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      ‘Best thing to ever happen’ – Dana White’s shock career announcement backed by boxing legend and pal Mike Tyson

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      MIKE Tyson has hailed Dana White’s announcement that he plans to enter the world of boxing.The UFC supremo is a long-time fan of the sweet science and revealed plans to gatecrash the sport ahead of Conor McGregor’s 2017 showdown with Floyd Mayweather.UFC President and CEO Dana White has announced fresh intentions to get into boxingCredit: SPORTSFILEThe UFC supremo first revealed his intention to get into the sport back in 2017Credit: GETTYBoxing legend Mike Tyson has backed his good friend’s venture into the sportCredit: GETTYZuffa Boxing, however, never got off the ground – although the veteran promoter revealed last week that he’s reignited those plans.And his announcement was well received by his good friend Tyson, who reckons the UFC head honcho will change the sport for the better.During an appearance on the Come and Talk 2 Me podcast, he said: “Is he really in boxing now?“Well listen, that’s going to be the best thing to ever happen to boxing, just like the UFC.READ MORE ON DANA WHITE”If you’re in the UFC and if anyone is booing your fight, you’re not gonna see that guy again.”His next fight is gonna be in South Dakota somewhere.“If you don’t have a good fight, you’re never gonna see that guy again.”Not like boxing, ‘Oh this guy is gonna fight next month again,’ I don’t wanna see that.Most read in Boxing”If any fights stink, you’re not back in the UFC anymore, you’re never going to see those guys again.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDana White plans to make some ‘big announcements’ in the coming monthsCredit: SportsfileWhite’s decision to attempt to resurrect Zuffa Boxing isn’t completely out of the blue given his recent platforming and promotion of undefeated Irish super-welterweight Callum Walsh on UFC Fight Pass.And Eagled-eyed MMA fans noticed that the YouTube highlights from Walsh’s homecoming event in Dublin last week had “Zuffa Boxing” plastered on the thumbnails.Watch Mike Tyson, 58, PUNCH Jake Paul before YouTuber, 27, pushes him away in face-off ahead of boxing fightThe thumbnails seemingly let the cat out of the bag and prompted White to say: “There will be some big announcements.”If you know anything about me and you go back and look at anything I ever said.”I never say anything that I don’t do, ever. “We’ve been kicking the boxing thing around for a long time and you’ve never heard me commit and say, ‘I’m in’. I’m in.”It remains to be seen whether or not Zuffa Boxing actually gets off the ground this time.But White is in a much better place financially to enter the boxing world following the UFC’s joining of forces with the WWE to form the TKO Group, which as of last September, was valued at £16BILLION ($21.4B). More

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      Oleksandr Usyk mimics Conor McGregor’s ‘billionaire walk’ just seconds after talking with UFC legend at Joshua vs Dubois

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      OLEKSANDR USYK couldn’t help but mimic Conor McGregor after meeting the UFC legend at Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Daniel Dubois.The pair, 37 and 36 respectively, were among the 98,000 fans in attendance at Wembley for the historic domestic dust-up on Saturday night.Oleksandr Usyk and Conor McGregor had a backstage chat at Anthony Joshua’s Wembley war with Daniel DuboisCredit: INSTAGRAM@RTFIGHT_COMUsyk was left blown away by the UFC star’s energyCredit: INSTAGRAM@RTFIGHT_COMSo much so that he decided to copy the Irishman’s ‘billi strut’Credit: INSTAGRAM@RTFIGHT_COMMcGregor made a beeline for the former undisputed heavyweight champion and embraced him after seeing him backstage at the home of English football.And Usyk was blown away by his energy, so much so that he mimicked his ‘billi strut’ moments after their brief exchange.After an interviewer said McGregor was ‘great’, Usyk said: “Yes, yes, yes. [He’s a] crazy man, look.”The unified heavyweight champion then tried to channel his inner McGregor by bouncing up and down as he walked and swinging his arms back in Vince McMahon fashion.READ MORE ON AJ VS DUBOISThe undefeated Ukrainian then laughed as he added: “Oh my God.”Footage of Usyk’s McGregor impersonation spread like wildfire on social media, with one fight fan saying: “Best thing on the internet.”Another said: “Usyk is the best. I absolutely love the bloke. Such a ledge.”And another said with a laughing emoji: “Absolutely buckled.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS’Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fightDANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.Here’s what they said after the fight:DANIEL DUBOIS“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”ANTHONY JOSHUA“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)“It was a phenomenal fight, like  Hagler v Hearns.“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)“AJ shipped a huge right hand  in the first round and  was fighting on heart.“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.”One remarked: “Usyk is the kiddie I swear. Very funny man.”Another chimed in: “Quality.”Joshua vs Dubois fans baffled as Conor McGregor turns up at Wembley with bizarre prop to watch fight ringsideBoth Usyk and McGregor had ringside seats for Dubois’ career-defining victory over former two-time unified heavyweight champ AJ.Dubois retained his IBF crown with a stunning fifth-round KO of Joshua, who he knocked down FOUR TIMES in a truly pulsating Wembley war.Joshua, 34, is being urged by many to hang up his gloves following the crushing loss, something McGregor insists he shouldn’t do.The Notorious told The Stomping Ground: “AJ is number one, this is his eighth stadium show here – he is a legend forever.“Sure there is, sure there is; he had him.”He smacked back, stood his ground and smacked him back and then he went forward and got caught.”It’s only boxing, you can get caught or you catch someone, of course, he can come back – for sure.” More

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      Jake Paul set for career change that is ‘not easy to do’ after controversial Mike Tyson boxing fight

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      JAKE PAUL is in line for a career change that is “not easy to do” after his boxing fight with Mike Tyson. The YouTuber-turned-boxer, 27, faces heavyweight great Tyson, 58, on November 15 in a clash that has attracted controversy over the age gap.Mike Tyson facing off with Jake PaulCredit: EPABut Paul is also primed to make his MMA debut next year after signing a deal with the Professional Fighters League. PFL CEO Peter Murray revealed the American could cross over from the ring to the cage right after fighting Tyson. He told Sportskeeda: “Yeah, we’re lining it up.“Obviously, Jake is finishing up boxing this year, with this massive fight against Mike Tyson.READ MORE IN BOXING”Then a lot of planning is going into Jake Paul’s debut in 2025 and we’ll be sharing those details after Jake gets in the ring with Mike Tyson and we lay out our schedule for Super Fights next year.”Paul is 10-1 as a boxer with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury in February 2023 – a month before signing with the PFL.And the PFL publicly offered Fury £15m to rematch Paul in the ring before a trilogy bout in the cage. The 2019 Love Island star – who recently split with Molly-Mae Hague – has since called out Paul to an MMA bout. Most read in BoxingMurray meanwhile promised that Paul’s debut MMA opponent will be a notable one.He said: “Plenty of options and Jake is committed to fighting a very, very credible, well-rounded MMA fighter, and [it’s] not easy to do. “It’s not easy to cross over from boxing into MMA. You know, the crossover from MMA or other disciplines into boxing is a lot easier.”Francis Ngannou brutally warns Jake Paul against fighting ‘mean’ 6ft 4in UFC champ after boxing callout More

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      Tommy Fury calls out Jake Paul to MMA rematch after £15m two-fight offer and vows to ‘smash his face in’

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      TOMMY FURY has called out Jake Paul to a rematch in MMA – and vowed to “smash his face in.” Fury became the first, and so far only, person to defeat YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in the ring.Tommy Fury has called out Jake Paul to a rematch in MMACredit: @evolutionfitnessxlJake Paul is signed to the PFL to make his MMA debutBut the 2019 Love Island star – who recently announced his break-up with Molly-Mae Hague – is ready to take the rivalry to the cage. He said on his YouTube channel: “Jake Paul’s in the PFL, ain’t he? “I’m gonna smash his face in when I get good at MMA. Beat him in boxing and in the cage, big useless p***k.”I reckon a year, year and a half, two years of training I’d beat him in a fight, no problem in the cage.”READ MORE IN BOXINGPaul is signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) where he is due to make his MMA debut next year. And the PFL offered Fury a deal worth £15m to face the American across boxing and MMA. Paul, who faces boxing legend Mike Tyson next in a controversial clash, recently revealed the two-bout deal is still on the table.He said: “I think that’s actually still a discussion. So that could be interesting for sure. Me versus Tommy in MMA.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPaul has won four since defeat to Fury and returns on November 15 against 58-year-old Tyson.But even Fury has been left impressed by Paul’s performances in the ring. Tommy Fury reveals target date for boxing return after recovering from hand surgery amid Molly-Mae break-upHe told UFC star Tom Aspinall: “From not growing up in the sport and not doing anything ever, course he’s improving everyday. “He’s got the funds, the best trainers in the world, best sparring in the world, so he’s doing alright but no match for me. “I swear to God, next time I fight him I’m going to knock him out.” Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul on pointsCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Watch Tyson Fury ‘floor’ kickboxer in bizarre video as he tries hand at new sport ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch

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      TYSON FURY has jokingly hinted at a future switch to Muay Thai – just three months before his do-or-die rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.The Gypsy King is slowly ramping up preparations for his December dust-up with the Ukranian, who ended his dream of becoming undisputed heavyweight champion last May.Tyson Fury is gearing up for a rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYBut the Gypsy King has been trying his hand at Muay ThaiCredit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONFURYFury floored his instructor with a hard low kick on the padsCredit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONFURYBut the 36-year-old has suggested he wants to try his hand at the art of eight limbs after he walks away from boxing.On Tuesday, the Gypsy King shared a video of himself from his recent trip to Thailand at the World Kumite Organization gym.The video starts off with Fury leaning on the ring ropes before the Kru (teacher) encourages him to throw a low kick on the leg pad.Fury, who was donning an orange vest and incredibly short shorts, was left perplexed but eventually agreed before receiving some words of wisdom.READ MORE ON TYSON FURYAnd he floored the Kru with a hard, but far from aesthetically pleasing, right low kick.Scores of Fury’s seven million Instagram followers commented on the clip, with one saying: “Thai-son Fury.”Another said: “I’ve seen enough, give him Francis Ngannou inside the octagon.And another said: “That was actually scary powerful.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne remarked: “Wow, now give him Jon Jones or Ngannou in the octagon.”Another chimed in: “Ready for that cage.”I sparred Tyson Fury when he was just 17 and my incredible prediction for Gypsy King has come trueMultiple-time Muay Thai world champion John Wayne Parr said: “This is awesome. Welcome to Muay Thai, sir.”Fury is no stranger to flirting with different combat sports, claiming last summer that he’d received an offer to fight UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.He told SunSport: “That’s 100 per cent true [that I received an offer to fight Jones].”I’ve had an offer from the UFC, from [WME] IMG, to fight Jon Jones. Frank Warren knows about it, my team knows about it.”It’s still ongoing and we’re looking to move forward on that for sure.”Me and Jon have even spoke about it. It’s definitely a real thing.”Fury may have aspirations of one day fighting in another combat sport, but his sights are solely set on avenging his split decision defeat to Usyk on December 21.In a June Instagram video, he roared: “Hey guys, Tyson Fury here. Back in the gym, as you can see.”[I’m] counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk.”December 21 is going to be my time. I’ve done everything in boxing, but I ain’t come back from a loss.READ MORE SUN STORIES”And I relish it, the chance to redeem myself GET UP.”December 21 is all me – undisputed heavyweight here I come.”Tyson Fury will renew his rivalry with Tyson Fury on December 21Credit: Getty More

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      Watch Francis Ngannou brutally tell Jake Paul what ‘specimen’ Mike Tyson will do to him after training with boxing icon

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU gave Jake Paul a brutal warning about his fight against “specimen” Mike Tyson. YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul faces heavyweight boxing royalty Tyson on November 15 in Texas.Francis Ngannou told Jake Paul that Mike Tyson will beat himTyson facing off with Jake PaulCredit: RexTyson with former protege NgannouCredit: AFPIron Mike spent time last year helping Ngannou bridge the gap from MMA to boxing ahead of his ring debut against Tyson Fury.And Paul heard that Ngannou was backing his old boxing mentor to do the business despite being 30 YEARS older. Paul said to Ngannou on his podcast: “You spoke to some reporter yesterday or the day before and you said that Mike Tyson is going to beat my ass.”Ngannou bluntly responded: “I do. Listen, I have seen Tyson move around to show me stuff and I was like, ‘Calm down.’ He has still got it….READ MORE IN BOXING”Either way I think Mike Tyson will beat you. We’re talking about Mike bro. Mike is something else, he is a specimen.”Paul took it well and laughed: “I love it when people stand on business and say the other person is going to win.”This is great for me, Francis Ngannou says I’m going to get knocked the f*** out.”Ngannou, 37, dropped Fury, 36, only to lose a controversial split-decision in Saudi Arabia.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe then faced Anthony Joshua, 34, in March but was knocked out and now returns to MMA on October 19 to face 6ft 8in Renan Ferreira, 34. But Paul, 27, was quick to try and find out what he could learn from Ngannou after his training sessions with Tyson, 58. And Ngannou said: “You need to watch out for everything. Mike will move from this side to this side without you knowing.”In another circumstance, I would be like ‘OK, let’s go Jake’, but with this I’m like, ‘Bro, let’s be real’.”Jake Paul warned Mike Tyson will ‘beat his ass’ as boxing legend’s ex-protege Ngannou gives insight to legend’s training More

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      MMA star reveals talks with Eddie Hall despite 13 STONE difference after missing out on Floyd Mayweather and KSI fight

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      TYRON WOODLEY revealed wild talks to fight Eddie Hall despite their huge 13 STONE weight difference. Woodley once held the UFC welterweight title before then making a move into boxing where he was twice beaten by Jake Paul. Eddie Hall has crossed over to MMACredit: Rex FeaturesTyron Woodley says he was in talks to fight Eddie HallCredit: Getty Images – GettyFormer world’s strongest man Hall, 36, lost his boxing debut against strongman rival Hafthor Bjornsson, 35, in 2022.But he crossed over to MMA this year to defeat TikTok stars Jamil and Jamel Neffat in a crazy two-on-one bout. And despite weighing 26 stone – compared to the 13 stone of Woodley – the two were linked with a bout. Woodley, 42, told Overdogs Podcast: “I’m not down for these three-week notice fights to build somebody else’s name up.READ MORE IN MMA“You see the heavyweight dude that fought two motherf***ers at one time, 365[lbs]? “Motherf***er asked me to fight this dude on three weeks’ notice in Ireland in MMA.” Woodley’s last fight in the cage was a 2021 defeat Vicente Luque, 32, which was his fourth loss in a row. He then lost on points to YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, 27, before getting knocked out in the rematch. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWoodley has not fought since despite talks with KSI, 31, and boxing great Floyd Mayweather, 47. He said: “I had some guy’s b**** out. I was supposed to fight Floyd in June. It was never supposed to be [John] Gotti [III]. That fight was me originally.“I was supposed to fight KSI in January last year. He flaked out and took Dillon Danis.”Watch The Neffati Brothers’ arrogant walk on just moments before sickening KO by Eddie Hall More

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      in Soccer

      My dad’s an MMA icon who KO’d nearly 30 opponents and a UFC icon – I’m making my own way at former Premier League club

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      MILLION MANHOEF is flying in the Championship with Stoke – but he could’ve had a completely different sports career.The winger joined the Potters from Dutch outfit Vitesse Arnhem in January, inking a three-and-half-year-long deal at the Britannia.Million Manhoef joined Stoke City from Vitesse Arnhem in JanuaryCredit: RexThe Dutchman has been in fine form for The Potters this seasonCredit: REXThe 22-year-old comes from incredible athletic stockCredit: REXMillion is the son of MMA and kickboxing legend Melvin ManhoefCredit: BELLATOManhoef initially struggled with the physicality of the Championship but has been one of Stoke’s best players this season.The 22-year-old has scored three goals and bagged a solitary assist in six appearances for Steven Schumacher’s side.The Dutchman has proved to be an explosive force for The Potters, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given the athletic stock he comes from.Manhoef is the son of kickboxing and mixed martial arts legend Melvin, who was one of the most ferocious strikers during his pomp.READ MORE IN MMAMelvin competed in the now-defunct DREAM MMA promotion during the 2000s and was a terrifying force inside the ring.And it was in DREAM where he became the first man to KO future UFC fan favourite Mark Hunt, whom he put to sleep in a mere 18 seconds.It wasn’t long after the birth of Million that Melvin pushed him into the world of combat sports with kickboxing.Million showed great promise in his junior Muay Thai fights but opted to pursue a football career instead.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRecalling his decision to pick football over the fight game, Million said: “My father and mother separated when I was six or seven.”But before that, of course, I was pushed into kickboxing.Inside Conor McGregor’s first gym “I was two and a half years old when I put on the kickboxing gloves.”When I turned four I also started playing football and did both sports. “I fought in competitions and became Dutch kickboxing champion.”Kickboxing is certainly a great passion, but at a certain point I could no longer combine the two sports and I chose football.”It’s a good thing that many people know that he is my father. But I want to do my own thing.”He has had a great career, but to do that he had to make sacrifices with his family. Melvin Manhoef was an incredibly ferocious striker during his 28-year-long combat careerCredit: INSTAGRAM@MELVINNOMERCYMANHOEFManhoef scored a whopping 56 knockouts during his iconic careerCredit: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP”And I grew up with my mother.”I have experienced pressure at some point in my career because of my surname, but it’s not been too bad.”When I first broke into the Vitesse Arnhem first team I heard about it a lot and everyone was always asking about him.”I used to say, ‘What about my mother!'”READ MORE SUN STORIESMillion’s famous dad retired from combat sports in September 2022 after suffering a KO loss to Yoel Romero at Bellator 285 in Dublin.That loss to Romero brought the curtain down on a 28-YEAR-LONG career in which he had over 100 professional fights in kickboxing and MMA.Million Manhoef was an astute kickboxer but chose to pursue a career in football insteadCredit: REX More