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    Anthony Joshua will face Tyson Fury this summer with blockbuster fight back ON if Oleksandr Usyk bout collapses

    ANTHONY JOSHUA is ready for a Tyson Fury super-fight in the summer if talks to unify the division collapse. Fury and Usyk are closing in on a deal for the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt undisputed title decider.
    Anthony Joshua ahead of his return fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Tyson Fury is still in talks to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: REUTERS
    The historic unification now looks set to land at Wembley instead of Saudi Arabia.
    But a UK bout will mean the pound-for-pound stars taking a pay cut due to the inflated sums on offer in the Middle East.
    Promoter Eddie Hearn remains sceptical on whether terms can be agreed between Fury, 34, and Usyk, 36.
    And he claimed Joshua, 33, will be ready to capitalise if he beats Jermaine Franklin, 29, in his April 1 return.
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    Hearn told iFL TV: “I don’t know what’s gonna happen with this Usyk thing. He may fight Fury next.
    “We’d be open to that fight. If Usyk doesn’t fight Fury, AJ will fight Fury next, in the summer if he gets through Franklin.
    “How about that? Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. He will.”
    Joshua has lost twice to Usyk on the spin, surrendering the WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
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    But he returns in a bid to boost his confidence against Franklin, the American beaten by Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
    Meanwhile, April 29 in London is the target date for Fury to unify the belts against Usyk.
    But Hearn warned not to rule out AJ finally fighting his great rival, believing it is bigger than the undisputed bout.
    Hearn added: “I have no idea whether Fury-Usyk is going to happen or not. I can give you my opinion.
    “But I’m telling you, if that fight doesn’t happen, we will take the Fury fight.
    “He will take that fight, he will take the [Deontay] Wilder fight, he’ll take them all.
    “But don’t be surprised to see that fight in the summer if the other one doesn’t happen because that’s much bigger than the Usyk fight. Much bigger.
    “So, just something I’ve been thinking about lately. Might be a little tinkle to George Warren. But we’ll see.”
    Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: PA More

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    Anthony Joshua accused of running from the truth as Jermaine Franklin claims rival is not taking blame for defeats

    ANTHONY JOSHUA is running from the truth by changing his coaches, claims his next opponent Jermaine Franklin.The 33-year-old launches his comeback against American Franklin, 29, on April 1 — with Texan trainer Derrick James now in his corner.
    Anthony Joshua has been accused of not taking blame for lossesCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    Jermaine Franklin thinks that AJ should stick by a coachCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    Rob McCracken was axed after ten years following AJ’s first defeat by Oleksandr Usyk.
    Replacement Robert Garcia went after the rematch loss with the Ukrainian.
    Fellow coach Angel Fernandez also got the boot from the Brit’s team after just four bouts.
    Franklin said: “Maybe he’s just trying to find the trainer that he’s most comfortable with.
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    “But I feel like you and your trainer should have a real solid relationship — win, lose or draw.
    “Early on when you’re with these people, they don’t get paid, they’ve been with you for years, they know you inside and out.
    “Your relationship might get a little shaky but it’s up to you how you fix it and bring it together.
    “If you’re not liking some stuff your coach is doing, you should be able to talk to him and tell him, ‘I need you to do this and this’.
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    “If you can’t reconcile, that’s OK, this is business. It’s OK to go and get another coach but I would at least try to fix what’s going on first.
    “Every time you lose might not be your trainer’s fault, it could be you. I don’t blame the trainer. This is the third trainer he’s had in three fights.
    “At what point do you start blaming yourself and not the trainer?
    “It can’t be every trainer. Not every trainer can be making you lose.”
    Joshua was stunned by a stoppage loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019.
    He reclaimed his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles six months later with a cautious points win compared to his usual seek-and-destroy style.
    Watford ace AJ has been trapped between those two modes in the three bouts since — a Kubrat Pulev KO and the back-to-back Usyk points losses.
    Credit: SUNSPORT
    🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
    And Franklin fancies his chances at exploiting any confusion when they meet at London’s O2.
    He added: “I feel like it’s a big opportunity for me, not because of him changing trainer but because of the other s**t we’ve seen.
    “Like footwork — the Usyk fights surprised me a little bit. It was a  different AJ as a fighter. I’ve been watching that, studying that.
    “Footwork of his is a big thing.  I don’t think people see it because he’s such a bully and dominating that they don’t see some of the mistakes he makes with his feet.
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    “I’m used to seeing AJ like a raging bull. Even though he’s not overly aggressive, he’s dominant.
    “But in the Usyk fights, it was weird to see this little guy pot-shotting him.” More

