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      Floyd Mayweather vs Aaron Chalmers tale of the tape: How boxing legend and Geordie Star icon compare ahead of fight

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has named Aaron Chalmers as the shock opponent for his next boxing exhibition. The American legend is set to make his UK fight debut on February 25 at the O2 Arena.

      It will be Mayweather’s sixth exhibition bout since officially retiring in 2017, after beating UFC star Conor McGregor, 34.
      For Chalmers, 35, it is only his second bout in the ring having switched codes from MMA last year.
      With British fans braced to welcome Mayweather across the pond, here SunSport breaks down the bout.
      Mayweather beat a who’s who in his 50-0 unbeaten career, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao.
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      And he closed his glittering career with one last money grab in a crossover extravaganza against McGregor.
      But it proved not to be the last time fans would see Mayweather pick up quick and easy cash in the ring.
      He returned in 2018 to knock out featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, in the first round of their exhibition.
      In the years to follow, he faced YouTuber Logan Paul, 27, ex-sparring partner Don Moore and MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, 30.
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      And his most recent cameo was in November, stopping social media sensation Deji, 25, brother to the famous KSI, 29.
      Mayweather first announced that he would fight in London against Muay Thai veteran Liam Harrison, 37.
      But Harrison was forced to deny he had signed just hours later and withdrew amid a series of injuries.
      So Chalmers got the shock replacement call and within a couple of days, a deal was agreed.
      The reality TV favourite shot to fame in MTV’s hit series Geordie Shore.
      But in 2017, he turned to professional MMA and went on to amass a 5-2 record with five stoppages.
      After seven bouts, Chalmers crossed over to boxing and last June made a successful debut over four rounds against Alexander Zeledon.
      Different face, different name, same results. Floyd Mayweather on fighting Aaron Chalmers
      But he faces possibly the greatest test in boxing history by agreeing to fight Mayweather, even if the icon turns 46 by the time of the bout.
      In terms of record, obviously the two do not compare.
      But physically, at 6ft, Chalmers has height and length over 5ft 8in Mayweather, who has a reach of 72 inches.
      He also takes a slight weight advantage over Mayweather, who weighed 11st dead for his exhibition with Deji.
      Chalmers was 11st 5lb for his boxing debut, although it is not clear what weight he can be next month.
      In terms of power, the Newcastle supporter had two KOs in the cage, compared to Mayweather’s 27 in the ring.
      It remains to be seen how the fight will play out, but Mayweather warned: “Different face, different name, same results.
      Read More on The Sun
      “London we are still rocking and rolling on Feb. 25th at the O2 Arena. Tickets will be on sale soon. Stay tuned!!
      “This will be my first time showcasing my talent live on Feb. 25th. I want the whole UK at the O2 Arena.”
      Aaron Chalmers is 1-0 as a boxer
      Floyd Mayweather beat YouTuber Deji in his last exhibitionCredit: Lee Hamilton-Cooper More

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      Floyd Mayweather was set to fight YouTuber AnEsonGib in London before boxing legend ‘got greedy’ as talks broke down

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER was allegedly set to fight YouTuber AnEsonGib next month before his “greed” scuppered the deal.The unbeaten American boxing legend, 45, was already set to show off his skills in the UK next month.
      AnEsonGib was allegedly due to face Floyd Mayweather in the UKCredit: Instagram @anesongib
      ‘Greedy’ Floyd Mayweather Jr. (C) scuppered the fight with his demandsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But his original bout against Liam Harrison was KO’d on Friday after the Brit suffered a knee injury.
      Now Mayweather has announced he will fight Geordie Shore’s MMA star Aaron Chalmers at the O2 Arena instead.
      However, YouTuber turned boxer AnEsonGib, who has a pro record of 1-1, was set to be his opponent.
      That’s according to the Brit’s promoter Liam Chivers, who told Fred Talks Fighting: “We managed to get the venue and a couple of date options ready for them. I agreed Gib’s deal with the investors separately. 
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      “One of the big things in this business, believe it or not, people think TMT scam people, they didn’t pay Logan Paul… I know Logan didn’t have a purse but there may have been backend PPV that I don’t know about of which they may have just not paid him that I don’t know about as the costs off-set it.
      “But I’m not going to take that risk with Gib, contracting with TMT and have them collect all the revenue from the seats and PPV and then hope we get our bit for Gib later. So it had to be through a third party with guarantees.
      “We did all that hard work and we made that fight, Floyd approved Gib. We agreed verbally with Floyd and his team to fight Gib on that February 25 card and it was all set.”
      Chivers then added: “Then Floyd got greedy. Floyd wanted too much up-front, there was a lot of risk up-front, and the discussions just dragged.
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      “We were ready to sign this before Christmas but every day this goes on you just think the chances of it happening just go down and down. 
      “So, of course, he’s not going to pay for his team to assemble and Abdul to start his camp and come here to train.
      “Then it came to the New Year and we heard from the investors that they had just completely gone cold on the idea.
      “The time is too short now as we’d like to have built it up for at least a couple of months, make it big and allow Gib to do all of this promotional content that we have sold to them that he would do and they just weren’t getting on quick enough with Floyd.
      “It came to the point where two weeks ago was our deadline, so we said that’s our cut-off, we are out.
      “The investors were out and TMT said they would run it, so obviously they’re just going to take the pot of money and then you’d be re-negotiating with them for a much lower amount for Gib.
      “We’ll try and keep in touch with the Mayweathers and something may happen in the future but the long and short of it is we didn’t like the financial structure of being contracted to TMT instead of the investors and having no control over anything.”
      The legend will now fight Aaron Chalmers at The O2Credit: Instagram More

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      Gabriel Jesus tells UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov when he will be back for Arsenal after knee injury

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      GABRIEL JESUS will reportedly be back in action for Arsenal within five weeks.That, at least, is according to UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
      Arsenal have received a positive update on the return of Gabriel JesusCredit: PA
      He told UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov he’ll be back in ‘four or five weeks’Credit: Instagram / @khabib_nurmagomedov
      The MMA superstar, 34, retired with a perfect 29-0 record after his win over Justin Gaethje in October 2020.
      Now enjoying his time off from fighting, he was in London yesterday to watch Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-2.
      That victory moved the Gunners back into a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
      Khabib enjoyed the action from the luxury of a box at the Emirates on Sunday.
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      And he found the injured Brazilian forward sitting in the one next to him.
      The 25-year-old Arsenal ace suffered a knee injury while representing his country at the World Cup in Qatar.
      He underwent surgery and is now recovering in order to be back to help with his club’s title charge.
      The Dagestan star and Jesus met at half-time and chatted.
      Most read in Football
      And Khabib has now provided some positive news to Gooners regarding the ex-Manchester City man.
      According to a video circulating on social media, he allegedly told the former fighter: “Maybe four or five weeks more I come back.”
      Jesus has scored five goals so far for the Gunners and his return would provide Mikel Arteta with a huge boost. More

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      Watch ‘inspirational’ Cristiano Ronaldo square up to giant UFC legend Francis Ngannou as he prepares for Al-Nassr debut

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and former UFC heavyweight champion Franci Ngannou jokingly went face-to-face after meeting in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.The football icon, 37, completed a free transfer to Al-Nassr after having his contract at Manchester United ripped up following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
      Ngannou and Ronaldo came face-to-face in SaudiCredit: Instagram @francisngannou
      The pair hugged it outCredit: Instagram @francisngannou
      In that sit-down chat, Ronaldo accused United of betrayal, while also claiming he does not respect the manager, Erik ten Hag.
      A dismal World Cup campaign followed, which saw the five-time Ballon d’Or winner score just once and be benched by hotshot Goncalo Ramos for the knockout stages.
      Portugal lost in the quarter-finals to Morocco, with Ronaldo departing the pitch in floods of tears.
      Long-time rival Lionel Messi went on to captain Argentina to their third-ever World Cup.
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      It didn’t stop Ronaldo from scoring two against Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week, though.
      On Saturday, Ronaldo linked up with MMA free agent Ngannou, who left the UFC following a contract dispute.
      The pair jokingly went face-to-face before hugging it out.
      Ngannou, who is still recovering from injury after undergoing surgery to repair the ACL and MCL in his right knee last year, described 37-year-old Ronaldo as “inspirational”.
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      He said on Twitter: “Great talking with the GOAT in Riyadh today. Very inspirational!”
      Ronaldo is set to make his competitive Al-Nassr debut on Sunday against Ettifaq.
      Ngannou, meanwhile, is mulling over a switch to boxing.
      The Cameroonian got in the ring with Tyson Fury last year after the WBC heavyweight champ saw off Dillian Whyte inside Wembley.
      The pair teased a fight and 2023 is the year it could happen.
      Fury name-dropped Ngannou on Saturday.
      Speaking to SecondsOut, Fury said: “Francis Ngannou, I know you’re out of contract with the UFC.
      “Wanna earn some big boy money? Come see the Gypsy King.
      “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 Queensberry [boxing rules], and let’s have a badass referee like Iron Mike Tyson.
      “Did I just sell that to the world?” More

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      Tyson Fury demands fight with Francis Ngannou with Mike Tyson as special guest referee if Usyk fight falls through

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      TYSON FURY wants a freak cage fight with former UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou – with Mike Tyson locked in there too – if the Oleksandr Usyk undisputed bout collapses.Negotiations for the Spring showdown are well underway and hopes are high that the bout – for Fury’s WBC title and the WBA, IBF and WBO belts the Ukraine icon snatched off of Anthony Joshua – will happen.
      Tyson Fury is on course to face Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles in the springCredit: REUTERS
      But he plans to step in the ring with ex-UFC HW champ Francis Ngannou if the fight doesn’t come to fruitionCredit: ESPN
      Ngannou is a free agent after failing to agree a new contract with the UFCCredit: GETTY
      But boxing businessman Fury, 34, wisely has a fallback plan in case the meeting with the 36-year-old southpaw fails to materialise.
      Ngannou got in the Wembley ring after Fury’s 2022 win over Dillian Whyte in the hopes of lining up a crossover fight but he was under an exclusive contract with the UFC and nursing a knee injury.
      But he has since left the American MMA brand, dropping his belt, and wants to take up boxing.
      At Saturday night’s clash between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr, Fury said: “I am very interested in the Francis Ngannou fight and he is not contracted to the UFC anymore.
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      “I am interested in that and if the undisputed fight doesn’t get done then I will be looking to take on him, the so-called Baddest Man on the Planet.
      “And we’ll make it interesting, a hybrid fight, maybe MMA gloves and in a cage but with Queensberry rules.
      “It would be a colossal event wherever it happens.
      “Me and him in a cage with 4oz gloves on. And maybe a superstar referee like Mike Tyson, just for bantz.”
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      Hopefully, the back-up plan will not be needed and all the hard work Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has been doing with Team Usyk yields the ultimate battle.
      And boxing historian Fury reckons it will be the latest fight of the century.
      He said: “When I get the deal done everybody will know.
      “I am not getting involved in doing deals, that’s what I pay Frank Warren and my lawyer to do, because all the back and forth drives me mad, he wants this and that. I am not getting involved.
      “This is the fight of the century, they built Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier 1 as the fight of that century and there one before that was Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney, the biggest crowd ever recorded at a boxing show.
      “And now Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk to be the first heavyweight four-belt holder in history.
      “There have been undisputed heavyweight champions before, the last was our Lennox Lewis, but that was for the three belts and not four. I will be the first of this era.
      “I am an undefeated two-time world champion and he is an undefeated two-weight world champion, so it is a very interesting fight.”
      Tyson Fury wants to become the undisputed ruler of the heavyweight divisionCredit: Getty
      Fury has also done the maths on how incredible his status is at the top of pugilism.
      He said: “I am not bothered about history and legacy because that means you are over the hill and finished.
      “I am active now and happy. I don’t give a damn about when I am gone.
      “I am enjoying being world heavyweight champion and nowing that out of about seven billion people on the planet, I am the toughest, biggest, baddest, hardest, ugliest man of all seven billion.
      “Well, if there’s seven billion people in the word, half of them must be women, so say three-and-a-half billion and out of all of them, under Queensberry Rules, I am the best.
      “That is a lot to say and I am very proud of it.”
      Read More on The Sun
      There was just one ruthless line for Anthony Joshua, who turned down a December fight with Fury that Derek Chisora bravely took instead.
      He said: “I am not even interested in talking about that tosser, that fight is in the past.” More

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      Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn opens door to ‘fascinating’ fight with Francis Ngannou after MMA star’s UFC exit

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      EDDIE HEARN has opened the door to a “fascinating” fight between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou. Ngannou is free to make a switch to boxing after walking out on the UFC while champion after failing to agree a new contract.
      Eddie Hearn opened the door to a ‘fascinating’ fight between Anthony Joshua and Francis NgannouCredit: PA
      Francis Ngannou has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      The Cameroonian called out Joshua, 33, and Tyson Fury, 34, with the prospect talked up by promoter Hearn.
      He told DAZN: “I think AJ is all about the biggest fights and the biggest challenges.
      “I think AJ has got his mind on becoming a three-time world champion, but a fight against Francis Ngnannou is fascinating.”
      Ngannou, 36, has been stripped of the UFC heavyweight title and confirmed he is eyeing a move into boxing.
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      He said on The MMA Hour: “I still want to achieve something in boxing and I want to stay in MMA as well.
      “I discovered MMA first in my life and I feel like I have some mileage to give in my sport.
      “In a perfect world, I go out there get some boxing match then get some MMA, depending on the challenges that are out there.
      “If they are out there, I want to fight the top guys in boxing. I don’t know, I think Fury has retired and come back.
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      “I don’t know where Fury is right now, but now it is time. Before, we could not do anything concrete beyond the social media stuff.
      “Whatever it is, if it is with Tyson Fury, I will take it. I have no problem doing boxing with 4oz gloves, we will figure it out.
      “Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent.”
      Francis Ngannou pictured with UFC president Dana WhiteCredit: Getty More

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      Five boxing fights for Francis Ngannou after heavyweight star leaves UFC and eyes switch to the ring

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has paved the way for a move over to boxing after walking out on the UFC. Ngannou leaves while still the UFC heavyweight champion after failing to agree a new contract extension.
      Francis Ngannou has left the UFCCredit: Getty
      And the Cameroonian confirmed realising his long-standing dream of entering the boxing world is on the cards.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “I still want to achieve something in boxing and I want to stay in MMA as well.”
      So here, SunSport takes a look at five massive options awaiting Ngannou in the ring.
      Tyson Fury
      The obvious choice would be the No1 in the world, unbeaten WBC champ Fury, 34, who has called out Ngannou before.
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      They even faced off against each other in April 2022 at Wembley when the Gypsy King knocked out Dillian Whyte, 34.
      Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum has given the fight the green light before, making it an easy one to make on paper.
      Tyson Fury with Francis Ngannou at WembleyCredit: BT SPORTS
      Deontay Wilder
      Wilder, 37, is another option Ngannou has talked up in the past and it is a guaranteed blockbuster for fans.
      They are considered two of the biggest punchers in the world, making for an explosive prospect.
      Most read in Boxing
      And Wilder even claimed Premier Boxing Champions boss Al Haymon had discussed the Ngannou fight with him behind the scenes.
      Anthony Joshua
      Joshua, 33, has also been named by Ngannou as a potential boxing opponent alongside Fury.
      He said: “Whatever it is, if it is with Tyson Fury, I will take it. I have no problem doing boxing with 4oz gloves, we will figure it out.
      “Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent.”
      Anthony Joshua has been called out by Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY
      Dillian Whyte
      Whyte in the summer of 2020 recorded an unaired virtual face-off interview with Ngannou and claimed to have got the better of him.
      Promoter Eddie Hearn proposed a two-fight deal, with a bout in boxing and MMA, with ex-kickboxer Whyte having fought in the cage before.
      The Professional Fighters League have also just launched a pay-per-view super-fight division on DAZN, the same app Hearn works with.
      Dillian Whyte has exchanged words with Francis Ngannou beforeCredit: PA
      Derek Chisora
      Chisora, 38, has teased a move to MMA before and recently called Ngannou out.
      Read More on The Sun
      He said: “I’m trying to fight Ngannou. I want to do it in the UFC and boxing.”
      Chisora was beaten by Fury in ten rounds in December but has ruled out retirement.
      Tyson Fury beat Derek Chisora in DecemberCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk More

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      KSI names THREE potential opponents for next fight including ex-UFC champion, unbeaten boxer and YouTube star

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      KSI has named THREE potential opponents for his next fight as he builds towards a massive grudge match with Jake Paul. The YouTube, music and crossover boxing star returned to the ring last Saturday at Wembley Arena against online rival Faze Temperrr.
      KSI celebrates after defeating Faze TemperrrCredit: Getty
      KSI, 29, was due to face Dillon Danis, 29, a 2-0 MMA fighter commonly known as Conor McGregor’s training partner.
      But Danis pulled out on less than two weeks notice, with gamer Temperr, 29, called up from the undercard in replacement.
      In the end, it mattered little who was in the other corner as KSI knocked Temperrr out in round one with with a two-punch combination.
      Afterwards, he called out Paul, 26, but insisted he will have one more bout until an end of year blockbuster with the American.
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      And KSI discussed who his next fight could be against while in a Twitter Space discussion with Tolbzter.
      He said: “Look, I’ve got several options. I think tomorrow I’m going to have a little call with my team, figure out what we’re going to do.
      “There’s plenty of options. We can have a few MisFits events to try and help with our options.
      “But obviously a lot of people are saying me versus Salt Papi, and you know that could be an option.
      Most read in Boxing
      “A lot of people are saying me and obviously [Joe] Fournier, me and Woodley, etc.”
      Salt Papi, 28, shot to fame on TikTok but has been impressing in the boxing ring with three wins.
      He has scored two brutal knockouts on KSI’s undercard, most recently at Wembley against vlogger and MMA fighter Josh Brueckner, 27.
      Millionaire nightclub tycoon-turned 9-0 boxer Fournier, 39, was also in attendance to watch KSI’s win.
      The pair faced off after Temperrr was knocked out, fuelling speculation of a summer bout.
      “I didn’t want to go round just bullying the other YouTuber influencers in this space because I’m trying to help grow them.KSI
      And Woodley, 40, the ex-UFC welterweight champion, has twice crossed over to boxing in defeats to Paul.
      He was beaten on points in August 2021 before a brutal KO loss four months later in their rematch.
      Both Woodley and Fournier were considered before Danis signed to fight KSI, only to pull out.
      KSI has admitted he is keeping his options open and refusing to be nailed down to a next opponent.
      He said: “No one is set in stone. I said beforehand, there’s levels to this and I’m on a different level.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I didn’t want to fight another YouTuber in this space, I kind of wanted to fight someone like Dillon, then me fight Fournier and then Jake.
      “I didn’t want to go round just bullying the other YouTuber influencers in this space because I’m trying to help grow them.”
      Salt Papi knocked out Josh BruecknerCredit: Getty
      KSI squares up with potential opponent Joe FournierCredit: Getty
      Tyron Woodley was knocked out by Jake Paul in their rematchCredit: SHOWTIME More