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      Francis Ngannou’s coach FEARS for Anthony Joshua’s health after fight with ‘ungodly’ ex-UFC champ

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has so much “ungodly power” even his boxing coach fears for his opponents – in a brutal warning to Anthony Joshua. Former kickboxer Dewey Cooper has been the man tasked with honing Ngannou’s hands since joining the camp in 2017.
      Francis Ngannou in training to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: @francisngannou
      Joshua faces Ngannou on March 8
      But along with Frenchman John Mbumba, their roles became even more important last year when Ngannou put on hold his MMA career to cross over to boxing.
      But Cooper admits neither him or Mbumba can take credit for the ex-UFC champion’s devastating power.
      Instead, he puts it down to Ngannou’s years spent working in sand mines in Cameroon for £1.50 a day from the age of ten.
      Cooper told SunSport in Saudi Arabia ahead of PFL vs Bellator: “As far as his punching power, no that was something that he naturally had.
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      “He dug sand mines as a kid all the way up to his early 20s.
      “Of course, his DNA, his Cameroonian heritage and that hard manual labour as a kid all the way up, I feel was the main attribute to that ungodly power.”
      Ngannou’s frightening power was once tested and found to be the equivalent to 96 horse power.
      That means it carries the same ferocity as a 12lb sledgehammer being swung at full force or being hit by a moving Ford Escort.
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      And if anyone knows the pain of Ngannou’s punches, it is poor old coach Cooper.
      He laughed: “I had to change my body shield three or four different times because he was killing me.
      ‘AJ ain’t knocking that thing out’, say shocked fans as Francis Ngannou shows off insane physique ahead of Saudi scrap
      “I was going home with injured ribs all the time but I finally got a really good body pad – and it still hurts even now.
      “But I’m just barley tough enough to take it. Remember, coaching Francis Ngannou isn’t for the weak or the meek.
      “The saying, ‘It felt like he got hit by a bus’, I feel that every training session, I’m used to it now.
      “It’s gigantic power, it’s enormous power and that’s gonna be on display March 8th and that’s for damn sure.”
      Ngannou, 37, astonishingly dropped Tyson Fury, 35, on his boxing debut but it was not enough to avoid a controversial split-decision loss.
      The performance and shock knockdown was still enough to earn the MMA star another blockbuster boxing bout, this time against Joshua, 34.
      It will be the second time Cooper has led the charge but his 11th bout in total with Ngannou.
      And he opened up about fearing the worst whenever Ngannou’s ruthless right hand lands – but showing no remorse before it.
      He said: “The Overeem fight was one that comes to memory and the Rozenstruik, absolutely. But, that’s after the knockout, after the relief of victory.
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      “That’s of course when the humanitarian side kicks in and you feel bad for the guys. But going into the fight, absolutely not.
      “We plan on dominating, I want to make sure people understand that, if it were my way I want him to dominate and smash everyone he fights, the same way he did previous opponents in mixed martial arts.”
      Ngannou pictured with boxing coach Dewey CooperCredit: Reuters More

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      Floyd Mayweather breaks silence over Manny Pacquiao rematch and claims he was paid £3m just for ‘saying his name’

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has broken his silence over rematching Manny Pacquiao – and claimed he earned £3million from just being called out. Mayweather beat Pacquiao in 2015 in what still stands as boxing’s richest ever fight having raked in over £500MILLION.
      Floyd Mayweather has broken his silence over rematching Manny PacquiaoCredit: The Pivot Podcast
      And a rematch has always been touted even after the legendary pair sailed off into retirement.
      More recently, Pacquiao announced that he would rematch Mayweather this year in an exhibition with MMA promotion RIZIN.
      Only now has Mayweather responded to the claim in an interview on The Pivot Podcast.
      He said: “When Manny Pacquiao spoke about that, he shouldn’t have because there’s a time and a place for everything.
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      “I’m not gonna say he’s right and I’m not gonna say he’s wrong. But it’s so crazy, when he spoke about it, I could’ve easily came out and said, ‘You spoke about it.’ I didn’t have to say nothing.
      “Just by you saying my name they gave me a cheque for $4million.”
      Mayweather refused to reveal who the alleged payment came from.
      But he took the chance to aim a dig at Pacquiao, who he rivalled with for over half a decade before settling the argument over 12 rounds.
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      Mayweather said: “But remember – he got famous because they said this could be the guy that could possibly dethrone the king.
      “Did it happen? Absolutely not. Was it easy? Absolutely.”
      I’m a boxing legend who fought Floyd Mayweather but rival champ was the hardest puncher… I can still feel the punches
      Mayweather retired two years after beating Pacquiao, officially walking away following his 2017 win over UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
      But he has continued to box in exhibition bouts since against stars of the social media, MMA and boxing world.
      His last was in June against the grandson of notorious mob boss John Gotti, which ended in a disqualification win for Mayweather.
      The pair have since announced they will rematch.
      Pacquiao meanwhile retired following his 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas.
      But after a failed presidential election in the Philippines, the eight-division champion announced plans to make a comeback.
      He returns on April 20 in Thailand against Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek but wants to make a run back into traditional boxing afterwards.
      Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015Credit: Getty More

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      ‘AJ ain’t knocking that thing out’, say shocked fans as Francis Ngannou shows off insane physique ahead of Saudi scrap

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      SHOCKED boxing fans declared there is no way Anthony Joshua can knock out Francis Ngannou – after the Cameroonian showed off his insane physique.The former UFC heavyweight champ steps into the boxing ring for a second time next month when he takes on AJ in Saudi Arabia.
      Francis Ngannou looks ripped and ready to face Anthony JoshuaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/francisngannou/
      The 37-year-old shared a brilliant video from his gymCredit: https://www.instagram.com/francisngannou/
      After massively scaring Tyson Fury in October, he is confident of causing plenty of problems for Joshua.
      And supporters are inclined to agree following the veteran’s latest Instagram post.
      Hulking Ngannou, 37, shared a video to his 6.6million followers of his trainer repeatedly slamming a weighted wall ball against his set of rock-solid abs in the gym.
      The fighter remains unmoved in his training shorts with a towel around his neck and headphones on.
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      Ngannou captioned the clip: “My face when they said that I don’t belong in boxing. Not born different, built different.”
      And that prompted a wave of responses with his followers feeling ominous for Joshua’s chances on March 8.
      One said: “AJ ain’t knocking that thing out I’m sorry.”
      Another wrote: “Only way you are beating this man is on points.”
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      A third added: “AJ has a mega problem not solvable.”
      A fourth typed: “AJ is in trouble.”
      Watford residents ask heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua ANYTHING!
      A fifth commented: “Legend says they had to add cement on the ball cause he was breaking them all.”
      A sixth responded: “AJ better aim for the face or win on points.”
      A seventh quipped: “Lmao couldn’t pay me to fight this man.”
      An eighth claimed: “Francis is too strong for boxing.”

      ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
      A ninth put: “Absolute beast.”
      And a final user simply labelled him a “tank”.
      However, AJ fans sent a similar chilling warning to Ngannou after he posted his own content from inside his training camp.
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      Supporters do not have to wait long before the first bell in two-and-a-half weeks’ time.
      And they will have the choice to catch the blockbuster pay-per-view event on Sky Sports or DAZN.
      Ngannou had Tyson Fury down on the canvas in their October boutCredit: Getty
      The pair face off in Saudi Arabia on March 8Credit: PA More

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      Josh Taylor offers ‘ungrateful’ Jack Catterall cheeky present in another fiery press conference ahead of grudge fight

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      JOSH TAYLOR offered rival Jack Catterall a cheeky present during their fiery press conference.The boxers are set to have their highly anticipated rematch in April in Leeds.
      Josh Taylor gave Jack Catterall a packet of crayonsCredit: Getty
      Catterall was not impressed by the offerCredit: Getty
      Catterall left the crayons behindCredit: Twitter @JoshTaylorBoxer
      The first fight ended in a disputed split decision win for Taylor at the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow.
      No love has been lost between the two as tempers flared during their first face-off ahead of their rematch, at a press conference in Edinburgh.
      There were plenty of strong words shared between the fighters, but Taylor was able to show his cheeky side with one gimmick.
      The Scot, 33, was seen leaning over to give Catterall the crayons, which sparked a confrontation between the two.
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      Throughout the presser, he continued to bring up that he had given Catterall crayons during their encounter.
      He could be heard telling his rival to “go back to your crayons” as he pointed them out.
      After the press conference ended, Taylor shared a picture of the crayons in front of Catterall’s nameplate on social media.
      He wrote: “Jack Catterall you left your present. So ungrateful.”
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      Many of Taylor’s fans loved the joke as they responded to the post.
      One fan wrote: “This had me in bits!”
      Shocking moment Jack Catterall grabs Josh Taylor by the NECK in explosive face-off ahead of grudge rematch
      A second commented: “Top bantz.”
      A third posted: “Well funny that.”
      A fourth said: “Great banter.”
      Another added: “Hahaha, that is quite funny, to be fair.”
      The controversy over the first fight and bitterness shared between the two made an immediate rematch a no-brainer.
      But competing promotions and networks stood in the way of the grudge match.
      However, now, after two years, a deal has finally been agreed upon for the arch-rivals to settle the score on April 27. More

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      Eddie Hearn claims Gervonta Davis feels Conor Benn fight offer ‘not good enough’ as talks over huge bout stall

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      EDDIE HEARN believes Gervonta Davis’ purse demands may very well have scuppered a fight with Conor Benn.Negotiations over a shock showdown between the pair began just days after Benn’s decision win over Peter Dobson in Las Vegas earlier this month.
      Conor Benn was on course for a shock clash with Gervonta Davis after his win over Peter DobsonCredit: GETTY
      Promoter Eddie Hearn entered talks with Davis’ team after the American’s X spat with BennCredit: AP
      Hearn had a sneaking suspicion Davis’ purse demands could potentially scupper the boutCredit: GETTY
      Two-weight world champion Davis, however, has seemingly pulled the plug on the showdown – with Team Benn now turning their attention to a clash with Danny Garcia.
      And speaking to SunSport earlier this month, Hearn revealed that Davis’ asking price for the fight could very well scupper the out-of-the-blue bout.
      The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “We’ve been speaking and going back and forth with numbers.
      “Gervonta is always gonna feel like the offer is not good enough.
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      “He made a lot of money against Ryan Garcia. But with pay-per-view upside and the gate, I think that fight can be huge.”
      Pitting surging welterweight contender Benn against the controversial Davis wasn’t on Hearn’s radar until the pair started going back and forth on X.
      He admitted: “It’s not one that I ever really anticipated, but actually, when you think about it logically, it makes great sense.
      “Conor is fighting a smaller guy who is very good and definitely the favourite on paper.
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      Conor Benn launched an x-rated attack on Gervonta DavisCredit: INSTAGRAM@CONORBENNOFFICIAL
      “For Gervonta, he’ll think Conor Benn is easy work.”
      Should Davis have a change of heart, Hearn has no doubt in his mind that the dust-up will do well at the box office.
      Watch Conor Benn ring out PINTS of sweat from T-shirt after going for pre-fight run ahead of Rodolfo Orozco bout
      He continued: “I think it does very well at the gate, I think the pay-per-view narrative of the Brit who’s got a huge following over here and a great profile.
      “And Gervonta is massive in America, I think it could do really well.
      “We’re looking to stage that fight in America but there’s a long way to go.”
      Benn’s attention is seemingly no longer focused on Davis, who he issued a blunt message to on social media after learning of his rejection of the fight.
      He said: ” P***y [cat emoij] don’t ever at me again. @Gervontaa.”
      Baltimore bruiser Davis, 29, hasn’t set foot in the ring since stopping Ryan Garcia in the seventh round of their Las Vegas showdown last April.
      Gervonta Davis stopped Ryan Garcia in the seventh round of their Las Vegas showdown last AprilCredit: GETTY More

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      Tyson Fury’s garlic-mad diet revealed as Gypsy King faces race against time to be ready for Oleksandr Usyk fight

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      TYSON FURY will be knocking back extra servings of red meat and GARLIC to ensure he’s fully healed up for his historic showdown against Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King was due to clash with the undefeated Ukrainian for all the heavyweight marbles last weekend before he suffered a HORROR CUT in sparring.
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s long overdue showdown was postponed to May 18Credit: EPA
      The fight was pushed back after Fury suffered a horror cut in sparringCredit: QUEENSBERRY PROMOTIONS
      An accidental elbow from sparring partner Agron Smakici delayed the fight
      Fury’s nutritionist George Lockhart has put him on a high protein and garlic diet to help heal the gaping woundCredit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONFURY
      An accidental elbow from sparring partner Agron Smakici re-opened the scar tissue left above Fury’s right eye from his 2019 clash with Otto Wallin and rendered him unable to compete.
      Saudi boxing kingpin Turki Alalshikh hastily rescheduled the undisputed showdown – the first in the heavyweight division for nearly 25 years – for May 18.
      Team Fury are pulling out all the stops to ensure the WBC heavyweight king makes the fight, with nutritionist George Lockhart implementing a diet high in protein and garlic to ensure he’s fighting fit for the Riyadh rumble.
      He told Betway: “High protein helps massively as the body needs to recover, rebuild and repair itself.
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      “Lots of protein, lots of water and fluid, and while it’s not sexy that is the type of foods that will help recover a bad cut.
      “A lot of red meats and stuff with iron in it. Not just meats but things with a lot of micro-nutrients in it, including garlic, spinach, carrots, onion, and mix everything together.
      “Garlic is a great source to help you recover quickly as it kills off bacteria and germs in a cut.
      “Like I said red meat is the key source of protein.”
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      Lockhart – the former nutritionist of UFC legend Conor McGregor – is acutely aware of the fact that Fury’s diet won’t solely aid the healing of his cut.
      He admitted: “I’m not one of those nutritionists which says food will solve everything.
      Tyson Fury takes part in gruelling training session ahead of cancelled undisputed Usyk fight
      “But it has a huge impact over time in terms of recovery and injuries of that nature, but the most important thing is time.
      “The doctor said that the cut will heal in three weeks.
      “People don’t realise that the normal person is fine with a cut like this but if you’re going to get punched in the face, it will take a long time.
      “Even May is close for this fight to be happening but I know he wants to take care of business so I think he will get it done.
      “A lot of people don’t realise that when you are injured, your body burns more calories because it is putting a lot more effort in recovering and help with whatever injury it is, including a cut.
      “Healing a cut and a sprained ankle though are two different things.
      Tyson Fury got in a career-best shape for his crack at undisputed gloryCredit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONFURY
      “For inflammation, fish such as wild salmon and omega 3 are key sources of nutrition to overcome an injury like a sprained ankle.
      “You actually need to stay away from red meats and Omega 6.”
      Fury, 35, got into a career-best shape ahead of his now-postponed date with destiny – something Lockhart believes he’ll replicate for the biggest fight of his career.
      He said: “I haven’t spoken to him much recently since the last fight got cancelled.
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      “He looks great and is in amazing shape. I saw the transformation; he’s looking lean and strong.
      “The thing about Tyson is, he is an animal, a beast, and will go in there with the reach, cardio, boxing IQ, power and size so it will be a very difficult night for Oleksandr Usyk.” More

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      I’m the greatest women boxer of all time… but now I want to be a world champion in a different sport

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      CLARESSA SHIELDS is not shy of boasting about being the greatest women’s boxer of all time – but now she wants to go a step further. Shields has an almost unmatched CV in the sport, with double Olympic gold medals, two undisputed titles and belts in three different divisions to her name.
      Claressa Shields calls herself the ‘Greatest Woman of All Time’ in the ringCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But Shields has also crossed over to boxing
      But the outspoken American looked to better her legacy even further by crossing over to MMA in 2021 with the Professional Fighters League.
      Shields, unbeaten in boxing, is 1-1 in MMA but insisted she did not swap the boxing ring for the cage just to experiment.
      Instead, she wants to become a two-sport world champion as she sets her sights on the PFL title and the history that comes with it.
      She told SunSport: “That’s the ultimate goal. Manifestation is real, I believe in two or three years I will be fighting for the PFL world championship.
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      “I’ll still be a boxing world champion and the same time. So the goal is to be boxing world champion and be PFL champion at the same time.
      “And after that, I’d probably wash my hands with MMA but that’s the bigger goal.”
      Shields won her MMA debut by beating Brittney Elkin but she then suffered defeat for the first time since her amateur boxing days against Abigail Montes.
      She has not returned to the cage since, instead picking up a trio of boxing wins, including against arch rival Savannah Marshall.
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      But now Shields has her eyes on the PFL’s season, where stars fight in qualifying and knockout stages over four bouts to win the title and $1m cash prize.
      But more than just the money, Shields believes actively holding titles in both sports – which would be a historic first – cements her place as the best to ever do it.
      Anthony Joshua vows to win the undisputed title after Francis Ngannou fight
      She said: “Well, I’m already the greatest woman of all time in boxing, we know that.
      “But to be able to come over to a whole different sport in the prime of my career and win, when I’m able to win the PFL world championship, I think that ranks me as the greatest combat sports person ever.
      “And not even woman. I don’t know any champion who can do what I’m doing right now.
      “So I believe in three years when I actually get in the PFL tournament and I fight for the PFL world championship, when I win that rates me as the greatest combat sports person in history.”
      Shields makes her MMA return on Saturday in Riyadh against Kelsey DeSantis on the PFL vs Bellator undercard. More

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      Three ‘physical’ former Man Utd stars tipped for careers in boxing by former world champion

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      PAULIE MALIGNAGGI has backed Wayne Rooney for a move into boxing – along with two other ex-Manchester United stars. Rooney was offered the chance to make the switch to the ring by KSI’s Misfits Boxing promotion.
      Paulie Malignaggi has baked Wayne Rooney moving into boxing
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rooney are two Malignaggi wants to see in boxingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Romelu Lukaku, here clashing with Ibrahimovic, is another tipped for boxing potentialCredit: Getty
      And former world champion Malignaggi is all for it and wants to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic as well as Romelu Lukaku join him.
      He told Lord Ping: “I don’t think it’s a bad idea, Wayne was always a physical forward like a Christian Vieri type.
      “I think Rooney has the physicality and the skills, he was a very strong and a tremendous athlete.
      “He’s a big boxing fan, when I met him he knew who I was, which threw me off. I’m interested in him boxing.
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      “There are certain guys in football who might be able to do some fighting; Wayne Rooney, Romelu Lukaku,  Zlatan Ibrahimovic, I’m on board with it.”
      Rooney, 38, is an avid boxing fan and was infamously knocked out in his kitchen by fellow footballer Phil Bardsley in a boozy spar gone wrong.
      Ibrahimovic, 42, meanwhile is a black belt in taekwondo while Lukaku, 30, is known for his physicality on the field.
      Malignaggi, a former super-lightweight and welterweight champ, retired in 2017 and has since moved into punditry.
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      Similarly, Rooney is now out of action since hanging his boots up and taking on coaching.
      But he was recently sacked by Birmingham in January, which freed up Misfits – pioneers in celebrity-style bouts – to make him an offer.
      Phil Bardsley reveals all about moment he KO’d Wayne Rooney in his kitchen and says he’ll fight him again
      Rooney confirmed that a deal was proposed but spoke out to pledge his future to football.
      He said on The Overlap podcast: “They’ve been in touch and asked the question, but I think at the minute I want to focus on getting back into management – not boxing.” More