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      Deontay Wilder reaches ‘verbal agreement’ to fight Francis Ngannou as ex-UFC champ eyes blockbuster in Africa

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU revealed he has a “verbal agreement” to fight Deontay Wilder – which is being eyed for Africa. Ngannou is a free agent after leaving the UFC following a breakdown in contract negotiations.
      Francis Ngannou revealed he has a ‘verbal agreement’ to fight Deontay WilderCredit: AFP
      Deontay Wilder is in talks to fight Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
      And the Cameroonian confirmed he is eyeing a boxing switch and has held talks to face Anthony Joshua.
      But it is American star Wilder, 37, who Ngannou, 36, is deepest in conversations with.
      And they could look to fight in Africa next year on the 50th anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s Rumble in The Jungle.
      Ngannou told ESPN: “Yes we’ve been having some exchanges.
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      “We’ve basically come into some sort of verbal agreement that we want to fight each other. We want two fights.
      “Maybe one of those fights in Africa, maybe two of them in Africa. Which would be massive – which would be great.
      “I think August next year is the 50th anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle and I think that would be an opportunity to do something massive in Africa.”
      Ali beat George Foreman in 1974 in Zaire, one of boxing’s most iconic fights.
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      Wilder has offered to face Ngannou in both the ring and cage as part of a two-bout deal.
      But Ngannou prefers to instead just box and could eye October 2024 for their proposed rematch on the anniversary of the Rumble.
      He said: “We are looking around that timeline for the potential second fight. Which, in my opinion, should still be in boxing.
      “Boxing is a new challenge, but remember, at the beginning, MMA was just as challenging as boxing – if not bigger.
      “So, I don’t back down from challenges.” 
      Deontay Wilder pictured with Francis Ngannou at the UFC’s training facility More

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      Angry Nate Diaz hits back at Mike Tyson over praise of UFC star Conor McGregor

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      NATE DIAZ hit out at Mike Tyson after the boxing legend praised Conor McGregor. Tyson hailed McGregor for going ten rounds in his ring debut against unbeaten American icon Floyd Mayweather.
      Nate Diaz hit out at Mike Tyson over the boxing legend’s praise of Conor McGregor.Credit: Getty
      Mike Tyson praised Conor McGregor for his performance over Floyd MayweatherCredit: Getty
      He said on his podcast in 2020: “This is where it’s not a spectacle
      “He’s never really had a boxing match in his life, right? He went ten rounds with the greatest boxer in the land, in 100 years of boxing.
      “You’re not listening to me! You don’t understand what I’m saying. He went ten rounds, scored punches on the greatest fighter in the last 20, 100 years.
      “Did he do something? Did he accomplish something? People look at it and say ‘the black guy beat the white guy’, look at what he had to fight against and look what he did when he fought against it?
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      “Imagine a guy who’s never had a boxing match and he’s fighting me? He goes ten rounds and we’re fighting?
      “We’re fighting and I’m doing my thing. We go ten rounds, that’s a bad motherf****r.
      “Ten rounds with the best champ? That’s the winner there. It should have been a one-round fight before it was easy [for Mayweather]. He was fighting someone who was throwing back.
      “That’s the only thing, when the guy is throwing back, you’re got to have the answers.
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      “When he was throwing punches, he should have panicked. He was in there with the greatest fighter in the business, he should have panicked. He kept his cool.”
      Diaz, 37, has only just responded to Tyson’s comments and referenced his second-round submission victory of McGregor, 34, in 2016.
      He posted: “I took him all the way out in about 8 minutes right before that what does that tell you. Finished dead.”
      McGregor, who beat Diaz in their rematch, vowed to defeat Mayweather, 46, if the rivals ever rematched.
      He told Tyson in a tweet: “Thank you Mike, and just know that for the inevitable rematch, with the knowledge I now hold of Floyd’s style, plus under the tutelage of my old school boxing coach, I will crack the puzzle, and I will beat Floyd.
      “I promise my life on it. It is great to see you back Iron Mike.”
      Conor McGregor lost to Floyd Mayweather in 2017Credit: GETTY More

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      Anthony Joshua in shock talks to fight fearsome ex-UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has revealed shock talks to fight Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder after leaving the UFC. The heavyweight star is a free agent having failed to agree a new UFC contract and walking out on the promotion.
      Francis Ngannou revealed shock talks to fight Anthony Joshua and Deontay WilderCredit: AFP
      Anthony Joshua pictured ahead of his comebackCredit: Alamy
      Ngannou, 36, confirmed he is eyeing a switch to boxing and has held talks with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Wilder’s team.
      He told ESPN: “My next step has to be boxing.
      “I want to do one boxing match first, and then maybe go back to MMA because I still enjoy MMA. I want to do a couple of fights in boxing.
      “We are working on some stuff and hopefully in a month or two, I will be able to come out with an announcement on potential fight dates and locations.
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      “It’s taking a little longer than I expected but it’s coming along. Big things come with time.
      “I’m considering everybody. I talked to Eddie Hearn about Anthony Joshua, I don’t know what’s going to happen.
      “The most that we have spoken with is Deontay Wilder’s team. We’ve been having some exchanges, basically coming to some sort of verbal agreement.”
      Wilder, 37, has even offered to face Ngannou in both the ring and cage as part of a two-fight deal.
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      Meanwhile, Hearn has expressed an interest in having Joshua, 33, meet Ngannou in a crossover bout in the future.
      The Cameroonian left the UFC amid talks of a super-fight with Jon Jones, 35, who has since picked up the heavyweight title.
      Ngannou said: “For three years I tried to fight Jon Jones. I did everything to have that fight. I wanted that fight, but not at any cost.
      “There is not a fight on Earth I would back down for. I would go there and whatever happens, happens. It’s the sport.
      “Jon Jones is not the guy. He might be the best fighter ever, but he’s not the guy I’m running away from. Nah. Not him.
      “I would fight Jon Jones twice a month.”
      Jon Jones is the new UFC heavyweight championCredit: Getty More

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      ‘I’m there to take your head off’ – UFC star Jorge Masvidal gives brutal Jake Paul fight prediction in callout to rival

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      JORGE MASVIDAL has brutally warned Jake Paul to avoid fighting him – if he wants to keep his head on his shoulders.Paul has built a rivalry with the likes of Masvidal and others UFC stars during his polarising prizefighting career.
      Jorge Masvidal brutally warned Jake Paul to avoid fighting himCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul lost his last fight to Tommy FuryCredit: AFP
      He has beaten ex-MMA champions in Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva in the boxing ring.
      Paul, 26, fell to his first defeat in February, losing to unbeaten boxer Tommy Fury by split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
      Now ex-UFC title challenger Masvidal, 37, has promised to hand the YouTuber more than a points loss if they were to ever fight.
      He told DAZN: “Jake Paul wouldn’t be ready for that heat. I’m throwing with bad intentions and I’m a pro with 50 fights.
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      “I’m not gonna get tired throwing heat and I’m there to take your head off.
      “You’re gonna have to do some really evasive things in that ring to get away from me. Jake hasn’t hit that stride yet.”
      Paul has talked up fighting Masvidal or ex-UFC welterweight Nate Diaz, 37, but instead looks set to rematch Fury in the summer.
      Meanwhile, Masvidal returns to the octagon at UFC 287 on April 8 against Brazilian Gilbert Burns.
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      The ex-backyard brawler-turned pay-per-view attraction has not fought since March of 2022 against friend-turned-enemy Colby Covington.
      Covington won on points over five rounds but the feud did not end there following a street brawl in Miami a month later.
      Masvidal, who has previously pled not guilty, was accused of attacking Covington with the case set to go to trial on May 22.
      Colby Covington beat rival Jorge MasvidalCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury wants ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou to KO ‘piece of s*** ‘ Deontay Wilder and reveals prediction for fight

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      TYSON FURY wants Francis Ngannou to knock out his “piece of s***” rival Deontay Wilder. Ngannou, 36, walked out on the UFC after failing to agree a new contract and has been linked with a lucrative boxing switch.
      Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder shared an epic heavyweight trilogyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Francis Ngannou is linked with a boxing switch after leaving the UFCCredit: Getty
      Wilder, 37, has even offered to face the heavyweight in both the ring and cage as part of a two-fight deal.
      Fury – who shared an epic trilogy with the American – is rooting for Ngannou but doubts his chances against the ex-WBC champion.
      He told Fight Hub: “(Ngannou) is big enough to knock anybody out. But I don’t think he does because I think Wilder knocks him out first.
      “Wilder’s the type of guy who’s like a piece of s*** kinda guy, so I’d like to see Ngannou chin him, knock him spark out. But I don’t think he would.”
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      Fury, 34, is also open to fighting Ngannou should his title unification against Oleksandr Usyk, 36, collapse.
      But a FOURTH bout with Wilder has also not been ruled out, with their rivalry still brewing.
      They first drew in 2018 before Fury won the subsequent rematches but bad blood remains after Wilder accused him of cheating during the trilogy series.
      Fury insists there is no animosity from his side but said: “I just don’t think I gave him a good enough beating in that third fight.
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      “That was a beating for the ages, I gave him some rattling punches. But he obviously didn’t take enough punishment.
      “So don’t rule out a fourth fight.”
      Tyson Fury twice beat Deontay WilderCredit: Getty More

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      Five next fights for Jake Paul after Tommy Fury defeat including ex-UFC star, KSI grudge match and rematch

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      JAKE PAUL is waking up for the first time as a beaten boxer – and will now be left to plot his next move. The YouTuber-turned prizefighter lost a split-decision to Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia following two years of bitter feuding.
      Jake Paul after defeat to Tommy FuryCredit: @mostvaluablepromotions
      And while the score seems to be settled for now, the rivalry may not be over with both already talking up a sequel.
      But Paul has plenty of avenues to explore, even with the first loss now on his professional boxing record.
      Here, SunSport runs down what could be next for the self-proclaimed Problem Child.
      Tommy Fury rematch
      Paul, 26, does have a rematch clause in his contract, allowing him a second fight with Fury, 23, if he pleases.
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      Both opened the door to doing it again, as Paul said: “We can run it back. I think we deserve that rematch.”
      Fury said: “This is my first main event. If he wants a rematch, bring it on.”
      Jake Paul was beaten by Tommy Fury on pointsCredit: Getty
      Nate Diaz
      Paul claimed the ex-UFC welterweight, 37, would be his next opponent after Fury.
      The rematch may change that, but still a fight with Diaz makes both sense and money.
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      And following a defeat to Fury, the bout may be deemed closer to call now by the bookmakers and fans alike.
      Nate Diaz is a free agent after leaving the UFCCredit: Getty
      KSI
      The social media sensation, 29, was quick to rub salt in the wounds following Paul’s setback.
      And it could hamper their supposed plans to finally fight in December, after KSI warned he would fight Fury should the Brit win.
      But with so much money and rivalry at stake, the bitter grudge match should never be ruled out.
      KSI mocked Jake Paul for his loss to Tommy FuryCredit: PA
      Mike Perry
      The former UFC fighter-turned bare-knuckle boxer, 31, was the back-up if Fury pulled out again, following his two prior withdrawals.
      There was even rumours of a two-fight deal in boxing and MMA after Paul signed for the UFC’s rivals PFL.
      If Paul is looking for a suitable style match-up to build back, Perry’s stand and brawl tendencies could make him a smart choice.
      Mike Perry was a back-up alternative to fight Tommy FuryCredit: Getty
      MMA debut
      Paul revealed he is eyeing an MMA debut with PFL in 2024, while also helping promote their shows.
      Read More on The Sun
      But following three tireless years as a pro boxer, the American could fancy a change of scenery.
      And there may not be a better time for him to swap the ring for the cage.
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul embrace following their fightCredit: Reuters More

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      Rap superstar Drake has bet more than $1BILLION on sport in the last year, including losing $1m on football match

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      RAP superstar Drake enjoys the thrill of high stake bets on sports events and casinos, and has risked nearly £1BILLION in the last year.Drake joined crypto casino, Stake, under the name DeepPockets6 in December 2021.
      Drake has risked close to £1BILLION on sports and casino betsCredit: Getty
      Drake’s latest high stakes bet is on Jake Paul to knock out rival Tommy Fury on SundayCredit: Skill Challenge Entertainment
      And the 36-year-old isn’t shy about posting his gambling activity to his social media sites.
      The figures often send heads spinning.
      In fact, Casino.org say Drake wagered cryptocurrency worth over £800million in just two months after joining Stake on various sports and casino bets.
      Jake Paul is next on Drake’s tip list, with the artist slapping down over £300,000 on the American to KNOCK OUT rival Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
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      If the bet comes in, Drake is set to take home an incredible £1.2m.
      Drake’s sports bets range from combat sports, to Formula One, to football and even American football.
      And unfortunately, he is not often lucky with the notorious ‘Drake curse’ becoming legendary folklore online.
      SunSport takes a look at some of Drake’s BIGGEST sports bets.
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      Drake’s UFC bets
      In March 2022, Drake slapped £230,000 on Jorge Masvidal to defeat UFC rival Colby Covington.
      A win would’ve seen Drake pocket over £862,000.
      However, Masvidal lost via decision.
      Two months later, Drake lost £357,000 after tipping Justin Gaethje to beat Charles Oliveira.
      The payout would’ve been north of £800,000 again.
      July, however, was a better month for Drake.
      Drake bet £113,000 on fellow Stake ambassador, Israel Adesanya, to beat Jared Cannonier.
      Adesanya won via decision and Drake saw a return of £750,000.
      And just ten days later, Drake bet on Liverpudlians Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann.
      Drake wagered £1.84m on McCann to see off Hannah Goldy and Pimblett to beat Jordan Leavitt.
      The bet came in and Drake saw a return of over £3m.
      As a thank you, Drake sent both McCann and Pimblett a Rolex.
      However, the next month it was back to losing on UFC.
      In August, Drake lost tow consecutive bets totalling £359,000 on Kamaru Usman and Jose Aldo.
      And in November, £1.67m was put on the line for Adesanya to beat Alex Pereira in a UFC 281 title fight.
      But in what could’ve been a £2.42m payout resulted in a £1.7m loss.
      Drake lost £1.7m on Israel Adesanya to beat Alex PereiraCredit: Reuters
      Drake’s dabbling in football
      Drake keeps a watchful eye on football and hasn’t been scared to bet big bux.
      In October last year, £502,000 was bet on both Arsenal and Barcelona to win their respective matches.
      Arsenal came through on their part of the bet, winning 1-0 away at Leeds.
      Barca, however, lost 3-1 to rivals Real Madrid.
      To rub salt into the wounds, Barca’s kit featured the OVO owl ogo in a sponsorship courtesy of Spotify.
      Drake was honoured after becoming the first artist to hit 50bn Spotify streams.
      He also joined billions from around the world in watching last November-December’s World Cup.
      Drake bet £837,000 on Argentina to win the World Cup in the final against France – but lost on a technicality.
      The global sensation would’ve seen a return north of £2.26m had Argentina beaten France in regular time.
      Kylian Mbappe’s late equaliser forced the game into extra-time.
      Argentina went on to win the 3-3 final on penalties, despite Mbappe scoring a hat-trick.
      Drake lost money on Barca, who were donning his OVO logo against Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Better luck with US sports
      In February 2022, Drake took home over £449,000 on the LA Rams to win the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals and Odell Beckham Jr to score an anytime touchdown.
      Though he lost a separate prop bet on ODJ worth £328,000.
      He did manage to recover £196,000 on his Californian namesake, Drake London, to be the 1st drafted Wide Receiver.
      Drake’s good fortunes with NFL bets continued into the recent season.
      Despite losing £174,000 on the Miami Dolphins in September last year, Drake cashed out a whopping £1.67m on a £240,000 bet in November.
      He tipped the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs to be victorious in their Week Four matchups.
      For the Super Bowl earlier this month, Drake won BIG.
      The Certified Lover Boy won over £1.25m after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Arizona.
      Drake has seen good returns in basketball, baseball and hockey.
      In April, Drake took home a combined total of £610,000 on NBA bets thanks to the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks.
      In baseball the same month, Drake won over £96,000 thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays beating the Boston Red Sox.
      Drake’s baseball luck continued in May in a Game 7 parlay.
      The Dallas Mavericks, Calgary Flames and the New York Rangers saw Drake turn his £258,000 stake with 8.64 total odds into an impressive £1.97m.
      In June, Drake lost £376,000 after predicting the New York Rangers to win the NHL Eastern Conference Finals, as well as the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Championship series.
      Unfortunately, the slip was ruined before it got started and Drake missed out on a cool £1.33m.
      Drake won big after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win this monthCredit: Rex
      Drake’s need for speed
      Drake is also an F1 fan.
      He tipped Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to win the 2022 Spain Grand Prix with the Monegasques starting the race on pole position.
      Drake placed £251,000 on Leclerc to win – but the Ferrari ace retired on lap 27 with a turbo and MGH-U failure.
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      Max Verstappen, who went on to win the world title in 2022 defending his 2021 crown, went on to win the race and captured the lead in the driver standings.
      Drake missed out on £627,000.
      Drake bet on Charles Leclerc to win the 2022 Spain Grand Prix only for the Ferrari driver to retire on lap 27 despite starting on poleCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul’s brutal win over UFC star Tyron Woodley meant he beat Tyson Fury to Knockout of the Year in 2021

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      JAKE PAUL already has one win over the Fury family ahead of his grudge match with Tommy Fury. It came back in 2021, as YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul battled against former UFC Champion Tyron Woodley.
      Jake Paul brutally KOd Tyron Woodley in 2021Credit: AP
      And beat Tyson Fury’s knockout of Deontay Wilder to the Knockout of the Year awardCredit: AP
      Paul is facing Tommy Fury later todayCredit: AFP

      🥊 How to watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel
      Paul struggled in his first match against the ex-welterweight champ, before facing him in a rematch four months later and landing a thumping punch which KOd Woodley.
      This saw Paul win ESPN’s “Knockout of the Year” award.
      And it turns out he beat Tommy’s brother Tyson in the process.
      The “Gypsy King” landed his own brutal knockout punch that year in his fight with Deontay Wilder.
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      Fury was looking to put his rival down once and for all in the final instalment of their thrilling trilogy.
      A 2018 draw between the pair was followed by a Fury TKO victory in 2020 before Fury put an end to the trilogy in 2021.
      Despite dropping Fury to the floor a number of times in the early rounds, the “Bronze Bomber” was unable to capitalise and soon found himself on the ropes.
      Fury then landed the final blow with a right hook which left Wilder sleeping on the canvas.
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      Fury and Paul were subsequently both nominated for the fan-voted knockout of the year award.
      The result saw Paul win by a significant margin as he picked up 56 per cent of the vote.
      Meanwhile, Fury only received 37.3 per cent of the votes.
      The remaining votes saw 5.3 per cent go to Oscar Valdez’s 10th-round KO of Miguel Berchelt in the WBC super-featherweight title fight.
      While the other 1.5 per cent went to Gabe Rosado’s stunning punch and weave move on the previously unbeaten Bektemir Melikuziev.
      Paul will be once again hoping to land a KO over the Fury family, this time in a more direct fashion when he faces “TNT” later today.
      However, backup fighter Mike Perry posted a document claiming to be a so-called “script” for the fight.
      The baseless document, which promoters confirmed to SunSport is “fake”, suggests Paul will win the fight by TKO.
      Paul and Fury came face to face for the final time before their showdown in their weigh-in yesterday, with “The Problem Child” Paul antagonising Fury into pushing him. More