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    Boxing stunner Cherneka ‘Sugar Neekz’ Johnson puts gruesome head injury behind her as she prepares for Ellie Scotney

    BOXING stunner Cherneka “Sugar Neeks” Johnson has put her gruesome head injury behind her.The Aussie fighter is preparing to fight Ellie Scotney in London on Saturday night.
    Cherneka Johnson has put her gruesome head injury behind herCredit: Instagram
    Cherneka Johnson shared snaps of the gruesome injury on InstagramCredit: Instagram
    Johnson will be entering the ring for the first time since being left with a horrific gash on her head last October.
    The 28-year-old suffered the injury in the first defence of her IBF super bantamweight world title against Susie Ramadan.
    Ramadan was twice deducted a point during the brutal bout as Johnson claimed a unanimous decision victory.
    Photos from the fight showed Johnson with a deep cut on her forehead and she has now shown off her recovery on social media.
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    Johnson posted a pair of snaps of the cut as she laid in hospital after the fight, prompting one fan to hail her “tough”.
    The stomach churning images show the extent of the injury, with blood still dripping down her face from the wound.
    In addition to the pictures, Johnson also attached a clip of her healed forehead seven months on from the fight.
    The video shows that the wound has closed up, leaving a small scar above the fighter’s eyebrow.
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    Johnson was covered in blood after suffering a horror cut against Susie RamadanCredit: AFP
    Johnson will be hoping to avoid another injury when she faces the unbeaten Scotney this weekend.
    The pair will meet at Wembley Arena on a card headlined by Sunny Edwards’ IBF flyweight world title defence against Andres Campos. More

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    Deontay Wilder wants to fight Francis Ngannou in boxing AND MMA as he brutally warns of his power in tiny 4oz gloves

    DEONTAY WILDER wants to fight Francis Ngannou in boxing AND MMA – warning of his power in the tiny 4oz gloves. Ngannou walked out on the UFC as heavyweight champion to sign for rivalling promotional The Professional Fighters League.
    Deontay Wilder wants to fight rancis Ngannou in boxing and MMACredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Francis Ngannou is signed to PFLCredit: @francis_ngannou
    And the Cameroonian has also teased a mega-money move into boxing having held talks to fight Wilder.
    But the former WBC heavyweight world champion is ready to return the favour as part of a two-bout deal in the ring and cage.
    Wilder told SunSport: “I would love it. I would love it very much so, just to show the competitive side.
    “If he crosses over and comes where I am, I can come over and cross over to where he is.
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    “Both are both worlds. I think it would be more interesting, not only to us but for the fans as well just to see it.
    “Because that hasn’t happened yet, we’ve seen a lot of MMA guys come over and you’ve seen a couple of boxers come over but you’ve never seen the back and forth. I think it would be very interesting.”
    Ngannou, 36, desperately wanted to fight in the UFC and box at the same time but was contractually prohibited.
    So he jumped ship to sign with the PFL to feature in their newly-formed super-fight division while simultaneously boxing.
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    And Wilder, 37, took a trip out to Atlanta to watch PFL stars in action, even trying on the 4oz MMA gloves.
    It left him brutally predicting fireworks if he was to ever grace the cage.
    Wilder said: “I just wore a pair not too long ago just to feel the light weight, there’s really no padding if any.
    “They feel real firm and the head is not supposed to be hit in the first place, so to shake the brain like that – especially with the power that I pack – it will be a sight to see.
    “It really will, it will be like the 4th of July.”
    Deontay Wilder knocked out Robert Helenius in his last fightCredit: Getty More

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    Tyson Fury told to ‘stop lying and telling fake stuff’ by heavyweight rival who says WBC champ is ‘damaging boxing’

