Boxing

FLOYD MAYWEATHER was so dedicated to his craft he never ‘took a minute off’ in training and is somehow ‘still improving’.
The American all-time great did not retire unbeaten in 50-0 fights having smashed pay-per-view records for no reason.

Floyd Mayweather on the pads with his late uncle Roger Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Mayweather never ‘took a minute off’ in trainingCredit: Reuters

The American legend was famous for his relentless work rate Credit: AP:Associated Press

He put attention into every detail, strenuously protecting his brittle hands and hit the heavy bag and pads nonstop – taking minimal breaks.
SunSport spoke to those closest to Mayweather during his historic reign, to find out what made the legend so unstoppable.
Dmitry Salita, a former sparring partner who has turned his hand to promoting, was on hand to witness the tireless and brutal regime.
Salita, 38, revealed: “Floyd would spend a significant amount of time getting his hands wrapping that was done by the legendary Rafael Garcia.

“That process would take about 40 minutes to one hour, he had a fun and supportive entourage.
“Once he got going it was non stop training with hip hop music soundtrack for two-three hours.
“I have never seen Floyd take a minute off either during sparring, bag or pad work.
“I also never seen him do the usual three minute rounds it was four or five minute for sparring and 10-15 minute sessions of pad or bag work with only 15/30 seconds rest.”

Dmitry Salita pictured with Mayweather in New York

Mayweather would hit the bag for as long as 15 minutes without a break Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Mayweather would also adopt a unique style of working out in the early hours of the morning.
He felt it gave him a psychological advantage over his rivals – they slept while he trained.
But his round the clock office hours were not the only thing that stood out – Mayweather would even party IN BETWEEN sessions without ever taking his eye off the ball.
Denis Douglin, his trusted southpaw sparring partner, said: “Everything he does is different, he does his own thing.
“Floyd would go out to the club, finish at three o’clock in the morning and then go and train.
“That was regular. It sounds crazy to the world but the man does what he wants, but he stays focussed. He’s just on a whole different level.”

Mayweather was notorious for his partying Credit: Splash News

Despite his Hollywood lifestyle Mayweather never lost focus

Mayweather during a gruelling run
Former two-weight champion Badou Jack has been part of Mayweather’s team since they agreed a promotional deal in 2011.
He recalls sessions spanning hours on end before then hitting the road for runs – only to be woken up in the middle of the night to do it all again.
Jack, 38, said: “He’s a real workaholic. Nobody works harder than him.
“He’ll do training sessions lasting hours, go into the locker rooms, talks some s*** and then after that he’ll run like six miles.
“He trains some crazy times. I’m not sparring with him but we’d get a call in the middle of the night and he’ll say ‘Get to the gym, we’re working out’.”
Mayweather retired as a pro in 2017, after beating UFC star Conor McGregor in ten rounds.

Badou Jack pictured with Mayweather

Mayweather was described as a ‘workaholic’ Credit: Alamy Live News

Mayweather shadow boxes with weights Credit: Splash News
He did come back a year later, to wipe out featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in round one of their exhibition.
Douglin, 33, helped him prepare for both fights by lending him left-handed sparring.
And up until this June, it was the last time the pair had shared rounds in the gym.
So when Douglin received a call from Mayweather in the early hours of the morning, he was expecting to be in for a similar night’s work.
But instead, he was stunned as the retired icon appeared to have come back ‘stronger and faster’ – despite having not fought in two years.
Douglin explained: “I’m not going to lie, to me, it looked like ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd. He didn’t look like ‘Money Mayweather’.

Denis Douglin pictured after sparring with Mayweather

Mayweather stunned as he came back ‘stronger’ in sparring
“It felt like a really good welterweight. I feel like he’s got stronger and faster than the last time we sparred before the Tenshin fight.
“Somehow he’s still improving. He’s a freak of nature. He must be working, but nobody knows he’s working.
“The way we sparred, it was hard, you don’t do 30 minutes straight sparring at my level if you’re not in shape.”
Little did Douglin know, Mayweather was secretly in talks with YouTuber Logan Paul, 25, with the pair now signed to fight in February.
And Salita reckons the crafty veteran was too experienced to let himself lose a step as he prepares to face the social media star in another money-spinning exhibition.
He said: “I believe that a fighter like Floyd always stays in shape.
“But to train like you are getting ready for a fight is a different level of training and and can take away from quality of life in other matters.”

Mayweather has been training amid his comeback

The 50-0 icon faces Logan Paul next year

Mayweather pictured hitting the bag in his Las Vegas gym
Despite the farcical experience disparity, 0-1 as a pro Paul is armed with a FOUR STONE weight and six inch height advantage.
As a result, Mayweather will secretly leave no stone unturned by training ‘his ass off’ despite facing his most unqualified challenger to date.
Douglin said: “I think he could walk in as he is and still be fine.
“But, Floyd being Floyd, he’s going to train and he’s going to train his ass off. That’s just the level of perfectionist he is.
“The kid is a lot bigger and anything can happen. He lands a freak punch and knocks Floyd out, you change the world of boxing.
“Floyd’s not going to let that happen. Floyd, in my opinion, will train for this.”

Logan Paul reveals Facetime with Floyd Mayweather that annoyed boxing great enough to land contract More

JAKE PAUL’S assistant trainer admitted there is a ‘major possibility’ the YouTuber faces Floyd Mayweather right after his brother Logan does. 
Jake is coached by J’Leon Love, who is a long-time friend and former protege of Mayweather’s  

Jake Paul pictured with his older brother Logan Credit: Instagram @jakepaul

Floyd Mayweather comes out of retirement to fight LoganCredit: Getty – Contributor

And he revealed it could be inevitable that his 23-year-old boxing upstart finds himself fighting Mayweather right after Logan brings the all-time great out of retirement in February. 
Love, 33, told SunSport: “With Jake, it’s a major possibility, a high chance. 
“I thought about it and then left it alone but obviously Floyd and Jake are both in it to get the best out of it.  
“Floyd is the pinnacle of it, so could it happen? Floyd is a businessman, so is Jake Paul, just as well as Logan, so if it makes money it makes sense.   

“I think Jake would do it, there’s a possibility that happens.” 
Mayweather, 43, retired in 2017, after beating UFC star Conor McGregor, 32, in ten rounds. 
He did come back just a year after, to beat up featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in round one of their exhibition in Japan. 
But his latest money-making scheme involving Logan – who lost his debut to internet rival KSI last year by split-decision – is audacious even by Mayweather’s standards. 

Jake left ex-NBA star Nate Robinson knocked out Credit: ZUMA

Mayweather fights Logan in February 2021 Credit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

The only thing combating his farcical experience and skill disparity is Logan’s FOUR STONE and six inch height advantage. 
Love, who has spent years under the mentorship of Mayweather, gives Jake’s older brother no chance of pulling off the unthinkable. 
But the super-middleweight is full of praise for Logan, who will stop at nothing to take on the biggest challenges worth the most amount of cash.
Love said: “At the end of the day Floyd is the greatest fighter to do this s*** in my era.   
“We’ve been close for many years, it’s cool, it’s good entertainment, a good business move by Logan Paul, he’s willing to go very far to get that audience and views. 
“I commend him for all that, but a win over Floyd Mayweather? Yeah f***ing right, it ain’t happening.  But it’s entertainment.
“Of course, I’m Team Money, I don’t train Logan but he’s super cool, super smart and good luck, go put on a good show and make your money.” 

J’Leon Love pictured with Jake Paul Credit: @JLeonLove

Love is a life long friend and former protege of Mayweather Credit: @JLeonLove More

FLOYD MAYWEATHER can make his fight with YouTuber Logan Paul ‘dangerous’ if he chooses to, according to Oleksandr Usyk.
The Ukrainian heavyweight, 33, revealed his backing for the money-spinning exhibition fight between the social media sensation and the pound for pound king.

Floyd Mayweather could turn his exhibition with Logan Paul into a ‘dangerous’ fightCredit: AP:Associated Press

Paul has secured a February 2021 exhibition bout with the pound for pound greatCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Oleksandr Usyk backed the fight and said why shouldn’t the pair cash inCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

But even Paul has admitted the clash makes ‘no f****** sense’ with the 25-year-old six inches taller and likely to come in FOUR STONE heavier than Money Mayweather, 43, come the February bout.
And when asked if the strange match-up could cause either of the participants harm, Usyk told SunSport: “As for whether it is dangerous, I think that if a boxer relaxes and gets hit it may be dangerous for him.
“Mayweather should be composed and play his game until the end.
“If he wants to it may be dangerous and if he doesn’t it will be okay.”

The fight is set to allow proper KO blows with unbeaten Mayweather said to be taking it ‘very seriously’ despite his opponent having LOST his only professional contest to English internet star KSI.
Many have called the 2021 fight a farce but Anthony Joshua’s WBO heavyweight mandatory challenger Usyk is not one of the naysayers, describing it merely as ‘business’.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport, Usyk added: “I think it is just business because Floyd Mayweather has made a name for himself, he has gone to the top of his career, so now everybody wants to box the champions.
“Nobody wants to spar with a random guy from the street. Everybody wants to fight the champions.

“There is a lot of money for them in it, so why not? It is great if they are making money this way.”

How Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul compare ahead of their fight

Usyk is chasing a fight with AJ but has also hinted he may be willing to step aside to allow a unification bout with Tyson Fury to go ahead.
And the unbeaten former unified cruiserweight champ has namechecked Deontay Wilder when discussing his future opponents.
When asked if he would ever consider a YouTube showdown himself, Usyk kept his options open by replying: “I would have to wait and see until such a proposal comes my way.”
Oleksandr Usyk was speaking after launching the WePlay Ultimate Fighting League in partnership with WePlay Esports.

Usyk said he saw nothing wrong with Mayweather and Paul cashing in after making his own business venture into EsportsCredit: WePlay Esports

Logan Paul reveals Facetime with Floyd Mayweather that annoyed boxing great enough to land contract More

BOXING fans might have been locked out during coronavirus lockdown, but the action continued at great pace around the globe.
From Eddie Hearn’s back garden to the bright lights of Las Vegas, the sport has thrilled spectators sat watching in their living rooms.

Conor Benn is on the hunt for a world title in 2021Credit: Mark Robinson

As we move into 2021, there will be renewed hope that fans will be allowed back inside stadiums and venues to cheer on their heroes.
Here, SunSport checks out seven boxers on their way up to watch out for in what could be a monumental year of ring action.
Edgar Berlanga
Nicknamed ‘The Chosen One’ Berlanga already has a lot to live up to.
But the New York super-middleweight has people instantly on the edge of their seats.

The 23-year-old has astonishingly knocked out all 16 of his opponents in the FIRST ROUND.
Legendary promoter Bob Arum has described him as the ‘greatest power-punching phenomenon’ since Mike Tyson.

Edgar Berlanga has won all 16 of his fights in the first roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ellie Scotney
Former B&Q worker Scotney had Sky Sports commentators purring as she put on a boxing masterclass on debut to score a points shutout against Bec Connolly.
The Catford starlet, 22, should have made her paid debut in March but the original Covid-19 lockdown canned that O2 bow.

Women’s boxing is going great guns with a whole host of world champions – and seeing Scotney’s name up there down the line would make up for lost time.

Ellie Scotney seems as excited about her boxing journey as we all areCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

Scotney used to work at B&Q so is used to deckingCredit: Instagram @elliescotney_

Karol Itauma
Itauma was the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics gold medallist and promoter Frank Warren’s stable are very excited with the prospect.
The 20-year-old light-heavyweight made his debut on December 5, winning every round against Lewis van Poetsch.
And there are brains to match the brawn too – Itauma is training to become a financial advisor on the side. That should help keep on top of his fight-winning purses.

Karol Itauma is hoping to transfer his sueprb amateur pedigree into the pro gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Hamzah Sheeraz
The Ilford talent became the super-welterweight European champ in just his 10th fight.
Sheeraz, 21, has gone on to make two defences of that strap as Frank Warren brought boxing back during lockdown.
Despite getting a KO against Guido Nicolas Pitto last time out in the very last round, Sheeraz didn’t look like he wanted to go through the gears.
Maybe he’s saving them for 2021 and a crowd to roar him home.

Hamzah Sheeraz is already a European champion at just 21Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Fabio Wardley
The Dillian Whyte-protege got his grounding in white-collar boxing, but has taken to the pro game seamlessly.
Eloquent and reserved, English heavyweight champ Wardley, 26, does his talking in the ring, and was mightily impressive in stopping Richard Lartey in two rounds in November.
That was two rounds fewer than it took Daniel Dubois to stop the Ghanaian, while Nathan Gorman went the full 10.

Fabio Wardley has shown a devastating streak in the pro ringCredit: PA:Press Association
Conor Benn
Arguably the most-improved British fighter of 2020 – and that’s after only one fight this year.
Benn showed drastic improvements to his style, patience and movement when he won almost every round against former world title challenger Sebastian Formella last time out.
It seems top trainer Tony Sims could be the man to transfer ‘hype’ into world titles.
Some questioned Benn’s chin, but the 24-year-old walked through everything Formella could throw and was a class above.

Conor Benn was simply brilliant when he outclassed Sebastian FormellaCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Route One Ltd
Vergil Ortiz Jr
Like his countryman Berlanga, Ortiz Jr has secured 16 KOs in 16 as he rips through the welterweight division.
As an amateur, he was a seven-time national champion and was the winner at the 2013 Junior Olympics.
He was also named as Ring Magazine’s Prospect of the Year for 2019.
With 2020 being a year no-one could predict, Golden Boy Promotions’ very own ‘Golden Boy’ is one to keep an eye on next year.

