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    ‘Insecure’ Tyson Fury accused of trying to take ‘spotlight’ away from Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Usyk after retiring

    EDDIE HEARN slammed “insecure” Tyson Fury for trying to take the “spotlight” away from Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua’s fights for the chance to win back the WBA, IBF and WBO titles on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia and potentially save his career.
    Tyson Fury confirmed his retirement from boxingCredit: GETTY
    Eddie Hearn blasted Tyson Fury as ‘insecure’Credit: The Mega Agency
    But it comes after Fury reaffirmed his decision to retire, despite claiming that he was going to return only two days earlier.
    AJ’s promoter Hearn fumed at the timing and believes the Gypsy King is trying to hog the heavyweight limelight.
    He told iFL TV: “Someone told me that Tyson Fury has announced his retirement again.
    “He must be so insecure to have to do this every time AJ fights.
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    “I don’t know at what point you must sit there and go, ‘What I am going to do is talking s*** to get publicity and try and take the spotlight away from AJ’.
    “You are self-proclaimed the number one heavyweight in the world so what are you bothered about Anthony Joshua before.
    “He doesn’t want the money and has no interest in it, but also wants half a billion.
    “I have never seen so many contradictions, I contradict myself so much but he is on another level.

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    “Let’s see what happens next week and watch Anthony Joshua knock out Usyk and then he is coming for Tyson Fury.”
    Fury, 34, first announced he was walking away from boxing after knocking out Dillian Whyte, 34, in April at Wembley.
    But the door was left open for a comeback to challenge the winner between Joshua, 32, and Usyk, 35, who won the first fight last September.
    Fury even claimed he was in talks for an unlikely trilogy with Derek Chisora, 38, who he beat in 2011 and 2014.
    Although the unbeaten heavyweight has now vacated his Ring Magazine belt, which will now be on the line come Saturday.
    The WBC have also given Fury until August 26 to confirm whether or not he wants to vacate his world title.
    Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in SeptemberCredit: GETTY More

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    Conor Benn out to ‘set the score straight’ with Chris Eubank Jr after his dad’s controversial draw in 1993 rematch

    CONOR BENN is out to “set the score straight” against Chris Eubank Jr on behalf of his dad Nigel. Benn and Eubank Jr are matched for a DAZN pay-per-view blockbuster on October 8, almost 30 years after their dads’ famous rematch.
    Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn ahead of their catchweight clashCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Chris Eubank beat Nigel Benn in 1990 but they drew in 1993Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    That ended a draw, following Eubank’s brutal win three years earlier, although several felt Nigel deserved the nod.
    And with a trilogy failing to materialise, Benn is ready for redemption when the family feud is renewed three decades later.
    He said: “Dad had a draw the last fight, we know he should have won. I’m just going to go in there and handle business and I settle the score.”
    Benn, 25, will have to jump up 10lb from his usual 147lb weight class with the the bout set at 157lb.
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    Eubank Jr, 32, on the other hand is a career middleweight at 160lb, who has even campaigned as high as 168lb.
    The weight disparity has meant the two will meet between the 154lb light-middleweight and middleweight limit.
    And due to Eubank’s superior size, a rehydration clause limiting him to what he can weigh the next morning has been put in place.
    Although the exact amount was not revealed live on stage as the fighting sons came face-to-face in London ahead of the fight.

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    Eubank Jr said: “I can’t be 100 per cent when I have to go down to a weight I’ve never been to and then I can’t rehydrate fully.
    “That’s fair, because if I’m 100 per cent it’s a public execution, I have to be at a disadvantage to make the fight reasonable.
    “I’ll be 60 per cent on the night, and that will be enough to do whatever I want with you.”
    Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn fight at a 157lb catchweightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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    Conor Benn’s trainer Tony Sims fears if ‘heavy’ Chris Eubank Jr will make 157lb catchweight causing fight to be OFF

    CONOR BENN’S trainer Tony Sims is already fearing if Chris Eubank Jr will make their 157lb catchweight limit. Benn and Eubank are set for a DAZN pay-per-view blockbuster on October 8 at the O2 Arena, almost 30 years after their dads’ famous rematch.
    Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn ahead of their catchweight clashCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Due to their size disparity, the born rivals have agreed to meet between weight divisions.
    They came face to face for the first time since the fight announcement and eyed each other on stage at the press conference.
    But it left esteemed British coach Sims already questioning if Eubank Jr can shave off the additional pounds.
    And that would threaten to cancel the fight for the ages due to a clause in the contract prohibiting either from weighing in at 158.5lb.
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    Sims told SunSport: “I’m just worried, looking at Eubank today, whether he can make the 157. He looked quite heavy.
    “Let’s hope that he does because there’s a clause in the contract that if he goes to 158.5 then the fight could be off.
    “I’m just hoping that he comes in, he said he can make the weight, he put it to us about being 157. So let’s hope he does.”
    Benn, 25, will have to jump up 10lb from his usual 147lb weight class, where he is unbeaten in 21 fights with 14 knockouts.
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    Eubank Jr, 32, on the other hand is a career middleweight at 160lb, who has even campaigned as high as 168lb.
    Despite Benn needing to bulk up in size, Sims actually wants the rising prospect to weigh in UNDER the 157lb limit.
    He said: “You’d like to have done it at 154 in an ideal world but there’s no such thing as an ideal world.
    “Eubank’s people came to us with 157, and when I summarised it, he’s got to get down to 157.
    “But that only evens it up as Conor’s got to go up to 157. He probably won’t even go up to 157 on the weigh in, he’ll probably be 155.
    “So the fight evens out a little bit like that.”
    Ronnie Davies, Chris Eubank Jr, Conor Benn, Eddie Hearn and Tony SimsCredit: Getty More

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    Chris Eubank Jr says Conor Benn rehydration clause in place to prevent ‘public execution’ as weight restriction revealed

    CHRIS EUBANK JR said a rehydration clause in his contract with Conor Benn has been put in place to avoid a “public execution”. The pair are set for a DAZN pay-per-view blockbuster on October 8, almost 30 years after their dads’ famous rematch.
    Chris Eubank Jr will fight Conor Benn at a 157lb catchweightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Benn, 25, will have to jump up 10lb from his usual 147lb weight class with the the bout set at 157lb.
    Eubank Jr, 32, on the other hand is a career middleweight at 160lb, who has even campaigned as high as 168lb.
    The weight disparity has meant the two will meet between the 154lb light-middleweight and middleweight limit.
    And due to Eubank’s superior size, a rehydration clause limiting him to what he can weigh the next morning has been put in place.
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    Although the exact amount was not revealed live on stage as the fighting sons came face-to-face in London ahead of the fight.
    And Eubank Jr said: “I can’t be 100 per cent when I have to go down to a weight I’ve never been to and then I can’t rehydrate fully.
    “That’s fair, because if I’m 100 per cent it’s a public execution, I have to be at a disadvantage to make the fight reasonable.
    “I’ll be 60 per cent on the night, and that will be enough to do whatever I want with you.”
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    It is believed both will be penalised $100,000 (£82,000) per 1lb they weigh in over, and if either are 158.5lb the fight is OFF.
    Benn has continued to climb the welterweight rankings to build on a first world title shot.
    Eubank Jr meanwhile has grown increasingly frustrated at his lack of championship opportunities.
    So he turned his attention to Benn following their fathers’ iconic fights in the 1990s.
    Eubank Sr won the first epic battle against arch nemesis Nigel, before they controversially drew three years later in 1993.
    Benn regards his fight with Eubank Jr as a revenge mission and vows to get one back for his mentor father.
    He said: “Dad had a draw the last fight, we know he should have won. I’m just going to go in there and handle business and I settle the score.”
    Conor Benn at his press conference with Chris Eubank JrCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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    Chris Eubank Jr wants to have his dad in corner for Conor Benn fight but reveals British boxing icon has ‘gone missing’

    CHRIS EUBANK JR wants his dad in the corner for his fight against Conor Benn – but first has to find him. The middleweight contender has had American legend Roy Jones Jr coaching him in his last three wins.
    Chris Eubank Jr wants his dad in the corner for his fight against Conor BennCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    And dad Sr has instead taken a back seat as No1 supporter opposed to cornerman.
    But after the huge announcement he will fight Benn – 30 years after their fathers’ iconic rematch – Eubank Jr is ready to bring his dad back.
    He told talkSPORT: “With this type of fight I would actually like my old man to be in the corner with me. I would, I would like that.
    “I told Roy that he would be in my corner for the rest of my career, this is the one fight where I would have my old man there.
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    “Just because of what this all means to us. But I don’t know if he wants to be in the corner, that’s the question.
    “We have to find out where his head is at with that and from there we’ll decide what to do.”
    The only problem is, British boxing icon Sr has not been heard of since the news of the catchweight clash.
    Eubank Jr said: “Since the fight’s been announced I haven’t actually heard from him, which is amazing to say.
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    “Especially early in my career he was there front and centre for all my fights. At the press conferences, at the weigh-ins, in the corner.
    “And for the biggest fight of my career, he’s gone missing. It’s incredible to say, but that’s what’s happened.
    “I’m waiting for that phone call, I’m waiting for him to walk through the door and say, ‘Okay son, let’s do this.’
    “It’s interesting, but we’ll get there eventually and we’ll figure it out.”
    The family feud will be renewed on October 8 at the O2 Arena.

    The bout is believed to be set at 157lb, meaning Benn will have to jump up 10lb from his usual 147lb weight class.
    Eubank Jr on the other hand is a career middleweight at 160lb, who has even campaigned as high as 168lb.
    His dad won the first epic battle against arch nemesis Nigel, before they drew three years later in 1993.
    A trilogy failed to materialise, leaving their prizefighter sons to renew the rivalry over three decades later.
    And Benn also plans to draft in his dad and mentor for inspiration in the camp.
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    He said: “Listen, dad’s been driving me mad every single day. He says, ‘When am I coming over? When am I coming over?’
    “My dad’s an unbelievable character to have in the gym.”
    Nigel Benn will help train son Conor to fight Chris Eubank JrCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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    ‘He looks a lot bigger’ – Oleksandr Usyk has put on over TWO STONE for Anthony Joshua rematch, claims Amir Khan

    OLEKSANDR USYK has put on almost TWO STONE for his rematch with Anthony Joshua, according to Amir Khan.The Ukrainian outclassed AJ over 12 rounds last September after weighing in at 15st 11lb.
    Oleksandr Usyk training to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: INSTAGRAM
    But in recent training material, ahead of their second fight on August 20 in Saudi Arabia, Usyk appears to have bulked up.
    The pound-for-pound star has situated himself in Dubai ahead of the title fight just 800 miles away.
    And there, he bumped into British former world champion Khan, who has now opened up on what they spoke about.
    Khan told Seconds Out: “He looks a lot bigger, I mean he was telling me that he’s put on an extra 15 kilos since he last fought AJ.
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    “So, we’re going to see how much strength he’s going to be having.
    “He looks like a full-on natural heavyweight. He is big and looks very strong.”
    That would mean Usyk, 35, has gone up to almost 18 STONE, if the 15kg (2st 3lb) weight gain is correct.
    In comparison, Joshua, 32, scaled only 17st 2lb before losing his WBA, IBF and WBO belts last year.

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    Khan, 35, added: “He nowhere near looked like a cruiserweight he looked like a nice full blown-up heavyweight.
    “He was strong at the weight, when he was hitting the pads and stuff and you can see the definition on his body.
    “He’s very thick and you can see it’s solid muscle that he’s got.”
    Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk before their fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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    ‘Show me the millions’ – Kell Brook, 35, refuses to rule out return for the right price just FIVE MONTHS after retiring

    KELL BROOK refused to rule out a boxing return if the price is right. The beloved ex-IBF world champion retired on a high in February after beating arch rival Amir Khan.
    Kell Brook after beating Amir Khan in their grudge fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    But Brook admitted he cannot completely close the door on a return fight, if there are millions to be made.
    He told iFL TV: “There’s always a number. If it makes sense, business sense, then I’m coming back. Show me the millions.
    “Listen I love the game, don’t I? I love the game, but I’m retired.”
    Brook, 35, finally gained bragging rights over Khan, also 35, with a sixth-round stoppage in their Manchester grudge match.
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    He then priced himself out of facing welterweight contender Conor Benn, 25, and failed to agree terms with Chris Eubank Jr, 32.
    Brook insisted he is happily retired, but the allure of another mega-money payday and crowd-pleasing fight would at least make him consider a comeback.
    He added: “It’s not over until it’s over. But as we stand now, I’m retired.
    “But Eddie Hearn, if he’s watching, all those promoters out there, show me the benjamins. If it excites me enough.
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    “When I come back and I hear these fans and stuff, it’s hard. It’s hard to walk away from it, it’s very hard.”
    Khan had a rematch clause in his contract but talk of a second fight between the British stars collapsed.
    The 2004 Olympic silver medallist also later hung up his gloves, ending another conic career.
    Amir Khan was beaten in round six by Kell BrookCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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    Meet Paige Van Zant’s next bare-knuckle opponent Charisa Sigala who shares x-rated pictures and goes to war in the ring

    PAIGE VAN ZANT is not the only Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship star prepared to leave little to the imagination online. Charisa Sigala, who faces VanZant in London next Saturday, wows fans of her own on social media and even has an OnlyFans account.
    Charisa Sigala fights Paige VanZant in LondonCredit: Instagram / @charisa_sweetheart
    Charisa Sigala has an OnlyFans account of her ownCredit: Instagram / @charisa_sweetheart
    Charisa Sigala has had three BKFC boutsCredit: BKFC via Instagram / @charisa_sweetheart
    Sigala meets Paige van Zant in the ring nextCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant
    But looks can be deceiving as Sigala is a ruthless fighter, not afraid to trade heavy blows in the ring.
    She has a win, loss and draw in her three BKFC bouts, recently drawing against Angela Danzig in March.
    Sigala, 38, returns at Wembley Arena in the biggest fight of her life against ex-UFC prospect VanZant.
    It features on a packed card which is headlined by Bellator welterweight Michael Venom Page, 35, and former UFC contender Mike Perry, 30.
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    Sigala said: “This event is going to be a big part of BKFC history, and I’m really excited to be a part of it.
    “Fighting at Knuckle Mania in 2021 made me a part of that historic event.
    “I didn’t fully recognize the significance of that in my debut, but I’m very aware of it heading into London.
    “This is another huge opportunity to be a part of BKFC history.” 
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    VanZant lost to Britain Hart in her BKFC debut and was then defeated by Rachael Ostovich – who she beat in the UFC – last July.
    So the American part-time professional wrestler is looking for her first win in the ring.
    Cynical fans dubbed her bout with Sigla the “OnlyFans Championship” due to their subscription-based accounts.
    But speaking to the Daily Star, VanZant, 28, hit back: “I don’t know if I have a reaction to that.
    “I mean, you have to understand that both my opponent and me are two females doing what a lot of people cannot do.
    “You know, 99.9% of the world would never have a boxing match, let alone a bare knuckle boxing match.
    “So, we are doing something nobody else can do. I see it as I’ve been extremely successful in a lot of things, and there is a reason that I choose to fight. I get to make it a choice.
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    “A lot of people have to do these things, they have to wake up and go to work.
    “But I get to do whatever I want, because I have been extremely smart financially. I am really lucky that I get to go out and do what I love.”
    Paige VanZant lost her opening two BKFC fightsCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Paige VanZant lost her bare-knuckle debut to Britain HartCredit: @bareknucklefc More