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    Boxing icon warns Anthony Joshua of brutal Deontay Wilder fight outcome as blockbuster showdown inches closer

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has been warned of the potential outcome of a clash with Deontay Wilder.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion was seemingly on course to finally settle his five-year-long feud with the American in a Saudi showdown in December.
    Anthony Joshua is slowly but surely edging towards a showdown with Deontay WilderCredit: PA
    The pair are on course to throw down after competing on the same Saudi cardCredit: GETTY
    Four-time heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield has tipped Wilder to win the boutCredit: PA
    Saudi boxing chiefs, however, ultimately pulled the plug on the bout – despite both parties agreeing lucrative deals.
    The tentative plan at this moment in time is for the duo to throw down after respective December 23 dust-ups with Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker on the same Saudi card.
    And four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield only sees one outcome for the fight.
    The Real Deal told ES News: “I think Wilder will get him.”
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    AJ, 34, has shown improvements under the stewardship of new head coach Derrick James in his back-to-back outings against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius.
    Those improvements, however, have done little to convince Holyfield that Wilder won’t detonate one of his nuclear bombs of a right hand on his chin.
    He continued: “I think he’ll get him because of the big shot, and because of the style Joshua fights.
    “He stands off and he’s open, and when you’re open that way [Wilder] will get the right hand on you.”
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    Joshua and Wilder have been jawing down one another since they held all the heavyweight marbles five years ago.
    Watford warrior Joshua has remained silent on the long-overdue showdown, something that can’t be said of Wilder.
    The Bronze Bomber told Blue Blood Sports TV: “I just don’t know what’s up with Joshua, bro.
    “Maybe I’m gonna have to go to England and sit down with him on some real man s***.
    “I don’t want him to feel like I have anything against him, but I know he’s afraid of me.
    “Joshua – me and you is the biggest fight in the world bro, what are you doing?
    “I really wanna talk to that dude.” More

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    My dad is a boxing legend and former world champion who fought in Las Vegas – now I’m making my own way as a trainer

    BOXING has been in the blood of the Calzaghe family for several decades.The Cazalghes got involved in the sweet science thanks to late matriarch Enzo, who passed away in September 2018.
    Joe Calzaghe is one of the greatest boxers in British historyCredit: Getty
    The Welshman was immersed in the sport by his late father and coach EnzoCredit: GETTY
    Calzaghe’s son Joe Jr is following in his late grandfather’s footsteps by coachingCredit: INSTAGRAM@JOECALAZAGHEJR
    Joe Jr is one of the head coaches at the Joe Calzaghe Academy in Newbridge, WalesCredit: Instagram
    Enzo immersed himself in the sport after meeting Paul Williams, who instructed the Italian-born Welshman to encourage his son Joe to try his hand at becoming a pugilist.
    He didn’t know it at the time, but his decision to put Joe – who at the time was being bullied – into the sport would forever change British boxing.
    Under the stewardship of Enzo, Joe would go on to become the most dominant boxer in British history – becoming the unified super-middleweight champion and winning light-heavyweight gold.
    Joe called time on his career – in which he registered a perfect 46-0 record and scooped the 2007 BBC Sport’s Personality of the Year Award – in 2009
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    But a little over 14 years after his retirement, his son Joe Jr is keeping the family pasttime alive.
    Joe Jr is one of the head trainers at the appropriately named Calzaghe Academy in Newbridge.
    The 29-year-old takes pride in passing down the knowledge his dad and late grandfather taught bestowed on him to the next generation of aspiring boxers.
    Earlier this year, he coached several budding amateurs in a tournament held at the gym and shared snaps of the event on his Instagram page.
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    Joe Calzaghe Jr – like his dad and late grandad – lives and breathe boxingCredit: INSTAGRAM@JOECALZAGHEJR
    His accompanying caption read: “Few snaps from @calzagheacademy – Amateur Boxing Show. The first of many.
    “Doing what I love #BOXING.”
    One of his followers commented: “Let’s go.”
    Another said: “My coach.”
    One remarked: “Thank you, coach.”
    Brother Connor chimed in: “Looking sharp, brother.”
    Joe Jr’s involvement in boxing doesn’t come as a surprise given the lineage he comes from.
    But he and his brother Connor, albeit inadvertently, played a big role in their dad hanging up his gloves.
    Joe Calzaghe called time on his career after his 2008 victory over Roy Jones JrCredit: PA:Press Association
    Joe Sr recalled: “I remember little Connor crying his heart out before the Jones fight.
    “He was breaking his heart. They saw me in Vegas against Bernard Hopkins and that was a shock.
    “They’d never seen their dad knocked down so they were in trauma. It was a tough experience for them.”
    He added: “The boys went on YouTube and they found these compilations of Roy Jones knockouts from 15 years ago.
    “They saw him at his best.
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    “They were shocked and asked, ‘Dad, are you really going to fight this guy?’
    “My two sons are the most important people. I have to think about them first now.” More

