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      Conor McGregor and Eddie Hearn involved in ringside row during Katie Taylor’s fight card

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      EDDIE HEARN had a “friendly row” with Conor McGregor over his choice of matchmaking. McGregor was a special guest at ringside in Ireland for Katie Taylor’s homecoming fight against Chantelle Cameron.
      Conor McGregor with Eddie Hearn in DublinCredit: Getty
      The UFC superstar was left gutted following Taylor’s points loss but Hearn revealed he was upset well before the main event.
      In the co-headliner, lightweight Gary Cully was stunned to a first ever defeat after being knocked out by Jose Felix Jr.
      McGregor fumed at Hearn for choosing Felix as the opponent but the promoter defended his decision.
      He told iFL TV: “He never recovered from the first knockdown.
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      “Got overexcited, had his chin in the air, got hit by a Mexican who can punch.
      “I had a bit of a row, a friendly row, with Conor McGregor, because he said, ‘Why did you put him in with him?’
      “You’ve got to beat kids like that. Tyrone McKenna beat him, Sandor Martin beat him.
      “You are talking about Gary Cully being a world-class lightweight, you have to beat guys like that.
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      “He would have beaten him if he would have boxed smart, but it was a devastating defeat and he’s going to learn a lot from that.
      “He’s going to come back from that and maybe he needs to look to move up to 140lbs as well.
      “He looks so tired at that weight and that was 138lbs.”
      Cully, 27, was floored twice before being stopped on his feet by Felix, 31, losing for the first time in 17 bouts.
      And it was further heartbreak as Taylor, 36, lost a decision against Cameron, 32, for the undisputed super-lightweight titles.
      McGregor, 34, had the bout level as he took to Instagram in praise of his nation’s most beloved sports star.
      He posted: “Our hero! Thank you for an amazing event @katie_t86! I had the fight scored a draw.
      “A very close bout where you once again showed your heart, your skills, your fitness and your toughness. You are an Irish Warrior!
      “I love you Katie, I am honored to know you and be in your presence! Thank you so much!

      “Onwards and upwards we go! Just another day for Katie Tay! For God and for Country.”
      Katie Taylor consoled after defeat by Conor McGregorCredit: Sportsfile More

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      Fans fear for Nate Diaz against Jake Paul as ‘slow and loopy’ boxing training footage emerges

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      NATE DIAZ has fans fearing for him ahead of his fight with Jake Paul fight after footage of his boxing training emerged. The ex-UFC star faces YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul in his professional boxing debut on August 5 in Texas.
      Footage of Nate Diaz’s boxing training has been revealed
      And a clip has done the rounds on social media of Diaz hitting pads but it left some worrying for him.
      One said: “Slow and loopy is what I see, Nate has decent hands in MMA= junk hands in boxing.”
      Another added: “Oh lord… He going to sleep.”
      One agreed: “Jake Paul is gonna smoke Nate.”
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      Influencer boxer Slim Albaher tweeted: “Jake Paul is gonna sleep him.”
      It is unclear when the footage was recorded but others have thrown their support to Diaz.
      One said: “Easy win for Nate.”
      Another said: “Diaz is going to absolutely destroy Jake Paul.”
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      Paul, 26, was beaten for the first time in February, losing a split-decision in Saudi Arabia to Tommy Fury, 23.
      He then snubbed a rematch to instead turn his attention to Diaz, 38, who left the UFC last year when his contract expired.
      Paul said: “Nate Diaz was always the plan. I’ve always said – even in the Tommy Fury build up – that I wanted Nate Diaz after Tommy.
      “And that really was regardless of the outcome, I’ve always wanted to fight Nate Diaz, so he was always next on my list.
      “There’s always a bunch of options and one day you’re like, ‘I want to do this, I want to do that.’
      “But I went back to the Nate Diaz idea as like the original plan and he was ready and wiling to make the fight happen and it just made more sense than the Tommy Fury rematch right away.”
      Jake Paul facing off with Nate DiazCredit: @mostvaluablepromotions More

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      Eddie Hearn reveals Dana White ‘inspiration’ for dramatic 18-month body transformation and says ‘mate, give me the plan’

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      EDDIE HEARN has revealed UFC boss Dana White was the inspiration behind his body transformation.The boxing promoter, 43, who guides the careers of fighters such as Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor, has trimmed down his physique over the past 18 months.

      Dana White remains ripped despite being 53 years of ageCredit: Instagram
      He has lost 37 pounds across that period of time, dropping from 19st 11lbs to 17st 2lbs.
      And he has now spoken about how White, 53, gave him the motivation to improve his own physical wellbeing.
      The UFC chief went on a three-year body transformation after being told he had ten years to live.
      And speaking about how that galvanised him to get in shape, Hearn told Men’s Health: “Look at Dana White. I spoke to him two days ago. He’s been working with a guy called Gary Brecka, who has a company that tells you how long you have left to live.
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      Eddie Hearn admits he felt sluggish before losing the weight over the past 18 monthsCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Hearn has even squeezed in sessions with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Instagram
      “Before he started working with him, he apparently had a life expectancy of 10.4 years. Now, they’ve completely changed around his insulin, his glucose, his cholesterol, everything.
      “I look at Dana now and physically as well as from a business point of view, he’s a bit of an inspiration for me.
      “His physique is my dream physique. I texted him about the pictures that he put out and I went ‘Mate, give me the plan.’
      “He said, he used to wake up coughing in the night and couldn’t tie his shoelaces in the morning.
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      “It wasn’t quite as bad as that for me, but when I used to put my trousers on in the morning, I’d feel s**t.”
      Hearn’s “sluggish” feeling was one of the reasons he decided to get in shape.
      He also insists the Conor Benn doping saga was another motivating factor behind his fitness frenzy as he attempted to deal with the intensity of the situation.
      He went on to add: “I knew I needed to make a change, but there’s this perception that men in their 40s who get fit and start to dress a bit younger or cooler, are having a midlife crisis.
      “The reality is, it’s not that at all, it’s just you’re realising you need to make a change because life’s passing you by. I’m not 28 anymore. I’m coming up to my 50s.
      “I want to live a great life, and the only way I’m going to do that, with all the pressure and the hate is to keep myself in shape.
      “Because when you’re in better shape and mentally in a better place, all the other stuff is a lot easier to deal with.”
      White, left, has been an inspiration to Hearn, right, with the pair seen here with Billy Joe SaundersCredit: Instagram More

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      Conor McGregor’s ex-sparring partner makes stunning prediction for fight between UFC icon and Jake Paul

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      PAULIE MALIGNAGGI has thrown another dig at Conor McGregor – by backing Jake Paul to knock him out. There is no love lost between Malignaggi and McGregor following their bitter sparring sessions in 2017.
      Pauli Malignaggi sparring Conor McGregorCredit: Twitter
      Jake Paul in training for his next fightCredit: @jakepaul
      And the former world champion boxer has shown no signs of letting his grudge go in the years since.
      It has led him to pick YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul, 26, beating McGregor, 34, in the ring amid the prospect of a mega-fight.
      Malignaggi, 42, told Betway: “I think Jake Paul would knock Conor out.
      “Conor is too susceptible to those loopy shots and Jake hits hard enough that only needs to hit you with one or two of them.
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      “I think Conor has decent sharp shots but I don’t think Conor has the discipline to stay with those little sharp shots for a certain amount of rounds.
      “I think he would fall apart because he doesn’t have a lot of heart. Conor has no balls.
      “If you take Conor a few rounds he already has this very big discomfort and mistakes naturally create themselves. You don’t even have to create them anymore.
      “I think he would do OK for a couple of rounds, but if you didn’t get Jake out in a couple of rounds, I think Jake would knock him out, and he would probably knock out with a big shot.”
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      McGregor sparred Malignaggi twice before his professional boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
      But following leaked images and footage of the session, Malignaggi stormed out of the Irishman’s camp.
      McGregor would go on to lose to Mayweather in ten rounds and despite teasing a return to the ring it remains his only boxing bout.
      And having shared the ring with the ex-UFC champion behind closed doors, Malignaggi claimed he knew the result was inevitable.
      He said: “Coming out of that spar I thought this has got to be the biggest money heist in the history of money.
      “This guy is so terrible and he’s going to fight Mayweather, probably the best boxer in the history of the sport.
      “Even though he’s retired, Mayweather is going to beat this guy with his eyes closed. And that’s basically how it went. He played with them.”
      Paulie Malignaggi sparred twice with Conor McGregor
      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: Reuters More

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      Floyd Mayweather, 46, shares boxing masterclass with fans left ‘mesmerised’ by legend’s hands

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER wowed fans with a “mesmerising” boxing masterclass aged 46 – with one fan hailing the “best defence ever”.The American was repeatedly labelled the “GOAT” as he barely broke sweat in a slick routine that bamboozled his opponent with the pad.
      Floyd Mayweather looked as smooth as ever during a dazzling clipCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather
      The American tied his pad rival in knows with effortless movementCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather
      The five-weight ex-world champ was a picture of grace as he weaved around, even continuing to punch effortlessly when he looked away to the camera.
      Mayweather last fought professionally in beating UFC icon Conor McGregor in 2017.
      But he showed again how he’s able to look untarnished in exhibition bouts as he bobbed and swayed smoothly.
      One amazed fan posted: “This. Is. Awesome.”
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      And many agreed with this observer: “Pad guy gets more of a workout than Floyd.”
      A third noted Mayweather had the trait of a great – making his craft appear so easy.
      The boxing enthusiast wrote: “Most can’t fathom how impressive this is. Not just physically but cognitively If you’ve ever done pad work, impossible not to watch on repeat.”
      Another said: “Best defence there’s ever been.”
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      And there was a clear feeling that, even in middle age, this was timeless magic.
      One viewer stated: “An excellent fighter who’s clearly kept himself in shape. One of the best to ever do it.”
      Mayweather still rakes in the cash with exhibition contests against stars from the worlds of martial arts and social media.
      And McGregor is keen for a re-match despite his tenth-round stoppage-defeat six years ago.
      He told Inside Fighting: “I’ve had a long time to analyse it, happy with how it went the last time. I’d for sure look to (KO Mayweather).”
      The Irishman would have to get near Mayweather to do that.
      And on the latest video evidence from the Pretty Boy, that’s wishful thinking. More

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      Ebanie Bridges stuns in low cut dress as she gets up close and personal with Conor McGregor at Katie Taylor fight

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      EBANIE BRIDGES was a dazzling distraction for Conor McGregor as he watched pal Katie Taylor suffer world title agony.The Blonde Bomber sparkled in a low-cut dress as Chantelle Cameron inflicted Taylor’s first defeat following a thriller in Dublin.
      Aussie boxer Ebanie Bridges helped cheer Conor McGregor up on the night his Irish pal Katie Taylor lost for the first timeCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Ebanie sparkled when she met up with former UFC king McGregorCredit: INSTAGRAM More

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      Conor McGregor challenges Tyson Fury to step into the cage after boxing superstar vow to fight Francis Ngannou

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      CONOR McGREGOR has questioned whether Tyson Fury will ever follow up on his vow to fight in the cage. Fury has called out former UFC champion Francis Ngannou to a mixed-rules bout in the cage before.
      Ex-UFC star Darren Till with Tyson FuryCredit: Refer to Caption
      Conor McGregor questioned whether Tyson Fury will ever fight in the cage
      He proposed a stand-up bout, contested with the smaller 4oz MMA gloves but under boxing rules.
      But UFC legend McGregor has heard one too many of Fury’s broken promises to take the challenge too seriously.
      He said: “Is Tyson willing to step in the f****g cage or what? He’s saying he would, Tyson says a lot of things. 
      “I love him, he’s a mad, mad thing Tyson. And I’m excited to see him go.”
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      Fury, 34, is currently faced with forgoing a summer return fight with available opponents limited.
      It came after he saw talks to face Oleksandr Usyk, 36, in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout collapse.
      But boxing bosses in Saudi Arabia are looking to revive the historic fight as part of a series of tournament-style bouts.
      Eddie Hearn revealed there is a plan in place to have Fury fight Usyk on the same night as Anthony Joshua, 33, against Deontay Wilder, 37.
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      And McGregor probed the promoter at his Black Forge Inn pub in Dublin, just days out from Katie Taylor’s homecoming fight.
      He said: “What’s the old craic with the old Saudi, is that four real? With the four? I know you want the fight. Saudi want to do it? 
      “Interesting isn’t it the Saudis, do you reckon it will happen?” 
      Hearn: “It’s a lot of money. There’s three people that will do it. We’ll see what Tyson Fury thinks.” 
      McGregor lost his boxing debut in 2017 to unbeaten great Floyd Mayweather, 46, but fancies fighting Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez, 32.
      Although he joked Hearn would have to settle for a co-promotion such is the UFC icon’s superstardom.
      McGregor said: “You know the level I’m at, at best co-promote! At best co-promote.”
      Eddie Hearn with Conor McGregor More

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      Conor McGregor ready to fight Canelo Alvarez ‘no f****g problem’… but tells Eddie Hearn he will have to ‘co-promote’

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      CONOR McGREGOR said he would fight Canelo Alvarez “no f****g problem” – but Eddie Hearn has to settle for a co-promotion. McGregor made his professional boxing debut in 2017, losing to American legend Floyd Mayweather in ten rounds.
      Conor McGregor is open to fighting Canelo AlvarezCredit: Rex Features
      Canelo Alvarez is boxing’s biggest superstarCredit: AP
      And despite the UFC showing no signs of giving the Irishman another exemption to fight outside the promotion, he has teased a boxing return.
      Lefty McGregor has studied the losing efforts of southpaws Billy Joe Saunders, 33, and John Ryder, 34, both beaten by Canelo.
      And it leaves MMA’s greatest superstar leaving the door open to a bout with boxing’s biggest attraction.
      McGregor said: “I saw Ryder, I’m a southpaw, Ryder was a southpaw, Billy Joe was a southpaw, I’ve seen methods, I’ve seen things I’d do. 
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      “I know he’s waining, I’d fight Canelo no f****g problem. Out straight. No problem.” 
      Canelo, 32, has been promoted by Hearn for the last three years.
      But McGregor, 34, joked should he face the Mexican superstar the pie would have to be split down the middle.
      He said: “You know the level I’m at, at best co-promote! At best co-promote.”
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      McGregor has linked up with Hearn to promote Katie Taylor’s long anticipated homecoming fight.
      Taylor, 36, challenges Chantelle Cameron, 32, for the undisputed super-lightweight crown in Ireland’s first boxing event since 2014.
      McGregor’s Forged Irish Stout and Tidl recovery spray has sponsored the event and kickstarted a friendship with Hearn.
      Speaking at his Black Forge Inn pub, he said: “I love him, he’s clued in, he’s in tune and he’s committed to the fighters and the sport and he’s very, very passionate and you can tell all day. 
      “It’s great to do business with him, great to be partnered with him, great to be friends with him and that’s it. He’s a top man.” 
      Conor McGregor with boxing promoter Eddie HearnCredit: @eddiehearn More