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      I was saving lives during Covid battle.. but now I’m cleaning up boxing’s lightweight division fighting for world titles

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      RHIANNON DIXON spent the Covid saga saving lives in hospital scrubs but now wants to help clean up the lightweight division and win a boxing world title.The Warrington prospect, 28, clinched the respected European title on Saturday night, at Wembley Arena, in just her ninth pro fight.
      Rhiannon Dixon won the European lightweight title on Saturday nightCredit: Reuters
      Dixon has undergone a drastic career transformation after working for the NHS as a pharmacistCredit: Instagram
      Rhiannon Dixon is moving from hero out of the ring to legend in it with her performancesCredit: Instagram
      Rhiannon Dixon finds ring walks embarrassing but will push through to win titlesCredit: Instagram
      During the Covid saga Dixon worked on hospital wards all day and trained at nightCredit: Instagram
      The southpaw only recently turned professional, after working as a pharmacist and often arriving at trainer Anthony Crolla’s gym in the iconic NHS uniform during the most desperate times in lockdown.
      Dixon only started jabbing people with her fists for fun, to help her lose weight and keep fit, but now she is considered a bonafide boxing talent who will push for one of the top belts in 2024.
      It’s been a dramatic turnaround for the life-saver-turned-fighter but she’s loving the drastic transformation.
      She explained to SunSport: “During Covid, professional fighters were allowed to train but I was still working full time so would do shifts at my hospital, on the Covid wards, and then go straight to the gym for training.
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      “It was a really hard time because it was going from one extreme to the other. I would be helping sick people all day and then hearing some people in the news claim it was all fake.
      “Training became a great stress reliever and I know I was very lucky because a lot of other people were furloughed or lost their jobs while I was doing overtime in both jobs.
      “But when all that ended I thought I decided, you’re only young once and that I should focus on training full time so I don’t have any regrets later in life. And now we’re off and we will see where we end up.”
      Boxing’s fiercest critics are often people from the medical profession, heroes who treat brain injuries every day and detest the idea that healthy men and women are risking their lives for sport.
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      The Warrington warrior has swapped jabbing patients to jabbing opponentsCredit: PA
      Dixon did a stint working in a Vietnam hospital before she took up boxing seriouslyCredit: Instagram
      Rhiannon Dixon is hoping to clean up the lightweight division and become world championCredit: Getty
      Rhiannon Dixon comes from a sporty family but only decided to turn pro after Covid lockdowns were liftedCredit: Instagram
      But Dixon – who comes from a super-sporty family with a PE-teaching sister and a rugby league pro in brother Andrew – has never had to beat-up her conscience as well as her opponent.
      “We are very well protected with our pre-fight medicals and annual brain scans,” Dixon said.
      “The British Boxing Board of Control does really look after us in that sense.
      “I have never been conflicted about working in medicine and being a boxer.
      “I am nice and friendly outside of the ring, I am very caring person in work and normal life. But when I get in the ring I am just different.”
      There is, however, one aspect of the hurt business that does turn Dixon’s stomach.
      “I hate the ring walk,” she laughed. “I just find them so cringe.
      “I wouldn’t mind entering like the Undertaker wrestler, no music, lights go off and when they switch back on I am in the ring and ready.”
      Dixon is being expertly guided by one of Britain’s most popular retired world champions.
      Million Dollar Crolla was a boy-next-door boxer who clinched the WBA lightweight world title in 2015 front of his adoring Manchester home crowd with a slick back-and-sides and a close shave.
      But, in his new role as mentor to a young stable of rising talent, he has grown flowing locks and added a goatee beard that Dixon has learned to love – slowly!
      She said: “In the beginning I was very anti-long hair on boys but now he has got it shaped he looks cool.
      “He shaved his goatee off the other day and looked like a child but he is growing into that ‘older man’ look.
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      “He’s been there and done it all but still gives his time to everyone, he took me on when I was nowhere but he has been my No1 fan all the time. 
      “It shows what sort of character he is and I cannot thank him enough.” More

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      Does KSI have a girlfriend? What has Youtube boxing ace said about partner and who has he been previously linked with?

