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    KSI is ‘very serious’ about fighting Tommy Fury and vows to ‘DESTROY’ Love Island star… while aiming dig at Jake Paul

    KSI has insisted he is “very serious” about fighting Tommy Fury and vowed to do what Jake Paul couldn’t. The YouTuber, musician and influencer boxing star returns on May 13 against millionaire businessman-turned 9-0 boxer Joe Fournier.
    KSI insisted he is ‘very serious’ about fighting Tommy FuryCredit: Darren Fletcher
    Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul on pointsCredit: Reuters
    And KSI, 29, had hoped to finally settle his bitter score with arch rival Paul, 26, at the end of the year.
    But the American suffered defeat in February to Fury, 23, losing a split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
    Paul elected to snub the rematch as well as a grudge match with KSI to return on August 5 against ex-UFC contender Nate Diaz, 37.
    So KSI is ready to move on and instead focus on Fury, having been left unimpressed with the bout in the Middle East.
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    He told Misfits: “I’m very serious, I feel like I can destroy him.
    “I saw what Jake Paul did to Tommy Fury and I was like, ‘Wow, Jake is trash.’ Put me in with Tommy Fury and I’ll show everyone the levels.

    “And I know people are writing me off, saying I’m s***, I’m trash, I’m nowhere near Tommy Fury’s level.
    “And I’m like, ‘Alright, let’s see then.’ Put me in the ring with him, and let’s see and I’ll make you a f****g believer. Simple.”
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    KSI’s boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland revealed he held talks in Morecambe with Fury’s dad John.
    And he is optimistic a deal can be reached for the celebrity pair to fight in another huge crossover event.
    But first KSI must get past Fournier, 40, a nightclub tycoon who in 2021 went the distance with David Haye in an exhibition.
    KSI returns against Joe Fournier on May 13Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Inside the abandoned ‘dome’ stadium dubbed ‘eighth wonder of the world’ that lies dormant but CAN’T be knocked down

    THIS is the sad story of a stadium that has seen it all but now lies derelict.It was once dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World and hosted greats from Muhammad Ali to Elvis Presley.
    The Astrodome hosting a Major League Baseball game in 1987Credit: Getty
    In 1966, Muhammad Ali knocked out Cleveland Williams at the venueCredit: AP:Associated Press
    The previous attempt to save the famous dome failed in 2019 after a judge’s decision on air conditioning.
    The Houston Astrodome was built in 1965 and was the world’s first multi-purpose domed sports arena.
    On that day, a sold out crowd of 47,879 watched a baseball game between the Astros and the New York Yankees, with President Lyndon Johnson and his wife in attendance.
    Muhammad Ali would fight at the venue a year later, knocking out Cleveland Williams in November 1966.
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    That would be the first of four fights he would have at the Astrodome.
    And in 1970, it would host Elvis Presley, with the dome the perfect structure for the type of show the King would perform.
    However, after a pre-season match was postponed in 1995 due to the dilapidated condition of the field, the Astros demanded a new stadium.
    This was provided in 2000 when Enron Field (now Minute Maid Park), was built in downtown Houston.
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    How the Astrodome looks from aboveCredit: Alamy
    Elvis Presley would perform at the Astrodome in 1970Credit: Getty
    Ali beat Buster Mathis by unanimous decision in 1971Credit: Getty
    And in 2002 the Astrodome was upstaged as a concert venue by the retractable-roofed Reliant Stadium (now NRG Stadium) which moved in next door.
    Three years later, it would earn fame for reasons off the field, as it led relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
    Over 25,000 refugees from neighbouring New Orleans were housed at the dome until they could return home or alternative accommodation was found.
    But in 2008 it was cited for numerous code violations, with only maintenance workers and security guards allowed to enter the ground since.
    However, the city council will not allow the venue to be demolished on environmental grounds, due to concerns that the demolition could damage the highly populated development in the surrounding area.
    And in 2017 the Texas Historical Commission designated the stadium a State Antiquities Landmark, meaning nobody can alter the structure without the commission’s permission.
    A number of proposals have been made for the venue, from an Olympic Stadium to indoor park.
    However the one that got closest to getting off the ground was for it to be renovated and become an indoor parking garage, at a cost of $105m, or around £85m.
    But Commissioners Court Judge Lina Hidalgo quashed the plan, arguing that it wouldn’t have yielded a truly reusable building.
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    She also stated that the funds earmarked would not have been enough to provide sufficient air conditioning in a city where summer daytime temperatures average 33 degrees.
    As a result, a stadium that saw so many magical moments lies derelict, with no prospect of it being returned to use any time soon.
    In 2005, the Astrodome housed thousands of victims of Hurricane KatrinaCredit: AFP
    The Houston Astros moved to Minute Maid Park in 2000Credit: Reuters
    The Astrodome would later be upstaged by the NRG Stadium, which was built next door in 2002Credit: Getty More

