We’ve now seen enough stories, interviews and admittedly convincing speculation to start seriously wondering whether Bugzy Malone is going to fight Floyd Mayweather.
Yes, in case you haven’t been keeping an eye on this story which looks to be gradually building more and more momentum, UK rapper and actor Bugzy Malone is being linked with a possible boxing match with one of the most successful fighters to have ever lived, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
One of the biggest and most anticipated match-ups in years is just around the corner between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk (no, it’s actually happening this time, honest) but some fans now have their eye on an arguably more exciting exhibition that could take place right here in Manchester.
In fact, it’s now become such a genuine possibility that Bugzy himself, real name Aaron Daniel Davies, even addressed the rumours head-on in a recent interview with Eddie Hearn.
Bugzy Malone reveals to Eddie Hearn how rumours about him fighting Floyd Mayweather started 🥊👀
Floyd is said to even be willing to let him fight above his usual weight category. Bold.
As the local grime artist from Crumpsall reveals in his sit down with the boxing mogul, who said that people in the industry had been hearing talk of a fight for some time, Floyd himself is said to have asked someone to contact Bugzy about a potential fight by way of a ‘private jet’ enquiry, no less.
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Random one, for sure, but that’s just rich people things.
As detailed in the full episode of Hearn’s No Passion, No Point podcast for the BBC, it was actually Mayweather Senior who apparently saw a video of the Manc rapper training online and went on to suggest the fight to his son.
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Having seen his physique and admitting he “looks strong”, and Bugzy’s love of boxing well-documented – a discipline he turned to earlier in his career to try and ‘stay out of trouble’ – Mayweather Jr then had this call set up and quickly began a discussion surrounding potential fight papers.
The 33-year-old even addressed the contract being ‘on the table’ in a snippet from the song ‘Daily Duppy’ from his latest album, The Great British Dream, which dropped on Friday, 10 May.
This was the first public mention of Bugzy Malone vs Mayweather by either party, as far as we know.
Only ever having really plied his trade in the amateur arena, the prospective bout obviously wouldn’t be a full professional fight and with Mayweather having already taken on a number of exhibitions – most notably against influencer Logan Paul – his interest was already believable even before Hearn’s interview.
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As Bugzy confessed in the chat, he had already been offered multiple fights in the past but had turned them down due to the advent of “YouTube boxing“, insisting that he’s “not really interested in stepping into it”, but a credible offer for an actual fight against a legendary sportsman would turn anyone’s head.
Mayweather famously boasts a 50-0 unbeaten record, including 27 knockouts and 12 world championships in five different weight classes. Well, Bugzy won Best Grime Act at the MOBOs this year, so shove it.
Fellow boxing promoter Spencer Fearon also weighed in on how plausible the punch-up currently is, going on to corroborate details surrounding said offer made by the private jet company backed by millionaires and adding that Bugzy “can actually fight”, for those who were wondering about his ability.
As Fearon puts it, the fight is “one million per cent genuine”, it’s a case of both sides being willing to pull the trigger and decide on things like the fight purse etc.
As for when we could expect to see this fight, who knows? However, there are indications it could happen later this year and the Manchester native would obviously want to have it at the AO Arena where the likes of Fury, Ricky Hatton, Anthony Crolla and others from the region have fought before him.
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If you’ve seen even one picture of Bugzy Malone before you’ll know the man keeps himself in shape, but you only have to take a glance at the top of his Instagram page to see he’s been training pretty hard since last summer.
The question is, will the stars align and could, say, summer 2024 be the moment in sporting and entertainment crossover history that we get to see Bugzy Malone take on Floyd Mayweather in the ring?
Featured Images — Bugzy Malone (via IG)/No Passion, No Point (via BBC)/rcelis (via Pixabay)
Sport
Manchester United legend Denis Law has died aged 84
Emily Sergeant
Manchester United legend Denis Law has sadly died aged 84, it has been announced.
The Aberdeen-born footballer was a prolific striker throughout his career, scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances for Manchester United – the club he signed for a then-British record transfer fee back 1962, before departing in 1973 – and also playing for Manchester City too for two separate spells during the 1960-61 and 1973-74 seasons.
Law was an integral part of United’s triumphant record-setting 1968 European Cup winning campaign, was the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or award, in 1964, and also the only man to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford.
But, he previously announced in August 2021 that he had sadly been diagnosed with dementia.
The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/YuwjMXKgxn
A formal statement confirming Law’s passing by his family was announced by Manchester United this evening: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.
“The ultimate goal-scorer, his flair, spirit and love for the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.”
Erling Haaland sets another Premier League record with new Manchester City contract
Danny Jones
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new long-term contract with the English champions and set another Premier League record in the process.
Haaland only joined City back in 2022 on a lucrative five-year deal and it took no time at all for him to hit the ground running and become a Golden Boot winner in his debut season and smash numerous records in the process, but the club are clearly looking to lock down the generational forward even further.
The prolific Scandinavian striker has already scored 111 goals in 125 games for the Blues, so it’s just common sense to tie him down for as long as they possibly can – and when we say long…
Putting pen to paper on a new nine-and-a-half-year deal revealed on Friday, 17 January, Haaland has now committed to his future at the Etihad until 2034, which is a record for the lengthiest contract in Premier League history.
Man City may have rounded up to 10 in their official announcement but either way, a seven-year extension on an existing contract which is unquestionably already one of if not the highest-paying in the division is quite the statement from both parties.
Haaland’s new terms see him surpass former City youth product Cole Palmer, whose switch to Chelsea on a nine-year deal was already groundbreaking for the league, having signed more than half a dozen players on contracts spanning seven years in 2023.
The big Norwegian number nine – who became a boyhood Blue during his dad’s playing days at the club – is set to earn a basic wage of approximately £500,000 a week, which is thought to make him the new highest earner after teammate Kevin De Bruyne (£400k).
This means that not only is the 24-year-old forward tacking on another seven years but also a further £125kpw reported figures are accurate.
City also shared multiple videos celebrating the news and the often humourous Haaland has certainly relished the pageantry of it all:
Reflecting on his new deal, Haaland said in an official statement: “I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great Club.
“Manchester City is a special Club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody.
“I also want to thank Pep, his coaching staff, my teammates and everyone at the Club as they have all helped me so much in the past couple of years. They have made this such a special place to be and now I am City no matter what.
“I want to keep developing, keep working to get better and look to do my best to try and help us achieve more success going forward.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, who is set to leave at the end of this season, added: “Everyone at the Club is absolutely delighted that Erling has signed his new contract. The fact he signed for so long demonstrates our commitment to him as a player and his love of this club.
“He has made an incredible impact already in his time here and his amazing numbers and records speak for themselves. But in addition to his outstanding natural talent and ability, Erling’s dedication, professionalism, humility and desire to keep getting better sum up what we all strive to achieve at Manchester City.
“He is one of the finest strikers in world football, but Erling is still very young and will only continue to improve working under Pep and his coaching team. If he works hard, which I know he will, he will create an incredible legacy at this football club.”
Danny Jones -
10th May 2024 
