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      Francis Ngannou closing in on Deontay Wilder boxing fight and says ‘somebody’s head off will be taken OFF’

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU revealed he is closing in on a deal to fight Deontay Wilder – and made a brutal prediction for it. Ngannou is a free agent after leaving the UFC following a breakdown in contract negotiations.
      Francis Ngannou revealed he is closing in on a deal to fight Deontay WilderCredit: GETTY
      And the Cameroonian confirmed he is eyeing a boxing switch and has held talks to face Anthony Joshua.
      But it is American star Wilder who Ngannou, 36, is deepest in conversations with.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “Yes, we have had the conversation and at this moment, we’re more closer than with anybody else.”
      Ngannou revealed summer is the target fight date for a bout which will bring together two of the biggest punchers in history.
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      He said: “I think somebody will take somebody’s head off. I would just try [for it] not to be mine. I think that’s probably what’s going to happen.”
      Ngannou is leaving the door open to an MMA return as he nears a move to boxing and has the Professional Fighters League and ONE Championship in mind.
      He said: “I have made a decision. Without making a done deal, I know what my next move is going to be.
      “I know that I want to fight boxing first and then after that I will fight MMA. I’m going to sign with one MMA promotion.
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      “I haven’t made a decision on that yet, [but I’m] very close. PFL and ONE FC right now, we are very close. We will see.”
      Ngannou added: “I’m going to do what I’m doing, and what is interesting about it, obviously there is huge money down here, but also, most of this deal has been viewed as a partnership, which is great for me.
      “I feel well-respected, appreciated. It is different. It feels different. Listen, I never thought there was an MMA promotion that pays more than UFC, or that has [more] money than the UFC.
      “If the UFC wants to pay somebody, they will pay you, but the way that he comes, I’m not down for it. I’d rather get something with more value.
      “My last three years weren’t so happy, so excited. Maybe at the end of the day, this is good for everybody.”
      Deontay Wilder is in talks to fight Francis Ngannou in the summerCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul hilariously called out to MMA fight by ex-UFC star Dan Hardy, 40, with timeline for PFL debut revealed

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      JAKE PAUL has been called out by Dan Hardy ahead of his anticipated MMA debut. The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter this year signed a deal with UFC’s rivals the Professional Fighters League.
      Jake Paul is lined up for an MMA debut with PFLCredit: Skills Challenge
      Dan Hardy has signed on with PFL Europe
      Paul, 26, is due to head up a “super-fight” series which will also host his debut in the cage.
      Ex-UFC title challenger Hardy – now on board with PFL Europe – joked that he would be the perfect opponent for the American.
      He told talkSPORT: “If he wants an opponent in MMA, I’m ideal.
      “I’m 40, I’ve been out of it for ten years now, my takedown defence sucks, my wrestling is terrible, I’ve got no ground game and I love a punch up.
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      “If he’s looking for an opponent in MMA, I mean, I’m probably a safer bet than Tyron Woodley. You would think, right?”
      Paul has beaten ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, Woodley, 40, and Anderson Silva, 47, during his career.
      But in his first bout against a professional boxer, he was beaten, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 23.
      The pair are rumoured to be lined up for a rematch, which could backdate Paul’s debut in the PFL cage.
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      Hardy said: “I’ve spoken with Jake Paul’s manager a couple of times for various different reasons.
      “So, I am in contact with the camp, but we’ll see what happens.
      “I think he’s planning another boxing match first and I think he’ll be doing a lot more promotional work than competing with the PFL.”
      Jake Paul was beaten on points by Tommy FuryCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury’s dad tells Anthony Joshua how to secure British super-fight and reveals ‘only reason’ bout has not happened

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      JOHN FURY has told Anthony Joshua exactly how to secure a fight with son Tyson – saying there is only ONE reason the blockbuster has never been made. The heavyweight superstars have tried but failed make the all-British blockbuster.
      Anthony Joshua ahead of his boxing returnCredit: Alamy
      Tyson Fury’s dad wants him to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
      And, according to Fury’s dad John, it is all down to Eddie Hearn as he hit out at Joshua’s promoter.
      He told The Express, via Free Bets: “Joshua needs to get away from Eddie Hearn first.
      “The only reason that fight wouldn’t happen is because he is an absolute w****.
      “He talks out of his rear end and, you know what, I don’t even want to mention his name. But AJ, get away from him.
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      “If you want to make good, get away from him. That’s all I’ve got to say about him.”
      Joshua returns on April 1 against Jermaine Franklin after consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
      It has left AJ out of the title picture and fighting to revive his career, while Fury, 34, is in talks to unify the belts against Usyk.
      But John urged fans to get behind Joshua, 33, so he can bounce back and set up the bout the nation wants most.
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      He said: “Listen, AJ’s a great kid, fans shouldn’t be turning against him and if they’re, then it’s wrong.
      “AJ has given the public some great nights and they should support the man.
      “Let me tell you this, the best is yet to come from AJ, so the fans should get behind him and let’s get him back to winning ways again and make the super fight once Tyson is done with the Ukrainian rabbit.
      “It’s the biggest fight in boxing, absolutely. It’s bigger than Usyk. Joshua and Tyson is still a great fight.
      “So, I urge fans, get behind the man don’t kick him when he’s down.”
      Anthony Joshua with Eddie Hearn and Jermaine FranklinCredit: Alamy More

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      Conor McGregor wants Floyd Mayweather rematch and says boxing legend failed to ‘honour’ deal to fight UFC star in MMA

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      CONOR McGREGOR wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather and claims a deal to fight each other in MMA was never honoured.McGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to cross over to the boxing world for a money-spinning bout with the American legend.
      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017 and the Irishman wants a rematchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      During their heated press tour, Mayweather boldly stated he would return the favour for a rematch in the cage.
      So far, the promise has not been kept after McGregor was beaten in ten rounds in the ring.
      Now, approaching six years on, the Irishman, 34, wants another shot at Mayweather, 46.
      McGregor said on Fox News: “That was the original, it was a verbal agreement, I box him, he fights me. But he didn’t honour it.
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      “He didn’t honoured it yet you know, who knows? I would go against him in another boxing bout. I’d like another crack at it.”
      Mayweather officially retired after the cash-grab fight which is said to have banked him around £300MILLION.
      But he has continued to box in exhibition bouts since and last year revealed he was in talks to face McGregor again.
      The ex-UFC champion remains open to the rematch between the ropes – but warned he could go off script.
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      McGregor joked: “I could always just say it’s going to be a boxing fight and just bend the rules a little bit when we’re in there.”
      The southpaw is set to return against Michael Chandler in his first fight since suffering a horror leg break in a loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
      McGregor said: “I’m hoping end of summer. We’re working towards late summer.
      “I always train, I train everyday but I was filming the show and I’ve got a couple of commitments, this tour as well, this tour around St Patricks week.
      “But when this finishes it will be isolation, I’ll go in formulate my camp.”
      Conor McGregor is set to return against Michael ChandlerCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Tyson Fury’s dad urges fans to get behind Anthony Joshua and wants British super-fight after Oleksandr Usyk unification

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has received shock support from Tyson Fury’s dad John – who is still holding out for a super-fight with his son. Joshua returns on April 1 against Jermaine Franklin following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
      John Fury has urged fans to get behind Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua returns on April 1Credit: Rex
      It has left AJ out of the title picture and fighting to revive his career, while Fury is in talks to unify the belts against Usyk.
      But his dad John urged British fans to get behind Joshua, 33, so he can bounce back and set up the bout the nation wants most.
      He told The Express, via Free Bets: “Listen, AJ’s a great kid, fans shouldn’t be turning against him and if they’re, then it’s wrong.
      “AJ has given the public some great nights and they should support the man.
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      “Let me tell you this, the best is yet to come from AJ, so the fans should get behind him and let’s get him back to winning ways again and make the super fight once Tyson is done with the Ukrainian rabbit.
      “It’s the biggest fight in boxing, absolutely. It’s bigger than Usyk. Joshua and Tyson is still a great fight.
      “So, I urge fans, get behind the man don’t kick him when he’s down.”
      Fury, 34, is still in talks to face Usyk, 36, on April 29 at Wembley, which would be the first four-belt unification in heavyweight history.
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      Meanwhile, weeks beforehand Joshua returns against American Franklin, 29, who was beaten by Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
      It is the first step in AJ’s confidence-building comeback but John is no fan of the choice of opponent.
      He said: “If his name was Anthony Fury, he’d be selling them out, wouldn’t he? But unfortunately, his name is Anthony Joshua and it’s a s*** fight.
      “I’m only being honest. You know, who knows Jermaine Franklin over here? He’s a good fighter but he’s got no name and it’s a D-level fight.”
      Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn and Jermaine FranklinCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Anthony Joshua training harder for Jermaine Franklin fight than Oleksandr Usyk clash ahead of ring return

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA is training even harder for the fight against Jermaine Franklin than he did for the bout versus Oleksandr Usyk.The 33-year-old London 2012 legend lost his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles to the Ukraine ace in 2021 and failed to regain them with a much-improved 2022 rematch performance.
      Anthony Joshua [left] will not underestimate Jermaine Franklin [right]Credit: Alamy
      Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua twiceCredit: PA
      The rebuild begins at the O2 on April 1 and AJ admits he would be a fool to ever underestimate an opponent again.
      He said “I have to take Franklin even more seriously than I did Usyk.
      “Not comparing them, but now I just know better.
      “What I went through and how I trained was not enough, so I now know that I have to put even more pressure on myself to perform better.
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      “As long as I am fighting, I am going to have this level of self-expectation to improve as a fighter.
      “I know Jermaine Franklin is working in the trenches right now, so I have to remember that this is still a real fight.
      “Just because Jermaine Franklin is not yet a big-name brand, it does not mean he cannot perform.”
      New trainer Derrick James, who is rebuilding AJ at his Dallas gym, has been impressed with everything he has seen from his new student.
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      James said: “The first thing I noticed was his athleticism and how fast he is.
      “He’s a real guy, genuine and cool to be around. I told him at the start I would not be his cheerleader and he has never had a problem with that.” More

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      Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel and undercard for big heavyweight fight

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      JOE JOYCE is back in heavyweight action as he faces Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang next. The Juggernaut hasn’t been in the ring since he dismantled Joseph Parker in 11 rounds back in their September slugfest.
      Joyce is undefeated but is still looking for his first world title shotCredit: Getty
      Zhang has only lost once as a professional against Filip HrgovicCredit: Getty
      Undefeated as a pro and with some beefy names on his resume, Joyce is still looking for his first world title shot.
      And he’s set to wait a little longer as he faces all-action fighter Zhang at the Copper Box in London.
      The winner, however, is expected to be ordered by the WBO to face the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
      With Zhang standing in Joyce’s way, the Putney man will have to be switched on if he wants to compete for his first world honours as a pro.
      When is Joyce vs Zhang?
      Joyce’s clash with Zhang will take place on Saturday, April 15.
      The main card gets underway from 7pm, with ring-walks for the main event expected at around 10pm UK time.
      Joyce vs Zhang will be held at the Copper Box Arena in London.
      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
      Joyce vs Zhang will be shown live on BT Sport 1 in the UK.
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      You can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      Joyce vs Zhang full card

      Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang
      Mikael Mayer vs. Christina Linardatou
      Denzel Bentley vs. Kieran Smith
      Dennis McCann vs. TBA
      Sam Noakes vs. TBA
      Eithan James vs. TBA
      Sonny Liston Ali vs. TBA
      Joel Kodua vs. TBA

      What has been said?
      “He bangs so I will have to watch out for it,” Joyce said. “As Hrgovic and I have a similar style, they had a great fight, so when we fight it should be entertaining.
      “It will be carnage in the centre of the ring! I have lost my temper a few times in sparring and once was against a come-forward southpaw who was trying to knock me out. It was an exciting spar.
      “I think with me and Zhang there will be real heavy punches exchanged and I am sure it will be a good fight.”
      “I am always up for the challenge and when the opportunity rings the bell,” Zhang said.
      “Joe Joyce and I share a lot in common – we both are Olympic silver medalists, both are big punchers, and are nearly the same size. This is going to be an explosive, epic and tremendous fight.” More

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      Oleksandr Usyk’s wife sends chilling warning to Tyson Fury on Instagram ahead of world title fight

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      OLEKSANDR USYK’S wife has sent a bold message to Tyson Fury ahead of his undisputed clash with her husband.Fury, 34, and Usyk, 36, are trying to finalise a fight for all four world title belts at Wembley Stadium on April 29.
      Tyson Fury is expected to face Oleksandr Usyk nextCredit: PA
      Yekaterina Usyk has sent a chilling message to FuryCredit: Instagram
      This is the meme Yekaterina has shared on social mediaCredit: Twitter / MichaelBensonn
      But while the finer details are sorted out between both teams, Usyk’s partner Yekaterina posted a chilling Instagram story addressing Fury.
      Yekaterina, who has three children with Usyk – Kyrylo, Mykhalio and Yelizaveta – shared a boxing meme showing four doors with British boxers on the front of each.
      Usyk, pictured as the grim reaper, has opened three of the doors with Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua behind them.
      And trails of blood depict his victories over them – which came between 2018 and 2022.
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      There is then one final door with Fury’s face on it that Usyk is shown to be knocking on.
      However, the door remains closed, perhaps signifying that the Ukrainian is still waiting for Fury to accept the fight.
      Usyk retained his undisputed cruiserweight crown by knocking out Bellew in 2018.
      He then moved to heavyweight and won by unanimous decision against Chisora.
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      🥊 Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
      Next, the Olympic gold medallist went and challenged Joshua in London for three versions of the heavyweight crown.
      And he outboxed the Brit to become a two-weight world champion, before defending them successfully against AJ in Saudi Arabia in August.
      But many still argue Fury is the best in the division following his wins over Wladimir Klitschko, Deontay Wilder, Chisora and Dillian Whyte.

      Usyk and Fury are set to meet for the undisputed crown this yearCredit: Getty More