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    Anthony Joshua CONFIRMS Deontay Wilder fight is ‘happening’ in December as Eddie Hearn closes on finalising grudge match

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed he and Deontay Wilder are “throwing it down in December”.The 33-year-old returned to winning ways with a points victory over Jermaine Franklin at the start of the month.
    Anthony Joshua seemingly confirmed he is set to take on Deontay Wilder in DecemberCredit: Getty
    The Bronze Bomber has not fought since beating Robert Helenius in October last yearCredit: Getty
    Joshua is now seemingly targeting a December showdown against Wilder, 37.
    His promoter Eddie Hearn flew to Saudi Arabia this week to hold talks over a potential super-fight for AJ.
    And Joshua appeared to confirm that a blockbuster meeting with the Bronze Bomber is on the cards for later this year.
    In a video reposted to YouTube by iFL TV from Instagram, Joshua was asked if he’s going to beat Wilder.
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    AJ responded: “That’s what’s happening, you know what’s going on.”
    When asked if the fight was going ahead in December, Joshua replied: “It’s public news we’re getting it down, throwing it down in December.”
    Meanwhile, the Bronze Bomber’s team have already given their green light for the fight.
    Wilder himself also said a meeting with AJ would be a “dream fight” for boxing fans.
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    He told iFL TV: “We got a lot of different options right now at this moment in time. Joshua, everybody.
    “I think a lot of people is going to get that dream fight everyone wants to see.”
    Matchroom chief Hearn recently rubbished suggestions that Wilder is the favourite to win the fight.
    Wilder has not boxed since knocking out Robert Helenius in the opening round of his October comeback bout last year. More

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    Tyson Fury warned he’ll be making the ‘biggest mistake’ of his career if he doesn’t fight Usyk as Ruiz Jr rumours swirl

    TYSON FURY has been warned his legacy will be tarnished if he doesn’t share the ring with Oleksandr Usyk.The pair were on course to throw down for all the heavyweight marbles this spring before negotiations went south and Team Usyk pulled the plug on the historic bout after Fury’s constant demands.
    Tyson Fury’s historic clash with Oleksandr Usyk fell through last monthCredit: REUTERS
    Team Usyk pulled the plug on the bout after Fury’s constant chopping and changingCredit: GETTY
    Promoter Alexander Krassyuk has warned Fury his legacy will be tarnished if he doesn’t fight UsykCredit: INSTAGRAM@ALEX.KRASSYUK
    Fans, fighters and pundits alike lamented the collapse of the first undisputed heavyweight fight in nearly 25 years – which Usyk promoter Alexander Krassyuk insists is imperative for Fury’s legacy in the sport.
    The Ukrainian told BT Sport: “I would love to see it as a boxing fan.
    “As Usyk’s promoter, I would love to make it happen.
    “As just a normal Ukrainian I would love my compatriot to become the undisputed champion in the second weight division.
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    “From our side, it’s only plus, plus, plus.”
    Fury’s constant moving of the goalposts during the ill-fated negotiations didn’t come as a surprise to Team Usyk.
    Krassyuk said: “We know that Tyson Fury is a complex personality and it’s probably not a surprise for anyone.
    “And we can see it on his behaviour within the last probably seven or ten years.
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    “Yes, he is the champion. Yes, he has the right to do things that he wants to do.
    “But at the end of the day, he is a professional boxer, and his main assignment is to perform for the boxing fans.”
    Fury, 34, hasn’t entertained the prospect of fighting Usyk since their fight fell through.
    And Krassyuk reckons history won’t be kind to The Gyspy King if the fight doesn’t materialise.
    He said: “I think if this fight does not take place, that would be one of the biggest mistakes that Tyson Fury could ever make in [a] professional boxing career.”
    WBC heavyweight king Fury is currently eying a July return to the ring having reserved Wembley Stadium for two separate dates.
    Andy Ruiz Jr is in the running to face Tyson Fury in JulyCredit: EPA
    Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr is understood to be in the running to face Fury in the July joust.
    And The Destroyer seemingly hinted the bout is a done deal by sharing a recent Instagram post which claimed the fight is “official” to his story.
    That came a few days after the 33-year-old sent a warning to Fury and the rest of the heavyweight division.
    He said: “We all risk our lives in there to f***ing feed our loved ones.
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    “Hell of a fight. Can’t wait, man, till I fight f***ing Wilder, Fury, everybody.
    “All the people at the top. I’m coming.” More

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    Anthony Joshua admits he’s no longer a ‘bruiser’ as he reveals reason for being gun shy in Jermaine Franklin fight

    ANTHONY JOSHUA admits he no longer wades into the fire as he’s not the “bruiser” he once was.Before being dropped in his 2017 classic with Wladimir Klitschko, the former two-time heavyweight champion was a bloodhound of a finisher.
    Anthony Joshua returned to the win column earlier this month against Jermaine FranklinCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
    AJ has adopted a more cautious approach or his last three fightsCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
    Joshua admits he’s no longer the ‘bruiser’ he once wasCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
    But he’s adopted a more conservative approach as of late, opting to box on the outside and stay out of the kitchen for too long.
    And that change of tact – which was on show in his return to the win column against Jermaine Franklin -has come from the Watford warrior making the conscious decision to use brain over brawn.
    He told SkySports: “When you look at someone’s make-up, you have to look at what their attributes are.
    “I’m quite tall, I’ve got a long range but I’m not going to be a bruiser.
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    “If you look at my character, I’m not the most aggressive, outwardly type of person.
    “I’m not a fighter – I’m more of a boxer, there’s a thought process, there’s a method behind the madness.
    “I’ve always tried to develop my boxing IQ but over 12 rounds there are times where you have to fight and I want to become a box fighter.
    “It’s why that fight with Jermaine Franklin – I realised I was in with someone who’s a counter-puncher.
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    “You throw two, they try to hit you with three – so I changed my game plan, I stuck behind my jab, used my attributes and got the win.”
    Joshua, 33, insists his change in approach will benefit him in the long run and when the going gets tough.
    He continued: “I can build on that because there will be a day where just being a fighter may not work against a certain opponent.
    “The man who has a plan A, B and C in his locker because he can use his jab, he can move around, he knows how to defend.
    “I think he’ll have more of a chance to be victorious on a tough night.
    A showdown with Deontay Wider is in the works for AJCredit: GETTY
    “I’m glad I got those rounds in the bank and I can move forward on my quest to become a full and well-rounded fighter.”
    AJ was set to return to action in July but has since teased a December dust-up.
    And a long-overdue grudge match with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is in the works for AJ.
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    He recently told a fan: “That’s what’s happening [the Wilder Fight].
    “It’s public news, we’re getting it down, we’re throwing it down in December.” More

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    Model turned boxer Avril Mathie suffers gruesome injury with bone poking out of leg after being hit by motorbike

    AVRIL MATHIE has shown the gruesome injury she sustained after being hit by a motorbike.The accident left her with some of her shin bone sticking out of her leg.
    Avril Mathie hurt her leg after being hit by a motorbikeCredit: Instagram @avrilmathie
    And showed off the gruesome injury on Instagram
    She was able to recover in less than a fortnightCredit: Instagram / @avrilmathie
    The model-turned-boxer uploaded pictures of the brutal injury onto Instagram.
    However, the Australian OnlyFans model has taken the ordeal as a positive as she admitted that the fact her leg did not fully break makes her feel strong.
    Despite the gruesome nature of the injury, Avril was back up and running less than two weeks later.
    She wrote: “Sometimes I feel weak or sad and then I remember the time a motorbike ran into my leg and couldn’t even break my shin.
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     “It is still to this day the most pain I’ve ever felt in my life, and yet I was running hills again 10 days later 💪🏽.
    “Shoutout to years of Muay Thai training making my shins into steel poles 😉.”
    In the post, the boxer also added context to her recovery which showed how she had to shower without getting the wound wet.
    Avril also included how she was still going out dancing until getting the stitches out.
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    Once that process was complete she was back in training with hill sprints in Mykonos, Greece.
    She has just shy of 300k followers on Instagram and plenty of them were shocked by the injury she sustained.
    One fan said: “It hurts just to look! Kick ass and drive on!”
    A second wrote: “That’s awesome!!! Not that you got struck with a motorbike but the way you bounced back. We need stronger women like you.”
    A third commented: “You’re nuts lol… in a good way. Ouch.”
    While a fourth added: “Brutal glad you didn’t break love ❤️❤️.”
    Avril recovered in Mykonos, GreeceCredit: Instagram @avrilmathie
    She is a model turned boxerCredit: Getty
    She has almost 300k followers on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @avrilmathie More

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    Muhammad Ali made me cry when I told him I would avenge him – I did it and it was my greatest moment in boxing

    MIKE TYSON broke down in tears the day after seeing his hero Muhammad Ali take a pasting from Larry Holmes.The former undisputed heavyweight champion returned from a two-year layoff in 1980 at the age of 38 to challenge Holmes for the WBC and Ring Magazine titles.
    Larry Holmes put a beating on Muhammad Ali in The Greatest’s penultimate fightCredit: AP
    A young Mike Tyson was in attendance to see his hero get pummeled by HolmesCredit: Getty
    Iron Mike cried on the phone to Ali the following dayCredit: GETTY
    Father Time had well and truly caught up to The Greatest – who had been struggling with vocal stutters and hand tremours – who was beaten from pillar to post until trainer Angelo Dundee halted the fight in the tenth.
    A 14-year-old Tyson watched on in horror with trainer Cus D’Amato as Holmes battered his hero and was stunned into the silence
    Iron Mike told Boxing Arabia: “We went to see Muhammad Ali fight Larry Holmes on closed circuit. [Holmes] beat the s**t out of Ali.
    “We all went back home, 30 miles south, nobody said a word in the car for 30 miles.
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    “We got in the house, went to our beds, all went to sleep, nobody said nothing.
    “The next morning [Tyson’s trainer Cus D’Amato] is on the phone with Ali.
    “I’m hearing him say, ‘He’s a bum, Ali, why you let that bum beat on you?’”
    D’Amato eventually passed the phone on to Tyson – who vowed to avenge his fallen hero.
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    He said: “I was on the phone, I said [to Ali], ‘When I get big I’m gonna avenge you.
    “‘I’m gonna knock him out for you.’
    “Ali said, ‘Yeah I’m the greatest fighter ever and I took medicine.
    “And I got sick and I’m gonna come back and knock out Holmes.’
    Ali’s words, however, didn’t have the desired comforting effect on a teenage Tyson.
    Mike Tyson avenged Ali with a fourth-round KO of Larry HolmesCredit: GETTY
    He said: “I’m on the phone crying.
    “He thought he was making me happy but he was making me sad cause he ignored the fact of me saying I’m gonna avenge you.”
    Tyson got his opportunity to avenge Ali eight years later when he fought Holmes in Trump Plaza, Atlantic City in January 1988.
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    Ali was in attendance for the fight, and told Tyson seconds before the tussle: “Get him for me.”
    “Get him” Tyson did as he overwhelmed Holmes and stopped him in the fourth round to retain the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles. More

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    Watch boxing legend Floyd Mayweather effortlessly train in his mid 40s ahead of fight against crime boss’ grandson

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER keeps proving that age is nothing but a number as he still goes strong at the advanced age of 46.Mayweather retired from professional boxing back in 2017 with a stunning undefeated record, which saw him winning all of his 50 fights.
    Floyd Mayweather proved he hasn’t slowed down despite his advanced ageCredit: Instagram / @jamielynn
    Mayweather avoided punches without even looking while trainingCredit: Instagram / @jamielynn
    Money has since been competing in exhibition bouts around the world and is set for his first US match since his fight with Logan Paul back in 2021.
    This time, the American bruiser will take on John Gotti III, who is the grandson of infamous mafia boss John Gotti.
    The two fighters will lock horns on June 11 at the LA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
    And Gotti has his work cut out as Mayweather hasn’t slowed down one bit since hanging up his boxing gloves.
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    The undefeated legend posted a video last year showing him training at the gym.
    And the session was so effortless for the star boxer that he would spar without even looking at his trainer.
    Mayweather would instead stare at the camera and still duck out of every single move that was thrown his way.
    Gotti has won two out of two boxing fights after switching to the sport from MMA.
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    The New Yorker also enjoyed success inside the octagon with a 5-1 record under his belt.
    The 30-year-old’s grandfather ran the Gambino family, which was once described as America’s most powerful crime syndicate.
    The crime boss wound up serving a life term in jail for racketeering and murder until his death on June 10, 2002 at the age of 61.
    The father of Mayweather’s opponent John A Gotti became the acting boss of the Gambino family until he was sent to prison for racketeering, and has since claimed to have left the gang. More