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      Dana White says ‘this s*** is getting silly’ amid Oscar De La Hoya comeback and rules out UFC star facing boxing legend

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      DANA WHITE said ‘this s*** is getting silly’ amid Oscar De La Hoya’s comeback and ruled out a UFC star facing the boxing legend. De La Hoya announced he will be returning to the ring on July 3, his first fight since 2008, where he was battered by Manny Pacquiao.
      Dana White said ‘this s*** is getting silly’ amid Oscar De La Hoya’s comebackCredit: Twitter
      Oscar De La Hoya announced he will be returning to the ring on July 3Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 48-year-old will make his return on a Triller pay-per-view, the social media platform who brought Mike Tyson, 54, out of retirement in November.
      And Triller’s Ryan Kavanaugh, told ESPN they want a ‘big name’ UFC fighter to welcome De La Hoya back.
      But UFC president White has no interest, and blasted the comeback.
      He said: “To box De La Hoya? Come on guys, this shit is getting silly. You guys just want to ask me silly questions.
      “You have got a 50-year-old guy fu**ing boxing, and you guys are actually talking about it and covering press conferences?
      “Come on, come on you guys.”
      White has had a long-running feud with De La Hoya, dating back to 2017 when the boxing promoter criticised Conor McGregor’s crossover bout with Floyd Mayweather.
      The UFC boss also publicly slammed Tyson’s comeback fight against Roy Jones Jr, 52, which ended in a draw after eight exhibition rounds.
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      But White, a personal friend of Iron Mike’s, later admitted he was wrong as he featured on the heavyweight icon’s podcast.
      He said: “Somebody asked me at a press conference about it and I said ‘I don’t like it, I don’t want them to do it, this and that…’
      “Then he called me and was like: ‘Listen man, we’ve been friends for a long time but I’m a grown ass man, if I wanna fight I’m gonna f***ing fight! Don’t be f***ing negative about my fight.’
      “And I said ‘you know what, you’re right. You won’t hear a f***ing peep out of me again.’
      “Then when I watched the fight I thought he looked really f***ing good.”
      Mike Tyson blasts UFC boss Dana White for telling him not to fight at 54 More

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      Ben Askren posts incredible Rocky 4 training montage and again goads Jake Paul for being ‘Logan Paul’s little brother’

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      BEN ASKREN posted an incredible Rocky 4 training montage and again goaded Jake Paul for being ‘Logan Paul’s little brother’. Retired UFC welterweight Askren faces Paul on April 17 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
      Ben Askren posted an incredible Rocky 4 training montage
      Ben Askren faces Jake Paul on April 17
      Ben Askren took inspiration from Rocky Balboa’s iconic training scene in the 1986 boxing classic
      And to prepare for the fight, Askren took inspiration from Rocky Balboa’s iconic training scene in the 1986 boxing classic.
      In the movie, Sylvester Stallone’s character is set to face Soviet boxer Ivan Drag in Russia.
      And he trains for the fight in bitter cold Russia, running in the snow, chopping wood and lifting logs.
      Askren, 36, paid homage to the film, as he posted a clip online channeling his inner Balboa.
      The former Olympic grappler jogs in the snow, chops at a tree and even pushes his two kids who are sitting in a rubber dinghy.
      All while he takes a swipe at opponent Paul, 24, the younger brother of fellow YouTuber Logan, 25.
      Askren posted: “When I got the call to fight Logan Paul’s little brother I had to go into Rocky Style training!”
      When the two came face to face at their first press conference, Paul appeared to lose his cool after being compared to Logan.

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      Askren said: “I’d heard of Jake Paul prior to accepting this fight, but I couldn’t have told you a lot about him or his brother.
      “I knew he kinda came up in his brother’s shadow, he was trying to follow his brother’s footsteps.
      “His brother’s a lot more talented, has a larger following.”
      Tensions later spilled over when Askren facepalmed Paul, causing the social media star to lash out.
      Askren goes into the pay-per-view headliner having never boxed before, instead renowned for his wrestling background.
      Meanwhile Paul has two knockouts in as many fights, but only against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
      Tensions spilled over between Jake Paul and Ben AskrenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jake Paul and Ben Askren went face to faceCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul trolls Daniel Cormier with pic of him in tears after UFC legend tipped Ben Askren to win boxing fight

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      YOUTUBER Jake Paul has trolled UFC legend Daniel Cormier by tweeting a picture of him crying during a fight.The 24-year-old shared the image after Cormier tipped Ben Askren to win their upcoming bout.

