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      Andy Ruiz Jr shows off stunning body transformation at Chris Arreola weigh-in after shedding TWO STONE since Joshua loss

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      ANDY RUIZ JR makes his long-awaited return to the ring on Saturday night after dropping TWO STONE.At the weigh-in for his encounter with Chris Arreola, the 31-year-old had noticeably slimmed down from the portly figure that faced Anthony Joshua.
      Andy Ruiz Jr showed off his new slimmed-down figure at Friday’s weigh-inCredit: Rex
      Ruiz Jr and Arreola weighed in for their Saturday showdownCredit: Rex
      The Mexican-American shot to worldwide fame after downing the Brit in June 2019 at 268 lbs before ballooning to 284 lb for the December rematch.
      Many fans felt he was in nothing like good enough shape to defend his world titles and he later agreed, making big changes to his fight routine.
      Ruiz Jr has upped his training regime and undertaken a strict diet to ensure he can return to heavyweight supremacy.
      And Friday’s weigh-in saw him come in at 256 lbs, a two-stone drop since his last fight.
      Underdog Arreola, 40, has also slimmed down for the bout and weighed in at a career-low 228.5 lbs.
      The fight takes place in Carson, California in the early hours of Sunday morning, UK time.
      The former world champ has lost two stone since his failed title defence in 2019Credit: Marc Aspland- The Times

      Deontay Wilder is a potential opponent for the victor as he too makes his way back from losing his world title belt.
      Ruiz Jr has spoken openly about his change in approach and attitude – describing himself as reborn ahead of the fight.
      He told USA Today: “I feel like the old Andy died and this is the new Andy.
      “I feel like this is my pro debut. It means a lot because I know inside that I’m doing the right things and progressing, going to the gym and training hard.
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      “It means a lot to me and hopefully the fans can see and say, ‘Andy could be more dangerous than he was before because he is more dedicated and more disciplined’.
      “I started doing the stuff I shouldn’t be doing, and wasn’t training like I should be training and that’s why I was overweight and wasn’t disciplined and wasn’t focused on the right things.
      “There was one day that I was so tired and sick of the way I was living.
      “It was just like a spaghetti bowl, going in circles and circles, and I got tired of that life so I started telling God that if he could forgive me and give me another chance to redeem myself.”

      Andy Ruiz displays lightning-quick punching speed that stunned Anthony Joshua as he trains for boxing comeback More

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      Andy Ruiz Jr told he will be BANNED from boxing for two years by WBC if he fights at Tokyo Olympics for Mexico

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      ANDY RUIZ JR has been warned he will be BANNED for two years by the WBC if he competes for Mexico at the Tokyo Olympic Games.The former heavyweight champion, 31, revealed he was approached by Mexico’s boxing commission to represent them in the Far East this summer.
      Andy Ruiz Jr revealed he was approached by Mexico’s boxing commission to represent them in the next OlympicsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Professional boxers have been allowed to enter the traditionally amateur-based competitions since the 2016 Olympics.
      But the WBC, a Mexican sanctioning body, has fired a warning to Ruiz that would prevent him fighting for the only world title missing in his unified collection.
      WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said: “The WBC strongly disagrees with supporting a professional boxer competing in the Olympic games.
      “It’s something unacceptable that should not be accepted by fans and boxing experts in the world.
      “Olympic amateur boxing is completely different. They are two different sports and it is very dangerous. We cannot accept this.
      “If any professional boxer, including champions or former champions, decide to participate in the next Olympics, they will have a sanction of at least two years in the WBC.”
      The WBC had the same stance in Rio 2016, when pro boxers were first allowed to compete at the Games.
      Just last year, Sulaiman blasted the International Boxing Association (AIBA) after amateur boxer Richard Torrez, 21, was knocked out by a professional fighter Bakhodir Jalolov.
      Mike Tyson asks Andy Ruiz Jr what he feels like before he goes in the ring

      The WBC president labelled the knockout “brutal and criminal”, with 26-year-old Jalolov 6-0 in the paid ranks.
      However, Ruiz insisted it would be a “great honour” to represent Mexico at the Olympics, having boxed for them in the 2008 Beijing qualification tournaments.
      The 2020 Olympics, of course, will now be held in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic from July.
      WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman revealed any pro boxer fighting in amateur competition will receive a two year ban by the sanctioning bodyCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
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      Mike Tyson was challenged to a DEATHMATCH by UFC’s Royce Gracie – but boxer refused as ‘there was no way I’d win’

