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      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in line for ‘biggest purse in boxing history’ as Saudi Arabia set to table fight offer

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      TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk are in line for the “biggest purse in boxing history” as Saudi Arabia prepare to table a mega-money offer. The pair of unbeaten champions are still in talks for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed decider.
      Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury facing off at TottenhamCredit: Getty
      If the Middle East win the race to host the historic title unification, they will negotiate separate deals for the two.
      And Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum warned it could be record-breaking numbers.
      He told Sky Sports: “I’m very optimistic the fight is going to happen.
      “Both fighters have agreed to do the fight, the question is the site and we’re talking to the Middle East because allegedly they’re going to come up with the biggest purse ever in boxing history.
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      “And if they do, that’s where the fight is going to go because money is money.
      “If they don’t, both fighters will agree to do the fight this spring at Wembley… but the fight will happen in my opinion, certainly within the first four months of the year.
      “Fighters want to do the best for themselves because a fighter’s career, no matter how great he is, is limited and they want to make as much money as possible.”
      Floyd Mayweather’s 2015 win over Manny Pacquiao, 43, still remains the most lucrative fight of all time, with around £500MILLION made.
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      Mayweather, 45, himself took home almost £300m of that alone as they sold a record 4.4m pay-per-views in America.
      In recent years, Saudi have become big players in the boxing game, twice prising Anthony Joshua, 33, over to the desert.
      Most recently, he was beaten by Usyk, 36, in their Jeddah rematch in August.
      Meanwhile Fury, 34, has become a ticket-selling sensation back home, with over 150,000 home fans watching him fight last year.
      He knocked out Dillian Whyte, 34, in front of 94,000 at Wembley and then stopped Derek Chisora, 38, at Tottenham with nearly 60,000 there.
      So Arum will have no hesitation in filling up another stadium if a deal with the Saudis cannot be reached.
      He said: “To do 95,000 people in Wembley, which we did for the Dillian Whyte fight.
      “A lot of my friends who went to that fight said it was one of the greatest, if not their greatest, experience going to an athletic event.
      “Now, if it’s a unification match between Tyson and Usyk, it’ll be even more spectacular.”
      Oleksandr Usyk, Bob Arum and Tyson Fury in 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul hints Tommy Fury fight is OFF with cryptic pregnancy tweet as Love Island star prepares to become a dad

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      JAKE PAUL has hinted his showdown with Tommy Fury has collapsed for a THIRD time with a cryptic tweet.The social media stars are currently on course to settle their feud in a Saudi showdown on February 25.
      Jake Paul clashes with Tommy Fury following his fight with Tyron WoodleyCredit: BT Sport
      But Paul has hinted the fight is in jeopardy
      Fury and Molly-Mae Hague are expecting their first child later this monthCredit: INSTAGRAM
      But Problem Child Paul has suggested the imminent birth of Fury’s first child with long-term girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague has laid waste to their bout.
      The YouTuber-turned-boxer tweeted on Wednesday: “Hold your horses.
      “The man’s having a baby.”
      SunSport understands Molly-Mae is due to give birth in the coming weeks – although it is unknown whether she already has.
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      The imminent arrival of their bundle of joy was a huge factor in Fury’s decision to take a lucrative clash with former Disney star Paul.
      During an appearance on The Disruptors Podcast, Tyson’s younger brother said: “I was earning my stripes.
      “But if you want to slap millions of pounds in front of my face to fight Jake Paul, why am I not going to do that?
      “I’ve got a family to feed now any day – the reason I’ve taken the Jake Paul fight is it’s financially good.
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      “There is [a part of me that wants to shut him up] but he doesn’t get underneath my skin like that.
      “He can’t get underneath my skin because I know what he’s doing.
      “He’s a whizz on social media, he’s made a living off being an idiot, arrogant and calling people out.
      “It is what it is, but he can’t get underneath my skin.
      “All I see with Jake Paul is a business and if you want me to beat a man who can’t fight and throw millions of pounds in my face, not a problem, sign me up and that’s purely what this is.
      “I’ve described it all the time as being on Route 66 and I need to stop off in my campervan, fill it up and get back on the road.
      Tommy Fury is itching to get his hands on Jake PaulCredit: GETTY
      “I am on a straight and narrow road to world titles.
      “But you want me to take a slight detour for an awful lot of fuel, pick that up and then jump back on the road?
      “That’s exactly what I’m doing here at the end of the day.
      “This is a business; you’ve got to use your head and every fighter in my position would take that fight if it got offered to them.”
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      Paul and Fury, 26 and 23 respectively, were first slated to fight one another in December 2021 but injury and illness to the latter laid waste to the bout.
      The pair’s grudge match was rescheduled for last August but fell apart when Fury had issues entering the United States. More

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      ‘Bash him up’ – Dillian Whyte challenges ex-UFC champ Ngannou to boxing and MMA fights as Anthony Joshua rematch looms

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      DILLIAN WHYTE has thrown his name into the hat to welcome former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to the boxing ring.The Cameroonian clubber officially became a free agent this month after he failed to agree a new deal with mixed martial arts’ premier promotion.
      Francis Ngannou is a free agent after failing to agree a new deal with the UFCCredit: GETTY
      The former UFC heavyweight champ is hoping to box later this yearCredit: GETTY
      Brit Dillian Whyte is willing face The Predator in both boxing and MMACredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
      Ngannou, 35, has had several boxing and MMA promoters reach out to him following his UFC departure but is leaning towards competing in the former.
      And recent WBC heavyweight title challenger Whyte is keen to throw down with the vicious knockout artist, who he’s also willing to trade leather with in the cage.
      The Body Snatcher told Sky Sports: “I would love to fight him.
      “Obviously he is a champion, a dangerous guy, but I think I would bash him up.
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      “It would be a very interesting fight, because we both have got a martial arts background and he’s up for jumping in at the deep end, fighting someone like me. It would get lots of interest and eyeballs.”
      Whyte, 34, is no stranger to the confines of the cage having fought under the UCMMA banner nearly 15 years ago.
      So he’s certainly not afraid to put himself in harm’s way and face The Predator at his own game.
      He said: “A lot of these boxing guys pick on these MMA and martial arts guys and beat them up in a boxing ring.
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      “But they are not brave enough to get in the cage.
      “I would happily fight him in boxing and in the cage as well.”
      Ngannou’s seven-year stint in the octagon was filled with brutal and viral knockouts, although his highlight reel doesn’t strike fear into the hear of the heavy-handed Whyte.
      The Brit said: “It is much easier to knock people out with four-ounce gloves that have next to no padding.
      “Can he do the same with a 10-ounce boxing glove? I know I can.”
      “Obviously he’s a good fighter, he’s strong, but there are a lot of holes in his game.
      “He is throwing from far away, he is a slugger.
      Francis Ngannou’s ferocious striking doesn’t intimidate Dillian WhyteCredit: Alamy
      “In MMA, that style runs, because you have small gloves and you just need to connect anywhere with someone to do damage.
      “But this is boxing. You need skills and good timing.
      “He can’t just come out and start slugging and think he can knock people out.
      “A guy standing in front of him can make him miss. All those punches he throws.
      “He’s dangerous and a big strong guy, but it’s a great fight for me, to be honest.”
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      Brixton banger Whyte hasn’t fought since his controversial decision victory over Jermaine Franklin last November.
      A summer trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua is in the pipeline for the fan favourite, provided Joshua gets past American Franklin on April 1. More

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      Tyson Fury says brother Tommy can ‘stay in Saudi Arabia’ if he fails to ‘chin’ Jake Paul in anticipated grudge match

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      TYSON FURY said brother Tommy can “stay in Saudi Arabia” if he fails to “chin” Jake Paul in their fight. The celebrity boxing rivals are set to announce the latest rescheduling of their grudge match, slated for February 25 in the Middle East.
      Tyson Fury said Tommy can ‘stay in Saudi Arabia’ if he fails to ‘chin’ Jake PaulCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
      Jake Paul is in talks to fight Tommy FuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And as confirmation nears, Fury is backing his younger sibling all the way but warned there will be consequences if he loses.
      He told talkSPORT: “I don’t think it’s been officially announced, but I hear an announcement is imminent.
      “They are finally getting it on and are going to throw down. The two YouTube people get to battle it out for the king of the YouTubers.
      “It’s going to be fun, and I expect Tommy to chin him. If he doesn’t he can stay in Saudi Arabia.”
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      The two are now trying to settle their score in the ring for the THIRD time.
      Tommy, 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 Saudi as frontrunners to host the bitter bout.
      Paul, 26, even offered to travel to Manchester on February 18 and fight Fury in enemy territory.
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      But a more lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia a week later was proposed and looks to have won the race.
      Tommy last boxed in Dubai in November in a last-minute exhibition against Rolly Lambert, 33.
      Paul was a special guest commentator that night and slammed the six-round bout from ringside.
      It came a month after the American beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 46, over eight rounds.
      It kept the anticipated clash between the unbeaten two alive and Tommy’s dad John doubled down on the punishment if his son is beaten.
      It’s going to be fun, and I expect Tommy to chin him. If he doesn’t he can stay in Saudi Arabia.Tyson Fury on brother Tommy’s fight with Jake Paul
      He told Freebets: “There is no more boxing for him if he loses. But, I am 100 percent confident he will knock him out.
      “It’s a big ask for Jake Paul, because Tommy is much better than what he’s faced before, so fair do’s to him.
      “It’s a foregone conclusion that Tommy will win. We are not leaving a stone unturned and are training as if this were against a world-class fighter.
      “He’s working really well. Tommy will be very famous on the 26th of February.”
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      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are set to fight on February 25Credit: BT Sport More

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      Otto Wallin gives fellow southpaw Oleksandr Usyk tips on how to fight Tyson Fury after giving WBC champ 47 stitches

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      OTTO WALLIN has slashed Oleksandr Usyk’s chances of beating Tyson Fury – but offered his advice on how to best fight the Gypsy King. Wallin took Fury to the brink of defeat in 2019 – causing him 47 stitches – and only narrowly missing out on a technical knockout.
      Tyson Fury beat Otto Wallin in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Oleksandr Usyk is in talks to fight Tyson FuryCredit: PA
      But the British heavyweight hero showed his class as he fought on to a points victory with blood streaming into his eyes and face.
      Fury has since won and defended the WBC title, putting him in line for a historic unification bout against Usyk.
      The Ukrainian is set to become the first southpaw since Wallin to face Fury and has received some words of wisdom.
      Wallin told SunSport: “Fury is big, he has a long reach so Usyk needs to take that away, he needs to stay on him, be aggressive and hit that body. 
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      “Fury has a big body and good upper movement so Usyk has to hit the body, and when he gets inside he must be careful. 
      “He can’t let Fury tie him up, lean on him, he was doing that to me and it took some energy out of me. 
      “So I think for Usyk to be successful he needs to use his angles like he does, use his jab and hit Fury’s body a lot.” 
      Fury, 34, and Usyk, 35, are closing in on a deal to finalise the first four-belt undisputed title decider in heavyweight history.
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      And Wallin, who returns on Friday against Mexico’s Helaman Olguin, expects the big man to come out on top.
      He predicted: “I think Usyk is a really good fighter and he proved that against Joshua he is big enough for the division. 
      “I thought he was going to be too small for Joshua but he did a really good job.
      “But, at the same time Fury is the favourite for me. He’s a big guy, a really good boxer who can be aggressive too.
      “I think Fury is a smart fighter, he’s confident and he has the tools to beat Usyk, I think on points.” 
      Otto Wallin backs Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty More

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      Deontay Wilder’s manager opens door to massive fight with Francis Ngannou and reveals talks after heavyweight leaves UFC

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      DEONTAY WILDER’S manager has opened the door to a massive fight with ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou has walked out on the UFC – being stripped of the title – after failing to agree a new contract.
      Deontay Wilder’s manager has opened the door to a fight with Francis NgannouCredit: Reuters
      Francis Ngannou has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      And already the Cameroonian has talked up a lucrative switch to the boxing ring.
      Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel once held tentative talks with UFC president Dana White for a fight between the American and Ngannou.
      And he is willing to revisit the idea now the heavyweight is a free agent following his UFC exit.
      Finkel told SunSport: “I’d be open to it, I’d be foolish to say. ‘I’m not interested, don’t talk to me.’ 
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      “As a matter of fact, Dana White and I had some conversations but it just never went anywhere. Dana actually wanted it. 
      “Then Deontay met Ngannou when he was training for Robert Helenius, while he was out in Vegas and they got along fine.”
      Wilder, 37, was welcomed to the UFC’s training facility last year before he brutally knocked out Helenius, 38, in round one of his October return.
      And he bumped into Ngannou, fuelling speculation of a blockbuster bout between the two famed punchers.
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      And Wilder recently welcomed the fight when asked about Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC.
      He told ESNews: “I would love to. Another African brother. I respect his decision on what he’s done.”
      Wilder and his team have pursued a fight with Anthony Joshua, 33, following years of failed talks in the past.
      But Joshua is on a rebuilding job following consecutive points losses to unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
      AJ looks set to return on April 1 at the O2 Arena against Jermaine Franklin, 29, who lost a disputed decision to Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
      So Wilder has turned his attention to Andy Ruiz Jr, 33, after the WBC ordered them into a final eliminator for the title.
      Finkel said: “Deontay is in good spirits, right now we’re looking at a couple of options and most likely we’ll be fighting Ruiz, I hope in the second quarter of the year.
      “In the next couple of weeks I’ll know if that can be made. Ruiz is not a second-class opponent, so he’s asking for a good payday also, which makes it all the more difficult.” 
      Deontay Wilder pictured with Francis Ngannou More

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      Deontay Wilder reveals little-known 17st heavyweight was hardest sparring partner over Wladimir Klitschko or David Haye

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      DEONTAY WILDER revealed a little-known 17 stone heavyweight was the hardest sparring partner he ever had. Wilder has shared rounds in the gym with the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye during the early stages of his career.
      Deontay Wilder at the Skyy Boxing gym in 2020Credit: Getty
      But according to the man himself, neither ex-world champion had a patch on American veteran Alonzo Butler.
      Wilder told ESNews: “I had a really good, solid war with Alonzo Butler, ‘Big Zo’.
      “Big Zo was the fastest heavyweight I’ve ever seen, with his size, he was a solid 250 lbs, but he could move.
      “If he had better management and handling he could’ve been heavyweight champion of the world.
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      “When I was coming up and I saw him, I was very impressed. I looked at him like, ‘Damn, I wanna get like that’.
      “Alonzo was the man, he was the first guy that I ever felt a body shot from and I learned a lot from him during that time.”
      Butler, now 43, has 34 wins, three losses and two draws with 25 knockouts to his name.
      He fought as recently as 2021 but faced largely journeyman opposition throughout his career.
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      Wilder, 37, is regarded as one of the hardest hitters in boxing history, which led him to the WBC crown.
      But he made a name for himself with valuable sparring after winning bronze in the 2008 Olympics.
      And Haye, 42, can attest to just how hard the Bronze Bomber really punched.
      He told BT Sport in the past: “I truly think he is the hardest punching heavyweight ever, I know that maybe sounds like an exaggeration.
      “I got hit by Wilder in sparring. I’ve been hit by Wladimir Klitschko, on the chin with 10 ounce gloves on.
      “There was more effect from Wilder hitting me on the top of the head, with 18 ounce gloves on and I was wearing a head guard – and it wasn’t even clean.
      “After that, I remember thinking, ‘This guy is going to do something.’ He was wild and he was all over the place. . . but the power.”
      Alonzo Butler is a former sparring partner of Deontay Wilder’sCredit: Getty
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      Anthony Yarde vs Artur Beterbiev tale of the tape: How the fighters compare ahead of huge world title bout

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      ANTHONY YARDE is just one win away from unified light-heavyweight glory in his own back yard. All that stands in the Londoner’s way is boxing’s only champion with a 100 per cent knockout ratio.

      Yarde, 31, challenges Artur Beterbiev, 38, for the Russian’s WBC, IBF and WBO world titles on Saturday at Wembley Arena in the capital.
      It is a massive fight that brings two of the sport’s biggest punchers together.
      Ahead of the anticipated clash, SunSport breaks down how the two big hitters compare.
      Beterbiev comes from a well-schooled amateur background, having won world and European championships.
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      He went to the 2012 Olympics but was beaten by current unbeaten heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
      In the professional ranks, Beterbiev has wasted no time in making his mark, with 18 KOs in as many fights.
      He became IBF champ in just his 12th bout by beating Enrico Kolling, 32, and has since added two more belts to his collection.
      Along the way, he has taken the scalps of Oleksandr Gvozdyk, 35, Marcus Browne, 32, and Joe Smith Jr, 33.
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      But perhaps Yarde will take confidence from Beterbiev’s fourth-round win over Callum Johnson in 2018.
      Now-retired Brit Johnson had Beterbiev down in the second but failed to follow up and was taken out himself.
      Yarde has vowed not to let the same opportunity slip if it presents itself on the weekend.
      And the Londoner should know, having had Sergey Kovalev in all sorts of trouble in his 2019 WBO title challenge.
      But Yarde failed to put Kovalev, 39 away in round eight and was stopped himself in the 11th.
      It was the first time he tasted defeat until Lyndon Arthur, 31, edged out a split-decision in 2020.
      Although Yarde brutally made up for it in their rematch a year later, closing the show in four rounds.
      He returned in a keep-busy bout in November, taking three rounds to get rid of German Stefani Koykov, 30.
      Artur Beterbiev is the WBO, WBC and IBF championCredit: Getty
      Anthony Yarde knocked out Lyndon Arthur in their rematchCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      It was Yarde’s 22nd KO in his 23 wins, meaning he has a stoppage ratio of 88 per cent.
      Although not even that is enough to match Beterbiev’s unrivalled punching record.
      What Yarde does have on his side is youth and activity.
      Despite Beterbiev’s storied career in the amateurs, he has amassed only 83 rounds in the pros, such is his power.
      And having only had 18 bouts, Yarde is on paper the more experienced in the paid ranks with 25 fights to his name.
      The two stand the same at 6ft, but Beterbiev carries a one inch reach advantage with a length of 73in.
      It makes for a genuinely enticing affair which all-but promises to be decided within the scheduled 12-round distance.
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      Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde ahead of their fightCredit: Getty More