Boxing

FLOYD MAYWEATHER inspired Teofimo Lopez to ‘never get caught up’ in success.
The American had a breakout year in 2020 as he dethroned Vasiliy Lomachenko to win undisputed titles at lightweight.

Teofimo Lopez was inspired by Floyd Mayweather Credit: Handout – Getty

Floyd Mayweather taught Teofimo Lopez to ‘never get caught up’ in success

But with mega-money rivalries to be played out with the likes of Devin Haney, 22, Ryan Garcia, also 22, and Gervonta Davis, 26, Lopez is keeping his eyes on the prize.
And it is Mayweather – who has mentored Davis and Haney – who gave the 23-year-old the blueprint for staying on the path to success.
Lopez told Sky Sports: “We did it, don’t get comfortable, we’ve got to keep moving. We’ve got to keep working.
“I learned that from Floyd. Floyd was always someone that stayed motivated. He knew what was at hand.

“He was always staying in shape for a reason, because he never got caught up in it, and because he was so disciplined.
“It’s all about discipline. The moment you are disciplined and you have that self-discipline, you are able to do these things without it being so hard.”
Lopez is already mandated by the IBF to face George Kambosos next, with negotiations underway.
But, if terms cannot be agreed, the champion will set his sights on Haney, but warned his potential opponent to improve his mental warfare.

Floyd Mayweather pictured with Devin Haney

Lopez said: “He needs to step up his game and talking. It’s horrible, it’s bad, it’s really bad.
“They need to work on that. I think that with Devin, he has a lot of things where it has to be scripted. It just can’t come out.
“The same way we helped Loma out in the process, we’re going to help Devin Haney out in the process as well.
“We’re going to make the fight happen. I tried to save his career. I did. I kid you not. I tried to protect his career.
“I told him, ‘Hey three to five years, work your way up.’
“But now, he’s got out of hand, and it got me going now, so we’re going to start pressing him on it.
“Me and my father, we’re on the same page. I believe Devin Haney will be next.”

Gervonta Davis pictured with his promoter Floyd Mayweather Credit: Scott Hirano/Showtime PPV

Ryan Garcia wants to fight Gervonta Davis nextCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Haney, who is the WBC champion with Lopez holding the ‘Franchise’ belt, has been ordered to face Garcia next.
But Garcia prefers to fight Davis – leaving Lopez left hailing the talent in the 135lb division.
He explained: “It’s great fights. These guys are hungry, all of us are hungry. We’ve just got to make the best fight the best.
“Whether it’s his team or not, they know what they are doing with Ryan Garcia.
“He may not be the most skilful fighter, however, he is the most skilful social media guy out there when it comes to this department. You’ve got to give credit to that.
“That’s why I think a lot of these guys want Ryan Garcia next, because they know the amount of exposure they are going to get.
“I think Ryan himself knows that.”

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BILLY JOE SAUNDERS has ruled out a 2021 grudge rematch with bitter enemy Chris Eubank Jr and claimed he doesn’t have the bottle for a proper tear-up.
The warring English pair first clashed in 2014, with 31-year-old Saunders landing a split decision win and have continued their row on social media.

Billy Joe Saunders does not fancy a rematch with Chris Eubank JrCredit: PA:Press Association

Billy Joe Saunders beat Chris Eubank Jr via split decision in 2014Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The undefeated Hatfield southpaw has gone on to become a two-weight world champion but bad luck and inactivity have left him still short of a career-defining battle.
The mega-money clash with Canelo Alvarez keeps eluding the 30-0 ace and Gennady Golovkin has always avoided the bait.
But Saunders will not entertain a second round with Eubank Jr, who he feels does not deserve a crack at his title nor the guts to win it.
The reigning WBO super-middle-weight king said: “He will never be a champion because he hasn’t got the minerals.

“You have to be a special type of creature and a bit of a lunatic to want to get in the ring and start giving it and taking – and enjoying it.
“When you get someone like him, who has had the nice upbringing, he has been taught to hold his hands up but he doesn’t have that venom in him. He is not good at all.
“I am going to completely dismiss him and move on. I don’t rate Eubank Jr at world level, I just want to completely dismiss him.”
Saunders has become so frustrated with the politics in the sport that he will consider quitting with his record intact, unless a worthy opponent signs up soon.

