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      in Boxing

      Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers in ‘violent’ career switch after announcing retirement from boxing and MMA

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      AARON CHALMERS is returning to the ring – and this time the fighting will be more violent than ever.The reality TV star left the Geordie Shore house in 2017 to become a professional MMA fighter – where he amassed a 5-2 record. Aaron Chalmers is coming out of combat retirementCredit: Instagram @aaroncgshoreThe Geordie Shore star has signed for BKFCChalmers then focussed on boxing and had five bouts mixed from pro fights and crossover-style exhibitions including a contest with legend Floyd Mayweather.But after a lack of offers, combined with a personal life stresses, the 37-year-old hung up his gloves. That was until Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship – co-owned by UFC legend Conor McGregor and David Feldman – came knocking. Chalmers told SunSport: “I just gave up and then BKFC reached out, and I knew it was going to take something big to bring us back.READ MORE IN BOXING”I spoke to David a couple of times on the phone, and I was just like, ‘Ah, this is this definitely is right up my street.'”Obviously got a multi-fight contract and yeah, I think he’s got some big plans for us. So I’m excited.”It’s another one. I’ve done MMA, I’ve done boxing, I’ve done influencer boxing now into the bare-knuckle. “So I’ve kind of ticked off most of the top combat sports I could probably tick off.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSChalmers shelved a £12,000 nose job to continue his combat career. But after taking a step back from TV work, he does not have to worry about protecting the money maker so much. Sickening moment fighter snaps ankle mid-fight before slipping it back into place as if nothing happenedHe said: “Is this any more brutal than getting elbowed in the face in MMA? “Is it more brutal than getting kicked in the face in MMA or kneed in the face? I don’t know.”I mean, there’s only one way to find out. It’s just pure violence, really, isn’t it?”I need to learn to hit and not get hit. So there’s gonna be a lot more movement than just standing there like I do in the boxing and trying to have a scrap.”My coach, he’s like, ‘I want you to be in and out.’ So that’s all well and good doing that for eight weeks in training but as soon as you get in there, it’s a totally different story.”Like I say, listen, I’m older now and they came in with a great offer that I couldn’t turn down. So I’m not really too bothered about the face.”I’m getting on now. It’s not like I’m on TV in front of all these people, so yeah, I’m just excited.”American TikToker Bryce Hall, 25, won his BKFC debut last year while YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 27, is also a target for Chalmers. He said: “Bryce Hall, that would be a great fight for me. Obviously, I want to get me feet in, I wanna get my toes wet in there, see what it’s like.”Maybe have one or two, and then we can start looking at people like that. “I mean, I still think if I make a big enough splash in BKFC, the fight with Jake Paul can be there.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We’ve got to make a big splash. Basically, we need to get back to back to the Bellator days, the Bamma days, where I was knocking people out cold.”That’s that’s what gets the interest. So that’s what we’re going back to.”Chalmers even faced boxing great Floyd MayweatherCredit: PAChalmers’ record was 5-2 in MMACredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Raheem Sterling’s first meeting with Arsenal team-mates in dressing room after controversial Brighton draw

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      RAHEEM STERLING met his new Arsenal teammates for the first time in the dressing room in the aftermath of their 1-1 draw with Brighton.And the 29-year-old is ready to hit the ground running thanks to a specialised individual fitness programme alongside a former Three Lions coach. Raheem Sterling signed for Arsenal on loan from Chelsea on Deadline DayCredit: GettySterling visited the Arsenal dressing room after watching the 1-1 draw vs BrightonCredit: GettySterling is expected to train for the first time at London Colney todayCredit: GettySterling was in the stands at the Emirates for the Seagulls clash – hours after joining the Gunners on a season-long loan from Chelsea on Deadline Day.Having only seen his Arsenal switch confirmed at around 2am on Saturday morning, Sterling was unable to make the squad, instead showing support for his new club alongside his family.And he was given a great reception from the Arsenal fans just before kick-off with his name read out over the tannoy system.Joined by another late loan capture in Bournemouth keeper Neto, Sterling made his way down to the changing rooms at the final whistle to introduce himself to members of the squad he was yet to catch up with.read more arsenalIt was a game that saw Arsenal drop points after Declan Rice’s controversial sending off for two yellow cards in either half.Sterling is expected to take part in his first full training session at London Colney today – reuniting with boss Mikel Arteta who was Manchester City’s assistant under Pep Guardiola between 2016 and 2019.SunSport understands that Arsenal are anticipating Sterling to be a fast learner under Arteta as a result, with the player raring to go to prove himself after being brutally axed from the Chelsea squad. Sterling has been keeping fit away from Cobham over the last two weeks with England’s former lead physical performance coach Ben Rosenblatt – who stepped down from his role in June 2023 after seven years.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe pair have worked together for pre-seasons in the past, and have recently made use of Sterling’s state-of-the-art fitness facilities at his home in West London.Sterling could be thrown into a Prem debut for Arsenal straight after the international break due to Rice’s suspension ahead of the trip to face North London rivals Tottenham on September 15.Arsenal travel to Man City later this month More

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      in Soccer

      My dad’s an MMA icon who KO’d nearly 30 opponents and a UFC icon – I’m making my own way at former Premier League club

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      MILLION MANHOEF is flying in the Championship with Stoke – but he could’ve had a completely different sports career.The winger joined the Potters from Dutch outfit Vitesse Arnhem in January, inking a three-and-half-year-long deal at the Britannia.Million Manhoef joined Stoke City from Vitesse Arnhem in JanuaryCredit: RexThe Dutchman has been in fine form for The Potters this seasonCredit: REXThe 22-year-old comes from incredible athletic stockCredit: REXMillion is the son of MMA and kickboxing legend Melvin ManhoefCredit: BELLATOManhoef initially struggled with the physicality of the Championship but has been one of Stoke’s best players this season.The 22-year-old has scored three goals and bagged a solitary assist in six appearances for Steven Schumacher’s side.The Dutchman has proved to be an explosive force for The Potters, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given the athletic stock he comes from.Manhoef is the son of kickboxing and mixed martial arts legend Melvin, who was one of the most ferocious strikers during his pomp.READ MORE IN MMAMelvin competed in the now-defunct DREAM MMA promotion during the 2000s and was a terrifying force inside the ring.And it was in DREAM where he became the first man to KO future UFC fan favourite Mark Hunt, whom he put to sleep in a mere 18 seconds.It wasn’t long after the birth of Million that Melvin pushed him into the world of combat sports with kickboxing.Million showed great promise in his junior Muay Thai fights but opted to pursue a football career instead.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRecalling his decision to pick football over the fight game, Million said: “My father and mother separated when I was six or seven.”But before that, of course, I was pushed into kickboxing.Inside Conor McGregor’s first gym “I was two and a half years old when I put on the kickboxing gloves.”When I turned four I also started playing football and did both sports. “I fought in competitions and became Dutch kickboxing champion.”Kickboxing is certainly a great passion, but at a certain point I could no longer combine the two sports and I chose football.”It’s a good thing that many people know that he is my father. But I want to do my own thing.”He has had a great career, but to do that he had to make sacrifices with his family. Melvin Manhoef was an incredibly ferocious striker during his 28-year-long combat careerCredit: INSTAGRAM@MELVINNOMERCYMANHOEFManhoef scored a whopping 56 knockouts during his iconic careerCredit: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP”And I grew up with my mother.”I have experienced pressure at some point in my career because of my surname, but it’s not been too bad.”When I first broke into the Vitesse Arnhem first team I heard about it a lot and everyone was always asking about him.”I used to say, ‘What about my mother!'”READ MORE SUN STORIESMillion’s famous dad retired from combat sports in September 2022 after suffering a KO loss to Yoel Romero at Bellator 285 in Dublin.That loss to Romero brought the curtain down on a 28-YEAR-LONG career in which he had over 100 professional fights in kickboxing and MMA.Million Manhoef was an astute kickboxer but chose to pursue a career in football insteadCredit: REX More

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      in Motorsport

      Savage sackings that prove F1 is world’s most cut-throat sport – including star axed by email from PA… on his birthday

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      WITHIN days of smashing his car at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, Logan Sargeant’s career was up in flames too.The Williams driver crashed and burned during practice for the race at Zandvoort, and was swiftly removed from his seat in the team for the rest of the season.Logan Sargeant was axed after crashing out of the Dutch Grand Prix last weekendCredit: GettySargeant’s car was badly damaged at the Circuit Park ZandvoortCredit: GettyMagnussen, with his wife Louise Gjorup, was fired by emailCredit: AlamyMick Schumacher, pictured with girlfriend Laila Hasanovic, was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobbyCredit: InstagramOf course, in the savage world of motor racing, Sargeant, 23, is just the latest in a long line of drivers to be brutally axed without warning.Here, we explore the scandalous sackings that prove Formula One is the world’s most cut-throat business – including the racer unfortunate enough to be let go by email on his birthday.Sacked by PA on his birthdayDanish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.”It was a short paragraph explaining that there would be nothing for me in the future,” recalled Magnussen, now 31. “It arrived on my birthday actually.”A year earlier his predecessor Sergio Perez, 34, had been offered a contract, signed the documents and sent them back to McLaren – only to learn he was being dropped in favour of Magnussen.Most read in Motorsport’Crashgate’ scandalWhen Renault decided to axe Nelson Piquet Junior in 2009 it led to one of the biggest scandals to ever engulf the sport.After Piquet, the son a of a three-time F1 World Champion, failed to score any points at all in the first half of the season, team boss Flavio Briatore fired him.Formula One’s Highest EarnersBut Piquet shot back – alleging that Briatore and other members of the management team had ordered him to deliberately crash out of the Singapore Grand Prix to help teammate Fernando Alonso secure a victory.Renault and Briatore launched criminal proceedings, claiming that Piquet was blackmailing them so he could finish the season.Investigations eventually revealed that Piquet’s claims were true, in what became known as the ‘Crashgate’ scandal.Renault were slapped with a two-year suspended ban by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for conspiring to cause a crash.The aftermath of Nelson Piquet’s crash into a wall at the Singapore Grand Prix in September 2008.Credit: Sutton ImagesNelson Piquet leaves FIA headquarters in Paris after hearing at the World Motor Sports Council as part of the “Crashgate” affair in 2009.Credit: AFPItalian Flavio Briatore in October 2008, shortly before firing Piquet from the Renault team.Credit: EPA”The conditions I had to deal with have been very strange to say the least,” said Piquet later. “There are incidents that I can hardly believe occurred myself.”A manager is supposed to encourage you, support you, and provide you with opportunities. “In my case it was the opposite – Flavio Briatore was my executioner.”‘Dumped by text’Red Bull picked up a reputation for being ruthless right from the start.They were said to be tough on all their drivers, even four-time ChampCar winner Sebastien Bourdais, who signed up to partner with Sebastian Vettel at their team Toro Rosso in 2008.Bourdais car flew as he crashed with team mate Sebastien Buemi, Force India’s Adrian Sutil and Renault’s Nelson Piquet the start of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix in 2009.Credit: ReutersSebastien Bourdais and his wife Claire in the pits after the qualifying session of the French Grand Prix in June 2008.Credit: AFPWhen the Frenchman struggled to make progress, he was swiftly dropped in favour of young Spanish driver Jaime Alguersuari.And he later revealed he had been dumped by a brisk TEXT from team boss Franz Tost.”The way they got rid of me was very disappointing,” said Bourdais. “He did not speak with me. He did not call me. “Everything was done by SMS, which to me has no style.”Tost denied the allegations, saying: “I told Monsieur Bourdais personally that he is not going drive anymore and did not write any SMS.”F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconDitched for last race over rantAlthough he almost triumphed in the 1990 World Championship for Ferrari, the following year was a disaster for Alain Prost.He finished in fifth place but openly criticised his car at the Japanese Grand Prix.”After a few laps, the shock absorbers no longer worked and the steering was incredibly hard,” said Prost, now 69.”At the end of the race, I said it was like driving a horrible truck, no pleasure.”Prost with Ferrari’s Sporting Director Cesare Fiorio in Portugal back in 1990Credit: GettyProst retired from the 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix after his clutch seized and he spun off the trackCredit: GettyBoss Claudio Lombardi was furious and fired him ahead of the season closer in Australia.Lombardi said later: “The behaviour of Alain Prost during this season has not been at the level that Ferrari would like from a top driver.”His behaviour insider and outside the team meant that Ferrari had to stop the relationship.”Read of sacking on AutosportJolyon Palmer smashed into Romain Grosjean of Haas F1 Team at the Russian Grand Prix in 2017.Credit: EPAPalmer in the pit lane at Silverstone in July 2017.Credit: EPAWhen he was a member of the Renault team in 2017, British commentator Jolyon Palmer, now 33, was replaced by Carlos Sainz.The problem was that nobody had told him and Palmer only realised what was happening when he logged on and saw the news online. “I knew when I read it on Autosport,” he explained.”And then I knew it was true as well, I spoke to some people. “That was it.”Axed by faxHeinz-Harald was supported by wife TanjaCredit: GettyHeinz-Harald crashed into the guard rail during the Monaco time trials in May 1997.Credit: ReutersJordan driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen was axed by the Irish team midway through 2001 – by fax.His contract was unceremoniously torn up following an exchange of views at Silverstone, which resulted in Frentzen taking Jordan to court.The contract dispute was resolved ‘amicably’ at the end of 2002.Mick SchumacherLast year Mick Schumacher was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobby with team boss Guenther Steiner.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe German driver, 25, had failed to secure his seat, and with Haas bringing in veteran Nico Hulkenberg for 2003, he was sacked ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.Steiner told Bild+: “He was certainly suspecting something, he doesn’t live under a rock.”Mick and his partner Laila Hasonovic during the Spanish Grand Prix in June.Credit: GettySchumacher with Haas F1 team’s Italian team principal Guenther SteinerCredit: AFP More

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      in Boxing

      Inside Conor McGregor’s first gym where coaches spotted talent aged 12… but knew he wasn’t destined to make it as boxer

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      CONOR McGREGOR showcased his raw talent aged just 12 – but his coaches knew his future was never destined for the boxing ring. McGregor wandered into the Crumlin Boxing club with muddy football boots as a youngster and immediately impressed head trainer Phil Sutcliffe. Conor McGregor’s first gym was Crumlin BoxingMcGregor has returned back to the club to train and boxHe poses to the crowd during a fundraising eventMcGregor has made shock appearances to box in local eventsAnd despite later choosing a career in mixed martial arts over boxing – he remains Sutcliffe’s most famous graduate from the gym. It is now over two decades since McGregor trotted into the club on his first day but Sutcliffe said: “Course I remember…”When he walked in, I told him he had to take his boots off.“He was playing football against Crumlin United. He was a little blonde kid, good looking kid, but he had his football boots on. READ MORE IN MMA“You don’t walk on the floor with your football boots full of mud, so we told him to take them off.“He started punching the bags. I said if you want to join, get your ma’ and da’ down. You have to fill in a form and apply.”The gym is located on Dublin’s south side and has been producing champions since the 1940s.Chief trainer Sutcliffe is an Irish amateur boxing great, having competed in the 1980 and 1984 Olympics.Most read in BoxingMcGregor returns to Crumlin to box in fundraisersHe uses the boxing club for his MMA trainingCoach Phil Sutcliffe with McGregorCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSutcliffe coached McGregor through his teens and has no doubt he had the skills and making of a future boxing champion.But at 16 he chose MMA over the sweet science – sacrificing his potential as a top pugilist.I leant Conor McGregor £60 for tools when he was a young plumber… he paid it back 15 YEARS LATER with incredible gestureSutcliffe said: “In pure boxing ability he was as equal to them but he didn’t put in enough for the one talent. “It’s like if you wanted to play rugby but you play on the soccer pitch. It’s hard to master the two. “If you want to play rugby you need to be tough, you want to be fast but in soccer you want to be skillful, you want to be avoiding. “It’s the same in the boxing. If you want to box, you stay boxing. But Conor mastered the ability of reading. Reading the shot that comes at you.“He always mastered that from an early age of 12, he was able to avoid, he was able to move comfortably.”  McGregor’s choice of MMA over boxing paid off having become the UFC’s greatest star – but at the time Sutcliffe could not see the vision. He admitted: “I was never fond of mixed martial arts, I thought it was barbaric until I got involved and saw the amount of work these boys have to put into it.“I saw it and thought, This is interesting.'”  A huge mural of McGregor drapes the wallMcGregor is not the only boxing legend commemorated in the gymMcGregor also sponsors the gymCrumlin is nicknamed ‘The School of Excellence’McGregor only returned to boxing once in 2017 when he lost in ten rounds to American great Floyd Mayweather. In the aftermath of his defeat, the southpaw returned to his roots and Crumlin coaches to be part of his training and corner team. McGregor made sure to give back to the gym that first honed his skills having paid thousands to renovate the club.Pictures of the UFC legend training and boxing drape the gym walls while there is a huge mural dedicated to his success.But he is not the only legendary fighter commemorated in the gym with paintings of Mike Tyson, Ricky Hatton and Roy Jones Jr filling the walls. McGregor still visits during his training camp to sharpen his boxing and was doing so before his scheduled return on June 29.But he was forced to pull out of the comeback fight against Michael Chandler, 38, due to a toe injury with his UFC future still in the air. McGregor has been linked with a return to boxing in the past to fight the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Sutcliffe hopes to see it having not been part of the Mayweather bout. He chuckled: “I hope he boxes for me, I’ll get another payday!” McGregor kitted out the coaches with new gearThis is the ring where McGregor sparsHe bought the club all new boxing equipmentThe gym is located in Dublin 12 More

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      in Boxing

      Inside YouTuber Danny Aarons’ stunning SIX STONE weight loss after ditching junk food to become ‘the next KSI’ of boxing

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      DANNY AARONS has gone from overweight gamer to the next KSI of Misfits Boxing with a sensational life turnaround. Aarons was over 17 STONE while rising to fame on YouTube playing FIFA video games. Danny Aarons has gone through a huge body transformationAarons makes his debut against former footballer Danny SimpsonBut amid the rise of celebrity-style crossover bout with Misfits Boxing, the 22-year-old fancied getting in on the action. He now makes his debut on Saturday night in a headline fight against Premier League winner Danny Simpson in Dublin. It marks a stunning contrast as Aarons told SunSport: “Obviously there’s physical changes yes but you don’t realise how much of it is mental.”I was waking up at stupid o’clock doing nothing with my life being so unproductive, eating a bunch of junk food, and it was just not not healthy and not a sustainable way to live.READ MORE IN BOXING”So you had to make good change. It’s a mental change, but I’m not a doctor or anything but honestly, just get out, get outside, do some walks, eat clean.”Aarons is now down to 11st 7lb having put in hours of training under the guidance of coach Huzaifah Iqbal in Surrey. He said: “It’s easy to to get in there one day and do it cos it’s fun, you know, it’s new. “But when you have to wake up again, do it the next day and then the next day and the next day it’s just being consistent with it is the is the tough bit.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The easiest part, I think just my coaches and that they just feel like family, like it’s not like I have to go to training.”It’s like I’m just hanging out with the boys, man, it feels good.”Aarons has welcomed being compared to KSI – having gone from content creator to boxer. He said: “I love pressure. I love pressure. To be compared to KSI, can’t be a bad thing. So I’ll take it.”Danny Simpson agrees to put Premier League winner’s medal on the line in boxing fight against YouTuber Danny Aarons More

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      in Boxing

      I leant Conor McGregor £60 for tools when he was a young plumber… he paid it back 15 YEARS LATER with incredible gesture

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      CONOR McGREGOR once settled a 15 YEAR OLD debt with an incredible gesture after returning to his old stomping ground. McGregor – the highest-paid MMA fighter of all time – was an apprentice plumber in Ireland before he packed it in to pursue combat.Conor McGregor with boxing coach Bra BradyHe was still training at Crumlin Boxing at the time under the coaching of Olympian Phil Sutcliffe and Patrick “Bra” Brady. Bra was a career plumber himself and gave a teenage McGregor €70 (£60) to get himself some tools under the promise it would get paid back. But the future multimillionaire never squared his debt. Bra told SunSport from the famed Crumlin gym: “I’m a plumber all my life, retired now, but Conor wanted to be a plumber so when he started off, he’s 16, I said I’ll get him his tools. READ MORE IN MMA”I knew a fella that worked in the trade that could get the tools for cheap. “I said, I’d get him the tools and he can pay me back week by week because he used to be at the club. “I said, ‘You got them?’ He said, ‘Yeah, I’ll pay ya back.’ But, he never did.” McGregor went onto become an icon of the UFC, winning titles in two divisions at the height of his rise. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn 2017, he crossed over to the boxing ring for a lucrative bout against American great Floyd Mayweather, losing in round ten. McGregor regretted not reuniting with the boxing team who first honed his skills. Watch never-before-seen footage of Conor McGregor vs Khabib with audio of exactly what was said between hated UFC rivalsSo after defeat to Mayweather, the UFC superstar returned to Crumlin to train with Sutcliffe and Bra. He became so immersed in his first ever gym that he spent thousands renovating the club in an incredible gesture.McGregor even boxed on their club show to raise money and also kitted out the club and its coaches in custom tracksuits. But there was still one more thing left to do – pay back the money he owed from a decade and a half ago. Bra said: “It was 15 years later he paid me back, that’s when he wanted to get on the show. “He gave us a few things, a new ring and things like that, tracksuits and all that. He said, ‘Are you happy with that?’ “I said, ‘Yeah, but one more thing… I want my 70 quid!'” READ MORE SUN STORIESMcGregor still comes into Crumlin Boxing while in training camp but is currently nursing a toe injury.  It forced him out of his return against American Michael Chandler, 38, which was set for June 29 but now looks to be postponed until next year.McGregor returned to box on a Crumlin show More