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      Conor McGregor left ‘praying for the health and safety of Santa Cruz’ as UFC star hails ‘vicious uppercut’ from Davis

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      CONOR McGREGOR was left ‘praying for the health and safety’ of Leo Santa Cruz after a ‘vicious uppercut’ from Gervonta Davis.
      Davis closed the show against Santa Cruz in round six following a stunning left hand.

      Gervonta Davis knocked out Leo Santa Cruz Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

      My lord! What a vicious uppercut that was. Praying for the health and safety of Santa Cruz there. The young man “Tank” Davis has some serious venom in that back hand shot. Incredible!@ProperWhiskey fight night 🥊
      — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 1, 2020

      McGregor – whose Proper 12 whiskey sponsored the fight – hailed the 25-year-old following the showstopping finish.
      But the Irish UFC star also sent his well-wished to Mexican Santa Cruz, who was knocked out cold.
      McGregor, 32, tweeted: “My lord! What a vicious uppercut that was.
      “Praying for the health and safety of Santa Cruz there.

      “The young man “Tank” Davis has some serious venom in that back hand shot. Incredible!”
      Davis, 25, slipped on the outside and bowled in an uppercut that bounced off Santa Cruz’s chin and left the four-weight champion out for the count.
      Afterwards, he said: “He was just right there for it.

      “He’s a guy that he punches but he doesn’t try and get out of the way when he punches.

      “There’s nowhere he could have went as the ropes were there, that’s how a professional fighter knows, they adapt to the fight.
      “He’s a tough warrior a strong Mexican, he came to fight, he came ready but I was just a better person tonight.”
      Davis closed the show in front of his mentor and promoter Floyd Mayweather.

      Floyd Mayweather wants Gervonta Davis to box once more after Leo Santa Cruz before negotiating Teofmio Lopez super-fight More

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      Floyd Mayweather ‘100% sure’ he will never fight as a pro again but is ‘absolutely’ open for exhibitions with UFC stars

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER is ‘100 per cent sure’ he will NEVER fight as a professional boxer again – but is open for exhibitions with UFC stars.
      The American legend retired in 2017 after beating former UFC champion Conor McGregor.

      Floyd Mayweather is ‘100 per cent sure’ he will never fight as a professional boxer againCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Mayweather retired in 2017 after beating former UFC champion Conor McGregorCredit: USA Today Sports

      He did return a year later for a one round demolition job against featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in Japan.
      Now, the 43-year-old stated he could fight once more, but ruled out returning to challenge the best boxing has to offer.
      Instead, Mayweather is ‘absolutely’ willing to get in the ring for another exhibition bout or against an MMA fighter.
      He told CNN: “As of right now, I’m doing exhibitions. I’m 100 per cent sure that I’m not fighting against any boxer anymore.

      “So, that’s out of the question. I mean, just my faculties mean a lot to me.
      “Money don’t make me, I make money and my health is more important than money.
      “As far as me doing exhibitions and me fighting MMA guys, will I do that in a boxing ring? Absolutely.”
      Mayweather last November announced online that he was ‘coming out of retirement’ and would work with UFC boss Dana White on a comeback.

      Mayweather said he would come out of retirement and work with Dana White on a comeback Credit: Splash News

      Khabib revealed he has been approached from the Middle East to fight Mayweather Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      The two are still in talks, and Mayweather has been teasing a return having continued to train in his Las Vegas gym.
      UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed he has been approached to fight the 50-0 icon in the Middle East.
      Mayweather previously talked up a fight with Khabib, 32, or rematching McGregor, also 32, but wanted £230million for each bout.
      The former five-division champion and also promoter, has kept a good relationship with White, opening the door for another crossover event.
      Mayweather said: “I take my hat off to everybody that’s in combat sports, I respect all combat sports, I love the competitors, I love the guys.
      “Dana White is doing a helluva’ job, I want to say tell Dana to keep up the good work.
      “I actually have a guy that’s in combat sports that’s in the UFC. Of course, I’m for it all.
      “In the past, me and Dana have bumped heads but that’s a part of life. You go through ups and downs but we live, we learn and we laugh.”

      Floyd Mayweather shows he’s still in shape by having some fun with a jump rope More

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      Watch Conor McGregor in stunning sparring videos as UFC legend shows off impressive boxing skills

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      STUNNING sparring footage shows UFC star Conor McGregor unleashing his impressive boxing skills.
      The training clips range from before McGregor first won a UFC title in 2015 leading up to his boxing debut in 2017.