      Paul, left, didn’t cover himself in glory during a recent press conference with AskrenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Paul and Askren had an altercation at a recent press conference, with the latter gently facepalming the former.
      The YouTuber responded with a soft jab to Askren’s midriff and a slight push.
      Cormier was not impressed with Paul’s response, tweeting: “I just saw Jake Paul reaction to Ben Askren palming his face and I am now convinced that Ben wins.
      “He looked like he wanted to throw a punch and then settled on slapping his a**? Ben smashes this dude.”
      Paul was quick to respond to the former UFC star, tweeting the teary image.
      He faces retired UFC welterweight Askren on April 17, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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      Although Cormier doesn’t have much faith in Paul, recording artist Snoop Dogg does – making a $2million bet with UFC boss Dana White.
      Askren, 36, has enjoyed a long career in MMA and wrestling but will make his professional boxing debut against Paul.
      Paul, meanwhile, has won both his previous fights – defeating former NBA basketball star Nate Robinson in November.
      He could face Tommy Fury in his next fight, with Fury’s cousin backing the Love Island star to win.
      Watch Ben Askren facepalm Jake Paul before furious YouTuber slaps and shoves boxing rival in explosive face-off More

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      Watch UFC star Francis Ngannou absorb Ryan Garcia’s vicious punches in Body Shot Challenge and laugh off boxer’s power

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      UFC star Francis Ngannou laughed off Ryan Garcia’s brutal punches as the pair took part in a Body Shot Challenge.Garcia let rip with a flurry of left hands but heavyweight contender Ngannou stood firm and even asked the 21-0 boxer ‘Are you done yet?’.
      Francis Ngannou laughed off Ryan Garcia’s powerful punches in a Body Shot Challenge
      Nagannou is hoping to take the UFC heavyweight belt off Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 on Saturday night.
      To be one of the most ferocious fighters on the planet, you have to be able to take a punch.
      And the Cameroonian – whose painful punches were compared to being hit by a sledgehammer – proved he can do just that in the footage.
      Soon after Ngannou knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 last year, the pair linked up to shoot the video.
      Ngannou was decked out in a body suit as Garcia let rip.
      But not only did the 260lb fighter withstand the barrage of blows, he seemed to enjoy it.
      After an initial flurry of punches failed to move Ngannou, Garcia eased off.
      But the UFC star quipped: “Are you done?” 
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      Garcia started again and appeared to up the intensity but the grin on Ngannou’s face only got bigger.
      After a laughing Garcia stopped permanently, Ngannou revealed he would regularly get people to hit him in the stomach earlier in his career to help him build up resistance.
      Earlier this month Garcia opened up about his battle with anxiety in a heartfelt Instagram post.
      Garcia has 8.5million followers on Instagram and is set for boxing stardom.
      But he revealed he battles every day and he is ‘with all of you who struggle’.

      UFC fighter Francis Ngannou inspiring story from fighting rats for food from bins More

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      Watch Ben Askren facepalm Jake Paul before furious YouTuber slaps and shoves boxing rival in explosive face-off

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      BEN ASKREN humiliated Jake Paul as the world watched on by facepalming him at their pre-fight press conference. And in return the seemingly furious YouTuber reacted by giving the retired UFC star a slap and a shove as his back was turned.
      Ben Askren showed Jake Paul ZERO respect at their pre-fight press conferenceCredit: Getty
      Askren was unfazed by Paul’s posturingCredit: Getty
      The loud-mouthed YouTuber faces retired UFC welterweight Askren on April 17, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
      A media event was held on Friday, hosted by Snoop Dogg, to promote the much-maligned but intriguing showdown.
      Askren seemed to get under Paul’s skin for much of the night with comments about his older and ‘more talented’ brother Logan.
      There was a lot of posturing from a jittery Paul, 23, as he tried his best not to let Askren get a word in.
      At one point he even pulled his phone out to continuously replay a clip of his record-breaking defeat to Jorge Masvidal in 2019, the fastest KO in UFC history
      But after the back and forward, the two men squared up.
      Paul was fidgety and appeared nervous as he bounced from foot to foot muttering expletives in Askren’s face.
      But the 36-year-old remained stock still with a grin on his face that suggested he didn’t take the inexperienced fighter very seriously.
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      And to make it clear that was exactly how he felt, as Paul turned away to hold his fist up to the camera, a nonchalant Askren turned, pushed him in the face and strolled off stage.
      A visibly rattled Paul did NOT like it and ran back towards his opponent slapping him in the back and shoving him.
      But Askren kept his cool once again, laughed and carried on walking towards his team.
      Paul has two knockouts in as many fights, against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
      Askren is an ex-ONE Championship and Bellator champion but was renowned for his grappling rather than striking and even admits he was not gifted with speed or power.
      However, after social media barbs between the two, he has agreed to swap the cage to pull on the boxing gloves for the Triller showpiece.
      Jake Paul is cutting no corners with his diet
      UFC fighter Francis Ngannou inspiring story from fighting rats for food from bins More

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      Watch Dillian Whyte throwback clip of brutal MMA KO amid feud with UFC aces Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic

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      DILLIAN WHYTE conducted a savage MMA knockout in a throwback video posted online by the heavyweight boxer.The Body Snatcher, 32, may have made a name for himself inside the boxing ring over the last decade.
      Dillian Whyte shared his brutal punch with earned him victory in his sole pro MMA fightCredit: https://www.instagram.com/dillianwhyte/
      The Brixton star landed a savage right hook on Mark Stroud inside the first 12 secondsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/dillianwhyte/
      But before that he had a brief stint in kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
      As well as becoming British and European kickboxing champion with a 20-1 record, Whyte also had one pro MMA fight.
      And it lasted just 12 seconds.
      He demolished Mark Stroud with a stunning KO punch at the Ultimate Challenge MMA 1: Bad Breed event in December 2008.
      Sharing the clip on his Instagram page last year, the Brixton star wrote: “Have been laying em out from an early age across all different style who want it can get it simple.”

      Writing exclusively for SunSport having called out Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou, he revealed his plans to conquer the UFC world.
      He said: “Reigning WBC and UFC heavyweight champion of the world has a nice ring to it.
      “I have not trained in kickboxing or MMA for a while but, for me, it is like riding a bike.
      “Once I knock off some of the rust, my instincts come rushing back and I am ready to dominate again.
      “The heavyweight guys over there, champion Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou, are elite and I would have to work on my grappling and wrestling.
      “But I know, standing up and boxing in 4oz gloves, I could knock ANY of their top-ten heavyweights out.
      “I would need time to get my MMA conditioning back because it is totally different to boxing where, if you are clever, you can take time in the three minute rounds.

      “In these cages it is five-minute rounds of non-stop moving, kicking, punching, wrestling — it is no joke.
      “But I have better hand skills than any of them and because they try to cover a lot of aspects, that leaves a lot of holes in their game.
      “The guys at the top, like Miocic and Ngannou, come from boxing but weren’t good enough to make it as pro boxers — as they could have made more money — they would usually want to stand up.”
      But next up for Whyte is a revenge mission against Alexander Povetkin in a rematch with the Russian later this year.
      The fight – back in December 2008 – was stopped immediatelyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/dillianwhyte/
      Whyte then turned his attention to boxingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/dillianwhyte/
      He has dreams of becoming both boxing and UFC heavyweight world champCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      UFC star Sean O’Malley predicts a ‘sloppy fight’ between Jake Paul and Ben Askren but backs YouTuber to win on points

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      SEAN O’MALLEY predicted Jake Paul will be dragged into a ‘sloppy fight’ by Ben Askren, but backed the YouTuber to still win on points. Paul faces retired UFC welterweight Askren on April 17, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
      Jake Paul faces retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren on April 17
      Ben Askren is an ex-ONE Championship and Bellator championCredit: Getty
      The social media star has two knockouts in as many fights, against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson.
      Askren is an ex-ONE Championship and Bellator champion but was renowned for his grappling rather than striking and even admits he was not gifted with speed or power.
      As a result, UFC bantamweight O’Malley warned the former Olympic wrestler will try and make things ugly in the ring as Paul fights to prove himself.
      He said ahead of UFC 260: “I wanna see that fight. I don’t know, Ben versus Jake, it’s exciting. It’s gonna be a sloppy, sloppy fight.
      “Ben’s gonna make it sloppy, which is good for him. Jake, he looks like he’s training hard.
      “He’s young, he’s athletic, so if he doesn’t beat Ben Askren, we’ll see where he goes from there. He has to beat Ben to show he’s a legitimate boxer.”
      Paul, 24, ruthlessly KOd Robinson last November on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s comeback.
      And he has warned Askren, 36, is in for an equally brutal night.