    ZHILEI ZHANG has told Tyson Fury to “stop lying and telling fake stuff” and get back to fighting.China’s 40-year-old Zhang recorded a career best upset victory over Joe Joyce in April.
    Tyson Fury has been told to shut up and put upCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Zhilei Zhang says that the Gypsy King is ‘damaging boxing’Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    “Big Bang” Zhang instantly called Fury out as he outlined his ambition for a dream homecoming in China after his stunning win.
    The 6ft 6in heavyweight returned to London 11 years after losing to Anthony Joshua in the Olympics.
    But he made no mistakes in his quest for redemption in the capital as he brutally left Joyce unable to continue following six rounds due to eye swelling.
    Zhang inherited the WBO interim title and mandatory challenger status for the full belt held by Oleksandr Usyk but instead it was WBC champion Fury who he wanted after bouncing back from defeat to Filip Hrgovic, 30, in August.
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    Speculation then mounted over talks for a bumper showdown between the two giants but that has been halted by Joyce activating his rematch clause, with a return bout set for September.
    That is the same month that Fury claims he is looking to get back in the ring but opponents are looking few and far between despite a host of public offers.
    The Gypsy King says he has attempted to reignite talks with Usyk after failing to agree on a April unification bout while he has also stated he wants to fight Anthony Joshua, who already has other plans in the pipeline.
    Fury also recently hinted that his next bout could be against an Australian during his recent trip Down Under.
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    But Zhang has completely lost patience with the Brit and claimed all of his rival’s recent call outs have been lies while speaking to Boxing Social.
    He blasted: “He should stop lying to people and he should stop telling fake stuff to boxing fans.
    “It’s damaging the world of boxing. I really believe that actions speak louder than words.
    “Instead of saying you are going to fight this, you are going to fight that, just get in the ring.”
    Fury has not fought since the end of 2022, when he beat Derek Chisora via a 10th round TKO in London.
    We reported yesterday how Fury will be given a take it or leave it offer “very soon” for the “biggest fight of his career”.
    He will be presented with the chance to make a return to the boxing ring in December of this year.
    However, a fight with Usyk to crown the undisputed heavyweight world champion could be back on the cards.
    That is after the Ukrainian signed with Saudi Arabian organisation Skills Challenge Entertainment.
    The organisation previously worked with Usyk for his rematch with Joshua.
    They are also behind plans for a one-night event featuring Fury vs Usyk and Joshua vs Deontay Wilder in December.
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    Usyk’s signing has prompted his promoter Alex Krassyuk to reveal he will make one final offer to Fury.
    Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, has already stated that they are planning a September bout before that. More

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    Busty ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn risks wardrobe malfunction as she shows off major underboob barely-there bikini

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN posed in a white bikini for her latest Instagram snaps.The former Misfits Boxing ring girl took in the sunshine as she enjoyed a day at the beach.
    Apollonia Llewellyn posed in a bikini by the seaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/apolloniallewellyn/
    The former ring girl posted a selfieCredit: https://www.instagram.com/apolloniallewellyn/
    Apollonia pouted for a video postCredit: https://www.instagram.com/apolloniallewellyn/
    In pictures posted to her Instagram story, Apollonia donned a small bikini and sunhat.
    She posed alongside footballer boyfriend Jai Rowe in one snap.
    While she pouted for a selfie in another.
    Apollonia recently posed topless for a risque Instagram picture.
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    She posted the picture to her 500,000 followers, who lapped it up.
    The post quickly received over 5,000 likes.
    One fan commented: “Slayyyyy.”
    While a second wrote: “Amazing.”
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    The social media influencer has been enjoying herself on holidayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/apolloniallewellyn/
    Apollonia has gathered a legion of fans in recent monthsCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    A third gushed: “Oh wow.”
    And another added: “Wow I mean actually wow.”
    The social media influencer recently visited the United States, posting a series of snaps along the way.
    Apollonia visited Las Vegas and Miami while across the pond.
    The Misfits star recently visited Las VegasCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia has over 500,000 Instagram followersCredit: https://www.instagram.com/apolloniallewellyn/ More

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    Ricky Hatton documentary to showcase ‘depression, addiction and shame’ that saw ex-boxer consider suicide

    RICKY HATTON is the subject of a new Sky documentary.The new film will portray the British boxing hero’s rise from humble beginnings in Manchester to world champion status.
    Ricky Hatton will be the subject of a new Sky documentaryCredit: Alamy
    It will also explore Hatton’s battle with mental health – illustrating the “depression, addiction and shame” that followed defeats.
    Hatton, 48, even attempted suicide as he reached his lowest point, with the behind-the-scenes film, set to air in September, said to be “raw and compelling”.
    The Hitman returned to the ring after a ten year absence last November, facing Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition bout.
    Describing his comeback at the time, Hatton said: “I’ve enjoyed the compliments, people coming up to me with mental health and saying, ‘f***ing hell, Rick, I’ve been struggling with my weight and seeing you shift all that weight has made me want to’.
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    “Then other people have said, ‘Jesus, Ricky, seeing you a few years ago with all that weight, suicidal, wanting to kill yourself, heavily drinking, heavily into drugs, the way you were, to see you now, it’s been so inspiring’.
    “So I thought it got postponed but it’s not been for nothing. More importantly the second one, 12 November, previously it was on an internet PPV channel, with the cost of living now and spending, the situation that it is.
    “I want all fight fans to see my exhibition, me and Marco, unless you could afford a ticket or afford the PPV, otherwise you wouldn’t have f***king seen it.
    “Now it’s on Sky Sports, all fight fans will get to see it. Personally I think that was a massive thing, it’s the first training camp I had in 10 years.
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    “Now I’ve had two in 10 years. I’ve stayed on top of things, I had a bit of a wind-down. I do 10 rounds sparring, I wouldn’t have been able to in the last time. Now I can.”
    Hatton also admitted he would fancy another crack at Floyd Mayweather, having lost to the American in December 2007.
    On whether he likes the prospect of an exhibition rematch, Hatton added: “I believe so, Floyd is doing a lot of them. I don’t like to think I’d do it against a YouTuber, he’s the greatest of all time.
    “I hope it doesn’t bite me on the a***, I think it won’t. The whole point of these is it’s somebody like Marco. It’s for a lot of people who struggle with mental health, look what you can do.
    “I’m sharing the ring with Marco. Not Joe Bloggs. Not to point the finger at YouTubers, if that’s your job, that’s your job. But what the f*** is Floyd doing?
    “I’d look at it [if he called me], for the same reason as I’ve said. I’ve been in with Floyd, I thought, ‘Jesus he was good’, to do that again, to share the ring with arguably the greatest of all time, of course I would, I’d look at it. But this my first one.”
    Hatton also revealed his joy at still being around to help train son Campbell, as well as being able to be a granddad.
    He continued: “I’ve been sparring with Campbell. Which has been brilliant. Very emotional for me. Without boring you, nearly took my life a few years ago.
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    “I was in such a bad place. If I had taken my life I wouldn’t have seen Campbell turn pro, or seen my granddaughter, Campbell’s daughter Lyla. I never thought I’d go into a training camp like Campbell, father and son.
    “It’s replaced lifting the world title fight, thousands of fans in Vegas. I’ve done some great things in boxing, but that’s up there, it f***ing was, it was so emotional.”
    Hatton has been training son CampbellCredit: Rex
    If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. More

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    Deontay Wilder will be ‘NERVOUS’ if Anthony Joshua fights Dillian Whyte as defeat would ruin plans for Saudi super-fight

    DEONTAY WILDER will be watching nervously if Anthony Joshua rematches Dillian Whyte before their proposed Saudi super-fight. Eddie Hearn revealed he has received an offer from Saudi Arabia’s Skills Challenge entertainment for AJ to face Wilder in December.
    Deontay Wilder is in talks to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Anthony Joshua could rematch Dillian WhyteCredit: PA
    But the promoter is also negotiating for Joshua to first return on August 12 against Whyte, who be stopped in seven rounds in 2015.
    So Wilder admits fears over AJ suffering a slip up and KOing their mega-money showdown in the Middle East.
    Speaking to SunSport at PFL’s fight night in Atlanta, he said: “Are you nervous? Everybody’s nervous, we all are.
    “I will be, I’ve said before I’m a straight forward, honest guy anyone that knows me knows that.
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    “But I am nervous, if he takes a fight. We’ll keep it like that.”
    Joshua, 33, suffered consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 36, which left his career at an impasse.
    But he returned with a confidence-building victory in April over 12 rounds against Jermaine Franklin, 29.
    It was his first under new coach Derrick James and Hearn wants the two to have one more fight before a blockbuster with the Bronze Bomber.
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    And Wilder, 37, said: “I’d advise him to feel whatever his heart allows him to do, I always say follow your heart.
    “Don’t go with your mind, I never make decisions with my mind because the mind can get clouded.
    “People can throw emotional garage and if you let it sit then you’ll be like, ‘You know what? I ain’t s***. You’re right, they’re right I am what they say.'”But if you choose with your heart, no matter what you say or what you do, you won’t regret it.”
    Wilder has not boxed since knocking out Robert Helenius, 39, in the first round of his October 2022 comeback bout.
    So it leaves the American former WBC champion also open to having an interim bout of his own as he prepares to lace up the gloves again.
    Wilder said: “I may have a fight before then, we’ll see.
    “There’s a lot of things going on but I am in training mode, my mindset and everything about me. Soon I’ll be out in the field, real soon.”
    Deontay Wilder knocked out Robert Helenius in his last fightCredit: Getty More

