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    Lawrence Okolie had ‘a point to prove’ after Olympic elimination but is not done yet as he eyes undisputed world title

    LAWRENCE OKOLIE had a point to prove at one stage in his life – but he is not done yet.The East Londoner went from overweight teen, to Olympian and then world boxing champion in the space of just over ten years after being inspired by Anthony Joshua’s London 2012 heroics.
    Lawrence Okolie has a point to prove at one stage in his life but he is not done yetCredit: HAMISH BROWN
    Okolie went from overweight teen, to Olympian and world champion in just ten yearsCredit: HAMISH BROWN
    The cruiserweight was inspired to box by Anthony JoshuaCredit: HAMISH BROWN
    And after remarkably landing a place on GB’s squad after just 15 bouts, qualifying for the Rio games, Okolie was beaten by Cuban legend Erislandy Savon and eliminated.
    It left him turning his attention to the pro ranks – but he did so with a burning desire to prove himself.
    Boxing royalty of the past like Floyd Mayweather and Roy Jones Jr both used their Olympic heartache to inspire iconic careers – and Okolie hopes for no different.
    Reflecting on his Olympian elimination, he admits: “I felt I had a chip on my shoulder, a point to prove.
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    “The point was mainly to myself that I won’t ever just be happy to be somewhere again, I’m going to go and take it.
    “Definitely I took my pain from not being an Olympic medalist and took it onto becoming a world champion.”
    Following just four years and 16 fights – the same amount as his mentor AJ – the cruiserweight found himself challenging for a world title and had his crowning night in March 2021.
    For unbeaten Okolie, 29, he has gone full circle by being guided by the man who first motivated him to fight.
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    He said: “Watching AJ from McDonald’s to go to the Olympics, that was one circle.
    “Now turning over to his management company and winning my own world title, that’s another.
    “To become unified and God-willing undisputed, it just keeps going round and round. I love it.”
    *Read full Okolie feature at sctr.co.uk
    Lawrence Okolie is eyeing undisputed gloryCredit: HAMISH BROWN
    Lawrence Okolie on the cover of SCTRCredit: HAMISH BROWN More

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    Jake Paul wants to finish boxing career with Canelo Alvarez bout as YouTuber vows to ‘put up a f***ing awesome fight’

    JAKE PAUL wants to finish his boxing career by facing Canelo Alvarez and vowed to “put up a f***ing awesome fight”. Despite having only been a professional for two years with just five fights, Paul has kept boxing’s pound-for-pound No1 on his radar.
    Jake Paul wants to finish his boxing career by facing Canelo AlvarezCredit: AP
    Canelo has refused to rule out a fight with Jake Paul beforeCredit: Getty
    And he aims to hang up the gloves after a clash against Canelo in the future – which he suggested would be competitive.
    Paul, 25, said on The Journey podcast: “I would take the fight.
    “Right now I couldn’t beat Canelo, five fights from now or six fights from now, I could put up a f*****g awesome fight and we’ll see what happens.”
    Astonishingly, four-division champion Canelo, 31, has refused to rule out the fight before.
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    He told TMZ in September: “Not right now. He’s not ready. He needs to keep improving. Good luck.”
    Canelo returns on May 7 in a WBA light-heavyweight title challenge against Dmitry Bivol, 31, in Las Vegas.
    Paul meanwhile was last in the ring in December when he knocked out Tyron Woodley, 39, in their late-notice rematch.
    Woodley had been beaten on points four months earlier but replaced Tommy Fury, 22, who pulled out injured.
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    Paul added to KOs over online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
    The American, who is yet to fight a recognised boxer, announced he will return in August.
    Jake Paul training for his boxing returnCredit: @garrettcolemann More

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    Boxing sensation Zak Chelli swaps nine to five secondary school teaching job for ring ahead of epic comeback

    ZAK CHELLI swapped the classroom for the boxing ring ahead of his eagerly anticipated comeback this weekend.The Fulham born 24-year-old slugged away as a secondary school supply teacher when the Covid-19 pandemic put his boxing dreams on standby.
    Boxing sensation Zak Chelli became a secondary school supply teacher during the Covid pandemicCredit: Instagram / @zakcheli
    The super-middleweight star returns to the ring this Saturday in BOXXER’S Newcastle showCredit: Getty
    Chelli wants to become mega rich from his boxing careerCredit: Instagram / @zakcheli
    Chelli shot to fame by winning BOXXER’S super-middleweight tournament in 2020Credit: Getty
    But the super-middleweight star soon realised the nine to five lifestyle was not for him and he dreamt of the glitz and glamour of holidays in Dubai.
    He would even catch himself shadow boxing during lessons and his students knew he was destined to get back in the ring.
    After a year out Chelli is finally back fighting at BOXXER’S Newcastle show this Saturday, having originally been scheduled to fight in London last weekend.
    He faces the undefeated Diego ‘Dynamite’ Costa on the undercard of Savannah Marshall’s world title defence against Femke Hermans on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
    Chelli bagged a degree in business management at Surrey UniversityCredit: Instagram / @zakcheli
    The Fulham-born bruiser became super-middleweight Southern Area Champion in 2019Credit: Getty
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}NO JOSHING AROUND .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Anthony Joshua to defeat Oleksander Usyk in rounds 1-3 NOW 12/1
    Chelli said: “Because of Covid I had to get job.
    “I got a degree in business management so I thought I may as well put it to good use so I became a secondary school supply teacher.
    “I teach different subjects and different years. Year seven to eight are the worst years, above that are great.
    “Every time I taught a lesson they could tell I wasn’t a teacher. I just had that vibe about me and sometimes they would see me shadowboxing in a class.
    “They call me their favourite teacher which is great. The kids are happy every time they have me so I’m happy, but I’m glad to be back boxing.”
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    Fans have been itching to see the Surrey University graduate back in action after he made light work of winning BOXXER’S tournament in November 2020.
    He cruised past Vladimir Georgiev on points in the semi-final before ruthlessly dropping Mike McGoldrick three times on route to a second-round stoppage in the final.
    But coronavirus continued to wreak havoc on his fight schedule and he was forced to juggle long days in the classroom with training.
    He added: “I’ve covered every subject. Drama, music, history, maths science. I’ve done everything but English was my worst subject.
    “I was training every day from uni, studying then training but it got a lot harder because a 9-5 takes a lot of energy out of you.”
    Before Chelli’s last win in Ukraine’s capital Kiev in 2021 over Bohdan Harkavyi, Oleksandr Usyk wished him luckCredit: Instagram / @zakcheli
    Chelli (far left) met Usyk (centre) when he represented England in the junior World Championships in Kiev in 2014Credit: Instagram / @zakcheli
    Chelli even had to question whether boxing would always be the right path for him during his time out.
    But his hunger for a title shot and a big pay cheque kept him going.
    The Fulham star added: “There were some points where I thought it would be pretty hard to get back in the boxing,
    “But then I saw the 9-5 lifestyle and thought ‘wow I do not want this, I hate it!’
    “I want to be on a beach somewhere while I’m young. I don’t want to work all my life and retire when I’m older.
    “The only way to do that is to become rich from boxing and so I made sure I got back into it.”
    Before Chelli’s last win in Ukraine’s capital Kiev in 2021 over Bohdan Harkavyi, Oleksandr Usyk wished him luck.
    Chelli had already been under the heavyweight champ’s radar when he represented England in the junior World Championships in Kiev, where they met for the first time in 2014.
    Chelli’s family will be rooting for him in Newcastle this weekend and he is looking forward to feasting on his mum’s Italian cooking after weighing in on Friday.
    He said: “I was born in London, but my mum is Italian and my father is Tunisian so it’s a bit of a mix.
    “After the weigh nice I want a nice pizza. My mum makes pizzas every Sunday.
    “When English people have a Sunday roast in Italy we have a Sunday pizza.
    “It’s hard to stay in shape my mum always buys lots of cake and chocolates so I’ve just go to train extra hard that’s it.
    “I’m going to get a nice knock out and go back in for titles and I want to go to Dubai!” More

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    Eddie Hall CONFIRMS he will get tattoo of Thor Bjornsson on his body in bid to secure rematch after first fight loss

    EDDIE HALL has confirmed he’ll get Hafthor Bjornsson’s name tattooed on him – but only if he gets a second crack at the Game of Thrones star.The 2017 World’s Strongest Man lost his Dubai dust-up with Thor – in which he was dropped twice – earlier this month via unanimous decision.
    Hafthor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall collided in a Dubai dust-up earlier this monthCredit: PROBELLUM
    Hall lost the grudge match via decisionCredit: PROBELLUM
    And he plans to get his rival’s name tattooed on him to secure a rematchCredit: Probellum
    Hall verbally agreed to have the Icelandic giant’s name inked on his skin if he lost the fight and plans to get the tatt to secure a rematch.
    He said: “We never had anything formal in writing; I did try to, I reached out to the promoter a couple of times trying to get a zoom call with Thor but it never came to that.
    “There is no stipulation as to how big, the colour or where, other than what was said on YouTube.
    “I guess it’s going to be used as a tool for the rematch and I would do the same.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}READ 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    “I wouldn’t do the rematch if Thor didn’t get he tattoo.
    “It will happen, I will do it in my own time.
    “I will get the rematch clause written up before I do and that might take some time, but I’m a man of my word and if it’s going to happen, it will happen.
    “I can see the funny side of things at the end of the day. the loss is a tough thing to take but it is what it is.”
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    Hall was left disappointed by the judges’ decision to award Bjornsson the victory in their grudge match.
    And Bjornsson, 33, is willing to give his former pal a shot at redemption.
    He said: “Understandably, he seemed a bit angry still. He lost the fight so it’s understandable as well.
    “But I’m happy, if he wants the rematch I’ll take a rematch no problem. Would you guys like to see a rematch?”
    The former basketball player added: “On my behalf, I’ve moved on. If he wants a rematch, I’m fine with it.” More

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    Deontay Wilder finally speaks out for first time THIS YEAR as he teases ring comeback after Tyson Fury trilogy

    DEONTAY WILDER has tweeted out for the first time THIS YEAR – and hinted that he WILL return to boxing.The American has previously admitted he was considering retirement after his shuddering KO defeat to Tyson Fury in their trilogy fight in October last year.
    Deontay Wilder has yet to reveal if he will return to boxingCredit: AFP
    🤴🏿✊🏿We’re stronger TOGETHER than within the eyes of the devil. 🌹 what’s understood don’t have to be explained.#BombZquad #TilThisDay— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) March 29, 2022

    It brought to a close the heavyweights’ bitter rivalry – with Fury winning two and drawing the other of their three blood and thunder bouts.
    The Bronze Bomber is believed to be assessing whether he is done with the sport after admitting he had “achieved all his goals”.
    But there has been no indication that he has decided on his next move just yet.
    However Wilder’s first Twitter post of 2022 suggested a return to the squared circle has NOT been ruled out.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-h98a3b{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(236,245,247,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-xpuujo{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-tqcu81{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-bq4915{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,97,108,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BEST OF BRITISH .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte: Date, venue and TV info as fight confirmed
    The 36-year-old posted: “We’re stronger TOGETHER than within the eyes of the devil.
    “What’s understood don’t have to be explained. BombZquad #TilThisDay.”
    While Wilder is not yet ready to lace up the gloves, one man who did recently was his lead coach Malik Scott.
    But it proved a disappointing return to the squared circle for the Philadelphia fighter.
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    He failed to return to winning ways against MMA star Sergei Kharitonov as he was beaten by unanimous decision following their six-round bout in Belarus.
    Both men hit the deck during the fight, but it was Kharitonov who had his hand raised after it went to the judges.
    Scott, 41, had not laced up since his loss to Luis Ortiz back in November 2016.
    But Wilder praised his coach and hinted at a robbery loss.
    He wrote on Instagram: “Congratulations on the victory bro @malikkingscott we all know what’s up so blessing King.
    “Now get your crazy ass back on this side of the grass lol I love you bro.”
    Wilder was flattened in the 11th round of his fight against Fury last yearCredit: Getty More

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    Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel for WBC heavyweight title fight