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“I have been waiting so long for a big fight that I am worried I could go off like stale milk,” he said.
“I am always waiting for that call from a big name. It is getting a bit boring for me now.
“Do I need to be doing this if I am just going around fighting at this level?”

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MIKE TYSON and Aussie actress Rebel Wilson posed together to show off their new figures after losing an incredible TEN STONE between them.
Tyson dramatically transformed his body for his exhibition fight against fellow boxing legend Roy Jones Jr in November.

Rebel Wilson and Mike Tyson lost a combined 10 stone in weightCredit: Instagram @rebelwilson

The 54-year-old wowed fans by ripping off his shirt during a television appearance to reveal the results of his 100lb weight loss.
Tyson went on to draw with Jones Jr, 51, in an eight-round scrap last year.
But the comeback was not a one-off as he plans to fight on.
Tyson was not the only high-profile figure to get the fitness bug last year.

Hollywood actress Wilson branded 2020 her “year of health” and dropped 40lb to reach her target weight of 165lbs.

The Pitch Perfect star recently met Tyson, who famously starred in 2009 movie The Hangover.
Wilson uploaded a picture of the pair to her Instagram page.
And the Aussie’s followers were quick to comment on the unlikely duo.

One fan wrote: “Wow! I bet he thinks he’s pretty good right now! A @rebelwilson selfie is a collectors item!”
A second said: “Nice pic of y’all together.”
While a third added: “Tough lady ft Mike.”

Tyson became a vegan in the build up to his fight with Jones Jr.
He said: “It was very difficult but only for one particular reason – I had to lose 100lbs.
“But other than that I’ve always done this my whole career.
“I became a vegan. My wife told me to get on a treadmill. So I went from 15 minutes on the treadmill and ended at two hours.
“I kept going to the gym and watching my diet and I’m beautiful.”

Mike Tyson’s incredible bodyweight workout routine
Tyson retired from professional boxing in 2005 and claimed to have not trained since.
Hollywood star Michael Jai White could be Tyson’s next opponent.
White, who portrayed Tyson in the 1995 HBO movie about the boxer, is eager for a scrap.
He said: “To box Mike Tyson, I would love that. Are you kidding me? Why would I not do something like that.”
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When asked about the potential outcome of such a fight, White added: “Of course, I think I would win.
“If he whooped my a**, I would laugh at the whole scenario.”
Meanwhile, boxing great Oscar De La Hoya has revealed he was inspired to fight again by Tyson and will consult Iron Mike about his ‘philosophy’ on returning.

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AMIR KHAN’S son will ‘never’ follow his dad and become a professional boxer, his wife Faryal Makhdoom revealed.
Khan has been married to model Makhdoom since 2013.

Amir Khan pictured with his wife Faryal MakhdoomCredit: Instagram

Amir Khan and Faryal Makhdoom got married in 2013 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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Together, the couple have three kids – Lamaisah, six, and Alayna, two, as well as welcoming baby boy Zaviyar, 11 months, last year.
During a fan Q&A on Instagram, Makhdoom was asked: “Will your son be a boxer?”
To which she responded: “Never.”

The Pakistani-American also admitted she was not that familiar with Khan’s world title-winning career when they first met.
She said: “I didn’t know much about his career but I knew he was some sort of boxer.”
Khan, 34, has earned millions from boxing since he decided to turn professional after the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he won a silver medal.
And while speaking to OK Magazine last year, he opened up about wanting his boy to choose a different career path – having already ‘taken the punches’ for the family.

Khan said: “As a father, I like to be there for all my kids. I’m going to be very supportive and whatever they want to do I’ll be on their side.

“I’ve been asked by a lot of people would you ever let him go in the boxing ring and fight.
“Look, I’ve done that for my kids, I’ve taken the punches for them and I would never like to see them punched in the face to be honest with you.
“But, if he wants to box – if Zaviyar says, ‘Look Daddy, I want to go to the boxing gym,’ I cannot stop him. I will let him go there and let him pick what he wants to do himself.
“It’s a very tough sport to be in but like I said as a father I like to be there for all my kids. I’m going to be very supportive and whatever they want to do I’ll be on their side.”

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OSCAR DE LA HOYA revealed he was inspired to fight again by Mike Tyson and will consult the heavyweight legend about his ‘philosophy’ on returning.
Tyson shocked everyone last year after he announced plans to fight for the first time in 15 years, and dramatically transformed his body to do so.

Mike Tyson after his comeback fight against Roy Jones Jr Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Oscar De La Hoya is considering a boxing comeback Credit: Handout – Getty

The 54-year-old went on to draw with fellow icon Roy Jones Jr, 51, in an eight-round exhibition bout in November.
But Tyson’s comeback has not culminated there – as he confirmed he will fight on this year.
And so could De La Hoya, who is in the process of deciding whether to come out of retirement – having hung up the gloves in 2008.
The promoter revealed he will speak to Tyson before making a decision on whether to risk his health for a dramatic return.

De La Hoya, 47, told FightHype: “I’m thinking about it, yeah, absolutely.
“I do wanna talk to Mike Tyson about how he felt, just his philosophy on why he did it, how he did it — because he looked phenomenal.
“He looked great. For a guy who’s 54, 56 years old, he looked in amazing shape. Yes, his timing might’ve been off just a bit but he looked good.
“And so I was very happy for him and I would love to pick his brain on just the process, and how it took him to get to that mind frame, to the level.

“So we’ll see after that conversation how I feel. But yeah, I’m in shape, I’m actually running every single day.
“I feel great. I’m at about 169 right now, so I think I can get down to 154. So we’ll see.”
De La Hoya won titles in SIX divisions during his iconic career, but retired after a crushing defeat to Manny Pacquiao.
Unlike Tyson and former rival Floyd Mayweather – who is set to fight YouTuber Logan Paul – the Golden Boy Promotions boss wants to re-join the professional ranks.
And he admitted the same ego which led him to the pinnacle of the sport is also daring him back to the ring.

Oscar De La Hoya retired in 2008 after defeat to Manny Pacquiao Credit: AP:Associated Press
De La Hoya said: “I mean, I am crazy. But it’s also to prove a point, you know. First of all, to prove a point to myself that I can do it.
“But, also to show this younger generation of fighters like, you have to fight the very best — if you want to be the best, you have to fight the best.
“And even at this age if I come back at 47, I still want to fight the best.
“So hopefully it can spark something with these young guys instead of listening to the whispers in the ears, instead of thinking about the business first — no, think about the fight.
“Think about the glory. Think about your legacy.”

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BOXING legend Sugar Ray Leonard rolled back the years to show off his incredible hand speed at the age of 64.
The American all-time great uploaded a video on Instagram, with social media star Blake Gray, who was wearing a body belt.

Sugar Ray Leonard showed off his incredible hand speed aged 64Credit: Instagram @sugarrayleonard

Sugar Ray Leonard with social media star Blake GrayCredit: Instagram @sugarrayleonard

Leonard – who retired in 1997 – then lets his hands go throwing a barrage of punches.
The former five-weight world champion was renowned for ‘shoeshine’ punching, where he would land flurries of punches to catch the judges’ eyes.
Leonard is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, and enjoyed wins over icons like Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns.
He famously came out of retirement after three years out in 1987 to beat middleweight rival Hagler.

Leonard again left the sport in 1991 after defeat to Terry Norris but was convinced to return six years later to face Hetor Camacho.
The 1976 Olympic gold medalist was beaten in five rounds and hung up the gloves for good afterwards.
Leonard then moved into TV work, providing commentary and analysis for HBO but more recently worked with DAZN.
And he watched as Mike Tyson made an astonishing comeback aged 54 in November, drawing with Roy Jones Jr, 51, in an exhibition bout.

It has inspired others such as Evander Holyfield, James Toney and Oscar De La Hoya among others to fight again.
And De La Hoya, 47, admitted it was Tyson who inspired him to consider a ring return.
He told BadLeftHook: “I do wanna talk to Mike Tyson about how he felt, just his philosophy on why he did it, how he did it — because he looked phenomenal.
“He looked great. For a guy who’s 54, 56 years old, he looked in amazing shape.
“Yes, his timing might’ve been off just a bit but he looked good.
“And so I was very happy for him and I would love to pick his brain on just the process, and how it took him to get to that mind frame, to the level.”

Sugar Ray Leonard with Mike Tyson Credit: @hotboxinpodcast More