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      Boxing world champion breaks silence to CONFIRM talks to fight Conor McGregor in never-before-seen two-bout deal

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      TERENCE CRAWFORD has CONFIRMED talks to fight Conor McGregor – but admitted no amount of money could tempt him into the MMA cage.McGregor revealed an offer was on the table for a never-before-seen two-fight deal in boxing and MMA with Crawford. Terence Crawford confirmed talks to fight Conor McGregorCredit: GettyMcGregor revealed Crawford turned the deal downCredit: GettyBut the former undisputed world boxing champion is not getting kicked or elbowed for any number. Crawford said to Bernie the Boxer: “I told Conor, ‘Hell no’. “They called me and they offered me the fight and me and Conor got on the phone and started trying to figure something out.”And I told him, ‘Man I ain’t getting into no octagon with you so you can be kicking me and elbow me and s***’.READ MORE IN UFC”He started laughing and s*** and he said ‘Man, I respect it. You respect my sport just like I respect your sport and you understand that if you get in an octagon you’re going to be at a disadvantage.”‘Just like if I get into the boxing ring with you, I’m going to be at a disadvantage’.”But he was like, ‘We will make a s*** ton of money’. I said, ‘Yeah, sometimes it ain’t about the money, I can make money but you ain’t about to be kicking me, dude’.”Kicks and elbows man that s*** ain’t no joke.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMcGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to face ring great Floyd Mayweather in a crossover clash worth huge sums.Crawford meanwhile wrestled in his youth but went on to become one of the greatest boxers of his era. McGregor said during a Duelbits livestream: “Crawford is very slick, he also has a wrestling background pedigree.”You know they’re always talking to me about bouts. I’ve already boxed a boxer, and the best boxer in MMA is me.”You know what I mean? I generate the most. We were talking back and forth about a two-fight deal.”In Crawford’s last fight he beat Israil Madrimov to win the WBA super-welterweight world title.It was also his first with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season – who recently partnered with the UFC.And McGregor, 36, was the first to reveal that Crawford, 37, was approached for the two-fight double header before declining. He said: “I get on the phone and say ‘Crawford, they’re here talking about you and me. Two-fight deal, MMA first, boxing second.”I know you have an extensive wrestling background, and balls the size of a Bengal tiger.”They’re asking for a fight, it’ll be hundreds of millions on the line. ‘What’s up?’, I said.”And then he goes, ‘I don’t fancy taking a kick off Conor McGregor’, that’s what he said. You have to respect that.”Crawford is a four-division champion and considered one of the best boxers on the planet.He is currently eyeing a super-fight against Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez, 34, despite rumours of pondering retirement.McGregor meanwhile has been out of action since July 2021 when he broke his leg before being ruled out of his return bout in June.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Irishman was forced to pull out of facing Michael Chandler due to a toe injury.Chandler, 38, has since signed to rematch Charles Oliveira, 34, on November 16 to leave McGregor’s next fight in doubt. More

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      Watch Conor McGregor in random link-up with Declan Rice after Arsenal’s Champions League win vs PSG

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      CONOR McGregor got to go onto the Emirates pitch after Arsenal’s win over PSG – and even traded a few passes with Declan Rice.Rice had played the full 90 minutes as The Gunners bossed a 2-0 victory against the new-look French giants.The former UFC double champ and Rice played a one-two while relaxing after the final whistleCredit: @LaurensJulienRice tussling with Achraf Hakimi in the win where Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka provided first-half goalsCredit: GettyThe England midfielder posted this image of them on his Instagram accountCredit: @declanriceAfterwards he was filmed loitering around the side of the pitch with his teammates – with McGregor making his altogether random cameo a few yards away.At one point the pair played the ball back and forth as McGregor was seemingly given the run of the stadium’s pristine surface for a kickabout.It’s an especially head-scratching combination given the Dubliner is well-known to have been a Man United fan growing up before largely losing interest in football in favour of boxing and then MMA.Paris Saint-Germain are a younger, better-balanced and more serious side these days and boss Luis Enrique had axed Ousmane Dembele from his matchday squad for a disciplinary breach.That indicated a change in dressing-room dynamics since the days when egomaniac players ruled the roost at the Parc des Princes.Early on, they were making it difficult for Arteta’s side, although Bukayo Saka did fire narrowly over after Arsenal’s impressive new full-back Riccardo Calafiori had darted inside to tee him up.Havertz had just squandered a decent opening, created by Saka and the marauding Jurrien Timber, when he opened the scoring on 20 minutes.Leandro Trossard supplied a wicked centre from deep on the left and Donnarumma panicked, straying off his line and flapping, as Havertz escaped his marker Pacho and netted with a straightforward header.Most read in FootballHavertz is often referred to as a false nine but the German has many of the attributes of a very actual centre-forward, along with so much else.For Donnarumma – the keeper who broke English hearts in the 2021 Euros final shoot-out – it had not been a happy start, after he’d already received treatment following a collision with Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal player ratings vs PSGThe French supporters – many of them as topless as Geordies in the chill drizzle – kept on bouncing and hollering, and their team threatened a response.Nuno Mendes arrowed a shot against the foot of the post, then the lightning quick Achraf Hakimi tore down the right, cut inside and forced David Raya to save with his legs at the near post.So Arsenal’s second goal was both against the run of play and an absolute fluke – not that any of the Emirates faithful could have cared less.Saka won a free-kick, by the touchline, then delivered a low inswinger, which Martinelli, Gabriel and Thomas Partey all went for and all missed. But so, too, did Donnarumma.The Crumlin native also got a snap with goalscorer SakaCredit: @sammorganHe’d arrived for the match in quite some styleCredit: @thenotoriousmmaPerhaps it was all another stroke of genius from Arsenal’s set-piece genius Nico Jover. Or perhaps it was utterly freakish.After that gift, Saka really began to purr, bringing out the Elvis hips, toasting his full-back and centring for Trossard, only for Donnarumma to suddenly remember that he is an elite goalkeeper.At half-time, Arteta replaced Timber with Jakub Kiwior and soon his side almost conjured a gem of a third goal – Trossard to Havertz, who chipped a pass to Martinelli, who volleyed too close to Donnarumma.READ MORE SUN STORIESPSG had their moments – Kang-in Lee shooting into the turf and up onto the crossbar before a decent penalty shout for handball against Calafiori fell on deaf ears.But usually Arsenal’s back four were there, relishing the dirty work, bumping chests and fists, keeping the sheet clean. More

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      Dana White ends UFC fighters’ career change hopes with eight-word statement after teasing imminent ‘big announcements’

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      DANA WHITE has pumped the brakes on any UFC fighters dipping their toes into the boxing world – just weeks after announcing his intention to get into the sport.The UFC supremo revealed late last month that he intends to resurrect plans to create Zuffa Boxing, which he first teased in 2017.UFC supremo Dana White first unveiled plans to launch Zuffa Boxing back in 2017Credit: GETTYThe veteran promoter revealed his intention to get Zuffa Boxing off the ground late last monthCredit: SPORTSFILEBut White doesn’t intend to allow UFC fighters to following in the footsteps of Conor McGregorCredit: GETTYWhite’s revelation led UFC fans to wonder if he’ll permit any fighters on the roster to switch codes and step into the squared circle.But the veteran promoter insists NONE of the fighters currently under contract with MMA’s top promotion will be allowed to box.When asked if he’d allow any UFC fighters to follow in the footsteps of Conor McGregor, he said: “God, I hope not.”Yeah, no, [it will be] completely separate.”READ MORE ON DANA WHITEHe later added: “Everything is about timing, and is now the time? We’re going to find out. “There’s a lot of things I think I can do that other people haven’t done yet.”Former two-division champion McGregor entered the boxing world in August 2017 for a spectacular crossover clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr.The Notorious pocketed over a whopping £75million for the ‘The Money Fight’, which he lost via tenth-round TKO.Most read in BoxingWhite’s interest in getting involved in boxing waned in the years that followed Mayweather vs McGregor.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe even branded the sport “a broken business that is an absolute nightmare to try to fix.”But the 55-year-old has since changed his stance, admitting last month: “There will be some big announcements.Watch UFC fighter TWERK in beaten opponent’s face following stunning KO win one day after shaking and crying at weigh-in”If you know anything about me and you go back and look at anything I ever said. I never say anything that I don’t do, ever.”We’ve been kicking the boxing thing around for a long time and you’ve never heard me commit and say, ‘I’m in’. I’m in.”White’s plans to enter the sport have been hailed by his good pal Mike Tyson, who said during an appearance on the Come and Talk 2 Me podcast: “Is he really in boxing now?“Well listen, that’s going to be the best thing to ever happen to boxing, just like the UFC.”If you’re in the UFC and if anyone is booing your fight, you’re not gonna see that guy again.”His next fight is gonna be in South Dakota somewhere.“If you don’t have a good fight, you’re never gonna see that guy again.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Not like boxing, ‘Oh this guy is gonna fight next month again,’ I don’t wanna see that.”If any fights stink, you’re not back in the UFC anymore, you’re never going to see those guys again.”Mike Tyson has welcomed Dana White’s plans to get into boxingCredit: GETTY More

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      Conor McGregor reveals talks worth ‘hundreds of millions’ for two-fight boxing and MMA deal with unbeaten champ

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      CONOR McGREGOR revealed talks worth “hundreds of millions” to fight Terence Crawford in BOTH boxing and MMA. McGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to face ring great Floyd Mayweather in a crossover clash worth huge sums. Conor McGregor revealed talks to fight Terence Crawford in boxing and MMACredit: GettyMcGregor lost his boxing debut to Floyd MayweatherCredit: Rex FeaturesHe lost in ten rounds but has been linked with a return to boxing ever since to fight the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez. But there have been efforts to bring unbeaten boxer Crawford – who wrestled in his youth – over to the cage as part of a two-fight deal. McGregor said during a live stream with Duelbits: “Crawford is very slick, he also has a wrestling background pedigree. “You know they’re always talking to me about bouts. I’ve already boxed a boxer, and the best boxer in MMA is me. READ MORE IN UFC”You know what I mean? I generate the most. We were talking back and forth about a two-fight deal.” In Crawford’s last fight he beat Israil Madrimov to win the WBA super-welterweight world title. It was also his first with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season – who recently partnered with the UFC. And McGregor, 36, claimed Crawford, 37, was approached for a never-before-seen double header only to turn it down. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMcGregor said: “He rings up Crawford in front of me the day after the fights.“I get on the phone and say ‘Crawford, they’re here talking about you and me. Two-fight deal, MMA first, boxing second.Conor McGregor sends Dana White blunt message after being told he WON’T make UFC return this year”I know you have an extensive wrestling background, and balls the size of a Bengal tiger. “They’re asking for a fight, it’ll be hundreds of millions on the line. ‘What’s up?’, I said. “And then he goes, ‘I don’t fancy taking a kick off Conor McGregor’, that’s what he said. You have to respect that.”Crawford is a four-division champion and considered one of the best boxers on the planet. He is currently eyeing a super-fight against Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez, 34, despite rumours of pondering retirement. McGregor meanwhile has been out of action since July 2021 when he broke his leg before being ruled out of his return bout in June. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Irishman was forced to pull out of facing Michael Chandler due to a toe injury. Chandler, 38, has since signed to rematch Charles Oliveira, 34, on November 16 to leave McGregor’s next fight in doubt. Terence Crawford is considered one of the best boxers on the planetCredit: GettyMcGregor has been out if the cage since 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Watch Tommy Fury ‘break every part of his leg’ after being kicked ELEVEN times by UFC legend Tom Aspinall

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      TOMMY FURY joked he “broke every part of his leg” after being kicked 11 times by UFC champion Tom Aspinall.The Love Island star and boxer appeared in the mixed martial artist’s latest YouTube video.Tommy Fury joked he ‘broke every part of his leg’ after being kicked by Tom AspinallCredit: YouTube / Tom Aspinall OfficialThe UFC champion unleashed 11 leg kicks on Fury in a dead leg challengeCredit: YouTube / Tom Aspinall OfficialFury took on Aspinall’s dead leg challenge by taking a series of leg kicks at increasing levels of power and strength.Starting without padding or shin guards for protection, Fury took Aspinall’s leg kick at 10 per cent power.Aspinall is the current UFC interim heavyweight champion after successfully defending his belt at UFC 304 in July.The English fighter secured a 60-second knockout victory over Curtis Blaydes to avenge his only loss in the promotion.READ MORE IN BOXINGHe suffered a knee injury just 15 seconds into their previous meeting two years prior which left him unable to continue.That injury is now well behind Aspinall, though, as he showed with his leg kicks on Fury.After his fourth effort at 40 per cent strength, Fury was left wincing as he limped away holding his thigh, quipping: “He’s broke every inch of my leg.”He was able to psych himself up for the next stage before joking: “Who the hell wakes up on a Monday morning and thinks ‘do you know what I’m going to go and do this.’”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFury continued to 60 per cent, when he admitted: “Oh he’s broke my leg. Oh it’s broke,” after another crushing blow.Aspinall added that the unbeaten cruiserweight had set a new personal best in the challenge before topping the leaderboard by taking a kick at 65 per cent power.Tommy Fury ‘BOOED by whole of Wembley’ after split from Molly-Mae at AJ fightFury began taking kicks at 10 per cent strength before Aspinall increased the powerCredit: YouTube / Tom Aspinall OfficialBy 50 per cent power Fury was forced to psych himself up to continueCredit: YouTube / Tom Aspinall OfficialThe pair continued with a few more kicks with Fury holding a pad over his legs and Aspinall wearing a shin guard.However, he removed it for the final kick at 90 per cent power, prompting Fury to say: “That’s enough, no more,” before falling to the floor in agony.Fury’s appearance in the video comes after he was spotted at last weekend’s fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.The 25-year-old was booed by the crowd as he appeared on the big screen at Wembley Stadium.It comes after his split from Molly-Mae Hague after five years together.The couple confirmed they had ended their relationship last month, having first met on Love Island in 2019.Fury is currently unbeaten as a professional at 10-0 but has not fought since beating KSI in October 2023.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, Aspinall’s MMA record stands at 15-3 following his win over Blaydes earlier this year.His next appearance in the octagon has yet to be confirmed, though, as he awaits the outcome of November’s title bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.Aspinall added a pad and shin guard to show off his 90 per cent strength leg kickCredit: YouTube / Tom Aspinall OfficialFury was left rolling around in pain by the end of the challengeCredit: YouTube / Tom Aspinall Official More

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      ‘Best thing to ever happen’ – Dana White’s shock career announcement backed by boxing legend and pal Mike Tyson

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      MIKE Tyson has hailed Dana White’s announcement that he plans to enter the world of boxing.The UFC supremo is a long-time fan of the sweet science and revealed plans to gatecrash the sport ahead of Conor McGregor’s 2017 showdown with Floyd Mayweather.UFC President and CEO Dana White has announced fresh intentions to get into boxingCredit: SPORTSFILEThe UFC supremo first revealed his intention to get into the sport back in 2017Credit: GETTYBoxing legend Mike Tyson has backed his good friend’s venture into the sportCredit: GETTYZuffa Boxing, however, never got off the ground – although the veteran promoter revealed last week that he’s reignited those plans.And his announcement was well received by his good friend Tyson, who reckons the UFC head honcho will change the sport for the better.During an appearance on the Come and Talk 2 Me podcast, he said: “Is he really in boxing now?“Well listen, that’s going to be the best thing to ever happen to boxing, just like the UFC.READ MORE ON DANA WHITE”If you’re in the UFC and if anyone is booing your fight, you’re not gonna see that guy again.”His next fight is gonna be in South Dakota somewhere.“If you don’t have a good fight, you’re never gonna see that guy again.”Not like boxing, ‘Oh this guy is gonna fight next month again,’ I don’t wanna see that.Most read in Boxing”If any fights stink, you’re not back in the UFC anymore, you’re never going to see those guys again.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDana White plans to make some ‘big announcements’ in the coming monthsCredit: SportsfileWhite’s decision to attempt to resurrect Zuffa Boxing isn’t completely out of the blue given his recent platforming and promotion of undefeated Irish super-welterweight Callum Walsh on UFC Fight Pass.And Eagled-eyed MMA fans noticed that the YouTube highlights from Walsh’s homecoming event in Dublin last week had “Zuffa Boxing” plastered on the thumbnails.Watch Mike Tyson, 58, PUNCH Jake Paul before YouTuber, 27, pushes him away in face-off ahead of boxing fightThe thumbnails seemingly let the cat out of the bag and prompted White to say: “There will be some big announcements.”If you know anything about me and you go back and look at anything I ever said.”I never say anything that I don’t do, ever. “We’ve been kicking the boxing thing around for a long time and you’ve never heard me commit and say, ‘I’m in’. I’m in.”It remains to be seen whether or not Zuffa Boxing actually gets off the ground this time.But White is in a much better place financially to enter the boxing world following the UFC’s joining of forces with the WWE to form the TKO Group, which as of last September, was valued at £16BILLION ($21.4B). More

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      Oleksandr Usyk mimics Conor McGregor’s ‘billionaire walk’ just seconds after talking with UFC legend at Joshua vs Dubois

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      OLEKSANDR USYK couldn’t help but mimic Conor McGregor after meeting the UFC legend at Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Daniel Dubois.The pair, 37 and 36 respectively, were among the 98,000 fans in attendance at Wembley for the historic domestic dust-up on Saturday night.Oleksandr Usyk and Conor McGregor had a backstage chat at Anthony Joshua’s Wembley war with Daniel DuboisCredit: INSTAGRAM@RTFIGHT_COMUsyk was left blown away by the UFC star’s energyCredit: INSTAGRAM@RTFIGHT_COMSo much so that he decided to copy the Irishman’s ‘billi strut’Credit: INSTAGRAM@RTFIGHT_COMMcGregor made a beeline for the former undisputed heavyweight champion and embraced him after seeing him backstage at the home of English football.And Usyk was blown away by his energy, so much so that he mimicked his ‘billi strut’ moments after their brief exchange.After an interviewer said McGregor was ‘great’, Usyk said: “Yes, yes, yes. [He’s a] crazy man, look.”The unified heavyweight champion then tried to channel his inner McGregor by bouncing up and down as he walked and swinging his arms back in Vince McMahon fashion.READ MORE ON AJ VS DUBOISThe undefeated Ukrainian then laughed as he added: “Oh my God.”Footage of Usyk’s McGregor impersonation spread like wildfire on social media, with one fight fan saying: “Best thing on the internet.”Another said: “Usyk is the best. I absolutely love the bloke. Such a ledge.”And another said with a laughing emoji: “Absolutely buckled.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS’Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fightDANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.Here’s what they said after the fight:DANIEL DUBOIS“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”ANTHONY JOSHUA“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)“It was a phenomenal fight, like  Hagler v Hearns.“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)“AJ shipped a huge right hand  in the first round and  was fighting on heart.“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.”One remarked: “Usyk is the kiddie I swear. Very funny man.”Another chimed in: “Quality.”Joshua vs Dubois fans baffled as Conor McGregor turns up at Wembley with bizarre prop to watch fight ringsideBoth Usyk and McGregor had ringside seats for Dubois’ career-defining victory over former two-time unified heavyweight champ AJ.Dubois retained his IBF crown with a stunning fifth-round KO of Joshua, who he knocked down FOUR TIMES in a truly pulsating Wembley war.Joshua, 34, is being urged by many to hang up his gloves following the crushing loss, something McGregor insists he shouldn’t do.The Notorious told The Stomping Ground: “AJ is number one, this is his eighth stadium show here – he is a legend forever.“Sure there is, sure there is; he had him.”He smacked back, stood his ground and smacked him back and then he went forward and got caught.”It’s only boxing, you can get caught or you catch someone, of course, he can come back – for sure.” More

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      Jake Paul set for career change that is ‘not easy to do’ after controversial Mike Tyson boxing fight

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      JAKE PAUL is in line for a career change that is “not easy to do” after his boxing fight with Mike Tyson. The YouTuber-turned-boxer, 27, faces heavyweight great Tyson, 58, on November 15 in a clash that has attracted controversy over the age gap.Mike Tyson facing off with Jake PaulCredit: EPABut Paul is also primed to make his MMA debut next year after signing a deal with the Professional Fighters League. PFL CEO Peter Murray revealed the American could cross over from the ring to the cage right after fighting Tyson. He told Sportskeeda: “Yeah, we’re lining it up.“Obviously, Jake is finishing up boxing this year, with this massive fight against Mike Tyson.READ MORE IN BOXING”Then a lot of planning is going into Jake Paul’s debut in 2025 and we’ll be sharing those details after Jake gets in the ring with Mike Tyson and we lay out our schedule for Super Fights next year.”Paul is 10-1 as a boxer with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury in February 2023 – a month before signing with the PFL.And the PFL publicly offered Fury £15m to rematch Paul in the ring before a trilogy bout in the cage. The 2019 Love Island star – who recently split with Molly-Mae Hague – has since called out Paul to an MMA bout. Most read in BoxingMurray meanwhile promised that Paul’s debut MMA opponent will be a notable one.He said: “Plenty of options and Jake is committed to fighting a very, very credible, well-rounded MMA fighter, and [it’s] not easy to do. “It’s not easy to cross over from boxing into MMA. You know, the crossover from MMA or other disciplines into boxing is a lot easier.”Francis Ngannou brutally warns Jake Paul against fighting ‘mean’ 6ft 4in UFC champ after boxing callout More