More stories

  • in

    Watch as Sonny Bill Williams is brutally KNOCKED OUT by 48-year-old MMA legend Mark Hunt in huge upset

    SONNY BILL WILLIAMS was stunned by a brutal knockout from his 48-year-old opponent in a major upset. The former New Zealand rugby star, 37, took on MMA legend Mark Hunt in Sydney on Saturday night.
    Sonny Bill Williams could not cope with the power of Mark HuntCredit: Stan Sport
    The ex-rugby ace was stunned and failed to recoverCredit: Stan Sport
    The New Zealander was knocked out in round fourCredit: Getty
    Hunt produced a magnificent display to stun WilliamsCredit: Getty
    But things did not go to plan for the 6ft 4ins Aucklander.
    Midway through the fourth round of the eight-round heavyweight bout, tubby Hunt went on the attack.
    Williams could do nothing to stop the barrage of heavy blows.
    And he was left down on his knees as the referee waved it off.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    That in turn ripped away his unbeaten professional boxing record after nine straight wins.
    Williams started his pro boxing career way back in 2009 with the aim of using the combat sport to improve him as a rugby player.
    But since retiring from rugby in early 2021, he has focused fully on the ring.
    Williams beat Waikato Falefehi by a unanimous decision last year and then flattened former Aussie Rules ace Barry Hall twice in his first-round KO win in March.
    Most read in Sport
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
    Many expected him to maintain his winning streak against Hunt.
    The All Blacks icon worked his way into the fight over the first three rounds, starting to take control and work out how to deal with Hunt’s short height but serious power.
    However, it all went wrong in the fourth.
    SBW – tipped to fight Jake Paul next – was floored by a big right hand from Hunt but got up in time to beat the count.
    Hunt refused to back off, though, and unleashed a relentless series of punches, to which Williams had no response.
    And with the ex-UFC veteran refusing to give in, it was all over in a staggering result.
    Williams made a strong start over the first three roundsCredit: Getty
    Hunt posed serious danger with his huge powerCredit: Getty
    Williams looked stunned as the fight ended in defeatCredit: Getty
    There was plenty of respect between the two fightersCredit: Getty
    Williams dropped to his knees, gutted and hurt, as Hunt celebrated wildly with his kids – before announcing he was done.
    Hunt said: “I’m smiling not because of the win, but I’m smiling because this is the last time I walked into a ring of combat of any sorts.
    “My first thought after was ‘s*** I want to do that again!’, but no [I won’t be back in the ring again].”
    Williams added: “I would like to say it was an honour to share the ring with Mark Hunt tonight, the Super Samoan.
    “I tried my best but it wasn’t good enough.
    Read More on The Sun
    “Not too much positives to take from that, but to share the ring with a legend like Mark, it was special.
    “Also to see a lot of Polynesian brothers get a chance on the card was special. Whatever happens happens.” More

  • in

    ‘Don’t hate me cause you ain’t me’ – Nate Diaz hits back at Michael Bisping after UFC legend backs Jake Paul in fight

    NATE DIAZ brutally fired back at Michael Bisping after he was picked to LOSE against Jake Paul. Diaz is linked with a boxing match against YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul.
    Nate Diaz brutally fired back at Michael Bisping
    Jake Paul after beating UFC legend Anderson SilvaCredit: Reuters
    And UFC legend Bisping backed the American social media sensation to win, drawing a furious reaction.
    Dia, 37, posted a picture of Bisping getting knocked out by Dan Henderson in their 2009 fight.
    And he captioned it: “The only fight I ever saw by this goofy f*****. Don’t hate me cause you ain’t me MB.”
    Diaz was ringside to watch Paul beat UFC icon Anderson Silva, 47, to go 6-0 and secure the most credible win of his career.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    It has paved the way for the pair to potentially meet in the ring later next year.
    And Bisping has hedged his bets on Paul, who has formerly beaten ex-UFC pair Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 40.
    He said on his YouTube channel: “Listen, with boxing gloves on, I don’t think it will be a good idea for Nate Diaz.
    “Nate Diaz was a tremendous mixed martial artist. He beat some phenomenal people, had a tremendous career. He lost some fights and he won a lot of fights.
    Most read in Boxing
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACING
    “The jiu-jitsu would be gone, the kicking game is gone, the general craftsmanship and the gameplans and the adversity of attacks, punches, kicks, knees, elbows, strangles, chokeholds, triangles, takedowns, you name it.
    “That’s what Diaz could do. Those are the advantages he’d have over a Jake Paul.”
    Bisping, 43, added: “If he was to fight Jake Paul and at that weight, 200 pounds or 196 pounds, whatever weight they want to come in at, I don’t think it would go very well for Nate Diaz.”
    Nate Diaz was at Jake Paul’s fight eventCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Michael Bisping backed Jake Paul to beat Nate DiazCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Jake Paul will ‘NEVER get credit he wants or deserves’ until fighting a boxer, says Eddie Hearn after Anderson Silva win

    EDDIE HEARN has warned Jake Paul must fight a professional boxer to receive the credit he desires. The YouTuber-turned boxer improved to 6-0 by scoring the most credible win of his career, beating UFC legend Anderson Silva.
    Jake Paul after beating UFC legend Anderson SilvaCredit: EPA
    Eddie Hearn warned Jake Paul must fight a boxer to receive the credit he desiresCredit: Getty
    And despite Silva’s greatness in the UFC octagon, and five prior bouts in the ring, critics are still demanding Paul face a boxer.
    Hearn told DAZN: “I think Jake is improving, he’s working hard.
    “He does a lot of things wrong in the ring, but he’s not a boxer, he hasn’t been boxing for years and years.
    “Now Jake really has to fight a boxer. He’s never going to the credit that he maybe wants or deserves until he actually fights a professional boxer.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “I believe he wants to do that; I’m guessing he will do that next.”
    Paul, 25, twice signed to fight celebrity rival Tommy Fury, 23, who pulled out on both occasions.
    Firstly, Fury suffered a rib injury in December before withdrawing from the reschduled date in August amid a US visa issue.
    On that occasion, 12-1 heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, signed in as a replacement but the bout was soon scrapped due a row over weight.
    Most read in Boxing
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    It left Paul turning to Silva, 47, for his return fight, which he won on points over eight rounds.
    Hearn said: “I haven’t seen the fight, I’ve only seen the knockdown, but I think you have to give him credit.
    “Yes, he’s not fighting any real boxers yet, and yes Anderson Silva was 48, but it’s still an opponent for your sixth fight of a level where most prospects are fighting at.”
    Jake Paul dropped Anderson Silva in the last roundCredit: EPA More

  • in

    Floyd Mayweather gets green light to fight Jake Paul which has ‘potential to be bigger’ than $100m exhibition with Logan

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER has been given the green light for a grudge match with Jake Paul.The boxing legend traded blows with Paul a matter of weeks before his exhibition with the YouTuber’s older brother Logan last June.
    Floyd Mayweather and Jake Paul were involved in a heated exchange last MayCredit: AFP
    The pair came to blows after Paul stole Mayweather’s hatCredit: GETTY
    Showtime president Stephen Espinoza is willing to do everything in his power to make the fightCredit: THE SUN
    And broadcasting powerhouse Showtime – who have partnered up with Jake for his last three fights – are willing to stump up the cash to make the exhibition bout happen.
    When asked if he’d be interested in making the fight, Showtime President told MMA Fighting: “Absolutely [we’d be interested].
    “If that’s something that Floyd becomes interested in, and he’s got room in his very busy schedule of exhibitions worldwide to do that.
    “I think that has tremendous potential.
    READ MORE IN SPORT
    “Maybe even the potential to be bigger than Floyd and Logan, given what Jake has done as a professional boxer in the meantime.”
    Espinoza won’t hesitate to try to make the fight should Mayweather communicate an interest in fighting Jake.
    He said: “Look, I firmly believe — as much as I wish this were not true — we’re not going to see or at least I’m not going to see another fighter like Floyd Mayweather in my lifetime.
    “He’s truly a once a generation.
    Most read in Boxing
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    “I mean. the combination of his marketing ability and his skill set and everything that came along with him is just once in a lifetime type of fighter.
    “Whenever he has a business endeavour and he picks up the phone and says ‘Hey, are you interested?,’ ninety-nine per cent of the time our answer is yes.”
    Jake. 25, stretched his perfect record to a 6-0 last weekend with a decision victory over UFC great Anderson Silva.
    And he’s confident he’d get the better of Mayweather if the former five-weight world champ were to end his professional retirement.
    He said: “It would be interesting, still, to actually fight Floyd, though, in an actual professional bout.
    “First of all, that’s still a big fight and still a massive, massive draw.
    “And if it was an actual pro match, I think people would be super, super interested.”
    He added: “He fought my brother and Logan was weighing 190lbs.
    Read More on The Sun
    “I could get to 175lbs and Floyd could weigh 165lb and a commission would approve that.
    “I just know that I would win. i would love to take his O. And it would be a massive fight as far as pay-per-views are concerned.” More

  • in

    ‘We got a couple of names’ – Jake Paul already in talks for next fight as coach teases boxing and MMA opponents

    JAKE PAUL already has “a couple of names’ lined up for his next outing to the ring.The YouTuber turned boxer stretched his professional record to a perfect 6-0 last weekend with a unanimous decision victory over UFC legend Anderson Silva.
    Jake Paul stretched his perfect record to 6-0 with a win over MMA great Anderson SilvaCredit: Rex
    Paul is itching to get back inside the ring and is already eyeing opponents for next yearCredit: REUTERS
    Tommy Fury is in contention to face Paul early next yearCredit: BT SPORT
    Former UFC star Nate Diaz is also in the running to face The Problem ChildCredit: GETTY
    Paul, 25, is eager to get back into the ring as soon as possible next year, so much so his team have already started eyeing up opponents.
    During an appearance on The MMA Hour, head coach BJ Flores said: “We got a couple of names that we’re looking at.
    “And that’s all I can say about it.
    “Jake wants the biggest names, the biggest challenges and he deserves those types of fights.
    READ MORE IN SPORT
    “He’s taken care of these guys. He’s paying these guys. Well, he’s given them full training camps.
    “He’s letting these guys really come in the best version of themselves.
    “There’s boxers on there. There’s a couple of MMA fighters too. That would make sense too.”
    Tommy Fury and former UFC star Nate Diaz are the frontrunners to face Problem Child Paul next year.
    Most read in Boxing
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    Paul and Fury have twice been scheduled to face one another but have yet to share the ring.
    Injury and illness to Fury – the younger brother of WBC heavyweight king Tyson – scuppered the pair’s first scheduled meeting last December.
    Visa issues for Love Islander Fury laid waste to their rescheduled rumble last December, which both men are seemingly keen to re-book.
    MMA great Diaz alluded to a switch to the boxing world after seeing out his UFC contract last month.
    And Paul is confident he’d mop the floor with the Stockton slugger, saying during an appearance on The MMA Hour: “I’ll be down.
    Read More on The Sun
    “I just beat one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.
    “Nate Diaz is easy work. Anderson Silva is way more difficult than Nate Diaz.” More

  • in

    Jake Paul backed to BEAT Nate Diaz by UFC legend Michael Bisping… who laughs off YouTuber’s callout of Canelo Alvarez

    JAKE PAUL has sensationally been backed to BEAT Nate Diaz by Michael Bisping. UFC legend Bisping, admitted he was wrong to dismiss Paul ahead of his fight against Anderson Silva – which Paul won via a unanimous points victory.
    Jake Paul defeated Anderson Silva on pointsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    He then called out ex-UFC champ Nate DiazCredit: Getty
    Michael Bisping revealed his thoughts on that potential boutCredit: Rex
    And following the fight the YouTuber-turned-boxer was quick to call out potential opponents for his next fight.
    MMA stars Canelo Alvarez and Nate Diaz are both in his sights, with the latter in attendance for Paul’s victory.
    A melee ensued backstage involving Diaz, with the 37-year-old filmed slapping a member of Paul’s entourage before being asked to leave the arena.
    But speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping warned ex-UFC Champ Diaz that a boxing fight at Paul’s weight would not end well for him.
    READ MORE ON BOXING
    He explained: “The majority of Nate Diaz’s fights have happened at 155(lbs), he was a lightweight.
    “Then he went up to Welterweight 170lbs and he went 5-5, the only knockout he got was against Rory Markham in 2010. With boxing gloves on I don’t think it will be a good idea for Nate Diaz.
    “Nate Diaz was a tremendous mixed martial artist. He beat some phenomenal people and had a tremendous career, you know he lost some fights and he won a lot of fights.
    “The Jiu Jitsu would be gone, the kicking game is gone, just the general craftmanship and the game plans and the adversity of attacks; punches, kicks, knees, elbows, strangles, chokeholds, triangles, takedowns you name it, that’s what Diaz can do.
    Most read in Boxing
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    “Those are the advantages that he has over Jake Paul.
    “If he was to fight Jake Paul and at that weight; 200lbs, 196lbs whatever they want to come in at – I don’t think it would go very well for Nate Diaz.”
    While Bisping admitted he was wrong to dismiss Paul’s chances of beating Silva, he firmly told him to cool his interest in a fight with Alvarez.
    He said: “I’m just going to say slow your roll on that one.
    Read More on The Sun
    “Number one the fight is never gonna happen, secondly, shoot your shot.
    “God bless him but he’s never gonna fight or beat Canelo Alvarez.” More

  • in

    Tommy Fury’s dad says son will KO Jake Paul with ‘first right hand that he throws’ and slams fight with Anderson Silva

    JOHN FURY has backed son Tommy to knock out Jake Paul with the “first right hand that he throws”. And John was left unimpressed with Paul’s decision to fight 47-year-old UFC legend Anderson Silva.
    John Fury pictured with his son TommyCredit: Rex
    He told Global Titans: “If any of my sons was 50 years old and doing that, I’d say, ‘Listen, have a day off, give your head a wobble.
    “‘Alls you’re going to do is make a fool of yourself and entertainment for other people.
    “You’re making the other man that’s useless look good.’ Jake Paul can’t fight. He will knock Jake Paul out with one punch.
    “And I’ll say it now on camera: Jake Paul will get knocked out with the first right hand that he throws, and I’ll put money on it.”
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    Tommy, 23, has twice pulled out of fighting Paul, 25, firstly due to a rib injury and then amid a US visa issue.
    His celebrity boxing rival has opened the door to rescheduling for a THIRD time, which would have to be in the UK or Middle East.
    But Tommy firstly returns on November 13 against 5-2 American Paul Bamba, 33, on Floyd Mayweather’s undercard in Dubai.
    John added: “This man he’s fighting here, at least he’s a proper fighter. He trains as a boxer.
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “All he’s fighting, he’s had seven pro fights against proper opposition.
    “Not some hand-picked geriatric that needs a Zimmer frame to get in the ring.”
    Tommy last fought in April, beating Pole Daniel Bocianski, 27, on brother Tyson’s Wembley Stadium undercard.
    Jake Paul beat UFC legend Anderson SilvaCredit: Reuters More

  • in

    Jake Paul reveals prediction for Anderson Silva PPV buys with earnings of $18m but says he’ll only fight in summer now

    JAKE PAUL could generate $18million in pay-per-view sales alone for his fight with Anderson Silva – if his estimations are correct. The YouTuber-turned boxer beat Silva last weekend in Arizona, marking the most legitimate win of his 6-0 career.
    Jake Paul on his brother’s podcastCredit: @impaulsive
    And he believes the bout will have brought in up to 300,000 PPV buys when it is all said and done.
    That amount, priced at $60, means $18m (£15.6m) would have been made in box office receipts.
    Paul said on his brother’s podcast: “I think it will go around 200-300,00 which is kind of upsetting.”
    The American also revealed he will now target fights in the summer, having competed against Halloween, the World Series and the NFL.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    He said: “This is the worst time of the year to fight, but guess what? I had to fight.
    “All of my fights from now on will be in the summer, there’s no sports. There’s like this perfect gap in July/early August where there’s no sports.
    “And by the way, all my others fights were during Covid when no one had anything to do or anything to watch.
    “NFL was cancelled, NBA, nothing was on. I had to fight this year, I just had to get it f***** done, I’m sick of waiting around.”
    Most read in Boxing
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Paul, 25, had not boxed since last December, when he knocked out ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 40, in their short notice rematch.
    Woodley only filled in, four months after losing on points, after Tommy Fury, 23, suffered a rib injury.
    Fury rescheduled with Paul for August but was again withdrawn, this time amid a US visa issue.
    Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, signed in replace but lightening struck twice as the bout was cancelled due to a weight disagreement.
    So by the time Paul stepped foot in the ring against Silva, 47, it had been ten months since he had fought.
    I think it will go around 200-300,00 which is kind of upsetting.Jake Paul on Anderson Silva PPV buys
    And on the week of the bout, it was thrown into doubt after the UFC legend claimed he was knocked out twice in sparring.
    Silva admitted his words were lost in translation but the commission still held an emergency meeting, later passing the Brazilian fit to fight.
    But Paul claimed the initial news of Silva’s fitness woes caused a negative impact on the PPV sales.
    He said: “On the PPV buys thing, the pre-buys were going crazy, up, up, up.
    “On Wednesday, when the news came out about Anderson, saying he got knocked out or whatever and the fight was in jeopardy and all this press came out, the pre-buys tanked all the way down.
    Read More on The Sun
    “The general public sees that and is like, ‘Oh, it’s not happening.’ Tommy pulled out, Hasim pulled out. ‘Oh, Jake f***** Paul can’t get an event together, this is done.’
    “It killed, ticket sales, we’re still selling tickets, that day everything went to zero.”
    UFC legend Anderson Silva lost to Jake Paul on pointsCredit: Reuters More