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    Logan Paul calls out Tyson Fury for CAGE FIGHT and says he would ‘choke out’ boxing world champion

    LOGAN PAUL has sensationally called out Tyson Fury for a CAGE FIGHT.YouTuber-turned-Wrestler Paul starred in Wrestlemania 39 on Saturday, facing off against Seth Rollins.
    Logan Paul has called out Tyson Fury for an MMA fightCredit: Splash
    The Gypsy King has weighed up MMA beforeCredit: AFP
    Paul’s brother Jake was recently on the receiving end of a defeat by Tommy Fury, but Logan now wants to get revenge by taking on boxing champ Tyson.
    However, rather than in a boxing ring, Paul wants to face Fury in the Octagon.
    Speaking to BT Sport, he said: “You know what I would do because I saw Tyson talking s***?
    “I would fight Tyson in a MMA fight.
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    “I really would, I don’t really care how big he is if you have not wrestled or done any ground work I don’t care how big you are, you better land the first two punches that you throw and they better knock me out.
    “Otherwise I’m taking you to the ground, I’m taking your back and I’m choking you out.”
    Fury himself has teased switching into the MMA.
    The 34-year-old trained with Darren Till during the build-up to his rematch with Deontay Wilder, while he also told Francis Ngannou he would box him in 4oz MMA gloves inside of a cage.
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    Paul’s one and only pro boxing fight resulted in defeat to KSI – now his business partner for their PRIME drink – who made a special appearance at Wrestlemania.
    The Brit was wearing a PRIME outfit, and attempted to help Paul complete a Frogsplash on Rollins, before he was dragged onto the table for Paul to smash into instead.
    Paul also competed in an exhibition bout against Floyd Mayweather, which Money convincingly won.
    However, this did not stop Paul from declaring he would “knock out” Fury after his brother defeated Tommy, though Jake beating the ex-Love Island star never came to pass.
    The Gypsy King has not been a silent party against Paul either.
    Speaking weeks after Tommy beat Jake, he said: “Logan Paul, you little b****.
    “It seems that my little brother beat your little brother and now you’re both a pair of losers. All the Paul family suck.”
    It comes after talks for Fury’s heavyweight unification bout against Oleksandr Usyk fell through, despite Usyk agreeing to a 70-30 split.
    However, Anthony Joshua now seems to have Fury in his sights once again following his unanimous points win over Jermaine Franklin.
    AJ, 33, said: “Save all that s***. If we’ll f***ing fight, let’s go.
    “Shut the f*** up and that’s just how I feel because I got to save my energy for the fight.
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    “I’ll be real, I’ll be real. I respect the man. He’s achieved a lot.
    “I just feel I don’t need to trash talk, verbally trash talk someone to make myself feel better.” More

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    Conor McGregor ramps up feud with Carl Froch and George Groves and says he would ‘slaughter them at the same time’

    CONOR McGREGOR ramped up his feud by Carl Froch after saying he would “slaughter” him and George Groves in the cage. 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.
    George Groves and old opponent Carl Froch
    Conor McGregor threatened Carl Froch and George GrovesCredit: 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 then menacingly followed it up days later by adding: “I’ll slaughter Froch and Grove at the same time in the cage.”
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    McGregor, 34, has boxed professionally just once before, losing to American legend Floyd Mayweather, 45, in 2017.
    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.
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    “Little wally of a thing I’ll slap you around you little toffee nose toss pot.”
    Froch – who retired from boxing in 2014 after knocking out Groves – 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.”
    Carl Froch retired after knocking out George GrovesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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

    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

    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

    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

    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’

    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

    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