UFC

MANNY PACQUIAO has responded to Conor McGregor with a savage comment as their bitter feud continues.McGregor, 35, and Pacquiao, 44, were due to meet in the boxing ring back in 2021.
Manny Pacquiao has hit back at Conor McGregor’s comments about himCredit: Getty
McGregor claims Pacquiao owes him moneyCredit: AP
But relations between the Filipino and McGregor’s management agency, Paradigm Sports, led to the contest being cancelled.
Then earlier this year Pacquiao lost a legal battle with Paradigm Sports.
The agency claimed they had already paid the boxer £2million before he withdrew from an exclusive two-fight deal.
McGregor recently claimed Pacquiao had not yet paid the eight million dollar [£6.6m] settlement that had been agreed.
READ MORE IN BOXING
There is no evidence that Pacquiao has failed to do so.
But in a voicenote on Twitter, McGregor said: “Where’s my $8 million from that court case, Manny Pacquiao?
“You owe me $8 million, Manny… Are you stupid, Manny?
“I’ll kick you in the head, in the neck, the inside leg, and take you off your feet and drag you by your ankle across the stage.”
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Pacquiao was then asked about McGregor in an interview with MMA Junkie.
To which he simply responded: “Oh, he’s not active anymore.”
McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in a defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021.
And he has not competed in the boxing ring since he made his professional debut in a defeat to Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
He has finally re-enrolled in US Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool ahead of his UFC comeback.
McGregor is expected to face off against Michael Chandler in early 2024, although a date has not yet been confirmed. More

FRANCIS NGANNOU awkwardly almost blanked Eminem as the rap superstar rocked up in Riyadh for the MMA great’s megafight with Tyson Fury.The ex-UFC champion collides with the WBC heavyweight title holder in a crossover boxing bout in Saudi Arabia tonight.
Francis Ngannou awkwardly blanked Eminem in Riyadh last nightCredit: TNT Boxing
The fighter’s coach pointed out the rap star but he still had to double takeCredit: TNT Boxing
Ngannou’s expression then quickly changed as he embraced EminemCredit: TNT Boxing
The two megastars then posed together for a snap at the Riyadh bashCredit: TNT Boxing
The 35-year-old Gypsy King’s belt will not be contested but he is putting his undefeated record on the line in the much-maligned showdown.
His Cameroon-born opponent, who left UFC last year and has now signed with fellow MMA promotion Professional Fighters League, has been trained by boxing legend “Iron” Mike Tyson for the clash in Las Vegas.
Both stars are now in the Middle East and they came face-to-face on Thursday for what has been billed as the Battle of the Baddest.
Stars from all over the world have flown in for the bout, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the list of big names.
READ MORE ON SPORT
Many of the celebrities attended a Gala dinner at the St Regis Hotel last night, with the ex-Manchester United ace joined by his namesake, former Brazilian international Ronaldo at the event.
There was also another huge megastar in attendance, none other than Eminem.
However, Ngannou had to double take after initially ignoring the American rapper.
A clip emerged on social media from yesterday’s bash that showed “The Predator” walking past Eminem before his coach, Dewey Cooper, grabbed Ngannou’s attention.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

TYSON FURY VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER CLASH
He appeared to say in the clip: “Em! That’s Eminem.”
Ngannou’s team then pointed out Eminem to him, but the grappler still appeared oblivious until he took a second look and then his expression hilariously changed as they shared an embrace and later posed for a snap.
Meanwhile, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also made an appearance on the red carpet.
Mike Tyson also joined the A-listers, who would later all pose with the two fighters for a huge group photo together with a boxing glove on one hand. More

TNT SPORTS were forced to apologise TWICE in quick succession as Tyson Fury used foul language moments after his final face-off with Francis Ngannou.Gypsy King Fury welcomes the former UFC heavyweight champion to the boxing world in a controversial crossover clash on Saturday night.
Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou throw down in a controversial crossover clash on SaturdayCredit: REUTERS
The pair took part in a heated final face-off after the weigh-insCredit: TOP RANK
TNT Sports were forced to apologise twice after Fury dropped two swear words in quick successionCredit: TNT SPORTS
The pair took part in a heated face-off after weighing in for their Saudi showdown, with Fury sticking his noggin on Ngannou’s forehead.
The WBC heavyweight king swiftly conducted an interview with TNT Sports after the final face-off.
And he dropped two expletives during the chat after being asked about fighting Oleksandr Usyk by former Love Island star and TNT presenter Josh Denzel.
He said: “We’re talking about Francis Ngannou tomorrow night And I’mma knock a motherf***er out.
READ MORE IN BOXING
“And then, I’m gonna take a week off boxing, let me have some time with my family and then I’m come and take on a little guy and knock him out.”
Denzel promptly said: “We apologise for the language for those viewers out there.”

It wasn’t long, however, before Fury was at it again.
“Yes, I need to apologise,” Fury said.” If there’s anybody out there who don’t like my language – get the f**k out that door.”
Most read in Boxing
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
Fury’s antics forced another swift apology from Denzel, who said: “I apologise again on behalf of Tyson Fury.
” I think we’re going to let you go, brother.”
Fury weighed in a massive 19st 11lbs for his mammoth clash with Francis Ngannou.
The 35-year-old was 19st 2lbs for his merciful December slapping of old mate Derek Chisora in December.
And he has packed on half a stone to be a juggernaut of a fighter in Saudi Arabia, in the cross-over bout that should tee-up the undisputed decider with Oleksandr Usyk in December.
Fury looked far heavier and unconditioned at the Battle of the Baddest launch press conference in September when he whipped off his top and looked hefty.
At Wednesday’s media workout he did a proper session, got a sweat on in the Riyadh heat but never looked out of breath as he played with crowd.

TYSON FURY VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER CLASH
Ngannou – who tipped the Friday scales at 19st 4lbs –  looked like a novice and even showed signs of fatigue after just a few minutes of light training.
But the 6ft 9in Morecambe behemoth reckons he’s the fittest giant in history and even fancies a return to the old 15-format some of his heroes enjoyed during boxing’s golden age.
“Never let this body fool you,” he told SunSport.
“I would love to put it back to 15-round fights, that would suit me even more, 15-round fights, unbelievable.
“So this is the body of probably the fittest heavyweight there’s ever been. I don’t believe there’s ever been anyone more fit than me.
“Even in tough, gruelling hard fights, I can get knockouts in the late rounds. I’ve proved it time and time again.
Read More on The Sun
“So, never be fooled by a body and if you’re somebody out there that’s got a bit of fat belly like me, own it.
“Because I represent all the dad bods and all the fat people around the world. I am your hero, I am for you.”
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

FRANCIS NGANNOU has called out Anthony Joshua as he looks ahead to more boxing fights after facing Tyson Fury. The ex-UFC champion makes his ring debut on Saturday in Saudi Arabia against Fury.
Anthony Joshua has been called out by Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
Ngannou ahead of his fight with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
Ngannou walked out on the UFC to pursue boxing and held talks to fight Deontay Wilder, 38, and Joshua, 34.
Both remain possible in the future as the Cameroonian looks set for a stint in boxing having predicted he will beat Fury then face him against in a rematch.
Ngannou told Sky Sports: “I think if I am victorious we are going to run it back, for sure. Then maybe see Anthony Joshua after.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn met with the MMA star to discuss a potential bout with AJ.
READ MORE IN BOXING
But Ngannou, 37, instead chose to finalise a deal with WBC champ Fury, 35.
Now Hearn has talked down the crossover clash, which may KO any shot of Joshua facing the boxing newcomer.
He told Boxing Social: “If it’s fought at any kind of pace, I don’t feel like Francis Ngannou can physically do more than four, five rounds.
“I don’t mean that disrespectfully. They’re not used to that kind of fighting. I know MMA is still high intensity, but trust me, you’ll see.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“Fury may play with him and just hold him up. If Fury wants to, he’ll stop him in the first round, no problem.
“If not, he’ll school him, get him to gas out and stop him on his feet.”
Hearn added: “He can’t win a round. He can’t hurt him.
“He could actually put his chin out and let Ngannou hit him clean and it wouldn’t bother him, honestly. They’re not strikers like boxers.”
Fury facing off with NgannouCredit: Reuters More

TYSON FURY has spoken out to reveal the shockingly low fight purse he made against Wladimir Klitschko. Fury stunned Klitshcko in 2015 to win the unified world titles and dethroned the heavyweight division’s long-standing ruler.
Tyson Fury outboxed Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win the unified belts
And the win – broadcast on pay-per-view worldwide – is believed to have earned the Gypsy King £4million overall.
But Fury appeared to debunk that by claiming he actually only made $600,000 (£490,000).
The reigning WBC champion returns this Saturday in a crossover clash against ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou.
And Ngannou made only $600,000 for his final UFC fight, despite earning more after PPV bonuses were totted up.
READ MORE IN BOXING
But Fury actually defended the purse and compared it to the sum he made against Klitschko.
He said on The MMA Hour: “To make $600k for a fight for the heavyweight championship is about what I got paid to fight Klitschko.
“It’s not that low, I think to win the heavyweight championship and go on and defend it you’ve got to take on some big names and create a name and fan following.
“Six-hundred thousand dollars is his biggest purse and $600,000 is a hell of a lot of money.
Most read in Boxing
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
“But not for the heavyweight champion of the world, it’s not that much. If I was to try and earn $600,000 in a normal nine-to-five job, it would probably take me about 452 years.
“But I think everybody else in sport knows that after winning the UFC heavyweight championship to go on and box any heavyweight in the top ten you’re probably going to make a whole lot more than $600,000 which is one thing to point out.”
Ngannou, 37, walked out on the UFC to pursue a lucrative boxing switch and it looks to have paid off as he is set to receive £8m.
Meanwhile Fury, 35, is in line to make £65m which will be his highest-ever payday, beating the £26m earned for his 2022 KO over Dillian Whyte, 35.
Fury facing off with Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY More

TYSON FURY is set for his biggest-ever boxing payday against Francis Ngannou.The Gypsy King returns on Saturday in Riyadh for a huge crossover clash against ex-UFC champion Ngannou.
Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou facing offCredit: Reuters

TYSON FURY VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER CLASH
It acts as the first in a three-fight deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Fury boasted about signing a package which blows Cristiano Ronaldo’s £62million-a-year Al-Nassr contract out of the water.
He described it as “the biggest boxing deal ever” and his US promoter Bob Arum claimed it was worth $200MILLION (£165m).
The hat-trick of bouts start against Ngannou and end with a double header over Usyk.
READ MORE ON TYSON FURY
SunSport understands Fury will make £65m for his boxing debut in the Middle East.
It surpasses his highest career payday, believed to be around £26m for his knockout over Dillian Whyte, 35, in April 2022.
Meanwhile, Ngannou, 37, is set to take home £8m having walked out on the UFC to pursue the lucrative boxing switch.
Fury, 35, has already signed an agreement with Usyk, 36, to meet in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification.
Most read in Boxing

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
From the £165m Arum announced Fury will make, £100m of that is set to come against the Ukrainian.
The deal includes a rematch meaning the WBC champion is line for a pair of £50m paydays for the historic bouts.
Despite the mass fortunes coming Fury’s way, he would have to go some way to topping Floyd Mayweather’s earnings.
Mayweather banked close to £600m for his wins over Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor.
He topped Forbes’ sporting rich list of the decade in 2019 with £706MILLION made over his legendary career.
Floyd Mayweather is boxing’s highest-ever earner More