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      Anthony Joshua’s former sparring partner sensationally backs ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou to stop British star

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has sensationally been backed by one of Anthony Joshua’s former sparring partners to win their fight. Ngannou takes to the boxing ring for only the second time in March to face two-time heavyweight champion AJ.
      Francis Ngannou fights Anthony Joshua in March
      Joshua and former sparring partner Martin Bakole
      It comes after he floored Tyson Fury in October, only to lose a controversial decision.
      And Martin Bakole – who sparred with Fury before the fight after years of gym rounds with Joshua – fancies Ngannou’s chances.
      Bakole, 30, told iFL TV: “He [Fury] took Ngannou easy, not too serious.
      “He thought he would stop him by round five but Ngannou took it serious and thought that if he stops Tyson Fury he will make a name for himself in boxing.
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      “To be honest, Joshua is going to be different because Joshua saw Ngannou was coming to box as well, he will take it serious.
      “Ngannou as well is coming into it, wanting to make a name for himself in boxing, everyone is surprised after the Tyson Fury fight.
      “He is a good man, he has got a good heart and he’s got everything up there, if he lands on Joshua, I think that he will stop him because this time he is taking it seriously as well and he will be working hard.”
      Fury, 35, picked himself up from the canvas and a split-decision saw him keep his unification with Oleksandr Usyk, 36, alive on February 17.
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      But Ngannou, 37, was left in the lurch and forced to wait out for a rematch.
      That was until Deontay Wilder suffered a shock defeat to Joseph Parker to blow his super-fight with AJ.
      So Joshua having beaten Otto Wallin on the same night, turned his attention to Ngannou.
      And a deal was quickly delivered and set to fall on March 8 in Riyadh. More

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      Anthony Joshua preparing for ‘toughest fight of his career’ as Eddie Hearn responds to Francis Ngannou bout backlash

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      EDDIE HEARN has been forced to defend Anthony Joshua’s fight with Francis Ngannou after previous comments came back to haunt him. Ngannou put his MMA career on hold to last October face WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
      Anthony Joshua fights Francis Ngannou nextCredit: Getty
      Ngannou fought Tyson Fury in his boxing debutCredit: Getty
      In the lead up to the crossover clash, Hearn blasted it as a “mismatch”.
      But, after Ngannou floored Fury and was controversially beaten on points, the promoter admitted he thought the ex-UFC star was “robbed.”
      Hearn spoke out to address the backlash he has received since the announcement that Joshua, 34, will fight Ngannou, 37, next.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “Everyone’s going to play my previous clips [of me saying] that Francis Ngannou couldn’t win an English title before he fought Tyson Fury.
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      “I feel like he’s earned that shot — or certainly to continue at that level. And I fancy the fight.
      “You’ve heard me say before, I really believe AJ knocks him out. But he’s a dangerous fight.
      “I know that this guy’s a big, big lump that can really punch, and I think he has no fear, which makes him dangerous.
      “But I just feel like AJ’s in a great place, and I expect him to pick him apart and knock him out.”
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      Joshua was due to fight Deontay Wilder, 38, in a £100milllion deal in March until the American was beaten by Joseph Parker, 31.
      So AJ was forced to look elsewhere and Ngannou emerged as the most lucrative option – and this time he will not be underestimated.
      Hearn said: “They’re taking this very seriously. In their mind, this is the toughest fight of their career.
      “Francis Ngannou is a very dangerous man, and they’ll be training, absolutely, with every ounce in their soul to be victorious.” More

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      Eddie Hearn undergoes brutal 72 hour fast that transformed UFC chief’s body as promoter unveils healthy diet plan

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      EDDIE HEARN underwent the same brutal 72 hour fast that transformed Dana White – before getting back to healthy eating. UFC president White last year went 86 hours without food, lasting with only water and claimed he felt like a “superhero”.
      Eddie Hearn underwent a brutal 72 hour fastCredit: David Venni / Men’s Health UK
      UFC president Dana White transformed his body
      Now boxing promoter Hearn – who recently featured on the cover of Men’s Health – has followed up with a three-day fast.
      He tracked his progress on Instagram before finally feasting at 7.30pm after living off just water and electrolytes.
      Hearn posted: “Job done! 72 hour fast complete. Feel good and was a good mental challenge!”
      The man behind Anthony Joshua’s career then shared his healthy diet plan.
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      It consisted of 500ml detox drink, green veg in spinach and broccoli as well as sweet potato and avocado.
      Hearn also had some coconut protein balls, a protein shake, peri chicken, a chicken curry and a coconut banana cookie.
      The 44-year-old recently embarked on a demanding ten-week workout programme to get in shape and now feels better than ever.
      He told Men’s Health UK: “When I wake up in the morning, I go into the bathroom and I get a glimpse of myself and go, ‘F**king hell yeah,’ and that’s good enough.
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      “That makes me feel great for the day.”
      Hearn’s outlook has completely changed as he focuses on improving his fitness even further.
      He added: “Right now, physically, I feel better than I’ve ever felt in my life, and I’m 44 years old.
      “I’m excited to see what’s going to happen in six months, what’s going to happen in 12 months, what’s going to happen in three years.”

      Read about Eddie Hearn’s workouts on the new Men’s Health app, available to download now.

      Hearn featured on the cover of Men’s HealthCredit: David Venni / Men’s Health UK More

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      Francis Ngannou vows to KO Anthony Joshua as UFC legend pinpoints why Brit is an ‘easier’ fight than Tyson Fury

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has vowed to knock out Anthony Joshua – believing it will be an easier night’s work than against Tyson Fury. Ngannou put his MMA career on hold last year to cross over to the boxing ring for a fight with the Gypsy King.
      Francis Ngannou fights Anthony Joshua nextCredit: AFP
      Joshua and Ngannou will meet in Saudi ArabiaCredit: AFP
      And the boxing debutant astonishingly floored Fury, 35, but failed to keep him down before losing a controversial decision.
      But Ngannou, 37, claimed he will not make the same mistake of letting Joshua, 34, back up when they share the ring in March.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “I think most likely [I will] knock Anthony Joshua out. I think that he’s easier to go down than Fury.
      “That was my first fight in boxing. As anyone, I’m just improving, and the gap of improvement for a beginner like me, it’s huge.
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      “I’m just a beginner improving. No one still knows what I can do. Not that he’s not a strong fighter.
      “He’s a very tough fighter, but he’s easier to send down than Fury, and it’s harder for him to get back up than Fury.
      “If AJ takes the punch that Fury took, I don’t guarantee that he is getting up.
      “I have heard that he doesn’t have a chin, I am going to find out.”
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      Joshua was expected to face Deontay Wilder, 38, until the American was stunned by Joseph Parker, 31.
      So AJ was forced to look elsewhere for a blockbuster bout and fell on the ex-UFC champion, who praised for British star for his last win over Otto Wallin. 32.
      Ngannou said: “He looked amazing. Congratulations to him. He was doing his job properly. His speed was there.
      “He looked sharp, very sharp, but on the other hand, I think there wasn’t a response in front of him.
      “I think I will have a better response in front of him that will put him not in such comfortable positions and situations.
      “I think he’s still the same fighter, that doesn’t mean he can’t lose. I’m intending to hand him a loss. Things will change.
      “Things will be different. I will not stand there and just look at him. It’s going to be different.
      “I’m going to throw some bombs out there, and he’s going to be mindful of what he’s doing.” More

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      UFC legend announces shock comeback just weeks before 50th birthday despite admitting he has brain damage symptoms

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      UFC legend Mark Hunt has announced plans to make a comeback – despite previously admitting he has brain damage symptoms. Heavyweight Hunt – who turns 50 in March – is an icon in New Zealand with a storied kickboxing and MMA career.
      Mark Hunt celebrates his win over Sonny Bill Williams in 2022Credit: Getty
      But he has not fought since November 2022, when he became the first to defeat All Blacks star-turned boxer Sonny Bill Williams.
      Now, Hunt revealed he is looking to make a return in 2024.
      He said on Instagram: “I’m looking forward to a good new year this year,’ Hunt said in a video message.
      “[In] 2024 I’m looking at fighting again, three or four [fights] maybe. I’m taking some offers.
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      “It’s especially a challenge at my age. I’m going to be 50 this year, but looking forward to the challenge and financially it will be great.”
      Hunt has also opened the door to a move into bare-knuckle boxing.
      He commented on the post: “3 fights and I will take the belt.”
      Hunt had 29 MMA fights, nearly 50 kickboxing bouts and four in the boxing ring.
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      And in 2017, Hunt admitted to suffering from brain damage symptoms.
      He said: “My body is f****d but my mind is still here.
      “I’ve still got my senses about me and I know what’s right and wrong, which is the main thing.
      “Sometimes I don’t sleep well. You can hear me starting to stutter and slur my words. My memory is not that good anymore.
      “I’ll forget something I did yesterday but I can remember the s*** I did years and years ago.
      “That’s just the price I’ve paid – the price of being a fighter.”
      Hunt has been fighting since 1999, and has competed as a boxer, a kick boxer, a wrestler and a MMA fighter. More

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      Francis Ngannou to land huge eight-figure purse for Anthony Joshua fight… but British star to earn even more

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU is in line for a huge eight-figure deal to fight Anthony Joshua – who stands to earn even more. Ngannou will take to the boxing ring again after a crossover bout with AJ in Saudi Arabia was announced.
      Anthony Joshua will fight Francis Ngannou in Saudi ArabiaCredit: AFP
      Ngannou faces AJ after fighting Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
      It was in October he put his MMA career on hold to face heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
      And Ngannou, 37, astonishingly dropped Fury, 35, only to lose a controversial points decision.
      The ex-UFC star wanted a rematch but Fury is instead signed for an undisputed title bout with Oleksandr Usyk, 36, on February 17 in Saudi.
      Ngannou walked away with $10million (£7.8m) for his boxing debut against Fury, but he is expecting to make more for his ring return.
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      His manager Marquel Martin told Sports Business Journal that Ngannou will make over $10m against Joshua.
      And Forbes predict after pay-per-view and additional bonuses, the Cameroonian will take home at least $20m (£15.7m).
      But, it is added AJ will make even more.
      He had inked a deal to finally meet Deontay Wilder in a blockbuster package worth £100million for the pair.
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      But that was blown when Wilder, 38, suffered a shock defeat to Joseph Parker, 31.
      Joshua, 34, who beat Otto Wallin staright afterwads, was then left to look elsewhere for his next fight.
      Ngannou proved to be the most lucrative option on the table and the pair look set to headline on Friday, March 8 after AJ appeared to leak the date. More

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      Deontay Wilder’s loss to Joseph Parker could pave way for shock MMA switch after talks for never-before-seen fight

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      DEONTAY WILDER’S £100million deal to fight Anthony Joshua looks to have been KO’d – but it has opened the door to a shock MMA switch. The pair of former world heavyweight champions had signed to meet in a March 9 blockbuster in Saudi Arabia.
      Deontay Wilder after his December defeat to Joseph ParkerCredit: Getty
      Wilder had been expected to beat Parker and set up a fight with AJCredit: Getty
      But it was axed after Wilder suffered a loss to Joseph Parker, 31, just moments before AJ stopped Otto Wallin, 32.
      So the American is now left to reconsider his options following defeat – but Joshua was not the only super-fight on the table.
      Wilder had held talks with MMA promotion The Professional Fighters League, who last year prised Francis Ngannou away from the UFC.
      Discussions were ongoing for the boxing star to meet Ngannou in the middle with a never-before-seen hybrid fight of mixed rules in an MMA cage.
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      And PFL CEO Peter Murray insisted the loss to Parker does not kill the deal – it in fact only aids it.
      Murray told SunSport: “We had a number of conversations and conversations are ongoing.
      “I think despite Deontay’s loss, I believe it’s now a great opportunity for Deontay to take on a new challenge in MMA and modified rules to get these two hardest-hitting fighters in a cage together.
      “I think that’s a fight that fans would absolutely get up for and for both Francis and Deontay, I think it’s a real conversation.”
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      Murray hopes Wilder, 38, could now look for a fresh start altogether with his boxing career facing uncertainty.
      He said: “It’s a great opportunity for Deontay to take on a new challenge.
      “He’s a great fighter, despite the loss, he’s a great fighter, a great boxer and he has interest to get into a modified rules MMA fight.
      “I think this gives everybody the opportunity and flexibility to take it on.”
      Ngannou is yet to debut with the PFL having instead crossed over to boxing in October to fight current WBC champ Tyson Fury.
      And he astonishingly dropped Fury – only to lose a controversial decsion.
      With Joshua, 34, also forced to look elsewhere, Ngannou, 37, has been touted as a potential opponent for that March 9 date.
      And Murray confirmed the Cameroonian will fight in both the cage and ring this year – which will mark his anticipated PFL debut.
      He said: “It will definitely be in 2024.
      Read more on The Sun
      “Francis has announcements coming in boxing and in MMA. You’ll be hearing from us in the coming weeks on that.”
      Francis Ngannou knocked down Tyson Fury despite losing on pointsCredit: GETTY
      Anthony Joshua has been linked with fighting NgannouCredit: Getty More

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      Francis Ngannou changed my life with ‘unbelievable’ payout after Tyson Fury fight, reveals UFC legend’s coach

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU shared the wealth after his lucrative fight with Tyson Fury. The UFC legend shocked the boxing world after he pushed Fury all the way when the pair came to blows in October.
      Francis Ngannou earned himself a big payday after his bout with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
      Ngannou’s coach, Eric Nicksick, left, has revealed that he was paid a life changing amount of money by the fighterCredit: instagram @eric_xcmma
      Ngannou was reportedly very well paid for his professional boxing debut with the 37-year-old said to have earned around £8.7MILLION.
      And the incredible sum didn’t just change his life, but also the life of his coach for the fight, Eric Nicksick.
      The Cameroon-born fighter has been coached by Nicksick since 2018 and certainly thanked the American for his help after the fight.
      Nicksick revealed that Ngannou’s generosity following his split-decision loss to Fury has flipped his life upside down.
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      Speaking to MMA Junkie, he said: “It was the most money I’ve ever been paid by a fighter – it was unbelievable,
      “It was more than I expected. Obviously, Francis has always taken great care of me, but it floored me.”
      Boxers are generally understood to pay coaches anywhere between five and 20 per cent of their earnings following a fight.
      And whatever figure it was that Ngannou gave Nicksick it certainly left him grateful for the changes it allowed him to make.
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      He went on to say: “When I saw my Wells Fargo account that morning, it literally brought me to tears.
      “That’s a true story. Literally brought me to tears because he changed my life – not only from a professional standpoint, but a monetary standpoint.
      “It allowed me a lot of financial freedom. To allow me to be able to enjoy my coaching, enjoy being a dad and a husband,
      “And I get to take my kids to Park City this weekend, for my daughter’s 16th birthday. It helped us buy a new car.
      “There’s a lot of things with Francis moving over to boxing, and the way he takes care of his team.
      “He loves every single one of us and he shows it. He takes care of us, and I couldn’t thank him enough.” More