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      Boxing set for another HUGE fight off back of Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia as P4P rivals ‘agree July 22 blockbuster’

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      BOXING could be set for another HUGE fight this year off the back of Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia’s blockbuster. The American pair gave the sport a shot in the arm after the catchweight clash in Las Vegas sold 1.2million pay-per-views.
      Ryan Garcia lost to Gervonta DavisCredit: AP
      It brought in a PPV revenue of over £85million with ticket sales also souring to £18m, the fifth largest sum in Vegas history.
      Davis, 28, won the bout in round seven with a brutal body shot which left Garcia, 24, unable to beat the count.
      Following the success of the fight, fans could be in store for another treat as Errol Spence Jr, 33, and Terence Crawford, 35, continue talks.
      And according to Ring Magazine, the welterweight super-fight will finally take place in Vegas on July 22.
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      It would see Spence put up his WBC, WBA and IBF titles against Crawford’s WBO version in an undisputed title bout.
      And Premier Boxing Champions would promote with Showtime PPV carrying the broadcast rights.
      The pair of unbeaten champions have spent years circling each other without getting close to agreeing terms.
      But when Crawford left promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank in 2021, it looked as though a pathway was created.
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      Talks for the unification progressed throughout last year until a disagreement over the financials pulled the plug.
      Crawford went on to beat David Avanesyan, 34, in December while Spence has not returned since May when he beat Yordenis Ugas, 36.
      The Texan was even rumoured to be moving up in weight to face former welterweight rival Keith Thurman, 34.
      But it later emerged that talks for Spence and Crawford to fight in 2023 were back on.
      And Showtime Sports executive Stephen Espinoza shared his optimism on the prospect of a deal getting done.
      He told BoxingScene: “There’s still a ways to go, but we are making progress.
      “It’s been slow progress, but we’re closer now than we were in the fall. I’m a firm believer that it’s not done until it’s done.
      “You know, we’ve been close before, so I’m gonna be conservative. But overall, I’m optimistic that it gets done.”
      WBO champion Terence CrawfordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Errol Spence Jr is the unified WBC, WBA and IBF championCredit: AP More

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      Floyd Mayweather reveals friendship with Gotti family ahead of exhibition fight with notorious Mafia boss’s grandson

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER revealed his friendship with the notorious Gotti family – which helped make his fight with the mafia boss’s grandson. Mayweather is set to return to the ring for an exhibition on Sunday, June 11 in Miami against John Gotti III.
      Floyd Mayweather with John Gotti III ahead of their exhibitionCredit: Rex
      Notorious New York mafia boss John Gotti in 1990Credit: Getty
      Floyd Mayweather with John Gotti Jr
      But the boxing legend’s history with the crime family goes way back, having formed a friendship with Gotti Jr.
      And the pair have been talking for a number of years in an attempt to make a bout between Mayweather and Gotti III.
      Mayweather said at a press conference: “I’m friends with his dad.
      “This is what people don’t know, I’ve always been friends with the Gotti family. That’s what a lot of people don’t know.
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      “Of course, John Gotti Jr, how you doing John? It’s always good seeing you.It’s always great talking with you.
      “And I’m glad we’re finally able to get this done, we’ve been working on this for a couple years now. For a long time.
      “And of course, a great last name for this battle, last name means everything. You’re last names matters.
      “I just want to say thank you John once again. You’ve always been a class act, a gentleman, a respectful man.
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      “And your son has been busting his ass working extremely hard, whether it’s MMA or boxing.
      “And to be the best you have to continue to fight and improve yourself that’s what I did and I’m glad we were able to come together to make this event happen.”
      Gotti Sr was famously boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City and earned the nickname the “Teflon Don.”
      He was imprisoned in 1992 and sentenced to life after being found guilty on 14 accounts of conspiracy to commit murder and racketeering.
      Gotti died in 2002 aged 61 after a battle with throat cancer while his son Jr stepped in as acting boss during the 90s.
      Jr was also sentenced to six years and five months in jail in 1999 having been indicted on racketeering charges.
      But following his release, the American claimed to have left the criminal underworld.
      Gotti III – a 5-1 MMA fighter and 2-0 light-heavyweight boxer – has no links to organised crime.
      He turned professional in MMA in 2017 but switched to boxing last year, most recently winning in January.

      And Gotti III will be the latest in Mayweather’s collection of exhibition bouts since officially retiring in 2017.
      His last came at London’s O2 Arena against reality TV star-turned boxer Aaron Chalmers, 35, which he dominated over eight rounds.
      Floyd Mayweather is set to face John Gotti III on June 11 in MiamiCredit: Rex More

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      Tyson Fury’s promoter denies confirmation over Andy Ruiz Jr deal after ex-champ appears to reveal fight is ‘official’

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      FRANK WARREN has been forced to deny Andy Ruiz Jr’s claim that a fight with Tyson Fury is “official.” Fury is set to return in the summer after talks for a historic title unification with Oleksandr Usyk on April 29 collapsed.
      Tyson Fury with his promoter Frank WarrenCredit: PA
      Andy Ruiz Jr is in line to fight Tyson Fury nextCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And after Joe Joyce was beaten by Zhilei Zhang in a shock upset, Ruiz emerged as the frontrunner to face the WBC champion.
      And the Mexican-American, 33, added fuel to the fire after re-sharing a mocked up fight poster of the two.
      It read: “Tyson Fury vs Andy Ruiz Jr is official! July 22nd.”
      And he accompanied it with an emoji of the UK flag.
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      But despite Ruiz’s tease, Hall of Fame promoter Warren told Boxing News that no deal is set in stone.
      The famed British matchmaker saw talks for the first ever four-belt undisputed decider break down amid a row over the split for a rematch.
      Now Usyk, 36, has been ordered into a WBA mandatory title defence against Daniel Dubois, 25, with talks ongoing.
      Joyce, 37, looked in line to fight Fury in a summer stadium bout until his shock loss to Zhang, 39, with a rematch expected to follow.
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      So it leaves Ruiz as a clear favourite to welcome the Gypsy King back with July 22 at Wembley Stadium the rumoured return date.
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      Fury, 34, himself announced that news was impending and talked up his “monstrous” next fight.
      He said: “Got some massive, massive news coming.
      “An imminent fight date, an absolutely monstrous fight. Keep tuned because the WBC world heavyweight king is back in action, coming very, very soon.”
      Tyson Fury teased ‘imminent’ fight newsCredit: instagram: @tysonfury More

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      Conor McGregor had to apologise for calling TV boss a ‘weasel’ in order to get Gervonta Davis tickets, claims old rival

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      CONOR McGREGOR had to apologise to TV boss Stephen Espinoza in order to get tickets to Gervonta Davis’ fight with Ryan Garcia. That is according to old rival Paulie Malignaggi, who famously feuded with the Irishman following their disputed sparring sessions.
      Conor McGregor at Gervonta Davis’ fight with Ryan GarciaCredit: Social Media Collect
      Floyd Mayweather, Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza and Conor McGregorCredit: USA Today Sports
      The spars came in the lead up to McGregor’s crossover boxing match with Mayweather in 2017, which he lost in ten rounds.
      And during the heated build up to the blockbuster bout, the UFC superstar called Showtime’s Espinoza a “weasel”.
      So when McGregor, 34, wanted entry into Davis’ super-fight with Garcia six years later, he allegedly had some grovelling to do.
      Malignaggi claimed on his YouTube channel: “This happened because I’ve got all the inside sources, Conor McGregor had to apologise to Stephen Espinoza in order to get tickets to the Gervonta Davis versus Ryan Garcia fight.
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      “Everybody knows that McGregor has had issues, his run ins with Espinoza in the past and they were enemies as well.
      “But Espinoza now controls the tickets, it’s a Showtime fight. He had to apologise and this p****y apologised just to get tickets to the fight.
      “Conor McGregor, Connie, how does Stephen Espinoza’s d taste? Can you let me know?
      “Because I told them to f*** off when they wanted me to apologise.”
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      Malignaggi, who retired in 2017, was sacked as an analyst for Showtime in 2020 over comments about race.
      McGregor watched as Davis, 28, stopped Garcia, 24, in round seven with a brutal body shot.
      He was later seen backstage and bumped into Mayweather Sr, where he revealed an interest in training with his ex-opponent’s dad.
      And McGregor also visited Garcia’s changing rooms after the American’s defeat and called to see a rematch with Davis.
      Ryan Garcia with Conor McGregor after defeat to Gervonta DavisCredit: Golden Boy More

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      KSI is ‘very serious’ about fighting Tommy Fury and vows to ‘DESTROY’ Love Island star… while aiming dig at Jake Paul

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      KSI has insisted he is “very serious” about fighting Tommy Fury and vowed to do what Jake Paul couldn’t. The YouTuber, musician and influencer boxing star returns on May 13 against millionaire businessman-turned 9-0 boxer Joe Fournier.
      KSI insisted he is ‘very serious’ about fighting Tommy FuryCredit: Darren Fletcher
      Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul on pointsCredit: Reuters
      And KSI, 29, had hoped to finally settle his bitter score with arch rival Paul, 26, at the end of the year.
      But the American suffered defeat in February to Fury, 23, losing a split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
      Paul elected to snub the rematch as well as a grudge match with KSI to return on August 5 against ex-UFC contender Nate Diaz, 37.
      So KSI is ready to move on and instead focus on Fury, having been left unimpressed with the bout in the Middle East.
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      He told Misfits: “I’m very serious, I feel like I can destroy him.
      “I saw what Jake Paul did to Tommy Fury and I was like, ‘Wow, Jake is trash.’ Put me in with Tommy Fury and I’ll show everyone the levels.

      “And I know people are writing me off, saying I’m s***, I’m trash, I’m nowhere near Tommy Fury’s level.
      “And I’m like, ‘Alright, let’s see then.’ Put me in the ring with him, and let’s see and I’ll make you a f****g believer. Simple.”
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      KSI’s boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland revealed he held talks in Morecambe with Fury’s dad John.
      And he is optimistic a deal can be reached for the celebrity pair to fight in another huge crossover event.
      But first KSI must get past Fournier, 40, a nightclub tycoon who in 2021 went the distance with David Haye in an exhibition.
      KSI returns against Joe Fournier on May 13Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Inside the abandoned ‘dome’ stadium dubbed ‘eighth wonder of the world’ that lies dormant but CAN’T be knocked down

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      THIS is the sad story of a stadium that has seen it all but now lies derelict.It was once dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World and hosted greats from Muhammad Ali to Elvis Presley.
      The Astrodome hosting a Major League Baseball game in 1987Credit: Getty
      In 1966, Muhammad Ali knocked out Cleveland Williams at the venueCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The previous attempt to save the famous dome failed in 2019 after a judge’s decision on air conditioning.
      The Houston Astrodome was built in 1965 and was the world’s first multi-purpose domed sports arena.
      On that day, a sold out crowd of 47,879 watched a baseball game between the Astros and the New York Yankees, with President Lyndon Johnson and his wife in attendance.
      Muhammad Ali would fight at the venue a year later, knocking out Cleveland Williams in November 1966.
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      That would be the first of four fights he would have at the Astrodome.
      And in 1970, it would host Elvis Presley, with the dome the perfect structure for the type of show the King would perform.
      However, after a pre-season match was postponed in 1995 due to the dilapidated condition of the field, the Astros demanded a new stadium.
      This was provided in 2000 when Enron Field (now Minute Maid Park), was built in downtown Houston.
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      How the Astrodome looks from aboveCredit: Alamy
      Elvis Presley would perform at the Astrodome in 1970Credit: Getty
      Ali beat Buster Mathis by unanimous decision in 1971Credit: Getty
      And in 2002 the Astrodome was upstaged as a concert venue by the retractable-roofed Reliant Stadium (now NRG Stadium) which moved in next door.
      Three years later, it would earn fame for reasons off the field, as it led relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
      Over 25,000 refugees from neighbouring New Orleans were housed at the dome until they could return home or alternative accommodation was found.
      But in 2008 it was cited for numerous code violations, with only maintenance workers and security guards allowed to enter the ground since.
      However, the city council will not allow the venue to be demolished on environmental grounds, due to concerns that the demolition could damage the highly populated development in the surrounding area.
      And in 2017 the Texas Historical Commission designated the stadium a State Antiquities Landmark, meaning nobody can alter the structure without the commission’s permission.
      A number of proposals have been made for the venue, from an Olympic Stadium to indoor park.
      However the one that got closest to getting off the ground was for it to be renovated and become an indoor parking garage, at a cost of $105m, or around £85m.
      But Commissioners Court Judge Lina Hidalgo quashed the plan, arguing that it wouldn’t have yielded a truly reusable building.
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      She also stated that the funds earmarked would not have been enough to provide sufficient air conditioning in a city where summer daytime temperatures average 33 degrees.
      As a result, a stadium that saw so many magical moments lies derelict, with no prospect of it being returned to use any time soon.
      In 2005, the Astrodome housed thousands of victims of Hurricane KatrinaCredit: AFP
      The Houston Astros moved to Minute Maid Park in 2000Credit: Reuters
      The Astrodome would later be upstaged by the NRG Stadium, which was built next door in 2002Credit: Getty More

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      Anthony Joshua CONFIRMS Deontay Wilder fight is ‘happening’ in December as Eddie Hearn closes on finalising grudge match

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed he and Deontay Wilder are “throwing it down in December”.The 33-year-old returned to winning ways with a points victory over Jermaine Franklin at the start of the month.
      Anthony Joshua seemingly confirmed he is set to take on Deontay Wilder in DecemberCredit: Getty
      The Bronze Bomber has not fought since beating Robert Helenius in October last yearCredit: Getty
      Joshua is now seemingly targeting a December showdown against Wilder, 37.
      His promoter Eddie Hearn flew to Saudi Arabia this week to hold talks over a potential super-fight for AJ.
      And Joshua appeared to confirm that a blockbuster meeting with the Bronze Bomber is on the cards for later this year.
      In a video reposted to YouTube by iFL TV from Instagram, Joshua was asked if he’s going to beat Wilder.
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      AJ responded: “That’s what’s happening, you know what’s going on.”
      When asked if the fight was going ahead in December, Joshua replied: “It’s public news we’re getting it down, throwing it down in December.”
      Meanwhile, the Bronze Bomber’s team have already given their green light for the fight.
      Wilder himself also said a meeting with AJ would be a “dream fight” for boxing fans.
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      He told iFL TV: “We got a lot of different options right now at this moment in time. Joshua, everybody.
      “I think a lot of people is going to get that dream fight everyone wants to see.”
      Matchroom chief Hearn recently rubbished suggestions that Wilder is the favourite to win the fight.
      Wilder has not boxed since knocking out Robert Helenius in the opening round of his October comeback bout last year. More

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      Tyson Fury warned he’ll be making the ‘biggest mistake’ of his career if he doesn’t fight Usyk as Ruiz Jr rumours swirl

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      TYSON FURY has been warned his legacy will be tarnished if he doesn’t share the ring with Oleksandr Usyk.The pair were on course to throw down for all the heavyweight marbles this spring before negotiations went south and Team Usyk pulled the plug on the historic bout after Fury’s constant demands.
      Tyson Fury’s historic clash with Oleksandr Usyk fell through last monthCredit: REUTERS
      Team Usyk pulled the plug on the bout after Fury’s constant chopping and changingCredit: GETTY
      Promoter Alexander Krassyuk has warned Fury his legacy will be tarnished if he doesn’t fight UsykCredit: INSTAGRAM@ALEX.KRASSYUK
      Fans, fighters and pundits alike lamented the collapse of the first undisputed heavyweight fight in nearly 25 years – which Usyk promoter Alexander Krassyuk insists is imperative for Fury’s legacy in the sport.
      The Ukrainian told BT Sport: “I would love to see it as a boxing fan.
      “As Usyk’s promoter, I would love to make it happen.
      “As just a normal Ukrainian I would love my compatriot to become the undisputed champion in the second weight division.
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      “From our side, it’s only plus, plus, plus.”
      Fury’s constant moving of the goalposts during the ill-fated negotiations didn’t come as a surprise to Team Usyk.
      Krassyuk said: “We know that Tyson Fury is a complex personality and it’s probably not a surprise for anyone.
      “And we can see it on his behaviour within the last probably seven or ten years.
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      “Yes, he is the champion. Yes, he has the right to do things that he wants to do.
      “But at the end of the day, he is a professional boxer, and his main assignment is to perform for the boxing fans.”
      Fury, 34, hasn’t entertained the prospect of fighting Usyk since their fight fell through.
      And Krassyuk reckons history won’t be kind to The Gyspy King if the fight doesn’t materialise.
      He said: “I think if this fight does not take place, that would be one of the biggest mistakes that Tyson Fury could ever make in [a] professional boxing career.”
      WBC heavyweight king Fury is currently eying a July return to the ring having reserved Wembley Stadium for two separate dates.
      Andy Ruiz Jr is in the running to face Tyson Fury in JulyCredit: EPA
      Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr is understood to be in the running to face Fury in the July joust.
      And The Destroyer seemingly hinted the bout is a done deal by sharing a recent Instagram post which claimed the fight is “official” to his story.
      That came a few days after the 33-year-old sent a warning to Fury and the rest of the heavyweight division.
      He said: “We all risk our lives in there to f***ing feed our loved ones.
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      “Hell of a fight. Can’t wait, man, till I fight f***ing Wilder, Fury, everybody.
      “All the people at the top. I’m coming.” More