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      Adam Azim’s fight CALLED OFF just hours before opening bell after rival Eliot Chavez’s ILLEGAL method to make weight

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      ADAM AZIM’s showdown with Eliot Chavez has been cancelled just hours before the walk-ons. The pair were due to fight on the undercard of Callum Simpson’s European title fight in Barnsley tonight. Adam Azim was due to box in Barnsley on Saturday nightCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunAzim’s bout has been cancelled after his opponent used a sauna to weight cutCredit: GettyAzim, 22, boasts an unbeaten record and secured the IBO light-welterweight title in February. He took Saturday’s fight at short notice after beating former world champion Sergey Lipinets. But Chavez was left in hot water after it emerged he’d used a sauna to make weight. Promoters Boxxer said in a statement: “The British Boxing Board of Control has withdrawn permission for Eliot Chavez to face Adam Azim tonight in Barnsley following concerns raised by the Mexican Boxing Commission relating to Chavez’s use of a sauna to make weight – a practice that is prohibited by the board.”READ MORE ON BOXINGAzim immediately reacted on social media, posing an angry face emoji. One fan sympathised: “Sorry to hear that champ. Was looking forward to it.”While another said: “This is what happens when you fight someone on like a week or two notice.”Chavez went nine rounds with Harlem Eubank in 2022.Most read in BoxingBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAnd Azim was hoping to use the bout to show off his credentials in the division. The 22-year-old declared he would fight anyone on a week’s notice – even two-weight world champ Devin Haney. Three-weight world champion Vasily Lomachenko retires after more than 400 FIGHTS in lengthy videoAzim, 22, told Sky Sports: “I would fight Haney next week. “I just feel he’s moving around more and doesn’t want to initiate attacks.”He is a top-level fighter but I don’t think he’s the same fighter that he was before.”If he’s running on the backfoot, throwing one jab every two rounds, why not?”For me I can fight front foot and back foot.”Haney, I think he’s got enough power just to keep someone off, but I don’t think he has that one-punch power.”But I think if I was going to fight him I think I’d beat him with speed.”Read More on The SunTonight’s main event at Oakwell sees Simpson face Ivan Zucco for the European super-middleweight championship.The pair are expected to ring walk in South Yorkshire around 9.30pm. More

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      Fabio Wardley reveals the fight he would never agree to and claims he would even ‘take a knee in the first round’

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      FABIO WARDLEY has floored the baffling suggestion that he could fight his mentor and pal Dillian Whyte.After following all of Wardley’s career, we were stunned to hear the idea even mooted from some clumsy pundits. Fabio Wardley has ruled out fighting his manager and mentor Dillian WhyteCredit: @fabiowardleyBut Wardley told SunSport with a laugh: “From the second it would be announced, everybody who knows the sport and who knows us, would know it would be fake and not something I would ever do, because of the amount of love, respect and admiration I have for Dills.“People go on about my story, white-collar, coming from nowhere, sparring Usyk.”But none of that is possible without Dillian at the beginning, giving me all of these opportunities.“So I would never spit in his face and fight him.READ MORE IN boxing “Even if all the sanctioning bodies called for the fight and somebody was silly enough to put all the money up, I would take a knee in the first round and give him the win.”Ipswich’s 30-year-old former recruitment worker and white-collar boxer headlines Portman Road on Saturday night against tough Australian Justis Huni.Whyte was due to feature on the Ipswich undercard but pulled out to secure a summer showdown with Lawrence Okolie.He has not boxed in England since November 2022 and was supposed to have a rematch with Anthony Joshua in August 2023.Most read in BoxingFABIO WARDLEY VS JUSTIS HUNI: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut that O2 sell-out was scrapped when Whyte failed a doping test.Whyte has boxed in Gibraltar and Ireland since that big-money clash was binned, landing underwhelming wins.Fabio Wardley prepares for dream Portman Road homecoming fight For Wardley, on June 16 his partner is scheduled to give birth to his first child, a bouncing baby girl.For anyone else, the nail-biting fortnight would be a crippling rollercoaster of emotions impossible to combine. But the Suffolk Puncher – who went on an Oleksandr Usyk sparring trip to Ukraine in 2018 when he barely knew how to throw a jab – is loving the chaos.The class act told SunSport: “June 2025 is going to be a wild month I talk a lot about, for the rest of my life.“I will be an old man in a rocking chair, telling people about it and wondering how we pulled it off.“Everything has come together at the same time, it might seem a bit hectic but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I thrive on it, I love the chaos.”Nine months ago, the 18-0-1 ace got the wonderful news he would be a dad for the first time.And a few weeks later he got the offer of a lifetime, to headline at his boyhood football club, a chance that some Olympic and world champions never get.It seems like a psychological and logistical nightmare that would be destined for the divorce courts but Team Wardley is way too tight.“If my little girl is anything like me, then she’ll be chilled out and late, which will give me a little bit more time to decompress from the fight,” he grinned.“The flight date has been moved around a few times but my missus has been unbelievable.“I have just promised to her that, as soon as Saturday night is over, I am all theirs.“This week, though, is just my week. I need to be totally focused on me and then it’s all on them.”Wardley – who cracked 2020 Olympic bronze winner Frazer Clarke’s skull in their one-round rematch in October – somehow combines being a brutal boxer with being a lovely bloke and he insists that won’t change with another win or a baby.“I don’t know how parenthood will affect me,” he said. “I do plan to be the fun-dad though. Read More on The Sun“I want mum to do the telling off. I think I will always be driven to push myself in everything, though. “That’s something just innate in me. And I am sure I will need to feed and stoke that fire regularly.”Wardley and his girlfriend are expecting their first child togetherCredit: Instagram @fabiowardleyWardley facing off with Aussie Justis HuniCredit: Getty More

