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    Worrying moment boxer falls through ropes after being KOd by spectacular left hook

    IHOSVANY RAFAEL GARCIA showed off his spectacular left hook as he sent opponent Lukasz Plawecki out of the ring.This took place before Lawrence Okolie knocked out Lukasz Rozanski in the first round to secure the WBC bridgerweight world title.Ihosvany Rafael Garcia’s left hook sent Lukasz Plawecki out of the ringCredit: X@SkySportsBoxingThe undercard bout saw the Pole fall through the ropesCredit: X@SkySportsBoxingThe undercard bout at Podpromie Arena in Rzeszow, Poland on Friday night saw Garcia floor Plawecki through the ropes.The Cuban, 28, is now 13 matches unbeaten having previously beat Dmytro Fedas in February.But unfortunately for Plawecki’s this marked his second professional career defeat, and it was indeed a worrying moment for him.Early into the second round Garcia hit a left hook that saw the Pole slumped to the ground.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut as he fell onto the ropes he fell through but luckily still remained in the ring.As he desperately tried to stand up to continue the fight he fell back down again.The referee then ultimately called off the match, leaving Garcia with an early victory.Shortly after Okolie made an emphatic return as knocked out fellow pole Rozanski.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe victory saw the Brit become a two-weight world champion as he fought for the time since loosing his WBO cruiserweight belt to Chris Billam-Smith last May.Okolie moves to 20-1 as a professional in his quest to head to the heavyweight division, while for Rozanski it marked a first career defeat.I dropped Anthony Joshua in sparring – here’s my prediction for his fight against Francis NgannouThe Hackney fighter knocked down Rozanski three times before the referee eventually waved off the fight as the home favourite struggled to rise to his feet. More

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    Oleksandr Usyk launches bid to avoid being stripped of undisputed title after Tyson Fury activates rematch clause

    OLEKSANDR USYK has launched a desperate bid to keep hold of his undisputed title.The Ukrainian, 37, beat Tyson Fury in an epic heavyweight showdown to be crowned champion of the world.Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury to be crowned undisputed heavyweight championCredit: ReutersThe bruising showdown is set for a rematchCredit: AFPFilip Hrgovic thinks he has earned a world title shotCredit: GettyBut Usyk faces being forced to vacate the IBF title ahead of overdue mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic’s bout with Daniel Dubois.The Croat, who has been waiting in the wings for 18 months, takes on the Brit on June 1.IBF president Daryl Peoples confirmed to Lance Pugmire that Usyk has requested to keep the belt to ensure his rematch with Fury has the undisputed title on the line.Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas told BoxingScene: “We’re waiting for a decision to be made.read more in boxing“I think it’s more important for Tyson Fury now, not for Oleksandr. “Oleksandr, of course, is a two-time unified [champion at cruiserweight and heavyweight] and if the next fight is just for the three belts, I don’t think it’s going to be fair for either of the two guys. Either Tyson Fury or for Oleksandr. “But as far as importance, I think it’s more important for Team Fury to get this title. “Imagine if Fury wins – he’s not going to be undisputed, so he is losing the chance. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“The rematch, the clause, was so both guys had the chance to be undisputed. “I hope the IBF are going to make the right decision.”Emotional Oleksandr Usyk IN TEARS as he pays tribute to his father after beating Tyson FuryHrgovic, 31, is unbeaten in 17 fights since turning pro and believes he deserves a world title shot.But with Fury, 35, activating his rematch clause, IBF chiefs may want to see all the titles on the line when he faces Fury again – potentially in October.Should that be the case then Hrgovic’s fight with Dubois would most likely be for an interim world title.Saudi Arabia chief Turki Alalshikh has revealed that the winner of Hrgovic vs Dubois will go on to face Anthony Joshua in September.AJ has returned to form and will ultimately be eyeing an all-British bout between himself and Fury in the future too. More

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    Who is Josh Taylor’s wife Danielle Murphy and when will they get married?

    JOSH TAYLOR and Jack Catterall go head to head once more TONIGHT!One of his biggest supporters is gorgeous wife-to-be Danielle Murphy, who will be hoping her man can overcome Catterall to stay undefeated. Josh Taylor with stunning wife-to-be Danielle Murphy on Instagram.Credit: Not known, clear with picture deskWho is Danielle Murphy?The couple have been together a long time, but while Taylor is consistently uploading his life to social media, Danielle generally keeps her life pretty private.She is reportedly a professional hairdresser, and is evidently very fashionable, but her fans seem not to know much about her personal life. The blonde beauty is 28 years-old, and also seems to have fallen in love with boxing, as she was spotted on Instagram sparring in the ring. The happy couple.Credit: Not known, clear with picture deskDo they have any children together? They currently do not have any children aged just 28 and 30 respectively, but it could be on the horizon after they are married. When did they get married? The couple finally exchanged rings in December 2020, after being together for 11 years, and announced the engagement on Instagram.Taylor proposed to Danielle on a yacht, and was accompanied by his trainer Ben Davison and sparring partner Lee McGregor. And the pair got married on June 20, 2022.Taylor celebrates his engagement to the gorgeous Danielle.Who is Josh Taylor fighting? Josh Taylor is going up against Jack Catterall in a huge grudge rematch TONIGHT – and it’s a tough one to call.Most read in BoxingTaylor is fighting Jack Catterall tonightCredit: Getty More

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    Elle Brooke in stunning body transformation as she shows off toned abs and vows to ‘snatch Paige Vanzant’s soul’

    ELLE BROOKE did everything but spar in her bra as she stripped to her underwear for a routine alerting Paige VanZant she is fighting fit.The two sporty influencers who were OnlyFans models clash on Sunday in the latest Misfits Boxing event in Houston, Texas.Elle Brooke reckons she looks sharp for her big nightCredit: InstagramElle is in prime condition for the fight on SundayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/thedumbledong/Th Brit has already had an awkward face-off with VanZantCredit: InstagramAnd Elle, 26, confirmed her abs are more taut than ever as she aims to teach the 30-year-old ex-MMA star a surprise lesson.The Brit has completed a body transformation designed to suggest the fight between the popular pair can match the hype.Elle flexed her biceps like a body-builder as she did a slow spin for the camera.And she insists she can leave her American opponent in a whirl after a build-up that has included two dramatic face-to-face encounters.READ MORE ON ELLE BROOKEFans were given a silent fright when the pair went uncomfortably quiet for ages at their second meeting earlier this week.The awkward exchange came when they were asked to give each other nicknames.That followed Elle delivering an early blow – by claiming Paige has “fallen off” as she’s lost her last two bareknuckle fights and three of her final four UFC outings.She then dished out a follow-up pounding by adding: “You had your hype when you were in the UFC but now you’ve lost that pull.”Most read in BoxingPaige responded by all but forcing Elle to admit it was her “first time in a main event”.Both are thought to be worth about £3million-plus.EXCLUSIVE: I make hundreds of thousands on OnlyFans but now I want to become a world champion after boxing changed my lifeBut Paige’s Instagram following of 3.1m eclipses Elle’s total of 936,000.Now it’s up to the social media dazzlers this weekend to show whose banter has got the ring of truth about it – by adding real wham to their glam.Elle Brooke has a huge following onlineCredit: Instagram @thedumbledongElle Brooke traded in OnlyFans for boxingCredit: PAShe also showed fans a red outfitCredit: Instagram @thedumbledongElle always embraces the seasons traditionsCredit: Instagram @thedumbledongLast week she posed in laceCredit: Instagram @thedumbledongShe recently posed in a pink lingerieCredit: Instagram / @thedumbledongAnd also embraced yellowCredit: Instagram @thedumbledongThe influencer posed with a championship beltCredit: Instagram / @thedumbledongElle recently visited the USCredit: Instagram @thedumbledongIncluding visiting TexasCredit: https://www.instagram.com/thedumbledong/ More

