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    Jermaine Franklin spent weeks with Tyson Fury to prepare for major Anthony Joshua clash and sends him harsh message

    JERMAINE Franklin says he’s confident he’ll shock the world in his next big fight – thanks to a little help from Tyson Fury.The dangerous underdog takes on former heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua next weekend in a crunch clash for both fighters.
    Jermaine Franklin is pictured at Square Off Gym in Miramar, Florida, earlier this month where he sat down with The U.S. SunCredit: Romain Maurice for The US Sun
    Franklin is preparing for his biggest fight to dateCredit: Romain Maurice for The US Sun
    While superstar AJ is looking to rebuild his career following two successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Franklin traveled to London last week ahead of their showdown at the 02 Arena with nothing to lose.
    The 29-year-old returns to the English capital after being ‘robbed’ in his previous fight against experienced bruiser Dillian Whyte in November.
    Franklin came out on the wrong end of a very tight points decision which could have gone either way but the experience of fighting in front of a packed crowd with the spotlight shining suited the man from Saginaw, Michigan.
    He put on a performance full of heart, guts and strength and will need to produce more of the same to send Joshua toppling to another damaging defeat.

    But after warming up for the Whyte fight by training with king of the division Fury at his base in northern England, Franklin is ready for anything.
    His camp know Sugar Hill, Fury’s current trainer, so a hook-up was easy to arrange.
    “It was a great experience,” a relaxed Franklin, who invited The U.S. Sun down to his training camp in Hollywood, Florida, said about the time spent in the ring with the self-styled Gypsy King.
    “I got to learn from a world champion, and I just loved the atmosphere. I love to do anything I can learn from. It doesn’t matter if I’m whooping ass or I’m getting my ass whooped.”
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    Fury treated Franklin like royalty – and the American got a glimpse of what it’s like to be king…of Morecambe!
    Fury is based in the small seaside town of Morecambe, 60 miles north of Manchester.
    It’s a long way from Michigan but Franklin felt right at home.
    “We walked around, had some fish and chips and everyone knew him,” he recalled with a smile.
    “But he’s a people person and that’s what I like. I always tell people don’t treat me like I am famous. I’m not arrogant, just a regular guy.
    “Just come and talk to me.”
    While Fury’s size and style makes him arguably the most awkward – and dangerous – fighter in the game, trading sparring blows in the ring was a massive help.
    Joshua is a different kind of prospect but Franklin is ready.
    “Tyson helped me add something to my skills,” he said.
    “Anything that helps me add to my game is great.”
    All eyes will naturally be on Joshua and if the former Olympic champ can rescue his career and – potentially – set up a mouthwatering tussle with Fury.
    Yet Franklin hasn’t just hopped over the pond to make up the numbers. For someone who was left stagnant for two years as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc all over the world, there was a time when landing massive fights like this were nothing but a pipedream.
    Franklin was forced to get a job to provide for his young family and knows if he can follow the lead of Mexican-American Andy Ruiz and stun Joshua once again, massive paydays will surely follow.
    Ruiz was overlooked by AJ in June 2019 – a fatal move that resulted in the Brit losing all his belts in one of the biggest shocks of recent years.
    “I always been looked at as an underdog,” he admitted.
    “So I’m comfortable there. I love to prove people wrong. I have always believed that anything can happen. As an amateur, I was always being told I’m the fat kid. I’ll never make it as a pro.
    “Well, look at me now. Anything is always possible.”
    That said, watching the footage of AJ being battered by unlikely hero Ruiz at Madison Square Garden has been scrutinized by Franklin’s team who are leaving no stone unturned.
    “I’ve seen some mistakes,” concluded the pride of Saginaw who admits he’s a student of the game who’s been watching Joshua go about his business long before this clash was agreed.
    Tyson Fury has helped Franklin prepare for the big showdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    “We watched a lot of stuff to know how can we capitalize on certain things that he does. I’ll go in there and try to dominate and destroy – that’s always my mindset
    “I am ready.”
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    Tyson Fury ‘lines up Joe Joyce fight for summer’ with Usyk bout ‘as dead as it gets’, but Gypsy King will NOT retire

    TYSON FURY will NOT retire from boxing after a fight with Oleksandr Usyk fell through, reports claim. Instead the Gypsy King could fight fellow Brit slugger Joe Joyce this summer.
    Tyson Fury is not looking at retiring from boxing, reports claimCredit: Getty
    Joe Joyce has been tipped as the front runner to take on Fury this summerCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Talks between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk over an undisputed bout on April 29 fell throughCredit: Getty
    Boxing fans had been eagerly anticipating an April 29 undisputed heavyweight bout between Fury and Usyk.
    But talks collapsed amid a row over the financials for a potential rematch.
    And now ESPN reporter Mike Coppinger says the fight is “as dead as it gets”.
    Both fighters are said to be moving on and pursuing alternative bouts after talks fell through.
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    But Coppinger confirmed Fury is “not looking at retirement”.
    It’s claimed Fury already has venues on hold for the summer in the event of his return to the ring.
    And Joyce is said to be the front runner to face Fury, with Anthony Joshua and Andry Ruiz Jr also in the mix.
    The Juggernaut faces China’s Zhilei Zhang at the Copper Box on April 15 but is a potential opponent for Fury this summer.
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    Joyce, 37, is unbeaten as a professional and boasts some impressive scalps, including victory the slugfest with Joseph Parker last September.
    While Joyce has been tipped as a potential next opponent for Fury, Usyk is set to take on Daniel Dubois when he returns to the ring.
    Reports claim talks for the fight are set to get underway next week.
    However, a mega showdown between Fury and Usyk could still take place at the back end of this year or early in 2024. More

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    World Champion boxer Tyson Fury reveals surprising career switch

    TYSON Fury is hoping to become a knock-out as a property tycoon — by starting a firm to buy, sell and lease real estate.The world heavyweight champion boxer, 34, is ­taking a leaf out the book of his aunt Maureen who owns travellers’ caravan sites across the country.
    Our mock up of property magnate Tyson
    World Champion boxer Tyson Fury is making a surprising career moveCredit: Getty
    Dad-of-six Tyson, known as The Gypsy King, will run Greenway Balmoral Ltd from his £500,000, six-bedroom former home in seaside town Morecambe, Lancs — the HQ for all his businesses.
    He and wife Paris, 33, live in a £1.7million mansion nearby — but Tyson launched his new career by buying a house close to that of brother, Tommy, 23, and the fellow boxer’s girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague, also 23.
    His plan to flatten the Cheshire home and build a six-bed with a pool were thwarted by roosting bats.
    Tyson now plans to extend the original building. It is not clear if he aims to make it his main home or sell it.
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    It is believed patriotic Tyson may have named his new firm in tribute to the Queen, who died at her Balmoral estate in September.
    He and Paris laid flowers at Buckingham Palace with a card reading: “Great may your bed be in Heaven”.
    His auntie Maureen, who won permission for a 100-mobile home site in 2018, runs her property empire through Fury Developments Ltd. More

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    Watch boxer Michael Gomez Jr send rival flying in fiery weigh-in as security are forced to intervene

    MICHAEL GOMEZ JR flattened super-featherweight rival Levi Giles across the weigh-in stage on Friday.The 28-year-old son of Manchester cult hero Gomez Sr weighed in at 9st 4lbs for the English title battle in his hometown.
    Michael Gomez Jr flattened super-featherweight rival Levi Giles across the weigh-in stage
    The second-generation star looked the part in sunglasses and baseball cap, after Giles scaled in at 9st 2lbs.
    But then it turned ugly as Gomez Jr launched a two-handed shove on his Grimsby rival and he ended up decked across the platform.
    Security jumped in to separate the two rival teams and thankfully tensions cooled to allow the remaining fighters to hit the scales, ahead of the headline bout between WBO cruiserweight world champ Lawrence Okolie and David Light.
    Gomez has been hyped-up for the Sky Sports showdown so it was little surprise tempers flared.
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    He said: “I don’t take backwards steps, I like to get involved.
    “I think in this fight, one of us gets taken out, one of us hits the canvas. Obviously I am planning for that to be him. 
    “My coach has been watching a lot of tape on him and feels like he doesn’t react well to getting hit hard and put under heavy pressure. 
    “If that’s the case then it’s going to be a bad day at work for him in Manchester Arena on March 25, because I hit hard and I bring the pressure.”
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    Gomez Sr is a local legend after brilliant battles with the likes of Alex Arthur, Amir Khan and Ricky Burns.
    But his boy wants to leap out of his shadow with a convincing performance inside the ring.
    He said: “This is an opportunity for me to make my own name in the sport and prove how good I am in my own right and carry on the family legacy of big nights in the Manchester Arena.
    “I’m looking forward to it – I can’t wait to get in there and show what I am about.”
    Michael Gomez Jr during the weigh-inCredit: PA More

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    Five biggest boxing fights that never happened including Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua and huge test for Mike Tyson

    BOXING fans took another gut punch following the collapse of Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk.The historic title unification would have seen all four heavyweight belts at stake for the first time in history.
    Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: REUTERS
    But despite terms being agreed, talks broke down at the 11th hour amid a row over financials for a potential rematch.
    It proved to be a far too familiar story with yet another blockbuster bout facing the KO.
    Here, SunSport runs down five infamous tales of when fights failed to materialise.
    Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua
    Eerily similar, Britain’s two best had everything in place to unify the belts in Saudi Arabia in August 2021.
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    But Fury was contracted to a trilogy bout against Deontay Wilder, which the American forced through following a lengthy court case.
    AJ instead went on to fight and lose to Usyk, who kept onto the belts in their subsequent rematch.
    It set him up to replace Joshua in a fight with Fury – who had beaten Wilder again – but we have all seen the sad state of recent affairs.
    Although in a shock twist, AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn hopes the collapse of talks with Usyk could see Joshua instead fight Fury next.
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    Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have failed to fightCredit: AFP
    Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder
    The year is 2019 and it is Fury looking on from the outside with Joshua and Wilder owning the WBA, IBF, WBO and WBC titles respectively.
    And sports streaming service DAZN and Hearn were ready to prise Wilder over to jump ship.
    He was said to have been offered a three-bout deal – including a pair of fights with AJ – worth around £80m.
    But Wilder opted to reject it and stay with PBC and Showtime, going on to twice lose to Fury in their trilogy epic following their 2018 draw.
    The Bronze Bomber remains on the comeback trail with a score-settling showdown with Joshua among his current options.
    Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua are yet to fight
    Lennox Lewis vs Vitali Klitschko II
    Lewis was taken to the brink of defeat by Klitschko in their 2003 classic.
    But Klitschko was pulled out in round six following a horror cut, declaring Lewis the winner.
    The Ukrainian was ahead of the judges scorecards and in control of the bout, causing demand for a rematch.
    Klitschko went on to defeat Kirk Johnson and become mandatory for Lewis’ WBC title.
    But the British legend would later announce his retirement in 2004, causing the rematch to fall through.
    Vitali Klitscchko was beaten by Lennox LewisCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Lennox Lewis vs Riddick Bowe
    The heavyweight stars looked on course for a big rematch after Lewis beat Bowe in the 1988 Olympics.
    But the two could never see eye to eye in the professional ranks, meaning their super-fight went to waste.
    Quite literally when Bowe held a press conference in 1992 to throw his WBC belt in the bin to avoid facing Lewis.
    It meant Lewis was crowned the champion by the WBC but he never got the chance to share the ring with Bowe again.
    Only last year did the two appear to squash their near-four decade long feud as Bowe approached Lewis at a fight night and shook his hand.
    Riddick Bowe throwing the WBC belt in the binCredit: PA:Press Association
    Mike Tyson vs George Foreman
    Foreman was on a comeback trail in the 90s while Tyson struggled to keep consistency in his career.
    They even shared the same card in 1990 and looked on a collision course to clash.
    But Tyson would spend three years in jail for a 1992 while Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champ in history aged 45.
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    But by the time Tyson was released, Foreman soon lost his titles and later admitted he never really wanted to fight Iron Mike.
    He told ESPN in 2019: “If he missed you with his left, then missed you with his right, he’d bite you. I didn’t want to have anything to do with that. I didn’t want him.”
    George Foreman with Mike Tyson and Sugar Ray LeonardCredit: Facebook More

