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      Former 6ft 7in Brit tennis giant is now top boxer and fighting for first world title

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      JORDAN THOMPSON hopes to serve Britain up a wildcard world champ with Grand Slam power tomorrow.The 6ft 7in Mancunian was a rising tennis star before switching over to focus his long whipping limbs on professional punching.
      Jordan Thompson says his background in tennis helps him in boxingCredit: Getty
      Thompson was a rising star in tennis before switching to boxingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/jordan_boxing_/?hl=en
      With 15 wins sliding under the radar – without so much as a domestic title under his belt – the cruiserweight is suddenly shooting for the IBF world title up against Australia dangerman Jai Opetaia.
      And the beanpole banger reckons his sensational overhand right – honed from years on the court – means he holds plenty of aces going into the shootout.
      “100 per cent my background in tennis has helped create the power in my punches,” he told SunSport ahead of the Wembley arena show.
      “It sounds crazy but there are a lot of similarities between boxing and tennis because of the individual nature, the loneliness, the physical and mental toll.
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      “My power has come from that repetitive banging of the ball, over and over again, from different angles, transferring my weight, bringing it up from my legs, through the hips, the core and into the shoulders and arms.
      “And right at the end there is that whipping motion you would want in every shot or punch.
      “Power is something I have always had, in both sports, I have always been heavy handed from a very young age.
      “My fastest recorded serve was 138mph, so yes, when people say I can whack, I can whack.”
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      While 30-year-old Thompson was hitting backhand slices and delicate lobs, teenage Opetaia was winning the 2011 junior world championships and going to the London 2012 Olympics aged just 16.
      In July 2022 the 28-year-old Australian suffered a broken jaw in his world title shot at Mairis Briedis and still managed to bite down on his gumshield and grab the belt with a unanimous decision.
      Because of those vastly different paths to West London, untested Thompson is a 5-1 longshot in a two-horse race.
      But he’s sick of well-wishers and back-patters sending him off with no hope.
      He explained: “A lot of well meaning people have told me it’s a no-lose situation, that I just have to give a good account of myself – I think they’re taking the p***.
      “I will always give a good account of myself, that is the absolute bare minimum but I am a winner and win is what I am going to do.
      “I am not here to just enjoy the moment, I am here to cease it, grab it with both hands, as well as the belts.
      “I have to believe in myself, even with no amateur pedigree or experience, I am headlining a show for a world title but I believe this is just a stepping stone to even bigger nights and achievements.”
      Sadly being tall, dark and handsome does not make Jordan the family superstar – as little sister Francesca likes to remind him on social media.
      The West End star jokingly ranks her big bro rock bottom among the three siblings for looks but he only has compliments for her.
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      “My little sister is the real family super-talent,” he said. “Despite her bad jokes she is starring in the Lion King show right now and can sing and dance, she is a shining light who has inspired me.
      “My little sister and even my little brother have motivated me, set the example sometimes, so this is for them and all of the other people who have helped me.” More

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      Boxer Ellie Scotney pays tribute to nan after her death aged 99 – whose X-rated antics were cut by TV chiefs

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      ELLIE SCOTNEY’S nan will have the best view of her world title defence on Saturday, gazing down proudly from heaven with her trademark x-rated two-finger salute.The 25-year-old super-bantamweight won the IBF belt in June and raced it around to the 99-year-old to complete a lifetime goal and out came her infamous V-sign – not for victory!
      Ellie Scotney will defend her title on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Scotney has paid tribute to her nan ahead of the fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Sadly Eileen passed away at the end of August and Scotney’s rapid ring return will be about honouring her life and unwavering support.
      Dexy’s Midnight Runners tune ‘Come on Eileen’ will boom around Wembley arena, before the bout with Laura Griffa, and Scotney will be even more inspired than usual.
      “She’s watching from up there now, best seat in the house, but to get it done while she was still here was amazing,” she told SunSport.
      “There was a panicking stage because last year she had a hip replacement and the doctors were not sure what would happen so we all had to say our goodbyes.
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      “But we said she was like the cat with nine lives, she kept coming back.
      “To make sure I got that world title before she passed was everything to me. It’s the biggest thing I’m grateful for.
      “She was so stubborn, she waited until her 99th birthday and then 10 days later she passed. She wanted to see 100 but we can forgive her the year.”
      It might seem a tragedy to some that Eileen never made it to 100 and that famous letter from Buckingham Palace.
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      Scotney’s nan, Eileen, made it onto local news in June – but they had to blur her gestureCredit: Twitter @elliescotney_
      But Scotney is typically brilliant when explaining the situation.
      “She wasn’t worried about that letter,” She said. “She said: ‘sod Prince Charles’, she liked the Queen better and the belt was enough for her.”
      The Catford queen’s world title win – and her super-fan nan – made the local news.
      But when the show producers chose to edit out the saucy hand sign that had gone viral among online boxing circles, Eileen was irate.
      “She made it on the news but they blurred her fingers out,” Scotney laughed.
      “They asked me if she was confused but I had to tell them that she meant what she did.
      “The channel asked me if they could say that she meant it as a peace sign but we didn’t want to lie so they put her photo on the show but they blurred her fingers out.
      “She was fuming about it because that was her trademark.”
      Now he has another world champion in his Leyton gym, trainer Shane McGuigan and his close-knit team will carry Scotney’s belt into the ring and hold it aloft while she makes her entrance.
      Fight fans should keep an eye out if the brilliant former B&Q worker manages to convince them to hold a couple of fingers aloft too, for Eileen’s sake.
      She giggled: “I did think about getting my kit designer to stitch her two-finger sign on my shorts.
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      “But I also know a lot of the American teams stand in their corners with their hands or fists raised.
      “I might see if I can get Shane and the rest of the team to do that, one belt in the air and a load of fingers. Better not, might not go down too well.” More

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      Ex-world boxing champion Glenn McCrory cleared of sex assault after ‘calling waitress “pet” & touching her elbow’

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      FORMER world champion boxer Glenn McCrory has been cleared of sexual assault after allegedly calling a waitress “pet” and touching her elbow.A jury at the Old Bailey found the star not guilty of three counts of sexual assault after deliberating for just 90 minutes.
      Glenn McCrory outside the Old Bailey today after he was cleared of sexual assaultCredit: Central News
      McCrory with his world champion belt in 1990Credit: Getty
      McCrory fighting Lennox Lewis at the Royal Albert HallCredit: PA
      McCrory, 59, had been a guest speaker at the pre-fight dinner before the Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Uysk world heavyweight title bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 26 September 2021.
      He said that he only touched three waitresses’ arms in a bid to get their attention.
      Prosecutors claimed he deliberately used the term ‘pet’ in an overly flirtatious way – but the boxer told the jury the word is commonly used by Geordies.
      The former world champion boxer said when he arrived at the venue the member of staff who greeted him did not know who he was – could not find his name on the guest list.
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      McCrory said he had to lean down to speak to her as she was petite and it was noisy, but he had no recollection of touching her.
      He said: “I just leaned down. I may well have touched her elbow but I am a big guy so I would never be forceful.”
      The court was shown CCTV footage of McCrory at the entrance to the dining hall showing him talking with one of the alleged victims.
      It clearly shows him touching her elbow with his hand as he leaned down to speak to her.
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      He told jurors that he was asking her where his table was, and that he touched her elbow due to their height difference.
      Scott Brady, defending, asked: “Do you think you were intending to be flirtatious?”
      The ex-fighter replied: ‘No.’ He also denied winking to her.
      After he had given his speech, which lasted 20-30 minutes, McCrory returned to his table.
      He said he hadn’t been given a starter, after being told one would be kept for him.
      McCrory said when he tried to raise this one of the servers had a “troubled reaction” to his use of the word “pet” while speaking to her.
      He said: “Everyone on the table noticed the reaction.”
      All I wanted to do was get my dinner and watch the fightGlenn McCrory
      McCrory added that in the north-east of England the word ‘pet’ is a term of endearment, and is often used to address young women in the same way you might address a man as ‘mate’.
      He said that when she came back to his table he tried to get her attention to ask her about his starter.
      The boxing star said: “She turned her back on me as I was trying to talk to her, blatantly ignoring me, so I touched her elbow.
      “I was trying to get her attention. She turned around and said it was in the bin.
      “All I wanted to do was get my dinner and watch the fight.”
      CCTV footage played in court showed McCrory interacting with other guests at the event.
      A number of people were taking selfies with the former champion as he hugged and put his arms around them.
      “You are being very tactile with these people,” Mr Brady said.
      McCrory agreed, adding: “If they are being friendly and I am in the right environment.”
      He added that this was the way he normally interacted with others at events like this.
      Mr Brady asked him: “If you touched those waitresses…was there anything sexual about it?”
      McCrory replied: “Absolutely not.” He also said he has poor eyesight, and has scar tissue in his eyes due to congenital problems and damage sustained during his boxing career.
      This can cause him to rub his eyes and blink a lot.
      The women had claimed McCrory touched them in a sexual manner without their consent, repeatedly winked at them and slurred his words.
      It’s how we talk. That’s part of the Geordie.Glenn McCrory
      McCrory – a cruiserweight once known as the ‘Northern Warrior’ – had insisted he was misunderstood and people are friendlier in the north east than in London.
      In his police interview he said he said he had no recollection of touching a waitress, but that if he had done so it would only have been to get their attention.
      He described the service as ‘very poor’ and said one server ‘scarpered’ when he approached her to ask where the toilet was.
      McCrory said that using words like ‘pet’ was normal in the north-east of England, and that he had not intended to cause any offence.
      He explained: “It’s how we talk. That’s part of the Geordie.
      “I very well could have called her a darling, called her a pet, but 100 per cent how we speak.’
      He said that he was unaware anything untoward had happened that night, and that he had been ‘astounded’ when he later received a letter from the police notifying him of the complaints.
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      Asked if he had intended to cause any of the waitresses stress or alarm he replied: “Absolutely not.”
      McCrory, of Burnopfield, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, denied and was cleared of three charges of sexual assault.
      The former world champion in action against Patrick Lumumba in 1989Credit: Getty More

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      Caroline Dubois has gone from disguising herself as schoolboy ‘Colin’ to fighting for first world title

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      CAROLINE DUBOIS has completed her transformation from secret schoolboy “Colin” to British boxing bombshell.The 22-year-old lightweight began her boxing journey as a nine-year-old girl at the brilliant Repton Boys Club and had to hide her gender to mix it with the lads.
      Caroline Dubois feels she is ready to fight the biggest names in boxingCredit: Getty
      But, on Saturday night, she headlines a Sky Sports show from the iconic York Hall and aims to collect the stepping-stone IBO world title.
      Since striking out of the family home earlier this year, the little sister of heavyweight ace Daniel has evolved from wunderkind to Wonder Woman, turning heads wherever she enters.
      And world champions in multiple divisions – like Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron – are on notice.
      Ahead of the bout with Magali Rodriguez, after a trip down memory lane, Dubois told SunSport: “You’re right, I have grown up, grown in confidence, I feel like I have really become my own person.
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      “I am growing as a human being and as a woman, not just an athlete, and that’s most important.
      “It’s good to hear people are taking more notice of me when I walk in to watch others fight, this is my sport.
      “I signed up for this, I committed to this from childhood, I enjoy everything about it, not just the fighting and the training, the other side of the sport too.
      “I love going to as many shows as possible, watching all the big shows and getting ready for my own.”
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      Ireland legend Taylor has all four major lightweight world titles but has moved up to super-light for a great rivalry with Cameron, the rerun of Cameron’s win coming at the end of November.
      It’s a frustrating period for the 2020 Olympian who beats up far bigger women – and still occasionally men – in sparring yet is being forced to wait for her shot in the real ring.
      She explained: “I want a major world title fight sooner rather than later but Katie Taylor is rematching Chantelle Cameron and – depending on how that goes – she also has a rematch with Amanda Serrano in the contract from their first fight.
      “That could potentially take up another 12 months of waiting around – but as soon as an opportunity becomes available, I will be ready to take it.
      “Doing hard spars and training camps for fights that I know I should win can be frustrating, but I have called out some big names lately, like Mikaela Mayer.
      “I am not doing it out of disrespect, I am doing it because I know I can step up and in with them and have great fights, and win them.
      “I am ready to go up to heavier weights if I have to, I will chase anyone up the divisions.”
      It’s not just in Shane McGuigan’s training ring or London’s top venues that Dubois is showing a ruthless streak.
      The 7-0 star snapped back on Twitter at rival promoter Eddie Hearn recently and will happily pull the social media trigger on anyone else who steps out of line.
      “These people bring the worst out of me!” she laughed.
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      “I need to get cancelled or counselling, I can’t go Twitter or Instagram too much because they are too toxic.
      “I only need to be worried about fighting in the ring, no more fights online, in the ring online.” More

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      Ebanie Bridges reveals reason why Anthony Joshua should AVOID Zhilei Zhang despite Brit already beating him in amateurs

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      EBANIE BRIDGES has revealed why she thinks Anthony Joshua should steer clear of fighting Zhilei Zhang. AJ has already beaten Zhang when the pair were both amateurs, but regardless, Bridges doesn’t think the Brit should face him again.
      Ebanie Bridges has revealed why she thinks Anthony Joshua should avoid Zhilei Zhang
      Joshua has already beaten Zhang before in his amateur daysCredit: Getty
      Zhang destroyed Joe Joyce in their fight last weekendCredit: Getty
      There is always chatter about Joshua’s next opponent, but it’s heated up in recent weeks after his promoter, Eddie Hearn, refused to rule out a bout with Zhang in the future.
      It comes just a few days after fellow brit Joe Joyce was knocked out by the Chinese southpaw in the pair’s heavyweight rematch.
      The Big Bang impressed once again and Bridges thinks that if Joshua was to go up against him then he would likely suffer the same fate as his compatriot, Joyce.
      Speaking to Safe Betting Sites, the Aussie bantamweight revealed that she didn’t think Joshua would be tough enough to win.
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      She said: “With the power [Zhang’s] got and Joshua’s chin, that could be a recipe for trouble for AJ,
      “I do think Joshua’s a bit more skilled, not as raw as Joe Joyce, but he’s also not as tough. Joe Joyce has the chin and can maybe absorb things that Joshua can’t.”
      Zhang was a casualty of AJ’s spectacular run to Olympic gold at the London 2012 games.
      Joshua beat the 6ft 6in beast on points in the quarter finals, but much has changed for both fighters since then.
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      AJ came out on top against Zhang at the London 2012 OlympicsCredit: Getty
      Zhang has just one career loss since turning pro and currently holds the WBO interim heavyweight title.
      While AJ is a two-time former heavyweight world champion, but has struggled to re-track his career after losses to Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk.
      A big fight against someone of Zhang’s ability could help him build on his recent win against Robert Helenius.
      Joshua knocked out Robert in his most recent fightCredit: Reuters More

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      Major rule change for KSI vs Tommy Fury boxing fight just two weeks before bitter rivals clash in Manchester

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      KSI vs Tommy Fury will reportedly be a professional fight.The October 14 clash was initially advertised as an exhibition bout – just as each of KSI’s last five fights have been.
      KSI vs Tommy Fury is listed as a professional fightCredit: Reuters
      But Boxrec are now listing KSI vs Fury as a pro fight, with KSI laughing in response to fans realising the change.
      The YouTuber has vowed to end Fury’s career and a first professional loss for the former Love Island star would be a significant setback.
      However, the British Boxing Board of Control is yet to sanction the six-round match-up as a professional fight.
      KSI, 30, has only had one pro bout to date – his first meeting with Logan Paul in November 2019, which he won via split decision.
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      While Fury has won each of his nine pro fights, most recently defeating Jake Paul on points in February.
      He has claimed he is a “caped crusader” in the build-up to the fight, suggesting he will put an end to YouTuber boxing.
      Fury, 24, said: “I’m like kind of the ‘caped crusader’ of all this YouTube boxing. They all want to see me come in and destroy these guys.
      “But one’s already been done. This one will be done in a matter of weeks, and then it’s on to the next challenge.
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      “People want to see these guys get knocked out.”
      Another YouTuber, Logan Paul, fights Dillon Danis on the undercard of KSI vs Fury. More

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      Logan Paul says fiancee Nina Agdal WILL be at his fight against Dillon Danis despite taking out restraining order

