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      Fans hail Amir Khan’s amazing gesture after he reunites with the man who beat him for 2004 Olympic gold

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      AMIR KHAN amazingly gave his former Olympic rival Mario Kindelan $5,000 towards a new house. Kindelan is a legend of the amateur code, winning two gold medals at the Games and three World Championships.
      Amir Khan lost to Mario Kindelan in the 2004 Olympic finalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Khan and Kindelan reunited
      He famously beat a then-17-year-old Khan in the 2004 Athens Olympics but they rematched a year later.
      Despite still being an amateur contest, it was aired on ITV and drew an astonishing 6.3 million viewers.
      Khan would go onto become a legend of British boxing, reigning as unified light-welterweight champion.
      He faced some of boxing’s biggest stars in Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, retiring in 2022 following defeat to bitter enemy Kell Brook.
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      Kindelan meanwhile was unable to turn professional due to it being banned in his homeland of Cuba.
      The rule was introduced by Fidel Castro in 1962 and restricted Cubans to amateur boxing.
      Only last year was the ban lifted but it proved too late for Kindelan, now aged 52.
      The Olympic icon reunited with Khan at an event in Bahrain and offered to sell him his gold medal to held buy his mother a home.
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      Khan rejected it and instead donated the $5,000 (£3,900) sum to Kindelan.
      He said on talkSPORT: “It was sad to see in a three-time World Amateur Champion, one of the best amateurs ever to come out of Cuba and two-time Olympic gold medallist.
      “To see that, it hurts me. It hurt me when he was telling me that he had no money, so I gave him some cash.
      “He then said, ‘Do you wanna buy my gold medal?’ I thought he was joking at first.
      “But he said, ‘I really wanna sell you my gold medal so I can build my mother a house, the family’s really poor and I wanna build a house for her.’
      ‘CLASS ACT’
      “I asked him how much the house was gonna be and he said it was gonna be $5,000.
      “I said, ‘No problem, I’ll give you the $5,000, plus you have to promise me that you’ll keep the medal and never sell it to someone because you won the Olympic gold medal.’
      “I said, ‘I’d never take that from you because you earned that.’
      “I’m very happy that he told me the story because I would never let him sell that gold medal, and he’s promised me he won’t now.
      “I’ve sent him the money and hopefully he can build his mother’s house now.”
      Khan – who runs several charity foundations – was hailed by fans for his incredible gesture.
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      One said: “Class act Amir.”
      Another added: “Top man Amir. Absolute class.”
      Khan took silver in the 2004 OlympicsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

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      Lennox Lewis ‘rejected’ £5m offer from Vince McMahon for huge crossover match with UFC and WWE icon Brock Lesnar

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      LENNOX LEWIS once turned down £5million from the WWE to face Brock Lesnar in a crossover match. The year was 2002 and Lesnar was on his rise as a future WWE superstar while Lewis was the world heavyweight boxing champion.
      Lennox Lewis turned down £5m to face WWE star Brock LesnarCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lesnar was WWE champion by 25Credit: WWE
      And there were talks for the two to meet in the ring with Vince McMahon even going to the Nevada Athletic Commission for sanctioning.
      But according to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Lewis rejected it after finding out about Lesnar’s real grappling experience.
      The former undisputed heavyweight king did open up about the negotiations in a 2015 interview with TSN’s Off The Record.
      He revealed he was offered £5m but claimed he had to wear gloves while Lesnar would not have.
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      Asked if he considered the offer, Lewis said: “Very seriously, until they said he wasn’t wearing gloves.
      “They wanted to put me in with gloves on.”
      It is not clear whether the match would have been scripted or a legitimate fight.
      Lewis went onto retire from boxing in 2004 after defeating Vitali Klitschko a year prior.
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      Meanwhile, Lesnar was WWE champ by 25 in 2002 and later turned to MMA, where he won the UFC title.
      He had nine fights in the cage – with his last in 2016 – and continues in the WWE to this day.
      Lesnar has been linked to a UFC return but his last fight against Mark Hunt ended in controversy after he tested positive for banned substances.
      Lesnar has not fought since 2016Credit: Getty More

