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      Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler LIVE RESULTS: Monster STOPS Brit in 11th round to become undisputed bantamweight champion

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      NAOYA INOUE stopped Brit Paul Butler in the 11th round of their undisputed bantamweight title fight. Butler covered up for much of the fight and looked to be heading for a points loss before an Inoue onslaught ended things in the penultimate round of the fight.

      UK TV channel: Not televised in UK
      US TV channel: ESPN+

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      Extra time joy
      He added: “Thanks to Butler for coming to Japan, I could not have done this without him and I commend him.
      “I anticipated a longer bout and I was able to show you more, so I am happy.
      “I am satisfied with boxing longer than usual today.”
      King’s speech
      With an eye on moving up a fourth weight, Inoue says: “I finally became undisputed bantamweight champion, thank you very much.
      “This has been a long journey for me but this is the final chapter at bantamweight and I have made it.
      “Now I consider to change my division.”
      11 heaven
      Inoue showing once again why he is a pound-for-pound superstar.
      Barely absorbed a blow in almost 11 rounds, yet landed dozens, to become undisputed bantamweight king.
      Watch out super-bantams, this Monster is coming.
      Inoue way out
      Paul Butler worked so hard but could not go the distance.
      He had all of his oxygen robbed away by a right hand.
      When he backed onto the ropes to regain his breath, Inoue pounced and unloaded until Butler had nowhere to go but down.
      Inoue wins KO – R11
      Rapid attacks from Inoue as soon as the round starts, three to the head and a whipped hook to the body.
      Then Inoue leaps in and ruins Butler’s resolves with brutal body and head blows until he collapses.
      Inoue vs Butler – R10
      Butler has showed tremendous courage and resilience.
      Inoue has thoroughly abused his ribs with hooks and he is still about to bounce and move around the ring.
      Such a disciplined performance from Butler. A hard gameplan to stick to, especially under constant fire.
      Inoue vs Butler – R10
      The commentators are slamming Butler’s negative performance but he is doing his best.
      Going toe-to-toe with Inoue gets you beat-up and beaten.
      Butler tries an uppercut but is punished with a right hand.
      Inoue vs Butler – R9
      Butler throwing shots toward the back of this stanza after a slow start.
      Inoue has slapped marks into the Englishman’s face in this round.
      One right hand went right down the pipe but still didnt wobble the 1-100 underdog.
      Inoue vs Butler – R9
      Butler bleeding from his right nostril but that’s his only sign of damage after eight one-sided rounds.
      No antics from Inoue this round, straight violence.
      Butler almost running around the edge of the ring now.
      Inoue vs Butler – R8
      Most proactive round from Butler, combinations thrown and shots landed.
      Inoue sticks his hands behind his back like Roy Jones, chin the sky begging to be hit.
      But still Butler cannot land and the pair reset.
      Inoue vs Butler – R7
      Inoue retreats to the ropes voluntarily and pleads with Butler to engage in a fight.
      Butler is frustrating Inoue but not scoring with the judges.
      Inoue does an Ali-shuffle but it’s wasted in such a one-sided bout.
      Inoue vs Butler – R7
      Inoue so eager to catch Butler with a counter that he’s standing in range with his hands down by his waist.
      Butler still hesitates to throw and when he does it’s with little conviction.