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    Tyson Fury tipped to RETIRE and never fight Oleksandr Usyk as boxing icon says ‘it might be the last time we see him’

    TYSON FURY could decide to retire before his blockbuster bout with Oleksandr Usyk, according to former boxer George Groves.The two heavyweights are set to come face to face in a historic four-belt unification fight.
    Tyson Fury could retire from boxingCredit: Getty
    Former middleweight champion George Groves is not convinced he will fight UsykCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    A Saudi showdown was planned for December 23, but that was postponed following Fury’s controversial split-decision win over boxing novice Francis Ngannou.
    The Gypsy King initially expected to breeze through the 10-round bout, but he suffered a huge shock after being dropped in the third round.
    Fury was set to officially announce plans to face Usyk – who was sat ringside – after the fight.
    However, he immediately dismissed the prospect of jumping straight back into a training camp.
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    And for that reason, the heavyweight clash was postponed for another two months.
    It is now expected to take place in February, but former WBA super-middleweight champion Groves is not sure if the Gypsy King will be up for the challenge.
    Speaking to Boxing King Media, Goves said: “He might retire. It might be the last time we see him. It’s not a dig.
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    Fury was due to fight Oleksandr Usyk in DecemberCredit: Getty
    “It makes no sense that he has a life and death fight with a cage fighter, who has been boxing for weeks, and that he had to get up off of the floor to win.
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    “He clearly wasn’t prepared and maybe he’d done a bit of training, but he hadn’t done any real training, any competitive training, his mindset was not there.
    “People have said time and time again that when people doubt Fury, that’s when he rises to the occasion and he has proven that in the past.”
    “But does he really want to do that now, at thirty-five-years-old with all the things that he has achieved?”
    Groves also told talkSPORT that he believes Fury is more likely to fight Ngannou again rather than Usyk.
    The Londoner said: “He has got this fight looming now with Oleksandr Usyk, who I believe beats him and I thought that before seeing him fight Ngannou the other week.
    “It will be major prize money and massive kudos for beating that guy [Usyk], but does that outweigh the risk of losing to him and living with that after?
    “I think that we are much more likely to see an Ngannou rematch, where Fury has done a bit more training than a last-man-standing fight against Usyk.”
    Both Fury and Usyk are undefeated approaching the highly-anticipated fight.
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    Fury has won 34 of his 35 bouts so far, drawing just once against Deontay Wilder.
    Meanwhile, Usyk has won all 21 of his career fights. More

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    Roman Fury went from 20st jobless ‘mess’ to follow brother Tyson’s footsteps with boxing record that can rival siblings

    ONE brother is a Love Island star and the other a champion boxer.Now Roman Fury is stepping out of Tyson and Tommy’s shadow and is well on his way to becoming a household name.
    Roman is following in Tyson’s footsteps after winning his latest boutCredit: Getty
    The 26-year-old, who has little amateur experience, KO’d Bradley Davies in his third pro-fight – and sibling Tyson has given him the seal of approval, calling him a champ of the future.
    He is the ninth member of the Fury family to enter the ring – and a PR expert has now tipped him for stardom outside the ring.
    Roman was destined to be a rugby league player but switched to boxing after training with Tommy helped him out of a rut when he lost his job during lockdown.
    He said: “I used to be six stone heavier than what I am now. I was 20 stone, a real mess.
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    “Lockdown happened, I had no work, I was eating crap, playing on the Xbox, and I had no life whatsoever.
    “Tommy invited me down to train with him, I had a couple of sessions and I started getting into it.
    “I trained more and more until it went from training twice a week to six times a week and the weight came off, the confidence grew.
    “It’s not just a physical thing, it’s a mental thing as well. It’s turned my life around completely.”
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    Roman takes his inspiration from big brother TysonCredit: Instagram / @romanfuryy
    He has dropped even more weight in training and is now 14st 2lb.
    And if he ever gives up boxing, Roman could still rake in the cash by following in brother Tommy’s footsteps on reality TV.
    He shares the same good looks as Tommy, who is three years younger, but is shaping up to have the boxing prowess of brother Tyson, 35.
    Tommy is estimated to be worth £3.2million, according to Sportskeeda, and lives in a £4m Cheshire mansion with fiancee Molly-Mae Hague after they famously met on Love Island.
    Roman is no stranger to the villa, having visited Tommy with mum Chantal during the 2019 series.
    Talent agent and PR expert Carla Speight told The Sun: “Roman has a lot of work to do to catch up to his brothers, but if he plays his cards right, he could end up having a lucrative career outside boxing.
    Roman is no stranger to the Love Island villa having visited with mum ChantalCredit: Rex
    “Knocking someone out has changed his career path. He’s gone from being not just another Fury fighter to significant. 
    “His sponsorship opportunities will increase, especially if Tommy and Tyson stand with him.
    “Watching videos of him, he doesn’t look at the camera much and seems quite shy, but if he can show more of his personality he will absolutely fly.
    “He could easily follow Tommy into reality TV and would be a great choice for something like Big Brother or I’m a Celebrity.”
    Roman is the full brother of Tommy, both born to dad John and mum Chantal, while half-brother Tyson was raised by mum Amber.
    Roman was just 13 and brother Tommy 11 when John went to prison for trying to gouge out a man’s eye in a brawl at a car auction in 2010.
    He was given 11 years for the attack on victim Oathie Sykes, who was left half blind, but was out after four years.
    Tommy and Roman are close, having grown up togetherCredit: instagram/jakelee28
    John said he asked his brother Peter to help bring up the boys while he was inside.
    He wrote in his autobiography When Fury Takes Over: “I needed somebody to guide them for the rest of their formative years and I turned to my younger brother Peter to bring them up as his own.
    “And that’s exactly what he did. He shaped them into decent fighters and took care of them outside the ring. For that I am forever grateful.”
    John says that he “often worried” about Roman, who like Tyson suffered from depression.
    He wrote: “I often worried about him when he was growing up… once again boxing came to the rescue.
    “When Tyson won the heavyweight world title again, this time from Wilder, Roman was hugely inspired. He said, ‘If Tyson can do it, then so can I.’ He shaved his weight down to 14 stone. 
    “He’s now turned professional and has already won some impressive matches. I’m really proud of how he now has a positive outlook and has settled into life.”
    Brother Tyson said of Roman: “He’s an inspiring cruiserweight champion of the future.”
    Nervous start
    Roman is proving he’s got what it take to follow Tyson – but could end up on Love Island like brother TommyCredit: Instagram
    Roman’s first fight came in October 2022 in Doncaster when he beat Ryan Hibbert over four rounds.
    He had no amateur experience prior to the bout other than “messing around on the pads”.
    He admitted being nervous saying: “The past four weeks since I’ve known about the fight I’ve been nothing but a bag of nerves – I was terrified. 
    “I had bad dreams and no sleep, but as soon as I got in there, fate took over, I’ve never been as calm in my life. I felt sharp, good and I’m so happy, thanks to God, thank you very much.”
    After his win, brother Tyson said: “I’m very, very impressed. Roman’s never had a fight before, amateur or professional, and from what I’ve seen tonight I really like what I’ve seen.”
    Roman’s second fight was at York Hall in June when he beat Erik Nazaryan on points.
    And at the weekend he showed signs of greatness, KO’ing Bradley Davies in the third round.
    Roman told VIP boxing that he “didn’t have much experience”.
    Roman punches Bradley Davies during the Cruiserweight fightCredit: Getty
    Roman has shed an impressive amount of weight since piling on the pounds in lockdownCredit: Instagram / @romanfuryy
    He said: “If it’s nothing else it’s a story.
    “How many people do you know that jump into it right at the deep end, no experience or nothing, and do well for themselves? But that’s the challenge and I like a challenge.
    “I’ve always been messing around on the pads with my dad and my brothers from a young age, but actually sparring and fighting, I don’t have that much experience.”
    Roman later said he had “put everything on hold” for his boxing career adding: “It’s like an experiment, I wanna see how far I can go…it’s all about self-belief and I do have a lot of that.”
    But despite his success, Roman says he doesn’t want to trade on his family name.
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    “I don’t want to box on big bills just because I carry the ‘Fury’ name,” he said.
    While he might not want to deliberately cash in on his famous brothers, there’s no doubt it will open doors and his future is bright.
    Roman with proud dad JohnCredit: Instagram
    Roman with Tommy and Chantal on Love IslandCredit: Rex More

