Boxing

GOLDEN boy Luke Campbell wants to come of age tonight — and prove he is finally a man on a world title mission.
Ever since the baby-faced Hull hero won at the 2012 London Olympics he has been tipped for greatness.

Luke Campbell takes on Ryan Garcia in Texas on Saturday night

But, aged 33 and with three boys at home with wife Lynsey, the lightweight must now beat American Ryan Garcia, 22, in Texas to secure a third world title bid in 2021.
Campbell lost both previous efforts against Hall-of-Fame certainties Jorge Linares and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
And now he must prove he is the real deal in Dallas — and that Garcia is a flash in the pan.
Campbell said: “I just want to be recognised as one of the best lightweights in the world.

“I want to be recognised for everything I have achieved, everything I have tried and done.
“I’m not interested in the glitz, glamour and fame. Just because I’m on a big stage, it doesn’t change my values, they’ve always been the same.
“I have matured a bit later than most people — I look back at myself in previous fights and see a boy.
“I’ve worked my arse off to get here and want to prove myself but still be the same person that I have always been.”

The pair will face off in an eagerly-awaited bout to kick off 2021 with a bang
Campbell’s trainer Shane McGuigan has watched his fighter mature since they joined forces in 2018.
And the boy he started working with at his old Wandsworth base is now the main man around their new Kent gym, after an overdue growth spurt.
McGuigan said: “From a physical standpoint, even though he is 33, he is only really filling into his physicality now. He has been a late bloomer in that sense.
“Luke has always joked about being a kid growing up and all his mates getting deep voices and facial hair long before him and he didn’t get it until a lot later.
“I feel he is in his prime now. We are up against a fresh kid — but Luke has all the lessons he learned from his victories and defeats.”

Luke Campbell claims he has matured as he chases a third world title shotCredit: PA:Press Association

Ryan Garcia is the latest hot prospect and has amassed almost eight million Instagram followersCredit: Getty Images
Garcia is the latest social-media sensation to hit boxing, with 7.8million Instagram followers willing him to claim victory tonight.
Being the sport’s youngest cash cow during a crippling pandemic means a lot of important people have a lot of money riding on the handsome left-hooker.
And experienced McGuigan, son of Irish icon Barry, believes that a stunning KO might be the only way to guarantee a victory — especially on foreign soil.
He warned: “Garcia will be dangerous all the way through. And we are not going to get the close rounds from the judges.
“I think we have to knock Garcia out but I know Luke can do that.”
And Campbell, who prides himself on dodging all the hype and trash talk that sells cheaply in boxing, added: “I am just expecting the best Ryan Garcia.

“I am expecting to get in with a world-class opponent so that is what I have prepared for — someone who has speed and power.
“But this is my time to shine and I don’t want to just win this fight, I want to win it in style. I want to hit him and hurt him.
“I want to prove I am the best in the division and beating Ryan will answer a lot of questions other people still ask about me.”
Watch Campbell v Garcia tonight from 8pm on DAZN

Ryan Garcia vs Luke Campbell – Watch LIVE, channel info and start time More

BRITISH BULLDOG Luke Campbell is loving the underdog tag on his US mission to upset the new American golden boy.
Oscar De La Hoya protege Ryan Garcia, 22, has 7.8m Instagram followers banking on him snatching the lightweight baton from Hull’s 33-year-old 2012 Olympic winner tonight.

Ryan Garcia and Luke Campbell weighed in head of their Dallas showdownCredit: Tom Hogan – Golden Boy

Luke Campbell is enjoying his underdog status against the Golden Boy prospectCredit: Tom Hogan – Golden Boy

Campbell, who needs to win in Dallas, Texas to bank himself a third world title shot, is as wide as 3-1 to bring a win back from cowboy country.
But Cool Hand wants to leave the bookies and judges empty handed by scorching the red-hot prospect with a knockout performance on the road.
After making the 9st 9lbs limit, Campbell said: “I feel good, this is the opportunity I have been waiting for for a long time.
“I have been sparring world class opponents and performing well so I am ready to go.

“I have been the underdog my whole career, from my amateur days. It doesn’t bother me, I like the position of underdog.”
When asked if he could trust the officials to score rounds fairly, he said: “I just view it as me winning every round and taking it out of the judges’ hands.
“Can I win a decision in Texas? We will soon find out won’t we.”
Garcia, a 20-0 social media sensation with rapid hands and a killer left hook, is yet to be really tested.

Garcia and Campbell face off after making the 9st 9lbs limitCredit: Getty Images

But he still sees Campbell going the same way as 17 of his flattened victims, so is warning’s DAZN subscribers not to miss a split second of the action.
He said: “I am ready, all the talking is done. I have put in the work and I am just ready to go now.
“I don’t take anyone lightly, I have put the work in. I am just telling everyone to not blink.”

Ryan Garcia vs Luke Campbell – Watch LIVE, channel info and start time More

TWO FORMER world champions could be on for an epic collision in Newcastle.
Glenn McCrory and Roy Jones Jr, who battled Mike Tyson in November in an exhibition clash, are due to fight in April.

Glenn McCrory wants to fight Roy Jones Jr in NewcastleCredit: Splash News

The American is set to head to the North East in AprilCredit: Getty

Durham-born McCrory is working with Tuff Promotions to make it happen and wants it to take place in the North East.
The former IBF cruiserweight title holder retired from the ring 27 years ago but is ready to return at the age of 56.
He covered Jones Jr against Tyson as a commentator, and despite the Englishman originally calling out Evander Holyfield, the American unexpectedly did the same to McCory on Christmas Eve.
He quickly accepted and is already back in the gym preparing for the showdown.

McCory told the Evening Chronicle: “I need a personal goal and boxing is my sport so it seems a natural progression.
“Roy has been one of the greatest boxers the world has ever seen, a colossus who held global titles at five weights, so it will be a massive occasion.
“We both see it as a festival of boxing, an opportunity to witness two former champions displaying their skills and venture into the unknown.
“We are both proud men who don’t want to tarnish our reputations but we are not stupid, we are not kidding ourselves that we’re chasing world glory again.”

McCory added: “I have been in lots of talks with Simon Whittle and Robin Farrell of Tuff Promotions who have moved heaven and earth to get this on.
“We hope to go in April and it would be lovely if it was here in Newcastle.”
On the potential match with McCory, Jones Jr said: “I knew Glenn wanted to face Holyfield but he has now accepted my challenge and I’m looking forward to fighting in front of my British fans.”

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IT’S the end of an era.
YouTuber/boxer Jake Paul has decided to sell his infamous Team 10 mansion in Los Angeles, as he aims to leave behind his “problem child era”.

YouTuber Jake Paul is selling his Los Angeles home

Like his brother Logan, right, Paul is embarking on a boxing careerCredit: Instagram @jakepaul

Paul has lived at the huge property since he was 17, but is saying goodbye to the Calabasas compound and leaving California completely.
And he has good reason too. Paul, now 23, wants to focus on a career in boxing.
The internet personality is adamant that, if he is to start a new chapter, he should do away from the famous house.
“I’ve lived here since I was 17, and to leave it all behind is not easy,” he said in a YouTube video this week.

“This house is nostalgic, and this is probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make in my life.”
But he knows if he’s to become a “legitimate pro fighter”, it is for the best.
“Being in Los Angeles, there’s so many distractions, there’s so much going on, and it doesn’t really allow me to focus on training,” he said.
Here’s what he’s leaving behind.

FIT FOR A KING
The palatial abode boasts an incredible eight bedrooms, as well as a huge garden and a stunning pool.

The huge property is in the Calabasas area of Los AngelesCredit: ABC

Paul has lived at the property since he was 17

The house boasts seven bedrooms and plenty of space for his car collection

Paul paid around £5.3m originally for the mansion

YouTuber Paul’s reasons for selling his home are to escape LA and focus on boxing
The home is where Paul records the majority of his vlogs – often seen in the backdrop is a massive spiral staircase.
It is believed he paid around £5.3million for the house, which has been the backdrop of his life for six years.
Not only was it where he shared loving moments in vlogs with girlfriends Erika Costell, Tana Mongeau and Julia Rose.
Paul also got into trouble with his Calabasas neighbours – due to noise complaints.
There were reported incidents of police being called after wild parties got out of hand.
According to TMZ, Paul even infuriated the Mayor of Calabasas Alicia Weintraub, who blasted him for having a party after he defeated Nate Robinson.
FIGHT HUB
However, if there were any doubts about Paul’s dedication to his craft, this should eliminate them.
The life of a multimillionaire social media sensation has afforded Paul the luxury of turning his home into a boxing gym.

Paul has a boxing ring in his living room

A second boxing ring features in Paul’s massive garden

Paul also has a room with punch bags and weight equipment
Not only does he have a ring in his living room, he also has another outdoors in his back garden.
He also has a room attached to his home full of boxing bags, running machines and weight equipment.
And he will need all the training he can get, if he is to get his dream fight against Conor McGregor.
Paul ripped into the Irish UFC star in an astonishing rant – offering him $50million (£37million) for a fight.
He also had a dig at McGregor’s wife.

Paul is desperate to fight Conor McGregor and offered him $50m (£37m) for a fight

Nate Robinson was knocked out by Jake Paul in an exhibition fightCredit: AP:Associated Press

Paul recently made derogatory comments about Conor McGregor’s partner, Dee DevlinCredit: Instagram

He said: “I know you’re probably beating up old dudes in a bar right now or maybe you’re j***ing off as you’re sick of f***ing your wife, I mean, she’s a four [out of ten], Conor you could do a lot better, but happy Monday!
“My team sent you a $50 million offer this morning, $50 million cash, proof of funds, the biggest fight offer you’ve ever been offered.”
Paul has also blasted his brother Logan for his fight with Floyd Mayweather – saying he’s “f*****” against Mayweather and the bout is “bad for the sport.”

Jake Paul slammed as a coward by ex-UFC star Ben Askren who says YouTuber has gone silent after accepting fight More

TYSON FURY put his New Year celebrations on ice as he continued his preparations to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
The WBC belt holder is on a collision course with Anthony Joshua in 2021 in a Battle of Britain that could be worth up to £500million.

Tyson Fury spent his New Year’s Eve in the gym

The Gypsy King continued his preparations for Anthony Joshua with a workout

That moved a step closer last month when AJ successfully defended his world titles with a ninth-round KO of Kubrat Pulev.
Negotiations over the super-fight are currently ongoing, with both fighters’ camps confident an agreement will soon be reached.
And with a potential legacy-defining fight on the horizon, Fury has been wasting no time in hitting the gym to get himself ready.
And even as many were popping the corks on New Year’s Eve, the 32-year-old was hard at it with a workout.

He shared clips of himself building up a sweat on his Instagram story, captioning them with ‘Working hard everyday’ and a second clip of him performing leg stretches with ‘Everyday work day’.
That comes a week after he did take time out from his preparations at Christmas to pose with his wife Paris in matching festive pyjamas.
Fury’s clips come on the back of rival Joshua’s own intense workout footage just 48 hours prior.
One snap showed AJ appearing to finish a one-arm press-up whilst wearing a weighted vest and an additional weight chain.

The second showed Joshua staring into the camera whilst wearing the equipment, which added a considerable amount of bulk to his already heavy frame.
The post’s accompanying caption included a padlock emoji and the word “in” – meaning he’s locked in on his next mission.
Joshua followed up that post with an update to his Instagram story, which included a post-sparring snap with cruiserweight prospect Stephen Adentan.
Although Joshua’s showdown with Fury has yet to be finalised, the Olympic gold medallist is confident he will share the ring with the WBC heavyweight champion next year.
In a guest column for Boxing News, Joshua said: “How close is the Fury fight? I promise you it’s happening.
“But until you hear it from me, don’t buy into anything. I’m serious about the fight so when I announce it you’ll know it’s real.

AJ embarked on his own festive workout earlier this weekCredit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshua
“I’m taking my time because there has been a lot of back-and-forth for years.
“I’ve been chasing this road to ‘undisputed’ and when the time is right I’ll announce it and I’ll have my mind fully focused on the job at hand.
“When it was Deontay Wilder in my way, that was my focus and he admitted we gave him lucrative offers that he turned down.
“Now it’s Tyson Fury that’s my pure focus. The offers will be made, substantial offers.
“I’ve fought many champions before so it’s obvious to see we’ve done business with world champions before.
“It’s no different with Fury, he should take this fight with both hands. The money will be split down the middle.”

Anthony Joshua ‘locked in’ as he trains for potential Tyson Fury blockbuster in weighted vest and chains More