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      Manny Pacquiao STRIPPED of WBA world title amid Ryan Garcia fight talks with Yordenis Ugas elevated to champion

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      MANNY PACQUIAO has been STRIPPED of his WBA welterweight world title with Yordenis Ugas elevated to champion.
      The governing body announced the news online, and confirmed PacMan is the ‘champion in recess’.

      Manny Pacquiao has been stripped of his WBA welterweight world titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Yordenis Ugas has been elevated to WBA champion Credit: Sean Michael Ham

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      It means the Filipino icon, 42, would likely be given the chance to immediately challenge for his old belt once he makes his return.
      Cuban Ugas, 34, now stands to benefit, after he was upgraded from the WBA’s secondary ‘Regular’ champion.
      The WBA announced per their ruling, when a champion is unable to defend the belt for medical, legal or other reasons beyond his control, he may be named champion in recess.

      Pacquiao, 41, has not fought since he won the title against Keith Thurman in July 2019.
      But due to the coronavirus pandemic, he has not been able to make a comeback – falling into the ‘other reasons beyond his control’ section.
      Pacquiao was in talks to fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor this year, with the pair both represented by Paradigm Sports management.
      But after McGregor, 32, suffered a shock knockout loss to Dustin Poirier, also 32, on his UFC return, the lucrative boxing match was shelved.

      Instead, Pacquiao moved on to lightweight sensation Ryan Garcia, 22, who is a stone lighter and 20 years younger.

      Ryan Garcia pictured with Manny Pacquiao Credit: Instagram @mannypacquiao

      They are still in negotiations, as it emerged the super-fight could be competed as an exhibition.
      But Garcia was quick to insist it will be a REAL fight, and nothing will stop him from trying to KO Pacquiao, who he considers a hero of his.
      He told ESPN: “The fight is going to be a fight.
      “Whether they named it an exhibition or a real certified match, I’m throwing punches like I’m trying to knock Manny Pacquiao out.
      “If you get two people in the ring with 8- or 10-ounce gloves with no headgear, you tell me if that would be an exhibition or a real fight, knowing that we’re both real fighters.
      “I’m not going in there to throw pillow punches. I’m throwing the punches I throw and I’m sure Manny will throw the punches he throws.
      “You guys can call it whatever you want.”

      Ryan Garcia promises 2 round knockout to Gervonta Davis More

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      Jake Paul will ‘wish he was still a Disney kid star’, says ex-UFC star Ben Askren as he predicts round 7 TKO win

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      BEN ASKREN said Jake Paul will ‘wish he was still a Disney kid star’ after their bout.
      The ex-UFC welterweight, who retired in 2019, will become internet sensation Paul’s third professional boxing opponent on April 17.

      Ben Askren predicted he will TKO Jake Paul in round seven Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Jake Paul was formerly a Disney Channel actor Credit: Alamy

      And, despite going in as underdog with the bookies, he predicts he will KO the YouTuber in the seventh round.
      Ahead of the fight Askren, 36, poked fun at his opponent’s prior career as a Disney Channel actor while he broke down how he thinks the fight will go.
      He told MMA Junkie: “It’ll probably maybe be relatively competitive in the first couple rounds (until) he starts to slow down and I start to land a lot more punches, a lot of volume.
      “The seventh round I’m going to TKO him and he’s going to wish he was still a Disney kid star.”

      Askren left the UFC after consecutive defeats, to Jorge Masvidal and then Damian Maia.
      Masvidal’s win was the quickest in UFC history, after he won in five seconds following a flying knee.
      Askren has since had hip replacement, last September, in retirement before accepting a deal to fight Paul, 24.
      Social media star Paul won his pro debut in January 2020, stopping fellow vlogger ‘AnEsonGib’ in round one.

      He followed it up with a viral knockout against ex-NBA player Nate Robinson in November.
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      Paul has since campaigned to fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor, and even went after Dana White in the pursuit.
      Askren, who himself had a frosty relationship with White, revealed he spoke with the promoter about his boxing debut.
      He needed permission from the UFC to take the fight, having still been under contract with them.
      And while they appear to have patched things up, they both share a similar view on Paul.
      Askren said: “He does not seem to like Jake Paul too much, that’s seeming to be totally true.
      “We had a nice phone call. Probably the most cordial phone call Dana and I have ever had.
      “Both Dana and Hunter (Campbell) were relatively easy. They didn’t really have many complaints.”

      Jake Paul works out with Jorge Masvidal who knocked out Askren in 5 seconds More

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      Manny Pacquiao accuses Conor McGregor of ‘underestimating’ Dustin Poirier in build-up to stunning KO defeat at UFC 257

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      MANNY PACQUIAO accused Conor McGregor of underestimating Dustin Poirier before his stunning UFC 257 knockout loss.
      McGregor had previously stopped Poirier in under two minutes of their featherweight fight in 2014.

      Manny Pacquiao reckons Conor McGregor underestimated Dustin PoirierCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Dustin Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor at UFC 257Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      But in last week’s rematch, the American returned the favour and subjected Notorious to his third UFC defeat.
      It also put McGregor’s return to the boxing to face Pacquiao on the shelf with the Irishman compelled to fight for his reputation in the UFC instead.
      But PacMan will still have one eye on how his fellow southpaw bounces back from the devastating setback.
      Pacquiao, 42, told ABS-CBN News: “Losing is part of the game. In sport there are winners and losers, that’s all. 

      “It is not about defeat, but about how you accept defeat in your life: how you get over that difficult time in your life.
      “McGregor had already beaten his rival before and I think that made him underestimate him.”
      McGregor, 32, lost his boxing debut in 2017, as Floyd Mayweather finished the fight in round ten.
      But the former UFC champion fancied another lucrative escapade in the ring against boxing royalty.

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      He revealed before his return to the octagon that talks were intensifying between himself and Pacquiao, with the pair both managed by Paradigm Sports.
      But McGregor can forget all about the Filipino icon for now, after his representative confirmed the eight-division champion is no longer pursuing McGregor.
      Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao promotions, told SunSport: “Very unfortunate, it looked like Conor looked past Dustin and got knocked out.
      “Maybe he had the Senator on his mind. I think the demand for the fight is not there presently.
      “Conor has some business to clean up and handle in the UFC. 
      “It’s a bummer, it could have been fun for as long as it lasted and know leg kicks would have made a world of difference.”

      Justin Gaethje threatens to never fight in the UFC again if Conor McGregor is handed title shot in his next bout More

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      Jake Paul thinks ‘too highly of his own skills’, says Ben Askren as ex-UFC star vows to ‘beat up’ YouTuber in ring

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      BEN ASKREN claimed Jake Paul thinks ‘too highly of his own skills’ and vowed to ‘beat up’ the YouTuber.
      Askren, a former UFC welterweight who retired in 2019, will face the internet sensation on April 17 in the boxing ring.

      Ben Askren will fight Jake Paul on April 17 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Jake Paul has won his first two fights as a pro boxer Credit: AP:Associated Press

      It will be Paul’s third professional bout, having already beaten social media rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.
      And, with the Askren not renowned for his striking skills in the cage, the vlogger has again been made favourite by pundits and fellow fighters.
      But Askren, who lost just twice in his 22 MMA bouts, warns Paul, 24, won’t have it so easy now he comes face-to-face with an experienced fighter.
      Asked if he was surprised by Paul being favoured by the masses, Askren told SunSport: “Nope, a lot of stupid people exist.  

      “I was literally only rocked one time in 21 fights and ten-plus years of training.”
      Askren won titles in Bellator and ONE Championship before finally signing for the UFC in 2018.
      He beat Robbie Lawler on his debut, but suffered a historic loss against Jorge Masvidal four months later.
      Masvidal’s flying knee FIVE SECONDS into the fight made it the quickest win in UFC history.

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      After Askren was beaten by Damian Maia in October 2019, he retired and underwent hip surgery.
      The ex-USA wrestling champion insists he ‘feels great’ having gone under the knife in September and predicts a round seven KO against Paul.
      Despite the millionaire video star’s lack of fighting experience, Askren admits it will not be his easiest night’s work.
      But he does feel Paul is his least qualified challenger, who has has had his ego boosted with easy knockovers against ring novices.
      Askren, 36, said: “I think that the lack of skill of his opponents has made him think a little too highly of his own skills.  
      “Seeing as I have had a few fights last under 90 seconds I don’t think it will be the easiest fight.  I do think Jake is the least skilled. 
      “April 17 I am going to beat Jake up, what he decides to do after that is up to him.”

      YouTuber Jake Paul after a sparring session Credit: Instagram / @brutalbostwick

      Ben Askren retired from the UFC in 2019 Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Askren is not the only one to questions Paul’s thin resume of inexperienced opponents, with fans calling for the American celebrity to face a real test.
      Robinson, 36, was KO’d and became a meme after he was left out cold in round two last November.
      Paul has promised the same viral treatment of Askren, but recognised he is faces a step up in competition.
      After the fight announcement, he said: “The world complained because I knocked out a basketball player and not a real fighter.
      “So now I’m giving the people what they want by taking on a ‘real fighter.’
      “After Ben Askren is added to my knockout meme collection, what can anybody say?
      “Thank you to Triller Fight Club for giving me the platform to once again put a man to sleep. April 17, it’s lights out for Askren.”

      Jake Paul hits the pads in training for April 17 boxing return More

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      Anthony Joshua practises new left hook he aims to KO Tyson Fury with ‘instead of uppercut’ as contract talks rumble on

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has taken to Instagram to show off his new left hook power shot.
      The 31-year-old is preparing to take part in one of the biggest bouts in British boxing history when he fights Tyson Fury later this year.

      Joshua is hard at work in the gymCredit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshua

      AJ showed off his brutal punching power on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshua

      AJ is considered by some as the match-up’s underdog – with Mike Tyson claiming that his ‘telegraphed’ punches are a ‘recipe for disaster’ against the Gypsy King.
      Joshua is having none of it, however, and took to social media to show off his explosive power.
      He captioned a video of himself throwing vicious left hooks at a pad: “If it ain’t the upper cut it’ll be the left hook…”
      While Joshua is hard at work in the gym, his promoter Eddie Hearn is putting in a similar amount of effort in getting the fight contract sorted.

      The 41-year-old Matchroom supremo is locked in talks with Frank Warren and Bob Arum over getting details ironed out.
      And according to Hearn, things are progressing well.
      He told the Mail: “The first draft of the contract has now gone out to Bob Arum, which is obviously a good thing.
      “The contract reflects the positive nature of the discussions we have had so far around this fight.

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      “We now await their comments before we all move on to agreeing a location. We hope to have something signed within the next two weeks.”
      Arum himself opened up to talkSPORT earlier this week on the talks.
      He said: “I talked to Eddie yesterday.
      “Eddie, with the Joshua people, will have the first draft of the contract to us on Tuesday.
      “And then I will circulate it to Frank [Warren], to Tyson and to the various lawyers.
      “We’ll then get back to Eddie with our comments and I really believe that this is pretty much a no-brainer because everybody are professionals and want this to happen.
      “So I think shortly we’ll be able to tie this up and then jointly select the site.”
      Hopes had been raised that the ‘Battle of Britain’ clash would be able to take place on home soil.

      But with the restrictions and uncertainty, we’re looking for a site someplace else – be it the Middle East or Asia
      Bob Arum

      But given the current uncertainty in the UK, the highly-anticipated bout is more likely to take place in the Middle East or Asia.
      Arum continued: “The appropriate place would’ve been the United Kingdom.
      “But with the restrictions and uncertainty, we’re looking for a site someplace else – be it the Middle East or Asia.
      “And I’m sure that once we get this document signed, we’ll jointly be able to select the site and get it announced.”

      Mike Tyson claims Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua is a recipe for disaster More

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      Jake Paul in talks to face UFC star Nate Diaz as YouTuber reveals ‘he wants to do it, he has two fights left’

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      JAKE PAUL has revealed he is in talks for a boxing match with UFC star Nate Diaz.
      The YouTuber is currently undefeated since getting his boxing licence and has his eyes set on a number of huge showdowns.

      Jake Paul is in talks to box another UFC star

      The YouTuber claims he and Nate Diaz are discussing a potential showdown

      Having previously called out superstar Conor McGregor and Dillon Danis, he is now due to have his third bout in three months against another UFC performer.
      Paul has reportedly agreed a deal to go one-on-one in the boxing ring with Ben Askren on April 17.
      However, even though the 24-year-old insists he is ‘not looking past’ Askren, he has admitted he is already in negotiations for another big showdown.
      And he says Diaz ‘wants to do it’ after the ‘last two fights’ left on his UFC deal.

      Paul told Heavy.com: “We’re talking to Diaz’s team. He wants to do it as well.
      “He has two more fights with the UFC apparently. So we’ll see what happens. If he frees up from the UFC, that’s the fight.”
      Diaz is widely-regarded as one of the best boxers in MMA but has never fought professionally as one.
      And Paul, the younger brother of fellow social media mega-star turned boxer Logan, believes he would produce a clinic against the ‘Stockton Slugger’ if they ever get it on.

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      He added: “Diaz started talking s*** to me. Bro, Diaz is a punching bag, the guy just goes into fights and walks forward.
      “They’re different sports. He’s tough, but a lot of guys are tough. So the Diaz fight makes sense, and he’ll get tatted up.
      “I would love to fight Nate Diaz after Askren. But we’re not overlooking Ben Askren.”
      Paul is 2-0 as a professional boxer and recently fought on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s return to the ring in his draw with Roy Jones Jr. 
      That night he produced an explosive performance to KO ex-NBA player Nate Robinson in the second round.
      He won his first fight in January 2020 with a first round TKO victory over fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib.
      Meanwhile, his brother Logan is due to battle the legendary Floyd Mayweather later this year.

      Jake Paul makes Ben Askren fight prediction and claims ex-UFC star ‘won’t even hit me’ More

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      Jake Paul talks up fight against ‘b****’ KSI to avenge brother Logan’s loss as rival responds with ‘rent free’ remark

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      JAKE PAUL has continued his push for a boxing career by attempting to lure KSI into a fight.
      With former UFC star Ben Askren up next in the YouTuber’s third professional contest, he is already looking beyond that for a revenge bout with KSI.

      KSI downed YouTube rival Logan Paul in a 2019 fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Jake Paul has challenged the Brit to a match-up in London

      The British internet sensation downed Jake’s brother Logan in a fight of their own in 2019, after an initial draw.
      YouTuber Paul attempted to goad KSI into a match-up with a Twitter tirade, calling the 27-year-old a ‘b****’.
      He tweeted: “KSI just said he needs a pro boxing license to train in the UK? These excuses are getting worse & worse.
      “I just moved my whole team across the United States to Miami to train.

      “This kid is a millionaire & has all the resources to find a way to train.
      “KSI is officially a b****.

      “And KSI we can do an exhibition… we don’t need to go through the whole license process.
      “Anywhere. Anytime. Any place. I’ll do it in London so you can have all your fans there & you can be the A-side.

      “No one will remember who was A-Side when I turn you into a meme. No excuses now.”

      & KSI we can do an exhibition..we don’t need to go through the whole license processAnywhere. Anytime. Any place.I’ll do it in London so you can have all your fans there & u can be the A-side😁No one will remember who was A-Side when I turn you into a memeNo excuses now😁
      — Jake Paul (@jakepaul) January 28, 2021

      Paul is currently in training for March’s fight with Askren and recently worked out with MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal.
      KSI has not fought since the Los Angeles split decision win over Logan.
      In what was evidently a reply to Paul, he tweeted: “Rent free in his head lmao.”
      Whether he will return to boxing remains to be seen with an appearance on Great British Bake Off and collaboration with popstar Anne-Marie recently announced.

      KSI vs Logan Paul PPV figures flop with less UK buys than Frampton vs Quigg in 2016 More

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      Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua being hunted by unbeaten Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov nicknamed ‘The Lion

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      RUSSIAN heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov wants to become an obstacle between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
      Makhmudov, 31, steps back into the ring on March 20 in his quest to become a heavyweight champion.

      Makhmudov, left, wants to become mandatory to the winner of AJ vs FuryCredit: PA:Press Association

      Known as ‘The Lion’ he has won each of his 11 fights including technical knockouts in the first round of his last two fights.
      Although his opponent for the scrap on the Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Maurice Hooker card in Dallas is unknown, Makhmudov has lofty ambitions.
      Fury and AJ’s blockbuster showdown is deep in negotiations and Makhmudov is aiming to become mandatory to take on the winner.
      His promoter, Camille Estephan, told Sky Sports: “He will be featured in the co-main event in Dallas on March 20.

      “We want Arslanbek to continue to climb, getting the international exposure in order to become a ‘must fight’ for the champions.
      “He is avoided like the plague. We want to put him in a mandatory position.”
      Estephan added that only the best in the division will stand a chance with Makhmudov in the ring.
      He added: “I believe the only opposition that can compete is really the champions and top-five contenders.

      Joshua is expected to fight Tyson Fury in JuneCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd

      Tyson Fury’s team have received a contract worth £200mCredit: PA

      “They are not willing to fight him unfortunately as they are so close to potential multi-million dollar flights, so they don’t want to risk it.”
      Fury vs Joshua is one step closer to being announced after Eddie Hearn sent a £200million contract to Frank Warren and Bob Arum.
      A final agreement could be reached within two weeks, according to Hearn.
      Joshua’s Essex based promoter also confirmed the fight will take place in June.

      Anthony Joshua practices new left hook power shot he aims to KO Tyson Fury with as he trains while contract talks go on More