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    UFC icon Nate Diaz tries to KICK Jake Paul before rival makes sick throat-slitting gesture in heated final face-off

    NATE DIAZ tried to KICK Jake Paul following a heated final pre-fight face-off.The former UFC lightweight title challenger will be welcomed to the boxing world by the social media sensation early on Sunday morning.
    Nate Diaz and Jake Paul took part in a heated final face-off on Friday nightCredit: GETTY
    Former UFC star Diaz tried to kick The Problem Child after tensions roseCredit: GETTY
    A fired-up Paul performed a throat-slitting gesture seconds after the kickCredit: YOUTUBE
    Diaz and Paul, 38 and 26 respectively, faced off for the final time on Friday night in front of a raucous crowd in Dallas.
    And things quickly got physical, with Diaz pushing his right elbow into the chest of Paul before pushing him away with his forearm.
    The pair briefly hand-fought before Diaz aimed a kick at the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
    But Paul’s business partner – former UFC Chief Financial Officer Nikisa Bidarian – managed to stop the tame strike from reaching its target.
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    A fired-up Paul responded with a palm one-two combination but pulled back before getting anywhere near Diaz.
    And after gesturing to the hyped-up crowd, Problem Child Paul performed a throat-slitting gesture.
    Former Disney star Paul was booed by scores of fans, who he took aim at in his final pre-fight statement.
    He said: “They’ve been saying Nate’s tough.
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    “Boo yourself, virgins!
    “They’ve been saying Nate’s tough, Nate’s a dog and tomorrow I’m dog walking that b***h.
    “I’m putting him on a leash, walking him back to his cage and I’m f***ing him up.”
    Fan favourite Diaz didn’t mince his words when giving his final thoughts to DAZN.

    The Stockton slugger said: “Shout out to everyone for the love and support.
    “No matter how the fight goes, this mother f***er can’t really fight!”
    Paul will be looking to return to the win column against Diaz following a split-decision defeat to rival Tommy Fury in February.
    Diaz, meanwhile, will be looking to pick up his first boxing win in his first venture since officially leaving the UFC last November. More

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    Eddie Hearn in desperate scramble for Anthony Joshua opponent after Whyte FAILS drugs test as frontrunner emerges

    ANTHONY JOSHUA could still fight next weekend – despite his rematch with Dillian Whyte falling through.The Watford warrior’s second professional showdown with his long-time rival was axed today due to a failed drug test for the Brixton bad boy.
    Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Dillian Whyte fell through this weekendCredit: REUTERS
    A failed drug test for Whyte scuppered the eagerly-anticipated grudge matchCredit: PA
    Eddie Hearn is frantically trying to find a short-notice replacement for WhyteCredit: Alamy
    Whyte, 35, failed voluntary drug tests but the substance or substances found in his system has yet to be revealed.
    Matchroom Boxing are eager for their poster boy to stay active ahead of a Saudi showdown with Deontay Wilder next year.
    And SunSport understands they’re frantically trying to find a last-minute replacement for Whyte – whose career is well and truly up in the air following a third career-failed drug test.
    American Gerald Washington is the current frontrunner to win the lucrative AJ sweepstakes.
    The tall and rangy Yank – who is currently slated to fight Brit Derek Chisora on the undercard – would be the ideal replacement.
    The 41-year-old veteran is perfectly capable of replicating The Bronze Bomber’s hard-hitting style as he’s part of his team.
    Brit fan favourite Chisora is highly unlikely to be drafted in as he’s a long-time pal of Joshua’s.
    Joshua’s third showdown with Whyte – who he first locked horns with as a fresh-faced amateur in 2009 – was supposed to be a pay-per-view offering on DAZN.
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    But it’s understood the international broadcaster will make any last-minute fight- should one come to fruition – available to their regular subscribers.
    Neither Joshua nor Whyte have commented on the collapse of their eagerly-anticipated rematch.
    But AJ promoter Eddie Hearn has twice taken to Twitter since the news broke.
    In response to a fan sharing a video of him dropping an F-bomb, he tweeted: “This one made me smile.
    American Gerald Washington is the frontrunner to replace WhyteCredit: GETTY
    “Time to go to work!”
    Joshua, 33, returned to the win column in April with a scrappy points victory over Jermaine Franklin at The O2.
    The win snapped a two-fight skid for the Brit, who was twice turned over by former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.
    Whyte, meanwhile, eked out a controversial split-decision win over Franklin last November. More

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    Dillian Whyte FAILS drug test with huge Anthony Joshua fight AXED after shock result

    DILLIAN WHYTE’s rematch with Anthony Joshua is OFF following a THIRD career-failed drug test.The long-time rivals were due to renew their 14-year-long feud in a tasty domestic dust-up at the O2 Arena next Saturday.
    Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte were due to renew their rivalry next weekendCredit: GETTY
    But a third career failed drug test from Whyte has scuppered the fightCredit: GETTY
    It’s currently unknown what substance Whyte tested positive forCredit: PA
    But an “adverse analytical finding” in one of Whyte’s recent voluntary drug tests has laid waste to the fight.
    A Matchroom Boxing statement read: “Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol.
    “In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted.
    “Further information on the event will follow.”
    Promoter Eddie Hearn quickly took to Twitter after news of Whyte’s potential doping violation became public.
    The Matchroom chief tweeted: “BREAKING..more updates to follow shortly.”
    The substance Whyte tested positive for is currently unknown.
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    🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte 2: How to watch, UK start time, live stream details 🥊
    But SunSport understands TWO failed tests came back from Vada.
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    If they haven’t already, the B-samples for both failed tests will also be examined by VADA.
    Fan favourite Whyte has vowed to clear his name, saying: “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.
    “I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not take 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.”
    Former WBC heavyweight title challenger Whyte is no stranger to anti-doping controversies.
    Whyte, 35, tested positive for the banned stimulant Methylhexaneamine after his 2012 victory over Sandor Balogh.
    Matchroom are hoping to keep Anthony Joshua on the cardCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
    Dillian Whyte has vowed to prove his innocenceCredit: Reuters
    The substance found its way into Whyte’s system through a banned and since discontinued pre-workout supplement, which landed him a two-year suspension.
    His second anti-doping violation occurred ahead of his interim WBC heavyweight title fight with Oscar Rivas in 2019.
    One of his pre-fight tests returned traces of the banned anabolic steroid Dianabol.
    But he was cleared by UKAD of intentionally taking the performance-enhancing drug due to the “extremely low” levels of the substance found in his system.
    Former unified heavyweight champion Joshua was looking to use Whyte as a stepping stone for a long-awaited grudge match with Deontay Wider.
    And SunSport understands Matchroom will try to draft in a late replacement to keep their poster boy on the card.
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    It’s understood DAZN will make the fight a non-pay-per-view bout if a last-minute replacement is successfully found.
    SunSport has reached out to Dillian Whyte’s team for further comment. More

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    I’m a two-time Olympic boxing medallist.. now I’m trying my hand at new sport but it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done

    FORMER Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes has turned to a new sport after retiring from boxing in 2019.The 36-year-old declared he has “fallen in love” with CrossFit after training at the KVLR gym in Belfast since hanging up his gloves.
    Paddy Barnes represented Ireland at the Beijing, London and Rio Olympic GamesCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription

    He will compete in his first CrossFit competition in Northern Ireland this month.
    Barnes is a two-time Olympic bronze medallist who also won gold representing Northern Ireland in the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth games.
    The former flyweight fought nine times as a professional after moving into the paid ranks in 2016, challenging for a world title at Windsor Park in 2018.
    He said he has fallen in love with CrossFit despite admitting it’s the “hardest thing I’ve done”.
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    Barnes told Belfast Live: “I absolutely love it, and I don’t know why. I go in and it is the hardest training I have done in my life, but I am addicted to it.
    “And there could be worse things you could be addicted to, know what I mean?
    “This morning I did 100 double unders (skipping), 16 devil presses which went down in twos. It took me 11 minutes and nearly killed me, but I had been on the drink all weekend.
    “I remember my first session I ever did in CrossFit. I had to take a week off work after it to recover.
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    “I did a thing called the ‘Murph’ which is a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 press-ups, 300 squats and a mile run again. And I couldn’t function for a week.
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    “I would fly through it now though.”
    CrossFit is a branded fitness regimen that was developed by Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai in 2000.
    The exercise style combines a weight-lifting training style with developing cardiovascular fitness through high intensity exercise.
    Barnes says CrossFit has allowed him to refocus after a few wayward years.
    “I retired from boxing in 2019, and ever since then I have been eating and drinking,” he joked.
    “But to be fair I have done a lot of running as I enjoy it, things like 5ks and all that.
    “I run around the Waterworks which kept me ticking over for a while. But the CrossFit was a shock to the system.
    “I love it though, I really do. I want to apply myself a bit more.
    “I have competition at the end of the month in Mallusk, in a team of three. There are loads of competitions in the south of Ireland which I might enter to see how I get on, but give myself time to prepare properly for it.
    “The Mallusk competition is intermediate standard. I am fit but I am not strong enough for the proper elite stage.
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    “I would be kidding myself if I said yes to one of those competitions.”
    When asked if he misses boxing at all, Barnes said: “Definitely not. I don’t mind not getting punched in the face.” More

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    Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz live stream and TV guide: How to watch huge fight

    JAKE PAUL and Nate Diaz are preparing to leave it all in the ring THIS weekend – and it is not to be missed!The Problem Child is determined to bounce back from his split decision loss against Tyson Fury’s younger brother Tommy in February.
    Jake Paul lost via split decision against Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
    While MMA star Diaz is making his professional boxing debut fresh from a submission win over Tony Ferguson.
    And with over 20,000 expected to be in attendance at the American Airlines Center plus the thousands that will be watching from home, Paul cannot afford to lose.
    But how exactly can fans tune in?
    When is Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz?
    Jake Paul’s mouthwatering boxing match against Nate Diaz will start on Saturday, August 5 but go into early hours of Sunday morning.
    Read more on Paul vs Diaz
    The undercard is set to begin at 1am BST / 8pm ET.
    Depending on the length of the undercard fights, the main event is expected to take place at around 4am BST / 11pm ET.
    The venue will be the American Airlines Centre in Dallas, Texas which can host approximately 20,000 supporters.

    🥊 Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz: UK start time, stream, TV channel, details for HUGE Texas fight 🥊
    What channel is Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz on and can it be live streamed?
    Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz will be broadcast LIVE on DAZN PPV.
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    In the UK the PPV price is set at £14.99 on top of a standard DAZN subscription, while US prices start from $24.99 per month.
    You can subscribe to DAZN in the UK for £9.99-a-month, which commits you to an entire year of action.
    A flexible pass, worth £19.99-a-month, is also available, and you can cancel anytime.
    If you have purchased the PPV, you can live stream Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz via the DAZN app or website.
    Jake Paul and Nate Diaz will go to war
    FULL fight card
    Here are all the confirmed fights for the night:

    MAIN EVENT: Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz (8 rounds)
    Amanda Serrano vs. Heather Hardy – for IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC, and WBO featherweight titles
    Alan Sanchez vs. Angel Beltran
    Chris Avila vs. Jeremy Stephens
    Shadasia Green vs. Olivia Curry
    Jose Aguayo vs. Noel Cavazos
    Luciano Ramos vs. CJ Hamilton
    Kevin Newman II vs. Kilo Madera
    Ashton Sylve vs. William Silva More

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    Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz: Start time, TV channel, live stream, undercard as Problem Child faces UFC icon

    JAKE PAUL will put his boxing career on the line when he welcomes Nate Diaz to the boxing ring for the first time THIS WEEKEND.Paul faces the ex-UFC star over the weekend in Texas, returning for the first time since losing to Tommy Fury.
    Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz will take place this weekend in DallasCredit: @mostvaluablepromotions
    Jake Paul and Nate Diaz fight in Dallas
    Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz: Betting odds and tips
    The YouTuber-turned boxer suffered a split-decision defeat but snubbed a rematch to instead fight Diaz. 
    But another career-crushing loss could spark an early retirement for Paul, who continues to divide boxing opinions. 
    Paul’s business partner and advisor Nakisa Bidarian told ESPN: “He may retire if he loses to Nate Diaz.  
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    “His boxing career is on the line, in terms of being one of the top three or four guys in the entire sport globally. 
    “I think if he was to lose, he’d just go to being another prospect that’s coming up in the ring.”
    Paul has feuded with Diaz over the past few years and has vowed to settle their score in decisive style. 
    He said: “Oh, he’s going to be killed. There’s no option for me, I’m only on one side of things. 
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    “So for me it’s not “kill or be killed” for me it’s kill. And I’m going to kill him.” 
    When is Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz?

    Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz will be on Saturday, August 5th
    The undercard is set to begin at 1am BST.
    Depending on the length of the undercard fights the main event is expected to take place at around 4am BST.
    The venue will be the American Airlines Centre in Dallas, Texas.

    What channel is Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz on and can it be live streamed?

    Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz will be shown live on DAZN PPV.
    In the UK the PPV price is set at £14.99 on top of a standard DAZN subscription.
    You can subscribe to DAZN in the UK for £9.99-a-month, which commits you to an entire year of action.
    A flexible pass, worth £19.99-a-month, is also available, and you can cancel anytime.
    If you have purchased the PPV, you can live stream Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz via the DAZN app or website.

    🥊 Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz: UK start time, stream, TV channel, details for HUGE Texas fight 🥊
    Who’s on the card?
    Here are all the confirmed fights for the night:

    MAIN EVENT: Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz (8 rounds)
    Amanda Serrano vs. Heather Hardy – for IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC, and WBO featherweight titles
    Alan Sanchez vs. Angel Beltran
    Chris Avila vs. Jeremy Stephens
    Shadasia Green vs. Olivia Curry
    Jose Aguayo vs. Noel Cavazos
    Luciano Ramos vs. CJ Hamilton
    Kevin Newman II vs. Kilo Madera
    Ashton Sylve vs. William Silva

    What happened at the weigh in?
    Both men came in under the 185lbs limit during Friday’s weigh in.
    Paul bang on 185lbs.
    While Diaz was the smaller man on 184.9lbs.
    Jake Paul and Nate Diaz both made weightCredit: Getty
    Who are their trainers?
    Paul was formerly trained by ex-cruiserweight contender BJ Flores and co-coach Danny Smith. 
    But he has since re-hired boxing legend Shane Mosley as an advisor, after working together for his professional debut. 
    Paul’s lead cornerman is Theotrice Chambers of the famous Kronk boxing stable. 
    Diaz on the other hand is trained by Richard Perez, his long-time boxing coach in MMA. 
    What happened in Jake Paul’s last fight?
    Paul was beaten for the first time in his career by celebrity boxing rival Fury in Saudi Arabia. 
    He suffered a split-decision loss despite landing a knockdown in the eighth and final round. 
    Paul bypassed a rematch with Fury to instead fight Diaz.  
    Jake Paul was beaten by Tommy FuryCredit: GETTY
    What happened in Nate Diaz’s last fight?
    Diaz was due to fight unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev in his final UFC fight.   
    But Chimaev missed weight and instead, Tony Ferguson filled in. 
    Diaz would submit Ferguson in four rounds to close out his UFC career – for now. 
    Nate Diaz beat Tony Ferguson in his last UFC fightCredit: Getty
    What’s been said?
    Jake Paul said: “My last fight didn’t end the way I wanted, but the result was the best thing that could have happened to my professional boxing aspirations.
    “Now, the world thinks I am vulnerable when all I am is more focused than ever. My team wanted me to take an easy fight like KSI next, but that’s not how I am built.
    “Nate Diaz is considered one of the most bad-ass fighters of all time, but he and his team have been running their mouths for too long.”
    Paul, who is 6-1 in the ring, continued: “People tell me Nate has been training with Andre Ward for years. That he has insane stamina. That he refuses to back down. Good for f***ing Nate.
    “I haven’t forgotten about the slap backstage in Arizona, and on August 5, a Problem Child is going to piece up and knock out the Stockton G.”
    Diaz beat Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September in the last fight of his deal with the MMA company.
    Boxing has been a staple throughout the 37-year-old Diaz’s near two-decade career.
    He has had a hugely successful MMA career with 22 fights and a victory over Conor McGregor.
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    Diaz said: “Besides Canelo he’s the biggest thing in boxing. I’m here to conquer that. I’m the King of combat sports and then I’m headed back to get my UFC belts.
    “I f***ed up Conor for acting out and now here I am again, like a Super Hero of the Real Fight game, the King of the Real Fight game.” More

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    Ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn flaunts curves in skintight jeans and low-cut red top as fans say ‘you’re unreal’

    APOLLONIA LLEWELLYN gave fans a red better day in a cheeky cherry outfit.Red Apol got some fruity comments as the ring girl was labelled “yummy yummy” and “unreal” for her snaps in tight jeans and a low-cut top.
    Apollonia Llewellyn again ‘amazed’ her 526k Instagram followersCredit: INSTAGRAM
    The ring girl says she has ‘never been like the rest’Credit: INSTAGRAM
    Apollonia showed a Ken-do attitude on a cinema tripCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    The Misfits star shows another side to her ‘super beautiful’ lookCredit: Instagram
    The Misfits star insists she has “never been like the rest” as the “red hot beauty” shared scarlet pics.
    And her 526,000 Instagram followers agreed she has a unique streak.
    “Once again I’m amazed,” said one fan, and “my favourite fashion model,” revealed another.
    A third admirer went even further with: “You are one of the most beautiful goddesses on earth”.
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    And if her followers believe there is little room for improvement in her photos, there was also little room for movement in her outfit.
    Apollonia, 23, wore a figure-hugging sleeveless top and blue jeans, plus a red New York Yankees cap.
    But despite that nod to baseball, the influencer from Leeds has revealed she’d fancy a go in the middle of the ring at boxing.
    For now, though, Apollonia earns far more through glamour – estimating her earnings were nine times higher from online work than sport.
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    And the acclaim for her latest prove her photos are far more than the icing on the cake – even when they have a cherry top.
    One fan gawped: “I love this fit omg.”
    Other compliments included: “You look gorgeous” … “cutee” and “Queen”.
    No wonder she raises the red card to any idea of curbing her colourful career in front of the camera.
    Apollonia has a cross to bare in this revealing outfitCredit: instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    It’s deja blue as Apollonia returns to one of her favourite coloursCredit: https://www.instagram.com/apolloniallewellyn/ More

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    Who is boxer Olivia Curry?

    OLIVIA Curry has risen to fame in the boxing world.She has an impressive track record in the sport so far, but who is she?
    Olivia Curry also works as a filmmaker
    Who is Olivia Curry and what is her boxing record?
    Olivia is known for her impressive boxing career, however she also works as a filmmaker.
    She stands at 5ft 9 inches (175cm) and was born in Iowa, USA.
    She has managed to impress in the boxing world with seven wins, including two KOs, and one loss.
    Speaking to Boxing Scene, Curry said: “I love boxing and it feels like I have to do it in terms of my own mental and emotional state.
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    “Boxing sucks people in, and no matter who you talk to, you need to do it for a reason other than just making money.
    “And very few people get to where they’re really making money at this sport, so I think anyone who chooses this path is doing it for another reason.”
    She added: “For me, that’s something that I can’t quite place that just draws me into it and doesn’t let me quit until I’ve seen exactly what I can do, what my body can do, and how far I can push it.”
    She beat Olivia Gerula by unanimous decision in April 2023.
    Most read in Boxing
    This means that she has now had five back-to-back wins and is ranked just outside the top five middleweight contenders by the major sanctioning bodies.
    Before this she defeated Samantha Pill in 2022 as well as Kaitlin LaVigne and LeAnn O’Malley.
    Olivia’s debut was in May 2021 when she won against Gloria Solis Ruiz.
    She is fighting Shadasia Green on Saturday, August 5, 2023, which is part of the Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz fight.
    Olivia said: “I’m grateful to MVP and Real Fight, Inc. for the opportunity to fight Shadasia and introduce myself to the world with a bang. I’m coming to Dallas to win.
    “I want to show that women’s boxing at the higher, more dangerous weight classes is levelling up.”
    As well as her boxing career, Olivia has also produced commercials and branded content for Intuit, Boeing, Nike and more.
    Is Olivia Curry on TikTok and Instagram?
    Yes, Olivia regularly posts to her Instagram page.
    Read More on The Sun
    She has dedicated her page to both her boxing and filmmaking career.
    As of August 2023 she has more than 1600 followers. More