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      Jake Paul reveals HOUR long phone call with Tommy Fury for rematch but fears rival is already making ‘excuses’

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      JAKE PAUL revealed he spent an hour on the phone negotiating a rematch with Tommy Fury but fears his rival is already making “excuses”. The celebrity boxing pair finally ended two years of feuding in February with Fury emerging a split-decision winner.
      Jake Paul revealed talks to rematch Tommy Fury
      Jake Paul was beaten on points by Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
      But Paul has bounced back with two wins since, on points against ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, and a knockout of boxer Andre August, 36.
      And he revealed after his uppercut KO of August that talks with Fury are back underway – but money could prove an obstacle.
      Paul, 26, said on his podcast: “We had calls with him, had an hour long call with him and the whole entire thing was just kind of this thing, ‘Oh, more money, more money, more money.’
      “When he’s not getting more money by fighting anybody else and we have an amazing offer out there for him and it’s kind of just these excuses after excuses.
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      “Obviously Tommy already beat me, so people will be like, ‘Oh, he already beat you so why wouldn’t he do it again?’
      “But he sees my skillset advancing, knows he had me at my worst. Two to make it true. I’m here, I’m ready.”
      Fury, 24, went on to beat Paul’s arch rival KSI, 30, in his next bout.
      And the build-up proved to also be a bitter one, with KSI even spitting on Fury’s dad and coach John.
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      It leaves John – in charge of his son’s career – refusing to entertain a rematch with KSI.
      He told SecondsOut, via Freebets: “If Jake Paul wants to box Tommy next that wouldn’t be a problem.
      “If anybody out there wants to box Tommy that’s carrying weight, let’s talk.
      “The only man that’s not welcome at the table is not a man, is him. What do you call him? KSI. He is not welcome, not now, not ever. He is done.
      “We don’t want to do business with a spitter. Too much bad blood, he’s an ignorant man and there’s no more business, not even for $1trillion with him.”
      Tommy Fury also beat KSI on pointsCredit: Getty More

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      Deontay Wilder CONFIRMS date for huge Anthony Joshua fight is AGREED and says ‘there’s nothing stopping it’

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      DEONTAY WILDER has CONFIRMED a deal is in place to finally fight Anthony Joshua with “nothing stopping it”. The pair of former heavyweight world champions have spent the best part of half a decade failing in talks to face off.
      Deontay Wilder confirmed a deal is in place to finally fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
      Joshua and Wilder fight on the same night in Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA
      But they now prepare to fight on the same night – in separate bouts – this Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
      Joshua faces Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin while Wilder returns against ex-WBO champ Joseph Parker as part of a huge pay-per-view bill.
      And should the superstar pair prevail victorious, a March 9 date in Saudi has been touted to host the long overdue blockbuster.
      Wilder told Instant Casino: “I’m ready, willing and able to do whatever the Saudis have planned. I like what I’ve been hearing and I like the structure.
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      “One thing that’s been refreshing working with them is they’ve got the time, they’ve got the dates, they’ve got the locations, and they have configured how much they’re going to pay you, and as a fighter to have a schedule, oh my god that’s a beautiful thing.
      “We don’t ever get time, place and person and this is the money you’re going to receive.
      “I don’t see anything stopping this fight happening between me and AJ at this time.
      “I don’t know all the plans that are ahead, but what I’ve seen so far and as of right now, there’s nothing stopping it.
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      “The only thing that could potentially stop it is either one of us losing on December 23. That’s the only thing I can see stopping it.
      “Other than that, everything else that stopped it happening before like his manager and promoter, I don’t think that problem exists at this moment in time.
      “Everyone is in agreement and was on board last time I spoke with everyone. If and when we both win on December 23, you all can look forward to a great 2024, Wilder versus Joshua.”
      Wilder, 38, returns for the first time since October 2022 when he faces New Zealander Parker, 31.
      But he will have one eye on Joshua, 34, who must also beat Wallin, 33, to assure their super-fight avoids a devastating KO.
      Wilder added: “Otto Wallin has got a huge chance to upset the fight.
      “Everyone has got a chance, it depends what dog they bring to the fight and how hungry he is on the night, even Parker, he has a great deal of a chance, no matter how hard I hit, or what I possess.
      “He has as much chance as I. Because I still have to perform and bring my training and preparation.”
      Joshua returns against Otto WallinCredit: PA
      Wilder faces Joseph Parker on the same nightCredit: REUTER More