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      Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni EXACT ring-walk time: What time will the fight start in UK?

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      FABIO WARDLEY will return to the ring TONIGHT as he takes on Justis Huni in a blockbuster clash.Boyhood Ipswich Town fan, Wardley, headlines the huge bill at the Tractor Boys’ 30,000-seat stadium, Portman Road.Fabio Wardley will headline tonight’s huge bill from Portman RoadCredit: GettyFabio Wardley brutally knocked out Frazer Clarke in his last boutCredit: GettyThe 30-year-old British heavyweight was due to face Jarrell Miller, but the American was forced to pull out due to a shoulder injury he sustained during training camp.Huni jumped in at a month’s notice and will be looking to pull off a huge shock in the biggest bout of his career so far.Dillian Whyte was also meant to be on the card as chief support but was forced to withdraw earlier this week.There is some interest in on the undercard in Lewis Richardson, as the Olympic bronze medallist makes his pro debut.READ MORE IN BOXINGWardley and Huni will go head-to-head for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title, but what time will the bout take place?What time are the ring-walks for Wardley vs Huni and when will the fight start?The ring-walks for Wardley vs Huni are expected to take place at approximately 10pm BST.The main event will likely get underway at around 10.20pm BST.Timings could be subject to change depending on the length of the undercard fights.The undercard is set to begin at 7pm BST.How to watch Wardley vs HuniFabio Wardley vs Justis Huni will be broadcast live on DAZN.You can subscribe to DAZN in the UK for £9.99-a-month, which commits you to an entire year of action.A flexible pass, worth £19.99, is also available, and you can cancel at any time with 30 days’ notice.You can also pay £119.99 for the year upfront, which is the lowest cost option.Alternatively, you can follow SunSport’s live blog of the event to keep up with all the latest on the card.Are tickets still available for Wardley vs Huni?Fabio Wardley vs Justin Huni tickets are on sale on StubHub.Tickets are priced from £36 at the time of writing.Most read in Boxing*Please note that StubHub and similar secondary ticket resale sites may list tickets above face value.Wardley vs Huni undercardHere is tonight’s card in full:Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni – for the interim WBA heavyweight titlePierce O’Leary vs Liam DillonMike Perez vs Steven WardNelson Hysa vs Patrick KorteSam Gilley vs Gideon OnyenaniUmar Khan vs Moises GarciaBilly Adams vs Alexander MoralesLewis Richardson vs Dmitri ProtkunasLillie Winch vs Katerina DvorakoaJack Williams vs Fernando ValdezDillian Whyte vs TBC More

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      Josh Kelly vs Flavius Biea LIVE RESULTS: Pretty Boy lands brutal left hook to BEAT Romanian star by first round TKO

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      JOSH KELLY has made a statement on national television by landing a brutal left hook to beat Flavius Biea in just the first round!Three body shots rattled the torso of Romanian Biea which drew a big reaction from the Newcastle crowd.And then two consecutive blows from Pretty Boy dropped Biea to the canvas – eventually forcing the referee to call off the fight.RESULT: Josh Kelly beats Flavius Biea by TKOBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKFollow ALL the action from the Newcastle Arena with our live blog below…Cyrus Pattinson wins!Cyrus Pattinson has just defeated Joe Garside thanks to a fifth-round TKO.Garside was incredibly game but suffered two horror cuts above his left and right eyes and an additional one on the bridge of his nose.His corner saved him from more punishment by throwing in the towel midway through the stanza.What a fight!Copy linkCopiedPattinson vs Garside – Round 5Garside is dangerously close to being stopped. But just as you think he’s down and out, he briefly stiffens the legs of Pattinson.Pattinson recovers and goes back to punishing a blood-soaked Garside, who now has two cuts.His corner should throw in the towel. And they have!Copy linkCopiedPattinson vs Garside – Round 4The cut above Garside’s eye continues to bleed profusely, so much so that the ringside physician is forced to check it out.He gives Garside the okay to continue fighting and Pattinson immediately goes back to targetting the wound.Garside eats a big left hook just before the bell. I’m not sure if he saw that coming due to the blood in his eye.Chisanga’s scorecard: 40-36 – PattinsonCopy linkCopiedPattinson vs Garside – Round 3Pattinson is making Garside overreach and pay for his stepping over his front foot.Beautiful counters are thudding the face of Garside, who is slowly, but surely, showing signs of wilting.He’s wearing the damage on his face with a huge cut above his left eye.But it’s not too bad that the ref will wave off the contest.Chisanga’s scorecard: 30-27 – PattinsonCopy linkCopiedPattinson vs Garside – Round 2Pattison is landing weighty shots but Garside is returning fire on the inside.Body shots continue to be Pattinson’s shot of choice, but Garside has clearly been doing his abdominal work as they’re bouncing off him.Chisanga’s scorecard: 20-18 PattinsonCopy linkCopiedPattinson vs Garside – Round 1Garside has done some brilliant work in tight and operated well on the back foot.Pattinson hurts Garside with a right hook to the body and a follow-up hook to the chin.Garside takes it well. The bell goes.Chisanga’s scorecard: 10-9 PattinsonCopy linkCopiedWelterweights on deckA 148lbs showdown between Joe Garside and Cyrus Pattinson will close us out for the evening.This should be a good one.Copy linkCopiedKelly calls out Conor Benn!Josh Kelly has renewed his calls for a domestic dust-up with Conor Benn.He said: “[I want] everyone [and] anyone. If it’s a big domestic fight, [I want] Benn.”If it’s not Benn, if he doesn’t want to take that fight, then it’ll be a big world title fight.”In every governing body, I’m ranked number four or number three, two in some governing bodies.”I’m [right] there. I’ve been knocking on the door for some time.”I’m in my prime now. Let me run, let me run.”Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedBuncey weighs in on Kelly’s blowout winBoxing pundit Steve Bunce was blown away by Josh Kelly’s display.He said: “That was a serious statement of intent from Josh Kelly.”He added: “The key now is to move on, speed, fast and throw some names out there and see if they stick.”Copy linkCopiedKelly blows away Biea in the first!Josh Kelly gets the emphatic finish required in the first round of this Tyne & Wear tussle with Flavius Biea.A beautiful left hook to the temple off a textbook feint sen Biea to the canvas.And the Romanian couldn’t beat the count. Blistering display from ‘PBK’.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedKelly vs Biea – Round 1Kelly comes out fast and narrowly misses with a thundering lead uppercut.Three body shots rattle the torso of Romanian Biea and draw a big reaction from the Newcastle crowd.Biea reminds Kelly he’s still in the fight with a looping left hook.But Kelly drops him with a nasty hook a few seconds later at the end of a blistering combo.Biea isn’t getting up here, he’s badly hurt. The ref reaches the count of ten!Copy linkCopiedCrunch time for Josh KellyJosh Kelly is just moments away from returning to the ring. And this clash with Flavius Biea is a must-win for the former British light-middleweight champion.In his last two outings, he’s looked like a shell of the fighter he was before his brutal KO loss to David Avanesyan four years ago.Not only does he need to win tonight, he needs to win in style.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedTom Welland WINSWelland’s last three opponents didn’t get to hear the final bell but he got the win nevertheless.This extends his undefeated streak to NINE wins and no losses.Wasn’t the prettiest of victories, but Welland won’t care, he is just relieved his hand got raised.Tom Welland 59-55 Facundo AcreCredit: GettyCopy linkCopiedWelland vs Acre – Round 6Acre landed a HUGE left hook at the top of the round, which will go down well in the judges’ eyes despite Welland hitting back immediately.As the round went on, Tom turned it up a notch, throwing jab after jab but none really connected.I must admit, Acre grew into the fight after each round because at one stage, he seemed as if he was heading for a stoppage loss.But in a shocking turn of events, Acre threw a punch AFTER the bell which could really go against him – he could get disqualified!Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Acre – Round 5Acre has massively stepped up the pace and certainly took the front foot in this round.But it seems as if Welland was taking a step back and waiting for an opportunity.We normally see fireworks from Welland but there hasn’t been too many of those just yet as we enter the final round.The Brit is still on course to win but he’s creeping over the finish line at this point.Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Acre – Round 4Tom Welland seems to have slowed up a little in this bout which is quite worrying.The Brit is still winning the fight but Acre is making very difficult.This could be an interesting last two rounds.Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Acre – Round 3You can certainly see why Acre has got several knockouts under his belt because he hit Welland with a few powerful shots.The Mexcian arguably won that round as Welland found it awkward.Welland looked a little right-hand happy but his first two round should be inspirational enough for him to get back on track.Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Acre – Round 2Another strong round for Welland as he exploded to life in the final ten seconds.The Brit star landed four or five superb body shots that Acre struggled to deal with.So far so good from the Kelly corner.Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Acre – Round 1Acre may have a tattoo of Mike Tyson on the right side of his chest, but that wasn’t enough to scare Welland.The British boxer came out all guns blazing, connecting with a number of jabs and putting Acre on the back foot.Welland will be the happier of the two with that opening round.Copy linkCopiedLight as a featherNext up, we have an epic super-featherweight contest on the cards.Tom Welland takes on Facundo Arce and it is expected to be a cracker of a fight!Copy linkCopiedBrown wins!Stockport slugger Niall Brown moves to 15-0 with a unanimous decision win.The referee scored the contest 78-75 in favour of the former Thai fighter, who is a real, real prospect.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedBrown vs McCallum – Round 8Brown continues to showcase beautiful counter striking. His counter left hook is absolute money and continues to frustrate McCallum when he throws a jab.McCallum gets rocked by a series of hooks in tightagainst the ropes. But somehow, he manages to stay on his feet. He’s got a chin made of granite.The final bell goes. Complete domination from Brown. Credit to McCallum, but he’s just a step in class down from Brown.Chisanga’s scorecard: 79-73 BrownCopy linkCopiedBrown vs McCallum – Round 7Brown continues to come forward with reckless abandon but is being countered for fun.Brown is doing a brilliant job of slipping the jab and landing hard uppercuts.A big counter hook sends McCallum’s mouthpiece flying and brings him some brief respite before the bell.Chisanga’s scorecard: 69-64 BrownCopy linkCopiedBrown vs McCallum – Round 6Brown is continuing to break down the dogged and determined McCallum with spiteful shots.Hooks to the body in tight continue to be the money shots for the former Thai boxer.McCallum needs to do something big to have his hand raised now. A knockout is required.Chisanga’s scorecard: 59-55 BrownCopy linkCopiedBrown vs McCallum – Round 5McCallum gets rocked by numerous hooks seconds before the bell goes.But he eats them like a freshly-cooked roast dinner as he defiantly stands his ground.I don’t know how his chin withstood that barrage.Chisanga’s scorecard: 49-46 BrownCopy linkCopied More

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      Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico eyes UK debut fight after being inspired by Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn classic

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      NICO ALI WALSH is dreaming of fighting in the UK – having been left in awe at Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn’s thriller. Eubank beat Benn in their middleweight grudge match at Tottenham after 12 brutally classic rounds. Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico with Chris Eubank JrCredit: XEubank beat Conor Benn at TottenhamCredit: GettyThe pair of nepo babies somehow managed to match the thriller their father’s treated fans to 35 years ago. And it inspired Ali Walsh – grandson to boxing’s Greatest Muhammad Ali – to live up to his iconic surname. He told SunSport: “I love Eubank. He’s an awesome dude and then the fight, I mean, just a quick side note, the fight that him and Conor Benn put on was absolutely amazing.“They put it on for, not just boxing fans, but they put it on for the kids who come from legacy, the kids who come from backgrounds where their family has done something before them. They put it on for all of us. So yeah, that was amazing.” READ MORE IN boxing Eubank fell out with his eccentric dad Chris Sr after trying to walk his own path in the sport. But the two emotionally reconciled on the night of his fight with Benn – which helped inspire the iconic victory. Eubank Sr never wanted his son to follow in his footsteps – and infamously banned him until Lennox Lewis helped convince him otherwise. Reality TV cameras captured the moment Lewis talked Eubank Sr into allowing his 13-year-old son to box – paving the way for Jr’s career. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAli Walsh had a similar fight on his hands with his parents – and revealed it was his grandad who helped get him the green light. He said: “My situation was a lot like that where I was trying to convince my parents. Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico tried to hide his famous surname before Mike Tyson blew his cover “My grandfather was on board 100 per cent from the start, but I was trying to convince my parents to get on board.” Ali Walsh is now 15 fights into his career since turning professional in 2021, winning 12 times, losing twice with one no-contest. As an amateur, he had 30 bouts and tried to keep his surname a secret until Mike Tyson showed up to one of his fights and blew his cover. Ali Walsh returned with victory in Guinea against Ebenezer Sowah in May after a shock loss to Juan Carlos Guerra Jr in February. The middleweight has twice fought in Africa – 50 years after his grandfather’s famous Rumble in The Jungle win against George Foreman in Congo.Ali fought all around the world, including England and now Ali Walsh is desperate to do the same. He said: “Let me tell you something, if I fight in the UK, if I get told that I’m fighting in the UK, that would change my life.Read More on The Sun“That’s the one place on earth I’ve always wanted to fight. Seriously, London or anywhere in the UK. “The boxing fans in the UK are better than anywhere on Earth. They’re better than here in Vegas and Vegas is the capital of the world for boxing but I would love to fight there.” Nico Ali Walsh with his grandfather More

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      Adam Azim out to prove he is ready to fight American star Devin Haney after accepting bout on ONE WEEKS’ notice

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      ADAM AZIM is ready to prove he is ready for the likes of Devin Haney – after accepting a super short-notice fight. Azim faces Mexico’s Eliot Chavez this Saturday in Barnsley after having just a week to prepare for the bout. Adam Azim is ready to prove he is ready for the likes of Devin HaneyCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunAzim’s next opponent is Eliot ChavezCredit: Facebook But the ultra-fit and professional super-lightweight always stays ready for any challenge – even against boxing’s best. Azim, 22, told Sky Sports: “I would fight Haney next week. I just feel he’s more moving around and doesn’t want to initiate attacks. “He is a top-level fighter but I don’t think he’s the same fighter that he was before. “If he’s running on the backfoot, throwing one jab every two rounds, why not?”READ MORE IN BOXINGHaney, 26, was dropped three times by Ryan Garcia, also 26, in April 2026 in what looked to be his first defeat. But the result was overturned when Garcia returned a positive drug test for ostarine – known to boost muscle growth. Haney had his undefeated record restored and returned with a dull points win over Jose Ramirez, 32, in New York in May. Garcia – who accepted a one-year ban but blamed the positive test on a tainted supplement – also fought on the same night. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut he was stunned in defeat to Rolly Romero, 29, having been dropped before losing on points. Azim is targeting the top names at the 140lb division Haney used to rule as WBC champion – and slammed the American’s safety-first style. Three-weight world champion Vasily Lomachenko retires after more than 400 FIGHTS in lengthy videoHe said: “For me I can fight front foot and back foot. “Haney, I think he’s got enough power just to keep someone off, but I don’t think he has that one-punch power.”But I think if I was going to fight him I think I’d beat him with speed.”Former WBC world champion Devin HaneyCredit: X / Realdevinhaney More

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      ‘I love the chaos’ – Why Fabio Wardley’s fight with Justis Huni won’t even be the biggest night of his month

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      FABIO WARDLEY has the two most important nights of his life inside the next ten DAYS.Ipswich’s 30-year-old former recruitment worker and white-collar boxer headlines Portman Road on Saturday night against tough Australian Justis Huni.Fabio Wardley ahead of fighting Justis HuniCredit: GettyAnd on June 16 his partner is scheduled to give birth to his first child, a bouncing baby girl.For anyone else, the nail-biting fortnight would be a crippling rollercoaster of emotions impossible to combine. But the Suffolk Puncher – who went on an Oleksandr Usyk sparring trip to Ukraine in 2018 when he barely knew how to throw a jab – is loving the chaos.The class act told SunSport: “June 2025 is going to be a wild month I talk a lot about, for the rest of my life.READ MORE IN BOXING“I will be an old man in a rocking chair, telling people about it and wondering how we pulled it off.“Everything has come together at the same time, it might seem a bit hectic but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I thrive on it, I love the chaos.”Nine months ago, the 18-0-1 ace got the wonderful news he would be a dad for the first time.And a few weeks later he got the offer of a lifetime, to headline at his boyhood football club, a chance that some Olympic and world champions never get.Most read in BoxingWardley and his girlfriend are expecting their first child togetherCredit: Instagram @fabiowardleyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt seems like a psychological and logistical nightmare that would be destined for the divorce courts but Team Wardley is way too tight.“If my little girl is anything like me, then she’ll be chilled out and late, which will give me a little bit more time to decompress from the fight,” he grinned.Fabio Wardley faces off with Justis Huni ahead of his homecoming fight “The flight date has been moved around a few times but my missus has been unbelievable.“I have just promised to her that, as soon as Saturday night is over, I am all theirs.“This week, though, is just my week. I need to be totally focused on me and then it’s all on them.”Wardley – who cracked 2020 Olympic bronze winner Frazer Clarke’s skull in their one-round rematch in October – somehow combines being a brutal boxer with being a lovely bloke and he insists that won’t change with another win or a baby.“I don’t know how parenthood will affect me,” he said. “I do plan to be the fun-dad though. I want mum to do the telling off.“I think I will always be driven to push myself in everything, though. Everything has come together at the same time, it might seem a bit hectic but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I thrive on it, I love the chaos.“That’s something just innate in me. And I am sure I will need to feed and stoke that fire regularly.”One thing Wardley would NEVER do, despite the baffling suggestion from some clumsy pundits, is fight his mentor and pal Dillian Whyte.After following all of Wardley’s career, we were stunned to hear the idea even mooted and Wardley floored it.“You’re 100 per cent right, for once.” he laughed.“From the second it would be announced, everybody who knows the sport and who knows us, would know it would be fake and not something I would ever do, because of the amount of love, respect and admiration I have for Dills.“People go on about my story, white-collar, coming from nowhere, sparring Usyk.”But none of that is possible without Dillian at the beginning, giving me all of these opportunities. So I would never spit in his face and fight him.“Even if all the sanctioning bodies called for the fight and somebody was silly enough to put all the money up, I would take a knee in the first round and give him the win.”Whyte was due to feature on the Ipswich undercard but pulled out to secure a summer showdown with Lawrence Okolie.He has not boxed in England since November 2022 and was supposed to have a rematch with Anthony Joshua in August 2023.Read More on The SunBut that O2 sell-out was scrapped when Whyte failed a doping test.Whyte has boxed in Gibraltar and Ireland since that big-money clash was binned, landing underwhelming wins.Wardley is managed and mentored by Dillian WhyteCredit: matchroom boxing More

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      I’m related to the greatest boxer ever but changed my name to make my own way – it worked until Mike Tyson showed up

