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      Tense moment Richard Riakporhe gives Lawrence Okolie death stare after personal dig about ‘kissing Madonna’

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      LAWRENCE OKOLIE and Richard Riakporhe plugged their heavyweight clash with a row over hugging – and kissing Madonna.Both men were paid big money to join BOXXER and Sky Sports but cruiserweight boogieman Chris Billam-Smith beat them both to win and defend his 14st 4lbs cruiserweight crown.Richard Riakporhe gives Lawrence Okolie a death after personal dig about MadonnaCredit: X formerly Twitter / @QueensberryMadonna is a friend of boxer RiakporheCredit: Instagram / @madonnaIn his 2024 clash with CBS, Okolie turned fans right off by being docked points for holding twice and turning the bout into a hugfest, before being dropped three times and beaten on points.A year later, in an effort to flog his battle with Billam-Smith, Riakporhe posted a photo of himself kissing 66-year-old Queen of Pop, Madonna.Now that both Londoners are rebuilding and rebranding up at heavyweight – against each other on April 5 – they dug up old dirt and slung it across the stage.Okolie revealed their rivalry started at a 2023 movie premiere when he walked over to Riakporhe and said: “Madonna is old now. That was it.READ MORE IN BOXING“I don’t pay too much attention to eye contact and face-offs but he looks very nervous in and around me now.“I am just going to deal with him in good fashion. And then he can go back to kissing Madonna, or modelling, or whatever it is he does.” Riakporhe took offence at the verbal dig but vowed to keep his cool after giving Okolie a death stare.The South Londoner reminded the Co-op Live arena in Manchester that Okolie has poor form for grabbing and holding in big fights against CBS, Sam Sexton, David Light and Matty Askin, dating back to 2018.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I am not here to play around,” Riakporhe shot back. “There is a big opportunity here to change my life around.“I am not nervous around him, the only thing I have to be worried about is that one of his big hugs might suffocate me. “That’s all that makes me scared or nervous around him. The only way he squashes me is another two-handed bearhug combination.”Lawrence Okolie facing off with RiakporheCredit: PA More

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      Derek Chisora spotted with horror swollen eye after brutal Otto Wallin fight as he meets up with Nigel Farage

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      DEREK CHISORA is nursing a horror swollen eye and battered face following his fight with Otto Wallin.Chisora, 41, defeated Wallin via unanimous decision after dropping his opponent in the ninth and 12th rounds.Derek Chisora made a public appearance after his fight with Otto WallinCredit: AlamyChisora showcased the full extent of his injuries against WallinCredit: AlamyChisora was left with a swollen eye after his war with WallinCredit: RexChisora made an appearance with controversial Reform UK leader Nigel FarageCredit: GettyDel Boy picked up a massive victory but suffered injuries on both eyes which left him soaked in his own blood during the content.The heavyweight made his first public appearance since Saturday’s gruelling bout during a photo call on Monday.Chisora met with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in front of the cameras at a farmer’s protest.The boxing star let the world see the full extent of his sickening injuries, with his right eye severely swollen.Read More on BoxingA cut could also be seen under his left eye.Chisora, speaking immediately after Saturday’s fight, said: “When I arrived I said I wasn’t going to cry, but I bawled like a baby.”I love the sport, I love the fans. It was a very emotional day.”It was a hard fight. Both of my ears have popped, I didn’t tell my trainers. It was tough.”Most read in BoxingChisora put in perhaps a career-best performance as the judges at the new Co-op Live arena in Manchester called it 117-109, 114-112 and 116-110.War’s clash with Wallin is expected to be his penultimate professional boxing bout.Derek Chisora opens up on retirement and says people ‘don’t care’ about him in ‘scumbag’ sport of boxingChisora is planning to have one final fight, which will mark his 50th match.Del Boy is now the IBF’s mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois’ world championship.Chisora was a bloody mess during his fight with WallinCredit: Reuters More

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      Olympics to be hit by legal action over Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting after Donald Trump’s ban on trans women in sport

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      THE International Olympic Committee is facing a lawsuit for allowing boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting to compete at the 2024 Olympics.The pair were at the centre of a heated gender row that dominated the Paris Games.Imane Khelif’s participation at the 2024 Olympics caused controversy as she allegedly failed a gender eligibility test 18 months earlierCredit: APTaiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting was also said to have failed the same testCredit: AFPImane Khelif won Under-66kg goldCredit: REUTERSLin Yu-Ting won gold in the 57kg finalCredit: AFPBoth competed at the Games 18 months after being disqualified from the Women’s World Championships for allegedly failing a gender eligibility test.Tests administered by the International Boxing Association are said to have determined that Khelif and Yu-Ting have male XY chromosomes.The IOC, however, permitted the pair to compete – much to the frustration of the IBA.And in light of Donald Trump’s executive order preventing transgender women from competing in female sports in the USA, the Russian-backed organisation has decided to take legal action against the IOC.READ MORE MORE BOXING NEWSA snippet of a statement read: “In light of the gender eligibility issues surrounding boxers in 2022 and 2023, the IBA proactively conducted all necessary testing and subsequently banned individuals deemed ineligible from participating in women’s competitions.”Despite notifying the IOC about the disqualification of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, the IOC disregarded this critical information, allowing both athletes to compete in the Qualifiers and ultimately at the 2024 Olympics, where they secured gold medals, denying opportunities to deserving female athletes.”As a result, IBA is filing an official complaint with the Attorney General of Switzerland, Mr Stefan Blatter, regarding the IOC’s actions that facilitated the participation of these ineligible athletes in the 2024 Olympic boxing tournament in Paris.”According to the Swiss law, any action or inaction that poses a safety risk to competition participants warrants investigation and may serve as grounds for criminal prosecution.Most read in BoxingImane Khelif’s 46-second victory over Angela Carini turned into a global talking pointCredit: REX”In addition, similar complaints are to be filed with the Attorneys General of France and the USA.”IBA chief Umar Kremlev said: “President Trump’s order to ban transgender athletes from women’s sport validates IBA’s efforts to protect the integrity of female sports.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit'”Our actions aim to ensure gender equality in boxing.”We urge other International Federations to follow IBA’s example, as we are uniquely positioned to address this issue and advocate for our athletes’ rights.”He added: “IBA will provide free-of-charge comprehensive legal support to our boxers in these lawsuits.”As this is a clear violation of human rights, an outrage towards the female boxers, and simply a crime that should be punished accordingly.”In my personal opinion, Thomas Bach should take the full responsibility for this, as he was in charge when it happened.”And he needs to compensate the damages caused, if the court or any other instance rules this.”Khelif, who won Under-66kg gold, received a barrage of hate after forcing Italy’s Angela Carini to quit a mere 46 seconds into their opening bout.Multiple erroneous reports, most from social media, claimed she was a biological man.Imane Khelif has launched legal action against Elon Musk and JK Rowling for alleged “aggravated cyber-harassment”Credit: ALAMYKhelif has taken legal action against several prominent figures for alleged “aggravated cyber-harassment”, including Elon Musk and JK Rowling.Reflecting on her ordeal, she told El Birard: “Immediately after there was a big uproar from big politicians around the world, athletes around the world.”And even artists and stars, Elon Musk, Trump.. this thing….. that affected me.”I am not lying to you, it affected me. It affected me a lot, hurt me a lot. I can’t describe to you the amount of fear I had.”The scenario was very scary. Thank god, all the people of Algeria and the Arab world knew Imane Khelif with her femininity, her courage, her will.”Honestly, I don’t like to get into politics in sports, but they got into politics in sports.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Sports and politics are two separate things. “These politicians who are oppressing me, they don’t have the right to say that I’m a transgender.” More

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      Dillian Whyte vs Joe Joyce ANNOUNCED in bonanza heavyweight card featuring British stars

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      DILLIAN WHYTE will face Joe Joyce as part of a heavyweight card. The pair will fight on April 5 at Manchester’s new £365million Co-op Live arena to kick off Frank Warren’s new DAZN schedule. Dillian Whyte will face Joe Joyce as part of a heavyweight cardCredit: PAJoyce returns in a make-or-break clashCredit: GettyAlso on the bill is Lawrence Okolie vs Richard Riakporhe and David Adeleye facing Jeamie TKV to make up the heavyweight card. Whyte beat Christian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh last year in his two comeback bouts.It came after he was pulled out of rematching Anthony Joshua – who he lost to in 2015 – following an “an adverse finding” in his drug test.He beat Hammer in Ireland and Tetteh in Gibraltar after resuming his careeer on the road. READ MORE IN BOXINGA report from Sky Sports said documentation from a forensic expert concluded that a nutritional supplement taken by Whyte did not disclose all of its ingredients and included a prohibited substance.Joyce meanwhile was twice stopped by Zhilei Zhang, 41, in 2023 before knocking out Kash Ali, 33, in his return last March.But he was beaten by Derek Chisora, 41, in July to leave his career hanging in the balance.Joyce insisted he would fight on and does so in a make-or-break clash against Whyte. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe chief support will see Riakporhe move up to heavyweight to fight rival Okolie. Okolie, 32, held the WBO cruiserweight title before moving up knocking out Hussein Muhamed in his heavyweight debut in December.Deontay Wilder and huge world title bout among SIX options for Anthony Joshua’s next fight if Tyson Fury stays retired Riakporhe, 35, heads to heavyweight off the back of defeat to Chris Billam-Smith, 34, for the WBO belt in June.The Londoner and Okolie have history, once clashing at the Creed III premiere in February 2023.And Adeleye, 28, is coming off a huge first-round KO over Solomon Dacres, 31, in December. It came after he suffered the first defeat in his career in October 2023, losing by stoppage to Fabio Wardley, 30, in Saudi Arabia. Hall of Fame promoter Warren left TNT Sports to join streaming service DAZN alongside Eddie Hearn. Anthony Cacace, 36, will face former super-featherweight world champion Leigh Wood, also 36, on May 10 in Nottingham. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Warren also announced the signing of ex-undisputed super-lightweight king Josh Taylor, 34. The Scottish star moves up to welterweight to fight Ekow Essuman, 35, also some time in May in Glasgow. Leigh Wood moves to Frank Warren to fight Anthony CacaceCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunCacace fights Wood on May 10Credit: ReutersJosh Taylor moves up to welterweight and signs with WarrenCredit: Getty More

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      Derek Chisora opens door to sensational fight with ‘little brother’ Anthony Joshua for his emotional final bout

