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      Ben Askren threatens to ‘humiliate’ Jake Paul in upcoming fight as training footage emerges of ex-UFC star boxing

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      BEN ASKREN has promised to ‘humiliate’ Jake Paul in their upcoming fight as footage of the ex-UFC star training emerged.
      The retired former MMA champion makes his boxing debut on April 17, facing 2-0 Paul.

      Ben Askren pictured during a boxing session

      Ben Askren released sparring footage as he prepares to fight Jake Paul

      Askren, renowned for his grappling, has been preparing for the bout with coach Cornelius Bundrage, an ex-boxing champion.
      Recent videos show the pair training together, drilling shadow boxing and pad work.
      Askren, 36, then gave the biggest insight yet into his camp by posting a clip of a sparring session.
      The American comes into the fight having won welterweight titles with Bellator and ONE Championship before signing for the UFC in 2019.

      But after three bouts, and two losses, Askren hung up his gloves and underwent hip surgery last year.
      YouTuber Paul, 24, turned pro in 2020, having only boxed once before in an exhibition bout in 2018.
      But he already has two knockouts in as many fights, although he only beat online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 36.
      Despite Askren’s lifetime of experience in MMA, his lack of proven striking skills leave him as the betting underdog.

      But still he has warned that he will beat Paul into an ugly submission.
      Askren said: “I feel great, just tremendous. Boxing stuff is really starting to come together.
      “I can’t promise you it’s going to be the prettiest thing you ever saw – although my face is pretty – my combat skills are not, they are unique, they are different.
      “But here’s what I can tell you; you will witness the humiliation of Jake Paul. You will witness one man breaking another man’s will.
      “And that man Jake Paul, will give up and be humiliated in front of millions of people, live on Triller on April 17th.”

      YouTuber Jake Paul is 2-0 in his boxing career More

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      Watch Ben Askren training for fight against Jake Paul as ex-UFC star punches heavy bag with YouTuber’s FACE on it

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      BEN ASKREN has been using Jake Paul’s FACE as target practise after he got the YouTuber printed on a heavy bag.
      The retired UFC welterweight faces Paul on April 17, in what will be his first boxing bout.

      Ben Askren, 36, has been using Jake Paul’s FACE as target practise

      The retired UFC welterweight faces Jake Paul on April 17

      But he is already getting to grips with finding the social media star’s chin, in the form of a boxing bag.
      Askren, 36, uploaded rare training footage which revealed him landing shots on Paul’s mocked up face.
      The American won titles in Bellator and ONE Championship before moving to the UFC in 2019.
      But after three fights, and two losses, he hung up the gloves citing injury and underwent hip surgery in 2020.

      Despite having vastly more amounts of fighting experience than Paul, Askren was renowned for his grappling style, rarely striking.
      As a result, he is the betting underdog going into the fight.
      Paul, 24, is 2-0 since debuting in 2020, and has two knockouts to his name, against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
      He is yet to get past the second round, and his coach, ex-cruiserweight contender BJ Flores, does not see that changing against Askren.

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      Flores, 42, told BoxingScene: “Jake regularly trains and spars with some of the very best prospects in the country.
      “The difference is night and day. Ben Askren and the entire MMA world is in for a major surprise on April 17.
      “I’m not saying nothing else. We will do our talking April 17 on Triller.
      “Seeing some of the Ben Askren training footage, I will be shocked if this fight gets into the second round.”

      Jake Paul knocked out ex-NBA star Nate RobinsonCredit: USA TODAY Sports

      Ex-UFC fighter Ben Askren has never boxed professionally beforeCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Former world champ Antonio Tarver, 52, set for boxing return vs ex-UFC heavyweight king Frank Mir on Jake Paul undercard

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      FORMER light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver has come out of retirement at the age of 52 to box ex-UFC star Frank Mir.
      The Magic Man revealed earlier this week he’d inked a deal to return to the squared circle, which he last graced in 2015.

      Antonio Tarver will return to the ring in April for the first time in over five-and-a-half yearsCredit: Reuters

      Antonio Tarver will be welcomed back to the ring by former UFC heavyweight champion Frank MirCredit: Getty

      And early on Friday morning, it was announced the former two-weight champion’s opponent for his comeback fight would be former UFC heavyweight king Mir.
      Shortly after the announcement of the fight, Mir tweeted: “I am a competitor. I have been all my life.
      “I take on challenges to grow and better myself as a person.
      “I have always wanted to test myself in the boxing ring so when this opportunity arose I jumped on it.

      “See you April 17th @Antonio Tarver.”
      During the latest episode of his Phone Booth Fighting podcast, the two-time UFC heavyweight champion added: “Everybody knows I’ve been signed to BKFC.
      BOXING SPECIAL: GET CANELO TO BEAT YILDIRIM AT 20/1

      “So I’ve been in the gym working a lot of boxing because of bare-knuckle.

      “An opportunity arose where somebody arose where somebody was kind of like, “Hey, would you do a full boxing match against a former world champion?”
      “I was like, ‘Absolutely.’ I’m up for challenges. I think obviously it forces you to push yourself and extend.
      “At the end of the day, it makes me a better warrior all around – and a better coach for (my daughter) Bella. It got presented to me.
      “April 17, would I be willing to take on former light heavyweight champion of the world Antonio Tarver.”

      Antonio Tarver is a former two-weight world championCredit: Reuters

      Frank Mir (L) is a former two-time UFC heavyweight championCredit: Getty

      Tarver’s clash with Mir, 41, will be his first outing since his split draw with Steve Cunningham in August 2015.
      Submission specialist Mir, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since beating Roy Nelson at Bellator 231 in October 2019.
      Tarver vs Mir will serve as an appetiser for Jake Paul’s showdown with former UFC welterweight Ben Askren.
      The YouTuber’s clash with the former ONE Championship and Bellator 170lb champion will take place in Atlanta.
      A venue for the contest, which is being promoter by Triller, has yet to be announced.

      Watch YouTuber Jake Paul training to fight ex-UFC star Ben Askren More

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      Watch ex-UFC star Ben Askren training for Jake Paul fight as TJ Dillashaw admits MMA world is ‘very nervous right now’

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      RARE footage of Ben Askren training for his upcoming boxing match with Jake Paul has been released.
      Ex-UFC welterweight Askren is coming out of retirement on April 17 to face the YouTube sensation.

      Ben Askren training for his upcoming boxing match against Jake Paul

      Ben Askren pictured with his boxing trainer Cornelius Bundrage

      Jake Paul pictured after a training session

      Paul, 24, is 2-0 in his career, both by knockout, and also has a white collar win in 2018 to his name.
      While Askren, 36, despite having vast more amount of fighting experience in MMA, was renowned for his wrestling and grappling style.
      He has recently been captured preparing for his boxing debut by hitting the pads, landing combinations.
      Askren only had six knockouts in his 19 MMA wins, where he won titles in Bellator and ONE Championship.

      Former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw is rooting for the American but admitted those in the MMA business are ‘very nervous right now’.
      Dillashaw, 35, told Mike Swick: “Askren should win right, but I’m nervous about it.
      “You watch him strike and it’s like the MMA world is very nervous right now that he’s gonna be.
      “He should win the fight. He should be smart enough.

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      “I mean Jake Paul is gonna get tired, he should be able to wear him out and make him lose his explosiveness and dance around and get the win.
      “But I wouldn’t say Askren’s the better striker I think he’s just the better competitor and that’s what’s gonna win him the fight.
      “At least I really hope so, my fingers are crossed because man, crazy.” More

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      Man Utd star Dan James relishing rivalry with teen wonderkid Amad Diallo with ‘challenge’ driving him to improve

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      MANCHESTER UNITED winger Daniel James believes the signing of Amad Diallo is pushing him to succeed at Old Trafford.
      The 23-year-old has spoken of how he is relishing the competition for places at the Theatre of Dreams as he looks to cement his place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI.

      Daniel James has been in fine form for Manchester United of lateCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      James has scored in each of his last three games for the Red Devils – bringing his total tally for the season to five strikes in 13 games.
      But he knows he faces a battle with Diallo to be picked on the ring wing, with the 18-year-old making his debut for United in last week-s 4-0 win against Real Sociedad.
      And the ex-Swansea star has spoken of how he sees competing for a place in the team as a challenge which spurs him on.
      Speaking to BT Sport via the Daily Mail, he said: “It’s always great for other players to come in, I don’t take it as something to be down about – I take it as a challenge.

      “There’s always going to be challenging moments here because we’ve got unbelievable players in the position I play and it helps me, it drives me on.
      “I don’t take that as a bad thing, at the moment it’s about giving the manager a headache.
      “I think that’s what he wants, to be able to have a selection of players and not make it easy for him.
      “‘I’d like to think I’ve done that from things he says every day that he’s got a [selection] headache and I’ve got to keep giving him that.”

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      James believes the signing of Amad Diallo is pushing him on to succeed at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      James’ also spoke of his frustration over a lack of game time this term despite featuring 46 times for United last campaign.
      He added: “After last season when I played so much it does get a bit difficult but it’s easy to stick your head in the sand and think ‘when am I going to play again?
      “But I’m at the biggest club in the world so I can’t expect to play week in week out – I’ve got to work hard for it.
      “I knew that coming here and I played a lot more than I thought I would last season and it was a big learning curve.
      “There’s always going to be times in life when it’s hard and you’re going to have set backs but it’s how you reflect on games and that’s what I did – ‘what am I when I’m at my best?’
      “It was about, what can I do every single day to try and get in the team and if you work hard rewards come. But I’m nowhere near where I want to be and every day I’ll keep improving.”

      Man Utd vs Real Sociedad FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Europa League tie More

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      Boxing legend Claressa Shields thanks Conor McGregor for MMA advice… but names Jon Jones as UFC’s GOAT

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      FORMER undisputed middleweight boxing champ Claressa Shields has thanked Conor McGregor his his MMA advice.
      But Shields rates Jon Jones as UFC’s Greatest Of All Time.

      Claressa Shields is poised to make her MMA debut this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      UFC legend Conor McGregor chipped in with some MMA advice for ShieldsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 25-year-old American will aim to unify ANOTHER weight division on March 3 when she fights Marie Eve Dicaire for the super-welterweight world titles.
      And in June, Shields will take her first steps into MMA when she makes her debut.
      In December she signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL promotion but she will not be giving up boxing.
      And UFC’s former two-weight world champ McGregor was just one MMA star to offer Shields some advice as she makes the transition with a post on Instagram.

      Shields, speaking to Marc Gatford via the Betway Insider blog, said: “It was very welcoming.
      “To me, Jon Jones is the GOAT in MMA, but Conor McGregor was considered the GOAT once upon a time too and they’re both great in their own right.
      “I just feel when Conor reached out, I feel like in a way he actually cared and he was wishing me good luck and that’s what I appreciated most.
      “He didn’t have to give me any advice, he could have just seen it and kept on but instead he was like, ‘I’m going to give out this advice’, and it was great. I took it, I use it and hopefully everything goes as it’s supposed to go.”

      Jon Jones is UFC’s GOAT, according to ShieldsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      McGregor is plotting his own MMA path back to the top and is chasing the trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier.
      The Irishman fell to a shock KO loss in their February rematch that delayed any hopes he has of fighting for the lightweight title.
      And Shields has passed on some of her own advice for how The Notorious can avenge that defeat.
      She added: “Conor can avenge it but it’s going to take some hard work. He’s been out of the MMA cage for a while, I know he had his last fight but before his last fight he’d probably been out two or three years.
      “I would say he needs to get out of the boxing mindframe to win that fight. He had his front foot too forward, too much weight on his leg, more like a boxer’s stance.

      “It’s like he needs to get back to having light feet and [being] quick and explosive, using all his attributes, not just his punches; punches, kicks, knees, he needs to get back being creative.
      “But I tell you what, it’s hard to do, it’s hard to cut off the boxing switch and cut on the MMA switch.
      “When you’re doing both it’s hard, you have to be very mentally strong and say ‘this is MMA, everything goes’ and then you have to click that button and go to boxing and say ‘this is boxing, there are rules’ so it’s hard and I can just imagine that after being out of the cage for so long that his mind was adjusting and still looking to land those big shots.
      “He probably didn’t generate it in his mind, he needs to go his mind and click on the ‘everything’ switch and use every part of the body as a weapon.
      “I know he was boxing against Floyd but he needs to cut off the boxing switch and focus strictly on MMA for at least three or four months.”
      Original interview came via the Betway Insider blog, where you can find all the latest sporting insight and tips

      Claressa Shields to make MMA debut in June as boxing champ vows to train and ‘come out like a powerhouse’ More

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      Aaron Chalmers confirms move into pro boxing after MMA retirement with Geordie Shore star eyeing WWE afterwards

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      AARON CHALMERS confirmed his move into professional boxing after retiring from MMA – with the Geordie Shore star eyeing WWE afterwards.
      Chalmers leaves the cage with a 5-2 record, having fought four times for Bellator.

      Aaron Chalmers is moving into pro boxing

      Aaron Chalmers retires with a 5-2 MMA recordCredit: Alamy Live News

      He announced via social media that he was no longer continuing his MMA journey and hinted at a new switch.
      Chalmers followed it up by confirming plans to move into WWE before retiring for good aged 40.
      He tweeted: “Couple of years in my new career which will be announced soon and then we move to @WWEUK@WWE and retired at 40.”
      Asked if he was moving into celebrity boxing, Chalmers replied: “Nope not celebrity.”

      Couple of years in my new career which will be announced soon and then we move to @WWEUK @WWE and retired at 40 🙏🏽
      — Aaron chalmers (@AaronCGShore) February 23, 2021

      The 33-year-old, who had two knockouts in MMA, is now training at esteemed boxing coach Adam Booth’s gym.
      Booth has trained ex-world champions David Haye, George Groves and Andy Lee, and currently has a stable of rising talent.
      That includes Josh Kelly, Michael Conlan, Harlem Eubank and Shannon Courtenay.
      And it was Sunderland’s Kelly and 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist Conlan who let the cat out the bag that Chalmers was turning over.

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      The pair called for their new gym-mate to fight YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who is 2-0 since debuting in 2020.
      Conlan, 29, said on Matchroom’s podcast: “Speaking about Aaron actually – we want Jake Paul. Aaron’s a celebrity, we want Jake Paul.
      “Aaron will f*** Jake Paul up. I will say it now, he will f*** Jake Paul up.
      “Jake Paul’s a b****. He’ll f*** him up. Simple as that.”
      Kelly, 26, added: “Jake Paul’s never a cruiserweight, either. He should be getting that weight off, getting down.
      “Aaron’s got what, nearly what three million followers on Instagram and Twitter? If that fight doesn’t sell what will?”
      Conlan then urged promoter Eddie Hearn to get in touch with them to set up the fight with 24-year-old Paul.

      Watch YouTuber Jake Paul training to fight ex-UFC star Ben Askren More

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      UFC legend Jon Jones tipped to ‘do great’ as a boxer in Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s heavyweight division

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      FUTURE UFC Hall of Famer Jon Jones would ‘do great’ in boxing if he were to ever compete inside the squared circle.
      The former long-reigning light-heavyweight champion has flirted with a transition into the boxing ring in recent years.

      Jon Jones has flirted with the idea of one day competing in boxingCredit: Instagram @jonnybones

      Jon Jones is seemingly interested in testing himself inside the squared circleCredit: Instagram @jonnybones

      Jones, who is currently bulking up in preparation for his long-awaited heavyweight debut, reiterated his willingness to compete against the likes of Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder last June during a since-resolved dispute with the UFC.
      And three-division boxing champion Claressa Shields, who has been training with Jones at JacksonWink MMA ahead of her PFL debut in June, believes Bones would take to the sport like a duck to water.
      The two-time Olympic gold medallist told SunSport: “He’d do great just because of his work ethic. He’d do great just learning.
      “And yeah it’s a big difference, but he’d do great just as long as he [gets the best trainers].

      “Just like me, he’s got to get the best trainers for that.”
      If Jones, 33, were to pursue a career in boxing, Shields reckons he’d benefit from perfecting the tools of the trade with her own coach – former WBA middleweight champion John David Jackson.
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      She added: “I think him working with coach John David Jackson would be a dream.

      “John David Jackson, he knows how to create fighters. And people always say, ‘Oh he didn’t create me’.
      “You’re right. I was a two-time Olympic champion before I got with Coach John David and I was world champ before I got with him.
      “But I added some much to my arsenal just being with him. He’s so knowledgable and he’s just made me a better fighter. I’m actually more relaxed.
      “I used to be really, really tight when I boxed. But he just let me relax. ‘Let your punches go, use your feints.’

      “Some stuff that I had really just got away from because I was so used to going in being the hunter.
      “Hunting these girls down, hitting them as hard as I can. And now, we’re working on like, ‘We’re going to make these hard but sneaky.
      “‘I want you to be loose and elusive and the head movement.’
      “Just some of the stuff that I kind of forgot that I knew how to do, he definitely brought it back out of me. And we’ve added more to it.
      “So I think Coach John would be the perfect boxing coach for Jonny Bones.”

      Jon Jones is currently putting on size ahead of his eagerly-anticipated heavyweight debut

      Although Jones has teased a switch to the boxing world, his sights are seemingly set on becoming a two-division UFC champion.
      The New Yorker vacated the light-heavyweight title last August to begin preparations for his eagerly-anticipated move up to heavyweight, which many believe should’ve happened years ago.
      A date for his return to the octagon, which he last graced in February 2020, hasn’t been set.
      But UFC president Dana White recently revealed the man considered by many to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time will face the winner of Stipe Miocic’s title defence against France Ngannou next month.

      Jon Jones transforms his body as he works up a sweat in the gym More