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      Deontay Wilder opens up on ‘beautiful’ link up with Eddie Hearn… after years of feuding with Anthony Joshua’s promoter

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      DEONTAY WILDER has opened up on his “beautiful” link up with Eddie Hearn – following years of bitter feuding. Wilder and his team have always gone back and forth with Hearn over failed talks to fight Anthony Joshua. Eddie Hearn is working with Deontay Wilder after years of feudingCredit: ReutersIt led to over half a decade of jibes, insults and accusations. But that looks to be put to bed after Hearn selected Wilder to represent him in the 5v5 series of bouts against Frank Warren’s picks. The ex-WBC champion – who captain’s Hearn’s side – faces Zhilei Zhang on June 1 in Saudi Arabia after giving their promotional feud the KO. Wilder, 38, told Boxing News: “It’s a beautiful thing. Over years of back and forth, disagreements and different little things… But life brings about a change, and change is always good. READ MORE IN BOXING“When you look at it, you have to look at the landscape of right now, and you’ve got some interesting guys like the Saudis that are in there, changing everything about boxing: the way we promote it, the way we line up fights, and all those different things. “Why not have the change of being able to work with each other?“We don’t have to like each other to do business, but sometimes when you’ve been around a person long enough, you understand their ways and they understand your ways and you can co-exist with each other. That’s what it’s all about.“I’m glad that we are at this point in time where we can co-exist with each other, because I’m always a promoter’s dream and I think I’m a dream come true for Eddie. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I’m happy to be a part of Matchroom and [be] the captain.”Talks for Wilder and Joshua to fight started as early as 2018 but conflicting TV and promotional deals prevented the bout. What followed was non-stop arguing between the camps until an agreement was finally made last year. A fight between Joshua, 34, and Wilder was signed for March until disaster struck. Anthony Joshua makes Deontay Wilder No1 choice for interim fight as he draws up four-man shortlistWilder was beaten by Joseph Parker, 32, and instead ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou, 37, took his place and lost in two rounds to Joshua. Even on that night, just four months ago, Hearn fumed: “I said in the build-up I don’t rate him. Wilder had no idea, no clue. He lost every round.”He had his hand up telling the referees he won the fight. He’s not right. That’s the reality.”It was the most one-sided heavyweight fight I’ve ever seen. It’s ruined our plans.”But, in an interview with iFL TV, Hearn changed his tune and said: “He does like me, we are besties! But in all seriousness I’ve always liked Deontay Wilder.”Obviously we’ve always had the rivalry through AJ, but I got told to sign a heavyweight for the division and I believe Deontay Wilder will bounce back in style.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I looked at those available and who was the best one available? It was Deontay Wilder, and he will knock him out inside five rounds.”I have made him my captain and who knows where it goes after this, but we just need to go through Zhilei Zhang.”Zhilei Zhang faces Wilder in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Reuters More

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      I won The Apprentice and £250,000… now I’m using Lord Sugar’s help to become boxing’s female Eddie Hearn