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      But O’Malley advised Paul to instead pace himself to victory, or risk running out of steam and allowing experienced Askren to take over.
      He explained: “Ben’s such a good competitor – it’s not gonna be a good boxing fight. It’s gonna be gruelling.
      “God, I hope Jake doesn’t come in there and try to put his lights out in the first round, two rounds. He’s gonna gas out and Ben’s gonna be there.
      “Ben’s gonna be there all eight rounds. I don’t think Ben’s gonna gas.
      “I think if Jake comes out calm, stays calm fight week, stays calm fight day, doesn’t get too excited and just blow his load the first couple of rounds, I think he can outbox him.
      “If he stays behind his jab and doesn’t let Ben do what Ben wants to do, I think Jake could get the job done.”
      Sean O’Malley predicted Jake Paul will be dragged into a ‘sloppy fight’ by Ben AskrenCredit: Getty
      Watch Ben Askren show off boxing skills in training ahead of Jake Paul fight More

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      Francis Ngannou punch same as sledgehammer swung at full force, as coach of UFC 260 star says training him is ‘painful’

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU punches so hard that even holding the pads for the UFC heavyweight leaves his coach battered and bruised. Ngannou – who headlines UFC 260 this weekend in a fight with Stipe Miocic – has been working with former boxer and kickboxer Dewey Cooper since 2017.
      Francis Ngannou with striking coach Dewey Cooper
      Francis Ngannou’s punches are equivalent to a 12lb sledgehammer being swung at full forceCredit: Getty
      Cooper acts as the Cameroonian’s striking trainer, with Eric Nicksick head coach.
      UFC president Dana White revealed in 2018 that tests on Ngannou proved his power was equivalent to a 12lb sledgehammer being swung at full force.
      Or, a Ford Escort going as fast as it can, and Cooper has felt the full impact while on pad duty for the MMA powerhouse.
      Also on occasions, when Ngannou’s sparring partners have unsurprisingly no-showed, the retired fighter-turned-trainer has been brave enough to fill in.
      Cooper, 46, told SunSport: “He hasn’t broken anything, but it feels broken!
      “I’m a strong guy, who works out and fought heavyweight and cruiserweight, so I’m used to big, strong guys, but with Francis, it’s painful.
      “Holding pads and getting kicked by him is very painful. He’s separated by ribs with knees, he’s swollen my face with the pad just hitting me.
      “He’s punched me a few times too when his sparring partners didn’t show up and I had to spar him.
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      “He hits hard and I definitely have felt a lot of pain training him, stuff feels broken but it isn’t.
      “He’s hurt my hands, arms and ribs so many times, but it’s part of it when you have a guy as powerful as Francis.
      “I try my best to improve him, so as hard as he hits, I want him hitting harder and sharper anyway.”
      Cooper was part of Ngannou’s team for his first ever loss, a points decision against Miocic.
      Up until that point, Ngannou had spent just 16 minutes in the octagon, having won all his fights by KO and never going past the second round.
      So it was a shock to the system when Miocic, 38, withstood the power and dragged the fight all five rounds.
      Right after, a gun-shy Ngannou was beaten on points by Derrick Lewis, where he appeared seemingly scarred from the exhausting experience of going the distance.
      It caused him to switch trainer full-time to Nicksick in Las Vegas, with Cooper still by his side, and the team have since won four on the spin.
      Francis Ngannou’s power is equivalent to a Ford Escort going as fast as it canCredit: Instagram @francisngannou
      Dewey Cooper holds pads for Francis Ngannou
      Ngannou, 34, with his confidence regained, is now in the exact spot he found himself in three years ago, challenging for Miocic’s heavyweight crown.
      But this time, Cooper says all of Ngannou’s trials and tribulations since that heartbreaking first defeat will lead him to victory in the rematch.
      He said: “The only difference to me with this fight to the last fight is experience factor, which is very vital.
      “He just didn’t have enough fight experience for the first Stipe fight. That’s the bottom line.
      “Experience has a lot of facets to it. Experience is not just the time you trained, it’s the amount of time you have in real fights, in real moments.
      “He had none of that before the first championship fight, those or huge factors, they’re irreplaceable, especially the five rounds with Stipe.
      “He knows he can do five, it’s now about the output in those five rounds. Those experiences for him are magnificent.
      “That will be the difference in the fight, that will be the difference in him becoming the UFC heavyweight champion.”
      Stipe Miocic beat Francis Ngannou in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Francis Ngannou has his confidence back ahead of his rematch with Stipe MiocicCredit: Getty More