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      Tyson Fury set to open talks with Saudis over deal to fight Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh in unification world title bout

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      TYSON FURY is set to open talks with the Saudis to finalise his historic undisputed title fight with Oleksandr Usyk. The pair of unbeaten champions are negotiating the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout.
      Tyson Fury is in talks to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
      And due to the magnitude of the title fight, the Middle East are frontrunners to host with a mega fee to prise both men over to the desert.
      Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum says Usyk’s side have already agreed a financial package they are happy with.
      And now it could be over to the Gypsy King to do the same in order to get the genuine super-fight over the line.
      Arum told Gareth A Davies: “I think the fighters want to fight each other, the question is where and the question is under what terms.
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      “If the fight ends up in Saudi Arabia each fighter will make his deal with the Saudis.
      “Usyk’s people tell me that they have a deal that they’re satisfied with and now and if the Saudis are truly interested they’ll make a deal with us for Tyson Fury and we’re off to the races.
      “The fight would take place either before or after Ramadan but the fighters don’t need a long window to prepare if it’s after Ramadan because neither are Muslim.”
      It is claimed April 29 is a date being explored for the fight, which will likely land in Saudi Arabia or Wembley Stadium.
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      Hall of Famer Arum is in town this week as his fighter Artur Beterbiev, 38, defends his unified light-heavyweight titles against Anthony Yarde, 31.
      And he plans for further talks with Fury’s UK promotional team of Frank Warren and son George.
      Arum said: “I’m going over to London next week for the Artur Beterbiev – Anthony Yarde world title fight so I’ll be liaising in person with Frank and George and we’ll make whatever alternate arrangements we have to.”
      Oleksandr Usyk, Bob Arum and Tyson Fury in New York in 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Floyd Mayweather announces fight against Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers in shock event at O2 Arena

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has announced he will fight Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers at the O2 Arena in February.The unbeaten American boxing legend was already set to show off his skills in the UK next month.
      Floyd Mayweather will fight Aaron Chalmers at the O2 Arena in FebruaryCredit: https://www.instagram.com/floydmayweather/?hl=en
      But his original bout against Liam Harrison was KO’d on Friday after the Brit suffered a knee injury.
      It saw Mayweather scour the sparring world for a new opponent.
      And he has now revealed he will be taking on reality TV star-turned-MMA fighter Chalmers at the O2.
      Alongside a poster of the event, Mayweather wrote on social media: “London. This will be my first time showcasing my talent live on Feb. 25th. I want the whole UK at the O2 Arena.”
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      A second message added: “Different face, different name, same results. London we are still rocking and rolling on Feb. 25th at the O2 Arena. Tickets will be on sale soon. Stay tuned!!”
      Mayweather, 45, retired with a perfect 50-0 professional record following his win over Conor McGregor in 2017.
      But he is no stranger to exhibition fights since then, battling the likes of YouTuber-turned-WWE star Logan Paul and kickboxing legend Tenshin Nasukawa.
      Mayweather’s latest win came against KSI’s brother Deji in November.
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      Mayweather has had several exhibition bouts, including one against Logan PaulCredit: AP
      Chalmers last fought in MMA two years agoCredit: Sportsfile
      But he arguably faces his toughest exhibition yet in Chalmers.
      The 35-year-old made his name as a party-loving member of the Geordie Shore cast.
      However, Chalmers made his way into MMA with BAMMA in 2017 before becoming a Bellator star.
      Chalmers won five of his seven pro bouts before retiring in 2021 after losing to Austin Clem.
      But he’s now ready to step into the world of boxing with a baptism of fire against Mayweather, one of the sport’s greatest ever. More

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      Conor Benn could fight Manny Pacquiao in stunning comeback after failed drug tests and cancelled Chris Eubank Jr bout

