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    Jake Paul offered future MMA bout by Bellator after teasing boxing retirement to have UFC fight with Jorge Masvidal

    JAKE PAUL has been offered a home in Bellator – but only if he’s serious about competing in mixed martial arts.The YouTuber recently claimed he’d retire from boxing and sign a one-fight deal to face Jorge Masvidal in the UFC if president Dana White met his demands.
    Jake Paul recently revealed he’d be open to taking part in a mixed martial arts fightCredit: AP
    The Problem Child also claimed he’s going to start training at American Kickboxing AcademyCredit: GETTY
    And Bellator president Scott Coker is willing to give the YouTuber an MMA boutCredit: Getty
    That came after the 24-year-old star – who viciously KO’d former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley in his last outing – said he’d start training at renowned MMA gym American Kickboxing Academy.
    And Bellator president Scott Coker is willing to give The Problem Child an opportunity to try his hand at MMA.
    He told MMA Junkie: “If you want to come into MMA, we would gladly do it.
    “Think about this: He’s not saying, ‘I’m going to go train here. I’m going to go train there.’
    “He’s going to come to one of the best gyms in the planet, where Khabib is, where Daniel Cormier is still training, where Cain Velasquez is teaching there now, and he’s going to go into an environment that he is going to flourish, and he has a wrestling background already.
    “He has great striking, obviously. You’ve seen it, and so this guy is just going to get better and better and better.”
    @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 MMA.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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    Paul has yet to fight a fully-fledged boxer in his brief stint in the sport and Coker believes the social media sensation is due a step up in competition.
    He continued: “The days of him fighting basketball players or whatever, those days are over.
    “He wants to do it. The only thing I will say is, my understanding is he wants to get 10 fights into boxing, and then after that come over to mixed martial arts.
    “I know certain people feel a certain way, but I tell you, don’t underestimate these guys because when they have their minds made up, it just seems like that they’re able to fulfill their destiny, and so to me, it’s something that if they want to make it happen, we would love to do something with them and put them in some big fights and really test them out.”
    Paul – along with older brother Logan – has made waves in the boxing world in his five professional bouts.
    And although the brothers came into martial arts very late, Coker is refusing to put a ceiling on how far they can go.
    The veteran promoter said: “I always said, ‘Look, these guys are real athletes, and they’re young, they work hard, they’re grinding it out.
    Jake Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley in his last outingCredit: Showtime
    “They’re putting in the work. You can’t take that away from them, and they’re getting better and better and better.
    “What you saw with Woodley, that’s a lot of hard work to get to that point. I’ve never seen Woodley get knocked out like that, right? And so, is it just boxing?
    “Yes. So, I always said, ‘Look, man, don’t underestimate these guys,’ and this was like a year-and-a-half ago.”
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    Watch Anthony Joshua spar with cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie in Dubai training camp for Oleksandr Usyk fight

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has been getting in some sparring with fellow Brit Lawrence Okolie ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.AJ is currently preparing for his second clash with the undefeated Ukrainian with a warm-weather training retreat in Dubai.
    Anthony Joshua is currently enjoying a warm-weather training camp in DubaiCredit: INSTAGRAM@CHRISEUNBANKJR
    And he’s been getting some work in with fellow Brit Lawrence OkolieCredit: INSTAGRAM
    The pair did some flow sparring before their hard training sessionsCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Good pal and WBO cruiserweight champ Okolie has also joined Joshua in the UAE and recently took part in some flow sparring with his fellow Brit.
    Footage of Joshua and Okolie lightly going through the motions was shared on social media by the pair’s friend Napper.
    And boxing fans were quick to comment on the flow session, with one saying: “This is incredible. Two of my fav fighters.”
    Another said: “AJ putting in that work. Let’s go, champ.”
    And another said: “McGuigan X AJ linkup would be great.”
    One remarked: “AJ been WORKING. Hope it shows in the rematch.”
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    Another chimed in: “Incredible this is so awesome.”
    Watford warrior Joshua recently trained under the watchful eye of boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, who paid close attention as the Olympian went to work on the aqua bag.
    Joshua, 32, will look to exact revenge on unified heavyweight king Usyk in the spring.
    SunSport understands the pair’s second showdown is tentatively slated for late March, although early April is also on the cards.
    An announcement is expected to be made in the coming weeks.
    Joshua is hellbent on avenging his second professional defeat, telling iFL TV: “I have one thing in my mind, that’s war, that’s murder, that’s war, let’s go out there and hurt the guy.
    Anthony Joshua will renew his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk in the springCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    “Take his soul to the point where he wants to give up. That’s what boxing’s about, I’ve learned that.
    “You hit people constantly, keep on applying a certain amount of pressure, before they know it they’ll realise you aren’t going anywhere, you’re here to stay.
    “With the game plan, that’s all I have in my mind at the minute, that one track, stay on course, take this guy to places he doesn’t want to go.”
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    ‘Fight date soon’ – Andy Ruiz Jr set to announce ring return in coming weeks as he targets Tyson Fury showdown

    ANDY RUIZ JR announced he will be returning to the ring this year after calling Tyson Fury out.Ruiz Jr, who famously ended British star Anthony Joshua’s undefeated streak in 2019, hasn’t fought since May 1 when he beat Chris Arreola in California.
    Andy Ruiz Jr confirmed he will be returning to the ring for his next boxing fight this yearCredit: Rex
    Andy Ruiz Jr famously ended Anthony Joshua’s undefeated streak three years agoCredit: AP
    And the Destroyer confirmed it is only a matter of time until he wears his boxing gloves again as his next fight is “coming soon”.
    Ruiz Jr tweeted: “Happy new year, excited to get back in the ring this year. Fight date coming soon.”
    This comes after Fury’s US-based promoter Bob Arum recently confirmed that the Mexican-American could be his client’s next opponent.
    Arum claims the 32-year-old and Robert Helenius are two the “principal” options for the Gypsy King.
    He recently said: “Frank Warren and I are looking for another opponent to do Fury’s fight in Manchester or in Las Vegas, depending on who the opponent is.
    “So we’re looking at Andy Ruiz as a possibility, he’s available.
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    “This big Finnish kid, who looked very good on the semi-wind up on the Fury – Wilder card, Helenius, big, big Finnish kid, who can really fight.
    “Those are the two principal guys. I guess if it’s Helenius we do it in the UK and if it was Ruiz, we do the fight in Las Vegas.”
    Posting a grab of Arum’s quotes on Instagram, Ruiz Jr said: “Let’s go I need that WBC.”
    The former unified heavyweight champion then shared a snap of him alongside Fury, before urging Arum’s promotion to sort out the fight.
    Ruiz Jr added: “Top Rank let’s go.” More

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    Anthony Joshua honing skills for Oleksandr Usyk rematch by playing laser tag with pals during Dubai training camp

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has been honing his shooting skills ahead of his rematch with Ukraine assassin Oleksandr Usyk with laser tag sessions.Watford’s 32-year-old heavyweight hero lost his WBA, IBF and WBO titles to the southpaw sharpshooter in September.
    Anthony Joshua enjoyed a game of laser tag with his pals while out in Dubai
    Two-time heavyweight world champion AJ finished fifth out of eighth with just 25 kills
    And he has been on training tours of America and Dubai looking for a new training regime to help him refocus for the Spring shot at recapturing his belts.
    The 2012 Olympic icon trained with Floyd Mayweather last week but enjoyed some fun with friends at the Xstrike entertainment centre on Monday night.
    The former champ only finished fifth out of his eight mates, with 25 kills inside the combat simulator.
    And he did not enjoy the vibration belt that buzzed around his waist when shot by a rival.
    But if it helps him improve his eye and reflexes for the must-win rerun then it will have been well worth boosting his armoury with the session.
    AJ has been putting in the hours training at the giant Binous gym in the Al Quoz region of Dubai, with the Xstrike centre just a five minute drive away.
    Joshua was not a fan of the vibration belt around his waist as he couldn’t get past the first level
    @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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    The 6ft 6in powerhouse also enjoyed a football match between friends over the weekend, with the former winger playing on a local astroturf pitch.
    Joshua is mixing business and pleasure on his Middle East jaunt, with major news on his break-up with Team GB Rob McCracken expected soon.
    Promoter Eddie Hearn claimed last month that AJ will make a public announcement regarding his team for the Usyk rematch in the New Year.
    And it looks unlikely he will remain in the UK where his contribution to British sport has made him too much of a hero to be properly challenged.
    The Matchroom boss said: “I feel it might be time to move on from that environment because when you’ve been there since you were 18 and you go into GB and Anthony Joshua is everywhere, he’s a god.

    “I just feel it’s time to rough him up a little bit, not in log cabins in the middle of nowhere. But up there it’s ‘Oh my God, it’s AJ!’ because they’re proud of him.
    “It’s not just about who’s training him, it’s about where that’s going to take place.
    “He’s talking to people and I think he will make a decision early in the new year.” More

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    Watch heavyweight boxer PUNCH referee after being handed controversial loss which saw crowd angry with boos

    A HEAVYWEIGHT boxer PUNCHED the referee after being handed a controversial loss.Iago Kiladze and Viktor Faust were putting on an entertaining fight with five knockdowns in the first two rounds on the Charles Martin vs Victor Ortiz undercard on Saturday night.
    Iago Kiladze had his fight on Saturday night waved off in controversial fashion
    He responded by swiping out at the referee Samuel Burgos
    The referee reacted furiously but is understood to have laughed the incident off later
    [embedded content]
    Kiladze was knocked down for the third time in Florida but managed to get up and beat the count.
    However, referee Samuel Burgos was not satisfied with his slight stagger when Kiladze was walking forwards and suddenly called the contest off – sparking huge outrage.
    Fans booed loudly as Faust, 29, celebrated taking his pro record to 9-0 despite just 32 punches combined in the four-and-a-half-minute fight.
    And Kiladze’s fury boiled over inside the ring, too.
    The 35-year-old then aimed a soft right-hand jab at the referee’s chin as Burgos waved in his face.
    A shocked Burgos stood his ground and shouted at the boxer: “What the f*** are you doing? Fight’s over!”
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    And a commentator calling the action added: “You cannot do this. That’s going to cost him money, you can’t do that, you can’t get violent with the referee.”
    Thankfully Burgos was unhurt and is understood to have been laughing about the incident later on.
    But the defeat could be costly for Kiladze.
    The Georgian fighter, who lost to Joe Joyce in September 2018, has now won 27 of his 34 boxing bouts.
    Opinions were split on social media regarding the flashpoint with the referee.
    One Twitter user said: “Never good for a fighter to touch a ref, but I don’t blame Kiladze for being upset.
    “Not a great stoppage IMO & the ref did seem to show some favouritism for the undefeated Faust.”
    Another wrote: “Kiladze punched the referee! LMAO! This just turned into a WWE style fight!”
    And a third added: “I don’t agree with the stoppage at all, but also not a reason for Kiladze to do that to the referee.”
    There were five knockdowns inside four-and-a-half minutes from 32 punchesCredit: Rex More

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    Tyron Woodley’s coach reveals ex-UFC star ‘didn’t even know’ Jake Paul viciously KO’d him and asked to ‘go back out’

    TYRON WOODLEY was so badly dazed in the immediate aftermath of his fight with Jake Paul that he didn’t know he’d been knocked out.The former UFC welterweight champion suffered a brutal sixth-round KO loss to the YouTuber turned boxer in their Tampa tussle last month.
    Jake Paul viciously knocked out Tyron Woodley in their rematch in DecemberCredit: SHOWTIME
    A huge overhand right from Paul faceplanted the former UFC welterweight championCredit: AFP
    And The Chosen One had no idea he’d been KO’d when he came toCredit: Reuters
    Woodley faceplanted the canvas after being cracked with a huge overhand right, a moment he couldn’t immediately recall according to his coach Din Thomas.
    During an appearance on Sirius XM Radio, Thomas said of the fight: “I think he went through a series of different emotions.
    “I remember standing inside the ring as soon as it happened and he was like, ‘No, no, when do I go back out?’
    “He didn’t even know, right when it happened, he thought it was in between rounds and I’m sure he was probably wondering why everybody was standing inside the ring.
    “He didn’t even know at that moment.”
    Thomas, like many others, was left gobsmacked by Paul’s viral stoppage of The Chosen One.
    @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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    He continued: “When I got out of the ring, I really just sat there, just in disbelief.
    “That is really what the beginning was, disbelief, you couldn’t believe that just happened.
    “Then when we got to the back everyone on the team was disappointed like I can’t just believe that happened.
    “Even him, he was going back-and-forth.
    “The guy that runs High Rollerz, well he was in the back and he brought his daughter who was probably four-years-old and when Tyron saw her he was like, ‘Hey, I’m OK, don’t worry.’
    “She really brought the life back into him and from him seeing this little girl you saw his whole demeanour change from being disappointed to this is what it is and I have to accept it.”
    Woodley, who has now lost his last six fights, couldn’t help but lament the cost of him briefly dropping his left hand.
    He said: “I told you guys I was in shape, I told you guys I was ready to fight, and I told you guys I was in better shape than he was.
    “So, I did that tonight and went back and looked at it and thought, ‘Why the f**k did I drop my hands?’
    A dejected Tyron Woodley lamented his brief dropping of his left hand after the fightCredit: Reuters
    “I was ready, I had both my hands up and I was expecting the overhand.
    “I knew he was gonna delay the punch. But even if he delayed it, I was ready for it.
    “Even if he didn’t delay I don’t know why I dropped my guard. In this sport, it takes only one mistake, just one mistake, I blocked so many of his shots.”
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    Conor McGregor’s coach reveals bout with Jake Paul has ‘never been suggested’ despite YouTuber’s claim of fight talks

    CONOR MCGREGOR’s head coach has yet to hear any talk of a future fight with Jake Paul – despite the YouTuber recently claiming their management teams have been in contact.Last year, Problem Child Paul claimed the pair’s respective reps had been talking ‘constantly’ about a lucrative boxing match.
    Jake Paul has been angling for a fight with Conor McGregor for over a yearCredit: AFP
    Paul recently claimed the pair’s teams have been talking ‘constantly’ about a lucrative fightCredit: REUTERS
    But The Notorious’ head coach hasn’t heard any suggestions of a fight with Paul being realCredit: Instagram @coach_kavanagh
    But that’s news to McGregor’s long-time coach and good friend Kavanagh, who hasn’t heard any serious rumblings about The Notorious potentially facing the former Disney star.
    When asked if Paul is a potential future opponent, Kavanagh told The Mirror: “He might talk to Audie all the time, but no.
    “I heard something about Jake Paul being managed by an ex-UFC CFO [Chief Financial Officer].
    “And I guess it’s interesting to hear some of the negotiation tactics by that big organisation being leaked through Jake Paul, so it’s kind of fun to follow that.
    “But as for Conor vs Jake, I’ve honestly never once heard that, and I’ve heard some very crazy things, but that’s never been suggested.”
    McGregor, 33, has two fights left on his contract with the UFC but recently revealed he wasn’t against the idea of facing Paul or his elder brother Logan.
    @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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    He said: “I couldn’t care about them two dingbats. I don’t see so, but never say never.
    “If they’re gonna keep competing, who knows? But, dingbats, the two of them.”
    The UFC’s poster boy is currently recovering from the horrific broken leg he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier last July.
    McGregor is targeting an April return to sparring, which UFC president Dana White hopes will lead to a summer return.
    White told ESPN: “If everything goes right with the timing of his healing, he should be back this summer.”
    He added: “I have no idea what the landscape is gonna look like when he comes back.
    “So to talk about him and Dustin – Dustin could be retired by the time Conor McGregor [comes back].
    Conor McGregor is seemingly on course to return to the octagon in the summerCredit: SPORTSFILE
    “You never know what’s gonna happen in this sport. So I don’t know, you have to ask me this, this [coming] summer.
    “When we see what’s going on in that division in the sport and figure out what’s next for Conor.”
    Paul, 24, is currently taking a break from boxing following his stunning demolition of former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley.
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    ‘He could be heavyweight champ’ – Canelo Alvarez tipped to pile on pounds and dethrone Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

    MEXICAN superstar Canelo Alvarez has been tipped to become a heavyweight world champion if he decides to pile on the pounds.The 31-year-old has won world titles in four weight classes from light-middleweight to light-heavyweight.
    Canelo Alvarez has been backed by stablemate Frank Sanchez to become a heavyweight world champion in the futureCredit: Getty
    And the undisputed super-middleweight champion could be set to jump up two divisions to take on WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu.
    The governing body gave the green light for the dust-up to take place in 2022, with the winner of Makabu and challenger Thabiso Mchunu to face Canelo next.
    Canelo has admitted it was his trainer Eddy Reynoso who came up with the plan for him to put on 32lbs and jump up to cruiserweight without even consulting hin.
    Meanwhile promoter Eddie Hearn has stated Canelo could move up to heavyweight as he declared the Guadalajara native aims to make history.
    And Canelo’s stablemate Frank Sanchez, who outpointed heavyweight Christian Hammer this weekend, shares similar views with Hearn.
    He believes that he can become a world champion in the glamour division to compete with the top boxers, though he failed to mention any specific opponents for his training partner.
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    Speaking to DAZN, the unbeaten Cuban said: “Look, I’ve sparred with Canelo.
    “I can tell you with the utmost confidence that Canelo has heavyweight power.
    “He can handle cruiserweight, and in my opinion, he could be a heavyweight champion if he put his mind to it.
    “Canelo is an absolute stud. He’s very serious and very respectful both with me and his work ethic.
    “The biggest lesson that I learned from him is the fact that it doesn’t matter whether you’re training or you’re inside the ring, that you got to be serious about your craft, that you got to follow it with passion.
    Fury could have to face Tyson Fury if he moves up to the glamour divisionCredit: Reuters
    “That’s the main thing that I took away from being around Canelo, someone that I appreciate a lot.”
    Unified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF belt, has opened the door to a match-up against Alvarez.
    Though boxing legend Roy Jones Jr has warned the slick Ukrainian southpaw against fighting Canelo. More