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      Heartbroken boxer Cody Crowley weeps and dedicates win to father who took his own life in emotional post-fight interview

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      HEARTBROKEN Canadian boxer Cody Crowley fought back tears in an emotional post-fight interview.The welterweight bravely talked about his father’s suicide after beating Abel Ramos by majority decision on the undercard of David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant.
      An emotional Cody Crowley bravely spoke about his father’s suicideCredit: SHOWTIME BOXING
      Crowley fought back tears following his win over Abel Ramos on Saturday nightCredit: SHOWTIME BOXING
      Crowley, 30, admitted he had even been left wanting to take his own life.
      The win over Ramos was his first fight since his dad’s suicide nine months ago.
      And a bruised Crowley honoured his father in the ring following Saturday’s bout.
      He emotionally told Showtime: “This fight gave me something else. I worked my whole entire life for this opportunity.
      Read More In Boxing
      “The last two years I didn’t wanna live because I couldn’t get my shot.
      “Fights getting cancelled, I’ve been training since July.
      “I’ve been broke and I wanted to take my own life, and I didn’t.
      “And my dad did. And If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here today.”
      Most read in Boxing
      Cowley then paused as his voice quivered while he fought back tears.
      He continued: “Anyone who’s thinking about taking their own life, who doesn’t wanna be here, I am proof that you can keep fighting and you will win.”
      In the main event Benavidez overcame Plant by unanimous decision to earn a shot at Canelo Alvarez. More

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      ‘We fought like warriors’ – David Benavidez batters Caleb Plant, who bravely refuses to go down, to earn shot at Canelo

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      DAVID BENAVIDEZ convincingly beat super middleweight rival Caleb Plant by unanimous decision following an incredible fight in Las Vegas on Saturday night.The 26-year-old started the bout on the back foot after taking some powerful punches from his opponent during the first four rounds.
      Benavidez took on Plant in Las Vegas on SaturdayCredit: Alamy
      The ‘Mexican Monster’ won my unanimous decisionCredit: Alamy
      But as his confidence grew he was quickly able to close the gap and eventually turn the fight on it’s head.
      Benavidez pummelled his 30-year-old opponent in the latter stages to earn a clear win on the judges scorecards.
      He was unable to knock Plant down despite delivering some major blows which in turn left the American on the ropes.
      So there was no doubt that he would reign supreme once the final bell sounded.
      Read More on Boxing
      Benavidez was declared the winner by unanimous decision with scores of 115-113, 116-112, 117-111.
      And his emphatic victory saw him earn a shot at world champion Canelo Alvarez.
      In his post-fight interview, the ‘Mexican Monster’ said: “I have a lot of respect for Canelo Alvarez, but he has to give me that shot now.
      “That’s what everybody wants to see, me vs Canelo, let’s make it happen in September.”
      Most read in Boxing
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      Alvarez is currently preparing for his upcoming bout against John Ryder, which is set to take place in May.
      But he is yet to comment on a potential meeting with Benavidez.
      Plant was gracious in defeat as he complimented Benavidez after the fight.
      He said: “David’s a hell of a fighter. It’s a big rivalry, but we got in here and settled it like men.
      “I’ve got in there and I’ve rumbled with the best in the world; I haven’t ducked anybody.
      “There’s no excuse. David was the better man tonight.” More

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      I’m gonna trash talk ‘p***y’ Anthony Joshua and tell him his mum hits harder… but not until we get in the ring

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA will be hit with a barrage of ABUSE in Saturday’s comeback fight.For US opponent Jermaine Franklin vowed to pummel Britain’s dethroned world heavyweight champ with a combination of trash-talking taunts during their clash at London’s O2.
      Anthony Joshua returns to the ring on April 1 with a showdown against Jermaine FranklinCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Joshua, 33, is desperate to reignite his career following damaging double defeats to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, who took his WBA, WBO and IBF belts.
      But Franklin, 29, insists he will come out swinging with all the verbals and mock “p***y” Joshua once the bell goes.
      Michigan heavyweight Franklin, who has a record of 21 wins, one loss and no draws, visited SunSport’s London HQ to reveal his fight plan.
      He admitted: “I talk trash in the ring but not before the fight.
      Read More in Boxing
      “In the ring I might call him soft, or a p***y, I start my talk in the ring.
      “Outside the ring I might not say much, but inside you might hear me tell him: ‘Your momma hits harder than you’.
      “Trash talk outside the ring is not my persona, I do it in the ring, during the fight, in the clinches.
      “I want to frustrate my opponent in the ring. I’m probably too silly to trash talk outside of it, I will make myself laugh and not be able to stop giggling.
      Most read in Boxing
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      “But my switch flicks in the ring and I get more ruthless.
      “In my Dillian Whyte fight in November I called him weak. One time he hit me and I told him: ‘You’re too soft’.”
      Franklin suffered a controversial points loss to Whyte in that fight.
      But he has also spent a fortnight sparring with Britain’s undefeated WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury at his Morecambe home.
      The American learned loads from the 34-year-old Gypsy King but will happily go to war with him — as he showed by chinning his cut-out in our office.
      Franklin chinned a cutout of Fury in SunSport’s officeCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Franklin explained: “Morecambe was nice but it is in the middle of nowhere.
      “It’s a small town and everybody there knows Tyson and looks out for him.
      “The first day we were there, people running restaurants and stores were picking up on our looks and accents and asking us what we were doing in the area. We told them we were training with Tyson.
      “But someone must have called Tyson and told him, because the next second he pulled up in his car to check that everything was OK!
      “I thought ‘wow’, I had no idea he was so involved in the community, he is loved up there.
      “I learned a lot but I want to fight all the best guys, so if Tyson wants it, he can get it.”
      And father-of-three Franklin, who has a wonderful background story of being brought up by two powerful grandmothers, will help his Saginaw community in Michigan with Saturday’s purse.
      And he reckons that Joshua was bluffing when he said his comeback — after back-to-back world title losses to Usyk in 2021 and 2022 — was just about boosting his bank balance.
      He said: “That was just a deflection or a mental tactic.
      “To make out like he doesn’t really care about this fight.
      “He is with a big promoter and he reigned as a champion for about ten years so he doesn’t need money — there’s no way he’s broke.
      “He might want people to think he doesn’t care, but I could have said I was only fighting for the money, to catch him off guard.
      “Anyone can bluff like that.”
      Franklin will insult and assault AJ for every moment of their London showdown.
      But he claims the London 2012 golden boy has got unfair stick after his empire crumbled over two legs against the Ukraine ace.
      He explained: “I love the sport so — until someone can show me that AJ is finished — I will not question him, he has done too much.
      “As a fighter, I cannot just turn on him when he is an Olympic gold medal winner who reigned as a world champion for a long time.
      “I take points off Joshua for losing to Usyk twice, because he was only a cruiserweight who moved up.
      “But if Usyk never loses then AJ’s stock goes up.
      “However, if Usyk gets beat in his next fight, then it will look bad on AJ.
      Read More on The Sun
      “We jump the gun too much in this sport. It’s not like basketball or soccer, where once you are great, you are great.
      “He is great, but I hope to be greater.” More

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      Lawrence Okolie vs David Light LIVE RESULT: The Sauce retains WBO cruiserweight title – reaction

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      LAWRENCE OKOLIE has retained his WBO cruiserweight title against David Light after winning on points.The Sauce failed to knock out the challenger but was in control throughout the whole fight.
      David Light stood up well after being on the end of a few big right hands from the champion.
      The fight wasn’t exactly one to remember, but nevertheless, Okolie did the job and retained his world title.
      It was the champion’s first fight in over a year, so you can expect him not to be fighting at his peak.
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      Stay up to date with all the action from the AO Arena
      Okolie on next fight
      “I will go in the ring and fight anyone,” Okolie said.
      “If they’re watching this and they think ‘Lawrence is rubbish, I can do this, I can do that’, come and find out.
      “I’ll put it on the line against anyone and if they’re good enough to beat me, they are, and if not I carry on winning.”
      OKOLIE REACTION
      Okolie rated his performance as: “Probably like a 5/6.
      “I couldn’t get the last shot to drop him.”
      On his next opponent, he said: “I’ll put it on the line against anyone.”
      OKOLIE WINS
      The sauce retains his world title after winning on points!
      David Light stood up well and took some big punches from the champion.
      But he failed to come up with any combinations of his own on the night.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R12
      David Light has come through some big hits from Okolie and remained standing after twelve rounds.
      The champion will not have a KO in the AO Arena in Manchester.
      That said, he will retain his WBO cruiserweight title.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R11
      Light has to go for the KO now as we enter the penultimate round.
      Both fighters breathing heavily as we near the final round.
      Okolie has been deducted a point from the referee during round 10.
      The champion hits Light with a HUGE right hand at the end of the round, but credit to the challenger, he stays on his feet.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R10
      The champion is starting to get some joy as he lands multiple punches to the head of David Light.
      Light wobbles but managed to keep his hands up.
      Okolie not holding out for points here. He wants the KO.
      Round 10 was the most action-packed so far in the main event.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R9
      David Light has lost every round so far.
      The challenger needs a knockout to become champion.
      Light is starting to be more aggressive yet he is still wild with his punches.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R8
      The fight has become very scrappy the in the last few rounds.
      Both fighters starting to feel the effects after 8 rounds.
      Okolie starting to look predictable, but may just look to see it out as he is firmly in front on the scorecards.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R7
      Okolie trying to find a way to throw a right hand at David Light.
      Referee Bob Williams has had a word with both fighters after some scrappy clinches.
      The champion is still in control of the fight.
      7-0
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R6
      The midway point of the fight now.
      Nothing major to comment on as of yet…
      Okolie, however, is in the driving seat and is in pole position to retain his title.
      A few quick jabs to the head of the champion from Light as he looks to make his mark on the fight.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R5
      Neither fighter showing any signs of weakness as we enter round 5.
      Okolie is still in firm control of the fight as we near the halfway point.
      The champion is starting to throw some nice right-hands at Light now.
      5-0 Okolie. Light will need a KO or some knockdowns to become champion here.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R4
      Sky commentators calling for Okolie to be more authoritative with his jab.
      Still a quiet start after four rounds here at the AO Arena.
      David Light continues to close the distance between him and the champion.
      That said, Okolie is still in control and is 4-0 up.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R3
      Okolie’s trainer SugarHill Steward wants him to focus on the body.
      Light starting to be more aggressive at closing the distance.
      The champion still bossing things in the ring.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R2
      Light struggling to get inside the champion.
      Okolie keeps his distance and uses his jab at range.
      A patient start from both fighters.
      2-0 to the champion.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R1
      And there goes the bell, and we are underway!
      Okolie starts brightly in this WBO cruiserweight title bout.
      A few early jabs to the body of Light from the champion.
      The challenger just looking to close the distance.
      Lawrence Okolie walks out!
      The Champion walks out to a noisy AO Arena.
      He returns to Manchester, the place where it all started for him.
      Okolie looks relaxed and ready to defend his title!
      David Light walks out!
      The challenger is currently completing his ring walk at the AO Arena in Manchester.
      Light looks relaxed as he eyes the WBO cruiserweight title.
      But will he be able to get past current champion Lawrence Okolie?
      Main card results so far tonight

      Frazer Clarke def Bogdan Dinu
      Michael Gomez Jnr (c) def Levi Giles
      Karriss Artingstall def Linzi Buczynskyj
      Callum Simpson def Celso Neves

