Caption:
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) players during a training session, as they host Akwa United on Sunday at the newly-refurbished Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
Sunday, Dec. 19
Gombe United vs Shooting Stars
Akwa United vs Kano Pillars
Lobi Stars vs Rivers United
Katsina United vs Enugu Rangers
Enyimba vs Abia Warriors
Sunshine Stars vs Wikki Tourists
Niger Tornadoes vs Plateau United
Kwara United vs FC Dakkada
Heartland vs Nasarawa United
Andy Ruiz Jr previously revealed that rival Anthony Joshua sent him direct messages on Instagram after their rematch in December 2019, reports talksport.com.
The former heavyweight champion of the world stunned everyone when he knocked AJ out in New York to claim the WBA, IBF and WBO belts in June of that year.
However, Ruiz Jr weighed in more than a stone heavier for their rematch in Saudi Arabia after months of partying and poor preparation.
As a result, he was comfortably outpunched and lost his belts.
The Mexican-American has said that he struggled with depression in the aftermath and ballooned up to 320lbs.
One shining light for him during this period though were the messages of support he received from his rival, who is now set to face Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night.
Having only recently experienced defeat for himself, AJ decided to console his opponent.
Ruiz Jr revealed to the Mail: “There were a few messages.
“We were just saying that I’d bounce back, that I’m a great fighter.
“I have nothing but love for him. I don’t have no grudges.”
The coronavirus pandemic delayed Ruiz Jr’s ring return, but eventually came back and beat Chris Arreola in May.
He linked up with Canelo Alvarez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso and lost a great deal of weight in training for this return.
Ruiz Jr said on his YouTube channel: “All this hard work and dedication is gonna pay off man.
“I’m tired man, you see me do all those f***ing drills man? But, like I said, all this hard work and dedication is gonna pay off.
“Everyone’s gonna see the difference. Everyone’s gonna see my hard work, that’s what it’s all about.
“I’m ready for my next fight. I’m ready, excited, ready to prove everybody wrong.
“I must have lost 40lbs [2st 12lbs]. After my fight against Anthony Joshua, my defeat in Saudi Arabia, I gained to like 310lbs [22st 2lbs].
“I was depressed, I was mad at myself because I knew I should’ve trained, I knew I should’ve done better in my last fight, but it’s never too late. Now is the beginning to see the real and new Andy Ruiz Jr.”
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Captions:
Sunday, May 30
Nasarawa United vs Adamawa United
Plateau United vs Kano Pillars
Enyimba vs Heartland
Rivers United vs Wikki Tourists
Akwa United vs Kwara United
Jigawa Stars vs Abia Warriors
FC IfeanyiUbah vs Enugu Rangers
MFM FC, Lagos vs Dakkada FC
Lobi Stars vs Sunshine Stars
Katsina United vs Warri Wolves
Reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) champion,Tyson Fury, has insisted that his mega-fight with reigning WBA, WBO and IBF champion, Anthony Joshua would happen this year.
"100 per cent [I'll fight Joshua]. AJ's got a big mouth and no substance," Fury told ESPN, via the Sun.
"He says I'm the one that does all the talking, but if I didn't talk boxing would be stone dead because I'm the only character alive left in it.
"Let's say that for a fact. [The Joshua fight] happens this year.
"I'm gonna deal with this mug, Deontay Wilder, I'm knocking him out cold, and then I'm going to deal with the other guy straightaway."
After their fight fell apart, Joshua took aim at Fury for 'letting boxing down' after hyping up the bout before the arbitration pushed it back - calling him 'a fraud' in a row on social media.
"The world now sees you for the fraud you are," Joshua said.
"You've let boxing down! You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight.
"Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly."
Fury and Joshua had both agreed to face each other in Saudi Arabia on August 14 before
being hit with the bombshell that the Gypsy King had been ordered to fight Wilder in a
trilogy fight.
Fury said he would deliver an even more devastating stoppage against the Bronze Bomber
when they meet on July 24 after he stunned the American last February to take his WBC world title.
"I've got to beat up Deontay Wilder a bit better than I did last time, because he didn't get a
good enough hiding last time," the Bronze Bomber said.
"This time I'm going to really double, double, treble smash him."
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May 16, 2021
Kano Pillars vs Adamawa United
Heartland vs Katsina United
Wikki Tourists vs Nasarawa United
Kwara United vs Plateau United
Abia Warriors vs Enyimba
Enugu Rangers vs Rivers United
Dakkada FC vs Akwa United
Sunshine Stars vs Jigawa Stars
Lobi Stars vs FC IfeanyiUbah
Warri Wolves vs MFM FC, Lagos
Caption: Returnee Ahmed Musa set to make debut for Kano Pillars on Sunday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, against Adamawa United. He last featured in the NPFL in the 2008/09 season.
