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    Anthony Joshua taking huge risk by changing trainers just 12 weeks before Oleksandr Usyk fight, says Eddie Hearn

    ANTHONY JOSHUA switching trainers just 12 weeks out from his must-win Oleksandr Usyk rematch is a “huge risk”, admits promoter Eddie Hearn.The 32-year-old Watford hero lost his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles to the Ukraine master in September and has a rematch booked for April.
    Anthony Joshua is closing in on his big rematch against Oleksandr Usyk
    Anthony Joshua is expected to have a new coach in his corner to replace long-time friend Rob McCracken
    The original gameplan, hatched alongside Team GB boss Rob McCracken – to try to outbox the southpaw genius – was panned after the unanimous points loss.
    And AJ has been on a tour of the US and Dubai auditioning new trainers like Eddy Reynoso, Virgil Hunter and Floyd Mayweather, with McCracken set to take the fall.
    But Hearn concedes such a seismic change, so close to the fight, could carry huge consequences, he said: “It is a huge risk but if you feel like you need a change and you can’t go on in a specific way any more, the alternative is much more risky.
    “If AJ didn’t make any changes and wasn’t comfortable with his approach going into the rematch, I feel like we shouldn’t be taking that rematch.
    “But the fact he’s been so proactive and positive and whatever route he goes down, I know he’ll be comfortable with that decision.
    “I’m a lot more at ease than with the flip side, which is to leave it. He needs something fresh, he’s excited.
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    “The key thing for him in this fight is being mentally comfortable with his preparation.”
    There has been no official announcement on McCracken’s exit, after more than a decade as Joshua’s mentor.
    But Hearn insists the man AJ regarded as the Sir Alex Ferguson of his team’s success has not been left in the lurch.
    “These conversations have been with Rob and AJ,” he said. “AJ made it clear when he said ‘I will be working with a new trainer’.
    “Will that be in conjunction with Rob? I think that’s to be announced in the coming weeks.”
    Hearn hopes the rematch announcement will follow soon after the training shake-up is revealed, with London hopeful of hosting the rerun again.
    Joshua gave conflicting interviews at the end of last year about his interest in taking stepaside money to let Usyk and WBC champion Tyson Fury battle it out to crown an undisputed king.
    And Hearn says Dillian Whyte’s overdue shot at Fury finally being mandated played a part in kyboshing that potential money-spinning plan.
    The Matchroom boss said: “Conversations about the whole step-aside manoeuvring keep popping up every now and again, because of the desire to stage an undisputed fight.
    “But, with the Dillian Whyte situation, those conversations become very difficult, because you have another pawn in the negotiations.
    “We got to the stage where it was almost like, ‘let’s crack on with the original plan’ and that’s where we’re at.
    “We’ve had two or three offers from different countries to stage Joshua v Usyk but, for me, after the success of the Spurs fight, other than the result, I would love to do that fight back in the UK, possibly at Spurs again or at Wembley, because I feel like it’s a must-win for AJ.
    “If we had the opportunity to stage the fight in the UK we should do it, and if he can win that fight on that soil it would be pretty special.”
    Eddie Hearn is worried about Joshua switching trainers
    Joshua is ready to bring a different gameplan for the Usyk rematch

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    Tyson Fury’s overall career earnings revealed including millions earned from Deontay Wilder trilogy and US fight deal

    TYSON FURY’S overall career earnings tally up to at least £177.5million, according to reports.The boxing superstar, 33, remains undefeated in his professional career in the ring.
    Tyson Fury beat Deontay Wilder in October 2021 to continue his unbeaten boxing recordCredit: Getty
    The Gypsy King has earned a reported £177m from his careerCredit: Getty
    His emphatic knockout of Deontay Wilder in their third bout last October took his record to 31-0-1.
    And he is understood to have pocketed around £20m for that successful WBC heavyweight title defence in Las Vegas.
    Coupled with an estimated £8m and £18m for the first two Wilder fights respectively, the trilogy earned Fury £46m.
    Some of Fury’s other top paydays include at least £8m when he beat Derek Chisora in 2014, £5m for Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, £7m and £10m for Tom Schwarz and Otto Wallin in 2019 respectively, according to sportspayouts.com.
    Other pay packets saw the Gypsy King rake in £3m in 2015 against Christian Hammer and £1.5m for his 2018 win over Sefer Seferi.
    In February 2019, Fury also signed an £80m deal with US broadcasters ESPN to show five fights across the pond while sticking with BT Sport in his homeland.
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    Forbes state Fury has received more than £5m in endorsements and sponsorship as well as his two bestselling books.
    Last February, Tyson also launched an official merchandise company.
    And he was paid another £12m for his guest appearance in WWE, where he beat Braun Strowman in October 2019.
    Reports estimate Fury’s net worth is between £80m and £120m now – although that will go up again when he puts his WBC belt on the line against Dillian Whyte.
    The heavyweight champ has got £28m in his firm Tyson Fury Ltd – that takes in cash from his bouts – with another £3.4m invested.
    However, despite his mega wealth, SunSport revealed end-of-year company accounts showed the frugal fighter paid himself just £70,000 in dividends in 2021.
    And in 2020, he took out a paltry £2,000.
    ‘MODEST LIFESTYLE’
    A source said: “He’s extremely careful with money and knows the value of it.
    “He’s not extravagant or flamboyant like some boxers are and lives a very modest lifestyle.”
    “He is ensuring his family is comfortable for generations to come and that’s humbling.” 
    Tyson and his wife Paris have just bought a stunning new £1.7m home in the Lancashire seaside resort of Morecambe.
    They love the picturesque area and after living in a £550,000 house overlooking the beautiful Morecambe Bay, they have now bought a second home nearby.
    It has much more room for their three daughters, Venezuela, 12, Valencia, three, and two-month-old Athena, and three sons, Prince John James, nine, Prince Tyson II, four, and Prince Adonis, two.
    But Fury does love a nice motor and has Ferraris and Rolls-Royces in his swanky collection as well as Range Rover Sport SVR, Mercedes AMG G and a humble Mini Cooper.
    Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko on a memorable night in Dusseldorf in November 2015Credit: Reuters
    He has six children with wife Paris and has recently bought a new house
    The family still have their £550,000 property overlooking Morecambe BayCredit: ITV
    Fury and mate Billy Joe Saunders both have Ferrari Portofino motorsCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101 More

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    Tyson Fury next fight date CONFIRMED by Frank Warren with heavyweight champ still in talks with Brit rival Dillian Whyte

    TYSON FURY’S next fight will take place on March 26 – but his opponent is still to be decided.The Gypsy King, 33, has been ordered to fight Dillian Whyte by the WBC but no deal has been reached yet.
    Tyson Fury will next fight on March 27 according to Frank WarrenCredit: PA
    Dillian Whyte is heavily tipped to be Fury’s next opponentCredit: Reuters
    The Bodysnatcher is said to be furious with a prospective 80-20 per cent purse split in favour of the champ.
    Warren refused to talk potential opponents and remained tight-lipped on the location of Fury’s next fight too.
    He told iFL TV: “Tyson wants the fight to be the end of March. As a team we’re looking at other situations as well.
    “Whatever happens he will fight on March 26, that’s what the objective is.
    “I’m not going to say where it is.
    “We do have a date here but it could be somewhere else. The fact of the matter is that’s when he wants to fight.”
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    Fury is eager to fight at Old Trafford next to secure his ‘hero’s homecoming’.
    He said: “It’s always been my dream to fight at Old Trafford.”
    There has also been talk of Fury fighting Whyte in Cardiff for an all British showdown.
    Alternatively, Fury could fight Andy Ruiz jr in the USA.
    The heavyweight world champion has not fought in the UK since his bout with Francesco Pianeta in 2018, having fought Deontay Wilder twice in Las Vegas and once in Los Angeles.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}read more on the sun.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    Fury has even teased a crossover fight against UFC champion Francis Ngannou – but with a twist.
    The WBC heavyweight boxing champion shared a poster of himself and Ngannou, tagging UFC president Dana White in the post.
    He captioned it: “Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?”
    It comes following a feud between Fury and UFC heavyweight Ngannou, who has talked up a boxing switch before. More

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    Tyson Fury accused of ‘penny-pinching’ with ‘unfair’ Dillian Whyte purse split and told he wouldn’t sell out stadium

    TYSON FURY has been accused of being a penny-pincher for refusing to give Dillian Whyte a bigger split of their purse.The Gypsy King refused to give his former sparring partner more than a 20 per cent split for their mandated Battle of Britain, which was ratified by the WBC.
    Dillian Whyte is the mandatory challenger for WBC heavyweight champ Tyson FuryCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
    But he’s only been given a 20 per cent split of the purse for their long-awaited bout
    And brother Dean reckons the split of the purse is wholly ‘unfair’Credit: INSTAGRAM@_DEANWHYTE
    Brixton banger Whyte initially demanded a 40 per cent split, which brother Dean believes was more than warranted given his status as interim WBC heavyweight champion.
    He told Boxing Social: “I did think it was a bit unfair, to be honest. But going by their guidelines, as a mandatory, it’s up to 30 per cent.
    “And as WBC interim champion, it’s up to 45 or up to 55 per cent.
    “And when you take into account that Dillian is someone who is a pay-per-view fighter – he does good numbers, sells out The O2 on more than a few occasions – that would suggest he does quite a few tickets and he’s got a good fanbase.
    “So you want to take that all into account. We understand there’s a lot of money on the line, but yet again, Tyson Fury and his team always say, ‘Money isn’t my main focus. I give my way to charity.’
    “And out here, you’re wanting to penny-pinch someone else who is in the sport of boxing, just like yourself, who wants to earn what their just dues are and what they deserve.”
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Dean believes his brother would be foolish to accept the current offer on the table as he wouldn’t be properly rewarded for selling the fight.
    He continued: “A lot of people say, ‘Oh, well Dill should take it because it’s for the world title.’
    “But you must understand, that means he would take it and what he’s meant to do is push this fight, make the pay-per-view numbers as big as they can be for most of the percentage to go to Tyson Fury. What for?”
    A stadium showdown has been mooted for the pair’s long-awaited dust-up, which Dean believes wouldn’t be a remote possibility for Fury without his sibling.
    He said: “If it’s a stadium fight, it’s a stadium fight because he’s fighting Dillian Whyte.
    “Tyson Fury fights anyone else, I’m not sure he even sells 5000 tickets, not being funny.”
    Former unified heavyweight champ Fury plans to fight on March 26, with or without Whyte.
    Promoter Frank Warren told iFL TV: “Tyson wants the fight to be the end of March.
    “As a team, we’re looking at other situations as well. Whatever happens, he will fight on March 26, that’s what the objective is.
    Tyson Fury plans to return to the ring on March 26Credit: Getty
    “I’m not going to say where it is.
    “We do have a date here but it could be somewhere else. The fact of the matter is that’s when he wants to fight.”
    He added: “It’s always been my dream to fight at Old Trafford.”
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    Tyson Fury receives mega-money offer to face Dillian Whyte in Saudi Arabia after teasing return to controversial nation

    TYSON FURY has an offer to take his Dillian Whyte fight to Saudi Arabia.The WBC heavyweight king only managed one fight in 2021, the incredible trilogy win over Deontay Wilder, and wants to fight in the Spring before squeezing a few bouts into 2022.
    Tyson Fury is champing at the bit to make the second defence of his WBC heavyweight titleCredit: Getty
    The WBC have ordered the Fury to face fellow Brit DillIian Whyte in his next outingCredit: GETTY
    And The Gypsy King has received a lucrative offer to face Whyte in Saudi ArabiaCredit: AFP
    And the Mexican sanctioning body has ordered their 6ft 9in ace to fight mandatory challenger Whyte first, while Anthony Joshua handles a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk over the WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
    Both Brit giants will be eager to earn as much as possible from the all-English showdown but Whyte especially as the WBC have insisted their interim champion is worthy of only 20 per cent of the purse.
    And, as we learned from AJ’s mega-money Saudi win over Andy Ruiz Jr, the Saudi site fees stumped up to land big events and help improve the country’s image can boost purses spectacularly.
    Fury has already headlined a show in Saudi, wrestling for the WWE in 2019 for a rumoured £12million.
    And he teased a return to the oil-rich nation last week with a clip of him posing with a photo of that show, saying: “The Saudi Arabian king is coming back! Get up there my boy!
    “Some big news coming, hold tight!’”
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    Fury spoke directly to Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud in May 2021, when he was deep in negotiations for a doomed showdown with Joshua in the hyper-conservtive region.
    And was already well on board with helping to promote the fight, as well as the widely criticised rulers who have been accused of sports washing.
    He roared: “I’ve just got off the phone from Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia, he’s told me this fight is 100 per cent on. August 14, 2021 summertime.
    “All eyes of the world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    “This is going to be the biggest sporting event ever to grace the planet earth. Do not miss it. All eyes on us.”

    The bout collapsed when he was forced into the Wilder finale by an arbitration judge.
    But it seems the pair have kept on good terms and hosting a Fury defence could strengthen Saudi’s chance of finally holding an undisputed heavyweight battle.
    When the Arab state held Joshua’s cautious rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019, it was on the basis that his subsequent shot at the remaining WBC belt against Fury or Wilder would happen there.
    Tyson Fury competed in Saudi Arabia in 2019 at WWE Crown JewelCredit: REUTERS
    And now the boxing power brokers in the House of Saud have another shot at teeing up the sport’s pinnacle event by holding lead-up bouts.
    Whyte boxed on the AJ undercard in Diriyah, so has no problem boxing under the controversial regime.
    And Oleksandr Usyk was ringside as a guest to watch all the action on the outskirts of Riyadh, so should have no problem signing up for another Gulf mission.

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    Boxing fans left stunned as Kash Farooq forced to retire aged just 26 due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’

    BANTAMWEIGHT boxer Kash Farooq has shocked fans by suddenly retiring from the sport at just 26-years-old. He hangs up his gloves due to ‘unforeseen circumstances,’ after 17 professional bouts, which included 16 wins and time as British bantamweight champion and WBC international champion.
    Farooq has been forced to hang up his gloves due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’Credit: Reuters
    The Pakistani-born Scottish pro was last in action in August 2021, scoring a points victory over Luis Gerardo Castillo at Matchroom’s ‘Fight Camp’ series.
    He was also set to face fellow Scotsman Lee McGregor in an eagerly anticipated rematch at some point this year following their controversial first meeting in 2019.
    But a statement released today by home of Scottish boxing St Andrew’s Sporting Club read: “It will come as a shock but due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to announce that Kash Farooq is hanging up his gloves and retiring from professional boxing.”
    Farooq had also been part of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promotion company since 2019.
    And a spokesperson for the company added: “Our well wishes are with Kash Farooq who has unfortunately had to retire due to unforeseen circumstances.
    “No doubt was destined for World honours. A brilliant fighter and top man.”
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Farooq will stay in the sport, but will take up the role of ‘Head of Talent’ for the St Andrew’s Sporting Club.
    The club’s statement continued: “Kash Farooq has always been an integral part of the ‘St Andrew’s Sporting Club’ and that will continue, as we are delighted to announce he will be joining our background team as our ‘Head of Talent’.
    “He has an invaluable wealth of skill and experience he is ready to pass on to our stable. Although ‘The Untouchable Kash Farooq’ retires from being a boxer, we are excited to begin this new chapter together.
    “We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the British Boxing Board of Control and their support on the matter.
    “Their procedures offer as a safeguard offering protection and prevention to potential harm, with the health and safety of the boxers being paramount at all times.”
    Farooq’s only defeat of his career came at the hands of Scottish rival McGregor.
    McGregor and Farooq fought in 2019, and had been gearing up to face each other again this yearCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun
    And the pair had been gearing up for a hotly anticipated all-Scottish rematch this year.
    The thrilling first bout ended in a hotly debated split decision victory for McGregor, and the 25-year-old has also reacted to the news of Farooq’s sudden retirement.
    McGregor emotionally wrote on Facebook: “I’m absolutely devastated to hear the news that @kashfarooq1 has had to retire from boxing.
    “We both helped each other so much from sparring as amateurs to being involved in one of the best fights Scotland has ever seen between 2 Scottish fighters.
    “We were on the verge of changing our life’s forever ahead of what was a hugely anticipated rematch and it’s heart breaking that we won’t get that special night we were all looking forward to.
    “My thoughts go out to @kashfarooq1 and his family and if there’s anything I can do to help in future I’ll be there in a heart beat.
    “It was an honour to share the ring with you champ I wish you nothing but the best.” More

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    Tyson Fury next fight date CONFIRMED by Frank Warren with heavyweight king still in talks with Brit rival Dillian Whyte

    TYSON FURY’S next fight will take place on March 26 – but his opponent is still to be decided.The Gypsy King, 33, has been ordered to fight Dillian Whyte by the WBC but no deal has been reached yet.
    Tyson Fury will next fight on March 27 according to Frank WarrenCredit: PA
    Dillian Whyte is heavily tipped to be Fury’s next opponentCredit: Reuters
    The Bodysnatcher is said to be furious with a prospective 80-20 per cent purse split in favour of the champ.
    Warren refused to talk potential opponents and remained tight-lipped on the location of Fury’s next fight too.
    He told iFL TV: “Tyson wants the fight to be the end of March. As a team we’re looking at other situations as well.
    “Whatever happens he will fight on March 26, that’s what the objective is.
    “I’m not going to say where it is.
    “We do have a date here but it could be somewhere else. The fact of the matter is that’s when he wants to fight.”
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    Fury is eager to fight at Old Trafford next to secure his ‘hero’s homecoming’.
    He said: “It’s always been my dream to fight at Old Trafford.”
    There has also been talk of Fury fighting Whyte in Cardiff for an all British showdown.
    Alternatively, Fury could fight Andy Ruiz jr in the USA.
    The heavyweight world champion has not fought in the UK since his bout with Francesco Pianeta in 2018, having fought Deontay Wilder twice in Las Vegas and once in Los Angeles.
    Fury has even teased a crossover fight against UFC champion Francis Ngannou – but with a twist.
    The WBC heavyweight boxing champion shared a poster of himself and Ngannou, tagging UFC president Dana White in the post.
    He captioned it: “Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?”
    It comes following a feud between Fury and UFC heavyweight Ngannou, who has talked up a boxing switch before. More

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    Callum Johnson out of Joe Smith Jr world title bout with Covid-19 as fellow Brit Anthony Yarde is lined up instead

    CALLUM JOHNSON has been forced to withdraw from his light-heavyweight title fight with Joe Smith Jr after testing positive for Covid.Johnson was due to challenge Smith for the WBO light heavyweight strap in New York a week on Sunday morning.
    Callum Johnson was due to challenge Joe Smith Jr for the WBO light-heavyweight title next weekendCredit: TOP RANK
    But the 37-year-old has been forced to withdraw from the bout after testing positive for CovidCredit: PA
    But a positive Covid test has scuppered The One’s second crack at a world title.
    Promoter Frank Warren told The BBC: “It’s a real great shame for Callum.
    “Hopefully we can get him back in, they may want to [reschedule the fight] in late spring.
    “He worked really hard to get the opportunity.”
    Johnson, 37, could miss out on the fight altogether as the bout was a voluntary defence for Smith Jr.
    But Johnson’s loss could be the gain of fellow Brit Anthony Yarde, who currently ranked No1 in the WBO’s 175lb rankings.
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    Warren said: “If Callum doesn’t get his shot then Anthony Yarde is next.
    “I’d love to do Joe Smith v Anthony Yarde in the UK.
    “The WBO say there is a mandatory due and it’s going to be Yarde. He is the number one.
    “Anthony looked so good in his last fight against Lyndon Arthur. We’ve got him down to fight sometime in March anyway. Fingers crossed.
    “We’ll see what happens next week with Smith and how he comes through. Then go from there.
    “I want to keep Anthony busy. We want to get the world title shot for him.
    “The experience he’s gained since [fighting] Sergey Kovalev stands him in good stead. He really gives Smith so many problems.”
    Johnson has yet to comment on his unfortunate withdrawal from his clash with Smith Jr.
    The Lincolnshire-born light-heavyweight secured his second crack at a world title with three consecutive victories following his fourth-round TKO defeat to unified light-heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev four years ago.
    Anthony Yarde is in the frame to face Smith Jr as he’s ranked No.1 in the WBO rankingsCredit: THE SUN More