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    Former boxing world champion, 42, retires after being warned she could go BLIND from brain damage

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    FORMER boxing world champion Heather Hardy has announced her retirement due to health fears.The 42-year-old, who lost the WBO featherweight title to Amanda Serrano in 2019, has been forced to hang up her gloves on medical advice.Former world champ Heather Hardy has announced her retirementCredit: Instagram/@heathertheheatThe star also had four pro MMA fights in BellatorHardy was due to take on Christine Ferea in a bare-knuckle bout this weekend.However, she revealed in an emotional social media statement that she has been warned that she risks going blind from brain damage if she continues to fight.That has led the New Yorker to call off this week’s fight with her unsuccessful attempt at gaining revenge against Serrano in last year’s rematch now looking certain to have been the last time fans see her in action.Hardy posted: “My fight for May 11 is off. After my fight last summer with Amanda, my vision remained blurred for a few days.READ MORE ON SPORT“I went for an MRI and to get my eyes checked while I was still in TX and it was diagnosed the after effects of a concussion [but in] six-to-eight months I should be fine.“So basically I needed a fight, and it never got better. My daughter is in college. “Everyone thinks I made millions in my career but i didn’t, I went paycheck to paycheck keeping that kid in the best neighbourhood so she could go to the best schools.“And I needed to take the fight, so long story short a month into training for Christine and everything got worse with my sight. Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I was down to 123lb because I couldn’t eat, I wasn’t sleeping I was so weak.”Hardy continued: “I hadn’t told anyone how bad it was, not my boyfriend not my coaches. “I thought I could make it through the ten minute fight, but after a very light sparring session i couldn’t see s*** for two days.“I didn’t eat or sleep Friday to Monday, and I knew i was too weak to do this s***.“After finally seeing a doctor, he said I’ve had too many concussions. When you have a concussion, a piece of your brain dies and you never get it back. Imagine that?Watch heavyweight boxing legend savagely eat a coconut as stunned fans say ‘my teeth hurt from this’“In ten years I’ve had too much brain damage. I can’t get anymore or else I won’t be able to see. “No running, no jogging, no jumping rope, and no getting hit in the head. So I said the thing ya know what that means.”Hardy looks set to retire from boxing with a record of 24 wins and three defeats.Hardy struggled physically after her defeat to Serrano last AugustCredit: GettyShe claimed the world title by beating Shelly Vincent via unanimous decision in 2018 but lost it in her first defence to Serrano.READ MORE SUN STORIESHardy then lost via decision to Jessica Camara but bounced with successive victories over Calista Silgado and Taynna Cardoso to earn a shot at Serrano, but she lost via decision in August.The star has also competed in MMA and had four fights in Bellator, winning two and losing twice.Mike Tyson’s controversial comeback Mike Tyson is BACK!
    Yes, boxing’s youngest heavyweight champ of all time – just 20 when he achieved the feat – is preparing to lace them up again.
    He faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on July 20 in Texas.
    The controversial clash – set for the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Dallas – has been scrutinised over the 30-year age gap.
    Tyson will be 58 by the time the fight for the ages comes around and nearly 20 years removed from his last professional contest.
    He was last seen in the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr, which ended a draw after eight rounds.
    Paul is meanwhile 9-1 in the ring, losing only to Tommy Fury in 2023, and has won three times since.
    His fight with Tyson will also be a landmark first on Netflix, with over 250MILLION subscribers able to watch the bout. More

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      Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal 2: Date, TV channel, start time and live stream for huge boxing match

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      UFC legends Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal are set for a long-awaited rematch, but there is a twist.Diaz, 39, and Masvidal, 39, fought at UFC 244 back in 2019, with the latter coming out on top to win the BMF (Baddest Mother F****r) title.Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal are set for a rematch after the latter won at UFC 244Credit: Splash NewsMasvidal will meet his MMA rival in a boxing fight next monthCredit: The Mega AgencyDiaz has only had one boxing fight that saw him lose to Jake PaulCredit: GettyMany called for a rematch between the two lightweight foes and their prayers have finally been answered, however this will not be an MMA fight.Instead, the American bruisers will lock horns in a 10-round boxing bout.The two fighters have only ever boxed once professionally throughout their celebrated careers.Masvidal stepped inside a boxing ring back in 2005 when he beat Joseph Benjamin whereas Diaz lost to YouTuber Jake Paul last year.Read More on BoxingWhen does Diaz vs Masvidal take place?Masvidal and Diaz are scheduled to clash on June 1 at the Kia Forum in California.The card kicks off from 10pm UK time with the main event expected to get underway from 2am the following morning.How can I watch?Masvidal vs Diaz is a pay-per-view event that will be shown on Fanmio in the UK for £63.99.And of course you can follow all the live action at SunSport’s live blog coverage.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDiaz vs Masvidal undercardThe undercard has yet to be completed with only one fight confirmed so far.Here’s what’s been pecilled down, of course everything is subject to change:UFC legend Jorge Masvidal ‘breaks fan’s leg’ with lethal kick that leaves recipient writhing in agony before running away
      MAIN EVENT: Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal
      Anthony Pettis vs Chris Avila More

