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      Game of Thrones star Hafthor Bjornsson targets shock Tyson Fury fight after Eddie Hall grudge match in new boxing career

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      HAFTHOR BJORNSSON has set his sights on a showdown with Tyson Fury – but not before knocking out Eddie Hall TWICE.
      The Game of Thrones star is set to throw down with his fellow powerlifter in September in a fight that has been billed ‘The Heaviest Boxing Match in History’.

      Hafthor Bjornsson is currently trying his hand at boxingCredit: Instagram / @thorbjornsson

      Hafthor Bjornsson is open to one day fighting Tyson FuryCredit: AP

      Icelandic juggernaut Bjornsson is confident of getting the better of Hall, so much so he’s contemplating facing WBC heavyweight champion Fury.
      He told The Metro: “When I do anything I always look at the top and the top right now is Tyson Fury obviously, but we’ll see in two years’ time who is on top then.”
      Bjornsson, however, doesn’t see himself locking horns with Fury anytime soon.
      He said: “There’s probably going to be a rematch against Eddie Hall, so I’ll be in the sport for probably the next two years.

      “After the rematch we’ll see how I feel, how much I have improved. I’m not getting any younger – I’m 32 years old so I need to improve very fast if I see myself competing more.”
      Despite only having had one exhibition fight – a draw against Northern Ireland’s Stephen Ward – to his name, Bjornsson will happily take on all comers after besting Hall.
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      The Tale of the Tape ahead of Eddie Hall’s clash with Hafthor Bjornsson
      He added: “If the right opportunity came along…Let’s say in the Eddie fight…obviously my plan is to knock him out.
      “Let’s say I knock him out the first and the second time and some big name says: ‘Who the f**k does he think he is? Thor, you’re nothing, I’m going to knock you out, I challenge you.’
      “That could happen.
      “No one has seen a guy my size before and imagine if some big name would challenge me because they want to shut me down.

      Hafthor Bjornsson took on Steven Ward in an exhibition match last monthCredit: MTK Global / YouTube

      “That would be a huge opportunity for me and I probably wouldn’t turn it down.”
      Bjornsson, who has dramatically trimmed down ahead of his clash with Hall, took great confidence from his clash with Ward.
      He said: “What probably surprised me the most, not really surprised, but the thing I learned the most from the fight is that I just need some more training.
      “You never know, I was quite surprised how much I enjoyed myself in the ring, so I don’t want to say ‘no’ [to future fights] because I’m just enjoying this journey so much now and having so much fun. If I make huge improvements then why not?”

      Eddie Hall reveals he’s training like he’s facing Tyson Fury for Hafthor Bjornsson fight More

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      Watch Paige VanZant’s incredible body transformation video as ex-UFC star sheds more than a stone for bare-knuckle bout

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      PAIGE VANZANT has documented her incredible body transformation after shedding more than a stone.
      It comes after VanZant successfully made weight ahead of her highly anticipated Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut.

      Paige VanZant documented her incredible body transformation in an Instagram video – with this shot being how her body inititally lookedCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant

      Paige VanZant began slimming down for the fightCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant

      The American’s weight loss begins to become visibly noticableCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant

      VanZant’s weight cut started at 148.8lb and was completed at 126lbCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant

      The 26-year-old former UFC star revealed her weight cut started at 148.8lb and was completed at 126lb.
      That meant she went from 10st 6lb to 9stone by the time her training camp was completed.
      VanZant announced her shock switch to bare-knuckle boxing after she was released by the UFC with an 8-5 MMA record.
      In her BKFC promotional debut, she headlines ‘Knucklemania’ against former pro boxer Britain Hart.

      The pair almost came to blows at the weigh in as they engaged in a shoving match, with pre-fight tensions building.
      VanZant, who has created her own private website, headlines BKFC 15 in Florida despite no pro boxing or bare-knuckle experience.
      Her opponent Hart, 31, on the other hand has a 4-4-3 pro record and 1-2 in BKFC.
      Despite VanZant potentially becoming a promotional poster girl, BKFC president David Feldman warned she is in for the fight of her life.

      But he is confident the Sports Illustrated cover girl can show looks can be deceiving as she experiences the exposed fist for the first time.
      Feldman told SunSport: “It’s going to be a tough match-up and I think Paige VanZant’s going to shock a lot of people.
      “I think she’s going to take a punch well, she’s got a very tough opponent in front of her in Britain Hart.”

      Paige VanZant signed for BKFC after leaving the UFCCredit: Instagram

      Ex-UFC star will headline BKFC 15 off the back of no pro boxing or bare-knuckle experienceCredit: Instagram

      Paige VanZant training for her BKFC debut More

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      Paige VanZant is more than an ‘Instagram model’ as ex-UFC star not afraid of being a ‘bloody mess’ says BKFC promoter

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      PAIGE VANZANT has been backed to prove she is not just an ‘Instagram model’ but a tough fighter who is not afraid of being a ‘bloody mess’.
      The American makes her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut on Friday night against former pro boxer Britain Hart.

      Paige VanZant has a massive online followingCredit: Instagram

      Former UFC star Paige VanZant had proved she can take a punchCredit: Sportsfile – Getty

      VanZant’s shock and brutal switch comes having been released by the UFC, where she left with an 8-5 MMA record.
      And BKFC president David Feldman insists any fans sceptical of her transition should look at some of the ex-UFC star’s gory battles in the cage as evidence she can take one to give one.
      Feldman told SunSport: “People say she’s an ‘Instagram model’, that kind of thing, but at the end of the day if you’ve seen her face in some of her fights she was a bloody mess.
      “She’s not afraid of bleeding, of getting hit, and this is what this sport is about – if you can get hit and throw a punch back you have a good chance of doing well.

      “Paige is a tough girl, she didn’t have to come to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, she came over to test herself.
      “That says a lot about the kind of fighter and athlete that she is. Am I expecting her to transition well? Yes I am.”
      Feldman launched BKFC in 2018 and has since welcomed former UFC and boxing veterans into his promotion.

      BKFC fighter Jason Knight

      Artem Lobov after a BKFC fight
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      His most high-profile fight was the brutal grudge match between Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov in 2020.
      Conor McGregor’s training partner Lobov won the bout on points which featured on pay-per-view.
      But securing 26-year-old VanZant – who starred on Dancing With The Stars and Sports Illustrated – has garnered the organisation’s greatest attention.
      And Feldman hopes the arrival will spark new interest in bare-knuckle boxing and help bring more eyes to the sport
      He explained: “She’s a really good fighter and also what I call an A-lister, a lot of people know her in the celebrity world.
      “She was on Dancing with The Stars, Sports Illustrated cover girl, so many different things that made her an attractive signing to us to bring fans that wouldn’t normally have watched.”

      Paige VanZant modelling for Sports Illustrated

      The ex-UFC star was on Dancing with the StarsCredit: 2015 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

      Paige VanZant will headline BKFC 15Credit: Instagram
      VanZant, who has created her own private website, will headline BKFC 15 in Florida off the back of no boxing or bare-knuckle experience.
      Her opponent Hart, 31, on the other hand has a 4-4-3 pro record and 1-2 in BKFC.
      Despite VanZant potentially becoming a promotional poster girl, Feldman warned she is in for the fight of her life.
      But he is confident the swimsuit cover girl can show looks can be deceiving as she experiences the exposed fist for the first time.
      Feldman said: “It’s going to be a tough match-up and I think Paige VanZant’s going to shock a lot of people.
      “I think she’s going to take a punch well, she’s got a very tough opponent in front of her in Brittany Hart.”

      Paige VanZant’s opponent Britain Hart

      Paige VanZant training for her BKFC debut

      Paige VanZant left the UFC with an 8-5 MMA recordCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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

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      BOXING phenom Claressa Shields will make her eagerly-anticipated mixed martial arts debut in June.
      The undefeated three-weight world champion shocked the combat sports world late last year by penning a multi-year deal with the Professional Fighters League.

      Boxing phenom Claressa Shields is set to make her MMA debut in JuneCredit: INSTAGRAM@CLARESSASHIELDS

      Claressa Shields recently inked a three-year deal with the PFLCredit: INSTAGRAM@PFL

      Claressa Shields is an undefeated three-weight world champion boxerCredit: GETTY

      American Shields’ deal with the PFL allows her to compete in boxing and MMA simultaneously, with her maiden cage outing set to take place a little over two months after her undisputed junior middleweight title fight with Marie-Eve Dicaire on March 5.
      The two-time Olympic gold medallist told SunSport: “My MMA match will be in the middle of June.”
      Shields – who has been honing her craft at JacksonWink MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico – is excited at the prospect of stepping in the cage but admits she’s somewhat nervous about her debut.
      The pride of Flint, Michigan said: “Every time I say it, I feel this thing in my stomach.

      “I don’t know what it is, but every time I say, ‘MMA match, coming up soon in June’ I feel like a tightening in my stomach. It’s like, ‘Yeah, you have to go.’
      “I’m super excited about it, I really am. It’s going to be something great to watch because I hate losing. I’m so hard on myself.”
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      Claressa Shields is training under legendary mixed martial arts coach Greg JacksonCredit: INSTAGRAM@CLARESSASHIELDS

      Claressa Shields has fully immersed herself into the sport of mixed martial artsCredit: INSTAGRAM@CLARESSASHIELDS
      Although she’s the definition of an MMA rookie, Shields, 25, intends to hold herself to the same high standards she does when competing in the squared circle.

      She said: “In a boxing match, I can win by unanimous decision and I can still be mad about the fight.
      “I’m mad because she hit me with this shot, or I’m mad because I didn’t do this or that.
      “So in MMA, there’s going to be so much more to be mad about. Like, ‘Oh, I threw a kick wrong.’ Or maybe I went for a takedown too far out, you know.
      “It’s going to be so much more to be mad about because I have to get things right.
      “I’m motivated to look very well in this MMA fight, but it’s going to be hard to look so well in an MMA fight when you have to do so many different things.

      “In boxing, you just have the one-two, the uppercuts and the hooks, right?
      “And then in MMA, you’ve got the wrestling, the jiu-jitsu, the takedowns, the avoiding of takedowns, the blocking kicks to kicking.
      “And it’s like you can be in the fight and do all those things wrong. And that’s going to bother me.
      “You can do all those things wrong and still win. And that’s going to bother me.”
      Before she can set foot inside the cage, Shields must first get through her showdown with the undefeated Dicaire.
      The Olympian is by no means overlooking the Canadian, although she admits she’s already looking forward to returning to New Mexico to prepare for her MMA bow.

      Claressa Shields plans on conquering the MMA world just like she has the boxing worldCredit: AP

      T-Rex said: “I’m just ready to have this fight on March 5, get back into training for MMA and just drill, drill, drill until June and just come out like a powerhouse.
      “Because this is going to be something great to watch.”
      The announcement of Shield’s intention to compete in MMA was criticised by some fans of the sport, many of whom questioned her commitment to the endeavour.
      That criticism, however, has been like water off a duck’s back to Shields, who insists she’s taking her transition into the sport very seriously.
      She said: “To everybody that is worried my debut or they’re going to be tuning in to see me, I want them to know that I have put in the hard work, I have put in the time. And I still have more time left.
      “And if you don’t have nothing nice to say, just don’t say nothing at all.”

      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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      Five Floyd Mayweather exhibition fights that could take place after Logan Paul following Money’s challenge to 50 Cent

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has made it known he is still in the business of making money in the boxing ring.
      He may have officially retired as a professional in 2017, after beating ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, but Mayweather appears ready for more money-spinning paydays.

      Floyd Mayweather is interested in a comeback in 2021Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 43-year-old has maintained he will not risk his health and perfect 50-0 record against the current crop of top prospects or champions.
      But he has opened the door to spectacle fights against celebrities and UFC stars, with his next bout against YouTuber Logan Paul this year.
      Here SunSport takes a look at five opponents Mayweather could consider after he mapped out a plan to compete in exhibitions in 2021.
      Jake Paul, 2-0 YouTuber
      Despite not yet boxing older brother Logan after their fight was backdated from February, Mayweather called out Jake.

      The internet sensation already has two wins to his name, both knockouts against internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and former NBA player Nate Robinson.
      Jake took the callout one step further by responding to Mayweather on Instagram with a rhyme, taking aim at the boxing legend.
      His assistant coach J’Leon Love happens to be a former protege of Mayweather’s and told SunSport in December his old mentor could end up fighting Jake one day.

      Jake Paul has been taunting FloydCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      50 Cent, rapper and former friend
      The music artist – real name Curtis Jackson – was once a close pal and member of Mayweather’s entourage.
      But the pair had a falling out in 2012 and have never recovered, becoming online rivals.
      50 Cent recently admitted Mayweather would be his dream opponent and the reveal was reciprocated.
      Mayweather wrote on Instagram: “I also heard that 50 cent would fight me but claims I’m too small.
      “If he wants to lace up at the end of the year, we can do an exhibition then. I don’t care about weight class with any of these guys.”

      50 Cent was a former friend and member of Floyd Mayweather’s teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Conor McGregor, ex-opponent and UFC fighter
      Mayweather closed out his career in style after stopping McGregor in ten rounds, in a fight he banked close to £300m for.
      Due to the box office and financial success a rematch has been touted ever since, and SunSport revealed the two have been in talks.
      If the second instalment was to take place, it could do so in the pro ranks.
      But Mayweather’s latest post suggests he is only keen on exhibitions, which would deny McGregor a crack at ending the winning streak.

      Conor McGregor was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC champion
      After Nurmagomedov beat McGregor in 2018, he called out Mayweather insisting ‘in the jungle there is only one king’.
      It sparked speculation of another crossover, and Khabib even revealed he was offered $100m to box Mayweather in the Middle East.
      But, the UFC champion is currently retired and appears content in never fighting again after the death of his influential father and coach Abdulmanap.
      If the Dagestani hero ever does decide to continue his career, his superstardom and lack of boxing experience will always appeal to Mayweather.

      Khabib Nurmagomedov has been offered a fight against Floyd Mayweather beforeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Manny Pacquiao, ex-opponent
      Mayweather brought an end to five years worth of drawn out negotiations after outpointing Pacquiao in 2015.
      It proved to be the richest fight of all time after breaking PPV records and selling 16,219 premium tickets which raked in around £53m alone.
      Mayweather didn’t seem interested in offering his great rival a rematch but in 2018 he claimed they would fight again in an exhibition in Tokyo.
      It never came to fruition, however, but PacMan has not given up in his pursuit of revenge, having always said he was injured during their first fight.
      If Mayweather fancied another lucrative payday, and could guarantee his record stayed intact by avoiding a pro bout, Pacquiao could be his most profitable opponent.
      his manager has only just caled Floyd out and promised to retire him for a second time if they do meet in the ring.

      Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015Credit: Reuters More

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      Mike Tyson in talks with UFC legend Fabricio Werdum over taking cannabis to Brazil as £500k-a-month empire goes global

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      MIKE TYSON is in talks with ex-UFC champion Fabricio Werdum over taking his £500,000-a-month cannabis empire to Brazil.
      The heavyweight legend partnered up with businessman Rob Hickman to launch the Tyson Ranch, built over 418-acres.

      Mike Tyson partnered up with businessman Rob Hickman to launch the Tyson RanchCredit: Instagram

      Fabricio Werdum is in talks with Mike Tyson for a CBD product Credit: Getty – Contributor

      His business offers premium marijuana strains, edibles and extracts and Werdum wants to work with Tyson on a CBD range.
      He said, via Sherdog: “I talked to Mike that I would love to take CBD to Brazil, and he loved the idea.
      “The situation of CBD in Brazil is different from USA, but we are working on that.”
      CBD, short for cannabidiol, is the chemical naturally found in marijuana plants.

      It has been shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory medication, and athletes have used it in oil form for recovery.
      Tyson, 54, has his own CBD line which no doubt helped his body as he dramatically transformed back into fighting shape.
      Iron Mike completed his comeback, 15 years after retiring, last November as he boxed to a draw over eight exhibitions rounds against Roy Jones Jr, 52.
      Tyson confirmed he will fight again this year and SunSport revealed he is in talks for a trilogy with long-time rival Evander Holyfield.

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      It is understood the pair – with a combined age of 112 – are in negotiations to extend their rivalry with a third fight in Dubai.
      The American heavyweights went toe-to-toe twice, with Holyfield winning the thrilling November 1996 original with an 11th-round stoppage.
      The rematch, seven months later, is one of the most infamous in history after Tyson was disqualified for biting off a chunk of the Real Deal’s ear.

      Mike Tyson looks sharp and powerful as 54-year-old shows off brutal power preparing for £200m Evander Holyfield rematch More

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      Conor McGregor’s training partner Dillon Danis calls out ‘glass jaw’ Amir Khan and Adrien Broner to boxing match

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      DILLON DANIS has challenged Adrien Broner and Amir Khan to boxing matches, insisting he’d KO both men with ease.
      The Bellator welterweight has flirted with the idea of entering the boxing world to take part in a grudge match with YouTuber Jake Paul, who recently attacked him with water balloons.

      Dillon Danis has teased a move into the boxing worldCredit: INSTAGRAM@DILLONDANIS

      Dillon Danis called out Adrien Broner on InstagramCredit: Instagram @dillondanis

      The Bellator welterweight also took aim at Amir khanCredit: Instagram @dillondanis

      Despite having no professional boxing experience to his name, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace is confident about his striking, so much so he believes he can beat former WBO super-featherweight and WBA light-welterweight champions Broner and Khan.
      On Wednesday night, Danis, 27, posted a side-by-side picture of himself and Broner to his Instagram story with the accompanying caption: “I want a boxing match next.
      “I feel this guy would be an easy KO. Who do you guys want to see me box?”
      Danis – a long-time training partner of former UFC champion Conor McGregor – followed up that story with a side-by-side snap of himself and Khan, the latter of whom was being punched in the face.

      The accompanying caption read: “Or give me glass jaw Amir Khan?”
      Danis then turned his attention to mocking the calibre of opponent Paul has faced since entering the boxing world.
      Alongside pictures of YouTubers AnEsonGib and Deji, Danis wrote: “Jake’s last two opponents.
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      Dillon Danis then took aim at AnEsonGib and DejiCredit: INSTAGRAM@DILLONDANIS
      “I’d KO these slobs every day of the week and twice on Sundays. No wonder he ran from me.”
      Danis is adamant the younger Paul brother Jake – who is gearing up to face former UFC welterweight Ben Askren – is scared to fight him.
      Last month, he tweeted: “Don’t let @jakepaul fool you he’s all talk now he’s backing out of fighting me like the p***y he is.”
      Paul, however, insists he’d happily throw down with the Marcelo Garcia black belt.

      When asked about a potential fight with UFC champ Amanda Nunes, Paul told TMZ: “Nah, I wouldn’t fight her.
      “Waste of time. No one knows who she is. There’s not a lot of hype there. Plus, there’s no history.
      “I wanna knock out Dillon because we’ve been talkin’ s**t back and forth for 2 years, I’ve hooked up with his girlfriend, he’s all butt-hurt about it, there’s history there.”
      Paul’s showdown with Askren is set to take place on April 17, although a venue for the fight has not yet been announced.
      Danis, meanwhile, doesn’t have a fight booked at the moment.

      Joe Rogan says Jake Paul has no f—ing chance of beating Conor McGregor team-mate Dillon Danis in street fight More

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      Conor McGregor admits he ‘deserved’ to get legs battered by Poirier after using boxing stance to prepare for Pacquiao

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      CONOR McGREGOR admitted he ‘deserved’ to get his legs battered by Dustin Poirier after focussing too much on a boxing stance.
      McGregor opened up about using the change of styles against southpaw Dustin Poirier to prepare for a future fight with left-hander Manny Pacquiao.

      Conor McGregor admitted he used too much of a boxing stance against Dustin Poirier Credit: Handout – Getty

      Manny Pacquiao was in talks to fight Conor McGregor Credit: The Mega Agency

      The Irishman was knocked out at UFC 257 and afterwards left unable to walk having been on the end of brutal calf kicks.
      It also saw his big-money boxing return to face Filipino icon PacMan all-but KO’d for now – as McGregor instead looked ahead to a trilogy with Poirier.
      He wrote on Instagram: “I was savouring very second and enjoying my work.
      “A little single disciplined in my approach and stance with mostly boxing.

      “It’s what I get for picking this bout and opponent as a precursor to a boxing match against Pacman.
      “I deserved to get the legs kicked off me going in with this thinking. This is not the game to play around with.”
      McGregor, 32, beat Poirier, also 32, in their featherweight fight in 2014.
      But the scored was levelled in Abu Dhabi in January, opening the door to a blockbuster trilogy bout.

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      And McGregor called for the immediate rematch with Poirier, and suggested the lightweight title should be on the line.
      He said: “A well fought fight by The Diamond. 1 a piece now with a Trilogy bout for all the marbles!
      “Wow! Exciting! Not a trilogy I was expecting, nor the tactical affair I was anticipating, but I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t meant to be.
      “This is exactly how this was always meant to be! Buzzing!!”

      Conor McGregor knocked out by Dustin Poirier Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      UFC commentator Joe Rogan says Dustin Poirier admitted to him that Conor McGregor caught him early on and caused him trouble More