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    Anthony Joshua’s incredible body transformation revealed in pictures as he gears up for Francis Ngannou fight

    ALL EYES will be on Anthony Joshua when he tips the scales to fight Francis Ngannou as the fascination on his weight continues. AJ’s fluctuating size has been a major talking point throughout his career as he looks to find that goldilocks number. Anthony Joshua’s fluctuating size has been a major talking point throughout his careerCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdAJ looks ripped and ready before fighting Francis NgannouCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom BoxingWhen he made his professional debut, he scaled 16st 6lb before knocking out Emanuele Leo inside the opening round. By the time he became world heavyweight champion – three years and 16 fights later – he was at 17st 4lb. Joshua then raised eyebrows a year on in his fourth title defence as he bulked up to a then-heaviest 18st 2lb before beating Carlos Takam. AJ was accused of looking sluggish during the ten-round stoppage and returned to beat Joseph Parker on points at 17st 4lb.READ MORE IN BOXINGThat was considered to be around his sweet spot until he was stunned to a first defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019. Joshua was 17st 9lb before being dropped four times and stopped in seven rounds of his US debut in New York. For the rematch – with his reputation on the line – he shrunk down to 16st 13lb to box and move his way to a career-saving victory. Before Joshua suffered defeat again, to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021, he claimed his weight was the least of his worries. Most read in BoxingJoshua weighed 18st 2lb before beating Carlos TakamCredit: SportsfileHe slimmed down to 16st 13lb before beating Andy Ruiz Jr in their 2019 rematchCredit: The SunANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “I don’t really focus on my weight. It’s just training. I just put in the work.”Joshua was 17st 2lb the first time against Usyk and put on just 4lb for the rematch, which he also lost on points. The Sun’s Wally Downes Jr tells Francis Ngannou his ‘legs are looking skinny’ and he’ll ‘give him some tips’ after media workoutAJ then returned in April of 2023 against Jermaine Franklin and did so at an all-time heaviest 18st 3lb before winning by decision. Joshua went back down to 17st and 12lb before knocking out Robert Helenius in August. And for his most recent win, a five-round stoppage of Otto Wallin, he did so at 17st 13lb. Ngannou meanwhile scaled 19st 3lb before his boxing debut against Tyson Fury in October. Joshua at an all-time heaviest 18st 3lb before beating Jermaine FranklinCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunAJ was 17st 13lb before his last fightCredit: GettyFrancis Ngannou scaled over 19st before fighting Tyson FuryCredit: AFPThe ex-UFC champion even floored Fury only to lose a controversial split-decision. And even AJ’s promoter and biggest supporter Eddie Hearn fears the monster of a man. Hearn told SunSport: “When you’re that strong, you can change a fight at any given moment. “You can be dominating a fight for five or six rounds and walk into one, and a fight can be over.“This is probably the most nervous I’ve been for a fight because it’s a little bit of the unknowns about Ngannou. “I’m looking at him like, ‘Can you even hurt him? Can you push him back?’ READ MORE SUN STORIES”He’s just a freak of nature, but I still stand by the fact that AJ is better in every single department, and he’s got to show it on Friday.”Joshua and Ngannou facing offCredit: Getty More

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    Inside Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren’s five vs five boxing tournament with mouthwatering fight set to top bill

    EDDIE HEARN reveals ‘We’ve got some unbelievable surprises up our sleeves’ as he prepares to take on Frank Warren. The British pair of promoters have put years of bitter feuding behind them to come together in Saudi Arabia. Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren will put their stables together for a 5v5 tournamentCredit: GettyThey are co-promoting blockbuster bouts in the controversial Gulf state after Middle Eastern powerbroker Turki Alalshikh brought the two together. And the latest treat for fans will be Hearn and Warren putting their stables against each other for a five-fight tournament. Each promoter will choose two weight classes while Turki Alalshikh will get the final pick with everyone kept in the dark until the big reveal. Hearn told SunSport: “We’re going to pick two weight classes, Frank’s picking two weight classes and His Excellency chooses another weight class. READ MORE IN BOXING”No one knows the fighters until they meet at the official press conference in London. “So you will pick the best available fighter from that weight class that you have. “And the big reveal will be in London. We’ll fill the weight classes this week, it will be announced I think Saturday after Joshua-Ngannou. “We’ve got some unbelievable surprises up our sleeve. It’s going to be a big format everybody’s talking about it and genuinely, we cannot lose. We must not lose this. It’s going to be a lot of fun.” Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe historic event is eyed for June 1 in Riyadh with Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol topping the deal in a light-heavyweight undisputed super-fight. The undercard will be made up of Hearn’s men versus Warren’s and the Machroom Boxing chief will do everything he can to gain bragging rights. Exclusive Frank Warren Interview ahead of AJ vs Ngannou – reveals AJ turned down HUGE offer from him in order to join SkyHe said: “We were talking about the 5v5 and he went, ‘I ain’t losing this!’ And I said, ‘I ain’t losing this!’ “I’m going into that changing room and I am giving Churchillian speeches to my fighters, potentially win bonuses and saying, ‘Listen, you’ve got to win this fight.’ “That’s why we want the fights to be pickem’ fights so we’re sitting ringside just excited. “The opportunities for our fighters are incredible and that’s the main thing.”The promoters signed a deal for the 5v5Credit: Instagram More

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    Fans say Eddie Hearn ‘will be fighting in Misfits soon’ as he leaves Love Island star stunned with body transformation

    EDDIE HEARN has fans convinced he will be fighting on Misfits after showing off his body transformation. The boxing promoter has been on a health kick over the past 18 months having lost two stone through his new clean lifestyle.
    James DeGale with Eddie Hearn in 2015
    The boxing promoter has been on a health kick over the past 18 month
    Hearn has lost two stone through his new healthy lifestyleCredit: Instagram @kaipeacockfitness
    Hearn has been keeping his 1.3million Instagram followers up to date with his workouts in the gym.
    And in his latest, he posed in a grey vest and looked like a lean, mean, fighting machine.
    So much that one fan reacted: “He will be fighting in misfits soon.”
    Another said: “What a transformation.”
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    One joked: “Shreddie Hearn.”
    Love Island star-turned boxing presenter Josh Denzel said: “Go on the boy!!!!”
    The 44-year-old recently embarked on a demanding ten-week workout programme to get in shape and now feels better than ever.
    And he even copied UFC boss Dana White’s gruelling 72-hour fast without food, living off just electrolytes and water.
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    He told Men’s Health UK: “When I wake up in the morning, I go into the bathroom and I get a glimpse of myself and go, ‘F**king hell yeah,’ and that’s good enough.
    “That makes me feel great for the day.”
    Eddie Hearn left dripping blood after suffering injury while celebrating boxing star’s win
    Hearn’s outlook has completely changed as he focuses on improving his fitness even further.
    He added: “Right now, physically, I feel better than I’ve ever felt in my life, and I’m 44 years old.
    “I’m excited to see what’s going to happen in six months, what’s going to happen in 12 months, what’s going to happen in three years.”
    Fans joked Hearn will be fighting on Misfits soonCredit: instagram @kaipeacockfitness More

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    Jake Paul faces losing over ONE STONE to secure KSI fight as Brit YouTuber’s manager refuses to budge on contract terms

    JAKE PAUL faces losing over ONE STONE in weight if he is to meet KSI’s demands for a blockbuster grudge match. The pair of YouTube superstars-turned boxers have rivalled each other throughout their careers but are yet to settle it in the ring.
    Jake Paul will have to drop weight to fight KSICredit: Getty
    The Briton comes in a lot lighterCredit: Reuters
    And the latest sticking point in talks between the two camps is a disagreement in weight.
    Paul has campaigned from 185lb but his last bout – a knockout over boxer Andre August – was at the 200lb limit
    Whereas KSI was last at a 183lb catchweight in defeat to Tommy Fury but he insists his best fighting weight is 175lb at light-heavyweight.
    So it leaves his manager Mams Taylor adamant the pair must meet in the middle and box at a mutually unsatisfying 180lb – over a stone from Paul’s weight.
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    Taylor told SunSport: “The reality is, I think they both have so much to lose it has to be fair and it has to be uncomfortable.
    “KSI is not comfortable at 180, Jake is not comfortable at 180 either. 
    “It’s like the art of negotiating something in meditation, you both walk away not feeling great but not feeling bad about the deal you’ve done. 
    “And if they’re both prepared to do that then I think we’ll have a fight.”  
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    Before KSI’s boxing comeback in the summer of 2022, Paul offered to fight him on short notice at 180lb.
    But the American’s team have also pointed out that KSI in 2019 fought at 196lb the night he beat Paul’s brother Logan on points.
    So Taylor is left to admit the row over size could prevent the mega-fight from happening.
    He said: “With Jake, he’s said numerous times that he’ll fight at 180 and KSI’s most comfortable fight weight thus far is 175. 
    “If KSI was a full-time pro boxer his optimum performance would be at 168lb, because he doesn’t have as big a frame and Jake is a lot bigger and getting a lot bigger. 
    “So I don’t know if that fight ever happens just because of the weight issues.” 
    KSI was forced to concede to Fury’s demands of a 183lb catchweight before he lost a controversial decision in October.
    So Taylor refuses to make the same mistake twice and have his star man fight outside his best weight.

    He said: “I don’t think that’s a good idea and I wasn’t in favour of that for Tommy, to be honest. 
    “KSI just said, ‘Look, I don’t care anymore, I don’t want to wait anymore give him that advantage.’ 
    “He gave him really almost all the advantages and I’m very proud of the way KSI performed.
    “He had a tactic in mind and a tactic he developed with his team to negate Tommy’s jab and he did and I think most people think he did enough to win. 
    “It’s unfortunate and we move. It was a great show in the end and we’re proud of that.” 
    Another roadblock is the breakdown in relationship between Taylor and Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian.
    So the former music mogul is ready to hand over talks with Bidarian to his Misfists Boxing right hand man, promoter Kalle Sauerland.
    Taylor said: “I’m going to defer negotiations to Kalle if that ever happens again. 
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    “I really want that fight to happen, I think the people want it to happen and I certainly don’t want to be a catalyst for a reason for it not. 
    “I think Nakisa and I are like oil and water when it comes to business. So sometimes you just can’t get along with people.” 
    KSI and Jake Paul clashing in the ring in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    I returned to boxing to lose weight after my baby… now I’m world champ but still work in completely different career

    NINA HUGHES only returned to boxing to lose baby weight – now she is a world champion while still working in a completely different job.The super-mum turned professional in 2021 after a successful amateur career and won the WBA bantamweight title after just five bouts.
    Nina Hughes only started boxing at 25
    She won the world title at 40
    But a career in boxing was not something she could have ever contemplated when going to her first boxercise class at 25.
    It was only after six months of actual training and persuasion from her trainer that Hughes decided to step into the ring.
    She told SunSport: “I joined the boxing gym purely for fitness, no intention of boxing. But my coach at the time talked me into it!”
    Within a year and Hughes was fully hooked and even won a national title which later earned her a spot on the Team GB squad.
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    But Hughes missed out to Nicola Adams in the London 2012 Olympics, which was the first to have women’s boxing.
    So she decided to hang up her gloves and start a family, welcoming first born son Leo into the world shortly after.
    But little did Hughes know that becoming a mum for the first time would also bring her back to boxing again.
    She said: “I stopped boxing for a few years and didn’t think I’d ever get back into it to be fair.
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    “I had my first child, put on loads of weight and thought, ‘Right, I’m going to start training again to lose the weight.’
    “I set myself a target of having one fight to motivate me, because I knew I’d have to make the weight then.
    “Then I just fell back in love with it and started enjoying it again. More for a hobby than anything else but I was still winning and was selected to box for England.”
    Hughes went onto become a four-time national amateur champion and did not slow down even after her second son Caelin was born.
    In fact, she even boxed right up until her last week of maternity leave was due to end.
    Hughes wanted to add one more amateur title to her name until those dreams were KO’d by the coronavirus pandemic.
    But, after seeing the rise of women’s boxing throughout the lockdown period, Hughes was inspired to also turn pro, at 39.
    She said: “I was watching these girls that were doing well and there were people that I’ve sparred and that I’ve boxed and I was looking at them thinking, ‘I can still beat them.’
    “That’s what made me think that I had to give it a go.”
    Hughes turned pro and went part-time at her legal secretary role, which she still works in to this day.
    It means training and running on her lunch breaks and working a reduced week.
    Hughes, 42, revealed: “They were all really supportive.
    “My bosses, they’ve been to most my fights. One of them and another colleague even flew out to Dubai to watch my world title fight.
    “They’ve been really supportive. I work from home two days, I only have to go into the office one day so I can get my extra training in, training on my lunch breaks.
    “They’ve made it easier for me and really helped me out.”
    Hughes is a four-time national amateur champion
    Hughes juggles being a parent with boxing
    Hughes had made one defence of her world titleCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    Hughes travelled to Dubai in November 2022 as an outsider against Jamie Mitchell, who had beaten Shannon Courtenay for the belt a year prior.
    But Hughes stunned the American, 38, on points to become a 40-year-old world champion.
    She said: “We were always fighting for that opportunity and when it came there was no way we were turning it down or come back empty handed.
    “We’d watched Jamie Mitchell previously and it was always a fight that I believed I could win so even though I was an underdog, I was going into the fight 100 per cent confident.”
    Hughes had chased a unification with Ebanie Bridges, 37, until the Aussie star lost the strap to Miyo Yoshida, 35.
    So now she has turned her attention to Yoshida on route to becoming the undisputed 118lb queen.
    Hughes said: “For me now, I want to unify first and then become undisputed. That is the main goal now.

    “I’ve been chasing the Ebanie Bridges fight for a long time ever since she had the belt but she’s no longer got the belt so now I really want the Yoshida fight.
    “That’s the main one we’re targeting. And then hopefully fight Dina Thorslund who has the other two belts for undisputed.”
    Hughes walking to the ring with her eldest son LeoCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
    The bantamweight wants to become undisputed champCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

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    New boxing weight division created which could see one of most feared heavyweights move down and dominate

    THE HEAVYWEIGHT division could be set for a major shake-up after plans to introduce a new weight class were ratified.The World Boxing Council shook up the sport in 2020 by introducing a bridgerweight division, in which competitors weigh between 200 and 224lbs.
    The WBA have announced the introduction of a super-cruiserweight divisionCredit: Reuters
    The 200-224lbs weight class will close the huge gap between cruiser and heavyweightCredit: Getty
    And the World Boxing Association have, somewhat belatedly, followed in the Mexican sanctioning body’s suit with the introduction of a super-cruiserweight division.
    Like bridgerweight, the newly-formed division will have a minimum weight of 200lbs and a maximum of 224lbs.
    An excerpt of a WBA statement read: “The WBA Executive Committee approved the creation of the super cruiserweight division in a vote called by the president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza.
    “This new division will be between 200 and 224 pounds. Meanwhile, it will be located between the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.”
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    The WBC introduced bridgerweight due to the natural growth of combatants over the last few decades and to negate the huge jump between the cruiser and heavyweight divisions.
    In a statement via World Boxing News, WBC chief Mauricio Sulaiman said: “The problem in most divisions was largely addressed, humanity’s natural growth has generated important changes in the major divisions
    “Ten years ago, the WBC moved the cruiserweight limit from 190 to 200 pounds.
    “Considering the weight of the athletes, they have grown impressively.
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    Ex-WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder could be tempted by the new weight classCredit: AFP
    “The major division, the heavyweight, means the maximum glory.
    “The world heavyweight champion has traditionally been recognized as the most important athlete globally, the invincible, the gladiator.
    “The heavyweight world champion initially started at 176 pounds.
    “Now, in the 21st Century, we see the different weights in the heavyweight division.
    “We have decided to create a new division called “Bridger” [or super cruiserweight to WBN] as it is the necessary bridge to serve the large number of boxers who are between 200 and 224 pounds.”
    The super-cruiserweight division would be a perfect weight class for former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to compete in should he fancy a change of scenery.
    The Bronze Bomber has weighed inside the 224lbs weight limit in seven of his last nine fights, although he was heavier in his rematch and trilogy fight with Tyson Fury.
    Wilder was, however, inside the super-cruiserweight limit when he knocked out former sparring partner Robert Helenius with one punch last October, tipping the scales at 214.5lbs. More

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    Bulked up Eddie Hearn shows off bulging muscles in gym pic but distracted Ricky Hatton asks ‘WTF are you wearing?’

    BOXING promoter extraordinaire Eddie Hearn has shown off his dramatic body transformation.The Matchroom Boxing chief has made wholesale lifestyle changes over the last year, tweaking his training regime and diet in order to shed the pounds.
    Eddie Hearn has been prioritising his health and well-being as well as putting together big fightsCredit: INSTAGRAM@EDDIEHEARN
    The Matchroom Boxing chief has dropped a whopping 10kg of extra timberCredit: GETTY
    The 44-year-old recently showed off his progress in the gym on InstagramCredit: instagram @kaipeacockfitness
    Hearn, 44, has shed over a STONE-AND-A-HALF of excess timber during his fitness journey – the result of which he recently shared on Instagram.
    Hearn shared a snap of himself flexing his guns at the gym with his 1.3million Instagram followers.
    The accompanying caption for the joint post with his personal trainer read: “The WORK never stops.”
    Hearn’s impressive frame received plenty of comments, although several of his followers – including Ricky Hatton – questioned his gym attire.
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    One commented: “The muscles say beast mode activated, but the outfit says high school netball team.”
    Another said: “Good gains shame about the skirt.”
    And another said: “Did you get one of your kids to dress ya, mate?”
    One remarked: “Great work, mate. Not sure about the wardrobe tho.”
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    Eddie Hearn has shed over a stone-and-a-halfCredit: SPORTSFILE
    Another chimed in: “I must say that is bad choice of gym wear.
    “Did you forget your gym bag and have to go lost property.”
    Former two-weight world champion Hatton asked: “What the f**k are you wearing Eddie?”
    Hearn saw the funny side of the comments, chiming in: “[I’ve] had a stinker.”
    One boxing fan joked by saying: “You might as well step in and fight [Oleksandr] Usyk yourself. Looking good.”
    Hearn opened up on his fitness journey and dramatic weight loss a candid interview with Men’s Health.
    He said: “I’ve changed my training routine and I’ve been more focused on what I’ve been eating.
    “Food is the problem for me, not training. I’ve run a marathon, and I run three or four times a week, no problem. Food is the big problem, and I’ve got on top of that.
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    “I’ve also stopped drinking which has been a game changer as well.
    “I’ve lost about 10 kilos now so I’ve still got a long way to go.” More

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    Inside Joe Joyce’s body transformation as he packs on 2st to hit career HEAVIEST for Zhilei Zhang rematch

    JOE JOYCE packed on almost two stone to be a career heaviest for his massive revenge mission against Zhilei Zhang on Saturday night.The Putney Juggernaut, 38, lost around a stone before their April showdown that the 40-year-old Chinese southpaw won after battering the Brit’s right eye shut.
    Zhilei Zhang has still weighed in at six pounds more than Joe JoyceCredit: Rex
    Joyce has piled on the pounds in an effort to reverse the outcome shown here of his original heavyweight clash with ZhangCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    But the Wembley Arena re-run will be a colossal 40st affair as Joyce tipped the scales at a whopping 20st 1lb and Zhang also added pounds to hit 20st 7lb.
    Fine art graduate Joyce was only 18st 4lb for the original clash and looked good at the weigh-in.
    But he put in the worst performance of his career after a new supplement  disagreed with his digestion, was peppered with every shot Zhang threw and had to be hauled out of the fight to save his vision.
    An extra 25lb will not make him any quicker or more illusive but his shots should carry more sting as he aims to get his career back on track.
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    He said: “I knew the weight was a little bit light last time.
    “This time I’ve corrected all the mistakes and been more conscious of what I’ve been eating and the way I’m training.
    “I’m in a lot better a place, physically, mentally and also with my focus and drive to win this time.
    “I believe I’ll get victory in this fight. I can stop him if I hit him with the right shots.”
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    However, Joyce remains haunted by the drastic end to his 15-fight winning streak and knows Zhang will target his damaged right eye again tonight.
    Joyce, who spent a night in hospital with a cracked cheekbone after the first bout, added: “It took me a couple of weeks to get over it.
    “Every now and then I have thoughts about it. It’s a very different environment when you lose a fight, compared to when you win.
    “It’s annoying, every once in a while you’re reminded that you lost a fight and I realise now how much I prefer the feeling of winning.
    “I wasn’t massively hurt, I did my usual cool down and then started to feel all the bumps and bruises.
    “But I wasn’t hurt apart from the eye swelling which went down in a week. I had a minor fracture but otherwise I was in good shape.
    “I could have carried on but then it might have got stopped later, with more damage to the eye, so it’s  better to regroup and go again.”
    Joyce reckons he is in a much better place ‘physically and mentally’Credit: Reuters More