Boxing

TYSON FURY is back on top in heavyweight boxing – but it could have been very different.
The Gypsy King completed a sensational comeback in the sport when he battered Deontay Wilder back in February to win the WBC world title.

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Tyson Fury had a tough night against John McDermott back in 2009 – but somehow managed to get a wide points winCredit: Rex Features
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It handed the American his first professional defeat, and also maintained his own unbeaten record.
But back in 2009 Fury managed to keep that 0 in his losses column when he came up against slugger John McDermott.
Fury was heralded as one of British boxing’s best talents having blitzed seven opponents in quick time.
His team decided to step things up against ‘Big Bad’ McDermott, with the English title on the line.

McDermott went in to the bout on the back of two losses against Danny Williams, but his 30-fight record included many KOs that would test out the new golden boy’s chin.
And while no stoppage came for either boxer, McDermott had seemingly put the skids on Fury’s blossoming career with a messy points win.

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Tyson Fury was the 1/6 favourite against John McDermott – but the fight didnt play out like thatCredit: Rex Features

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Going into the later rounds Team McDermott were in confident moodCredit: Rex Features
It was far from a spectacular performance. But McDermott snaffled and bullied the younger man, with Fury, the 1/6 favourite on the night, left relying on distance flurries.
Going into the final round Fury’s corner were heard telling their man that he was behind on points and needed a grandstand finish – that never came.

Referee Terry O’Connor saw things differently and somehow scored it 98-92 to Fury.
It led to McDermott’s promoter at the time, Frank Maloney, now Kellie Maloney, slamming O’Connor as a “disgrace to boxing”.
Guardian writer Kevin Mitchell pulled no punches in his assessment of the result, saying at the time that he “cannot remember a worse decision in the sport”.
He wrote that Fury “got away with a robbery of the highway variety” and that the boxing community “were left outraged by the decision”.

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It was Tyson Fury and his team who were left celebrating at the end of the 10-rounderCredit: Rex Features

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Tyson Fury said after the controversial points win that he would have retired if he had lostCredit: Rex Features

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Basildon boxer McDermott could barely believe the referee’s decisionCredit: Rex Features
Boxing legend Jim Watt was commentating for Sky Sports, and his scorecard gave it to McDermott by two rounds, 96-94 with Fury only coming close after winning the final two.
McDermott was crestfallen as he gave his post-fight interview ringside.
He said: “What have I got to do to win it? I’m a nice gentle guy, he’s the one with the big mouth and I’ve been penalised for it.”
Fury, 21 at the time, said that he thought he had won it, and admitted that he “would have retired” if he had lost the fight.
The rematch was inevitable, and as luck would have it Fury came in a year later a different beast and knocked McDermott down three times on the way to a ninth-round stoppage.
But the controversy of that first clash still lingers, with McDermott even claiming Tyson’s dad John admitted to him that his son had “lost the fight”.

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John McDermott and his then-promoter Frank, now Kellie, Maloney could not believe the decisionCredit: Sky Sports

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Basildon boxer McDermott believed his ‘face did not fit’ and thats why Fury got the points winCredit: Sky Sports
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Basildon ex-boxer, who now works on the railways fixing overhead cables, admits the result still “annoys” him.
He said: “I’m not saying I would have gone on to fight for the world title but it would have helped me, at the time.
“A bit more money when there wasn’t much money in boxing. He’s a millionaire now and I’m struggling.
“They thought I’d be an easy fight. They didn’t think I could dig deep.
“I remember walking up to the punch bag and my trainer drew a line at 6’9” and said: ‘This is how tall Tyson Fury is’. I remember thinking: ‘How am I going to hit the bloke?’
“I thought the judges were scoring it. But people were booing and I saw the referee holding Fury’s hand up. It’s just madness, I don’t know what happened. How can he score it 8-2?”

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After the rematch McDermott, now 40 , only had four more fights before retiring on a victory against Matt Skelton in 2013.
Fury, 31, meanwhile has completed a real fairytale by dethroning Wilder and putting himself in a prime position to become undisputed heavyweight king.
But things could have panned out very differently had the contentious result of 2009 been reversed.