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    Jake Paul calls out UFC star Conor McGregor to boxing and MMA fights as part of two-bout deal

    JAKE PAUL is ready fight Conor McGregor in boxing and MMA. Paul has continued to call out McGregor since making his professional debut in 2020.
    Jake Paul lost to Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
    Conor McGregor has been called out by Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    And he wants to get his hands on the Irishman in both the ring and cage after responding to social media posts about the fight.
    Paul, 26, commented: “Boxing & MMA back to back. I’m down 100%.”
    The YouTuber-turned boxer is 6-1 and suffered his first defeat in February, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
    But he returns on August 5 in Texas against Nate Diaz, 38, who will be his fourth opponent formerly in the UFC.
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    Paul has beaten ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 41, and Anderson Silva, 48, before his loss to Fury.
    McGregor, 34, meanwhile lost his one and only pro boxing bout, to Floyd Mayweather, 46, in 2017.
    And Paul – who is set to make his MMA debut in 2024 with the Professional Fighters League – slammed the Dubliner in an epic rant.
    He said on Logan’s Impaulsive podcast: “Guess what Conor? I’d beat the f*****g f*** out of you and you can’t box as good as me. 
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    “I’m going to do to Nate what you couldn’t which is knock him the f*** out and you’re going to be sitting there with your new beer company – that’s failing – drinking it, drunk as f***, realising that you p****d your life away drinking at the end of the bottle. 
    “And you’re gonna say, ‘Damn, I really thought no one was going to do what I did in this sport, I really thought no one was going to be as big of a name, I really thought I was going to be the biggest forever.’ 
    “But you can’t choose and you can’t have both lives.” 
    Jake Paul is signed to MMA promotion PFLCredit: JAKE PAUL More

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    UFC legend Michael Bisping says Tyson Fury and Jon Jones fight could make over $400MILLION like Mayweather vs McGregor

    MICHAEL BISPING said Tyson Fury and Jon Jones could make the same huge sums that Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor did. McGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to cross over to the boxing ring to fight Mayweather.
    Tyson Fury pictured at the Brisbane Domestic AirportCredit: EPA
    Jon Jones is the UFC heavyweight championCredit: Alamy
    It sold 4.3million pay-per-views in the US, with Mayweather, 46, believed to have earned £300m and McGregor, 34, taking around £100m.
    And now Jones and Fury – who reign over the heavyweight division in MMA and boxing – are going back and forth over a fight.
    Bisping said on his YouTube channel: “Apparently Floyd Mayweather made a gigantic $280million. I mean, that is insane.
    “Poor old Conor, he had to get by with just $130 million. Would Tyson Fury and Jon Jones do similar numbers? I’m gonna say it would.”
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    Fury, 34, claimed he would only fight Jones, 35, in the boxing ring despite flirting with an MMA move in the past.
    But UFC president Dana White is seriously interested in making it in the octagon.
    Fury saw an undisputed title decider against Oleksandr Usyk, 36, this year collapse amid a row over the split for a potential rematch.
    Meanwhile Jones looks less likely to face ex-champion Stipe Miocic, 40, so Bisping is ready to see the boxing and MMA worlds collide again.
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    He said: “Hypothetically speaking, this would be a very hard fight to make.
    “It’s hard enough getting Tyson Fury in a ring with Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua or any of the other fighters he’s talking about. 
    “Usyk should be the fight. Stipe should be the fight for Jon Jones, but I’m telling you, just as a fan, I would love to see it. I am intrigued.”
    UFC legend Michael BispingCredit: Getty More