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      NICO ALI WALSH has the most famous surname in boxing history but he kept it a secret – until Mike Tyson blew his cover. The 24-year-old is the grandson of Muhammad Ali – affectionately known as The Greatest.Mike Tyson with Nico Ali WalshCredit: X/nicoaliwalshNico’s parents – including Ali’s daughter Rasheda whose sister Laila was a champion boxer – never wanted him to enter the family business. But by 14, Ali Walsh – with the help of his grandfather – convinced his family to allow him to start boxing. It came with just one condition though, he had to hide his iconic Ali surname. Ali Walsh told SunSport: “Of course, I left out the name. Even back when I was 15 years old, my full name is Nico Ali Walsh, but I cut out the Ali.READ MORE IN boxing “I said my name is Nico Walsh, but they found out somehow. My parents were not on board with saying Ali either.”I don’t know how, they would just start announcing it at amateur fights. So it didn’t last long. The incognito version of myself didn’t last very long.”It turns out boxing great Tyson – a close friend of hero Ali’s – might have played a part in Nico’s secret being exposed.He revealed: “It probably started around my third amateur fight because I started having weird people show up to my fights.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“Like my third amateur fight was here in Vegas and Mike Tyson found out I was fighting and he and his wife Kiki texted my mum and was like, ‘Hey, we heard Nico’s fighting here. Mike wants to come to the fight.’“So Mike ended up coming to my amateur fight and it was just him, whoever he was with, and then my family.Three-weight world champion Vasily Lomachenko retires after more than 400 FIGHTS in lengthy video“So there was like 7/8 people in the crowd, and it was just us, so I guess people may have started realising it.“I started having weird people show up to my fights. Why is Mike Tyson showing up to this guy’s amateur fight? And he left right after.“So that may have contributed to people finding out.”With Ali Walsh’s name was no longer secret, he had close to 30 amateur bouts before turning professional in 2021.And he did so with legendary promoter Bob Arum, who staged some of Ali’s most iconic fights. By now, Ali Walsh is no stranger to rivals looking to make a name for themselves by trying to tear down his name – even behind closed doors.Ali Walsh tried to hide his famous surname in the amateursBut Tyson accidentally helped blow his coverHe said: “Sparring and training, it’s never 100 per cent of the time. “Sparring is where you work on things and you do certain things, but whenever I go outside of someone that I directly know, they’re trying to knock me out in sparring.“Everyone who spars me is trying to knock me out. So it’s very annoying, but I’ve gotten that my entire professional career.“I had that sometimes in my amateur career but now it’s like people are coming at me trying to absolutely take my head off in the gym. “And they do it in fights too. I don’t care what you do in a fight, but in the gym, it gets ridiculous at some points.”Ali Walsh is now 15 fights into his pro career, with 12 wins, two losses and one no-contest. A young Ali Walsh with his grandadAli Walsh with his grandad before the sporting great’s sad passing in 2016Promoter Bob Arum with Ali WalshCredit: Top Rank/Mikey WilliamsHe bounced back with victory against Ebenezer Sowah in Guinea in May following a shock defeat to Juan Carlos Guerra Jr last February.And Ali Walsh has stayed true to his roots by refusing to entertain cash-grab fights against the likes of Jake Paul. The middleweight prospect even turned down a $3million (£2.2m) offer to fight the 11-1 YouTuber-turned-boxer last year. Ali Walsh explained: “I can’t be mad at these pro guys that are calling him out, they want the money.“And obviously, the money they would be getting, they would be getting paid millions to knock out a guy that’s way below the skill level of the guy that they get paid far less to fight.“So it makes sense for these guys, but for me in particular, that’s not something I want to be remembered by. “It would really be just tainting my legacy to be getting involved with something like that.Read More on The Sun“I feel like whenever people try to tell me, ‘Nico, you should have done this or you should have done that.’ No one can tell me what to do with the Ali name except for an Ali.“So nobody outside of my family will understand what I’m talking about. So I don’t take advice from anyone else who tries to come at me with that kind of stuff.”Ali Walsh is 15 fights into his pro careerCredit: EPAJake Paul offered Ali Walsh £2.2m to fightCredit: Getty More