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    Anthony Joshua needed to be ‘helped up’ after being knocked out by David Price with a ‘big right hand’ in sparring

    DAVID PRICE claimed Anthony Joshua had to be “helped up” after he knocked him out with a “big right hand” in sparring. The pair of British heavyweights were former training partners at Team GB’s Sheffield HQ.
    Anthony Joshua once admitted to being dropped in sparring by David PriceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    And one session in 2011 stands out among them all as Price floored then-amateur champion AJ.
    Opening up on the incident, Price told iD Boxing: “I just caught him with a big right hand and down he went.
    “He had to get helped up, type of thing, and ushered out the ring.
    “And it was no big deal to me at the time, and there was no shame in that happening to you if I hit you.”
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    Joshua was one year away from winning Olympic gold in London, which later paved the way for two unified world title reigns in the professional ranks.
    And in 2018 he admitted to being put down by Price, just hours after leaving a police cell.
    Joshua revealed: “I had come out of a police cell the day I went up to training. I won’t use it as an excuse.
    “I was coming up to training camp, Thursday to Sunday, because I was on a development course.
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    “But I got nicked on the way to training camp – for just trouble – and I got out on the Saturday.
    “I started sparring as soon as I got up there, straight from the station, I do think he was very good at the time, very strong and I was making too many mistakes.
    “Those circumstances don’t help when you’re sparring an elite fighter.
    “I even had to get the train to Sheffield because they took my car – just to show my commitment. What I learnt was you cannot stop someone like me.
    “They say you have two types of fighters; those that get dropped and stay down.
    “But the ones you have to be wary of are the ones who keep on coming. You just cannot stop someone like that.
    I just caught him with a big right hand and down he went. David Price on flooring Anthony Joshua
    “I learnt it will take more than just power or durability to stop me.”
    Joshua, 33, is now set to return in the spring of 2023 following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
    AJ is scheduled to fight Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena on April 1.
    Meanwhile Price, 39, is currently retired and insisted he only ever made the sparring tale with Joshua public to chase a fight with the star.
    He said: “I never ever mentioned it until I started getting mentioned as a potential opponent for him in 2016 when he fought Erik Molina.
    “I was in the IBF top ten so it could have been a voluntary defence for him and I was calling for the fight and people were laughing at the thought of me fighting him, and that’s when I thought I’ll spill the beans then and let the people know that he isn’t indestructible.
    “Because at that time people thought AJ was the terminator and that he would never ever be hurt.
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    “Or it was this new generation of fans that people were talking about him and I thought I’d just let the cat out the bag type of thing.
    “Only for my own benefit, not to try and put him down it was to try and gain something from it myself. But it didn’t work out anyway, I didn’t get the fight.”
    David Price opened up about dropping Anthony Joshua in sparringCredit: Getty More

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    Jake Paul reveals terms for KSI grudge fight including life-changing winner-take-all purse

    JAKE PAUL and KSI engaged in a public spat as the bitter YouTube rivals squabbled over terms to fight.The sworn internet enemies are still feuding five years into their rivalry but with no date to settle the score in the ring.
    KSI seen in attendance during UFC 286Credit: Getty
    Jake Paul and KSI feuded onlineCredit: Getty
    Talks were progressing for the pair to meet in an end-of-year blockbuster, with Wembley among the options to host.
    But those plans took a hit when Paul, 26, was beaten by Tommy Fury, 23, in February by split-decision.
    They now look set to rematch in the summer despite KSI’s plea for the American to focus on their grudge match instead.
    KSI, 29, now returns on May 13 against millionaire businessman-turned-9-0 boxer Joe Fournier, 40.
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    And he tweeted: “When I KO Joe Fournier, I will be the pound-for-pound best YouTube boxer. Yes above Jake Paul.”
    It sparked a row between the pair, as Paul responded: “Hahaha. I’m your idol.
    “So when you beat a guy whose last pro fight was over two years ago against a reggaeton singer that had never boxed in his life, you are the pound-for-pound best?!
    “Or is because his fight before that was 6 years ago against a 1-11 “boxer”? Sham.”
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    Fournier beat musician Reykon, 36, on Paul’s undercard in April 2021 and last fought before that over six years ago against 1-12 Antonio Sanchez.
    But KSI clapped back: “This is a lot of talk for someone that’s ducking me.”
    Paul then proposed a winner-take-all purse if he is to accept KSI’s demand of a 180lb catchweight bout with a rehydration clause.
    He said: “$30M to the winner, 0 to the loser if you want me to agree to your request of 180 pounds and rehydration clause. Agree to that and I’m in.”
    Paul then added that if the stipulation is not met, he will change the fight weight by 5lb with NO limit to what he can weigh the next day.
    He added: “You want me to come to London and fight at an unnatural weight with a rehydration clause then it’s all or nothing.
    “Or be man take the fight without rehydration clauses. 185. 50/50.”
    Paul challenged Fury to a similar double-or-nothing wager but the Love Islander never signed the official document.
    KSI replied: “Ain’t no way I’m doing this deal cos you still ain’t paid up for your last deal with Tommy Fury after he slapped you up.”
    $30M to the winner, 0 to the loser if you want me to agree to your request of 180 pounds and rehydration clause. Agree to that and I’m in.Jake Paul to KSI
    To which Paul said: “There we go. You, your squirrel and your ‘partners’ don’t have the courage to put it all on the line in a contract and sign. Just like Tommy and his dad didn’t.”
    The bad blood dates back to KSI’s 2019 win over Paul’s brother Logan, 27, following a draw between them the year prior.
    KSI has since had three wins, taking his record to 5-1 in the ring although only his victory over Logan was professionally sanctioned.
    But he told Paul: “I’m the A side so you do what I want. I’m undefeated, you’re not.
    “If I want you to come to London, you come to London. 180 is perfect for you and me. Stop crying and sign.”
    But Paul fired back: “You ain’t s***. You have 1 pro fight, a split decision against my brother.
    “That’s the only ‘fight’ you have ever done that the masses cared about.
    “I agreed to come to London so there is one less excuse for you to not take the fight. All yap and all cap is what you are.”
    KSI finished the argument by laying down the gauntlet one final time in a bid to get the fight on.
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    He said: “Unfortunately for you, I’ll never taste defeat in the ring. I’ll never know how you felt after LOSING. Anyway…
    “We gonna fight after I KO Joe Fournier May 13th?”
    KSI and Jake Paul clash in the ring in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Oleksandr Usyk’s team send classy message to Tyson Fury after he reveals wife Paris is pregnant with seventh child

    OLEKSANDR USYK’S promoter posted a classy message after Tyson Fury announced his seventh child is on the way.The Gypsy King revealed wife Paris is pregnant this week with a heartwarming snap of a date night they shared.
    The Furys announced Paris is pregnant with their seventh childCredit: Instagram / @parisfury1
    Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk, right, posted a touching message to the coupleCredit: Instagram @alex.krassyuk
    And despite falling out with Usyk’s camp over the collapse of his proposed fight with the Ukrainian, promoter Alexander Krassyuk has offered up his well wishes.
    He replied to Paris’ Instagram announcement saying: “Wow😍😍😍 Congrats mate @tysonfury. Great job. Wishing love, happiness and all the best to your family 👏.”
    Talks between the two parties failed this week with both blaming each other for the breakdown.
    Krassyuk accused Fury of making “unacceptable demands” which were disrespectful to a world champion like Usyk.
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    But Fury claimed Usyk was running scared and never wanted to fight him, suggesting he was “never man enough to tangle with the Gypsy King”.
    The WBC champion, 34, did not seem too bothered about the deal’s collapse as he enjoyed a date night with wife Paris on Thursday.
    He revealed his excitement with the pregnancy news saying: “All is not lost! I get to do date night with my beautiful pregnant wife Paris.
    “God is great. What a woman. Seventh incoming. Fantastic news to cheer me up.”
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    Paris, 32, most recently gave birth to one-year-old Athena in August 2021, who was placed in intensive care immediately after being born.
    The couple have two other daughters – Venezuela, 13 and Valencia, five.
    They also have three sons named Prince John James, nine, Prince Tyson II, six, and Adonis, four. More