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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

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      Aaron Chalmers calls out Jake Paul, Tommy Fury and KSI ahead of Geordie Shore star’s shock fight with Floyd Mayweather

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      AARON CHALMERS has called out Jake Paul, Tommy Fury and KSI ahead of his shock exhibition fight with Floyd Mayweather. The Geordie Shore star was announced as the latest crossover boxing opponent for Mayweather to face in an exhibition bout.
      Floyd Mayweather is set to face Aaron Chalmers in his next exhibitionCredit: AFP
      Aaron Chalmers has called out Jake Paul, Tommy Fury and KSICredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Chalmers, 35, welcomes the American legend to a British ring for the first time ever on February 25 at the O2 Arena.
      And he is hoping to line up the biggest names from the celebrity-boxing scene after sharing the ring with boxing royalty.
      Chalmers tweeted: “The king is back @KSI @tommytntfury @jakepaul. Let’s fight this year once I smoke @FloydMayweather.”
      The reality TV favourite in 2017 turned to professional MMA and went on to amass a 5-2 record, even signing for American promotion Bellator.
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      But last year he made a switch to boxing and beat Alexander Zeledon, 32, on points over four rounds.
      Meanwhile Mayweather, 45, officially retired 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.
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      Mayweather initially revealed Muay Thai veteran Liam Harrison, 37, as his return opponent for his UK debut.
      But Harrison was forced to deny ever signing to fight and pulled out amid a knee injury.
      So Chalmers, who approached a member of Mayweather’s team personally, threw his name into the hat.
      And his celeb background mixed in with a degree of fighting experience was enough to convince The Money Team into offering him a deal.
      Aaron Chalmers is 1-0 as a boxerCredit: Instagram @aaroncgshore More

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      Eddie Hearn makes his prediction for Jake Paul fight against Tommy Fury with announcement IMMINENT

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      EDDIE HEARN has weighed in on Jake Paul’s imminent fight with Tommy Fury and revealed who he “frighteningly” makes a “big favourite.” The celebrity boxing rivals are set to announce the latest rescheduling of their grudge match, slated for February 25 in Saudi Arabia.
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are set to fight on February 25Credit: BT Sport
      Eddie Hearn at the OVO Arena Wembley in OctoberCredit: Sportsfile
      And despite their rocky relationship, Hearn has backed Paul to win, even though he is the more inexperienced fighter on paper.
      He told iFL TV: “I think it’s a good fight. Frighteningly, I make Jake quite a big favourite in the fight. But I think it’s a good fight.
      “If that was a – I can’t say if that was a boxing match because it is a boxing match – but that is like a sort-of 50/50 fight.
      “Talk about levels, a good fight for an undercard. It just so happens Jake Paul is a huge name and built a great profile.
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      “And Tommy Fury is a big name as well so they can do a main-event and make a load of money. And I think it’s quite an interesting fight.”
      The two are now trying to settle their score in the ring for the THIRD time.
      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.
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      Paul, 26, even offered to travel to Manchester on February 18 and fight Fury in enemy territory.
      But a more lucrative deal in Saudi Arabia a week later was proposed and looks to have won the race.
      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.
      It came a month after the American beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 46, over eight rounds.
      Silva became the third ex-MMA champion Paul has beaten, after Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 40.
      And with Fury facing largely only journeymen opposition – common for any prospect at the start – Hearn believes Paul is a greater threat.
      He said: “Jake Paul – and this is quite worrying – is levels above any fighter Tommy Fury’s ever boxed.
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      “But I’ve watched some of Tommy, he hasn’t looked very good recently. But can he fight? I dunno.
      “If he can fight and he’s actually a genuine prospect, he’ll beat Jake. If he’s not very good, he’ll get beat. But I like it. I quite like the fight.”
      Jake Paul and promoter Eddie Hearn in New York last yearCredit: Sportsfile More

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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.
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      “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.
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      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.
      Read More on The Sun
      “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