Vergil Ortiz Jr is one of Golden Boy’s top prospectsCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

LOGAN PAUL’S sparring partners have warned not to underestimate the YouTuber’s ‘deceptive’ skills as he attempts to pull off a miracle.
Paul faces Hall of Fame legend Floyd Mayweather in February 2021, in a ‘special exhibition fight’.

Logan Paul pictured with his training team

Paul next to Angel Lozano, left, and Daniel Hernandez, right

And he will do so having had just ONE professional bout, a scrappy, split-decision defeat to his internet rival KSI, 27, in November 2019.
But Paul’s group of sparring partners insist the social media sensation has a lot more to offer than just millions of followers and loyal fans.
They told SunSport the 25-year-old is gifted with natural ability and power – as they work to mould the boxing upstart into the ultimate underdog.
Welterweight prospect Vlad Panin, who has the job of mimicking Mayweather’s movement, said: “I think he’s pretty confident.

“Because of the size he has, he pretty much has every physical advantage bar speed, reflexes and experience.
“But he is younger, bigger and stronger and he’s got deceptive speed.
“We’ve been sparring with 18oz gloves and he’s still strong with even with the headgear.”

Angel Lozano, a cruiserweight brought into provide strength and power, added: “He’s pretty confident, and he knows who he’s fighting.

“He’ll say a couple of times, ‘I’m a YouTuber but I’m fighting the greatest fighter of all time’.
“He knows what he’s going against but his size and power will be to his advantage. But, he is fighting the greatest.
“He’s just going to have to keep Floyd uncomfortable for the whole six rounds.”
Lozano’s trainer Daniel Hernandez has been on hand for the secret sparring sessions, held in the back garden of Paul’s mansion in Los Angeles.
He believes Paul needs to use every bit of his six inch and FOUR STONE weight advantage and quickly learn old tricks of the trade.
Hernandez explained: “Even though he’s a beginner he needs to use a lot of veteran tactics, like forearm on the inside, push off, pushing his head down with his other arm.
“He’s going to have to use a lot of things he maybe doesn’t know yet but hopefully learns very quickly on how to fight like a seasoned pro.  
“But you need to be a veteran to do those things, so does he have enough time to learn that? Probably not, but hopefully Logan goes in there confident.”

Cruiserweight Lozano pictured after sparring

Paul has kicked off his camp to prepare for the Floyd Mayweather fight
Panin too agrees that Paul will need to bring the fight to Mayweather and make the 43-year-old as uncomfortable as possible.
It could force the usually-cautious veteran out of his safe back foot boxing style and into a more physical battle, suiting the much larger Paul.
And he points out that it remains to be seen how well Mayweather – who has boxed just one round in two years – can take heavyweight a shot.
Panin said: “Weight classes definitely exist for a reason.
“And, at the end of the day you can make him miss but when he hits you it’s still coming from a heavyweight, because he walks around at around 220lb.
“Given this is a shorter fight, and Floyd usually likes to start slow and pick it up as the rounds go on, he doesn’t have that luxury in this type of fight.  

Welterweight prospect Vlad Panin with Paul

Panin mimicking Mayweather’s famous shoulder roll
“I personally don’t think Floyd will knock Logan out. Floyd’s not that strong of a puncher, I mean he’s sharp but Logan’s a big guy.
“I’m really not that worried for Logan, I think he can survive for six rounds, because of his length he can pull away from shots. As long as he’s not getting hit flush.
“Another thing is Floyd’s 43 now and he hasn’t fought in a while and often you forget what it feels like to get hit in those smaller gloves.
“At 43-year’s-old if Logan does land a good right hand on Floyd how’s he going to react? That’s a question too.”
With the fight lasting just half of the usual 12 championship rounds, Lozano feels it will suit Paul better.
He said: “It’s only going to be six rounds so he’s going to have to keep Floyd uncomfortable.
“Floyd usually lets people steal rounds by moving around and letting themselves tire out, but it’s only six rounds so it will be interesting to see how they both come out.”

Boxing legend Zab Judah with Lozano and Paul

Paul has ‘deceptive’ boxing skills
An expected but not critical loss for Paul against Mayweather would leave the American winless in his three attempts in the ring.
But with his dedication and priceless experience of fighting under the brightest lights, he has been tipped for a good future in boxing, so long as he remains grounded.
Lozano said: “If he commits himself he can go pretty far.
“I’ve been in there with some top guys and Logan has given me more trouble than even some of these pros have.
“If he continues to fight great sparring and stay dedicated then he can go pretty far.”
Coach Hernandez added: “If he does dedicate the time, if he does have a great coach then he could definitely be a contender.
“I wouldn’t go as far to say a champion, as we are yet to see how he evolves in the pro ranks, but he could definitely be a legitimate boxer.”

Logan Paul comments on what would happen if he beats Floyd Mayweather in upcoming fight More