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      KSI IS known around the world, thanks to his impressive YouTube channel, followed by an incredible boxing career.But despite the Watford-born vlogger – who’s real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – documenting every inch of his life, he likes to keep his love life a secret.
      Fans want to know the identity of KSI’s girlfriend Credit: REX
      Does KSI have a girlfriend?
      Despite KSI not revealing her identity, he does have a girlfriend.
      The boxer often mentions his partner in interviews – but her identity is still a complete mystery.
      KSI – who shot to fame as one of the Sidemen – refuses to tell people her name, leaving fans wondering who his mysterious girl really is.
      In his 2023 Amazon documentary, the streamer revealed that he got back with his girlfriend after splitting up in 2021.
      Ahead of his fight with Tommy Fury, the YouTuber also revealed in September 2023, how his partner was “f***ing terrified” about seeing him take on the Love Island star – that was until she watched him sparring.
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      KSI told streamer Adin Ross: “I’ll tell you this – my girlfriend was very, very nervous, very, very nervous.
      “She was like, ‘I don’t know about this Tommy fight, I’m f***ing terrified, Tommy’s a big guy, I saw what he did to Jake. I’m not sure about this fight, can I see you spar?’
      “She saw me spar – I sparred terribly – and she was like, ‘Oh my f***ing God I get it. Oh my f***ing God, you’re going to f***ing annihilate him.’
      “I sparred terribly, mum’s life I sparred terribly. This week I sparred terribly and she was like, ‘Yeah, I f***ing understand.'”
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      KSI also brought up his mystery woman during an interview with Good Morning Britain in August 2023.
      He said: “For me, I keep my private things very, very private. I have a girlfriend and she’s very private, we keep things quiet.
      “Whenever I spend time with her, it’s all about her. Even with my family, I like to do things privately and it’s just making sure that whenever I need to be out in the public eye.”
      Also in November 2019, just ahead of his match against Logan Paul, KSI paid tribute to his family and gave a mention to his ‘beautiful girlfriend’.
      The YouTuber revealed on Instagram: “My body has been pushed to a point I never knew I had. I came to Vegas to be trained by the best with no distractions and I have come out an absolute beast.
      “Throughout this period I have missed my family, my friends and my beautiful girlfriend, but they all understood that me training in Vegas was necessary.”
      Who has he been previously linked with?
      Seana Cuthbert
      The only girlfriend of KSI that has ever been confirmed is fellow YouTuber Seana Cuthbert.
      The pair were in a relationship from 2012 to 2014.
      The vlogger, who goes by the user name Seanyyy, previously opened up on her time with the boxer, revealing that he was “too busy online” to dedicate time to a serious relationship.
      Seana told followers: “We were very young, only 17 and lived miles apart.
      “He was also really busy with YouTube and did not have enough time for a relationship. We were quite young and he just wanted to go out and enjoy himself – like every lad does.
      “I’ve moved on and so has he now.”
      Anne Marie
      In early 2023, it was rumoured that KSI and singer Anne-Marie were dating after working on songs together.
      The rumour-mill went into overdrive, with fans thinking that she could be the secret girlfriend.
      But the pair soon shut down speculation, and KSI confirmed in a YouTube video that they weren’t an item. More

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      Anthony Joshua working with rival Tyson Fury’s former trainer Ben Davison… and fans can’t wait for John Fury’s reaction

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA is reportedly working with the former trainer of rival Tyson Fury.AJ is eyeing a fight with Deontay Wilder, which could take place at the beginning of next year.
      Anthony Joshua is set to team up with Ben DavisonCredit: AP
      Davison was Tyson Fury’s trainer when he returned to the sport in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The pair are understood to have agreed terms on a fight with only the date and location to be decided.
      In the meantime Joshua is preparing for his next opponent by learning from a new trainer – Ben Davison, according to Michael Benson.
      He previously worked with Fury during the Gyspy King’s comeback to the sport in 2018.
      Davison helped Fury prepare for his first bout with Wilder which ended in a draw, though many felt the Brit deserved the win.
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      Now Joshua is learning from the experienced coach and fans cannot wait to see how Fury’s dad John reacts to the news.
      One fan wrote: “I wonder how long it will take for John Fury to call Ben a traitor, even though he’s slated him in the past for doing a poor job with Tyson?”
      Another added: “John Fury video going nuts and tearing Ben down incoming in 5..4..3..2..1.”
      A third said: “Great coach, could be good if he’s ever to face Fury, although Fury turned into a different animal after Ben.”
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      And another commented: “Joshua needs to get to a stage where he’s letting his hands go more, that’s the AJ I personally want to see. If Ben gets that out of him then great stuff 👍”
      Joshua, 33, has won two out of two since losing to Oleksandr Usyk but did not convince in either bout.
      He teamed up with trainer Derrick James at the beginning of the year company with Robert Garcia – who replaced his former long-time trainer Rob McCracken. More

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      Ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn risks Instagram ban as she flaunts curves in barely-there bikini and fans call her ‘fiery’

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      APOLLONIA Llewellyn risked an Instagram ban, showing off her amazing curves in a barely-there bikini.The Misfits boxing ring girl, 23, regularly flaunts her incredible assets in sexy snaps online.
      Apollonia Llewellyn risked an Instagram ban with her latest post
      Apollonia has built a reputation online for showing off saucy contentCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      It was as a Misfits Boxing ring girl Apollonia made her nameCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      And this time, she has threatened to break the internet with her latest photo.
      The blonde influencer shared a poolside picture in Santorini, Greece wearing a white thong that just about covered her modesty.
      Her bottom appeared to be splashed with some pool water in the outrageous photoshoot.
      She captioned the photo: “Summer mood in this rain.”
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      Of course, there was plenty of reaction online from her fans.
      One fan wrote: “Fiery hot.”
      A second follower shared: “Please don’t break the IG yet with your charismatic beauty.”
      A third posted: “Simply beautiful.”
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      A fourth added: “Perfect.”
      The post has already been liked over 3,500 times, since it was uploaded on Saturday.
      Apollonia shot to fame as a ring girl on a Misfits Boxing ring card.
      Apollonia has since gathered a huge social media fanbase.
      She has built up a large online following of 567k followers on the platform due to her raunchy content.
      Meanwhile, Apollonia wowed her fans as she left nothing to the imagination in a revealing outfit
      She also stunned her followers as she squeezed into a blue corset.
      The ring girl recently attended a fashion brand launch at which she donned a leather outfit.
      Apollonia has over 500,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Fans regularly comment on Apollonia’s contentCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Stunning Apollonia often lights up the internetCredit: Instagram / apolloniallewellyn
      Glamorous Apollonia recently attended a Shein eventCredit: Instagram More

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      Brit Jordan Thompson left disfigured with blood spurting from face as he’s brutally knocked out by Jai Opetai