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      Boxer Jordan Gill emotionally fights back tears after revealing mental health battle before victory over Michael Conlan

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      BOXER Jordan Gill emotionally opened up about his mental health battle before beating Michael Conlan. Gill moved up to super-featherweight and stopped Northern Ireland’s Conlan in round seven of their Belfast bout.
      Jordan Gill opened up about his mental health battle before beating Michael Conlan

      It was his first fight since losing the European featherweight title to Kiko Martinez in October 2022.
      That defeat sparked a battle with depression while Gill’s personal life also suffered.
      And the brave boxer revealed he contemplated suicide before being saved.
      Gill, 29, said: “Not many people know what I’ve been through this year. You know, after the Kiko loss, I sort of, lost touch with myself.
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      “I broke up with my wife. In the 30th of June, I was in a field, I drank a litre of vodka and I was gonna kill myself, and somebody saved me.
      “Somebody came and saved me that day, and you know, I went to Dave, I went to Ben Davison’s gym, I worked with Barry.
      “Barry’s put so much effort in with me. My dad’s been by my side. My friends and my family have been there supporting me.
      “All my friends, I can’t thank them enough. I’ve just changed my life. I’ve got my own gym opening next week with my friend Damian.
      Most read in BoxingHow to get help

      NHS talking therapies can help if you’re struggling to cope with feelings of anxiety or depression. 
      Your GP can refer you or, in England, you can refer yourself online via nhs.uk/talk.
      If you need help for a mental health crisis, emergency or breakdown, NHS urgent mental health helplines offer 24-hour advice and support for people of all ages. 
      Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline via nhs.uk/urgentmentalhealth (England only). 
      The charity Mind also provides support to those that need it. Call 0300 123 3393.
      If someone’s life is at risk or they cannot be kept safe, call 999.

      “I’ve turned my life around this year in the last four months and it’s just because of that (mindset).
      “So if you’re thinking, ‘What am I doing with my life?’ You can do it, you can make a change.
      “Just get up and have that belief in yourself and just go and do it because nobody believed that I can do this. But I did and that’s all that matters.”
      Michael Conlan was knocked down by Jordan GillCredit: Getty
      Gill celebrating his victoryCredit: Sportsfile More

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      Ex-UFC champ left with horror facial injuries after losing brutal bare-knuckle fight to ‘king of violence’ Mike Perry

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      EX-UFC champion Eddie Alvarez was left with horror facial injuries after brutal bare-knuckle boxing defeat to Mike Perry. The pair of former MMA stars headlined a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event in Salt Lake City, Utah.
      Eddie Alvarez was left with horror facial injuries after defeat to Mike Perry
      Alvarez showed off his battle scars post fight
      And the two put on a hellacious show for two rounds until Alvarez’s corner pulled him out of the bout.
      The American’s left eye was so badly swollen he could not continue any longer.
      Alvarez, 39, showed off the extent of his battle scars in the post-fight press conference, sporting a severely swollen and bruised face.
      Perry, 32, was also marked up as he celebrated his vicious victory.
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      He roared: “I like to get hit a little bit sometimes. I like that s***. It makes me feel alive.
      “I work on the head movement but the last one ended so easily, I just wanted to have a battle so I let him get some shots off. I had a great time.
      “Eddie Alvarez is a hell of a competitor. Who owns combat sports now? The king of violence! ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry!”
      Perry, who left the UFC in 2021 after four losses in five fights, is now unbeaten in his four BKFC bouts.
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      And he called out Conor McGregor, 35, and Darren Till, 30, after extending his record to 4-0 with exposed fists.
      Perry said: “Conor McGregor would be a great matchup.
      “I just beat somebody he fought for a world title. Who’s bigger than that? There’s no one bigger than Conor McGregor except me.
      “These boxers don’t want to take the gloves off. Darren Till said he doesn’t want to do it with no gloves.
      “Who wants to fight Platinum Mike Perry with no gloves?”
      Mike Perry beat Eddie Alvarez in two roundsCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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      Ryan Garcia beats Oscar Duarte by stoppage and calls out rival Rolando Romero to world title fight

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      RYAN GARCIA beat Oscar Duarte by stoppage in the eighth round before calling for a world title shot. The American superstar was returning for the first time since defeat to Gervonta Davis in April.
      Ryan Garcia beat Oscar Duarte by stoppage in the eighth roundCredit: Getty
      The American superstar was returning for the first time since defeat to Gervonta DavisCredit: Getty

      And he did so with victory over Duarte in their 143lb catchweight contest in Houston Texas.
      Garcia, 25, trapped Duarte, 27, in the corner and unleashed a barrage of shots to force the Mexican to the floor.
      Duarte was making his way to his feet when the referee waved the bout off to declare Garcia the winner.
      Garcia called to fight old rival Romero for the WBA super-lightweight title.
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      He said: “I’m committing to becoming a world champion.
      “If Rollies wants that, bring it on Rollies. I know you talk a lot. Let’s get that going, Rollies. Where you at?
      “You got beat up by that old dude. We know what happened. Don’t be trying to fake it.”
      Romero, 28, won the title with a controversial stoppage against Venezuelan veteran Ismael Barroso, 40, in May.
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      Barroso was due to feature on Garcia’s undercard in a fight for the “interim” title but opponent Ohara Davies, 31, suffered visa issues.
      Romero, currently out injured, cryptically responded to Garcia in a series of messages on X, formerly Twitter.
      He posted: “What the f*** did I just watch?”
      Romero followed it up with: “Rolly by murder in the first.”
      Garcia wants to fight Rolando Romero nextCredit: Getty
      Romero is the WBA championCredit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME More

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      Jake Paul sensationally backed to BEAT Nate Diaz in MMA fight by ex-UFC star amid £10m rematch offer

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      JAKE PAUL has been backed to sensationally BEAT Nate Diaz in MMA by ex-UFC star Matt Brown. The YouTuber-turned boxer this year signed for the Professional Fighters League, a competing promotion to the UFC.
      Jake Paul beat Nate Diaz over ten roundsCredit: GETTY
      Paul, 26, is coming off the back of a ten-round points win over ex-UFC star Diaz, 38, in August.
      And both the American and the PFL have proposed a rematch in the cage and offered up to £10million.
      But Diaz has seemed uninterested and Brown insisted he has reason to.
      He told MMAFighting: “Jake Paul, I’m going to pick him to win. I’m going to pick him to beat Nate Diaz in MMA.
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      “We already know he can outbox him. When was the last time you saw Nate Diaz take someone down?
      “But I don’t think he’ll be able to take him down, even if he tries to [take him down].
      “He’s way, way undersized. Jake Paul is so much bigger than him. I don’t know what weight it will be at, probably 185.
      “Nate’s not a great wrestler, it’s going to end up staying on the feet. What difference would it be [from their boxing match] if it stays on the feet?”
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      Ex-high school wrestler Paul has called to fight Diaz in his MMA debut and Brown believes the styles clash favours the American well.
      He said: “First, Nate rarely throws elbows. Really doesn’t throw kicks a whole lot. He’s primarily an MMA boxer.
      “His MMA style is he pressures you, he outboxes you and pressures you until you take him down or grab hold of him, which, that’s what he wants. Now he can do his jiu-jitsu game. It’s just a bad matchup.
      “I wouldn’t pick very many people to be able to do that, but I don’t think Nate will be able to take [Paul] down and we already know what’s going to happen on the feet.
      “Jake will train for kicks and elbows and knees and all that stuff and they might have a little effect.
      “But I don’t see Nate finishing him with a kick or even really chopping him down or elbowing him. It’s just not his style.”
      Matt Brown backed Jake Paul to beat Nate Diaz in MMACredit: Getty More

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      I’m training with Anthony Joshua ahead of his next fight, fans will finally see AJ looking more like his old self

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has been backed to return to his former self after linking up with trainer Ben Davison. The two-time heavyweight champion returns on December 23 in Saudi Arabia against Otto Wallin.
      Anthony Joshua ahead of his next fight
      And he will do so under the guidance of Davison – who formerly worked with Tyson Fury – for the first time.
      Former WBA featherweight champ Leigh Wood has been in the gym with AJ and he warned to expect a vintage Joshua.
      Wood, 35, told Boxing News: “He’s on the right path, and I can’t wait for his fight in December.
      “I think you will see AJ be more clear and decisive with what he’s doing in there, because I feel like he’ll know what he needs to do – whereas in previous fights, he’s a bit apprehensive.
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      “[It’s like he’s] thinking, ‘It don’t feel right,’ or half-guessing and not confident in what he’s doing but just doing it anyway.
      “I know for this fight he will be clear and decisive, knowing what he needs to do and going out and doing it.
      “A lot of people will say, ‘AJ’s looking more like his old self,’ and that will be because of these things he’s doing.
      “Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s an AJ knockout [against Wallin].”
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      Joshua has been cornered by American Derrick James for his last two fights, a points win to Jermaine Franklin, 30, and KO over Robert Helenius, 39.
      But James has been in his Texas base with Ryan Garcia, 25, who faces Oscar Duarte, 27, tonight.
      Joshua, 34, has stationed himself in the UK for his fight with Wallin, 32, which led to his decision to go with Davison.
      And Wood – who became won the world title under Davison – has seen AJ’s improvements first hand.
      He said: “The approach he’s got with Ben, he’s like a sponge – he’s absorbing all the information.
      “A lot of people look at it and think, ‘He’s training with Ben, is he mad?’ But like I’ve said, Ben [is] way ahead.
      “I’ve said this many times, and people can quote me, because I know in 10 years’ time they’ll be like: ‘Leigh Wood told us.’
      “I didn’t have to tell you. Look at my fights I’ve had; I’ve been underdog time and time again, [but] I’m getting these results.
      “Is it because I’m superhuman, or is it because I’ve got a mint team? Do the maths.
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      “I can see a lot of similarities between AJ and myself in the way he’s learning. He’s always asking questions and wants to know how it works.
      “Sometimes you’re trying to learn something and it doesn’t click straight away, then it’s a good feeling when you get it.”
      Joshua and Otto Wallin ahead of their fightCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury has a ‘big problem’ ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight as rival says Gypsy King’s ‘mindset is not in boxing’

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      TYSON FURY has a “big problem” heading into his fight with Oleksandr Usyk, according to Zhilei Zhang. Fury and Usyk are signed to the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to fight on February 17Credit: EPA
      It comes off the back of the Gypsy King’s crossover clash with ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 37, in Riyadh.
      Fury was astonishingly floored by the boxing debutant and deemed fortunate to walk away with a controversial points win.
      It has left Zhang, 40, questioning the unbeaten WBC champion’s mindset heading into the historic undisputed title decider.
      He told The Metro, via Freebets.com: “I think it is simple, Fury didn’t train for this fight [against Ngannou].
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      “To be honest with you, he is not the version we are used to seeing.
      “I can see his mindset is not in boxing at the moment, he is doing commercial things, he is doing PR, marketing, different things, but not boxing.
      “And in this business, you can’t really fool yourself. You can’t fool training.
      “After the fight [against Ngannou] in his press conference and interviews he said he had a good training camp for that fight.
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      “If that is the case, he has a very big problem going into the Usyk fight.”
      Despite Zhang’s blast on Fury, he hopes the British superstar leaves Saudi with all the belts so he can challenge for them.

      He said: “I hope it is Tyson Fury.
      “And I want to tell him: My brother, train hard and do the right thing and get four belts and give them back to me when I see you in the ring.”
      Zhilei Zhang wants to fight FuryCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More