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      Floyd Mayweather’s February Tokyo boxing exhibition fight postponed due to surge in coronavirus cases in Japan

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER’s exhibition fight in Tokyo has been postponed due to a surge in coronavirus cases in Japan.
      Mayweather travelled to the Far East in 2018, where he humiliated featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in one round.

      Floyd Mayweather in his last exhibition against Tenshin NasukawaCredit: AFP

      It was the last time he was in the ring, but last year the 43-year-old revealed he would box once again in Tokyo.
      But his comeback, to work alongside the ‘Mega 2021 event’ on February 28, has been backdated.
      Mayweather said: “Japan currently has an increase in coronavirus infections, and I heard that foreigners aren’t allowed into the country.
      “So it’s really disappointing, but there’s no way I can fight in Japan on February 28.

      “When I’m allowed into Japan, and if Mega gets a new date and a venue, and if they give me an opponent, I can be ready to fight any time.
      “I’m praying that we can beat the coronavirus and go back to a world that’s crazy about sports.”
      Japan had just under 1,500 new Covid-19 cases by the end of November but in the second week of January it reached almost 8,000.
      So far, just over 6,000 people have died in the region from the virus as they approach 400,000 cases in total.

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      This is now the second time Mayweather has had to delay his return to the ring.
      He was due to fight YouTuber Logan Paul on February 20, one week before his planned exhibition in Tokyo.
      But the pay-per-view spectacle has since been rescheduled for a later date.
      Despite the setbacks, Mayweather announced on his Instagram that he plans to focus on fighting again in 2021.
      But he has always maintained in the past he will not risk his health and unbeaten 50-0 record to face boxing’s current champions or prospects.
      Instead, the American legend has lined up Logan, 25, and his brother Jake, 24, as well as rapper and ex-best friend 50 Cent – while confirming his intent to go back to Japan.

      Mayweather wrote on Instagram: “This year I will focus on several exhibitions. I will have an exhibition in Tokyo, Japan again.
      “Of Course the one with Logan Paul and I; and if Jake Paul can get past his next opponent Ben Askren, I will have an exhibition with him as well.
      “I also heard that 50 cent would fight me but claims I’m too small. If he wants to lace up at the end of the year, we can do an exhibition then.
      “I don’t care about weight class with any of these guys.
      “The Paul brothers will make great money with the events, but with 50 cent It has to be “Winner Take All”.”

      Logan Paul claims Floyd Mayweather exhibition broke every single record for pre-fight PPV sales before postponement More

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      Prime Canelo Alvarez would have KO’d Floyd Mayweather at his best, says Garcia as he slams Money for flaunting cash

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      CANELO ALVAREZ would knock out a prime Floyd Mayweather, his training partner Ryan Garcia has claimed.
      The four-weight world champion took on Money in September 2013 when he was a fresh-faced 23-year-old.

      Floyd Mayweather got the better of Canelo Alvarez seven years ago – when the Mexican was aged just 23Credit: Getty

      Ryan Garcia reckons this version of Canelo Alvarez would beat a prime Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty

      Mayweather, however, proved to be a bridge too far for the then-unbeaten Canelo, who was outboxed for 12 rounds on his way to suffering a unanimous decision defeat.
      The Mexican has come on leaps and bounds since that loss, going on to claim titles at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight.
      And Garcia reckons this current version of Canelo, rated as the best lb-for-lb boxer in the world, would wipe the floor with the Mayweather of old.
      In an interview with ESPN, the interim WBC lightweight champion said of a fantasy fight between the pair: “Canelo wins.

      “At his best, he is much smarter and knows how to manoeuvre in the ring much better.
      “Pretty Boy was good but if he went directly against Canelo, he would be knocked out. He would have to box and [Saul] is a big guy by nature.”
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      Garcia has immense respect for Mayweather’s skills inside the ring, although he’s not a fan of how he conducted himself once he made it to the top of the sport.

      He said: “What I had a problem with [when it came to] Floyd was how he represented himself when he got to the top.
      “He threw around the image of glorifying money. I don’t like that.”
      Despite being soundly beaten by Mayweather, Canelo is adamant things would be different if they were to share the ring again.

      Canelo Alvarez believes he’d get the better of Floyd Mayweather second time aroundCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The Mexican superstar said: “It’s different now. I’m [a] different fighter. I think he’s good too but I’m a different fighter now.
      “Maybe [it would be a] different fight.”
      Canelo, 30, is currently preparing for his February 27 defence of the WBA (Super), WBC, and Ring super-middleweight titles, which he’ll defend against mandatory challenger Anvi Yildirim.
      Mayweather, meanwhile, was set to be in action a week earlier against YouTuber Logan Paul, who he was scheduled to meet in an exhibition fight.
      The contest, however, has been postponed and currently doesn’t have a new date.

      Canelo Alvarez looks sharp on heavy bag as he prepares for ring return against Avni Yıldırım More

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      Floyd Mayweather calls out ex-friend 50 Cent AND Jake Paul after insisting he will return to ring in 2021

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER says he wants to fight 50 Cent and Jake Paul in mouthwatering boxing exhibitions this year.
      Money is scheduled to square off against Jake’s brother Logan first, but that won’t happen this month now having been ‘postponed for business reasons’.

      Floyd Mayweather wants to fight former best mate 50 Cent

      The boxing legend – whose fight with YouTuber Logan Paul has been postponed – is happy to fight his brother Jake as well

      But Mayweather isn’t letting that get him down, and has already two more huge fights in mind before the year is out.
      The undefeated boxer posted fight posters on his Instagram account for him versus Jake Paul and against former best pal turned enemy 50 Cent.
      Mayweather wrote on Instagram: “This year I will focus on several exhibitions. I will have an exhibition in Tokyo, Japan again.
      “Of course the one with Logan Paul and I; and if Jake Paul can get past his next opponent Ben Askren, I will have an exhibition with him as well.

      “I also heard that 50 Cent would fight me but claims I’m too small.
      “If he wants to lace up at the end of the year, we can do an exhibition then.
      “I don’t care about weight class with any of these guys.
      “The Paul brothers will make great money with the events, but with 50 Cent It has to be ‘Winner Take All’.”

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      Mayweather and 50 cent have had a very public falloutCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      If Mayweather does box 50 Cent, it would be just the next chapter in their long-running feud, which dates back to 2012.
      For much of Mayweather’s career, 50 Cent was an ever-present member of his entourage, in training camp and on fight nights.
      The music artist would rap the boxing legend into the ring and featured heavily on HBO’s behind-the-scenes ’24/7′ series.
      But in 2012, when Mayweather went to prison, Jackson claims to have helped set up The Money Team and says he was owed $2million.

      When Mayweather was released and showed no signs of paying up the trouble started, according to 50 Cent.
      Jackson has repeatedly accused Mayweather of running out of money – despite the 50-0 icon topping Forbes rich list of the decade with a £706m fortune.
      Mayweather’s last exhibition fight was a laughable one-sided encounter against kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in Japan in 2019.
      He retired from boxing undefeated after beating UFC legend Conor McGregor by KO in his last ever pro fight in 2017.

      50 Cent shows off hand speed with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in archive footage from 2013 More

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      Paige VanZant is more than an ‘Instagram model’ as ex-UFC star not afraid of being a ‘bloody mess’ says BKFC promoter

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      PAIGE VANZANT has been backed to prove she is not just an ‘Instagram model’ but a tough fighter who is not afraid of being a ‘bloody mess’.
      The American makes her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut on Friday night against former pro boxer Britain Hart.

      Paige VanZant has a massive online followingCredit: Instagram

      Former UFC star Paige VanZant had proved she can take a punchCredit: Sportsfile – Getty

      VanZant’s shock and brutal switch comes having been released by the UFC, where she left with an 8-5 MMA record.
      And BKFC president David Feldman insists any fans sceptical of her transition should look at some of the ex-UFC star’s gory battles in the cage as evidence she can take one to give one.
      Feldman told SunSport: “People say she’s an ‘Instagram model’, that kind of thing, but at the end of the day if you’ve seen her face in some of her fights she was a bloody mess.
      “She’s not afraid of bleeding, of getting hit, and this is what this sport is about – if you can get hit and throw a punch back you have a good chance of doing well.

      “Paige is a tough girl, she didn’t have to come to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, she came over to test herself.
      “That says a lot about the kind of fighter and athlete that she is. Am I expecting her to transition well? Yes I am.”
      Feldman launched BKFC in 2018 and has since welcomed former UFC and boxing veterans into his promotion.

