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      Sam ‘Maidstone Golovkin’ Noakes forced to miss FA Cup clash with Ipswich on day off from training due to wedding duties

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      THE “MAIDSTONE GOLOVKIN” Sam Noakes has had his FA Cup fever ruined by an indecent proposal.Kent’s rising lightweight star was ready to treat himself to a day off from his training camp – ahead of his February 10 clash with Lewis Sylvester – to travel to Ipswich for his local side’s Fourth Round tie.
      Sam Noakes has revealed why he cannot go and support his hometown team in the FA CupCredit: Getty
      Maidstone captain Gavin Hoyte and his team-mates head to Portman Road this weekendCredit: Getty
      His big brother and fellow fighter Sean has even arranged a coach of 52 to drive up the A12 and roll with the in-form Stones.
      But 26-year-old Noakes – whose 12 consecutive knockout wins earned him the nickname derived from Kazakh KO king Gennady – has got to try on wedding suits instead as he’s best man for a so-called pal in June.
      “I am gutted to be fair,” the pocket puncher said. “There has been a real buzz around the town, shops and pubs are busier and lifted by it.
      “It sounds like there are dozens of coaches heading up there, die hard fans and just local people who fancy the day out.
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      “My brother has hired a coach for the day and organised a great trip, by the sounds of it.
      “He better be on his best behaviour because he’s fighting in March.
      “But the best chance I have of misbehaving is sneaking out of this suit fitting and trying to catch it on the TV in a pub.”
      Noakes has a fizzing rivalry with fellow undefeated 9st 9lbs banger Mark Chamberlain bubbling along nicely.
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      They’re both throwback fighters who prefer to let their hands do the talking.
      But Portsmouth 25-year-old Chambo’s next fight being booked for March 8 in Saudi Arabia has whispers rife that the showdown will land in the kingdom this summer.
      “Let’s hope so,” Noakes laughed. 
      “The fight between us has been suggested and speculated on for so long now, but we are still two fights away, he has to win his and I have to win mine.
      “I went to Saudi Arabia for the Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou fight and I will be back out there just after mine for Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
      “It’s a long way away from Maidstone and Portsmouth but it’s where all the big fights are headed and it would be great to be a part of it.”
      Sam Noakes will return to the ring on February 10Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      I’m a 6ft 9in former basketball star but I quit the sport… now I’m a boxer who could secretly help dethrone Tyson Fury

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      SIX years ago Darren Sealy walked away from professional basketball to pursue boxing – now he is involved in the world’s biggest fights. The 6ft 9in heavyweight shot hoops in Spain and Lithuania before returning to the UK to play for London-based sides.
      Sealy is now a professional heavyweight boxerCredit: Instagram @darrensealy
      But after picking up personal training as a side hustle due to a lack of funding on the court, Sealy soon began coaching full time.
      That is when he was introduced to boxing, and given the chance to put his towering frame to use in a whole different way.
      Sealy told SunSport: “I was always in a team sport, but I knew I’d love to give it a go one day. 
      “I would always train, I always knew what I had to do, just with the basics, but I never took it seriously until I was in my mid to late 20s.” 
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      Sealy had 14 fights before turning pro, five in the white collar circuit and eight as an amateur.
      He was then granted a professional licence from the British Boxing Board of Control in August of 2022.
      But Sealy’s life would change forever when a year later heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury signed to fight MMA star Francis Ngannou.
      Realising a gap in the market for 6ft 9in sparring partners to replicate Fury’s size, Sealy reached out to Ngannou’s camp.
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      And following talks in London after a press conference, Sealy was invited to spar the ex-UFC champ.
      After a successful rehearsal, he would later travel with Ngannou for two weeks of sparring in Saudi Arabia.
      He revealed: “I was in contact with Dewey Cooper, his head coach and obviously he had his fight with Fury. I’m relatively the same height, same build. It just made sense really. 
      “The sparring partners they were looking for needed to be the same height and same build and, speaking to Dewey, I went out to Saudi and finished up camp with them.” 
      Ngannou, 37, almost caused the mother of all upsets when he floored Fury, 35, only to lose a controversial decision.
      But the performance did not surprise anyone in the Cameroonian’s camp, including Sealy.
      He said: “I wasn’t shocked by the performance whatsoever because I saw the work rate that they were putting in. 
      “I saw his performances in the sparring and saw how much he was putting in, which was great.
      Francis Ngannou brought Sealy into his campCredit: instagram @darrensealy
      Ngannou finished up his sparring with Sealy in SaudiCredit: Instagram @darrensealy
      “I wasn’t shocked on the night as well because the man’s power cannot be uncredited. 
      “You don’t want to be hit clean by him, and when Fury was we saw what happened.”
      Fury’s split-decision meant his undisputed title decider with Oleksandr Usyk remained intact, although postponed from December to February 17.
      One of Ngannou’s sparring partners was also recruited by Usyk, 36, who then recommended Sealy to the Ukrainian.
      Before long, Sealy was back in camp tasked with the job of mimicking the Gypsy King.
      He said: “It’s all about connections, building connections and relationships and being confident to put yourself out there and put a good performance on. 
      “Putting your best foot forward and putting the best Darren on like I did in Saudi it enabled me to come into camp with Usyk because he’s fighting the same opponent.” 
      Usyk’s southpaw skills and eccentric personality remains somewhat of an enigma in boxing – but Sealy revealed he is as down to earth as they come.
      Sealy is now in camp with Oleksandr UsykCredit: instagram
      He said: “If someone walked in the room that didn’t know boxing you’d almost have to tell them, ‘That’s the heavyweight champ.’ 
      “Because he doesn’t carry himself with any type of, ‘Hey, look at me.’ Or, ‘You can’t come near me.’ He’s a very, very relaxed person, has time for everybody. 
      “You can always ask for a little bit of advice from him, English might be a different language to him but he still respects you and wants to listen to you. 
      “For someone of his credibility, his accolades and achievements, I think he’s one of the nicest people in boxing that I’ve ever met.” 
      Fury and Usyk will meet in what is the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt unification bout.
      So the historic occasion is not lost on Sealy, who 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, 32, suffered defeat on his pro debut last March against experienced journeyman Phil Williams, 38.
      But he gets the chance to exact revenge and right the wrong in a rematch on February 10 in Brentwood. More

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      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk TNT Sports face-off video LEAKED with pair clashing over Ukrainian’s earring

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      TYSON FURY’s sitdown face-off with Oleksandr Usyk has been LEAKED just weeks before their historic showdown.The Gypsy King will bid to make history against the undefeated Ukrainian in Saudi Arabia next month when they vie for all the heavyweight marbles.

      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will finally throw down in Saudi Arabia next monthCredit: REUTERS
      The pair will vie for all the heavyweight marbles in their Riyadh rumbleCredit: GETTY
      The pair took part in a heated pre-fight press conference face-off in NovemberCredit: EPA
      The Gypsy King’s sitdown face-off interview with Usyk has been leaked onlineCredit: TNT SPORTS
      The victor of their Riyadh rumble will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era and the first in over 25 years.
      Fury and Usyk, 35 and 37 respectively, have had three fiery face-offs in the last 13 months – the most recent of which took place in London.
      And the eagerly-anticipated sitdown face-off they took part in after their last presser last November has prematurely made its way online.
      The pair took part in a lengthy chat with TNT Sports’ boxing expert Steve Bunce, where they fielded questions on their long-overdue unification clash.
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      Tensions, understandably, were high between the pair – who have been on a collision course for the best part of two years.
      And footage circulating online shows Fury attempt to land a verbal jab during their sitdown by mocking Usyk for wearing an earring.
      The WBC heavyweight king said: “I know he can’t beat me, I know he can’t.
      “A man who wears an earring can never beat Tyson Fury, ever.
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      Tyson Fury mocked Oleksandr Usyk for wearing an earring in his left ear during the sitdownCredit: TNT Sports
      Usyk revealed the earring was an ode to ancient Ukrainian Cossack warriorsCredit: TNT SPORTS
      “Not a chance, no-one who wears earrings can beat him.”
      Usyk was cool as a cucumber as Fury took aim at his donning of an earring, which is a to homage to his warrior heritage.
      He said: “I can explain about the earrings. It’s Ukrainian warrior, Cossack.
      “They were the people who defended my country from our enemies for many years.
      “This is just the proof of my Cossack lineage – they never lost to anybody.
      “There is no beauty or fashion in this.”
      Fury was respectful of the fact that Usyk’s earring was an ode to Ukraine’s ancient Cossack warriors.
      But he was adamant it makes the former undisputed cruiserweight champ a lesser man in his eyes.
      He said: “Listen in Ukraine it means he’s a good fighting man, for him.
      “But where I’m from it means he’s a p***y with an earring in.”

      TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
      Fury will bid to become the undisputed ruler of the heavyweights on the back of a lacklustre display against boxing novice Francis Ngannou, who dropped him in their controversial crossover clash last October.
      And he’s refusing to underestimate the challenge Usyk brings to the table the same way he did the UFC’s former heavyweight champion.
      He said: “It’s going to be one of the fights for the ages.
      “I believe we are both destined to be here and to be in this big fight in Saudi Arabia.
      “And there’s only one winner, and I am destined to become the undisputed champion.
      “More than that, I am destined to cement my legacy as the No. 1 fighter in this era.
      “To do that I have to beat this little man and that’s it, simple as.
      “Easier said than done I understand, he’s a tricky man, good boxer, slick.
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      “But I have seen many people like him before and when they fight the big men they struggle.
      “He’s going to struggle on February 17 and he’s going to lose, I will break him for sure.”
      Tyson Fury goes into his clash with Usyk on the back on an embarrassing display against Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY More

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      Dan Azeez: A look inside the boxer’s life, boxing record and net worth

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      DAN Azeez is a British undefeated light-heavyweight boxer.He’s fighting Joshua Buatsi on February 3, 2024 in a postponed eliminator for the WBA world title — here we take a look at his life, career and net worth.
      Dan Azeez looks on during his victory over Matthew Tinker at Wembley Arena on March 26, 2022Credit: Getty
      Who is Dan Azeez?
      Light-heavyweight ace Dan Azeez is one of the UK’s most in-form fighters and is currently undefeated as a professional.
      It is an incredible turnaround for the former removals man and accountant — he has a masters degree in finance — who was knocked out within 30 seconds of his debut amateur bout.
      In the 2013 fight — undertaken while he was a student at Colchester University — he shared the Harlow stage with Lawrence Okolie, who was also making his bow.
      Azeez danced into the ring full of bravado and was knocked spark out inside a minute.
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      At the Royal Resistance gym in Kidbrooke, he revealed: “I swear, I walked across the ring and I was knocked out, chinned clean.
      “I only got into boxing by watching the likes of Roy Jones Jr and David Haye and they had that flashy style built on reflexes and speed.
      “I don’t know what I was thinking but I was dancing around in the changing room before, the most confident I have ever been for any fight — pro or amateur.
      I was in the changing room with Okolie and he was so confident, so I tapped into that, but then my opponent just whacked in a hook that sent me flying. I will never forget it.”
      Dan’s nickname used to be ‘Disease’ — which he was not a fan of — but he now goes by ‘Super Dan’.
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      Azeez laughed to SunSport: “I used to cry about that nickname [Disease], I will never forget it. A substitute teacher called me it once and she really laughed.
      “I remember sitting there thinking ‘you’re in on the act too? I really don’t stand a chance’.
      “Thankfully the name vanished after secondary school because I hated it, it really hurt me.
      “It was made so much worse because it was a supply teacher who I really fancied as well so all the other kids burst out laughing as well.
      “I knew then my chances with her were shot — not that they were ever that strong when I am eight years old in her Maths class.
      “I wonder if she watches me now and remembers I was hot for her?”
      Azeez is the first 12st 7lbs fighter from Britain to secure every domestic title, including Southern Area, English, British and Commonwealth titles.
      He is also the current holder of the European light-heavyweight belt.
      What age and height is Dan Azeez?
      Azeez was born and raised in Lewisham, south London on August 30, 1989.
      At the time of writing, he is 34 years old.
      Dan is five-foot-ten (178cm) and has a reach of 70.1 inches (178cm).
      What is Dan Azeez’s boxing record?
      Dan’s record stands at 20-0-0.
      This means he has won all 20 of his professional bouts, with no losses or draws.
      He has won 13 of his fights via knockout, giving him a knockout ratio of 65%.
      Speaking about his upcoming fight with longtime friend and sparring partner Joshua Buatsi — which had to be postponed due to Dan picking up a strain in his back — Azeez has voiced his objections over the aspersions cast on him by Buatsi, in relation to the injury being fabricated.
      He told Sky Sports: “I didn’t really like the narrative but it is what it is. What can you do?
      “Even sometimes just the stuff Josh even says: ‘You know, I don’t know, I’m not sure’.
      “Why am I going to make up an injury?
      “It’s either you don’t believe it or you do. I thought you would at least know my character a bit better than that.”
      What is Dan Azeez’s net worth?
      Dan’s net worth has not been widely reported.
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      CelebsAgeWiki is the only outlet with an estimate of his wealth.
      The online publication has quite a wide range for its prediction, calculating that Azeez’s net worth is somewhere between $1million USD (£786,000) and £5million USD (£3.9million). More

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      Joshua Buatsi: A look inside the boxer’s life, boxing record and net worth

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      JOSHUA Buatsi is a British-Ghanaian undefeated light-heavyweight boxer.Here we look at his life, career and net worth.
      Joshua Buatsi is the current WBA international light-heavyweight championCredit: The Sun
      Who is Joshua Buatsi?
      Joshua Buatsi was born in Accra, Ghana — before his family moved to Thornton Heath, south London, where he grew up.
      He studied at Edenham High School, and then completed a degree at St Mary’s University, Twickenham in business management and sports science, graduating with a 2:1.
      Buatsi started boxing at the age of fifteen at the South Norwood and Victory boxing club, located in an old church hall near Croydon.
      The knockout artist, who is nicknamed “Just Business”, became an English national champion and won a European bronze medal before representing Great Britain at the Rio Olympics in 2016 — where he also picked up a bronze medal.
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      Joshua has gone on to have a successful professional career, holding the WBA international light-heavyweight title, and is undefeated so far.
      He is often referred to as somewhat of an anomaly in the world of boxing, as unlike a great many of his peers he avoids trash talking and is considered to be good natured.
      His former promoter Eddie Hearn described him as “the nicest, most dangerous man you can meet”.
      Buatsi told Al Jazeera: “They speak about me outside the ring in terms of ‘he’s a nice guy, he’s polite’.
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      “It’s just when I get in the ring, it’s no time to be nice, my coach always says to me, ‘nice guys finish last.’”
      And Joshua has said that a boxing legend taught him to respect his opponents.
      He told SunSport: “As Mike Tyson said, ‘not everyone you fight is your enemy and not everyone that helps you is your friend’.
      Life is hard for everyone for all different reasons, just because we are boxers it doesn’t mean we should make it any harder for each other.
      “We are not born boxers and we are not boxers until the day we die.
      “I have nothing personal with any of these guys and — until we sign a contract and get in that ring for 12 rounds of trying to take each others’ heads off — I like to be cool with everyone.”
      Buatsi left Hearn’s Matchroom stable when it left Sky Sports and jumped ship to streaming app DAZN in 2021.
      Joshua was furious when Hearn claimed he had ducked a £1million world title shot against Russian champion Dmitry Bivol, leading him to return to Sky Sports and their promoters BOXXER.
      Buatsi fumed: “Matchroom promised me a world title shot over and over again; ‘Beat Ricards Bolotniks (August ‘21) and you’ll get it’. Then it was: ‘Beat Craig Richards (May ‘22) and you’ll get it’.
      “But there were always excuses about writing to the WBA and then it never happened.
      “I wanted to avoid this topic too but Eddie came out and said I turned down the Bivol fight for £1million.
      “But we had a conversation in confidence that he went public with but he only publicised half of the sentence.
      “He left out all the caveats they wanted included; the contract extensions and extra fights with Matchroom.
      “I took those unmentioned extras as two or three more years on DAZN, two more three years of no publicity and nobody seeing my fights.
      “I thought I might win a world title on a channel that hardly anybody has access to, let alone watches.
      “So when Eddie comes out and just says ‘he turned down a world title offer and £1m’ that is not the truth.
      “There was a lot more to that offer but he just doesn’t want to tell the public, he just wants to shape their minds.
      “It’s unfortunate because most of the public believes what Eddie says but if you were to track and trace everything Eddie says everyday, you would go mad!
      “The story changes so frequently that people need to look a bit deeper.
      “If you just pick up and notice the pattern of this guy you cannot believe everything he says.”
      What age and height is Joshua Buatsi?
      Buatsi was born on March 14, 1993.
      At the time of writing, he is 30 years old.
      Joshua is six-foot-two (188cm) and has a reach of 74.5 inches (189cm).
      What is Joshua Buatsi’s boxing record?
      Buatsi’s boxing record stands at 17-0-0.
      This means he has won all 17 of his professional bouts, with no losses or draws.
      He has won 13 of his fights by knockout, giving him a knockout ratio of 76.5%.
      Buatsi is shaping for a busy 2024, with his fight against Dan Azeez — a postponed eliminator for the WBA world title — scheduled for February 3.
      And an all British dust-up with Anthony Yarde is also on the cards later in the year.
      Buatsi told SunSport: “Stormzy had like a birthday party. We were both invited and we were talking and that’s when we mentioned it as well. 
      “The only thing about that was I think a couple of days later I see an interview where his energy was a bit different.
      “And I was thinking, ‘That’s mad. Because when I was with you a couple of days ago you wasn’t saying any of that. You was talking normal.’
      “But again, he’s saying what he’s supposed to say, so hopefully it can happen…”
      What is Joshua Buatsi’s net worth?
      Reports of Joshua’s net worth vary, but not too dramatically.
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      At the bottom and of the scale, a number of outlets put it at around $1.5million USD (£1.2million).
      Whereas at the top end multiple publications estimate his fortune at roughly $5million (£3.9million). More

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      Jake Paul called out by MMA star Cedric Doumbe for fight at 80,000-seat stadium… despite TWO STONE weight difference

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      JAKE PAUL has been called out by MMA star Cedric Doumbe – and reckons 80,000 fans would show up to see it. Doumbe signed for the Professional Fighters League last year and won his debut in just NINE SECONDS in September.
      Cedric Doumbe called out Jake PaulCredit: PFL
      Jake Paul is set to debut in MMA with the PFL in 2024Credit: PFL
      He now returns on March 7 in Paris against Baissangour Chamsoudinov.
      But should Chamsoudinov fail to make weight, Doumbe, 31, wants Paul, 27, who is also signed to the PFL, on standby as a backup replacement.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “Maybe I’m gonna fight, I don’t know. I’m gonna choose maybe Jake Paul! Maybe Jake Paul.
      “But I mean Jake Paul is the guy. If I fight against Jake Paul, I think the Stade de France would be full in an hour.”
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      The Stade de France – where France play their football – has a capacity of 80,000 fans.
      And Doumbe is one of the nation’s biggest stars, with Kylian Mbappe among the PSG players to turn out for his last fight.
      Paul meanwhile is 8-1 in boxing and returns on March 2 in Puerto Rico – but he is also signed to the PFL and set to make his MMA debut in 2024.
      The YouTuber-turned prizefighter last fought at the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb.
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      Doumbe meanwhile fights at the 170lb welterweight limit of 12st 1lb – meaning there is a massive TWO STONE weight difference between them.
      But Doumbe said: “He’s bigger than me, for sure. Same height but bigger than me.
      “But I like when I’m fit. I don’t like to do the weight cut.” More

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      Saudi Arabia to open first alcohol store in 72 YEARS in Riyadh as boxing fans say ‘open casinos and Vegas is finished’

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      FIGHT-LOVERS are dreaming of Saudi Arabia rivalling Las Vegas for boxing as the country prepares to open its first alcohol store since 1952.Only diplomatic staff can use the new Riyadh shop – but fans wonder if the change will eventually filter through to ring nights and transform the atmosphere.
      Anthony Joshua beat Otto Wallin in Riyadh last monthCredit: Getty
      Only a select band of diplomats will be allowed to buy alcohol from the Riyadh store, which is set to open within weeksCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Saudi officials are launching the store for a small group of non-Muslim expats to combat “the illicit trade of alcohol” – as drink is currently often imported in diplomatic pouches.
      But one boxing fan joked: “Open some gambling establishments and Vegas is finished BIG time BOXING.”
      Another added: “Anybody know any diplomats out there for Fury v Usyk?”
      And a third posted: “The silent crowds at the new home of boxing, might only be a short term issue…”
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      But many fans were surprised by the development, with one saying: “Wow controversial”
      And others pointed out that, as the shop was for diplomats, any effects on boxing might take ages to filter through.
      Saudi Arabia’s keenness to become a superpower for mega bouts reached new heights in Riyadh on December 23 last year.
      On a heavyweight card hailed as one of the greatest ever, Anthony Joshua beat Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker stunned Deontay Wilder.
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      It comes as Saudi chiefs block YouTube boxing – which is a blow to social media stars like KSI, Jake Paul and Tommy Fury.
      His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi, controls boxing in the region.
      And he told DAZN: “Please, we don’t want any YouTuber fight again. I don’t talk about names.
      “I want fighters, I want fighters, this is what I support.” More

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      UFC champ offers Anthony Joshua help in training to fight MMA star Francis Ngannou and says ‘give me a call’

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      TOM ASPINALL has offered to help Anthony Joshua in preparation to fight Francis Ngannou. Joshua faces the MMA star on March 8 in Saudi Arabia just five months after Ngannou’s controversial loss to Tyson Fury.
      Tom Aspinall has offered to help Anthony Joshua in sparringCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua fights MMA star Francis Ngannou on March 8Credit: Getty
      And Aspinall – the UFC’s current interim heavyweight champion – would be happy to spar AJ in the build up to the crossover clash.
      He told Matchroom Boxing: “If [Joshua] needs help, give me a call and I’ll be there.
      “Boxers are used to fighting boxers, so they know the patterns of a boxer.
      “The patterns, movement and thought process of a boxer. In MMA we’re doing different stuff than a standard boxer would.
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      “We’re throwing different shots from different angles and that’s something an MMA fighter, I’m not saying just me, could definitely help out AJ with.”
      Ngannou, 37, walked out on the UFC last year to cross over to the ring to fight Fury, 35, in October.
      He sensationally dropped the Gypsy King on his boxing debut but suffered a controversial split-decision loss.
      Ngannou instead returns against Joshua, who Aspinall warned must acclimatise to the unpredictability of facing an MMA fighter.
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      ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
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      He said: “If you get standard boxers in that have been boxing since they’re ten years old, they’re going to move and have the same thought process as every other boxer.
      “As MMA fighters our patterns are different, movements are jerkier and the way we defend is different to a boxer.
      “I’m not going to tell AJ what to do, but it would be definitely recommended to get a decent level MMA fighter in as a sparring partner.”
      Joshua and Ngannou facing offCredit: AFP More