      Conor McGregor released unseen sparring footage

      The spars range from before after after he first became UFC champion

      McGregor works on his jujitsu with training partner Dillon Danis

      The footage, released by the Irishman’s media company TheMacLife, show spars in The Notorious’ Straight Blast Gym in Dublin and the UFC’s old Las Vegas Ultimate Fighter gym.
      McGregor works on his jujitsu with training partner Dillon Danis – who is 2-0 in Bellator – as well as six-time national Irish amateur boxing champion Conor Wallace, who in 2016 was brought in to replicate Nate Diaz’s southpaw boxing style.
      In the final spar the ex-featherweight and lightweight champion lands some telling combinations and counters.
      McGregor would go on to lose his ring debut against Floyd Mayweather in August 2017, winning some of the early battles before tiring and being stopped in the 10th round.

      The Irish southpaw would later admit he should have gone back to work with his old coaches at the Crumlin ABC before the money-spinning crossover bout.
      For his UFC return in January, McGregor did spend time at his first gym and even brought head trainer Phil Sutcliffe to Vegas to have him in his corner.

      I learned may things boxing in Crumlin where I grew up, and my deep love is why I do this today. I will be in Octagon again soon and fully expect to box again.
      McGregor on his fighting future

      Earlier this year, McGregor’s head coach John Kavanagh told journalist Gareth A Davies he would be expect the UFC star to box again.

      The trainer said: “I’d honestly be surprised if Conor doesn’t have a boxing match in the next 12-18 months.
      “He loves boxing. He loved the training for the Mayweather fight. It has to be something big, whatever he does seems to always get bigger. He’s always looking for that next step up.”
      McGregor would later tell Bleacher Report that he “fully” expects to box again.

      He said: “I plan on being around for a long time inside the Octagon, boxing ring, and well beyond my fighting career.
      “I love the fight game. I learned may things boxing in Crumlin where I grew up, and my deep love is why I do this today.
      “I will be in Octagon again soon and fully expect to box again.”
      And plans are afoot for the 32-year-old to step back into the ring and face Manny Pacquiao with a fight reportedly pencilled in for the Middle East next year.

      Conor McGregor lost his professional boxing debut to Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Eddie Hearn planning for UFC-style promotion in boxing in 2021 and axing world title belts ‘as there’s too many’

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      EDDIE HEARN wants to follow in the UFC’s footsteps and have a sole champion reign in each boxing division.
      The promoter admitted there too many belts to win, with a champion needing the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO to be deemed undisputed.

      Eddie Hearn wants to follow in the UFC’s footsteps and have a sole champion reign in each boxing divisionCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      UFC president Dana White has one champion in each of his divisions Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hearn revealed he is working on a ‘blueprint’ for each division to have just one champion, like is the case in the UFC.
      He told Sky Sports: “If you look at the UFC model, which we’re all envious of.
      “It’s one promotional company and one belt, and that’s what I want to get to in boxing.
      “And it’s going to take a lot of work, but we’re putting the blueprint in for that.

      “It’s something that we’re going to be pushing hard for in 2020 as we continue to expand.”
      Hearn is currently working on a deal for unified champion Anthony Joshua, 31, to face WBC king Tyson Fury, 32, twice next year.
      It would see the first ever heavyweight to hold all four major belts, and achieving the goal of one champion.

      Boxing champion Teofimo Lopez won four lightweight titles Credit: Handout – Getty

      Khabib Nurmagomedov is the UFC lightweight champion Credit: Getty – Contributor

      But Hearn admits the history each strap provides will make it difficult to convince a boxer to instead merge them all together.

      He said: “What we do have to understand is belts do matter.
      “These governing bodies are steeped in history. These fighters that other fighters look up to and they’re role models and heroes.
      “They see them with the green and gold WBC belts. So we can’t forget that.”

      Derek Chisora takes repeated punches to the stomach to show he’s ready for upcoming fight More

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      Floyd Mayweather slams Conor McGregor-Manny Pacquiao fight rumours and reveals he’s in talks with UFC chief Dana White

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER has rubbished the potential fight between Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao – and revealed he is in talks with UFC chief Dana White.
      The Money – who outclassed BOTH McGregor and Pacquaio in the boxing ring – reckons Notorious will not make anywhere near the money he made from his clash with Mayweather by fighting the 41-year-old Filipino.

