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      Oleksandr Usyk grimaces as he watches Anthony Joshua’s brutal KO of Francis Ngannou

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      OLEKSANDR USYK was left grimacing after watching back Anthony Joshua’s brutal knockout of Francis Ngannou. Joshua floored Ngannou three times in two rounds with the final ruthless right hand finishing the job. Oleksandr Usyk grimaced after watching back Anthony Joshua’s KO of Francis NgannouCredit: X@DAZNBoxingJoshua stopped Ngannou in two roundsCredit: GettyBut Usyk might not have even seen the final blow having refused to watch on after AJ’s second knockdown. DAZN played back the fight to the Ukrainian and his reaction to Ngannou, 37, hitting the deck for the second time was that of shock. And he closed the laptop down to watch on no more, missing the moment the MMA star got to his feet only to be KO’d with the very next punch. Usyk, 36, returns on May 18 in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout against Fury, 35. READ MORE IN BOXINGThe pair are contracted to rematch right after but Joshua, 34, will hope to muscle his way into a title shot. And AJ – who has twice lost to Usyk – insisted he is just a phone call away if either want to get a deal done. He told Sky Sports: “For my career, I feel like wins are just left in the past, you can’t dwell on them too long because there’s always another challenge coming up. “I feel like a win just moves me onto not dwelling in my sorrows to much because a loss isn’t nice for anyone.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”And then in terms of Usyk and Fury, it’s really up to them. I’m only a phonecall away, even better, I’m only a tweet away. You can tweet me and we can make the deal, so it will happen.” On the Fury bout, Joshua said: “I’ll fight him in his back garden, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m a fighting man, you know what I’m saying? “Wherever, whenever, however – it doesn’t matter. As long as we deliver for the fans, that’s the main thing.”Inside Anthony Joshua’s amazing car collection More

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      Conor McGregor sensationally opens door to fighting ‘NERDS’ Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury and picks his top choice

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      CONOR McGREGOR has sensationally opened the door to fighting Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury – calling the trio “NERDS.” McGregor has been called out by all three celebrity boxing stars but the UFC legend has always distanced himself from the crossover bouts. Conor McGregor opened the door to fighting Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy FuryCredit: SplashBut now it appears he has had a change of heart when probed on a move back to boxing and picked KSI as the best of the bunch to fight. He told SneekPeakTV: “Yeah you know, the YouTube nerds could be like, I would consider that a nixer. “Your Uncle’s friend needs a f****** radiator fitted in his house, so you’ll do a side job, and get side pay.“I would consider them guys to be nixers. If I was to pick one out of them, I would say KSI, he has a big name in the U.K.”READ MORE IN UFCThe term “nixer” is Irish slang for a side job. And McGregor in 2017 put aside his MMA career to cross over to boxing to face American icon Floyd Mayweather, losing in ten rounds. But due to his current UFC contract – which has two bouts remaining on it – the Irishman is prohibited from another boxing switch. Although that has not stopped Paul – who returns against 57-year-old Mike Tyson on July 20 – from continuing to call McGregor out. Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALMeanwhile Fury – who has beaten both Paul and KSI – became the latest to challenge the MMA great following news of Tyson’s shock comeback. And McGregor, 35, said in response: “The Pauls – that Tyson fight is just a strange one to me, I hope Tyson takes his nose off.’I don’t think either of us know’, admits Conor McGregor on UFC future after ‘lack of transparency’ over return fight“I’m sure at some stage [I’ll end up fighting one of them], I’m sure at some stage. You know, we’ll go through all of these guys.“Fury called me out yesterday, and he beat Jake and he fought KSI so it’s just like another little world isn’t it?”McGregor is yet to fight since July 2021, when he broke his leg in the opening rounds of his fight with Dustin Poirier, 35. But he remains linked with a return against Michael Chandler, 37, despite growing frustrated as talks drag. And now McGregor has further teased another go at boxing as he concluded: “I’m open to it. I’ll never say no, I’ll never say no.”Both KSI and Tommy Fury have called out McGregorCredit: AlamyJake Paul has long called to fight McGregorCredit: Reuters More

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      Tommy Fury joins Conor McGregor and glam family at Road House premiere before UFC icon reveals plans to fight him

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      TOMMY FURY attended the premiere of Conor McGregor’s debut Hollywood film – just days after calling out the UFC superstar.McGregor was in London this week to promote the soon-to-be-released Road House along with acting royalty Jake Gyllenhaal.Tommy Fury called out UFC superstar Conor McGregor last weekCredit: X@DAZNBOXINGThe Love Islander was in attendance at the London premiere of the UFC star’s upcoming movie ‘Road House’Credit: SPLASHThe Notorious brought his loving family over from Ireland for the premiereCredit: RexThe film’s UK premiere took place on Thursday night at the Curzon in Mayfair and was attended by several celebs and social media stars.And Fury – the younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson – was one of the several high-profile people in attendance.Fury went for a smart casual look, donning an ice-blue Christian Dior jacket worth £2,400 with a white t-shirt, black trousers and pristine white trainers.Fury, 24, was in the orbit of McGregor less than a week after throwing his hat into the ring to welcome the MMA icon back to the boxing world.READ MORE IN BOXINGHe told DAZN: “I’m looking to get this injury out the way nice and recovered.”And I have just seen that Jake Paul will face Mike Tyson next.”So how about me and McGregor next, how’s that?”I need a comeback fight and I’d like for my return. So McGregor, get in touch.”Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERMcGregor, 35, initially didn’t respond to the call-out but has seemingly opened the door to the fight by revealing he’s willing to dip his toes into the influencer boxing world.He told SneekPeakTV: “Yeah you know, the YouTube nerds could be like, I would consider that a nixer.’I don’t think either of us know’, admits Conor McGregor on UFC future after ‘lack of transparency’ over return fight“Your Uncle’s friend needs a f***ING radiator fitted in his house, so you’ll do a side job, and get side pay.“I would consider them guys to be nixers. “If I was to pick one out of them, I would say KSI, he has a big name in the U.K.”Former two-division champion McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.He’s expected to make his return against rival Ultimate Fighter 31 coach Michael Chandler later this year.But the date for his eagerly-anticipated comeback is well and truly up in the air.Conor McGregor is set to be welcomed back to the octagon by Michael ChandlerCredit: GETTY More

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      Conor McGregor’s ‘hunger has died’ and he could ‘get hurt’ if he fights in UFC again, claims Brit boxing icon Amir Khan

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      AMIR KHAN has warned Conor McGregor against a return – fearing the UFC legend could get himself hurt. McGregor has been left frustrated as talks for his comeback – set to be against Michael Chandler – continue to drag.Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Amir Khan with Conor McGregorCredit: @amirkingkhanHe has been out of action since July 2021 after brutally breaking his leg in the first round of his bout with Dustin Poirier. More recently, McGregor has been celebrating the release of his movie debut, starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in a reboot of Road House. And he has enjoyed boozy nights out to promote the movie with his UFC return seemingly in more doubt than ever. It leaves Khan, 37, telling Gambling Zone: “One hundred per cent McGregor’s hunger has died, you can see it. READ MORE IN UFC”He might do a training session but then he’s more chilling, galavanting and enjoying himself than he is killing himself in the gym. “That focus and fire in his eyes is gone. But he’s probably in the same boat as me, people only see him as a fighter and he wants to fight for the people and put on a good show. “But that’s when you get hurt or have a bad performance, that’s when you realise this isn’t for me anymore. McGregor, 34, is the UFC’s highest-paid star of all time and has made well over £200MILLION in and out of the cage. Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL So Khan – who claimed to have earned £60m himself in boxing – knows all too well about running out of motivation. He said: “Fighters that make big money like Conor McGregor and myself, we start thinking towards the end of our careers ‘we don’t need this anymore’ and we start to question whether we still want to be in those hard training camps, do we still want to be punched? Conor McGregor reveals exact date for UFC comeback after three years out of cage “McGregor has got everything in the palm of his hands; the yacht, the house, his wife. “He’s financially strong like myself, so you think, ‘do I need this’?. Shall I stay in bed and chill or get punched in the head? “I was a totally different fighter in my twenties than in my thirties because I was happy and financially strong in my thirties, I made enough money and the hunger died. McGregor has not fought since 2021Credit: @TheNotoriousMMA More

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      Dana White expresses fears for ‘friend’ Mike Tyson against Jake Paul as UFC boss slams Netflix fight

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      UFC boss Dana White has expressed concerns over Mike Tyson’s comeback fight against Jake Paul.The former undisputed heavyweight champion is set to return to the ring in July for a shock showdown with the YouTuber-turned-boxer.Boxing legend Mike Tyson returns to the ring later this year to face Jake PaulCredit: INSTAGRAM@JAKEPAULThe fight will be streamed live on Netflix on July 20Credit: NETFLIXUFC president Dana White has concerns about Iron Mike returning to the ring aged 58Credit: GETTYBoxing legend Tyson will be 58 when he shares the ring with the former Disney star, who is over THIRTY YEARS his junior.White is a long-time pal of Iron Mike’s and can’t help but feel he’s making a mistake lacing up his gloves again.The veteran promoter said: “He gets mad when I do this, but Mike’s 60, man.“I don’t know, what do you guys think about it? Who gives a sh*t what I think? It’s not my fight.READ MORE IN BOXING“I love Mike Tyson personally as a friend, and he’s one of my favorite athletes of all time. I don’t know.”Let’s see what he can go in there and put together a training camp and come in. “I don’t like to see guys fighting at (that age).”White has been vocal about his criticism of crossover and influencer fights in recent years.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHow Mike Tyson and Jake Paul stack upAnd he won’t change his opinion on them just because his good friend Tyson is taking part in one.He said: “It’d be a 31-year age difference during that fight. You guys know what I think of that stuff.”Mike Tyson looks sharp ahead of bout against Jake Paul in fresh clip posted to his InstagramTyson retired from professional boxing in 2005 following back-to-back losses to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride.But he returned to the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition bout with fellow icon Roy Jones Jr.Paul, meanwhile, fought three times in 2023 – a year he kicked off with a defeat to Tommy Fury.The social media sensation was in action earlier this month, decimating Ryan Bourland in under three minutes. More

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      UFC legend sensationally reveals three reasons why Anthony Joshua would BEAT Francis Ngannou in MMA fight

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      UFC icon Demetrious Johnson has stunningly claimed Anthony Joshua could beat Francis Ngannou in a mixed martial arts match.AJ potentially ended the former UFC heavyweight champion’s foray into boxing last week with a brutal knockout in their crossover clash in Saudi Arabia.Francis Ngannou fought Anthony Joshua in a lucrative Saudi showdown last weekCredit: REUTERSNgannou was brutally knocked out by AJ in the second round of their Riyad rumbleCredit: GETTYEx-UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson fancies AJ’s chances against Ngannou in an MMA fightCredit: GETTYIt took the Watford warrior less than two rounds to separate the MMA superstar from consciousness in their lucrative Riyad rumble.And after having seen the manner in which he dispatched of Ngannou, Johnson believes Joshua could have similar success inside the cage – provided The Predator tries to solely stand with him again.The former long-reigning UFC flyweight king said on his YouTube channel: “Does Anthony Joshua beat Francis Ngannou in an MMA fight? I think he does.“It would just be another striking match. AJ understands his distance. He understands the void.READ MORE IN BOXING”He has better hands than Francis, and he can make Francis even whiff and miss again.”Unless Francis is going to change his tactic and go clinch him and wrestle him. But AJ is very athletic.”He is smaller, he’s more limber. I think he’d be able to stuff the shot and be able to give it to Francis Ngannou.”Ngannou, 37, shone in his professional boxing debut last October against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Cameroonian clubber cut and dropped The Gypsy King in the third round of their clash, which he lost via split decision.Johnson, like many others, was blown away by Ngannou’s display that nigt but believes he showed all his cards against the Brit.Tyson Fury hits back at Eddie Hearn’s claims Anthony Joshua is best heavyweight in world and vows to make fight happenHe said: “Another thing that could have been Francis’ downfall was he had that boxing match with Tyson Fury.”So Anthony Joshua got an opportunity to see Francis fight boxing.”What he took from the boxing match on Francis vs. Tyson? He probably took, ‘Okay, Francis doesn’t move his head.”He doesn’t really move his head. He’s not very light on his feet,’ where Tyson Fury, he’s kind of light on his feet, and Tyson’s trying to avoid the fight.”This time, Anthony Joshua got right to work right off the bat, and that’s usually not a good sign if the other opponent doesn’t respond.”Ngannou cut a devastated and forlorn figure after the loss but is adamant his journey is far from over.He told SecondsOut: “Absolutely [I still plan to box].READ MORE SUN STORIES”Right now I feel like I have an obligation to continue because it owes me now.”I think boxing owes me now and I really intend to collect.”Francis Ngannou insists he won’t be walking away from boxingCredit: REUTERS More

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      Anthony Joshua’s KO over Francis Ngannou proves Tyson Fury is ‘on the decline’, says ex-world champ Carl Froch

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      CARL FROCH claimed Anthony Joshua’s knockout of Francis Ngannou was evidence Tyson Fury is “on the decline”.Ngannou was brutally knocked out by AJ in two rounds following three knockdowns and one final ruthless right hand.Francis Ngannou knocked down Tyson FuryCredit: GettyJoshua knocked out Ngannou in two roundsCredit: ReutersBut just five months earlier on his boxing debut he floored Fury – only to lose a controversial split-decision.The differing performances and results leaves ex-world super-middleweight champion Froch convinced Fury’ time at the top is up.He said: “Fury must have just been having a really bad night – or, like I think, Fury’s past his best. He’s seen better days.“I study the sport and I study the fights, and Tyson Fury used to throw 30-plus feints a round. READ MORE IN BOXING”Feint, feint. Draw his opponent in, feint. Double jab, right hand. He’s not doing the feints anymore. He’s doing four or five feints. “He’s slow on his feet. He’s been knocked down five times [in recent years]. “When you’re hitting the floor and getting hit on the chin and not throwing feints and not as busy as you used to be, that means you’re past your best and you’re on the decline and you’re on the slide.” Fury, 35, returns on May 18 in an undisputed title showdown against Oleksandr Usyk, 37, in Saudi Arabia.Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL The first ever four-belt heavyweight unification was postponed after the Gypsy King suffered a horror cut in sparring two weeks out from the boutAnd now Froch – speaking at the Boxing Writers Club – questions if the WBC champion will ever make it to the historic title bout. Tyson Fury and Paris spend £140 bargain hunting in Asda and says ‘Boris Johnson would be proud’ of his savingsHe added: “I don’t think the Usyk fight happens. “If it does, [Fury] must love the pound note, because he’s got enough money. He don’t need to fight. “If he fights Usyk, he’ll get beat – unless I’m totally wrong and Fury’s just not taking the sport seriously.“When I watched that Netflix series – he’s up and down mentally. If he takes it seriously and he fancies it and he’s happy and on a high, he trains properly. “You might see the last, best Tyson Fury. He might get in there with Usyk and be too big for him and too quick, and beat him and dominate him, and then I hope he retires.“But, one, I don’t think the fight will happen. Two, if it happens, I think – unless he rekindles the old flame – he’s going to get easily beat. I don’t think it’ll be a knockout or anything like that. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I just think it’ll be a points job, or maybe a late stoppage, because Usyk is a lot smaller than him, and a bit lighter. “But he’s growing into the weight now. But he’s an old man himself. He’s past his best.”Froch with The Sun’s Colin Hart at the Boxing Writers ClubCredit: Rex More

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      Francis Ngannou predicts winner of Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury after fighting BOTH British superstars

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has chimed in as an expert on the debate of who will win between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. Ngannou was brutally knocked out by AJ in two rounds following three knockdowns and one final ruthless right hand. Tyson Fury controversially beat Francis Ngannou on pointsCredit: GettyJoshua knocked out Ngannou in two roundsCredit: GettyBut just five months earlier on his boxing debut he floored Fury only to lose a controversial split-decision.So the nature of the two performances and results leaves the MMA superstar siding with Joshua, 34, in the Battle of Britain.Ngannou, 37, told iFL TV: “I don’t know, I would give it to AJ for right now.” Fury, 35, returns on May 18 in an undisputed title showdown against Oleksandr Usyk, 37, in Saudi Arabia. READ MORE IN BOXINGThe first ever four-belt heavyweight unification was postponed after the Gypsy King suffered a horror cut in sparring two weeks out from the bout. And the two unbeaten champions are signed to a two-fight deal, meaning AJ faces a year wait to fight Fury. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn pleaded with Fury to do the double over Usyk so they can get the super-fight settled. Hearn said: “You are looking at the baddest man on the planet. The No 1 heavyweight in the world.Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “There’s a brilliant fighter down there in Tyson Fury. Please beat Oleksandr Usyk, because you will get the biggest fight of all time.”Fury hit back on BBC: “Congratulations to Joshua, but listen we all know styles make fights and Eddie Hearn’s shouting he’s the best heavyweight in the world, we know he’s not.Tyson Fury hits back at Eddie Hearn’s claims Anthony Joshua is best heavyweight in world and vows to make fight happen”He’s already been beaten by Usyk twice and I’ve got to deal with that problem for him. “So after I’ve done that – twice – and if he’s still available, we’ll get it on. Get it on like Donkey Kong!” More