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      JORDAN THOMSPON’s face was temporarily unrecognisable as he ate a punishing blow in his cruiserweight clash with Jai Opetaia.The former tennis prospect challenged the unbeaten Aussie for the IBF 200lbs title at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.
      Jai Opetaia bludgeoned Jordan Thompson’s face – which nearly contorted around his glove – in the third and fourth roundsCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
      Thompson challenged Opetaia for the IBF cruiserweight title on SaturdayCredit: REUTERS
      The fight proved to be a complete mismatchCredit: PA
      But the Brit’s 16th professional outing proved to be a complete mismatch from the outset, with Opetaia hurting and drawing blood from him in the first round.
      Opetaia, 28, couldn’t miss with his power shots, which repeatedly bludgeoned the nose of the dogged and determined Thompson.
      One of the punishing blows nearly contorted Thompson’s bloodied face and sent spurts of his life force flying through the air.
      A brave but outgunned Thompson was dropped in the third round and was badly rocked before the end of the stanza.
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      The fight should’ve been stopped between rounds but Thompson’s corner dusted him off and sent him back out there.
      Opetaia didn’t waste the opportunity to pick up his 18th career stoppage, swarming early and landing a straight left and a vicious right hook which sent Thompson to the canvas.
      “I stand here in this ring and I’m born for this s**t,” a fired-up Opetaia roared after his first title defence.
      He added: “I felt like this entire fight week was about Jordan Thompson. It was nothing to do with me.
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      “They put me in this small ring thinking they were going to cut me off but look what happened.
      ” I got good footwork.
      “I told them I got good power, too. Look what happened.”
      Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn took to Instagram to hail both men’s performances in the shadows of Wembley Stadium.
      He wrote: “We had a special fighter in the U.K. last night in @jaiopetaia_
      “I believe he will capture every belt in the division.
      “Shout out to @jordan_boxing_ for rolling the dice..heavyweight awaits.”
      Jai Opetaia let out a primal roar after registering his first title defenceCredit: REUTERS More

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      Bulked up Eddie Hearn shows off bulging muscles in gym pic but distracted Ricky Hatton asks ‘WTF are you wearing?’

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      BOXING promoter extraordinaire Eddie Hearn has shown off his dramatic body transformation.The Matchroom Boxing chief has made wholesale lifestyle changes over the last year, tweaking his training regime and diet in order to shed the pounds.
      Eddie Hearn has been prioritising his health and well-being as well as putting together big fightsCredit: INSTAGRAM@EDDIEHEARN
      The Matchroom Boxing chief has dropped a whopping 10kg of extra timberCredit: GETTY
      The 44-year-old recently showed off his progress in the gym on InstagramCredit: instagram @kaipeacockfitness
      Hearn, 44, has shed over a STONE-AND-A-HALF of excess timber during his fitness journey – the result of which he recently shared on Instagram.
      Hearn shared a snap of himself flexing his guns at the gym with his 1.3million Instagram followers.
      The accompanying caption for the joint post with his personal trainer read: “The WORK never stops.”
      Hearn’s impressive frame received plenty of comments, although several of his followers – including Ricky Hatton – questioned his gym attire.
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      One commented: “The muscles say beast mode activated, but the outfit says high school netball team.”
      Another said: “Good gains shame about the skirt.”
      And another said: “Did you get one of your kids to dress ya, mate?”
      One remarked: “Great work, mate. Not sure about the wardrobe tho.”
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      Eddie Hearn has shed over a stone-and-a-halfCredit: SPORTSFILE
      Another chimed in: “I must say that is bad choice of gym wear.
      “Did you forget your gym bag and have to go lost property.”
      Former two-weight world champion Hatton asked: “What the f**k are you wearing Eddie?”
      Hearn saw the funny side of the comments, chiming in: “[I’ve] had a stinker.”
      One boxing fan joked by saying: “You might as well step in and fight [Oleksandr] Usyk yourself. Looking good.”
      Hearn opened up on his fitness journey and dramatic weight loss a candid interview with Men’s Health.
      He said: “I’ve changed my training routine and I’ve been more focused on what I’ve been eating.
      “Food is the problem for me, not training. I’ve run a marathon, and I run three or four times a week, no problem. Food is the big problem, and I’ve got on top of that.
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      “I’ve also stopped drinking which has been a game changer as well.
      “I’ve lost about 10 kilos now so I’ve still got a long way to go.” More

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      Brit boxing up-and-comer Jamie TKV left covered in blood with gruesome eye injury in brutal shock loss to late stand-in

