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      Deontay Wilder’s manager opens door to massive fight with Francis Ngannou and reveals talks after heavyweight leaves UFC

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      DEONTAY WILDER’S manager has opened the door to a massive fight with ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou has walked out on the UFC – being stripped of the title – after failing to agree a new contract.
      Deontay Wilder’s manager has opened the door to a fight with Francis NgannouCredit: Reuters
      Francis Ngannou has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      And already the Cameroonian has talked up a lucrative switch to the boxing ring.
      Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel once held tentative talks with UFC president Dana White for a fight between the American and Ngannou.
      And he is willing to revisit the idea now the heavyweight is a free agent following his UFC exit.
      Finkel told SunSport: “I’d be open to it, I’d be foolish to say. ‘I’m not interested, don’t talk to me.’ 
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      “As a matter of fact, Dana White and I had some conversations but it just never went anywhere. Dana actually wanted it. 
      “Then Deontay met Ngannou when he was training for Robert Helenius, while he was out in Vegas and they got along fine.”
      Wilder, 37, was welcomed to the UFC’s training facility last year before he brutally knocked out Helenius, 38, in round one of his October return.
      And he bumped into Ngannou, fuelling speculation of a blockbuster bout between the two famed punchers.
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      And Wilder recently welcomed the fight when asked about Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC.
      He told ESNews: “I would love to. Another African brother. I respect his decision on what he’s done.”
      Wilder and his team have pursued a fight with Anthony Joshua, 33, following years of failed talks in the past.
      But Joshua is on a rebuilding job following consecutive points losses to unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
      AJ looks set to return on April 1 at the O2 Arena against Jermaine Franklin, 29, who lost a disputed decision to Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
      So Wilder has turned his attention to Andy Ruiz Jr, 33, after the WBC ordered them into a final eliminator for the title.
      Finkel said: “Deontay is in good spirits, right now we’re looking at a couple of options and most likely we’ll be fighting Ruiz, I hope in the second quarter of the year.
      “In the next couple of weeks I’ll know if that can be made. Ruiz is not a second-class opponent, so he’s asking for a good payday also, which makes it all the more difficult.” 
      Deontay Wilder pictured with Francis Ngannou More

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      Floyd Mayweather vs Aaron Chalmers: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel for London exhibition bout

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER is set for his first fight in the UK as he takes on ex-Geordie Shore Aaron Chalmbers. Mayweather was last in action at the end of 2022 when he stopped KSI’s brother Deji in the sixth round of their fight.
      Mayweather will face Chalmers in a clash at the O2 Arena in LondonCredit: https://www.instagram.com/floydmayweather/?hl=en
      The 50-0 boxing icon also beat Mikuru Asakura and Don Moore in exhibition fights last year.
      Chalmers, best known for his stint on reality TV show Geordie Shore, has turned his hand to combat sports in recent years.
      Having won a few MMA bouts, most notably with Bellator, Chalmers launched his boxing career last year, winning on points.
      But a clash against one of the greatest fighters of all time in Mayweather represents an entirely different task.
      When is Mayweather vs Chalmers?

      Mayweather’s clash with Chalmers will take place on Saturday, February 25.
      The event will be held at London’s O2 Arena.
      Expect ring-walks for the event to get underway from around 10.30pm UK time.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
      The TV channel has yet to be announced for Mayweather vs Chalmers.
      Maayweather’s clash against Deji took place on DAZN PPV, but his fights have also been shown on Fite TV before.

      Mayweather vs Chalmers full card
      The undercard for Mayweather vs Chalmers has yet to be announced.
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      Check back at SunSport for all the latest news for the event.
      What has been said?
      Mayweather wrote on Instagram: “Different face, different name, same results.
      “London we are still rocking and rolling on Feb. 25th at the O2 Arena. Tickets will be on sale soon. Stay tuned!!”
      While Chalmers said: “ITS ON. I’m fighting @floydmayweather at the 02 London on 25th feb!!
      “It doesn’t get much bigger than this for me!! Someone’s 0 has to go. The king is back @KSI, @tommytntfury, @jakepaul. Let’s fight this year once I smoke @FloydMayweather.” More

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      Deontay Wilder reveals little-known 17st heavyweight was hardest sparring partner over Wladimir Klitschko or David Haye

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      DEONTAY WILDER revealed a little-known 17 stone heavyweight was the hardest sparring partner he ever had. Wilder has shared rounds in the gym with the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye during the early stages of his career.
      Deontay Wilder at the Skyy Boxing gym in 2020Credit: Getty
      But according to the man himself, neither ex-world champion had a patch on American veteran Alonzo Butler.
      Wilder told ESNews: “I had a really good, solid war with Alonzo Butler, ‘Big Zo’.
      “Big Zo was the fastest heavyweight I’ve ever seen, with his size, he was a solid 250 lbs, but he could move.
      “If he had better management and handling he could’ve been heavyweight champion of the world.
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      “When I was coming up and I saw him, I was very impressed. I looked at him like, ‘Damn, I wanna get like that’.
      “Alonzo was the man, he was the first guy that I ever felt a body shot from and I learned a lot from him during that time.”
      Butler, now 43, has 34 wins, three losses and two draws with 25 knockouts to his name.
      He fought as recently as 2021 but faced largely journeyman opposition throughout his career.
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      Wilder, 37, is regarded as one of the hardest hitters in boxing history, which led him to the WBC crown.
      But he made a name for himself with valuable sparring after winning bronze in the 2008 Olympics.
      And Haye, 42, can attest to just how hard the Bronze Bomber really punched.
      He told BT Sport in the past: “I truly think he is the hardest punching heavyweight ever, I know that maybe sounds like an exaggeration.
      “I got hit by Wilder in sparring. I’ve been hit by Wladimir Klitschko, on the chin with 10 ounce gloves on.
      “There was more effect from Wilder hitting me on the top of the head, with 18 ounce gloves on and I was wearing a head guard – and it wasn’t even clean.
      “After that, I remember thinking, ‘This guy is going to do something.’ He was wild and he was all over the place. . . but the power.”
      Alonzo Butler is a former sparring partner of Deontay Wilder’sCredit: Getty
      David Haye pictured with Deontay Wilder More

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      Anthony Yarde vs Artur Beterbiev tale of the tape: How the fighters compare ahead of huge world title bout

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      ANTHONY YARDE is just one win away from unified light-heavyweight glory in his own back yard. All that stands in the Londoner’s way is boxing’s only champion with a 100 per cent knockout ratio.

      Yarde, 31, challenges Artur Beterbiev, 38, for the Russian’s WBC, IBF and WBO world titles on Saturday at Wembley Arena in the capital.
      It is a massive fight that brings two of the sport’s biggest punchers together.
      Ahead of the anticipated clash, SunSport breaks down how the two big hitters compare.
      Beterbiev comes from a well-schooled amateur background, having won world and European championships.
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      He went to the 2012 Olympics but was beaten by current unbeaten heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
      In the professional ranks, Beterbiev has wasted no time in making his mark, with 18 KOs in as many fights.
      He became IBF champ in just his 12th bout by beating Enrico Kolling, 32, and has since added two more belts to his collection.
      Along the way, he has taken the scalps of Oleksandr Gvozdyk, 35, Marcus Browne, 32, and Joe Smith Jr, 33.
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      But perhaps Yarde will take confidence from Beterbiev’s fourth-round win over Callum Johnson in 2018.
      Now-retired Brit Johnson had Beterbiev down in the second but failed to follow up and was taken out himself.
      Yarde has vowed not to let the same opportunity slip if it presents itself on the weekend.
      And the Londoner should know, having had Sergey Kovalev in all sorts of trouble in his 2019 WBO title challenge.
      But Yarde failed to put Kovalev, 39 away in round eight and was stopped himself in the 11th.
      It was the first time he tasted defeat until Lyndon Arthur, 31, edged out a split-decision in 2020.
      Although Yarde brutally made up for it in their rematch a year later, closing the show in four rounds.
      He returned in a keep-busy bout in November, taking three rounds to get rid of German Stefani Koykov, 30.
      Artur Beterbiev is the WBO, WBC and IBF championCredit: Getty
      Anthony Yarde knocked out Lyndon Arthur in their rematchCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      It was Yarde’s 22nd KO in his 23 wins, meaning he has a stoppage ratio of 88 per cent.
      Although not even that is enough to match Beterbiev’s unrivalled punching record.
      What Yarde does have on his side is youth and activity.
      Despite Beterbiev’s storied career in the amateurs, he has amassed only 83 rounds in the pros, such is his power.
      And having only had 18 bouts, Yarde is on paper the more experienced in the paid ranks with 25 fights to his name.
      The two stand the same at 6ft, but Beterbiev carries a one inch reach advantage with a length of 73in.
      It makes for a genuinely enticing affair which all-but promises to be decided within the scheduled 12-round distance.
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      Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde ahead of their fightCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury slammed over ‘dumbest idea in sports history’ after shock call out of ex UFC champ Francis Ngannou

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      TYSON FURY has been slammed for the “dumbest idea in sports history” after calling out Francis Ngannou to a hybrid-rules fight. Ngannou is now a free agent having walked out on the UFC, while still heavyweight champion, after failing to agree a new contract.
      Tyson Fury has called out Francis NgannouCredit: Rex
      Francis Ngannou left the UFC after failing to agree a new contractCredit: Getty
      And it has cleared the pathway to realising his long-standing dream of a career in boxing.
      Fury, 34, proposed a hybrid bout against Ngannou, 36, including a fight with smaller 4oz gloves in the cage but under boxing rules.
      Although ex-UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, 45, has ridiculed the idea.
      He said on his YouTube channel: “I see Tyson Fury come out over the weekend and finally clear up first what we’re going to do first with Francis.
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      “They’ve always said they’re going to make up a sport. These two were going to do a game, but they were going to do something combat related.
      “For reasons unknown, they weren’t going to box. Francis offered to box, and for reasons unknown, Tyson did not accept that invitation, and they were going to make up rules.
      “Tyson finally laid out for us what they are. They were going to fight in a cage. I have no idea why. They’re going to fight in a cage. OK, fine.
      “They’re going to wear 4oz gloves. I have no idea why, but OK, fine. They are then going to follow boxing rules, the rules of Queensberry.
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      “I put this out there because of how disappointing it is to see these boxers as beggers.
      “Guys that are hot to fight to go out there and get it on your own, that have physical capabilities that other men can only dream of.
      “But they don’t know how to go out there and get it on their own. They just don’t know how.
      “I bring it to you because to watch Tyson Fury beg, it was surprising. I don’t want to call it disappointing.
      “It was really close to calling it that, but I don’t want to call it that.
      I bring it to you because to watch Tyson Fury beg, it was surprising. I don’t want to call it disappointing. Chael Sonnen on Tyson Fury calling out Francis Ngannou
      “So Tyson comes to us with perhaps the dumbest idea in sports history, perhaps. He knows it is.”
      Fury is currently in talks for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed title decider with Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
      But as negotiations drag on, the Gypsy King is lining up Ngannou as a blockbuster alternative.
      He told Seconds Out: “Francis Ngannou, I know you’re out of contract with the UFC. You want to earn some big boy money?
      “Come see the Gypsy King and let’s do a big, big fight for the baddest MF on the planet.
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      “Let’s kick it up spicy, in a cage, four-ounce gloves under Queensbury [rules] and let’s have a badass referee like Iron Mike Tyson.
      “Did I just sell that to the world? If the contract doesn’t get signed with Usyk next for the fight of the century in boxing then we’ll do the Ngannou fight.”
      Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou at WembleyCredit: BT SPORTS More

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      Aaron Chalmers calls out Jake Paul, Tommy Fury and KSI ahead of Geordie Shore star’s shock fight with Floyd Mayweather

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      AARON CHALMERS has called out Jake Paul, Tommy Fury and KSI ahead of his shock exhibition fight with Floyd Mayweather. The Geordie Shore star was announced as the latest crossover boxing opponent for Mayweather to face in an exhibition bout.
      Floyd Mayweather is set to face Aaron Chalmers in his next exhibitionCredit: AFP
      Aaron Chalmers has called out Jake Paul, Tommy Fury and KSICredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Chalmers, 35, welcomes the American legend to a British ring for the first time ever on February 25 at the O2 Arena.
      And he is hoping to line up the biggest names from the celebrity-boxing scene after sharing the ring with boxing royalty.
      Chalmers tweeted: “The king is back @KSI @tommytntfury @jakepaul. Let’s fight this year once I smoke @FloydMayweather.”
      The reality TV favourite in 2017 turned to professional MMA and went on to amass a 5-2 record, even signing for American promotion Bellator.
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      But last year he made a switch to boxing and beat Alexander Zeledon, 32, on points over four rounds.
      Meanwhile Mayweather, 45, officially retired in 2017 after beating ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, 34.
      But he has returned for five exhibitions since against stars of the MMA, social media and boxing world.
      His most recent came in November against YouTuber Deji, 26, which he won in six rounds.
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      Mayweather initially revealed Muay Thai veteran Liam Harrison, 37, as his return opponent for his UK debut.
      But Harrison was forced to deny ever signing to fight and pulled out amid a knee injury.
      So Chalmers, who approached a member of Mayweather’s team personally, threw his name into the hat.
      And his celeb background mixed in with a degree of fighting experience was enough to convince The Money Team into offering him a deal.
      Aaron Chalmers is 1-0 as a boxerCredit: Instagram @aaroncgshore More

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      Anthony Joshua’s comeback opponent makes chilling vow and promises to add fallen Brit to his ‘body count’

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      JERMAINE FRANKLIN has vowed to add Anthony Joshua to his “body count” in a chilling warning ahead of their fight. The heavyweight pair have agreed to an April 1 bout at the O2 Arena with negotiations now nearing the final stages.
      Anthony Joshua is set to return on April 1 at the O2 ArenaCredit: PA
      Joshua, 33, is coming off consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 36, and returns with his career and reputation on the line.
      Meanwhile Franklin, 29, comes back to London as an outsider again having lost a disputed decision to Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
      But the fearless American is out for redemption in the capital with AJ now his new target.
      Franklin posted on Instagram: “I’m ready for all the smoke. Big news coming up this week.
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      “I don’t play box! Time for the 989 assassin to take aim on body count #22 April 1.
      Franklin looks to have beaten southpaw duo Otto Wallin, 32, and Demsey McKean, 32, in the race to welcome Joshua back to the ring.
      And following his performance against Whyte, in which many felt he should have won, Eddie Hearn defended AJ’s decision to face him.
      Promoter Hearn told Boxing Social: “I think Jermaine Franklin is a great fight.
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      “Nothing’s signed or agreed yet, but Franklin’s just come off the back of a very close fight with Dillian Whyte, and some people felt like he won that fight.
      “I’ve seen the majority of responses from sane people on social media, who are saying, ‘that’s a good fight to come back to.’
      “I just don’t understand some people’s criticism of AJ. He’s just fought Oleksandr Usyk twice.
      “If he fights Demsey Mckean, Otto Wallin or Jermaine Franklin – I don’t understand what more people want.
      “He’s coming back, working with a new trainer and getting a foothold in the heavyweight division.
      “Jermaine Franklin is a dangerous fight, he’s full of confidence and coming off a great performance against Dillain Whyte.”
      Dillian Whyte narrowly beat Jermaine Franklin in NovemberCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

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      Tyson Fury against Oleksandr Usyk winner will be ‘whoever cheats most’, slams Deontay Wilder in bitter swipe

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      DEONTAY WILDER said Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk will be won by whoever is going to “cheat the hardest.” The unbeaten champions are in talks for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed title decider.
      Deontay Wilder speaks during a press conference in New York City in OctoberCredit: AFP
      Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are in talks to fightCredit: Getty
      Usyk, 36, puts up the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he won and then retained in his pair of points wins over Anthony Joshua, 33.
      Fury, 34, meanwhile took the WBC belt from Wilder, 37, in their 2020 rematch and defended it a year later in a trilogy bout.
      But Wilder infamously levelled several baseless cheating accusations at Fury and appears to still stand by them.
      Asked about the Usyk fight, he told ESNews: “I don’t know. That’s a 50/50 fight. Depends on who’s gonna cheat the hardest.
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      “That’s what it is, it depends on who’s gonna cheat the hardest.”
      Wilder also accused Fury of cheating in their 2018 draw, claiming the Brit had “something hard” in his glove.
      When he was stopped in seven rounds two years later, the American also claimed his water was “spiked”.
      Perhaps the most memorable excuse of them all was blaming the 45lb ring walk attire he wore to the ring for slowing down his legs.
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      Even after Fury’s epic 11th round KO against Wilder in their trilogy, the former champion was still full of bad blood.
      He said: “You got analysts that say, ‘If he did have something in his glove why did you not go to the authorities?’
      “I wish I was in front of them and I would grab their collar and put them close to my face so we can be eye to eye, face to face, so much that my breath touch their face.
      “I would tell them, ‘Why the f*** would I go to the authorities when I have an opportunity to release my own energy and put my hands up on on him in the possibility of trying to kill him and get paid millions of dollars doing it?’ Why would I go to the authorities?”
      Tyson Fury beat Deontay Wilder twiceCredit: Reuters More