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    Watch as fearsome heavyweight is stunned by brutal shot to ribs before he takes savage beating to lose first fight

    HEAVYWEIGHT Viktor Faust lost his first fight in bizarre and brutal fashion. The Ukrainian heavyweight, now 11-1, was ahead on the scorecards against Cuba’s Lenier Pero until round eight.
    Lenier Pero stopped Viktor FaustCredit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

    A shot to the ribs caused Fraust to freeze, which left him defenceless to further strikes.
    Pero continued to rein down blows as Fraust stood motionless by the ropes, leaving the referee to jump in and end the fight.
    Faust said post-fight: “After the sixth round I had pain in my ribs, but I decided to continue the fight.
    “The pain increased and did not allow me to compete to my full potential.
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    “I understood that I was winning and controlling the fight during the bout.
    “But after missing a punch in the eighth round, the pain was so unbearable that I could no longer move.”
    Faust was then taken to hospital with suspected broken ribs after his shock loss.
    Pero said: “It was a tough fight.
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    “He’s a great fighter, so I started to build momentum and hit him. Then we finally came ahead in the final round.
    “Since the first round, I was trying to find his liver, trying to go to his body.
    “His punches weren’t that powerful, so I kept working. Then found that final shot.
    “This is pro boxing, and you can’t turn your back on anyone. You can’t turn your back, and I didn’t. I took advantage…
    “I’m setting my sights on England. Let’s see if the Brits would like to come to fight Stateside.
    “I would welcome them with open arms. I’m talking Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois. Bring them on!”
    Cuba’s Lenier Pero celebrates his winCredit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME More

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    Meet Whitney Johns, Elle Brooke’s new boxing rival who is national bikini model runner-up and loves to pose naked

    MEET the latest rising boxing influencer Whitney Johns. Whitney, a fitness model from America, is the latest star who is set to step into the ring and join the wave of influencers who are becoming boxers.
    Meet the latest boxing influencer Whitney JohnsCredit: Instagram @whitneyjohns
    Whitney is a fitness guruCredit: Instagram @whitneyjohns
    Her obsession with fitness has led to become a bikini fitness modelCredit: Instagram @whitneyjohns
    She competed as a Pro Competitor at the WBFFCredit: Instagram @whitneyjohns
    While she also scored second place in the NPC bikini divisionCredit: Instagram @whitneyjohns
    After signing a multi-fight deal with Kingpyn boxing, her first opponent has already been lined up.
    That being OnlyFans star Elle Brooke.
    And upon Whitney’s announcement to Kingpyn, which Elle was already signed up for, Elle took to her Instagram story and proclaimed she would deal a first round knockout to her opponent.
    But just who is Whitney?
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    As well as fitness model, Whitney is a professional competitor in the WBFF (World Beauty Fitness and Fashion).
    The 32-year-old has a ripped physique owing to her regular sessions lifting weights as part of the competition.
    She also competes in the NPC (National Physique Committee) Bikini Division, where she has finished second and third in different divisions as she dons various bikinis.
    Whitney, who stands at 5ft 9″ (175cm), became “addicted” with fitness at a young age
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    Via Greatestphysiques, she explained: “I discovered how good it felt to train my body strategically. Fuelled and empowered by physical fitness, it soon became my way of life.
    “The discipline and strength that comes from training your physical body translates into your life’s endeavours outside the gym; whether they are physical, mental or emotional.”
    Whitney also loves to flaunt her figure with the odd naked pose.
    Last year she was named on the cover for FitnessGurls magazine.
    And the striking post on Instagram saw her posing completely naked, as opposed to any covering lingerie she might otherwise wear.
    However, she is not all work, work, work.
    Whitney revealed that while she does follow a strict diet, she will indulge in her favourite “cheat meal”, ice cream.
    She added: “When it comes to my diet that works best for my body: I try to stay dairy free, higher fat and lower carbs… but sometimes that Ice Cream craving is just the most.”
    The fitness mad stunner has 929,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @whitneyjohns
    But Elle Brooke reckons a fight between them would end in a first round KOCredit: Twitter More

