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      Inside Jake Paul’s stunning body transformation from skinny Disney star to unbeaten boxer ahead of Tommy Fury fight

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      JAKE PAUL has gone from skinny Disney star to cruiserweight boxing contender in the short space of under six years. The American starred in two series of TV show Bizaardvark, first airing on 2017 after shooting to fame on social media app Vine.
      Jake Paul was much skinnier during his Disney Channel days
      Jake Paul shot to fame on social media app Vine
      The American began boxing in 2018
      And after a successful career as one of the biggest YouTubers in the world, in 2018 Paul began his boxing journey.
      Now after nearly five years and just six professional bouts, he is one of the richest fighters on the planet.
      In 2021, he was behind only Tyson Fury, 34, and Canelo Alvarez, 32, in the list of highest-paid boxers.
      And next Sunday, in Saudi Arabia, he faces Fury’s younger brother Tommy in their rescheduled celebrity grudge match.
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      The eight-round pay-per-view bout is scheduled for 185lb or 13st 2lb, the lightest weight in Paul’s career.
      He has largely campaigned at 190lb, 13st 7lb, while following a gruelling training regime.
      Paul, 26, was a high-school wrestler, so has always maintained a good physique even during his days on the small screen.
      But he has conditioned himself into fighting shape now, packing on the muscle.
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      Paul has beaten ex-MMA champions in Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 40, and Anderson Silva, 47.
      But Tommy, 23, will be the first opponent he has faced with a recognised boxing record.
      And the stakes have been raised after the WBC announced Paul will receive a world ranking if he wins.
      A ranking within the organisation would pave the way for him to sensationally challenge for a championship title.
      It means Paul could very well complete his transition from children’s TV actor to world title challenger.
      Jake Paul has largely fought at 190lbCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jake Paul fights Tommy Fury at 185lb
      Jake Paul ahead of his fight with Tommy Fury in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Eddie Hearn sheds new light on what he and Conor McGregor discussed during ‘mad’ meeting about Katie Taylor fight

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      MATCHROOM chief Eddie Hearn has described UFC star Conor McGregor as a great promoter. The Londoner says the former UFC champion will be a massive part of Katie Taylor’s homecoming event later this year.
      Conor McGregor held a meeting with Eddie Hearn last week
      Eddie Hearn says the UFC star is a great promoter
      The top boxing promoter flew into Ireland to hold talks with the Conor McGregor in a bid to bring Taylor’s blockbuster rematch with Amanda Serrano to GAA HQ as he revealed some details from the meeting.
      Speaking with Betfred’s Lightweight Boxing Show, Hearn said: “Probably not in May. There’s a rugby game on there on that day and that’s our TV day. We know it’s £1 million more to host a fight there than Wembley, which is wild but it is what it is.
      “Everybody says ‘Just pay it, just pay it, it’s great business’, well that isn’t great business because imagine making a fight like that and losing a £1 million. Fantastic, what great business.
      “Conor McGregor talked about supporting the event and he’s just full of beans. I had a nice pint of Black Forged Irish Stout, which is better than Guinness, and it was just mad being around Conor. Imagine watching a Conor McGregor press conference and that’s basically what it was like at dinner.

      “He’s a character, he’s a great promoter and he genuinely loves Katie Taylor and wants to help. I’m sure he’ll be part of the show.”
      But a potential Croke Park date would only be possible later in 2023 as the Irish government ruled out any chance of the May 20 date for the ‘Bray Bomber’ and a stadium homecoming.
      The May 20 fight now looks certain to take place at the 3Arena.
      Hearn added: “The 3Arena is only 9,000 or 10,000 but it’s the biggest (indoor) arena in Ireland. We keep talking about these outdoor events for Katie but if I miss this slot then we may never get the chance to go.
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      “By the way it’s an unbelievable arena and Conor has fought there. The atmosphere would be wild. We won’t be very popular though as the tickets will go on day one. I just want it to happen.”
      Hearn says that Dublin’s Croke Park could see Taylor face undisputed light-welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron if the Bray native beat Serrano in the rematch.
      Hearn concluded: “Katie said to me she wants Amanda Serrano and Chantelle Cameron. The Chantelle Cameron fight could be the fight for Croke Park, but let’s get this up and running, get tickets on sale and give Katie Taylor a homecoming in Ireland.” More

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      Watch as fearsome heavyweight is stunned by brutal shot to ribs before he takes savage beating to lose first fight

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      HEAVYWEIGHT Viktor Faust lost his first fight in bizarre and brutal fashion. The Ukrainian heavyweight, now 11-1, was ahead on the scorecards against Cuba’s Lenier Pero until round eight.
      Lenier Pero stopped Viktor FaustCredit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

      A shot to the ribs caused Fraust to freeze, which left him defenceless to further strikes.
      Pero continued to rein down blows as Fraust stood motionless by the ropes, leaving the referee to jump in and end the fight.
      Faust said post-fight: “After the sixth round I had pain in my ribs, but I decided to continue the fight.
      “The pain increased and did not allow me to compete to my full potential.
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      “I understood that I was winning and controlling the fight during the bout.
      “But after missing a punch in the eighth round, the pain was so unbearable that I could no longer move.”
      Faust was then taken to hospital with suspected broken ribs after his shock loss.
      Pero said: “It was a tough fight.
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      “He’s a great fighter, so I started to build momentum and hit him. Then we finally came ahead in the final round.
      “Since the first round, I was trying to find his liver, trying to go to his body.
      “His punches weren’t that powerful, so I kept working. Then found that final shot.
      “This is pro boxing, and you can’t turn your back on anyone. You can’t turn your back, and I didn’t. I took advantage…
      “I’m setting my sights on England. Let’s see if the Brits would like to come to fight Stateside.
      “I would welcome them with open arms. I’m talking Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois. Bring them on!”
      Cuba’s Lenier Pero celebrates his winCredit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME More

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      Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury deadline passes for ex-UFC star to replace Love Islander after two previous pull-outs

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      THE deadline for Mike Perry to replace Tommy Fury against Jake Paul is set to pass. The celebrity boxing rivals have rescheduled their grudge match for February 26 in Saudi Arabia.
      Tommy Fury ahead of his fight with Jake Paul
      Jake Paul has Mike Perry on standby in case Tommy Fury pulls out
      It comes after Fury, 23, was twice forced to pull out before, due to a rib injury and US visa issue.
      So Paul, 26, prepared for lightening to again strike by having ex-UFC welterweight Perry on standby.

      But the current Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship star faces missing out on the mega-fight payday with a deadline now up.
      BKFC president David Feldman told The Mirror: “He is the back-up fighter but I don’t think it’s going to happen.
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      “We were supposed to know by the end of Monday (13th) as that was the deadline.
      “I’m hoping it doesn’t happen, but for Mike I am hoping it does happen as he will grab a very nice payday and get a lot of exposure.
      “We have something planned for him in BKFC as we are announcing a big opponent for him on April 29.
      “Does he beat Jake Paul though? I don’t know, Jake Paul is actually a pretty decent boxer but Mike Perry has got something inside of him that I’ve never seen before, he’s a different type of animal.
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      “I don’t think there’s anyone you can put in front of Mike Perry that’s going to blow him out.”
      Perry, 31, left the UFC in 2021 to sign with BKFC, where he has had two wins with brutally exposed fists.
      And promoter Feldman gave him the green light to potentially save the show if Paul needed it.
      He said: “I was open to it because of the notoriety that Mike Perry was going to get and BKFC, because they also have to do some branding for BKFC for this to have happened.
      “If Perry does step up, BKFC gets branded to fans that haven’t watched it yet so it’s an opportunity for us too.
      “I thought it was an opportunity for him to make a good payday, he gets paid very well with us so it’s not much more than that.
      “It’s also an opportunity to expand the growth of our promotion. At the end of the day it looks like Tommy Fury is going to show up and I think he’s going to put on a hell of a fight.”
      Mike Perry left the UFC for bare-knuckle boxingCredit: Getty More

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      Floyd Mayweather heads out shopping with huge entourage and ’30 security guards’ as boxing legend is mobbed by fans

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER was flanked by an army of security to stop him being mobbed by fans on a recent shopping trip.The undefeated boxing legend, 45, is known for lavish lifestyle after raking in millions from the sport. 
      Floyd Mayweather, wearing the Adidas hoody over his head, was mobbed while out shoppingCredit: Twitter@BoxingKingdom14
      The legend was flanked by a huge army of security guards in the mallCredit: Twitter@BoxingKingdom14
      And he was out again splashing the cash in Scottsdale, Arizona.
      As ever, despite having his head covered by an Adidas hoodie, the superstar did not go unnoticed.
      One stunned shopper filmed Mayweather in the mall being led forward by a wall of security guards, with a huge entourage in tow, as a hoard of his supporters followed him.
      Meanwhile, Mayweather is set for his first fight in the UK as he takes on Aaron Chalmers NEXT WEEK.
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      Former five-weight world champion Mayweather will be back in action on February 25 in an exhibition fight with the Geordie Shore-turned-MMA star at London’s O2.
      Mayweather was last in action at the end of 2022 when he stopped KSI’s brother Deji in the sixth round of their fight.
      The 50-0 boxing icon also beat Mikuru Asakura and Don Moore in exhibition fights last year.
      Chalmers, best known for his stint on reality TV show Geordie Shore, has turned his hand to combat sports in recent years.
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      Having won a few MMA bouts, most notably with Bellator, Chalmers launched his boxing career last year, winning on points.
      But a clash against one of the greatest fighters of all time in Mayweather represents an entirely different task.
      However, boxing fans have been left outraged after the record cost to buy the exhibition bout on pay-per-view was announced.
      Floyd Mayweather will face Aaron Chalmers next week at The O2 More

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      Tyson Fury told to fight released UFC heavyweight instead of Francis Ngannou by Nate Diaz in his new promotion

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      TYSON FURY has been told to fight a former UFC heavyweight by Nate Diaz.The Gypsy King, 34, could be tempted with another venture away from boxing if the unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk cannot get finalised.
      Tyson Fury could fight under MMA rules if his showdown with Oleksandr Usyk crashesCredit: Getty
      And a hybrid fight against Francis Ngannou appeared to be on the cards following the Cameroonian’s UFC contract expired.
      But now Diaz, who has launched his own promotion Real Fight Inc, wants to see Fury take on a different MMA star.
      The 37-year-old Californian tweeted: “Ben Rothwell vs Tyson Fury,” followed by a fist emoji and the Real Fight Twitter handle.
      Rothwell, 41, is a 6ft 4ins 120kg heavyweight who won 39 of his 53 professional MMA bouts – appearing 17 times on UFC cards.
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      His most-recent fight was a round-one TKO defeat to Marcos Rogerio de Lima in November 2021.
      But Diaz would like to see his fellow American fight Fury.
      However, fans on Twitter were completely underwhelmed by the suggestion with various memes and gifs expressing their confusion.
      Instead most supporters want Fury to take on Usyk – and Ngannou if that cannot be arranged.
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      Ngannou seemed willing to agree to Fury’s strange rules for their potential battle with 4oz gloves and Mike Tyson refereeing.
      The Usyk showdown, though, would be the main attraction with all the world titles on the line.
      Talks remain ongoing between the two camps but with Saudi Arabia struggling to secure the hosting rights, it could take place at Wembley on April 29.
      Ben Rothwell was put forward as a shock suggestion to fight FuryCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Nate Diaz’s suggestion did not go down well on TwitterCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul says Nate Diaz could ‘definitely’ be his first MMA opponent after talks for two-fight deal with ex-UFC star

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      JAKE PAUL said Nate Diaz could “definitely” be his first MMA opponent after talks for a two-fight deal with the ex-UFC star. Paul has signed with the UFC’s competitor the Professional Fighters League to both promote and compete.
      Jake Paul has offered Nate Diaz a two-fight boxing and MMA dealCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Nate Diaz has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      Upon the initial announcement, the YouTuber-turned 6-0 boxer revealed he offered Diaz a two-fight deal for a boxing and MMA bout.
      It leaves the former UFC favourite as a frontrunner to welcome Paul to the cage as talks continue.
      Paul told the Daily Mail: “We offered a two-fight deal to Nate Diaz, one for boxing and one for MMA.
      “That could definitely happen and he could definitely be my first MMA opponent, 100 per cent.
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      “It would be diving into the deep end but, for some reason, I just feel as if I’m going to be really good at MMA.
      “I have the wrestling background, I have the better boxing than all of them, so I’ve really just got to learn the kicks and the takedown defence.”
      Paul, 26, first returns to the ring on February 26 Saudi Arabia in the hope of finally fighting Tommy Fury, 23.
      Fury has twice pulled out of the celebrity boxing bout before due to a rib injury and US visa issue.
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      But they look to settle their score in the Diriyah desert with bragging rights, reputations and unbeaten records on the line.
      Ex-UFC welterweight and now bare-knuckle boxer Mike Perry, 31, is the man on standby in case lightning strikes again.
      And SunSport understands a two-fight MMA and boxing deal has also been proposed for Paul and Perry.
      Mike Perry is on standby for Jake Paul’s next fightCredit: GETTY More

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      Conor McGregor to hold talks with Eddie Hearn at his Dublin pub to secure £500,000 to host Katie Taylor fight in Ireland

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      CONOR McGREGOR is set to hold talks in his pub with Eddie Hearn in a bid to secure Katie Taylor’s next fight at Croke Park. Taylor is set to headline in Ireland for the first time in her career in a rematch on May 20 against Amanda Serrano.
      Conor McGregor is set for talks with Eddie Hearn over Katie Taylor’s next fightCredit: Instagram
      Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor are set to rematch on May 20Credit: Sportsfile
      Hearn eyed the 80,000-plus seater Croke Park for the historic occasion but revealed it would cost three times that of Wembley.
      So UFC legend McGregor offered to help fund the extra £500,000 fees and will meet with Taylor’s promoter at his Black Forge pub in Dublin on Monday.
      Hearn said: “I spoke to him a few times and I will be flying out to see him on Monday at the Black Forge.
      “We have been communicating on Twitter messages. I noticed he followed me on Twitter and I saw his tweet that he wants to make Taylor’s Croke Park fight happen.
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      “He loves Katie Taylor and he would love to help get it at Croke Park.
      “I haven’t given up but there is probably a €600,000-£700,000 deficit of where we need to be. Maybe he can fill that.
      “But it’s not a publicity stunt, I think he feels like it would be cool to be a part of that.”
      Boxing is set to return to Ireland for the first time since 2014 with the 3Arena the frontrunner to host.
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      Taylor, 36, beat Serrano, 34, in their New York thriller at Madison Square Garden last April, for the undisputed lightweight crown.
      Serrano moved back down to featherweight to achieve the same feat, beating Erika Cruz, 32, for all four belts.
      And it set her up with a rematch against Taylor – both as undisputed champions – which was announced after her win over Cruz.
      But the cost of paying the pair of boxing stars means Hearn may be forced into an arena fight opposed to Croke Park stadium, for now.
      I spoke to him a few times and I will be flying out to see him on Monday at the Black Forge.Eddie Hearn on Conor McGregor
      He said: “It’s not just a case of Katie deserves it, pay it.
      “Because Katie Taylor deserves to get paid and she has a number that she wants to get paid for that fight and so does Amanda Serrano.
      “If we do it at Croke Park, we lose money. I’m not doing it. I’m not losing money on a fight like that.
      “So what I’m talking to Conor about is potentially bridging that gap but more importantly looking at why the costs are so high, can we overcome them in May, or can we all work together to do the first fight at the 3Arena, and then a September fight at Croke Park.
      “Whether that’s Taylor-Serrano 3 or more than likely Chantelle Cameron.
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      “Our date is May 20 which is immovable because it’s built around the DAZN schedule.
      “So maybe that is at the 3Arena then in September we go to Croke Park.” 
      Katie Taylor beat Amanda Serrano in their MSG thriller More