      Inoue is happy to take a couple of jabs – with no guard up – if it creates an opening for him.
      Inoue vs Butler – R6
      Butler’s tough torso appears able to absorb these Inoue digs.
      Inoue drops his hands and showboats, teasing Butler to launch an attack.
      Another round for the Japanese Monster.
      Inoue vs Butler – R6
      A right hook sneaks around Butler’s guard and clips his ear.
      A left hook double fromn Butler scores, head and body of Inoue tagged but not hurt.
      Butler still so brave.
      Inoue vs Butler – R5
      Butler still bravely jabbing at Inoue, the Englishman tries and uppercut-hook combination too.
      Inoue, in his yellow-tassled boots, is biding his time and waiting for a counter oppotunity.
      We are 30 seconds away from Butler winning his first round and then Inoue pins him to the ropes and peppers him again, so it probably slips away.
      Inoue vs Butler – R4
      Butler gets bullied back into that same neutral corner again and ships a dozen shots.
      Inoue is going through the arsenal, a hat-trick of lead uppercuts from the Japan star whip into Butler’s guard.
      Another round to Inoue, whitewash so far. 4-0.
      Inoue vs Butler – R4
      Inoue so relaxed he swings his open arms across his body a couple of times, as part of his warm-up, in round four.
      Butler coach Joe Gallagher to show some “SWAGGER”
      Not sure how that will help as he gets peppered with violent shots from a mini-Mike Tyson.
      Inoue vs Butler – R3
      Butler fires off a combination, hooks and right hands to Inoue’s head and body.
      Bold attack from the huge underdog but Inoue not hurt.
      Butler slips an Inoue right hand and lands his own lead left-hook.
      Inoue fires off a volley and a couple land on Butler’s gloves just after the bell.
      Inoue vs Butler – R3
      Inoue backs Butler into a nutral corner and unloads.
      The Cheshire man covers up and blocks and parries well.
      Inoue goes to head and body, the leather on skin sound is sickening.
      But Butler soaks it up and slips out of the corner.
      Inoue vs Butler – R2
      Butler throws a right hand but Inoue counters with a little left hook.
      Inoue ends the session cracking two trademark left hooks into Butler’s right flank.
      But the Brit has ribs of steele and survives another session.
      Inoue vs Butler – R2
      Right to the head, left to the body from Inoue. Technically superby but Butler blocks.
      But Inoue is ruthless and fires off five more rasoing shots.
      Everything Inoue throws is a potential KO, nothing is wasted.
      Inoue vs Butler – R2
      Butler’s defence is watertight but even taking Inoue shots on the gloves and arms will be painful.
      Inoue arrows a right to the Butler ribs again.
      Butler tries a double-jab that Inoue doesn’t counter.
      Inoue vs Butler – R1
      Another one-two from Inoue blocked.
      Solide defence from the brave Brit.
      Inoue attacks the body but Butler’s ribs stand up to the early test.
      Round 1 to Inoue.
      Inoue vs Butler – R1
      Butler jabs and bounces. Inoue stalks.
      Inoue leaps in with a left hook that is blocked.
      Violent two-punch attack from Inoue but Butler catches both shots on his high guard.
      Anthem time
      Not a single boo or jeer from the hyper-polite Japanese crowd.
      Utterly stinks when Brit fans boo a visiting anthem and it happens regularly these days.
      The arena is almost totally silent – a totally differnt vibe to UK shows.
      Sweet Caroline a very distant memory – thank Christ.
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      Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler LIVE RESULTS: Stream, ring-walks NOW, updates for undisputed fight in Tokyo – latest

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      BRIT star Paul Butler faces fearsome puncher Naoya Inoue in a huge undisputed fight TODAY. Unbeaten Japanese sensation Inoue – who is Mike Tyson’s favourite boxer – holds the WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles, with Cheshire ace Butler the WBO champ.

      Ring-walks: Approx 11am GMT
      UK TV channel: Not televised in UK
      US TV channel: ESPN+

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      Inoue vs Butler – R2
      Butler’s defence is watertight but even taking Inoue shots on the gloves and arms will be painful.
      Inoue arrows a right to the Butler ribs again.
      Butler tries a double-jab that Inoue doesn’t counter.
      Inoue vs Butler – R1
      Another one-two from Inoue blocked.
      Solide defence from the brave Brit.
      Inoue attacks the body but Butler’s ribs stand up to the early test.
      Round 1 to Inoue.
      Inoue vs Butler – R1
      Butler jabs and bounces. Inoue stalks.
      Inoue leaps in with a left hook that is blocked.
      Violent two-punch attack from Inoue but Butler catches both shots on his high guard.
      Anthem time
      Not a single boo or jeer from the hyper-polite Japanese crowd.
      Utterly stinks when Brit fans boo a visiting anthem and it happens regularly these days.
      The arena is almost totally silent – a totally differnt vibe to UK shows.
      Sweet Caroline a very distant memory – thank Christ.
      Inoue It
      The hometown hero gets the full treatment, lights and lazer show for his entrance.
      Very well groomed eyebrows from the Monster – that face is no stranger to a pair of well-trained tweezers.
      All of the belts on show as he stalks his way to the giant 22ft ring. The largest allowed.
      Paul the other one
      Scott Quigg walks Butler to the ring where Joe Gallagher will take charge of the Englishman’s corner.
      I think the main ring walk was done to a Gerry Cinnamon track.
      But I lost track of pop music around 2006 – just after the Pigeon Detectives really peaked.
      Rocky Story
      Paul Butler enters the arena to the Rocky ‘Eye of the Tiger’ theme tune.
      I am not sure even Balboa took on a task as daunting as this.
      An undefeated three-weight monster in his own backyard.
      Happy Holiday?
      Paul Butler has never boxed outside of the UK before.
      His first foreign jaunt is to Tokyo to face the most terrifying thing to come out of Asia since covi… Godzilla.
      The Ariake arena is about to host the showdown.
      Top Rank?
      The US broadcasters of this show just spent a large chunk of their build-up taling about Inoue’s HAIR COLOUR.
      Not the amateur excellence, the freakish power, the three-weight dominance, the super-bantam plans…
      He used to bleach his hair blonde but now it is his natural black colour!!
      Puncher’s Chance?
      The Monster is a 1-100 favourite for this fight – ridiculous odds for a two-horse race.
      The most generous bookie online will let you back Butler at 48-1.
      Would it be the greatest upset in British boxing history?
      Monster vs Assassin
      Cheshire’s Paul Butler, 34, goes by the Baby-Faced Assassin nickname.
      But Inoue could easily take that away from him as he still has a teenage complexion, despite a lifetime in the ring.
      Inoue is 23-0 with 20 KOs. Butleer is 34-2 with 15 KOs.
      Bantam Bangers
      The winner of this showdown will be the first four-belt undisputed bantamweight king.
      Inoue says it was always a dream for him to be Japan’s first undisputed boss.
      And he is expected to move up another division once he wins tonight.
      Mainevent Mania
      Five early finishes mean we are going to the bantamweight undispited headliner nice and earlier.
      It’s Tuesday night in Tokyo and Naoya Inoue is getting ready for Paul Butler.
      The undefeated Japan Monster has the WBC, WBA and IBF crowns.
      Britain’s Butler has the WBO belt.
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      Tyson Fury returns to Ring Magazine’s heavyweight rankings but is beaten to top spot by Oleksandr Usyk ahead of fight

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      TYSON FURY has returned to Ring Magazine’s heavyweight rankings after beating Derek Chisora.The Gypsy King made his boxing comeback earlier this month and defeated Chisora for the third time.
      Tyson Fury is back in the Ring Magazine rankings after beating Derek ChisoraCredit: Reuters
      Oleksandr Usyk holds the Ring Magazine beltCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua has slipped down the rankingsCredit: Reuters
      There are four Brits in the top ten
      Fury dominated the all-British showdown and stopped Del Boy in the 10th round.
      And his return to action also sees him back in the Ring Magazine rankings.
      The 34-year-old was the Ring Magazine heavyweight champion until he vacated the belt in August.
      Rival Oleksandr Usyk took over top spot and the Ukrainian remains No1 following his win over Anthony Joshua.
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      Fury is next followed by Deontay Wilder, who made his comeback to the ring in October with an explosive first-round knock-out of Robert Helenius.
      AJ follows in third spot despite back-to-back losses for the former heavyweight world champion.
      While fellow Brits Joe Joyce and Dillian Whyte feature fourth and sixth in the rankings respectively.
      Fury will likely have his eye on regaining the belt and could do so if he beats Usyk.
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      The pair’s representatives are in talks for a fight which could happen in Saudi Arabia in February next year.
      Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas revealed: “We are almost done.
      “There is not much to talk, two heavyweights, the undisputed heavyweight championship bout, that’s what people need… Most likely, we are aiming for Saudi.”
      Afterwards, Warren said: “There are no obstacles in the way of making the fight.”
      And Fury added: “I think he’s willing. He looks willing.
      “I would like to think there’s not a man born who could beat me in my own era, but you can never underestimate anybody.” More

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      ‘It’s not a challenge’ – Chris Eubank Jr says Liam Smith fight so easy he is only sparring eight rounds in training

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR has revealed he is only sparring eight-round sessions in preparation for his fight with Liam Smith.The two British middleweights will face off in a 12-round contest at the AO Arena in Manchester on January 21.
      Chris Eubank Jr does not believe Liam Smith will be a test for himCredit: Getty
      The pair will face off in a middleweight clash on January 21Credit: PA
      It will be nearly a year since Eubank Jr, 33, last fought by the time he gets into the ring next month.
      His previous bout came in a unanimous decision victory over Liam Williams, before his October clash with Conor Benn was cancelled after “The Destroyer” failed a drugs test.
      Yet despite a spell of inactivity, Eubank Jr still feels former world champion Smith, 34, will be light work.
      Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “I’m going to be sparring eight rounds today, and sparring another eight rounds another two times over the next week and every week until the fight comes. So everything’s on track.
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      “I don’t think it’s going to be too much of a challenge for me so I don’t think I need to spar any more than eight rounds. That’s probably how long the fight is going to last.
      “Guys that are a little bit more dangerous than Liam I’d probably be sparring 12 rounds but I think eight’s more than enough for Liam Smith.
      “I’m not being disrespectful, I’m just very confident.”
      Unlike Smith, Eubank Jr has never been a recognised world champion, losing to George Groves in his only title challenge nearly five years ago.
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      Before that, he also came up short against Billy Joe Saunders when boxing for the British title in 2014.
      But he has not been beaten in any of his last six fights since the Groves defeat – although inactivity has stalled his career.
      His best victories have come against Olympic gold medallist James DeGale and Welsh brawler Williams.
      Eubank has a record of 32 wins and two defeats.
      Meanwhile, Smith has 32 wins, three defeats and one draw to his name.
      He became a world champion back in 2015, but has since lost to Canelo Alvarez, Jaime Munguia and most recently to Magomed Kurbanov last year. More

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      Conor Benn releases statement saying that his ‘innocence has been proven’ and that he’ll become world champion next year

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      CONOR BENN has claimed his “innocence has been proven” as he prepares to “become world champion” in 2023.The welterweight prospect failed TWO drug tests in the build-up to his historic catchweight clash with Chris Eubank Jr in October, which was ultimately scrapped.
      Conor Benn has always maintained his innocenceCredit: PA
      The British welterweight posted a lengthy statement on social mediaCredit: Instagram
      He claims he will become a world champion next yearCredit: Instagram
      Trace amounts of the female fertility drug Clomiphene – which can raise testosterone levels in men – were discovered in Benn’s system on both occasions.
      The WBC are expected to return a verdict on their investigation by the end of the month.
      Benn has protested his innocence ever since the findings became public two months ago.
      And now he has taken to social media to open up about the impact the ordeal has had on his mental health.
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      Speaking on Instagram, he said: “I want to start by saying this has been a very difficult time – not just for me, but my family and my team. I couldn’t have got through this without the love and support of those closest to me and my supporters who have stood by me, I am forever grateful.
      “My team and I have worked extremely hard over the past seven years to make me the fighter I am today, we have never cut corners or cheated the grind in any way. We believe in work ethic, determination and pure heart to achieve what we have set out to accomplish.
      “It’s been really hard for me to accept that people think that I would do what I was accused of but what I’ve come to realise is people rush to judgement, without knowing the facts especially people in the boxing community (and, most disappointingly, even those that know me).
      “Although I’ve kept away from social media, I’m well aware of those who have thrown dirt on my name. I’ll forgive but I won’t forget.
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      “Tony Sims has had a clean gym for 26 years, I respect the gym. No one is bigger than the gym! Hard work and dedication is what we stand for. We don’t condone cheating or cutting corners.
      “I’m thankful to my dad who has been with me through this whole period and I’m glad this nightmare is coming to an end for the sake of our combined mental health.
      “Never did we think we’d go through something like this but they say the hardest fight is life and the adversity it brings. I want to make up for lost time and not let another moment go to waste.”
      Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn recently revealed that his 147lb contender will be fighting “earlier than you think”.
      And Benn, who boasts a professional record of 21 wins and no defeats, has now backed that up by insisting his aim is to win a world title next year.
      The lengthy statement continued: “Boxing is my life. I’ve been through hardships in my career before but nothing like this, I believe in life you go through adversity of all kinds but what matters most is how you respond.
      “I’ve stayed in the gym and continued to work extremely hard, staying positive that my innocence will be proven and the truth will come out.
      “My team has proven my innocence and the truth will soon come out. Until then, I won’t be commenting further due to confidentiality.
      “There were times I feared it never would but we all had faith. I’m thankful to everyone who has supported me through this tough time. tough times don’t last, tough people do. We keep it moving and will continue to chase the end goal of being world champion – it’s a minor setback for a major comeback.
      “For now, I am looking forward to sharing Christmas privately with my family and I will be back in January. See you all in 2023, the year I become world champion!.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Benn last fought in April, stopping Chris van Heerden in the second round.
      He then took the Eubank fight, only for the failed drug tests to eventually lead to its cancellation. More

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      Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler: UK start time, TV channel, live stream, undercard for Tokyo fight

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      BRIT star Paul Butler faces fearsome puncher Naoya Inoue in a huge unification fight.Unbeaten Japanese sensation Inoue – who is Mike Tyson’s favourite boxer – holds the WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles, with Cheshire ace Butler the WBO champ.
      Naoya Inoue and Paul Butler will face offCredit: AFP
      Paul Butler is the WBO world championCredit: AFP
      Butler, 34, has been promoted from interim WBO titlist to full champion.
      He had also been at the top table before, winning the IBF bantamweight title in 2017.
      While Inoue – nicknamed ‘The Monster’ – has won all 23 of his fights with 20 wins coming by stoppage.
      Butler told BBC Sport: “If I get the gameplan right, I believe I’ll win.
      “It’s a tough fight. I’ve got to stay switched on.
      “Inoue deserves his title as pound-for-pound king.
      “Everyone knows what he does well. He puts people away and stops people.”
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      Most read in Boxing
      When is Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler?
      Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler takes place on Tuesday, December 13.
      The main event is expected at around 12.30pm UK time – this is 9.30pm in Tokyo.
      The undercard kicks off from 10am UK time.
      The Ariake Arena in Tokyo plays host.
      What TV channel and live stream is Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler on?
      Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler is currently not scheduled for TV coverage in the UK.
      In the US it will be on ESPN+, and it will also be on dTV and Hikari TV in Japan.
      All eyes will be on the Ariake Arena for the unification boutCredit: AFP
      Who is fighting on the undercard?

      Main event: Naoya Inoue vs Paul Butler – for WBO, WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles
      Yoshiki Takei vs Bruno Tarimo
      Andy Hiraoka vs Min Ho Jung
      Takuma Inoue vs Jake Bornea
      Satoshi Shimizu vs Landy Cris Leon
      Hironori Miyake vs Peter McGrail More

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      ‘Let’s run it back’ – Anthony Joshua called out by old foe Dillian Whyte for rematch after AJ’s 2015 knockout win

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      DILLIAN WHYTE has called out Anthony Joshua for a rematch.The 34-year-old beat AJ in the amateurs but lost their 2015 British title battle.
      Whyte teased the upcoming fight by posting a pic with the caption ‘let’s run it back’
      The Brixton Body Snatcher beat Franklin to set up the all-Brit boutCredit: Getty
      Now a third clash is all but secured after the London 2012 legend turned up to be ringside to watch Whyte scrape past Jermaine Franklin on points at Wembley Arena last month.
      And Whyte has teased fans by posting a snap from their last bout.
      He captioned the photo: “Lets run it back.”
      But after Whyte drastically underperformed against Franklin as he edged a majority decision 115-115, 116-112 and 116-112 on the cards, and Joshua will not fear his own Spring comeback against his oldest foe.
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      Franklin showed a clever jab, a decent left hook and all the fundamentals to pose Whyte a problem, and was adamant he had be “robbed” after the judges handed the Brit the fight.
      AJ could be spotted in the VIP seats smiling at his potential prey and pointing out weaknesses to his pals.
      Joshua has been taking a break from boxing following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and failed talks to face Tyson Fury.
      And Whyte wasted no time in igniting a war of words with the man he beat in the amateurs but lost to six years later in their 2015 thriller.
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      He told JOE: “You could be speaking to him, and he just looks a bit spaced out and a bit absent-minded and a bit vacant.
      “He’s done a few weird things as well. We all do weird things but there’s no consistency to what he does.
      “He puts on this act and pretends he’s a good boy, and all of a sudden, he wants to be a bad boy and he wants to rap, and he wants to talk about notorious gangsters and stuff.
      “But at the same time, he’s a good boy and an advocate. There’s no consistency.
      “That’s what I mean, he’s weird, no consistency, no real spine or backbone, just a bit all over the place.” More

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      Wayne Rooney agrees to spar Tyson Fury with Man Utd legend set to help heavyweight star prepare for Oleksandr Usyk fight

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      TYSON FURY has revealed Wayne Rooney is “well up” for stepping into the ring to spar with the heavyweight world champion.The Manchester United legend has accepted Fury’s offer for the pair to trade blows on the canvas.
      Tyson Fury has revealed Wayne Rooney has an accepted an offer to spar with himCredit: Getty
      Boxing mad Wazza will help Fury prepare for his battle with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
      The Gypsy King, 34, will enlist the services of Rooney, 37, to help him prepare for his undisputed showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
      Rooney was ringside at Wembley to watch Fury ease past Derek Chisora at the start of the month.
      Fury then invited Rooney to a spar with him in order to impersonate the 6ft 3in Usyk.
      Boxing mad Wazza has agreed, and will spend four weeks in camp with United fan Fury before his blockbuster fight against the Ukrainian.
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      Fury told ITV over the weekend: “I spoke to Wayne [Rooney] last night and he’s well up for it. But he’s a right-handed person, so he’s got to switch up to be southpaw left-handed.
      “So we’re going to bring Wayne in for preparation for Usyk.”
      When asked if it was a joke, Fury responded: “No very very serious.
      “He’s agreed, so he’s going to come into camp for around four weeks to help me.”
      Most read in Boxing
      The Gypsy King added: “I’m a big fan of his.”
      Fury originally told talkSPORT last week: “He’s a massive boxing fan, he comes from a boxing family as well. 
      “So, hopefully, we can have a little spar in the future sometime. 
      “I do need someone smaller to prepare for Usyk. Wayne, if you’re listening, get on the blower, son!”
      However, Rooney’s previous boxing experience didn’t end so well.
      The DC United manager was infamously knocked out by fellow player Phil Bardsley in a friendly 2015 sparring session.
      Rooney then celebrated a goal against Tottenham at Old Trafford soon after by shadow boxing and pretending to be knocked out.
      Fury and Usyk are set to battle it out for the mantle of undisputed champion early in 2023.
      Rooney was famously knocked out in 2015 during a friendly sparring session with Phil BardsleyCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun More