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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

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      Chris Eubank Jr reveals two excuses why he was brutally KO’d by Liam Smith in stunning boxing upset

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      CHRIS EUBANK Jr pulled out the excuses and claimed he is still a better fighter than Liam Smith despite being knocked out in the fourth round of their clash.The close encounter was ended in devastating fashion by Smith who rocked Eubank with a flurry of big shots.
      Chris Eubank was full of excuses for his defeat to Liam SmithCredit: Reuters
      Smith stopped Eubank in the fourth roundCredit: Getty
      The Brit hit the canvas but got back up before Smith knocked him down again, leading the ref to call a halt to proceedings.
      Despite the defeat Eubank still believes he is a better fighter and explained a slip caused his second fall.
      The 33-year-old also spoke about only fighting at “50 per cent”, and used that as an excuse for his poor performance.
      Eubank told Sky Sports: “I was dominating the fight and then I got caught. In my mind, I’m still the better fighter.
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      “Obviously I wouldn’t have much of an argument after a loss, but I have an argument to prove I’m the better fighter.
      “He caught me with a once-in-a-lifetime shot. I feel like I was dominating the fight before that happened.

      “Liam came at me again, threw a bunch more punches, I slipped and then the referee stopped it.”
      Eubank was left with a swollen eye and a suspected orbital break but is targeting a rematch against Smith, 34.
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      After the fight his rival Conor Benn, who he was supposed to fight last year, mocked him alongside his dad Nigel.
      Benn laughed at Eubank and suggested their fight would have lasted no longer than two rounds. More

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      Watch ‘inspirational’ Cristiano Ronaldo square up to giant UFC legend Francis Ngannou as he prepares for Al-Nassr debut

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and former UFC heavyweight champion Franci Ngannou jokingly went face-to-face after meeting in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.The football icon, 37, completed a free transfer to Al-Nassr after having his contract at Manchester United ripped up following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
      Ngannou and Ronaldo came face-to-face in SaudiCredit: Instagram @francisngannou
      The pair hugged it outCredit: Instagram @francisngannou
      In that sit-down chat, Ronaldo accused United of betrayal, while also claiming he does not respect the manager, Erik ten Hag.
      A dismal World Cup campaign followed, which saw the five-time Ballon d’Or winner score just once and be benched by hotshot Goncalo Ramos for the knockout stages.
      Portugal lost in the quarter-finals to Morocco, with Ronaldo departing the pitch in floods of tears.
      Long-time rival Lionel Messi went on to captain Argentina to their third-ever World Cup.
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      It didn’t stop Ronaldo from scoring two against Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week, though.
      On Saturday, Ronaldo linked up with MMA free agent Ngannou, who left the UFC following a contract dispute.
      The pair jokingly went face-to-face before hugging it out.
      Ngannou, who is still recovering from injury after undergoing surgery to repair the ACL and MCL in his right knee last year, described 37-year-old Ronaldo as “inspirational”.
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      He said on Twitter: “Great talking with the GOAT in Riyadh today. Very inspirational!”
      Ronaldo is set to make his competitive Al-Nassr debut on Sunday against Ettifaq.
      Ngannou, meanwhile, is mulling over a switch to boxing.
      The Cameroonian got in the ring with Tyson Fury last year after the WBC heavyweight champ saw off Dillian Whyte inside Wembley.
      The pair teased a fight and 2023 is the year it could happen.
      Fury name-dropped Ngannou on Saturday.
      Speaking to SecondsOut, Fury said: “Francis Ngannou, I know you’re out of contract with the UFC.
      “Wanna earn some big boy money? Come see the Gypsy King.
      “Let’s do a big, big fight for the baddest MF on the planet.
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      “Let’s kick it up spicy, in a cage, four-ounce gloves, under Queensberry [boxing rules], and let’s have a badass referee like Iron Mike Tyson.
      “Did I just sell that to the world?” More

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      Gary Neville rips Jamie Carragher with hilarious tweet after Man Utd icon spots him with Liam Smith at Eubank Jr fight

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      GARY NEVILLE ripped Sky Sports pal Jamie Carragher on Twitter after spotting him at the Liam Smith fight last night.Carra, 44, was in attendance as fellow Scouser Smith beat Chris Eubank Jr in Manchester.
      Jamie Carragher hugs Liam Smith in ManchesterCredit: Getty
      Carra shows off his football skills in the ringCredit: Getty
      Prior to the fight, Carragher was spotted by the Sky Box Office cameras.
      Telly sparring partner Neville spotted him while watching thE action on TV and tweeted a cutting jibe.
      He wrote: “Stay clear of him Liam if you want to win Titles 👍🏻”
      Carra famously never won a Prem title during his 17 year Liverpool career.
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      Neville, 47, on the other hand won eight league titles with Manchester United.
      Carragher did manage to get his hands on plenty of other silverware during his time at Anfield, including the Champions League.
      And his presence did Smith no harm last night.
      The 34-year-old stopped Eubank Jr with a fourth-round barrage.
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      Gary Neville spotted Carra on his telly
      After having his hand raised, an elated Smith roared: “I knew all week that I could hurt Chris, I have beaten better guys than Chris and I have proven my chin. I have coped with better guys than Chris.
      “I was judging the distance better as the fight went on and I knew I would get to him in the end.
      “I had said I would hurt him and I wasn’t taking the mick. I knew he could not hurt me and I knew I could hurt him.
      “This is the best atmosphere I have ever felt. I said all week that Chris was kidding people about his chin.
      “I knew I could hurt him, I knew I was the bigger puncher and that’s a fact.
      “If Chris wants the rematch we can do that on my terms.
      “I agreed to the rematch clause beforehand so we can see, I can beat all the best fights at 160lbs and 154lbs.”
      Liam Smith defeated Chris Eubank JrCredit: Getty
      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher love to wind each other upCredit: Getty More

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      Watch Liam Smith’s coach hold back Chris Eubank Jr as shaken boxer tried to fight on despite being brutally knocked out

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      A SHAKEN Chris Eubank Jr had to be held back and protected by Liam Smith’s trainer after trying to fight on despite being knocked out. Eubank was sent crashing to the canvas twice in round four by Smith – marking the first time he was ever dropped as a professional.
      Chris Eubank Jr was knocked out by Liam Smith in round fourCredit: Reuters
      Watch Liam Smith’s trainer Joe McNally rush in from the opposite corner to help Chris Eubank Jr and tell him the fights over. Joe protected Eubank Jr’s health instead of celebrating with Liam. Amazing sportsmanship. pic.twitter.com/SsmEZrdbym— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) January 22, 2023

      A barrage of punches while pinned in the corner forced the first knockdown before then being bundled to the deck again.
      Eubank bravely made it to his feet both times but referee Victor Loughlin had no other choice other than to wave it off.
      The stunned middleweight was stumbling across the ring but tried to fight on even after Loughlin called a halt.
      So much so that Eubank ran up to Smith, believing the bout was still continuing.
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      It took the opposing corner – in the form of coach Joe McNally – to grab Eubank and ensure his safety.
      Eventually the son of British boxing royalty cleared his head to congratulate Smith while insisting he was good to carry on.
      Eubank said: “Big congratulations to him, I felt like I could have gone on but he caught me with a great shot.”
      The beaten boxer has the chance to gain redemption with the right to rematch in his contract.
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      But he could be made to go behind enemy lines against Liverpool’s Smith.
      Eubank said: “If the fans want to see a rematch then we can get it on at Anfield.”
      Smith teased taking the sequel back home to Merseyside having come up in weight to KO Eubank, who was left with a horror eye swell.
      He said: “If Chris wants the rematch we can do that on my terms.
      “I agreed to the rematch clause beforehand so we can see, I can beat all the best fights at 160lbs and 154lbs.”
      Liam Smith knocked down Chris Eubank Jr twiceCredit: PA
      Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith embraceCredit: Getty More

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      Chris Eubank Jr’s coach Roy Jones Jr reveals what beaten boxer told him after Liam Smith KO and confirms plan to rematch

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      ROY JONES JR revealed Chris Eubank Jr was in good spirits after his loss to Liam Smith – with a rematch already on his mind. Eubank was stunned in defeat to Smith in Manchester, hitting the deck twice before being stopped in four rounds.
      Liam Smith knocking down Chris Eubank JrCredit: Getty
      It was the first time the middleweight had ever been put down in his professional career, causing shockwaves across the sport.
      Eubank’s pre-fight boast of being able to beat Smith at just 50 per cent of his ability came back to haunt him in devastating fashion.
      But the son of British boxing royalty amazingly found the funny side of it when he was consoled by his coach.
      Jones told iFL TV: “To be perfectly honest with you, he’s taken it better than I did!
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      “Taking it totally better than I did, he was like, ‘OK, I guess 50 per cent didn’t work, I guess I’ll come back at 75.’
      “And that’s funny because he’s still joking, he’s still having a good time, so he understands, this is boxing and when you fight the best boxers in the world like that and challenge all comers, this might happen.”
      Jones’ cloak of invincibility famously vanished in 2004 when he was knocked out for the first time, by Antonio Tarver.
      The American icon went on to lose four more times by KO as he fought into his 50s.
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      Eubank’s famous father Sr claimed to have never even seen his son buckled in the ring as he tweeted out congratulations to Smith.
      But Jones – a former four-division champion who is now considered one of the all time greats – insisted it happens to the best of them.
      He said: “I just told him, ‘Hey, it’s happens.’
      “We have times in the gym, we have talks in the gym, we have things that we do and until that happens there’s certain things it’s going to be hard for a coach to say to a fighter.
      “Like I told him, I’d rather a body shot to a head shot. He say, ‘No, I’m the other way round, I’d rather get hit with a head shot than a body shot.’
      “Well, he’s never been hurt to the head, so of course he’s going to think that. He’s not going to say anything different because he’s never been down from a head shot.
      “Now, he understands what I mean from that because I’ve experienced that, now he can see what I was talking about.”
      Eubank does have the chance to gain redemption due to a rematch clause in his contract.
      And both fighters have opened the door to a sequel at Anfield.
      Read More on The Sun
      Jones revealed Eubank is up for a second fight but admitted it may not be immediately.
      He said: “I don’t know if he goes straight back into it but I do know he wants it.”
      Chris Eubank Jr with trainer Roy Jones JrCredit: Getty
      Chris Eubank Jr shakes hands with Liam Smith following defeatCredit: PA More