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      Deontay Wilder had ‘behind closed doors’ discussions over mega-fight with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou

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      DEONTAY WILDER held talks behind closed doors over a mega-fight with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.The 36-year-old is making his return to boxing on Saturday, October 15, against Robert Helenius.
      Wilder has welcomed a boxing-UFC crossover fight with NgannouCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ngannou has also previously stepped inside the ring with Fury, who teased a mega-fightCredit: AFP
      Wilder was last in action against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, when he lost their trilogy last year.
      The Alabama-born heavy hitter is already plotting his comeback beyond Saturday’s tear up with Helenius.
      Wilder says he wants to fight Fury for a fourth time, as well as square off against Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk before retiring and focusing on music.
      However, a mega-fight with UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou could also enter the equation with Wilder already holding talks over meeting the Cameroonian inside the squared circle.
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      Wilder confirmed a fight with Ngannou was discussed as an option with PBC boss Al Haymon behind closed doors.
      He told Insider: “It was mentioned to me before, and Al agreed.
      “There’s the old saying, ‘If it makes dollars, it makes sense.’ And he agreed as well.”
      Wilder welcomes a fight with the UFC star, saying it would “bring a lot of interest”.
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      He added: “I think that would be an intriguing fight, and it would be a fight that would bring a lot of interest.”
      The pair met after Wilder took his training to the UFC’s Performance Institute in Las Vegas.
      Ngannou has long craved a boxing career which could earn him a big cash windfall.
      The 35-year-old has previously complained about how much he is paid in the UFC.
      Ngannou could also face Fury, who brought the UFC star inside the boxing ring in the summer after his win over Dillian Whyte and teased a fight.
      Fury said: “Going to be an explosive fight when it happens.”
      Ngannou then added: “We’re going to find out who the Baddest Motherf***er on the Planet is?” More

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      Jake Paul says Conor McGregor is his biggest fight over Floyd Mayweather or Mike Tyson but NOT the one ‘everybody wants’

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      JAKE PAUL named Conor McGregor as his biggest money fight… but NOT the one that “everybody wants.” The YouTuber-turned prizefighter has made it his mission to call out the biggest stars in the fight game, of both the past and present.
      Jake Paul named Conor McGregor as his biggest money fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Conor McGregor is in Jake Paul’s fantasy hitlistCredit: Getty
      Ex-UFC champion McGregor is joined by Floyd Mayweather and even Mike Tyson in Paul’s fantasy hitlist.
      And it is the Irishman who he believes would bring in the most pay-per-views, tickets sales and ultimately dollars.
      Paul, 25, told SunSport: “I think the biggest fight there is McGregor.
      “Just because the press conferences would be off the charts. And from a boxing perspective it’s a very high-level bout.
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      “I don’t think Floyd would fight me in an actual bout, which would decrease interest.
      “Mike Tyson is older, it’s obviously still huge but that’s why I think McGregor is the biggest name there, for sure.”
      McGregor, 34, lost his one and only pro boxing bout in 2017, against Mayweather, 45, with rematch talks still persisting.
      Tyson, 56, returned to the ring in a 2020 exhibition with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr, 53, but looks likely to keep his gloves hung up.
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      Paul expects a major payday against any of the iconic trio but he has gone on record to say he will fight arch rival KSI for FREE.
      The British YouTuber beat his brother Logan, 27, in 2019 a year after they drew in a white collar bout in Manchester.
      KSI, 29, has since returned to the ring, winning two farcical fights in one night in August.
      And Paul believes a grudge match to settle the score simply must happen with fans demanding it more than ever.
      He said: “I think the KSI story needs an ending, it just keeps continuing and it’s right there.
      “And that’s the one that everybody wants. I would also avenge my brother’s loss.” 
      Paul faces UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, in his October 29 return in Arizona, live on Showtime PPV.
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      The Brazilian will also be his first opponent with a prior boxing record, following four wins and only one loss in the ring.
      Meanwhile, KSI revealed he will return in January in America, although an opponent remains unconfirmed.
      KSI won two fights in one night on his boxing returnCredit: Reuters
      Jake Paul and Anderson SIlva ahead of their October 29 fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Conor McGregor called out for ‘homecoming’ fight by IBO champ Dennis Hogan as he offers first title defence to UFC star

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      NEWLY crowned IBO light-middleweight champion Denis Hogan has offered Conor McGregor his first title defence and the chance of a spectacular ‘homecoming’.Hogan won the IBO belt on Saturday versus Sam Eggington in Australia, his fourth attempt at a world title.
      Dennis Hogan celebrates his win over Sam Eggington to claim the International Boxing Organization (IBO) Super Welterweight World Title.
      Conor McGregor believes he has the boxing skills to cause a whole lot of problems for Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty Images
      The 37-year-old fought for the WBA interim strap at 154lb, the WBO title at the same weight and the WBC up at 160lb.
      None of those contests ended with his hand being raised at the end of the contest.
      The WBO defeat in 2019 — to Jaime Munguia — was especially painful, given fans and pundits around the world felt the Kildare native did more than enough to earn the victory in Mexico.
      Speaking before his win, Hogan said he was already eyeing a homecoming bout against MMA superstar Conor McGregor as the crescendo to his real life Rocky story.
      Hogan said: If I win, the first thing I will do is get in touch with [Coach Kavanagh] and say ‘Is there any chance Conor may want this?’
      “I would love to go back to Ireland and have a title defence there.”
      Hogan has been based in Australia for his entire professional career and has fought the majority of his bouts Down Under, as well as the US and Mexico.
      The Kildare native last fought in Europe in 2015, where he lost the WBA interim-title bout.
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      Hogan says he is due a fight on home soil and says his first title defence is the perfect opportunity for a spectacular homecoming.
      “I am due a homecoming, I haven’t fought in Ireland since my amateur days, so it would be great to go back there and defend my title.”
      Prior to his win, Hogan’s management claimed to have already discussed the sensational homecoming with McGregor’s team.
      Despite being out of action since his gruesome leg last year, McGregor has no shortage of suitors for his return to fighting.
      The Crumlin native is currently on set for the upcoming film Road House with Jake Gyllenhaal and looks most likely to return to the octagon.
      However, the opportunity to fight for a boxing world title may pique the interest of the former two-weight UFC champion. More

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      Floyd Mayweather in shock talks to fight Conor McGregor TWICE – in MMA and boxing – in world record £1.3BILLION deal

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER could take on Conor McGregor in the Octagon – as well as in a much-anticipated boxing rematch – for a world-record $1.5billion (£1.3bn) payday.Money’s team is in talks with the UFC star’s team for a two-fight contract which will see the pair meet again in the boxing ring – followed by a second MMA fight, a source has claimed.
      Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor are in talks to meet againCredit: AFP or licensors
      McGregor, 34, could welcome Mayweather to the octagonCredit: Getty
      It would be the first time Mayweather, 45, has ever fought under MMA rules.
      Both matches will be for official record and the undefeated champ is even willing to put his trademark TBE – The Best Ever – up for grabs, according to the insider.
      The matches will take place in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia in 2023 if the contracts are drawn up, they added.
      Money’s protege Gervonta Davis, 27, and rival Ryan Garcia, 24, are set to be the undercard for the boxing event – with the source saying that Mayweather Promotions has already sent out a contract.
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      It comes after Floyd confirmed he was in talks to fight the Dubliner, 34, again last month.
      “Floyd is now in talks to step over into Octagon if the money is right,” a source in Money’s camp told SunSport.
      “They are now looking to sign a two-fight contract worth $1.5bn (£1.3bn).
      “The plan is that one fight will take place in Abu Dhabi and the other in Saudi Arabia.
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      “So there will be a boxing fight and also an MMA fight under MMA rules.
      “Floyd and Conor’s teams are in talks all this week.
      “Davis has also sent Garcia a contract for a fight to take place before Conor and Floyd’s boxing match.
      “If the deal is struck Floyd will remove the trademark TBE – The Best Ever – if he fails to beat Conor in both fights. That will be added to the contract.
      “The boxing will be for official record. And the MMA match will also be for MMA official record.
      “Right now they are looking for both fights to be carried out in 2023.”
      Mayweather confirmed ongoing discussions with McGregor for a sequel next year in an interview with the Mail.
      Then I have another exhibition Dubai in November and me and Conor McGregor in 2023Floyd Mayweather
      Ahead of his latest exhibition bout last weekend, in which he knocked out Japanese MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, he said: “I want to go out there this weekend and have fun.
      “Then I have another exhibition Dubai in November and me and Conor McGregor in 2023.
      “We don’t know if it’s going to be an exhibition of a real fight. But there’s been talks of both. I would prefer an exhibition.”
      SunSport first revealed talks for a blockbuster rematch with McGregor and how the rivals were negotiating the terms of a deal.
      The boxing legend officially hung up his gloves in 2017 after beating McGregor in ten rounds in Las Vegas, in a bout that generated $500m (£450m).
      Things got heated in the build-up to the pair’s first fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Notorious put on a show as he goaded Mayweather before the boutCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Since then, Mayweather has had four exhibition bouts, not officially sanctioned or affecting his historic 50-0 record.
      Next month he heads back to the Middle East to face YouTube boxing star Deji, 25, brother to social media sensation KSI, 29.
      Mayweather first returned in December 2018, beating featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, in one round.
      He then faced YouTuber Logan Paul, 27, in June 2021 and was surprisingly taken the distance.
      Mayweather also fought ex-sparring partner Don Moore, which he dominated over eight rounds.
      Mayweather defeated McGregor via tenth-round knockoutCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Both fighters were winners when it came to the enormous purseCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Talk of a rematch with McGregor has persisted ever since the pair sold 4.3million pay-per-views and generated over £500m.
      McGregor was allowed out of his contract by the UFC to face Mayweather – but has not boxed since.
      UFC president Dana White recently spoke out against the rematch, saying he hoped it wouldn’t happen.
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      McGregor, who has not fought since he broke his leg during a fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021, has two fights left on his current UFC contract, meaning he would be free to fight Mayweather once his deal is up.
      He is set to return next year but is currently filming a Roadhouse reboot alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, 41.
      Mayweather and McGregor’s first bout generated £500mCredit: Getty
      Floyd Mayweather defeated Mikuru Asakura in an exhibition last weekendCredit: Rex More

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      Tommy Fury could ‘easily’ beat Jake Paul says Ahmed Elbiali, who sparred YouTuber but says it’s ‘still a great fight’

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      TOMMY FURY has been tipped to beat Jake Paul ‘easily’ by Ahmed Elbiali, who sparred the YouTuber. Fury, the younger half-brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson, has seen two fights cancelled at the final hour.
      Tommy Fury will finally fight Jake Paul in February, according to repotsCredit: Instagram
      YouTuber Jake Paul is unbeaten in his boxing career
      The Brit – who pulled out of their December showdown due to illness and injury – was then scheduled to have another bout in August, but that too got called off.
      However, now it appears they will finally get in the ring in February, as per Paul.
      On his BS w/ Jake Paul podcast, the 25-year-old social media star told said: ‘Had a call with Tommy Fury. Yeah, they’re saying we’re going to fight in February.
      “I think he actually can’t come into the United States. So if I fight him in the UK, I think parts of it are shady, I don’t think we’re getting the full truth on everything, but regardless, it’s a great matchup and I really want to knock him out.”
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      Now, light-heavyweight contender Elbiali predicts Fury would be a sound winner when they come to blows.
      Elbiali, 32, told SunSport: “Fury, I think would beat him, hands down, easily.
      “But at the same time it’s still a great fight for Jake, because Tommy hasn’t fought anybody.
      “Tommy is still new to the game, and you also tend to lower yourself to your opponent. Knowing he’s fighting Jake Paul, he might lower his standards slightly.”
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      Elbiali, who has 18 knockouts in his 22 wins, sparred Paul, 25, once before the social media sensation left ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 38, out cold.
      He got a phone call from a friend just after he had finished a morning workout, and while he was in a Nike store shopping.
      The Egyptian-born boxer admitted to pulling his punches against Paul, who only made his pro debut last year off the back of a scrappy white collar bout in England in 2018.
      But still Elbiali sees the passion and potential in Paul, which came as he ignored calls from his pals to needlessly wipe out the internet phenomenon.
      Elbiali said: “He’s a hardworking dude, he seems passionate about boxing and he carries some power. Is he green? Yeah, he’s very green.
      “I did hold back because I had to, and I’m not that type of guy. I had friends telling me, ‘You should have lit him the f*** up’ but it’s like bro, it’s all good.
      “I lit him up in different ways. I lit him up without punching him, I tried to exhaust him, made him miss, hit him to the body.
      “Jake’s a smart dude, he’s pretty smart in the boxing ring too.”
      Elbiali did not receive a call back to spar with Paul again in the build up to his third pro fight – his win over retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren.
      Ahmed Elbiali pictured with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather More

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      ‘If KSI wants to volunteer for his own death, I won’t say no’ – Jake Paul open to fight against YouTube rival

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      JAKE PAUL has opened the door to fighting KSI… as long as his boxing rival wants to “volunteer for his own death”. Paul is desperate to avenge the win KSI recorded over his brother Logan in their 2019 rematch.
      KSI was called out by YouTube rival Jake PaulCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul wants to avenge his brother’s loss to KSICredit: @mostvaluablepromotions
      But first he returns against UFC legend Anderson Silva on October 29 in his biggest test to date.
      Paul believes is sets up even greater nights ahead, but is happy to go over old ground with his greatest of enemies.
      He told MMA Fighting: “This opens the floodgates to a lot of competition, a lot of call outs, a lot bigger fights. It’s exciting.
      “However, if someone’s talking s***, at the end of the day, and I can step in there and knock them out and make a ton of money, like you said it’s prize fighting, so if KSI wants to volunteer for his own death, I’m not going to be the one to tell him no.”
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      KSI, 29, drew with Paul’s brother Logan, 27, in 2018 but won their rematch in the professional ranks a year later.
      The British YouTube, rap and crossover boxing star then returned after three years out in August.
      And he made up for lost time by farcically beating rapper Swarmz, 25, and so-called pro boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda, 23, on the same night.
      Paul, 25, said: “He fought ‘two guys in one night.’ It was the cheesiest, stupidest thing. It was such a waste of everyone’s time and money.
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      “I have a responsibility to my fans to put on really big fights that are wars with really good matchups and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
      KSI revealed he plans to return in January, continuing to build on a future grudge match with Paul.
      The American himself has had a period of time on the sidelines after Tommy Fury, 23, and Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, pulled out of fighting in August.
      Paul faces his first opponent with prior boxing experience in UFC legend Silva, 47, who also has a 4-1 record in the ring.
      It follows from wins over KSI’s friend “AnEsonGib”, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 38, as well as former UFC pair Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 40.
      Paul said: “My level of opposition will just continue to raise.
      “That’s what I’ve done throughout my career, in each fight it gets harder and harder and harder and I encounter a new test and that’s what I have to do.
      “No one’s going to tune into my fights if I’m fighting someone they think I’m just going to beat. I don’t want to put on fights like that.”
      Jake Paul and Anderson SIlva ahead of their October 29 fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Conor McGregor laughs off Floyd Mayweather’s fight with YouTuber Deji after holding talks over rematch with boxing icon

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      CONOR MCGREGOR could only laugh when he was asked to pick a winner of Floyd Mayweather’s upcoming exhibition bout with Deji.Boxing legend Mayweather, 45, returns to the ring on November 13 in a shock fight against Deji, 25, commonly known as KSI’s brother.
      Conor McGregor could only laugh when asked to pick a winner out of Floyd Mayweather and DejiCredit: Reuters
      Money recently boxed in his fourth exhibition bout since retiring from the professional game in 2017, where he beat McGregor in ten rounds in Las Vegas.
      He knocked out Japanese MMA star Mikuru Asakura, 30, in two rounds after receiving some punishment himself.
      Prior to that, Mayweather has had three exhibition bouts, not officially sanctioned or affecting his historic 50-0 record.
      SunSport first revealed talks for a blockbuster rematch with McGregor and how the rivals were negotiating the terms of a deal.
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      Mayweather has confirmed that talks are ongoing, however, he is now concentrating on Deji.
      But McGregor does not seem impressed by it in the slightest after he was asked to predict the outcome.
      A fan tweeted him to ask: “Floyd or Deji?”
      And he replied with a simple: “Hahaa”
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      Deji, 25, most recently beat American Fousey, 32, which followed on a run of THREE losses for the YouTube boxer.
      McGregor is currently overseas on the Caribbean island of Dominican Republic filming Jake Gyllenhaal’s remake of ‘Road House’.
      The former UFC double champion hasn’t fought since breaking his leg in the trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021.
      UFC’s Pay-Per-View king McGregor suffered a broken tibia in his lower left leg and was taken out of T-Mobile Arena on a stretcher in a second-straight defeat to the American and had extensive surgery the next day.
      McGregor has constantly posted videos and sparring sessions of his leg kicking during his rehabilitation as he prepares for a 2023 return. More

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      Eddie Hearn calls YouTuber Jake Paul ‘average’ while rating YouTuber as a boxer – but insists he is ‘complimenting’ him

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      BOXING promoter Eddie Hearn gave a brutally honest assessment of the skills of YouTube personality Jake Paul.Hearn labelled Paul’s ability as “average” during a Q&A – but insisted he was complimenting him.
      Jake Paul (left) and Eddie Hearn (right) during a Q&A sessionCredit: Getty
      The pair sat down for an interview with DAZN back in May amid the Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano fight and straight away it descended into chaos as Paul took offence to Hearn’s jab.
      Hearn started the interview by saying: “He fought AnEsonGib who was terrible on the night and Jake looked pretty average cause Gib was terrible as well.”
      Paul rebuked this, suggesting his ability could not be properly judged due to the fight lasting such a short amount of time.
      After a swift back and forth the promoter responded once again: “That’s true, that’s true. I don’t know where you might go. I just give you where I think you’re at which I’m entitled to, which is average.”

      He then delivered the killer line: “average is very complimentary.”
      This follows on from Hearn declaring Paul would never win a world title in boxing.
      Paul’s YouTube channel currently sits at 20.4 million subscribers, but switched the YouTube scene in favour of boxing in 2018.
      His first fight was on the undercard of the KSI vs Logan Paul bout, which attracted over 2.25 million live views.
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      This fight was only a white-collar match, but a fifth round TKO gave Paul the green light to go pro in his next fight.
      His next fight saw him fight the aforementioned AnEsonGib – another YouTuber – and win via a first-round TKO.
      Since then he has won each of his pro fights, beating former MMA welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley in a rematch in December after Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy Fury pulled out. More