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      Conor McGregor’s ex-sparring partner makes stunning prediction for fight between UFC icon and Jake Paul

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      PAULIE MALIGNAGGI has thrown another dig at Conor McGregor – by backing Jake Paul to knock him out. There is no love lost between Malignaggi and McGregor following their bitter sparring sessions in 2017.
      Pauli Malignaggi sparring Conor McGregorCredit: Twitter
      Jake Paul in training for his next fightCredit: @jakepaul
      And the former world champion boxer has shown no signs of letting his grudge go in the years since.
      It has led him to pick YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul, 26, beating McGregor, 34, in the ring amid the prospect of a mega-fight.
      Malignaggi, 42, told Betway: “I think Jake Paul would knock Conor out.
      “Conor is too susceptible to those loopy shots and Jake hits hard enough that only needs to hit you with one or two of them.
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      “I think Conor has decent sharp shots but I don’t think Conor has the discipline to stay with those little sharp shots for a certain amount of rounds.
      “I think he would fall apart because he doesn’t have a lot of heart. Conor has no balls.
      “If you take Conor a few rounds he already has this very big discomfort and mistakes naturally create themselves. You don’t even have to create them anymore.
      “I think he would do OK for a couple of rounds, but if you didn’t get Jake out in a couple of rounds, I think Jake would knock him out, and he would probably knock out with a big shot.”
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      McGregor sparred Malignaggi twice before his professional boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
      But following leaked images and footage of the session, Malignaggi stormed out of the Irishman’s camp.
      McGregor would go on to lose to Mayweather in ten rounds and despite teasing a return to the ring it remains his only boxing bout.
      And having shared the ring with the ex-UFC champion behind closed doors, Malignaggi claimed he knew the result was inevitable.
      He said: “Coming out of that spar I thought this has got to be the biggest money heist in the history of money.
      “This guy is so terrible and he’s going to fight Mayweather, probably the best boxer in the history of the sport.
      “Even though he’s retired, Mayweather is going to beat this guy with his eyes closed. And that’s basically how it went. He played with them.”
      Paulie Malignaggi sparred twice with Conor McGregor
      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: Reuters More

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      Tyson Fury scouring Australia for next fight venue as he reveals plans to take on Usyk and other ‘big’ names

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      TYSON FURY has announced that he is looking to fight in Australia amid ongoing talks over his next big bout.The WBC heavyweight champion arrived in Melbourne at the weekend to support Joseph Parker ahead of his clash with Faiga Opelu, which is set to take place on Wednesday.
      Fury has revealed that he is looking to fight in AustraliaCredit: Getty
      The Gypsy King is in Melbourne to support ParkerCredit: Getty
      But when speaking ahead of the event, the Gypsy King revealed that he is also there to scout a potential location for a future fight.
      He said: “I’m looking to do a fight here so I will be going up and down the country looking at different stadiums over the next few days. I’m 100% serious.”
      Fury also hinted at an upcoming clash with Oleksandr Usyk as well as some other “big” fights.
      The 34-year-old added: “I’m looking to fight some big fights this year and next year.
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      “We have an undisputed fight on the horizon for all the belts against Oleksandr Usyk.
      “That has been in talks now for well over a year. There’s also other big fights.”
      Fury called out unified WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight champion Usyk once again last week with a passionate Instagram message.
      The two were in talks over a huge undisputed title fight earlier this year, but negotiations collapsed in March.
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      Fury has since proposed a summer showdown at Wembley Stadium in London.
      He said: “I’m sick of all this back and forward ‘he said, she said’. Why don’t we just do this?
      “Why don’t we fight this summer, me and you, at Wembley stadium for the percentage you’ve already agreed.
      “And if you want the rematch so desperately, you can have one. I don’t need rematches, I don’t need nothing because I’m going to cut you down like cheese.
      “So here’s the offer. Let’s do the fight at Wembley this summer, me and you.”
      The Gypsy King went on to aim a dig at Deontay Wilder and Daniel Dubois, who Usyk has been linked with fighting, adding: “Forget about fighting Deontay Wilder who I’ve knocked out twice, and forget about fighting Daniel Dubois who’s not on our levels.

      “You’ve already beat [Anthony] Joshua. The only fight left is me and you for undisputed.
      “I know you didn’t fancy it the first time so let’s see if we can rekindle it and have a good fight for the fans. Let’s get it on! Make the right decision.” More

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      Deontay Wilder’s coach fears Anthony Joshua ‘may not make it to December’ and could scupper huge fight

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      DEONTAY WILDER’S coach fears Anthony Joshua “may not make it to December” and ruin their huge fight plans.The two heavyweights are in talks over a bout that will take place at the end of this year.
      Deontay Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott is worried Anthony Joshua could scupper fight plansCredit: Timesgrab
      Anthony Joshua could step into the ring before the December boutCredit: Getty
      Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott is concerned the fight won’t happen if AJ steps into the ring before the big-money showdown in the Middle East.
      Rumours suggest that he could meet Dillian Whyte in a rematch of the 2015 clash this summer.
      And Scott thinks he could get beaten, which would scupper the idea for him facing Wilder.
      He said to Betway: “This is going to sound bad but I don’t care. If a C+ fighter that really believes in himself is against Joshua, he has a very good chance at beating AJ.
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      “You could be a C+ guy, but if you really believe, and you train hard, and you work hard, and you take advantage of the loopholes of AJ you could beat him.
      “I’m not afraid of him fighting, but let’s say I don’t agree with AJ having an interim fight.
      “I want us to be next to knock out Anthony Joshua.
      “The way that he’s looking now, he may not make it to December.
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      “There’s just no telling. But we’ll see, he’s with Derrick James now, one of the best trainers in the game.”
      Discussions continue over Wilder’s bout with Joshua, as confirmed by Scott.
      He said: “Without going into too much detail about the business aspect of it, everything’s been said, talked about, negotiated, but nothing’s been signed,
      “But signing is almost upon us. But the negotiations definitely are happening. The moves are being made.
      “The business aspect is definitely being taken care of, and most of all Deontay Wilder is being taken care of and is going to get paid very well for his services, and that’s the most important part to me.”
      Meanwhile, Dominic Ingle, son of legendary trainer Brendan, can’t see AJ doing the Bronze Bomber any damage.
      He told Boxing King Media: “The way Wilder is, he’s reckless when he fights – and Anthony Joshua isn’t.
      “He’s got the reach, he’ll throw caution to the wind, he’s got the power and he’ll get off the floor and he’ll fight.
      “I think it’d be a very difficult job for Joshua to beat Wilder, very difficult. I don’t think he has the ability to.” More

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      Floyd Mayweather, 46, shares boxing masterclass with fans left ‘mesmerised’ by legend’s hands

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER wowed fans with a “mesmerising” boxing masterclass aged 46 – with one fan hailing the “best defence ever”.The American was repeatedly labelled the “GOAT” as he barely broke sweat in a slick routine that bamboozled his opponent with the pad.
      Floyd Mayweather looked as smooth as ever during a dazzling clipCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather
      The American tied his pad rival in knows with effortless movementCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather
      The five-weight ex-world champ was a picture of grace as he weaved around, even continuing to punch effortlessly when he looked away to the camera.
      Mayweather last fought professionally in beating UFC icon Conor McGregor in 2017.
      But he showed again how he’s able to look untarnished in exhibition bouts as he bobbed and swayed smoothly.
      One amazed fan posted: “This. Is. Awesome.”
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      And many agreed with this observer: “Pad guy gets more of a workout than Floyd.”
      A third noted Mayweather had the trait of a great – making his craft appear so easy.
      The boxing enthusiast wrote: “Most can’t fathom how impressive this is. Not just physically but cognitively If you’ve ever done pad work, impossible not to watch on repeat.”
      Another said: “Best defence there’s ever been.”
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      And there was a clear feeling that, even in middle age, this was timeless magic.
      One viewer stated: “An excellent fighter who’s clearly kept himself in shape. One of the best to ever do it.”
      Mayweather still rakes in the cash with exhibition contests against stars from the worlds of martial arts and social media.
      And McGregor is keen for a re-match despite his tenth-round stoppage-defeat six years ago.
      He told Inside Fighting: “I’ve had a long time to analyse it, happy with how it went the last time. I’d for sure look to (KO Mayweather).”
      The Irishman would have to get near Mayweather to do that.
      And on the latest video evidence from the Pretty Boy, that’s wishful thinking. More

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      Dillian Whyte claims Anthony Joshua is ‘afraid’ to take rematch and urges old foe to ‘pull his finger out’

