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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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      Liam Smith STOPS Chris Eubank in fourth round of grudge match to crown himself Britain’s best middleweight

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      LIAM SMITH crowned himself the best middleweight in Britain with a brutal victory over Chris Eubank Jr.The AO Arena in Manchester played host to a showdown seven years in the making – and one which spiced up this week due to a bevvy of personal insults.
      Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith collided in an eagerly-anticipate domestic dust-up in ManchesterCredit: PA
      But it was Liverpool’s Smith who put the sideshow to come out of the Battle of Britain victorious – which he ended in brutal fashion in the fourth stanza.
      THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
      LIAM SMITH crowned himself the best middleweight in Britain with a career-best win over Liam Smith. More

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      Tyson Fury demands fight with Francis Ngannou with Mike Tyson as special guest referee if Usyk fight falls through

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      TYSON FURY wants a freak cage fight with former UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou – with Mike Tyson locked in there too – if the Oleksandr Usyk undisputed bout collapses.Negotiations for the Spring showdown are well underway and hopes are high that the bout – for Fury’s WBC title and the WBA, IBF and WBO belts the Ukraine icon snatched off of Anthony Joshua – will happen.
      Tyson Fury is on course to face Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles in the springCredit: REUTERS
      But he plans to step in the ring with ex-UFC HW champ Francis Ngannou if the fight doesn’t come to fruitionCredit: ESPN
      Ngannou is a free agent after failing to agree a new contract with the UFCCredit: GETTY
      But boxing businessman Fury, 34, wisely has a fallback plan in case the meeting with the 36-year-old southpaw fails to materialise.
      Ngannou got in the Wembley ring after Fury’s 2022 win over Dillian Whyte in the hopes of lining up a crossover fight but he was under an exclusive contract with the UFC and nursing a knee injury.
      But he has since left the American MMA brand, dropping his belt, and wants to take up boxing.
      At Saturday night’s clash between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr, Fury said: “I am very interested in the Francis Ngannou fight and he is not contracted to the UFC anymore.
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      “I am interested in that and if the undisputed fight doesn’t get done then I will be looking to take on him, the so-called Baddest Man on the Planet.
      “And we’ll make it interesting, a hybrid fight, maybe MMA gloves and in a cage but with Queensberry rules.
      “It would be a colossal event wherever it happens.
      “Me and him in a cage with 4oz gloves on. And maybe a superstar referee like Mike Tyson, just for bantz.”
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      Hopefully, the back-up plan will not be needed and all the hard work Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has been doing with Team Usyk yields the ultimate battle.
      And boxing historian Fury reckons it will be the latest fight of the century.
      He said: “When I get the deal done everybody will know.
      “I am not getting involved in doing deals, that’s what I pay Frank Warren and my lawyer to do, because all the back and forth drives me mad, he wants this and that. I am not getting involved.
      “This is the fight of the century, they built Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier 1 as the fight of that century and there one before that was Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney, the biggest crowd ever recorded at a boxing show.
      “And now Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk to be the first heavyweight four-belt holder in history.
      “There have been undisputed heavyweight champions before, the last was our Lennox Lewis, but that was for the three belts and not four. I will be the first of this era.
      “I am an undefeated two-time world champion and he is an undefeated two-weight world champion, so it is a very interesting fight.”
      Tyson Fury wants to become the undisputed ruler of the heavyweight divisionCredit: Getty
      Fury has also done the maths on how incredible his status is at the top of pugilism.
      He said: “I am not bothered about history and legacy because that means you are over the hill and finished.
      “I am active now and happy. I don’t give a damn about when I am gone.
      “I am enjoying being world heavyweight champion and nowing that out of about seven billion people on the planet, I am the toughest, biggest, baddest, hardest, ugliest man of all seven billion.
      “Well, if there’s seven billion people in the word, half of them must be women, so say three-and-a-half billion and out of all of them, under Queensberry Rules, I am the best.
      “That is a lot to say and I am very proud of it.”
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      There was just one ruthless line for Anthony Joshua, who turned down a December fight with Fury that Derek Chisora bravely took instead.
      He said: “I am not even interested in talking about that tosser, that fight is in the past.” More

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      Tyson Fury and Paris enjoy holiday with whole family as Brit star prepares for ring return against Usyk

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      TYSON FURY jetted off for a winter getaway with his family before beginning preparations for his clash with Oleksandr Usyk.The reigning WBC heavyweight champion is set to take on the undefeated Ukrainian in a historic undisputed showdown in the spring.
      Tyson Fury took wife Paris and their six kids to Tenerife for some winter sunCredit: instagram
      The Furys had a whale of a time in Spain before heading back homeCredit: instagram
      SunSport understands the Gypsy King is set to begin training for the historic clash in the coming weeks.
      But he’s made sure to enjoy some quality time with his family before diving into what will be another gruelling training camp.
      Dotting dad Tyson took wife Paris and their six kids to Tenerife for a bit of winter sun.
      The Furys were all smiles as they posed for a group photo in the street, with Tyson looking proud as punch of his young family.
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      Paris documented their mini-break via her Instagram stories, in which she showed their hilarious attempt to get all the kids to smile for a group photo.
      She saw the funny side of their failure to get the children looking at the camera, writing “Everyone look” as the caption across both photos.
      The Fury family break didn’t last long, though, as they returned to the UK a few days ago.
      And Tyson will no doubt be back in the gym on Monday to begin getting in tip-top shape to face Usyk.
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      The pair’s mouthwatering clash was expected to take place on March 4 but is now on course for April.
      Co-promoter Frank Warren told talkSPORT: “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.
      Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are on course to throw down in AprilCredit: REUTERS
      “We’re trying to get to a point where we can announce it fairly soon and we all think it’s going to happen.”
      Fury and Usyk, 34 and 36 respectively, have spent the last few weeks trading verbal jabs on social media.
      Former unified heavyweight champion Fury recently told the slick southpaw in an Instagram video: “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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      John Fury claims trim Usyk looks ‘terrible’ and that he’s same size as son Tyson’s wife Paris ahead of undisputed fight

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      JOHN FURY claimed a trim Oleksandr Usyk looks like he’s ready to fight Paris rather than her husband Tyson.The Ukrainian, 36, is set to face the WBC heavyweight world champion in a unification bout in April.
      Oleksandr Usyk will be much smaller than Tyson Fury when they face off in the ringCredit: Reuters
      Tyson’s dad suggested Usyk would be better off fighting Paris insteadCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      But with the WBA, WBO, IBF and The Ring king will come in a lot smaller, lighter and shorter than his 6ft 9ins opponent.
      And Fury’s dad piled in on Usyk’s “terrible” physique – by suggesting Usyk needs to pile on the pounds.
      But even if he does, he still expects the Gypsy King to be far too much to handle and he might fare better against his 5ft 4ins wife and mum-of-six Paris.
      Fury Sr told talkSPORT via Freebets.com: “Looking at Usyk getting out the pool the other day, he needs to do something different physically to get in the ring with Tyson.
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      “We could put the boxing gloves on Paris and let her fight him based on how he looked the other day.
      “They are about the same size. I think Paris has a bigger pair of shoulders, to be fair.
      “He did himself no favours with a body like that. He looked terrible, like he’s not eaten for three months.
      “When they are out of so-called ‘training’ their body disappears.
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      “And then you see them transformed a few months later. Like a head transplant onto another body. He will go from a rabbit to an oversized rabbit in a few months.
      “Tyson is unbeatable.
      “The Gypsy King has won all over the world. He beat one Ukrainian dosser, he will beat another.”
      Fury, 34, boasts a staggering 33-0-1 professional record with 24 wins by knockout.
      Now his full attention is on the showdown with Usyk.
      An announcement is said to be “imminent” but there is still uncertainty over where the fight will take place.
      Frank Warren, Fury’s British promoter, told Seconds Out Youtube channel: “Both sides want the fight and are up for the fight.
      “We are in a like mind.
      “I don’t think we’re far off from announcing it.
      “It’s basically just a couple of things behind the scenes we’re just trying to get sorted.
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      “I won’t go into it as I don’t want to compromise the situation.
      “News is pretty imminent now.”
      John Fury is confident his son will come through unscathed and unify the heavyweight divisionCredit: PA More

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      Eddie Hearn reveals fighters ‘in the mix’ to face Anthony Joshua next as April return set to be announced next week

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      EDDIE HEARN has revealed the fighters that are “in the mix” to face Anthony Joshua next with his April return set to be confirmed next week.The two-time heavyweight champion is aiming to bounce back after two crushing defeats to Oleksandr Usyk
      Eddie Hearn has revealed how is in the mix to fight Anthony Joshua nextCredit: PA
      Hearn confirmed this week that the boxing star has chosen a new man to train him for his return.
      And he also revealed that the Brit will be heading America for his fight camp.
      April is the month that AJ is set to pull on the gloves again – although his opponent is yet to be confirmed.
      Jermaine Franklin is one of three names in talks to fight Joshua – and the American is ready and waiting to accept a deal.
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      Franklin, 29, is alongside Aussie southpaw Demsey McKean, 32, and veteran Gerald Washington, 40, are all believed to be in consideration.
      His promoter Dmitriy Salita agreed a deal for the American to face Dillian Whyte, 34, in November, which ended in a disputed decision loss.
      Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn held talks with Salita just days ago and although no official paperwork has been exchanged, Franklin is raring to go.
      However, now Hearn has thrown two other names into the mix.
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      When asked by Boxing Social if Franklin was the frontrunner to take on Joshua, Hearn replied: “Not necessarily.
      “Otto Wallin is in the mix. Again, the southpaw situation is a problem.
      “There are loads of people that put their name forward for that fight. Probably half of the 15 in the world.”
      Hearn added: “Filip Hrgovic is another guy. It’s a tough fight for AJ.
      “That’s a great fight, but I think you’re more likely to see AJ against Filip Hrgovic for the IBF world title after the Usyk vs Fury fight probably.
      “I think it will be [for the vacant IBF belt] by the time it comes around, but again that’s a good fight, a dangerous fight. Any of those guys are a good fight for AJ to come back to.”
      Southpaw Wallin, 32, has only one loss on his professional record, and that came to WBC champion Fury back in 2019 in a bloodbath.
      Croatian Hrgovic, 30, narrowly beat Zhang Zhilei on the undercard of Joshua’s rematch defeat to Usyk in August to extend his unbeaten run to 15-0. More

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      Jermaine Franklin one of three in talks to fight Anthony Joshua with American ‘on board’ and ‘waiting for confirmation’

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      JERMAINE FRANKLIN is one of three names in talks to fight Anthony Joshua – and ready and waiting to accept a deal. AJ is in line to return on April 1 back at the O2 Arena for the first time in seven years.
      Anthony Joshua is set to return on April 1Credit: AFP
      Dillian Whyte beat Jermaine Franklin in NovemberCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      And following two defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, 36, in the space of 11 months, Joshua, 33, is primed for a confidence-building comeback bout.
      Franklin, 29, is alongside Aussie southpaw Demsey McKean, 32, and veteran Gerald Washington, 40, in consideration to fight AJ.
      His promoter Dmitriy Salita agreed a deal for the American to face Dillian Whyte, 34, in November, which ended in a disputed decision loss.
      Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn held talks with Salita just days ago and although no official paperwork has been exchanged, Franklin is raring to go.
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      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.
      “Jermaine’s side is on board as soon as Joshua gives that green light.”
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      Joshua was ringside to watch Whyte escape with a majority-decision verdict over Franklin.
      It has set the pair up for a summer rematch, which would come eight years after AJ’s epic KO win.
      But Whyte is set for a tune-up bout also while Joshua welcomes himself back to the ring.
      Following the controversy with Franklin’s first trip to London, Salita feels his man is deserving of a shot at AJ.
      He said: “I believe that from all the names I saw recently and they are Demsey Mckean, Gerald Washington and Jermaine.
      “Jermaine by far deserves the opportunity but he is not the mandatory, just a people’s challenger from this bunch.  
      “There is nothing Jermaine can do to force the fight. We are grateful for the opportunity if it in fact materialises.”
      Franklin still feels there is unfinished business with Whyte and wants a rematch.
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      But he also has his eyes on Tyson Fury, 34, and Oleksandr Usyk, 36, who are set to unify all for belts this year.
      Salita said: “From our point of view Jermaine’s plan is to beat Joshua, fight Whyte in a rematch and then fight the winner of Fury versus Usyk.”
      Dillian Whyte, promoter Eddie Hearn and Jermaine FranklinCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk announcement ‘imminent’ says Brit star’s promoter ahead of blockbuster undisputed bout

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      FRANK WARREN has revealed that an announcement for the blockbuster bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is ‘imminent’.The two title holders are set to face off this year after clearing the path with Fury defeating Derek Chisora and Usyk seeing off Anthony Joshua in a rematch.
      Tyson Fury’s fight against Oleksandr Usyk is set to be announcedCredit: Reuters
      Usyk beat Anthony Joshua las yearCredit: PA
      The undisputed fight between the two is one of the most heavily anticipated clashes among boxing fans this year.
      Fury’s promoter, Warren, has said that there are a “couple of things” to sort out to seal a deal for the fight.
      He told Seconds Out Youtube channel: “Both sides want the fight and are up for the fight.
      “We are in a like mind.
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      “I don’t think we’re far off from announcing it.
      “It’s basically just a couple of things behind the scenes we’re just trying to get sorted.
      “I won’t go into it as I don’t want to compromise the situation.
      “News is pretty imminent now.”
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      The bout between the Fury and Usyk was expected to be in March, but Warren confirmed that it has had to be pushed back.
      When asked if the new date for the bout would be in April, Warren replied: “Yeah, I mean, we have to get it on as soon as possible for obvious reasons.”
      As the fight deal nears completion, history will be made, as all four heavyweight belts have never been on the line in the same fight.
      Fury’s American promoter, Bob Arum, has confirmed that Fury and Usyk have agreed to the title showdown, and that an unidentified Middle Eastern country will host the bout.
      But if a venue in the Middle Eastern cannot be found, then Wembley Stadium would be on the table to play host. More