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      Lawrence Okolie record: Height, reach, weight, stance, pro record and amateur wins for Euro champion ahead of big fight

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      LAWRENCE OKOLIE is in action tonight on the Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev undercard.
      The cruiserweight contender was supposed to fighting Krzysztof Głowacki for the WBO world title but the Polish fighter tested positive for coronavirus.

      Lawrence Okolie will be hoping to fight for the WBO cruiserweight world title this weekendCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Okolie will still feature on the bill and promoter Eddie Hearn has explained it still be for the world title – against Nikodem Jezewski.
      Regardless, The Sauce will feature for the first in a ring since October 2019, when he beat Yves Ngabu at the O2 Arena.
      What is Lawrence Okolie’s boxing record?
      As a professional boxer, Okolie’s record is 14-0 with 11 of those fights coming by stoppage.
      Okolie biggest fight to date was against compatriot Issac Chamberlain in a battle dubbed ‘British Beef’, which 27-year-old won on points.

      Lawrence Okolie beat Yves Ngabu for the European title last yearCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      After beating Chamberlain for the WBA continental cruiserweight title, Okolie went on to win the Commonwealth and British straps against Luke Watkins and Matty Askin.
      Okolie then picked up the European title in a brilliant seventh-round TKO of Ngabu last October, in his second fight with trainer Shane McGuigan.
      Lawrence Okolie height, weight, reach and stance
      The Sauce stands at a lofty 6ft 5in and at the weigh-in will be as heavy as 14st 3oz, or 200lbs.
      Okolie has previously spoken about moving up to the heavyweight division, where his own manager Anthony Joshua is competing.

      Lawrence Okolie is 14-0 as a professional fighterCredit: Reuters
      Joshua is the WBA, WBO and IBF champ in boxing’s blue riband division.
      Okolie’s reach is just over 82 inches and he is ranked as the seventh best cruiserweight in the world by Ring Magazine.
      Okolie is right-handed, therefore he fights out of the orthodox stance.
      Lawrence Okolie amateur career
      Okolie won gold at the European Olympic qualifying competition in Turkey back in 2016.
      He defeated France’s Paul Omba in the final, having beat Abdulkadir Abdullayev in the semis.
      Okolie was then selected to compete for Great Britain at the Rio Olympics that very same year.

      Lawrence Okolie teamed up with Shane McGuigan last yearCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      He won his opening fight against Igor Jakubowski before losing to stylish Cuban Erislandy Savon in the next round.
      Okolie also fought in the World Series of Boxing for the British Lionearts and also lost to Savon, but this time by TKO.
      He turned pro soon after, signing a deal with Hearn and Matchroom, before penning a management contract with Joshua and 258 Management. More

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      Canelo Alvarez fight with Callum Smith to have THREE world super-middleweight titles on line in huge clash

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      CANELO ALVAREZ and Callum Smith will now fight for the vacant WBC super-middleweight title.
      Liverpool’s Smith was already defending his WBA and Ring Magazine belts in next Saturday’s headliner.

      Canelo and Callum Smith will now fight for the vacant WBC super-middleweight title

      But promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the WBC crown – which David Benavidez lost on the scales in August – will now be up for grabs.
      Canelo, who still has the WBC’s ‘Franchise’ title at middleweight, was lined up to fight Avni Yildrim for the super-middleweight strap.
      But the two never even opened negotiations as Mexican star Alvarez, 30, searched for a bigger fight.
      Unbeaten Smith, 30, had previously been named mandatory challenger for Benavidez’s belt having held the WBC ‘Diamond’ strap.

      As a result, the governing body gave the green light for the Brit and Canelo to fight for the vacant 168lb world title.
      WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said: “Canelo and Callum will give the world a superb closing of a difficult year and will make fans from around the world celebrate with much entertainment and enjoyment.
      “I would like to personally praise Avni Yildirim for his exemplary collaboration to make this a reality.”

      Hearn added: “I am delighted that the winner of this fight will be crowned the WBC World champion at 168lb.

      “Canelo Alvarez is the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet, and Callum Smith is the number one Super-Middleweight on the planet.
      “So, it is fitting for the winner to proudly wear the green and gold belt on December 19.”

      Canelo Alvarez shows off his brutal power in the training gym More

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      Tyson Fury could be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner next week despite asking fans NOT to vote for him

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      TYSON FURY could be crowned the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year next week, despite urging his legions of fans NOT to vote for him.
      Four years on from becoming Public Enemy No1, following a string of homophobic and sexist comments, the Gypsy King is the undefeated WBC heavyweight champion of the world and a celebrated mental health campaigner.

      Tyson Fury could be crowned the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year next weekCredit: PA:Press Association

      But the father of five has no interest in landing the showbiz gong and even claimed the popularity contest was fixed after he was overlooked in 2019 following a stellar 12 months.
      This year, however, it looks like only Lewis Hamilton could pip the 32-year-old to the accolade, following his incredible F1 wins and brave stance around the Black Lives Matter movement.
      But that has not stopped the proud Traveller from ordering the Beeb to remove him from their shortlist – a request they rejected – and asking fans not to contribute to the poll.
      It should come as no surprise then that he refused to attend Anthony Joshua’s fight with Kubrat Pulev, even though promoter Eddie Hearn said his spot in the VIP seats would help hype their potential 2021 double header.

      And even Hearn’s nemesis Frank Warren, who is Fury’s co-promoter and helped guide him back from his 2016 mental health breakdown, assumed he would be happy to be nominated for the prize.
      The Queensberry boss said: “I’m absolutely delighted for him.
      “To even be nominated for Sports Personality of the Year, firstly you have to be an outstanding athlete – and he is the best in the boxing business.
      “And then you have to have a personality and he certainly has that and I am sure he will get a big public vote.

      “If he had boxed on December 5, I think he would have been a shoo-in for it because he would have been fresh on everybody’s mind.
      “Winning it would be great for boxing and it would be great for him.”
      AJ spent most of the Pulev build-up straight-batting questions about Fury and by Thursday he was sick of mentioning his name.
      Fury’s magnificent February win over Deontay Wilder, just a few months after AJ needed a cautious points win to recover his WBA, IBF and WBO titles from Andy Ruiz Jr, have put them on par for popularity.
      But Joshua wants the world to remember that Fury only has one elite-level KO win on his record, while he has been stopping some of the biggest names in the game since he turned pro after the 2012 London Olympics.
      And, until Fury signs off on a date and location for their mouth-watering potential fights, AJ insists he will be persona non grata as far as he is concerned.

      He said: “He’s a good fighter. He came into the game very early on as a professional, probably around the time that I’d just started.
      “I’ve watched him, he’s done well. But I’m just focusing on my career right now. Good luck to him, but Saturday night is my night.
      “Kubrat Pulev is my only focus right now. I’m not worried about any comments from any heavyweight at the minute. I never have been.
      “I know how tough this game is. Good luck to them all but, until I fight them, they’re irrelevant.”
      Fury was supposed to box on December 5 in the UK but he wanted his usual mega-money for fighting a C-list opponent – without a live gate and at a bad time for his huge US fanbase to catch on TV – so the bout was scrapped.
      Wilder is still claiming they have agreed a trilogy fight and that Fury will be hit by a big legal bill for avoiding their third clash.

      Deontay Wilder is still claiming they have agreed a trilogy fight
      But Hearn has insisted he will not be allowed a warm-up bout in the Spring or AJ will face the WBO’s mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
      And three scorching Middle East nations are leading the race to host the all-English clash.
      Hearn said: “I’ve mentioned it to Team Fury, if he has a warm-up fight then we fight Usyk.
      “He’s not got the style that he needs a warm up. Straight in, and I think he’s happy with it.
      “To have this fight in the UK we are dependent on having 90,000 here at Wembley.
      “It’s going to be Saudi, Qatar and Abu Dhabi – they will be the three bidders from the Middle East.
      “If we do the fight here we are totally dependent on the crowd.” More

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      Conor McGregor vs Jake Paul has ‘zero per cent chance’, UFC boss Dana White reckons despite YouTube star’s call out

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      UFC president Dana White has ruled out any chance of Conor McGregor squaring up against Jake Paul.
      The YouTube star called out The Notorious after he knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson in November.

      Jake Paul walks out before his fight against Nate Robinson

      White says there is no chance of McGregor facing Paul – at least not yetCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Paul had Robinson down three times in the fight, before knocking his opponent out cold in the second round, taking his boxing record to two wins from two bouts, both by KO.
      Paul sparked fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gibb in January on his boxing debut.
      Dana White however says there is “zero chance” of Paul and McGregor facing off, but he does admit “there will be a day when Conor McGreogor can do these type of fights and make a bunch of money.”
      The Paul brothers are certainly not scared to call out the professionals, as Jake’s older brother Logan Paul has secured an exhibition bout with Floyd Mayweather in February.

      Conor McGregor however will be fully focused on his mouthwatering clash with Dustin Poirier in January at UFC 257.

      McGregor beat Poirier in 2014 at UFC 178, and will be looking to mark his return to the octagon with another victory over the American.
      The Notorious hasn’t fought since his January victory over Donald Cerrone, and since then announced his retirement from the UFC for the third time.
      Although a venue isn’t set, McGregor and Poirier are likely to face off at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi this coming January, meaning Jake Paul still has some time to wait if he ever wants his bout against The Notorious. More

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      Joshua vs Pulev undercard FREE: Lawrence Okolie in action, Ashfaq vs Lane, Bakole vs Kuzmin and Hughie Fury vs Wach

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA returns to the ring to face Kubrat Pulev in a huge heavyweight bout this weekend.
      Joshua hasn’t been in action since December 2019, when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr on points in Saudi Arabia.

      Anthony Joshua is in action on December 12 against Kubrat PulevCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      ODDS SPECIAL 4/1 FOR JOSHUA TO WIN VIA KO, DQ OR TKOMobile only / UK and IRE, New customers only / 18+ / begambleaware.org
      He’ll defend his WBA, WBO and IBF titles against Bulgarian brute Pulev in front of 1,000 fans, as supporters return to boxing events for the first time since March.
      AJ is hoping to secure a big fight with Tyson Fury in 2021.
      What channel is Joshua vs Pulev on?
      To watch Joshua’s huge clash with Pulev, you’ll have to purchase the event on Sky Sports Box Office, which you can do HERE.
      The night’s action will set you back £24.95.
      The action can be streamed from the Sky Sports Box Office app, which can be downloaded onto a mobile or tablet device.
      You can watch some of the undercard for FREE, however, as Qais Ashfaq takes on Ashley Lane from 5.30pm on Facebook.
      What time does it start in the UK?
      The undercard action should get underway from around 5.30pm GMT on Facebook, with Joshua and Pulev’s fight to begin at around 10.30pm.
      The coverage on Sky Sports Box Office will begin from 6pm.
      The event will take place at Wembley Arena.
      There will be 1,000 fans in attendance.

      Anthony Joshua beat Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia last year Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Joshua vs Pulev FULL CARD
      Lawrence Okolie was set to face Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO cruiserweight title but Glowacki tested positive for coronavirus.

      The Brit will instead face Nikodem Jezewski, but the fight will not be for the title as the unbeaten Pole is not ranked by the WBO.
      Elsewhere, Ramla Ali’s bout is off after she tested positive for coronavirus.
      Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev (WBA, IBF, WBO heavyweight title)
      Lawrence Okolie vs Nikodem Jezewski (cruiserweight)
      Hughie Fury vs Mariusz Wach (heavyweight)
      Martin Bakole vs Sergey Kuzmin (heavyweight)
      Souleymane Cissokho vs Kieron Conway (light-middleweight)
      Florian Marku vs TBA (welterweight)
      Qais Ashfaq vs Ashley Lane (FREE on Facebook) (super-bantamweight)
      Ramla Ali vs Vanesa Caballero (featherweight)
      What the fighters have said
      “It’s going to be intimate; it’s going to be closed circuit,” Joshua said.
      “You won’t have to worry about your missus having a pint of beer chucked on her head or 15 guys by the side of you getting into a fight.

      “It’s not bad. The pressure is off, you can get in your rhythm. And I think I need that sometimes. I am under a lot of pressure. I am physically good but mentally you have to stay strong.

      “This year has been good to unload a lot of pressure and you have to take fighting in front of 1,000 fans as a positive.”
      Pulev has said: “I have been watching his fights carefully. He has a good style, and he is a good specimen, but he has not shown any mental toughness.
      “Yes, he has skills, but he hasn’t shown the mental strength.
      “This is something from within, in the blood of a man, and he does not have it.” More

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      UFC chief Dana White refuses to step foot into boxing anytime soon because of how ‘screwed up’ and ‘broken’ sport is

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      DANA WHITE has ruled out working in boxing anytime soon after launching a scathing attack on the sport.
      The UFC chief labelled boxing as ‘screwed up’ and ‘broken as it is’ as he laid into the sport.

      UFC president Dana White has hit out at the state of boxing

      Speaking to ESPN SportsCenter, White said: “The reason you’ve never seen me do anything is because that’s how screwed up and broken it is.
      “That’s what a mess it is. Yeah, I’m not doing anything any time soon.”
      White ridiculed the state of boxing after the recent announcement of Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition bout against Logan Paul.
      He told pranksters NELK boys: “When people ask me what’s the state of boxing right now, that’s where it’s at.

      “Didn’t that kid get beat up by the f*****g video game kid from England and now he’s going to fight Floyd Mayweather?”
      White is clearly unimpressed by boxing’s move into YouTubers fighting and the recent exhibition bout between veterans Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.
      The UFC boss was in talks earlier this year with Mayweather about working together.
      But the discussions did not lead to a partnership and it remains to be seen whether White will reconsider a move into boxing.

      Speaking to Yahoo Sports earlier this year, White said: “Floyd wants to fight.

      “He wants to fight. We’re going to probably … listen, I’m dealing with all the (expletive) that’s going on with 2020 right now.
      “Floyd and I want to work together. We want to do something. We’re going to do something.
      “I just need a little more time to get my (expletive) together.”

      Head of UFC Dana White announces 60 cuts from his fight roster More

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      Pulev confident he can beat Tyson Fury after defeating Anthony Joshua because he’s already beaten ‘the better Fury’

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      KUBRAT PULEV is confident he can beat Tyson Fury after dethroning Anthony Joshua – because he has already beaten the “better Fury”
      The Bulgarian’s co-promoter, Ivan Gotzev, reckons his man will snatch AJ’s belts tonight and then smash the Gypsy King to become undisputed heavyweight world champion.

      Kubrat Pulev’s camp is confident of beating Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury – having beaten ‘better’ Hughie in 2018

      Kubrat Pulev is coming for Anthony Joshua’s beltsCredit: PA:Press Association

      ODDS SPECIAL 4/1 FOR JOSHUA TO WIN VIA KO, DQ OR TKOMobile only / UK and IRE, New customers only / 18+ / begambleaware.org
      Gotzev thinks it’s a no-brainer as Pulev, 39, has already beaten the “better Fury” – cousin Hughie.
      The veteran fighter beat Hughie in a 2018 IBF eliminator to land the Joshua bout in the first place.
      And Gotzev told WorldBoxingNews: “Kubrat’s thinking, let them do all the planning. Then let me get that Tyson Fury fight.

      “Because defeating AJ will create a great podium for a Tyson Fury showdown.
      “He’s already beaten the younger Fury. Kubrat feels [he] is the better Fury.”
      Speaking about the drawn-out talks to give the fight the go-ahead, Gotzev added: “The world needs a comeback fight.
      “They need a spectacle, an epic battle, and something to take your mind off what is going around the world.

      “So we’ll give the world the opportunity to see a fight by the rules, by two gladiators.”

      Pulev wants Fury’s belts too, to become undisputed world heavyweight championCredit: Reuters

      Gotzev went on to criticise Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn for refusing to budge on their demands to have the fight go ahead in England – with it taking place at the SSE Wembley Arena having originally been scheduled to be at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      He raged: “Croatia came in strong with a big offer… an excellent offer as a matter of fact, for us to take it to Pula.
      “But from day one there was always hesitancy.
      “I don’t think they ever wanted to be anywhere outside of [Joshua’s] home sweet home: The UK and London.
      “I do believe that the champion, who I have a lot of respect for, has struggled due to the fact that he did not look very good on the road.”

      Fans think Kubrat Pulev will ‘crush’ Antony Joshua after Bulgarian shares video of himself training in ring More

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      Anthony Joshua will KNOCK OUT Tyson Fury and make ‘serious statement’, predicts boxing icon Bernard Hopkins

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      FORMER two-weight world champion Bernard Hopkins believes Anthony Joshua will stop Tyson Fury in their expected dust-up next year.
      The 55-year-old American – who now works as a promoter for Golden Boy – has backed AJ to make a statement when he finally faces his British rival inside the ring.

      Boxing legend Bernard Hopkins believes Anthony Joshua will be too good for Tyson FuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Joshua has been vocal in his desire to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999Credit: Richard Pelham – The Sun

      It was revealed in June that Fury and Joshua have agreed a two-fight deal in 2021 providing they both emerge victorious in their next bouts.
      Fury is currently wrangling with Deontay Wilder over whether they have a trilogy fight while Joshua must get past Kubrat Pulev tonight with his WBA, WBO and IBF belts on the line.
      Discussing the dream match-up between the two, Hopkins – who won 55 out 67 fights in the paid ranks – has stated that Joshua’s experience will see him earn a late stoppage.
      Speaking on Sky Sports’ Toe 2 Toe podcast earlier this year, he said: “Joshua vs Fury is a fight that both guys could win or lose.

      “I like Joshua to be tested, to get his feelings hurt early – that might be a knock-down but he will get up.
      “Because of the lesson that he learned being, not unprepared, but overconfident he paid a big price. He redeemed himself.
      “Now that is in his memory – what not to do ever again – Joshua beats Fury by knockout late.
      “It will be an interesting, exciting five or six rounds at the beginning. Then Joshua’s athleticism, boxing IQ and experience would overwhelm Fury.

      Fury, 31, faces Deontay Wilder in a third WBC title fight later this yearCredit: Richard Pelham

      “Joshua would come out of a dust-storm based on his experience.
      “At this point he has to make a really serious statement based on [the Andy Ruiz Jr loss]. Redemption.
      “This fight is Joshua’s stamp of approval of being great. He’s not there yet. He is in legacy building mode.”

      Heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua jokingly gives middle finger as Tyson Fury fans taunt him in Marbella More