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      Eddie Hearn “to look at” Matchroom’s partnership with Conor McGregor after UFC star’s shocking civil court case

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      EDDIE HEARN admits Matchroom Boxing will re-evaluate its relationship with Conor McGregor following the outcome of his civil court case.McGregor, 36, was last week found liable to have assaulted a woman – Nikita Hand – at a Dublin hotel in December 2018.Conor McGregor was last week found liable to have assaulted a woman at a Dublin hotel in December 2018The UFC star, who has been ordered to pay £206,000 in damages, has vowed to appeal the verdictEddie Hearn has revealed that Matchroom Boxing will reevaluate their partnership with the MMA superstarCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunThe UFC superstar was accused of “raping and battering” Ms Hand at the Beacon Hotel during a cocaine and alcohol-fuelled bender – an accusation he’s vehemently denied.Several brands – including Proper No. 12 Whiskey – have distanced themselves from the MMA mogul in light of the verdict.And Hearn has hinted that Matchroom – who struck a partnership with the Irishman’s Forged Irish Stout last May – could soon follow suit.The 45-year-old told Pro Boxing fans: “We gotta digest all the information which is coming out thick and fast.READ MORE ON MCGREGOR”And we have a responsibility to look at all our partnerships.”And we’ll do that in the immediate future and decide as a business what we’re gonna do.”McGregor was ordered to pay Ms Hand £206,000 (€250,000) in damages as a result of last week’s ruling, which came after just over six hours of deliberation from the jury.But he’s vowed to appeal the verdict, writing on X: “I will be appealing today’s decision.Most read in BoxingDoes Conor McGregor have any chance of continuing UFC career?FORMER UFC champion Conor McGregor was found to have assaulted a woman who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel, a civil court jury found on Friday.The 36-year-old was accused of “brutally raping and battering” Nikita Hand in December 2018.He will now have to pay Ms Hand 248,603.60 euros in damages.Despite losing his case, McGregor has vowed to appeal.The Irishman’s future in MMA and UFC is now in doubt. He hasn’t been in the octagon since July 2021 when he broke his leg and was stopped against Dustin Poirier.Here’s what SunSport’s chief MMA reporter Chisanga Malata had to say about the situation…”The ruling, which came in a civil court, not a criminal court, has given the UFC arguably its biggest-ever headache in its 31-year run. MMA chiefs will now have to make a major decision over their poster boy.”Personally, I think he fights again. There is a precedent for it. Just look at the man who fought Jake Paul last week. “Of course, I’m talking about former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who was sent to jail in the 1990s for rape. He came out and he had a successful career after that, making millions upon millions of pounds before retiring in 2005.”Sadly, there is a precedent for it. But the UFC now has a massive decision to make. As I said, I think he fights again. I think they stick to the plan that was announced last week at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference and they have him fight late 2025.”Perhaps they said late 2025 in anticipation of this ruling not going McGregor’s way and giving some time for this to blow over – even though something of this magnitude can never, ever blow over.”I believe McGregor will fight again barring a sensational decision from Dana White and all the investors and they axe their poster boy. But I just don’t see that happening and I do see him returning to the octagon late next year.”Questions will have to be asked of the UFC and rightly so. But more so of the man himself, Mr McGregor.””The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.”I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed.Connor McGregor seen outside court after receiving guilty verdict”I am with my family now, focused on my future. “Thank you to all my support worldwide.”A few days later, ‘The Notorious’ added: “People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes.”I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me.”I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.”I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side.READ MORE SUN STORIES”That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym – the fight game awaits!”McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier nearly three-and-a-half years ago. More

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      Darren Till practices illegal boxing move in training for Tommy Fury fight and is happy to risk disqualification

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      DARREN TILL appears ready to stick to his word and KICK Tommy Fury in the face and risk being disqualified from their boxing match. The ex-UFC star faces 10-0 Fury on January 18 in Manchester in his second bout in the ring. Darren Till practising kicks in training for his boxing match against Tommy FuryCredit: X @darrentill2Till would risk getting DQ’dCredit: X @darrentill2They came face-to-face two months out from the fight in a heated press conference and Till vowed to kick Fury in the face if he is losing. And the former UFC title challenger posted a video online practising high kicks in what could be a warning to Fury. But if Till was to perform the illegal boxing move, he would be disqualified and likely issued a financial penalty. Although the Muay Thai specialist seemed to care little when revealing his plan to boot Fury. READ MORE IN BOXINGThe Liverpudlian said: “At the end of the day, I can’t beat you, I’ll just kick you in the face in there. How about that? I’m a proper fighter, not a boxer.”I don’t walk in a room like this and see boxing and go, ‘s***.’ I walk in, no one here is a threat to me. “Not one person in this room, security, you, your dad are not a threat to me. “I’m an MMA fighter, so if I want to kick you or elbow you in the face, I will, and no one can do anything about it.” Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut Fury, 25, responded: “Well that’s not going to happen is it, Darren? “Because we ain’t in the cage now, we’re in the boxing ring and you’re going to find out that boxing is very different to MMA.” Tommy Fury and Darren Till clash at Misfits Boxing press conference Till, 31, hit back: “Well it obviously is, how are you going to stop me? “If I’m losing the fight, I’m going to kick you straight in the face. You won’t know what’s hit you.”Till left the UFC off the back of three straight defeats and had a boxing match in Dubai last year. Meanwhile Fury beat YouTube’s biggest boxing stars in KSI, 31, and Jake Paul, 27, in 2023. Fury and Till clashed at a press conferenceCredit: Getty More

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      ‘Knowing how dangerous boxing is…’ UFC star Jorge Masvidal has concerns about Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight

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      UFC star Jorge Masvidal will be watching Mike Tyson’s controversial comeback fight against Jake Paul as a concerned fan. YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul brings heavyweight great Tyson out of retirement on Friday in a clash criticised for the age gap. UFC star Jorge Masvidal fears for Mike Tyson against Jake PaulCredit: GettyTyson facing off with Jake PaulCredit: GettyMasvidal – like many others – grew up idolising Iron Mike and recognises it will no longer be the Baddest Man on The Planet in the ring. He told SunSport: “I get both of the points of views because if you can make big revenue, go for it.”It’s just that Tyson was such a prominent sports figure on top of the world in great shape, beating some of the best guys in the world rather easily.”And now we can tell it’s not nowhere near the same Tyson, he’s nowhere near his prime.READ MORE IN BOXING”So, you know, obviously the ones that are more fans, we don’t like to see him like that, fighting when he’s not himself.”He’s not that person he used to be and knowing how dangerous boxing is – but I wish both competitors well and nobody gets hurt and everybody just comes out fine.”Paul, 27, has ten wins and just a single loss in 2023 to Tommy Fury, 25, on his boxing record. Tyson, 58, meanwhile has not boxed professionally since 2005 when he quit on his stool and threw the towel in on his boxing career. Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe did return in 2020 for an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr but his bout with Paul is to be officially sanctioned and on their records. But it will be competed over eight two-minute rounds – opposed to the usual three – and fought in bigger 14oz gloves instead of 10oz. Fans get first look of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson training camp with Iron Mike ‘looking like he’s 25 again’Counting down to Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson…READ MORE on all the build-up to the massive clash in Texas on Netflix…Masvidal, 39, meanwhile will be promoting his Gamebred bareknuckle MMA event in Mississippi but expects an interesting bout on Netflix.He said: “I think it’s gonna be entertaining fight for while it lasts.”I think Jake’s gonna be smart man and he’s gonna move the first two rounds, get Tyson a little tired. “There’s one thing everybody knows, it’s like a common thing is that the last thing to leave a man is power and Tyson still has power.”So what you’re gonna have to do is is work his heart, you know, just move, move, move, get him tired and then start to attack.”JAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUT More

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      Major broadcast change as Netflix look to snap up two huge sports after Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight 

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      NETFLIX could become the next big powerhouses of combat sports. The streaming giants – who have over 280MILLION paying subscribers – dip their toes into live sport for the first time next Friday. Jake Paul will headline Netflix’s first boxing eventCredit: SportsfileNetflix controversially host Mike Tyson’s boxing comeback against YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul. Talks with Paul spanned over a year and a deal was struck when heavyweight icon Tyson agreed to come out of retirement to fight.But SunSport understands this will not be Netflix’s only major play in sports streaming.The movie makers announced a stunning $5BILLION (£3.8bn) deal with the WWE to air events in the US and worldwide. READ MORE IN BOXINGAs of January, the WWE’s flagship show Monday Night Raw will be on Netflix.And by then, Netflix will have ALL of WWE’s programming exclusively platformed on their site in the UK, replacing TNT Sports as broadcaster.The WWE joined forces with the UFC this year as part of a merger with the TKO group worth $21bn (£16.2bn). It comes as the UFC’s five-year, $1.5bn (£1.1bn) TV contract with ESPN, is due to expire at the end of 2025.Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSeveral bidders are already in talks with the UFC, with Netflix among them. It would mean Netflix attempting to get the UFC and WWE under one umbrella while more boxing events are also eyed. Fans get first look of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson training camp with Iron Mike ‘looking like he’s 25 again’Paul has also not ruled out working with Netflix again, having boxed on DAZN, Triller, Showtime and ESPN in the past. He was in negotiations with Netflix for several fights, including a rematch against Tommy Fury, 25, who he lost to in 2023. Paul, 27, has featured in Netflix’s Untold documentary series before and will split a huge $80m (£60m) purse with Tyson, 58.Iron Mike returns for his first professional bout since 2005.It will be officially sanctioned but over eight two-minute rounds – opposed to the usual three – fought in bigger 14oz gloves instead if 10oz. UFC boss Dana White and WWE legend Triple HCredit: Getty More

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      Watch bare-knuckle boxer’s stunned reaction to having nose BROKEN with single punch that leaves Conor McGregor in awe

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      BARE-KNUCKLE boxer Chris Camozzi left opponent Sawyer Depee with a broken nose following a brutal punch. The pair fought it out for the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship cruiserweight title in Denver. Chris Camozzi left opponent Sawyer Depee with a broken nose following a brutal punchDepee’s nose was brutally disfiguredAnd former UFC star Camozzi landed a huge right uppercut in round one one that landed right on Depee’s nose. It closed the show in just one minute with footage showing Depee’s grimacing reaction to the punch. His nose was gruesomely disfigured too as a result of the shot – leaving BKFC part-owner Conor McGregor in awe. He posted on X: “NOSE BREAKER SHOT TO WIN THE BARE KNUCKLE CRUISERWEIGHT GOLD! WOW! Say hello to your new Cruiserweight King.READ MORE IN MMA”@ChrisCamozzi! Hey Chris, what can they say now? Sweet f*** all, baby! Big congrats! “BARE KNUCKLE WORLD CHAMPION!! @bareknucklefc.”Camozzi won the title just a year after losing to Lorenzo Hunt at BKFC 50 for the gold. He said: “I can’t put this into words. This is the best moment of my career. Ever.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCamozzi, 37, had a storied 42-fight MMA career with a 27-15 record. He moved into bare-knuckle boxing in 2022 and has a 3-1 record following his title victory.Ilia Topuria went OFF on Conor McGregor in response to his tweet More

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      ‘That would be something’ – Francis Ngannou’s coach opens door to boxing fight ‘everybody wanted to see in first place’

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU may still have one more boxing fight in him – and it’s the one “everybody wanted to see in first place.” Ngannou put his MMA career on hold in 2023 to cross over and pursue his lifelong ambition of boxing. Francis Ngannou could still return to boxingCredit: ReutersLast October, he sensationally floored former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, 36, only to lose a controversial decision. He then returned to the ring to face Anthony Joshua, 35, in March but was knocked out in two rounds. Ngannou, 38, shared the ring with the British pair after overlooking American Deontay Wilder, 38. The two humongous hitters were in talks with even a two-fight deal in boxing and MMA touted. READ MORE IN MMAAnd Ngannou’s striking coach Dewey Cooper is still interested in the bout – after fans demanded it in the past. Cooper told SunSport: “A fight with Deontay Wilder? That’s the fight everybody wanted to see in the first place.”Two hard punchers, totally opposite personalties that would be something. “Whatever Francis Ngannou, whatever His Excellency Turki Alalshikh wants to do with Riyadh Season and boxing, if he’s with it, I’m with it.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I have no expectation, whoever it is if it happens again we’re going to work hard and do our best to solidly a final victory for the record book.”Ngannou now returns to MMA with the Professional Fighters League after walking out on the UFC. I’ve had 100 fights but training Francis Ngannou is just as painful… he punches as hard as Mike Tyson He faces 6ft 8in Brazilian Renan Ferreira, 34, in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Wilder meanwhile is in career crisis following points defeat to Joseph Parker, 32, in December and a brutal KO against Zhilei Zhang, 41, in June. And Cooper reckons stepping into the ring with Ngannou could bring an official and brutal end to Wilder’s glittering boxing career. The trainer said: “I’m sure if he were to lose that would be the final nail in the coffin but a fighter knows when it’s time, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physiologically.”If Deontay Wilder still wants to do it, he definitely should. We’re so judgemental, so biased, when he was knocking everybody out at 40-something and 0 with 40-something knockouts, we all thought he was the best thing since sliced bread.”A guy has a few bad fights and the whole world turns against him. We learned this with Anthony Joshua, I remember he lost to Oleksandr Usyk everybody said it’s over.”Then he went on a great run and climbed back to the top of the world. “So, whatever a fighter wants to do, as long as he’s taking his health into consideration, his family and his wellbeing into consideration.READ MORE SUN STORIES”So if Deontay Wilder wants to continue fighting, he definitely should.”Zhilei Zhang knocked out Deontay WilderCredit: Getty More

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      I’ve had 100 fights but training Francis Ngannou is just as painful… he punches as hard as Mike Tyson

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      TRAINER Dewey Cooper had over 100 professional fights – but taking shots from Francis Ngannou is a far more painful experience. Cooper fought in boxing, kickboxing and MMA before moving into coaching after retiring. Trainer Dewey Cooper with Francis NgannouCredit: Matchroom Boxing And he has been working with Ngannou since 2017, bravely holding the pads and body belt for the 6ft 4in powerhouse. Cooper admits not even a 15-year fighting career brings as much agony as withstanding Ngannou’s power.He told SunSport: “In the fights when I was fighting I had really good defence. I would defend a lot of techniques, getting hit clean was a rarity.”Getting hit by Francis, I’m giving the body away getting hit by him. It’s not happy, it’s not nice for sure. READ MORE IN MMA”It hurts but like I said, I signed up for the job and I’m happy to be here. We’re going to keep working hard.”Ngannou’s power was once tested at the UFC’s Performance Institute in Las Vegas. And the ferocity had the same impact as a 12lb sledgehammer being swung at full force or comparable to being hit by a Ford Escort at top speed. Cooper chuckled: “I believe it! I can tell you right now, I’ve been hit by a lot of guys, recently I’ve been doing pads for Mike Tyson. No one’s hitting harder than Francis, man.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”When he places those punches correctly and bends his knees and turns his hips, sometimes I get hit so hard I’m like, ‘How am I taking this? What am I doing to myself?'”It’s funny to me because I’m like, ‘What am I doing here?’ It’s a lot of pain involved.”‘That would be something’ – Francis Ngannou’s coach opens door to boxing fight ‘everybody wanted to see in first place’ Ngannou, 38, last year put his MMA career on hold to pursue a lifelong ambition of boxing. He sensationally dropped Tyson Fury, 36, in his boxing debut before being knocked out by Anthony Joshua, 35, in March.Cooper led the corner on those occasions but now he welcomes Ngannou back to MMA to fight Renan Ferreira, 34, on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. The coach said: “We’re refreshed to see him back in MMA. “Boxing, kickboxing, grappling, wrestling, all the elements. It’s been a good camp and he’s ready to go.” Ngannou facing off with Renan Ferreira More

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      Tommy Fury in line to earn TRIPLE his net worth in rematch against Jake Paul… with never-before-seen fight teased

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      TOMMY FURY is in line to sensationally TRIPLE his net worth as talks to rematch Jake Paul continue – but with a twist. Fury looked to have buried two years of bitter feuding when he beat Paul via split-decision in the Diriyah desert in Saudi Arabia last year. Jake Paul and Tommy Fury are in talks to rematchCredit: GettyBut the celebrity boxing rivals have continued their feud to build towards a money-spinning rematch. And they could even take their rivalry to the MMA cage with a huge two-fight deal being put in place. Paul is signed to the Professional Fighters League and primed to make his cage debut next year. And in February, PFL founder Donn Davis told SunSport £15milllion ($20m) was on the table for Fury to fight Paul in MMA and boxing. READ MORE IN MMADavis said: “Tommy doing a back-to-back boxing and MMA – hardwired together where Tommy couldn’t back out of one or the other – is on the table.”The rumoured offers of $15-20m to Tommy – which is three times what he could earn for many other of his options – is accurate.”Is that the best option for Jake? I’ll leave that to Jake and Nakisa [Bidarian]. They’re the best at picking opponents and managing that.”But that is accurate and that is a possibility.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFury even recently posed with PFL gloves on in a YouTube video and called out Paul to a rematch in the cage. And PFL CEO Peter Murray – ahead of Francis Ngannou’s MMA return in Riyadh – confirmed talks with the 2019 Love Island star are ongoing. Murray told SunSport: “He was going to be part of this event on the broadcast team. But he’s excited by the sport and that would be interesting.”Listen, he’s a big event fighter and there’s plenty of money to go around. “We’re investing in the sport, we’re investing in big events, that would be a mega event and we’re here to put on a spectacle.”Fury is believed to have earned around £6m for his two wins over YouTube pair Paul and KSI. It means PFL’s proposed double header would see him nearly triple his fight earnings.Fury, 25, controversially beat KSI, 31, in October and underwent hand surgery soon after, leading to a potential return by January.Paul, 27, meanwhile faces heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson, 58, on November 15 in a clash slammed over the 30-year age gap. But PFL are looking to schedule his MMA debut for next year – possibly right after the Netflix fight with Tyson. And Paul confirmed in August that talks to fight Fury in the cage are happening. He said: “I think that’s actually still a discussion. So that could be interesting for sure. Me versus Tommy in MMA.”The PFL are also working on introducing hybrid-rules fights to help bridge that gap between boxing and MMA. And a never-before-seen mixed-rules bout between Paul and Fury has not been ruled out. READ MORE SUN STORIESMurray added: “We’ll see. We haven’t talked about Jake’s debut that would be modified rules. “It’s a possibility but we’re having those conversations with other fighters, in particular from the boxing world. I think it could be interesting.”Tommy Fury has called out Jake Paul to a rematch in MMACredit: @evolutionfitnessxlJake Paul is signed to the PFL to make his MMA debut More