Chris Eubank Jr reacts after Conor Benn is cleared by Ukad: ‘It doesn’t mean anything’
Chris Eubank Jr has insisted that Conor Benn’s UK Anti-Doping ruling ‘doesn’t mean anything’, after the organisation cleared the welterweight to box in Britain again. A fight between Eubank Jr and Benn fell apart in October after the latter failed two drug tests. Benn, 26, was cleared by the WBC earlier this year, with UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) now following suit. However, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has suggested that it may challenge Ukad’s ruling. Eubank Jr, 33, has challenged the ruling in his own way, telling the Daily Mirror on Wednesday (2 August): “Lawyers and court hearings and essays and [Benn’s promoter] Eddie Hearn saying all the things he’s saying... it doesn’t mean anything. “The fact is you got caught twice, and no one’s ever gonna forget it. It doesn’t mean that you didn’t do what you did, because you did do it. “You wanna say: ‘I’m absolved and it was all a big misunderstanding.’ Bulls***.” However, Eubank Jr is still keen to face his fellow Briton after a rematch with Liam Smith in September. Smith stopped Eubank Jr in the fourth round in January, and the pair will now return to the AO Arena in Manchester as the latter eyes revenge. “Boxing’s a business and I still wanna fight [Benn], so the fight will be made at some point,” Eubank Jr said. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Liam Smith: ‘Chris Eubank Jr is a nightmare – not for me, for other people’ Conor Benn may face extra hurdle to fight, Eddie Hearn and British Boxing Board reveal Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV this weekend
1970-01-01 08:00
Eddie Nketiah ready to step up again after Gabriel Jesus’ injury
Eddie Nketiah is relishing the prospect of starting the new season as Arsenal’s main striker and insists manager Mikel Arteta knows he can deliver the goods. England’s record goalscorer at under-21 level is likely to lead the line for the Gunners when the campaign gets under way after fellow forward Gabriel Jesus was ruled out. Jesus recently underwent a minor operation on a knee issue he has had since picking up an injury while with Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. The initial surgery sidelined him for three months but Nketiah stepped up in his absence and hit six goals in six games when domestic football returned. His goals helped keep Arsenal at the top of the Premier League until Jesus’ return and he is ready to repeat the feat. “I don’t think I’m here to fill in for anyone. I’m here to play and contribute to the team,” he said after captaining Arsenal and scoring in a 1-1 Emirates Cup draw with Monaco on Wednesday night. “Obviously, I believe in my abilities and I know I can contribute. The manager has got a tough decision and whenever he calls me, he knows I can deliver and I can help the team, so it’s just about us all collectively playing our part to to achieve our goals. I pride myself on always being ready and whatever role the manager needs me - I will always make sure I do my best Eddie Nketiah “I just really enjoyed it and was able to improve myself, test myself, I played some really big games and I was able to help. “So that’s what it is about, obviously playing at the highest level, competing for trophies and that’s what I want to do. “I pride myself on always being ready and whatever role the manager needs me – I will always make sure I do my best and to the best of my ability so I can help the team – that’s what it’s all about.” Despite hitting a purple patch when he first came into the team after the World Cup, Nketiah has not scored a competitive goal since his last-gasp winner against Manchester United on January 22, a run of 14 games and nearly 10 hours without finding the back of the net. The 24-year-old, however, is ready for the pressure of starting the season as the man up top for Arteta’s side. Asked if he was relishing the challenge amid added expectation on the whole team, Nketiah replied: “Yes, of course. It’s what we play football for. “We train hard every day to get the opportunity to play at the weekend. So not just myself, there’s many players that can obviously play in that position. “So we’re all ready, we’re all good players, we’re all able to contribute at different points in the season, everyone’s going to have different roles. So it’s just about being ready and contribute and hopefully I can do that throughout the season.” Arsenal’s Premier League title tilt gets under way at home to Nottingham Forest next weekend but, before then, Nketiah is aiming for Community Shield success against last season’s treble winners Manchester City. “We want do well, we want to go out there and win the trophy, that’s what it’s about,” he added. “So we will be working hard throughout the week and we’ve had a good game against Monaco, so hopefully that can put us in good stead, make sure we compete and hopefully we can get a trophy on Sunday.”
1970-01-01 08:00
Roundup: Gal Gadot Confirms 'Wonder Woman 3'; Florida State Could Leave ACC; Liam Hendriks Has Tommy John Surgery
Gal Gadot confirms "Wonder Woman 3" is in development, Florida State looks for ACC exit, Liam Hendriks had Tommy John surgery and more in the Roundup.