    AFTER months of back and forth negotiations, Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte is FINALLY on the horizon.Fury, 33, is the reigning WBC heavyweight champion after back-to-back victories over Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas.
    How the fighters compare ahead of the big one
    Fury beat Wilder to retain his WBC belt – but has now been ordered to defend it againCredit: EPA
    The Gypsy King retained his crown by emphatic knockout back in October last year, with unification against then-champ Anthony Joshua eyed up.
    AJ was to ultimately lose his own title defence to Oleksandr Usyk and a rematch has been delayed by Usyk’s decision to fight for Ukraine against Russia.
    Fury’s attention has therefore turned to mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte, also 33, as he puts his belt on the line once again.
    Whyte has got his wish at a world title shotCredit: Getty
    Fury said as the fight was announced: “I’m coming home baby. Get ready for the biggest British dust-up since Lennox Lewis vs Frank Bruno. History in the making.”
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    And it was confirmed that Whyte had signed his side of the deal just in time for the deadline.
    WBC mandatory challenger Whyte will earn around £6million for his participation, with Fury set to bank a much meatier £23.5m.
    When is Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte?

    Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte will take place on Saturday, April 23.
    The start time has been CONFIRMED as 10pm UK time – 5pm ET.
    Fury hasn’t fought in the UK since 2018 when he faced Sefer Seferi in Manchester and then Francesco Pianeta in Belfast.

    What is the fight venue?

    Fury vs Whyte will take place at Wembley Stadium in London.
    Fury hasn’t fought in London since a win over Christian Hammer in 2015.
    Whyte has never fought at Wembley Stadium before, but is used to competing in London.
    The fight will be a 90,000-capacity sell-out event.

    Which TV channel and live stream will it be on?
    BT Sport Box Office has been CONFIRMED as broadcaster for the fight.
    BT wrote in a tweet to confirm the news: “The time for talking is over! After years of back and forth, the heavyweight showdown is on!
    The event is likely to cost £24.95, which was the price of Fury’s last two clashes with Deontay Wilder on the channel.
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    Who is fighting on the undercard?
    Undercard fights have yet to be announced for the big show.
    It was expected that Top Rank heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson – who is also Fury’s sparring partner – would be in action.
    Though Anderson, 22, is off the card after suffering an injury in training.
    Featherweight Isaac Lowe, a close friend of Fury’s, is set for the card though his opponent is yet to be named.
    What they said
    Tyson Fury has suggested he will retire after his fight with Dillian Whyte, rather than facing the likes of Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usky.
    The Gypsy King said: “The only thing I can gain is money. So after this fight I’ll have earned over £100million.
    “If I can spend that, I don’t deserve any more, do I?
    “I know Mike Tyson spent half a billion and Evander Holyfield 400million and all the rest, but I don’t live their big flash lifestyles.
    “I live in Morecambe, in Lancashire. It’s cheap there. I don’t have any big habits like I’m gambling tons of money away.
    “I don’t do anything. I can never spend the money I’ve got.”
    Whyte – who did not appear at the press conference – had previously said about a Fury fight: “Wherever they want the fight, whenever they want the fight, I don’t care.
    “I’ve been trying to fight him for a long time. I’ve been ready to fight him for a long time.
    “I just want to fight him for the world title now.” More

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    Conor McGregor would BEAT Jake Paul in boxing ring but Notorious should target Charles Oliveira UFC showdown, says Lopez

    CONOR MCGREGOR would beat Jake Paul in a boxing match, renowned MMA coach Fernand Lopez believes.YouTuber turned boxer Paul has been targeting a lucrative showdown with the UFC’s poster boy for the best part of 16 months.
    Jake Paul has been chasing a boxing match with Conor McGregor for the best part of 16 monthsCredit: AP
    McGregor has seemingly entertained the prospect of fighting the YouTuberCredit: INSTAGRAM
    And MMA coach Fernand Lopez reckons McGregor would get the better of PaulCredit: GETTY
    McGregor has entertained the prospect of facing the social media star inside the ring, a fight Lopez believes The Notorious would edge if the pair were in the same weight class.
    The Cameroonian told Genting Casino: “If we take out the weight factor, Jake Paul would lose to Conor McGregor.
    “I think Conor loves boxing, he trains boxing, his sparring is more boxing than MMA.
    “And he’s fought the best of the best in [Floyd] Mayweather and he did not look that bad. I think he’s proved already that he’s not that bad.”
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    McGregor, 33, is currently in the final stages of recovering from the horrific broken leg he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier last July.
    The Irishman is confident of walking straight into a title fight against the winner of May’s lightweight showdown between champion Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.
    And Lopez has drastically different assessments of the former two-division champion’s chances against the pair.
    He said: “I think a good fight for McGregor is Charles Oliveira because at least Oliveria is a technical boxer, not a brawler.
    ” So if Conor McGregor can go back to vintage Conor McGregor – which is hit and not get it and manage the distance – he will give Charles Oliveria a competitive fight on the feet because of timing and precision, Conor might win that fight.
    “He has a slight chance to win, not a good chance, a small chance.
    “I am a huge fan of Conor, I would pray for Conor to win that fight, but I’d definitely pick Oliveira.
    “But with Justin Gaethje that would be a brawl, a tough fight.
    “And I don’t think Conor will have the motivation for the tough fight. Justin Gaethje would be a tough fight and don’t think he still has the motivation for it.
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    “The actual Conor, not the vintage Conor, the Conor right now, what I am seeing on paper, if he goes to battle with Gaetje, in the end, he will give up, because Justin does not give up, in the end you will have to kill him, so I don’t know how he’d win that fight.”
    Fan favourite McGregor revealed last month that he’s targeting a summer return to the octagon, although UFC president Dana White expects him to be back in action in the autumn.
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    How Money Kicks went from Dubai’s richest kid with personal zoo to boxer linked with Floyd Mayweather fight

    RASHED BELHASA, better known as social media sensation Money Kicks, fancies a fight against one of his pals who visited his famed zoo in Dubai.The 20-year-old, who has started to carve out a career for himself in boxing, was in talks to take on Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout on the helipad of the famous Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.
    Instagram star Money Kicks was set to face Floyd Mayweather but talks broke downCredit: Instagram @rsbelhasa
    Money Kicks is looking to carve a career for himself in boxingCredit: Instagram @rsbelhasa
    Belhasa, better known as Money Kicks, always wore The Money Team caps growing upCredit: Instagram
    Money Kicks told Sky Sports: “I never thought I would ever fight Floyd. He is the best fighter ever.
    “When I was young, I would collect his ‘The Money Team’ caps.
    “Mayweather’s team asked my team for a meeting. We thought: ‘No way will this happen!’
    “The same day of the meeting, I saw Mayweather saying, ‘I would love to fight Rashed’.
    “He is serious. It is an honour that he has called me out. I thought: ‘This will go viral!'”
    Those talks have since stalled, but Mayweather is still keen to bag the fight in Dubai.
    Anthony Joshua and Money Kicks square up with the social media star wanting to take on boxing’s eliteCredit: Instagram @rsbelhasa
    Wealthy Money Kicks shows off his wheelsCredit: Instagram @rsbelhasa
    Inside his family mansion in Dubai he has a zooCredit: Channel 4
    Footballers like Paul Pogba have visited him and his chimpanzeesCredit: Instagram
    David Luiz had fed his tigersCredit: Instagram
    While Luiz has also larked about with Belhasa’s giraffes Bert and ErnieCredit: Instagram @davidluiz_4
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    On Instagram, Money Kicks has over two million followers. He lives in a mansion in the UAE that has its own private zoo filled with over 500 exotic animals.
    Because of that, the son of construction mogul Saif Ahmed Belhasa, worth around £4billion, can count the world’s greatest footballers and sports stars as his friends, including Mayweather.
    Inside the private zoo, you’ll find lions, tigers, panthers, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and even bears.
    Hilariously, he has even named some of them after A-list celebrities and cartoon characters.
    Jesse Lingard couldn’t wait to pose for a photo op at Belhasa’s family zooCredit: Instagram
    Brazilian Willian got close to a bear cubCredit: Instagram
    Lionel Messi is a friend of Belhasa tooCredit: Instagram
    There’s two giraffes named after Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie.
    While there is a monkey called Paris Hilton, who incidentally has visited Belhasa.
    Other celebrities including Ronaldo, Jackie Chan, Rihanna and Mariah Carey have also had animals named after them, as well as made the pilgrimage to the astonishing grounds you need a go-kart to negotiate around.
    Footballers come in their droves, wowed by Belhasa’s wealth and the opportunity to feed a beast they’d never encounter otherwise.
    Jesse Lingard, John Terry, David Luiz, Luka Modric and more have all fed a tiger or a cub some milk for a photo op.
    Regular Dubai visitor John Terry has fed tigers at the mansionCredit: Instagram
    Pogba now considers Belhasa as a friendCredit: Instagram
    While Belhasa has also  struck up a friendship with Anthony Joshua and Logan PaulCredit: Instagram
    While Paul Pogba loved nothing more than hanging out with Belhasa and his chimpanzees.
    Even boxers Anthony Joshua and Floyd Mayweather have gone toe-to-toe with some bears and orangutans.
    The zoo itself can be seen from the lavish home’s living room and was featured on Channel 4’s World’s Weirdest Homes back in December.
    Belhasa revealed that the zoo isn’t open to the public, the family don’t make a profit from it and the animals aren’t badly treated.
    Floyd Mayweather has visited the lavish home of BelhasaCredit: Channel 4
    Belhasa is the son of construction mogul Saif Ahmed Belhasa, said to be worth around £4 billionCredit: Instagram @rsbelhasa
    Belhasa revealed the animals are all very well cared forCredit: Instagram
    He has animals named after celebrities, including RonaldoCredit: Instagram
    Recently, Belhasa rubbed shoulders with Mo SalahCredit: Instagram
    “We take care of all our animals,” he said.
    “When I went to Kenya, I see a lot of lions dying because they eat once a month and here they eat every single day.”
    Because of his wealth, Belhasa rubs shoulders with celebrities who make him their first port of call when they arrive in Dubai.
    “They all want to spend time on our family farm and see our tigers,” he told Dubai’s English-speaking newspaper, The National.
    Floyd Mayweather fed the bears on a visitCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
    Belhasa’s home featured on Channel 4’s World’s Weirdest Homes back in DecemberCredit: Channel 4
    And Belhasa is the first port of call for celebrities visiting DubaiCredit: Instagram
    The zoo can be seen from the lavish mansion’s living roomCredit: Channel 4
    Wealthy Belhasa has a pool with its own waterfallCredit: Channel 4
    “Wiz Khalifa is my friend. Steve Aoki is my friend. They have all come to our farm.
    “But sometimes I have to say no to celebrities who want to come here. I don’t have the time and it is tiring.”
    Alongside being heir to a home zoo, Belhasa also boasts an incredible trainer collection worth around £800,000 that he loves to show off to his sporting mates.
    In fact, he has an entire room dedicated to his shoes – that include limited editions Yeezys, Bapes and Air Jordans kept in secure cases so they’re well preserved.
    As well as a zoo, Belhasa has a stunning trainer collectionCredit: Channel 4
    The sneakers are housed in their own room in the mansion and are said to be worth around £800kCredit: Instagram
    It all adds to Belhasa’s popularity in the sports worldCredit: Instagram
    Belhasa has become a social media phenomenon and has over two million followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
    He isn’t afraid to show off his wealth to his fans and make friends with footballers like Jesse LingardCredit: Instagram
    It’s all part of Belhasa’s masterplan, to eventually open his own trainer store in Dubai.
    “Whatever I make from my clothing line and YouTube ads, I put into buying sneakers,” he revealed.
    “But this isn’t just me wasting money, this is a serious business investment.”
    Back in 2017, Belhasa made headlines when he showed off his birthday present – a £200k Ferrari F12 Berlinetta – to his followers on social media.

    Belhasa loves cars and befriending footballersCredit: Instagram
    He had the supercar custom-wrapped in Louis Vuitton Supreme logos, flaunting his lavish lifestyle.
    However, with the legal driving age being 18 in Dubai, Belhasa had to wait a year before he could drive it.
    Honestly, it’s not that hard a life, is it? More