      UFC legend Conor McGregor says he will fight Manny Pacquiao in the boxing ring next yearCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

      Manny Pacquiao will come out of retirement to fight Conor McGregor in the Middle East next year claims the FilipinoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Floyd ‘Pretty Boy’ Mayweather reckons Conor McGregor will make nowhere near the amount of money he paid when he fought him in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      American legend Mayweather fought UFC star McGregor in 2017 – but the Irishman was eventually stopped in the tenth round of a one-sided contest.
      McGregor reportedly picked up $100million (around £70m) for that fight, with the unbeaten Money – acclaimed as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time – earning $300m (around £210m).
      That has not stopped McGregor looking to make another ring return by taking on PacMan, who fought Mayweather in one of the biggest PPV fights of all time.
      But Mayweather told American daily USA Today: “He’s not going to get the money he got with me if he go with Pacquiaio. It’s not going to be as big.

      “You know, it gets no bigger than Floyd Mayweather.”
      Pretty Boy then revealed he has been messaging UFC president White.
      “Me and Dana talk. I wouldn’t say always, but we’ll text and talk on the phone every once in a while.
      “Dana’s a cool guy, he’s a great guy. And he’s doing a helluva job with the UFC and I’m proud of him.

      “We look forward to working with each other in the future. Are we going to work? Absolutely.”
      Pacquiao confirmed he expects to fight McGregor next under Queensberry rules in the Middle East next year.
      The Irishman, 31, has also said he expects his next fight to be against the Filipino – but not in the octagon.
      McGregor actually landed more punches on Mayweather than Pacquaio managed – but the Filipino was a shadow of his sensational best when he fought the Money in 2015.
      The pair have often talked up a rematch but this has not been able to be fixed up.
      Mayweather has also been linked with another fight with the PacMan.
      McGregor had been linked with a fight with unbeaten UFC fighter Khabib, but this looks to be ditched after the Russian retired after his win over Justin Gaethje last night.
      Pretty Boy, 43, officially retired in 2015 with an unblemished record of 49-0.

      How McGregor and Pacquiao stack up ahead of their proposed fight

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      Khabib has calls ‘every month’ from Middle East with $100m offer to face Floyd Mayweather but wants to be ‘loyal’ to UFC More

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      Floyd Mayweather claims Conor McGregor fight with Pacquiao is NOT as big as their clash and will not make as much money

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER insisted Conor McGregor facing Manny Pacquiao will not make as much money as his fight with the UFC star.
      McGregor – who lost his boxing debut against Mayweather in 2017 – was in talks to box Pacquiao in his next fight.

      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017 Credit: Getty – Contributor

      Manny Pacquiao has been in talks to fight McGregor Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Instead, he is close to agreeing a return to the UFC having accepted a headliner with Dustin Poirier for January, but contracts are yet to be signed.
      McGregor, 32, still hopes to fight Pacquiao, 41, after rematching Poirier who he beat at featherweight in 2014.
      But Mayweather, 43, told his former rival not to expect as big a payday as he received for their crossover mega-fight three years ago.
      He told USA Today: “He’s not going to get the money he got with me if he go with Pacquiao.

      “It’s not going to be as big. You know, it gets no bigger than Floyd Mayweather.’’
      Mayweather retired as a professional after beating McGregor in ten rounds.
      But he returned at the end of 2018 to beat featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in an exhibition bout in Japan.
      Then, last November Mayweather announced plans to fight again, working with UFC president Dana White on a comeback.

      He is still in talks with White, having revealed he would fight McGregor or Khabib Nurmagomedov but only for £230m.
      Mayweather said: “Me and Dana talk. I wouldn’t say always, but we’ll text and talk on the phone every once in a while.
      “Dana’s a cool guy, he’s a great guy. And he’s doing a helluva job with the UFC and I’m proud of him.
      “And we look forward to working with each other in the future. Are we going to work? Absolutely.”

      Dana White ‘expects’ Conor McGregor to fight Dustin Poirier again in UFC after publicly accepting bout… but at 155lbs More

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      Teofimo Lopez called out by UFC legend Henry Cejudo and says ‘be a good babysitter and watch over Daddy’s belts’

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      TEOFIMO LOPEZ has been called out by UFC star Henry Cejudo for a fight just over a day after shocking the world to beat Vasyl Lomachenko.
      The American put on a supreme performance at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night to easily outpoint the boxer ranked by many as the pound-for-pound king.

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      Teofimo Lopez is the undisputed lightweight champ after easily beating Vasyl LomachenkoCredit: Handout – Getty

      One judge gave it to the 23-year-old by TEN ROUNDS, such was his dominance in the fight.
      It meant Lopez added the WBA, WBO and WBC ‘franchise’ belts to his IBF strap and is the undisputed lightweight champ.
      Now former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champ Cejudo fancies a crossover bout against boxing’s newest star.
      The 33-year-old Californian uploaded a video of him clapping Lopez after watching him outpoint Lomachenko while wearing a crown on his head.

      He captioned it: “@teofimolopez congratulations on your unification.
      “Be a good babysitter and watch over Daddy’s belts! #younext.”
      Cejudo isn’t the only one to call out Lopez after his stunning dismantling of 32-year-old Lomachenko at the weekend.
      Ryan Garcia, who fights Brit Luke Campbell next in November, tweeted: “I got my fight against Luke Campbell but I would love to fight Lopez.

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      Henry Cejudo fancies a crack at boxing’s newest sensationCredit: Getty – Contributor

      I got my fight against luke Campbell but I would love to fight Lopez, there is still a lot of unanswered questions in this lightweight division
      — Ryan Garcia (@KingRyanG) October 18, 2020

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      Pictured

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      “There is still a lot of unanswered questions in this lightweight division.”
      And Devin Haney, who holds the WBC ‘regular’ belt, also wants a crack at Lopez.
      After being called out himself by Lopez in his post-fight interview, Haney tweeted: “Lopez vs Haney 2021. Let’s do It! #AllTheBelts.”
      That looks a likely option with the WBC then able to combine their two belts into one.
      While Lopez’s victory, and the one-sided one at that, will have shocked many, one boxing champ won’t have been surprised.

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      Tyson Fury predicted the New Yorker would spring a surprise on Lomachenko – after branding him a ‘heavyweight on tiny legs’.
      Speaking after seeing Lopez beat Richard Commey to win his IBF belt, Fury told iFL TV: “Let me tell you; Richard Commey is a very good fighter, and I’m a big fan of him as well.
      “Little Teofimo just walked right through him. He’s the biggest little tiny man I’ve seen in my life.
      “And he’s the biggest little man I’ve ever seen.
      “He’s the biggest heavyweight on the planet, barring nobody, and I’ve got to back what he says.
      “There isn’t any 135 or 140-pounder that can beat him.
      “No Lomachenkos or nobody, because he’s a heavyweight on two tiny legs with speed and power.”

      Teofimo Lopez does a snowflake as he celebrates victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo backs Khabib to beat Justin Gatethje as Juventus star says ‘of course’ UFC champ will retain belt

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has backed Khabib Nurmagomedov to ‘of course’ beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
      Unbeaten Khabib headlines Fight Island next weekend against interim champion Gaethje in a lightweight unification.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo pictured in 2018 with UFC champion Khabib NurmagomedovCredit: Refer to Caption

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      Ronaldo backed Nurmagomedov to ‘of course’ beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 254

      Juventus forward Ronaldo, 35, was asked to predict the outcome of the title fight.
      And the Portugal icon – currently self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus – has tipped Nurmagomedov, 32, to retain his crown.
      Ronaldo answered on an Instagram live stream: “Of course, of course, Khabib is going to win!
      “My brother! Inshallah!”

      The two mega-stars previously met in 2018, where the pair posed together and Nurmagomedov held up a Real Madrid shirt.
      Ronaldo is a UFC fan and previously trained with Russian Khabib’s former opponent and rival Conor McGregor, 32.
      McGregor and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner met up in Las Vegas in 2016.
      Ronaldo then invited the Irishman and his trainer John Kavanagh to Jennifer Lopez’s party.

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      McGregor and five-time Ballon d’Or Ronaldo met up in Las Vegas in 2016Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

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      McGregor pictured with Jennifer Lopez at her party Credit: Refer to Caption

      Kavanagh told the Irish Independant: “We’re all there thinking: ‘How can Ronaldo invite us to this gig? Who’s going to be there?’
      “Even in the car as we’re driving in: ‘Wait! This a terrible mistake. We’re going to walk in here and be thrown out by some security guard!’
      “We go in and J-Lo catches his [McGregor’s] eye and comes running over like a schoolgirl: “Oh! Conor McGregor! Thank you for coming. Let’s dance!”

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