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      in Boxing

      Eddie Hall admits he is ‘scared’ of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov as strongman targets Hafthor Bjornsson fight

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      EDDIE HALL is ‘scared’ of UFC great Khabib Nurmagomedov but sure he will ‘knock out’ fellow strongman Hafthor Bjornsson in the boxing ring.Former world’s Strongest Man Hall bravely posed with now-retired Khabib.
      Unbeaten Russian UFC icon Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of only two things that scare former world’s strongest man Eddie Hall
      Eddie Hall’s upcoming opponent Hafthor Bjornsson has lost several stone as he transforms his body following his switch to boxingCredit: Instagram / @thorbjornsson
      And alongside that photo on Instagram ‘The Beast’ wrote: “Two things scare me in life, my dads belt and @khabib_nurmagomedov.”
      Hall is battling back from bicep surgery that delayed his fight with ‘The Mountain’ Bjornsson until next year.
      And although he fears unbeaten Russian Khabib, he believes it is Icelander Bjornsson who will be trembling when they meet.
      Hall told strongman Luke Fullbrook in a YouTube interview: “I’m very confident. You know how seriously I take things.
      “I’m just going to let my fists do the talking. He can say or do whatever he wants… All that matters to me is that he’s getting knocked out.
      “I haven’t even started the mental game with Thor and he’s already calling me a bully. 

      “He better get a grip of himself as it’s going to get a lot worse.”
      But The Mountain believes his boxing ability is snowballing after three exhibition fights.
      And he even sparred with Conor McGregor as he builds up to meeting Hall.
      Eddie Hall insists he will knock Hafthor Bjornsson out when the strongmen meetCredit: Twitter / @Biosynergy
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      Ali Abdelaziz reckons Conor McGregor wouldn’t dare set foot inside the cage with Islam Makhachev More

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      in Soccer

      Conor McGregor shares whiskey with Jose Mourinho as UFC star gets Roma shirt after his son gets christened at Vatican

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      CONOR MCGREGOR shared whiskey with Jose Mourinho after getting a Roma shirt while in Italy for his son’s christening. The Irishman posted pictures with Mourinho, who previously managed Chelsea and McGregor’s boyhood club Manchester United.
      Jose Mourinho pictured with Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
      Mourinho gifted McGregor a Roma shirtCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
      McGregor’s dad Tony pictured with Mourinho and his sonCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
      McGregor gave Mourinho a glass of his whiskeyCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
      And the managerial legend admitted he could not turn down a glass of McGregor’s Proper 12 whiskey.
      Mourinho, 58, wrote on Instagram: “Yes it’s him!
      “Yes, the great @thenotoriousmma is in Rome and yes it was a real pleasure to meet him, to share some stories and to offer him the most beautiful shirt in town @officialasroma.
      “He made a miracle, it’s impossible to say no to Conor, I had to try @properwhiskey.”
      McGregor, 33, also posted: “Respect to this man. Legend.”
      McGregr is in Italy as his son is being christened at the Vatican.

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      The former UFC champion last fought in July, losing to Dustin Poirier – the man he beat in 2014 but lost to in a rematch in January.
      But disaster struck in the trilogy bout as McGregor suffered a leg break just seconds before the end of round one, with Poirier, 32, winning by doctor stoppage.
      McGregor underwent surgery in Los Angeles and continued his rehabilitation process in America while returning to training.
      But he recently took a European holiday vacation, with his fiancee Dee Devlin, son Conor Jr, four, daughter Croia, two and newborn Rian.
      And Rian, born in May, was christened in the Vatican, and McGregor even posed with the keys.
      Meanwhile Mourinho, who returned to management after being sacked by Tottenham in April, has started with five wins in Roma’s opening seven games.
      They currently sit fourth in the Serie A, six points behind league leaders Napoli.
      Conor McGregor pictured with his fiancee Dee DevlinCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
      Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin pose with the keys to the VaticanCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
      Conor McGregor on his vacation to RomeCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma More

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      in Boxing

      Floyd Mayweather beat 15 WORLD CHAMPION boxers in a row before 2017 retirement fight with UFC star Conor McGregor

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER beat an incredible 15 world champion boxers in a row before his 2017 retirement fight against Conor McGregor. Mayweather officially called time on his career with a lucrative send off against McGregor, the UFC’s biggest star.
      Floyd Mayweather’s 15 world champions beaten consecutively
      It saw him retire 50-0 but also for the first time in 15 fights and 12 years, he faced a non-world champion boxer.
      The previous time he did so was in January 2005 in an eight-round stoppage win over Puerto Rican Henry Bruseles.
      After that, his next 16 fights were all against current or former world champions.
      He ended 2005 with wins over Arturo Gatti – his first time on pay-per-view – and Sharmba Mitchell, who formerly held the WBA light-welterweight title.
      The following year he beat Zab Judah and Carlos Baldomir to add welterweight titles to his name.
      In 2007, Mayweather became boxing’s new top attraction when he beat Oscar De La Hoya and then returned to knock out Ricky Hatton.

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      After an extended lay-off, and cameo in WWE, the unbeaten American beat Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in his 2009 comeback fight.
      For the next three years, Mayweather would fight just once every 12 months, beating Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz and then Miguel Cotto.
      Right after his win over Cotto – which he said was his most gruelling ever – a three month prison sentence followed for domestic abuse.
      But when Mayweather came out, he was met with a then-record deal with US network Showtime, worth around £150million.
      In 2013, he beat Robert Guerrero and Canelo Alvarez, a light-middleweight champ at the time, who is now boxing’s pound-for-pound No1.
      Miguel Cotto was Floyd Mayweather’s most gruelling fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Canelo Alvarez was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Then in 2014 he twice fought Marcos Maidana, winning the first in a close encounter but easing the rematch.
      By 2015 the fight boxing fans craved most had finally been agreed, against long-time rival Manny Pacquiao.
      But Mayweather made comfortable work of Pacquiao over 12 rounds, selling a Stateside record of 4.6million PPVs.
      He then closed out the year – and supposedly his career – with a routine win over Andre Berto, which he insisted would be his final.
      But in the period after, McGregor had become a sensation over in the UFC and taken Mayweather’s crown as the planet’s biggest prizefighter.
      Floyd Mayweather twice beat Marcos MaidanaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Floyd Mayweather finally fought and beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015Credit: Reuters
      It led to a money-spinning crossover bout in Las Vegas, which Mayweather won in ten rounds.
      Despite surpassing the great Rocky Marciano’s winning streak, it was not the last of multimillionaire, affectionately nicknamed ‘Money’.
      Mayweather in 2018 beat Japanese featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in round one of their exhibition in Tokyo.
      And this year, in the most bizarre of circumstances he faced YouTuber Logan Paul in a spectacle exhibition.
      Mayweather gave away TWO STONE and after failing to score a KO, technically no winner was declared.
      The boxing icon has again maintained it was his final time between the ropes, but history has proven not to count out another mega-money return.
      Mike Tyson offers to fight Logan Paul and reckons YouTuber could be tempted by $100m offer More

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      in Boxing

      UFC star Francis Ngannou sick of ‘borrowing money’ as he hints at boxing switch as Fury and Wilder rake in £18m each

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU insists he is sick of ‘borrowing money’ and hinted at making a switch across to boxing.The UFC star referenced the mega bucks pocketed by heavyweight icons Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder last weekend.
      Francis Ngannou may turn his back on MMA to pursue a big-money career in boxingCredit: Getty
      Boxing’s superstar pair raked in at least £18million EACH for their trilogy showdown.
      It’s understood Fury and Wilder’s disclosed purses – which will be released by the Nevada Athletic Commission later this week – were £4.4million ($6m) and £2.9m ($4m) respectively.
      But the duo were already contractually guaranteed a minimum of £18m for the third showdown.
      It is a far cry for Ngannou, who complained about how much he gets paid in his sport.
      The 35-year-old – who has one fight left on his UFC contract – told MMA Hour: “MMA is more difficult than boxing.
      “I feel I should not be needing to borrow money for my training camp.

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      “At some point, I’m gonna go after the money. I’m going to boxing for sure. I’m not challenging the system, I’m just saying my right.
      “I have not signed a new deal yet, because I do not want to sign a deal on these certain terms as I do not feel protected.
      “In the past two years I have had to borrow money and nobody cares about it and I have no guarantee in that deal.
      “So based on that experience I am trying to get better terms on my contract, and what I believe that I deserve.
      “According to what they said, I am on an independent contract so I want a terminated date so after that I can be free.
      “Then after that I would like to be free, so then you have a right from there to decide where you going and what you are going to do.
      “I will also then not be forced to keep signing the contract (with a termination date), so that is not being an independent contract.
      “If you say I am challenging the system, I already am having a hard time getting out at the moment but I can assure you that I am not.”
      Ngannou star beat Stipe Miocic in March to land the UFC world heavyweight belt.
      He looks set to face interim champ Cyril Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022 in a unification bout.
      But with his ferocious punching power and the lure of extra cash, it might not be long before we see the Cameroon hero laced up in boxing gloves – and maybe even challenging for belts.
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      Ngannou is not the first UFC star to bemoan the franchise’s pay system.
      Sean O’Malley criticised chief Dana White over his salary and wants to be paid ‘what he’s worth’.
      The 26-year-old bantamweight reportedly received a base salary of $60,000, around £43,300, for his fight against Thomas Almedia in March.
      Light-heavyweight Jon Jones is currently embroiled in a pay dispute with the promotion, not fighting since February 2020.
      And Jake Paul also criticised White over the issue after the UFC chief placed a $1m bet on the YouTuber losing to Ben Askren in a boxing match.
      Paul said: “In my third fight, I made more money in total pay than any fighter in UFC history.
      “Maybe it’s time to pay your fighters their fair share? No wonder they all want to get into boxing.”
      Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder both earned at least £18m from their trilogy fightCredit: Reuters More

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      in Boxing

      UFC chief Dana White explains why Tyson Fury fight against Deontay Wilder was ‘exactly what sport of boxing needed’

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      UFC president Dana White believes Tyson Fury’s trilogy epic fight with Deontay Wilder was exactly what ‘boxing needed’.The bitter heavyweight rivals went to war for a third time in Las Vegas last weekend and turned in one of the best fights in the recent history of the division.
      Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder put on a heavyweight fight for the ages last weekendCredit: Getty
      Fury closed the book on his rivalry with the American with an 11th-round knockoutCredit: GETTY
      UFC president Dana White was blown away by the back-and-forth boutCredit: GETTY
      Fan favourite Fury closed the book on his rivalry with the American with a brutal 11th-round stoppage following an incredible back and forth, which blew away White.
      He said: “I thought it was awesome. I think that the heavyweight fight that happened on Saturday.
      “And let me just tell you this. First, going into it, my thought process was, ‘For what, why?’ You know what I mean?
      “Joshua just got beat, and yeah why … you know why? Because boxing needed that. Boxing needed that fight.
      “It was an incredible heavyweight fight. I thought both guys fought their asses off.
      “And for Fury to come in at 277lbs and you know fight the way that he fought. Get knocked down, get back up and keep fighting.

      “It was just, it was exactly what boxing needed. So, glad it happened and congratulations to both of them, everybody involved and the sport of boxing.”
      Fury’s second successive victory over Wilder has put him on course to become undisputed heavyweight champion.
      And his old man, John, wants him to snub a potential Battle of Britain with Dillian Whyte to become the sole ruler of the division.
      He told talkSPORT: “Would Dillian Whyte deal with Deontay Wilder? No.
      “So why would I want to put him in there with my son and get him knocked out?
      “At the end of the day, he just got knocked out by a 42-year-old [Alexander Povetkin].
      “Tyson can’t get up for them kind of fights. He wouldn’t be able to raise his game because it’s not big enough.
      John Fury wants his son to go for the undisputed heavyweight titleCredit: REUTERS
      “And he goes in there with a lacklustre attitude and you don’t see the best Tyson Fury.
      “You only see the best of Tyson when he’s against the best.
      “A challenge like he had and he’s in a great fight. For me, I’ve told him, ‘Usyk or don’t bother.'”

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      Dana White admits UFC legend Jon Jones could be released over alleged ‘domestic violence’ incident after axing Luis Pena More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-UFC star Melvin Guillard shows off horror eye injury which requires surgery after brutal Bare Knuckle fight

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      FORMER UFC star Melvin Guillard needed surgery on a brutal eye injury sustained in a Bare Knuckle fight.The 38-year-old asked fans to pray for him ahead of the op having been KOd just 59 seconds into his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship defeat to Joe Riggs on Saturday.
      Melvin Guillard asked fans to pray for him ahead of surgery on a horror eye injuryCredit: Instagram / @melvinfighter83
      The former UFC star sustained it during his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship defeat to Joe RiggsCredit: FITE TV
      The 38-year-old was sent crashing through the ropes less than a minute into the fightCredit: FITE TV
      It was Guillard’s fourth straight BKFC defeat.
      The American fought Nate Diaz, Justin Gaethje and Donald Cerrone during his 10-year UFC stint.
      But since stepping away from the octagon, he has struggled to impose himself in the BKFC.
      After his latest defeat in Montana, Guillard shared snaps of his gruesome eye injury on Instagram.
      Alongside pictures of his eye which was swollen shut, he wrote: “Just found out, at 3.15am, I have five fractures in my orbital so I will be having surgery today.
      “Just wanted to get my fans, friends and family the news. I’ll be OK – just keep me in your prayers.

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      “I’ll be lying if I said I wasn’t a little scared right now. We’ll see what happens.”
      Despite the consecutive losses and horrendous injury, Guillard has no plans to stop.
      After confirming he’d been released from hospital, Guillard later added: “Appreciate the love from all my fans and supporters… just not going to slow me down, [nor] stop me from accomplishing my goal.”
      However, it appears not everyone is so keen to see Guillard fight on.
      Several worried fans took to social media to voice their concerns.
      And some even called on Guillard to be banned from fighting again.
      MMA reporter Tom Taylor tweeted: “No commission should be letting Melvin Guillard fight at this point. #BKFCMONTANA.”

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      And MMA fan Jack added: “Guilard was in terrible shape for this.
      “His punches looked slow and he went down from the first punch Riggs threw… he seriously needs to stop.
      “BKFC is an absolute joke… their whole roster is washed up MMA fighters.”
      UFC great Khabib Nurmagomedov sends Tyson Fury a congratulations message after epic win over Deontay Wilder More

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      in Boxing

      UFC great Khabib Nurmagomedov sends Tyson Fury a congratulations message after epic win over Deontay Wilder

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      TYSON FURY has received a congratulatory message from UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov following his victory over Deontay Wilder.The Gypsy King closed the book on his rivalry with the American last weekend with a sensational 11th-round KO in Las Vegas.
      Tyson Fury ended his rivalry with Deontay Wilder with a vicious 11th-round KOCredit: GETTY
      And The Gypsy King has received a congratulatory message from Deontay Wilder following his stunning KOCredit: INSTAGRAM@GYPSYKING101
      Celebs and sporting figures around the world took to social media after the fight to shower Fury with praise.
      And former UFC lightweight champ Nurmagomedov has added his name to the long list with a video message for the Brit.
      The Russian – who recorded the message while watching his training partners spar – said: “Tyson, congratulations, congratulations.
      “It was a very good fight. And my coach wants to say congratulations.”
      American Kickboxing Academy chief Javier Mendez then said: “Congratulations. It was an incredible fight, you’re an incredible fighter.
      “Incredible human being, I really like your style.”

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      ‘Inshallah [God willing] I see you soon, brother’ was emblazoned across the following Instagram story update.
      Dagestani destroyer Nurmagomedov, who wished Fury good luck before the fight, signed off by saying: “Congratulations again, brother.”
      Nurmagomedov, 33, reckons fan favourite Fury is pound-for-pound best boxer on the planet.
      When asked who he thinks is the best boxer in the world, Nurmagomedov recently told ESN News: “Right now? I truly believe Tyson Fury is the best.
      “Heavyweight and undefeated and he beat everybody.
      “Like very close, like Canelo [Alvarez], [Oleksandr] Usyk, [Terence] Crawford, like all these guys very close.
      “Like just my opinion like top like Tyson Fury right now.”
      And The Eagle would love to see Fury test himself against newly-crowned unified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk.
      Khabib Nurmagomedov reckons Tyson Fury is the best boxer on the planetCredit: PA
      He said: “I really want to see Usyk vs Fury. It’s gonna be a very good fight.
      “He [Usyk] has very good skill and technique, Tyson Fury too.
      “He is not like other heavyweights, more technique, his footwork is very good, his conditioning is very good, I really wanna watch Usyk against Fury.”

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      Tyson Fury says he feels sorry for his opponents and roars ‘I’m the best fighter of my generation’ after Wilder win More

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      in Boxing

      Conor McGregor takes swipe at Dustin Poirier as UFC star congratulates Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder on epic trilogy

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      UFC star Conor McGregor couldn’t help but take a dig at Dustin Poirier in his praise of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.Like combat sports fans around the world, the MMA mogul was left in awe of the back-and-forth war that was Fury vs Wilder III.
      UFC star Conor McGregor was in awe of Tyson Fury’s trilogy fight with Deontay WilderCredit: POLARIS
      The MMA mogul took to Twitter to praise the heavyweights for their heroic effortsCredit: TWITTER
      But his praise also included a pot shot at rival Dustin PoirierCredit: REUTERS
      McGregor took to social media to congratulate both men for their heroic efforts on Sunday evening, although he made sure to include a shot at rival Poirier.
      The Notorious tweeted: “Great fight that.
      “Both warriors, both winners. Hard to not be impressed with Deontay there.
      “Against the much larger man and almost got it done. Great fight.
      “40lb’s in weight difference is A LOT. Fair play both men there, very enjoyable fights they have had together. Respect.
      “Their skill levels are unique but very close. A great heavyweight trilogy that was.

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      “I love when it gets set for certain and both have an honourable showing.
      “Not the fam in the ring fake celebrating after a freak injury etc etc you know the gig, God bless the real in this world.
      “Congrats Tyson and Paris. Me and Dee are so happy for you and the kids. Congrats Deontay and Telli also.
      “Was great meeting you guys recently. A real proud showing that was, and could have went either way.
      “Amazing! Happy Sunday now today with the cheddar and the memory’s God bless.”
      The ‘freak accident’ McGregor referred to was the broken leg he suffered in his UFC 264 trilogy fight with Poirier in July.
      The former two-division champion shattered his left tibia and fibula in the final seconds of the first round of the Sin City showdown.
      McGregor, 33, is making a faster than expected recovery and already feels capable of throwing one of his wide array of kicks.
      Last month, the Irishman told YouTuber Adam’s Apple: “I feel like I could kick right now.
      The Notorious shattered his left leg in his UFC 264 trilogy fight with PoirierCredit: REUTERS
      “I honestly feel like I could kick right now, but I’ve just got to listen to the doctors, listen to the people that are guiding me.
      “That’s what I’ve done so far, I’ve committed myself to the work and I’m back on the feet.
      “It’s so good to be back on the feet.”

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      Tyson Fury reveals his next five fights More