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Tyson Fury is on top of the heavyweight boxing world while John McDermott is fixing up the railwaysCredit: Reuters

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THE Matchroom HQ in Essex is where boxing promoter Eddie Hearn makes all his key decisions.
Originally bought by his dad Barry around 30 years ago, it’s was the family’s former house before it became the home of boxing, snooker and darts.

The stunning Matchroom HQ where Eddie Hearn conducts his businessCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eddiehearn/

Eddies dad Barry Hearn bought the property for £200,000Credit: Rex Features
Then, it cost Hearn Sr a meagre £200,000 – and was an upgrade from the Dagenham council house he grew up in.
The property boasts a gym and swimming pool, which Hearn’s staff and pool of fighters can use.
While in the lush expansive garden, you’ll find a helipad and occasionally a boxer working out with pads or going for a run.
Join SunSport for a tour inside.

LEISURE COMPLEX
Matchroom HQ isn’t just a place where Hearn meets his fighters, conducts media days and draws out his plans for boxing domination.
It’s also a place that boasts a leisure complex, in which fighters can exercise with their trainers.
“The key to a healthy mind is a healthy body,” Hearn told The Daily Mail.
“We’ve got a pool and a gym upstairs, where the fighters come in for meetings, can have some sessions with their trainers and do some strength work in the pool.

Originally, the Hearns lived in the stately home

The leisure complex features a pool Hearn’s stable of fighters and staff take advantage ofCredit: Talksport

Fight posters dominate Matchroom HQs officeCredit: Talksport

Artwork from the first Froch v Groves fight sits pride of place in Hearn’s officeCredit: Talksport
“This pool has been used by a number of great fighters over the years – Chris Eubank, Jim McDonnell, and Darren Barker.
“It’s great to have this facility here, not only for our staff and our employers and our team, but also for our team of fighters.”
INCREDIBLE GROUNDS
Surrounding the stately property are some stunning grounds.
It’s where Anthony Joshua and Co. love to go for a run, and even some outdoor pad work.
“There’s some great runs in the forest,” Hearn revealed.
“Many fighters have been seen through the years doing many a circuit.
“In the summertime, actually, a lot of them come out here and do their pad work, circuits and strength work.
“It’s a great feel and great to have the fighters here, when they are around.”

Barry and Eddie Hearn pose in the lush gardensCredit: Action Images – Reuters

Eddie Hearn is effectively in charge of the business these daysCredit: � Will Wintercross / eyevine.

Dotted around Matchroom HQ are photographs of Hearn’s fighters’ most impressive momentsCredit: TalkSport
THEY’VE COME A LONG WAY
Eddie’s dad Barry has come a long way since his own childhood.
He came from a Dagenham council estate, but made good as a promoter for the likes of Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn and Lennox Lewis.
Although Eddie is effectively in charge of the business these days, Barry still has the better office.
“This was the house my dad bought about 30 years ago,” he told TalkSport.
“He was from a council house in Dagenham, did well, and this was his first major purchase.
“I grew up here, so we feel great here and it’s been very good to us.
“He paid two hundred grand for it at the time. Looks like a good investment now, but more than the money this has been a very lucky place for us.
“We’re big believers in that and luck.”

Self-confessed boxing fanatic Hearn collects the gloves of his fightersCredit: TalkSport

Barry Hearn came from a Dagenham council estate before he made his millionsCredit: Rex Features

Fittingly, Barry still has the better officeCredit: Rex Features
FIGHT ISLAND
Like Dana White has done with the UFC, Eddie has created his own ‘Fight Island’ to stage boxing matches.
However, his plans are more personal. Hearn is turning the mansion’s garden into a fighting arena, with events starting from August 1.
Hearn said: “Our project restart is about staging live boxing from the garden there with a canopy.
“You’ve heard of Madison Square Garden and this is the new garden.
“We talked about doing boxing in studios and there’s a lot of people doing it. I just feel like when you are talking about a gladiatorial sport, like boxing, you need to create that moment, that energy, not just for the viewer at home but the fighter as well.
“We’ve got big plans. It looks fantastic. There’s still a long way to go. I think it’s 90 per cent for us. Anything could happen at any time.
HOW IT’LL WORK
And Hearn has really thought it through.
“There’s a hotel at the bottom of the road that we will take over. On the Wednesday, before the Saturday, everybody will turn up. Fighters, Sky team, corners, our team will all be tested at a facility,” he continued.

Eddie Hearn has bold plans for boxing the boxing coronavirus pandemicCredit: Talksport

Hearn is staging boxing fights from the Matchroom HQ gardenCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eddiehearn/

Hearn showed off his plans on social mediaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eddiehearn/
“You don’t enter the hotel specifically, you enter a side building and you get tested and then you get your key, go into your room and don’t leave until you get the results.

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“Once you get a negative results, you are allowed into Matchroom Fight Camps. We create a sterile environment. No one is allowed to interact with anyone from outside fight camp during that period.
“The problem with this virus is people are still learning. We are having a dozen calls a day with doctors and testing facilities. It’s such a mountain to climb.
“We are going to be having around 90 people on site and everyone will be tested before they go into the facility.”

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THIS is the house where Mike Tyson became a Hollywood star.
In 2008, the 53-year-old former heavyweight champion let movie director Todd Phillips and his cameras into a stunning mansion he lived in with wife No3 Lakika.

Inside Mike Tyson’s former £1.5m Las Vegas mansion used in The HangoverCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

The gorgeous property has an infinity pool with two spas and a waterfallCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas
They filmed hilarious scenes from cult movie The Hangover, in a cameo that would go on to define him and rebuild his career after years of bankruptcy.
Found in the beautiful gated community called Seven Hills in the suburb of Henderson, it boasts six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms, and its own private balcony.
And golf enthusiasts will enjoy the incredible 18-hole Rio Secco Golf Club, as well as four large private parks filled with basketball courts, tennis courts and football pitches.
ITALIAN-STYLE
Like many new builds in Las Vegas within gated communities, the 5,740-square-feet mansion was built in an Italian style in 2001.

Two-storeys in size, the entrance opens to a grand reception room with a 25-foot-high lit waterfall, which connects to the great room that has a wet bar and fireplace.
You can imagine the great room is perfect for lounging, and where cannabis-advocate Tyson may possibly enjoy an occasional smoke.

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Hit movie The Hangover starrring Bradley Cooper was filmed in Tyson’s houseCredit: Warner Bros

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Mike Tyson in 2009 hit movie The HangoverCredit: Kobal Collection – Rex Features
The living room has vaulted ceilings and walls of windows that offer plenty of natural light.
Completing the look is a family room with a moon-shaped wet bar.

While a centre-island kitchen has a another wet bar, and a wine cellar.
For those chilly desert evenings, the home has four fireplaces.
There’s also a garage for space for four cars.

There are six-and-a-half bathroomsCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

The Italian-style property was built in 2001Credit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

A 25 foot waterfall awaits you in the front entranceCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

The kitchen boasts a centre islandCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

The mansion is two-storeys in sizeCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

The great room could be cannabis advocate Tyson’s smoking roomCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas
OUTSIDE SPACE
The sprawling property also has plenty of outside space.
There’s a huge pool should ‘Iron Mike’ fancy taking a dip.
In total, the garden boasts an infinity pool with two spas and a waterfall, as well as a large patio area, featuring a fire pit, BBQ area, bar area and pool bathroom.

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Movie fans will remember Zach Galifianakis urinating in it in The Hangover.
However, it’s the 18-hole golf course that’s shared with other residents in the private community, as well as four large parks that have basketball courts and football pitches that make it a scenic surrounding.
Tyson and Lakika have lived in Henderson, Nevada since 2008, moving to a property nearby in 2016. But she won’t be happy if the ‘Wolf Pack’ pop round, mind.

The property boasts a total of four fireplacesCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

Large windows mean the property has plenty of natural lightCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

The wrought iron staircase runs through the homeCredit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

Tyson and his wife Lakika have lived in Henderson, Nevada since 2008Credit: LUXURY HOMES of Las Vegas

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