed head to toe in silver brought out the money-themed cake at the bash
      Earlier this year, SunSport told how Floyd is now planning a UK trip to meet the parents of his new girlfriend.
      The legendary fighter – who was introduced to Anna’s family on FaceTime on New Year’s Day – plans to charm them ‘as soon as he’s allowed’.
      A source said: “Floyd is serious about Anna. He loves England and as soon as they are allowed to travel again he’d love to come over and meet her family and friends.
      “He wants them to see the real Floyd Mayweather – which is a lot different to what many people think.”

      Anna has also posted photos of her and Floyd on holiday posing outside the Acropolis in Greece.
      The pair have also posted pictures of themselves at the exact same locations at the same time in Paris, Abu Dhabi, the Blue Lagoon spa in Iceland, Santorini and Amsterdam.
      Mayweather was due to fight YouTuber Logan Paul last weekend but that bout has been postponed.

      Floyd Mayweather reveals he isn’t training for Logan Paul fight yet and admits he isn’t in the best shape of his life More