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BOXING champion Patrick Teixeira called Conor McGregor a ‘delusional clown’ and said he would ‘exterminate’ the UFC star. McGregor, who lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather in 2017, is eyeing a return to the ring against another legend in Manny Pacquiao. And he also made the lofty ambition of promising to win a world […] More
CONOR McGREGOR accepted Oscar De La Hoya’s challenge after the Golden Boy vowed to KO him in two rounds.
De La Hoya 47, retired from boxing after losing to Manny Pacquiao in 2008.
Conor McGregor accepted Oscar De La Hoya’s offer last yearCredit: Getty Images
De La Hoya vowed to KO McGregor in two roundsCredit: Handout – Getty
But that didn’t stop him from calling out UFC superstar McGregor last summer.
McGregor will take on Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi at UFC 257 this weekend, and he has plenty of future fight offers.
De La Hoya told State of Combat: “Oh come on brother, two rounds [against McGregor].
“One thing about me, I went for the kill, always.
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“Look, McGregor, I love him in the Octagon, I respect him.
“I watch him all the time but the boxing ring is a whole different story.”
McGregor responded to De La Hoya’s threat, tweeting: “I accept your challenge.”
Should they clash in the boxing ring, McGregor could have a tough time.
De La Hoya is a lineal champ in three weight divisions and won 39 of his 45 fights.
And McGregor recently admitted he would have to change his style after being taught a lesson in his 2017 boxing fight with Floyd Mayweather.
McGregor said: “I actually look at the Mayweather fight, the shots on the bag and the way I was punching and I actually can’t even watch that.
“I shiver when I see the way I was throwing my punches back then. I just wasn’t sitting right on them, just floating through the air.
“Now I’m getting into positions and sitting in. Got to go through everything to learn, to truly learn. Experience is the best teacher of all.”
The Golden Boy recently said he’s targeting early 2021 for a comeback.
He told DAZN: “I’m 90 percent positive that I’m coming back the first quarter of next year.”
And he added: “I’m open to fighting GGG!”
Canelo open to Conor McGregor fight as he fires warning to UFC star with brutal display of power on punching bag More
TYSON FURY has been offered sparring by ‘devastating’ puncher Raphael Akpejiori ahead of a fight with Anthony Joshua.
Fury, 32, and Joshua, 31, are still in the negotiation period with their proposed £200million undisputed title decider drawing closer.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are in talks to fight Credit: Richard Pelham
Raphael Akpejiori has offered Tyson Fury sparring
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With preparation ramping up, heavyweight contender Akpejiori has urged the Gypsy King to fly to Miami for some sparring sessions.
The Nigerian – who has called out AJ before – also trains with Christian Thun, a camp member in Joshua’s last fight.
And Akpejiori reckons he is the perfect man to imitate the WBA, IBF and WBO champion for Fury.
He told Sky Sports: “Right now Miami is a hotbed for heavyweight boxing training.
“We have Christian here. We have Ivan Dychko here. At some point, we had Bakhodir Jalolov here. We had Filip Hrgovic here, Cassius Chaney here.
“If he wants to come to Miami to spar, he is guaranteed to have high-quality sparring. It would be a great place for him.
If he wants to fight someone with devastating knockout power and he wants to prep for that, then he is going to have to come spar with me and with Christian, or the other heavyweights that are here. Especially me.
“It’s a great place for him, he should consider it.”
Akpejiori’s gym-mate Thun was one of several sparring partners who were brought over to Joshua’s Sheffield training camp last year.
And he watched as AJ knocked out Kubrat Pulev in round nine to set up a Battle of Britain with Fury.
But Thun, 28, arrived back in America with a first hand experience of sharing the ring Joshua and shared the secrets with his gym partner.
Akpejiori, 30, said: “He sparred with Joshua, a few months ago before Joshua’s last fight. I spar with him as often as possible.
“We’ve talked about the guys who have sparred him (Thun), their tendencies, their weaknesses and their strengths.
“He said AJ was a very athletic guy, who throws punches in combinations.
“He’s not a guy who will just throw a one-two, he’s a guy who will throw one-two-three-four.
“He thinks very highly of AJ. Anthony Joshua is a guy that you would learn a lot from in sparring.
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight location CONFIRMED with both boxing stars to earn around £73million, Bob Arum says More
JAKE PAUL once again called out Conor McGregor as he labelled the UFC superstar ‘the world’s biggest chicken’.
Social media phenomenon Paul is not giving up in his tireless pursuit of fighting the Irishman.
Jake Paul once again called out Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram @jakepaul
Jake Paul labelled Conor McGregor ‘the world’s biggest chicken’Credit: Instagram @jakepaul
CONOR MCGREGOR BETTING OFFER: 50/1 FOR FIRST ROUND VICTORY New William Hill customers | Mobile only | 18+| UK and Ireland |T&Cs
In his latest Instagram post, the 2-0 American tucks into some chicken while accusing McGregor of avoiding him.
Paul, 24, said: “I love all chickens, besides Conor McGregor. He is the world’s biggest chicken.
“Conor, you were just talking about me in the media saying, ‘If it makes money, it makes sense.
“I offered you $50 million, you’re getting paid $5million to fight Dustin Poirier. I think you’re a chicken.”
Paul is referencing McGregor’s interview with Bloomberg, where he was asked about the new wave of YouTubers crossing over to the ring.
He said: “As they say, if it makes dollars, it makes sense. I know Dana [White] and the UFC are not really into it, but I’m not so against it.
“I think if people are willing to get in and take the risk of making that walk, I’m certainly a viewer.”
McGregor did not address Paul’s viral callout, where he called the former two-weight UFC champion an ‘Irish c***’ and claimed he sent him a £37m ($50m) fight offer.
The 32-year-old has appeared uninterested in engaging with Paul, instead focussing on his UFC return on Saturday, against Poirier.
But McGregor has revealed talks are progressing for a boxing match between himself and Manny Pacquiao, 42.
Despite giving Paul the silent treatment, the southpaw’s training partner Dylan Moran has been caught in the crosshairs of the feud.
Paul mocked McGregor for sparring the 26-year-old, and uploaded a video of the welterweight’s only ever defeat, a third round knockout.
The internet sensation again went after 15-1 Moran, by using a clip of his loss as he called to fight The Notorious.
Paul said: “You have never been offered $50million to fight someone, meanwhile you’re sparring guys who get knocked out by this dude.”
Jake Paul is chasing a fight with Conor McGregor Credit: AP:Associated Press
Conor McGregor pictured ahead of his UFC return More
FLOYD MAYWEATHER shocked fans by revealing his head of hair while showing off his car collection.
Mayweather has sported a bald head since around 2008 but once claimed he got his hair cut up to THREE TIMES a week, paying his barber £2,000.
Floyd Mayweather showing off his new hair Credit: Instagram
Floyd Mayweather showed off his car collection to fans Credit: Instagram
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But now, it remains unclear whether he is growing his hair out, or if he has had a transplant.
Best friend-turned rival 50 Cent recently speculated the 43-year-old has undergone surgery, also on his beard.
And after fans tuned into Mayweather’s Instagram live, they shared a similar theory.
One said: “Can’t even pay attention to the pretty ass cars because his hair implants are distracting.”
Another said: “Mad weird seeing Mayweather with hair. Been so used to the baldy.”
Is anybody gonna talk about his fakeoooo beard lol
— Fawwaz Ahmed (@FawwiProduction) January 19, 2021
Floyd Mayweather looks less rich with hair 😂 some people actually suit being bald
— ☔️ (@_JordanBrown23) January 19, 2021
Mad weird seeing Mayweather with hair. Been so used to the baldy.
— Bayo Bond (@bayobond) January 19, 2021
In the clip, Mayweather asks viewers what car he should take out today, pointing towards his Lamborghini Aventador, Bentley and Ferrari 488 and 599.
The 50-0 legend has a huge motor collection, believed to total around £20m.
The multimillionaire – who topped Forbes rich list of the decade with a£706MILLION fortune in 2019 – then laughed at ‘comedians’ who say he is ‘hurting’.
Mayweather retired as a professional in 2017, after beating UFC star Conor McGregor, banking north of £300m for his round ten win.
But in 2018 he returned for an exhibition bout against featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, pocketing £7m for under two minutes of work.
Despite not fighting since, Mayweather will make his comeback in February in his most daring money-making scheme yet.
The all-time great faces YouTuber Logan Paul in a similar pay-per-view extravaganza, which promises to be more spectacle than competition.
Floyd Mayweather pictured training amid his comeback Credit: 100kthedon More
CONOR MCGREGOR has suggested he’s open to boxing YouTube star Jake Paul.
Paul, the younger brother of fellow YouTuber Logan, has been gunning for a blockbuster showdown with the UFC’s poster boy ever since his demolition of Nate Robinson last November.
Jake Paul has been gunning for a boxing match with Conor McGregorCredit: INSTAGRAM@JAKEPAUL
Conor McGregor is seemingly open to boxing Jake PaulCredit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA
McGregor has ignored the social media star’s multiple call-outs and his direct message on Instagram, although he’s now addressed the possibility of facing the 23-year-old.
When asked about the Paul brothers and other celebs entering the ring, McGregor told Bloomberg: “Am I into those competitions myself?
“You know it’s not the most high-level – if any level – at that stage.
“Obviously the [Mike] Tyson vs [Roy] Jones [Jr] fight was very high level and very interesting to see what they’re like in their older age. I thought they both fought amazingly.
“As they say, if it makes dollars, it makes sense. I know Dana [White] and the UFC are not really into it, but I’m not so against it.
“I think if people are willing to get in and take the risk of making that walk, I’m certainly a viewer.”
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McGregor, 32, is currently eyeing a multi-million-pound showdown with WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who is represented by the same management company as the Irishman.
The Notorious told Sports Net: “It’s almost a certainty. I’m hearing there’s contracts and all coming. It’s that close.
“So, I don’t, I haven’t spoke — it should happen 2021. Like I said I want to get my MMA game going a bit more as well.
“Look, I’m fighting [Dustin] Poirier who’s a southpaw, Manny’s a southpaw.
“I’ve been fighting professional boxers in the gym, sparring with southpaw boxers in the gym in preparation not just for Dustin but for Manny.
“I’ve had shorter, 5’5 rockets coming at me, you know what I mean.”
Before McGregor can think about sharing the ring with Pacman, he must first win his long-awaited return to the octagon – which takes place this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
McGregor’s first outing in over a year will headline UFC 257 on Saturday night and will see him lock horns with former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier.
The fight will be a rematch of the pair’s meeting six years ago at UFC 178, which McGregor won in devastating fashion to announce himself to the world as a legitimate featherweight title contender.
McGregor is eyeing an even better performance in his desert showdown with The Diamond, saying: “I will knock Dustin out inside 60 seconds.”
He added: “I love Dustin, I think he’s a good fighter. He’s even a great fighter, you know? But great is still levels below me.”
UFC 257 will take place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island and will close out the promotion’s third ‘Fight Island’ run.
Jake Paul calls out Conor McGregor protege Dylan Moran More
GAME OF THRONES star Hafthor ‘Thor’ Bjornsson battled Irishman Steven Ward in a lively boxing debut ahead of his HUGE clash vs strongman rival Eddie Hall this September.
And Hall has responded by posting a brutal sparring clip from his training for the Vegas mega-fight later this year.
Follow ALL the latest fight news and updates with our live blog below…
HALL OF PAIN
Eddie Hall has broken his silence after the Thor fight.
Here’s the video he’s uploaded on to his YouTube page, looking devastating against his sparring partners…
THOR VS HALL
Thor has been cutting in his words for future rival Eddie Hall, who he is expected to face in his second ever bout latest this year.
“I hope Eddie does this as well as I want him to be at his best,” he said before his draw with Steven Ward.
“I don’t want him making excuses that he didn’t have the preparation I had. I believe if he doesn’t do this then I’ll knock him out in the first round.”
‘BIG HEART’
Thor was full of praise for cruiserweight Ward after the lively draw: “Steven is unbelievable. I doubt many people would want to step into a ring with someone my size.
“Stevie has a big heart. To come here and do this exhibition with me means a lot. I needed that experience.
“Steven is the same height as my opponent in September, and this was great.”
BOXING CLEVER
Thor’s team will be very pleased with his mobility and ring awareness showed in that tune up, his first boxing match.
The big man says he plans to fight a few more times as his preparations continue for September’s fight against strongman rival Eddie Hall.
FIGHT REPLAY
Thor has uploaded the full video of his bout against Steven Ward to his YouTube channel.
Relive ALL of the action here…
‘SHOOK ME TO MY BOOTS’
Steven Ward says one of Hafthor Bjornsson’s punches shook him to his boots.
He commented: “I’ve never seen a big man like that move so well. He hit me one shot. It shook me to my boots.
“So, I started running. It was great being back, though. Thanks to everyone who came out.”
‘K.O EDDIE HALL’
Thor has vowed to knock out Eddie Hall after making his boxing debut in the exhibition draw vs Steven Ward.
The heavyweight pair do battle in Las Vegas later this year in September.
He said: “I have huge respect for this sport, this is just the beginning.
“I will be in the best shape of my life in September this year and I will knock Eddie Hall out.
FULL FIGHT REPLAY
Catch the full replay of the fight right here on Thor’s very own YouTube page.
A lively draw capped a solid boxing debut for the big man as he continues his training for Eddie Hall.
THOR VS WARD FIGHT REPORT
From Wally Downes Jr
Brave Steven Ward survived his crazy fight with man-mountain Hafthor Bjornsson.
The 6ft 9in Iceland strongman and Game of Thrones star needed a warm-up bout before fighting fellow giant Eddie Hall in the heaviest fight in boxing history in September and picked the Irish cruiserweight.
Bjornsson weighed a giant 24st for the three-round Dubai exhibition and towered over 13-1 full-time boxer Ward who was 15st.
Southpaw Bjornsson, who shed a massive 8st of bulk for the Middle East showdown, held the centre of the ring and let Belfast boxer Ward dance around him in front of a full-house at the Conrad hotel.
THOR SPEAKS
Thor has spoken on Instagram after his first boxing fight.
The Mountain will fight again soon as his preparations for his HUGE boxing fight vs Eddie Hall continue.
He posted after the fight: “This was great! Thank you all for the positive feedback! I’ll be doing more exhibition matches in my preparation for my main fight in September. Who should I fight next?”
THOR-T CRIME
Eddie Hall can hardly wait to get in the ring with Hafthor Bjornsson, who he accused of “smearing him with lies” by labelling him a cheat after his World’s Strongest Man victory.
Ahead of Bjornsson’s fight with Steven Ward, Hall said: “When I achieved my dream of winning World’s Strongest Man three years ago, I couldn’t get wait to get back to Britain to thank everyone and share the title.
“Before I even got home to my friends and family to tell them the news, one man took bad sportsmanship to a whole new level and it was plastered all over the world’s media.
“This is a quote from Hafthor Bjornsson: ‘I was robbed.’
“For the last three years, instead of answering questions about how I defeated some of the greatest strongmen to ever live, Hafthor included, instead I had people questioning whether I really won it or not.
“Hafthor Bjornsson and his entourage have been smearing my title and the referee Colin Bryce’s reputation for the last three years.
“Because he was the Mountain from Game of Thrones, a huge TV star, people listened and people believed him.”
HALL OF FAME
Hafthor Bjornsson has promised to knock out World’s Strongest Man rival Eddie Hall in September.
Following his boxing debut last night, he said: “I have huge respect for this sport, this is just the beginning.
“I will be in the best shape of my life in September this year and I will knock Eddie Hall out.”
‘SHOOK ME TO MY BOOTS’
Steven Ward says one of Hafthor Bjornsson’s punches shook him to his boots.
He commented: “I’ve never seen a big man like that move so well. He hit me one shot. It shook me to my boots.
“So, I started running. It was great being back, though. Thanks to everyone who came out.”
FIT THOR ACTION
Steven Ward praised opponent Hafthor Bjornsson’s fitness after the pair battled to a draw.
The Game of Thrones star weighed in nine stone heavier than Ward.
But Irishman Ward said: “What a night. The exhibition is over and big Thor hits like a horse.
“But it was great. It was quite exciting, it was a great set-up and it was class having a crowd finally back watching boxing. I never expected Thor to be that fit.”
THOR’S HAMMER
Hafthor Bjornsson gave a good solid showing on his boxing debut in a lively exhibition draw vs Irish cruiserweight Steven Ward in Dubai.
2018 word’s strongest man Thor was fighting in preparation for his HUGE boxing bout vs strongman rival Eddie Hall later this year in September.
Game of Thrones star Thor, 32, dropped Ward with a big right which skimmed Ward’s shoulder in the second round.
Ward recovered and finished the three-round fight strongly, but says being hit by Thor was like being hit by a horse!
Ward said after the fight: “What a night. The exhibition is over and big Thor hits like a horse.
“But it was great. It was quite exciting, it was a great set-up and it was class having a crowd finally back watching boxing. I never expected Thor to be that fit.”
Thor will fight again soon in preparation for his bout vs Hall, and has vowed to KNOCK Hall out.
He said: “I have huge respect for this sport, this is just the beginning.
“I will be in the best shape of my life in September this year and I will knock Eddie Hall out.”
‘K.O EDDIE HALL’
Thor has vowed to knock out Eddie Hall after making his boxing debut in the exhibition draw vs Steven Ward.
The heavyweight pair do battle in Las Vegas later this year in September.
He said: “I have huge respect for this sport, this is just the beginning.
“I will be in the best shape of my life in September this year and I will knock Eddie Hall out.
HITS LIKE A HORSE
Steven Ward said after the fight: “What a night. The exhibition is over and big Thor hits like a horse.
“But it was great. It was quite exciting, it was a great set-up and it was class having a crowd finally back watching boxing. I never expected Thor to be that fit.”
THOR SPEAKS
Thor has spoken on Instagram after his first boxing fight.
The Mountain will fight again soon as his preparations for his HUGE boxing fight vs Eddie Hall continue.
He posted after the fight: “This was great! Thank you all for the positive feedback! I’ll be doing more exhibition matches in my preparation for my main fight in September. Who should I fight next?
THOR VS WARD
The lively draw was fought at a good pace throughout, even right down to the final few minutes.
Tons of positives for Thor to take home with him ahead of the massive Eddie Hall fight this year.
THOR VS WARD
Thor was full of praise for crusierweight Ward after the draw: “Steven is unbelievable. I doubt many people would want to step into a ring with someone my size.
“Stevie has a big heart. To come here and do this exhibition with me means a lot. I needed that experience.
“Steven is the same height as my opponent in September, and this was great.”
THOR VS WARD
Thor’s team will be chuffed with that performance in his first ever boxing bout.
The first step in some great preparations for the HUGE Eddie Hall fight later this year.
THOR VS WARD
Steven Ward says he was “shook to his boots” after receiving a punch from Thor during their entertaining three-round draw in Dubai.
Ward said: “I’ve never seen a big man like that move so well.
“He hit me one shot and it shook me to the boots.”
THOR VS WARD
Ward finished the stronger in the final round after being dropped in the second
THOR VS WARD
The whopping size difference between the fighters
THOR VS WARD
The big man ended the fight with blood trickling down from his nose after a string of Ward jabs.
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BILLY JOE SAUNDERS’ dream match against Canelo Alvarez is ‘close’ to being agreed, says Eddie Hearn.
The two super-middleweights agreed to fight last May before the Covid-19 pandemic scuppered the bout.
Billy Joe Saunders is ‘close’ to sealing his fight against Canelo AlverezCredit: PA:Press Association
After being unable to resurrect a deal for late last year, the pair both returned to ring in December in separate match-ups.
Saunders retained his WBO super-middleweight title by defeating Martin Murray before Canelo eased past Callum Smith to claim the WBA and WBC super-middleweight championships.
The Mexican icon is now set to get his WBC mandatory Avni Yildirim done and dusted on February 27 before setting his sights on the division’s other belts.
Reports have emerged Hearn has sealed a two-fight deal with Canelo to stage the Yildirim clash and then Saunders on May 8 – if the latter agrees terms.
Now Hearn has admitted the Brit’s crack at Canelo is almost sealed.
He told The Athletic’s Pug and Copp Podcast: “The path is really clear for Billy Joe Saunders to fight Canelo Alvarez.
“We’ve just got to try and agree a deal with him to do that.
“We are at a stage now where we don’t have the guarantees of the major gates and a lot of fighters are taking less money.
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“That’s not really a conversation that you enjoy having with Billy Joe Saunders.
“He feels that he can win the fight, but he also wants to be rewarded for the fight, I understand.
“So we’ve got to try and reach a deal with him, which we’re close to doing.”
Hearn added: “He really needs that fight too, but he’s not just gonna take it by any means necessary.
“But if Billy believes he wins that fight, which I believe he thinks he does, and I think he’s got a great shot in the fight, then he needs to take the opportunity.
“Hopefully we can get him over the line for that fight on Cinco de Mayo weekend.”
Canelo Alvarez shows off his lightning boxing skills in workout More
