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      I dreamt of boxing at the Olympics but ended up watching from a prison cell – now it’s crunch time in my career

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      HASIM RAHMAN JR had to painfully watch his Olympic dream from a prison cell – but now he is fighting to make up for lost time. The heavyweight is the son of two-time champion Rahman Sr, who famously knocked out Lennox Lewis in 2001.
      Hasim Rahman Jr is the son of heavyweight legend SrCredit: ANU / The Sun
      The American spent three years in prison
      So for Rahman, moving into the family business was a no brainer as he quit American football to pursue boxing.
      And he took to it well, having almost 100 amateur bouts which set up Olympic aspirations.
      But that was cut short in 2012, when Rahman was involved in a car crash which fatally killed a 43-year-old truck driver in Las Vegas.
      Only 20 at the time of the incident, he was later incarnated for three years after being charged with reckless driving.
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      Opening up to SunSport, Rahman said: “It just made me realise how important my family was. 
      “We all help each other, it’s not just me and my career, it’s my brother and his career. It’s my mum and what she’s doing, my dad and what he’s doing. 
      “It’s everyone and we come together as a family and we have one goal and that’s to keep the Rahman name on top. 
      “When I was away, my family was the only way I got through it. If it wasn’t for my family, I don’t know where I would be.” 
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      Hasim Rahman Sr with son Jr
      Jr turned professional in 2017Credit: ANU / The Sun
      Rahman watched from his cell as Team USA failed to enter a heavyweight in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
      But after his release that December, he made his professional debut in 2017 and has been on a mission ever since.
      Rahman, 32, said: “I always feel like I’m chasing it a little bit. When I left I was considering being a 178-pounder in the trials. 
      “But I went away about six-seven months before the trials happened so I didn’t get to participate and I had to watch the Olympics through a cell. 
      “And it really hurt, especially seeing people out there that I felt like I could have made a difference if I was there. 
      “It was just tough to go through that experience but I came home and I’ve made the most of the opportunities that have been afforded to me. 
      “But it’s crunch time now. I should be winning these fights, I should have won my last two fights so we go back, look at it, pray about it and Inshallah we come out on top July 22nd.” 
      Despite having a famous fighting surname, Rahman felt as though his biggest bout was outside the ring.
      Floyd Mayweather with Hasim Rahman Jr has
      Because when he and younger brother Sharif were amateurs, they filed a lawsuit against boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.
      They had been included in an episode of Showtime’s All Access, in which both of them claimed they sparred for over 30 minutes without a break.
      The brothers sought damages of more than $10,000 after alleging battery, tortious assault, false imprisonment, negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention and unjust enrichment.
      It was later settled out of court, but Rahman believes it left him blacklisted by the powers that be.
      He said: “I’m always going to be fighting that a little bit but it’s up to me and my brothers to break that barrier. 
      “But it just makes it that much more difficult when you’re fighting against people that are very, very high up in the sport.”
      Rahman notched up 12 straight wins before losing in 2022 to Kenzie Morrison, 33, son of ex-champ Tommy.
      But four months later he was set to replace Tommy Fury, 24, as an opponent to fight YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, 26.
      Jake Paul was set to fight Hasim Rahman Jr in 2022Credit: ANU / The Sun
      The fight was cancelled due to a weight disagreementCredit: ANU / The Sun
      Eventually that was also scrapped amid a weight disagreement and instead Rahman was signed by Paul’s rival KSI to Misfits Boxing.
      Rahman lost his Misfits debut last November to ex-NFL and UFC star Greg Hardy, 34, who had a SEVEN STONE advantage.
      Now he is back on Saturday night against bare-knuckle boxing champion and former UFC heavyweight Alan Belcher, 39.
      Rahman said: “I know he’s very tough and he’s going to bring a lot of pressure and I know he’s a knockout artist. 
      “He’s already said he’s coming to knock me out in the second round, so it’s going to be bombs away come July 22nd, that I can guarantee.” 
      Rahman has teased a switch to MMA himself while not ruling out a return to traditional boxing – as he looks to leave an unprecedented legacy.
      He said: “I want to set a mark that can’t nobody touch. I want to do something that is like, ‘Wow, he really did that.’ 
      “I’ve had some really tough fights, I’m coming off two really tough fights and I have a tough fight ahead of me. So there’s one thing right there.  
      “Especially in this era, people don’t take tough fights and can’t nobody say to me I’m taking easy fights. 
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      “Now it’s time to come out on the winning side and take tough fights after that.
      “I don’t want to be known as a fighter that took easy fights or was scared to fight anybody.” 
      KSI pictured with Hasim Rahman JrCredit: Facebook More

