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      Sky Sports forced to apologise for ‘homophobic’ row between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith at fiery press conference

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      BRITISH boxing raced back into the gutter for a dismal start to 2023 with homophobic jibes.Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank is an excellent middleweight battle at Manchester Arena on Saturday night.
      Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith ahead of their fightCredit: Reuters
      There are no plastic belts on the line, just honour and integrity – or so we thought.
      Because when Sky Sports clumsily gave Liverpool 34-year-old Smith the microphone and encouraged him to verbally attack his opponent, he obliged with veiled digs at Eubank’s hairline and sexuality.
      Smith started the slanging match by having a dig at Eubank’s personal life – which he shields from social media – and moved on to have a dig at his tattooed hairline, saying: “Has anyone ever seen Chris with a girl?
      “He’s 33 and he’s talking about having kids but you need a woman to have kids. I wonder if he wants to tell us something.
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      “This is not for laughs, but he’s posting photos of himself with Neymar in limousines, nobody in this room has ever seen you with a woman.”
      He followed it up with: “You have tried to talk about my hair.
      “I went grey when I was very young, shall we talk about your hairline or your beard getting tattooed on?”
      Eubank tried to keep things civilised by quashing the grubby exchange, but none of Sky’s broadcast team intervened to curb the downward spiral.
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      In the end, after much goading, Eubank replied: “My private life is my private life, that’s irrelevant to my boxing.
      “I am happy and comfortable. I used to think Tony Bellew was the biggest arsehole to come out of Liverpool.
      “But Liam has taken that number one spot now, that’s impressive.
      “What you’re asking is a bit fruity, about my hairline and beard. You’re asking me about my beard and my sexuality.”
      Sky Boxing presenter Anna Woolhouse was forced to apologise.
      She said: “We would like to apologise if you have been offended by the offensive language, personal and homophobic remarks made up on stage.”.
      It was a pathetic start to 2023, ruining the build-up to a genuinely excellent fight.
      Well, that escalated quickly.Chris Eubank Jr
      Smith is respected former super-welterweight world champion, from a fine fighting family.
      Eubank Jr is the free spirit who has made being the bad guy a business.
      They are both above mud slinging but are pushed to sell pay-per-views.
      And Smith was the first to start the x-rated insults, following an online exchange.
      The former super-welterweight world champ growled: “I have fought better fighters than Chris.
      “People think he has got under my skin but he has made a c*** of himself.
      “He has slid into my DMs and made a c*** of himself. He put it online and got slaughtered for it.
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      “The only people who will be shocked by my win will be the people who think I cannot box at 160lbs.”
      Later on, when the dirty had almost settled, Eubank Jr Tweeted: “Well, that escalated quickly.”
      Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Smith fight in ManchesterCredit: Getty More

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      Eddie Hearn set to offer Salt Papi pro boxing contract as he calls him best YouTuber fighter

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      EDDIE HEARN wants to turn Salt Papi professional after his knock-out performance on the undercard of KSI’s recent boxing event.TikTok star Papi stole the show with a devastating second round knock-out of influencer Josh Brueckner.
      Eddie Hearn wants to turn Salt Papi pro after he impressed in his latest fightCredit: Rex
      The TikToker knocked out Josh Brueckner in the second round of their boutCredit: PA
      He caught the eye of boxer legend Manny Pacquiao who told Papi to “go for it”.
      Boxer Ryan Garcia also suggested 3-0 Papi should turn pro, revealing he wants to see the 28-year-old take on Jake Paul.
      Now Hearn reckons Papi is capable of fighting at professional level and wants to help him get there.
      He told the DAZN Boxing Show: “Salt Papi can fight. Salt Papi’s my favourite. I wanna turn Salt Papi pro.
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      “Leave him [at his current weight class], he’s a man of the people, he’s got a belly like me, we love him.”
      Logan Paul also called on his brother Jake to fight Papi, who also scored a brutal KO of Andy Warski in August.
      Papi said after the fight: “If KSI doesn’t want to fight Jake Paul, send me to Jake Paul and I’ll fight him.”
      Logan is all for it as he pleaded for the bout online.
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      He tweeted: “Salt Papi vs. Jake Paul I need it.”
      Garcia also wants to see the pair face off, he said: “I want to see Jake Paul Vs Salt Papi no cap.” More

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      Tyson Fury brutally mocked by Oleksandr Usyk with savage training picture as talks continue over unification fight

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      OLEKSANDR USYK mocked Tyson Fury in his latest Instagram story.The Ukrainian’s camp are locked in talks with the Gypsy King over a blockbuster unification bout.
      Oleksandr Usyk took to Instagram to mock Tyson FuryCredit: INSTAGRAM / @usykaa
      Usyk and Fury are on a collision courseCredit: Getty
      History is set to be made, with all four heavyweight belts having never been on the line in the same fight.
      As negotiations rumble on behind the scenes, a petty war of words has already broken out between the two fighters.
      Usyk, 36, has been referring to Fury as “belly” – recently asking: “Where are you?”
      Fury quickly responded, saying: “Usyk, calling out the Gypsy King with your pathetic little callouts, dosser.
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      “Rabbit, I’m coming for you rabbit. You’re getting it rabbit. And I’ll tell you what else, I’m going to bust you up real bad you little middleweight.
      “I’m going to slap you into a big pile of tattoos, sucker.”
      In his latest taunt, Usyk shared a picture of himself swinging an AXE at a tree stump.
      The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champ labelled the stump with Fury’s twitter handle.
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      He added: “The rabbit is coming for you. Belly.”
      The fight is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia, with the Middle Eastern country set to offer a huge sum to host.
      But it could still be moved to London if the Saudis don’t stump up the asking price.
      Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum told BoxingScene: “Everybody agreed that if [Saudi Arabia’s] offer comes through and it’s real, that’s how we’ll go.
      “If not, we’ll do the fight at Wembley.”
      Usyk and Fury stared each other down in December at Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
      “The Cat” had been watching on as Fury eased past Derek Chisora in their trilogy bout.
      The belts are set to be unified later this yearCredit: Reuters More

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      Otto Wallin calls out Dillian Whyte to rearrange fight after 2021 cancelation and says winner should face Anthony Joshua

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      OTTO WALLIN wants to finally settle his score against Dillian Whyte – with the winner getting a shot at Anthony Joshua. The pair were set to fight in October 2021 with the victor challenging for Tyson Fury’s title.
      Otto Wallin wants to fight Dillian Whyte and earn a shot at Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
      Whyte faces off with Joshua at ringside after beating Jermaine Franklin last yearCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      But Whyte pulled out with a shoulder injury and refused to reschedule, instead waiting out to face Fury in a losing effort last April.
      Now with Whyte in need of an opponent to kickstart the new year, Wallin thinks the time is right to finish their business.
      He told SunSport: “I would love to fight Dillian.
      “I’m not impressed with him and I’m still upset with him from the last time we were going to fight. 
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      “I was ready for that fight, I was going to beat him and earn another shot at fighting Tyson Fury again only for him to pull out from an injury he never really proved. 
      “I would love to fight him and teach him a really good lesson in there.” 
      Whyte, 34, returned in November and narrowly beat Jermaine Franklin in a disputed decision.
      Joshua, 33, was ringside fuelling speculation of a rematch between the two old rivals.
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      But AJ is set for a comeback bout on his own in April, leaving Whyte with time to fill.
      And Wallin, 32, proposes he be the man to do so, with the winner earning a fight with Joshua later down the line.
      He said: “I think it definitely makes sense and the winner would fight Joshua. 
      “I’d beat Dillian, so that would throw off their plan to fight Joshua of course, but I’d love that and I think that would be great.
      “I would love to fight Dillian, I’m still not a big fan of him.” 
      Joshua is coming off consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, the most recent in Saudi Arabia in August.
      I would love to fight him and teach him a really good lesson in there.Otto Wallin on Dillian Whyte
      He has taken time out of the ring since but is primed to return on April 1 at the O2 Arena.
      Wallin was one of the names considered for AJ’s return, having previously boxed in the amateurs and later sparring each other.
      But Franklin – off the back of his controversial loss to Whyte – looks to be the frontrunner to get the fight.
      And Wallin reckons he is considered too much of a risk for Joshua, having left Fury needing over 40 stitches after their 2019 bout.
      He said: “In all honesty it might make sense for Joshua to come back against an orthodox fighter, somebody that’s not a huge threat to him. 
      “I would love to fight Joshua and I think I could give him a really good fight and beat him. 
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      “But I think that’s a couple reasons why he wouldn’t want to fight me right now.
      “I’m a southpaw, I’m a good fighter and I gave Fury a really good fight. I think I’m more than what Joshua needs right now.”
      Tyson Fury was left with 47 stitches against Otto Wallin More

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      Tyson Fury hugs wife Paris at airport as he returns from family holiday in Tenerife to prepare for Oleksandr Usyk fight

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      TYSON FURY has returned from a family holiday in Tenerife as he prepares to ramp up his training for the blockbuster bout with Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King, 34, has been enjoying some downtime in early 2023 as he jetted off to the Spanish island for some relaxation.
      Tyson Fury hugging wife Paris in the airportCredit: SWNS
      The pair have been together since they were teenagersCredit: SWNS
      Tyson and Paris have six children with one anotherCredit: SWNS
      Fury has returned to England and will now train for the Oleksandr Usyk fightCredit: SWNS
      Fury and Paris with their six childrenCredit: Instagram
      Fury, wife Paris and their six children, flew out for a two-week vacation at the start of January.
      But they are now back in the UK and the world heavyweight champion was snapped hugging Paris as they waited to collect their suitcases.
      Paris has six kids with Tyson – Venezuela, 13, Prince John James, nine, Prince Tyson II, four, Valencia, three, Prince Adonis Amaziah, two, and baby Athena.
      Athena was rushed straight to the ICU after her birth in August 2021.
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      The worried parents were by their daughter’s side around the clock as she was treated in intensive care.
      And to their delight, she was eventually discharged and able to return home.
      Fury’s eight-person family will now return to Morecambe as the boxer begins his latest training camp.
      He ended 2023 with a one-sided beatdown of Derek Chisora to defend his WBC title for a third time.
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      Now he is on a collision course with undefeated Ukrainian Usyk, 36, for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
      Fury’s promoter Frank Warren revealed earlier this week that the clash between the two unbeaten fighters is set to take place in early April.
      During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “We’re expecting a couple of offers this week, but none of them have come through and then Tyson has to make his decision.
      “I hope it’s going to happen at the end of March, early April, that’s where we’re looking at the moment.
      “So, fingers crossed we get it over the line for that date, but it will definitely, definitely happen.”
      Negotiations are understood to be at an advanced stage, with a site deal one of the few matters to be resolved.
      Warren said: “We’re very far down the road, but there are a couple of things we’ve got to work on.
      “We’re trying to get to a point where we can announce it fairly soon and we all think it’s going to happen.”
      Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, right, came face to face last monthCredit: Reuters More

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      Five boxing fights for Francis Ngannou after heavyweight star leaves UFC and eyes switch to the ring

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has paved the way for a move over to boxing after walking out on the UFC. Ngannou leaves while still the UFC heavyweight champion after failing to agree a new contract extension.
      Francis Ngannou has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      And the Cameroonian confirmed realising his long-standing dream of entering the boxing world is on the cards.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “I still want to achieve something in boxing and I want to stay in MMA as well.”
      So here, SunSport takes a look at five massive options awaiting Ngannou in the ring.
      Tyson Fury
      The obvious choice would be the No1 in the world, unbeaten WBC champ Fury, 34, who has called out Ngannou before.
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      They even faced off against each other in April 2022 at Wembley when the Gypsy King knocked out Dillian Whyte, 34.
      Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum has given the fight the green light before, making it an easy one to make on paper.
      Tyson Fury with Francis Ngannou at WembleyCredit: BT SPORTS
      Deontay Wilder
      Wilder, 37, is another option Ngannou has talked up in the past and it is a guaranteed blockbuster for fans.
      They are considered two of the biggest punchers in the world, making for an explosive prospect.
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      And Wilder even claimed Premier Boxing Champions boss Al Haymon had discussed the Ngannou fight with him behind the scenes.
      Anthony Joshua
      Joshua, 33, has also been named by Ngannou as a potential boxing opponent alongside Fury.
      He said: “Whatever it is, if it is with Tyson Fury, I will take it. I have no problem doing boxing with 4oz gloves, we will figure it out.
      “Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent.”
      Anthony Joshua has been called out by Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY
      Dillian Whyte
      Whyte in the summer of 2020 recorded an unaired virtual face-off interview with Ngannou and claimed to have got the better of him.
      Promoter Eddie Hearn proposed a two-fight deal, with a bout in boxing and MMA, with ex-kickboxer Whyte having fought in the cage before.
      The Professional Fighters League have also just launched a pay-per-view super-fight division on DAZN, the same app Hearn works with.
      Dillian Whyte has exchanged words with Francis Ngannou beforeCredit: PA
      Derek Chisora
      Chisora, 38, has teased a move to MMA before and recently called Ngannou out.
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      He said: “I’m trying to fight Ngannou. I want to do it in the UFC and boxing.”
      Chisora was beaten by Fury in ten rounds in December but has ruled out retirement.
      Tyson Fury beat Derek Chisora in DecemberCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk More

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      Jake Paul and Tommy Fury ‘enrol in anti-doping testing’ for February 25 fight with announcement to come THIS WEEK

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      JAKE PAUL and Tommy Fury have reportedly signed up to anti-doping tests ahead of their proposed fight. The celebrity boxing rivals are set to announce the latest rescheduling of their grudge match, slated for February 25 in Saudi Arabia.
      Jake Paul and Tommy Fury have reportedly signed up to VADA testingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul have once again signed to fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      According to journalist Ariel Helwani, both have agreed and signed to Voluntary Anti-Doping Association testing.
      It means VADA can visit the pair unannounced at any point in their training camps for drug tests.
      Having the testing agency involved was one of the demands Fury made in contract talks with Paul last year.
      It is now the third time they will attempt to settle their score in the ring.
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      Fury, 23, was forced to pull out in December 2021 due to a rib injury and then last August amid a US visa issue.
      The travel woe still persists today, which left the UK and Middle East as frontrunners to host the bitter bout.
      Paul, 26, even offered to travel to Manchester on February 18 and fight Fury on enemy territory.
      But a more lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia a week later was proposed and looks to have won the race.
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      Saudi boxing boss Prince Khaled added to further speculation as he posted a video with the tune, “signed, sealed, delivered.”
      Fury last boxed in Dubai in November in a last-minute exhibition against Rolly Lambert, 33.
      And Paul was a special guest commentator and slammed the six-round bout from ringside.
      Just a month prior, he had beaten UFC legend Anderson Silva, 46, to mark the biggest win in his 6-0 career.
      Both are in training for the fight, which is due to be announced and confirmed at the end of this week, ESPN say.
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are set to fight on February 25Credit: BT Sport More

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      Joe Joyce’s MUM sends warning to Tyson Fury and says unbeaten son is ‘coming to knock you off the throne’

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      JOE JOYCE’S mum has sent out a warning to Tyson Fury by saying: “He’s coming to knock you off the throne.” Joyce is the unbeaten mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO belt.
      Joe Joyce celebrates victory over Joseph ParkerCredit: PA
      Joe Joyce’s mother Marvel Opara pictured in 2020Credit: Rex
      Tyson Fury is in talks to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
      But Usyk, 36, is set to face Fury, 34, in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed title decider.
      It leaves Joyce, 37, primed to challenge the winner of the historic unification.
      Fury named his former sparring partner as a part of his three-fight plan in 2023.
      But Joyce’s mum Marvel has warned the Gypsy King to be careful what he wishes for.
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      She told The Mirror: “He’s going to juggernaut Fury.
      “He’s coming to knock you off the throne. The Juggernaut is coming to get you.”
      Marvel, who has been blind since childhood, has trained in martial arts and provides Joyce with his biggest motivation.
      He said: “I get my drive to succeed from her.
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      “I’ve always been inspired by her determination – she doesn’t let anything get in the way of what she wants to do.”
      Joyce won the WBO “interim” title in September by knocking out former champion Joseph Parker, 31, in 11 thrilling rounds.
      It means he would inherit the full title should it be vacated or at a minimum guarantees him a shot at the gold.
      And promoter Frank Warren has tipped a championship bout between Fury and Joyce to sell out Wembley’s 90,000-plus stadium.
      Warren said: “Fury v Joyce is a fight everyone wants to see.
      “It’ll sell out Wembley Stadium. With all things going to plan, I’d hope to see that fight this summer.”
      Joe Joyce and Tyson Fury have sparred each other before More