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      Jake Paul vs Ben Askren will do 2m PPVs making it boxing’s fifth most-viewed fight ever, says Triller’s Hollywood backer

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      JAKE PAUL and Ben Askren are on course to become boxing’s fifth most-viewed fight ever with 2million pay-per-views, Triller’s Hollywood backer said.
      YouTube phenomenon Paul and retired UFC welterweight Askren are set to box on April 17, on social media app Triller’s ‘Fight Club’ PPV platform.

      Jake Paul is set to fight ex-UFC star Ben AskrenCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ben Askren and Jake Paul are projected to sell 2m PPVsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The brains behind the operation is Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of billion dollar film company Relativity Media, who have produced over 250 movies.
      Kavanaugh entered the boxing business with a boom last November, bringing heavyweight icon Mike Tyson, 54, out of retirement.
      And on the undercard, Paul, 24, became a viral sensation after knocking out ex-NBA point guard Nate Robinson, 36.
      The nostalgia of Tyson’s first fight in 15 years and Paul’s army of fans helped the spectacle event sell 1.6m PPVs.

      But Kavanaugh claimed he has the numbers to prove that Askren’s shot at the internet star will surpass those figures and smash at least 2m box office buys.
      He told SunSport: “We run some analytics and statistics on our fights in terms of what we project it will do.
      “I actually project this fight will be in the top five all-time pay-per-views, more than Tyson.
      “A lot of variables go into our AI that’s running but what we look at is the social activity and the type of audience.

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      “In Jake’s case, you’ve got a guy that when you analyse the amount of interactivity that he’s getting socially on the content he posts, you basically know that he and that fight is already good for about 1.5m buys.
      “Then, you take the fact that Askren brings an MMA audience with him that others don’t, meaning it’s a steeper audience.
      “We haven’t announced our undercard yet but we have some pretty awesome fights on that card that will excite even the highest of boxing purists.
      “Then you add on all the music talent like we had last time and we’re shooting it a whole different way.
      “When you add each of those components we don’t see how we do under 2m buys.”
      Paul made his professional boxing debut in 2020, having won an exhibition bout in England in 2018.
      He quickly recorded two KOs in as many fights, firstly against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and then Robinson.
      Paul has since emerged as one of the most polarising characters in boxing after just 12 months in the sport.

      Ryan Kavanaugh with actor Channing TatumCredit: Getty Images
      Despite not yet beating an opponent with fighting experience, he called out UFC pair Conor McGregor, 32, and Nate Diaz, 35.
      With 20MILLION YouTube subscribers behind him, and PPV interest to back it up, the ex-vlogger has promised to become ‘the future of boxing’.
      And Kavanaugh reckons if Paul can convince his masses of fans and followers to support his boxing career, he can be good to his word.
      He said: “Boxing was not an under 30s sport it was an over 30s sport.
      “So what I would say is that he might become the face of boxing, not because everyone in boxing says he’s the face of boxing, but he brings a whole other audience to boxing.
      “When I say the ‘face’, if he brings a million people with him to the buys, a lot of them were not buyers of boxing before.”
      Despite Paul’s promise as a PPV attraction, he is yet to test himself against a challenger with a background in fighting.
      That will change in just under two months, when he faces Askren, who won titles in Bellator and ONE Championship before joining the UFC in 2019.

      Jake Paul knocked out ex-NBA star Nate RobinsonCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Ben Askren submitted Robbie Lawler at UFC 235 in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The American, who retired after three UFC fights, is not recognised for his striking skills and instead relied on wrestling and grappling.
      But Askren, 36, is an experienced veteran and Kavanaugh argues Paul should be credited for his drastic step up in competition.
      He explained: “There’s definitely a big question on whether he’s going to win.
      “He’s going up against somebody considered to be one of the best fighters in the world.
      “In boxing, I get you’re only as big as your last fight and so on and so forth, just like in Hollywood you’re only as good as your last movie, but I think it’s a bit different with Jake.
      “Because here’s a guy that isn’t a traditionally trained fighter, it’s not his first career and he’s getting in the ring with a guy who is a traditionally trained fighter whose spent his life between wrestling and mixed martial arts.
      “I think win or lose people will give Jake the credit for getting in the ring with someone who is that ferocious.”

      Jake Paul is now 2-0 as a boxerCredit: Instagram @jakepaul

      Jake Paul pictured after a training session More

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

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      RARE footage of Ben Askren training for his upcoming boxing match against 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

      Jake Paul 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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      Josh Kelly breaks silence on David Avanesyan loss and says incredible support from Sunderland will help him bounce back

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      WOUNDED Josh Kelly says the outpouring of support from his Sunderland home will help him bounce back from Saturday’s bloody loss.
      The 26-year-old was pulled out of his welterweight European title clash with champ David Avanesyan after six punishing rounds.

      Josh Kelly was beaten by David AvanesyanCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Route One Ltd

      David Avanesyan won in round sixCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Route One Ltd

      The father of two has now suffered a draw and a defeat in two of his last three fights and has probably lost out on a big-money clash with rapidly improving Conor Benn.
      But the Adam Booth-trained ace says he will bounce back with help from the Black Cats.
      He said: “The support I’ve received, not just before this fight but after, has blown me away. Some of the messages and phone calls have been so deep.
      “When setbacks happen in your life it shows who’s really there for you and on your side through thick or thin and this has shown me how many people care for me as a person, not just a boxer

      “The support from around the country and the world has been another level but the support from Sunderland has been above and beyond and I’m truly proud to come from such a strong, small city that shows it’s hard character again and again
      “I gave it my all in there, another experience I take on this journey in life, beaten by a better man on the night and that’s that.”
      Benn is concerned the much-talked about tear-up with Kelly will never happen as he reckons the 5ft 10in needs to move up a weight class.
      The Destroyer says it is an open secret that Kelly flags after four rounds and he believes that is down to his battle to make 10st 7lbs before the first bell even rings.

      “I definitely think he has to move up in weight,” Benn said.
      “He’s either struggling to do the weight or he has the worst engine known to man, because what fighter keeps blowing up after four rounds?
      “I was gutted for him, he is so talented and gifted for the first four rounds but then he tires, that’s probably down to his weight cut or not doing enough running.
      “This isn’t MMA, where you can get on the floor and grapple. It’s not so focused on size, you need your speed, agility and fitness.”

      Josh Kelly vs David Avanesyan – Round by Round More

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      Manny Pacquiao will hold talks over blockbuster Terence Crawford fight this week, says ex-promoter Bob Arum

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      MANNY PACQUIAO’s representatives will hold talks over blockbuster showdown with Terence Crawford this week, his former promoter Bob Arum has revealed.
      The former eight-weight world champion, 42, is gearing up to make his long-awaited return to the ring this year.

      Manny Pacquiao is gearing up to return to the ring later this yearCredit: Getty

      Bob Arum (R) has revealed Manny Pacquiao could end up fighting Terence Crawford (R)Credit: Reuters

      And according to Arum, the Filipino could potentially be welcomed back to the ring by Crawford – with discussions over a lucrative overseas bout between the pair set to take place this week.
      The veteran promoter, who represents Crawford, told Barbershop Conversations: “He [Kenny Porter] came to our office two weeks ago to talk about a Crawford – Porter fight, and then out of nowhere the idea of a tremendous site fee, a possibility of doing Pacquiao-Crawford came up.
      “Obviously, it’s more money for Terence. Terence would prefer a Pacquiao fight than anyone else.
      “Yeah, we’re going to see what happens, and we’ll know this week whether Pacquiao-Crawford can happen.

      “If it doesn’t happen, since [Errol] Spence clearly doesn’t want to fight Crawford, I think Crawford-Porter would be a tremendous fight.”
      The fight the boxing world is itching to see is the long-awaited battle between Crawford and Errol Spence Jr.
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      Arum himself is eager to see the fight but believes Spence Jr isn’t as keen on the bout as he’s made out.
      When asked if Spence doesn’t want to fight Crawford, Arum said: “Yeah, come on.
      “Crawford wants to fight Spence, but Spence has said loud and clear he doesn’t want to fight Crawford.”
      Arum’s comment’s on a potential Pacquiao showdown with pound-for-pound king Crawford come only a few days after former IBF welterweight title challenger Mikey Garcia accused Pacman of taking easy fights.
      He told Little Giant Boxing: “Everybody would like to fight [Manny] Pacquiao. Is it going to happen? I don’t know.
      “It was supposed to happen. Towards the end of the year, I heard him talking about Conor McGregor.

      Manny Pacquiao hasn’t fought since beating Keith Thurman in July 2019Credit: AP

      “Then he started talking about Ryan Garcia. I haven’t talked to him.
      “From that, it tells me that Manny is looking for a low-risk, high reward type of fight.”
      Pacquiao hasn’t fought since he ended Keith Thurman’s reign as WBA welterweight champion in July 2019.
      His inactivity recently led the WBA to strip him of their 147lb belt and declare him ‘champion in recess’.

      Manny Pacquiao shows off speed ahead of legend’s comeback fight More

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      Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno net worth: Iron Mike equals Brit’s fortune with £7.5m Jones Jr fight and cannabis farm profits

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      MIKE TYSON’S emotional meet-up with British boxing favourite Frank Bruno is set to hit our screens in a few days.
      It is 31 years since the two warriors fought in the ring – a one-sided affair that saw Bruno stopped by the referee in the fifth round.

      Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno boxed twice with the American former monster winning both world title clashes but remain friends

      A new programme will air on February 26 on NOW TV and Sky Documentaries that will show how two brutally broken men rebuilt themselves and finally found peace again.
      And the two 50-something year olds have another thing in common – the money in their banks, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
      Here SunSport takes a look at amassed their respective £7.5million fortunes in and out of the ring.
      Mike Tyson
      Iron Mike is believed to have earned at least £415MILLION from his 56-fight career.

      Like many sporting superstars, Tyson spent his money as quickly as he earned it on big expensive houses, flashy cars and even pet tigers.
      In 2003, Tyson was forced to file for bankruptcy, with media at the time reporting he had £20m worth of debt.

      Mike Tyson made a boxing comeback in December when he drew with Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition boutCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Tyson now runs a multi-million pound cannabis ranchCredit: Instagram

      But the self-titled ‘Baddest Man On The Planet’, who has admitted battling a cocaine addiction since the age of 11, has managed to turn things around.
      Tyson has starred or held minor roles in a number of movies, most notably in The Hangover film franchise.

      He even had his own animated TV show called Mike Tyson Mysteries.
      More recently he produces a podcast called Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson which is one of the more popular combat sports-related podcasts out there.
      Hinted in that title, Tyson has cannabis to thank for his financial recovery. He runs his own weed ranch called the Tyson Ranch, where he grows and sells his own brand of weed as well as weed-based wellness products.
      Cheat Sheet say the Tyson Ranch sells over £360,000 worth of weed a month, but that Tyson smokes £29,000 worth with his guests.
      And he is believed to have earned £7.5m from his grand return to boxing in December, when he drew with fellow Hall Of Famer Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition bout.

