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      Anthony Joshua told to ‘give fans what they want’ by likely opponent as talks over crucial April showdown continue

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      JERMAINE FRANKLIN has urged Anthony Joshua to “give fans what they want” and sign on the dotted line.The American is the front-runner to be the man opposite the former two-time unified heavyweight champion in his crucial April comeback fight.
      Anthony Joshua is on course to return to the ring in AprilCredit: GETTY
      Several names are in the running to face AJ in his crunch return boutCredit: GETTY
      American Jermaine Franklin has publicly laid down the gauntlet to AJCredit: GETTY
      SunSport understands talks are progressing well but a deal has not yet been reached, which has prompted Franklin to take to social media to try get the fight over the line.
      Along with a twinned picture of himself and AJ, the 29-year-old tweeted: “I’m ready.
      “Time to give the fans what they want.
      “Two great boxers who want to put the fans’ interest first, USA vs UK.”
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      An official offer has yet to be tabled to Franklin, although that hasn’t dampened his excitement at potentially facing the golden boy of British boxing.
      Promoter Dmirty Salita told Sky Sports: “Yes, Jermaine is excited about the opportunity to once again show the British boxing fans that he is the best American heavyweight in the world.
      “As you saw in the [Dillian] Whyte fight, Jermaine is not intimidated by a big name even if it’s thousands of miles away from home.
      “His mindset is to be the heavyweight champion of the world. Beat Joshua, beat Whyte in the rematch and fight the winner of Fury vs Usyk.”
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      Franklin suffered a controversial points defeat to Brixton Body Snatcher Whyte last November.
      Joshua, meanwhile, endured a second successive decision defeat to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk last August.
      Defeat to the Ukrainian has put AJ on the periphery of the world title picture, so much so he can ill-afford another loss.
      Promoter Eddie Hearn 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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      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk moved back as Frank Warren reveals new fight date target for blockbuster undisputed bout

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      TYSON FURY’s historic showdown with Oleksandr Usyk is set to take place later than initially expected.Talks over a blockbuster undisputed clash between the undefeated heavyweights resumed after Fury’s lopsided beatdown of Derek Chisora last December.
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are on course for a blockbuster undisputed boutCredit: REUTERS
      The mega-fight was initially targeted for March 4Credit: GETTY
      But promoter Frank Warren has revealed the bout will likely happen in early AprilCredit: PA
      March 4 was the initial working date, but Fury co-promoter Frank Warren has revealed a delay in finalising the deal has paved the way for an “early April” dust-up instead.
      During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “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.”
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      Negotiations are understood to be at an advanced stage, with a site deal one of the few matters to be resolved.
      Warren said: “We’re very far down the road, but there are a couple of things we’ve got to work on.
      “We’re trying to get to a point where we can announce it fairly soon and we all think it’s going to happen.”
      Despite the delay, Warren insists Usyk and his team have been easy to work with.
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      He said: “They have no promotional ties, they are free agents, they have no TV contracts, so that side of it is very simple.
      The first undisputed heavyweight title fight in nearly 24 years is expected to land in the Middle East, although Warren has refused to rule out the prospect of it taking place at Wembley.
      He said: “Tyson’s the attraction.
      “In his last two fights, he’s had 160,000 people watching.
      “But we’re working it out and they’re sensible people and we’re sensible people.”
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have been going back and forth on social mediaCredit: Reuters
      WBC king Fury has been on the receiving end of multiple call outs from slick southpaw Usyk of late, which he responded to on Tuesday.
      In a video on his social media channels, he said: “Tyson Fury here.
      “WBC heavyweight number one – get up world champion!
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      “Usyk, calling out the Gypsy King with your pathetic little callouts, dosser.
      “Rabbit. I’m coming for you, rabbit. You’re getting it, rabbit.” More

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      KSI names THREE potential opponents for next fight including ex-UFC champion, unbeaten boxer and YouTube star

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      KSI has named THREE potential opponents for his next fight as he builds towards a massive grudge match with Jake Paul. The YouTube, music and crossover boxing star returned to the ring last Saturday at Wembley Arena against online rival Faze Temperrr.
      KSI celebrates after defeating Faze TemperrrCredit: Getty
      KSI, 29, was due to face Dillon Danis, 29, a 2-0 MMA fighter commonly known as Conor McGregor’s training partner.
      But Danis pulled out on less than two weeks notice, with gamer Temperr, 29, called up from the undercard in replacement.
      In the end, it mattered little who was in the other corner as KSI knocked Temperrr out in round one with with a two-punch combination.
      Afterwards, he called out Paul, 26, but insisted he will have one more bout until an end of year blockbuster with the American.
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      And KSI discussed who his next fight could be against while in a Twitter Space discussion with Tolbzter.
      He said: “Look, I’ve got several options. I think tomorrow I’m going to have a little call with my team, figure out what we’re going to do.
      “There’s plenty of options. We can have a few MisFits events to try and help with our options.
      “But obviously a lot of people are saying me versus Salt Papi, and you know that could be an option.
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      “A lot of people are saying me and obviously [Joe] Fournier, me and Woodley, etc.”
      Salt Papi, 28, shot to fame on TikTok but has been impressing in the boxing ring with three wins.
      He has scored two brutal knockouts on KSI’s undercard, most recently at Wembley against vlogger and MMA fighter Josh Brueckner, 27.
      Millionaire nightclub tycoon-turned 9-0 boxer Fournier, 39, was also in attendance to watch KSI’s win.
      The pair faced off after Temperrr was knocked out, fuelling speculation of a summer bout.
      “I didn’t want to go round just bullying the other YouTuber influencers in this space because I’m trying to help grow them.KSI
      And Woodley, 40, the ex-UFC welterweight champion, has twice crossed over to boxing in defeats to Paul.
      He was beaten on points in August 2021 before a brutal KO loss four months later in their rematch.
      Both Woodley and Fournier were considered before Danis signed to fight KSI, only to pull out.
      KSI has admitted he is keeping his options open and refusing to be nailed down to a next opponent.
      He said: “No one is set in stone. I said beforehand, there’s levels to this and I’m on a different level.
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      “I didn’t want to fight another YouTuber in this space, I kind of wanted to fight someone like Dillon, then me fight Fournier and then Jake.
      “I didn’t want to go round just bullying the other YouTuber influencers in this space because I’m trying to help grow them.”
      Salt Papi knocked out Josh BruecknerCredit: Getty
      KSI squares up with potential opponent Joe FournierCredit: Getty
      Tyron Woodley was knocked out by Jake Paul in their rematchCredit: SHOWTIME More

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      Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua called out by Francis Ngannou after UFC exit as heavyweight star eyes boxing switch

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has called out Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua after leaving the UFC. The heavyweight has walked out as UFC champion after failing to agree a new contract with the MMA powerhouse.
      Francis Ngannou has called out Tyson Fury and Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022Credit: Reuters
      Anthony Joshua before his first fight with Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021Credit: Getty
      Now Ngannou, 36, is ready to realise his long-standing dream of making it as a professional boxer.
      And he is wasting no time in calling out two of sport’s best in Fury, 34, and Joshua, 33.
      Ngannou said on The MMA Hour: “I still want to achieve something in boxing and I want to stay in MMA as well.
      “I discovered MMA first in my life and I feel like I have some mileage to give in my sport.
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      “In a perfect world, I go out there get some boxing match then get some MMA, depending on the challenges that are out there.
      “If they are out there, I want to fight the top guys in boxing. I don’t know, I think Fury has retired and come back.
      “I don’t know where Fury is right now, but now it is time. Before, we could not do anything concrete beyond the social media stuff.
      “Whatever it is, if it is with Tyson Fury, I will take it. I have no problem doing boxing with 4oz gloves, we will figure it out.
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      “Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent.”
      Fury faced off against Ngannou in April after he knocked out Dillian Whyte, 34, at Wembley.
      But at the time, the Cameroonian was injured and still in talks to extend his UFC deal.
      The UFC prohibit their stars from fighting outside of the promotion, unless given special permission.
      Conor McGregor, 34, was given so in 2017 for his loss to American legend Floyd Mayweather, 45.
      But Ngannou was told he would not be allowed to replicate McGregor’s move, leaving him unwilling to be tied down to one promotion.
      He said: “In that contract, I’m not free. I’m not an independent contractor. I have no rights.
      “I hand over all the power to you guys. I’ve seen in the past how you guys can utilise your power against me, and I don’t want that.”
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      Francis Ngannou with UFC president Dana White in January 2022Credit: Getty More

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      Anthony Joshua was a ‘beast’ until he ‘started to box too much’ says unbeaten heavyweight Filip Hrgovic

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      FILIP HRGOVIC said Anthony Joshua was a “beast” until he “started to box too much”. AJ was beaten for the first time in June 2019, losing in round seven to Andy Ruiz Jr after four knockdowns.
      Filip Hrgovic said Anthony Joshua was a ‘beast’ until he ‘started to box too much’Credit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua is set for a boxing return in AprilCredit: Getty
      But he reformed his style to outbox Ruiz, 33, in their Saudi Arabia rematch six months later.
      Although the same tactics saw him twice lose to Oleksandr Usyk, 36, leaving Joshua, 33, in a must-win return fight this year.
      Unbeaten contender Hrgovic, 30, is one of the opponents linked with AJ and the Croatian had a brutal assessment of the Brit.
      He told Tru School Sports: “I’m careful not to learn too much and become something that I’m not, take away my advantages.
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      “I think that happened to Anthony Joshua. He was a beast.
      “He was a knockout artist and then he started to learn too much about boxing and he started to box too much, overthinking.” 
      Hrgovic narrowly beat Zhang Zhilei, 39, on the undercard of Joshua’s rematch defeat to Usyk in August.
      And he is one of the emerging candidates to welcome AJ back to the ring on his proposed April 1 comeback fight.
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      But as revealed by SunSport, American Jermaine Franklin, 29, is leading the race.
      Franklin was beaten by Dillian Whyte, 34, in November which was a disputed decision Joshua was ringside for.
      Southpaws Otto Wallin, 30, and Demsey McKean, 32, who are both ex-sparring partners of AJ’s, are also named in the list.
      Dillian Whyte beat Jermaine Franklin in a disputed decisionCredit: Getty More

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      ‘I’m coming for you’ – Tyson Fury slams Oleksandr Usyk for ‘pathetic’ callout and vows to ‘bust up’ rival in response

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      TYSON FURY has hit back after Oleksandr Usyk’s “pathetic” callout and responded: “I’m coming for you.” The pair of unbeaten champions are in talks for a historic undisputed title decider this year.
      Tyson Fury has hit back after Oleksandr Usyk’s ‘pathetic’ calloutCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Oleksandr Usyk calling Tyson Fury out online
      But no deal has yet been agreed, much to the frustration of Usyk, who called Fury “belly” and tweeted: “Where are you?”
      It did not take long for a response, as Fury replied: “Usyk, calling out the Gypsy King with your pathetic little callouts, dosser.
      “Rabbit, I’m coming for you rabbit. You’re getting it rabbit. And I’ll tell you what else, I’m going to bust you up real bad you little middleweight.
      “I’m going to slap you into a big pile of tattoos, sucker.”
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      Never in heavyweight history have all four belts been contested for.
      And such is the magnitude of of the title unification, the Middle East have emerged as frontrunners to offer millions to host.
      But Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum warned attention will switch to London if the lucrative deal is not tabled.
      Arum told BoxingScene: “Everybody agreed that if [Saudi Arabia’s] offer comes through and it’s real, that’s how we’ll go.
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      “If not, we’ll do the fight at Wembley.”
      Usyk, 36, beat Anthony Joshua, 33, twice to win and retain the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
      And he travelled to Tottenham in December to watch Fury, 34, defend his WBC belt against Derek Chisora, 38, in ten one-sided rounds.
      He filled out almost 60,000 seats, taking his ticket sales to over 150,000 in 2022 after knocking out Dillian Whyte, 34, at Wembley last April.
      And Arum argues if the super-fight against Usyk is taken to England, Fury should be rewarded for his box office appeal.
      He said: “The fighters have agreed to fight.
      I’m going to bust you up real bad you little middleweight. I’m going to slap you into a big pile of tattoos, sucker.Tyson Fury to Oleksandr Usyk
      “I spoke to Frank Warren. We’re giving them until [this] week to come with their offer, which I believe we’ll get.
      “If we don’t, then we’re gonna do the fight at Wembley. And then we’d have to talk about the percentages because Usyk wants 50-50.
      “That’s not right if the fight’s at Wembley because there will be 95,000 Brits at the fight and big Brit pay-per-view money, so Tyson deserves the lion’s share.
      “But we don’t get to that point if the [investors in Saudi Arabia] come through, because the way they operate is they make deals with each of the fighters.
      “We’ve been led to believe that they’re going to come with a proposal [this] week.
      “I’ll believe it when I see it, but it’s not like they haven’t come through in the past.”
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      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk squaring up in DecemberCredit: Reuters More

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      Chris Eubank Jr was left ‘whinging’ in Liam Smith sparring after body shot, says trainer Joe Gallagher ahead of fight

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR was left “whinging” after a body shot from Liam Smith in sparring, trainer Joe Gallagher said. The British rivals are set for a middleweight pay-per-view clash on Saturday in Manchester.
      Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith ahead of their fightCredit: PA
      But it will not be the first time the pair have shared the ring, following a disputed sparring session in Bolton.
      Coach Gallagher, who formerly cornered Smith, was there that day and claimed the ex-world champion hurt Eubank to the body.
      He told Sky Sports: “It was a good spar. Liam did catch Chris with a good body shot.
      “It wasn’t a body shot that he fell on the floor, he walked around holding his side, whinging a little bit but he recovered and carried on.
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      “But Liam did have his moment in the spar in there and I think that’s what’s given Liam huge confidence going into this.”
      Eubank, 33, has claimed to not even remember the sparring session, or the alleged body shot.
      He said: “I don’t remember if I hurt him. He says he hurt me to the body and nearly put me on the canvas. I think that is a whimsical tale.
      “We’re both probably two different fighters compared to what we were back then. Well, I know I am; he may not be, but I am.”
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      But Smith, 34, insisted: “I know Chris can be hurt to the body; I’ve openly said it, I know I hurt him to the body.
      “He’ll tell you different, but he’s telling you he’s never been hurt in his life, so that’s just Chris.
      “Obviously size made it an even spar, and that’s what I’m trying to say now. Size here is making this fight a 50-50, or a great fight as people are saying.”
      (Left to right) Ross Enamait, Katie Taylor, Natasha Jonas and Joe GallagherCredit: Matchroom Boxing More

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      Anthony Joshua backed to become ‘dangerous’ again by Roy Jones Jr after linking up with trainer Derrick James

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      ROY JONES JR has backed Anthony Joshua to become “dangerous” again after linking up with coach Derrick James. Joshua is set to announce trainer of the year candidate James as his new cornerman ahead of his scheduled boxing return in April.
      Anthony Joshua training in TexasCredit: Instagram / @anthonyjoshua
      Roy Jones Jr pictured with Chris Eubank JrCredit: Instagram / @chriseubankjr
      The Texan mastermind has led Errol Spence Jr, 32, to unified welterweight titles and Jermell Charlo, 32, to undisputed light-middleweight glory.
      And boxing legend Jones, 54, believes it is the kind of form that can steer Joshua, 33, back to his brutal best.
      He told Vegas Insider: “Derrick James is a great trainer, he’s doing great things with Errol Spence, he’s achieving more than people ever thought he would, so I think James will be a great trainer, that’s why I told him if the chemistry is good he should stick with it.
      “I think James is the right man for the job and can help Joshua with his confidence and his game.
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      “The way that Spence fights with the pressure, I think he will be a great teacher for Joshua because he does need to learn how to apply the pressure, he’s most dangerous when he applies that pressure.
      “That’s why I think it will be the right fit. If I knew he was considering James in the beginning I would have told him straight away James will be a good fit.”
      Joshua split with Rob McCracken after his first loss to Oleksandr Usyk, 36, in September 2021.
      And he hired American Robert Garcia for the Saudi Arabia rematch 11 months later.
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      But again AJ was beaten and forced to go back to the drawing board, which meant Garcia was also let go.
      Jones, who currently coaches Chris Eubank Jr, 33, offered his services, but never heard back.
      He said: “We had had a couple of conversations about him coming to Brighton to trial me with, to see if we had any chemistry but we did not get to that stage, he did not come to Brighton. 
      “He went to the United States and met with Derrick James first before we had a chance to get together.
      “I feel if you have the chemistry and the right connection there’s no point in going back and forth, trying out different trainers.
      “I texted him a message as I heard he’d been in America with James and just said maybe it’s good to stick with James if there’s chemistry as I do not want to make it harder for you to make a decision, going back and forth. 
      “He did not get back to me but I wish him all the best.”
      Errol Spence Jr with his coach Derrick JamesCredit: Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions More