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      Paige VanZant reveals ‘really cool’ boxing crossover as ex-UFC star set for first fight in three years

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      PAIGE VANZANT revealed she is set to make her boxing debut after three years out of action. The ex-UFC star has accepted a fight but it is not in MMA or bare-knuckle boxing.
      Paige VanZant revealed she is set to make her boxing debut
      The ex-UFC star revealed she has accepted a fightCredit: Instagram / @paigevanzant
      But it will be her boxing debutCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant
      VanZant has not fought since 2021
      She said: “I got called by my manager day before yesterday, and I got offered a fight.
      “A boxing match, and I took it. I don’t know if I can give all the details, I haven’t signed a contract yet. I accepted the fight.”
      VanZant left the UFC in 2020 and made a shock switch to the brutal world of bare-knuckle boxing.
      She had two bouts but lost both, to Britain Hart and Rachael Ostovich and was set for a third.
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      But the fight never happened and VanZant has instead raked it in through her OnlyFans account.
      It left her fight career up in the air but now it appears the American is preparing for a long overdue boxing move.
      She said: “It was initially, the date they offered me was March 23, which was perfect.
      “Hell yeah, I’ll get one more fight in before I turn 30, because I turn 30 [on] March 26. So I told my manager f*** yeah, I’ll take it.
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      “I’ll get back into boxing. I was just really excited. The opportunity was really cool.
      “So it was perfect, eight-week camp, I don’t that long to stress or overthink, or anything like that, so that’s perfect. It turns out it’s not going to be March 23.
      Paige VanZant reveals she was ‘catfished’ by her porn star ‘twin’ with ex-UFC beauty left ‘heartbroken’
      “After I accepted it, they’re like, you know what, we’re going to move it to [May or June].
      “I heard both dates, so once I have the full information, we’ll be able to release it on the podcast.
      “Accepted a boxing match, that will be my next fight. It’s really, really exciting.”
      VanZant has been raking it in on OnlyFansCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CjMu_IEMbwP/
      VanZant looks to have left the UFCCredit: Getty More

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      I was meant to be bigger than Anthony Joshua but doctors left me nearly blind – now I’m training boxing icon Butterbean

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      ANTHONY OGOGO has opened up on the heart-breaking eye injury that forced him to retire from boxing at the age of 30.The ace, 35, was once tipped to be Britain’s next big boxer after coming through the Team GB ranks ahead of Anthony Joshua.
      Anthony Ogogo was once tipped to be the biggest name in British boxingCredit: Getty
      Ogogo started his career with a bronze medal at London 2012Credit: PA:Press Association
      Ogogo set the stage for a successful career in the ring after winning the bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
      He won his first 11 fights, setting up a battle against Craig Cunningham for the vacant WBC International middleweight title in 2016.
      But Ogogo suffered defeat to his fellow Brit and ended up fracturing his eye socket.
      It would prove to be his last-ever boxing fight, as Ogogo struggled to get diagnosed correctly by doctors.
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      He almost ended up going blind after having nine surgeries and eventually called it a day in 2019.
      But after reinventing himself as an actor, podcaster and wrestler, Ogogo is now enjoying boxing again after training with iconic fighter Butterbean.
      Ogogo told talkSPORT: “(It was the) hardest time of my life. My press conference was way bigger than Joshua’s, way bigger than Luke Campbell’s. I was going to be the face of Golden Boy UK.
      “I had everything it takes to get to the top of this world, and then my eye blew up. Those three years, from hurting my eye in 2016 to retiring in 2019 were the hardest three years of my life.
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      “I wouldn’t wish it upon anybody. I had nine surgeries. During one of my surgeries, my heart stopped on the operating table. Now, my life is being played with and I still chose to have [five] more surgeries.”
      One nearly going blind, Ogogo said: “The fracture I sustained wasn’t that bad. It was the misdiagnosis, the wrong surgery, the injection went vastly wrong. I must’ve done something really bad in a previous life to get the unfortunate circumstances I dealt with.
      Boxer Anthony Ogogo has retired from the sport after admitting defeat in his bid to recover from eye injuries
      He won his first 11 pro fights but lost to Craig Cunningham in 2016Credit: Getty
      An eye injury saw Ogogo almost go blind, and he needed nine surgeries before retiring in 2019Credit: Getty
      “I saw Kell [Brook’s] doctor after I’d already had the wrong surgery. Dr. Muhammad Ali, believe it or not, and he said to me, ‘You need a time machine because once they did that your career was done’.
      “The fracture I had was nowhere near as bad as Kell’s, in either of his eyes, but what they did messed everything up and I can never get that back.
      “I lost my career, my passion, my vision in my left eye and any potential case to compensate me for this really bad journey I went on. It took a long time to shrug all that off.”
      On his friendship with Butterbean, who is eyeing a boxing comeback, Ogogo added: “I know Bean really well, he’s such a nice guy.
      “He was on death’s door. He was too big to get new hips. He lost loads of weight, got new hips and fast forward 18 months I’m doing six rounds on the pads with him.
      “He can still bang! The boy can still bang, mate! My job with him is boxing work and also mind-set stuff, health stuff.