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      DILLIAN WHYTE reckons Anthony Joshua and his stable have ‘lost their bottle for real fights’.Brixton Body Snatcher Whyte was promised a third fight against AJ if he beat Jermaine Franklin last November.
      Anthony Joshua has been accused of ‘losing his bottle’ for real fightsCredit: Getty
      Dillian Whyte was promised a rematch with AJ that no longer looks to be happeningCredit: Alamy
      He did just that but London 2012 Olympic hero Joshua chose to fight American Franklin instead, labouring to a points win.
      British fight fans were promised three Joshua fights in 2023, as he tries to gel with new trainer Derrick James.
      But it now looks like his Saudi paymasters are keeping him on ice until a December clash with Deontay Wilder.
      Then this month, Joshua — who doubles as fellow heavyweight Frazer Clarke’s manager — successfully campaigned for the British Boxing Board of Control to make the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist the mandatory challenger for Whyte’s protege, British heavyweight champ Fabio Wardley.
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      But Joshua pulled Clarke out of the summer showdown when promoter Boxxer and broadcaster Sky Sports decided to swerve purse bids.
      Now 31-year-old Clarke — who has publicly complained about low-level opposition helping him get to 6-0 — is ruled out of British title contention for a year after flip-flopping.
      Instead he faces 43-year-old Polish fighter Mariusz Wach, who has lost seven of his last ten.
      It makes little sense to free agent Whyte, who helped mould Wardley from sparring partner to bona fide star and is fuming with the heavyweight business at national and world level.
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       Whyte, 35, told SunSport: “Fans must be getting p***ed off because people are promising and pushing for these fights and then bottling it when they are close to happening.
      “Lots of big fights don’t happen, it’s annoying but people see it coming and have to accept it.
      “It’s crazy but currently only five out of the top 50 heavyweight boxers have a fight arranged.
      “Inactivity is killing the sport and it needs a shake-up. I am waiting for my next fight — and was meant to fight Joshua after Franklin.
      “Joshua and his team told everybody ‘the winner of Whyte and Franklin fights AJ’ — and then they boxed the loser.
      “And now they have petitioned for Frazer Clarke to fight Fabio for his title, got exactly what they asked for and have bottled it.
      “It’s a joke, they look around blaming each other, making excuses, talking up other fights further down the line.
      “But anyone who sees Joshua sitting around for nine months waiting for a Wilder cash-out — or Clarke taking on some journeyman in a pointless undercard fight — will see a team that has lost its bottle.”
      Whyte’s diehard fans and even his most ardent haters would have to agree with most of his sentiments.
      The confusion around this crucial part of AJ’s career is baffling. And the debacle over Clarke has ended up a farce.
      Whyte laughed: “Joshua’s team are doing interviews saying he beats me in four rounds.
      “But he can’t decide if I’m his dream opponent or his worst nightmare.
      “I want the fight. I know that DAZN want the fight, too, because it would be an absolutely huge event.
      “The only problem we all have is Joshua. He has confidence issues and is afraid to take the fight.
      “He doesn’t want to risk his retirement payday in Saudi Arabia against Wilder — who is also past his sell-by date.
      “Joshua and his team are talking Clarke up as a future world champion.
      “But they’re terrified of fighting Fabio, who was fighting white-collar in Ipswich pubs a few years ago. These people are spineless.
      “There’s a long list of opponents I can fight next and the deadline for Joshua to pull his finger out and find his pen is coming soon.
      “And there’s a load of British heavyweights, like David Adeleye and Solly Dacres, who want to challenge Fabio. Or he can move on to European and world targets.
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      “Joshua isn’t the golden goose anymore, the sport doesn’t revolve around him.
      “Him and his people don’t seem to realise it but duck me again and lose to Wilder in December and he and his team — that know so much but do so little — are finished.” More

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      Fuming boxing legend Frank Bruno claims ministers ‘don’t give a monkey’s’ about people with mental health problems

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      BOXING great Frank Bruno claims ministers “don’t give a monkey’s” about people with mental health problems.The ex-world heavyweight champ says those with illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are being betrayed.
      Boxing legend Frank Bruno says mental health sufferers have been let down by politiciansCredit: PA
      Frank, 61, said: “Every time an election comes up ministers say, ‘We will make changes, we will spend some money, we will make things better’.
      “It’s a lie. They don’t stick to it. A lot of them just don’t give a monkey’s.
      “There’s tens of thousands of people across the country being let down and betrayed.
      “I’ve been invited into the House of Commons and I’ve heard a lot of very important people promise the world.
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      “Then, when you try to phone up to get something, they don’t want to know.”
      Frank won the WBC world title by beating Oliver McCall at Wembley in 1995 and twice fought ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson
      He has since struggled with bipolar disorder but said he now feels “better than he has in years”.
      Describing the current failures in the system he said: “Too often doctors are just sending patients home with tablets or locking people up in hospitals and forcing them to exist like zombies.
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      “I’d like to see the politicians go inside those hospitals to see what really goes on. But they don’t want to do it. It’s shameful.” More

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      Anthony Joshua to return to training THIS WEEK in hint he will make comeback to the ring before December

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA is reportedly returning to training this week in a fresh hint that he will be returning to the ring before December.Former unified heavyweight champion AJ hasn’t set foot in the ring since his scrappy points win over Jermaine Franklin last month.
      Anthony Joshua is reportedly returning to the gym on FridayCredit: Instagram @anthonyjoshua
      AJ looks set to have a summer fight before facing Deontay WilderCredit: Reuters
      We revealed this week that the 33-year-old’s long-awaited showdown with Deontay Wilder is on the verge of being finalised.
      His promoter Eddie Hearn has stated that he would like the Watford warrior to take another warm-up fight before throwing down with the former WBC king.
      An all-British clash with Dillian Whyte has been mooted – and now it seems that Joshua is about to start preparing for a fight camp before the bumper bout with the Bronze Bomber.
      Journalist Dan Rafael took to Twitter to reveal to his followers that he had spoken to AJ’s trainer Derrick James.

      And he says that he informed him that Joshua is “due back in gym” on Friday.
      Talks over his long overdue grudge match with Wilder – which is on course to land in Saudi Arabia this winter – began in April.
      Unlike their first round of negotiations five years ago, this time discussions between both camps have gone swimmingly – so much so that Wilder’s head coach – Malik Scott – expects an imminent announcement.
      Joshua and Wilder’s long-awaited meeting is set to be part of a four-man tournament involving Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
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      And Scott has also claimed that the December dust-ups will take place on the SAME night.
      Matchroom Boxing chief said: “If they [the Saudis] can’t get [Tyson] Fury-Usyk over the line, they will still do AJ vs. Wilder.
      “You hit the numbers that we want, and then we work backward on that for the August fight that he [Joshua] will be having.
      “We all believe he needs that fight in August and more time with [trainer] Derrick James, more preparation for Deontay Wilder, and then that’s it.
      “Who we choose will be dependent on if we get that Wilder deal done.
      “I like the Dillian Whyte fight [for Joshua]. Whether he gets the Wilder fight done or not, I like that fight.” More

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      Ebanie Bridges claims ‘scared’ Anthony Joshua has a ‘glass chin’ and says Deontay Wilder will knock him out

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      EBANIE BRIDGES has slammed Anthony Joshua as “scared” ahead of his potential fight against Deontay Wilder.AJ has been earmarked to fight the Bronze Bomber in a Saudi Arabian boxing tournament later this year.
      Anthony Joshua has been slammed as ‘scared’Credit: Getty
      Ebanie Bridges has slammed Joshua for having a ‘glass chin’Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq8lNjFLx6W/
      She believes Deontay Wilder would win their boutCredit: EPA
      However, IBF bantamweight champion Bridges does not give the Brit much hope of winning the bout due to his “glass chin”.
      She told talkSPORT: “I think Wilder knocks Joshua out.
      “I always said that because Joshua has shown his whole career he has a glass chin.
      “And, he’s even worse now because he’s scared and when you’re scared and hesitant, you’re even more susceptible to it.”
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      The other fight in the proposed tournament would see Tyson Fury finally take on Oleksandr Uysk following their failed negotiations for an undisputed title fight earlier this year.
      But Bridges believes Fury has the upper hand on the Ukrainian thanks to an overwhelming physical advantage.
      She said: “I think Fury wins that.
      “He’s too big, strong, slick, skilful, he’s got all that and he’s not scared and he has spite, so I think all that beats Usyk.
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      “I think Usyk is very skilled, but Fury has the weight and the power and he’s a very natural heavyweight.
      “So that’s why he’ll beat Usyk, he’ll be able to wear him down and tire him out.”
      The current plan for the tournament will see the winner of both fights square off in a grand final.
      However, this could take a twist with Usyk instead fighting Wilder and Joshua fighting Fury in a Battle of Britain showdown.
      It comes after the WBA ordered Usyk to defend his title against Daniel Dubois.
      But with a deal yet to be confirmed and if a fight doesn’t come to fruition then the WBA will order a fight between Usyk and Wilder. More