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      Boxing legend Ken Buchanan became a joiner after expensive divorce before tragically dying in a care home

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      WHEN the sublime Ken Buchanan fell on  financial hard times thanks to an expensive divorce and failed business ventures, he turned to his old trade as a joiner.Well into his fifties, he was working on a luxury housing development outside of Glasgow.
      The great Ken Buchanan became undisputed world lightweight champion in 1971Credit: Getty
      Buchanan was one of Scotland’s finest ever ambassadors for sportCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Fellow icon Mike Tyson was thrilled to meet his ‘hero’ Buchanan in 2000Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Ken was sitting on a pile of bricks having a lunch break with a group of bricklayers when he was approached by a man who came out of the show house clutching a brochure.
      Believing he recognised the elderly fella drinking his mug of tea, he asked: “Are you Ken Buchanan?”
      Finding he was correct, he said: “Mr Buchanan, I’ve been one of your greatest admirers and I’m honoured to shake your hand. Would you sign my brochure?”
      As the happy fan left with Ken’s signature, one awestruck young workmate said: “F*** me, Kenny —  you must be some joiner.”

      I’ve no idea how good a master joiner Ken was but, covering many of his big fights in the 1960s and ’70s I do know he was a master in the ring.
      Ken, 77, suffered from dementia and died in a care home last weekend.
      And with due respect to Benny Lynch, Walter McGowan and Josh Taylor, he was undeniably Scotland’s greatest-ever fighter.
      Pound-for-pound he was one of the three best British fighters I’ve seen in my near 60 years as a boxing writer.
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      John Conteh and Joe Calzaghe are the others.
      It was a privilege to watch his virtuoso displays which led him to become the undisputed world lightweight champion. In his tartan shorts, he looked  straight out of a boxing textbook.
      With a left jab made in heaven he was all grace, speed and accuracy —  never wasting a punch.
      Ken won his first world title against all the odds, beating Panamanian Ismael Laguna in the blazing heat of a Puerto Rican open-air stadium.
      The Americans were so impressed he ended up headlining five times at Madison Square Garden.
      The hard-to-please New York crowd  loved him. On his first starring appearance there against Canada’s Donato Paduano in a non-title contest, Muhammad Ali — having  a comeback fight with Oscar Bonavena — was on his undercard.
      Ken delighted in telling the story of how Angelo Dundee, Ali’s trainer, asked him if he would let The Greatest share his dressing room as he hadn’t been allocated one.
      He couldn’t agree fast enough but, when Ali arrived, Ken drew an imaginary line down the  room and told him, “Don’t cross that line or there will be trouble.” Ali thought it was hilarious.
      Not one of Ken’s  69 fights was at home in Edinburgh — only fighting in Scotland four times in a 17-year career.
      So, just how good was he? When  Mike Tyson met Lou Savarese in Glasgow 23 years ago  — Savarese lasted 38 seconds  — I told him Ken would be at the weigh-in.
      He lit up and said: “Please introduce me — he is one of my heroes.”
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      I did and he took Ken to his suite, where they talked boxing for hours.
      Kobe Bryant, the late basketball star, was right about sporting giants like Ken Buchanan, when he said: “Heroes come and go but legends are forever.”
      Buchanan was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002Credit: PA
      Cuban-born Frankie Otero was twice beaten by Buchanan in 1973Credit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury vs Jon Jones major update as text messages between pair detailing fight talks are revealed