      “You know, he’s a great example, he’s been down, and he got back up and now he wants one more fight.
      “He wants to end his story with one more fight and I’ll be in his corner on fight night because I like him, care for him, trust him, have trained him and I want to be there to protect him.”
      Ogogo has reinvented himself as a wrestler and is now coaching boxing icon ButterbeanCredit: X formerly Twitter / @AnthonyOgogo
      The legendary fighter is looking to get back in the ringCredit: AFP More

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      Carl Froch makes new prediction for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua after Gypsy King’s scare against Francis Ngannou

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      CARL FROCH revealed he has changed his opinion on Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua. Froch was critical of Fury’s last performance against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who was making his boxing debut.
      Tyson Fury has been criticised by Carl FrochCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua hopes to fight Fury in 2024Credit: AFP
      Ngannou even scored a knockdown only to be controversially beaten by split-decision.
      Fury now faces Oleksandr Usyk next while Joshua, 34, returns on March 8 against Ngannou, 37, in Riyadh.
      Victory for the British pair could see the two finally fight this year – and Froch has revealed his prediction.
      He told talkSPORT: “I make Tyson Fury the favourite but not as huge a favourite as I did six months ago before he fought Ngannou.”
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      Froch continued: “If AJ fights Fury next, I think Fury wins. I think he turns up better prepared than when he fights Ngannou.
      “And if AJ fights Oleksandr Usyk, then we know what happens. He can’t beat Usyk.
      “He was close in the second fight but when it got close, Usyk was able to step it up and take over. He always fights within himself.”
      Fury, 35, was due to fight Usyk, 37, on February 17 but he was forced out after suffering a horror cut in sparring just two weeks out from the bout.
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      The historic first four-belt unification bout has since been postponed to May 18 but Froch questioned Fury’s form heading into it.
      He said: “The big problem is, he’s getting hit a lot more now, and when you start getting hit at that weight, you have problems.
      Tyson Fury’s promoter blasts ‘pathetic’ critics of Gypsy King and says experts ‘should know better’
      “He can’t do it at 35 years old. Now, he’s sitting flat-footed, getting hit with more shots.
      “He’s getting on to 36 years old, he’s getting bigger and heavier.”
      Carl Froch backs Fury to beat JoshuaCredit: AP More

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      Tyson Fury’s promoter blasts ‘pathetic’ critics of Gypsy King and says experts ‘should know better’