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      Who is Jai Opetaia and why has he been forced to vacate his world title?

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      JAI OPETAIA has been forced to make the biggest decision of his career – and it has cost him his IBF cruiserweight title.The Australian hard-hitter rose to fame after dethroning world champion Mairis Briedis in 2022.
      Jai Opetaia (R) beat Mairis Briedis (L) with a broken jawCredit: Getty
      Opetaia now only has the Ring Magazine to defendCredit: Getty
      And since then, Opetaia has recovered from a broken jaw before securing a convincing fourth-round stoppage victory against Jordan Thompson over a year later.
      But in unusual circumstances, Opetaia has lost his world title without stepping foot in the ring.
      However, the decision has opened another chapter in Opetaia’s boxing journey.
      Who is Jai Opetaia?
      Born June 30, 1995, Jai Opetaia is an Australian boxer who was raised with a Sydney, New South Wales and Samoan heritage.
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      Sport runs in his family tree as the Aussie star is related to Premier League icon Tim Cahill.
      And Opetaia’s name first hit the headlines when he won the Light Heavyweight title at the 2011 Junior World Championships before qualifying for the 2012 Olympics as a Heavyweight at age 18 as the youngest ever Australian Olympic boxer.
      Opetaia got the bronze medal at AIBA World Youth Championships in the heavyweight division, but failed to pass the first round at the Olympics.
      However, the Australian heavy-hitter hasn’t looked back since as his professional boxing record stands at 23 wins and 0 losses – most notably snatching the IBF cruiserweight title from Mairis Briedis in 2022.
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      Why has Jai Opetaia been forced to vacate the title?
      Jai Opetaia was offered ‘life-changing money’ for a two-fight deal to box in Saudi Arabia along with facing Ellis Zorro on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s thrilling fight against Otto Wallin.

      🥊ANTHONY JOSHUA VS OTTO WALLIN: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF THRILLING SAUDI CLASH🥊
      However, the IBF would not allow permission for Opetaia to commence in battle with another opponent before his scheduled title rematch against currently injured Mairis Briedis.
      As a result, Opetaia was left with an ultimatum – pull out of the Saudi fight or be stripped of his IBF cruiserweight world title.
      And the Australian boxer decided to accept the Zorro fight for a reported fee of £1.5million which just leaves him with the prestigious Ring Magazine belt to his name.
      Mairis Briedis’ camp had no issues with Zorro stepping in as a replacement but the IBF were not prepared to change their stance.
      What has been said?
      Opetaia’s team brought clarity to the situation by putting out a statement that read: “IBF world cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has decided to vacate his world title belt.
      “The move comes before his scheduled December 23 bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia against Ellis Zorro.
      “With mandatory contender Mairis Briedis currently unavailable due to injury, Opetaia’s team were hopeful that they would be able to defend the belt against Zorro.
      “However, the IBF declared that Briedis must be Opetaia’s next opponent despite the fact that Briedis’ team had also agreed to step aside to let the Zorro bout take place while the former champion recovers and a deal in place face Opetaia in February.”
      Opetaia also said: “I fought through absolute agony to win that belt and it saddens me to relinquish it.
      “I am the true king of the cruiserweight division and I’ll be defending that prestigious Ring Magazine title on December 23.
      Read more on The Sun
      “I look forward to getting that IBF belt back as soon as possible and adding all of them one by one.” More

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      Ex-world champ fears Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk will be DELAYED after dad John reveals training concerns

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      FORMER world champion Johnny Nelson fears Tyson Fury’s fight with Oleskandr Usyk could be DELAYED. The pair of unbeaten champions are set to meet in the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
      Tyson Fury with sparring partner Thomas Carty
      Oleksandr Usyk sparring to fight Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram @nursultan___amanzholov
      It will come just four months after Fury, 35, was dropped by ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 37, in his controversial points victory.
      The crossover clash was meant to be a routine rout but it turned out to almost be the mother of all banana skins.
      Fury’s dad John spoke out to say his son’s training camp is a “circus” and he fears it will carry on over to the Usyk unification.
      And the worrying reveal has ex-cruiserweight champion Nelson believing the historic title fight could face a further postponement.
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      He told ProBoxingFans: “If he doesn’t fight February 17 then we have a problem.
      “Because if his dad’s saying it now, it gives you a sense there might be a delay, they might want more time.
      “I wouldn’t be surprised if they wanted to push it down the line a bit.”
      Fury’s dad John was not happy with the preparation to fight Ngannou – and he worries that there has been no change.
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      TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
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      He told Seconds Out: “I never said my son was in decline because he’s not.
      “It’s the people around him who ain’t up to much. His training’s in decline and his camp’s in a bigger decline. It’s not a camp, it’s a circus.”
      “I saw him in the gym in Saudi, watched him spar three or four rounds with a couple of kids – I knew then it was gonna be a hard night’s work.
      “I thought, ‘What have you been doing?’ I was alarmed, I still am.
      “Unless you’re gonna get the eye of the tiger back and go back to the old ways and get the hunger back – sweat, blood, s*** and tears
      “Because Usyk’s doing that – sweat, blood, s*** and tears. And he’s got disciplined, professional, great people around him, and I don’t think Tyson has that. I really don’t.”
      Fury was recently slammed by Usyk’s team for holidaying in Saudi while the Ukrainian is busy sparring 6ft 10in powerhouses.
      And asked if he fears his son could suffer defeat for the first time, John admitted: “Absolutely, if he doesn’t make any adjustments, it well could be.”
      Fury enjoyed parasailing in the Middle East with his wife Paris and their seven kids.
      But he is now back in his Morecambe training base with head coach Sugarhill Steward.
      And he has also called on the help of unbeaten southpaw Thomas Carty, jobbed with replicating Usyk in sparring.
      Read more on The Sun
      Johnny Nelson fears Fury vs Usyk will be postponed againCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

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      Tyson Fury warned by ex-champ to ‘put his s*** together’ ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight amid fears ‘his legs are gone’

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      TYSON FURY has been warned he needs to get his “s*** together” ahead of fighting Oleksandr Usyk. The pair of unbeaten champions are set to meet in the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
      Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
      It will come just four months after Fury, 35, was dropped by ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 37, in his controversial points victory.
      Fury’s dad John spoke out to say his son’s training camp is a “circus” and he fears it will carry on over to the Usyk unification.
      And the worrying reveal has ex-cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson urging the Gypsy King to pull it together.
      Nelson told ProBoxingFans: “It’s time, you can’t do nothing about that.
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      “It might not be popular to say it but if his own pops is saying it, and one thing I will say about John Fury, is that he will always speak the truth.
      “He’s a straight-talking man. If he’s saying it you have to listen to him. But Tyson Fury, if he puts his s*** together, he still beats everybody.
      “His last performance, if he’s honest about what he said, then his legs are gone. If he wasn’t honest, I think he can turn it around.”
      Fury’s crossover clash with Ngannou was meant to be a showcase of his skills but it turned out to almost be the mother of all upsets.
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      The damage sustained over the ten rounds in Riyadh forced the historic title unification with Usyk, 36, to be delayed till the new year.
      And Nelson can see it being postponed further should John’s concerns be warranted.
      He said: “If he doesn’t fight February 17 then we have a problem.
      “Because if his dad’s saying it now, it gives you a sense there might be a delay, they might want more time.
      “I wouldn’t be surprised if they wanted to push it down the line a bit.”
      Johnny Nelson said Tyson Fury needs to get his ‘s*** together’Credit: Action Images – Reuters More

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      Boxing ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn dazzles on festive trip to Paris as fans hail ‘gorgeous goddess’

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      BOXING ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn took social media by storm once more with another series of glam pics.This time Apollonia jetted off to Paris for Christmas and struck some of her signature poses next to the Eiffel Tower.
      Apollonia Llewellyn took social media by storm once moreCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      This time Apollonia flew to Paris to spend her ChristmasCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Apollonia shared a raft of pics on her Instagram pageCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Apollonia posed by the Eiffel Tower for her 574,000 followersCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Apollonia is a boxing ring girl with a strong social media gameCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      The social media model also visited some of the most luxurious restaurants and spas the French capital has to offer.
      Apollonia posted the following caption on Instagram: “Christmas in Paris.”
      The 23-year-old’s 574,000 followers were left in awe and stormed the comments’ section.
      One fan commented: “Gorgeous goddess.”
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      Another wrote: “Insane.”
      A third posted: “Beautiful.”
      This one said: “Stunning.”
      And that one gushed: “Wonderful.”
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      This comes after Apollonia seriously risked an Instagram ban by going braless.
      The Leeds native sent the crowd wild with a series of shots showing her in a bright green bodysuit.
      The boxing ring girl posed in a variety of stances with the outfit that left absolutely nothing to imagination.
      Inside Apollonia’s glamorous life as social media personality, ring girl and model …
      Apollonia burst out of this tiny silver bikini as she drank her ‘morning juice’Credit: INSTAGRAM
      Conor McGregor was among 8,000 fans who enjoyed this see-through lacy outfitCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Thousands of Apollonia’s fans enjoyed the view on the ring girl’s holiday to New YorkCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Apollonia really enjoyed this bowl of pasta on her summer holiday to SantoriniCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Apollonia invited fans to ‘sit and stare’ at this picture, and thousands took her up on the invitationCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Fans were worried Apollonia’s top had shrunk in the wash as she enjoyed this hearty breakfastCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Apollonia’s followers were in awe of the stunner’s new hairdo as she wowed in a tiny yellow bikiniCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Apollonia sent a cheeky message to her fans as she posed in this glamorous see-through numberCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Apollonia told fans ‘no caption needed’ as she squeezed into this skin-tight see-through playsuitCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Apollonia revealed he ‘idea of happiness’ is being ‘wind swept on the beach’ with this busty snapCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Apollonia left very little to the imagination as she ‘brightened fans’ Mondays’ in a skimpy wet T-shirtCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Apollonia shot to recognition as a member of the Misfits Boxing fight night team
      She has garnered her a huge social media presenceCredit: INSTAGRAM @apolloniallewellyn
      Apollonia has over 570,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      She has turned down a staggering £100,000 to pose nude beforeCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      The model insisted she isn’t money-orientedCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Apollonia shows off her jet setting lifestyle onlineCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn More

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      Otto Wallin doubles down on Anthony Joshua criticism as he calls Brit ‘vulnerable, in decline and scared to be hit’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has been slammed once more by his upcoming opponent Otto Wallin, who doubled down on his criticism of the British superstar.Joshua and Wallin are set to lock horns on Saturday in Saudi Arabia and the Swedish heavyweight really likes his chances as he claims his rival is on the “decline”.
      Anthony Joshua has been slammed by Otto Wallin ahead of Saturday’s fightCredit: Reuters
      Wallin described Joshua as ‘vulnerable, in decline and scared to be hit’Credit: PA
      The 33-year-old added that AJ is now “afraid of getting hit and of losing” following his two heartbreaking losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
      Wallin told The Times: “I think he’s lost his confidence and momentum. You can see the decline.
      “Usyk was ultimately just a better fighter, but Joshua looks unsure of himself.
      “In the beginning, when I fought him, he was a seek and destroy kind of guy, but now he’s afraid of getting hit and of losing.
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      “He’s aware of his vulnerabilities and it’s holding him back. The timing is right for me now.”
      This comes after Wallin described Joshua as “mentally fragile”, despite his two successive wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius which took his record to 26 wins and three losses in 29 fights.
      The boxing star – who has won 26 out of 28 fights, losing once to Tyson Fury – also criticised the 34-year-old’s decision to change his fourth coach in as many years after Ben Davidson’s appointment.
      Wallin told The Hook a week ago: “I would say he is still one of the best heavyweights out there and he’s made an amazing career for himself.
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      “There has been a decline and I think he has reached his peak already. I think he is mentally fragile, he’s not sure of himself.
      “He’s changed trainer and I think things can be very tough for him. People are very critical of him, he’s got a lot of pressure. So I think that weighs on him.
      “I think it’s a problem for him, for sure [switching coaches]. I’ve had my trainer now for 10 years. We know each other really well. We trust each other in and out of the ring.
      “He’s been with me for all of my pro fights except two, so it’s really been a good journey together and it’s fantastic we get this chance now to prove to everyone what we’ve been working on.
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      Wallin really likes his chances against Joshua in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
      “For Joshua, it’s hard. When you keep changing trainer, it’s usually a bad sign and I think it’s a bad sign for him too. I think it’s the perfect time to face AJ. He was a seek and destroy kind of guy, he was very aggressive.
      ‘When he first started, he had a short amateur career. He was knocking people out. Turned pro, knocking everybody out. Knocked [Wladimir] Klitschko out. And I think he felt invincible, pretty much.
      “And then he lost to [Andy] Ruiz, he got stopped. He lost to Usyk twice. I think he knows now that he’s vulnerable. He knows he can lose and he can get hurt and he doesn’t like that. He doesn’t like getting hit or getting hurt.
      “He cares a lot about what people think of him and I think it’s hard for him when people are being critical or there are boos in the crowd, I think that’s really hard for him More

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      Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin undercard: Who else is on huge Saudi bill?

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA takes on Otto Wallin this weekend in a massive heavyweight clash in Saudi Arabia. It will be the third time that AJ has fought in Saudi, following his clashes against Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk.
      Anthony Joshua will take on Otto Wallin in a big clash this weekendCredit: Getty
      The Gulf state have made a big push to bring the biggest possible fights to Saudi Arabia over the last several years.
      But no event has been as big as this one, with multiple big name stars fighting on the bill in Riyadh.
      Not only will Joshua main event the show, Deontay Wilder also features in a fight of his own.
      Brit star Daniel Dubois, cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia and Canelo conqueror Dmitry Bivol are also set to feature.

      Joshua vs Wallin undercard
      As well as Joshua’s clash with Wallin in the main event, Wilder takes on Joseph Parker in the co-main.
      Dubois faces drug cheat and AJ’s rival Jarrell Miller in big heavyweight fight.
      Jai Opetaia defends his Ring Magazine cruiserweight title against Ellis Zorro.

      Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin
      Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker
      Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur – for WBA lightweight title
      Daniel Dubois vs Jarrell Miller
      Jai Opetaia vs Ellis Zorro – for Ring cruiserweight title
      Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Agit Kabayel
      Frank Sanchez vs Junior Fa
      Filip Hrgovic vs Mark de Mori

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      How to watch Joshua vs Wallin & Wilder vs Parker
      Joshua vs Wallin will be shown live on DAZN PPV and TNT Sports Box Office as a dual broadcast.
      You can live stream both events form the DAZN and TNT Sports Box Office apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The event has been priced at £19.99. More