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      How Cristiano Ronaldo helped broker Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou’s historic crossover fight

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO played an unlikely role in Francis Ngannou’s shock showdown with Tyson Fury coming to fruition.The former UFC heavyweight champion finalised a controversial crossover clash with the Gypsy King last week – six months after leaving mixed martial arts’ top promotion.
      Francis Ngannou will box Tyson Fury in a crossover clash on October 28Credit: ESPN
      The former UFC heavyweight champion’s boxing debut will take place in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GETTY
      Footie icon Cristiano Ronaldo convinced Ngannou that Saudi ‘is the future’ of sportsCredit: INSTAGRAM@CRISTIANO
      Ngannou’s professional boxing debut will take place in Saudi Arabia and will earn him the biggest purse of his combat sports career.
      The Cameroonian clubber is no stranger to Saudi having visited in January and meeting footie star Ronaldo, who convinced him The Kingdom “is the future” of sports.
      Recalling their meeting during an appearance on The MMA Hour, The Predator said: “Yes, that’s where it started in that moment.”
      In a separate interview with TMZ, he said: “We had a good talk. He told me that Saudi [Arabia] is the future.
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      “A lot of people doesn’t understand now but they are changing really fast, it’s moving really fast.
      “And that’s even what I personally, that was my feeling when I get there.
      “It was my first time going to Saudi and I was literally like, I didn’t really know how to carry myself, how to behave myself.
      “But I get there and find out that everything is cool.
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      “It was just like normal life. It’s pretty cool, man.”
      Ngannou, 36, had a great interaction with Ronaldo – who shocked him with his knowledge of mixed martial arts.
      He said: “I’ve been following Cristiano for the past, maybe 17 years.
      “And then, you know, to get to meet him in person and find out that he is a huge fan of the sport.
      “That he knows a lot about the sport. He loves the sport. He’s watched us fight.
      “He knows a lot about me than what I was expecting. Very impressive.

      “You know, to get someone like Cristiano Ronaldo knowing the game, know you or what you are doing, is pretty cool. He’s pretty big.
      “He’s pretty huge. Listen, it’s like a huge support from him.”
      Fury, 34, is the overwhelming favourite to win the ten-rounder against the boxing Ngannou – who left the UFC as their lineal heavyweight champion.
      But he’s made sure he’ll get a second crack at the heavy hitter should the unthinkable happen.
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      Ngannou revealed: “There is a potential rematch clause.
      “I don’t know exactly how to explain that language, but yes, there is a rematch inside it.” More

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      Tommy Fury faces deadline of THIS WEEK to agree huge KSI fight in warning by YouTube star’s manager

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      TOMMY FURY is faced with a deadline of THIS WEEK to finally agree terms to fight KSI. In February, Fury edged a split-decision win over KSI’s arch rival Jake Paul in their Saudi Arabia showdown.
      Tommy Fury facing off with KSICredit: Misfits boxing
      And it all but KO’d Paul’s proposed blockbuster grudge match with KSI, initially eyed for December.
      Paul, 26, also snubbed a rematch to instead return on August 5 in Texas against ex-UFC veteran Nate Diaz, 38.
      So KSI, 30, turned his attention to Fury, 24, but the pair found themselves squabbling over weight and financials.
      KSI’s manager Mams Taylor – also co-founder of Misfits Boxing – remained coy on negotiations when pressed by SunSport.
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      But he said: “Whether it’s on or off, we should know some time this week.
      “I’m just going to let you know, this week is going to be an interesting week.” 
      KSI has made it clear Fury is absolutely his No1 target but even the determined YouTube, music and crossover boxing star has a deadline.
      And having seen opponents pullout in the past, Taylor warned they will have alternatives should Fury fail to accept.
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      He said: “There’s always a threat it’s not a done deal until you have the signed contracts, there’s always a threat after you have the signed contracts. 
      “This is boxing, someone could get injured, it’s not celeb darts. We’ve had some bad luck with pullouts and you have to think fast. 
      “We’ve had to come up with creative solutions and it won’t be any different if anyone pulls out of our fights, we always try to have ones on standby.
      “But, I do believe this is a great fight and a great test for JJ and I think he’s got this in the bag if they do end up fighting.” 
      Jake Paul was beaten by Tommy Fury on pointsCredit: Getty
      KSI wants to fight Tommy Fury nextCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury includes clause in Francis Ngannou fight contract in case he is KO’d by ex-UFC champ

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      TYSON FURY has placed a rematch clause in his contract with Francis Ngannou in case disaster strikes in the crossover clash.The Gypsy King faces the former UFC heavyweight champion in a multi-million-pound Saudi showdown on October 28.
      Tyson Fury will face former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou in OctoberCredit: ESPN
      The WBC heavyweight champ’s title WON’T be up for grabs in the ten-rounderCredit: GETTY
      The Gypsy King has placed a rematch clause in his contract to face NgannouCredit: POLARIS
      Fury, 34, is the overwhelming favourite to win the ten-rounder against the boxing novice – but he’s made sure he’ll get a second crack at the Cameroonian clubber should the unthinkable happen.
      During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Ngannou revealed: “There is a potential rematch clause.
      “I don’t know exactly how to explain that language, but yes, there is a rematch inside it.”
      When asked if that would guarantee a second fight with the WBC heavyweight champ, Ngannou added: “Oh, for that one, definitely.”
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      Ngannou, however, doesn’t know if he’ll be able to exercise the rematch clause should he come up short against the Brit.
      He said: “That’s what I don’t know. We will see how it goes.”
      Fury would have to wait at least SIX MONTHS to exact revenge on Ngannou as The Predator is set to make his Professional Fighters League debut early next year.
      The Wythenshawe warrior is also expected to re-enter negotiations with Oleksandr Usyk over a historic undisputed heavyweight title fight after his clash with Ngannou.
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      Ngannou bagged a monumental showdown with Fury a mere six months after the expiration of his UFC contract.
      And his purse for his professional boxing debut is set to dwarf his ENTIRE octagon earnings.
      During an appearance on The MMA Hour, his manager Marquel Martin said: “Let’s just say this: The bag is so big, he may actually just drop it on the way to the bank.
      “I don’t know what the haters are trying to say right now, I kind of just blocked it out, but they’ll just be proven wrong again.

      “This is life-changing. This is exactly what we planned and visualised, so we’re happy.”
      When asked if Ngannou’s earnings for the fight will be more than his UFC winnings, Martin added: “Oh, my God. I mean, by far.
      “By multiples.
      “Just to make [this money] even while being champion, he would’ve had to fight multiple times just to [be in this ballpark].” More

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      I was homeless and stripping for cash before turning to MMA… now I’m one of the biggest boxing influencers in world