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      CONOR BENN could make his boxing return in an Abu Dhabi spectacular against ring legend Manny Pacquiao.The 26-year-old welterweight had his October catchweight clash at the O2 with Chris Eubank Jr cancelled by the British Boxing Board of Control after traces of the banned substance clomifene was found in two of his VADA samples.
      Conor Benn could make his return to the ring after his fight with Chris Eubank Jr was cancelledCredit: Getty
      The fight with Eubank Jr was cancelled after traces of the banned substance clomifene were found in two of his drug testsCredit: Reuters
      Benn could fight iconic Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao next insteadCredit: AFP
      The son of British legend Nigel insists he is close to clearing his name with the WBC – who decided against taking any action against the July and September red flags.
      But he has ripped up his BBBofC licence –  after passing two UKAD tests in the build-up and being stunned that the Board chose to overlook their results and investigate those from an agency they do not usually recognise – so is set to fight abroad.
      Eubank Jr appeared to rush into Saturday night’s high-risk-low-reward middleweight war with Liam Smith, assuming the Benn fight would always be there, whatever the result.
      But the violent fourth-round stoppage Smith inflicted on Eubank Jr – and a mega-money offer from the Middle East – could offer Benn a very different route back into the sport, against the 44-year-old former eight-weight champion.
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      Iconic Filipino PacMan put his political career on hold and followed old rival Floyd Mayweather onto the exhibition circuit in December, with an unlicensed six-rounder in South Korea against celebrity boxing debutant DK Yoo.
      The magnificent southpaw has 72 real fights on his record and world titles from flyweight up to super-welterweight.
      And he still took younger and bigger welterweight Yordenis Ugas the distance when they met in Pacquiao’s last serious bout, in an August 2021 world title clash he lost on points.
      By contrast, Benn is just 21-0, 18 years younger and yet to win a domestic or world title.
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      But Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn announced a mega-money partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism last year.
      And he is eager to host major crossover events that appeal to different generations as well as demographics.
      SunSport understands Benn remains very open to the Eubank Jr clash taking place.
      But he believes his potential exoneration with the WBC – and Eubank Jr’s need to rebuild – puts him back in a position of power way above his rival.
      In the build-up to the Smith defeat – that left Jr with what looked like a broken cheekbone – Eubank insisted the Benn battle would be rearranged but the weight category and purse percentages swapping into his favour.
      But Benn, who has had almost four months to explore alternative career plans while fighting his case, has never been under a ban and now feels like he has bigger and better options to return with.
      Hearn, who shows his fights on the streaming app DAZN, said: “ We’re waiting on a decision from the WBC.  
      “The WBC confirmed that Conor Benn is cleared to fight. There’s still an ongoing process with the WBC. We just want that decision because Conor Benn can fight now.
      Eddie Hearn has said that Benn is able to fightCredit: Getty
      “He’s going to fight soon but publicly, we want him to be cleared. 
      “We don’t want this to be hanging over him but also his career has to resume at some point. 
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      “So, we’re looking at opponents for Conor Benn for late Spring and he still wants that Eubank fight, Manny Pacquiao.
      “Hopefully, we’ll get that decision soon, but he’s confirmed that he’s cleared to fight. We’d like that public announcement regarding the findings.” More

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      Anthony Joshua agrees to fight American Jermaine Franklin at O2 on April 1 in huge make-or-break comeback fight

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA will return to the ring against American Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena on April 1.The two-time world heavyweight champion, 33, has not fought since losing to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in Saudi Arabia five months ago.
      Anthony Joshua has not won since beating Kubrat Pulev in December 2020Credit: AFP
      Jermaine Franklin, right, lost a close decision to Dillian Whyte in NovemberCredit: Getty
      The defeat was AJ’s third as a professional following his knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 and schooling by Usyk in 2021.
      The 2012 Olympic gold medallist was then linked with a December clash against long-time British rival Tyson Fury.

      But when talks broke down, it quickly became apparent Joshua would not return to the ring until 2023.
      Now The Mail are claiming the paperwork for an AJ-Franklin clash is set to be signed on Monday afternoon.
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      The financials for the fight have been agreed, with the deal expected to be finalised imminently.
      It will see Joshua return to the O2 Arena for the first time since he beat Dominic Breazeale in June 2016.
      And he will be looking to secure a first win in more than two years when he faces Franklin in a make-or-break heavyweight dust-up.
      Franklin, 29, saw his unbeaten pro record end with a majority decision defeat to Dillian Whyte back in November.
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      The Michigan-born boxer felt he did enough to win the fight – with one judge scoring it 115-115 – but the other two officials gave it 116-112 in Whyte’s favour,
      Despite the loss, Franklin’s promoter, Dmitry Salita, has insisted his man would beat Joshua.
      He said: “Joshua, coming off two losses, changing trainers, is vulnerable.
      ‘Let’s be honest. Jermaine realises it. He feels like he has his own future and path.
      “He’s ready to go out there and score the upset. Some feel like it could be an upset, and some don’t. But Jermaine’s going out there looking to score the win. 
      “After, he wants the rematch with Dillian Whyte, and then he wants to fight the winner of [Tyson] Fury vs. Usyk.”
      A loss for Joshua against Franklin could end his hopes of becoming a three-time heavyweight champion.
      It will be AJ’s first non-world title bout since 2015 when he knocked out Whyte to win the British crown. More

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      ‘I love this mentality’ – Aaron Ramsdale lauded by KSI after predicting Arsenal would beat Man Utd days before game

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      ARSENAL goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been praised by YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI after he predicted his side would beat Manchester United.The Gunners maintained their five point lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-2 win over the Red Devils thanks to Eddie Nketiah’s late goal.

      KSI has hailed Aaron Ramsdale’s mentalityCredit: PA
      Aaron Ramsdale didn’t break his promise doing the celebration he was asked to do as Arsenal beat Man UtdCredit: Rex
      Arsenal have only lost one match in the division this season, the 3-1 defeat earlier in the campaign to Man Utd but it did not impact Ramsdale’s confidence going into the game.
      The stopper asked The Fellas podcast in the days before the game that he wanted to be given a celebration, he said: “When we win this weekend give me something to do.”
      Hosts Calfreezy and The Burnt Chip asked him to pretend to move a curtain style haircut in relation to an old pic of Chip.
      Ramsdale obliged doing the celebration on the pitch after Bukayo Saka’s incredible goal.
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      However, it was the belief Ramsdale showed in his answer that did not go unnoticed by Arsenal fan KSI.
      He tweeted in response to the clip: “‘When we win’ I love this mentality man.”
      Fans loved the situation, one said: “Ramsdale is the GOAT.”
      Another replied: “Champion mentality.”
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      Some couldn’t believe the England star did the celebration: “He did it. Fair play.”
      A fourth told KSI: “One day you should make a video or something and explain how to keep a good mentality like yours.”
      The internet sensation knows the important of confidence ahead of a crunch clash as he is undefeated in the boxing ring after six fights.
      KSI recently beat FaZe Temperrr at Wembley Arena moving him one step closer to facing rival Jake Paul in a hugely anticipated bout. More

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      Anthony Joshua’s new coach tipped to get Brit to ‘apply the pressure’ again as he preps for do-or-die comeback fight

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA’S new coach has been tipped to get the former heavyweight champion “applying the pressure” again.The Brit has a huge year ahead of him as he looks to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
      Anthony Joshua is set to return to action in AprilCredit: Reuters
      Joshua, 33, has not confirmed his new coach, but is believed to be working with Derrick James.
      Roy Jones Jr reckons that James is a brilliant appointment, and can get AJ back to his best.
      Jones, 54, told Pro Boxing Fans: “Great decision, great decision.
      “I told him before he did it that I thought it was a great decision, a great move.
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      “I said if you feel comfortable there, don’t keep going around looking. If you’re comfortable, stay where you’re comfortable.
      “[I told him], don’t come to me, it’ll just confuse you more. And now he’ll be like, ‘Should I go here or…?’ No — don’t do that. If you’re comfortable there, stay there, where you’re at.
      “And then a couple of days later he said OK.
      “He stayed with James, and that was perfect for him because I think James may be able to get him to apply the type of pressure that he needs to apply as a bigger man when he fights people like Usyk.”
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      Roy Jones Jr reckons that AJ has made a brilliant coaching appointmentCredit: Getty
      Joshua is expected to make his much-anticipated return to the ring in early April.
      As revealed by SunSport over the weekend, Jermaine Franklin is one of three names in the frame to be Joshua’s next opponent.
      Franklin’s team are in talks with AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn – while Demsey McKean and Gerald Washington are also in the frame.
      This will be the second time in a row that AJ has gone into a bout with a new team, having ditched Rob McCracken last year and worked with Robert Garcia ahead of his Usyk rematch.
      Joshua will fight at London’s O2 Arena on April 1 for the first time in seven years.
      Quizzed if AJ can be a champion again, Jones Jr said: “Of course he can. Of course he can.
      “He’s a very intelligent fighter, he’s a very talented fighter. Of course he can become world champion again.”
      ‘JOSHUA IS AN AMAZING HEAVYWEIGHT’
      Franklin’s promoter Dmitriy Salita told SunSport: “I think that Jermaine is one of the frontrunners.
      “Joshua is an amazing heavyweight. But at this point the question is how much does Joshua want to test himself and risk?
      “Jermaine is waiting for confirmation and the fight announcement press conference.
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      “Jermaine’s side is on board as soon as Joshua gives that green light.”
      Last time out in November, Franklin, 29, lost a controversial decision to Dillian Whyte at Wembley Arena.
      Jermaine Franklin was last in action against Dillian WhyteCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury reveals imminent Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury announcement and plan to wear ‘blonde wig’ to train brother for bout

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      TYSON FURY has claimed his brother’s long-awaited fight with Jake Paul is finally on the verge of being confirmed.And the WBC heavyweight champion revealed he will train his younger sibling for the bout wearing a “blonde wig” to mimic his loud-mouthed YouTuber-turned boxer rival.
      Tyson Fury says Tommy Fury’s fight with Jake Paul is imminentCredit: YouTube @secondsout
      The WBC champ also has a special plan to train his younger brother TommyCredit: Getty
      The foes are set to announce the latest rescheduling of their grudge match, slated for February 25 in Saudi Arabia
      This is the third time the pair will attempt to settle their score in the ring.
      Fury, 23, was forced to pull out in December 2021 due to a rib injury and then last August amid a US visa issue.
      The travel woe still persists today, which left the UK and Middle East as frontrunners to host the bitter bout.
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      Paul, 26, even offered to travel to Manchester on February 18 and fight Fury on enemy territory.
      But a more lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia a week later was proposed and looks to have won the race.
      And now Fury, who is closing in on his own mega-fight with Oleksandr Usyk to unify the heavyweight titles, says it is also confirmed.
      The Gypsy King told Seconds Out: “Tommy and Jake Paul have got it going on. That’s an imminent announcement coming up for that as well.
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      “Yeah, we’re almost over the line with that, we should be announcing that quite soon. I’m not going to announce it because they’ve got to do it themselves.”
      And Fury also shed light on how he will prepare his brother for the showdown.
      He added: “Yeah I’m going to put a blonde wig on, and I’m going to chat absolute boll***s every day in the gym just to get him going.”
      Tommy Fury last boxed in Dubai in November in a last-minute exhibition against Rolly Lambert, 33 and has a pro record of 8-0 in the ring.
      Paul beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 46, to mark the biggest win in his 6-0 career the month previous to that.
      He will wear a blonde wig in training to mimic Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images More

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      Anthony Joshua branded a ‘tosser’ by Tyson Fury as Gypsy King permanently closes door on Battle of Britain

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      TYSON FURY has closed the door on a Battle of Britain with “tosser” Anthony Joshua.The pair were on course for a shock domestic dust-up last December after Fury’s offering of a shock world title lifeline but the blockbuster showdown failed to come to fruition.
      Tyson Fury offered Anthony Joshua a shock world title lifeline before fighting Derek Chisora last yearCredit: Getty
      But a historic and blockbuster Battle of Britain failed to come to fruitionCredit: GETTY
      Gypsy King Fury has officially closed the door on the domestic dust-upCredit: PA
      British boxing fans are still hoping the grudge match will one happen, but Fury has well and truly moved on from the bout.
      He said: “I am not even interested in talking about that tosser, that fight is in the past.”
      Fury, 34, is gearing up for a historic undisputed heavyweight showdown with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
      The mouthwatering clash was initially targeted for March 4 but is now expected to take place in April.
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      Co-promoter Frank Waren told talkSPORT this week: “We’re expecting a couple of offers this week, but none of them have come through and then Tyson has to make his decision.
      “I hope it’s going to happen at the end of March, early April, that’s where we’re looking at the moment.
      “So, fingers crossed we get it over the line for that date, but it will definitely, definitely happen.”
      He added: “We’re very far down the road. But there are a couple of things we’ve got to work on.
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      “We’re trying to get to a point where we can announce it fairly soon and we all think it’s going to happen.”
      Former two-time unified heavyweight king Joshua, meanwhile, is looking to rebuild his career following consecutive losses to pound-for-pound king Uysk.
      AJ is on course to return to the ring on April 1 in what promoter Eddie Hearn believes is a must-win fight.
      The Matchroom Boxing chief recently admitted: “You go into that fight in April and you know that defeat, it’s all over, really.
      “It would be a third back-to-back defeat and yet a great performance and a showroom knockout will get everyone saying, ‘We’re back, baby.’
      “That’s what I can’t wait for because I love it when our backs are against the wall.
      “I’m excited. I’m really excited.
      “This is the most excited I’ve been in Joshua’s journey so far.” More