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      LOGAN PAUL has said that his fiancee Nina Agdal will be present for his next fight despite taking out a restraining order on opponent Dillon Danis.The former YouTube star will take on Danis at Manchester Arena on October 14 and Agdal is expected to be there.
      Logan Paul has said his fiancee Nina Agdal will be present at his fight against Dillon Danis
      Agdal has taken a restraining order out against DanisCredit: Splash
      Danis has been repeatedly posting photos of Agdal onlineCredit: PA
      Agdal has taken out a restraining order against the MMA fighter after harassing the model by repeatedly posting photos of her online.
      The restraining order does not prevent the pair from being in the same place at once, but rather stops Danis from posting specific photos of Paul’s fiancee online.
      It is said to restrict the American from posting any content depicting or portraying Agdal that was never meant to be shared publicly or was obtained without consent.
      And despite Danis’ attempts to upset Paul and his wife-to-be, the social media star has revealed that Agdal will still be coming to watch him fight next month.
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      Speaking to the media he said: “It’s not a physical restraining order, she’ll be there.”
      And Paul went to say that he has no anxiety about what might occur when both Agdal and Danis are in the same vicinity.
      He explained: “No, no anxiety. Nina is a warrior, dude, Dillon Danis is a puddle. Dillon Danis on Twitter, on X, behind a keyboard, is much different than Dillon Danis in person.”
      “I saw it, I witnessed it face to face. Just two separate entities. And that night, in particular, will be incredibly glorious.
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      Paul and Danis have been trading blows in the buildup to the fightCredit: Reuters
      “After all of this, when my man is face down, flat, knocked out, horizontal, what are you gonna do? What are you gonna say?
      “This is the man you are – the guy on Twitter, who decided to harass a woman for 60 days.”
      The Maverick will be taking part in his first fight since he lost to KSI back in 2019.
      And the Brit will be fighting alongside Paul this time round as the pair share the limelight in Manchester next month.
      KSI will be taking on Tommy Fury who is fresh off the back of silencing Logan Paul’s little brother Jake during their bout in February.
      Paul will fight alongside his Prime business partner KSICredit: Getty
      Paul isn’t worried that anything will happen between Danis and Agdal at the fightCredit: Splash
      Tommy Fury will take on KSI on the same nightCredit: Getty More

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      Canelo Alvarez responds to Jermell Charlo’s dramatic ONE STONE body transformation ahead of historic undisputed fight

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      CANELO ALVAREZ knows all too well about packing on the pounds in a bid for boxing glory. The Mexican superstar won his first piece of gold in the 154lb light-middleweight division but he has gone as high as 175lb at light-heavy.
      Jermell Charlo is moving up from light-middleweight to super-middleweightCredit: Premier Boxing Champions
      Charlo is challenging for Canelo Alvarez’s super-middleweight titlesCredit: @twincharlo
      Canelo and Charlo facing off ahead of the fightCredit: AP
      Canelo has since settled down as the 168lb undisputed super-middleweight king – a weight he has never lost at.
      But on Saturday night the roles will be reversed when Jermell Charlo jumps TWO divisions from light-middle to challenge Alvarez.
      The American will go up 14lb – which is ONE STONE – but even Canelo believes Charlo has the size and skills to make the leap of faith.
      He told SunSport: “When you have that time and that kind of body that Jermell Charlo has, you can do it. 
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      “You can handle that because he’s big, he’s a big guy. And when you have the skills, you can do it.” 
      The Showtime PPV bout will make boxing history as it will be the first time two current undisputed champions have fought.
      Canelo, 33, achieved the feat in just 11 months of activity, sealing the job in November 2021 with a stoppage over Caleb Plant, 31.
      Meanwhile Charlo, 33, knocked out Brian Castano, 34, in their May 2022 rematch to clinch the WBO belt missing from his unified collection.
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      After twin brother Jermell – WBC middleweight champ – was deemed unable to fight Canelo, the chance to make history presented itself.
      And Alvarez is fully equipped with what it feels like to enter the ring as the undisputed best in your division.
      He said: “You feel confident. You feel confident because you’ve beaten everybody in your weight class and you feel confident. 
      “I think it’s a really good accomplishment because when you’re confident in the ring, it’s one of the best things. 
      “I think that’s one of the most important things in boxing, when you feel that confidence in your mind it’s something amazing.” 
      Canelo has shared the ring with the best of his era, with a CV including Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto and Gennady Golovkin.
      But still he has high praise for Charlo, who he rates as all-rounder.
      Canelo said: “I expect the best from him. 
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      “He has everything; he knows how to move in the ring, he knows how to box, he knows how to throw the punches, he knows how to counter punch, he knows how to go forward. 
      “He has everything but I’ve fought with everybody out there and I have the experience to adapt myself to every style. I think it’s going to be a good fight.”
      Canelo and Charlo hold up their undisputed titlesCredit: AP More