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      Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua called out by Francis Ngannou after UFC exit as heavyweight star eyes boxing switch

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has called out Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua after leaving the UFC. The heavyweight has walked out as UFC champion after failing to agree a new contract with the MMA powerhouse.
      Francis Ngannou has called out Tyson Fury and Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022Credit: Reuters
      Anthony Joshua before his first fight with Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021Credit: Getty
      Now Ngannou, 36, is ready to realise his long-standing dream of making it as a professional boxer.
      And he is wasting no time in calling out two of sport’s best in Fury, 34, and Joshua, 33.
      Ngannou 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.
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      “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.
      “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.
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      “Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent.”
      Fury faced off against Ngannou in April after he knocked out Dillian Whyte, 34, at Wembley.
      But at the time, the Cameroonian was injured and still in talks to extend his UFC deal.
      The UFC prohibit their stars from fighting outside of the promotion, unless given special permission.
      Conor McGregor, 34, was given so in 2017 for his loss to American legend Floyd Mayweather, 45.
      But Ngannou was told he would not be allowed to replicate McGregor’s move, leaving him unwilling to be tied down to one promotion.
      He said: “In that contract, I’m not free. I’m not an independent contractor. I have no rights.
      “I hand over all the power to you guys. I’ve seen in the past how you guys can utilise your power against me, and I don’t want that.”
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      Francis Ngannou with UFC president Dana White in January 2022Credit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul celebrates 26th birthday with gruelling strength and conditioning training as Tommy Fury fight is ‘DONE DEAL’

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      JAKE PAUL celebrated his 26th birthday with some gruelling training – as it emerged his fight with Tommy Fury is a “DONE DEAL.” The American marked his big day by treating it like any other, working away in his Puerto Rico gym.
      Jake Paul celebrated his 26th birthday with some gruelling training
      Jake Paul in his Puerto Rico boxing gym
      His boxing banner Most Valuable Promotions uploaded a video of Paul in a tiresome strength and conditioning drill.
      The YouTuber-turned boxer was deep in a power exercise, exploding up in the air with resistance.
      His brutal session came on the same day journalist Ariel Helwani reported a deal for Paul to fight Fury on February 25 was done.
      It will be the third time the pair of celebrity boxing rivals have tried to settle their score in the ring.

      Fury, 23, was forced to pull out in December 2021 due to a rib injury and then last August amid a US visa issue.
      The travel woe still persists today, which left the UK and Middle East as frontrunners to host the bitter bout.
      Paul even offered to travel to Manchester on February 18 and fight Fury on enemy territory.
      But a more lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia a week later was proposed and looks to have won the race.
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      Saudi boxing boss Prince Khaled added to further speculation as he posted a video with the tune, “signed, sealed, delivered.”
      Fury last boxed in Dubai in November in a last-minute exhibition against Rolly Lambert, 33.
      And Paul was a special guest commentator and slammed the six-round bout from ringside.
      Just a month prior, he had beaten UFC legend Anderson Silva, 46, to mark the biggest win in his 6-0 career.
      Talks between Paul and Fury have been ongoing since December and an announcement now awaits after a deal has been all-but confirmed.
      Tommy Fury’s fight with Jake Paul is a ‘done deal’ More

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      Tyson Fury tipped to fight Francis Ngannou for ‘go f*** yourself money’ after leaving UFC over contract row

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      UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland wants to see his team-mate and now free agent Francis Ngannou enjoy “go f*** yourself money” by fighting Tyson Fury.President Dana White revealed the Cameroonian-French fighter had been released from the UFC after failing to agree new terms on his deal.
      Ngannou with Fury in-ring last year teasing a fightCredit: BT SPORTS
      Strickland is sad to see his team-mate leave the UFC but tells him to fight FuryCredit: Getty
      White claimed the contract offered would have made Ngannou the “highest-paid heavyweight” in the history of UFC.
      But the two parties have failed to strike a deal after long-running talks, leaving Ngannou as a free agent and the heavyweight belt has been vacated.
      A crossover to boxing had been teased earlier last year when Ngannou appeared in the ring following Fury’s WBC title win over Dillian Whyte.
      Ngannou responded to a Fury social media callout last year: “I’m coming for all the smoke 💨💨💨. 2023.”
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      And now that Ngannou is a free agent, he can take on Fury “for all the smoke”.
      Team-mate Strickland is sad to see Ngannou leave the UFC, but says the heavyweight should enjoy “go f*** yourself money” by fighting Fury.
      Strickland told reporters following his win over Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 217 on Saturday: “I think it’s a damn shame to see Francis go.
      “He’s iconic in the UFC. He’s probably one of the greatest heavyweights we’ve ever had.
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      “It sucks he parted ways, but I hope that him and Tyson Fury fight for a lot of f*cking money. That’s a fight we deserve.
      “Again, it sucks he left. I’d love to see him fight in the UFC.
      “If the ‘Gypsy King’ sacks up and takes that fight against Francis, I mean, that’s ‘go f*ck yourself’ money.
      “That’s ‘I can go pee in a golden toilet seat. I can do whatever the f*** I want.’
      “It sucks he leaves, but if he can get that big money with Tyson, hat’s off to you Francis. Enjoy your ‘go f*** yourself money.’” More

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      Five opponents for KSI next including Tyron Woodley and Joe Fournier as YouTuber gears up for huge Jake Paul fight

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      KSI moved a step closer to his huge grudge match with Jake Paul after knocking out FaZe Temperrr. The YouTube, music and crossover boxing star laid out Temperr in the first round of their Wembley Arena headliner.
      KSI celebrates after defeating FaZe TemperrrCredit: Getty
      And he kept on track for a score settling super-fight against Paul at the end of the year.
      But KSI has maintained the bitter bout will not come next and he will instead return in the summer against a different opponent.
      Here, SunSport runs down who could be next on the social media sensation’s road to Paul.
      Joe Fournier
      Fournier, 39, is a millionaire nightclub tycoon-turned unbeaten 9-0 boxer who has tirelessly called out KSI, 29.
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      He was ringside in London to watch as Temperrr, 29, was left out for the count and faced off with KSI afterwards.
      It leaves Fournier as a frontrunner to fight KSI next.
      KSI squares up with potential opponent Joe FournierCredit: Getty
      Tyron Woodley
      Woodley, 40, crossed over to the boxing ring for his pair of bouts against Paul, 25, which ended in points and KO losses.
      The ex-UFC champion was considered as KSI’s next fight until 2-0 MMA fighter Dillon Danis, 29, was selected, only to pull out.
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      KSI has poured cold water over fighting Woodley but the fans have made it clear they would like him to face the American next.
      Tyron Woodley has twice been beaten by Jake PaulCredit: Getty
      Slim Albaher
      YouTuber Slim, 28, is now 6-0 as a crossover boxer and beat DJ Tom Zanetti, 33, in a thriller on KSI’s undercard.
      He has also chased a fight against KSI and improved his chances following his co-main event win.
      But KSI could be ready to step outside of fighting fellow influencers and favour a more experienced opponent.
      Slim Albaher celebrates winning beating DJ Tom ZanettiCredit: PA
      Salt Papi
      Filipino Salt Papi, 28, has emerged as one of the most talented celebrity fighters, who is now 3-0 with two brutal KOs.
      He knocked out MMA fighter and vlogger Josh Brueckner, 27, at Wembley and received praise from across the boxing world.
      Papi would be a high risk and low reward fight for KSI, but the TikToker called out the internet mega-star.
      Salt Papi knocked out Josh BruecknerCredit: Getty
      Tommy Fury
      Fury, 23, has been caught up in the celeb boxing space after trying twice to fight Paul, talks which still resume.
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      And the 2019 Love Islander has made it clear Paul and KSI are the only two social media personalities he would entertain fighting.
      KSI has also opened the door to facing Fury in the past but again it could pose as a risky bout to take due to the experience disparity.
      Tommy Fury has opened the door to fighting KSICredit: JAMIE MCPHILIMEY More

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      KSI brutally knocks out YouTuber Faze Temperrr in boxing return to move step closer to Jake Paul grudge fight

