rematch

Manny Pacquiao says he has “almost” agreed a rematch with fellow boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

The former multi-weight world champions first met in 2015, in what was billed as the ‘Fight of the Century’.

Mayweather won after 12 rounds by unanimous decision but Pacquiao said he had a shoulder injury and told the BBC in 2018 that he “cannot retire with peace of mind with that defeat”.

The 46-year-old retired in 2021 but returned to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in his comeback fight in July, with Barrios retaining his title after a majority draw.

Mayweather has had a string of exhibition bouts since retiring with an undefeated record in 2017 and the 48-year-old American is scheduled to face Mike Tyson next year.

But Pacquiao says Mayweather’s camp are “in negotiations” over a rematch that would “probably” take place in Las Vegas.

“It depends on whether we can understand each other,” the Filipino told Seconds Out., external “My people and his people [are] directly co-ordinating.”

Referring to his injury in 2015, Pacquiao added: “It’s very interesting because, right now, I don’t have a shoulder problem.

“I’m sure the world of boxing will be excited if the rematch will push through. He has his own decision so I cannot prevent him from fighting Mike Tyson.”

Mayweather’s exhibition fight with former heavyweight champion Tyson, 59, is scheduled for next spring but an exact date is yet to be confirmed.

Sport and reality show fans have different reasons to take not of the rumoured line up for I’m A Celebrity…. Get Me Out Of Here! 2025 as a major sporting event may be affected by plans

Boxing star Conor Benn is reportedly being lined up to star in the upcoming season of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! despite having fights planned incredibly close to the expected air date.

Long-time fans of I’m A Celeb will be used to watching stars parachute into the Australian jungle every November. This year will see the 25th season of the long-running show air on ITV – and an early November start date is anticipated.

One of the names linked to the upcoming series is 29-year-old boxer Conor, who is the son of former two-division world champion boxer Nigel Benn. Fans might be surprised to see his name tied to the series, as he is due to fight Chris Eubank Jr on November 15 for a hotly anticipated rematch.

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A source told The Sun: “The logistics are a challenge given how close the match is to the start of the jungle, but ITV and Conor are keen to make this happen if they can.” The Mirror has approached representatives of Conor and I’m A Celebrity for comment.

A string of other stars have been tipped to appear in the new season of the show, with EastEnders star Shona McGarty, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, and comedian Ruby Wax among those thought to have signed up for gruelling tasks and infamous trials.

I’m A Celeb fans should have even more jungle action to watch in the coming months as a second season of the All Stars version has reportedly wrapped. Filmed in South Africa, the spin-off show sees past contestants return to take part in more tasks.

Gemma Collins, Harry Redknapp, Scarlett Moffatt, and Sir Mo Farah are among the names attached to the upcoming second season. The format of the show has disappointed fans, however, as it airs as a pre-recorded show.

This deprives viewers of the ability to vote for those they want to see take part in trials – and also to vote for a winner. The first All Stars season aired in April 2023 – six months after the filming process ended.

Former Hear’Say singer & presenter Myleene Klass was crowned the winner of the show, triumphing over second-place star Jordan Banjo and third-place star Fatima Whitbread.

ITV confirmed the show would return last month, with host Ant McPartlin saying in a statement: “The campmates really brought their A-game to the first series, so we can’t wait to be back for more trials, challenges and surprises amongst the beautiful South African landscape.”

Co-host Declan Donnelly added: “Having a live final is an exciting addition to the new series with the viewers choosing their IAC Legend and we’ve heard some of the new trials are truly epic, even by I’m A Celeb… standards!”

Meanwhile, Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning at ITV, said: “We were blown away by the love for the first series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa. It was a true celebration of the show’s history, and viewers loved seeing their favourite campmates return to their screens. We can’t wait to do it all again next year with a whole new cohort, and have the audience crown the winner during a live final for the first time.”

And Tom Gould, Director of Entertainment & Formats, Lifted Entertainment, added: “We’re very excited to have some more of the most memorable campmates from previous series returning to take on terrifying trials and face challenging twists and difficult decisions, in the tougher setting of South Africa.

“It will test them to their limits, and with a live final, this time viewers will get to decide who truly deserves the title of I’m A Celebrity Legend”.

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Usman Nurmagomedov broke the heart of Irishman Paul Hughes with another contentious points win to retain his PFL lightweight world title on Friday in Dubai.

Eight months after Nurmagomedov was cast as a lucky winner at the same venue, the Russian was again a narrow victor in the rematch as Hughes produced a brilliant performance over five rounds.

The scorecards did not reflect a close battle as the judges saw it 50-45, 49-46 and 48-47 for Nurmagomedov.

“You want to say this fight was close too? I feel I won every round, but it was a very tough fight with tough opponent. I did not underestimate him, I think he underestimated me,” Nurmagomedov said.

Hughes, 28, fought expertly at close range and was a clear winner of rounds two and three, keeping his cool when Nurmagomedov headbutted him after the bell at the end of the first round.

The Irishman was hit with several low blows in round one and four which appeared to slow his progress and were rounds that Nurmagomedov pocketed.

But Hughes recovered each time and rocked Nurmagomedov on several occasions including with a superb kick and body shot combination in the third and a big right hand in the closing stages.

With Hughes mixing his striking, landing knees and short right-handed punches, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, the cousin of Usman, could be heard screaming at top volume for Usman to respond.

Khabib’s appeals appeared to fall on deaf ears as Usman elected to showboat during spells of the fight.

PADDY DONOVAN will be hoping to right some wrongs when he takes on Lewis Crocker once again for the IBF welterweight title.

Donovan, 26 thought his title dreams had come true when he delivered a big right hand to knock Crocker down during their first encounter.

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But to the dismay of the Irishman, he would quickly learn he had been disqualified by referee Marcus McDonnell, who deemed his punch to be AFTER the bell in the eighth round.

Speaking after the fight, Donovan said: “It’s not easy to get the fight out of your head. It’s not really the fight, it’s the aftermath … Coming out of the ring, the emotions setting in and seeing different reactions from the crowd.

“This part of my journey doesn’t really happen to many fighters. You either win fair or you lose fair.

You either win, get knocked out or knock out somebody and you just move on. It was like I won the fight but didn’t get the result. That’s the way I felt deep down.”

Six months later, Paddy will get a second shot at Crcocker and SunSport can let fans know exactly how to watch it.

How can I watch Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan 2?

• Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan will be exclusively broadcast LIVE on DAZN.
• The whole fight card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe via a DAZN subscription.
• If you are not currently a DAZN member, then monthly and annual subscription options are available to watch over 185 fights a year across boxing, bare knuckle boxing, MMA and kickboxing.
• An Annual Super Saver subscription is a one-off payment of £119.99 / $224.99 for 12-months access (£14.99 / $19.99 per month if paying in monthly instalments).
• A Monthly Flexible pass, which can be cancelled at any time, is £24.99 / $29.99 per month.
• If you are not a DAZN subscriber, you can also redeem a 7-day free trial and just pay for the PPV as a one-off, and once the trial is over, you will move onto a Monthly Flex subscription, should you not cancel.
• Alternatively, SunSport’s live blog will bring you round-by-round updates from the huge card.
• Crocker vs Donovan 2 will take place on Saturday, September 13.

Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan 2 – All the info

WINDSOR PARK will host one of the biggest boxing nights in Irish history as rivals Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan meet again THIS WEEKEND.

Almost 20,000 people are set to pack into the stadium to watch the highly-anticipated rematch between Belfast’s own Crocker and Limerick’s Donovan.

Their first fight ended in massive drama as Donovan was disqualified for punching Crocker after the bell after round eight.

He had already been docked points in rounds six and eight for illegal use of his elbow and head.

With tensions boiling over – and a world title also now on the line – we could be in line for one of the best fights of the year.

Here’s everything you need to know…

Watch Crocker vs Donovan 2 live on DAZN

INFO

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Who else is on the card?

There will be another huge title fight on the card to accompany the main event.

• Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan 2 (IBF welterweight world title)
• Ishmael Davis vs Caoimhin Agyarko (Super-welterweight bout)
• Tyrone McKenna vs Dylan Moran (Welterweight bout)
• Molly McCann vs Kate Radomska (Bantamweight bout)
• Pat Brown vs Austine Bbandi (Cruiserweight bout)
• Matthew Boreland vs Ruadhan Farrell (Irish super-bantamweight title)

What has been said?

Crocker feels as if he has been written off despite winning the first fight.

The heavy-hitter told DAZN news: “It does change. The last fight was seen as a 50-50 fight. I feel like everyone has written me off for this fight.

“I’ve got to be better from the last time around. I’m feeling very confident going into this fight. Fight week is always busy, and I’ve always got stuff to do. I’m used to it now.

“But the main part is on September 13th. It will be exceptional on the pitch, with the crowd. It is going to be such a huge occasion for everyone and for the city of Belfast.”

He told BBC Sport: “We signed a two-fight deal, we were ready to go. The date was announced straight after the first fight for September, done a lot of negotiations in terms of venues, dates.

“They had all agreed September 20th, then Eubank came out and said he wasn’t ready.”

Asked if Benn was prepared to wait until the end of the year, Hearn added: “So we have to give them a chance.

“We just appeal to Eubank, if you’re not ready to go back to war with Benn and you’d rather sit at a poker table in Las Vegas, good luck to you. But let us move on.”

“We’re ready to move on, drop down to 147 and get a world title,” said Benn.

The first fight was organised by Ring Magazine, which is owned by Turki Alalshikh, and it was thought the rematch would also fall under the Riyadh Season promotion.

Appearing on Saturday’s broadcast before Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, Alalshikh said the Eubank-Benn bout could still happen and suggested January or February as potential alternative dates.

Eubank has not commented on the situation himself, and it is unclear when an official decision will be made.

The 35-year-old was fined £10,000 earlier this month by the British Boxing Board of Control over “misuse of social media” in the build-up to the first contest.