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      ‘I’m serious about that’ – Deontay Wilder calls out ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou to two-fight boxing and MMA deal

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      DEONTAY WILDER said he is serious about a two-fight boxing and MMA deal with Francis Ngannou. Ngannou is a free agent after leaving the UFC following a breakdown in contract talks.
      Deontay Wilder is serious about a two-fight boxing and MMA deal with Francis NgannouCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Francis Ngannou has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      It has paved the way for him to make a dream move into boxing, where the likes of Tyson Fury, 34, and Anthony Joshua, 33, await.
      But Wilder, 37, is ready to go one step further and face Ngannou, 36, in both the ring and cage.
      He told Trill Boxing Talk: “I’m very interested in it. I even thought about this idea, though, I was like; all right, let’s make it a two-fight deal.
      “Everybody always comes to boxing, but let’s do this: You come to my s***, I come to yours. You know what I’m saying? You feel me?
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      “I’ll do it up. You come to my house, I come to yours. A true tea party. I’m a true warrior.”
      Fury and Ngannou have both flirted with a hybrid-rules bout, under boxing rules but in a cage with smaller 4oz gloves.
      But Wilder is ready to rip up the script and become one of few boxers to enter the world of MMA.
      He said: “I’m serious about that. That’s something I thought about even from the first spark of the idea. I want to do something different.
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      “Since everybody always be crossing between combat sports, and the MMA guys always come to boxing, of course, they ain’t got no stand-up game as far as boxing is concerned.
      “So it’s always going to be favoured on the boxer’s side, because you’re in our territory. It’s just like being in the water with sharks, with a shark.”
      Boxing legend James Toney was among the few to cross codes but was beaten by ex-UFC champion Randy Couture in three minutes of their 2010 fight.
      Wilder briefly met Ngannou last year when he was using the UFC’s state of the art training facilities.
      He revealed: “I love Francis. When I met him at the Apex in Vegas, they was talking about doing it that time.
      “I’m still interested in that fight. I would love to go to Africa for that. I would love to do that in Africa.”
      Deontay Wilder pictured with Francis Ngannou More

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      ‘Do it now!’ – Jake Paul urged to SCRAP Tommy Fury fight and box UFC legend instead

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      JAKE PAUL has been urged to pull the plug on his grudge match with Tommy Fury after the Brit’s press conference no-show.The social media stars are set to end their near two-year feud in a Saudi showdown at the end of the month.
      Jake Paul and Tommy Fury are set to throw down at the end of the monthCredit: GETTY
      Former Love Island star Tommy snubbed the pair’s Saudi presser on WednesdayCredit: GETTY
      Back-up Mike Perry has urged Paul to pull Fury out and fight himCredit: GETTY
      Paul and Fury, 26 and 23 respectively, were due to face off in a press conference on Wednesday but the latter didn’t show up.
      And back-up opponent Mike Perry believes Paul should sub him in for the unreliable former Love Island star.
      During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Platinum said: “They’ve got to kick Tommy Fury, and they’ve got to do it now.
      “They cannot wait until the last minute. They cannot wait until the weigh-ins. They can’t let Fury keep calling all the shots.
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      “What he did to them is [irredeemable]. But nope, he gets another $2million, and he gets to go to an even nicer location. It’s really weird.
      “But at some point, they have to take control if they want to be respected, and it’s a hard thing that MVP’s [Most Valuable Promotions] had. MVP is new and boy have they had to pay for an education.
      “They’ve gotten a rougher go of anyone else ever, but at some point they have to make it clear that they are in charge.
      “And today when he skipped the press conference, his second time, you cut him, you bring Perry in, and that is it.
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      “It’s a mistake that MVP is making… I would have done it an hour ago.
      “They get to the press conference, and he’s not there, and the world’s watching, that’s when you make the reveal.
      “That’s when you bring in Mike Perry, to try and bring it in after.
      “They’re in a little bit more difficult spot. But they had to see that coming. He’s already done it to them once.
      “They had to see, ‘Hey, there’s a slight possibility that when we get here he’s not here.’
      “Somewhere he missed his flight, somewhere he didn’t check into the hotel room.
      “They should have had a word and had enough time to scramble, and had Mike Perry there. They should have moved on with it.”
      Paul was seething with Fury’s no-show but was hardly surprised he skipped the presser.
      He said: “I’m used to his behaviour at this point, he’s unprofessional and he’s a flake.

      🥊 How to watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel
      “He’s not a serious businessman or a serious fighter and I’m going to prove that.
      “It’s why this fight is called, ‘The Truth’ because the truth is going to come out.
      “He’s going to have to pay for all of the times he’s pulled out. All the business people he screwed over, it’s disrespectful.
      “There’s some of the biggest names in boxing, the biggest promoters and the most influential people in the world.
      “One of the greatest countries in the world and he doesn’t want to show up because of a ‘private matter’. We all have private matters.
      “When you sign up to do something, you make a commitment, that’s what it should be about.
      “It just shows me he’s scared because he said he didn’t need to train for this fight.
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      “Meanwhile, his first excuse was that he needed to train extra, but now it’s a private matter.
      “I love Tyson but it’s typical from the dad [John] and Tommy.” More

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      Ex-UFC star Paige VanZant says she earns TEN TIMES more from BKFC than UFC as she breaks down pay row with Dana White

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      PAIGE VANZANT has claimed Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship pays her TEN times more than what she earned in the UFC.The former UFC strawweight shocked the combat sports world last in 2020 by penning a multi-fight, multi-million-pound contract with BKFC.
      Paige VanZant says her contract with BKFC earns her ten times what she made in the UFCCredit: GETTY
      VanZant has lost her first two fights – first against Britain Hart in 2021 and then against Rachael Ostovich months later – both by unanimous decision.
      Speaking after the fiery weigh-ins for Bare Knuckle FC’s KnuckleMania before that Hart fight, the American Top Team star: “I’m here for a reason.
      “I was in the UFC for six years getting paid $40,000 (to show) and $40,000 (to win), and now I’m getting ten times that doing what I love.
      “So obviously, I’m not going anywhere. I’m very happy fighting here and I’m excited to fight.”
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      Before her final UFC fight with Amanda Ribas, which she lost via first-round submission, VanZant claimed she made more money on Instagram than she did fighting in the octagon.
      That drew the ire of UFC chief Dana White, who fired a parting shot at her during the UFC 251 post-fight press conference.
      He said: “When you talk all that stuff, ‘I’m not being paid enough,’ and you’re fighting inconsistently, one time in the last year, (suffering) injuries, and then got smoked in the first round of the fight?
      “She should definitely test free agency.”
      Paige VanZant suffered a submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251Credit: Getty
      Paige VanZant trains at American Top TeamCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant
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      Despite being tied down to a long-term deal with BKFC, VanZant hasn’t completely closed the door on a return to mixed martial arts.
      She told TMZ: “BKFC, they did give me the liberty in my contract to be able to take an MMA fight.
      “I was informed of that by my manager, and I didn’t know that at first. At first, I was like, ‘No, I just want to do the boxing.’
      “But I think that coming to American Top Team, it re-birthed my excitement and I now realise how good I am.
      “I’m training with these coaches who believe in me. Having them say they believe in me, and they train some of the best fighters in the entire world, and they look at me and they believe that I’m good.
      “So that kinda sparked that passion all over the place. So yeah, maybe I will take an MMA fight.
      “I’m strictly focused on the boxing right now, especially for this fight. That’s all I do. But, maybe. Let’s see. The door is open, so it’s definitely there.” More

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      ‘Fanboy’ – Jake Paul brutally mocked for copying Conor McGregor as he posts snap of himself jogging in place as UFC star

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      JAKE PAUL has been mocked by fight fans for replicating a Conor McGregor training picture.The YouTuber turned boxer has been gearing up for his Saudi showdown with Tommy Fury later this month in nearby Dubai.
      Jake Paul is gearing up for his Saudi showdown with Tommy FuryCredit: MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS
      The Problem Child has been keeping his fans up to date with his training in DubaiCredit: TWITTER@JAKEPAUL
      But his followers were quick to release he copied a recent training snap of Conor McGregor’sCredit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA
      Paul has been making the most of the picturesque running locations in the United Arab Emirates ahead of the grudge match – which has been nearly two years in the making.
      But his legion of followers noticed he took the opportunity to take a photo of himself running in the exact same spot as UFC superstar McGregor.
      Paul, 26, posted a snap of himself jogging the same route as The Notorious to his Twitter and Instagram profiles, writing in the caption: “19 days. Sunday, February 26th.”
      Fans were quick to comment, with one saying: “Conor did it first.”
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      Another said: “Acting like Conor again.”
      And another said: “Conor McGregor’s biggest fan.”
      One remarked: “Fanboy! The man was a fanboy. He bought t-shirts of mine”
      Another chimed in: “Considering he hates Conor McGregor, he wants to be him so bad.”
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      Social media sensation Paul was in Saudi on Wednesday to take part in a press conference to promote his clash with Fury – who no-showed for the event.
      An irate Paul said: “I’m used to his behaviour at this point, he’s unprofessional and he’s a flake.
      “He’s not a serious businessman or a serious fighter and I’m going to prove that.
      “It’s why this fight is called, ‘The Truth’ because the truth is going to come out.
      “He’s going to have to pay for all of the times he’s pulled out.
      “All the business people he screwed over, it’s disrespectful.
      “There’s some of the biggest names in boxing, the biggest promoters and the most influential people in the world.

      🥊 How to watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel
      “One of the greatest countries in the world and he doesn’t want to show up because of a ‘private matter’.
      “We all have private matters.
      “When you sign up to do something, you make a commitment, that’s what it should be about.
      “It just shows me he’s scared because he said he didn’t need to train for this fight.
      “Meanwhile, his first excuse was that he needed to train extra, but now it’s a private matter.
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      “I love Tyson but it’s typical from the dad [John] and Tommy.”
      UFC superstar McGregor, meanwhile, is gearing up to make his long-awaited return to the octagon against Michael Chandler later this year. More

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      Watch Tommy Fury in one of his first bouts as an amateur in leaked video ahead of Jake Paul fight

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      THROWBACK footage of Tommy Fury boxing in the amateurs has emerged ahead of his fight with Jake Paul. The celebrity rivals have announced the latest rescheduling of their grudge match, on February 26 in Saudi Arabia.
      Footage of Tommy Fury boxing in the amateurs has emerged onlineCredit: NWR Amateur Boxing Association’s
      Tommy Fury won the championship boutCredit: NWR Amateur Boxing Association’s
      Fury, 23, becomes the first opponent Paul, 26, will face with a recognised professional boxing record.
      And he has boasted of beating better opposition than the American when he was just a teenager.
      Fury had only 12 amateur bouts but did pick up development championships during that short period.
      In 2016, he reached the National Association of Boys and Girl Clubs final in the North West Region.
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      And he went on to beat Mehran Khan, later turning professional in 2018.
      For the last two years, he has been linked with a grudge match against YouTuber-turned boxer Paul.
      Fury was forced to pull out in the past due to a rib injury in December 2021 and amid US visa issues last August.
      But they hope third time will be the charm with a blockbuster set for the Middle East.
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      And Fury vowed to teach Paul a lesson as he boasted of holding the superior boxing experience when they faced off.
      He said: “I’ve beaten better people than you when I was 14 in the amateurs. I will school you. I’m not an MMA guy.
      “I was beating people better than you when I was 14, when you was messing about on Disney Channel, so don’t come round here pretending you’re about it when you’re not.”
      Jake Paul and Tommy Fury facing offCredit: Getty More

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      ‘He’s a show fighter’ – Jake Paul backed to beat Tommy Fury because Brit ‘can’t punch properly’

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      JAKE PAUL has been backed to beat Tommy Fury because the Brit is all for show – according to ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold. Paul is finally set to face Fury on February 26, who has been forced out of the grudge match twice before due to injury and US visa issues.
      Jake Paul and Tommy Fury facing off ahead of their fightCredit: Getty
      It will be the YouTuber-turned prizefighter’s first opponent with a recognised professional boxing record in his 6-0 career.
      But Rockhold – who left the UFC this year – blasted 23-year-old Fury’s skills and predicted Paul to win the Saudi Arabia fight.
      He told InsideFighting: “You gotta have a dog in you. He ain’t got no dog in him. I’ve watched him fight. He doesn’t even finish his punches.
      “You know, he has no commitment to finishing it. He’s a show. He’s a show fighter. And I got Jake.
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      “And I don’t even think Jake has that much, like, he has commitment, at least. He doesn’t have patience.
      “He doesn’t have that f***ing mentality when he gets in the game, I think he’s blinded. He’s got that deer in the headlights, but at least he throws.”
      Paul, 26, beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, in his last fight in October, his biggest win to date.
      But Rockhold, 38, mocked the victory and called to fight the American after mutually parting with the UFC.
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      He said to TMZ: “Stop trying to fight little dudes. F***ing [155] pounders. You’re a middleweight.
      “If you want to fight a middleweight, I got hands. We can do anything we want. I really don’t care. I’d beat that guy in my sleep.”
      “I got some freedom to do some things and as you can see, I like throwing hands these days.
      “Fight people your own f***ing weight. Straight up. And champions, a real champion, a real contender.
      “A real someone who can put you on your ass. not old guys, 55-year-olds, or lightweights.
      “You can’t even get above a welterweight, dog, So, step up.”
      Luke Rockhold called out Jake Paul after leaving the UFCCredit: GETTY More

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      ‘Shut the f*** up’ – Jake Paul slammed for hypocrisy by Jorge Masvidal over pay row with UFC boss Dana White

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      JORGE MASVIDAL has accused Jake Paul of hypocrisy over his row with UFC president Dana White about fighter pay. Paul has campaigned against White to boost the minimum pay of UFC stars, split revenues with them and to add a healthcare system.
      Jorge Masvidal with Dana White before his 2019 fight with Nate DiazCredit: Splash News
      Jake Paul has feuded with Dana White amid a row over UFC fighter payCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But current UFC welterweight Masvidal has defended White and accused the YouTuber-turned boxer of underpaying fighters on his cards.
      Masvidal, 37, has just announced a boxing card promoted by himself and took a swipe at Paul, 26, in the process.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “I put my money where my mouth is. This motherf***er Jake Paul be talking about he pays fighters.
      “Shut the f*** up. When everybody sees what the f*** the card bill is, the whole card from top to bottom, I f***ing pay fighters.
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      “Me and my promotion pay fighters. My brothers and sisters so they can go earn a paycheck, kick ass and do what the f*** they do. All this other s*** is bulls*** and talk.”
      Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr, 54, is set to headline a card promoted by Masvidal against ex-UFC champion Anthony Pettis, 36.
      Meanwhile, Paul has headlined three events in his 6-0 career which have been co-promoted by his banner Most Valuable Promotions.
      The American even paid all undercard fighters half of their purses when his August bout with Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, was cancelled.
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      But Masvidal has still accused Paul of only looking after himself as he defended his UFC boss White.
      Masvidal said: “He’s always f***ing taking care of us and this doesn’t happen without Dana White and the UFC giving the permission so these guys can fight.
      “When I hear somebody like Jake Paul talking s*** about my business partners, I’m like f*** this idiot, what the f*** have you done in this sport, but feed yourself?
      “Shut the f*** up and now watch how the big boys do it.”
      Jorge Masvidal pictured with Jake PaulCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul More

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      Blind amateur boxer prepares for debut fight – against fully sighted opponent

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      AN amateur boxer who is registered blind is ­preparing for his debut fight — against a fully sighted opponent.Thomas Seres, 23, can see only 3ft in front of him due to severe congenital glaucoma.
      Thomas Seres has a level 2 boxing certificate despite suffering severe congenital glaucomaCredit: NB PRESS LTD
      Thomas is looking for a fair fight hoping his opponent ‘doesn’t go easy on him’Credit: NB PRESS LTD
      But the Rocky fan will take part in a charity bout next month, saying: “Losing is not an option.”
      Thomas, who walks with a cane, said: “I’ve always wanted to box but didn’t think I could until I joined a boxing gym.
      “I’ll give it my best in the fight — win, lose or draw. Boxing’s quite an up-close sport so that’s in my favour, but I’ll struggle seeing some of the punches coming in.”
      Thomas, of Barnsley, who has a Level 2 boxing certificate, added: “I hope he doesn’t go easy on me for being blind.
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      “He’ll pay if he does. I have a knockout punch.”
      Thomas is currently training three days a week and weightlifting on the other days to be as strong as possible.
      He is fighting to raise money for Cancer Research UK. More