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      Tyson Fury’s mixed-rules fight against Francis Ngannou with 4oz gloves in the cage ‘evens it up a lot’, says UFC star

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has been given a glimmer of hope against Tyson Fury – if they agree to an unprecedented mixed-rules bout. Fury has called to fight Ngannou in a hybrid bout, in the cage with 4oz gloves on but under boxing rules.
      UFC middleweight Darren Till pictured with Tyson Fury
      Francis Ngannou has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      And UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall believes it help level the playing field slightly.
      He told talkSPORT: “Punching with boxing gloves and MMA gloves is completely different.
      “The boxers are very used to the rings, obviously, because that’s all they’ve fought in, and the cage is completely different.
      “You can’t ride punches as well in a cage as you can in a ring. I mean, there’s no leaning back over the top rope in a cage, if you start leaning back you’re going to get knocked out.
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      “It definitely evens it up a lot. I don’t know what they are trying to do with the rounds. If they do three five-minute rounds that will suit Ngannou as well.
      “It definitely evens it up more than fighting in a ring with boxing gloves on.”
      Ngannou, 36, is now a free agent having walked out on the UFC after failing to agree a new contract, which saw him stripped of the title.
      But it now paves the way for the Cameroonian to realise his long-standing dream of a career in boxing.
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      Fury, 34, is currently in talks for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed title decider with Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
      But he warned attention will turn to a blockbuster crossover fight with Ngannou if terms for the historic unification are not met.
      Despite Ngannou’s devastating punch power – which is equal to being hit with a sledgehammer – Aspinall remains realistic on his chances against boxing’s best.
      He said: “I think they are good fights for PR and money and stuff.
      “I mean, everyone has got a chance, especially with heavyweights, but I think it’s a very, very slim chance.
      “[It’s tough] when you’re boxing someone who is a specialist in just boxing, us as MMA fighters, boxing is just a small part of our game really.
      “It is definitely a part of the game, but pure boxing is different, it’s a whole other sport on its own
      “I definitely think it’ll be great for his career and he definitely has a chance of winning but I don’t think the chance is very big to be honest.”
      UFC heavyweight contender Tom AspinallCredit: Getty More

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      Floyd Mayweather was in exhibition fight talks with Salt Papi and King Kenny but YouTube stars ‘couldn’t agree to terms’

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER was in talks for an exhibition fight with either Salt Papi or King Kenny – but neither YouTuber could agree terms. Mayweather, 45, announced he will make his UK boxing debut on February 25 at the O2 Arena.
      Floyd Mayweather was in talks for an exhibition fight with either Salt Papi and King KennyCredit: Getty
      Crossover boxing star Salt PapiCredit: Getty
      YouTuber-turned boxer King KennyCredit: Misfits Boxing
      Initially Liam Harrison, 37, was named as the opponent but the Muay Thai legend never officially signed and had to pull out amid a knee injury.
      So Mayweather’s team scrambled to find a replacement and according to Happy Punch promotion, Salt Papi, 28, and Kenny, 25, were considered.
      But the crossover boxing banner, who represent Salt Papi, revealed they “couldn’t agree to terms”.
      Geordie Shore’s Aaron Chalmers, who has a 1-0 professional boxing record and left MMA at 5-2, was later announced as Mayweather’s opponent.
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      It will be the boxing icon’s sixth exhibition since officially retiring in 2017 following victory over ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, 34.
      Mayweather’s last was in November, beating YouTuber Deji, 26, who is also the brother to KSI, 29, in six rounds in Dubai.
      Chalmers negotiated the spectacle bout on his own and after a few agonising days of waiting, the shock fight was announced.
      But he revealed it came after having to beat off competition from others trying to convince Mayweather to look elswhere.
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      Chalmers told iD Boxing: “The first phone call was Thursday, I had the contract by Saturday.
      “So it was a quick, quick turnaround, no messing around. Even at the last minute, people were trying to hijack it, ‘Ah, fight this YouTuber, fight that YouTuber.’
      “But the man was a man of his word and went, ‘Nope, Aaron’s got the fight’.”
      Aaron Chalmers is 1-0 as a boxer and 5-2 in MMACredit: Alamy Live News More

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      Aaron Chalmers wants to face Floyd Mayweather in 4oz gloves and calls out Tommy Fury as Geordie Shore star reveals talks

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      AARON CHALMERS wants his exhibition with Floyd Mayweather to be in 4oz gloves – and called out Tommy Fury. Chalmers has been announced as the next crossover boxing star to share the ring with the American legend.
      Aaron Chalmers called out Tommy FuryCredit: Instagram
      Tommy Fury was once in talks to fight Aaron Chalmers
      Mayweather, 45, is set to make his UK boxing debut on Febuary 25 at the O2 Arena in his sixth exhibition since officially retiring.
      Meanwhile Chalmers, 35, won his professional boxing debut last year having crossed over from MMA, where he was 5-2.
      The Geordie Shore star was initially brought over to boxing after entering talks to face Fury, 23, who starred on Love Island in 2019.
      And although negotiations collapsed, he is out to settle the score after first sharing the ring with boxing royalty.
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      Chalmers said: “So I’m seeing a lot of s*** chatted online, right.
      “But, at the end of the day, it’s me that’s fighting Floyd and I’ve got no hesitation of going in there and having a fight.
      “That’s exactly what I’ve always done, every fight I’ve had. And once I take care of business with Floyd, then I’m going to smash Tommy Fury.
      “Because he’s the reason that I got involved in boxing in the first place, was to fight him but it never materialised.”
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      Mayweather hung up his gloves as a pro in 2017 after beating ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, 34.
      But he has returned for five exhibitions since against stars of the MMA, social media and boxing world.
      His most recent came in November against YouTuber Deji, 26, which he won in six rounds.
      Although the bout in Dubai faced collapse just moments before after a row over the gloves, with Deji having to wear 10oz instead of the 14oz he signed for.
      But Chalmers has insisted there will be no such problems with him and is even willing to go back to his roots with the smaller 4oz gloves used in MMA.
      “So, like I say I’m not Deji, I’m not asking to fight in bigger gloves, I agreed to fight in 10s and if he really wants to, let’s do it in 4s.
      “Me and Floyd in 4oz gloves, doesn’t get much better than that.”
      Floyd Mayweather beat YouTuber Deji in his last exhibitionCredit: Lee Hamilton-Cooper More

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      Floyd Mayweather and Aaron Chalmers look to upstage Jake Paul and Tommy Fury as two fights scheduled on SAME DAY

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER’s return to the ring is set to take place on the same date as Jake Paul’s clash with Tommy Fury.Former five-weight world champion Mayweather will be back in action on February 25 in an exhibition bout with ex-MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers.
      Floyd Mayweather will throw down with Brit Aaron Chalmers on February 25Credit: INSTAGRAM@FLOYDMAYWEATHER
      But the fight is set to clash with Jake Paul’s grudge match with Tommy FuryCredit: BT SPORT
      The imminent birth of Fury’s first child with Molly-Mae Hague could delay the fightCredit: INSTAGRAM@MOLLYMAE
      But the fight could end up being overshadowed by the battle of social media sensations Paul and Fury.
      The pair’s long-awaited grudge match – which has been nearly two years in the making – is on course to take place on the same night in Saudi Arabia.
      And given the time difference between the UK and Saudi, the fights could very well take place at near enough the same time.
      The only saving grace for Mayweather and Chalmers is that Paul vs Fury is yet to be officially announced.
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      But there is seemingly a chance the pair’s Saudi showdown will end up being delayed yet again.
      On Wednesday, Paul sparked suggestions the bout could be pushed back with a cryptic tweet about the youngest Fury brother.
      The YouTuber-turned-boxer tweeted: “Hold your horses. The man’s having a baby.”
      Fury and long-time girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague – who he met on Love Island – are expecting their first child later this month.
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      And Fury’s growing family was a big factor in his decision to take the lucrative clash with The Problem Child.
      During an appearance on The Disruptors podcast, he said: ” If you want to slap millions of pounds in front of my face to fight Jake Paul, why am I not going to do that?
      “I’ve got a family to feed now any day.
      “The reason I’ve taken the Jake Paul fight is it’s financially good.
      “There is [a part of me that wants to shut him up] but he doesn’t get underneath my skin like that.
      “He can’t get underneath my skin because I know what he’s doing.
      “He’s a whiz on social media, he’s made a living off being an idiot, arrogant and calling people out.
      Tommy Fury is champing at the bit to get his hands on Jake PaulCredit: GETTY
      “It is what it is, but he can’t get underneath my skin.
      “All I see with Jake Paul is a business and if you want me to beat a man who can’t fight and throw millions of pounds in my face, not a problem, sign me up and that’s purely what this is.
      “I’ve described it all the time as being on Route 66 and I need to stop off in my campervan, fill it up and get back on the road.
      “I am on a straight and narrow road to world titles.
      “But you want me to take a slight detour for an awful lot of fuel, pick that up and then jump back on the road?
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      “That’s exactly what I’m doing here at the end of the day.
      “This is a business; you’ve got to use your head and every fighter in my position would take that fight if it got offered to them.” More

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      Floyd Mayweather’s ex-girlfriend Gallienne Nabila looks sensational in tiny black bikini and crop top in stunning shoot

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER’S ex-girlfriend Gallienne Nabila posed in a bikini and crop top in a stunning shoot. The social media influencer shared the sensational shots to her 1.2million Instagram followers.
      Floyd Mayweather’s ex-girlfriend Gallienne Nabila in a black bikiniCredit: Instagram @gallienneee
      The social media influencer shared the sensational shots to her 1.2m followersCredit: Instagram @gallienneee
      Gallienne Nabila and Floyd Mayweather have been spotted together on and offCredit: Instagram @gallienneee
      Gallienne and Mayweather have been spotted together on and off over the last few years.
      And they remain on good terms still, with the boxing legend gifting her a new £160,000 Maybach car for her birthday in October.
      Mayweather has been known to splash the cash on his friends and family over the years, once buying his grandson a diamond-encrusted ROLEX.
      But the American can certainly afford it having topped Forbes’ rich list of the decade in 2019 with over £700million earned.
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      Even after beating Conor McGregor, 34, in his 2017 retirement fight, Mayweather, 45, continues to rake it in through boxing.
      Since officially hanging up his gloves, he has had five exhibition bouts against stars of the MMA, internet and boxing world.
      His most recent came in November against YouTuber Deji, 26, which he won in six rounds.
      Mayweather initially revealed Muay Thai veteran Liam Harrison, 37, as his return opponent in the UK on February 25.
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      But Harrison was forced to deny ever signing to fight and pulled out amid a knee injury.
      So Aaron Chalmers, who approached a member of Mayweather’s team personally, threw his name into the hat.
      The Geordie Shore star’s celeb background mixed in with a degree of fighting experience was enough to convince The Money Team into offering him a deal.
      Chalmers had a 5-2 professional MMA career and won his boxing debut last year.
      Floyd Mayweather and Gallienne Nabila in New YorkCredit: The Mega Agency
      Aaron Chalmers faces Floyd Mayweather in an exhibitionCredit: Bellator More

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      ‘Bash him up’ – Dillian Whyte challenges ex-UFC champ Ngannou to boxing and MMA fights as Anthony Joshua rematch looms

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      DILLIAN WHYTE has thrown his name into the hat to welcome former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to the boxing ring.The Cameroonian clubber officially became a free agent this month after he failed to agree a new deal with mixed martial arts’ premier promotion.
      Francis Ngannou is a free agent after failing to agree a new deal with the UFCCredit: GETTY
      The former UFC heavyweight champ is hoping to box later this yearCredit: GETTY
      Brit Dillian Whyte is willing face The Predator in both boxing and MMACredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
      Ngannou, 35, has had several boxing and MMA promoters reach out to him following his UFC departure but is leaning towards competing in the former.
      And recent WBC heavyweight title challenger Whyte is keen to throw down with the vicious knockout artist, who he’s also willing to trade leather with in the cage.
      The Body Snatcher told Sky Sports: “I would love to fight him.
      “Obviously he is a champion, a dangerous guy, but I think I would bash him up.
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      “It would be a very interesting fight, because we both have got a martial arts background and he’s up for jumping in at the deep end, fighting someone like me. It would get lots of interest and eyeballs.”
      Whyte, 34, is no stranger to the confines of the cage having fought under the UCMMA banner nearly 15 years ago.
      So he’s certainly not afraid to put himself in harm’s way and face The Predator at his own game.
      He said: “A lot of these boxing guys pick on these MMA and martial arts guys and beat them up in a boxing ring.
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      “But they are not brave enough to get in the cage.
      “I would happily fight him in boxing and in the cage as well.”
      Ngannou’s seven-year stint in the octagon was filled with brutal and viral knockouts, although his highlight reel doesn’t strike fear into the hear of the heavy-handed Whyte.
      The Brit said: “It is much easier to knock people out with four-ounce gloves that have next to no padding.
      “Can he do the same with a 10-ounce boxing glove? I know I can.”
      “Obviously he’s a good fighter, he’s strong, but there are a lot of holes in his game.
      “He is throwing from far away, he is a slugger.
      Francis Ngannou’s ferocious striking doesn’t intimidate Dillian WhyteCredit: Alamy
      “In MMA, that style runs, because you have small gloves and you just need to connect anywhere with someone to do damage.
      “But this is boxing. You need skills and good timing.
      “He can’t just come out and start slugging and think he can knock people out.
      “A guy standing in front of him can make him miss. All those punches he throws.
      “He’s dangerous and a big strong guy, but it’s a great fight for me, to be honest.”
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      Brixton banger Whyte hasn’t fought since his controversial decision victory over Jermaine Franklin last November.
      A summer trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua is in the pipeline for the fan favourite, provided Joshua gets past American Franklin on April 1. More

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      Deontay Wilder’s manager opens door to massive fight with Francis Ngannou and reveals talks after heavyweight leaves UFC

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      DEONTAY WILDER’S manager has opened the door to a massive fight with ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou has walked out on the UFC – being stripped of the title – after failing to agree a new contract.
      Deontay Wilder’s manager has opened the door to a fight with Francis NgannouCredit: Reuters
      Francis Ngannou has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      And already the Cameroonian has talked up a lucrative switch to the boxing ring.
      Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel once held tentative talks with UFC president Dana White for a fight between the American and Ngannou.
      And he is willing to revisit the idea now the heavyweight is a free agent following his UFC exit.
      Finkel told SunSport: “I’d be open to it, I’d be foolish to say. ‘I’m not interested, don’t talk to me.’ 
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      “As a matter of fact, Dana White and I had some conversations but it just never went anywhere. Dana actually wanted it. 
      “Then Deontay met Ngannou when he was training for Robert Helenius, while he was out in Vegas and they got along fine.”
      Wilder, 37, was welcomed to the UFC’s training facility last year before he brutally knocked out Helenius, 38, in round one of his October return.
      And he bumped into Ngannou, fuelling speculation of a blockbuster bout between the two famed punchers.
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      And Wilder recently welcomed the fight when asked about Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC.
      He told ESNews: “I would love to. Another African brother. I respect his decision on what he’s done.”
      Wilder and his team have pursued a fight with Anthony Joshua, 33, following years of failed talks in the past.
      But Joshua is on a rebuilding job following consecutive points losses to unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
      AJ looks set to return on April 1 at the O2 Arena against Jermaine Franklin, 29, who lost a disputed decision to Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
      So Wilder has turned his attention to Andy Ruiz Jr, 33, after the WBC ordered them into a final eliminator for the title.
      Finkel said: “Deontay is in good spirits, right now we’re looking at a couple of options and most likely we’ll be fighting Ruiz, I hope in the second quarter of the year.
      “In the next couple of weeks I’ll know if that can be made. Ruiz is not a second-class opponent, so he’s asking for a good payday also, which makes it all the more difficult.” 
      Deontay Wilder pictured with Francis Ngannou More

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      Tyson Fury slammed over ‘dumbest idea in sports history’ after shock call out of ex UFC champ Francis Ngannou

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      TYSON FURY has been slammed for the “dumbest idea in sports history” after calling out Francis Ngannou to a hybrid-rules fight. Ngannou is now a free agent having walked out on the UFC, while still heavyweight champion, after failing to agree a new contract.
      Tyson Fury has called out Francis NgannouCredit: Rex
      Francis Ngannou left the UFC after failing to agree a new contractCredit: Getty
      And it has cleared the pathway to realising his long-standing dream of a career in boxing.
      Fury, 34, proposed a hybrid bout against Ngannou, 36, including a fight with smaller 4oz gloves in the cage but under boxing rules.
      Although ex-UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, 45, has ridiculed the idea.
      He said on his YouTube channel: “I see Tyson Fury come out over the weekend and finally clear up first what we’re going to do first with Francis.
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      “They’ve always said they’re going to make up a sport. These two were going to do a game, but they were going to do something combat related.
      “For reasons unknown, they weren’t going to box. Francis offered to box, and for reasons unknown, Tyson did not accept that invitation, and they were going to make up rules.
      “Tyson finally laid out for us what they are. They were going to fight in a cage. I have no idea why. They’re going to fight in a cage. OK, fine.
      “They’re going to wear 4oz gloves. I have no idea why, but OK, fine. They are then going to follow boxing rules, the rules of Queensberry.
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      “I put this out there because of how disappointing it is to see these boxers as beggers.
      “Guys that are hot to fight to go out there and get it on your own, that have physical capabilities that other men can only dream of.
      “But they don’t know how to go out there and get it on their own. They just don’t know how.
      “I bring it to you because to watch Tyson Fury beg, it was surprising. I don’t want to call it disappointing.
      “It was really close to calling it that, but I don’t want to call it that.
      I bring it to you because to watch Tyson Fury beg, it was surprising. I don’t want to call it disappointing. Chael Sonnen on Tyson Fury calling out Francis Ngannou
      “So Tyson comes to us with perhaps the dumbest idea in sports history, perhaps. He knows it is.”
      Fury is currently in talks for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed title decider with Oleksandr Usyk, 36.
      But as negotiations drag on, the Gypsy King is lining up Ngannou as a blockbuster alternative.
      He told Seconds Out: “Francis Ngannou, I know you’re out of contract with the UFC. You want to earn some big boy money?
      “Come see the Gypsy King and let’s do a big, big fight for the baddest MF on the planet.
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      “Let’s kick it up spicy, in a cage, four-ounce gloves under Queensbury [rules] and let’s have a badass referee like Iron Mike Tyson.
      “Did I just sell that to the world? If the contract doesn’t get signed with Usyk next for the fight of the century in boxing then we’ll do the Ngannou fight.”
      Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou at WembleyCredit: BT SPORTS More