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    I’m former boxer who beat Oleksandr Usyk, now I work as a fitness coach in Jersey

    MEET the Jersey-based fitness coach who beat Oleksandr Usyk and reckons he knows where Tyson Fury went wrong.Polish ex-boxer Lukasz Wawrzyczek believes he worked out how to overcome the “much bigger” Usyk in the final round of his tight fight.Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury on a split decisionCredit: PALukasz Wawrzyczek is convinced Fury got his tactics wrongCredit: BBCAnd the 40-year-old insists Fury blundered with his tactics when the Brit lost his undisputed heavyweight title bout to the Ukrainian last weekend.Wawrzyczek switched to the fitness game after quitting the ring ten years ago, following 220 amateur bouts plus 20 wins in 26 pro fights.He then moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands in 2015.The former welterweight vividly recalls defeating Usyk, who was then a middleweight aged 18, via a three-round points decision at amateur level two decades ago.READ MORE BOXING NEWSHe also explained the advice he would have given the Gypsy King for his epic showdown with 37-year-old Usyk in Saudi Arabia – a message that presumably applies equally to the planned re-match later this year.Wawrzyczek told the BBC of his own encounter: “He was very light on his feet and had a very good technique, but I was better.”From the beginning to the end I was the person who was going forward. I think that’s the clue to win with southpaw boxers.”He was obviously very good already in defence. However, in that third round everything that I could leave I left in the ring.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWawrzyczek then spelt out out his words of wisdom for 6ft 9ins Fury.He said: “If you’re fighting a southpaw you have to attack him, you can’t give him any space to win.Emotional Oleksandr Usyk IN TEARS as he pays tribute to his father after beating Tyson Fury”He [Fury] was [going] a little bit backwards and that’s why I think he lost the fight.”My strategy if I was training Tyson Fury would be very similar to the situation to Anthony Joshua had in his fight against Usyk.”He did one round like that and he won that round, but he stopped attacking him, that’s why he lost.”Tyson Fury’s huge, he’s massive, he’s much bigger than Usyk, so he could be that person.”For all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else
    OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
    A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
    Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
    He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
    But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
    Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
    Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
    So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
    He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
    The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
    Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
    The rematch will be superb.
    Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
    There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
    Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here… More

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    Lawrence Okolie vs Lukasz Rozanski LIVE: Brit WINS world title with dominant first-round KO – latest updates

    LAWRENCE OKOLIE beat Lukasz Rozanski in the first round to win the WBC bridgerweight title. Okolie landed flush right hand after flush right hand and floored Rozanksi three times before the referee waved the fight off with just five seconds left of the first round.
    Ring-walk time: 10pm BST
    Stream: Sky Sports Arena
    Okolie shows true punch power
    In this new weight division, bridgerweight, it is designed to fill the gap between cruiserweight and heavyweight.
    Okolie showed that his punching stands him in good stead for going up to the heavyweight class but he needs to be able to take those big hits also.
    He was dropped three times in his last fight and although was not tested tonight, he will need to work on that in the future.
    You won’t knock everyone out in the first round after all.
    Copy linkCopiedRozanski claims ‘rabbit punch’ ruined fight
    Lukasz Rozanski continued to keep tapping his gloves to the back of his head, even after the fight had been called.
    The champion appeared to reference a punch to the back of the head during a clinch with Okolie.
    Whether it affected him enough to cost him the fight is highly debatable as he was rocked by each of the three punches Okolie threw to knock him to the canvas.
    Copy linkCopiedOkolie answers critics in Poland
    It was a good performance from Lawrence Okolie as he looked to bring the fireworks to the champion from the off.
    He was landing good punches and it was evident his opponent was not a boxer used to receiving such big hits in such an accurate way.
    The final punch that won the fight, a huge uppercut really hurt Rozanski and the referee made the right choice in stopping the fight.
    Copy linkCopiedLawrence Okolie wins by TKO
    Copy linkCopiedLawrence Okolie vs Lukasz Rozanski (Round 1)
    Both fighters start in an attacking fashion.
    Rozanski complains that he is punched in the back of the head as they come together.
    Okolie drops his opponent three times in the first round in a matter of 60 seconds.
    The referee after the third fall decides enough is enough.
    Copy linkCopiedMain event about to get underway
    As you would expect there is a massive following for the champion.
    We are now having the national anthems as ‘God Save The King’ plays.
    There is nobody singing whatsoever, not even in the ring, maybe not big fans of this tune.
    Copy linkCopiedTrainer measuring ring in venue
    Joe Gallagher has been out with his tape measure checking the dimensions of the ring.
    Sky Sports interviewed him to see why he felt the need to do so….

    Copy linkCopiedUndercard results from Poland
    With only the main attraction remaining, here are the results from the undercard:
    Fiodor Cherkashyn beats Jorge Cota (Round 7 stoppage)
    Ihosvany Garcia beats Lukasz Plawecki (Round 2 stoppage)
    Jan Czerklewicz beats Paul Valenzuela (Points)
    Kamil Slendak beats Daniel Plonka (Round 2 stoppage)
    Tobiasz Zarzeczny beats Daniel Przewieslik (Points)
    Copy linkCopiedBillam-Smith puts doubt on Okolie
    Going into his last fight, Lawrence Okolie was full of confidence that he could get a pivotal win to propel his boxing career.
    Instead, after being knocked down three times, losing the fight has seriously set his career back.
    You have to wonder if he does not win this evening, whether it may be the end of the road for the British boxer.
    Credit: Reuters
    Copy linkCopiedWin or bust for Brit boxer
    Lawrence Okolie has not been in the ring for almost exactly 12 months.
    The creation of this division and subsequent title has given him a chance that he did not expect to come along again.
    After his defeat in his last fight, Okolie can answer his critics if he can beat Rozanski in his own back yard.
    Copy linkCopiedRozanski comes in as underdog
    Despite his impressive career record, many pundits are expecting a knockout victory for Okolie.
    All of this off the back of his last fight, where he himself hit the canvas three times.
    With his ferocious attacking boxing, it is seen that Okolie will just have too much for the Polish boxer.
    Copy linkCopiedPole yet to taste defeat in career
    Lukasz Rozanski is unbeaten in his boxing career to date.
    Only two of his previous fights have even seen the sixth round.
    Fighting on home soil, it would be a big statement with a knockout win against Lawrence Okolie.
    Copy linkCopiedFight to draw big TV audience
    It is rare in the boxing world now that fights are not on pay-per-view subscriptions or random channels that nobody subscribes to.
    Tonight, the main event fight will be shown on Sky Sports.
    However, they do not see fit to fill their schedule with any of the undercard bouts.
    Copy linkCopiedBrit with point to prove
    Despite getting a majority decision in his last fight against Chris Billam-Smith, Okolie was knocked down three times in the bout.
    Many people have questioned his boxing abilities as a result.
    Tonight’s fight gives him the chance to his the restart button on his boxing career.
    Copy linkCopiedChamp ready for battle on new territory
    Okolie has spoken about the threat of his opponent tonight:
    I’m expecting it to be very hostile but I’ll just blank it out. If anything, this particular fight is going to fuel me, especially the way I feel like I need to and want to fight. I know what he’s going to come with, we’ve seen it 15 times, he goes all out, I’ll show him he’s in there with a different animal. I’m looking forward to the boos and getting in there and getting it done vicious.Lawrence OkolieWBC bridgerweight contender
    Copy linkCopiedOkolie looking for big knockout
    Lawrence Okolie is certainly not looking for this fight to go the distance.
    He has had 14 stoppages from his 19 wins so far in his career.
    However, Rozanski has won 14 of his 15 fights by knockout so there should be no danger of a points division in this fight.
    Copy linkCopiedJoe seeing positives from new division
    Lawrence Okolie’s trainer, Joe Gallagher has spoken about this bridgerweight contest tonight:
    It’s a good idea of how he will cope at heavyweight without having to go up to that division. It’s a chance [to] get that WBC belt and put himself back on the boxing map.Joe GallagherOkolie coach
    Copy linkCopiedWelcome to Okolie vs Rozanski
    Lawrence Okolie is fighting Lukasz Rozanski for the WBO Bridgerweight title in Poland this evening.
    This is a newly created division by the WBC to bridge the gap between cruiserweight and heavyweight.
    For Okolie, it is a chance for him to prepare for the heavyweight fighting class.
    It is a chance for him to put himself back on the boxing map with victory in Europe tonight.
    This would make Okolie a two-weight world champion, in his first fight for almost a year.
    Copy linkCopied More

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    Tyson Fury activates Oleksandr Usyk rematch clause for this year and it may still be undisputed due to little-known rule

    TYSON FURY has activated the Oleksandr Usyk rematch clause – and it could still be for UNDISPUTED.The 35-year-old lost his WBC heavyweight world title to the Ukraine genius, who became undisputed boss on May 19.Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are set to rematchThe Gypsy King suffered a smashed nose and a battering through rounds eight and nine.But he has triggered the instant rematch part of the mega-money deal worth around £100million and will return to Riyadh in just over four months.And it could be for all four belts again as the IBF cannot strip 37-year-old Usyk of his title while he is under medical suspension until June 2.It seemed likely that the red version of the titles would be taken away from Usyk and contested between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois on June 1.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut Usyk has now been suspended until June 2 so there is no way he can be stripped of the belt.The only thing that could have got the bout pushed back into November would have been injuries both brave men suffered.But both are expected to be fit and firing before November, so the rerun show can coincide with the Riyadh Season staging all of these sporting spectaculars.Fury was also handed a suspension but only till May 25 – just a week long. Most read in BoxingFusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdict

    HERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.
    ROUND 1
    Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.
    Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.
    The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.
    Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.
    Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.
    Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.
    Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.
    Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9
    ROUND 2
    Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.
    Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.
    Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.
    A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.
    Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.
    Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.
    But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.
    Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9
    ROUND 3
    Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.
    Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.
    A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.
    Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9
    Round 4
    Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.
    He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.
    But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.
    Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.
    Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.
    Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9
    Round 5
    Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.
    Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.
    A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.
    Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9
    Round 6
    Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.
    A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.
    Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.
    But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.
    Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.
    A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9
    Round 7
    Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.
    And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.
    Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.
    Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shot
    Usyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.
    But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9
    Round 8
    Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.
    But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.
    Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.
    Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9
    Round 9
    Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.
    But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.
    Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.
    Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8
    Round 10
    Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.
    Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.
    Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9
    Round 11
    A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.
    Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.
    Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.
    Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.
    The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9
    Round 12
    The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.
    Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.
    And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.
    A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.
    Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.
    But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9
    TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114

    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd in the aftermath of the brutal fight, he said: “I’m not boxing because I’ve got no money, I’m boxing because I love it.”I’m 36 in a few months, I’ve been boxing since I was a child. where does it all end, you have 100 fights and you have brain damage and are in a wheelchair.”For as long as I’m loving the game, I’ll continue to do it, and when I don’t, I’ll pack it up.”Tyson Fury lost his unbeaten record against the UkrainianCredit: GettyUsyk showing off his battle scarsThe undisputed champ posed with his WBC beltCredit: Instagram / usykaaUsyk was also handed a medical boxing suspensionCredit: Getty More

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    I was feared street fighter named The B***** who survived being shot and stabbed – now I’m out for bare-knuckle stardom

    DANNY CHRISTIE was once a feared street fighter who survived being shot and stabbed – but now he is out for bare-knuckle boxing success. Christie, from Carlisle, boxed as an amateur from the age of 11, winning county titles and ending with a 13-6 record. Danny Christie was a former feared street fighter before turning to bare-knuckle boxingCredit: @danny_tb_christieChristie is signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting ChampionshipCredit: @danny_tb_christieChristie revealed he survived being shot and stabbedCredit: @danny_tb_christieBut his reputation as a brawler was instead gained on the cobbles, where he very nearly lost his life. Christie, 39, told SunSport: “I suppose I did have a reputation on the street, but it’s nothing to be proud of. “I don’t have any regrets, but if I could go back in time I would change a few things.  “Just generally the way I carried myself, being nuisance, starting trouble. READ MORE IN BOXING”But moreover I’ve hurt one or two people unnecessarily – and any pain, prison, heartache, violent encounters and near death experiences that I’ve caused myself I can live with, that’s on me.”But it doesn’t sit as nicely knowing I’ve caused people pain unnecessarily. “I’ve been shot in the back once and stabbed three times and I was airlifted to get a blood transfusion, that was a close call. “Thank God I’m still here. It didn’t change me at the time because I was in the grip of active addiction.” Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSChristie – who spent 12 weeks in prison aged 34 for harassing a rival – never had a professional fighting career in his sights. But after a video of a brutal organised fight between Christie and an opponent went viral bare-knuckle promoters came calling. Conor McGregor touted for brutal bare-knuckle boxing switch after UFC star strikes deal with BKFCHe revealed: “I first became a professional fighter at the age of 37. “I had a bit of an altercation around where I live with someone, we had a straightener in the gym in Manchester and that fight went viral. “We had millions of hits and the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship reached out and offered me a contract.” Christie – a former sparring partner of Tommy Fury’s – has since recorded four wins and one loss and earned the nickname The B*****d.He explained: “There’s a b****d inside of me that comes out on fight night, so the nickname fits.”Christie opened up on the difference between competing in the ring with boxing gloves on compared to exposed fists. He said: “One punch can change your career.  Christie only turned pro at 37Credit: @danny_tb_christieThis is the aftermath of one brutal bare-knuckle boutCredit: @danny_tb_christieChristie poses after a sparring session with Tommy FuryCredit: @danny_tb_christie”It is the most gangster form of combat sports by far, your knuckles are like blades, throwing them at that sort of speed, they’ll take your eyebrows off. And one good punch will change the course of the fight.”If you get hit with a good punch with a glove, yes, it will register but if you get hit with that bare knuckle, it will slice you wide open and give you 20 stitches. It’s more clinical than boxing and the fight can change quickly.”BKFC has just announced a huge investment from UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 35, who is now a part-owner in the brand. And Christie, who retuns on June 8 at BKFC Newcastle, said: “Anything Conor McGregor touches turns to gold. “So I can only imagine BKFC will go into the stratosphere with his involvement with Conor McGregor on board.”Christie hailed his move to BKFC as a career-changer and hailed their safety protocols despite concern around the gory sport.He said: “My respect for BKFC and all of their top medical professionals, the matchmakers, David Feldman, is off the charts. “I’ve got a brilliant relationship with them. We’re looked after in terms of having doctors and paramedics at ringside, to inspect cuts and injuries during the fight and between rounds. READ MORE SUN STORIES”And the aftercare is brilliant, I’ve never known the stitch team to be immediately on hand to stitch up any cuts or lacerations immediately after the fight. “The medical care is just on point, the wages are brilliant, the exposure is great, the team, the treatment – BKFC is one of the best things that’s happened in my life.”Christie is becoming a star of BKFCCredit: @danny_tb_christie More