      BKFC fighter Jason Knight

      Artem Lobov after a BKFC fight
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      His most high-profile fight was the brutal grudge match between Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov in 2020.
      Conor McGregor’s training partner Lobov won the bout on points which featured on pay-per-view.
      But securing 26-year-old VanZant – who starred on Dancing With The Stars and Sports Illustrated – has garnered the organisation’s greatest attention.
      And Feldman hopes the arrival will spark new interest in bare-knuckle boxing and help bring more eyes to the sport
      He explained: “She’s a really good fighter and also what I call an A-lister, a lot of people know her in the celebrity world.
      “She was on Dancing with The Stars, Sports Illustrated cover girl, so many different things that made her an attractive signing to us to bring fans that wouldn’t normally have watched.”

      Paige VanZant modelling for Sports Illustrated

      The ex-UFC star was on Dancing with the StarsCredit: 2015 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

      Paige VanZant will headline BKFC 15Credit: Instagram
      VanZant, who has created her own private website, will headline BKFC 15 in Florida off the back of no boxing or bare-knuckle experience.
      Her opponent Hart, 31, on the other hand has a 4-4-3 pro record and 1-2 in BKFC.
      Despite VanZant potentially becoming a promotional poster girl, Feldman warned she is in for the fight of her life.
      But he is confident the swimsuit cover girl can show looks can be deceiving as she experiences the exposed fist for the first time.
      Feldman said: “It’s going to be a tough match-up and I think Paige VanZant’s going to shock a lot of people.
      “I think she’s going to take a punch well, she’s got a very tough opponent in front of her in Brittany Hart.”

      Paige VanZant’s opponent Britain Hart

      Paige VanZant training for her BKFC debut

      Paige VanZant left the UFC with an 8-5 MMA recordCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Tyson Fury breaks down how Billy Joe Saunders can beat Canelo Alvarez and become P4P boxing king’s ‘kryptonite’

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      TYSON FURY backed Billy Joe Saunders to have the slippery southpaw skills to become Canelo Alvarez’s ‘kryptonite’.
      The super-middleweight pair were set to fight last May, until the coronavirus pandemic KO’d the clash.

      Tyson Fury pictured with pal Billy Joe SaundersCredit: Stevenage FC

      Unified super-middleweight world champion Canelo AlvarezCredit: USA TODAY Sports

      Instead, Saunders, 31, went on to send Martin Murray into retirement while Canelo won the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine belts against Callum Smith.
      The two are now on course to meet later on this year, so long as Alvarez, 30, gets past mandatory challenger Yildirim on February 27.
      And Fury, 32, is confident his close friend Saunders has all the tools in the box to dethrone pound-for-pound king Canelo.
      He told Gareth A Davies : “Me and Billy Joe Saunders, we are not journeymen, we are not in boxing for a payday,” he added.

      “We’re not in boxing to make some numbers up and get a few extra million quid in our bank. Not interested.
      “We would rather have zero money and win than take fights we’re not ready for.
      “He needs to be active and he will punch Canelo Alvarez all around the ring.
      “Canelo Alvarez’s kryptonite is someone who boxes and moves — southpaw, slick, good feet, good hand speed, good power.

      “Billy Joe Saunders does all of that, but he needs to be active.”
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      Fury’s concern of ring rust comes with Saunders having boxed only once in 2020.
      For similar reasons, the WBC heavyweight champion pointed to a lack of time in the UFC octagon for Conor McGregor’s loss to Dustin Poirier.
      Fury, who is in talks to face Anthony Joshua this year, has urged Saunders to fight frequently in order to conquer the middleweight or super-middle divisions.
      He said: “The one thing I say, he needs to be active. And the one thing he has not been, is active.
      “Just like me. When I’m active and I’m injury free, no one’s got a chance against me. Just like Billy Joe.

      Billy Joe Saunders is the WBO super-middleweight championCredit: PA:Press Association

      Canelo Alvarez pictured with his next opponent Avni YildirimCredit: Instagram @avniyildirim
      “No middle or super-middle in the world has got a chance when he’s active.
      “But the good old cliché with me and Billy Joe Saunders is we are never active. We have had more inactivity in our careers then we’ve had activity.
      “Billy Joe has had the one fight with Martin Murray which went on I don’t know how long.
      “For me to say what Billy Joe needs is Billy Joe needs another fight. And maybe another one after that.”

      Canelo Alvarez looks sharp on heavy bag as he prepares for ring return against Avni Yıldırım More

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      Mike Tyson brands Floyd Mayweather ‘enterprise’ fighter amid his plans to box Jake Paul and 50 Cent after Logan

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      MIKE TYSON has labelled Floyd Mayweather an ‘enterprise’ fighter as the former world champion looks to compete in celebrity exhibition bouts.
      The Baddest Man on the Planet – who has had a long-running feud with the 43-year-old – believes his American compatriot is focused more on the financial aspects of boxing.

      Mike Tyson has branded Floyd Mayweather an ‘enterprise’ fighterCredit: AFP – Getty

      Tyson – who once claimed he would ‘kick Mayweather’s a***’ if the two ever came to blows – took aim at the 1996 Olympic bronze medallist on his Hotboxin’ podcast.
      The 54-year-old said: “This is the time where I see more fighters, even like Floyd, I have to give him this, they’re more enterprise-oriented than we were when we were fighting.
      “There’s so much enterprise and they have a connection.
      “We had connections, but we were playing the game we’re playing.”

      His comments come after Mayweather spoke of his desire to face 50 Cent after his potential bouts against Logan and Jake Paul.
      The former five-weight world champ was set to face Logan Paul in an exhibition contest this month, but the fight has been pushed back due to ‘business’ reasons.
      Speaking of potential opponents, Mayweather wrote on Instagram: “This year I will focus on several exhibitions.
      “I will have an exhibition in Tokyo, Japan again.

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      How Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul compare ahead of their fight

      “Of course the one with Logan Paul and I, and if Jake Paul can get past his next opponent Ben Askren, I will have an exhibition with him as well.
      “I also heard that 50 Cent would fight me but claims I’m too small.
      “If he wants to lace up at the end of the year, we can do an exhibition then.
      “I don’t care about weight class with any of these guys.
      “The Paul brothers will make great money with the events, but with 50 Cent it has to be ‘Winner Take All’.”
      Other potential opponents for Mayweather include Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Manny Pacquiao.

      Floyd Mayweather calls out 50 Cent and Jake Paul after insisting he will return to ring in 2021 More

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      Floyd Mayweather and Jake Paul tale of the tape: How boxing legend and YouTube rival compare amid fight talks

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER is embroiled in a war of words with Jake Paul after he called out the YouTuber.
      Mayweather is set to fight older brother Logan, but the exhibition bout has been postponed from its initial February 20 date.

      How Floyd Mayweather and Jake Paul compare

      In the meantime, the 43-year-old legend is already plotting more money-spinning spectacles for the future.
      He opened the door to celebrity bouts with rapper and former friend 50 Cent as well as internet sensation Jake.
      The 2-0 boxer took it one step further by mocking Mayweather in a response video – and here SunSport details how the superstars compare.
      Floyd Mayweather
      Mayweather closed the curtain on his professional career in 2017 after beating former UFC champion Conor McGregor in ten rounds.

      He retired with a perfect 50-0 record and won world titles in five different weight classes while selling 29MILLION pay-per-view buys in total.
      Mayweather has maintained he will not risk his health and perfect 50-0 record against the current crop of top prospects or champions.
      But he has opened the door to spectacle fights against celebrities and UFC stars, starting with Logan Paul.
      It will be the first time he has fought anyone of Logan’s inexperience and social media status.

      He did wipe out featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in a 2018 exhibition in Tokyo, Japan, adding £7m to his fortune.
      Mayweather claims to have earned $1billion during his career and did top Forbes rich list of the decade in 2019.
      Jake is another candidate to help boost the American all-time great’s bank account while creating unforeseen fanfare across two sections of supporters.

      Floyd Mayweather in his last fight against Tenshin NasukawaCredit: AFP
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      Jake Paul
      The viral vlogger turned professional in 2020 and has recorded two knockout wins, against fellow YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
      He will fight for a third time in April facing former UFC welterweight Ben Askren, in a step up in experience and quality.
      Despite Jake accelerating through the novice stages of his career, he has already called out UFC legend Conor McGregor.
      And now he fancies a crack at boxing royalty Mayweather.
      Jake, like his older brother Logan, has a farcical skill and experience disparity compared to Mayweather.
      But he does have a THREE STONE weight and five inch height advantage.
      Jake is also coached by J’Leon Love – a former protege of Mayweather’s who will have a special insight on his former mentor.
      And while the 24-year-old may have little to offer in terms of pulling off an upset, he does have a huge online presence, with 20MILLION subscribers.
      He is also backed by the Triller app and billionaire businessman Ryan Kavanaugh, who will have the cash to front for Mayweather.

      Jake Paul, left, pictured with big brother LoganCredit: Instagram @jakepaul More

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      Controversial Billy Joe Saunders denies taunting Barry McGuigan over deceased daughter with Instagram posts

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      BILLY JOE SAUNDERS has been forced to defend himself after being accused of taunting Barry McGuigan over his deceased daughter.
      The controversial boxer had attacked the Irish promoter online following McGuigan’s appearance on BBC’s Panorama ‘Boxing and the Mob’.

      Billy Joe Saunders has been forced to defend his commentsCredit: PA:Press Association

      McGuigan, 59, was critical about Daniel Kinahan, who is the co-founder of rival management company MTK.
      The documentary highlighted Kinahan’s links to gang-related crime, drugs and his influence in boxing.
      Saunders, 31, and WBC champ Tyson Fury are just two big names signed up with MTK.
      After the programme aired, Saunders took to social media to aim numerous jibes at McGuigan.

      One included posting a picture of a rat alongside the caption: “Anyone know where I can get a cage for Barry? Just look at him, he is a bit scruffy and slimy.”
      Another said: “Barry McGuigan give yourself a good look in the mirror. #RobinHood”
      But a post soon after read: “Any flower shops for Valentine’s so I can send my daughter? Thank you, DM me.”
      McGuigan’s daughter, Danika, tragically passed away aged 33 in 2019 after a battle with cancer.

      Barry McGuigan appeared on BBC’s Panorama show

      Joe Saunders started making derogatory posts about McGuigan

      Tyson Fury, left, pictured with Daniel KinahanCredit: Refer to Caption
      On Wednesday Saunders then uploaded pictures of his daughter alongside the caption #PostYourDaughterChallenge.
      His post was then picked up by promoter Lou DiBella who interpreted it as a dig at McGuigan’s loss and slammed the English WBO super-middleweight title holder.
      DiBella said: “This is reprehensible. Even in the cesspool that is boxing.
      “This is simply unacceptable and if our sport had governance there would be severe ramifications. Using the tragic death of a man’s daughter to abuse him is inhuman. For f***’s sake.”
      But Saunders defended his posts by claiming he saw the #PostYourDaughter challenge on Facebook and wanted to take part while posting a screenshot as evidence.
      He said: “Lou DiBella, ‘post your daughter challenge’ today on Facebook which I did on Instagram [and] Facebook.
      “I certainly do not talk about the dead as I’m not that sick, so please don’t lower my name by tweeting that I’m suggesting anybody that is not with us anymore.
      “Get your facts right. You’re f***ing sick to even post something like that when I have a young beautiful daughter of my own you sick individual.”

      @loudibella post your daughter challenge today on Facebook which I did on Instagram Facebook I certainly do not talk about the dead as I’m not that sick so please don’t lower my name by tweeting that I’m suggesting anybody that is not with us anymore get your facts right before. pic.twitter.com/jMinCsNdTQ
      — billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) February 3, 2021

      BJS also posted a screenshot of a message sent to a florist regarding flowers for his daughter before writing another statement protesting his innocence.
      He said: “On Twitter I’m getting a lot of negative feedback because on my Instagram and Facebook there was a daughter challenge and I put my daughter up, my young beautiful daughter.
      “I put that up with the floristry because I’ve got a flower company for Valentine’s for my daughter.
      “[People] are suggesting that I’m aiming that at a certain ex-boxer’s daughter who passed away, which obviously I’m very sorry about.
      “Yes, what I said about McGuigan and posted about McGuigan – I do think he’s a horrible man, but I would never lower my standards and talk about the dead…
      “Please do not suggest that I talk about the dead, I’ve had very close loved ones who’ve passed away.

      “For people to suggest I’d talk about the daughter, a dead daughter, when I’ve for a young daughter of my own – you scumbags, grow up, all get a life.”
      Last March Joe Saunders was forced to apologise after being filmed ‘showing men how to hit women’ during the coronavirus lockdown.
      He also caused anger by claiming women ‘are there for hard sex, cleaning and cooking’.

      Billy Joe Saunders says he doesn’t rate Chris Eubank Jr at world level More