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      TYSON FURY and Jon Jones have held talks over a sensational two-fight series, it’s been claimed.A crossover clash between the pair became the talk of the combat sports world last month after UFC commentator Joe Rogan ruled out Fury’s chances of besting Jones.
      Tyson Fury has flirted with the prospect of fighting UFC heavyweight champ Jon JonesCredit: REUTERS
      MMA’s P4P king has openly entertained the idea of boxing the Gypsy KingCredit: Getty
      Jones has revealed talks over a two-fight deal with WBC heavyweight king Fury to a palCredit: GETTY
      The Gypsy King reacted angrily and subsequently issued a callout to MMA’s pound-for-pound king, which prompted UFC president Dana White to offer him a straightener inside the octagon.
      And according to MMA insider FightOracle, who has known Jones for several years, preliminary talks over a two-fight series have taken place.
      He tweeted: “Just ran into the GOAT @JonnyBones in Atlanta. The talks between him and @Tyson_Fury are very much real.
      “He showed me the text messages between them. 1 boxing fight. 1 MMA Fight.
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      “Jon wants a money fight & has no issues going into the lions den against Tyson in a boxing ring 1st.”
      Fight fans were quick to react to the news, with one saying: “If they even make it that far Tyson would do a boxing match and then anything possible to not do an MMA fight.”
      Another said: “1 MMA fight haha. More chance me flying to the moon than that happening.”
      And another said: “Tyson [is very] unpredictable.
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      “Would probably beat him in Boxing and retire.”
      Another chimed in: “No chance in hell the MMA match ever happens.”
      One remarked: “If the boxing match happens the MMA bout will happen.
      “Tyson is a man of his word. Plus $$$$$$ talks.
      WBC heavyweight king Fury recently doubled down on his willingness to fight Jones this week in yet another Instagram story rant.
      He said: “I hear that Jon Jones is looking for a fight. Me. I’m your man.”
      Tyson Fury is without an opponent following the collapse of his clash with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
      Jon Jones is seemingly set to fight Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden in NovemberCredit: GETTY
      He added: “Here’s a thought. How about this?
      “How about I fight Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou on the same night?
      “How about that? That’s how much I value them two bums. Get up! Let’s go, boys.”
      Fury, 34, is currently without an opponent following the collapse of his undisputed heavyweight showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
      Read more on The Sun
      Jones, meanwhile, was seemingly on course to make the first defence of his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden in November.
      But there hasn’t been any movement on the fight, which Jones plans to be his last outing in mixed martial arts. More

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      Dillian Whyte reveals HUGE update in talks for Anthony Joshua rematch and fires another blast at old foe

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      DILLIAN WHYTE has admitted that his proposed rematch with Anthony Joshua “doesn’t seem real”.The British duo have been linked with a huge summer bout, with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn claiming that an offer has been made for an August 12 dust up.
      Anthony Joshua fought Dillian Whyte at the 02 Arena back in 2015Credit: AFP
      Nearly a fortnight on nothing has been signed, with Whyte claiming that Joshua and his team “aren’t serious” about getting the fight on.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, the Body Snatcher said: “It’s a big fight, it’s eight weeks away and there’s no communication, nothing.
      “Just nothing. Nothing at all. They’re just wasting time messing about.
      “It just doesn’t seem real. They’re trying to put me in the same position they did a few years ago, saying: ‘Oh, we’re trying to make the Joshua fight.
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      “These big fights take time. There’s lots of things that go on, there’s lots of small print and this team want that and that team want this.
      “There’s a lot of things that go on. It takes a long time to make these big fights.
      “This fight should have been made a month after it [the Jermaine Franklin fight].”
      Joshua, 33, was last in action in April when he defeated American Franklin via decision.
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      Anthony Joshua sat ringside with Eddie Hearn at Whyte’s last fightCredit: PA
      In addition to a Whyte fight, AJ has also been linked with a mouthwatering battle of former heavyweight champs against Deontay Wilder.
      And Whyte, 35, reckons this may factor into why his rematch with Joshua is yet to be signed.
      He added: “No, I’m not surprised. I don’t blame them, if he is going to get £50million to fight Wilder in Saudi in December, why would they take the chance of fighting me? It doesn’t make sense.”
      Whyte was also last in action against Franklin, moving to 29-3 by outpointing him at Wembley Arena last November.
      The former title contender last fought Joshua in December 2015, when both men were undefeated in the professional ranks.
      Whyte had won their amateur battle in 2009, and their war of words led to a much-anticipated 02 Arena bout – with Joshua coming out on top via seventh-round TKO.
      Should they meet again in August, the 02 is expected to be the venue once again.
      Hearn said earlier this month: “Our plan, which we’ve stressed, is for AJ to box on 12 August and in December again against Deontay.”
      Whyte, 35, reckons that AJ and his team aren’t ‘serious’ about getting their summer rematch onCredit: Getty More