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      UFC icon Royce Gracie challenged Mike Tyson to a ‘no-holds-barred’ fight ‘to the finish’, a new memoir has revealed.The boxing legend tore apart the heavyweight division in the late 1980s before a rape conviction, along with excessive partying and further personal life problems, rocked his career.
      Brazilian MMA star Royce Gracie (right) was a pioneer of UFCCredit: Getty
      Mike Tyson was challenged to a huge match-up by the UFC legendCredit: instagram.com/miketyson
      While Iron Mike was preparing his comeback to the ring, the MMA promotion UFC was founded and Brazilian fighter Gracie, now 54, won three fights on its first night in late 1993.
      And his desire to be seen as the top fighter on Earth led to a stunning challenge for the Baddest Man on the Planet.
      In a memoir by sports writer Fiaz Rafiq,’ To The Top: Enter the Octagon, the Ring and Entertainment’, it is revealed: “[Tyson] was challenged by the Gracie Brothers, in particular Royce, back in the early 1990s.
      “The UFC champion’s perception was that Tyson was the best boxer in the world, but he refused to accept that Tyson was the best ‘fighter’.
      “The Gracies had a point. They had been beating all-comers from various styles long before the Octagon was first engineered.
      “And Royce wasn’t going to rest until he did everything within his means to provoke the heavyweight champion into accepting a real fight in a no-holds-barred setting.
      “To settle the matter once and for all, Royce formally challenged the most feared boxer of our time to a fight to the finish, and so did his elder brother Rickson.”
      Gracie felt that Tyson, 54, was beatable despite his huge frame and ferocity – yet the proposition was declined with Iron Mike feeling there was ‘no way he’d win’.
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      To The Top: Enter the Octagon, the Ring and Entertainment is out May 3
      Rafiq wrote: “For Royce, any fight was a matter of who could implement their own strategy, and much of the Gracie style was developed to avoid even the chance of their opponent landing a lucky punch.
      “What Royce lacked in brute force, he clearly made up for in technical skill, as his opponents – including a professional boxer – quickly discovered.
      “‘There’s only one way to find out,’ he told me, as a smirk crept across his face followed by loud laughter. Sadly for posterity, Tyson declined.”
      In fact, Gracie came back a few years later with a fresh proposal, which was dismissed by a boxing world that is now clamouring for YouTube brawlers such as Jake Paul and crossover events like Conor McGregor’s match with Floyd Mayweather.
      Rafiq continued: “In Iron Mike’s case, one rejection wasn’t enough for Royce.
      “In 1997 the Gracie’s challenge made the headlines again, after the publication of a one-page advert in Men’s Health in America, in which the UFC champion once again challenged the former heavyweight boxer ‘officially’. Anywhere, anytime, no rules!

      “Years later I asked Royce about the famous challenge, and discovered that the heavyweight had been, at least in theory, willing to put up.
      “‘I heard that my brother tried to bring him in [to the UFC],’ Royce explained. ‘He had accepted but people around him – the lawyers, managers, and the Commission – said no way, because boxing had too much to lose.
      “But he had accepted and he wanted to do it. I talked to him before and he’s like, ‘I’d love to try this stuff out, man’.
      “But people around him did not allow him to do it. If he lost a fight, if it happened, well, boxing was already in the decline in America so it wouldn’t be good for boxing’.”
      To The Top: Enter the Octagon, the Ring and Entertainment by Fiaz Rafiq is published by Pitch Publishing, released May 3 and priced at £20 in hardback or £9.99. Ebook available in bookstores and following this Amazon link.
      Mike Tyson reveals what it takes to be part of his entourage and will include anyone who has a purpose in life More

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      Andy Ruiz Jr vs Chris Arreola: UK start time, live stream, TV channel and undercard for big heavyweight fight

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      ANDY RUIZ JR is back in action THIS WEEKEND as he faces fellow Mexican-American Chris Arreola in what should be an exciting heavyweight clash. Ruiz Jr hasn’t been in the ring since his world title defeat to Anthony Joshua in December 2019, after changing his life six months before by shocking the world to win the belts.
      Andy Ruiz Jr shocked the world to win the world heavyweight titles from Anthony JoshuaCredit: Reuters
      How Andy Ruiz Jr and Chris Arreola compare ahead of their bout
      The 31-year-old has since split with trainer Manny Robles, joined up with Canelo Alvarez’s coach Eddy Reyonoso, and he’s looking in better shape than ever.
      When is Andy Ruiz vs Chris Arreola?

      Ruiz Jr’s return to the ring against Arreola will be on Saturday, May 1.
      The fight will take place at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
      The ring walk is set to take place at around 5am on Sunday UK time – 9pm local time.
      There will be a limited number of fans in attendance because of coronavirus restrictions.
      Check any upcoming fight in SunSport’s boxing schedule and events guide.

      What TV channel is Ruiz Jr vs Arreola on and can it be live streamed?

      A UK broadcaster for Ruiz Jr vs Arreola has yet to be confirmed.
      But in the U.S., the fight will be shown live on Fox Sports pay-per-view for the price of $49.95.

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      What have they said?
      “I can’t wait to get back in the ring on May 1,” said Ruiz.
      “Training with coach Eddy in his gym has been amazing. I’m around great fighters like Canelo Alvarez and we’re putting in the work so that I can look better than ever.
      “I have known Chris Arreola since I turned professional. He’s a Mexican warrior just like me, and I expect him to come at me with everything he’s got.”
      Arreola added: “We’re doing everything that we can so that when Ruiz and I face each other, fight fans will get treated to an all-out war between the two best Mexican-American heavyweights to ever step in the ring.
      “This matchup should be a fan friendly fight, and I plan on winning behind all of my hard work.” More

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      Derek Chisora threatens to PULL OUT of Joseph Parker fight after storming out of weigh-in over ring walk COIN TOSS

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      DEREK CHISORA has threatened to pull out of his clash with Joseph Parker if he’s forced to walk to the ring first.Del Boy is set to throw down with the former WBO heavyweight champion tomorrow night in Manchester.
      Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker face off following their sucessful weigh-insCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING

      But the prospect of walking first to the ring – even though his name appears first on the poster – has got Chisora thinking of packing his bags and leaving the Matchroom bubble.
      During his final pre-fight interview with Sky Sports, he said: “We’re having an argument.
      “They wanna do a coin flip [for] who comes in the ring first and who comes in the ring second.
      “I’m was like, ‘Nah, not doing that.’
      “Either I come in second or I go home right now.”
      According to boxing reporter Kugan Cassius, Team Chisora are currently packing their bags to leave the bubble.
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      🥊 CHISORA VS PARKER: TV, live stream and start time info ahead of the big fight
      Chisora’s promoter, former WBA champ David Haye, said: “I was told by a lot of people that I trust that Derek Chisora was unmanageable.
      “I was told it will all end in tears. He’s unmanageable. And so far it’s been very, very stressful.
      “But I’ve always said he’s listened to 80 per cent of what I’ve asked him to do. Remember, Derek came to me and said, ‘I want you to manage me, tell me what to do and I’ll do it’.
      “And he’s done 80 per cent of that up until probably, I dunno couple of months ago and since then he’s kind of doing more stuff that he wants to do on his own.
      “This is like I’m saying, ‘Derek, you’ve got a contract, you’ve agreed certain things. But no.”
      Chisora’s vow to go home came moments after he and Parker successfully made weight for their bout.
      Fan favourite Chisora, who is looking to get back into the win column following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last November, weighed in at 250.8lbs.
      Former WBO heavyweight king Parker, meanwhile, tipped the scales at 241.2lbs.

      Chisora has linked up with renowned coach Buddy McGirt for his showdown with Kiwi Killer Parker.
      And Haye only sees the fight going one way, if it does indeed take place.
      During Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference, he said: “Joseph Parker, we know is an excellent boxer, one of the best jabs in the business.
      “Ask Andy Ruiz, Carlos Takam, it’s a killer.
      “So, it’s a simple solution, we’re not having a boxing match with Parker, it must be a fight.
      I can guarantee a knockout in this fight, this is not going the distance. This is about how much Joseph Parker can take.
      “He’s got a great chin, he went twelve rounds with AJ, twelve rounds with Dillian Whyte who hit him on the button many times.
      Derek’s going to have to do something very special on Saturday night, and he’s brought in the big guns – Buddy McGirt, Hall of Fame trainer.
      “We’re adding whatever we can to give Derek what’s needed to do the impossible.”
      Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker face off at pre-fight press conference More

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      Tyson Fury backs Jon Jones to beat UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou and wants fight against ‘ugly dosser ASAP’

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      TYSON FURY has warned UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou he’ll miss out on a mega crossover fight if he faces Jon Jones next.Ngannou revealed his eagerness to box The Gypsy King last month after ripping the heavyweight title from Stipe Miocic’s clutches at UFC 261.
      Newly-crowned UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou recently called out Tyson Fury
      But The Gypsy King has sent a warning to The Predator on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM@GYPSYKING101
      Fury, 32, is open to a crossover fight but has urged The Predator to face him before he sets foot inside the octagon with pound-for-pound king Jones.
      He wrote on his Instagram story: “@FrancisNgannou, if you fight @jonnybones he will 100% cent smash you [and] then it’s over!!!”
      The WBC heavyweight king also urged UFC president Dana White to make the fight as soon as possible.
      He wrote: “@DanaWhite @UFC let’s make me vs the ugly dosser Francis. ASAP.”
      Fury’s message to Ngannou came less than 24 hours after he reiterated his willingness to throw down with Africa’s first UFC champion and branded him a ‘dosser’ in a blistering rant.
      He said: “This is a message to Francis Ngannou and the UFC guys.
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      How Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou compare
      “Look, if you want some of this Gypsy King money, you know where to come find it.
      “You want some of this Gypsy King power, I’ll give it ya.
      “Any time, any place, anywhere. Seven days a week and twice on a Sunday you big ugly dosser.”
      Fury, 32, is currently preparing up for a multi-million-pound undisputed heavyweight title fight fellow Brit Anthony Joshua.
      The first instalment of Joshua vs Fury is set to take place in Saudi Arabia in the summer, although the pair’s long-awaited showdown has not yet been finalised.

      And that has prompted Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum to claim the biggest fight in the history of British boxing is ‘dead in the water’.
      The 89-year-old told The Daily Telegraph: “It will take months for the Saudis to do their due diligence on such a huge deal.
      “It is not just a site fee, there are ancillary demands from the Saudis stretching into the broadcast deals and other things, it could take months for it all to play out.
      “It could even take until 2022 the way it looks right now.
      “The fight in July or August is dead in the water as far as we are concerned.
      “The two fighters need to go and have other fights this summer while the negotiations for that fight in the Middle East conclude.”
      UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou warns Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury he wants to box More

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      Anthony Joshua hails Eddie Hearn as ‘best promoter in world’ amid claims Tyson Fury fight is ‘dead in the water’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA hailed Eddie Hearn as the ‘best promoter in world’ amid claims his fight with Tyson Fury is ‘dead in the water’. Fury and AJ signed a fight agreement in March with opposing camps then left to secure a date and venue.
      Anthony Joshua hailed Eddie Hearn as the ‘best promoter in world’Credit: Reuters

      Joshua’s promoter Hearn, the driving force behind the talks, is adamant a deal to host the historic headliner is close to completion.
      But Fury’s US handler Bob Arum had a contrasting opinion and astonishingly claimed the fight was ‘dead in the water’.
      Despite the differing stances, AJ has put his full confidence in Hearn and Matchroom Boxing as he hailed them on Instagram.
      He posted: “@matchroomboxing. Best promotional company in the world. “@eddiehearn Thank you for all your efforts over the years!
      “Best promoter in the world! Hands down (he said he’d give me £20 for this). Jokes aside he’s doing a lot for boxing & boxers.”
      Hearn has guided Joshua to become a two-time unified heavyweight world champion since AJ’s 2013 debut, a year after winning gold at the Olympics.
      But he faces the biggest fight in his promotional career to deliver the undisputed title decider on everyone’s lips.
      And he even has doubt coming from Arum, who is working alongside Hearn to agree terms.

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      Arum told The Telegraph: “It will take months for the Saudis to do their due diligence on such a huge deal.
      “It is not just a site fee, there are ancillary demands from the Saudis stretching into the broadcast deals and other things, it could take months for it all to play out.
      “It could even take until 2022 the way it looks right now. The fight in July or August is dead in the water as far as we are concerned.
      “The two fighters need to go and have other fights this summer while the negotiations for that fight in the Middle East conclude.
      “It is absurd what Hearn is saying that it is a done deal.
      “If we had just done a site deal without all the other complications that have arisen, we would have a fight by now.
      “Tyson Fury is fuming about it and is refusing to keep waiting.”
      Fury in February 2020 dethroned Deontay Wilder of the WBC belt, but an immediate rematch clause was already in the contract.
      Tyson Fury pictured with promoter Bob Arum
      Team Fury argued it expired in October, allowing them to instead begin talks for an undisputed title decider with AJ.
      Wilder, 35, is still fighting his case through a mediator, and Arum and Fury flew to California this week for arbitration.
      And with claims of stalled talks with AJ, Arum admitted mediation with Wilder could instead turn to fight talks.
      But in another twist, according to The Athletic, a site deal for Joshua and Fury worth more than £108m is expected to be completed this weekend.
      It would see, for the first time in heavyweight history all four belts on the line, with Riyadh in Saudi, the hosts in early August.
      Joshua’s promoter Hearn, the driving force behind the talks, is even confident the fight will finally be announced by next week.
      He said to iFL TV: “I believe we announce this fight next week. I do.
      “Because, if we don’t, I do agree with Bob, by then why wouldn’t that be done? I don’t think there is a reason it won’t be done, to be honest with you.”
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      Anthony Joshua claims he CHOSE not to stop Andy Ruiz Jr to prove critics wrong – just like he did against Joseph Parker

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA decided against knocking out Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in order to prove a point to his ‘critics’.AJ went up against Mexico’s first heavyweight champion in December 2019, six months after he was stopped by the burly bruiser in his ill-fated American debut.
      Anthony Joshua cruised to victory in his December 2019 victory over Andy Ruiz JrCredit: AP
      Victory over Andy Ruiz Jr saw Anthony Joshua reclaim the unified heavyweight titlesCredit: Getty
      Joshua put on a clinic in their Saudi showdown, using his reach and boxing at range to reclaim the unified titles with a unanimous decision victory.
      Despite cruising to victory in the make-or-break rematch, Joshua was criticised for not stopping Ruiz Jr.
      But the Watford Warrior had no intention of having a quick night at the office against The Destroyer.
      He told JD Sports: “There’s only two fights I‘ve said that (I’m going the distance) Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz 2 when I’ve said to myself this fight I’m taking the distance.
      “I’ve consciously said that to myself, the first one with Joseph Parker everyone says I can’t go 12 rounds I’m unfit, everyone’s game plan was I’m going to take AJ to the later round he’s going to run out of gas.
      “I said you know what, I’m going to show this guy can go 12 rounds so that was that I went 12 rounds with him – I wanted to silence my critics.
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      “Ruiz 2 there was a strategy in place where it was box, when I watched Joe Louie versus two-ton Tony Galento he boxed and moved well.
      “You don’t really box into someone’s strengths so we took away a lot of his strengths and we stayed on the outside of the ring, we manoeuvred well, that float like a butterfly sting like a bee type of element, we tried to bring that to that fight which was a 12 round fight so we got that decision.”
      Joshua, 31, is currently gearing up for his long-awaited undisputed heavyweight title fight with Tyson Fury.
      The pair have agreed to throw down in Saudi Arabia in the summer, although their multi-million-pound showdown has yet to be finalised.
      And Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum has claimed the long-awaited Battle of Britain is ‘dead in the water’.

      He told The Daily Telegraph: “It will take months for the Saudis to do their due diligence on such a huge deal.
      “It is not just a site fee, there are ancillary demands from the Saudis stretching into the broadcast deals and other things, it could take months for it all to play out.
      “It could even take until 2022 the way it looks right now.
      “The fight in July or August is dead in the water as far as we are concerned.
      “The two fighters need to go and have other fights this summer while the negotiations for that fight in the Middle East conclude.”
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