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      ANTHONY TAYLOR was stripping for cash and sleeping rough before turning to MMA… now he is a star of influencer boxing. Taylor was 25 when he began training for MMA in 2013, going on to have over ten amateur bouts in two years.
      Anthony Taylor was once a stripper before professional fightingCredit: @anthony_prettyboy
      He is now a star of influencer boxingCredit: @anthony_prettyboy
      Anthony Taylor celebrates his last winCredit: Getty
      But after moving to Los Angeles, the American fell on hard times and took a job stripping to earn money.
      Taylor, 34, told SunSport: “I was a stripper, I had nothing. 
      “I wasn’t doing nothing with my life, I was homeless, nowhere to go and I was stripping. I was just enjoying life as a bum who had no goals, nothing.” 
      Taylor relocated from Alameda in California to LA to train with coach Antonio McKeee and his champion son AJ.
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      It was AJ – working security at a gentleman’s club – who got Taylor the male stripping job through a bartender who also worked there.
      He revealed: “It was all men who danced and nothing but women who came in. 
      “It was kind of like Magic Mike. And that’s how I got into it, I did it for a couple months, made really good money and kept at it.”
      Taylor earned up to $300 a night (£230) to take his kit off and also drove Uber but still he was without a home.
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      He went from sleeping on benches, sofa surfing and even staying in one of his coach’s gyms to get by.
      Taylor remembered: “Those times were low, the lowest times of my life.
      “Having to endure that for such a long period of time really moulded the person I am now. 
      “I was able to go through that experience and live it and understand it. Now in my life, I can say, I don’t ever wanna be there again. 
      “That low, no friends, no family, nothing. I don’t want to experience that again, so I’ll build my own family, build my own friends. I build my foundation and talent.” 
      Eventually, Taylor’s MMA career picked up and by 2018 he was fighting regularly enough and living with his trainer Antonio.
      Taylor notched five wins in a row in the cage, which caught the attention of the UFC.
      He was told should he win twice more, a deal with MMA’s premier promotion would be on the table.
      Jake Paul with Anthony TaylorCredit: Instagram @anthony_prettyboy
      Anthony Taylor is an ex-sparring partner of Jake Paul’sCredit: @anthony_prettyboy
      But then, a phone call would change the course Taylor’s life and career forever.
      He said: “Jake Paul’s coach BJ Flores calls me, ‘Hey, you wanna be Jake’s sparring partner, great opportunity, you’ll make some good money, invest it. Get you in the scene.’
      “That’s how I got into the scene with Jake Paul.” 
      Taylor left behind his UFC ambitions to join Paul’s camp, as the YouTuber-turned boxer made his mark in the sport.
      He was a sparring partner before Paul beat ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 41.
      From there, Taylor also got the chance to fight on Paul’s undercard twice, losing to Tommy Fury, 24, and Chris Avila, 30.
      But his time in the camp pushed his profile to new heights and saw him feature on several influencer boxing shows.
      Taylor said: “Coming into the scene, Jake helped put me on. 
      Tommy Fury beat Anthony Taylor in August 2021Credit: Getty
      Anthony Taylor also lost to Chris AvilaCredit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
      “But from there on I was able to use my own platform and make myself grow self efficiently. I give Jake credit for getting me into the game and I appreciate it. 
      “But also, I have to give myself credit because, yeah he can put you on but you have to keep doing what you’re doing so you can stay on.”
      Life could have been so much different had Taylor focussed on the UFC instead of crossover boxing – but does he feel he made the correct call?
      Taylor responded: “I wouldn’t say I made the right choice, I just stumbled into it at the right time. 
      “And I manifested this. I said I’d be one of the biggest influencers in the world and now I am, baby.” 
      Taylor returns on Saturday night in Nashville on a Misfits Boxing card, promoted by superstar KSI.
      And he faces rival Paul Bamba, 33, known for his cancelled bout with Fury last year and recent loss to Avila.
      The stakes are high for Taylor, who is coming off a win over TikTok sensation Salt Papi, but he insists 5-3 Bamba is no match for him.
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      He said: “I stop him. He doesn’t have anything that poses a threat to me in the ring.
      “It’s not like he’s going to show me something I haven’t seen before.” 
      Salt Papi was beaten by Anthony TaylorCredit: Getty
      Paul Bamba fights Anthony Taylor nextCredit: globaltitansfightseries More

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      Anthony Joshua points to Froch’s NOSE as reason he ditched ex-trainer McCracken as he bids to become world champ again

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has singled out Carl Froch’s NOSE as the reason he left former trainer Rob McCracken.AJ ditched his old Team GB coach following his first unanimous points decision defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
      Anthony Joshua has opened up on his split with long-term coach Rob McCrackenCredit: Getty
      McCracken coached AJ from 2013 until his first defeat to Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
      Joshua bizarrely singled out Carl Froch’s nose as justification for the switchCredit: Getty
      The Watford warrior then entrusted his career to Robert Garcia for his Usyk rematch, only to lose a second time.
      He has since moved to Derrick James in a bid to become a three-time world champion.
      His first fight under James saw him comfortably beat Jermaine Franklin, with Joshua now in line for a rematch against Dillian Whyte on August 12 at the O2 Arena.
      But now the 33-year-old has opened up on his split with McCracken, and explained why he believes his decision to part ways was correct.
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      Speaking to Boxing News, Joshua said: “Rob McCracken’s a really good coach, the only thing I’d say is look at Carl Froch’s nose. He just didn’t teach me defence.
      “And in heavyweight boxing, the level of competition I was facing at that stage of my career, I was getting hit way too much with clean shots.

      “I was sparring Solomon Dacres… the tall six foot five guy, in Miami for [Andy] Ruiz, who’s five foot.
      “Rob was in Japan for the Olympics. He only came back seven weeks before it. I just know it’s not good enough for where I’m at.
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      “Derrick reminds me of Rob but a lot more invested… Rob was too committed to the Olympic team, not pros.
      “I gave Rob my best years, now I’ve got to dig deep to get them back.”
      AJ has previously insisted he split with McCracken on amicable terms.
      However, retired super-middleweight champion Froch gave his take on the split in June on his Froch on Fighting YouTube channel.
      The 46-year-old said: “I would say he should have stayed with Rob McCracken and sorted out any beef they had. I don’t think AJ should have left him.
      “I think that if he would have stayed with Rob McCracken and listened to him, that’s the key difference here, I used to listen to Rob and when he told me something or gave me any advice, I did it without question.
      “Now, I don’t think that was happening with AJ, because he always questions things, he is quite an inquisitive guy.
      “He lost twice to Usyk, he’s a great fighter, there’s no shame in losing to him.
      “I just think that the tactics and the way that he went about the rematch, I think that if he was with Rob McCracken, and he would have listened to him and his experience, and executed a game plan, then the result could have been different.” More

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      Anthony Joshua says he needs to ‘stay consistent and throw them silk pyjamas in the bin’ ahead of Dillian Whyte fight

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA insists sweet dreams in luxury PJs are not making him a soft pillow puncher.Middleweight legend Marvin Hagler famously said: “It’s tough to get out of bed and run at 5am when you’ve been sleeping in silk pyjamas.”
      Anthony Joshua has made upwards of £170million during his boxing careerCredit: REUTERS
      Boxing fans reckons Joshua’s bank balance and celeb status have made him a soft touchCredit: Getty
      The Watford warrior is adamant he’s still the same ruthless fighter heCredit: GETTY
      The suggestion is too much money and success takes the hunger and spite out of boxers – especially those that have dragged themselves out of poverty.
      Watford’s London 2012 icon has amassed a reported £170million and seemed on the slide since the 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr.
      But – ahead of his all-London rematch with Dillian Whyte on August 12 – the two-time heavyweight champ revealed he keeps it stripped back in the bedroom.
      “You see me in the same clobber every time I come to a press conference,” he laughed in his trademark black tracksuit.
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      “I take it serious. I hate losing.
      “But, due to the fact I’ve lost, it gives an element of conversation.
      “But, what’s beautiful about sports is there’s always a next opportunity to prove yourself.
      “There’s a process that I’m following and I just know that, if we look at history, everything will work out for me.
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      “I’m not going to be the first athlete to go through it and I’m not going to be the last. 
      “So, I’ve just got to ride the wave, stay consistent and throw them silk pyjamas in the bin.”
      Since that shock stoppage loss to the porky little Mexican, AJ has reinvented himself and his team a few times and he is fixated on becoming a more defensive and technical boxer.
      Decade-long mentor Rob McCracken and their Team GB base in Sheffield were ditched, a brief move to Loughborough and spells with unproven trainers Angel Fernandez and Joby Clayton failed.
      Respected Robert Garcia only lasted one bout – despite it being the Oleksandr Usyk rematch in which Joshua showed improvements on the original loss.
      Now he is based in Dallas, Texas, with Derrick James – a trainer celebrated for his aggressive approach – and still trying to overhaul his style at the late age of 33.
      Joshua knows a large section of fight fans are baffled by his recent decisions but he believes there is method to his perceived madness.
      He said: “Everyone can write you off, but if you believe in yourself and you continue on your journey, 100 per cent you will overcome. It’s just fact. 
      “Only you can defeat yourself. Not anyone else. 

      “If I give up and say: ‘Yeah, I haven’t got it anymore’, then you can say I’m not the same fighter.
      “But I just know this is going to work. 
      “If people look at you like you’re crazy, which people probably think I am now – and ask why am I not being aggressive – but I just know what I’m doing is going to work at the right time.”
      Opponent Whyte has had his fair share of cornermen too but his all-action style, sharp tongue and fearsome left hook remain the same.
      So AJ – who lost to Whyte in the amateurs but got revenge in a 2015 screamer – knows to be aware of his bark and bite.
      He said: “Look how many times he’s moved trainers, he’s moved trainers so many times. 
      “Maybe he’s not developing at the rate he needs to, or people aren’t teaching him the things he needs to learn and it’s not good enough. He probably knows it himself. 
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      “That’s probably why he’s moved trainers so much.
      “But one thing that he has got is the fight and in America they call it ‘the dog’. He’s got the dog in him.” More

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      Tyson Fury’s dad John predicts winner of Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte with one heavyweight getting ‘chinned’

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      JOHN FURY is backing Anthony Joshua to knock out Dillian Whyte again. AJ stopped Whyte in seven rounds in 2015, which came six years after losing in their original amateur bout.
      Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte face off ahead of their rematchCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But on August 12 they look to settle their score at the O2 Arena, in what is a must-win for both.
      And John believes it will be a repeat result for Joshua, despite his son Tyson’s rivalry with AJ.
      He told Boxing Social via Free Bets Ireland: “I do believe that he is on the slide, Dillian Whyte. I see AJ doing him in sensational style, I see AJ chinning him.
      “Dillian Whyte has been a great ambassador for the job, great heavyweight, but he is at the end of his career, he’s had too many good hidings and he doesn’t like left hooks, does he?
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      “Or uppercuts. I see Joshua [winning], he’s that bit fresher.”
      John and Joshua have a shock admiration for each other, which Fury, 34, called his dad out on last year.
      He told iFL TV: “He keeps blowing my dad off like, ‘Oh, I think John Fury’s a legend, he’s a top bloke.’
      “Whatever you’ve got going on with him, I don’t like it… sever ties with the old p****. Man’s a p****, s***house.
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      “All of a sudden he’s my dad’s best friend, ‘Oh, I want to go out for a drink with John Fury,’ he said.
      “I was like what the f***! Why doesn’t he want to go for a drink with me? Because I would punch him in the mouth.”
      The hilarious rant came after AJ claimed John would not let Tyson retire without the pair finally fighting.
      Joshua said: “I don’t think his dad will let him not fight me. His dad’s a proper guy. I like his dad.”
      Tyson Fury with his dad JohnCredit: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions More