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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

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      I fought both Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in the last year – here’s how AJ can easily win fight at O2 Arena

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      THIS boxer has fought both Anthony Joshua AND Dillian Whyte in the last year.But he reckons AJ can easily win their upcoming bout thanks to a key reason.
      Jermaine Franklin is backing Anthony Joshua to beat Dillian WhyteCredit: Rex
      The American has fought both Brits in the last yearCredit: Getty
      Joshua and Whyte will collide at the O2 Arena on Saturday August 12.
      The duo have already fought each other twice, with the score tied at one apiece.
      And next month’s trilogy battle will decide who comes out on top once and for all.
      Many boxing fans cannot separate the pair, with AJ and Whyte both proving themselves to be top fighters.
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      But American brawler Jermaine Franklin has had the honour of facing them both in the past 10 months, losing both times.
      And he reckons Joshua will emerge victorious.
      That’s because Whyte’s pattern of play is too predictable.
      But Franklin reckons he could yet spring a surprise thanks to his powerful punches.
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      Franklin told Boxing Social: “I see AJ winning only because I kind of got adjusted to Dillian’s style early, and it didn’t really change.
      “He tried to change it a little bit but he kinda stayed the same. With Anthony, he’s just gonna use his jab a lot.
      “If he can get Dillian to the point to where he’s got him kind of stagnant or he’s not doing a lot, the jab will win the fight easy.
      “But, at the same time, Dillian does have a couple nice punches that he can throw.
      “If he get in there he can do some damage, who knows how the fight may go. But I still think I got AJ coming out on points.” More

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      Carl Froch brutally tells Tyson Fury he ‘hasn’t done enough’ to enter boxing Hall of Fame – he must win two fights first

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      CARL FROCH has told Tyson Fury that he has not “done enough” to go into the boxing Hall of Fame.It was confirmed this week that the Gypsy King will face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on October 28.
      Carl Froch was inducted in boxing’s Hall of Fame earlier this yearCredit: Getty
      He says that Tyson Fury has currently not ‘done enough’ to get inductedCredit: Getty
      The cross-sport clash will happen under Queensberry rules over 10 rounds and WON’T be for undefeated Fury’s WBC title.
      Fury, who has already labelled Ngannou a “big, stiff tramp” that he could KO after downing 15 pints, has got pelters from boxing purists for taking the bout after months of failed negotiations elsewhere.
      Fans are desperate to see him in an undisputed decider with WBA, WBO and IBF champ Oleksandr Usyk or an overdue all-English clash with Anthony Joshua.
      But the Morecambe showman, 34, insists that he has offered both men lucrative deals and they are the ones to blame for him branching out into big-money freak fights.
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      Ex-super middleweight title holder Froch, 46, was inducted into boxing’s Hall of Fame earlier this year.
      And he recently told BettingSites that Fury WOULD NOT be joining him in there unless he “dared to be great” and took on the fights that everybody wants rather than these cross-combat ones.
      Froch said: “I was inducted for wins. I dared to be great. I took on young unbeaten fighters like George Groves.
      “Now that’s a legacy. That’s a career worthy of the Hall of Fame.
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      “Does Fury deserve it? A great win against [Wladimir] Klitschko, a trilogy win against [Deontay] Wilder, that’s not enough.
      “If he beats AJ, beats Usyk, then yes.”
      Going on to explain what he thought merited an induction, Froch added: “There are different rules on whether or not you make it into the Hall of Fame.
      “You can go in as a competitor or a participant or something else. You can be a promoter.
      “Anthony Joshua for example, what he’s done for boxing, he’s brought it to a whole new audience. He’s followed on from my 80,000 at Wembley Stadium.
      “What he’s done for the sport is transcend it and take it to the next level so for that alone you could say that’s a Hall of Fame career.” More

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      Eddie Hearn reveals ‘monstrous’ Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte undercard with fight that decides Usyk’s next bout

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      EDDIE HEARN has revealed a “monstrous” bout on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte rematch which will decide Oleksandr Uysk’s next fight.Due to Usyk, 36, being the unified WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, he has a number of challenges to deal with.
      Eddie Hearn has revealed a ‘monstrous’ undercard for Anthony Joshua vs Dillian WhyteCredit: Getty
      Oleksandr Usyk’s possible next opponent will be decided the same night as Joshua vs WhyteCredit: PA
      The Ukrainian is in line to fight Daniel Dubios for his mandatory challenge of the WBA on August 26 in Poland.
      Should he come through this he will then be ordered to defend his IBF title, with the current challenger being Filip Hrgovic – who beat Zhilei Zhang to the position last August.
      However, the 31-year-old is not intent to sit idly by, instead returning to action against Australian Demsey McKean on the undercard of Joshua vs Whyte II at the O2 Arena in London on August 12.
      Should McKean, 32, beat the Croatian heavyweight, then he will become Usyk’s next mandatory challenge.
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      Promoter Hearn said: “We have a monstrous night of heavyweight boxing in store for fight fans around the world on Saturday August 12 live from the sold-out O2 in London
      “Old foes Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte meet again in a must-win clash at the top of the bill and I’m excited to confirm the first two undercard additions of what will be a stacked card.
      “The IBF’s number one ranked Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic returns a year on from his final eliminator win over Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia.
      “El Animal fights in the UK for the first time as a professional against Australia’s unbeaten Demsey McKean who secures the biggest fight of his career.
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      Usyk faces Daniel Dubios as his IBF mandatory challengeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Filip Hrgovic is the current name down to face the winner of Usyk vs DuboisCredit: Getty
      But Australian Demsey McKean has the chance to take up the mantleCredit: Getty
      “The Romford Bull Johnny Fisher begins his assault on the domestic heavyweight scene when he takes on Harry Armstrong for the vacant Southern Area title, and there’s much more to be announced soon.”
      Hrgovic added: “The heavyweight champions cannot avoid me any longer and once I have defeated Demsey McKean on August 12, they will have no other option but to face me.
      “I have waited patiently, but the game is up, El Animal is coming for you and is ready to take the belts back to Croatia.
      “McKean will be a tough and strong opponent, but he has never faced anyone as powerful and skilful as me.
      “August 12, at The O2 in London, is the night the heavyweight division starts to change.”
      McKean also declared: “This is what it’s all about, the big fights.
      “I’ve been grinding a big portion of my life for a fight like this.
      “I’m one win away from fighting Usyk for [three] world titles. This is my world title fight.”
      However, there are two ways the winner of the bouts between Usyk vs Dubois and Hrgovic vs McKean may not face each other.
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      One would be for the winner of Uysk or Dubois to vacate the IBF belt, while the other would be to secure a unification fight with Tyson Fury.
      In the meantime, the Gypsy King is scheduled to face ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou in a controversial crossover bout. More