More stories

  • in

    Francis Ngannou makes decision on whether to appeal Tyson Fury defeat after fans say he was ‘robbed’ of victory

    FRANCIS NGANNOU has revealed his stance on potentially appealing his narrow defeat to Tyson Fury.The former UFC heavyweight champion shocked the world last weekend by going the distance with the undefeated Fury in his professional boxing debut.
    Francis Ngannou locked horns with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson FuryCredit: REUTERS
    The Predator suffered a split decision defeat to the Gypsy King – despite dropping himCredit: GETTY
    Ngannou doesn’t intend to appeal his loss to The Gypsy KingCredit: REUTERS
    Ngannou, 37, suffered a narrow split decision defeat to the WBC king, who he DROPPED in the third round of the Riyadh Rumble.
    The Predator believes he deserved to have his hand raised, although he won’t bother appealing the hotly-debated result of the Riyadh Rumble.
    He told TMZ: “Who am I gonna appeal to? [The British Boxing Commission]?
    “I have no chance. I think that’s just another way of humiliation.”
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    MMA man-mountain Ngannou has the world at his feet following his unexpected but virtuoso display against the WBC heavyweight champion.
    And a second showdown with The Gypsy King is top of the Professional Fighters League pounder’s wishlist.
    He said: “The rematch is what I want next the most.
    “As for right now, I feel like there is a lot of options for me.
    Most read in Boxing

    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    The stats from the fight show Fury landed more punches overall and in the majority of the rounds
    “But I want to choose wisely, and I would go for the rematch first.”
    Fury has the small matter of a historic undisputed heavyweight title fight with former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk before he can think about putting a definitive ending on his story with Ngannou.
    And Ngannou is seemingly content to sit on the sidelines and wait for the February unification fight to play out before deciding his next move.
    The pride of Cameroon said: “My best scenario in boxing is to wait for Fury.
    “If Usyk can step out and let me fight Fury, I’ll fight Fury, then I’ll let them do whatever they do.
    “I’ll go back, maybe do some MMA fight and come back with some people in boxing.
    “I’m planning to fight potentially twice next year, [starting] maybe February or March.”
    Francis Ngannou plans to wait until Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk before boxing againCredit: GETTY More

  • in

    I’ve been offered £100,000 to pose for nude photos, but I refuse to as I am not money-oriented, says Apollonia Llewellyn

    BEAUTIFUL Apollonia Llewellyn has become the go-to for swimwear brands to model their bikinis thanks to her huge following online.The Instagram and TikTok queen, 24, is followed by millions of fans on social media, who tune into her glam lifestyle, sexy photoshoots and engaging personality.
    Apollonia Llewellyn has become hugely popular on social media
    Stunning beauty Apollonia has millions of followers across Instagram and TikTok
    Buxom blonde Apollonia was further catapulted to fame as a ring girl for Misfits Boxing
    She was further catapulted to fame when she appeared as a ring girl for KSI’s Misfits Boxing.
    Because of her looks, the Yorkshire stunner has been offered a staggering £100,000 to pose nude.
    However, Apollonia has turned down the proposals out of respect for her family, insisting she isn’t money-oriented.
    The buxom blonde, who was subjected to school bullying growing up, revealed to SunSport what inspired her to be a model.
    Read more influencer news
    She said: “When I was 14 I got bullied at school.
    “So my mum wanted to find a way to cheer me up. I was very down and I didn’t like anything about myself.
    “She booked a Mother’s Day photoshoot with a local studio and I really enjoyed it.
    “Afterwards, the photographer said I was really photogenic and I should try and sign for a model agency.”
    Most read in Boxing
    Apollonia went down the route of beauty pageants, appearing in contests in Blackpool with her new found confidence.
    The Daily Star soon signed her up as Page 3 girl, and she gradually started making a name for herself.
    But it was when the country was in lockdown in early 2020 when things really started blowing up.
    With many people throwing themselves into TikTok and Instagram to fill their time, Apollonia’s popularity went through the roof.
    “My Instagram blew up and TikTok was just starting,” she said.
    “I remember posting a video on TikTok and looking back a week later and I had 100,000 followers on there. I just knew I had to use that.”
    That led to Misfits Boxing co-founder Mams Taylor reaching out to her.
    “He asked me to be their exclusive ring girl, and I did three or four fights,” she said.
    “I got a lot of publicity from that, it was a good thing for me and really fun.”
    The secret to Apollonia’s success is the content she uploads.
    Apollonia’s Instagram blew up when the UK was in lockdown
    Her glam outfits have attracted plenty of followers to Apollonia’s social media accounts
    Various brands have approached Apollonia to work with them in paid partnerships
    Brands like Pretty Little Thing have aligned themselves with Apollonia
    READ MORE SPORT FEATURES
    Bikini photos with sass taken all over the globe, she understands her market and has attracted brands including Pretty Little Thing, Shein and Fashion Nova.
    “The more I kept posting bikini content, the more fans I got. I became known for posting the bikini stuff, going on a lot of trips and holidays,” she admitted.
    But what’s more remarkable for someone so young is Apollonia did it all herself, without a social media manager.
    “I like to do it on my own,” she revealed. “Some brands tell you what to post, but I feel if I have control over a post I am more authentic for my followers.
    “It’s always me that has access to my social media and it’s always me that does the posts.”
    As lifestyles go, Apollonia’s is as luxurious as it gets. A glimpse at her Instagram shows she’s well travelled, from shoots in Santorini to work trips to Miami. It’s some life.
    “The year before lockdown I planned on going on 12 trips in 12 months with my mum,” she told us.
    “But then lockdown hit, so I couldn’t. So I promised myself I would go travelling as soon as it was possible.
    “As we came out of lockdown, I planned a trip for every different month.
    “I’ve stuck with that plan ever since so my content is always better. But now I’m getting invited on trips, and it’s ending up at more than 12 trips a year!
    Apollonia handles all her own social media personallly
    Last month, Apollonia attended New York Fashion Week
    Apollonia has been offered £100k to pose nude
    Stunning Apollonia has refused offers to take her clothes off in a photoshoot
    “I did New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week, which I was invited to by brands. And when I’ve been on those trips I’ve been invited to more by other brands.”
    Apollonia’s biggest influence on her life is her mum, who acts as a soundboard for her career.
    “I am lucky. I always travel with mum or my dad. I’ve got a good support system,” she said.
    “When I put up a post I check with mum, she’s really good at advising what I should and shouldn’t post.
    “I tend to keep my opinions off social media. However, if I feel I need to post about trolling and nasty comments towards young girls, I will try to share some nice advice that would benefit them.”
    Dad John and mum Paula approve of her modelling work. But she stops the line at nudity, despite being offered staggering six-figure sums. 
    “My mum takes pretty much 90 per cent of those pictures, and I’ve got two brothers who are all for it,” she said.
    “My family know I don’t do topless or nude photos. It would be a different story if I did.
    “But my dad is all for it, he says ‘the more publicity you get from a picture, the better so do the riskier stuff.’
    Read More on The Sun
    Life’s a beach for Apollonia
    Apollonia isn’t afraid to try out different fashion trends and hairstyles
    Apollonia enjoys a jet-set lifestyle
    Stylish Apollonia stuns in a black dress
    Apollonia’s parents approve of her glam snaps
    “I’ve been offered £100,000 for nude photos. As much as I support girls who do that, it’s just not for me.
    “People think I would and that I’m money-orientated, but I’m not. I consider what my family think, so those people who make offers like that perceive me in the wrong way.” More

  • in

    Tyson Fury accused of fighting “dirty” against Francis Ngannou after using banned move in controversial win

    TYSON FURY has been branded a “dirty” fighter following his controversial win over Francis Ngannou.The WBC king preserved his undisputed showdown with Oleksandr Usyk with a narrow points victory over the former UFC heavyweight champion in Saudi Arabia last weekend.
    Tyson Fury narrowly defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou last weekendCredit: AFP
    The Gypsy King landed an illegal elbow on The Predator in the sixth roundCredit: ESPN
    Deontay Wilder’s head coach Malik Scott has branded Fury a ‘dirty’ fighterCredit: AFP
    Fury, 35, was dropped by the boxing novice in the third round of the Riyadh Rumble, which SunSport understands landed him the biggest payday of his career.
    The second biggest talking point of the night was the elbow Fury landed flush on the forehead of MMA man-mountain Ngannou in the sixth round.
    Several fight fans were left stunned by Fury’s landing of the illegal blow, but not Deontay Wilder’s coach Malik Scott.
    He told ESNews: “Elie Seckbach, my good friend, has been saying for many, many years what Tyson Fury put on display the other night.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “Elie has been saying for many years that Tyson Fury is dirty.
    “Now the world is seeing him throw elbows intentionally at Francis Ngannou, all of that [leaning and pushing].”
    Scott’s sentiment was shared by Hall-of-Fame promoter Lou DiBella, who tweeted: “Flush, timed, power elbow to the forehead.
    “Dirty AF. Francis doesn’t flinch. Man has a chin.”
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    The stats from the fight show Fury landed more punches overall and in the majority of the rounds
    Ngannou himself called out the illegal strike after watching back his herculean performance.
    Along with footage of the incident, he wrote on X: “Unlike the Superman punch, this was f**king illegal.”
    Fury was all set to face Usyk in a long-overdue unification fight on December 23 before being embarrassed by Ngannou.
    But their showdown – which Fury refused to comment on in the aftermath of the bout – has been pushed back until February.
    Before setting off for Heathrow with wife Paris, the Wythenshawe warrior said: “They’ll sort it out when they sort it out.
    “Until that day, don’t bother me with boxing.
    “I’m going home, I’m going to spend some time with my kids.
    “I’ve been away for 12 weeks. I’ve got a newborn baby I’ve seen three times.
    “He’s six weeks old. I’ve done my job and been paid, happy days.” More

  • in

    Manny Pacquiao in talks with Floyd Mayweather over sensational DECEMBER rematch in shock retirement U-turn

    MANNY PACQUIAO is in talks with Floyd Mayweather over a sensational end-of-year rematch.Retirement has been a difficult pill to swallow for the former eight-weight world champion, who has flirted with the prospect of boxing for the Philippines at the 2024 Olympics.
    Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao collided in a historic showdown in 2015Credit: AFP
    Mayweather dominated the Filipino on his way to earning a decision victoryCredit: AP
    Pacquiao has revealed he’s in talks with Money over a shock rematchCredit: AP
    But he’s on course for a shock straightener with long-time rival Mayweather in Japanese fight promotion RIZIN next month.
    Pacman, 44, revealed “I’m still active, I’m an active guy, I’m actively training. I have an exhibition match this coming December.
    “In Japan. We’re working on it, the opponent. We’re working with Mayweather. Yes [a Mayweather fight].”
    Mayweather, 46, has competed in multiple exhibition bouts since hanging up his gloves after his 2017 showdown with Conor McGregor.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    But Pacquiao claims the American’s legendary 50-0 record could be on the line in their Japanese joust.
    “I don’t know, [it could be pro] if he wants,” he said. “We’re still working on it.”
    Boxing Hall of Famers Pacquiao and Mayweather faced one another for the unified welterweight titles in the summer of 2015.
    But their long overdue “Fight of the Century” failed to live up to expectations, with an injured Pacquiao suffering a decision defeat.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Manny Pacquiao fought Floyd Mayweather with an injured shoulderCredit: AP
    Despite coming up short on that fateful Las Vegas night, Pacquiao is adamant he’ll get the better of Money second time around.
    The pride of the Philippines told Fight Hype: “I don’t think he will do a rematch with me, Floyd. I don’t think so.
    “What I thought is [that] he’s scared to death to fight again.
    “And that’s my analysis and thought pretty much with him.
    “Well, I can beat him easily. I don’t want an exhibition fight with him.
    “I want a real fight – a 12-round fight with him.”
    Former five-weight world champion Mayweather hasn’t been as receptive to the idea of a rematch with his old rival in recent years.
    He said: “We had a chance to do it when it really counted, for all the marbles.
    Floyd Mayweather has competed in multiple exhibition bouts since retiringCredit: GETTY
    “I was able to go out there and generate crazy numbers.
    “We had a chance to do it and you know what the result was.”
    Pacquiao called time on his legendary career in September 2021, just a month after he was resoundingly beaten by former WBA welterweight champ Yordenis Ugas.
    The emotional southpaw said: “My boxing career is already over.
    “It’s done because I’ve been in boxing for a long time and my family says that it is enough.
    “I just continued [to box] because I’m passionate about this sport.
    Read More on The Sun
    He added: “I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring.
    “I am accepting your nomination as candidate for president of the Republic of the Philippines.” More

  • in

    Boxing ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn risks Instagram ban as she strips completely naked for birthday photoshoot in bath

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN risked an Instagram ban after posing naked in a bath to celebrate her birthday.The ring girl turned 24 and showed off in her birthday suit to mark the special occasion.
    Scroll down for more saucy Apollonia snaps…
    Apollonia posed naked to celebrate her birthdayCredit: INSTAGRAM @apolloniallewellyn
    She risked an Instagram ban as she used the soapy water to protect her modestyCredit: INSTAGRAM @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia also shared a snap of her peachy bum to mark her birthday
    Apollonia has turned 24Credit: INSTAGRAM
    Many of her followers wished her a happy birthdayCredit: INSTAGRAM
    The ring girl went as a cheerleader for HalloweenCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    She also dressed up as Edward ScissorhandsCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    She covered her modesty using the soapy water in a daring pose that pushed Instagram’s rules on nudity.
    Apollonia drew a lot of attention for the snaps, which she posted on social media alongside the caption: “Chapter 24 ✨”
    Many of Apollonia’s followers wished her a happy birthday while others complimented her look.
    One said: “Beautiful lady! Happy birthday ❤️”
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Another added: “Happy birthday to the sexiest lady I have ever seen… ❤️”
    A third wrote: “The most beautiful and the most perfect woman does exist 😍”
    And another commented: “Stunning miss 🔥”
    Apollonia also shared another birthday photo showing off her peachy bum in an Instagram story.
    Most read in Boxing
    Apollonia recently stunned in a low-cut blue dressCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    It comes just says after the Misfits star wowed fans with her eye-catching Halloween costumes.
    Apollonia first showed off as a naughty cheerleader before ditching the pom-poms for scissor-hands, doing her best Edward Scissorhands impression.
    She is no stranger to sharing saucy snaps online and recently sent fans wild as she put on a busty display in a low-cut blue dress.
    Apollonia’s most-liked Instagram snaps…
    Apollonia burst out of this tiny silver bikini as she drank her ‘morning juice’Credit: 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 More

  • in

    Hearn says Anthony Joshua will knock Tyson Fury ‘spark out and put him into retirement’ after terrible Ngannou display

    TYSON FURY would get brutally sent into “retirement” if he were to ever fight Anthony Joshua.Or so says AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn after watching the Gypsy King’s scare against Francis Ngannou.
    Tyson Fury locked horns with Francis Ngannou in a controversial crossover clash last weekendCredit: AFP
    The Gypsy King was dropped in the third round of the Saudi showdown but won via a narrow decisionCredit: GETTY
    Eddie Hearn reckons Anthony Joshua would knock the WBC king out coldCredit: RETUERS
    Fury was knocked down in the third round of his controversial crossover clash with the former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou last weekend but narrowly eked out a decision victory.
    Undefeated Fury looked a shell of the fighter who scored sensational back-to-back stoppage wins over the feared Deontay Wilder.
    And, after seeing the WBC heavyweight champ toil in the Riyadh Rumble, AJ’s promoter Hearn is adamant his man would knock him “spark out”.
    The Matchroom Boxing chief told iFL TV: “I’m telling you and I say it with a big chest and all my heart and now all my brain, Anthony Joshua beats Tyson Fury every day of the week, he knocks him spark out.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “And you can go around and say he’s frozen out, he’s a dosser, I’m a dosser, whatever.
    “We saw on Saturday night, we know the weaknesses, there [points at head] and there [points at chin] aren’t what they used to be.
    “Make the fight, AJ against Fury… You have to make the AJ fight, you cannot retire without fighting Anthony Joshua.
    “But, he’ll do the job for you because he’ll put you into retirement, I promise you that.”
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    The stats from the fight show Fury landed more punches overall and in the majority of the rounds
    Boxing novice Ngannou shocked the world with his virtuoso display against Fury, so much so that Hearn wants to see The Predator face AJ in a clash of African-born titans.
    He told talkSPORT: “I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but Francis Ngannou vs Anthony Joshua becomes a huge fight.
    “If I’m Francis Ngannou I’m looking at it saying give me the biggest fight possible and that’s two fights, it’s Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder.
    “They’re the two massive fights for Ngannou, two huge men. But, we’ll see, I can’t even believe we’re talking about this.”
    Ngannou, 37, will likely hold out for a rematch with Fury – who is set to throw down with Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed heavyweight title fight early next year.
    AJ, meanwhile, is still on the hunt for a long-overdue grudge match with Wilder. More

  • in

    KSI hints he is ‘RETIRED’ from boxing as YouTube star throws doubt on Tommy Fury rematch and huge Jake Paul grudge fight

    KSI has hinted he is “RETIRED” from boxing – leaving future fights with Tommy Fury and Jake Paul in doubt. The YouTube, music and crossover boxing star was beaten for the first time by Fury in a disputed decision loss last month.
    KSI discussing his boxing future on Logan Paul’s podcast
    KSI has since hired a legal team to appeal the result and revealed plans to take time away from the sport.
    But while speaking on Logan Paul’s podcast, the multimillionaire celebrity admitted he does not know where his boxing career stands.
    KSI said: “Right now, I feel like I’ve retired. It’s weird. I haven’t trained since the fight.
    “I’ve kind of just enjoyed my life. It’s weird because I’m like, ‘I’ve got to train the next day. Wait, no I don’t! I’ve got to watch what I eat. Wait, no I don’t.

    “It’s all these things that I would normally do, and I’m like I can just relax, play games.
    “So I’ve been playing Overwatch, playing the new Spider-Man 2 game. I’ve been seeing my mates, Sidemen mates.”
    Fury, 24, has opened the door to a sequel after the controversy but KSI, 30, hit back: “F*** the rematches with Tommy Fury.”
    One bout that will elude KSI is a bitter bout with Logan’s 26-year-old brother Jake.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    But KSI has refused to confirm whether he will remain in boxing to finally settle the score with his bitter American enemy.
    He said: “It’s a huge fight, especially because the ego is on the line. Not even money, fame, whatever.
    “It’s the ego. It’s pride. Who is going to be the YouTuber that falls down? That’s why everyone is like, ‘I need this.’”
    KSI continued: “I think for right now, I’m just kind of enjoying myself. But we’ll see.”
    Tommy Fury beat KSI in a disputed decision last monthCredit: Reuters
    Logan’s bother Jake, far left, still wants to fight KSICredit: Splash More

  • in

    Eddie Hearn CONFIRMS Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn for January with two huge stadiums set to host mega-fight

    CONOR BENN’s family grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr will take place in January, promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed.The surging welterweight was set to face the former IBO super-middleweight champion last October before a pair of failed pre-fight drug tests scuppered the latest instalment of the family feud.
    Conor Benn was due to face Chris Eubank Jr last Octover before a pair of failed drug testsCredit: Reuters
    Negotiations over the domestic grudge match resumed after Benn’s return to the ring in SeptemberCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
    Promoter Eddie Hearn expects the fight to take place in JanuaryCredit: ALAMY
    Despite returning to the ring in September for a short-notice showdown with Rodolfo Orozco, Benn – the son of British boxing great Nigel – is currently NOT licensed to compete in the UK.
    The British Boxing Board of Control and UKAD both appealed the National Anti-Doping Panel’s ruling that Benn was innocent of intentionally taking the banned fertility drug found in his system.
    But Hearn is confident the BBBofC and UKAD won’t slap his man with a suspension, so much so he’s claimed January joust with Eubank Jr will come to fruition.
    The Matchroom Boxing chief told iFL TV: “In terms of Benn-Eubank, that fight is going to happen in January in the UK.”
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    Hearn, however, admits the fate of the fight is currently in the hands of the BBBofC, saying: “We will make the fight.
    “Conor Benn is not suspended and we will apply to the British Boxing Board of Control for sanctioning.
    “It’s up to them whether they sanction it or not.
    “He’s not suspended, legally, and we don’t see how he can’t be sanctioned to fight.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Conor Benn is still not licensed to box in the UKCredit: PA
    “We’ll let them make their decision.”
    Negotiations over the mouthwatering domestic dust-up – which could take place at the Principality Stadium or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – have reached the business end.
    And Hearn expects an agreement to be reached as early as next week.
    He said: “We’re in final negotiations with both sides to finalise a deal.
    “If we don’t get it done, we’re morons. But sometimes, we’re morons.
    “I expect everybody to be sensible and get that deal over the line as quick[ly] as next week. And we’ve got to get it done.
    “I know people will say, ‘Oh, you’ve been saying this for a while.’
    “Yes, we were waiting for December 23. [But. January, UK, Benn-Eubank, I believe is happening.” More