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      Floyd Mayweather’s beloved assistant dies aged 47 as family pay tribute

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      BOXING legend Floyd Mayweather’s long-time assistant has passed away suddenly.Marikit “Kitchie” Laurico died at age 47 after a relationship with boxing legend Mayweather for decades.
      Marikit was only 47 when she passed awayCredit: Twitter
      The long time family friend and assistant died suddenly after holidayCredit: Instagram
      The boxer’s family has expressed their grief over her deathCredit: PA
      Some reports claim she was feeling ill after a recent trip to Dubai, but recent posts seem to indicate she was on the mend.
      The cause of her death has not been confirmed, though some reports claim it was a heart attack.
      Mayweather’s daughter posted a tribute to the late Marikit, saying: “This doesn’t feel real… my heart is so heavy. You were more than just my dad’s assistant you were family.
      “You were the definition of someone with a good heart, you always lifted people up and made them feel good about themselves.

      “There’s no one like you will truly be missed, love you forever.”
      Last month, Conor McGregor announced he wanted a rematch with Mayweather in the MMA.
      McGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to cross over to the boxing world for a money-spinning bout with the American legend.
      During their heated press tour, Mayweather boldly stated he would return the favour for a rematch in the cage.
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      So far, the promise has not been kept after McGregor was beaten in ten rounds in the ring.
      Now, approaching six years on, the Irishman, 34, wants another shot at Mayweather, 46.
      McGregor said on Fox News: “That was the original, it was a verbal agreement, I box him, he fights me. But he didn’t honour it.
      She told a friend she wasn’t feeling well a few days before her deathCredit: Instagram
      The boxer’s family is heartbrokenCredit: Instagram More

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      Jake Paul exchanges Instagram messages with PFL star Brendan Loughnane after being urged to fight Nate Diaz in MMA debut

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      JAKE PAUL has been urged to fight Nate Diaz in his MMA debut by Brendan Loughnane after the pair exchanged Instagram messages. Paul signed with the Professional Fighters League this year and will take on a promotional role while also competing in the cage. 
      Jake Paul is signed with PFLCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The YouTuber-turned boxer will head up a new “super-fight” series, away from the PFL’s usual regular season. 
      That consists of qualifying and knockout stages, where points are earned per method of victory in the opening two bouts.
      The top four in each weight then progress into the victory-or-go-home stage.
      It sets up a winner-take-all finale fight where a title belt and $1million cash prize lays in wait. 
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      Britain’s Loughnane went all the way last year and returns this season defending his featherweight crown and eyeing another cash prize. 
      And he has the backing of Paul, after the pair exchanged DMs on social media. 
      Loughnane told ESPN: “I like Jake. Me and Jake have been conversating since he took PFL stakes.
      “He must have realised who I was then. He added me on Instagram, we’ve been talking back and forth.
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      “Jake’s a cool guy. I’m glad he’s bringing more eyes to the PFL. Keep them all coming.”
      Loughnane, 33, kicks off his 2023 campaign on Saturday in Las Vegas against ex-UFC title challenger Marlos Moraes, 34. 
      Meanwhile Paul, 26, is coming off his first career loss following a split-decision defeat to Tommy Fury, 23, in Febuary. 
      The pair look set to rematch following the success of their pay-per-view blockbuster in Saudi Arabia. 
      And it could further backdate Paul’s impending debut in the PFL cage but Loughnane wants to see him face Nate Diaz, 37, in a two-fight deal. 
      He said: “Here’s what I want. I want them to fight in boxing, and then I want them to rematch in PFL. Exciting times. Let’s put it that way.”
      PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane More

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      Logan Paul’s deal to fight legendary UFC star collapses at last-minute leaving YouTuber baffled

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      LOGAN PAUL has claimed he had a fight with Nate Diaz fall through at the eleventh hour.MMA superstar Diaz has flirted with the prospect of entering the boxing world after seeing out his contract with the UFC last September.
      YouTuber turned boxer Logan Paul is itching to get back in the ringCredit: REX
      Paul has claimed he was recently in talks to box former UFC star Nate DiazCredit: GETTY
      The Maverick has claimed Diaz pulled the plug on their proposed dust-upCredit: GETTY
      The Stockton slugger was expected to pursue a bout with YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul, who has called him out on numerous occasions over the last 18 months.
      But he was allegedly on course to face The Problem Child’s older brother Logan – who has claimed he pulled the plug on their dust-up after promising talks.
      Logan told BT Sport: “I thought I had something locked in and apparently he called and he said the fight was off.”
      Social media superstar Paul was baffled by Diaz’s alleged axing of the fight, asking: “Why? Why?
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      “So he could fight someone else? For what purpose?
      “To get less [pay-per-view] buys and maybe an easier fight? I don’t know, I don’t get it.”
      Logan is champing at the bit to share the ring with the former UFC lightweight title challenger and hopes the deal can be salvaged.
      He said: “As far as I know, it’s not dead because we had an offer for f***ing more money.
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      “We’ve gotta like bait this guy into fighting me.”
      Logan – who is gearing up to face Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania this weekend – hasn’t set foot inside the boxing ring since his eight-round exhibition with Floyd Mayweather in June 2021.
      The Maverick has wanted to lace up his gloves again but has had a hard time finding a new opponent.
      The 27-year-old said: “It’s hard for me to get a fight.
      “Because either you aren’t worth my time and energy.
      Logan Paul hasn’t boxed since his 2021 showdown with Floyd MayweatherCredit: AP
      “Or you’re not going to sell pay-per-views. I’ll do it, but I need a dance partner.
      “And I don’t need a warm-up fight, I don’t need a tune-up.
      “Give me the real dogs. Nate Diaz is a dog. I was looking forward to that fight.
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      “And then I got a call the other day and they said they didn’t want to do it and they were maybe taking another fight.
      “It was almost done. LOI – ready to set. I don’t know, I don’t know.” More

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      I’m an ex-Premier League star who battled leukaemia and fought for my life for 13 months – now I’m bashing rivals in MMA

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      FORMER Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme won the fight of his life when he battled back from leukaemia.Now, the ex-Molineux star is flooring his opponents as a Mixed Martial Arts champion – and has even enjoyed some success in Europe.
      Former Premier League star Carl Ikeme has swapped goalkeeper gloves for MMA glovesCredit: RAW Grappling Championship/Youtube
      The former stopper played over 200 games for WolvesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 36-year-old was always handy with his fists when he was clearing crosses from his penalty area, clocking up more than 200 appearances as Wolves’ No1.
      But his career was cruelly cut short when he was 32 after being diagnosed with leukaemia in 2017 and the popular goalie was forced to retire from the game a year later.
      Ikeme spent 13 months undergoing gruelling treatment before docs told him he was in complete remission.
      But with his football career over, the former Wolves hero swapped his goalie gloves for fingerless MMA gloves after building up his fitness participating in the Brazilian martial art of jiu-jitsu.
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      And Ikeme soon proved he is every bit as handy in a cage or ring as he was in a penalty box by becoming British open age champion.
      The former goalie has also enjoyed success in Europe after picking up a bronze medal at the MMA European Championships.
      Ikeme told local Wolverhampton paper the Express & Star: “I was just filling up my car at a petrol station near home and saw a sign for Gracie Barra, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy in Sutton Coldfield.
      “I had always wanted to try that discipline, so I signed up for a taster session.
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      “I was in really good shape at the time, it was around when I had done the 100-mile Velo cycle ride for charity.
      “But I went along to the class, and I remember being absolutely gassed after a three-minute round.
      “My legs were cramping, my back was in bits, and I suddenly realised that you don’t really know anything about fighting until you actually do it!”
      Ikeme made his martial arts debut last year, beating fellow Brit Fuad Ahmed 4-0 in the first Raw Grappling World Championship at the IndigoO2 Arena in London, in a contest streamed on YouTube.
      The former shot-stopper, who won ten international caps for Nigeria, confessed: “Competition really wasn’t in my mind at the start.
      “I just wanted to learn a new art. I found it all a really humbling experience to be honest.
      “It’s about realising that nothing else matters when you are on the mat as it’s just two people concentrating on trying to get the better out of each other.”
      Ikeme was forced to retire in 2018 aged 32 following his battle with leukaemiaCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Conor McGregor responds after Carl Froch says he would BEAT two-time UFC champ in the cage as he is ‘too small’

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      CONOR McGREGOR was left in hysterics after Carl Froch claimed he could beat him in MMA. The pair have rowed in the past but Froch took it one step further when he claimed he had the beating of the ex-UFC champion in the cage.
      Carl Froch with boxing promoter Eddie HearnCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Conor McGregor called to fight FrochCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He said on his YouTube channel: “I’d fight Conor McGregor in the cage.
      “I could be getting myself in trouble here or into a position I can’t wiggle out of, but I think I’d take him on in the cage. He’s too small.”
      McGregor hit back with a laughing face and tweeted promoter Eddie Hearn: “Get this signed up lad.”
      The Irishman, 34, has boxed professionally just once before, losing to American legend Floyd Mayweather, 45, in 2017.
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      Froch, 45, commentated that night and was full of criticism for McGregor.
      And the former featherweight and lightweight UFC champ fired back last year in a furious rant about Froch.
      McGregor tweeted: “I’ll grab his head and twist it clean off at a 1er with my bare hands.
      “Little wally of a thing I’ll slap you around you little toffee nose toss pot.”
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      Froch – who retired from boxing in 2014 – insisted it would be a mismatch if the two were to fight in the ring.
      He told Boxing UK: “He’s not a boxer, he doesn’t want to fight me, he’d get absolutely f***** up, but he might do the same to me in the cage and that is why we are both champion in our own right.
      “He knows, if he wants a roll around, he knows where to come, but he ain’t going to want this smoke.”
      Floyd Mayweathe beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: GETTY More

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      I quit professional football because of discipline issues but have shed nine stone to become full-time MMA fighter

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      A FORMER footballer is shedding nine stone in order to become a full-time MMA fighter. And now he is nearly ready to make his debut fight in the cage.
      Kevin Pannewitz is losing nine stone to be ready for his MMA debutCredit: Getty
      The former footballer piled on the pounds as he struggled with disciplineCredit: Getty
      He is determined to get himself back in shapeCredit: Getty
      Kevin Pannewitz, 31, was once on the books of Wolfsburg after earning a 2012 transfer following his impressive displays at Hansa Rostock.
      But the German journeyman midfielder struggled with weight and discipline issues, though.
      And his football career crumbled away with a series of short-term stints at various clubs around his homeland.
      However, Pannewitz is now set to go into six months of intense training to prepare for his dramatic career change.
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      And he even has an MMA fight lined up against fellow ex-footballer Martin Fenin for the autumn.
      Fenin, 35, had a more successful career on the pitch, playing for Eintracht Frankfurt and earning 16 Czech Republic caps.
      But Pannewitz is confident he can get the better of Fenin when they do battle in the octagon.
      The Berlin-born star said: “I want to prove to myself, and everyone out there, that I can achieve anything if I really want to.
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      “The athlete in me will now conquer the toughest sport in the world in MMA.”
      Pannewitz’s intense training regime and strict diet will be tracked for a film documentary.
      He needs to lose a staggering 56kgs – or 8st 12lbs – in order to make the 83kg weight limit for the bout.
      Promoters Oktagon Deutschland plan to post fortnightly updates of his progress on YouTube.
      Ex-Fulham boss Felix Magath was the manager who signed Pannewitz for Wolfsburg in 2012.
      But the midfielder was released a year later due to drink-related problems.
      Magath said at the time: “Kevin’s lifestyle got in his way.  We hoped his performances would make him forget his thirst.
      “But it soon became clear that he was not behaving in a professional way.”
      Pannewitz is set to face fellow ex-footballer Martin Fenin later in 2023Credit: Getty
      He is on a strict diet and training regimeCredit: Getty
      The former footballer needs to lose 56kgsCredit: Getty
      The progress is being tracked by a TV documentary film crewCredit: Getty
      He had a short stint at Wolfsburg but spent most of his career in the lower German leaguesCredit: Getty More

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      Swarmz shows off incredible seven-month body transformation since KSI fight as he targets Deji bout

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      SWARMZ revealed his shocking body transformation just seven months after his fight with KSI.The rapper, real name Brandon Scott, lost his debut boxing fight against the YouTuber inside four minutes.
      Swarmz revealed his stunning body transformation on social mediaCredit: @HappyPunchPromo
      Swarmz was out of shape before his boxing fight with KSICredit: Reuters
      Swarmz accepted the KSI fight at just two week’s noticeCredit: @HappyPunchPromo
      The 26-year-old looked out of shape during the weigh-in and the fight as KSI did press ups between rounds.
      But that was because Swarmz accepted the fight at just two weeks’ notice.
      KSI’s original opponent Alex Wassabi had to withdraw after suffering a concussion.
      The YouTuber was in top form at The O2 as he also beat Luis Pineda on the same night.
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      But Swarmz bounced back five months later when he beat Ryan Taylor at Wembley.
      The Londoner is now looking for more and proved it with his incredible body transformation.
      Swarmz looked flabby before his match with KSI but he is now completely shredded.
      The musician shared several clips in which he is showcasing his ripped muscles in the dressing room after training.
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      He is now targeting a boxing fight against YouTuber Deji in the near future.
      The Tank, though, would also be coming with experience after sharing the ring with the legendary Floyd Mayweather in November.
      The two had an exhibition bout in Dubai that Mayweather won in the sixth round via TKO.
      Swarmz is now targeting a boxing fight against YouTuber DejiCredit: @HappyPunchPromo
      Swarmz bounced back after his loss to KSI by beating Ryan TaylorCredit: @HappyPunchPromo More

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      Joe Rogan reveals reason Conor McGregor lost to Floyd Mayweather as UFC star accuses boxing legend of snubbing rematch

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      UFC commentator Joe Rogan reckons Conor McGregor came up short against Floyd Mayweather because he lacked ‘composure’.The MMA superstar entered the boxing world in the summer of 2017 to lock horns with the former five-weight world champion in a multi-million-pound bout aptly dubbed ‘The Money Fight’.
      Conor McGregor turned in a valiant display in his showdown with Floyd Mayweather in 2017Credit: GETTY
      But the MMA superstar ended up suffering a tenth-round TKO defeat to MoneyCredit: GETTY
      UFC commentator Joe Rogan reckons McGregor’s lack of ‘composure’ was his undoingCredit: GETTY
      McGregor started the contest well and landed some good shots on Money but ultimately succumbed to fatigue and was stopped in the tenth round of the Sin City showdown.
      And veteran UFC broadcaster Rogan reckons the Irishman would’ve had more success if he’d remained calm under the bright lights.
      During the latest episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, he said: “He just wasn’t composed enough to go ten rounds with one of the greatest of all time.”
      Rogan was, however, impressed by McGregor’s display against the undefeated Mayweather, who is considered by many to be the greatest
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      He said: “Conor could’ve been a great boxer.
      “He could’ve been a great boxer. He’s got a tremendous uppercut, too.
      “The uppercut he caught Floyd with and he snapped Floyd’s head with.
      “Floyd was like, ‘Okay.’ That was legit. He just wasn’t composed enough to go ten rounds with one of the greatest of all time.
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      The greatest of all time.”
      McGregor, 34, has campaigned for a rematch with Mayweather in the years since their desert dust-up but the fight has yet to materialise.
      And The Notorious recently accused the boxing legend of going back on his word for a second bout.
      During an appearance on Fox Sports, he said: “That was the original [plan].
      “It was a verbal agreement, I box him, and he fights me.
      “But you know, he didn’t honour it. He didn’t honour it yet. Who knows?
      “I would go against him in another boxing bout, I’d like another crack at it.
      “I can always say it is another boxing fight and then just bend the rules a little bit when we’re in there maybe.”
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      MMA icon McGregor is set to return to the octagon later this year for a mouthwatering showdown with Michael Chandler, although a date for their clash has not yet been announced.
      The Dubliner hasn’t set foot inside the cage since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. More