Thursday, 23 November 2017

Anthony Joshua could be set for O2 Arena return

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is increasingly ‘confident’ of a fight after weeks of discussions over the purse split.
Parker’s team initially demanded 40 per cent of the purse and are now calling for 35 per cent for the WBO champion amid a blaze of publicity stunts.
Hearn is refusing to go so high but said they are ‘closer’ and revealed that the unification bout, if it was to happen, would likely head for London’s O2 Arena, where the WBA and IBF heavyweight champion, Joshua has not fought since June 2016.
Hearn told Sportsmail: "We are certainly closer than we were. We have spoken a lot with their team and we are within touching distance, so it is just about getting all parties happy and agreed. I’m confident we will and the aim would be for the end of March.
"The location could be the O2 and what a great return that would be.
Our aim has always been for three fights in 2018 and that means March and the weather means going indoors.
"The O2 has been great to AJ so it’s a strong possibility, if we can get everything else lined up.
"I’m confident we will, so long as they are serious about wanting this fight."
The concern for Joshua’s team is that Parker’s camp are using the talks to generate exposure and publicity for their fighter.
Earlier this week, the unbeaten New Zealander and his promoter, David Higgins, were part of a bizarre press conference that attempted to show Joshua’s fallibilities via footage of his earlier fights.
Hearn added: ‘Parker’s team have gone public in saying 65-35 and while I won’t say what our position is, I can say we are not far off on a deal that would be worth around five times Parker’s biggest purse.
"He should take this; if he doesn’t he will face Lucas Browne which will virtually kill the chance of an AJ fight in 2018."
Discreet talks remain ongoing with World Boxing Council, WBC champion Deontay Wilder, though that fight would be for later in the year in a stadium.
It will be recalled that the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist, Joshua, stopped Carlos Takam in round 10 in Cardiff, to successfully defend his IBF and WBA belts.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Caption: Joshua at the world's the world’s highest boxing ring, helipad's Burj Al Arab, Dubai.

Buffon stuns fan with pants gift

Footballers usually throw their jersey to fans at the final whistle but Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon stunned one supporter by giving him his play pants after Wednesday's Champions League draw against FC Barcelona.
The 39-year-old Buffon was competing for the first time since his emotional international retirement after Italy's failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Barcelona advanced to the last 16 after the 0-0 draw in Turin but Juventus remain second in the group and can secure their qualification with victory at Olympiakos on December 5.
An exuberant Buffon ran to hug Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic after the game following a social media exchange on the eve of the game when the Croatian had said he would love to tell the Italian goalkeeping great to take his place in the 2018 World Cup.
After embracing Rakitic, Buffon then pulled off his orange shorts and ran towards the tunnel in his Y-fronts to the cheers of the delighted crowd.
"This is only a point tonight, but it's a good point," Buffon later Tweeted. "It's always a pleasure and an honour to play against great champions, like Ivan Rakitic."
Buffon – who earned a record 175 caps for Italy over 20 years – had been targeting a record sixth World Cup appearance in Russia.
He announced his international retirement after the 1-0 play-off defeat to Sweden which saw Italy miss the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.
Playing likely his final season with Juventus, Buffon has one final ambition: to win the Champions League, after finishing runner-up twice in the past three years.

https://www.supersport.com

Caption: Buffon in joyous mood.

Ibrahimovic sets Champions League record with Man U

Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the first player to represent seven different clubs in the Champions League when he came on as a 74th-minute substitute for Manchester United in their 1-0 defeat to Basel on Wednesday night.
It was the 36-year-old's Champions League debut for United after helping them to win the Europa League last season.
The former Sweden international made his Champions League debut for Ajax and has gone on to play for Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
Ibrahimovic made his Champions League debut on Sept. 17, 2002, for Ajax against Lyon, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win.
In total he has now scored 48 goals in the competition with 38 of them coming during the group stage.
His most appearances and most goals come for PSG, for whom he scored 20 times in 38 appearances.
Although he has won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France he has not won the Champions League. The furthest that he has advanced in the tournament was 2009-10, when he reached the semi-finals with Barcelona but lost to Inter, one season after he left the Italian side.
Ibrahimovic's appearance against Basel was only his second game back since returning from a knee ligament injury suffered during the Europa League quarter-final victory against Anderlecht in April.
Speaking after making his comeback during the 4-1 Premier League win against Newcastle on Saturday, Ibrahimovic revealed he hid the true extent of his injury.
He said: "In my recovery, I have not rushed anything. I have been following protocol and my schedule day by day. The only secret has been working hard.
"Those close to me know what I have been doing -- I was working five, six hours a day. When it happened I said giving up was not an option. I am very proud of the moment, and for everyone around me because I wouldn't have done it alone.
http://kwese.espn.com

Caption: Ibrahimovic in a world of his own.

Tuesday, 21 November 2017

I'm not 100% sure Messi will stay put at Barca-Rakitic

Ivan Rakitic says Lionel Messi is "part of Barcelona's badge" but couldn't say for certain whether the Argentina forward will remain at the club beyond the expiry of his contract next summer.
Barca confirmed an agreement with Messi over a new four-year deal in July, but the contract has not yet been signed and doubts have set in regarding whether it will be signed at all.

In theory, if Messi doesn't sign the deal, he will be free to negotiate with other clubs from January.
President Josep Maria Bartomeu has reassured supporters there is nothing to worry about, confirming that an image rights contract and a contract with Messi's Foundation have been signed by the player's father, Jorge.
Bartomeu says it's just a matter of "protocol" and finding the right moment to sit down with Messi to have the contract signed and the photograph taken.
Rakitic says he believes Messi wants to stay at Camp Nou, despite the worries generated by the delay in signing the terms, but that he can't say 100 percent that he won't leave next summer.
"Leo's part of the club's badge," Rakitic told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Champions League game against Juventus. "I am confident he will [stay].
"We know the fans want to see the picture, the handshake; I do, too. I want to play with Leo tomorrow, three years, five years in the future. The only thing we can say as teammates is that we want him to stay, he has all our support and we enjoy being with him.
"From what I have read and been told, things are going well. I have confidence in the president and in Leo and I know he wants to be with us."
Barca need a point to guarantee top spot in the group and their place in the round-of-16 at the Juventus Stadium.
Standing in their way will be goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who will be more desperate than ever to win the Champions League in what is set to be his last year as a professional after Italy were denied a place at the World Cup last week.
Rakitic, who will be in Russia with Croatia next summer, said it was tough to watch Buffon miss out on a spot in the finals.

"I would like to tell Buffon to go in my place because what he's done for football is incredible, simply unique," the midfielder said.
"When a child writes out his ideal lineup, Buffon is always in there. I can't explain what it's like to see him at the end of a game in that shape and to stand next to him. It's a shame he isn't able to finish his career at another World Cup and I'd honestly love to give him that opportunity.
"It's difficult to stay out of a tournament like that. When you saw him crying in the interview at the end of the match [against Sweden], you wanted to cry with him."

Anthony Joshua, the man of the moment in boxing

With three undefeated world heavyweight champions in Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker - and clear demand from boxing's fans to see an undisputed champion - it ought to be a simple process to create a frenzy of huge fights in 2018.
But it never is. Rival promoters, opposing broadcast deals, and rows over the money expected to be generated has created a complex algorithm behind the scenes for the various parties involved.
They are deep in talks, and Telegraph Sport understands Sky Box Office, Joshua's television partners in the UK, are keen on New Zealander Parker being the British star's next opponent in 2018.
In the last two weeks, Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, has been in talks in the USA with the teams of the WBC champion Wilder, and WBO champion Parker.Joshua holds the IBF and WBA titles, with a WBA mandatory challenger looming in Alexander Ustinov which could be ordered by the sanctioning bodies. Ustinov could yet be Joshua's next opponent in March, though Hearn told Telegraph Sport that "AJ wants Parker next".
"Wherever he goes, AJ has the whole world asking him when he will fight Parker and Wilder and unify the heavyweight division," explained Hearn. "We are still optimistic of making the Wilder fight in 2018," added Hearn, who had talks with Wilder's lawyer Shelley Finkel in the United States last week.

Joseph parker weighs in — **Joseph Parker's camp believes Parker would win a fight against AJ Credit: GETTY IMAGES**

"We believe the fight makes as much money in the UK, as it would in the USA, with the gate and pay per view. At present, we have one more fight on our Showtime deal in the USA but then we will go on the open market. AJ also wants the Wilder fight next year."

Wilder is Joshua's most dangerous rival though - 39 wins, 38 knockouts to Joshua's 20 wins, twenty stoppages - but Hearn and Joshua can steer clear of the American for a year if they feel they need to. Wilder, in fact, does not command a huge audience in his own country, unlike Joshua, who has a crossover appeal. That gives Joshua, the dual belt holder, the upper hand in all negotiations.
Although Wilder and Joshua are both signed for Showtime, Joshua could soon end up with a deal matched by HBO. Hearn intends to leverage HBO and Showtime against each other.
If Hearn does switch Joshua to HBO, it could scupper a Wilder fight in the summer. There is a decent chance of that. Hearn has recently set up Matchroom Boxing USA, in a deal with HBO, which had its debut show last Saturday, in Long Island, New York. The co-feature was another unbeaten heavyweight, Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller, who defeated veteran former title challenger Mariusz Wach.

**Jarrell Miller punches Mariusz Wach during their Heavyweight bout at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Credit: GETTY IMAGES**

Miller, ranked five by the IBF and WBO sanctioning bodies and No 7 by the WBA, gave a withering assessment of the division this week, revealing that he had also had talks with Hearn last week. "We talked about what the future holds and some ideas. He's really adamant that you have to look good against Mariusz Wach to sell a fight against AJ. I said I don't care what Eddie Hearn has to say, it's about getting the win. We all know that Mariusz Wach is a tall order. Get the win by any means necessary. If you want to look pretty, you're in the wrong sport."

"I'm ready for a title fight now. Who did Deontay Wilder fight before he fought Bermane Stiverne? Nobody in the top ten I can remember. Who did AJ fight before he fought Charles Martin for a world title? Dillian Whyte? He wasn't in the top ten. They do what they want based on what's going to raise their stock."
Miller also urged caution with Joshua's weight, 18st. "You can tell Deontay is a naturally strong guy. When he was an amateur, he was only 200 and as a pro he's only 220 pounds. AJ laughed when he found out Wilder was only 227 pounds. But Deontay is knocking people out cold.
"Joshua's looking at the muscle and the size. He feels that muscle wins fights. We all know he has a glass chin. He's been dropped numerous times as a pro and in sparring and in the amateur. When he gets in there with a monster like me, someone who has overcome so much and never been dropped or hurt, I am going to crush him. It doesn't matter how many protein drinks he drinks or how much muscle he puts on, or whatever amino acid he thinks he's taking, I'm going to bust his behind."

But it is David Higgins, Parker's promoter, who gave perhaps the clearest indication of where Joshua goes next. "It's a wonderful era for heavyweight boxing," Higgins, a New Zealander, said. "There are many contenders and champions evenly matched. We're going to see a period of close and exciting fights and rematches and hopefully unification and one champion rising to the top."

"Joshua, Wilder, Parker, Tyson, they genuinely want to fight each other. The promoters have a part to play. My view is everyone should just be fair. Our initial offer was quite a lot less than several other opponents Joshua has fought. We had an offer that was around half of what Charles Martin was paid and we just thought that didn't respect Joseph's achievement.
"Their camp has signalled they are willing to talk and might do a better deal. That's positive. Secondly, on whether they are trying to keep Parker at bay, that's possible. We think Parker beats Joshua. We don't think it's an easy fight, it's probably a 50/50 fight, but we think Parker wins simply because he has a better chin. When the fight is on is up to Eddie Hearn and Joshua. We'd take it next. But we won't take it until the deal is fair."
And that is where the heavyweight division sits. It could all come to a head in the next ten days to a fortnight.

Lukaku to pay Los Angeles police $450 to avoid jail sentence

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku will avoid the prospect of jail time by compensating police in Los Angeles for their repeated callouts over loud parties in the summer.

Police said they issued a citation to the 24-year-old after responding to five noise complaints in as many days at a Beverly Hills residence where he was staying.

The parties were held while Lukaku was on the verge of a £75 million transfer to United from Everton.
The Belgium international will pay $450 (£340) to reimburse the force as part of a deal that will see the charge reduced from a misdemeanour which could have carried six months in jail, a Los Angeles court was told on Tuesday.
Commissioner Jane Godfrey, overseeing the case, said: "They are reaching a disposition in this case that the first thing that must happen is the defendant must pay Beverly Hills Police Department $450 for multiple response calls.''
The city will then reduce the charge to a disturbance of the peace infraction, which carries a $100 (£76) fine plus other costs and penalties, she said.
As a misdemeanour, the charge would have carried the maximum sentence of six months in a county jail or a $1,000 (£760) fine, the commissioner added.
James Eckart, for the city, and Lukaku's lawyer, Robert Humphreys, accepted the arrangement.
The striker's signing was completed by United around eight days after his citation by the force, which happened at around 8 p.m. on July 2.
Days after the incident, he shared on Instagram a picture of himself in an apartment in the city with United midfielder Paul Pogba.
The case will return to Los Angeles Airport Courthouse on Dec. 18 when Lukaku's lawyer is expected to pay the $550 (£416) in fines and compensation, a $40 (£30) fee as well as other undecided penalties.

Caption: Lukaku celebrates after scoring for Man U.

2017 Dala Hard Court: Nigerian tennis players set Kano aglow

The best assemblage of Nigerian tennis players is in the ancient city of Kano to battle for laurels at the 31st edition of Dala Hard Court tournament sanctioned by the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF).

This year's edition began on November 17 with the qualifying games culminating in the main draw which began on Monday.

Reigning CBN champion, Abdulmumini Babalola, leads the pack in the men's category. The former Dala Hard Court winner will have to contend with the likes of former national champions: Henry Atseye, Clifford Enosorogbe, Shehu Lawal, Thomas Otu as well as in-form Joseph Imeh, Christian Paul, Abayomi Philips, Joseph Iyorovbe, Martins Abamu and Emmanuel Idoko, who inspired Team Muller to the final of the NCC Tennis League Cup over the weekend at the expense of Team Ndoma-Egba.

Interestingly, defending champion, Sylvester Emmanuel now based in Spain, is not available for this year's edition.

In the women's singles, Christie Agugbom remains the player to beat as she aspires to defend her title.

Agugbom will have to contend with former champions: Blessing Samuel and Sarah Adegoke, among others.

Samuel who lost in last year's final will be looking forward to having a sweet revenge this time.
Also to give Agugbom a run for her money is former champion, Adegoke alongside Omotayo Osewa, Ronke Akingbade, Osariemen Airhunmwunde, Aanu Aiyegbusi and fast rising Aminat Quadri.

It will be recalled that Sylvester Emmanuel last year defeated Moses Michael 7-6, 6-4 to claim the men's singles, while Christie Agugbom outplayed Blessing Samuel 6-2, 6-7, 7-6 in the women's final.

The 2017 Dala Hard Court Tennis finals will be decided on Saturday, November 25 in Kano.
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Caption:
Abdulmumuni Babalola, can he win Dala title again this year?