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      Floyd Mayweather vs Aaron Chalmers tale of the tape: How boxing legend and Geordie Star icon compare ahead of fight

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has named Aaron Chalmers as the shock opponent for his next boxing exhibition. The American legend is set to make his UK fight debut on February 25 at the O2 Arena.

      It will be Mayweather’s sixth exhibition bout since officially retiring in 2017, after beating UFC star Conor McGregor, 34.
      For Chalmers, 35, it is only his second bout in the ring having switched codes from MMA last year.
      With British fans braced to welcome Mayweather across the pond, here SunSport breaks down the bout.
      Mayweather beat a who’s who in his 50-0 unbeaten career, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao.
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      And he closed his glittering career with one last money grab in a crossover extravaganza against McGregor.
      But it proved not to be the last time fans would see Mayweather pick up quick and easy cash in the ring.
      He returned in 2018 to knock out featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, in the first round of their exhibition.
      In the years to follow, he faced YouTuber Logan Paul, 27, ex-sparring partner Don Moore and MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, 30.
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      And his most recent cameo was in November, stopping social media sensation Deji, 25, brother to the famous KSI, 29.
      Mayweather first announced that he would fight in London against Muay Thai veteran Liam Harrison, 37.
      But Harrison was forced to deny he had signed just hours later and withdrew amid a series of injuries.
      So Chalmers got the shock replacement call and within a couple of days, a deal was agreed.
      The reality TV favourite shot to fame in MTV’s hit series Geordie Shore.
      But in 2017, he turned to professional MMA and went on to amass a 5-2 record with five stoppages.
      After seven bouts, Chalmers crossed over to boxing and last June made a successful debut over four rounds against Alexander Zeledon.
      Different face, different name, same results. Floyd Mayweather on fighting Aaron Chalmers
      But he faces possibly the greatest test in boxing history by agreeing to fight Mayweather, even if the icon turns 46 by the time of the bout.
      In terms of record, obviously the two do not compare.
      But physically, at 6ft, Chalmers has height and length over 5ft 8in Mayweather, who has a reach of 72 inches.
      He also takes a slight weight advantage over Mayweather, who weighed 11st dead for his exhibition with Deji.
      Chalmers was 11st 5lb for his boxing debut, although it is not clear what weight he can be next month.
      In terms of power, the Newcastle supporter had two KOs in the cage, compared to Mayweather’s 27 in the ring.
      It remains to be seen how the fight will play out, but Mayweather warned: “Different face, different name, same results.
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      “London we are still rocking and rolling on Feb. 25th at the O2 Arena. Tickets will be on sale soon. Stay tuned!!
      “This will be my first time showcasing my talent live on Feb. 25th. I want the whole UK at the O2 Arena.”
      Aaron Chalmers is 1-0 as a boxer
      Floyd Mayweather beat YouTuber Deji in his last exhibitionCredit: Lee Hamilton-Cooper More

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      Deontay Wilder broke down in tears over failed Anthony Joshua fight but is in talks to finally face Brit

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      DEONTAY WILDER was left in tears after talks to face Anthony Joshua broke down – but the door is still open to finally make the fight happen. The pair of heavyweight stars were in 2019 close to agreeing a deal for a historic four-belt heavyweight unification bout.
      Deontay Wilder was left in tears after talks to face Anthony Joshua broke downCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua could still fight Deontay Wilder in 2023Credit: Getty
      Wilder’s team say they matched AJ’s demand of a $50million purse, though promoter Eddie Hearn questioned the legitimacy of the offer.
      And when negotiations finally came to a heartbreaking collapse, a distraught Wilder sobbed as his dream-fight fell through.
      His manager Shelly Finkel told SunSport: “I was on the phone with Deontay when it came that they weren’t going to fight us.
      “He cried he was so upset. I bet you Joshua didn’t and if he did, it was from relief.
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      “Deontay was on the phone and he went, ‘Oh no, I gave him everything he wanted.’
      “Joshua said, ‘If I get $50milion I’ll fight.’ We offered him $50million for Las Vegas, he didn’t take it.
      “He didn’t want to fight us, and you know, that’s his prerogative. But he can’t tell the public that he doesn’t want to fight Deontay.”
      Wilder, 37, would go on to complete an epic trilogy of bouts with Tyson Fury, 34, losing the two rematches after they first drew in 2018.
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      Meanwhile Joshua, 33, lost the WBA, IBF and WBO belts to Andy Ruiz Jr, 33, in June 2019 but won the sequel six months later.
      He again suffered defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, 36, in September 2021 – although this time failing in his revenge mission a year later.
      With Fury and Usyk set for in an undisputed title decider next, it leaves Joshua and Wilder free to at last settle the score in the ring.
      And Finkel is happy to let AJ have up to two confidence-building comeback bouts – so long as they can lock in an agreement to fight at the end of 2023.
      He said: “We could make it for the summer, as long as neither fighter loses or is injured, the fight can happen. Period.
      “But somehow – and you can mark it down – Anthony Joshua will try wiggle into a fight in the summer with Dillian Whyte.
      “I’d even go as far to say, lock in now November or December for Deontay and Joshua.”

      Finkel and Hearn have suffered a fractured relationship over the years.
      But they came together over the phone in December to hold talks for a fight between their star clients.
      Finkel says Hearn proposed Whyte fight Wilder first, something they were not interested in.
      But suddenly, in an interview with GQ, Joshua claimed he will “definitely” fight Wilder this year.
      Finkel revealed: “Deontay calls me and says, ‘Did you read that?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He then says, ‘I don’t believe him.’ So right now, Deontay is right.”
      Joshua is in line to return on April 1 against Jermaine Franklin, 29, who in November lost a disputed decision to Whyte, 34.
      And Hearn has talked up a super-fight for AJ against either Wilder or Fury later in the year.
      He cried he was so upset. I bet you Joshua didn’t and if he did, it was from relief. Deontay Wilder’s manager on Anthony Joshua fight collapse
      But there are still fears from Wilder’s side on whether Joshua truly wants the bout or not.
      Finkel said: “They want to take an easy fight just to get back in the ring and I don’t blame them.
      “He then wants to fight Dillian Whyte and then they say they’ll either fight Fury or us.
      “I didn’t think so before as much, but I do think Joshua is concerned, I don’t want to say afraid, of fighting Deontay Wilder.
      “There’s no other explanation for his actions. And if he fights Fury, he’s not going to crush you like he would with a big punch from Deontay.”
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      Finkel, despite half a decade of failed talks with Joshua’s team, is refusing to give up hope in the heavyweight blockbuster.
      He said: “If they wanna take two fights, April and then June or July, with Dillian Whyte, as long as you win you can have Deontay after.”
      Anthony Joshua with Deontay Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Floyd Mayweather was set to fight YouTuber AnEsonGib in London before boxing legend ‘got greedy’ as talks broke down

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER was allegedly set to fight YouTuber AnEsonGib next month before his “greed” scuppered the deal.The unbeaten American boxing legend, 45, was already set to show off his skills in the UK next month.
      AnEsonGib was allegedly due to face Floyd Mayweather in the UKCredit: Instagram @anesongib
      ‘Greedy’ Floyd Mayweather Jr. (C) scuppered the fight with his demandsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But his original bout against Liam Harrison was KO’d on Friday after the Brit suffered a knee injury.
      Now Mayweather has announced he will fight Geordie Shore’s MMA star Aaron Chalmers at the O2 Arena instead.
      However, YouTuber turned boxer AnEsonGib, who has a pro record of 1-1, was set to be his opponent.
      That’s according to the Brit’s promoter Liam Chivers, who told Fred Talks Fighting: “We managed to get the venue and a couple of date options ready for them. I agreed Gib’s deal with the investors separately. 
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      “One of the big things in this business, believe it or not, people think TMT scam people, they didn’t pay Logan Paul… I know Logan didn’t have a purse but there may have been backend PPV that I don’t know about of which they may have just not paid him that I don’t know about as the costs off-set it.
      “But I’m not going to take that risk with Gib, contracting with TMT and have them collect all the revenue from the seats and PPV and then hope we get our bit for Gib later. So it had to be through a third party with guarantees.
      “We did all that hard work and we made that fight, Floyd approved Gib. We agreed verbally with Floyd and his team to fight Gib on that February 25 card and it was all set.”
      Chivers then added: “Then Floyd got greedy. Floyd wanted too much up-front, there was a lot of risk up-front, and the discussions just dragged.
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      “We were ready to sign this before Christmas but every day this goes on you just think the chances of it happening just go down and down. 
      “So, of course, he’s not going to pay for his team to assemble and Abdul to start his camp and come here to train.
      “Then it came to the New Year and we heard from the investors that they had just completely gone cold on the idea.
      “The time is too short now as we’d like to have built it up for at least a couple of months, make it big and allow Gib to do all of this promotional content that we have sold to them that he would do and they just weren’t getting on quick enough with Floyd.
      “It came to the point where two weeks ago was our deadline, so we said that’s our cut-off, we are out.
      “The investors were out and TMT said they would run it, so obviously they’re just going to take the pot of money and then you’d be re-negotiating with them for a much lower amount for Gib.
      “We’ll try and keep in touch with the Mayweathers and something may happen in the future but the long and short of it is we didn’t like the financial structure of being contracted to TMT instead of the investors and having no control over anything.”
      The legend will now fight Aaron Chalmers at The O2Credit: Instagram More

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      Ricky Hatton undergoes serious operation on hand after contracting rare disease that forced him to stop training

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      RICKY HATTON has undergone a serious operation on his hand after the British boxing legend contracted a rare disease. Hatton, who has been away in Thailand, posted a picture of his right hand all stitched up and covered in cuts and bruises.
      Ricky Hatton underwent a serious operation on his handCredit: Instagram / @rickyhatton
      Ricky Hatton suffered from Dupuytren’s diseaseCredit: Instagram / @rickyhatton
      And the two-weight world champion has revealed the gruesome result of his surgery having suffered from Dupuytren’s disease. 
      Hatton, 44, posted: “Had a great time away but can’t wait to get back in the gym with me boxers.
      “Had a serious operation when I got Dupuytrens disease. I’ve not been able to punch or do pads for about 3 months.
      “At least my boxers all had finished their fights for the year before I had the operation.
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      “Having said that it’s been a frustrating & worrying time for me as you can see from my first photo.
      “The amount of work it is in such a small & complicated area in your hand & around your fingers.
      “But ready to start back now which has been a relief. Baby steps though.”
      Dupuytren contracture is described as “a painless condition that causes one or more fingers to bend toward the palm of the hand.”
      Most read in BoxingWhat is Dupuytren’s disease? Dupuytren’s disease is a fairly common condition.

      It tends to affect more men than women, and often occurs in later life.
      It can affect up to 20% of men above 60, and 20% of women who are over 80 years old.
      Not every patient develops a contracture and needs treatment, the disease can become dormant at any stage.

      The affected fingers are not able to straighten completely and form knots of tissue under the skin.
      They eventually create a thick cord that pulls the fingers into a bent position.
      The disease is not that rare in itself – but is uncommon for someone of Hatton’s age
      Hatton began training boxers in his Manchester gym after retiring professionally in 2012.
      But last November he made a shock comeback to face Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera, 49, in an exhibition bout in Manchester.
      Hatton has opened the door to another spectacle fight for fun and even called out Floyd Mayweather, 45, to a rematch following his 2007 loss.
      Marco Antonio Barrera and Ricky Hatton before their exhibitionCredit: PA More

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      Tyson Fury set to open talks with Saudis over deal to fight Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh in unification world title bout

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      TYSON FURY is set to open talks with the Saudis to finalise his historic undisputed title fight with Oleksandr Usyk. The pair of unbeaten champions are negotiating the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout.
      Tyson Fury is in talks to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
      And due to the magnitude of the title fight, the Middle East are frontrunners to host with a mega fee to prise both men over to the desert.
      Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum says Usyk’s side have already agreed a financial package they are happy with.
      And now it could be over to the Gypsy King to do the same in order to get the genuine super-fight over the line.
      Arum told Gareth A Davies: “I think the fighters want to fight each other, the question is where and the question is under what terms.
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      “If the fight ends up in Saudi Arabia each fighter will make his deal with the Saudis.
      “Usyk’s people tell me that they have a deal that they’re satisfied with and now and if the Saudis are truly interested they’ll make a deal with us for Tyson Fury and we’re off to the races.
      “The fight would take place either before or after Ramadan but the fighters don’t need a long window to prepare if it’s after Ramadan because neither are Muslim.”
      It is claimed April 29 is a date being explored for the fight, which will likely land in Saudi Arabia or Wembley Stadium.
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      Hall of Famer Arum is in town this week as his fighter Artur Beterbiev, 38, defends his unified light-heavyweight titles against Anthony Yarde, 31.
      And he plans for further talks with Fury’s UK promotional team of Frank Warren and son George.
      Arum said: “I’m going over to London next week for the Artur Beterbiev – Anthony Yarde world title fight so I’ll be liaising in person with Frank and George and we’ll make whatever alternate arrangements we have to.”
      Oleksandr Usyk, Bob Arum and Tyson Fury in New York in 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Floyd Mayweather announces fight against Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers in shock event at O2 Arena

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has announced he will fight Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers at the O2 Arena in February.The unbeaten American boxing legend was already set to show off his skills in the UK next month.
      Floyd Mayweather will fight Aaron Chalmers at the O2 Arena in FebruaryCredit: https://www.instagram.com/floydmayweather/?hl=en
      But his original bout against Liam Harrison was KO’d on Friday after the Brit suffered a knee injury.
      It saw Mayweather scour the sparring world for a new opponent.
      And he has now revealed he will be taking on reality TV star-turned-MMA fighter Chalmers at the O2.
      Alongside a poster of the event, Mayweather wrote on social media: “London. This will be my first time showcasing my talent live on Feb. 25th. I want the whole UK at the O2 Arena.”
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      A second message added: “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!!”
      Mayweather, 45, retired with a perfect 50-0 professional record following his win over Conor McGregor in 2017.
      But he is no stranger to exhibition fights since then, battling the likes of YouTuber-turned-WWE star Logan Paul and kickboxing legend Tenshin Nasukawa.
      Mayweather’s latest win came against KSI’s brother Deji in November.
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      Mayweather has had several exhibition bouts, including one against Logan PaulCredit: AP
      Chalmers last fought in MMA two years agoCredit: Sportsfile
      But he arguably faces his toughest exhibition yet in Chalmers.
      The 35-year-old made his name as a party-loving member of the Geordie Shore cast.
      However, Chalmers made his way into MMA with BAMMA in 2017 before becoming a Bellator star.
      Chalmers won five of his seven pro bouts before retiring in 2021 after losing to Austin Clem.
      But he’s now ready to step into the world of boxing with a baptism of fire against Mayweather, one of the sport’s greatest ever. More

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      Conor Benn could fight Manny Pacquiao in stunning comeback after failed drug tests and cancelled Chris Eubank Jr bout

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      CONOR BENN could make his boxing return in an Abu Dhabi spectacular against ring legend Manny Pacquiao.The 26-year-old welterweight had his October catchweight clash at the O2 with Chris Eubank Jr cancelled by the British Boxing Board of Control after traces of the banned substance clomifene was found in two of his VADA samples.
      Conor Benn could make his return to the ring after his fight with Chris Eubank Jr was cancelledCredit: Getty
      The fight with Eubank Jr was cancelled after traces of the banned substance clomifene were found in two of his drug testsCredit: Reuters
      Benn could fight iconic Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao next insteadCredit: AFP
      The son of British legend Nigel insists he is close to clearing his name with the WBC – who decided against taking any action against the July and September red flags.
      But he has ripped up his BBBofC licence –  after passing two UKAD tests in the build-up and being stunned that the Board chose to overlook their results and investigate those from an agency they do not usually recognise – so is set to fight abroad.
      Eubank Jr appeared to rush into Saturday night’s high-risk-low-reward middleweight war with Liam Smith, assuming the Benn fight would always be there, whatever the result.
      But the violent fourth-round stoppage Smith inflicted on Eubank Jr – and a mega-money offer from the Middle East – could offer Benn a very different route back into the sport, against the 44-year-old former eight-weight champion.
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      Iconic Filipino PacMan put his political career on hold and followed old rival Floyd Mayweather onto the exhibition circuit in December, with an unlicensed six-rounder in South Korea against celebrity boxing debutant DK Yoo.
      The magnificent southpaw has 72 real fights on his record and world titles from flyweight up to super-welterweight.
      And he still took younger and bigger welterweight Yordenis Ugas the distance when they met in Pacquiao’s last serious bout, in an August 2021 world title clash he lost on points.
      By contrast, Benn is just 21-0, 18 years younger and yet to win a domestic or world title.
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      But Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn announced a mega-money partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism last year.
      And he is eager to host major crossover events that appeal to different generations as well as demographics.
      SunSport understands Benn remains very open to the Eubank Jr clash taking place.
      But he believes his potential exoneration with the WBC – and Eubank Jr’s need to rebuild – puts him back in a position of power way above his rival.
      In the build-up to the Smith defeat – that left Jr with what looked like a broken cheekbone – Eubank insisted the Benn battle would be rearranged but the weight category and purse percentages swapping into his favour.
      But Benn, who has had almost four months to explore alternative career plans while fighting his case, has never been under a ban and now feels like he has bigger and better options to return with.
      Hearn, who shows his fights on the streaming app DAZN, said: “ We’re waiting on a decision from the WBC.  
      “The WBC confirmed that Conor Benn is cleared to fight. There’s still an ongoing process with the WBC. We just want that decision because Conor Benn can fight now.
      Eddie Hearn has said that Benn is able to fightCredit: Getty
      “He’s going to fight soon but publicly, we want him to be cleared. 
      “We don’t want this to be hanging over him but also his career has to resume at some point. 
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      “So, we’re looking at opponents for Conor Benn for late Spring and he still wants that Eubank fight, Manny Pacquiao.
      “Hopefully, we’ll get that decision soon, but he’s confirmed that he’s cleared to fight. We’d like that public announcement regarding the findings.” More

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      Anthony Joshua agrees to fight American Jermaine Franklin at O2 on April 1 in huge make-or-break comeback fight

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA will return to the ring against American Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena on April 1.The two-time world heavyweight champion, 33, has not fought since losing to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in Saudi Arabia five months ago.
      Anthony Joshua has not won since beating Kubrat Pulev in December 2020Credit: AFP
      Jermaine Franklin, right, lost a close decision to Dillian Whyte in NovemberCredit: Getty
      The defeat was AJ’s third as a professional following his knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 and schooling by Usyk in 2021.
      The 2012 Olympic gold medallist was then linked with a December clash against long-time British rival Tyson Fury.

      But when talks broke down, it quickly became apparent Joshua would not return to the ring until 2023.
      Now The Mail are claiming the paperwork for an AJ-Franklin clash is set to be signed on Monday afternoon.
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      The financials for the fight have been agreed, with the deal expected to be finalised imminently.
      It will see Joshua return to the O2 Arena for the first time since he beat Dominic Breazeale in June 2016.
      And he will be looking to secure a first win in more than two years when he faces Franklin in a make-or-break heavyweight dust-up.
      Franklin, 29, saw his unbeaten pro record end with a majority decision defeat to Dillian Whyte back in November.
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      The Michigan-born boxer felt he did enough to win the fight – with one judge scoring it 115-115 – but the other two officials gave it 116-112 in Whyte’s favour,
      Despite the loss, Franklin’s promoter, Dmitry Salita, has insisted his man would beat Joshua.
      He said: “Joshua, coming off two losses, changing trainers, is vulnerable.
      ‘Let’s be honest. Jermaine realises it. He feels like he has his own future and path.
      “He’s ready to go out there and score the upset. Some feel like it could be an upset, and some don’t. But Jermaine’s going out there looking to score the win. 
      “After, he wants the rematch with Dillian Whyte, and then he wants to fight the winner of [Tyson] Fury vs. Usyk.”
      A loss for Joshua against Franklin could end his hopes of becoming a three-time heavyweight champion.
      It will be AJ’s first non-world title bout since 2015 when he knocked out Whyte to win the British crown. More