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      FRANK WARREN has blasted Tyson Fury’s “pathetic” critics and said experts “should know better.” Fury was forced out of his scheduled February 17 undisputed title decider in Saudi Arabia against Oleksandr Usyk due to injury.
      Tyson Fury has blasted Tyson Fury’s ‘pathetic’ criticsCredit: Reuters
      The cut he sustained in sparring just two weeks from the bout required 14 stitches and saw the fight postponed till May 18.
      Astonishingly, Fury faced baseless accusations that he set the whole thing up with Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas branding him a “coward.”
      But his Hall of Fame promoter Warren came out swinging in defence of the Gypsy King.
      He said on talkSPORT: “This is the fella that went to Germany to fight [Klitschko] for the world title and beat him.
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      “This is the guy that went out [to America] to fight a guy that was undefeated in Deontay Wilder – six years reigning as heavyweight champion.
      “The hardest punching heavyweight recorded and went out not once, but fought three times out there.
      “Do me a favour, it’s pathetic, and professional fighters should know better.”
      Carl Froch has been quick to blame Fury for the cut due to the headguard he was wearing.
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      And American former world champion Timothy Bradley even insinuated the injury could have been staged.
      Still Fury – who needed a controversial split-decision against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in his last fight – has retained the backing of his promoter against Usyk.
      Tyson Fury’s manager reckons there IS a ‘mole’ in Gypsy King’s camp after sparring ‘leaks’ ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight
      Warren said: “I do think that he will beat him, I think Tyson is the best heavyweight on the planet.
      “His last fight against Ngannou, he wasn’t at his best, but he came through and won the fight.”
      Tyson Fury with promoter Frank WarrenCredit: PA More

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      Coleen Rooney ‘worried’ about Wayne’s planned move into boxing with Man Utd legend ‘keen’ to step into ring

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      COLEEN ROONEY is “worried” about husband Wayne’s planned move into boxing – but has vowed to support him.The former England striker has left many shocked by his plans to enter to the ring.
      Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney is eyeing a shock move into the boxing worldCredit: MARK ROBINSON
      Roo has held shock talks with KSI’s Misfits Boxing promotionCredit: PA
      The Manchester United and England legend has been training for several monthsCredit: FACEBOOK.COM/WAYNEROONEY
      Rooney’s wife and childhood sweetheart Coleen has concerns about him entering the ringCredit: Instagram
      But SunSport can reveal Wazza has been training for his boxing debut for several MONTHS.
      Our source said: “Wayne has a boxing [heavy] bag at his home and is on it most days.
      “Since retiring from football, boxing training has been the way he’s kept himself in shape.
      “He’s really stepped things up over the last few months, and even more so since he left his job at Birmingham because he has a bit more time on his hands.
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      “The idea of boxing for real, and arranging a fight, has always been an ambition of Wayne’s, but now he is really keen to make it happen.
      “Coleen is naturally worried. She doesn’t want to see Wayne get hurt, and part of her wishes he would just stick to the gym work.
      “But, at the same time, she’s proud of the way he has focused on it and thrown his heart and soul into the training.
      “So, if he does go through with it, she’ll definitely support him.
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      “Whether she will be able to sit at ringside is another matter.
      “She used to get nervous enough at football games – but this would be on another level.”
      Football’s 10 richest wags including music stars and millionaire models
      Our story comes a day after it emerged Rooney had held talks about stepping into the boxing ring for a high-profile bout via the Misfits series.
      The controversial promotion sees YouTube stars like KSI and Logan Paul compete for big money.
      And now, former Manchester United star Rooney – who was sacked as Birmingham City boss last month after just 15 games in charge – is being lined up.
      It wouldn’t be the first time Rooney has pulled on boxing gloves.
      He infamously held an impromptu bout in his own kitchen nine years ago and was KNOCKED OUT by former Red Devils team-mate Phil Bardsley before mimicking the fall in a subsequent United goal celebration.
      Rooney has been weighing up his options as he waits to see if another managerial job presents itself after his stints with Birmingham, DC United and Derby County.
      The former United and Everton frontman has always been a keen boxing fan and was even a member of an amateur club as a kid in his home city of Liverpool.
      He once walked out with Ricky Hatton for the Manchester fighter’s clash with Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas and he has been ringside for other major fights.
      Wayne Rooney’s infamous kitchen spar with former Man Utd team-mate Phil Bardsley went viral in 2015Credit: THE SUN
      Rooney was knocked out cold by his former team-mate in the playful punch-upCredit: THE SUN
      He once messaged Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn and jokingly asked him to set up a fight.
      But a Misfits contest is now seen as a serious option for the retired footballer, with talks having taken place in recent weeks.
      Misfits isn’t governed by the British Boxing Board of Control so Rooney would not be competing in a professional contest.
      The events, which are broadcast on DAZN, have a mix of social-media celebrities of various fame and notoriety.
      The over-hyped promotions have often sparked controversy with ugly scenes at press conferences and weigh-ins.
      Many in the boxing world have called for the sport to distance itself from them.
      Rooney’s discussions with the promotion are still in their infancy, but it’s clear Misfits would have to dangle a mouthwatering sum to lure him.
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      Rooney is Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals in 559 appearances.
      Only Harry Kane has scored more goals than Rooney for England.
      Coleen Rooney doesn’t want to see Wayne get hurt in the ringCredit: SPLASH More

