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    England legend ‘Razor’ Ruddock reveals Harry Redknapp show saved his life after doctors feared he had two months to live

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    ENGLAND legend Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has revealed how Harry Redknapp’s show saved his life.The former Liverpool centre-back disclosed that what he initially thought was dementia turned out to be a serious heart condition as doctors feared he had just two months to live.Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has revealed details about how Harry Redkapp’s show saved his lifeRuddock linked up with his old England team-mates for ‘Harry’s Heroes: The Full English’ in 2019 and it’s sequel a year laterThe ex-England defender ballooned to 27st during the pandemicRuddock, 56, has turned his life around and reduced his alcohol intake as he credits his former gaffer’s TV show ‘Harry’s Heroes’.Speaking to Nigel Farage on GB News, he said: “From when I left school until like 35, every day I was told where I’ve got to be.”What I can eat, what I can’t drink, and all this. And when you’re 35 there was no sort of step back.“There was no help when football finished. I turned into an 18-year-old kid and couldn’t wait to retire at 35 and start drinking and eating what I wanted and then I got 28 and a half stone.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“I did the Harry Heroes TV show. I was feeling dizzy. At the time there was a lot of talk about dementia in football, heading the ball.“So I was going dizzy. So I thought, you know, ‘it’s dementia’. I went to see all the specialists and it was my heart, he said, ‘the way you’re going, you’ve got two months to live’.“Trust me, that changed my life, and then they had to stop my heart, restart my heart. I got a pacemaker. I’ve had the gastric sleeve…because I’d given up on myself, basically.“Without doing that TV show, I wouldn’t be here today.”Most read in FootballNeil Ruddock has shown off his incredible weight transformationThe award-winning documentary series was filmed in 2020.It saw Redknapp tasked with turning a cohort of unfit England football legends from the 1990s into a winning team once more.Neil Ruddock and Paul Merson fall out over the ex-Tottenham star’s drinking habit on Harry’s Heroes: Euro Having A LaughThey included a host of familiar faces – such as David Seaman, Paul Merson and Matt Le Tissier – keen to prove that, even in middle age, they could still cut it on the pitch and beat old rivals Germany.Viewers saw the ex-star players, who came from an era with a more relaxed approach to footie practice and healthy eating, as they adopted a rigorous new training and nutrition regime akin to that of today’s pros.Former Liverpool ace and 2018 King of the Jungle, assistant John Barnes, successfully coached the blokes to a 4-2 victory.’Harry’s Heroes: The Full English’ was filmed in 2020 before Ruddock’s gastric bandNutritionist Luke Worthington did a body mass index with RuddockRuddock, who earned one England cap during his career, memorably told the lads about his heart scare in one of the episodes.Meanwhile, Redknapp managed Ruddock when he played for West Ham in the late 1990s.Asked what advice he would give to anyone else who was worried about their health, he said: “Go and see the doctor. It costs you nothing.“If you’re driving your car and your car makes a noise, you take it to the mechanic and pay to get it fixed.“If you’re not feeling well, go and see the doctor, because men are scared of going to see the doctor. “It’s bad news, and you can’t go out Saturday night and watch football.“Go get yourself checked out. It costs nothing.”Ruddock unveiled his incredible 11-stone weight transformation earlier this year.The 56-year-old began his weight loss journey back in 2021 after meeting TV personality James Argent.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe dad-of-two teenagers had ballooned to 27st during the Coronavirus pandemic, which put his health at serious risk.He made 195 Premier League appearances during his career and played for the likes of Liverpool, West Ham, Tottenham, Southampton and Crystal Palace.In his 17 year career, Ruddock made 355 club appearances and earned one cap playing for England More

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      Lawrence Okolie secures brutal first-round stoppage win in first heavyweight fight after bulking on FOUR STONE

