Bob Marley's daughter is lauded as the `fairy godmother' of the Jamaican women's team.
The daughter of reggae legend Bob Marley is the “fairy godmother” of the Jamaican players at the Women’s World Cup
1970-01-01 08:00
Don’t sneer at the boxing crossovers – they’re lucrative, successful and here to stay
On Saturday night, Jake Paul once again blurred the lines between boxing and acting with another win. His opponent in Dallas was Nate Diaz, a renowned MMA fighter, with a rudimentary understanding of the boxing game, but a huge heart. And a cult following. On the day that Dillian Whyte was ruled out of this Saturday’s sold-out fight with Anthony Joshua, a tank was used to take Paul to the ring. It was mayhem, boxing for a new market, a novice against a man making his professional boxing debut. Meanwhile, in the real world of boxing, Whyte will appeal the findings of the latest test he has failed; Paul will continue to grab headlines as he feasts on a list of faded athletes from other sports, especially veterans from the UFC circuit. The UFC fighters are genuine brawlers, they bleed for their trade but they sell each fight like members from wrestling’s glory days of the Eighties and Nineties. Against the backdrop of excesses, it must be remembered that Paul did lose on points to Tommy Fury, a genuine novice boxer, in Saudi Arabia a few months ago; the step up in class was simply too much, which should be the pay-off line to a very funny joke. However, here is a punchline to choke the purists: Paul made over 30 million dollars for the eight-round fight with Fury. Fury, incidentally, has fought as a legitimate boxer with a British Boxing Board of Control licence, but he will go full carnival in October when he fights the entrepreneurial YouTuber, KSI, in Manchester on a show under the Misfits promotional banner. Paul, Fury and KSI are making more money for their fights than just about every single boxer in the British business. The cynics and purists are scoffing, but the demand for the fights is there and it is increasing. It is pointless standing on the outside and saying they are rubbish – they might be, but they have a following and a formula that works. Fury’s big brother, Tyson, fights a man called Francis Ngannou in a Saudi Arabian ring in late October. Ngannou will make in excess of $10m for the non-title fight. Fury is the current WBC heavyweight champion; he is unbeaten in 34 fights and Ngannou has never been in a single boxing match. Ngannou, you see, is, like Diaz, a former champion from the MMA circuit. He recently quit the UFC business as their heavyweight champion to sign with a rival company; Jake Paul is heavily involved with the new company. It is mad to think that at the end of this year, Tyson Fury, for just one fight against a huge wrestler, will be the highest-paid British boxer of the year. And, his little brother, Tommy, will be the third highest-paid British boxer. Joshua will be second on the list. Paul, meanwhile, is not in the Canelo Alvarez earning realm but is probably in the top five earners in America. He might even be number two. Young Tommy is unbeaten in nine, ranked a generous 16 out of 54 boxers at his weight in Britain and he should start his fight with KSI as the favourite. His brother, the heavyweight champion of the world, will start as a bigger favourite when he meets a man who has never boxed before. It is a circus, make no mistake, but it is an entertaining circus. And yes, it is wrong that Fury, a novice, is making a hundred times more for his non-title fights than a British champion can make for a defence. It is wrong, but not illegal, which could be boxing’s motto. Tommy’s fight with KSI is not being held under Board rules but the safety measures in place on any Misfits shows are exceptional. There was a further blurring of the lines when it was announced last Friday that Mike Tyson, the original Tyson, would work in the gym with Ngannou to prepare for Fury. “I would consider all offers,” Tyson replied when I asked him if he would have liked a cross-over fight during his fighting days. Incidentally, Fury against Ngannou in Riyadh will be fun until Fury gets serious and then there will be few laughs. The real debate in boxing is whether the millions of fans that watch KSI and Jake Paul in their day jobs as influencers will watch boxing beyond the appearances of their idols. Does it really matter if all the millions and millions of so-called new fans have switched off before Ekow Essuman’s latest defence of his British welterweight title? Tommy Fury has certainly never stolen one of Ekow’s fans, but there is a very real chance that a fighter like Ekow could steal a few of Fury’s followers. The YouTubers, tourists from the MMA world, Love Island refugees, influencers and other assorted clowns are not going away; the boxing invasion is happening and boxing needs to find a way to somehow embrace the potential new fans that are watching. Read More Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz prize money: How much did fighters earn for boxing match? ‘Boo if you’re a virgin’: Jake Paul mocks crowd after beating Nate Diaz I hate to admit it, but it’s time to face facts – the Paul brothers are generational talents Jake Paul arrives on tank for Nate Diaz fight What is an exhibition fight and how is it different to a professional bout? Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz LIVE: Boxing fight result and reaction from Dallas
