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    I’m a former Premier League star now playing for Gary Neville’s team at 37 thanks to huge change to my diet

    ADRIAN MARIAPPA is still marshalling defences at the ripe old age of 37.The centre-back made his professional debut as a fresh-faced teenager 19 years ago after rising through the ranks at Watford.
    Adrian Mariappa made his professional debut back in 2005 while he was at WatfordCredit: REUTERS
    The centre-back is still going strong at the age of 37Credit: GETTY
    Mariappa would spend the next 16 seasons playing in the Premier League and The Championship during his two stints with the Bees and spells with Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Reading.
    The Jamaica international is still going strong in League Two with Salford United, much to the surprise of many.
    And Mariappa attributes his longevity to his vegan diet, which he adopted nearly seven years ago and has helped alleviate his tendonitis.
    He told The Mirror: “I felt it had a big impact on inflammation, especially on my tendons.
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    “I had tendonitis on my knees and that cleared up – I don’t have it anymore.
    “That was the catalyst to cutting out pretty much all animal products from my diet and it’s something I’ve stuck to ever since.”
    Mariappa doesn’t know if his change in diet is the sole reason why’ he’s able to play deep into his thirties, although he’s only missed THREE matches through injury since ditching animal-based products.
    He said: “You don’t know what would have happened if I had stayed on my previous diet, but since that time I’ve missed three games through injury.
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    Adrian Mariappa attributes his longevity to his vegan dietCredit: GETTY
    “I’m obviously over 30 and I’m playing in League Two now, where I am probably running more than I ever have in my career.
    “I’m still hitting top speeds of 34.5kph – they’re good numbers for any centre-half, especially one at my age.
    “I’m able to put myself through training every day and be available. I always wanted to play as long as I can and it’s tied in nicely.
    “A common misconception of going plant-based is that it will affect your performance.
    “If I felt it had, I probably would have reversed my decision. But so far I’ve been thriving on it and it’s just part of my lifestyle now.”
    Getting his hands on nutrient-dense and tasty vegan food is a lot easier now than it was when Mariappa initially adopted the lifestyle.
    He said: “I think society has changed and become a bit more open-minded.“There are a lot more options.
    “Society has shifted and I’ve never had any troubles or dramas with that sort of thing.
    “Lots of footballers follow different diets now and the clubs will want to maximise how the player feels and what is best for them, so more often than not they are willing to cater to them because everyone is different.
    “When I first decided to make the decision, I got quite a bit of banter about it.
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    “One thing I found though was that the meals I was getting looked so good that a lot of the boys were trying them anyway.
    “I’m always open to have conversations about it. I don’t try to put it in peoples’ faces; people just see that I’m eating differently and ask questions about it, which I’m always happy to answer.” More

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    Tyson Fury looks fitter than ever as Gypsy King shows off stunning body transformation despite cancelling Usyk fight

    TYSON FURY shared his phenomenal body transformation immediately after his blockbuster showdown with Oleksandr Usyk was POSTPONED.The £100million Fight of the Century was cancelled after the Gypsy King suffered a nasty cut in sparring.
    Tyson Fury let his fans know that he was ready for UsykCredit: Instagram @tysonfury
    Fury was set to fight the Usyk in two weeks time
    Fury has been shedding the pounds ahead of, arguably, the most important bout of his life.
    The WBC champion was due to battle WBO, WBA and IBF titlist Usyk in Saudi Arabia in the ‘Ring of Fire’ fight in two weeks time.
    Queensberry Promotions revealed that the “freak cut” opened up above Fury’s right eye and required “urgent medical attention and significant stitching”.
    talkSPORT’s Michael Benson reports that Fury sustained the gash during a sparring session with Croatian southpaw Agron Smakici in Riyadh.
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    But despite worrying fans, Fury proved that he is in better shape than ever.
    The Gypsy King boiled himself down to his optimum fighting condition – eventually looking absolutely ripped.
    And now the British star has come out with yet more fighting talk to silence his critics.
    Moments after calling off the bout, Fury showed off his sensational figure – in a picture that was taken before the injury occurred – to his 6.8m Instagram followers.
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    Tyson Fury’s statement in fullTYSON Fury has apologised to boxing fans after suffering a horrific cut to his eye in training.
    Fury said: “I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition.
    “I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed.
    “I can only apologise to everyone affected including my own team, Team Usyk, the undercard fighters, partners, and fans as well as our hosts and my friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
    He also posted on instagram, with the caption: “Can’t help getting injured in sparring but what I can say was Usyk was in trouble.
    “I am in fantastic shape. I will resheduel (sic) soon as i can. 2024 a massive year for team GK #undisputed #wbcking”

    He captioned it: “Can’t help getting injured in sparring, but what I can say is Usyk was in trouble. I will reschedule as soon as I can.”
    This follows rumours that Fury had been getting turned over in his training camp.
    One social media user wrote: “It’s boxing. It happens. Get the date back on.”
    A second said: “We are growing tired of your excuses.”
    A fight between Usyk and Filip Hrgovic is now reportedly being explored for February 17.
    Fury and Usyk signed contracts at the end of September to set up an undisputed heavyweight championship fight, the first since 1997.
    The showdown was initially planned for December 23, but Fury’s unconvincing split decision win over MMA star Francis Ngannou, left him needing more time to recover.
    What does this mean for boxing?The saddest thing is this didn’t really come as a surprise to the British boxing media
    Rumours of Fury struggling in sparring with cruiserweight King Jai Opetaia and teenage sensation Moses Itauma were rife.
    It seemed unlikely that the Gypsy King would risk upsetting Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi paymaster. 
    But now the disaster has officially hit.
    As recently as Friday afternoon, SunSport was being invited to Usyk’s secret European camp for a media day on February 6.
    And there was the release of the mega-money promo that merged about eight Hollywood films and cost silly million pounds.
    If it’s only a cut, there is the outside chance Fury can be back in a few weeks.
    But we saw against Otto Wallin that he’s vulnerable to a bleed that needed months to recover.
    When Fury was dropped and useless against Francis Ngannou in October – delaying the original undisputed decider – the money men behind the scenes created an incredible replacement with AJ vs Wallin.
    And they could do something absolutely crazy to compensate now. More

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    Jake Paul called out by MMA star Cedric Doumbe for fight at 80,000-seat stadium… despite TWO STONE weight difference

    JAKE PAUL has been called out by MMA star Cedric Doumbe – and reckons 80,000 fans would show up to see it. Doumbe signed for the Professional Fighters League last year and won his debut in just NINE SECONDS in September.
    Cedric Doumbe called out Jake PaulCredit: PFL
    Jake Paul is set to debut in MMA with the PFL in 2024Credit: PFL
    He now returns on March 7 in Paris against Baissangour Chamsoudinov.
    But should Chamsoudinov fail to make weight, Doumbe, 31, wants Paul, 27, who is also signed to the PFL, on standby as a backup replacement.
    He said on The MMA Hour: “Maybe I’m gonna fight, I don’t know. I’m gonna choose maybe Jake Paul! Maybe Jake Paul.
    “But I mean Jake Paul is the guy. If I fight against Jake Paul, I think the Stade de France would be full in an hour.”
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    The Stade de France – where France play their football – has a capacity of 80,000 fans.
    And Doumbe is one of the nation’s biggest stars, with Kylian Mbappe among the PSG players to turn out for his last fight.
    Paul meanwhile is 8-1 in boxing and returns on March 2 in Puerto Rico – but he is also signed to the PFL and set to make his MMA debut in 2024.
    The YouTuber-turned prizefighter last fought at the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb.
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    Doumbe meanwhile fights at the 170lb welterweight limit of 12st 1lb – meaning there is a massive TWO STONE weight difference between them.
    But Doumbe said: “He’s bigger than me, for sure. Same height but bigger than me.
    “But I like when I’m fit. I don’t like to do the weight cut.” More

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    Football’s weirdest pre-match meals including Jamie Vardy’s omelette, Gareth Bale’s baked beans and Paul Scholes

    PREMIER LEAGUE legends have served up fireworks on the pitch – and choose some real bangers when it comes to odd pre-match meals.You might think Jamie Vardy going from skittles and Vodka to Red Bulls, double espresso and omelette would take some beating…
    Gareth Bale believed in a ‘mountain of baked beans’Credit: YouTube @ SKS Tube Sports
    Paul Scholes added a couple of Turkish Delights to his beansCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Jamie Vardy went from Skittles and Vodka to loads of Red BullCredit: PA
    And you’d be right!
    But Gareth Bale, Paul Scholes, Pascal Gross and Andy Carroll are juicy contenders for top honours in our list of munching madness.
    It also appears many of football’s stylists believe a good old-fashioned British favourite gets them blazing out of the blocks early doors.
    To amend a childhood proverb, their motto seems to be: “Baked beans are good for your art – the more you eat the better you start.”
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    JAMIE VARDY
    The late-developing Leicester striker, 37, who went on to win 26 England caps, is undoubtedly the one to beat at the top of the dining table.
    And it’s hard to say it better than Vardy himself when describing how his pre-match routine graduated from Skittles, Vodka and a penchant for drinking Port from a Lucozade bottle.
    He said: “Three Red Bulls, a double espresso and a cheese and ham omelette is what makes me run around like a nut-job on a match day.”
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    And if you are not quite convinced that combination would meet the approval of a  sports nutritionist, then how about Vardy’s meticulous timetable for consuming it all on match-day….
    The 2016 Prem winner explained: “I wake up in the morning and then [have a] Red Bull. 
    “Literally I get out of bed, get the kids up and downstairs, get their breakfast sorted and then I’m straight into the Red Bull.
    “After that we meet at the stadium for pre-match and while I’m getting changed I’ll have a coffee – it’s better than taking ProPlus. 
    “Red Bull, coffee and then when we get over to the pre-match lounge, I’ll have my cheese and ham omelette with another can of Red Bull.”
    GARETH BALE
    The Wales legend raised eyebrows at Tottenham with his eating habits ahead of kick-off.
    The now-retired winger is one of the few players Real Madrid stars have compared favourably to Cristiano Ronaldo for pure athleticism.
    So perhaps his choice of “cuisine” is not to be scoffed at.
    Former Spurs team-mate Jermaine Jenas revealed the golf-crazy star’s ample eating.
    Jenas told TNT Sports: “The only meal I remember looking at and thinking why and how was Gareth Bale.
    “He used to have like five slices of toast and a mountain of baked beans.”
    PAUL SCHOLES
    The Manchester United legend added a strange twist to traditional nosh.
    The ex-England midfielder, now a pundit, went from box to box with his all-round skills.
    But before kick-off he’d go from chocs to chocs in a curious mix of sweet and savoury food.
    Appearing on the Back of the Net podcast, Scholes told presenter Gabby Logan: “Beans on toast, always, try to have it all the time. 
    “I always had a Turkish Delight as well, the night before the game.
    “It was a bit of a superstition, weird that. Two Turkish Delights and a cup of tea, but I’d always buy a packet of three and leave one.”
    ANDY CARROLL
    The giant frontman, 35, has been accused of having no nutritional nous at Newcastle – when he tucked into Yorkshire puddings and gravy before matches.
    The ex-Liverpool and England ace who is now with Amiens, admitted horrifying a Toon fans’ favourite with his heavyweight pre-loading.
    Andy Carroll’s pre-match roast horrified Newcastle team-mate Kevin NolanCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times
    Carroll said: “This one time Kevin Nolan rang me up and said, ‘Will you pick me up cos my car’s not working… where are you?’ 
    “I said I’m just having a Sunday roast and he went mental, screamed at me on the phone, ‘Are you joking?’ and I told him I’d done that forever.”
    PASCAL GROSS
    Brighton’s ex-Tottenham full-back Pascal Gross is one of those players who in one sense eats quite normally… until you discover how he puts all the ingredients together.
    The four-cap German, 32, limbers up conventionally with rice, chicken and olive oil – only to turn bizarre by topping off the combo with Weetabix”
    WAYNE ROONEY
    The Man Utd and England icon is chewing over his managerial future after being sacked by Birmingham.
    So perhaps he might return to the high-carb comfort food he used to down before playing matches.
    The Everton all-time great, 38, once told FourFourTwo his pre-match ritual included Coco Pops and a banana.
    GARY NEVILLE
    The pundit has become a successful pundit and entrepreneur since his days at right-back for the Red Devils and the Three Lions.
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    But despite his sophisticated credentials, Nev gives Rooney a run for his money in terms of his simple intake before matches.
    The recent Dragons’ Den debutant made “spaghetti with sauce, yoghurt and Ribena” his pre-match cuisine.
    Ex-Man Utd and England team-mates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney both had what might be considered child-like eating habits before gameCredit: Reuters More

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    Jake Paul faces losing over ONE STONE to secure KSI fight as Brit YouTuber’s manager refuses to budge on contract terms

    JAKE PAUL faces losing over ONE STONE in weight if he is to meet KSI’s demands for a blockbuster grudge match. The pair of YouTube superstars-turned boxers have rivalled each other throughout their careers but are yet to settle it in the ring.
    Jake Paul will have to drop weight to fight KSICredit: Getty
    The Briton comes in a lot lighterCredit: Reuters
    And the latest sticking point in talks between the two camps is a disagreement in weight.
    Paul has campaigned from 185lb but his last bout – a knockout over boxer Andre August – was at the 200lb limit
    Whereas KSI was last at a 183lb catchweight in defeat to Tommy Fury but he insists his best fighting weight is 175lb at light-heavyweight.
    So it leaves his manager Mams Taylor adamant the pair must meet in the middle and box at a mutually unsatisfying 180lb – over a stone from Paul’s weight.
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    Taylor told SunSport: “The reality is, I think they both have so much to lose it has to be fair and it has to be uncomfortable.
    “KSI is not comfortable at 180, Jake is not comfortable at 180 either. 
    “It’s like the art of negotiating something in meditation, you both walk away not feeling great but not feeling bad about the deal you’ve done. 
    “And if they’re both prepared to do that then I think we’ll have a fight.”  
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    Before KSI’s boxing comeback in the summer of 2022, Paul offered to fight him on short notice at 180lb.
    But the American’s team have also pointed out that KSI in 2019 fought at 196lb the night he beat Paul’s brother Logan on points.
    So Taylor is left to admit the row over size could prevent the mega-fight from happening.
    He said: “With Jake, he’s said numerous times that he’ll fight at 180 and KSI’s most comfortable fight weight thus far is 175. 
    “If KSI was a full-time pro boxer his optimum performance would be at 168lb, because he doesn’t have as big a frame and Jake is a lot bigger and getting a lot bigger. 
    “So I don’t know if that fight ever happens just because of the weight issues.” 
    KSI was forced to concede to Fury’s demands of a 183lb catchweight before he lost a controversial decision in October.
    So Taylor refuses to make the same mistake twice and have his star man fight outside his best weight.

    He said: “I don’t think that’s a good idea and I wasn’t in favour of that for Tommy, to be honest. 
    “KSI just said, ‘Look, I don’t care anymore, I don’t want to wait anymore give him that advantage.’ 
    “He gave him really almost all the advantages and I’m very proud of the way KSI performed.
    “He had a tactic in mind and a tactic he developed with his team to negate Tommy’s jab and he did and I think most people think he did enough to win. 
    “It’s unfortunate and we move. It was a great show in the end and we’re proud of that.” 
    Another roadblock is the breakdown in relationship between Taylor and Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian.
    So the former music mogul is ready to hand over talks with Bidarian to his Misfists Boxing right hand man, promoter Kalle Sauerland.
    Taylor said: “I’m going to defer negotiations to Kalle if that ever happens again. 
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    “I really want that fight to happen, I think the people want it to happen and I certainly don’t want to be a catalyst for a reason for it not. 
    “I think Nakisa and I are like oil and water when it comes to business. So sometimes you just can’t get along with people.” 
    KSI and Jake Paul clashing in the ring in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    I returned to boxing to lose weight after my baby… now I’m world champ but still work in completely different career

    NINA HUGHES only returned to boxing to lose baby weight – now she is a world champion while still working in a completely different job.The super-mum turned professional in 2021 after a successful amateur career and won the WBA bantamweight title after just five bouts.
    Nina Hughes only started boxing at 25
    She won the world title at 40
    But a career in boxing was not something she could have ever contemplated when going to her first boxercise class at 25.
    It was only after six months of actual training and persuasion from her trainer that Hughes decided to step into the ring.
    She told SunSport: “I joined the boxing gym purely for fitness, no intention of boxing. But my coach at the time talked me into it!”
    Within a year and Hughes was fully hooked and even won a national title which later earned her a spot on the Team GB squad.
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    But Hughes missed out to Nicola Adams in the London 2012 Olympics, which was the first to have women’s boxing.
    So she decided to hang up her gloves and start a family, welcoming first born son Leo into the world shortly after.
    But little did Hughes know that becoming a mum for the first time would also bring her back to boxing again.
    She said: “I stopped boxing for a few years and didn’t think I’d ever get back into it to be fair.
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    “I had my first child, put on loads of weight and thought, ‘Right, I’m going to start training again to lose the weight.’
    “I set myself a target of having one fight to motivate me, because I knew I’d have to make the weight then.
    “Then I just fell back in love with it and started enjoying it again. More for a hobby than anything else but I was still winning and was selected to box for England.”
    Hughes went onto become a four-time national amateur champion and did not slow down even after her second son Caelin was born.
    In fact, she even boxed right up until her last week of maternity leave was due to end.
    Hughes wanted to add one more amateur title to her name until those dreams were KO’d by the coronavirus pandemic.
    But, after seeing the rise of women’s boxing throughout the lockdown period, Hughes was inspired to also turn pro, at 39.
    She said: “I was watching these girls that were doing well and there were people that I’ve sparred and that I’ve boxed and I was looking at them thinking, ‘I can still beat them.’
    “That’s what made me think that I had to give it a go.”
    Hughes turned pro and went part-time at her legal secretary role, which she still works in to this day.
    It means training and running on her lunch breaks and working a reduced week.
    Hughes, 42, revealed: “They were all really supportive.
    “My bosses, they’ve been to most my fights. One of them and another colleague even flew out to Dubai to watch my world title fight.
    “They’ve been really supportive. I work from home two days, I only have to go into the office one day so I can get my extra training in, training on my lunch breaks.
    “They’ve made it easier for me and really helped me out.”
    Hughes is a four-time national amateur champion
    Hughes juggles being a parent with boxing
    Hughes had made one defence of her world titleCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    Hughes travelled to Dubai in November 2022 as an outsider against Jamie Mitchell, who had beaten Shannon Courtenay for the belt a year prior.
    But Hughes stunned the American, 38, on points to become a 40-year-old world champion.
    She said: “We were always fighting for that opportunity and when it came there was no way we were turning it down or come back empty handed.
    “We’d watched Jamie Mitchell previously and it was always a fight that I believed I could win so even though I was an underdog, I was going into the fight 100 per cent confident.”
    Hughes had chased a unification with Ebanie Bridges, 37, until the Aussie star lost the strap to Miyo Yoshida, 35.
    So now she has turned her attention to Yoshida on route to becoming the undisputed 118lb queen.
    Hughes said: “For me now, I want to unify first and then become undisputed. That is the main goal now.

    “I’ve been chasing the Ebanie Bridges fight for a long time ever since she had the belt but she’s no longer got the belt so now I really want the Yoshida fight.
    “That’s the main one we’re targeting. And then hopefully fight Dina Thorslund who has the other two belts for undisputed.”
    Hughes walking to the ring with her eldest son LeoCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    The bantamweight wants to become undisputed champCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

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    I’m Anthony Joshua’s personal chef – he loves my 5,500-calorie diet plan but we disagree on lavish dish

    ANTHONY JOSHUA consumes 5,500 calories a day during fight training camps.He is served an array of meals and snacks by his personal chef tailored to his every need.
    Anthony Joshua eats up to 5,500 calories a dayCredit: Getty
    His personal chef Wesley Cannonier caters to his every need
    But he also enjoys some home comforts and staple foods his mum used to make.
    Wesley Cannonier is AJ’s personal chef and he is tasked with fuelling the heavyweight during his training camps.
    He told Matchroom all the food Joshua consumes is organic and sourced locally, often from farmers.
    Joshua, 34, is fed steaks, potatoes and plenty of greens but he is also allowed treats – including coconut bread, carrot cake and muffins, as long as they are reduced sugar.
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    A normal day for the Brit consists of five meals – breakfast, a snack, then lunch followed by more snacks, often an eggshake including nuts, and dinner in the evening.
    AJ’s go-to breakfast is scrambled eggs with scotch bonnet chilli and all-purpose seasoning – just how his mum used to make growing up.
    Cannonier has to cater to Joshua’s every need – even when he disagrees with how a dish should be cooked.
    AJ prefers his steak cooked medium-well while Cannonier, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, likes medium-rare.
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    Despite the difference in agreement it has proved a productive partnership, with Joshua battering Otto Wallin in five rounds following his training camp at the end of last year.
    Next up for the former champion is a showdown with Francis Ngannou.
    If he wins that contest Joshua could finally fight Tyson Fury – a match-up Eddie Hearn predicts he will come out on top in. More

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    Eddie Hearn undergoes brutal 72 hour fast that transformed UFC chief’s body as promoter unveils healthy diet plan

    EDDIE HEARN underwent the same brutal 72 hour fast that transformed Dana White – before getting back to healthy eating. UFC president White last year went 86 hours without food, lasting with only water and claimed he felt like a “superhero”.
    Eddie Hearn underwent a brutal 72 hour fastCredit: David Venni / Men’s Health UK
    UFC president Dana White transformed his body
    Now boxing promoter Hearn – who recently featured on the cover of Men’s Health – has followed up with a three-day fast.
    He tracked his progress on Instagram before finally feasting at 7.30pm after living off just water and electrolytes.
    Hearn posted: “Job done! 72 hour fast complete. Feel good and was a good mental challenge!”
    The man behind Anthony Joshua’s career then shared his healthy diet plan.
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    It consisted of 500ml detox drink, green veg in spinach and broccoli as well as sweet potato and avocado.
    Hearn also had some coconut protein balls, a protein shake, peri chicken, a chicken curry and a coconut banana cookie.
    The 44-year-old recently embarked on a demanding ten-week workout programme to get in shape and now feels better than ever.
    He told Men’s Health UK: “When I wake up in the morning, I go into the bathroom and I get a glimpse of myself and go, ‘F**king hell yeah,’ and that’s good enough.
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    “That makes me feel great for the day.”
    Hearn’s outlook has completely changed as he focuses on improving his fitness even further.
    He added: “Right now, physically, I feel better than I’ve ever felt in my life, and I’m 44 years old.
    “I’m excited to see what’s going to happen in six months, what’s going to happen in 12 months, what’s going to happen in three years.”

    Read about Eddie Hearn’s workouts on the new Men’s Health app, available to download now.

    Hearn featured on the cover of Men’s HealthCredit: David Venni / Men’s Health UK More