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      LAWRENCE OKOLIE piled on the pounds to announce himself to the heavyweight division with a brutal first-round knockout.The former WBO cruiserweight champ cleaned out woeful Hussein Muhamed with a trademark right hand.Lawrence Okolie quickly dispatched Hussein MuhamedCredit: GettyOkolie made a blasting impression on MuhamedCredit: GettyThe Sauce reckons he’s more ‘explosive’ nowCredit: PASix months on from his dismal title defeat to Chris Billam-Smith down at the 14st 4lbs division, The Sauce beefed right up to light up Wembley arena at his curvy NEW 18st 8lbs stature.”I felt good,” he beamed. “That’s my second first-round KO in a row.”Now that I’ve been putting on the weight, enjoying training camp, I can be a lot more explosive.”It’s showing in the fights, as soon as I start hitting these guys, they start going. I’m ready for the best in the world at any weight.READ MORE TOP STORIES”I felt super robust, super strong. I think people might have thought, ‘he weighed 200lbs last year, why’s he 260lbs now’?”But I feel happier and natural and a lot more solid.“You know when I was making cruiserweight because of what I had to do to make that weight I felt tired.”But now, I just know every round I can go explosive, recover, explosive, recover. So it feels good.”Most read in BoxingHere’s how a smaller Okolie looked in losing to Chris Billam-SmithCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHussein arrived with a decent looking record but it was padded in Germany and he looked way out of his depth from the opening bell.The 2016 Team GB Olympian poked and probed with his long jabs, while Muhamed did very little.Reality TV star, 37, and former world champion offer to replace Tommy Fury after pulling out of Darren Till fight”Toward the end of the opener the visitor did decide to finally throw a shot and it was to be his undoing.Okolie telegraphed Muhamed’s first crack at a punch and landed his own giant right hand.Muhamed’s body folded down on itself left him in a heap.To his credit, the 18-1 plodder did climb back up to his feet and plead to be allowed to continue.But the referee rightly waved off the contest to let Okolie start calling out far more credible opponents.Muhamed was completely outclassedCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury receives ominous body transformation warning from ex-world champ as do-or-die Usyk rematch nears

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      TYSON FURY has been warned his drastic body transformation for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk could work against him.Photos emerging from Fury’s training camp appear to suggest he’s carrying more weight for next month’s do-or-die Saudi showdown.Tyson Fury renews his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21Credit: PAThe Gypsy King looks to be carrying more weight for the boutCredit: INSTAGRAM@KEVINLERENABut former Brit world champ Duke McKenzie has warned Fury carrying too much size could work against himCredit: GETTYThe Gypsy King may have decided to come in heavier in order to rough Usyk up in their Riyadh rumble.But former Brit world champion Duke McKenzie reckons the added size could end up working against the Wythenshawe warrior.He told GiveMeSport: “If he puts on more weight and thinks to himself ‘I’m going to bully Usyk this time, I’m going to go in and walk him down, I’ll be able to take his shots because I’m that much bigger’, it’s not going to work for him.”He’s going to be slower, he’s going to be more predictable, he’s going to get hit more and a lot sooner…READ MORE ON FURY VS USYK 2″Usyk wins the rematch all day long, I can’t see how Tyson Fury beats him.”Fury’s lifestyle outside of the ring is also a concern for former three-weight world champ McKenzie: “He [Fury] doesn’t live, eat, walk and talk the sport.”But you’re supposed to, in-between fights is where fights are won and lost.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We know Fury blows up, puts on a load of weight between fights and then he has got to get rid of all that weight again.Most read in Boxing”Now, they’re trying to tell us that Fury is going to be bigger and better. Bigger and better isn’t going to beat Usyk. It’s really not.”Usyk Vs Fury 2 Launch Event entrancesMcKenzie reckons Fury doesn’t stand a chance of knocking slick southpaw Usyk out, adding: “This guy is unbeaten, so you have to look for chinks in his armour.”Has this guy got a bad engine? Does he get cut? Does he go down?”Does he have to get up off the floor to win fights? “Usyk doesn’t have to do any of them, he’s never shown any vulnerability.”Fury, 36, suffered a split decision defeat to Usyk in their first desert dust-up in May, in which he was knocked down in the ninth round.And he’s adamant he won’t let the Ukrainian hear the final bell, saying: “I’m going to roll the dice and it’s going to be you or me.Tyson Fury has vowed to be killed or be killed in his rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTY”Best foot forward and swing away.”I’ve never been afraid to get knocked spark out. I’ve always put it on the line every time.”He continued: “There’s no secret! I’m going in there to knock you out. Because I don’t think I’m going to get a decision no matter what I do.”I don’t think I’m going to get a boxing decision.READ MORE SUN STORIES”So I’m going to have to take it out of the judges’ hands like I did in America that time [against Deontay Wilder].”And I’ve got to get him out of there. Hand on heart, I have to get him out of there to see victory.” More

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      Jake Paul has to stay away from KSI fight or his money-grabbing career is OVER, says British YouTube star’s boxing coach

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      KSI’S trainer says Jake Paul is avoiding their grudge match in a bid to preserve his money-spinning boxing career.A weight disagreement threatens to stand in the way of a blockbuster bout between the pair of YouTube superstars. KSI’s trainer says Jake Paul is avoiding their grudge matchCredit: GettyJake Paul beat Mike Tyson in his last fightCredit: GettyPaul, 27, moved up to heavyweight to beat boxing great Mike Tyson, 58, in their controversial Netflix showdown.The American bulked up to 227lb (16st 2lb), while KSI’s last fight – defeat to Tommy Fury – was at THREE STONE lighter at 183lb.Paul was, however, down at 185lb (13st 2lb) when he was also beaten by Fury – leaving KSI’s coach Alexis Demetriades questioning the row over weight.Demetriades told SunSport: “I just don’t understand. The common ground is 185 where everyone fought Tommy, even though I think we weighed 183.READ MORE IN BOXING”But we’ll take 185, the same weight he lost to Tommy at. We’ll take the fight at that weight.”I mean, he claims to want to fight Conor McGregor at that weight, he wants to fight rematch Fury at that weight.”But yeah, he’s got to stay away from KSI because if he loses to KSI, his whole money-grabbing career is over.”I think that’s the difference between their coaches or their managers. He’s an asset to them.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The truth of the matter is if he wants to shut everybody up, take the KSI fight that’s how it should be.”KSI, 31, is yet to return since a controversial points loss to Fury, 25, in October 2023 after suffering a hand injury. KSI tells SunSport about his next fight, Donald Trump drinking Prime and Arsenal’s chances of winning the leagueMeanwhile Paul has won five times since his split-decision defeat to Fury in Saudi Arabia last year. His last was against a rusty Iron Mike – who ended nearly 20 YEARS out of retirement to return.Despite criticism over the age gap, a huge 108 MILLION tuned in to watch on Netflix. Paul’s team had been planning a move back down to the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb, but they have since teased remaining at heavyweight.Shock fights against Anthony Joshua, 35, and Daniel Dubois, 27, have even been mentioned by the American’s camp. But Demetriades said: “Look, if KSI wanted to fight any of these guys, he’d get that fight as well. He’s just not that type of guy.”He’s not delusional or disrespectfully trying to money-grab, he’s not that kind. It’s not his character.”JJ wants testing fights that are hard, that the public, that the people want to see that he wants to be part of.”It’s like getting two top chefs to fight each other, I mean, yeah it might be enjoyable but I’d rather eat their food.”I don’t necessarily think that, Jake Paul calling out Daniel Dubois is I mean, it’d be fun to watch but I don’t know – maybe people would pay to see it, I wouldn’t.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s just entertainment. I guess we’re taking the word sports out of it and we’re using the word entertainment more. So if we’re breaching into that department, then fair enough.”But ultimately, I think the fans want big nights, crazy fights, Misfits-style fights with crossover boxers and athletes and things that really kind of wet the appetite.”Anthony Joshua with Jake Paul More

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      Misfits Boxing star Swarmz in stunning FIVE-STONE weight loss after ditching cheeseburgers for healthy diet

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      RAPPER Swarmz has lost a sensational FIVE-STONE after ditching cheeseburgers for a healthy boxing diet. The recording artist was thrust into the influencer boxing scene in August 2022 when he fought superstar KSI on two weeks notice.Rapper Swarmz has lost five stone since boxingCredit: ReutersHe is now ripped at 12st 5lbSwarmz weighed 17st 6lb when he first walked into the boxing gym – now he is fighting at 12st 5lb. The singer returns on Thursday in Qatar against boxer Luis Pineda – the man KSI beat also beat on the same night as Swarmz’s debut. And he told SunSport in Doha: “I’m always prepared, ready, coaches are always training me. “This was a last-minute fight but I’m always ready, stay ready, born ready.READ MORE IN BOXING”I feel like boxing itself mentally makes you disciplined and since I started boxing, I bang out gym everyday. “My occupation before this was music and I do gym more than music now. I feel like it’s in my blood now.” Gone are the days of a Big Mac and fries for Swarmz, who now lives off a slither of salmon and vegetables.He said: “Diet’s been good. Now I’m used to it, it’s my sixth fight. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”When I first started, not gonna lie it’s very hard to try block out cheeseburgers and stuff like that.” But he said with a grin: “Sometimes you can eat bad… but you’ve gotta work harder in the gym!” Swarmz has been rapping since 2017 but reveals just his two years in boxing has been way tougher. He said: “It’s not even a question. I’ve done football as well, boxing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. “It takes long to learn, I’ve only been in it two years, I’m gonna learn more along the way but it’s been a great journey.” Misfits Boxing star Salt Papi was fighting BLIND before £6,000 eye surgery and opens up on THREE STONE transformation More

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      How YouTube star AnEsonGib went from ‘obese’ 17 STONE gamer to ‘seven-figure’ boxing paydays after body transformation

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      YOUTUBER AnEsonGib went from overweight video gamer to receiving “seven-figure” paydays as a shredded boxer. The social media star – real name Ali Loui Al-Fakhari and nicknamed Gib – has been a pioneer of the celebrity-style crossover boxing bouts.YouTuber AnEsonGib went from overweight video gamer to boxerHe dramatically transformed his bodyCredit: @AnEsonGib
      Gib broke down the secrets behind his transformationCredit: @AnEsonGib
      Gib is 6-1 as a crossover boxing starCredit: @AnEsonGib
      He once weighed as much as 17 STONE and admits to being “obese” – but is now fighting fit both mentally and physically.Gib told SunSport: “Back then when I was fat, I thought I was hench! “I’d have my top off and think, ‘Yeah, the abs are underneath it, the abs are underneath it!”But I remember I went to the gym, I was weak. Just kept trying to keep training and training and training, but yeah, physically the change is nice.READ MORE IN BOXING”But it’s more up here that has changed the most, and that’s what I’m proudest of, the mentality change, not the physical change.”Gib now fights at the super-middleweight boxing limit of 12st following a stunning FIVE STONE body transformation.And he credits ditching fast food and hiring a diet specialist for his remarkable turnaround. Gib said: “Of course, I’ve been consistent over the years, seven years I’ve been consistent, but the biggest change when I saw physically is when I got a nutritionist on board.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”As soon as I got a nutritionist and the diet was right, sleep was right, water intake was good, because I used to just order Deliveroo.”I said, ‘Yeah, Nando’s, do I deserve chips today or mashed potatoes?’ I just order and I think I’m being healthy.Tommy Fury and Darren Till clash at Misfits Boxing press conference “But once I got a nutritionist on board and my meals were prepared, that was the biggest change physically.”Gib returns to the ring after a year out to make his debut on Misfits Boxing – home of crossover fights – against Slim Albaher.The two look to settle years of feuding on Thursday, November 28 in Qatar live on DAZN PPV.And despite all the years of hard work and sacrifice to shed the pounds, Gib plans to celebrate victory by eating his way back to obesity.He said: “I’m trying to make weight, so right now all I’m f***ing thinking about is what am I eating in Qatar? What am I eating in Qatar?”So right now, I’m thinking I wanna get to 100kg. I don’t care about this physique, I wanna get fat! “But in general, I kinda keep good, maybe 6 days a week, snacks here and there, but now I wanna go obese. I wanna be big. “I wanna be big after this fight, that’s my goal.” Gib lost to Jake Paul in 2020Credit: Getty Images – GettyThe YouTuber is one of the biggest pioneers in crossover boxingCredit: @AnEsonGib
      Gib, 28, has a record of six wins with only one loss, coming to Jake Paul, 27, on his professional debut in 2020.Opponent Slim, 30, meanwhile is unbeaten in seven fights as a champion of the Misfits circuit headed up by KSI.And the American has warned his rivalry with Gib is “personal” – but the feeling is not mutual. Gib responded: “Personal? No. Why would I find it personal?”I’m just fighting the guy and come to box him and fight him. There’s nothing personal about this.”Slim doesn’t have anything to do with my life outside of this fight. So it shows that I’m clearly on his mind a lot.”It’s ‘personal’? It’s just business for me, I’m coming to chin him. I’m coming to take away his record. “I’m coming to embarrass the Misfits champion. So that’s what I’m coming to do.”The former FIFA gamer has adopted the moniker “seven-figure Gibber” due to his demand in the influencer boxing scene. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut is he making £1million to fight Slim? “Something along those lines,” Gib says with a chuckle.Gib fights Slim Albaher on DAZN PPVCredit: Misfits Boxing More

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      Inside Jake Paul’s THREE STONE heavyweight body transformation from eating 4,000 calories to training three times a day

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      JAKE PAUL has been on a diet of 4,000 calories and three training sessions a day to get himself up to heavyweight.The YouTuber-turned-boxer faces the legendary Mike Tyson on Friday in Texas in a clash that has come under criticism amid the age gap. Jake Paul showed off his heavyweight frameCredit: SportsfileHe hit the scales at 227.2lb (16st 2lb)Credit: SportsfileJake Paul as fought as low as 185lbCredit: GettyHe has put on over three stone from his lowest weight till nowCredit: @jakepaulNot only does it mark Netflix’s first move into streaming live boxing but also Paul’s first fight at heavyweight. Helping him pile on the pounds outside of the kitchen has been esteemed strength and conditioning coach Larry Wade. And Wade told SunSport: “I wish I could sit here and say I did it by myself. I didn’t. “Jake has nutritionist and he has other guys here that help us as well.READ MORE IN BOXING”And so we put our hands together and came up with a nutritional plan along with a strength conditioning plan, along with a boxing plan of what it would take – not only to get the weight – but to also be able to carry the power up and distribute it through the weight.”And I think all those guys did a really good job of doing that.”Paul has enjoyed a diet of pizza, pasta and steaks in camp to fight Tyson – fuelling his exhausting training schedule. Wade said on the calorie count: “It can’t be any less than 3,500 and 4,000 because it’s a lot of work.Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I mean, he has two or three sessions a day from lifting to boxing and then to running to riding bikes. “He has a long day ahead of him. So he had to get that many in.”Meet Jake Paul’s secret weapon in training to fight Mike Tyson with sparring so good he is paying DOUBLE Wade joined Paul’s camp following his first and so far only loss, to Tommy Fury, 25, in February 2023 which was set at 185lb (13st 2lb). He stayed at the weight to beat ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 39, scoring a knockdown but going the ten round distance. Paul’s three victories since have been at the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb and all finishing inside the distance. Now he is up at heavyweight weighing 227.2lb (16st 2lb) – THREE STONE heavier than when Wade first started working with Paul.And the American fitness guru warned Paul will never fight any lower than cruiserweight again.Counting down to Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson…READ MORE on all the build-up to the massive clash in Texas on Netflix…All the info:Latest news and features: He said: “Absolutely not, no reason to. At 185, he’s still strong, but he has so much more power at 200.”And you can see that when he fought Nate Diaz at 185 he put Nate Diaz down but he didn’t put them out of here.”After that point he went back to 200, he knocked everybody else’s out.”Paul does plan to drop back down to cruiserweight – but Wade reckons he does have the makings of a heavyweight. He said: “If he wanted to, he could. It’s just a matter of what’s best for him. It it much harder to go to heavyweight? Absolutely it is. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But he’s 27, when you’re 32 it might be easier to go to heavyweight and it not be a problem to hold the weight. “Right now, we’re having to work a little bit to make it stick.” Mike Tyson facing off with Jake PaulCredit: Getty More

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      ‘I don’t like it’, says Jake Paul’s ex-coach after YouTube star’s dramatic body transformation for Mike Tyson fight

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      JAKE PAUL has been warned by one of his ex-coaches that piling on the pounds to fight Mike Tyson could come back to haunt him. The YouTuber-turned-boxer faces the returning Tyson on Friday in Texas for a clash that has attracted controversy due to the age gap. Jake Paul has bulked up to heavyweightCredit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable PromotionsIt will be Jake Paul’s biggest ever weightCredit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable PromotionsHe is coming up from the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lbCredit: GettyNot only will it mark Netflix’s first move into live boxing but also Paul’s debut fight at heavyweight. He has boasted at weighing as much as 225lb (16 stone) which is almost TWO STONE heavier than his last bout at cruiserweight. BJ Flores – who spent three years as Paul’s head trainer – cast concern over the sudden jump up in weight. Flores told SunSport: “Sometimes you go where the money’s at and the opportunity was big for Jake to fight Mike on Netflix.READ MORE IN BOXING”Obviously at 225lb – that’s what they’re saying he’s weighing – that’s a little big for me.Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson predictions and betting tips”I like Jake at 200lb, fighting at 200 then going straight to 225, I don’t care who you’re fighting that’s a big jump, but there’s a lot of adjustments Jake’s gonna have to make.”Hopefully he’s made them in camp but once you get in there, you feel the weight, you do feel the extra weight when your last fight was at 200, now you’re at 225. It’s a big difference.”So that will be the interesting thing to watch with this fight. Mike is naturally walking around at 235/240. He’s used to that.Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Jake’s not used to going from 200 to 225 though. And that’s going to be interesting to see how he deals with that if he’s made those adjustments in camp.”Jake Paul wears ROOSTER hat in open workout for Mike Tyson fightUnder Flores, Paul campaigned mainly at 190lb (13st 5lb) and even as light as 185 (13st 2lb). So he is expected to jump almost THREE STONE by the time he shares the ring with heavyweight great Tyson. But Paul has talked up a move down to cruiserweight straight after – where he set his sights on a lofty world title challenge. So Flores is warning ahead of time that his former pupil faces a fight to just to get the weight off first. He said: “I don’t like it. I think it’s tough to go up and go down in weight. I think it’s very hard on the body, especially at a young age.”We’ve seen guys try to do it before Chris Byrd. We’ve seen Roy Jones try to do it. “We’ve seen other guys, other fighters try to go up and then back down. It’s always been tough.”So I would advise Jake kind of staying up in weight, kind of keeping it up right there and not trying to drop back down to 200.”BJ Flores formerly trained Jake PaulCredit: Instagram More

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      Ex-Liverpool and England star Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock shows off incredible body transformation after 11 STONE weight loss

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      FORMER Premier League star Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has shown off his incredible 11-stone weight transformation.The 56-year-old began his weight loss journey back in 2021 after meeting TV personality James Argent.Neil Ruddock has shown off his incredible weight transformationCredit: Marc AsplandThe ex-Premier League star has lost 11-stoneCredit: Marc AsplandRazor ballooned to 27st during the pandemicCredit: Andrew BarrRuddock had ballooned to 27st during the Coronavirus pandemic, which put his health at serious risk.But after meeting Argent – who experienced his own 14st weight loss journey in recent years – he decided to get a gastric sleeve fitted.The former Liverpool star now eats much less and has reduced his alcohol intake.In a recent interview, Ruddock opened up about why he started excessively eating and drinking in the first place.Read More in FootballOn his 28th birthday, the day before 1996 FA Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester United, the ex-defender found out that manager Roy Evans had dropped him from the squad.His dad had purchased 50 tickets so that friends and family could watch him at Wembley.So the realisation that he would not play made Ruddock feel like he had let his nearest and dearest down.He told The Times: “The greatest thing I’ve ever done in life is making my dad proud of me.Most read in Football”Roy just said it was the toughest decision he had to make. It was the toughest decision he’s ever had in management.”You know, I love the man to death, but it wasn’t . . . at the end of the day, I can’t blame him.Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock and wife Leah on being clinically dead during life saving surgery and the support that Robbie Williams has given to him in his recovery”He’s had to make a decision. But I just couldn’t handle it.”I remember ringing my dad in tears. My dad’s in tears as well. I still might want to cry. I want to cry now. My dad’s no longer here any more.”On the day of the final, Ruddock sat in the dressing room and began drinking cans of beer while his team-mates battled it out for the FA Cup.In his new book, Toxic, he explained: “All of a sudden, sport, the thing you have relied on all your life to deliver the good times, is doing exactly the opposite.”The Cup final was the start of a spiral which never ended. The start of mad, bad, sad, glad syndrome.”Until that day I had never ever doubted myself. Never. Not once. Now it was all I did. Anxiety bubbled underneath. I was gone — a volcano waiting to erupt.”Ruddock made 195 Premier League appearances during his career and played for the likes of Liverpool, West Ham, Tottenham, Southampton and Crystal Palace. More