1970-01-01 08:00
Ally McCoist: Michael Beale and Brendan Rodgers need to put friendship on hold
Ally McCoist admits any friendship between Rangers boss Michael Beale and Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers will be put on hold for the duration of the upcoming season. Beale and Rodgers have previously crossed paths at Chelsea and Liverpool but will lock horns for the cinch Premiership title in the 2023-24 campaign. McCoist talked up the importance of respect between managers of the Old Firm, having memorably clashed with Neil Lennon in a 2011 derby, and is in no doubt that will be there in abundance. But TNT Sports pundit McCoist said: “No, the friendship has not got to be over but it has to be put on pause. “One thing you’ve got to do is have a healthy relationship, you genuinely do, and respect for the opposition manager in the Old Firm. “It has always been the case. Of course you have incidents, myself and Neil Lennon had a wee incident and Walter (Smith) had incidents, you have incidents but there has to be a healthy reaction and relationship between the clubs. “I don’t have any doubt that Michael and Brendan will have that and continue it. They have been friends for a while and it will stay the same.” Both Rangers and Celtic have overseen summers of change with Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos among those to move on from Ibrox while eight players have been signed with Los Angeles’ Jose Cifuentes expected to be the ninth addition with a pre-contract agreement in place, according to Beale. Celtic, meanwhile, saw Ange Postecoglou move down south to take charge of Tottenham in June and ex-boss Rodgers return for his second spell at Parkhead. Rangers begin their league campaign with a trip to Kilmarnock on Saturday night while Celtic kick off with the lunchtime visit of Ross County. “This is the first year in a long, long time where I genuinely don’t know who wins it,” McCoist admitted. “Celtic have lost one or two, lost Jota but I wouldn’t say Brendan left under a cloud. I think there was a section of the Celtic support who weren’t happy because he left at that time and went Leicester and I get that, but you can’t please everyone all the time. “One thing that is undeniable is that he is an excellent coach and knows how to set up a team. I thought he was a little bit unlucky and harshly treated at Leicester because I don’t think he got the money to spend to replace the real quality that needed replacement. One thing you've got to do is have a healthy relationship, you genuinely do, and respect for the opposition manager in the Old Firm Ally McCoist “Just in my opinion, I think he was cut a bit short there. They’ll back him at Celtic. “Over at our place, I think Michael Beale has brought in nine players. I watched them against Newcastle in pre-season, did OK. I watched them against Olympiacos, didn’t look great. Didn’t look good in the first half against Hoffenheim and then looked great in the second half against Hoffenheim. “So, I don’t really know but of course Rangers and Celtic have got to hit the ground running, particularly Rangers with the (Champions League) qualifier coming up. “It is a tough one to call. I don’t know how Rangers’ players will settle in. They brought them in quickly.” :: TNT Sports is the ultimate home for sports fans. You can stream TNT Sports on the discovery+ app and watch on all major TV platforms. This isn’t Just Sport, This is Everything. For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk.
1970-01-01 08:00
PointsBet MLB Promo: 5 Days of $100 Bonuses For Your Parlays!
PointsBet is helping FanSided readers score a MASSIVE payday this week with an exclusive MLB promo code. Following an initial deposit, your first wager of up to $100 for each of the next five days will be covered by PointsBet and refunded in bonus bets if you lose.That means you can fire off a p...
1970-01-01 08:00
BOE Raises Rates to 5.25% With Warning Policy Will Remain Tight
The Bank of England raised interest rates to a new 15-year high, warning that its fight against inflation
1970-01-01 08:00
Charlie Kaufman receiving honorary Heart of Sarajevo award at Sarajevo Film Festival
After years of critical acclaim and an Oscar win, Charlie Kaufman is receiving the honorary Heart of Sarajevo award at the Sarajevo Film Festival.
1970-01-01 08:00
Christopher Nolan let ‘Oppenheimer’ actor improvise one of most sickening lines in film
Despite his extreme control over every aspect of his blockbusters, Christopher Nolan let James Remar improvise one of the most shocking lines in ‘Oppenheimer’.
1970-01-01 08:00
Jake Paul reacts to Jim White's unexpected 'boxer' remark during interview: ‘It's going to be hard’
'A lot of people say I'm not, so it's cool to hear that,' Jake Paul said during the interview
1970-01-01 08:00
Are Joe Rogan and MrBeast close? Podcaster once revealed how he came to know about YouTube king: 'My 11-year-old is f**king obsessed'
Joe Rogan informed MrBeast that he had never heard of him until his daughter showed him his videos
1970-01-01 08:00
Foreign Office 'failed to protect' Matthew Hedges from UAE torture
The Parliamentary Ombudsman rules that the Foreign Office failed to protect Matthew Hedges.
1970-01-01 08:00
Adidas books profit as it sells off Kanye inventory
Adidas said Thursday it booked a profit in the second quarter, showing tentative signs of recovery as it sells off its huge inventory of...
1970-01-01 08:00
