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      Anthony Joshua reveals why he snubbed three fighters to take on Francis Ngannou in his own ‘undisputed’ bout

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed he rejected three other potential opponents to make the Francis Ngannou fight.Joshua, 34, will face off against former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou, 37, in Saudi Arabia on March 8.
      Anthony Joshua has revealed three names were proposed to him before he took the Francis Ngannou fightCredit: Alamy
      Deontay Wilder was set to face Joshua before his defeat to Joseph ParkerCredit: Getty
      Prior to AJ’s win over Otto Wallin in December he had signed to face American KO artist Deontay Wilder.
      But the Bronze Bomber was comprehensively outboxed by Joseph Parker on the same bill as Joshua’s stoppage victory.
      And Wilder’s defeat left many claiming a fight with AJ was dead in the water.
      Yet Joshua has now insisted he still believed he could have faced the Alabama puncher next.
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      As well as Wilder, a clash with IBF mandatory Filip Hrgovic was also discussed.
      And a trilogy against Andy Ruiz Jr was also in the mix in what would have been a follow-up to their two fights in 2019.
      But once the Brit was approached about the Ngannou bout, he urged them to make the fight.
      Speaking on The MMA Hour, he said: “I thought it might be Wilder still, because the contracts were signed, and it’s still a big fight.
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      ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
      “It’s still an amazing fight, it’s a crossover between UK and USA, all that good stuff promotional-wise, it’s still a good fight.
      “So no, I kind of let that one slide, and then it was the [Flip] Hrgovic situation, the [Andy] Ruiz situation.
      “Then they put Francis there, and my team were like, ‘This is a good opportunity on this day in Saudi Arabia against this opponent. What are you saying?’
      “I said, ‘Let’s roll. Let’s go.’”
      Joshua is heading into the Ngannou fight off the back of three successive wins against Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Wallin.
      Ngannou is preparing for only his second pro boxing fight after narrowly losing by split decision to Tyson Fury in what almost became one of the sport’s all-time great upsets.
      If Joshua wins, many will want him to take on the winner of the undisputed fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk – which is set for February 17.
      AJ has already lost twice to Usyk, but a blockbuster all-British dust-up with Fury has never materialised.
      However, when asked about the possibility of facing Fury or Usyk, he added: “Let me say this again, I’m not focusing on [facing the Fury-Usyk winner].
      “I’m going to take my mind, I have to draw it back that Ngannou is my undisputed title fight. That’s the mentality I have to have.
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      “Ngannou is my undisputed fight. Because you’re only as good as your last fight, and I respect him a lot. He ain’t easy money. He’s a hard night’s work.
      “And you know what’s crazy? So am I. I’m a hard night’s work for anyone. So let’s go, it’s going to be fireworks.”
      Andy Ruiz Jr is keen for a rematch against Joshua having beaten him back in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Filip Hrgovic was also a potential opponent for Joshua before he chose NgannouCredit: Getty More

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      Apollonia Llewellyn threatens to spill out of tiny bikini on Los Angeles holiday as fans brand her ‘stunning girlie’

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      RING GIRL Apollonia Llewellyn travelled to Los Angeles for her latest holiday.The boxing ring girl is in the US following a skiing holiday in Switzerland.
      Apollonia soaked up the sun in CaliforniaCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      It comes after she went skiingCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      The influencer visited SwizerlandCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      She did not let the cold stop her from wearing a bikiniCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Apollonia shot to fame as a ring girl for KSI’s Misfits boxing promotion.
      She was ringside for KSI’s controversial victory over Joe Fournier last year, when he won by elbowing his opponent.
      The result of the match was later declared null and void.
      Much like Misfits Boxing at large, which has has had its license suspended by the Professional Boxing Association (the PBA).
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      The PBA has suspended the organisation’s license “in the interest of boxer’s safety”.
      Regardless of whether Misfits goes ahead again, it seems like Apollonia will be fine.
      The influencer boasts 579,000 followers on Instagram and rakes in the dosh thanks to a series of paid collaborations.
      Fans were quick to take to the comment section of her latest post.
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      She captioned the post: “Expensive.”
      One fan commented: “Stunning girlie 😍”
      Another responded: “Angel💛”
      A third wrote: “😍😍”
      While a fourth commented: “So beautiful 😍😍.”
      She has embraced the cold climes this winterCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      And made Switzerland a second homeCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Bikinis are often paired with a fur hatCredit: Instagram
      The influencer is fond of a holidayCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      She recently visited New YorkCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      A pic from her recent trip to LACredit: INSTAGRAM @apolloniallewellyn
      Her previous favourite destination was GreeceCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      But America looks as though it’s making a comebackCredit: Instagram
      She is originally from LeedsCredit: INSTAGRAM @apolloniallewellyn More

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      I’m a boxing legend who fought Floyd Mayweather but rival champ was the hardest hitter… I can still feel the punches