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      I will never let my son box – there would be a target on his back straight away, says Anthony Joshua

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      JOSEPH BAYLEY TEMILOLUWA PRINCE JOSHUA will not be allowed to inherit his dad’s world heavyweight crown.Two-time king Anthony Joshua raced out of Saudi Arabia in December — after scorching Otto Wallin — to treat his eight-year-old son to Christmas in Dubai. On Boxing Day, he shared a snap of them posing in a pool.Anthony Joshua doesn’t want his son to follow in his footsteps in boxingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/healthy_mindset/Joshua is set for a big boxing fight against MMA legend Francis NgannouCredit: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjoshua/Joshua doesn’t want his son to experience the same dark moments he did in the ringCredit: PAIn October his lad will turn nine and be old enough to train in amateur gyms — like AJ’s favourite Finchley ABC school. A year later he can  spar and enter competitions.But 34-year-old AJ — who did not lace up a pair of gloves until he was 18 — will not let his son follow him into the hurt business.Joshua declared: “I would never let him box. I am not interested in him boxing.“You have to be so strong, you have to be so strong mentally to be a boxer.Read More on Boxing“I am not saying he won’t be mentally strong but I would not want to put him through that ­mental pressure.“I am sure he could fight, he will definitely have the genes to do it.“But the mental side, that goes unspoken about, I would not want him to go through that.“Imagine ‘Anthony Joshua’s son is boxing’ . . . there would be a target on his back straight away. Would I want to put him under that pressure? Probably not.Most read in Boxing“I will advise him that he could probably still do something completely different and still enjoy life.“During your career, when you are actually competing, you get the odd nice ten days, like that one in the swimming pool. But in the back of your head is always the next fight that is coming up.”Did you spot the subtle change Francis Ngannou made to taunt Anthony Joshua during intense face-off?Joshua takes on MMA monster Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday.The Watford hero suffered a Saudi breakdown when he lost for the second time to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022 — failing to recapture the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he lost to the Ukrainian in London 11 months earlier.CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Defeat dashed Joshua’s dream of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champ since Lennox Lewis in 1999.He threw his old belts on the Jeddah floor and hijacked Usyk’s post-fight speech before storming out of the ring.Those frantic moments were fairly criticised.But, in the press conference afterwards, the former bricklayer broke down and cried because he felt he had let down people in the UK.Joshua admitted: “I was in a bad place — not a bad place, a bad moment.“I had put so much into becoming undisputed  and I just fell short. The feeling was not good and I had to pick myself back up again.Great highs and great lows“I changed trainer after that and had a mix-and-match of everything going on.“It took me  a year-and-a-bit to smooth things out and now we are just getting back to basics again.”In his last fight, a dominant Joshua stopped Wallin in five rounds. He added: “I felt back to normal against Wallin.“It’s a tough industry because I put everything into the Wallin fight and now it is just in the past.“You get there, you do your best, everyone is watching and then it’s over and on to the next.”That constant scrutiny and the sad fact that one attention-seeking critic can often shout over all the measured and considered praise, are two of the reasons why Joshua will keep his boy out of the ring and the spotlight.’This job is not fun’He added: “This job is not fun. I get to enjoy showcasing my skill on Friday but to get to that point is not fun.“It’s a lot of sacrifice, a lot of passion and dedication, it takes a lot out of you.“I’ll have to wait for 15 years to get  to the end of my career and think, ‘F***, I got through all that, now let me go and have fun now’.“JJ could live a good life — from the day he is conscious of what that means. I have to wait until I retire before I can sit back and finally enjoy life.”Joshua did not enjoy Tuesday night when he had to sit down at a private dinner and pose for photos with Ngannou and nemesis Tyson Fury.The 35-year-old WBC champ is a constant thorn in AJ’s side with insults and trash talk. But the Gypsy King has actually HELPED his long-time rival recently.Fury’s unexpected helpFirst, Joshua has picked up with Fury’s old trainer Ben Davison.And, second, Fury was floored and only earned a split-decision points win over Ngannou when the Cameroon bruiser made his boxing debut here in October.Recalling that bout, Joshua said: “It definitely helps. It helped get me motivated for the fight.“Before I looked at this whole crossover thing as not serious.“Before, if I had taken a crossover fight, people would have asked, ‘What the f*** is Anthony Joshua doing?’ I wouldn’t have been able to walk out of my house.“But now people are taking it more seriously because of that fight.Ngannou’s incredible journey“It has helped to get me motivated and has given me more reason to take the fight.“I can show how great I am and what I can do in the ring.”Ngannou’s story is a magnificent one, from child labour in a Cameroon sand mine to becoming one of the most celebrated and richest men in prize fighting.The 37-year-old former UFC heavyweight king is a genetic freak who looks like he was made by computer gamers.Ngannou stands 6ft 4in, has thighs like tree trunks, a neck that resembles a human torso and a bowling ball head seemingly impervious to shock treatment.ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTHe weighs 21 POUNDS more than Joshua, too, scaling 19st 7lb yesterday, compared to AJ’s 18st. But Joshua, who has suffered painful losses against smaller men like Andy Ruiz Jr and Usyk,  prefers chopping fellow behemoths like 6ft 7in September KO victim Robert Helenius.He explained: “Little fellas have been fighting big guys their whole life, so they just know what to do at the click of a finger.“As a bigger guy you usually fight guys your height. I have fought all different guys but, yeah, I seem to get better knockouts against guys my height.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Look at the performances against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius. One shorter guy who was smaller and nimble against a tall guy I found it easier to hit with.“Ngannou is big and tall and I know what I have to do.” More

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      Logan Paul brutally trolls Dillon Danis after MMA star ’embarrassed himself’ by starting furious brawl

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      LOGAN PAUL trolled Dillon Danis on social media after their fight descended into chaos.Paul defeated MMA ace Danis in a boxing match via disqualification on Saturday at Misfits.
      Logan Paul trolled Dillon Danis after beating him at Misfits BoxingCredit: Instagram @loganpaul
      Paul beat Danis via disqualification after the latter tried a jiu-jitsu moveCredit: Alamy
      The Maverick picked up the win after the MMA fighter tried to take his opponent down with a jiu-jitsu move in the final round of their bout.
      The YouTuber won every round before the sixth and chaos ensued after the bell.
      A mass brawl ensued with security stepping in to separate the two fighters.
      Paul went on to pour salt on his American rival’s wounds online with teasing mock-ups on Instagram.
      Read More on Boxing
      The first showed a chained-up Danis as a dog, with the Prime founder behind him brandishing a bat.
      The second showed the 30-year-old’s injuries and was ironically captioned “real fighter”.
      The social media sensation also took to Twitter where he admitted he doesn’t feel proud of his victory as Danis “sucks”.
      Paul tweeted: “Honestly nothing to be proud about. That dude sucks, a real c**t.
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      “I’m gonna go back to living my life but felt good to beat his a*s for 6 rounds and let him embarrass himself. Drink Prime.”
      Paul called out UFC legend Conor McGregor for a boxing match during his post-match press conference.
      The 28-year-old also challenged WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio for the US Championship.
      Mysterio appears keen for a fight, which may take place at Crown Jewel on November 4 in Saudi Arabia.
      The three-time world champion tweeted: “Did @loganpaul just call me out? I’m not hard to find homie. Every Friday Night on SmackDown.” More

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      Mike Tyson called out by MMA legend for incredible comeback on Fury vs Ngannou undercard

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      MIKE TYSON has been called out for a fight by MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko.And the Russian is keen to make the crossover to boxing by co-main eventing the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou card.
      Mike Tyson has been offered a boxing dust-up by Fedor EmelianenkoCredit: Getty
      The Russian is an MMA legend who dominated BellatorCredit: Getty
      Emelianenko is hopefully of featuring on the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou card
      The heavyweight pair are set to clash in Saudi Arabia on October 28.
      Tyson, 57, has not stepped into the ring since his exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr in November 2020.
      Emelianenko watched that duel and he believes Tyson would be an interesting opponent.
      He praised the former world champion, telling The MMA Hour: “We watched the fight on TV of Roy Jones Jr vs. Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson would be an interesting fight.
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      “He has a big name, he’s a legend… it would be interesting because you can see a lot of his videos on YouTube and all over the place, he’s still in good shape. He still works pads, he still has that same power.”
      The 40-7 fighter revealed he constantly trains so would be ready to fight Tyson if a deal is agreed.
      He also pointed out his potential opponent being part of Ngannou’s camp, which means Iron Mike could be in good shape to don the gloves once again.
      Asked about appearing on the Fury vs Ngannou card, Emelianenko, 46, responded: “That would be awesome.
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      “If it would be possible I definitely would do it. I will be ready.
      “I always train. There was a camp right now in Russia. I was there. I’m always ready.
      “I heard that Mike Tyson is going to help Francis Ngannou to prepare for this fight, so he’s probably in good shape too.” More

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      Bare-knuckle boxer unrecognisable after suffering horror injury that sees swollen eye sealed shut – but he wins fight

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      MARTIN REFFELL suffered a gutting back-knuckle loss for Team GB despite inflicting a horror eye injury on Ryan Jett leaving him looking unrecognisable.The Peterborough fans’ favourite had two of his six daughters ringside – and his missus in his corner – to watch the unanimous decision defeat to Team USA.
      Ryan Jett was left looking unrecognisable after beating Martin ReffellCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      Jett before the injuryCredit: Instagram @ryanjett_
      But he went home to all of his girls with a much healthier-looking face than his victorious foe, who had his right eye punched completely shut.
      Good jabs swapped in the opener but a right hand from Jett landed flush and was worryingly loud
      American Jett was a master at grappling and wrestling in the regular clinches and another right drove into the Brit when he crouched down to reset his stance
      After three minutes of slashing at each other, they shook hands on the bell and went to their corners to recover
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      Reffell’s left eye started to look painful swollen and bleeding by the second
      But he soldiered on and did the better boxing but he was being manhandled by the visitor. 
      In round four both men nearly flew over the top rope and into the Indigo O2 crowd, like a WWE stunt, when Jett pushed and their pair entangled their arms.
      Both men looked exhausted and hurt by the final bell but it was Jett’s vision that was slashed in half by the end, thanks to Raffell’s precise shots.
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      The judges called the close contest 48-46, 48-46, 48-45, which seemed especially harsh after Jett had been deducted a point for a late punch after the bell that ended the fourth.
      The decision put American 2-1 up in the BYB Police Gazette International Cup, with six fights to go. More

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      Michael Venom Page open to Jake Paul fight but first vows to leave ex-UFC star Mike Perry a ‘mess’ in bare-knuckle debut

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      MICHAEL VENOM PAGE has refused to rule out fighting Jake Paul – but first vows to leave Mike Perry a “mess” in their bare-knuckle bout. The Bellator welterweight swaps the cage for the ring after signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
      Michael Venom Page fights Mike Perry in bare-knuckleCredit: Jamie McPhillimy / BKFC
      And he faces the unpredictable Perry at Wembley Arena on Saturday night, expecting to leave the ex-UFC contender unrecognisable.
      Page told SunSport: “He’s a great person to promote a show with. 
      “He’s really funny outside, big character, he makes a lot of noise and it kind of hypes you up, he makes you want to go in there and fight.
      “It’s kind of a perfect partner to come over here, great name and great for my first fight. 
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “I expect the fight to go the way I want it to go. I’m a lot more technical, a lot more precise, landing shots. 
      “He’s going to be a bit of a mess by the end of it, but I’m going to go in there and do what I do best, put on a show and come out the victor.” 
      Page, 35, recently challenged for the interim Bellator welterweight title in May but was controversially beaten by Logan Storley, 29.
      The MMA promotion had nothing to offer MVP until November, meaning the Londoner looked elsewhere for opportunities.
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      Having already had two wins in the traditional boxing ring, Page sought to find another gloved bout.
      But when his former promoter, ex-world champion David Haye, brought an offer from BKFC to him, a deal was quickly wrapped up.
      Page revealed: “I’ve worked with David before, we’re actually very good friends so it was an easy conversation to have. 
      “Then the end result was, I had to present it to Bellator and they had to be happy with it or otherwise it wouldn’t work. 
      “From there, I had to go to the right people at Bellator but they were happy with it, especially with the timing, it worked out anyway. 
      He’s going to be a bit of a mess by the end of it, but I’m going to go in there and do what I do best, put on a show and come out the victor.Michael Venom Page on fighting Mike Perry
      “So they OK’d it and that was it. Now we’re here.” 
      Page has his eyes on the Bellator crown but is open to making a return to boxing.
      Several stars of MMA have made the same switch, including UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47.
      Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 40, also did the same to fight YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul, 25.
      Both were beaten and the likes of Jorge Masvidal, 37, and Nate Diaz, 37, have since been called out by the 5-0 social media sensation.
      Read More on The Sun
      Page will not get drawn into challenging the American himself – but would not turn down the chance to fight him.
      He said: “I don’t care to call for a fight like that, but if it falls on my lap, the same way this has kind of fallen upon me, then yeah, why not? 
      “It’s punching someone in the face for a lot of money.”
      Jake Paul is unbeaten in his 5-0 boxing careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty More