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      Manny Pacquiao ‘did much worse’ than Conor McGregor against Floyd Mayweather, claims ex-UFC star Chael Sonnen

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      CONOR McGREGOR fought better than Manny Pacquiao did against Floyd Mayweather, according to ex-UFC star Chael Sonnen.
      Pacquiao was outboxed over 12 rounds against Mayweather in 2015 in the richest fight in boxing history.

      Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao over 12 rounds in 2015 Credit: AFP – Getty

      Conor McGregor lost to Mayweather in 2017 Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Former UFC champion McGregor was then unsuccessful against the American legend two years later, as he was stopped in round ten.
      But Sonnen reckons PacMan ‘did much worse’ in his attempt to beat Mayweather when compared to McGregor’s effort.
      And the former UFC title challenger even backed The Notorious to fight Pacquiao, having already shared the ring with Mayweather.
      He explained: “Pacquiao did much worse with Floyd than Conor did.

      “If that’s the only thing we have to compare it to, then let’s do the fight. Manny Pacquiao? One of the best ever?
      “All of those things are true but he’s already done it once and he did it with Floyd, who’s better than Pacquiao.
      “I’m just saying, we don’t how good Conor is.”
      McGregor, 32, made his boxing debut the night he fought Mayweather, 43, who went on to retire a perfect 50-0.

      The Irishman did win some of the early rounds and ended the fight having landed 111 punches.
      In contrast, Filipino icon Pacquiao, 41, only scored with 81 shots, despite having two more rounds to do so.
      But Mayweather had not boxed for two years before facing McGregor, and claimed press ups and sit ups were his sole training methods before the bout.
      McGregor has vowed to return to the ring and believes he will even win a world title in boxing.
      It looked as though he could have even faced Pacquiao after revealing the pair were in talks.
      Instead, he is now in line for a UFC return having signed to rematch Dustin Poirier – who he beat in 2014 – in a January 23 headliner.
      But McGregor did reveal he will use the fight against southpaw Poirier, 31, in preparation for fellow left-hander Pacquiao.

      Correct. Southpaw box style. Continue to sharpen my MMA skills with some tough competition, while leading into my Manny bout preparation.It’s not easy going between both sports and then coming back to the one sport again.Just want to keep sharp guys, that’s all. It’s only fair. https://t.co/PnjHb4VP9j
      — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 13, 2020

      Joe Rogan says Conor McGregor fighting ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’ Manny Pacquiao is ‘bonkers’ More

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      Tyson Fury looks sharp while training with UFC gloves ahead of return after talks in past with Dana White over switch

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      TYSON FURY has teased an MMA switch again by sharing a clip of him training in UFC gloves.
      The Gypsy King swapped his traditional boxing attire for the 4-ounce ones usually worn inside the octagon as he put in some bag work.

      Tyson Fury has teased a switch to MMA againCredit: Instagran / @gypsyking101

      The boxing star swapped boxing gloves for UFC ones for his latest training sessionCredit: Instagran / @gypsyking101

      UFC middleweight Darren Till has previously enjoyed several training sessions with the 6’7” heavyweight.
      Fury has revealed in the past he held talks with Dana White of a switch into the MMA cage.
      He said: “I’ve had plenty of conversations with Dana White about potentially having a fight with one of the guys.
      “But, at the minute, I don’t need to fight UFC guys.

      He continued: “Until then, I don’t need a fight with Francis Ngannou.
      “I don’t need Stipe Miocic, Brock Lesnar, whoever. I don’t need these guys to fight in a crossover match right now.
      “When I’m finished what I’m doing in my own career, we can look at something like that.”
      It would not be the first time he has switched sports – he knocked out WWE star Braun Strowman at last year’s Crown Jewel event.

      However, Fury is now preparing for his return to the boxing ring in 2021 after failing to land a fight for next month.

      Fury was in line to make his homecoming on December 5 having walked away from his trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder.
      But it appears his return to the ring will be pushed back into the New Year.
      Fury, 32, tweeted: “The Gypsy King is returning in 2021.
      “Only those that have supported me 100% since my comeback will be with me for the glory.”
      Fury cancelled a third fight with Wilder after their immediate rematch clause expired last month.
      But in a desperate attempt to salvage his crack at redemption, Wilder initiated a mediation with a retired judge set to review his case.
      Promoter Frank Warren said the outcome of the dispute should be resolved by next week which looks to have caused a delay in Fury’s next fight.

