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      I served four years in the military before playing American football… but I gave up my NFL dream for boxing aged 30

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      GERALD WASHINGTON left behind a life in the military and dreams of the NFL to start chasing a boxing career at the age of 30. Now 41, the former world title challenger remains a fixture in major heavyweight fight nights.
      Gerald Washington had NFL hopesCredit: Getty
      But he turned to boxing instead aged 30Credit: Getty
      He returns at the O2 Arena on Saturday night against Derek Chisora as his remarkable life tale readies for another chapter.
      Washington told SunSport: “I’ve been riding a beautiful wave of life.
      “I turned professional, worked my way up to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world.
      “Was I ever expecting that in my life, to be able to start at 30 and be able to fight for a championship? No.
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      “But I was able to and I’m still in the game, competing at the highest level.
      “I’m grateful to be here and it’s going to be an exciting fight on Saturday.”
      Washington enlisted into the US navy at 18 and served four years.
      He worked as a helicopter mechanic, stationed in San Diego, California and also served on a support and rescue squadron.
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      Washington credits his time in the military for helping pave the way for what was to come later on in his life.
      He said: “I was in during 9/11, it was a very hectic time, a lot of chaos going on.
      “It was a very disruptive time in the world in that particular time when I went in.
      “But I was able to learn a lot, take a lot of life experiences from that and I was able to apply that to my life.”
      Washington was then recruited to play college football and was an NJCAA All-American tight end. 
      From there he spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills practise NFL squads – before realising his future lied in the ring.
      He said: “After I went to college, I signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2009.
      “I was able to go over there to OTAs (organised team activities) and stuff like that.
      Gerald Washington trialled in the NFLCredit: Instagram @gwgallonegro
      “But soon after that I started boxing, doing some training and I decided that I wanted to pursue boxing instead.
      “I liked the one-man aspect of it, everything falls and ends on me on the work that I put in and I was willing to work.
      “I chose boxing, I boxed as a kid and I’m glad and grateful that I was able to grow into this beautiful body of mine, 6’6 and 250lb.”
      Washington boxed briefly as a boy with ten amateur bouts to his name but he realised his talent and passion for the sweet science in sparring.
      He revealed: “Boxing was always in my heart.
      “I played football because I was able to run fast and have fun with it. But boxing was my sport, that was always in my heart.
      “I grew up watching Julio Cesar Chavez, I watched Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson, I grew up watching a lot of the greats and I always wanted to go out there and see what I could do.
      “When I was doing football training, I started boxing, I sparred a couple of time put a couple of guys down and I felt what it felt like to be in the ring and I wanted to do it more.”
      Deontay Wilder beat Gerald Washington in 2017Credit: (AP Photo/Albert Cesare)
      Washington had four more amateur bouts before turning professional at 30, winning his 2012 debut by KO.
      Just 20 fights and five years later, he found himself challenging for Deontay Wilder’s WBC belt.
      It ended in a fifth-round stoppage loss and Washignton would go on to become one of the most recognisable faces in the division.
      He faced Jarrell Miller, Adam Kownacki and Anthony Joshua’s Saturday night opponent Robert Helenius.
      And he also sparred the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, AJ, Wilder, Oleksandr Usyk and even Chisora, who he fights on Joshua’s undercard.
      Helenius, 39, has filled in for Dillian Whyte, 35, who was taken off the bill due to a failed drug test.
      Washington was considered but later overlooked as a substitute – although the American vowed to get his chance eventually.
      He said: “We were ready to go. We’ve been working for a long time now and we was ready to go to put it together.
      “But, they chose Robert Helenius and we’ll get him next time.”
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      Deontay Wilder with former opponent Gerald WashingtonCredit: @gwgallonegro
      Anthony Joshua with former sparring partner Gerald WashingtonCredit: @gwgallonegro
      Derek Chisora fights Gerald WashingtonCredit: Getty More

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      Anthony Joshua sensationally claims boxing has major drugs problem and slams rivals for accusing him of ‘popping dirty’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA claims boxing is being damaged by a serious doping problem.Dillian Whyte was kicked off Saturday’s grudge trilogy following adverse analytical findings in his Vada drug tests, leaving the sold-out O2 PPV event hanging by a thread.
      Anthony Joshua’s fight with Dillian Whyte will not be going ahead after Whyte failed a drug testCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Finnish boxer Robert Helenius has stepped in to fight JoshuaCredit: Getty
      Robert Helenius has jumped in to save the day — but Brit heavyweight Joshua said: “There’s a doping problem in the sport definitely. I don’t really mix inside the boxing industry but I know it’s a problem.
      “How can people get away with doping if you are getting random drug tests?
      “I get drug tested all year round, every quarter I have to submit my whereabouts; where I am going to be, every day, for an hour of the day, so they can turn up randomly.
      “I have submitted that every day since 2011. So I don’t know why I am under this pressure but all these other boxers aren’t.
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      “It damages the sport. We lost the fight and nearly lost the card because of this situation.”
      Whyte’s adverse findings gave AJ an open goal to stick the boot into the man he lost to as a 2009 amateur and beat in a 2015 British title bout.
      Instead, he took the diplomatic route and said he hopes his old foe proves his innocence.
      He said: “I don’t wish Dillian any bad but his reputation is tarnished.”
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      AJ will now take on 39-year-old Finn Helenius, who boxed in a 15th Century Swedish castle only last Saturday.
      He said: “Helenius has two arms and is a good fighter, who won at the weekend.”
      AJ is laughing at the drug cheats who had the front to accuse him of juicing.
      American Jarrell Miller blew a shot at the WBA, IBF and WBO titles when he was caught taking a cocktail of steroids ahead of their planned 2019 fight.
      And Whyte made repeated suggestions that Joshua offered him short-notice fights so he could cheat before being tested.
      But Whyte is now fighting a career-threatening ban after adverse analytical findings, returned in his Voluntary Anti-Doping Association tests, ahead of the now-axed Saturday night clash.
      Joshua faced rigorous testing before he became a national treasure, and target, by winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics. And, though he stops short of hammering Miller and Whyte, he is grinning at their hypocrisy.
      Ahead of his hastily arranged replacement bout with Helenius, Joshua said: “It’s funny the two people who accused me have popped dirty themselves.
      “Maybe they did it because of my physique or my success, my rise, it maybe didn’t make sense to them but it’s God-gifted and a lot of hard work.
      “I have a long history of being drug tested and sometimes you have to question the person who keeps pointing the finger.”
      AJ woke up to the Whyte news on Saturday morning and remained focused on fighting for his fans.
      He said: “I got the news at 7am. My initial reaction was, ‘What’s next?’ I had two options — go ahead or cancel?
      “Am I surprised? It happens in boxing, it’s not the first and won’t be the last. So no, I was not surprised.
      “It is a dangerous sport but I am not disgusted. It doesn’t fill me with anger, no, but it’s not good.”
      Supersub Helenius — who went 12 rounds with Brixton brawler Whyte in 2017 — says the UK needs to match his homeland and get tougher on cheats.
      The Finn said: “Anti-doping should be the same in every country.
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      “In your country when Dillian gets caught, everybody just thinks, ‘Oh, it’s boxing’ and nobody cares.
      “In Finland, if I got caught I would be lynched for my whole life.” More

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      Apollonia Llewellyn called ‘gorgeous from head to toe’ as ring girl gives busty display in VERY short dress and heels

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      APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN has been told she is “gorgeous from head to toe” after putting on a busty display for her fans.The stunning ring girl posed in a very short dress and heels in her latest Instagram snap.
      Apollonia Llewellyn stunned in a short dress and heelsCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Apollonia was called ‘gorgeous from head to toe’ by one fanCredit: Instagram / @apolloniallewellyn
      Apollonia put on a busty display for her fansCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      She sat down to pose for the camera in the picture, which she shared from Los Angeles.
      Apollonia smouldered for the camera in the striking white dress and matching heels.
      Her followers were left drooling over the blonde beauty in the comments section.
      One fan commented: “Looking absolutely gorgeous.”
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      Another added: “So pretty.”
      A third also wrote: “Gorgeous from head to toe.”
      Meanwhile, one more simply said: “You’re beautiful.”
      The model regularly shares racy snaps for her 565,000 Instagram followers.
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      Apollonia is a model and ring girlCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      Apollonia has 565,000 Instagram followersCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
      She is also known for appearing as a ring girl for Misfits Boxing earlier this year.
      Apollonia’s uploads include pictures and videos from her travels and photoshoots around the world.
      Recent posts have seen her show off her physique in Miami, London, Greece and now Los Angeles.
      A recent snap even saw her rock a new hairdo as she posed in a busty yellow bikini.
      She stunned her fans with a frizzy look as she showed off her blonde hair in the picture.
      Her fans also called her “unreal” as she wore a pair of skin-tight jeans and a low-cut top in another upload.
      Apollonia often shares racy snaps from her travelsCredit: Instagram
      Apollonia’s fans have been drooling over her postsCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn More

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      ‘Scrawny nerd’ Brandon Scott dresses up as SPIDER-MAN at press conference then compares his penis size to Anthony Joshua

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      BOXER Brandon Scott stole the press conference show by dressing up as SPIDER-MAN, calling himself a “scrawny nerd” and discussing the size of his manhood.Scott will appear on the undercard of AJ’s latest fight this Saturday.
      Brandon Scott came to the press conference dressed as Spider-ManCredit: Rex
      He joked about the size of his manhood with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Rex
      Joshua came face to face with Robert Helenius ahead of their bout this weekendCredit: Getty
      Joshua faces replacement Robert Helenius, who has filled in for Dillian Whyte after a failed drug test.
      And Scott said: “You know s***’s hit the fan when Spider-Man’s been called to save the day.
      “Look, I know what everyone here’s thinking, I’m thinking the exact same thing… ‘what is he doing here?’
      “The only thing I can put it down to is obviously there was all that trouble with the positive tests and Ed [Hearn]’s gone, ‘Right, who can I get on the show that’s definitely clean?’
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      “He’s looked at the list of his boxers, seen my name and gone, ‘Right, if there’s anyone that’s not on something, it’s that scrawny nerd.’
      “But look, I could never turn an opportunity like this down. I mean Anthony Joshua is my biggest inspiration in boxing.
      “I actually see a lot of myself in Anthony Joshua. Well, besides the muscles, the money, the penis size.
      “He can’t help that, I’m just genetically gifted.”
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      Scott, who is 5-0, takes on Louis Norman in the opening O2 Arena bout.
      Fans were unsure what to make of his press conference, with one saying: “That went down like a lead balloon. Cringe.”
      But another respected Scott for demanding attention, saying: “Maybe so, but you know who he is now.”
      AJ’s show was saved after Helenius – who boxed only last week – signed to sub in for Whyte.
      It has been taken off pay-per-view and instead changed to a regular DAZN subscription fight night. More

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      Jake Paul and Nate Diaz BANNED from boxing after brutal 10-rounder that YouTuber won on points

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      JAKE PAUL and Nate Diaz have both been slapped with medical suspensions following their boxing match.The duo, 26 and 39 respectively, locked horns with one another last weekend in front of a packed crowd at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
      Jake Paul threw down with UFC legend Nate Diaz in Dallas last weekendCredit: GETTY
      The YouTuber-turned-boxer edged the ten-rounder via unanimous decisionCredit: Alamy
      Both men have been hit with 31-day medical suspensionsCredit: ALAMY
      YouTuber Paul returned to the win column courtesy of a unanimous decision victory, which he sealed in no small part thanks to a fifth-round knockdown.
      Neither man took any serious punishment or suffered any horrific cuts.
      But that hasn’t stopped the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation from suspending them on medical grounds.
      The TDLR have slapped the duo with 31-day suspensions, although they have yet to reveal the specifics for the ban.
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      It is customary for athletic commissions and regulatory bodies to hand out medical suspensions after fights.
      The longest suspension issued by the TDLR to the fighters on the card went to William Silva.
      Silva suffered a fourth-round KO loss to Ashton Sylve on the undercard and has been hit with a 61-day suspension.
      Victory over Diaz saw Paul somewhat remove the bitter taste of defeat to long-time rival Tommy Fury, who go the better of him in their Saudi showdown in February.
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      In his post-fight interview, he said: “I knocked him down, won basically every round.
      “I think he won one round but he’s a warrior.
      “I had him hurt in the first round, he kept on coming.
      “All credit to my team, my conditioning, going ten rounds in my eighth fight, it’s unheard of.
      “I’ve only been boxing for three years, he’s a UFC legend, I was watching this kid growing up.”
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      Anthony Joshua’s immediate reaction to Dillian Whyte’s failed drug tests revealed by Eddie Hearn as Brit breaks silence

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA’s immediate reaction to Dillian Whyte’s latest doping scandal has been revealed by Eddie Hearn.Joshua’s rematch with his long-time rival went up in smoke last weekend when it emerged the Brixton Body Snatcher had failed multiple pre-fight drug tests.
      Dillian Whyte was removed from his clash with Anthony Joshua due to a failed drug testCredit: REUTERS
      Robert Helenius has been drafted in to face Joshua on six day’s noticeCredit: PA
      AJ text promoter Eddie Hearn immediately after news of Whyte’s failed testCredit: ALAMY
      A frantic scramble to find a new opponent for AJ resulted in Matchroom Boxing and promoter Hearn drafting in “Nordic Nightmare” Robert Helenius on six days’ notice.
      Joshua, 33, had nothing but sympathy for Hearn after Whyte’s potential third-career anti-doping violation and conveyed that in a text message shortly after learning of the news.
      When asked what the former unified heavyweight champion’s reaction was, Hearn told Boxing Social: “Great Morning.
      “I can only imagine the time and effort you and your team have put into organising a fight night.
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      “Just to say sorry about the news.
      “Thank you for all you and Matchroom do for me, it’s appreciated and I never take it for granted.”
      Joshua broke his silence on the scandal after Helenius was confirmed as his short-notice opponent, although he didn’t reveal his full thoughts on Whyte’s potentially career-threatening failed drug tests.
      He said: “This wasn’t in the script. I respect Helenius and may I say, I respect any male or female who steps into the ring.
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      “I am laser-focused on the win.
      “I can make steps forward to bigger and better things but the road map has a checkpoint, Saturday night.
      “May the best man win.”
      Brit fan favourite Whyte is facing a third and potentially career-marring battle to clear himself.
      And the former WBC heavyweight title challenger, 35, has vowed to prove his innocence and clear his name.

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      He said: “I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me.
      “I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it.
      “I have also just seen the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.
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      “I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not taken the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life.
      “I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.” More

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      Tyson Fury says Anthony Joshua will not fight him for ‘any amount of money’ and fears Brit blockbuster will NEVER happen

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      TYSON FURY fears he cannot pay Anthony Joshua enough money to ever fight him. The British heavyweight rivals have failed to ever get a deal over the line despite coming desperately close.
      Tyson Fury fears he cannot pay Anthony Joshua enough money to ever fight himCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua has failed in talks to fight Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
      They had terms agreed for an undisputed super-fight in August 2020 until Fury was ordered into a contracted trilogy with Deontay Wilder, 37.
      Joshua, 33, then went on to fight Oleksandr Usyk twice, losing both on points to leave his career at an impasse.
      Following the double defeat, AJ returned in April by beating Jermaine Franklin, 29, having turned down a December date with Fury.
      The Gypsy King also claimed he sent an offer Joshua’s way to fight for his WBC title in September.
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      So when Fury spoke out to promote his new Netflix docu-series, he conceded that the domestic dust-up may never happen.
      He said: “I cannot get him in the ring for any amount of money.
      “I’ve offered him world title shots and extremely large amounts of money, but he ain’t going to make the fight.
      “Me and my team, my lawyers, have come to the conclusion and accepted the fact that AJ won’t fight me for any money or any titles.
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      “I saw footage of him recently training by punching a mattress – I’m not sure if it was taken off TikTok or one of his social media accounts, but I’ve no idea what was going on there.”
      Joshua now returns on Saturday against Robert Helenius, 39, after Dillian Whyte, 35, was withdrawn amid a failed drug test.
      Meanwhile, Fury, 34, faces ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 36, next on October 28 in Saudi Arabia.
      It comes after he failed to agree terms for a title unification earlier in the year with Usyk, 36, who now fights Daniel Dubois, 25, instead.
      Fury said: “Usyk was supposed to be fighting me at Wembley last April, but that never happened.
      “There was talk of me making all sorts of demands but there was nothing to back it up.
      “The only conditions on my part were that there would be no rematch and he’d get 30 per cent – which he agreed to, only to try and worm his way out of it.
      “Now he’s fighting Daniel Dubois in a three-title unification fight for a purse of $8million, which makes no sense because 30 per cent of the purse for fighting me would have been worth around £13 million to him, so he’s passing up more than twice as much money.
      “As for the cheap talk of Tyson Fury avoiding Usyk, I would smash him to smithereens.
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      “I don’t rate him at all, I’ll go through him like a hot knife through a block of cheese – not a problem.
      “But he can’t expect to make around £6m to fight Dubois and then make £13m to step in the ring with me. Not happening.”
      Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois ahead of their fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Tyson Fury says he could RETIRE after Francis Ngannou fight and walk away from multi-million-pound Usyk fight

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      TYSON FURY admits he could retire after his controversial crossover clash with Francis Ngannou.The WBC heavyweight champion faces the MMA superstar in a lucrative Saudi showdown in October, although his title won’t be on the line.
      Tyson Fury faces former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou in OctoberCredit: ESPN
      A historic undisputed heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk awaits FuryCredit: Reuters
      The Gypsy King admits he could retire after his clash with Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY
      A historic and legacy-defining undisputed title fight with former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk awaits The Gypsy King, although he could very well be done with the fight game after facing Ngannou.
      “Age catches up with everybody,” Fury admitted during an appearance on Heart Radio. “And every top-performance athlete at 35 is probably past their best.
      “But I just feel like I’m getting better and more intelligent as I’m getting older. So who knows how long I’ve got left?
      “Maybe not long, maybe a year, maybe two years. Maybe one fight. Who knows?”
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      Fury has flip-flopped on retirement several times over the last few years but has ultimately found it impossible to walk away from the sport.
      And the soon-to-be dad of seven plans to make the most of what’s left of his career, saying: “I’m going to enjoy every minute that I have left.
      “And every fight that I have left I’m taking it all in and enjoying it.
      “I want my kids there – I want my little boys to walk me out and stuff.
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      “I’m very happy with where I am in my life and that I’m in a position where I can give them this excitement and things to look forward to.”
      Fury’s biggest fear is sticking around past his sell-by date and picking up an injury which prevents him from being the best dad he can be.
      He said: “I think every fighter knows when it’s time to walk away.
      “But they always leave it too long anyway. I’m sure I’ll make the right decision.
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      “I’ve got a lot to do in my life.
      “I’ve got a lot of kids and I need to be in the right mind.
      “I don’t need to be getting injured or whatever because it would’ve all been for nothing – the whole career.”
      Former unified heavyweight champion Fury hasn’t set foot in the ring since his December beatdown of Derek Chisora in their Tottenham trilogy fight, which he won via tenth-round TKO. More