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      MANNY PACQUIAO fought an opponent so strong he could still feel the punches years later. The Filipino icon had one of the most legendary careers in boxing history, winning titles in EIGHT divisions.
      Miguel Cotto was beaten by Manny Pacquiao in 2009Credit: Getty
      And he fought fellow greats in Floyd Mayweather, Oscar de la Hoya and Juan Manuel Marquez.
      But he revealed none punched harder than Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto the night they did battle in 2009.
      Pacquiao told The Ring in 2015: “I can still feel some of those punches he threw at me. 
      “Staying on the ropes is not the best place to be when you are fighting him. He’s also accurate. He’s incredible.” 
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      Pacquiao jumped up to welterweight to challenge the much larger Cotto and the pair put on a thriller in Las Vegas.
      PacMan eventually forced the stoppage in the 12th and final round.
      Cotto would continue fighting on and a year later lost to Mayweather on points.
      He also went onto face Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez in 2015 before retiring in 2017.
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      Pacquiao also lost to Mayweather in 2015 but did not hang up his gloves until 2021.
      But he is linked with a return aged 45 with a rematch against Mayweather still touted over a decade from his points defeat.
      Pacquiao announced the two will rematch this year under the RIZIN MMA promotion in Japan – but Mayweather has not responded to the claim.
      Floyd Mayweather is linked with a rematch against Manny PacquiaoCredit: Rex More

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      I fought Manny Pacquiao and Canelo but my toughest opponent was ‘the drunken master’ whose record didn’t show his skill

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      DESPITE conquering Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez in his legendary career, neither were Floyd Mayweather’s toughest opponent. Mayweather officially retired in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor in what would have been deemed his easiest night’s work.
      Floyd Mayweather retired unbeaten at 50-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      But he had iconic wins over the likes of Pacquiao, Canelo, Oscar de la Hoya, Miguel Cotto among several more.
      Although it was the eccentric Emmanuel Augustus who Mayweather named as his most difficult rival.
      He told Fight Hype in 2012: “Emmanuel Augustus was my toughest opponent.
      “His record didn’t show his skill-set, but the guy was unbelievable.”
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      Mayweather beat Augustus on points in 2000 but struggled to deal with the maverick American’s movement.
      Augustus got the nickname ‘The Drunk Master’ for pretending to be intoxicated during bouts while boxing in an unorthodox fashion.
      He boxed up until 2011 and retired with a record of 38 wins, 34 losses and six draws.
      But Mayweather was full of praise for Augustus in his post-fight interview right after beating him.
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      He said: “He’s a true warrior, a true champion.
      “Before the fight, I heard he had got robbed [by bad decisions] a lot of times – and I believe that’s true.”
      Mayweather, 46, retired at 50-0 after beating McGregor, 35, but he has continued to box in exhibitions since.
      Floyd Mayweather beat Emanuel Augustus in 2000Credit: YOUTUBE -Top Rank Boxing More

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      Jake Paul teases details on next fight by revealing he will face former junior Olympian with more KOs than last opponent

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      JAKE PAUL released details on his next fight – revealing it will be against an ex-junior Olympian with more knockouts than his last opponent. In December, the YouTuber-turned boxer knocked out Andre August, who came into the bout with a 10-1-1 record and five KOs.
      Jake Paul returns on March 2Credit: Reuters

      Paul returns on March 2 on the undercard of Amanda Serrano’s Puerto Rico homecoming.
      And his Most Valuable Promotions banner teased details on the calibre of opponent he is set to fight.
      They posted: “Almost time. This Tuesday. Jake Paul announces his next opponent.
      “More wins than any previous opponent. More KOs than any previous opponent. Golden Gloves Champion. National Junior Olympics.”
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      Paul, 27, suffered defeat for the first time last February, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24.
      But he bounced back with a point victory over ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, and first-round KO of August, 35.
      The American held a press conference to announce his return but his opponent was not present.
      But Paul revealed: “He’s a professional boxer with an even better record that Andre August and there will be an announcement coming soon.
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      “But again, it’s another step up in competition, he’s won regional titles etc.
      “Announcement will be coming soon but another step up in competition and continuing to challenge myself March 2nd.”
      Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian also revealed another bout is being eyed for June or July.
      Jake Paul will return in Puerto RicoCredit: Rex More

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      John Ryder beaten by Jaime Munguia after Brit is dropped four times and knocked out in the ninth round in Phoenix

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      JAIME MUNGUIA battered John Ryder into submission before calling out Canelo Alvarez to a Mexican standoff. The former light-middleweight world champion had Ryder down FOUR times before it was stopped in round nine.
      Jaime Munguia stopped John Ryder in nine roundsCredit: Getty
      Ryder was floored four timesCredit: Getty
      Munguia remans undefeatedCredit: Getty
      And Munguia had only one man on his mind following the demolition job in Phoenix.
      He said: “It would be a great fight among Mexicans. And if Canelo gives us the chance, it will be an honour to be in the same ring as him.”
      Ryder, beaten by Canelo over 12 rounds last May, was down for the first time in the second round following a right hand.
      In the fourth, he was hammered into the ropes and soon put down again, this time with a short countering left hand.
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      Ryder, 35, fought back but in round nine he was twice floored and stopped on his feet.
      It leaves the brave Brit on the brink of retirement while Munguia, 27, scored one of the most impressive wins of his career.
      He said: “I prepared for this. I worked hard, I know they don’t trust me and here are the results.
      “I’m ready, here at 168. Ryder is a great fighter, I learned a lot and I’m going forward.
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      “He is a very strong fighter, I had to be very careful, he has a very hard head, but now I feel very happy.”
      Promoter Oscar de la Hoya added: “Jaime did what Canelo couldn’t do. He knocked out the Gorilla.
      “I’m very proud because Munguia has evolved.”
      Munguia called out Canelo AlvarezCredit: Getty More

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      Francis Ngannou’s ex-sparring partner reveals prediction for Anthony Joshua fight… and opens door to working with Brit

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has been backed to beat Francis Ngannou by the ex-UFC champion’s former sparring partner. The humongous heavyweights collide on March 8 in Saudi Arabia in just Ngannou’s second boxing bout.
      Francis Ngannou with ex-sparring partner Darren SealyCredit: Instagram @darrensealy
      Anthony Joshua with Ngannou ahead of their March 8 fightCredit: Getty
      He put his MMA career on hold last year and in October faced WBC world champion Tyson Fury.
      And to prepare for the bout, he called on 6ft 9in British heavyweight Darren Sealy.
      Sealy is now in camp with Oleksandr Usyk, again mimicking Fury, but he has tipped AJ to defeat former sparring partner Ngannou.
      He told SunSport: “It’s a tricky one, both extremely powerful but I feel the last two, three fights, especially the last fight in December with Otto Wallin, AJ looked brilliant. 
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      “Everything was firing on all cylinders and I do feel that AJ will be victorious on the night. 
      “I don’t know how in terms of round by round or decision but I do feel he will definitely get the better of Ngannou.”  
      Ngannou and Usyk – Fury’s last two opponents – both called on Sealy’s towering frame to prepare for the Gypsy King.
      And if Joshua, 34, beats Ngannou and Fury defeats Usyk, the long-time rivals will be on course to finally stage their Battle of Britain.
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      So again Sealy is willing to offer his hard-to-come-by services to AJ.
      He said: “It’s a business and a sport and all boxers and athletes understand that so you have to go where the wind blows. 
      “If the opportunity is there and Fury’s the opponent or another very tall opponent and they call me in, then I’ll be there.” 
      When Ngannou’s crossover clash with Fury was announced, Sealy messaged the MMA star’s boxing coach Dewey Cooper.
      And following a press conference in London, the two sparred and before long Sealy was invited out to his camp in Saudi Arabia.

      ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
      Two weeks of sparring followed before Ngannou, 37, dropped Fury, 35, and was deemed unfortunate to walk away with a split-decision loss.
      It means Fury now faces Usyk, 36, in an undisputed title decider on February 17 in Riyadh.
      And it allows Sealy to be a part of another historic fight in boxing history.
      He said: “I reflect on it when I’m not sparring, when I’m having my own personal time.
      “I think it’s important to reflect and live in the moment because if I’m thinking too far ahead or thinking what’s next then I’m not soaking up the atmosphere, not relishing the opportunity. 
      “I know there’s not too many people that are my height and have the privilege to be a part of these camps. 
      “So by all means I am living up to the opportunity but I am living up to the expectation. It’s been two amazing experiences, two amazing camps.”
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      Sealy, far right, is now in camp with Oleksandr UsykCredit: instagram More

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      Gervonta Davis set for stunning UK arena fight after blockbuster Ryan Garcia bout sold 1.2million PPV buys

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      BOXING sensation Gervonta Davis is set to return to the UK for a blockbuster fight this year.The lightweight champion has not fought since stopping Ryan Garcia in the seventh round of their clash last April.
      Gervonta Davis has not fought since beating Ryan Garcia last AprilCredit: AP
      But his year then hit an obstacle after he pled guilty to four counts of traffic violations last May.
      However he will make his ring comeback later this year as part of Premier Boxing Champions’ new venture with Prime Video.
      And according to RingTV he is set to return to the UK for the first time since knocking out Liam Walsh at the Copper Box in May 2017.
      Davis, 29, is one of the biggest attractions in the sport having won all 29 fights in his career across three division weight divisions.
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      His Las Vegas duel with a previously unbeaten Garcia drew in 1.2 million pay-per-view buys.
      The Tank impressed in front of a sell-out crowd at the T-Mobile Arena, which had a gate revenue of an estimated £19.4m.
      His next opponent is still to be decided but he could be in line for a blockbuster fight with Devin Haney.
      Haney, 25, is also unbeaten and one of the biggest stars in the sport multiple world championships in two weight classes.
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      He has beaten the likes of George Kambosos Jr., Regis Prograis and Vasily Lomachenko – another potential opponent for Davis.
      Davis made headlines last month when he changed his name after converting to Islam.
      It’s not yet known if Davis has legally changed his name or whether he will fight under his new moniker – Abdul Wahid. More