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      Francis Ngannou’s amazing rise from borrowing money as MMA champ to making millions in boxing and eyeing property empire

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU went from borrowing money as the MMA champion of the world to earning millions in the boxing ring. The heroic Cameroonian – who emigrated from Africa to Europe over the course of a year on foot – put his cage career on hold in 2023. Francis Ngannou emigrated from Cameroon for a better lifeHis life changed after switching from MMA to boxingCredit: ReutersNgannou has made millions from his boxing boutsHe walked out on the UFC as their heavyweight champion to pursue a his lifelong ambition of boxing. At the time, he had beaten Ciryl Gane in January 2022 but had no plans to re-sign with the UFC. He made only £450,000 for the bout and revealed he borrowed £150,000 from friend and former UFC champ Kamaru Usman. But after two boxing bouts – against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua – he is believed to have earned over £10MILLION. READ MORE IN MMAAnd Ngannou told SunSport: “Yes, there was a day that I have to borrow money from Kamaru Usman, I might not have to borrow the same amount today.”But I can still borrow because my project gets bigger and bigger. So things are changing as a person I’m growing.”Life is moving, I have different perspective in life. My ambition grows, you know. I set no limit for myself. The sky is my limit.”Ngannou revealed he leant the money from Usman to focus on his fledging property empire. Most read in BoxingNgannou with friend and former UFC champion Kamaru UsmanCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “Personal things, investment, having a house, building a house. I love houses, I love real estate.”I come from a family that we never owned any house. We never had a house. Francis Ngannou’s first fight since tragic death of his son Kobe announced with MMA star to take on giant 6ft 8in rival”Then my first thing was to build houses in different city and then maybe buy one wherever I’m living make some investment. “Think of my future. Think of a potential retirement plan or in case things don’t work out.”I’m doing a job that I have no guarantee, no insurance. I have no guarantee of the future of tomorrow, everything can stop right now.”So yes, you think about that. When you think about that, you need to plan things out at least, like for 1,2,3 years or more in case s*** happens. “So you have something you have some time to reset and start back. I think that’s what every single combat sports athlete should do.”Ngannou left Cameroon when he was 26 for a better life, having began working in the sand mines from the age of just TEN. It took him 14 months to go from his hometown of Batie to eventually France, where his journey as a fighter began. Now, he is a former world champion with two huge paydays in the bank – but there was once a time when securing food to eat was his biggest problem. He said: “There were days that when I wake up my only worry, my only concern was what I was going to eat that day. There were days like that in my life. Ngannou used to work in the sand mines in Cameroon and often visits backCredit: @francisngannouNgannou left Africa for Europe on footCredit: @francisngannouIt took him a year to emigrateCredit: @francisngannou”Basically growing up there were days that going to school, I worry because I didn’t have a pen to take notes or because I didn’t have a note, because my school tuition hasn’t been paid.”So life evolved, doesn’t mean he was that bad day. I think it was just a process. “Because at the end of the day, life is mostly a journey that you have to understand, enjoy the journey is not a destination.”Because, if you set a destination and then you get to destination, then what’s happened? It’s the trusting the process.”Ngannou, 38, sensationally dropped Fury, 36, on his boxing debut only to lose a controversial decision. He then remained in boxing but was knocked out by Joshua, 34, in two rounds in March. Now, he returns to the cage for the first time in over two years to face 6ft 8in Brazilian Renan Ferreira, 34, in his Professional Fighters League debut. And he welcomes the familiar feeling of strapping on the tiny 4oz MMA gloves and stepping foot back in the cage. He said: “I would say the transition was going from MMA to boxing not to from boxing to MMA, because that’s not the transition.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’ve been doing MMA my entire career. I mean, both are definitely two different trainings which MMA has their own complexity. “But, I’m more used to the complexity of MMA.” Ngannou facing off with Renan Ferreira More

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      ‘These men are actual giants’, says Jake Paul as he reveals prediction for Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira

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      JAKE PAUL felt dwarfed after facing off the gigantic duo of Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira. Ngannou makes his MMA return on Saturday in Saudi Arabia against 6ft 8in Brazilian Ferreira.Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul and Renan Ferreira during the face offAnd two months ago, Paul was tasked with getting in between the two humongous men to square them off.It marks Ngannou’s first fight back in MMA in over two years following a stint in the boxing ring.And Paul believes the former UFC champion and now Professional Fighters League star return to the cage with a vengeance.He said after facing the two off: “Battle of the Giants is very, very real. These men are actual giants. READ MORE IN MMA”And if they were to have started fighting, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything. But, I was there, I was doing my best. “I had some form, but they’re very strong… I just think Francis just has so much to prove here that he’s going to rise to the occasion. “With a taller man and as strong as Francis is with his solid base I just think he’s going to be able to clip Ferreira at some point.” Ngannou, 38, put his MMA career on hold to cross over to the boxing ring to first face Tyson Fury, 36.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd he sensationally dropped the former world heavyweight champ before losing a controversial split-decision.Ngannou then faced Anthony Joshua, 34, in March but was brutally knocked out in two rounds. Francis Ngannou’s first fight since tragic death of his son Kobe announced with MMA star to take on giant 6ft 8in rivalA month later, he endured personal heartbreak when his 15-month-old son Kobe tragically died. His fight with Ferreira, 34, not only marks his first with the PFL but also since he lost his baby boy and decided against retirement. Ngannou said: “I didn’t want to do anything but I just realised it was just my pain speaking. My rationality would not allow things like that. “And also for the reason why I was deciding to retire wasn’t the best reason. “I think I should use it as motivation and make something beautiful out of it.” More

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      Terence Crawford in U-turn over Conor McGregor clash with boxer ‘tempted’ after UFC star reveals HUGE fight purse

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      TERENCE CRAWFORD has admitted he is tempted by Conor McGregor’s two-fight deal – after seeing the money that is on offer. McGregor revealed a package was on the table for a never-before-seen doubler header in boxing and MMA with Crawford.Terence Crawford admitted he is tempted by Conor McGregor’s two-fight dealCredit: APMcGregor revealed the shock talksCredit: GettyBut the former undisputed world boxing champion initially said no amount of money could convince him to get kicked or elbowed. That was until McGregor posted online: “Big respect to @tbudcrawford! “$100million dollars a fight, 1 mma, 1 boxing. $200million dollars!”To which Crawford responded: “Tempted.” READ MORE IN BOXINGMcGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to face ring great Floyd Mayweather in a crossover clash worth huge sums.Crawford 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.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”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.Conor McGregor reveals talks worth ‘hundreds of millions’ for two-fight boxing and MMA deal with unbeaten champIt 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 deal – 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.”McGregor has been out of action since July 2021 when he broke his leg before being ruled out of his return bout in June.The 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.Crawford meanwhile 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.And he joked a switch to MMA to fight McGregor is not something he takes lightly. 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***’.”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.READ MORE SUN STORIES”‘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.” More

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      Chris Eubank Jr reveals shock talks to fight Conor McGregor and opens up on ‘crazy’ night out with ‘very drunk’ UFC star

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR has revealed shock talks to fight Conor McGregor – after the pair enjoyed a “crazy” night out in Dubai. Eubank returns to the ring on October 12 in Saudi Arabia against Kamil Szeremeta. Chris Eubank Jr pictured with Conor McGregorCredit: instagram @chriseubankjrAnd ahead of the bout, DAZN went through the middleweight’s Instagram pictures to probe him on the origins of his posts. One included him and McGregor putting their fists up to the camera. And Eubank said: “This was a crazy night out in Dubai. Conor was very drunk.”And we had a great time. You know, there’s actually been talks of me and him actually having a boxing match at some point.READ MORE IN BOXING”The fans have said that they want to see that. How interesting that would be.”That’s definitely something that I’m open to exploring, let’s just say that.”McGregor, 36, put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to fight Floyd Mayweather, 47, losing in ten rounds. Eubank, 35, was actually in Mayweather’s training camp and received words of praise from McGregor. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “I like Chris Eubank Sr. And Jr’s not bad, Jr’s good as well. “Jr’s got some good work rate and he’s a confident young man he follows in his father’s footsteps.” Boxing world champion breaks silence to confirm talks to fight Conor McGregor in never-before-seen two-bout deal Eubank’s last fight came in September 2023 when he stopped Liam Smith, 36, in ten rounds of their rematch seven months after losing in the fourth. McGregor meanwhile has been out since 2021 when he suffered a broken leg in the octagon. And he suffered a further setback when his June 29 return against Michael Chandler, 38, was cancelled due to a toe injury. McGregor recently revealed boxing star Terence Crawford, 37, turned down a never-before-seen two-fight cage and ring deal. More

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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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      in Soccer

      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