      The 54-year-old can smoke as much as £40,000 worth of weed with friendsCredit: Instagram

      In 1989 a prime Mike Tyson butchered Bruno in their first clash in Las Vegas
      Frank Bruno
      Bruno will go down in history as one of Britain’s best-loved boxers ever.
      After two unsuccessful world title challenges – including the brutal fifth-round stoppage loss to Tyson in 1989, the gentle-giant Londoner finally got his hands on the WBC heavyweight title in 1995 by beating Oliver McCall.
      But six months later he would lost that strap – to old rival Tyson who was making his way back to the top after time in jail after being found guilty of rape.
      Bruno’s £7.5m net worth has been carefully managed from his boxing career, but he has also dabbled in some other ventures.
      In 2017 he told the Sunday Telegraph that he had ‘a few investments running’ in the stock market.
      In that interview he admitted he was ‘paid to bang HP sauce bottles on the table for a TV advert’ during his boxing career.

      Frank Bruno is much loved by the British publicCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun
      Bruno has also starred in pantomimes and done many voice-overs for TV – including his famous catchphrase ‘Know what I mean Harry’.
      He credits having ‘a good accountant’ for keeping his finances in order and has told up-and-coming boxers to ‘save wisely, stay humble and focus on your job ahead of you’.
      But in his book Let Me Be Frank the 59-year-old revealed he was betrayed by ‘someone close to him’ who took £300,000 from his bank account.
      It came in 2003 when he was in a Romford hospital being treated for his bipolar disorder.

      Watch Mike Tyson aged 15 destroy opponent in 8 seconds More

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      Tommy Fury fight: Date, UK start time, live stream FREE, TV channel and full card for Love Island star’s next clash

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      TOMMY FURY finds himself back in the ring this weekend, having not fought since late 2020 when he won by knockout.
      Fury looks to be giving his professional boxing career a go following his stint on Love Island where his fame shot through the roof.

      Tommy Fury will be back in action this weekend at the Copper BoxCredit: Reuters

      Fury will perform in his fifth pro fight and he’ll be looking to maintain his unbeaten record.
      When is Tommy Fury’s next fight?
      Fury, the younger brother of WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson, will fight on Saturday, February 27.
      He’s in action against an opponent yet to be determined, as is usually custom with early pro fights.
      But Fury is more than likely to win, and he’ll want to continue his streak of knockouts too.
      Fury’s fight get going at around 9pm UK time.
      What channel will it be on and can it be live streamed?
      Fury’s next fight will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate.
      You can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download on your mobile or tablet device.
      The fight is taking place at the Copper Box Arena in London, without the presence of fans.

      Can I watch for FREE?
      EE customers can get BT Sport INCLUDED to their plan at no extra cost if they are on a plan with Smart Benefits – simply log in to EE and choose BT Sport app.
      And then get it on the big screen by texting SPORT to 150 to get a FREE three-month trial of Large Screen so you can cast all the action on your TV.
      At the end of the three months you will automatically roll onto the £5 per month BT Sport Large Screen subscription unless cancelled.

      Tommy Fury is 4-0 as a professional fighterCredit: Reuters
      Who else is on the card?
      Fury isn’t actually in the main event, as that is being fought between Anthony Cacace and Lyon Woodstock in the super-featherweight division.
      The card was originally meant to be headlined by Carl Frampton and Jamel Herring, but their WBO 130lb title fight was postponed.
      FULL CARD

      Anthony Cacace vs Lyon Woodstock
      Tommy Fury vs TBA
      Kaisy Khademi vs Ijaz Ahmed
      Nathan Heaney vs Ryan Oliver
      Sam Noakes vs Delmar Thomas
      Masood Abdulah vs Taka Bembere
      Amaar Akbar vs Chris Adaway
      Adan Mohamed vs Brett Fidoe More

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      Oleksandr Usyk fight with Joe Joyce to go to purse bids with Eddie Hearn looking to win and finally make Joshua vs Fury

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      PROMOTERS will submit purse bids for Joe Joyce’s fight against Oleksandr Usyk and Eddie Hearn is looking to win.
      The Matchroom promoter confirmed his organisation would be in the running as he edges closer to confirming Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury.

      Promoters will submit purse bids for Joe Joyce vs Oleksandr UsykCredit: Richard Pelham – The Sun

      Eddie Hearn is hoping to win with MatchroomCredit: Mark Robinson

      IBF, WBA, and WBO champion AJ is set to take on WBC belt-holder Fury in a mega-fight later this year to become undisputed heavyweight champ.
      Usyk’s status as WBO mandatory had threatened to de-rail the bout but the governing body moved to accelerate Joshua vs the Gypsy King.
      As a result, the winner of Joyce vs Usyk would likely meet the winner of the Battle of Britain super-fight.
      Hearn told Sky Sports: “The WBO have ruled [Usyk vs Joyce] for the interim title with a view to the winner fighting the winner of AJ-Fury.

      “I believe that fight will go to purse bids in a couple of weeks.
      “Certainly we will be bidding for that fight. It is a good fight.
      “There is history between the two of them from the amateur game.
      “It is a fight that we would be interested in putting together.”

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      The winner of Joyce vs Usyk will likely face the victor of Joshua vs Fury, according to HearnCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd

      Joyce’s manager Sam Jones of S-Jam Boxing confirmed: “We are still in negotiations to get the fight done.”
      Joyce overcame fellow Brit Daniel Dubois to take his unbeaten record last year and is ranked No 2 by the WBO.
      Hearn also revealed last week he is confident AJ vs Fury will NOT be affected by Deontay Wilder’s legal challenge.
      The American sought mediation last year to try and land a trilogy fight with Fury, which he believes he’s contractually entitled to.
      Team Fury, however, are adamant Wilder’s rematch clause expired last October.
      And Hearn isn’t concerned about Wilder’s attempts to land a third fight with The Gypsy King, telling Sky Sports: “That’s a problem and a question really for Top Rank, and Bob Arum.

      undefined
      “We’ve been assured by them, that’s not going to be an issue in making this fight. I do believe that Deontay Wilder, he was supposed to be fighting in January.
      “Now we’re in the middle of February, so how much longer is he going to wait? He’s been out of the ring for a year now, and he’s slowly imploding in every single interview that he gives. He should get back in the ring.
      “That’s a Fury problem, a Team Fury problem. We’re confident that it won’t impact our fight, or the announcement.”
      Negotiations over Joshua vs Fury resumed after the former’s ninth-round TKO victory over Kubrat Pulev last December.
      A two-fight deal has already been agreed, although the finer details of the contract have yet to be finalised.

      Tommy Fury looks shredded as he works out ahead of boxing return More

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      Conor Benn still eyeing Josh Kelly showdown but says welterweight rival ‘must prove he wants it’ after first career loss

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      CONOR BENN still fancies a Josh Kelly showdown — despite the Mackem’s painful Saturday night loss.
      Sunderland’s welterweight ace was beaten up by Russia’s David Avanesyan and stopped in the sixth round.

      Josh Kelly suffered a sixth-round TKO loss to David AvanesyanCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING

      Josh Kelly’s coach Adam Booth mercifully threw in the towel in the sixth roundCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING

      Conor Benn is still eager to face Josh KellyCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING

      Kelly’s failed European shot means he has dropped drastically down the pecking order.
      But the son of British ring legend Nigel knows he still has a mega-money fight on the table.
      Benn said: “Kelly has got all the skill. He is naturally gifted.
      “Why does he keep blowing up after four or five rounds?

      “Maybe it is a weight issue, maybe he should move up a weight, because I like Kelly, I do.
      “I’m gutted for him, to be honest, I really am.”

      Conor Benn is still intrigued by the prospect of facing Josh KellyCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

      Benn, 24, was ringside in Wembley to watch Kelly crumble at his first serious test.
      He said: “Everybody knows Kelly is good for four, five, six, but when it gets past that and it gets on top of him, he folds.

      “That’s what happened. Avanesyan kept applying the pressure.
      “Josh will come back. He’s just got to sit down and question how much he wants it.”

      Josh Kelly vs David Avanesyan – Round by Round More