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      KSI brutally knocked out YouTuber Faze Temperrr and moved a step closer to his dream grudge fight with Jake Paul. The social media, music and crossover boxing star returned to the ring in front of a packed out Wembley Arena.
      KSI celebrates victory against FaZe TemperrrCredit: PA
      And it was gamer Temperr, 29, in the opposite corner after 2-0 MMA fighter Dillon Danis, 29, pulled out with just weeks to go.
      But KSI, 29, proved it mattered little who he was in the ring with as a left hook and right hand combination closed the show in round one.
      He said: “I said I wanted to KO, I said I wanted round one. People need to understand the levels.”
      The Londoner has talked up a summer bout and was confronted by millionaire businessman-turned boxer Joe Fournier.
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      Fournier, 39, is 9-0 as a boxer and KSI is ready to return against him before finishing his boxing career in an end of year blockbuster with Paul.
      He said: “I need to be tested. I need more tests until I reach the final hurdle, Jake motherf****** Paul.
      “That’s the end game ladies and gentlemen, I said I wanted him at the end of the year and I will get him, trust.
      “But, before I get to that, Joe Fournier, Woodley, Slim, whoever it is, I’m going to destroy them.”
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      KSI came out of the traps early, chasing Temperrr across the ring with pure aggression.
      He was met with some sharp counter left hands from Temperr, who was using the most of his awkward southpaw stance.
      It led KSI to regroup and regain a bounce in his step and before Temperr knew it, a quick combination left him out for the count.
      KSI leaped in with a left hook and right hand, which was enough settle it all.
      The crowd erupted as KSI got another win under his belt and moved a step closer to settling the score with his arch enemy.
      KSI has moved a step closer to Jake PaulCredit: PA More

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      Logan Paul calls on brother Jake to fight Salt Papi after TikToker KOs MMA star Josh Brueckner on KSI’s undercard

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      LOGAN PAUL called on his brother Jake to fight Salt Papi after the TikTok star scored another massive knockout. Papi knocked out MMA fighter Josh Brueckner in the second round of their bout on KSI’s Wembley Arena undercard.
      Salt Papi celebrates victory against Josh BruecknerCredit: PA
      Jake Paul pictured with older brother LoganCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
      The Filipino landed a perfectly timed left hook on Brueckner’s chin, leaving the American unable to beat the count.
      Papi, who brutally knocked out Andy Warski in August, moved to 3-0 as a crossover boxer.
      And he called out Jake – the most successful celebrity fighter at 6-0 – if KSI does not.
      Papi, 28, said: “If KSI doesn’t want to fight Jake Paul, send me to Jake Paul and I’ll fight him.”
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      And even Jake’s brother Logan is all for it as he pleaded for the bout online.
      He tweeted: “Salt Papi vs. Jake Paul I need it.”
      Boxing star Ryan Garcia also said: “Man Salt Papi needs to just turn professional lol.”
      “I want to see Jake Paul Vs Salt Papi no cap.”
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      Jake, 25, most recently beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, in his last fight in October.
      And he is in talks to face Tommy Fury in Manchester in February to finally settle their long grudge.
      Meanwhile KSI wants the American in an end of year blockbuster.
      Salt Papi knocks out Josh Brueckner in round twoCredit: PA More

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      Jake Paul accused of performing ‘smoke and mirrors act’ with two-fight boxing and MMA offer to Nate Diaz

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      JAKE PAUL has been accused of performing a “smoke and mirrors” act with his recent offer to Nate Diaz.The Problem Child challenged the former UFC star to a two-fight series – one in boxing and the other in MMA – after announcing his multi-year deal with the Professional Fighters League.
      Jake Paul recently revealed he’d inked a deal with the PFLCredit: JAKE PAUL
      The Problem Child immediately called out Nate DiazCredit: GETTY
      Paul’s pursuit of Diaz has been slammed by ex-UFC champ Michael BispingCredit: GETTY
      Paul’s willingness to fight Diaz in the cage impressed many, but not former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping – who reckons the YouTuber is trying to dodge a legitimate fight in the boxing world.
      During a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, The Count said: ” “Now, Nate Diaz, he’s a decent boxer, he’s as tough as they come, he’s got great jiu-jitsu, but he’s not known for being the best wrestler.
      “So maybe, could he take Jake Paul down? Is Nate Diaz at the end of his career?
      “This is all smoke and mirrors.
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      “This is all just Jake Paul trying to navigate the waters of how he can continue to make money.
      “He can’t do it in boxing because in boxing if he’s going to have a big boxing fight, it has to be against a real boxer and a real boxer would more than likely beat him, which is not what they want.
      “He can’t continue calling up former UFC legends that are retired because that’s not doing it any more either.”
      Paul has got a perfect 6-0 thanks to consecutive wins over former UFC welterweight and middleweight champions Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva.
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      But the ex-Disney star had a marked size advantage over the pair and former Bellator champ Ben Askren, which Bisping believes he’s trying to utilise against Diaz.
      He added: “The point I’m making is he’s never fought a boxer.
      “But even still, these former UFC legends, they’re not pulling in the pay-per-view numbers.
      “So now he’s going to have to fight mixed martial arts, which on paper makes it sound like Jake Paul is doing the right thing.
      “He’s being courageous, he’s willing to switch sports.
      Nate Diaz signed off from the UFC with a submission win over Tony FergusonCredit: GETTY
      “But he’s not. It’s going to be hand-picked opponents.
      “Nate Diaz in a boxing match first that’ll be co-promoted by the PFL.
      “And then mixed martial arts, again, yeah Nate Diaz is the better mixed martial artist for sure, but size is a real thing.”
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      Diaz seemingly poured cold water on the prospect of facing Paul in the PFL by tweeting the logo for Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN hours after the call out.
      Fan favourite Diaz is currently a free agent after seeing out his UFC contract with a fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson last September More

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      KSI admits to being inspired back to boxing by rival Jake Paul but reveals why he will NEVER fight on after grudge match

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      KSI admits he has been inspired back to boxing by bitter rival Jake Paul – but insists their grudge match will be the end of his fight career. The pair of YouTube foes are in talks to put bragging rights and reputations on the line this year.
      KSI admits he has been inspired back to boxing by bitter rival Jake PaulCredit: Reuters
      Jake Paul has become a 6-0 star and silenced many critics in the processCredit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
      Paul is desperate for revenge after KSI took his brother Logan to a draw in 2018 only to win the rematch a year later.
      That victory saw KSI – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – take three years out of the ring to focus on his fledging music career.
      But while doing so, Paul made a name for himself in the fight game and has quickly become a pay-per-view star at 6-0 in the process.
      Finally settling the score between the sworn enemies is what convinced KSI back to boxing.
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      But if he adds another Paul scalp to his collection, it will also be enough to see the social media sensation hang his gloves up for good.
      KSI, 29, told SunSport: “I know after Jake it’s done. I’d have no desire to continue.”
      Paul, 25, in January 2020 won against KSI’s close friend AnEsonGib, with the Brit ringside to see it.
      The American influencer has since beaten the likes of ex-UFC champions Tyron Woodley, 40, and Anderson Silva, 46.
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      It has cast doubt on KSI’s chances of beating Paul, which is the same fuel he used to beat brother Logan, 27.
      KSI said: “For me, after Logan I was like, ‘Alright, that’s it, it’s done.’ There was no one after it that I was like, ‘I want to fight this person.’ 
      “I beat the best person in this whole influencer space, why else do I need to fight anyone else? 
      “I was like cool I’ll focus on music, focus on the foundation of music and making sure it was where I wanted it to be. 
      “Then Jake really started picking up steam and I bigged Gib up to beat him and then he was able to beat Gib. 
      “Obviously Jake’s beaten all these other people and everyone thinks, ‘He’d destroy KSI.’ 
      “I was like, ‘Nah, nah, nah, nah. They have short-term memories, I swear. Do you not understand what I did when I fought Logan?
      “I wasn’t even at the best of my abilities when I beat Logan. Everything was in his favour, I had to gain weight to reach Logan’s level. 
      “All these things were in Logan’s favour and I was still able to overcome it. I had no interest in fighting again and now everyone thinks Jake Paul is that guy. 
      I know after Jake it’s done. I’d have no desire to continue.KSI on his boxing career
      “It piqued my interest and I was like, ‘OK cool, new goal: let me come back to boxing and I’ll knock him out.’ After that, I won’t have a goal again. I’ll be good.” 
      KSI first returned in August and made up for lost time by beating rapper Swarmz, 26, and boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda, 23, on the SAME NIGHT.
      He was due to face Dillon Danis, 29, on Saturday but the 2-0 MMA fighter pulled out.
      KSI will instead fight gamer Faze Temperrr, 29, who has two wins and one loss in the ring, live on DAZN PPV.
      And it is all one step closer in KSI’s eventual plan to fight and retire from boxing after getting his hands on Paul at last.
      He said: “I don’t care who’s in front of me, I just know that I’ll destroy them. 

      “For me my main goal is Jake Paul and I don’t want to fight Jake Paul instantly because I know once I fight him and beat him then it’s done. 
      “I wouldn’t want to fight anymore because I wouldn’t have any more goals in boxing, I would have achieved what I strived for. 
      “I’m quite a goal-driven person, so once I get my goal I’m like, ‘OK, on to the next thing.’ 
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      “For me, I’m just kind of enjoying the whole boxing space and enjoying and training, getting better and improving as a person and as a human physically and mentally. 
      “I’m like, do you know what? Let me have a few fights under my belt just so I’m the best of the best that I can be, then fight Jake and show him he’s absolutely nothing.” 
      Jake Paul and KSI are in talks to fight in 2023Credit: GETTY More