Game of Thrones

STRONGMAN legend Hafthor Bjornsson is gearing up to make his boxing debut against cruiserweight Steven Ward.
The Game of Thrones star, also known as ‘The Mountain’ from the hit TV show, will step into the ring for the first time in the exhibition scrap.

The bout will serve as a warm-up for Bjornsson’s highly-anticipated clash against British rival Eddie Hall next September.
The fight was originally supposed to take place in Iceland but will now be put on in Dubai on January 15.
SunSport takes look at how the two men shape up:
AGE
Northern Irish boxer Ward has the narrow advantage over Bjornsson when it comes to age.

The 30-year-old is two years younger than his 32-year-old strongman opponent.

Hafthor Bjornsson is fighting Steven Ward in Dubai later this month

‘The Quiet Man’ will be dwarfed by ‘The Mountain’
EXPERIENCE
Ward again comes out on top here having made his professional debut back in 2016 and currently boats a 13-1 record.
The Belfast brawler most recently bounced back from his sole defeat with a six-round points victory over Jone Volau on his cruiserweight debut.
Bjornsson meanwhile has only ever sparred and will be lacing up his gloves for the first time against Ward this month.

And SunSport revealed last year that the Icelander left fans unimpressed after posting clips of his boxing training.
PHYSICAL
But it is here where novice Bjornsson remains the heavy favourite in the contest – which will be held over three three-minute rounds.
The TV sensation weighed in over 32 STONE when he set a world record for the deadlift back in May.
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Bjornsson revealed in September 2020 that he has dropped down to 26 stone with further cuts planned after realising his boxing ambition.
Yet he is still expected to weigh around double Ward – who only recently moved up to 200lbs as a cruiserweight.
At a towering 6’9, Bjornsson is also seven inches taller than the former WBO European light heavyweight champion.

Game of Thrones star Hafthor Bjornsson has fans fearing first-round KO against Eddie Hall after latest sparring clip More

MIKE TYSON takes on Game of Thrones star The Mountain in their new movie ‘Desert Strike’.
A trailer for the action film, due to be released in the US this year, reveals Tyson as an ex-military man, protecting a group of Egyptian refugees in wartorn cities.

Mike Tyson in his new film ‘Desert Strike’Credit: YouTube/ONE Media

Game of Thrones star The Mountain takes on Mike Tyson Credit: YouTube/ONE Media

The film is due to be released in the US this yearCredit: YouTube/ONE Media

But he will rival actor Hafthor Bjornsson – who is part of a group of evil mercenaries.
The movie was directed by Egyptian filmmaker Raouf Abd El Aziz.
It was initially released in Egypt in the summer of 2019 but is yet to go out to American audiences.
Tyson, 54, has starred in several films but only in smaller or cameo roles.

He most famously played himself in the cult comedy classic The Hangover, punching Zach Galifianakis’ character.
Bjornsson, 32, similarly has enjoyed smaller roles on the big screen despite his breakout performance in Game of Thrones.
The 6ft 9in powerhouse is equally as famous for his career as a strongman, representing Iceland across the world.
He has rivalled England’s Eddie Hall and last year broke the Brit’s deadlift world record.

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Actor Hafthor Bjornsson is part of a group of evil mercenariesCredit: YouTube/ONE Media

Mike Tyson plays as an ex-military man, protecting a group of Egyptian refugeesCredit: YouTube/ONE Media

Afterwards, Thor called out Hall to a boxing match with the pair now set to fight in Las Vegas this year.
At the time of filming Desert Strike – also known as Hamlet Pharaoh – Bjornsson had not embarked on his crossover to boxing.
But he may want to call on the help of iconic puncher Iron Mike, as he closes in on what is billed ‘the heaviest boxing match in history’.
Tyson himself made a remarkable return to the ring in November, drawing with Roy Jones Jr, 51, after eight exhibition rounds and plans to fight again this year.

Watch Mike Tyson pummel sparring partner in cage as boxing legend, 54, hints as sensational MMA switch More

MIKE TYSON takes on Game of Thrones star The Mountain in their new movie ‘Desert Strike’.
A trailer for the action film, due to be released in the US this year, reveals Tyson as an ex-military man, protecting a group of Egyptian refugees in wartorn cities.

Mike Tyson in his new film ‘Desert Strike’Credit: YouTube/ONE Media

Game of Thrones star The Mountain takes on Mike Tyson Credit: YouTube/ONE Media

The film is due to be released in the US this yearCredit: YouTube/ONE Media

But he will rival actor Hafthor Bjornsson – who is part of a group of evil mercenaries.
The movie was directed by Egyptian filmmaker Raouf Abd El Aziz.
It was initially released in Egypt in the summer of 2019 but is yet to go out to American audiences.
Tyson, 54, has starred in several films but only in smaller or cameo roles.

He most famously played himself in the cult comedy classic The Hangover, punching Zach Galifianakis’ character.
Bjornsson, 32, similarly has enjoyed smaller roles on the big screen despite his breakout performance in Game of Thrones.
The 6ft 9in powerhouse is equally as famous for his career as a strongman, representing Iceland across the world.
He has rivalled England’s Eddie Hall and last year broke the Brit’s deadlift world record.

BETTING OFFER: CLAIM RISK FREE £20 BET WITH PADDY POWER

Actor Hafthor Bjornsson is part of a group of evil mercenariesCredit: YouTube/ONE Media

Mike Tyson plays as an ex-military man, protecting a group of Egyptian refugeesCredit: YouTube/ONE Media

Afterwards, Thor called out Hall to a boxing match with the pair now set to fight in Las Vegas this year.
At the time of filming Desert Strike – also known as Hamlet Pharaoh – Bjornsson had not embarked on his crossover to boxing.
But he may want to call on the help of iconic puncher Iron Mike, as he closes in on what is billed ‘the heaviest boxing match in history’.
Tyson himself made a remarkable return to the ring in November, drawing with Roy Jones Jr, 51, after eight exhibition rounds and plans to fight again this year.

Watch Mike Tyson pummel sparring partner in cage as boxing legend, 54, hints as sensational MMA switch More

GAME OF THRONES star Hafthor Bjornsson has confirmed that he will make his boxing debut against a fighter over 12 STONE lighter than him.
The 32-year-old, also known as ‘The Mountain’ from the hit TV show, will step into the ring to face Steven Ward on 16 January 2021.

Hafthor Bjornsson is set to make his boxing debut next monthCredit: Instagram / @thorbjornsson

The exhibition bout will serve as a warm-up for Bjornsson’s highly-anticipated clash against fellow strongman Eddie Hall next September.
The 6’9 Icelander weighed in over 32 STONE when he set a world record for the deadlift back in May.
But he recently revealed he has dropped down to 26 stone with further cuts planned after realising his ambition to step into the boxing ring.
However, Northern Irish pro boxer Ward will still be giving up a hefty size advantage when he travels to Reykjavik for the fight – which will be held over three three-minute rounds.

The former WBO European light heavyweight champion is seven inches smaller than Bjornsson and weighs over ten stone less!
Ward, 30, most recently bounced back from his one defeat on his 14-fight senior record with a six-round points victory over Jone Volau on his cruiserweight debut.
And he revealed he jumped at the opportunity to face Bjornsson but admitted he hasn’t even seen the show that made his opponent famous.
He told Belfast Live: “It all sort of came out of the blue, and it is something different.

I’ve never watched Game of Thrones, so I wasn’t even aware of Bjornsson’s role in the show. He’s massive!
Steven Ward

“It is a bit left-field but when the opportunity was put to me I said yes. Boxing in the current climate is difficult, and getting fights is tough.
“My last fight was in September, and it could be February or March before I fight professionally again, and I have a young family.
“So when this was put to me I thought it through and said I would do it.
“I’ve never watched Game of Thrones, so I wasn’t even aware of Bjornsson’s role in the show. He’s massive!

“But I have met him before. I saw him in Belfast and saw him working on the bags. He is athletic and can move for a big man. He definitely surprised me.
“It will be something totally different and will keep me ticking over.
“I am hoping to get another fight in February or March so this will keep me active and training.”

Steven Ward made his cruiserweight debut in SeptemberCredit: Pacemaker Press

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