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      I dropped Tyson Fury and was his hardest fight, here’s why Oleksandr Usyk will BEAT him

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      OLEKSANDR USYK has been backed to BEAT Tyson Fury by the man who so nearly did it himself. The unbeaten champions will square off in the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification bout on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
      Tyson Fury was floored by Steve Cunningham in 2013Credit: Action Images – Reuters
      But Usyk will not be the first ex-cruiserweight champion Fury has shared the ring with.
      In 2013 in New York, in his American debut, the Gypsy King took on then-heavyweight newbie Steve Cunningham.
      Cunningham famously floored Fury and drew up an early lead before being worn down and taken out in round seven.
      Now the American is tipping Usyk to do what he couldn’t and become the first to defeat Fury.
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      Cunningham, 47, told iFL TV: “I think Usyk can beat Fury for two specific reasons. The first is Usyk’s ability, his skill-set, it’s unmatched,
      “He’s got quirky movements; he’s awkward. He thinks different in there, he takes angles.
      “He’s the highest level of boxing that we see right now. He can land shots on Fury that can cause considerable frustration for Fury.
      “The second reason is his team, his management. He’s managed by Egis [Klimas]. They’re powerhouses in Europe and around the world.
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      “Egis has a solid foundational career with moving fighters and protecting them.”
      Fury has admitted in the past how Cunningham was the trickiest customer has came across in his career.
      Inside Oleksandr Usyk’s training camp as boxer continues brutal regime despite Tyson Fury postponement
      He told Joe Rogan in 2018: “Believe it or not, this is gonna sound strange – Cunningham was the hardest fight I ever did have in my whole career, amateur or professional.”
      Fury used his superior size to gain an advantage on the smaller Cunningham, something Usyk will be aware of.
      Cunningham added: “With Fury, we all know he uses some tactics that are borderline.
      “I wouldn’t say illegal. He hasn’t been disqualified yet, but they’re borderline, and they gain him an advantage.

      “Him being 6’9”, 260 lbs. All he does is take a couple of hits, block them, and lean on the guy throughout the fight
      “He did it to me, he did it to Wilder. He did it to fighters that you want to wear down.
      “Later on, your looking fresh because they’re drained because they’ve been carrying your 260-lb body around. So, you can do whatever you want to them
      “I don’t think Egis and the team are going to allow that without Fury being penalised.
      “If Fury can get past the management part, controlling the officiating, with the referee being in his ear, Fury can beat him if he can get past all of that.
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      “But outside of that, I lean a little bit towards Usyk.”
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to fight on May 18Credit: EPA More

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      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk could be overshadowed by Wayne Rooney as details of Man Utd icon’s fight offer emerge

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      WAYNE ROONEY’S proposed boxing debut could compete with Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk – if all goes to plan. The Mirror, were the first to report that Rooney was in shock talks with Misfits Boxing for a stunning celebrity-style fight.
      Wayne Rooney is linked to a boxing switchCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to fight on May 18Credit: Getty
      Misfits – co-founded by YouTuber-turned prizefighter KSI – hosts crossover bouts between stars of the social media, MMA and boxing world.
      And SunSport understands Misfits initiated talks with Rooney and a proposal has been with the Manchester United legend for a few weeks.
      No opponent is believed to have been discussed but the timeframe in which to get the England icon in the ring has.
      Interestingly, the plan in place would be to have Rooney fight around May.
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      But that would be the same month that Fury and Usyk are set to contest for the undisputed heavyweight crown in Saudi Arabia.
      The superstar pair had to reschedule from February 17 to May 18 after Fury sustained a horror cut in sparring.
      But Misfits and broadcast partner DAZN are on the search for new pay-per-view headliners having so far relied on KSI.
      The British internet sensation, 30, has headlined three PPV events, most recently against Tommy Fury, 24, last October.
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      And promoters boasted of selling over 1MILLION box office buys.
      But KSI has also admitted he does not know how much longer he will continue boxing for.
      Sir Alex Ferguson lost it with Wayne Rooney ’20 times a season’ for breaking legendary Man Utd boss’ tactical rule
      It has left his manager and business partner Mams Taylor on the scout for PPV stars outside of just KSI.
      And Taylor previously told SunSport that he is in talks with footballers to make the switch over to boxing.
      He said in December 2022: “I’ve got a couple footballers in mind that I won’t name because it’s actually very possible.”
      Rooney, infamously knocked out in his kitchen by Phil Bardsley, retired in 2021 and went into coaching.
      But he was sacked in the new year by Birmingham and is currently without a job.

      Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed how Rooney has reached out to him about fighting in the past.
      And Hearn even talked up a return to Old Trafford to face Jake Paul.
      KSI himself has also been contacted by Rooney, who wanted to set up a fight with the celebrity.
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      He said: “It’s funny – I hope he doesn’t get annoyed that I said this – but Wayne Rooney hit me up being like, ‘Oh, we should fight.’
      “And I said no. I just don’t want to do that. If Wayne Rooney is down, of course I think it would be good to have him in this space.”
      Rooney was infamously knocked out in his kitchen by pal Phil Bardsley
      Rooney was knocked out in the kitchen spar More

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      Inside Wayne Rooney’s boxing switch that is FIVE YEARS in making with both Jake Paul and KSI in Man Utd icon’s sights

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      WAYNE ROONEY’S plan to make a boxing switch might come as a shock to many – but it may just have been in the works for years. The Manchester United legend is an avid fan of the noble art and even trained as a schoolboy at an amateur club in Liverpool.
      Wayne Rooney has been linked with a stunning boxing switchCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      But he chose football over boxing and went onto become one of England’s most talented players.
      Rooney retired from playing in 2021 and has moved into coaching – but it appears as though he has a masterplan to make a move into boxing.
      According to the Mirror, the Three Lions icon has held preliminary talks with Misfits Boxing.
      Misfits – founded by YouTuber-turned boxer KSI – homes to celebrity-style crossover bouts aired on streaming service DAZN.
      READ MORE ON ROONEY
      It has seen stars of the social media, MMA and boxing world all compete in big-money events.
      And KSI once revealed Rooney actually reached out to him personally to try and discuss a fight between them.
      He said last January: “It’s funny – I hope he doesn’t get annoyed that I said this – but Wayne Rooney hit me up being like, ‘Oh, we should fight.’
      “And I said no. I just don’t want to do that. If Wayne Rooney is down, of course I think it would be good to have him in this space.”

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      Eddie Hearn – who promotes Anthony Joshua – has also discussed Rooney’s plan to get into boxing before.
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      Hearn said as far back as 2019: “He loves it. He’s been boxing in amateur clubs.
      Sir Alex Ferguson lost it with Wayne Rooney ’20 times a season’ for breaking legendary Man Utd boss’ tactical rule
      “Wayne would love to do a charity fight. All these guys, they love boxing.”
      And Hearn has even had messages from Rooney and talked up the former Birmingham boss returning to Old Trafford to fight Jake Paul.
      He told Rio Ferdinand last year: “I’ve actually spoke to Wayne a few times about the Jake Paul fight.
      “Normally, if he has a couple of glasses of red he’ll fire in a message to me at night going, ‘Listen, I wanna fight that geezer.’
      “Wayne can fight, he had a couple of amateur fights – but him against Jake Paul at Old Trafford, that’s actually a makeable fight.”
      Rooney, infamously knocked out in his kitchen by friend Phil Bardsley, has been out of work since being sacked by Birmingham in January. More