      Fury, 32, convincingly dethroned Wilder, 35, of the WBC title in February, having first drawn with each other in 2018.
      They were contracted to a rematch straight after as part of the deal they initially signed.
      But as the coronavirus pandemic kept fans away, it did the same for Wilder’s shot at revenge.
      As a result, once the stipulation expired, Fury moved on from the trilogy to instead focus on facing Anthony Joshua, 31, twice next year.
      He was in line to fight on December 5, with Agit Kabayel, 28, his chosen opponent as a tune up bout but a deal has failed to be agreed in time.

      The Gypsy King shared a clip of him wearing UFC gloves while doing some bag workCredit: Instagran / @gypsyking101

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      Terence Crawford open to crossover fight with Conor McGregor as ‘money talks’ and UFC star ‘not a real good wrestler’

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      TERENCE CRAWFORD admitted he would face Conor McGregor as ‘money talks’ and said the UFC star is ‘not a real good wrestler’.
      Crawford, who defends his WBO welterweight title against Kell Brook, was subject to talks with McGregor earlier this year.

      Terence Crawford admitted he would face Conor McGregor as ‘money talks’Credit: Mikey Williams

      Crawford said McGregor is ‘not a real good wrestler’Credit: Rex Features

      His promoter Bob Arum wanted to speak with UFC boss about a pair of crossover fights, one in the boxing ring and the other inside the octagon.
      But Crawford, 33, who wrestled during high school, would be willing to make the move over to MMA to challenge McGregor, 32, if the cash was right.
      He told TMZ Sports: “They put that money up, hell yeah I’ll go over there and fight him.
      “Conor is a big talent in the Octagon, and I’m a big talent in the boxing ring. Money talks.

      “To keep it real, Conor’s not a real good wrestler. He may kick the s*** out of you.
      “You gotta worry about them kicks to the head and them elbows more than him grabbing you.
      “It’d be other things that you’d be having to worry about other than wrestling you.”
      Crawford had never before shown an interest in switching to the UFC before Arum announced plans to negotiate a deal with White.

      Despite the idea, the promoters appeared to have never discussed the two-fight proposal.
      White did help promote McGregor’s lucrative boxing debut in 2017 which he lost in ten rounds against Floyd Mayweather.
      White himself is still in talks with 43-year-old Mayweather, who is contemplating a comeback.
      McGregor’s also appears to have a future in the boxing business having revealed talks to fight Manny Pacquaio, 41.
      For now, he is instead plotting a return to the UFC to rematch Dustin Poirier – who he beat in 2014 – with the duo offered a headliner in January.
      Afterwards, McGregor wants to fight Pacquaio, and will use his bout against southpaw Poirier, 31, to prepare for left-hander PacMan.

      Joe Rogan says Conor McGregor fighting ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’ Manny Pacquiao is ‘bonkers’ More

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      UFC chief Dana White ‘forced to AXE ZUFFA Boxing promotion debut on December 11 in Las Vegas due to coronavirus’

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      DANA WHITE has been forced to shelve ZUFFA Boxing’s inaugural event amid challenges posed by coronavirus, reports say.
      The UFC president has long planned to make a move into the boxing business as a promoter.

      Dana White has been forced to shelve ZUFFA Boxing’s inaugural eventCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And according to Journal de Montreal, White planned to stage the Claressa Shields vs Marie-Eve ​​Dicaire title fight on December 11 in Las Vegas.
      But, the proposal has now been axed due to problems caused by the Covid-19 crisis, The Athletic state.
      And no rescheduling date has emerged either in a blow to Shields and other women champions like Amanda Serrano.
      Before the UFC allowed Conor McGregor to fight boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in 2017, White first revealed plans to launch ZUFFA Boxing.

      ZUFFA is an American sports promotion company owned by his close friends Frank and Lorenzo Ferttita.
      The Ferttita brothers sold the UFC to WME-IMG – now known as Endeavor – for $4.4BILLION in 2016.
      But White still wanted to launch a boxing promotion with ZUFFA and has been working on the scheme ever since.

      Despite several hurdles since announcing the plan three years ago, the UFC boss told BT Sports his jump into boxing seems imminent.

      He said in September: “I peaked under the hood a lot there for the last year.
      “Looked at different things and I said, ‘I don’t know man, I don’t know if this is fixable.’
      “Funny enough, since the pandemic I’ve been looking at other options too.
      “And we’ll probably have something to announce here soon. When it’s time, I’ll let you know, I’m not ready yet.

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      Conor McGregor fighting ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’ Manny Pacquiao is ‘bonkers’, says UFC legend Joe Rogan

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      CONOR McGREGOR fighting ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’ in Manny Pacquiao is ‘bonkers’, says UFC legend Joe Rogan.
      McGregor made the surprise announcement in September that he was in talks to face Pacquiao in the Middle East.

      Conor McGregor revealed he was in talks to fight Manny PacquiaoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Joe Rogan called Pacquiao ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Instead, the Irishman appears set to return to the UFC after being offered a January 23 headliner against Dustin Poirier at lightweight.
      McGregor, 32, later revealed he would use the fight against southpaw Poirier, 31, to help him prepare for fellow left-hander Pacquiao, 41.
      But UFC commentator and podcast king Rogan fears for his chances against the eight-division, Filipino icon.
      He said: “They’re actually talking about him fighting Conor McGregor right now, which is kind of bonkers.

      “You’re talking about one of the greatest boxers of all time against a guy with one professional boxing match.”
      The bout Rogan refers to is McGregor’s lucrative 2017 debut against Floyd Mayweather, which he lost in ten rounds.
      Rogan went on to explain how the former two-weight UFC champion impressed against Mayweather, but was completely outfoxed by the masterful American legend.
      He said: “Let me explain something to you. The reason why it was close was because Mayweather let him blow his wad.

      Floyd Mayweather beat McGregor in 2017 Credit: Reuters

      “Look, he clipped Mayweather with a legit left uppercut early in the fight and I was kind of stunned. I was like ‘Wow, that’s really legit.’”
      “Here’s the thing, Mayweather had to figure out Conor’s timing. Because what Conor is, Conor is not a professional boxer, OK?
      “So, because he’s not a professional boxer, he’s not as efficient and he’s going to get tired easier.
      “Mayweather is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, boxer of all time. I say there’s a really good argument that he’s the greatest of all time.
      “Because he’s undefeated, 50-0, and really only been hurt by ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley and [Marcos] Maidana.
      “But, Conor is a freak. He is an explosive guy. He’s so fast and there’s no remedy for that other than getting a guy tired.
      “So, what Mayweather was doing was boxing with him but preserving. Being safe, got clipped a couple times, realised Conor could punch.
      “Conor can punch, but just drag him into deep water. Drag him into deep water and that’s what a guy like Mayweather will do.”

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      Terence Crawford tells Kell Brook to ‘put up or shut up’ after Brit said he could make American star QUIT on his stool

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      TERENCE CRAWFORD has challenged Kell Brook to ‘put up or shut up’ after the Brit said he could make the American star QUIT on his stool.
      Crawford defends his WBO welterweight title against Sheffield’s former world champion this Saturday.

      Terence Crawford defends his WBO title against Kell Brook

      Brook said he can make Crawford quit on the stoolCredit: https://www.instagram.com/specialkellbrook/

      And Brook not only predicted that he will pull off the upset, but would put on a beating so bad that Crawford was forced to give up.
      He said: “I stop him, or he quits on the stool. I’m fully focused. I’ve never been ready for a fight like this before.”
      But Nebraska’s pound-for-pound superstar hit back, as he warned Brook’s fighting words mean nothing until they are backed up in the ring.
      Crawford, 33, told SunSport: “He’s saying these types of things but come fight time he’s going to have to put up or shut up.

      “I’m ready for whatever he’s bringing for the table and Saturday we’re going to see.”
      Brook, 34, has not fought at welterweight since losing his IBF title to Errol Spence Jr in 2017.
      His last three fights have all been wins at light-middleweight.
      Crawford on the other hand has continued to grow into the 147lb division since stepping up in 2018 to beat Jeff Horn for the WBO belt.

      Crawford is Nebraska’s pound-for-pound superstar

      Crawford has continued to grow at welterweight since stepping up in 2018

      His fourth defence will come against another former champion looking to reclaim gold, like was the case before he stopped Amir Khan in 2018.
      But this time Crawford defends his title and unbeaten record in unfamiliar circumstances with no fans attending in the usually packed out MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
      The switch-hitter has been filling out venues across America – especially in his home of Nebraska – ever since he won his first world title in 2014.
      But preparing to do battle in an empty arena will come as no shock to Crawford, who quietly rose through the ranks after turning pro in 2008.
      Defending his crown in Top Rank’s behind closed doors bill, live on Premier Sports, will act as a throwback to Crawford’s early days.
      There, he boxed to no fanfare in Iowa – a far cry from the 13,323 who packed into the CHI Health Center in Omaha to watch their hometown hero knock out Jose Benavidez Jr in the final round two years ago.

      Crawford KO’d Jose Benavidez Jr in the final round two years agoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The American has won titles in three divisions Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Crawford said: “Back in the days I remember going to like bars in Iowa city and fighting where there was like 30 people in the whole arena including judges, fighters and fans.
      “Once I get in there it doesn’t make a difference if there’s fans or not.
      “I actually wanted to fight more times this year, I wanted to stay active but Covid has messed up a lot of things in the world today.
      “I’m just blessed to even have a fight, it’s very important.”
      Crawford’s dream of unifying the welterweight division with super-fights against Spence, 30, and Manny Pacquiao, 41, has been pushed back amid the pandemic.
      He is desperate to prove to fans that he is not only the best 147lb champion in the world, but the best boxer on the planet full stop.

      The latest Ring Magazine P4P rankings
      Though his personal mission of pound-for-pound supremacy is secondary to his role as doting dad.
      The father of five insists his career is dedicated to his family and the primary reason he steps through the ropes
      He explained: “Everything I do is for them.
      “I got three young boys that look up to me and they follow my every move, they imitate everything I do.
      “Not only do I need to put food on their table, I got two young girls and another young child on the way in a whole family that’s depending one me.
      “So I don’t walk in the ring selfish, fighting for myself, I have a lot on my shoulders and that’s why I fight for them.”

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      Jake Paul says he wants to fight UFC stars Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal to prove he is a ‘legitimate boxer’

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      YOUTUBE star Jake Paul has expressed his desire to rub shoulders with some of the UFC’s top dogs in order to prove he is ‘someone that people should be scared of’.
      Jake Paul, 23, continues to pursue a professional career in boxing after winning his first professional fight against fellow Youtuber, AnEsonGib.

      Jake Paul wants to bring UFC stars over to boxing and go head-to-head to prove he is a ‘legitimate boxer’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Conor McGregor is in training for his UFC returnCredit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma

      The Youtube sensation wants to bring UFC fighters such as Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren over to the boxing ring to prove he is a ‘legitimate boxer’.
      He has also expressed his desire to fight UFC legend Conor McGregor.
      Speaking to the Mayweather Boxing Channel, Paul said: “I want to prove to people that I’m a legitimate boxer, legitimate professional boxer with skill and someone that people should be scared of.
      “I have knockout power, I’m dangerous, and to me that’s super important and again, that’s just going to take multiple fights to prove that.

      “I want to fight the biggest names in the sport, I want to take UFC fighters like Ben Askren, like Masvidal, whoever it is and bring them over to boxing, put them in a ring and go head-to-head with them.
      “I want to fight Conor McGregor eventually. Whoever wants to get in the boxing ring with me, I want to be able to do it and beat them.”
      Paul’s desire to get into boxing started back in 2018 when he took on English Youtuber, Deji, younger brother of KSI.
      The pair clashed at the Manchester Arena, and Paul won the amateur fight by TKO.

      After finally being able to compete professionally, Paul stepped into the ring to fight AnEsonGib in Miami, Florida in January 2020.
      He ended the fight within one round before calling out KSI in the hope to restore his brothers honour.
      The Paul’s are in search of redemption after Logan lost the second fight against KSI at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles in November 2019.

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      Dana White to enter boxing with undisputed title fight between Claressa Shields and Marie-Eve Dicaire in December

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      DANA WHITE is reportedly set to finally elbow his way into boxing promotion with the undisputed title fight between Claressa Shields and Marie-Eve Dicaire next month.
      Journal de Montreal claims the UFC chief’s Zuffa Boxing company will promote the December 11 battle.

      Dana White looks set to be getting involved in boxing next monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The fight takes place in Las Vegas and will also be available for streaming via UFC Fight Pass.
      White looks to have become involved after the fight’s original May 9 date was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      White brought UFC to fans from Saudi Arabia with Fight Island to overcome the difficulties of hosting a live event in the USA.
      And now boxing lovers can enjoy watching Shields and Dicaire clash for the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super-welterweight belts.

      White made no secret of his desire to enter the world of boxing while talking to the BT Sport Boxing Show in September.
      He explained: “The world of boxing hasn’t been able to do what I’ve been able to do [in MMA] over the last 20 years.
      “If they can’t do things when the world is normal, you can’t expect them to do things when the world is crazy.
      “I peaked under the hood a lot there for the last year.

      Claressa Shields takes on Marie-Eve Dicaire in an undisputed title fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “Looked at different things and I said, ‘I don’t know man, I don’t know if this is fixable’.
      “Funny enough, since the pandemic I’ve been looking at other options too.
      “And we’ll probably have something to announce here soon. Yeah [it is in boxing].
      “When it’s time I’ll let you know, I’m not ready yet. But [it’ll be] in the next couple of weeks.”

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