      CAIN UNABLE
      Over in Telford, rising Liverpool fighter Andrew Cain has suffered a shock upset loss.
      Ionut Baluta dropped the prospect, broke his nose and won a split decision.
      The Romanian winner was decked twice in the very first round but rallied brilliantly to win with cards of 91-96, 95-92 & 94-93.
      MCRIBBED
      Clarke says: “I want to thank Bogdan for saving the show, I am sorry about his ribs but I hope he enjoys Manchester with his wife and son.
      “I hope to be back out in Birmingham in May.
      BIG FRAZE
      The Team GB ace looks disappointed after a very easy night’s work.
      Dinu did look keen in the first couple of rounds but he snatched the easy way out.
      There’s no obvious injury but he put his sparkly waistcoat on a little gingerly.
      CLARKE WINS
      Dinu refuses to get off his stool for the third round and retires.
      Can’t see what Dinu has injured but it’s a disappointing end.
      Clarke gets his cut looked at while Dinu walks about, looking for his pay cheque probably.
      CLARKE VS DINU R2
      Clarke scythes at Dinu’s ribs then drives an uppercut into his guard.
      Clarke cracks a right hand into Dinu’s ear and then goes downstairs to his body.
      A stiff right hand hurts Dinu right on the bell too.
      CLARKE VS DINU R1
      Clarke starts brightly with a couple of lead left hooks.
      Dinu complains abut early rabbit punches.
      Clarke suffers a little cut on his forehead after a clash of heads.
      1-0 to the Englishman.
      BOGGED DOWN TO DANCE
      Bogdan Dinu was a last-minute replacement opponent for Frazer Clarke.
      American veteran Rydell Booker never made it over after falling ill.
      Dinu is not expected to offer much and the Team GB Olympian will be looking for an impressive KO.
      Strong beard game from Dinu and old-school chest hair.
      Load more entries… More

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      Lawrence Okolie vs David Light LIVE RESULT: The HUGE cruiserweight title bout is underway – TV, stream, ring-walk time

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      LAWRENCE OKOLIE is defending his WBO cruiserweight title against the unbeaten David Light RIGHT NOW!We are in the final round of this world title bout it’s looking like the champion will retain his title.
      Michael Gomez Jnr beats Levi Giles on points to claim the vacant English super-feather title.

      Main event ring-walk time: 10pm UK time.
      TV Channel: Sky Sports Action from 7pm/ Sky Sports Main Event from 8pm.
      Live stream: NOW.
      Venue: AO Arena, Manchester.

      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      Stay up to date with all the action from the AO Arena
      OKOLIE WINS
      The sauce retains his world title after winning on points!
      David Light stood up well and took some big punches from the champion.
      But he failed to come up with any combinations of his own on the night.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R12
      David Light has come through some big hits from Okolie and remained standing after twelve rounds.
      The champion will not have a KO in the AO Arena in Manchester.
      That said, he will retain his WBO cruiserweight title.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R11
      Light has to go for the KO now as we enter the penultimate round.
      Both fighters breathing heavily as we near the final round.
      Okolie has been deducted a point from the referee during round 10.
      The champion hits Light with a HUGE right hand at the end of the round, but credit to the challenger, he stays on his feet.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R10
      The champion is starting to get some joy as he lands multiple punches to the head of David Light.
      Light wobbles but managed to keep his hands up.
      Okolie not holding out for points here. He wants the KO.
      Round 10 was the most action-packed so far in the main event.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R9
      David Light has lost every round so far.
      The challenger needs a knockout to become champion.
      Light is starting to be more aggressive yet he is still wild with his punches.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R8
      The fight has become very scrappy the in the last few rounds.
      Both fighters starting to feel the effects after 8 rounds.
      Okolie starting to look predictable, but may just look to see it out as he is firmly in front on the scorecards.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R7
      Okolie trying to find a way to throw a right hand at David Light.
      Referee Bob Williams has had a word with both fighters after some scrappy clinches.
      The champion is still in control of the fight.
      7-0
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R6
      The midway point of the fight now.
      Nothing major to comment on as of yet…
      Okolie, however, is in the driving seat and is in pole position to retain his title.
      A few quick jabs to the head of the champion from Light as he looks to make his mark on the fight.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R5
      Neither fighter showing any signs of weakness as we enter round 5.
      Okolie is still in firm control of the fight as we near the halfway point.
      The champion is starting to throw some nice right-hands at Light now.
      5-0 Okolie. Light will need a KO or some knockdowns to become champion here.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R4
      Sky commentators calling for Okolie to be more authoritative with his jab.
      Still a quiet start after four rounds here at the AO Arena.
      David Light continues to close the distance between him and the champion.
      That said, Okolie is still in control and is 4-0 up.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R3
      Okolie’s trainer SugarHill Steward wants him to focus on the body.
      Light starting to be more aggressive at closing the distance.
      The champion still bossing things in the ring.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R2
      Light struggling to get inside the champion.
      Okolie keeps his distance and uses his jab at range.
      A patient start from both fighters.
      2-0 to the champion.
      OKOLIE VS LIGHT R1
      And there goes the bell, and we are underway!
      Okolie starts brightly in this WBO cruiserweight title bout.
      A few early jabs to the body of Light from the champion.
      The challenger just looking to close the distance.
      Lawrence Okolie walks out!
      The Champion walks out to a noisy AO Arena.
      He returns to Manchester, the place where it all started for him.
      Okolie looks relaxed and ready to defend his title!
      David Light walks out!
      The challenger is currently completing his ring walk at the AO Arena in Manchester.
      Light looks relaxed as he eyes the WBO cruiserweight title.
      But will he be able to get past current champion Lawrence Okolie?
      Main card results so far tonight

      Frazer Clarke def Bogdan Dinu
      Michael Gomez Jnr (c) def Levi Giles
      Karriss Artingstall def Linzi Buczynskyj
      Callum Simpson def Celso Neves

      CAIN UNABLE
      Over in Telford, rising Liverpool fighter Andrew Cain has suffered a shock upset loss.
      Ionut Baluta dropped the prospect, broke his nose and won a split decision.
      The Romanian winner was decked twice in the very first round but rallied brilliantly to win with cards of 91-96, 95-92 & 94-93.
      MCRIBBED
      Clarke says: “I want to thank Bogdan for saving the show, I am sorry about his ribs but I hope he enjoys Manchester with his wife and son.
      “I hope to be back out in Birmingham in May.
      BIG FRAZE
      The Team GB ace looks disappointed after a very easy night’s work.
      Dinu did look keen in the first couple of rounds but he snatched the easy way out.
      There’s no obvious injury but he put his sparkly waistcoat on a little gingerly.
      CLARKE WINS
      Dinu refuses to get off his stool for the third round and retires.
      Can’t see what Dinu has injured but it’s a disappointing end.
      Clarke gets his cut looked at while Dinu walks about, looking for his pay cheque probably.
      CLARKE VS DINU R2
      Clarke scythes at Dinu’s ribs then drives an uppercut into his guard.
      Clarke cracks a right hand into Dinu’s ear and then goes downstairs to his body.
      A stiff right hand hurts Dinu right on the bell too.
      CLARKE VS DINU R1
      Clarke starts brightly with a couple of lead left hooks.
      Dinu complains abut early rabbit punches.
      Clarke suffers a little cut on his forehead after a clash of heads.
      1-0 to the Englishman.
      BOGGED DOWN TO DANCE
      Bogdan Dinu was a last-minute replacement opponent for Frazer Clarke.
      American veteran Rydell Booker never made it over after falling ill.
      Dinu is not expected to offer much and the Team GB Olympian will be looking for an impressive KO.
      Strong beard game from Dinu and old-school chest hair.
      LEVI WANTS RETURN
      Gutted Giles felt he won the fight and hopes for a rematch.
      The deflated super-feather said: “I did think I did enough tonight, but hopefully we’ll do it again somewhere down the line for a bigger title.”
      GOMEZ JR CELEBRATES
      He said: “I lost the first three rounds because I was coasting but then I came on stronger and felt I did enough to nick it.
      “I want to thank Levi for a great fight and also apologise for the push at Friday’s weigh-in.
      “I just knew I had to get inside his head and drag him into my sort of fight. So I apologies for that.”
      Load more entries… More

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      I feared my kids would grow up without their dad as robber pointed gun at me, reveals Amir Khan

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      BOXER Amir Khan has told of his gun robbery terror and said: “I feared my kids would grow up without their dad.”The former world champ, 36, handed over his £72,000 watch at gunpoint in London.
      Amir Khan, pictured with wife Faryal, told of his gun robbery terrorCredit: Doug Seeburg
      Amir, pictured with his children, said: ‘I feared my kids would grow up without their dad’Credit: Doug Seeburg
      Masked gunman Dante Campbell jumped out of a silver Mercedes, pointed the weapon in Amir’s face and shouted: ‘Take off the watch!’
      Wife Faryal, who was with him, said: “I thought we were both going to die.”
      Victim Amir Khan revealed how he turned his head in terror during his gunpoint ordeal so he would not see the bullet coming.
      The boxer had left a restaurant with wife Faryal when a gang pulled up in a Merc, pointed the weapon in his face and demanded his watch.
      Amir’s light-welterweight reflexes kicked in as he feared the gunman would pull the trigger.
      Read More on Amir Khan
      Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, he revealed: “In that moment, you think the worst . . . that the kids could be growing up without their dad, that Faryal would be raising them on her own.
      “Your life flashes before your eyes. I leant my head to the right because I thought, if he is going to shoot me, he can shoot the side of my head. I don’t want to see the bullet coming.”
      Amir handed over a £72,000 diamond-encrusted watch he’d bought to celebrate winning a fight.
      Terrified Faryal, 31, ran into the road and screamed for help.
      Most read in Boxing
      The robbers fled in their car and the timepiece has not been found.
      Faryal yesterday said she feared the couple were the target of an organised hit, saying: “I thought we were going to die on the spot.”
      The couple now feel the “England we love isn’t a safe place any more” so spend more time at their home in Dubai.
      Two men admitted involvement in the robbery, on April 18 last year.
      On Friday two others were found not guilty of acting as spotters.
      Amir and Faryal had been for dinner with pal Omar Khalid at the Sahara Grill in Leyton, East London.
      The boxer posed for selfies with fans and CCTV showed him leaving at 9.10pm.
      As the couple walked to their car, masked gunman Dante Campbell, 20, jumped out of a silver Mercedes coupe, pointed the weapon in Amir’s face and shouted: “Take off the watch!”
      Amir, who is dad to Lamaisah, eight, Alayna, four, and Muhammad Zaviyar, three, recalled yesterday: “It was the first time I’ve ever seen a gun in my life. I could see down the barrel.
      “I remember looking back seeing where my wife was. She ran back on the road and screamed ‘help!’
      “At the time, I didn’t know what he wanted. I thought maybe this is a prank. I just took off the watch, he grabbed it.”
      Amir had earlier been shopping in Knightsbridge while Faryal was at a photoshoot.
      Amir retired from boxing last year having won a silver medal for Great Britain at the 2004 Olympics in AthensCredit: PA:Press Association
      Amir blasted mayor Sadiq Khan, saying: ‘Since he has been in power, London has got so dangerous’Credit: PA
      They visited the restaurant during Ramadan as it serves halal steak, and spent around an hour eating and taking snaps with fans.
      Recalling the ordeal, Amir said: “Faryal ran back on to the road and I just froze.
      “Normally she walks in front of me so I know she’s safe.
      “But for some reason she didn’t that night — which looking back is a good thing.
      “The gunman told me to take off the watch so I did and he grabbed it. I was shaken up.
      “It happened so fast, it registered with me a day after. It makes you think, life is very short.
      “People said after, ‘You should’ve fought them’. Are they stupid? I’ve got a family. It’s only a watch. My life means more to me.
      “When you have kids, you have a priority to make sure they are looked after. I am the breadwinner for the family. If I was with the kids, I don’t know what I would’ve done. Maybe I would have panicked and tried to run.”
      Amir added: “Someone called the police. It caused a big scene and people recognised me.
      “I felt quite embarrassed it had happened to me, that I’d just been robbed at gunpoint.
      “I got into Omar’s car and we drove around the corner because I didn’t want to be around the area.
      “I did a 30-minute interview in the police car. I told them what happened, how it happened.”
      Amir and Faryal then returned to their room at the May Fair Hotel in central London, where she was in floods of tears.
      The boxer added: “I could feel how scared Faryal was. I sat with her and told her it’s fine, the watch is materialistic.
      “She said, ‘What if the kids were with us? What if they shot you and killed you? The kids love you so much, you’re a good father to them, they would miss you so much’.
      The former world champ handed over his £72,000 watch at gunpoint in LondonCredit: Central News
      “I had the worst sleep that night. It was like the sleep I have the day before a fight. I was very uneasy.”
      Yesterday Amir was revealed to be a star of next month’s I’m A Celebrity South African special — after a stint on the show in 2017.
      He retired from boxing last year having won 34 of 40 fights, 21 by knockout, and with a silver medal for Great Britain at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
      He is now based in Dubai but returns to England once a month for a week for charity and TV work.
      Since the attack he pays £600 a day on security in the UK.
      Bolton-born Amir said: “The UK isn’t a safe place any more.
      “It’s like living in Mexico. I don’t feel comfortable. I love England. I won a medal for the country but I stay in Dubai now because it’s the only place I feel safe. I’ve had my career, won my fights, got money. I just want to be safe.”
      Amir also blasted London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan, saying: “Since he has been in power, London has got so dangerous. He needs to pull his finger out and do something about it.”
      Speaking about the impact of the robbery, he added: “Faryal always says ‘Don’t go out on your own’.
      “She’s always on my back saying, ‘Make sure you take your security with you’.
      “A couple of months after the robbery, I remember walking outside Harrods.
      “It was about 5pm or 6pm, and I had a bag with a T-shirt in. I thought, ‘Oh s**t, it’s not safe for me to walk’.
      “A guy asked me for a picture, and I’m always happy to do that, but I felt very uneasy.”
      Amir had bought the stolen watch — a Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph — after his December 2014 victory over American welterweight Devon Alexander in Las Vegas.
      Amir said: “I always buy a watch after a fight. It was quite sentimental. I got it after I won to treat myself.”
      Speaking about the impact of the robbery, Amir said: ‘Faryal always says ‘Don’t go out on your own’Credit: Doug Seeburg
      Recalling the ordeal, Amir said: ‘Faryal ran back on to the road and I just froze’
      Two weeks before the robbery he stopped paying £15,000 a year insurance for around £600,000 worth of watches.
      He had been paying the premium for ten years but felt safe having never been targeted before.
      Faryal, who married Amir in 2013, said of the ordeal: “I saw a really tall guy like hugging Amir.
      “Amir seemed to be laughing, I think he thought it was a fan.
      “Suddenly I saw a gun . . . I was on the phone to my best friend and just started screaming ‘help, help, help!’
      “I ran into the road as I thought I’d rather get hit by a car than shot. At the time, I thought ­someone had set us up. That they’ve come to shoot me and Amir. I thought, ‘Does Amir have any enemies?’
      “I was worried that while I’m running someone is going to shoot me from the back. It was really, really scary.”
      Faryal added: “I would lie awake at night thinking, ‘What if we both got killed?’ It took me a good few months to get over it.
      “After the incident, we sorted out our wills and a trust for the kids. It was a big wake-up call.”
      She said it brought her and Amir closer.
      She said: “It hit me that I could’ve lost Amir.
      “It makes you appreciate each other a lot more.
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      “He’s the love of my life, my husband, the father of my children.
      “If I lost him, I don’t think I could ever recover from that.”
      Cops hunt suspects
      POLICE sought help to find suspect Hamza Kulane who they want to quiz over the raid.
      Alleged spotters Nurul Amin, 25, and Ismail Mohamed, 24, were cleared of conspiracy to rob on Friday after a two-week trial.
      Gunman Dante Campbell, 20, and crony Ahmed Bana, 25, have admitted conspiracy to rob and possessing an imitation firearm.
      They will be sentenced later.
      Jurors were shown CCTV film of Amir’s ordeal.
      He told Snaresbrook crown court: “I’m a sportsman, a fighter. I’ve been in the toughest situations but this is something different. This is really scary.” More

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      Tommy Fury cryptically hints Tyson is NOT the reason Usyk fight fell apart and claims it WILL go ahead

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      TOMMY FURY has cryptically hinted that brother Tyson was NOT the reason his fight against Oleksandr Usyk collapsed.And the first boxer to beat Jake Paul reckons the highly-anticipated undisputed heavyweight title clash WILL eventually go ahead.
      Tommy Fury hints brother Tyson is not to blame for the collapse of talks with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      A fight with Usyk would have seen the heavyweight division finally unifiedCredit: Getty
      Talks between Usyk and Fury, also known as the Gypsy King, broke down this week to leave fans feeling flat.
      The duo both reign supreme in the heavyweight division.
      And a bout would have seen one man become top dog of the land.
      Usyk’s camp have blamed the collapse of talks on Fury’s various demands.
      READ MORE ON BOXING
      But his sibling Tommy has hinted Fury is not to blame for the fight going under.
      And he also reckons it will be just a matter of time before Fury vs Usyk becomes a reality.
      Tommy told Soccer AM: ‘He (Tyson) does not like Uysk at the minute. Listen, there’s a lot of politics involved in boxing, but I want to say this first-hand.
      ‘The reason why this fight isn’t getting made isn’t down to Tyson at all. He wants to fight and he’s proved to everybody… he’s gone and fought Deontay Wilder after three years out.’
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      Tommy believes Fury and Usyk will eventually fightCredit: Twitter / @SoccerAM
      He continued: ‘He’ll fight any man. He doesn’t fear any man, especially not a cruiserweight who can’t do anything anyway.
      ‘You know he’s too small. What’s he going to do? It’s not Tyson’s fault. I think all of these fights will happen, but it just takes a while to get made.”
      In the meantime, question marks remain over Fury’s next steps.
      Joe Joyce admits he is desperate to step in after his April 15 clash against Zhilei Zhang.
      And Anthony Joshua conqueror Andy Ruiz Jr has also thrown his hat in the ring as he continues his comeback.
      Promoter Frank Warren has even hinted Fury could now retire for good due to a lack of opponents. More

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      I have to drain blood from my hands after every fight to stop me taking painkillers – these are the gruesome results

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      JONO CARROLL has revealed the gruesome reality of what he has to do to avoid taking painkillers after every fight.The Irish boxer is still revelling in his win over Miguel Marriaga this month, but has shown what he has had to do to recover from the bout.
      Jono Carroll boasts a 24-2-1 record and has won seven of his fights by knockout
      He is currently ranked 11th by the International Boxing Federation
      The 30-year-old took to Instagram to explain to his followers that he has to drain the fluid and blood out of his hand during camps and after fights.
      And he posted a video that is not for the faint-hearted.
      He said: “These are the gross things people don’t see, I need to do this sh*t during camp and after fights just to keep my hands ok,
      “If I don’t do this I’m eating pain killers non stop, the things I do for this sport, just a boy chasing a dream.”
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      The technique is called wet cupping and it is an old medical technique used to reduce inflammation and draw out blood from the area.
      It is very similar to the process of cupping, commonly used within sports such as swimming, where glass cups are applied to create a suction effect to help with inflammation, increasing blood circulation and reduce pain.
      Wet cupping involves making a small puncture in the skin before allowing the suction to then draw out fluids and blood from the required area.

      The fighter has to draw thew blood into a small glass cup on his hand
      A large lump and then bruise is left behind from the cup once the treatment is finished
      Both types of cupping often leave large circular bruises on the skin of the person getting the treatment.
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      Although the technique sounds and looks strange it is very common in the world of sport.
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      Carroll has not currently got another fight planned after his recent victory in Dubai.
      But the Super Featherweight fighter has been rumoured to be facing a battle with Joseph ‘Jojo’ Diaz in the near future. More