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      Manny Pacquiao vs Errol Spence Jr and Conor McGregor in 2021 is ‘very realistic’ if coronavirus vaccine is rolled out

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      MANNY PACQUIAO has a ‘very realistic’ chance of facing Errol Spence Jr and Conor McGregor in 2021 – so long as a coronavirus vaccine is rolled out.
      Pacquiao is yet to fight since taking Keith Thurman’s WBA welterweight title and unbeaten record in July 2019.

      Manny Pacquiao wants to fight twice in 2021 Credit: Ryan Hafey

      But the Filipino icon – who turns 42 on December 17 – recently announced plans to make up for time with two fights next year.
      And Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, confirmed to SunSport that Spence and McGregor, as well as Terence Crawford, are among possible opponents.
      But the super-fights are reliant on a vaccine paving the way for paying fans to return in full capacity venues.
      Gibbons said: “It is very realistic depending on the Covid-19 situation.

      “As they roll out the vaccine and hopefully get the Covid-19 spread under some control we are hopeful.
      “Senator Pacquiao has never turned any fight down in his life and he sure is not now.
      “The Senator is looking at all options in these very difficult times.”
      Pacquiao was left impressed after Spence, 30, returned for the first time since his horror car crash to dominate Danny Garcia, 32, at the start of December.

      Errol Spence Jr pictured after beating Danny Garcia Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Terence Crawford did have a deal in place to fight Pacquiao in Qatar Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      And we revealed in November that WBO champion Crawford, 33, already had a deal in place to face PacMan in Qatar this year.
      But the coronavirus crisis KO’d the Middle East-backed fight, with Bob Arum’s Top Rank promotion hopeful they can restart talks with Pacquiao.
      Perhaps the most lucrative option for eight-division champion PacMan is UFC star McGregor.
      The 32-year-old Irishman and Pacquiao both confirmed they were in negotiations earlier in the year.
      But McGregor decided to commit his immediate future to the UFC as he returns to the octagon against Dustin Poirier, 31, on January 23.
      Audi Attar, who has a management deal with both McGregor and Pacquiao, however, did confirm the superstars still intend to fight next year.

      Pacquiao is yet to fight since taking Keith Thurman’s WBA welterweight titleCredit: Sean Michael Ham

      Conor McGregor was in talks to face Pacquiao Credit: Reuters
      Attar told The National: “Both fighters want it. There’s no way Conor’s looking past Dustin, so he’s just trying to focus on what he can control.
      “But the fans want it – there’s serious interest from all fans from all around the world – and both fighters want it. It’s hard not to make it happen.
      “Manny Pacquiao sees Conor McGregor as a real threat and a real formidable opponent.
      “And he has his own plans politically; he’s a machine in what he does. Either of them isn’t trying to go fight YouTubers next.
      “At the end of the day, I don’t see why it shouldn’t happen.
      “As we saw in 2020, you can never count anything out any more, but right now the intention is for that to happen in 2021.”

      Joe Rogan says Conor McGregor fighting ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’ Manny Pacquiao is ‘bonkers’ More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he prefers watching UFC and boxing rather than football as Juventus star trains with Golovkin

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has revealed his preference for watching combat sports over football.
      While playing his beloved game is his ‘passion’, the Juventus star prefers to tune into boxing or UFC when sat in his living room.

      Gennady Golovkin and Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a training session together for a new documentaryCredit: YouTube

      Ronaldo spoke of his preference for watching boxing or MMA over footballCredit: EPA

      After a training session with Gennady Golovkin, Ronaldo spoke of his love for combat sports.
      He is quoted by Marca as saying: “Playing football is my passion, but I prefer watching other sports on TV.
      “Between watching a football match or a boxing or UFC fight, I choose boxing or UFC.”
      The 35-year-old was speaking to middleweight champion Golovkin in a new DAZN documentary, Parallel Worlds.

      In the trailer, the Kazakhstani asked Ronaldo if he could be a boxer.
      The Portuguese superstar chuckled and replied: “‘I don’t think so.”

