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Kellie Maloney talks about her gender transition and the difficulties of transitioning to womanhood

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Kellie Maloney has said that transgender people “just want to fix something that was wrong from birth.” Kellie may be remembered by many boxing enthusiasts by her previous name, Frank Maloney, who led Lennox Lewis to heavyweight glory as his manager in November 1999.

Born and raised in Peckham, south London, she dreamed of becoming a professional boxer before moving to the promotion under Frank Warren in the 1980s. In 1989, she became Lewis’s manager and spent the next decade guiding the Lion to victories – securing the European heavyweight title with a fight against Jean-Maurice Chanet in 1990, the British title with a win over Gary Mason in 1991, the Commonwealth title with a win over Derek Williams in 1992 and the IBC title with a win over Tommy Morrison in 1995.

However, Lewis and Maloney’s most memorable achievement came in November 1999. After twelve rounds, Lennox defeated Evander Holyfield to become the undisputed heavyweight king, the first Briton to achieve such a feat in a century, following Bob Fitzsimmons’ reign in 1899.

In 2002, Maloney split from Lewis, attributing the decision to a conflict with the boxer’s team following a loss to Hashim Rahman in South Africa, before hanging up her gloves as a boxing promoter in October 2013. The following year, she decided to fully embrace her identity and introduced herself as Kellie.

A modern film titled Knockout Blonde: The Kellie Maloney Story is set to be released in selected UK cinemas next month, delving into her gender transition journey in 2014 and the challenges she faced during her transition. Speaking to Mirror FightKellie revealed: “I was asked by a few different production companies to make a documentary.

“I finally settled on the Americans because they agreed to do it the way I wanted. I wanted them to do, let’s say, every part of life. The nuts and bolts. I wanted them to see the depressed side and the stress that it causes – and I wanted them to see the end product, the joy and happiness that it can bring.

“For people to understand that human beings like me are not a threat to the world. We just want to get on with our lives. We just want to fix something that was wrong from birth.”

Kellie also understands that changing society’s perception of transgender people won’t happen overnight and advocates for gradual progress. She continued, “I think there are too many fighters and activists out there. They’re trying to change the world. You can’t change the world overnight – you have to do it slowly.

“I am fundamentally different from a transgender person because I am actually a transsexual because I had a sex change operation and completely changed my sex. The public does not understand this and that is a problem.

“Because of these activists, these militants, if someone says something bad, they’re transphobic. People have a right to their opinion. My opinion differs from a lot of people in my community because, like I said, I come from a community that still believes that the word trans should be used because we’re fundamentally very different from trans people.

“It’s a world that a lot of people don’t understand. That’s the problem. I don’t mind someone wanting to be whatever gender they want, but please, let’s explain it so people understand what’s going on. Even the government doesn’t understand what a woman is. And if the government doesn’t understand, what’s the chance that the average Joe will?”

It will be available to stream exclusively on IFC from 5th August, in selected UK cinemas from 9th September and then on Home Entertainment from 7th October

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UK Boxing

Mike Tyson explains what caused Jake Paul’s medical emergency and postponement

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Mike Tyson has revealed that diet was the reason he pulled out of his first fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The 58-year-old boxing legend was scheduled to face “The Problem Child” in July, but a recurrence of a peptic ulcer forced him to withdraw from the match.

He had to stop training on doctor’s advice, but is now back in the gym and insists he will be ready to fight the 27-year-old next month.

The controversial clash between the two stars is scheduled for November 15 at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas, in front of a potential crowd of 90,000. The fight will be considered a professional heavyweight fight.

Since the fight’s rescheduling, there has been widespread criticism within the boxing community of the decision to proceed with the match amid concerns about Tyson’s health.

During a recent conversation with Online mail“Iron Mike” revealed that he is now “ulcer-free,” attributing his previous health problems to his diet. “I ate too much bad food and stuff, and I got ill,” he admitted. However, Tyson has now vowed to avoid “processed foods” and follow “immaculate eating” principles ahead of his upcoming fight with the youthful American.

The discussion about the potential impact of the upcoming fight on his historical legacy showed a clear lack of concern for outside opinions. “I didn’t take this fight for the legacy,” he declared. “I think legacy is really, from my point of view, legacy is ego. Who cares what people think of them when they’re gone? I’m dead. I can’t appreciate what anyone might think of me when I’m dead, so it means nothing to me.

Now that he has gotten rid of his ulcers and is following a immaculate diet, Tyson seems ready to fight against the internet superstar. Still, some supporters remain skeptical about his involvement in the fight against Paul. The boxing icon, 58, told Jimmy Kimmel that his training program is intense and lasts six hours a day.

“I train extremely demanding, I practice six hours a day. I start at 11 a.m. and can leave the gym at 5 p.m.,” Tyson confirmed. Hearing this, a stunned Kimmel asked, “11:00? So it’s six hours straight, is there a break for lunch?”

Tyson agreed to a tiny break from his schedule, prompting Kimmel to gasp, “Oh no.” Elsewhere in the conversation, when asked if he planned to get high before meeting Paul, Tyson replied: “I’ll be high in my life, yes.” When Kimmel pushed for marijuana exploit, Tyson admitted, “That’s a possibility, too,” leading the host to joke, “My bet is getting smaller as we talk.”

Tyson hasn’t stepped into a professional ring for almost two decades. His last fight was against Kevin McBride in 2005, where he lost in the fifth round.

Paul, a boxing sensation, made his debut in 2020 and has been competing regularly since then. With a record of 10-1, the American’s only defeat was a fight against Tommy Fury last year. “The Problem Child” will face “Iron Mike” after his victory over former UFC fighter Mike Perry in July.

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UK Boxing

Conor Benn pushes Chris Eubank Jr during heated exchange in Riyad

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Eubank Jr faces Szeremeta on October 12 in Riyadh Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr confronted each other in Riyad Photo: @ChrisEubankJr Twitter
Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr confronted each other in Riyad Photo: @ChrisEubankJr Twitter

Conor Benn pushed Chris Eubank Jr. when the pair bumped into each other on Friday in Riyad.

Eubank Jr and Benn were scheduled to fight in October 2022, but the fight was postponed during fight week after Benn tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene.

Benn arrived in Riyadh on Thursday ahead of Eubank Jr’s fight against Kamil Szeremeta on Saturday, a preview of the undisputed featherlight heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The anger between the pair, whose fathers fought twice in the 1990s, clearly remained, and tensions rose on Friday when they crossed paths for the first time since their fight was canceled, at a hotel in Riyad.

“Don’t screw it up, son,” Benn warned Eubank Jr.

The Brighton fighter then came face to face with ‘The Destroyer’, confronting him and replying: “This guy comes in when I’m cutting weight.”

Benn replied: “Comes when you cut weight? See you tomorrow after the fight.

“I’m going to get in that ring and fucking give it to you.

“You’re fucking lucky you’re going to be fighting tomorrow.”

Eubank Jr will face Szeremeta on October 12 in Riyad. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Eubank Jr will face Szeremeta on October 12 in Riyad. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The insults and swearing continued until the Essex player shoved his fierce rival in front of the looking media.

“I like the energy,” Eubank Jr said after the push.

“You are a child.”

“A kid who will fuck you up,” Benn replied.

Eubank Jr's fight with Benn has been postponed. Photo: Ian Walton/Matchroom Boxing
Eubank Jr’s fight with Benn has been postponed. Photo: Ian Walton/Matchroom Boxing

The 28-year-old has had two fights since his drug saga but was unable to compete in the UK as both fights took place in the US.

Benn appeared to be on track to fight in Great Britain again when the National Anti-Doping Panel cleared him to resume his career in his country last July, but those hopes were dealt a major blow in March after both Great Britain fighters were banned Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control won an appeal to have his provisional suspension lifted.

Undefeated welterweight fighter is scheduled to appear before the BBBofC for questioning this month and hopefully a successful case will lead to the long-awaited showdown with Eubank Jr.

The pair were scheduled to fight at the 157-pound catchweight, but Benn has repeatedly said he will now move up two weight classes to face “NXTGEN” at middleweight.

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UK Boxing

Tyson Fury reveals that Mike Tyson is demanding a staggering $500 million for fights

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Tyson Fury revealed the staggering sum Mike Tyson wanted for a potential ring clash. Despite the heavyweight boxing sensation expressing his desire to face the American legend, it appears that financial expectations were too high to fulfill his dream.

“The Baddest Man on the Planet” will be ready to make his ceremonial return to the ring on November 15 at the prestigious AT&T Arena in Texas against social media influencer turned boxer Jake Paul. Although Tyson has been out of professional boxing since 2005 after a loss to Kevin McBride, fans were treated to an exhibition match in 2020 when he faced Roy Jones Jr.

In an unexpected way before the fight with Jones Jr. Tyson got into a Zoom discussion about fighting the “Gypsy King” himself, Tyson Fury. Although the British champion was interested in the prospect, the deal fell apart under the weight of Tyson’s extraordinary request for a payout.

“There has been talk of it,” Fury revealed IFL Television. “His people contacted me. Mike and I had a phone conversation. It was all real, but it never materialized. Whoever offered Mike money to come back was offering us peanuts.

“Mike was talking about the $500 million numbers [half a billion]but what came back to us on paper was a joke. It was crazy. I had a $10 million offer from ESPN to do the fight on the show, but I think everyone has moved on now.”

Fury then faced Deontay Wilder in the highly anticipated rematch between the two heavyweight giants, ultimately stopping his rival in the 11th round. He then secured wins over Dillian Whyte, Derek Chisora ​​and Francis Ngannou before suffering his first professional loss to Oleksandr Usyk earlier this year.

Fury is currently preparing for a rematch with the Ukrainian, wanting to avoid further defeats. Although the exhibition fight with “Iron Mike” never took place, Fury expressed his desire to enter the ring with the former heavyweight champion.

“I would love to share the ring with him and move on,” he continued. “But if he won, people would say I’m rubbish because a 53-year-old beat me.

“If I beat him, I would be a tyrant. This was a lose-lose situation for me. It was money; I didn’t have to fight a guy who was past his prime.”

The boxing community has raised eyebrows at the prospect of Tyson vs. Paul, with skepticism also surrounding Tyson’s involvement in the upcoming match.

Fans are wary because the esteemed “Iron Mike” made a surprising revelation on Jimmy Kimmel’s show about his current workout routine. The boxing legend informed the astonished host: “I train extremely challenging, I practice six hours a day.

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