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      THE APPRENTICE winner Marnie Swindells is looking to become the female answer to Eddie Hearn with the help of Lord Alan Sugar. Swindells won the iconic BBC entrepreneurial programme last year and scooped the £250,000 cash prize. Eddie Hearn with Apprentice winner Marnie SwindellsCredit: Drip WaterSwindells won the iconic BBC entrepreneurial programme in 2023Swindells with Apprentice boss and business partner Lord SugarAnd she put Lord Sugar’s investment to good use by launching her own gym, Bronx Boxing Club in Camberwell, South London. Swindells first got the keys to her gym in 2019 but legal reasons prevented her from officially opening up till four years later. During that period, she raised £400,000 of her own money but needed an extra push – and that is when she looked Lord Sugar’s way. Swindells, 28, told SunSport: “As this was all happening I thought, ‘What have I got to lose?’READ MORE IN BOXING”So I put myself forward to go on the show, try and raise more money, expand the gym and thought, ‘Why not go for it?”That’s when I applied for the show with the hope of making – what I’d already created – bigger and better.”Swindells began boxing herself as an amateur at 17 and had eight bouts, twice winning the national Haringey Box Cup. But a lack of opportunities for women at the time KO’d her hopes of turning pro – and by then she had already found a passion for boxing outside the ring. Most read in BoxingShe said: “I love boxing and everything it stands for but boxing is an all or nothing sport.”As they say, ‘You can’t play boxing.’ And I don’t think as a fighter I loved it enough. This, now I’m here in this position I think this is what I was born to do.The Apprentice star Marnie opens new boxing gym with Lord Sugar”To facilitate, to make these spaces, I’ve found the bit that I was supposed to do in boxing.”Swindells graduated in history and politics at Goldsmiths University before qualifying as a barrister. But even after long days in court, she would always find herself back at the boxing gym until she got the idea to launch her own. And after going all the way in the 2023 series of The Apprentice, she invested the money into her Bronx Boxing Club. She has renovated the downstairs and upstairs, which was previously a vacated and “mice infested” nursery. But away from just owning the gym, Swindells has her eye on managing and promoting fighters. She revealed: “Even though women’s boxing has been on a massive trajectory itself the actual business side of boxing still remains quite untouched from a women’s touch.Swindells was a championship winning amateur boxingShe now has her eye on promoting boxingCredit: PASwindells opened the Bronx Boxing Club in 2023″There isn’t like a female promoter that you can name, a top female manager, a female Eddie Hearn or a female Ben Shalom.”So I would love to step into those shoes one day. I would love to take up the mantle.”Swindells has not yet revealed her plan to become boxing’s First Lady to Lord Sugar – but she thinks he will be on board. She said: “Well, I’ve talked about it a lot so he’s probably caught wind that it’s the direction I’d like to go into one day.”But I think it goes hand in hand with the growth of Bronx as a brand and the gym. “The more gyms we have, the more fighters we have, the more opportunities.”And ultimately that is the priority; the top priority is to get more sites, to get more people into boxing. “Promoting is something as I said, I think will come when the time is right.READ MORE SUN STORIES”When that time does come, I will have a conversation with him and by that point I think he’ll go, ‘Do you know what? She’s been true to her word so far and I’ll back that.'”You never know, he might invest some more and we might launch our own promotion company.” More

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      I’ve sparred BOTH Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk and was KO’d by one of them… here’s who will win fight

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      TYSON Fury’s undisputed title decider against Oleksandr Usyk is almost here – and experts continue to be divided on who will win.The pair of unbeaten champions will collide in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.Oleksandr Usyk next to Dave Allen, rightAllen has sparred Tyson Fury and UsykCredit: InstagramAnd one man well placed to give his verdict on the historic title bout is British heavyweight Dave Allen. Allen has sparred both and in 2020 revealed that Usyk almost knocked him out cold and released footage of the moment it happened. He said: “When I sparred Usyk he knocked me unconscious.“I never went over, I finished the round. But I can remember him hitting me.READ MORE IN BOXING”Next thing I knew I was stood outside the ring, packing my bag. I was concussed.”Since that spar, Usyk, 37, has gone on to become unified champ after twice beating Anthony Joshua, 34.Meanwhile, Fury, 35, last fought in October in a controversial split-decision win over MMA star Francis Ngannou, 37. He was knocked down in the crossover clash and deemed fortunate to walk away with the victory. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd Fury was also forced to pull out of his scheduled February 17 fight with Usyk after suffering a cut in sparring. So doubts have been raised over his form heading into the biggest fight of his career with oddsmakers now favouring Usyk.Fans torn as Tyson Fury posts training clip three weeks ahead of Oleklsandr Usyk fight and boasts ‘Wish it was tonight’But, Allen, 32, told talkSPORT: “I think Fury will beat Usyk, I think he’s too big.”I think they are the two best heavyweights on the planet.”The skill level is insane – I’ve sparred them both – but I think Fury is too big.”Allen in 2020 briefly retired at 28 but he has since returned to have five fights since, winning four of them.Fury and Usyk facing offCredit: GETTY More

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      Mike Tyson lost £2.3m for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear… but wife’s amazing idea saw him recoup the money

