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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Iranian Hulk squashes frying pan in show of strength after fight cancellation

The Iranian Hulk has squashed a frying pan in a social media video in a sign of strength after his fight with Martyn Ford was shelved.

Iranian Hulk - real name Sajad Gharibi - was due to make his boxing debut in the UK against giant Ford this weekend but the fight was cancelled with both men casting blame on each other. Gharibi was frustrated after the news broke and took to his social media to demand a fresh opponent.

His latest show of frustration has come during a video on Instagram, where he has squashed a frying pan as a signal of his strength after the fight was cancelled. Gharibi can be seen bending the saucepan in half while tensing and grunting as he managed to bend the metal.

The Iranian star later poses with the saucepan which was completely squashed and put his thumbs up as he let out his frustration to his social media following of around one million. Gharibi was left extremely unhappy after news broke of the fight cancellation with Ford suggesting he was to blame.

Ford later claimed that the fight was forced to be cancelled after they grew concerned over the "mental well being" of Gharibi after he left a series of concerning messages including a wish for death. Gharibi also broke down during an interview on Iranian TV, where he claimed his parents had disowned him due to his role in the boxing clash.

Despite the concern, the 30-year-old has demanded an opponent and declared he would be willing to risk his life for his country. "It’s been also five months that I’ve been practicing boxing," Gharibi said during a lengthy rant. "I’ve never pretended to be a boxer, and it’s not been a long time since I started practicing. This is something that the world is judging, it’s truly embarrassing and I’ve never looked for Instagram attention as some say, I don’t need it!

Do you think the Iranian Hulk should make his boxing debut? Let us know in the comments section below

"I was totally ready for the competition and I’ve told Boxstar to replace me ASAP, because I paid high costs, I lost weight, I’ve worked out under inappropriate conditions, to attend that competition and it’s suddenly cancelled! I’m not happy that this has happened, because I've never been seeking for attention because I don’t need it and, well, Ford, who is a third, fourth-hand actor, might be happy.

"I won’t say that for sure and it’s people who can judge. He was seeking attention. I’ve worked at worst conditions, I’ve been away from my family, had no training camp, totally different to Ford. I’ve said before that I don’t fight for money, but I’m sincerely saying that I live for Iranian people. I would attend this competition just for them. I’d give my life for Iran and Iranians."

Ford is also seeking a new opponent with fans suggesting strongman Thor Bjornsson should step in after defeating Eddie Hall.

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