      He later told GGG: “When you shoot the ball it’s like when you make a punch; the technique, the power.”
      Golovkin, 38, took Ronaldo through a number of drills and shared a conversation on the mental aspects behind their sports.

      And the winger described the ‘maturity’ required by veteran stars across multiple sports to stay at the top of their game.
      Ronaldo stated: “When I was at Manchester United, a coach boxed with me.
      “I think practicing boxing is useful for football because it sharpens your senses and you learn to move.”
      He added: “Last summer, I had a chat with Anthony Joshua.

      People will look at me and say, ‘Cristiano was an incredible player but now he’s slow’. I don’t want that.
      Cristiano Ronaldo

      “At 33 you start to think your legs are going. I want to stay in sport, in football.
      “People will look at me and say, ‘Cristiano was an incredible player but now he’s slow’. I don’t want that.
      “You can change a lot about your body, but the problem isn’t that. It’s depends on your mindset, your motivation and your experience, which I think is the most complex thing.
      “In sport, you can gain maturity. Look at [Roger] Federer in tennis. He’s 37 or 38 years old and he’s still at his peak, and there are some in boxing too.”

      Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s home with huge Christmas tree and Santa Claus as Georgina Rodriguez gets into festive spirit More

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      Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50m contract for boxing fight and claims UFC legend and Dana White are ‘f***ing scared’

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      JAKE PAUL claims have to offered Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in a boxing match.
      The YouTube star has released a video calling out the Irish star and UFC chief Dana White.

      Jake Paul even had the same sunglasses on that Conor McGregor wears

      Paul, 23, claimed the former featherweight and lightweight UFC champion is ‘scared’ to fight him.
      He recorded the video while sat in his Lamborghini with an Ireland flag draped over his shoulders.
      Alongside him was a huge cheque that appeared to show his $50m [£37.5m] offer for McGregor.
      Paul said: “What the f*** is up you Irish c***? Good morning Conor McGregor.

      “I know you’re probably beating up old dudes in a bar right now or maybe you’re j***ing off as you’re sick of f***ing your wife, I mean, she’s a four [out of ten], Conor you could do a lot better, but happy Monday!
      “My team sent you a $50 million offer this morning, $50 million cash, proof of funds, the biggest fight offer you’ve ever been offered.
      “But you’re scared to fight me Conor. You duck me as you’re scared to fight a YouTuber.
      “You’re 0-1 as a boxer, I’m 2-0 as a boxer. I just came off the eighth biggest pay-per-view event in history.

      Jake Paul claimed Conor McGregor is ‘scared’ to fight him Credit: Getty – Contributor

      The YouTube star posed alongside the huge cheque

      “But you want to fight Dustin Poirier, who has less followers on Instagram than my f***ing dog, that’s a fact.
      “And Dana White, you’re a f***ing pussy, you ugly f***ing bald bitch.
      “You said there’s zero per cent chance of this fight happening but there’s zero percent of you getting some p****.
      “Conor, you’re scared, Dana, you’re scared. Sign the f***ing contract you idiots. Irish b****, f*** these guys.”
      Paul, brother of Logan, sparked out fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gibb in January on his boxing debut.

      Dana White has confirmed that Conor McGregor will NOT face Jake Paul Credit: The Mega Agency
      He then called out McGregor after he knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson in November.
      But White has confirmed there is ‘zero chance’ of the UFC star fighting Paul anytime soon.
      McGregor is in training ahead of his comeback fight against Poirier in January at UFC 257.

      UFC release spine-tingling trailer for Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 2 More

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      Conor McGregor vs Jake Paul has ‘zero per cent chance’, UFC boss Dana White reckons despite YouTube star’s call out

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      UFC president Dana White has ruled out any chance of Conor McGregor squaring up against Jake Paul.
      The YouTube star called out The Notorious after he knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson in November.

      Jake Paul walks out before his fight against Nate Robinson

      White says there is no chance of McGregor facing Paul – at least not yetCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Paul had Robinson down three times in the fight, before knocking his opponent out cold in the second round, taking his boxing record to two wins from two bouts, both by KO.
      Paul sparked fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gibb in January on his boxing debut.
      Dana White however says there is “zero chance” of Paul and McGregor facing off, but he does admit “there will be a day when Conor McGreogor can do these type of fights and make a bunch of money.”
      The Paul brothers are certainly not scared to call out the professionals, as Jake’s older brother Logan Paul has secured an exhibition bout with Floyd Mayweather in February.

      Conor McGregor however will be fully focused on his mouthwatering clash with Dustin Poirier in January at UFC 257.

      McGregor beat Poirier in 2014 at UFC 178, and will be looking to mark his return to the octagon with another victory over the American.
      The Notorious hasn’t fought since his January victory over Donald Cerrone, and since then announced his retirement from the UFC for the third time.
      Although a venue isn’t set, McGregor and Poirier are likely to face off at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi this coming January, meaning Jake Paul still has some time to wait if he ever wants his bout against The Notorious. More

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      UFC chief Dana White refuses to step foot into boxing anytime soon because of how ‘screwed up’ and ‘broken’ sport is

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      DANA WHITE has ruled out working in boxing anytime soon after launching a scathing attack on the sport.
      The UFC chief labelled boxing as ‘screwed up’ and ‘broken as it is’ as he laid into the sport.

      UFC president Dana White has hit out at the state of boxing

      Speaking to ESPN SportsCenter, White said: “The reason you’ve never seen me do anything is because that’s how screwed up and broken it is.
      “That’s what a mess it is. Yeah, I’m not doing anything any time soon.”
      White ridiculed the state of boxing after the recent announcement of Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition bout against Logan Paul.
      He told pranksters NELK boys: “When people ask me what’s the state of boxing right now, that’s where it’s at.

      “Didn’t that kid get beat up by the f*****g video game kid from England and now he’s going to fight Floyd Mayweather?”
      White is clearly unimpressed by boxing’s move into YouTubers fighting and the recent exhibition bout between veterans Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.
      The UFC boss was in talks earlier this year with Mayweather about working together.
      But the discussions did not lead to a partnership and it remains to be seen whether White will reconsider a move into boxing.

      Speaking to Yahoo Sports earlier this year, White said: “Floyd wants to fight.

      “He wants to fight. We’re going to probably … listen, I’m dealing with all the (expletive) that’s going on with 2020 right now.
      “Floyd and I want to work together. We want to do something. We’re going to do something.
      “I just need a little more time to get my (expletive) together.”

      Head of UFC Dana White announces 60 cuts from his fight roster More

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      Conor McGregor ‘on another level’, claims UFC star’s manager as he aims dig at Floyd Mayweather over Logan Paul fight

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      CONOR McGREGOR is ‘on another level’ heading into his UFC return against Dustin Poirier.
      That is according to his manager Audi Attar, who aimed a dig at Floyd Mayweather fighting Logan Paul.

      Conor McGregor is ‘on another level’ heading into his UFC return against Dustin PoirierCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

      McGregor is preparing to mark his comeback next month as he rematches Poirier – who he beat in 2014 – in a lightweight headliner.
      And Attar promised the Irishman, 32, is mentally and physically better than ever before.
      He told The National: “This is the best Conor I’ve seen ever, and I’ve been with him almost a decade now.
      “It’s the mental fortitude, the emotional intelligence, the self-awareness, the time he’s spending with his kids in between sessions and what that does to him.

      “It’s the reflection of everything that’s happened to us to date – the good, the bad and the ugly – having a level of wherewithal and foresight to understand what we need to do going forward to achieve the goals we have now.
      “I’ve never seen Conor like this. It’s about the challenge, the competition, being the best version of ourselves.
      “Not just the body, but the mind and the soul as well. And that’s fun for me to see.
      “The guy doesn’t have to work a day in his life. He made more money this year not fighting; that’s how good business is.

      “So to see him hungry to compete, hungry to continue to evolve, hungry to prove all the naysayers wrong and hungry to prove who his really is, not only athletically but as a businessman and as a human being, that to me is exciting.
      “That’s a driver for me; it fulfils my purposes.
      “The skill level is on another level. It really is, on all fronts. The chemistry within the team, the coaches and the coordination.”
      As well as plotting to win back the UFC title he has not held since 2017, McGregor is linked with a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao.
      Pacquiao, 41, also has a management deal with Attar’s Paradigm Sports, paving the way for a crossover bout next year.
      McGregor made his boxing debut three years ago, losing to Floyd Mayweather in round ten, but has not been in the ring since.
      Mayweather, 43, retired professionally after the pay-per-view spectacle, but his career as a box office star continues.
      He announced he will face 25-year-old YouTube sensation Logan Paul – who is 0-1 as a pro – next February in a ‘special exhibition’.

      Floyd Mayweather will face YouTuber Logan Paul Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Paul is 0-1 as a pro boxer heading into the ‘special exhibition’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Paul’s brother Jake, 23, is also making a run as a prizefighter and called out McGregor after knocking out retired NBA player Nate Robinson last month.
      But Attar blasted the farcical mismatches involving the new age of boxing newcomers.
      And he insisted McGregor and Pacquiao have no intentions of jumping on the trend, instead wanting to fight each other.
      He said: “Manny Pacquiao sees Conor McGregor as a real threat and a real formidable opponent.
      “And he has his own plans politically; he’s a machine in what he does. Either of them isn’t trying to go fight YouTubers next.
      “At the end of the day, I don’t see why it shouldn’t happen.
      “As we saw in 2020, you can never count anything out any more, but right now the intention is for that to happen in 2021.”

      Manny Pacquiao with McGregor’s manager Audi Attar

      Conor McGregor shows off rapid hand speed in training drill ahead of UFC return against Dustin Poirier More

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      UFC chief Dana White ridicules ‘state of boxing’ after Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul announce ‘super exhibition fight’

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      DANA WHITE ridiculed the ‘state of boxing’ after Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul announced their ‘super exhibition fight’.
      Mayweather confirmed the sensational news that he will fight YouTuber Paul in February 2021.

      Floyd Mayweather pictured with UFC boss Dana White Credit: Splash News

      Logan Paul will face Mayweather in a ‘super exhibition fight’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      UFC president Dana White – who was in talks with the American legend over a comeback fight – was left in hysterics over the farcical mismatch.
      He told pranksters NELK boys: “When people ask me what’s the state of boxing right now, that’s where it’s at.
      “Didn’t that kid get beat up by the f*****g video game kid from England and now he’s going to fight Floyd Mayweather?”
      Paul’s one and only professional bout was a split-decision loss to his social media rival KSI – real name Olajide William Olatunji.

      But he will return to the ring against Mayweather, who retired in 2017 after beating ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, which White helped promote.
      Describing the unprecedented event, Mayweather wrote on Instagram: “Super Exhibition Feb. 20, 2021 !!!! Early Bird Special On Sale NOW!!!!
      “More Details Soon.”
      According to the Fanmio website, early bird pricing is at $24.99 (£18.62) for the first million tickets sold.

      It then rises to $39.99 (£29.80), and then to $59.99 (£44.71) starting December 29.
      It will then increase to $69.99 (£52.16) for the final days of build up, starting February 11.
      It is not yet clear which British broadcaster will air the exhibition.
      BT Box Office picked up the rights to Mike Tyson’s comeback against Roy Jones Jr.
      Snoop Dogg provided celebrity commentary for the pay-per-view spectacle in the US, and he has offered his services to Mayweather.

      Paul’s one and only professional bout was a split-decision loss to his social media rival KSICredit: Getty – Contributor

      Mayweather came out of retirement in 2018 for an exhibition bout against featherweight kickboxer Tenshin NasukawaCredit: AFP
      Paul, 25, weighed in at 14st 2lb for his fight against KSI, 27, which he ended up losing after a two point deduction.
      Whereas Mayweather tipped the scales at 10st 6lb, meaning he can expect to give away a massive FOUR STONE to the internet phenomenon.
      The 43-year-old came out of retirement in 2018 for an exhibition bout against featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in Japan.
      Mayweather waked away from Tokyo £7million richer after just one round’s work.
      He did announce last month that he will return to the Far East next year, but appears to be focussing on Paul beforehand.

      Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul confirmed for February 20 More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo naps five times a day and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s snoozes for four… how much sports stars sleep

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      BEING one of the most well known sporting icons on the planet is tiring work.
      But rather than sleep all night, Cristiano Ronaldo instead takes FIVE naps a day while Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson snoozes for just four hours to keep himself going.

      Cristiano Ronaldo takes FIVE naps-a-day

      Earlier this month, it emerged Juventus superstar Ronaldo, 35, grabs 40 winks five times each day and sleeps in the foetal position.
      And here SunSport can reveal the different sleep patterns of several other sporting icons from across the globe and how many hours of ‘Zzz’ time they get, according to Online Mattress Review.
      Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson – 4 hours

      The Rock survives on just four hours sleep every nightCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The WWE icon turned movie star hits the sack for just four hours-a-night.
      At 48, Hawaiian born Johnson clocks off between midnight and is up and about again at 4am.

      Presumably to work out at least 25 times a day to maintain his impressive physique.
      Muhammad Ali – 6.5 hours

      Muhammad Ali was a religious man and slept for 6.5 hours after dinner and prayers

      The greatest boxer of all time put many opponents to sleep in his time and would wind down between 10pm and 4:30am.
      As a devout Muslim, much of his time would be split between prayer and training.
      And his evening routine would include a walk after dinner, a quick wash, prayers and short stint in front of the TV before he dozed off.

      Serena Williams – 7 hours

      Serena Williams clocks up a solid seven hours of sleep after socialising and work
      You do not need hawk eye to tell when Serena is out for the count but we can neither confirm or deny whether her snoring makes a racket.
      The tennis sensation takes a solid seven hour sleep between midnight and 7am each day after a post-dinner routine of socialising and work.
      The 38-year-old former world number one is also a mum of a young daughter so her slumbers are no doubt interrupted by the littl’un every now and then.

      Cristiano Ronaldo – 7.5 hours

      Ronaldo sleeps in the fetal position to stay in top shape aged 35

      Ronaldo has perhaps the oddest routine of all the big stars.
      Rather than one lump of rest at the end of each day like most of us, Ronnie reportedly prefers to take short naps of an hour-and-a-half each time throughout the day.
      After dinner, he relaxes with his friends before a swim at 10pm.
      He then takes one of his signature naps until midnight and relaxes until another short burst of sleep from around 3am before waking up for the day.
      Ronda Rousey – 8 hours

      MMA star Rousey does not mess around when it comes to getting the right amount of rest

      MMA and WWE star Rousey’s routine seems pretty standard.
      Eight hours between midnight and 8am.
      Nice and simple.
      Tiger Woods – 8.5 hours

      Tiger Woods – perhaps the greatest golfer in history – spends more than a third of his day asleep

      Woods is generally considered the best golfer of all time.
      And to maintain such high levels, the superstar spends eight and a half hours dreaming of sinking putts and splitting fairways.
      He snoozes from 10pm to 6:30am – proving the early birdie really does catch the worm.
      Tom Brady – 9 hours

      Tom Brady is widely considered the best quarter-back ever to play American Football and he does not compromise when it comes to rest

      Like Woods, Brady is considered the greatest ever in his field.
      The former New England Patriots quarter-back is revered in across the world for his sustained and unrivalled talent.
      And the 42-year-old – who is still playing for the Tampa Bay Bucacaneers – makes sure he touches down to sleep for nine hours each day between 8:30pm and 5:30am.

      Stephen Curry – 9 hours

      NBA star Stephen Curry is one of the longest sleepers on the list with a solid nine hours

      Basketball star Stephen Curry is another record breaker who is set to go down in the NBA history books.
      The Golden State Warriors point guard is another who does not take rest lightly – opting to hit the hay for nine hours between 11pm and 8am every day.

      Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s luxury yacht as it flies through the water More