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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

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      Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith: Boxer Liam Williams breaks down fight and reveals prediction after facing BOTH rivals

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR and Liam Smith settle their score in the ring on the weekend – and the fight has divided opinions. Eubank’s speed, engine and ruthlessness have some predicting he will be simply too much for his British rival.
      Liam Smith fighting Liam Williams in 2017Credit: Reuters
      Liam Williams was beaten by Chris Eubank Jr in 2022Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But Smith’s fundamentals, boxing IQ and experience has other suggesting he will be too wise.
      One man in the perfect position to predict the bout is Liam Williams, having shared the ring with BOTH.
      He was twice beaten by Smith, 34, in 2017 and in February 2022 was dropped four times in a points loss to Eubank, 33.
      Asked by Sky Sports who hits harder, Williams, 30, said: “Eubank.”
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      But on ring intelligence, he answered: “Smith. I just think it’s a case of Liam Smith has had a good amateur background.
      “He’s well-schooled, he’s got good defence, good head movement, footwork. He’s just got all the basics down.
      “You don’t always need to be fancy and do anything dazzling to be an effective fighter.”
      Williams said Eubank is the more confident when facing off, but reckons Smith has better defence.
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      He revealed: “Smith. Liam Smith is probably the easier to hit but you’d never catch him clean, it would always be gloves and arms, shoulders.
      “I think Eubank had a better defence in a different way, it was because of his feet, he was moving in and out of range and that’s obviously why I couldn’t pin him down.
      “But Smith purely defensively as you would know it, arm up, tight guard, he’s better in that sense.”
      Most importantly, Williams backed Smith to come out victorious in the Sky Box Office bout in Manchester.
      He said: “I think Smith is going to win. I think it’s going to be a great fight nevertheless but I think it’s a Smith points win for me.”
      Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith ahead of their fightCredit: PA More

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      Anthony Joshua called out by Jarrell Miller as shamed heavyweight offers to take ‘short money’ to finally fight rival

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      JARREL MILLER is willing to take “short money” in order to finally fight Anthony Joshua. The American infamously blew the chance of challenging AJ for the heavyweight titles in 2019 after failing a series of doping tests.
      Anthony Joshua and Jarrell Miller pictured in 2019Credit: Getty
      And Miller was further disgraced after another drugs bust a year later and faced FOUR YEARS out of the ring.
      Now back in the boxing business as a villain, the unbeaten heavyweight is not giving up on his pursuit of AJ.
      Miller’s promoter Dmitriy Salita told The Express: “I received a phone call from Jarrell Miller last week, he said ‘Dmitriy I’ll take short money, tell Joshua I want to fight, and I’ll take short money.’
      “So, if Jarrell can work his way back up to that level, I believe it will be interesting to see him in those elite fights as well.”
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      Miller, 34, blamed his failed test before fighting Joshua, 33, on a tainted supplement and stem cell shots in his elbow.
      He then received a contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank stable but again tested positive for a banned substance.
      This time the ex-kickboxer put it down to a SEX PILL and was handed a two-year suspension.
      Miller enrolled in VADA testing in December 2020 and has returned clean drug tests since, which saw his licence in Las Vegas reinstated.
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      The New Yorker won two comeback fights last year, on points against Ariel Esteban Bracamonte and a stoppage over Derek Cardenas.
      And although Eddie Hearn has voiced concern over working with Miller again, Salita is hoping the door can be opened.
      He said: “As it stands now, I don’t think Matchroom is too keen to work with Jarrell but if Jarrell stays clean, keeps getting tested, and keeps winning then things can change.”
      Jarrell Miller wants to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: @bigbabymiller More

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      Tyson Fury will ‘STRUGGLE’ against Oleksandr Usyk if he fights a certain way, warns ex-coach Ben Davison

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      TYSON FURY has been warned by his ex-coach Ben Davison he will “STRUGGLE” against Oleksandr Usyk should he fight a certain way. The pair of unbeaten rivals are in talks for a historic undisputed title decider this year, which is set to be pushed back to April.
      Trainer Ben Davison with Tyson Fury in 2018Credit: Action Images – Reuters
      Oleksandr Usyk is in talks to fight FuryCredit: Instagram / @uskyaa
      Fury, 34, is the odds-on favourite to emerge as the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion.
      But his old trainer Davison believes the longer the fight goes, the more it favours ex-cruiserweight king Usyk, 36.
      He told Queensberry’s YouTube channel: “Personally, I think he will struggle if he tries to play the long game with Usyk.
      “I think a massive strength of Tyson’s is his agility for a guy of that size, so when he’s against guys of that size it really shows out.
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      “However, against someone like Usyk those advantages will get taken away. Someone one-dimensional will struggle.
      “Tyson is very versatile, very good at locking up, stepping to someone, he’s able to do that.
      “He’s got a great engine, he’s got bundles of heart, extremely tough and does tuck up well. Good on the inside for a man of that size which is very rare.
      “Can cut the ring off, so me personally, I think that’s how the fight will go for a Tyson victory.
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      “I think he’ll struggle if he looks to play the long game with Usyk, in my opinion.”
      Davison helped bring Fury back from 28 STONE and a deep depression all the way to challenging for the world title again.
      But following a disputed 2018 draw with Deontay Wilder, Fury instead hired American Sugarhill Steward.
      With Steward, he has twice stopped Wilder, knocked out Dillian Whyte and halted Derek Chisora in ten rounds.
      Usyk, off the back of two wins over Anthony Joshua, watched Fury dispatch of Chisora at Tottenham and the pair faced off after.
      Talks for the two two unify their belts have been ongoing ever since and promoter Frank Warren provided an update.
      He said on talkSPORT: “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.”
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      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk squaring up in DecemberCredit: REUTERS More

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      Anthony Joshua told to ‘give fans what they want’ by likely opponent as talks over crucial April showdown continue

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      JERMAINE FRANKLIN has urged Anthony Joshua to “give fans what they want” and sign on the dotted line.The American is the front-runner to be the man opposite the former two-time unified heavyweight champion in his crucial April comeback fight.
      Anthony Joshua is on course to return to the ring in AprilCredit: GETTY
      Several names are in the running to face AJ in his crunch return boutCredit: GETTY
      American Jermaine Franklin has publicly laid down the gauntlet to AJCredit: GETTY
      SunSport understands talks are progressing well but a deal has not yet been reached, which has prompted Franklin to take to social media to try get the fight over the line.
      Along with a twinned picture of himself and AJ, the 29-year-old tweeted: “I’m ready.
      “Time to give the fans what they want.
      “Two great boxers who want to put the fans’ interest first, USA vs UK.”
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      An official offer has yet to be tabled to Franklin, although that hasn’t dampened his excitement at potentially facing the golden boy of British boxing.
      Promoter Dmirty Salita told Sky Sports: “Yes, Jermaine is excited about the opportunity to once again show the British boxing fans that he is the best American heavyweight in the world.
      “As you saw in the [Dillian] Whyte fight, Jermaine is not intimidated by a big name even if it’s thousands of miles away from home.
      “His mindset is to be the heavyweight champion of the world. Beat Joshua, beat Whyte in the rematch and fight the winner of Fury vs Usyk.”
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      Franklin suffered a controversial points defeat to Brixton Body Snatcher Whyte last November.
      Joshua, meanwhile, endured a second successive decision defeat to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk last August.
      Defeat to the Ukrainian has put AJ on the periphery of the world title picture, so much so he can ill-afford another loss.
      Promoter Eddie Hearn recently admitted: “You go into that fight in April and you know that defeat, it’s all over, really.
      “It would be a third back-to-back defeat and yet a great performance and a showroom knockout will get everyone saying, ‘We’re back, baby.’
      “That’s what I can’t wait for because I love it when our backs are against the wall.
      “I’m excited. I’m really excited. This is the most excited I’ve been in Joshua’s journey so far.” More

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      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk moved back as Frank Warren reveals new fight date target for blockbuster undisputed bout

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      TYSON FURY’s historic showdown with Oleksandr Usyk is set to take place later than initially expected.Talks over a blockbuster undisputed clash between the undefeated heavyweights resumed after Fury’s lopsided beatdown of Derek Chisora last December.
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are on course for a blockbuster undisputed boutCredit: REUTERS
      The mega-fight was initially targeted for March 4Credit: GETTY
      But promoter Frank Warren has revealed the bout will likely happen in early AprilCredit: PA
      March 4 was the initial working date, but Fury co-promoter Frank Warren has revealed a delay in finalising the deal has paved the way for an “early April” dust-up instead.
      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.”
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      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.”
      Despite the delay, Warren insists Usyk and his team have been easy to work with.
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      He said: “They have no promotional ties, they are free agents, they have no TV contracts, so that side of it is very simple.
      The first undisputed heavyweight title fight in nearly 24 years is expected to land in the Middle East, although Warren has refused to rule out the prospect of it taking place at Wembley.
      He said: “Tyson’s the attraction.
      “In his last two fights, he’s had 160,000 people watching.
      “But we’re working it out and they’re sensible people and we’re sensible people.”
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have been going back and forth on social mediaCredit: Reuters
      WBC king Fury has been on the receiving end of multiple call outs from slick southpaw Usyk of late, which he responded to on Tuesday.
      In a video on his social media channels, he said: “Tyson Fury here.
      “WBC heavyweight number one – get up world champion!
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      “Usyk, calling out the Gypsy King with your pathetic little callouts, dosser.
      “Rabbit. I’m coming for you, rabbit. You’re getting it, rabbit.” More