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      Teofimo Lopez VACATES WBO super-lightweight world title just days after beating Josh Taylor and saying he will retire

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      TEOFIMO LOPEZ has vacated the WBO super-lightweight title – just days after seemingly retiring from boxing.The former unified lightweight champion revealed his intention to hang up his gloves just minutes after ripping the WBO and Ring Magazine 140lbs titles from Josh Taylor’s clutches.
      Teofimo Lopez ripped the WBO and Ring super-lightweight titles from Josh Taylor last weekendCredit: AP
      The American teased retirement immediately after becoming a two-weight championCredit: GETTY
      The Takeover has vacated the WBO 140lbs titleCredit: GETTY
      And The Takeover is seemingly taking the steps to walk away from the sport by relinquishing his newly-claimed WBO strap.
      WBO chief Paco Valcarcel tweeted on Thursday: “Just now @TeofimoLopez is texting me that he relinquished his Jr welterweight title.
      “We should respect his decision.
      “If he come[s] back, WBO doors will be always open for him.”
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      Lopez, 25, shortly confirmed Valcarcel’s update on his career with a tweet of his own.
      He wrote: “Thank you, everyone, for making the greatest moments in my career a GREAT ONE.
      “Thank you Top Rank and ESPN for creating ‘THE TAKEOVER’ into a real thing!
      “I am forever grateful for all of the sanctioning bodies in Boxing for showing me I can and am more than Boxing!
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      “What a career.”
      Lopez, whose mental health has been a concern for boxing fans, laid out his shock retirement plans minutes after leaving the ring at the Theater at Madison Square Garden last weekend.
      And he appeared to follow through on his vow less than 24 hours later, writing on Instagram alongside a picture of himself as a child with his dad: “What a relief!
      “Retired at the Top.
      “Thank you boxing for the amazing life you’ve provided for myself and my entire loved ones!
      “THE DOUBLE-GREATEST #JesusIsKing.” More

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      He may have handed Josh Taylor his first ever defeat but boxing can do without Teofimo Lopez’s vile comments

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      TRASH-TALKING is one thing but when fighters make serious-sounding death threats, boxing chiefs should take the severest disciplinary action.Teofimo Lopez made such a depraved statement in a TV interview before challenging Scotland’s Josh Taylor for his WBO world super-lightweight title, the fight last Saturday was in danger of being called off.
      Teofimo Lopez said he wanted to ‘kill’ Josh TaylorCredit: AP
      Brooklyn’s Lopez, who has suffered mental health problems, said: “I say it like it is — I wanna kill Josh Taylor.
      “The only way I can make a statement is by taking his life.”
      Horrified executives at ESPN, the TV cable company showing the Madison Square Garden fight, realised Lopez wasn’t kidding around.
      After much soul-searching they decided to let the show go on.
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      Though Taylor was well beaten on points, losing his unbeaten record and his belt, only his pride was hurt.
      Can you imagine the dire consequences  if Taylor had ended up fighting for his life?
      At least Lopez publicly apologised to the Edinburgh man, claiming he’d allowed his emotions to get the better of him.
      But the New York State Athletic Commission should still have punished Lopez with a hefty fine because his kind of rhetoric doesn’t do boxing any favours.
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      Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many ring tragedies in my time. Boxers feel they have to hype their fights to create interest.
      But I get sick to my stomach when I hear them talk about putting rivals in hospital or coffins.
      Mike Tyson used to make the flesh crawl with some of his ambitions.
      Before fighting Jesse Ferguson he said he wanted to punch him on the tip of his nose and drive it into his brain.
      Then there was Marvin Hagler.
      He was once asked  if he was worried one of his punches might blind Sugar Ray Leonard, who’d had surgery for a detached retina.
      His disgraceful reply? “I want to knock it out and watch it roll across the canvas.”
      I was there — he meant it.
      It must never be forgotten that boxing is life-threatening at every level.
      Two weeks ago we were reminded  again of this when South African featherweight Ludumo Lamati, 31, collapsed in a coma with a bleed on the brain after being stopped in the 12th round by Nick Ball in Belfast.
      Promoter Frank Warren flew in his mother and girlfriend to be at his hospital bedside and they were there when he regained consciousness and began talking.
      Hopefully, he’s on his way to a full recovery.
      Malicious pre-fight talk  should be made an offence by the authorities.
      Banter can be very humorous and Muhammad Ali was the master.
      Before one of his fights with Floyd Patterson, he said: “I’ll beat him so bad he’ll need a shoehorn to put on his hat.”
      And about his biggest rival he quipped: “Joe Frazier’s so ugly, when he cries the tears turn around and go down the back of his head.”
      Read more on The Sun
      While  Ali  also revealed: “I’ve seen George Foreman shadow box — and the shadow won.”
      Boxing can do without Lopez’s vile contribution. More