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      DEREK CHISORA has no idea how he will handle his 50th and final fight after he broke down and sobbed BEFORE Saturday’s victory over Otto Wallin.The grizzled 41-year-old heavyweight blubbed like a baby when he walked through the bowls of Manchester’s Co-op Live arena and spotted the selection of photos from his most iconic battles.Derek Chisora admits he could take on Anthony Joshua in his final fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunThe ace secured victory over Otto Wallin last nightCredit: ReutersChisora burst into tears before the boutCredit: TNT SportsHe has a bad-boy reputation, a total fearlessness and a granite chin but could not keep the tears at bay.And after twice dropping the 34-year-old Swede to earn an unanimous decision, Chisora admitted he does not know how hard the swansong later this year will hit him.Chisora, who needed stitches around both eyes, said: “I am not going to lie to you, it will be very, very emotional.“Before I left the hotel for this one, I promised myself that I wouldn’t cry.READ MORE IN BOXING“But suddenly I was walking through the corridors and I saw my photos and just started balling.“It’s going to be very emotional, and sad, because I love this game so much.“I just started crying, like a little kid. F***ing hell!“I just love the game, the ups and downs, even the cuts and bruises that I have right now. I love it all.”Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSChisora wants to bow out against a massive name for his half- century showdown.Del Boy has tried to fight every big man of this era.Derek Chisora opens up on retirement and says people ‘don’t care’ about him in ‘scumbag’ sport of boxingHe may have suffered three losses to Tyson Fury and a pair against Dillian Whyte but he always comes back swinging.The only person he has never even tried cultivating a rivalry with is British boxing’s biggest cash cow, Anthony Joshua.Chisora is like a big brother to his fellow North Londoner, bringing him up behind him at the Finchley ABC gym.But now he suggests he would put their bromance on ice to  go out in a blaze of glory.He said: “Anthony Joshua has done unbelievably well for boxing in the United Kingdom.“Olympic gold medal, world titles, stadium  fights . . . AJ was the one who took boxing to Saudi Arabia and opened up all the doors for everyone else to follow him and make money.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I have watched him sell out stadiums in Cardiff and London and Saudi, so he always has to be given respect.“But if the public really wants to see us get that fight on, we will get it on.”­ More

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      Jake Paul ‘finalising’ next fight after dramatic collapse of Canelo Alvarez bout and takes swipe at boxing legend

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      JAKE PAUL says he is finalising his next fight following the collapse of his bout against Canelo Alvarez.The YouTuber-turned-boxer and Mexican great had a deal in place for a May 3 bout in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena to be streamed on Netflix.Jake Paul says he is finalising his next fightCredit: GettyCanelo Alvarez pulled out of a deal to fight Jake PaulCredit: GettyBut with an announcement imminent – Canelo cancelled the bout at the 11th hour to instead sign a four-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh.Paul hit out at the Mexican superstar with his next fight now in the works after talks dramatically broke down.He posted: “Done with this little money chasing, no respect having nut. Bent the knee and became just like the rest. “Working on finalizing the next fight.” READ MORE IN BOXINGIt followed after Paul leaked what appeared to be a bout contract and promotional poster.Canelo, 34, has been negotiating a September super-fight against unbeaten Terence Crawford, 37, for his super-middleweight belts.But he was still seeking an opponent to face for his regular Cinco de Mayo weekend fight in May.That is when talks with Paul accelerated – to the anger Saudi boxing chief Alalshikh – who then called off talks for Canelo and Crawford.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAlalshikh believed fighting the 11-1 celebrity would have diminished the size of his blockbuster against Crawford.He also claimed Canelo had no intention of actually fighting Paul – instead just needing an opponent for May.Jake Paul brands Canelo Alvarez ‘an owned slave’ in social media rant after dramatic collapse of their $200m fight dealSo Alalshikh offered Alvarez a four-fight deal, starting with a warm-up on May 4 in Riyadh before the title bout with Crawford four months later.Canelo is now set to fight William Skull – who inherited his vacated IBF title – in what will now be an undisputed title showdown. And Canelo will also have two more fights in 2026 – potentially in Saudi – after agreeing the late U-turn.Paul, 28, is coming off a points win over Mike Tyson, 58, in November with over 100MILLION tuning in to watch on Netflix.His fight with Canelo was set to stream on Netflix too – at the 200lb cruiserweight limit. His promotional partner Nakisa Bidarian revealed: “Jake vs Canelo was planned as a Cruiserweight fight. “Team Canelo approached us to do the fight at 190 lbs (Canelo’s walk around weight). “We said it made no sense to take away the one advantage the public would see for Jake – his size. READ MORE SUN STORIES”So the agreement was a standard Cruiserweight fight, 12 rounds, 3 minute rounds.” More

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      Anthony Joshua urged to avoid ex-sparring partner who is an ‘animal’ and fight Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder instead

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has been urged to avoid fighting Martin Bakole – and instead look towards Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn was forced to deny that AJ had signed to face 21-1 Bakole next. Martin Bakole and Anthony Joshua are former sparring partnersThe two were former sparring partners in Team GB’s Sheffield HQ – where Joshua used to train. British heavyweight Dave Allen watched those sessions – and advised AJ against fighting the Congolese powerhouse. Allen, 32, told Pro Boxing Fans: “Bakole is an animal. I’ve seen them spar. “The spars I’ve seen were good spars, good competitive spars, but I don’t think it makes sense for Joshua. READ MORE IN BOXING”He’s one of the best heavyweights of his generation, why box Martin Bakole?”Bakole, 31, has won his last ten fights having only lost to Michael Hunter, 36, in 2018. He most recently beat American prospect Jared Anderson, 25, in the biggest win of his career. Joshua, 35, meanwhile was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, in September and pulled out of talks for an immediate rematch. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe was expected to fight Tyson Fury, 36, until the Gypsy King announced a shock retirement in January. And Deontay Wilder, 39, is plotting a comeback after losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. And Allen said: “If he (Joshua) continues to fight its Fury or Wilder are the two for me. “They make sense, there’s a backstory to it, they’d be crazy exciting fights. I would leave Martin Bakole well alone, if I was anybody to be honest.”Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder are potential opponents for JoshuaCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Viral ring girl Sydney Thomas reveals career ambition as she hits Super Bowl after Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson ‘wild ride’

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      BOXING ring girl Sydney Thomas wants to forge her own business empire – once she’s graduated from college. The 21-year-old went viral last year after turning heads as a ring girl during Jake Paul’s boxing showdown with Mike Tyson. Sydney Thomas stunned on the red carpet ahead of Michael Rubin’s Super Bowl parry in New OrleansCredit: Sunni UpalSydney wowed in a plunging strapless dress as she spoke to The U.S. SunCredit: Sunni UpalThe 21-year-old later posed with LSU gymnast and Sports Illustrated model Olivia DunneCredit: Instagram / @iamsydneythomasSydney Thomas shot to fame after her ring girl performance during Jake Paul vs Mike TysonCredit: Instagram / @iamsydneythomasThomas shot to overnight fame after wowing millions of fight fans on the smash Netflix broadcast. A student at Alabama, Sydney stole the show with her swag and confidence in the ring during November’s showdown. She admits her life has been turned upside down since appearing in the stream – which was viewed by over 100 million Netflix subscribers.”It’s been crazy,” Thomas said, speaking to The U.S. Sun on the red carpet of the Fanatics’ Super Bowl party in New Orleans.READ MORE ON SUPER BOWL”My life just kind of flipped upside down out of nowhere [after Paul vs Tyson].”It’s been a wild ride, but it’s been great.”I knew going into the fight I would get some publicity and exposure.”But not to this extent. It blew away my expectations.”Most read in BoxingSydney turned 21 in November and is currently a student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. And he has big plans for when she graduates this coming summer.Meet Sydney Thomas, The Next Big Ring Girl Star”I’m still in college,” she continued when pressed on her next career move. “So I’m going to graduate and get a management and entrepreneurship degree. “I’d like to start a business of my own at some point. “But continuing working with sports and boxing makes me happy, so we’ll see.”I have a business-driven mind,” she added. Thomas was in New Orleans ahead of this Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX. She rubbed shoulders with stars including Olivia Dunne at Michael Rubin’s Fanatics pre-game bash on Saturday night. “It’s been great,” Sydney added, looking right at home on the red carpet in a stunning pink outfit. READ MORE SUN STORIES”And I love getting to explore New Orleans too. “There’s so much culture and it’s such an eclectic city. It’s great that the [Super Bowl] is here.”Sydney rocked a stunning bikini outfit for the Netflix broadcast, which was seen by over 100 millionCredit: INSTAGRAMThe 21-year-old has dreams of becoming a Sports Illustrated modelCredit: APThomas is due to graduate this summer from the University of AlabamaCredit: Instagram @iamsydneythomas More