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    Boxing promoter Frank Warren gives major Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undisputed title fight update

    BOXING promoter Frank Warren has given a major update on Tyson Fury’s undisputed title fight against Oleksandr Usyk.That’s after reports claimed the Gypsy King was lining up a FOURTH bout against Deontay Wilder instead.
    Frank Warren has given an update on Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
    The camps have been in talks over a fight since DecemberCredit: EPA
    Fury, 34, is desperate to fight on April 29 after seeing Anthony Joshua secure a home clash against Jermaine Franklin earlier in the month.
    But despite being in talks with Usyk’s camp since December, there is yet to be an agreement for a fight with the Ukrainian.
    And reports on Monday claimed Fury was exploring a possible fourth fight against American foe Wilder as an alternative.
    World Boxing News says the rivals have already held secret talks over a battle at Wembley Stadium.
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    And promoter Warren has now intervened to provide an update on Fury’s next opponent.
    He insists the WBC king is not thinking about Wilder and is fully focused on fighting Usyk next.
    Warren is adamant that an agreement is close after Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk flew to the UK for crunch talks.
    And he hopes treating Krassyuk to tickets for Arsenal vs Man City will help seal a deal on Wednesday.
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    Warren told TalkSport: “[Fury talks with Wilder?] Not to my knowledge at all, not to my knowledge. No, absolutely. That’s not happened.
    “From what I understand, I think he [Wilder] been ordered to fight Andy Ruiz to become the mandatory.
    “We are very, very close to getting this [Fury vs Usyk] done. Very, very close.
    “His people are coming in tomorrow and I’m hoping we’re gonna get some news for everybody. We’re close to getting it done.
    “Tomorrow we’re gonna meet up. Alex Krassyuk, his promoter, is coming to the Arsenal vs Man City game with me.
    “I’m hoping that if I can get enough wine down him that we can do the deal.
    “We’re meeting him to get an agreement on the various scenarios to make it happen.
    “There’s a few more hurdles for both sides to get over. They’re not [insurmountable], not at all. Location is the main thing.
    “If we go abroad, then you go there for a premium, that’s the reason you do it.
    “If not, then we get down to the reality of what it’ll be at Wembley where the numbers are what they are.
    “We broke the box office record with the fight vs Dillian Whyte last April. If we get this one on, I think that will break that record.
    “I think it’s well in excess of a million [UK PPV] buys, one-and-a-half million.

    “It’s not like we’ve got to go and sell Usyk, he’s beaten Anthony Joshua twice, the public know who he is. It’s not a tough sell at all.
    “We’ve got a pencil on it [April 29] for obvious reasons, just in case, we’ve gotta make sure we’ve got some insurance. So there’s a pencil on the date.
    “In a perverse way I would like to see it at Wembley because I’d like to see all the records broken and obviously see the fight in the UK.
    “But from the boxers and their bank managers’ point of view, they would like to maximise what they can earn for an historic fight.
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    “The situation is it’s got to be dealt with this week because otherwise it just won’t happen.
    “That would be bad for boxing and bad for everybody in the sport if we don’t make it happen.” More

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    Tommy Fury has knocked sparring partners OUT COLD and broken their jaws ahead of Jake Paul fight, claims dad John

    TOMMY FURY has knocked sparring partners out cold and left them with broken jaws ahead of his fight with Jake Paul. That’s the claim of his dad John.
    John Fury pictured with son TommyCredit: Rex
    Fury is finally set to face Paul on February 26, after twice being forced out of the grudge match due to injury and US visa issues.
    And he has been training for the celebrity boxing bout in Bolton under the watchful eye of dad John and Alex Matvienko’s Elite Boxing Gym.
    John claims sparring partners have felt the wrath of of his son with frequent trips to A&E needed.
    He told the Daily Mail, via Freebets.com: “We’ve had excellent sparring. People have hit him back too if you know what I am saying.
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    “We’ve had good class kids in the gym. We’ve had heavyweights in. Cruiserweights in. Light-heavyweights in. We’ve had them all. 
    “They’ve all been good, class, young, hungry men. But, bring it. He’s been handling them very well.
    “There have been a few visits to the hospital for the sparring partners but that’s boxing. He’s been doing them some damage. 
    “We’ve had a hairline fracture in the jaw and we’ve had a few knockdowns. We’ve had a few cold knockouts from Tommy. 
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    “He’s been destroying his sparring partners. You can ask them. He knows who they are. They know whether Tommy is the real deal or not.”
    John revealed Tommy has sparred over 100 rounds for his fight with YouTuber-turned boxer Paul in Saudi Arabia.
    And he remains bullish that defeat for his son would cause his boxing career to come to a close.
    John said: “Listen, losing is not an option for Tommy.
    “But for some miraculous reason Tommy loses, it would be over for him. It would have to be. It’s the easiest fight in the world for Tommy. 
    “Tommy can’t believe his luck to be fair. But, it’s third time lucky. We’ve had two other attempts to get this fight.
    “Everything has gone perfectly this time. It’s all about timing.”
    Jake Paul ahead of his fight with Tommy FuryCredit: Instagram @jakepaul More

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    Inside boxing’s tackiest homes, from Ricky Hatton’s diamante door handles to Floyd Mayweather’s roll out sweet shop

    THE world’s best boxers earn millions.From Floyd Mayweather, who claimed his net worth exceeded £1billion, to Tyson Fury – recipient of £20million from his last fight against Derek Chisora – those at the top generally coin it in.
    The likes of Floyd Mayweather are rolling in cash – which they spend on their impressive homesCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
    However, despite their millions, boxers and their Wags – like Paris Fury – don’t always get the decor rightCredit: Instagram
    Fury’s £1.7m home in Morecambe features a chandelier hanging in the kitchenCredit: Instagram @parisfury1
    And that means they sometimes have more money than sense, when it comes to spending their dosh.
    These legendary figures from the sport ploughed the cash into their homes, filling their amazing mansions with some items that could split opinion.
    SunSport takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the worst offenders – starting with the Gypsy King.
    The Furys
    Tyson Fury’s taste in suits he wears in the build-up to his fights might give you an idea of what the WBC champ is all about.
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    Back in 2020, he upgraded from a £550,000 abode to a stunning £1.7million home in Morecambe with wife Paris.
    Of course, they couldn’t wait to show off some of the interiors on Instagram.
    Bizarrely, one snap revealed a low-hanging chandelier in the kitchen.
    Now, we’re no Laurence Llewelyn-Bowens – but that’s got to be a design first.
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    Second, in another picture – Tyson’s wife Paris stands proudly in front of what appear to be velvet curtains in nouveau-riche gold… on an outside door.
    Mike Tyson
    Recent reports suggested ‘Iron Mike’ earned around £300million in his heyday, although by the late 1990s he was forced to sell off some of the amazing properties he bought on the way up.
    One of them was an amazing five bedroom mansion in Ohio, which had cages to keep his tigers in.
    Better still, just so you know who lived there, he rather amusingly had his name etched on the front gates.
    Similarly, and like something out of a Rocky film, Tyson had a thing for huge statues yards from his front door.
    A 52-room mansion, which he later sold to rapper 50 Cent for £3.3million in 2003, boasted a lion statue decorating its entrance.
    Roar, indeed.
    Mike Tyson’s front gates spelled out his name – just so you know who lives thereCredit: Johnny Joo
    Tyson’s tigers were kept in cages in various propertiesCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Ricky Hatton
    Forever one of the joker’s in the pack, Mancunian favourite Hatton is as whacky as they come.
    Last year, he gave viewers a glimpse into his mansion in a BBC Comic Relief special called ‘This is MY House’.
    Diamante door handles were the pick of the most outrageous things in the home.
    In fact, he really does have a thing for diamantes – with a crocodile and panther covered in stones.
    However, the clincher for us was his dining room.
    Clad in gold, Scarface’s Tony Montana wouldn’t have looked out of place sitting at the head of the table.
    While in his cinema room, he has a picture of the cast of Sex and the City, which Hatton said he watched before a world title fight.
    Diamante door handles are found around Hatton’s Manchester homeCredit: BBC
    A dining room clad in gold features in Hatton’s mansionCredit: BBC
    A picture of the Sex and the City cast takes pride of place in Hatton’s cinema roomCredit: BBC
    Floyd Mayweather
    Mayweather is the man that has everything. He wants everything too.
    His car collection is insane, while his portfolio of mansions in Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas is even crazier.
    But, unsurprisingly, what Mayweather loves most is himself.
    Why else would he have artwork adorning his walls – showing off his chiselled chest in a huge canvas.
    That sits next to a picture of foe Conor McGregor, who gave him his greatest pay day ever when they fought in an exhibition fight.
    Mayweather is also a man who must make regular trips to the dentist.
    In one of his palaces, he has a fold away sweet shop with jars full of treats.
    Forget 50 Cent, it’s Mayweather who will ‘take you to the candy shop’.
    Floyd Mayweather has his own sweet shop in his homeCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
    The sweet shop features jars full of treatsCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
    Mayweather celebrates his biggest pay day with artwork of himself and foe Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram, @floydmayweather
    Deontay Wilder
    The Bronze Bomber is a hero in Alabama, where they have erected a huge statue in his honour.
    Thankfully, he decided against having one in his £1.2million mansion on the picturesque Lake Tuscaloosa.
    However, protective Wilder does have a panic room on the premises.
    While we’re not slamming that, of course all sports stars need to protect themselves.
    But, when the panic room door is styled like a door from Fort Know, then things start to look a little silly.
    Deontay Wilder boasts a stunning £1.2m mansion in AlabamaCredit: Realtor
    The panic room door is a little out of place in Wilder’s home and looks like something in a bankCredit: Realtor
    Evander Holyfield
    Holyfield used to own an enormous 54,000 square-foot mansion on 235 acres, which is still the largest single family home in the state of Georgia.
    The 109-room home is as lavish as it gets, but it wasn’t entirely perfect.
    After all, it’s huge banquet hall – with gold interior – was a bit much.
    And the bowling alley a bit daft. Surely, there’s bowling alleys nearby?
    But, the most bonkers addition was the fact it had a baseball pitch within its grounds – complete with floodlights and a scoreboard.
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    No wonder it cost Holyfield £1million to maintain yearly.
    We guess he had to play ball.
    Evander Holyfield walks the grounds of his monster Georgia homeCredit: Getty
    An unnecessary bowling alley is one of the home’s many features
    The huge mansion had its own banqueting hall – which was less sports star, more Downton Abbey More

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    Jake Paul posts cryptic pic of romantic Valentine’s Day date and fans fear he’s SPLIT from Julia Rose

    JAKE PAUL posted hilarious photos from his ‘Valentine’s Day date’ – but in doing so sparked fears from fans that he has SPLIT from Julia Rose. The YouTuber-turned boxer is currently training for his seventh fight as a professional prizefighter.
    Jake Paul posted a hilarious Valentine’s Day dateCredit: INSTAGRAM @JAKEPAUL
    Jake Paul poses with a pair of boxing gloves on Valentine’s DayCredit: INSTAGRAM @JAKEPAUL
    Jake Paul is 6-0 as a boxerCredit: INSTAGRAM @JAKEPAUL
    He is finally set to face Tommy Fury on February 26 in Saudi Arabia following two prior pullouts from his celebrity rival.
    And it appears Paul is so focused on the upcoming tussle that he made BOXING his Valentine’s date.
    He posted a picture dining out with a pair of gloves and captioned it: “Happy Valentines Day from me n’ mine. I love you babe.”
    Despite the hilarious post, some fans noticed the absence of on-off partner Julia.
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    One said: “Wait no Julia ??? I’m so sad.”
    Another commented: “He’s single again?”
    A follower asked: “Where’s Julia????”
    Paul, 26, began dating Julia, 29, around the time of his pro boxing debut in 2020.
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    And they have gone through a series of breakups and makeups since.
    Paul has even been known to kick her out of his fight camp as his bouts grow closer to help him mentally focus.
    But ever since the announcement of his grudge match with Fury, 23, Julia is yet to comment on the fight.
    Paul is finishing his preparations out in Dubai before travelling to Saudi for the biggest test in his boxing career.
    Julia Rose is Jake Paul’s on-off girlfriendCredit: Instagram / @juliarosepaul
    Jake Paul kisses Julia Rose after his last fightCredit: EPA
    Jake Paul training out in DubaiCredit: @jakepaul More