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      MMA league PFL are ‘fully financed’ to offer Deontay Wilder stunning fight against ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou

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      THE Professional Fighters League are “fully financed” to offer Deontay Wilder a stunning MMA bout against Francis Ngannou. Ngannou recently walked out on the UFC as heavyweight champion to sign with the PFL, MMA’s only seasonal format.
      Deontay Wilder has teased a switch to MMACredit: Getty
      Stars compete in qualifying and knockout stages, culminating in a series of finale fights where $1million is up for grabs.
      But they are set to launch a “super-fight division” – away from the season – which will play host to Ngannou’s PFL debut.
      And former boxing champion Wilder has talked up a two-bout deal with the Cameroonian to fight in the ring and cage.
      PFL owner Donn Davis told SunSport: “What Deontay said is, he’s open to doing a fight in boxing and MMA, and MMA with Francis would be in the PFL. 
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      “We welcome that fight, we’re fully financed to do that fight and I think it would be exciting if that fight came together.
      “But are we talking to him? What would be the stage of those negotiations? We always respect those private business negotiations. 
      “But I think he was pretty clear that he finds it interesting and a possibility.” 
      Wilder, 37, showed up to a PFL fight night in Atlanta, where he opened the door to crossing over to MMA.
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      Meanwhile Ngannou, 36, is also considering a switch to boxing before returning to MMA which was a vital factor in his decision to join the PFL.
      Davis said: “ONE Championship offered him twice as much money per fight. He didn’t want to go there. He chose the PFL.“And we’re paying him the same that the UFC offered him, per fight but what we offered him was a platform to do other things that were important to Francis. 
      “Number one, he can box. Two, he’s chairman of PFL Africa and he will build that international, regional league with us. 
      “What we saw with Francis is a businessman, who can build the global league with us and a partner. And like everyone else a fighter. 
      “And for him to choose us and partner with us is very rewarding. Because he’s the biggest prize in MMA.” 
      Francis Ngannou has signed for the PFL More

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      Tyson Fury gets huge Gypsy King logo embedded on driveway at his mansion as he shares amazing pictures of his home

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      WORLD champ Tyson Fury has ensured visitors make no mistake when they come to his house – by having his famous “Gypsy King” logo embedded into his driveway.Tyson, 34, spent a fortune having the logo created at his mansion.
      Tyson Fury had his famous ‘Gypsy King’ logo embedded into his drivewayCredit: Supplied
      He teased he was going to announce a big fight ‘very soon’Credit: Getty
      A team shifted a huge amount of gravel to finish the job at his home in Morcambe, Lancashire.Credit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvin Media
      A team of groundworkers shifted an incredible 1,400 bags of gravel and spent two weeks working on the 1,200sqm project.
      A big Gypsy King logo – printed in black – took up a huge space on his driveway.
      And the big man gave it his seal of approval by lying on the logo for pictures once the work was completed.
      Andrew Rochester, director of Total Resin Solutions Ltd which carried out the work said: “It took about seven days of preparation and another eight days to carry out the resin part of the job.
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      “Tyson and his wife were lovely people to work with, very down to earth. Can’t speak highly enough of them.”
      Fury is currently training in the gym and yesterday teased he was going to announce a big fight “very soon”.

      He last fought in December when he beat Derek Chisora for the third time to retain the WBC heavyweight title.
      He was then expected to fight Oleksandr Usyk in April, but talks collapsed in March.
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      He has since been linked with Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz Jr and Zhilei Zhang.
      Recently, he posted on Instagram: “Hoping to announce a big fight very, very soon.
      “Stay tuned. I’m working hard, I’m in the gym, summertime ready – getting those abs out, or flab shall I say.”
      Tyson Fury gave it his seal of approval by lying on the logoCredit: Supplied
      A team of groundworkers spent two weeks working on the 1,200sqm projectCredit: @tysonfury
      It took seven days to prepare and eight days to carry out the resin workCredit: @tysonfury
      Tyson Fury in training for his next fightCredit: Instagram @tysonfury More

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      John Fury reveals Tyson will not fight Oleksandr Usyk until Ukrainian makes public apology

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      TYSON FURY won’t fight Oleksandr Usyk until the Ukranian APOLOGISES for the collapse of their undisputed showdown.The duo were on course to throw down for all the heavyweight marbles in the spring before Team Usyk got sick of Fury’s demands and pulled the plug on the historic bout.
      Tyson Fury was due to face Oleksandr Usyk in a spring showdown at WembleyCredit: REUTERS
      But the pairs historic undisputed bout fell throughCredit: GETTY
      John Fury insists Tyson won’t fight the Ukranian until issues a public apologyCredit: GETTY
      Saudi boxing chiefs are hoping to stage the fight in December, but Fury’s dad – John – insists his son won’t take part in it unless Usyk issues a grovelling apology.
      He told Seconds Out: “Until he gets on and makes a proper video explaining what he did and tells the truth, he may never get the fight with Tyson.
      “It’s gone past money now with Tyson, it’s gone past everything with us. They are taking the p**s.
      “He’s a nobody, Usyk. Yes, he’s won a few belts off AJ.
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      “But you’ve seen how AJ has been performing. AJ has not performed for a while now. And they’re judging what he done to AJ.
      “Tyson will iron him out and everybody in the game knows it.”
      John has accused Usyk of trying to pin the blame for the undisputed bout falling through solely on Tyson, saying: “He’s trying to do is kill two birds with one stone.
      “Turn the public against Tyson, which they’ve done a good job of because the public is daft anyway. Aren’t they?
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      “They believe all this rubbish [but] if they knew as much as we do, they’d be a lot better off.
      “The bottom line is they never wanted the fight. Anthony Joshua never wanted the fight, Usyk never wanted the fight.
      “All he wants to, him, is think that Saudi is gonna pay him silly money.
      “Well I got news for you, you’re going to wait a long time.
      “Unless he gets on the video and tells the truth of what he did, there’ll never be a fight for Usyk, never be. We’ll just move on.”
      Usyk, 36, walked away from a 30 per cent split of the pie for Wembley war with Tyson earlier this year – which John claims would’ve earned him a whopping £17million.

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      He said: “There’s only one liar and it’s him and his team.
      “Because he didn’t want the fight. He thought he was going to tread where the grass is low.
      “He heard through the grapevine that Tyson was injured from some other bulls***t source. And when Tyson offered him the fight, 30 per cent was too much for him.
      “He still stood to make £17million at Wembley.
      Read more on The Sun
      “And it shows how much of a liar and a coward he is when he’s boxing Daniel Dubois for peanuts compared to it. Does that make sense?
      “Tyson will fight anybody anywhere in the world if the business sense is right. They’re the ones, my friend, [that are scared].” More