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    Boxing ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn suffers wardrobe malfunction and gives fans more than they bargained for

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN nearly got in deep trouble with her latest wardrobe malfunction as she posed in a black swimsuit and skirt combo.The boxing ring girl stunned with a series of Instagram snaps as she relaxed in Manchester.
    Apollonia Llewellyn suffered a wardrobe malfunction in her latest uploadCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    The boxing ring girl gave her fans more than they bargained for with the snapCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia posed in a matching black bucket hat and top along with a skimpy white skirt.
    She put on a busty display as she smouldered for the camera but gave her fans a surprise with a wardrobe malfunction in one of the snaps as she leant back and crossed her legs.
    She seemed more than relaxed thanks to her swimsuit but fans were still left in awe, though, as they flooded the comments section under the post captioned: “She a baddie.”
    One follower wrote: “Absolutely gorgeous.”
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    Another added: “Always stunning.”
    A third fan also commented: “So beautiful as always.”
    Apollonia regularly treats her 570,000 Instagram followers to racy snaps from her trips around the world.
    Apollonia stunned in a matching black top and bucket hat comboCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    She regularly treats her fans to racy bikini snapsCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    She was recently dubbed the “sexiest woman alive” after posing in a gold bikini.
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    Another post saw her nearly burst out of a barely-there bikini as she posed next to a swimming pool.
    Apollonia also enjoyed a recent trip to New York, where she showed off her curves in a stunning jumpsuit.
    Apollonia is also known to show off her curves during her trips around the worldCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    The model has 570,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn More

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    Tommy Fury predicts winner of Jake Paul vs KSI after fighting both YouTubers… and expects brutal KO

    TOMMY FURY has given a definitive prediction on who would win between Jake Paul and KSI. Fury emerged with bragging rights after two years of feuding with Paul by winning their February grudge match by split-decision.
    Jake Paul and KSI facing off in 2020Credit: GETTY
    He then went onto beat KSI on points controversially in October.
    The blockbuster YouTube grudge match between KSI and Paul remains on the cards and Fury sees only one winner.
    He told FightHype: “I think Jake Paul knocks him out.
    “He just knows what he’s doing. He’s actually not bad. Jake’s better than some boxers in natural boxing.
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    “I believe Jake Paul would win that easily to be fair.”
    KSI, 30, appealed his loss to Fury, 24, and announced he will take some time away from boxing.
    Meanwhile Paul, 26, bounced back from defeat by beating ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, over ten rounds in August.
    And he now returns on December 15 against 10-1-1 professional boxer Andre August, 35, as he eyes a rematch with Fury.
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    He even messaged his old rival following the win against KSI, which he was ringside in Manchester for.
    Fury recently told the Daily Mail: “He messaged me the other day and said, ‘Congratulations brother, you know, I could tell there’s something wrong with your hand.’ All this sort of stuff, being extra nice.
    “Trying to get that fight on. At the end of the day, it’s one of them, I think the fight is inevitable.
    “He knows that I’m his biggest draw and for me now sitting at the top I’ve done things that he hasn’t.
    “Him and KSI have been talking about fighting for years, I’ve literally came and inside 12 months beat the pair of them, on their own show.
    “So I don’t know, it is what it is. It’s my choice now, no matter what I’m the head of the crossover thing now.
    “It’s alright me saying it because I’ve beat the two best men in it. So whoever I want to fight next it’s up to me. I can pick and choose these guys.”
    Tommy Fury beat KSI on pointsCredit: PA
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    Christmas cancelled for Kelyn Cassidy as Irish Elite light-heavyweight champion aims for Olympic place at Paris 2024

    CHRISTMAS is cancelled for Kelyn Cassidy — whose bid to become an Olympian starts now.The Waterford ace cemented his spot as Ireland’s top light-heavyweight by securing a three in a row of Irish titles in Dublin on Saturday night.
    Kelyn Cassidy of Saviours Crystal Boxing Club, Waterford, celebrates victory over Gabriel Dossen of Olympic Boxing Club, Galway
    Gabriel Dossen and Kelyn Cassidy in action during their light heavyweight 80kg final bout at the IABA National Elite Boxing Championships 2024 Finals
    Cassidy, 26, had to do it the hard way, beating one of his best pals in Galway puncher Gabriel Dossen.
    Dossen, a two-time Elite middleweight champ with a European gold to his name, had entered the 80kg ranks after his 75kg class was left off the Olympic roster.
    The winner here was a cert to make the team for a world qualifying tournament in Italy at the end of February — and Cassidy claimed it with both hands.
    It was a left that dropped Dossen in the first, while his right hook looked dangerous for the duration of their ferocious three-round battle.
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    After the verdict, the pair embraced in the ring as the magnitude of the result sank in.
    Cassidy told SunSport: “Christmas is cancelled — the bigger picture is the Olympic Games.
    “If I want anything out of boxing, I just want to be an Olympian.
    “I want to put everything I can in place to be an Olympian.
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    “I’m really emotional. I’m boxing one of my best mates there, we’ve boxed on the Irish team together for years. All credit to Gabriel, a class operator.
    “But at the end of the day, you have to forget feelings in the ring. Look, he pushed me right to the wire.
    “I had to pull all my tricks out of the bag to beat him.”
    The knockdown gave Cassidy momentum and while Dossen came on strong, particularly in the third, the Déise warrior was able to land enough to stay ahead.
    He added: “My left hand is my strongest hand. It’s good to get the result. I knew I needed a good win here to definitely get the weight.
    “We’re like brothers, so that’s why it’s emotional. You see at the end we just stood there holding each other for a while because, look, we’re really good mates.
    “And I know it’s sport and you can’t be mates in there but I’ll catch up with Gabriel after this and I’ll meet him for a drink or whatever. Nothing but respect for him.”
    Their battle was arguably the most anticipated bout of the night, along with the featherweight decider that saw Jude Gallagher beat Adam Hession.
    Cassidy lapped it up, adding: “This is the fight that everybody wanted to see. I went on social media for an hour in the morning and it was the talk of social media — Gabriel Dossen and Kelyn Cassidy. People have been posting bits of our sparring and everything.
    “These are the big fights you want to be in.
    “You remember the fights like when Darren O’Neill fought Darren Sutherland and the buzz around it.”
    Cassidy has reached the quarter-finals of the World Championships and European Games, slipping to tight defeats when wins would have landed him on the podium.
    He added: “I just got some tough draws. I got a tough draw at the European Games, had two good wins, and in the fight to qualify I end up meeting Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine.
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    The Olympic silver medallist and should be gold medallist only he was knocked out when he was 2-0 up in the third round.
    “I only got beaten on a countback. But you can’t let these things set you back, you’ve got to enjoy them and move on.” More

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    Conor McGregor’s manager opens door to MMA super-fight against Jake Paul as UFC star nears return

    CONOR McGREGOR’S manager has refused to rule out an MMA super-fight against Jake Paul. YouTuber-turned boxer Paul has continued to call out and goad McGregor since his professional debut in 2020.
    Conor McGregor’s manager has refused to rule out an MMA super-fight against Jake PaulCredit: Sportsfile
    Jake Paul has continued to call out and goad McGregorCredit: Reuters
    And he is so eager to fight the Irishman that he has even offered to do it in the MMA cage.
    McGregor is building towards a UFC return having been out since July 2021 when he broke his leg.
    And his manager Audi Attar is open to the prospect of a blockbuster with Paul after the former two-weight UFC champion makes his return.
    Attar told Fox: “I think anything’s always possible. You never say never. It’s all about how things line up.
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    “I think the challenge with combat sports is looking that far ahead. You never say never.
    “Getting back into the octagon is step one, going in and handling business there.
    “Then, not looking past that, but then, obviously, when you get past that, look at your options and see what’s next.”
    Paul this year signed with the Professional Fighters League, a rival promotion to the UFC which is set to host his MMA debut.
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    But first, he returns on Friday, December 15 against 10-1-1 boxer Andre August, 35, in Florida.
    Paul, 26, suffered defeat for the first time in February losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
    The American bounced back in August by beating ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, over ten rounds in a performance slammed by McGregor.
    He posted on X: “That was abysmal last night, Paul is a r****d, absolute garbage he is.
    “Moving backwards like I was watching a fight in rewind. Holy garbage. Embarrassing stuff all round in my opinion.”
    In the post-fight press conference, Paul snubbed McGregor, 35, as he said: “I don’t care about that guy…
    “I want Nate in MMA. I want more professional boxers and I want Canelo.”
    Jake Paul beat Nate Diaz on pointsCredit: Getty More