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      MIKE TYSON was fined £2.3million for infamously biting Evander Holyfield’s ear – but he found a brilliant way to recoup it back. Tyson disgracefully sunk his teeth into Holyfield’s ear in their 1997 rematch, a year after losing the first fight in 11 rounds. Mike Tyson infamously bit Evander Holyfield’s earCredit: AFP – GettyTyson sells cannabis edibles in the shape of Holyfield’s chewed earCredit: Tyson 2.0The former heavyweight champion was banned from boxing for 15 months and hit with the multimillion dollar fine. In retirement, the two made up and became friends while Tyson went on to build a cannabis empire. He sells products like vapes and edibles, with one amazingly shaped on Holyfield’s bitten ear. And Tyson revealed the idea to sculpt the edible on Holyfield’s chewed off ear came from his wife Lakiha Spicer. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe told Forbes: “My wife is a nut, but she’s brilliant. And she said, ‘Why don’t you use the ear?'”‘Get out of here,’. “I was a little bitter because the ear got me in a lot of trouble.”Tyson, 57, joked how he and Holyfield, 61, are still profiting from their “bite fight” almost three decades later. He said: “You know what’s funny? When I bit Holyfield’s ear, they took $3million from me. Most read in BoxingCredit: The SunCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I made more than that taking pictures of biting other people’s ears.”Me and Holyfield are the only people still making money from a fight 30 years ago.”Fans say ‘Mike Tyson’s coach has most terrifying job’ as footage of him throwing punches that ‘sound like death’ emergesTyson is currently training for his controversial comeback fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on July 20 in Texas.The bout – set for the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Dallas – has raised eyebrows due to the 30-year age gap.Tyson will be 58 by the time the fight for the ages comes around and nearly 20 years removed from his last professional contest.But he is attempting to roll back the clock in training and has been showing off his devastating combination punching online.And behind the scenes, Tyson is also putting in sacrifices which include giving up sex and smoking weed.He said: “Six weeks I haven’t gotten high or had sex.”Mike Tyson’s controversial comeback Mike Tyson is BACK!
      Yes, boxing’s youngest heavyweight champ of all time – just 20 when he achieved the feat – is preparing to lace them up again.
      He faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on July 20 in Texas.
      The controversial clash – set for the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Dallas – has been scrutinised over the 30-year age gap.
      Tyson will be 58 by the time the fight for the ages comes around and nearly 20 years removed from his last professional contest.
      He was last seen in the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr, which ended a draw after eight rounds.
      Paul is meanwhile 9-1 in the ring, losing only to Tommy Fury in 2023, and has won three times since.
      His fight with Tyson will also be a landmark first on Netflix, with over 250MILLION subscribers able to watch the bout.

      Asked why, he explained: “Discipline. You know discipline, doing what you love to do, what you love to do, doing what you hate to do but doing it like you love it.”You know, I hate not being able to smoke, I’m doing it like I love it. I hate not not being able to sleep with my wife but I’m doing it like I love it.”During Tyson’s volatile heyday, he is said to have enjoyed having sex in his locker room only moments before fighting.That is despite the long-standing belief in boxing that abstinence helps boost testosterone which is why several restrain from sex while training.And Tyson – who married his third wife in 2009 – once admitted to smoking £33,000 worth of weed a MONTH.He was last seen in the ring in 2020 for an exhibition drawn over eight rounds with fellow great Roy Jones Jr.Meanwhile Paul is 9-1 as a boxer who suffered his only defeat to Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy in February 2023.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he has won three since and vowed to put friendship aside to score the biggest win of his career against Tyson.Paul, 27, said on DAZN: “Uncle Mike, I love you, you’re looking amazing but there can only be one winner and I’m sorry but I’ve got to end you.”Tyson married Lakiha Spicer in 2009Credit: GettyJake Paul and Mike Tyson facing offCredit: @jakepaul More

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      Mike Tyson reveals the two vices he’s given up to beat Jake Paul as boxing fans say ‘this Mike is scary’

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      MIKE TYSON has given sex and smoking weed the KO to help him beat Jake Paul. Heavyweight boxing icon Tyson takes on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a controversial clash on July 20 in Texas.Mike Tyson has given up weed and sex in training to fight Jake PaulTyson has built a cannabis empire in retirementLakiha Spicer and Tyson have been married since 2009Credit: GettyThe bout – set for the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Dallas – has raised eyebrows due to the 30-year age gap.Tyson will be 58 by the time the fight for the ages comes around and nearly 20 years removed from his last professional contest.But he is attempting to roll back the clock in training and has been showing off his devastating combination punching online.And behind the scenes, Tyson is also putting in sacrifices and they include giving up sex and smoking weed. He told Forbes: “Six weeks I haven’t gotten high or had sex.” Asked why, he explained: “Discipline. You know discipline, doing what you love to do, what you love to do, doing what you hate to do but doing it like you love it. “You know, I hate not being able to smoke, I’m doing it like I love it. I hate not not being able to sleep with my wife but I’m doing it like I love it.”Tyson conducted the interview with a stoic straight face and one fan said: “This Mike is scary.”Most read in BoxingCredit: The SunCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother added: “Discipline, let’s go Mike.”During Tyson’s controversial heyday, he is said to have enjoyed having sex in his locker room only moments before fighting. That is despite the long-standing belief in boxing that abstinence helps boost testosteronem which is why several restrain from sex while training. Fans say ‘Mike Tyson’s coach has most terrifying job’ as footage of him throwing punches that ‘sound like death’ emergesTyson – who married Lakiha Spicer in 2009 – has grown a cannabis empire in retirement and once admitted to smoking £33,000 worth a MONTH. He was last seen in the ring in 2020 for an exhibition drawn over eight rounds with fellow great Roy Jones Jr.Meanwhile Paul is 9-1 as a boxer who suffered his only defeat to Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy in February 2023.But he has won three since and vowed to put friendship aside to score the biggest win of his career against Tyson. Paul, 27, said on DAZN: “Uncle Mike, I love you, you’re looking amazing but there can only be one winner and I’m sorry but I’ve got to end you.” Jake Paul and Mike Tyson facing offCredit: @jakepaul More

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      Conor McGregor reignites Paulie Malignaggi feud and says sparring rival got ‘smacked out the gym’ in crazy rant at TV

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      CONOR McGREGOR has reignited his bitter feud with Paulie Malignaggi in a crazy rant at the TV. McGregor welcomed the former boxing world champion into his training camp in 2017 before facing Floyd Mayweather.Paulie Malignaggi sparring Conor McGregor in 2017They sparred twice in the UFC’s Las Vegas base, over eight and then 12 rounds but it was marred in controversy. And it was the second of session that is remembered infamously, as images and footage of the spar leaked.It included a disputed knockdown of Malignaggi, which caused the American to storm out the camp.The two have continued to feud ever since and McGregor took the opportunity to aim a fresh dig at his old rival. READ MORE IN UFCMalignaggi was on presenting duty for bare-knuckle boxing promotion BYB as McGregor, who sounded off.The Irishman filmed the broadcast while watching it on TV and providing his own commentary before sharing it.He said: “You got boxed out of the gym, you little fool. He got smacked out of the gym. He got ran out of Showtime.”You’re hired, lad. Behave. Put a can of stout on his nut! Put a can of Forged Irish Stout on his nut! And two bottles of whiskey on his ears!” Most read in BoxingMalignaggi – who lost his punditry role with Showtime in 2020 – retired from boxing in 2017. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut he did fight McGregor’s former training partner Artem Lobov, 37, in a 2019 bare-knuckle bout which he lost on points.McGregor, 35, meanwhile has not boxed since losing his lucrative ring debut to Mayweather, 47. But he does make his anticipated UFC return on June 29 against Michael Chandler, 37, after three years out. McGregor vs Malignaggi: Watch footage from infamous sparring sessions More

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      Tyson Fury pals say star ‘needed someone with him 24/7’ in height of depression and reveal horror chat before famous win

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      TYSON FURY “needed someone with him 24/7” at the height of his depression after predicting his mental health battle. Fury pulled off a stunning upset in 2015 to take Wladimir Klitschko’s unified heavyweight titles.Wladimir Klitschko was stunned by Tyson Fury in 2015Credit: Rex FeaturesFury suffered from depression after beating KlitschkoCredit: –But he had to relinquish them just a year later after suffering from depression and substance abuse. Fury ballooned up to 30 STONE and has been open about battling suicidal thoughts during the dark period in his life. It meant close friends – like boxer Isaac Lowe – kept a close eye on the struggling Gypsy King at all times. Lowe, 30, said on an episode of Fury Uncovered: “Someone had to be with him 24/7. More or less all the time.READ MORE IN BOXING”You can be the richest man in the world, you can have everything.”But if you’ve got horrible thoughts going through your head, you’re better being with someone.”Fury told anyone who would listen for years prior that he would defeat Klitschko – and that he could already see his mental breakdown coming.Strength and conditioning coach Kristian Blacklock said: “Before he fought Klitschko, I asked him specifically, ‘What are you going to do when you win’?Most read in Boxing”And he said, ‘I’ll be miserable.’ I said, ‘Aren’t you going to go on holiday, with your family, with your kids to celebrate?’ “He goes ‘nah, I’ll probably be really depressed’. It was like his ultimate goal in life, obviously he’s achieved it, where do you go from here?”Fans torn as Tyson Fury posts training clip three weeks ahead of Oleklsandr Usyk fight and boasts ‘Wish it was tonight’Fury did eventually return to the ring in 2018 and remarkably challenged Deontay Wilder for the WBC title the same year. It ended in a controversial draw which set up a classic trilogy between the duo which Fury, 35, ended with two stoppage wins and the belt.The heavyweight now returns in the biggest fight of his career on May 18 against Oleksandr Usyk, 37, in Saudi Arabia. It is set to crown the first ever four-belt heavyweight undisputed champion.But Fury’s brother Tommy – a 10-0 fighter himself – insisted his sibling has already won his biggest battle. Tommy, 24, said: “I think the biggest fight that Tyson has ever won and will ever win in his whole entire life is that fight against mental health.” Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty More

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      ‘Only speaking on what I know’ – Anthony Joshua gives verdict on Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk ahead of May 18 Saudi bout

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has waded in on Tyson Fury’s undisputed super-fight against Oleksandr Usyk. Fury and Usyk meet in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout on May 18 in Saudi Arabia. Anthony Joshua has twice lost to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GettyTyson Fury and Usyk facing offCredit: EPAIt is an honour AJ dedicated his whole career to but his shot at undisputed was ripped away by double defeat to Usyk. So Joshua, 34, is backing his old rival to walk away with all the titles and bragging rights come judgement day. He told talkSPORT: “I’ve fought Usyk so I can only speak on what I’ve experienced with him – phenomenal fighter, I would say he’s gonna do a really good job.“I’ve never fought Fury, so I can’t speak on what it’s like to face him. Only speaking on what I know, I have to say Usyk will be victorious.”READ MORE IN BOXINGJoshua has won four on the spin since losing his rematch to Usyk, 37, in August 2022. He most recently knocked out ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 37, in two rounds in March. And Joshua is pencilled in to return in September at Wembley – but his opponent remains up in the air. Filip Hrgovic, 31, and Daniel Dubois, 26, fight on the 5v5 Eddie Hearn vs Frank Warren bill on June 1 in Saudi Arabia. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd it could be for the IBF title should the winner between Fury, 35, and Usyk be stripped of it after their unification. So Joshua is eyeing up the chance to fight for the belt in his bid to become a three-time champ.Anthony Joshua hints mega clash with Tyson Fury will happen in September and says ‘it’s coming, most definitely’But Deontay Wilder, 38, also returns against Zhilei Zhang,40, in Saudi and those two also remain possible opponents for AJ. Joshua revealed: “On June 1 in Saudi Arabia they’ve got the 5 vs 5 card.”You’ve got Filip Hrgovic vs Daniel Dubois, and you’ve got Zhilei Zhang vs Deontay Wilder.”So providing one of those looks good – the one who looks the best, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh said to me, ‘I want you to fight [him].'”What he says is, ‘In the future I want people to look back at your record and say that you took on the best.'”I said, ‘Now you’re speaking my language.'”So out of that pool, I believe that’s who I’m gonna be fighting, one of those.”We’re on the same page and he’s on the same page as the fans as well.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But Fury’s got his obligations with Oleksandr Usyk so I’ve gotta make sure I stay focused and disciplined.”Keep steamrolling through opponents so I can get closer and closer to having the opportunity of me vs Tyson Fury.”Joshua at the 2024 Monaco E-PrixCredit: Getty More