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      JAMIE TKV suffered his first loss after a sickening punch made his eyebrow EXPLODE with blood.The 29-year-old Tottenham heavyweight was supposed to tott-up his sixth win at York Hall on Saturday night.
      Jeamie Tshikeva suffered a horrific cut on his left eyebrow in his clash with Igor MacedoCredit: SKY SPORTS BOXING
      The Tottenham heavyweight’s eyebrow exploded after being hit with a massive right handCredit: INSTAGRAM@BOXXER
      But late-notice opponent, Brazil’s Igor Macedo, butchered his right eye with a savage right hand.
      TKV – real surname Tshikeva – dropped his hands as soon as he suffered the sixth-round blow and blood started squirting down his face.
      And he was rushed out of York Hall and straight to hospital to have the gruesome wound stitched up.
      TKV has enjoyed a big push from BOXXER promoters and Sky Sports but he was horribly mismatched against Brazil’s heavyweight champion, who had earned all of his 11 wins inside the distance.
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      The Brit had been talking up future fights with compatriot rivals like Frazer Clarke and Fabio Wardley but he now faces possible plastic surgery on his eye and a career rebuild.
      Macedo meanwhile celebrated by having a bible handed to him in the ring and holding the Good Book aloft.
      TKV made a slow start and rapidly built up speed going downhill.
      Despite being a growing star on the London heavyweight sparring scene – and earning plenty of praise for his hand speed and bodywork – he had a howler in Bethnal Green.
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      From the very first bell, Macedo’s unpredictable style and booming right hands gave TKV nightmares and the Englishman’s corner kept begging him to wake up.
      Eventually, it was a textbook one-two – a left jab and right hand – that made TKV’s eyebrow burst open.
      And the referee wasted little time waving off the fight and letting the brutalised Brit dash off for urgent medical attention.
      Igor Macedo celebrates his stunning stoppage winCredit: PA More

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      Canelo Alvarez rolls back years to defeat Charlo in dominant display then roars ‘nobody can beat this, I’m a strong man’

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      CANELO ALVAREZ proved he’s still a force to be reckoned with thanks to a dominant victory over Jermell Charlo.The pride of Mexico defended his undisputed super middleweight throne against his 160lbs counterpart in front of a sold-out T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas early on Sunday morning.
      Canelo Alvarez defended his super-middleweight throne against Jermell CharloCredit: EPA
      Boxing’s former P4P king dominated his middleweight counterpart from the get-goCredit: GETTY
      The Mexican was relentless with his pressureCredit: EPA
      Canelo dropped Charlo in the seventh round with a big uppercutCredit: EPA
      The tall, rangy and explosive Charlo was, on paper, expected to give the face of boxing some trouble.
      That trouble, however, didn’t materialise as Canelo asserted his dominance from the first to the final bell on his way to earning a lopsided points decision.
      There were no shenanigans from the judges, who scored scoring the contest 119-108, 118-109 and 118-109 in favour of the Guadalajara gladiator.
      A fired-up Canelo, 33, roared: “I’m the best. Who’s better? Nobody can beat this Canelo.”
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      He added: “I’m a strong fighter all the time. I’m a strong man.”
      Challenger Charlo was floored for only the second time in his career in the seventh round after eating a beautiful uppercut moments after a big overhand right.
      Canelo said of the knockdown: “I worked all the fight to go in the body.
      “Then I changed the punch and that’s what happened. We worked for that.
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      Canelo Alvarez punished Jermell Charlo’s body with brutal shotsCredit: GETTY
      “We know he’s a great fighter.
      “He knows how to move in the ring and we worked that in the gym for three months.
      “Three months in the mountains without my family, without everything.
      “But I still love boxing. Boxing made me the person I am today. Boxing is my life.”
      Former undisputed light-middleweight champion Charlo – who was stripped of his WBO crown as soon as the first bell rang – cut a dejected figure after coming up short in the biggest fight of his career.
      He said: “I just feel like I wasn’t me in there. It’s boxing.
      “Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.”
      Disappointment with his performance aside, Charlo is proud of going the distance with the sport’s former pound-for-pound king.
      “I’m proud of myself,” a crestfallen Charlo said. “He didn’t knock me out. He hit me with some hard shots.”
      Canelo has now made three defences of his super-middleweight titleCredit: EPA More