1970-01-01 08:00
Jake Paul's girlfriend Jutta Leerdam celebrates his victory over UFC legend Nate Diaz on social media: 'Make biggest fights happen'
Throughout the 10-round fight, Jake Paul held a distinct advantage over Nate Diaz, displaying his improved skills and tactical prowess
1970-01-01 08:00
Heat Wave Returns to Spain as Storm Hans Batters Nordic Region
Extreme heat is returning to southern Europe this week, with the potential for record temperatures in parts of
1970-01-01 08:00
‘Today’ hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager defend ‘Barbie’ from critics slamming its feminist tone
Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb agreed that the movie is helping women feel empowered and allowing them to 'demand better in life'
1970-01-01 08:00
Is IShowSpeed returning to streaming soon? YouTuber's recovery update ignites excitement, fans say 'we’re ready'
The YouTuber is striding towards a full recovery though he is still in the hospital for now
1970-01-01 08:00
'Today' host Hoda Kotb shares heartwarming snap of cozy morning spent with her two daughters and mother
Hoda Kotb embraced the early morning start to cheer on Team USA at the Women's World Cup with her two daughters, Haley and Hope, and mom, Sameha
1970-01-01 08:00
What happened between Jake Paul and Conor McGregor? Pro boxer takes a dig at MMA star: 'He needs to go to rehab'
Recently, Jake Paul opened up about fighting McGregor during his bout with Nate Diaz on Saturday, August 5
1970-01-01 08:00
Cambodia king approves PM's son Hun Manet as next premier
By Prak Chan Thul PHNOM PENH (Reuters) -Cambodia's king on Monday approved the nomination of the Western-educated son of Prime
1970-01-01 08:00
3 killed after firefighting helicopters collide while battling Southern California blaze, officials say
Three people were killed after two helicopters collided while fighting a blaze in the Southern California community of Cabazon, officials announced late Sunday night.
1970-01-01 08:00
Pheu Thai Plans to Form New Government With Bhumjaithai Party
Pheu Thai, a party linked to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, said it will seek to form a new
1970-01-01 08:00
Trump lawyer says his legal team is bracing for imminent Georgia indictment
An attorney for Donald Trump has indicated that another indictment for the former president is imminent in the investigations into his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential elections in Georgia. Alina Habba told Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo that Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis, who is spearheading a criminal investigation into Mr Trump, will “want her moment” through the case. “Are you expecting an indictment in the coming two or three weeks from Georgia?” the Fox News anchor asked her. “Yes, I think that it’s been highly spoken about,” Ms Habba replied. “I think if you look at the barricades, the fact that she’s got her PR team doing fresh pictures for her, it’s a good indicator that Fani wants her moment, and she will get on the bandwagon with the rest of the corrupt DAs and AGs that we’ve seen out of this country.” After an extensive investigation spanning more than two and a half years into Mr Trump’s purported efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the Fulton County grand jury is nearing a decision regarding another potential indictment. If Mr Trump gets indicted again, it will become his fourth one this year following federal charges in New York state court for hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, an indictment by a Washington DC court into efforts to overturn the 2020 elections and another over the mishandling of classified documents. The charges in Georgia stem from Mr Trump’s leaked phone call to Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger in which he asked officials to “find” votes for him, as well as the breach of voting machines by a group of Trump-connected operatives. Prosecutors also could charge Mr Trump or others with voter fraud-related crimes. Mr Trump, who has denied wrongdoing in any of the cases, chose to criticise the state of the nation’s capital – the latest in his personal feud with Washington DC’s administration. “It was also very sad driving through Washington, DC, and seeing the filth and the decay and all of the broken buildings and walls and the graffiti,” he said on the tarmac of Reagan National Airport in Virginia, just a few miles away. “This is not the place that I left. It’s a very sad thing to see it.” Read More Trump goes after judge in Jan 6 indictment as Pence undermines key defence – latest news Trump demands Judge Tanya Chutkan be removed from election case after ruling against him Queen Latifah, Chuck D and more rap legends on 'Rapper's Delight' and their early hip-hop influences Trump insists he isn’t a ‘scared puppy’ in defiant attack on Nancy Pelosi Iran opens registration for candidates in next year's parliament election, the first since protests Inside the courtroom, it was clear this indictment is different for Donald Trump
1970-01-01 08:00
