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      Boxer Kenneth Egano dead at 22 after collapsing in ring despite Manny Pacquiao’s desperate bid to help

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      FILIPINO boxer Kenneth Egano has tragically died aged 22.The bantamweight prospect was hospitalised last week following his eight-rounder with Jason Facularin at the Imus Sports Gymnasium in Imus, Cavite.
      Filipino boxer Kenneth Egano has tragically passed away aged 22Credit: INSTAGRAM@KETH_ELTIRIBLI
      The bantamweight suffered a brain haemorrhage during his clash with Jason Facularin last weekCredit: HEPE TV
      There was serious concern for Egano after the fightCredit: HEPE TV
      The bantamweight prospect eventually wound up in a coma but failed to recoverCredit: INSTAGRAM@KETH_ELTIRIBLI
      It later emerged that Egano had suffered a brain hemorrhage – which led to him being put into a coma.
      But sadly, he failed to recover from the horrific injury and passed away.
      The final fight of Egano’s career took place on the latest Blow by Blow series – which is run by Manny Pacquiao Promotions.
      And the Filipino boxing legend immediately came to the aid of Egano and his family by paying his medical fees.
      The former eight-weight world champion said: “There is nothing more precious than human life.”
      He later added: “Boxing is truly a dangerous sport and the boxers deserve nothing but respect as they put their lives on the line.
      “Other sports you play, but you don’t play boxing.”
      Egano’s passing was announced by the Games and Amusements Board – who posted a touching tribute to the late boxer – on Wednesday.
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      The Filipino Games and Amusements Board paid tribute to the late Egano on FacebookCredit: GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS BOARD
      Their statement read: “The entire agency of Games and Amusements Board (GAB) mourns the passing of professional boxer Kenneth Egano.
      “Our condolences to Kenneth’s family, relatives and friends.
      “May his soul rest in peace.”
      Egano survived a nasty knockdown in the bout but came storming back to win the contest via decision.
      But the brutal blows he absorbed in the contest proved to be fatal.
      The news of Egano’s tragic death has rocked the Filipino boxing world.
      But none more so than a heartbroken and crushed Facularin.
      He wrote on social media: “I didn’t expect that this will happen when we did our best.
      “Why did it happen to us? “Sorry that it happened. I hope you’re in a good place.” More

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      Jake Paul says stars on KSI’s Misfits Boxing must ‘respect the sport’ more and slams ‘circus’ fights on show

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      JAKE PAUL has called on stars of KSI’s Misfits Boxing to “respect the sport” and slammed the “circus” fights on show.KSI, 29, last year launched the promotion to give a home to crossover and celebrity fights with events aired on DAZN.
      Jake Paul says the Misfits bouts are far removed from real boxingCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      KSI is the owner of Misfits BoxingCredit: Darren Fletcher
      But the lines between true sports and entertainment have been blurred since Misfists’ rise.
      In March, they introduced tag-team boxing to a mixture of fanfare and outrage.
      And on this Saturday’s pay-per-view event, two content creators who weigh a combined total of almost 60 STONE are set to fight.
      It leaves KSI’s arch rival Paul critical of the direction Misfits is going in and slammed that it is “not a sport”.
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      He said: “I think it is definitely on the WWE-side of things.
      “And it’s definitely a separate thing than the boxing purists should be interested in. But I do see how it has entertainment value.
      “The problem with it is that they call it ‘boxing’ and ‘influencer boxing. It’s just more like this circus spectacle, which is fine but let’s not ruin the sport of boxing.
      “Because I think influencer boxing added fans to the sport and brought more respect and credibility when people were taking it very, very seriously and putting on really good fights.
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      “Now they’re doing tag-teams and it’s all these different weight classes, they’re only fighting like two or three rounds.
      “Like, that’s not a sport, go in there fight six rounds, do a proper f*****g training camp, get f*****g good and respect the sport.
      “So, I see how it could bring more fans but I just don’t want it to turn into this like, WWE thing.
      “And it’s nothing against the WWE – I love the WWE – but in terms of boxing, it’s just different.”
      Paul, 26, similarly owns his own Most Valuable Promotions, and co-hosts his bouts.
      He also has champions like Amanda Serrano, 34, and top prospect Ashton Sylve, 19, signed to his banner.
      Paul has recently launched his Most Valuable Prospect series, to try and find the next big boxing talent – not personality.
      He said: “I just love this sport and I’m surrounded by real fighters all the time.
      “Most Valuable Prospects will be real, young, hungry boxers who have been fighting their whole entire life and we want to give them a platform in a professional way.
      “I want to find the next Muhammad Ali, the next Mike Tyson, through Most Valuable Prospects. I’m not trying to find the next Salt Papi and all this stuff.
      “It’s fun but I’m trying to grow the next generation of talent and boxers and help women’s boxing and sign world champions and get the paydays that they deserve.
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      “This WWE, Misfits s*** is kind of a separate side thing that I don’t really care about.”
      Women’s boxing champion Amanda Serrano with Jake PaulCredit: The Mega Agency More

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      Jake Paul says Tommy Fury loss made boxing career even more authentic and will fight for ‘a lot longer’ because of it

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      JAKE PAUL said losing to Tommy Fury has made his boxing career even more authentic and could even prolong it. The YouTuber-turned prizefighter suffered defeat for the first time in February, falling victim to a split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
      Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul on pointsCredit: Getty
      But Paul, 26, has been reinvigorated by the setback and revealed it has only extended his ambitions in the sport.
      He said: “A lot of people in my position would’ve just gotten worse mentally or crumbled or gave up or went back and take an easy fight or a tune-up fight.
      “This made me a boxer even more and to come back to prove myself and to learn and get better. I love this sport, I love everything about it.
      “This reaffirmed my belief and almost made me sign this like contract that maybe wasn’t even signed yet with boxing, forever.
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      “Because when I was winning and winning and winning, I was like, ‘Oh, I might just win a couple more fights and then retire.’
      “But now I realise that I need this sport and I’m going to be here for a lot longer of a time period than I originally thought.”
      Paul snubbed a rematch with Fury, 24, and will instead return on August 5 in Texas against ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38.
      He dives right back into a box office blockbuster, to be aired on DAZN pay-per-view.
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      And he will do so not only with a new mentality but also a fresh team.
      Paul has rehired Shane Mosley as his coach after starting his career by winning his professional debut with the boxing legend.
      Losing to Fury forced the American to re-evaluate who is truly in his corner when dealing and reflecting on the defeat.
      Paul said: “It was intense, man. Lot’s of deep thoughts, lot’s of changes being made within the camp.
      “Switching things up and having to revisit the drawing board and taking a look at everything; myself, my coaches, my friends, what went wrong.
      “And that was definitely a lengthy process, it wasn’t necessarily the easiest to figure out and a lot of those answers weren’t fun.
      “So there had to be a lot of these changes but it was a great reality check.
      “It’s like I’m going around knocking pretty much everyone out or down to the canvas at least and making a bunch of money doing it.
      “And you get kind of caught up in that and you can lose that hunger. And I didn’t even know I did.
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      “I thought I still had that same hunger and motivation but it turns out in hindsight, I didn’t.
      “Obviously, I’m new in this game and so there’s so much to learn and the weeks after were really some of the toughest moments of my life but the best now I’m able to look back at it in hindsight.”
      Jake Paul and Nate Diaz ahead of their DAZN PPV fightCredit: Noah Red & Alexis Contreras More

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      Deontay Wilder’s coach says Anthony Joshua is ‘right in line’ to get brutally knocked out but heaps praise on Brit star

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      DEONTAY WILDER’S trainer said Anthony Joshua is “right in line” to get brutally knocked out… before heaping praise on him. Joshua and Wilder are in negotiations for a super-fight for December in Saudi Arabia, with talks ongoing.
      Deontay Wilder with his coach Malik ScottCredit: Instagram @malikkingscott
      Anthony Joshua is in talks to fight Deontay WilderCredit: Getty
      It came after AJ got back to winning ways in April, comfortably beating Jermaine Franklin on points over 12 rounds.
      But Wilder’s coach Malik Scott insisted it was not the Joshua of old, which spells bad news heading into a potential bout with the Bronze Bomber.
      Scott told iFL TV: “I looked at the fight again, and I think it was a fair [performance].
      “Do I think he’s right in line to be knocked out by Wilder? Absolutely. But I also saw so many good things that AJ did.
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      “I like the AJ that fought [Alexander] Povetkin, that fought Dillian Whyte for the first time, the AJ that fought [Kubrat] Pulev.
      “That AJ doesn’t seem like it’s there right now, but we’ll see. I don’t want to keep critiquing him, sometimes my honesty threatens other peoples reality.”
      Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn flew out to Riyadh for talks with boxing bosses in Saudi.
      And he hopes to agree a deal with Wilder within the next few weeks, before deciding on whether AJ has an interim bout in the summer.
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      Hearn told Matchroom’s YouTube channel: “Just look at that situation and decide if there’s a fight – which will now be early August – for Anthony Joshua.
      “If he does fight before then. I would like him to, I think Derrick James would and I think AJ would.
      “But we’ll have to see how those talks evolve with Deontay Wilder
      “We just made for clear to them. Our message was, ‘AJ is ready for all of those fights and is happy to agree to a Deontay Wilder fight in December.’
      “And we’ll see if we can close terms in the next couple of weeks.”
      Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: Rex More

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      Tommy Fury reveals he is ‘looking forward’ to KSI fight and blasts ‘delusional’ YouTuber for saying he could beat him

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      TOMMY FURY revealed he is “looking forward” to fighting KSI – and blasted the “delusional” YouTuber for saying he could beat him. Social media, music and influencer boxing star KSI looked on course to finally settle his score with arch rival Jake Paul this year.
      Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul on pointsCredit: Getty
      KSI wants to fight Tommy FuryCredit: Reuters
      But those plans look to have faced the KO after Paul was beaten by Fury in February by split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
      KSI has since revealed he now wants to instead face Fury and finish what Paul started.
      He tweeted: “I’d much rather fight and beat Tommy Fury so I can ruin Jake Paul’s legacy.”
      But a shocked Fury, 24, responded: “Wait. Beat who?”
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      To which KSI, 29, bluntly fired back: “Beat you. Can you not read?”
      And Fury replied: “Just as delusional as Jake. I’m looking forward to this one.”
      Paul, 26, snubbed a Fury rematch or talks with KSI to instead return on August 5 in Texas against 38-year-old ex-UFC star Nate Diaz.
      So KSI will refuse to wait around for Paul and instead try to one-up his arch enemy by beating Fury.
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      He told SunSport: “I want Tommy Fury, simple as that. I’m not going to waste my time with Jake Paul.
      “He wants to fight Nate Diaz, an MMA fighter who isn’t known for his boxing; black belt in jujitsu, blah, blah, blah.
      “Maybe in the UFC ring it would be a bit more entertaining, in the MMA ring yeah, but in the boxing ring everyone just knows Jake is going to win that.
      “I’m not just going to waste my time, I’m going to go straight for Tommy and do what Jake Paul couldn’t.”
      KSI returns on Saturday at Wembley Arena against millionaire nightclub tycoon-turned 9-0 boxer Joe Fournier, 40.
      But in the background, his promoter Kalle Sauerland revealed ongoing negotiations with Fury and his dad John.
      Although Paul spoke out at the Miami Grand Prix to claim he WILL rematch Fury down the line.
      He told Sky Sports: “It’s going to happen, it’s going to happen for sure.
      “I think it was a great fight, it was entertaining, it was the biggest pay-per-view buys in boxing for the last two years so I think we have to run it back.

      “Tommy is down and I’m excited for that.”
      Jake Paul at the Miami GPCredit: Rex More

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      I’m a London-born boxer who fought for USA, became a world heavyweight champ and then a Hollywood star

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      MICHAEL BENTT had a boxing career fit for Hollywood – before taking his talents to the big screen. Bentt famously knocked out Tommy Morrison for the title and later portrayed Sonny Liston after becoming in actor.
      Michael Bentt was the heavyweight champion-turned actorCredit: Getty
      Michael Bentt was born in London but raised in New YorkCredit: themichaelbentt
      But he so nearly gave up on the sport, having fallen out of love with boxing at an early age.
      Bentt was born in London to Jamaican parents but grew up in New York after moving to America at a young age.
      And he was made to box along with his older brother Winston by their dad, whose cousin Rudolph Bent was also a fighter.
      Bentt went onto have a successful amateur career, winning four New York City Golden Gloves and five US titles.
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      He even won bronze at the 1986 world championship but after twice missing out on the Olympics, he thought his days were up.
      That was until legendary trainer Emanuel Steward phoned and convinced him to turn professional.
      But the heavyweight prospect – who had a 178-10 amateur record – suffered disaster on his debut.
      He was knocked out by journeyman opponent Jerry Jones inside a round which left his boxing hopes facing the KO.
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      Bentt told Boxing News in 2019: “With my amateur pedigree, should that have happened ? No.
      “But I had no respect for him. I didn’t think he would punch back. I was beyond depressed after the fight. I was suicidal.
      “It was like having your heart broken by a woman you love and I wanted to cover my head in shame every day.
      “People had reason to judge me as a loser and I started to see myself as a loser. I had a broken spirit. My confidence as a boxer was shattered.”
      Bentt got a job at a hospital in Queens after the shock loss and spent almost two years out of the ring.
      But iconic British boxing promoter Mickey Duff gave Bentt a fighting chance by organising some sparring with feared puncher Gary Mason.
      Bentt would make his return in 1990 at London’s Royal Albert Hall and went on to notch nine more wins on the bounce over three years.
      I had no respect for him. I didn’t think he would punch back. I was beyond depressed after the fight. I was suicidal. Michael Bentt on losing his debut
      By that time, Morrison was the new kid on the block, a hulking blonde American primed for big things after starring in Rocky 5.
      He had just won the WBO title by beating George Foreman and was in line for a super-fight with Lennox Lewis.
      Morrison had an $8million purse against Lewis waiting for him but opted to take a homecoming bout in Tulsa to pass the time.
      What he did not know was that Bentt came to spoil the party and scored a stunning first-round KO to rip the title and payday away from him.
      Morrison was a punch or two away from winning himself, before a right hand turned the tie on its head within a matter of moments.
      Bentt remembered: “When you knock someone down and the stakes are so high, you can get caught up in it.
      Michael Bentt knocked out Tommy Morrison to win the heavyweight titleCredit: Getty
      “He was hurt, but I knew I had to be careful. He was known for getting up from knockdowns and winning fights – and he was known for his monster left hook.
      “After the first knockdown, I kept my right hand glued to my chin. He threw a big left hook, I caught it and countered.”
      Following the upset, Bentt travelled back to England for his first defence of the belt, which he lost just as quickly as he had won it.
      Bentt was brutally knocked out by Britain’s Herbie Hide in round seven, in what would be his last ever fight.
      He spent four days in a coma but recovered within two weeks – although it was enough to spark a retirement from boxing.
      Bentt said: “The emotional scars were there. Nobody likes to lose, but I think that fight saved my life.
      “I would still be fighting today if that hadn’t happened and I never wanted to end up damaged.”
      Michael Bentt, Herbie Hide and promoter Barry HearnCredit: Getty
      Herbie Hide beat Michael Bentt for the titleCredit: Getty
      After hanging up his gloves, Bentt went to college and studied journalism and acting.
      It was there that he found his calling for performing and before long, he mixed his new passion with his old.
      Bentt landed the role of Sonny Liston in the 2001 Muhammad Ali biopic, where Will Smith starred as The Greatest.
      He also helped Smith – who received an Oscar nomination for the performance – with his training regime.
      Bentt said in 2012: “It was a fantastic experience. It’s my first major film and it’s like I hit the lottery.
      “I’m working with Will Smith and Michael Mann, and I’m working with people like Jon Voight. I just couldn’t go wrong.”
      Bentt has gone on to star in several TV and film roles, but his life and career was in 2019 remembered in an episode of the Netflix series “Losers.”

      And in 2022, he was inducted into the New York Hall of Fame, ensuring his name will live long in the history books.
      Will Smith, left, as Muhmmad Ali against Michael Bentt, playing Sonny ListonCredit: Columbia Pictures
      Michael Bentt at the Telluride Film Festival in 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Fans all say same thing as Joe Joyce activates rematch clause for Zhilei Zhang and throws Tyson Fury plans up in the air

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      JOE JOYCE has activated his rematch clause with Zhilei Zhang – throwing Tyson Fury’s plans up in the air. Joyce was primed for a summer stadium showdown against Fury after fighting against Zhang in April.
      Joe Joyce has activated his rematch clause with Zhilei ZhangCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury was in line to fight Zhilei ZhangCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      But he was stunned in his first career defeat following a sixth-round stoppage due to his eye being too swollen for him to continue.
      So Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum spoke out to say Zhang, 40, was the frontrunner to challenge the WBC champion in July.
      But that plan now faces the KO after Joyce’s manager Shane Watson CONFIRMED the rematch clause has been triggered.
      Watson said: “Joe once again shows he’s the only elite level heavyweight who will fight anyone and everyone.
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      “The last fight we know what went wrong and Joe knows how to put it right.
      “We spoke about an interim fight but Joe Joyce made it very clear he was only interested in righting the wrong.”
      For Zhang to now fight Fury, Joyce would need to step aside and a fee to do so would likely be required.
      It leaves some sceptical fans joking that the Gypsy King will turn to old rival and friend Derek Chisora, 39, for a FOURTH bout.
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      And others have questioned 37-year-old Joyce’s decision to rematch Zhang, while some praised him.
      One fan said: “Fury gonna fight Chisora again.”
      Another joked: “Chisora 4?”
      One warned Joyce: “Humongous mistake.”
      But another argued: “Massive credit to Joe Joyce for wanting the immediate rematch versus Zhilei Zhang.”

      Joe Joyce after defeat to Zhilei ZhangCredit: PA More

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      Tyson Fury’s coach Sugarhill Steward responds to dad John wanting him SACKED for being ‘disloyal’

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      SUGARHILL Steward has responded to John Fury’s claim that he should be SACKED from being his son Tyson’s coach. Tyson was pictured reuniting with Sugarhill in March, a month before he was due to fight Oleksandr Usyk.
      Trainer Sugarhill Steward with Tyson Fury’s dad JohnCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      But when the title unification collapsed, the cornerman instead claimed he was in England solely for Lawrence Okolie’s bout.
      The comments infuriated Tyson’s dad John, who told told Metro, via Freebets.com: “Tyson knows my opinion and that is all those people wrapped around him want sacking. The full lot.
      “If they talk about loyalty, that’s not loyalty as far as I’m concerned. If you are stood by your man, shoulder to shoulder, you take it all.
      “You’re not going to pass the blame or distance yourself from him. Tyson is my son and I will stand with him until the day I die.
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      “That thing with SugarHill the other day, what the hell was that about? ‘I’m only here for Okolie’. What was he talking about?
      “When I have seen him training Tyson, he was living in Tyson’s house, he had his missus there, he was using the gym and I have seen him working Tyson out.
      “And all of a sudden denied him like Judas Iscariot denied Jesus Christ? What the hell was going on there?
      “For me, that is a sacking offence. He will be down the road for that charade. It was upsetting.
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      “Tyson just falls in love with these people and finds out they are not who they seem to be. It is all about pound signs and he has put SugarHill where is.
      “He give these guys a chance like the others he has put around him and it has ended in tears. Get rid of them, clear the board. How does the heavyweight champion need all this?
      “It would be easier if he did it all himself and he has got capable people around him to help him do it. Not just me. With sound people around him we can make the right decisions and get on with it.
      “Get rid of them all. They all want to be his best mate but as soon as things get a bit sticky and he gets a few bad comments, people want to distance themselves from him.”
      Despite the lengthy rant, Sugarhill Steward claimed to Boxing News that he was unaware of John’s comments.
      He said: “I don’t know anything about that.”
      Asked if he has spoken to John, Steward replied: “No, I’ll speak to John when I see him but I haven’t spoke to him or heard anything about that until now.
      “So I guess for me to comment.. as you know I don’t listen to everything that’s written and said.
      “I believe if it was a problem then he would talk to me because we have each other’s phone numbers.
      “I’ll just leave it at that, I don’t know what else to say because the more you start talking the more it’s back and forth, ‘He said, she said’.

      “I have his number and he has my number so if something was to be said to each other me and him both know how to pick up the phone and talk to each other.”
      Sugarhill Steward with Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram More