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      Jake Paul’s coach warn they have a ‘secret weapon’ for Anderson Silva fight and promises it will be revealed in the ring

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      JAKE PAUL is taking a “secret weapon” into his fight with Anderson Silva – which trainer BJ Flores insisted will be revealed in the ring.The YouTuber-turned boxer returns over the weekend in Arizona, in his first bout in ten months.
      Jake Paul training ahead of his fight with Anderson SilvaCredit: Esther Lin/ SHOWTIME
      But his coach revealed they have been working in secrecy during the hiatus and have a trick or two up their sleeve.
      Flores said: “It’s impossible to handicap how much better Jake has got from last December till now.
      “We brought a little secret weapon into camp and it’s paid off drastically.
      “We’re excited about it and all of Jake’s sparring partners have been saying the same thing. We’ll find out on Saturday.
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      “No hints but it will be obvious after the fight. It’s going to be a drastic difference.”
      Paul last fought in December, knocking out Tyron Woodley, 40, four months after beating the ex-UFC champion on points.
      That added to KOs over online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, also 38.
      Woodley only filled on under two weeks’ notice after Tommy Fury, 23, pulled out of his grudge match against Paul with a rib injury.
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      The celeb mega-fight was rescheduled for August in New York – but that was soon KOd when Fury suffered US visa issues.
      Heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, signed as a substitute, only for lightening to strike twice, this time due to a weight disagreement.
      But it has now paved the way for Paul to return in a night Flores believes will be his coming out party.
      He said: “I think this fight is the fight that opens a lot of peoples eyes because everyone recognises Anderson is a tough guy.
      “Everybody in the MMA world, they all think Anderson is going to win.”
      Anderson Silva during his open workoutCredit: Esther Lin/ SHOWTIME More

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      ‘A bit too fresh for him’ – Eddie Hearn makes Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva prediction as YouTuber faces UFC legend

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      EDDIE HEARN reckons Jake Paul will be too fast and “too fresh” in his showdown with MMA legend Anderson Silva.The YouTuber turned boxer will throw down with the former UFC middleweight champion early on Sunday morning in Pheonix, Arizona.
      Jake Paul will throw down with Anderson Silva early on Sunday morningCredit: AP
      Former UFC middleweight champ Silva will be the toughest test of Paul’s careerCredit: Getty
      Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has tipped Paul to get the better of SilvaCredit: SPORTSFILE
      Future UFC Hall-of-Famer Silva, 47, will be the most decorated striker Paul has faced in his burgeoning career – although Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn believes Father Time will be on side of the YouTuber this weekend.
      He told Betfred: “Anderson Silva is 48 years old now, but he’s an MMA legend.
      “He’s a decent striker as well, and obviously has that victory over a very faded Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
      “I just expect Jake to be a bit too fresh for him.”
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      Paul, 25, goes into his clash with Silva on the back of a brutal sixth-round knockout victory over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
      Hearn has been impressed by what he’s seen of Paul since his debut, saying: “Watching Jake, he’s definitely improving as a fighter.
      “You can see that.
      “He’s in good shape and he’s a strong young man, but he’s probably not going to get as much credit as he deserves if he wins because the argument that he hasn’t beaten a boxer will remain.
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      “Silva is definitely his toughest challenge so far and if he wins he should get the appropriate credit.”
      Improvements aside, Hearn believes The Problem Child will eventually get found out.

      He said: “I don’t think he’s terrible but he’s certainly not going to be competing at world level.
      “Again, we shouldn’t really knock him because many fighters are trying to compete at world level but also won’t make that grade as well.
      “And that’s no disgrace because it’s a very difficult thing to do.
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      “He is improving and he’s given his time to the sport. Good luck to him.”
      Victory over Silva will see former Disney star Paul move to a perfect 6-0 and will be the biggest of his career. More

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      Jake Paul vs Conor McGregor could be ‘a lot more competitive than Notorious against Floyd Mayweather, Eddie Hearn claims

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      BOXING promoter Eddie Hearn threw his support behind Jake Paul fighting Conor McGregor.The YouTuber-turned-boxer has repeatedly declared his interest in pitting his wits against the UFC star, where he claims he will knock the Irishman out.
      Jake Paul is 5-0 inside the boxing ring ahead of his bout against Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Conor McGregor has had one boxing fight – a KO loss to the legend Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty – Contributor
      It would be a real battle of the novices with Paul 5-0 inside the squared circle, while the Notorious has had one fight in boxing – a KO defeat against Floyd Mayweather in August 2017.
      Paul is currently preparing to face Anderson Silva on October 29 after a bout to face Tommy Fury was scrapped for a second time.
      But Hearn wants to see Paul take on McGregor in the ring.
      Speaking to Sirius XM Boxing in late 2020, the Matchroom boss said: “I think it’s reasonably competitive, especially with the weight difference.
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      “Jake Paul vs Conor McGregor is a lot more competitive than Conor vs Floyd Mayweather.”
      McGregor and Paul have been embroiled in a war-of-words in social media, with the Dublin native labelling the American as a “flop” and a “nobody”.
      His comments came after Paul talked up a clash against McGregor in an interview with the MMA Hour.
      Paul said his rival must get active again with the 34-year-old still recovering from a broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier last year.
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      He told Ariel Helwani: “I think for me, fighting a couple more times, continuing to knock some people out, and he has to get active again, who knows when that’s gonna happen?
      “I think those two things need to happen, and then at some point, it’s gotta happen.
      He added: “You know, why not? He’s a businessman, I’m a businessman, and that’s $75 to $100 million [£63m-£84.3m]for both of us.”
      McGregor was quick to reply to the interview as he took to social media to criticise Paul.
      Commenting on the unbeaten 5-0 ace, he tweeted: “You’ve [had] 2 fights and done 70k buys.”
      Eddie Hearn thinks McGregor vs Paul would be ‘competitive’Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      Conor McGregor offered boxing world title shot by fellow Irish fighter Dennis Hogan as talks begin with UFC star

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      UFC superstar Conor McGregor has allegedly been offered a shock crack at a boxing world title.The Notorious entered the boxing world in August 2017 for a multi-million-pound showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr but has repeatedly flirted with the prospect of returning to the squared circle.
      Conor McGregor entered the boxing world in 2017 for a clash with Floyd MayweatherCredit: GETTY
      The UFC’s poster boy has flirted with a return to the squared circleCredit: GETTY
      And he’s allegedly been offered a crack at Dennis Hogan’s IBO middleweight titleCredit: EPA
      And the Irishman has been offered a shot at countryman Dennis Hogan’s IBO light-middleweight title – which Spike O’Sullivan is also in the running for.
      Hogan’s manager Steve Scanlan told Irish-Boxing.com: “We have been in touch with both Spike and Conor’s team.
      “Spike’s team will move heaven and earth to make this fight, so that is a much easier fight to make happen but we are just working through everything.
      “If we don’t fight Conor, which obviously is a long shot, but crazier things have happened, then we will 100 per cent be fighting Spike in Ireland.”
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      A fight with McGregor would be incredibly hard to make as the Dubliner is still under contract with the UFC.
      The former two-division world champion has two fights left on his current deal with the MMA giants.
      McGregor, 34, is currently recovering from the horrific broken leg he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier.
      The UFC’s poster boy was expected to return to action before year’s end but isn’t back to fighting fitness.
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      But he plans to make up for lost time after finishing up his part in the upcoming Road House remake.
      He recently tweeted: “There is no one in Hollywood with the skills or the capability to do what I am doing in this movie ‘the roadhouse’ Box office records.
      “Awards. Mr tasty shots on the big screen.
      “I’m feeling crazy confident. Calm. Disattached from emotion.
      “Aware of what I must do and making it happen. Visualizing. I see it all. Clear.
      “This movie wraps, I’m back. I’ll have multiple fights completed by the time this movie even releases.”
      Read More on The Sun
      McGregor won’t be back until April at the earliest as he’s currently out of the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool.
      Fighters who have left the pool must be enrolled in the year-round testing programme for six months before competing unless they’re given an exemption – although they’d have to return two negative tests before doing so. More

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      Watch Jake Paul arrive on a HORSE for open workout as YouTube star prepares to commence ‘war’ on UFC icon Anderson Silva

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      JAKE PAUL rocked up on a HORSE for his open workout as he prepares to commence “war” on Anderson Silva. The YouTuber-turned boxer returns over the weekend in Arizona, his first bout in ten months.

      And he announced his grand arrival in style, riding into the open workout session on a horse, just days before his battle in the ring.
      Paul, 25, said: “I’m going to war. I feel like a warrior a gladiator, that’s really what this is on Saturday.
      “And I am going to war, this is one of the toughest fighters in the world, a combat sports legend.
      “It’s not going to be an easy fight, so I’ve got to come in on the horse like I’m preparing for battle.”
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      Paul last fought in December, knocking out Tyron Woodley, 40, four months after beating the ex-UFC champion on points.
      That added to KOs over online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, also 38.
      Woodley only filled on under two weeks’ notice after Tommy Fury, 23, pulled out of his grudge match against Paul with a rib injury.
      The celeb mega-fight was rescheduled for August in New York – but that was soon KOd when Fury suffered US visa issues.
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      Heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, signed as a substitute, only for lightening to strike twice, this time due to a weight disagreement.
      And Paul has vowed to take his anger out in the ring against Silva, promising another viral KO.
      He said: “Everything happens for a reason, so I’m just excited to put on a show. I’m trying to get that KO of the year part two.” More

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      Anderson Silva says ‘I am fit and ready’ as he clarifies talk he was KO’d in sparring and plots knockout of Jake Paul

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      ANDERSON SILVA has shut down suggestions he was knocked-out twice in sparring ahead of his fight with Jake Paul. The pair are set to go head-to-head in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend as the 47-year-old looks to continue his impressive start to life in boxing after a long time in UFC.
      The Spider’s surprise revelation has added even more intrigue ahead of his clash with PaulCredit: Getty
      Paul is finally getting back in the ring after plans for multiple fights fell apartCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      With Paul looking to claim one of the biggest scalps of his career, Silva has a challenge on his hands to make it five wins in six fights.
      But fans were left worried by his preparation after the UFC legend said he was knocked out twice in sparring ahead of the bout.
      But he has since clarified his comments.
      Silva was quotes as saying: “I’m training hard for win — I’m training with the good boxers, high-level, and five guys come to help me.
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      “And the last sparring with [my sparring partner], he is knocked me out two times, and when I finish my training, I talked to my coach and even said, ‘coach, let me tell you something, why the guys knock me out two times?’
      “And the coach said, ‘You need to prepare for war, and you prepare for war.’”
      But Silva’s longtime coach Luiz Carlos Dorea told MMA Fighting that Silva’s story was incorrect, and he was not knocked out.
      He said: “What I can say is that didn’t happen,” he said. “Thank God we follow all the steps in training and Anderson did excellent sparring [sessions]. He’s 100 percent for the fight.”
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      Silva has also clarified his comment.
      He said: “After seeing the reports and concern for me, I’d like to clarify two important things. One, I was NEVER knocked out in sparring. I misspoke in that interview as I sometimes do when interviewing in English and exaggerated the normal back-and-forth action that occurs in sparring. 
      “Second, this sparring session I referenced was in early September. The interview with MMA Weekly was done on September 13 and, for some reason, just released this week. So, it wasn’t recent.  
      “More importantly, my training camp has been great. I am fit and ready to fight and the only knockout people should be worried about is the one I’m about to deliver to Jake Paul on Saturday night.” 
      Despite the denial, The Arizona Department of Gaming, which oversees the state’s boxing commission, said they would be “looking into the matter.”
      Silva is looking to hand The Problem Child his first loss.
      Paul was supposed to be fighting Tommy Fury in August but plans fell through after an issue with the Brit’s US visa.
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      A bout with Hasim Rahman Jr was also set up, but that also fell through due to a problem making weight on the heavyweight fighter’s side.
      The Youtuber-turned-boxer has not fought since December when he knocked out ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley. More

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      Jake Paul sparred world champs before Anderson Silva fight including man who dropped Tyson Fury and Andre Ward’s rival

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      JAKE PAUL called on the help of Tyson Fury and Andre Ward’s old rivals to help him prepare to fight Anderson Silva. The YouTuber-turned boxer returns over the weekend in Arizona, his first bout in ten months.
      Ex-world champion Chad Dawson with sparring partner Jake Paul
      Jake Paul sparring with Tyson Fury’s old opponent Steve Cunningham
      But during that hiatus from the ring, Paul has been secretly mixing it with champions of the past.
      That includes Steve Cunningham, 46, the former IBF cruiserweight title holder who in 2013 dropped but lost to Tyson Fury.
      And most recently Chad Dawson, 40, the three time light-heavyweight champ who lost to American great Ward in 2012.
      Paul, 25, said: “Chad Dawson raises my level of competition significantly.
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      “He pushes me to the next level and he makes me have to fight at my best. That’s what’s needed.
      “If I can be in there with Chad Dawson, then I can beat Anderson Silva.
      “I’m super excited for October 29 to go out there and show my speed.”
      Paul last fought in December, knocking out Tyron Woodley, 40, four months after beating the ex-UFC champion on points.
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      🥊 Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva: Ring walk time, live stream, TV channel, undercard for toughest test
      That added to KOs over online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, also 38.
      Woodley only filled on under two weeks’ notice after Tommy Fury, 23, pulled out of his grudge match against Paul with a rib injury.
      The celeb mega-fight was rescheduled for August in New York – but that was soon KOd when Fury suffered US visa issues.
      Heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, signed as a substitute, only for lightening to strike twice, this time due to a weight disagreement.
      But Rahman is a frequent switch-hitter, meaning Paul accustomed himself to sparring southpaws, a blessing in disguise for his fight with Silva.
      Coach BJ Flores said: “We’ve had Richard vanSiclen, who is 13-0. We’ve had Chad Dawson, who’s a former world champion.
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      “We’ve had Steve Cunningham and a lot of good guys in camp boxing with Jake who are very good southpaws.
      “Southpaws who have been around for a long time just to give Jake that look over and over again and make sure he’s comfortable when he gets in the ring.”
      Jake Paul sparring during his training campCredit: Adi Muhtarevic More

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      ‘He can take it all’ – Jake Paul backed to become world champ by prodigy who was stunned by YouTuber’s boxing knowledge

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      JAKE PAUL has been backed to reach the pinnacle of boxing by his prodigy Ashton Sylve, who was left in shock by his celebrity manager. Sylve is 8-0 with a 100 per cent knockout ratio and a target of almost every promoter by the time he was just 18. 
      Women’s world champion Amanda Serrano, Ashton Sylve and Jake Paul
      But Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions stable managed to snap up the exciting American prospect. 
      The pair trained together briefly after Sylve took a trip to the YouTuber-turned boxer’s Puerto Rico training base. 
      And it was there he was left pleasantly surprised by Paul’s boxing knowledge, which he thinks will be enough to take the 5-0 prizefighter all the way. 
      Sylvie told SunSport: “He’s honestly going pretty fast and he’s a very fast learner. 
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      “Just talking to him, honestly I didn’t think he’d be that smart in boxing, just listening to the things he says, he’s picking things up pretty quick. 
      “He’s advancing in the sport and I feel like he can take it all the way and end up being world champion.” 
      Sylve, who has mutual famous friends to Paul’s, admits as first he was unsure about the social media sensation’s legitimacy in the sport. 
      But after Paul knocked out a pair of former MMA champions in Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 40, the teen talent was convinced. 
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      Sylve said: “I just thought it was pretty much entertainment, something fun coming to the boxing fight, like in basketball they do celebrity games. 
      “I thought it was something like that but when it started to get serious and him actually having a professional record, I thought it was weird at first. 
      “But then I started to think everybody else’s career is kind of like that, a lot of fighters fight people in their first five fights who shouldn’t even be in the ring. 
      “So I didn’t think it was too bad and it started bringing a lot of eyes to boxing, so it was a plus for the whole boxing scene.” 

      🥊 Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva: Ring walk time, live stream, TV channel, undercard for toughest test
      Paul returns over the weekend in Arizona against Anderson Silva, 47, the biggest test of his career. 
      And it has also afforded Sylve a prime time spot as chief support in a bout against Braulio Rodriguez, 34. 
      Sylve was due to have his coming out party in August at New York’s Iconic Madison Square Garden. 
      But Paul had to axe his own pay-per-view bill after Tommy Fury, 23, and Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, pulled out due to a US visa issue and weight row respectively. 
      So Sylve has had to share the agonising wait alongside Paul and remain calm under the chaos. 
      He said: “I’m grateful for the opportunity, this is kind of like a dream come true, something I always envisioned. 
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      “In my ninth fight being a co-main event in a pay-per-view, I don’t think too many other people have done that. 
      “It’s something I think it incredible and it’s something I’ve always been reaching for.”
      Jake Paul training in his Puerto Rico gymCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul More