
Anthony Joshua honest on career in Louis Theroux interview: ‘Gone are the days when it was for fun’
An honest Anthony Joshua has told Louis Theroux that the days when boxing “was for fun” are “gone” for him. Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, is the subject of the 7 November episode of Louis Theroux Interviews, in which “AJ” discusses his upbringing, boxing career and future plans. In one emotional segment of the episode, Theroux asks Joshua about his second successive loss to Oleksandr Usyk, who took the unified heavyweight belts from the 34-year-old in 2021 before beating AJ again in 2022. After that second defeat, Joshua seized a microphone and ranted at the crowd in Saudi Arabia, while also throwing Usyk’s titles out of the ring. “It was like, ‘These don’t even mean anything anyway. What? I ain’t got them, so they don’t mean anything.’ That was the ego and pride coming out,” Joshua tells Theroux in the latest episode of the BBC programme. “‘I brought this heavyweight division back.’ “Right or wrong...” Joshua continues, before Theroux interjects: “Probably wrong, probably wrong. I don’t think anyone says it was the right thing to do.” Joshua replies: “You asked me a question, yeah? You asked me a question and I’m answering it. Could I have done it better? Of course I could have. “I felt frustrated and annoyed, I knew I was out of the title race, and then the questions started: ‘What is he like? Where’s his head at? Can he be three-time champion of the world?’ “People now create this narrative and put pressure on me. It’s, like, too much. Gone are the days when it was for fun, when you’re just doing it for the passion, [when] you’re a prospect.” Theroux then says to an emotional-sounding Joshua, “Let’s have a cup of tea. Are you alright?” to which the boxer replies: “Yeah, I’m feeling good, come to the kitchen.” Later in the episode, the pair return to the subject, with Joshua saying: “Yeah, [money] plays a part, but I’m passionate. This is all I know, this is what I dedicate my life to. “Do I want to get myself to the championship? I would love to. Am I gonna be smart in how I get there? Yeah. Do I know a lot more about boxing than I used to? A hundred per cent. Am I still trying to improve as a boxer? Yeah. ‘How come he doesn’t fight with the same passion that he used to?’ Because I’m a better boxer than I was then.” Elsewhere in the episode, Joshua relives a fight he had with ‘six guys’ who attacked him in the street. Joshua bounced back from his losses to Usyk by outpointing Jermaine Franklin in April. The Briton then knocked out Robert Helenius in August. Both fights took place at London’s O2 Arena. Louis Theroux Interviews: Anthony Joshua airs on BBC Two on Tuesday 7 November, starting at 9pm GMT. Read More Anthony Joshua relives fight with ‘six guys’ who attacked him in the street Eddie Hearn eyes up fight against Francis Ngannou for Anthony Joshua Betfred ads featuring boxer Anthony Joshua banned because of appeal to under-18s Fury vs Ngannou 2? Joshua vs Wilder? The heavyweight fights we need in 2024 Hearn makes bold Fury vs Joshua prediction after Ngannou win On this day in 2017: Anthony Joshua beats Carlos Takam to retain world titles
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FA to take no action against Alejandro Garnacho over gorilla emoji social post
The Football Association will not take any action against Alejandro Garnacho over the Manchester United winger’s use of gorilla emojis in a post about Andre Onana. Two weeks ago the goalkeeper produced a stoppage-time penalty save to secure a key 1-0 victory against Copenhagen in the Champions League group stage. Garnacho later uploaded a photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, of the United players celebrating with Onana, along with a caption featuring two gorilla emojis. The post was quickly deleted and the Cameroon international defended his team-mate, whom he said was trying to express “power and strength” and added: “This matter should go no further.” The FA has punished players in the past for making racial references on social networking sites but will not be taking any action against Garnacho. An FA spokesperson said: “We have concluded an investigation in relation to a recent post on Alejandro Garnacho’s social media. “We sought the player’s observations as part of our investigation, and he explained that the use of two gorilla emojis was intended to highlight the strength and power of his team-mates – specifically Andre Onana and Harry Maguire – following the pivotal roles that they played in Manchester United’s win over FC Copenhagen. “We are satisfied with Alejandro Garnacho’s explanation and the context that it provides, so we will not be issuing disciplinary proceedings on this occasion. (Garnacho) explained that the use of two gorilla emojis was intended to highlight the strength and power of his team-mates FA spokesperson “However, we have reminded the player of his responsibilities around social media posts and the use of emojis in particular which can be interpreted in different ways. “We also intend to liaise with Kick It Out and the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) to discuss other potential issues around the use of emojis and similar forms of messaging, and education that can be provided about them.” Garnacho has been included in the 23-man squad for the reverse fixture against Copenhagen at Parken on Wednesday evening. Read More Luton threaten to ban fans involved in ‘tragedy chanting’ during Liverpool match Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: Spurs went down with flag held high but loss hurts a lot From Aguero winner to Keegan dismay, Spurs-Chelsea joins Premier League classics
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Why is Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona being played in Germany?
The reason why Shakhtar Donetsk are playing Barcelona in Germany during their Champions League game with the La Liga side.
1970-01-01 08:00

Steve Cohen to Partner With Hard Rock on Bid for $8 Billion NYC Casino Next to Citi Field
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is partnering with Hard Rock International on a proposal to build an
1970-01-01 08:00

Singapore Airlines posts record half-year profit as air travel demand soars
(Reuters) -Singapore Airlines on Tuesday posted a record half-year profit reflecting strong travel demand as passenger traffic to the northern
1970-01-01 08:00

Clubs fight back against plans to host Turkish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are pushing for the Turkish Super Cup on 29 December to be played on home soil rather than Saudi Arabia. There has been public pressure for the game to be staged at home because it marks the centennial anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish republic. Saudi Arabia has moved in recent years to stage more international games and tournaments ahead of the men’s World Cup it is all but certain to host in 2034. Fenerbahce put forward a motion at a board meeting on Sunday for the Super Cup to be played at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, where last season’s Champions League final took place, or the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium, the home of Samsunspor. The proposal was accepted unanimously, the club said. Samsun, on the Black Sea coast, is where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk launched the war of independence and went on to establish the Turkish Republic from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire on 19 Ocober 1923. The issue was also on the main agenda of a Galatasaray board meeting on Monday, with the club saying it wants the game played “in the Turkish homeland, which our ancestors won and protected with their blood, lives, ideas and wisdom.” The club want young people to “watch the match in the lands they own and experience this feeling within the borders of the Republic of Turkey in the 100th anniversary of our Republic, with national consciousness, regardless of which team they support.” The Super Cup is a match between the league champions (Galatasaray) and cup winners (Fenerbahce). It is currently due to be played at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh. The Spanish and Italian Super Cups have also been held in Saudi Arabia in recent years. AP Read More Football rumours: Chelsea and Arsenal leading the race for Ivan Toney I know my worth – Rasmus Hojlund ready to build on promising start at Man Utd Erik ten Hag heaps praise on United goalkeeper Andre Onana after penalty heroics
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PGA Tour goes to Bermuda, LPGA returns home to America
The PGA Tour heads overseas again for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship with Adam Scott as the headliner
1970-01-01 08:00

Baltimore Orioles' Mike Elias voted MLB Executive of the Year
Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias was voted Major League Baseball’s executive of the year after the team finished with the American League’s best record for the first time since 1997
1970-01-01 08:00

Portuguese PM António Costa offers to resign over lithium deal probe
António Costa says he has handed in his resignation during a meeting with the Portuguese president.
1970-01-01 08:00

Stripped of their spine, Newcastle face an uphill battle to rescue Champions League campaign
It is a big game, but then they all are now for Newcastle. By Christmas, they will have played Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund twice each, and Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton once apiece. The definition of a major match can shift according to reason, to the quality of the opposition – despite the size of their fanbase and stadium, Newcastle may not have been underlined on the fixture list by the elite during their wilderness years – but the sight of the massive Signal Iduna Park is another reminder they are back in the big time now. Whether they remain there in spring is still to be determined. Dortmund may have always been the biggest game of perhaps the biggest week thus far for Newcastle – a triple header of Manchester United, Arsenal and last season’s Bundesliga runners-up – but Eddie Howe’s side arrive in Germany having proved masters of brinkmanship. Short of players, but high on spirit, they are looking to complete a famous hat-trick. In four days, they could have exited the Carabao Cup and been distanced from the Premier League’s top four; instead, they overcame United and Arsenal. Now for the side who inflicted their only defeat in their last 12 matches. Three points would put Newcastle on course for the knockout stages. “Every game is a must-win,” said Howe. “The term is probably overused in football.” And if he was right to note that too much of the language can be hyperbolic – certainly some was at St James’ Park on Saturday – a setback could be very damaging. With a trip to Paris next, defeat in Dortmund could mean Newcastle are out of the Champions League after five games. Howe will have to navigate the rest of the group stage without the symbolic hero of their demolition of Paris Saint-Germain. Dan Burn’s aerial ability brought a goal then, but he landed awkwardly on his back after going up for a header on Saturday. “A long-term problem, a couple of months is a speculative number,” said Howe. “He has been gigantic for us.” It was not just a reference to Burn’s height and, with Matt Targett out for around three months, Newcastle are now short of left-backs. They were already missing the spine of a side, in the flagship signings Sven Botman, Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak. With Burn, Targett and Harvey Barnes absent as well, Newcastle are shorn of players who have cost more than £200m of their £400m outlay in Howe’s reign. Big numbers have given way to small ones. Newcastle have too few players. There was no room in the Champions League squad for Emil Krafth and Matt Ritchie, two fit players. Selection could be a process of elimination. “You just see who is fit and who is available,” Howe said. “The games have come at a cost.” Nor is there much respite for the overworked. “The problem we have is a lot of the injuries are on a longer-term scale, which means there’s no relief coming around the corner,” he said. The last men standing will have to carry on running for quite some time. It is something depleted groups managed to do against United and Arsenal. But, deprived of some of the players who brought stardust, Newcastle feel still more reliant on hard work. Certainly, it is harder to outclass teams. And, while a 4-1 scoreline against PSG was spectacular, otherwise Newcastle are yet to score. The statistics are explained in part by the toughness of a pool without a minnow who can be thrashed but of the 32 teams in the Champions League, so far Newcastle have the third-lowest expected goals and the fourth fewest shots. They rank fourth from bottom for completed passes and have had the third-fewest touches. Only three goalkeepers have made more saves than Nick Pope; of those who have played two or more games, only one has a higher save percentage than his 86.7; as he is Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel, it could add to a struggle to score. They drew a blank at home two weeks ago and the realist in Howe was apparent when he reviewed Dortmund’s victory at St James’ Park. “It was a tight game but they deserved to win,” he said. The sense is the rematch could be tight; so, too, the pool. At the start of the competition, Opta’s predictive statistics gave Newcastle a 54 per cent chance of qualifying from Group F. Halfway through it, their supercomputer now thinks there is a 54 per cent likelihood they will go through. That said, Opta gave Newcastle a 78 per cent chance of a top-two finish before the defeat to Dortmund two weeks ago. It could shape up as the pivotal result of their European campaign. And yet, as Howe is very aware, there are worse problems than being deprived of key players for a marquee match against one of Germany’s great clubs. Wednesday marks the second anniversary of his appointment. Dortmund were not on his agenda then. “The vision was short-term. It was, can we stay in the Premier League?” he recalled. Now the question is whether Newcastle can stay in the Champions League. Read More Sporting director Dan Ashworth believes Newcastle are on ‘an upward trajectory’ How Anthony Gordon became central to Newcastle’s Champions League hopes Arsenal lose unbeaten start as Newcastle keep their heads in the battle of St James’ Park
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Wayne Rooney reveals extent of drinking problem during his early football career
Former England captain Wayne Rooney has described his abuse of alcohol early in his football career as a “release”. The Birmingham manager appeared on the new podcast of ex-rugby league star and Motor Neurone Disease campaigner Rob Burrow, and opened up on the difficulties he faced in finding a way to deal with the pressure of fame as a young man. Rooney first broke into Everton’s senior side at the age of 16, became an England international at 17, and joined Manchester United at 20, but has said his high profile came with a cost. The 38-year-old told Burrow: “My release was alcohol when I was in my early 20s. I’d go home, and spend a couple of days at home and not leave the house. I’d drink almost until I’d pass out. “I didn’t want to be around people, because sometimes you feel embarrassed. Sometimes you feel like you’ve let people down and ultimately I didn’t know how else to deal with it. “When you don’t take the help and guidance of others, you can be really in a low place, and I was for a few years with that. Thankfully, now I’m not afraid to go and speak to people about issues.” Former Leeds Rhinos star Burrow and his wife Lindsey have launched a new series called Seven on the BBC’s The Total Sport podcast, in which they interview seven sporting greats and ask seven questions, with Rooney the first guest. Burrow uses AI technology and a computerised voice with a Yorkshire accent to communicate. Rooney said Burrow’s approach to the disease had inspired others. “I know first hand the impact this (illness) can have on yourself and people around you,” he said. “Everyone must change the way of living and I had that with my sister-in-law, who suffered not the same illness but something as severe. “But your energy and positivity helps everyone else around you. I can see the money you have raised for charity and to help others - it’s really inspiring.” Read More Ian McKellen and Wayne Rooney lead tributes to theatre producer and ‘great man’ Bill Kenwright Sir Bobby Charlton turned tragedy into triumph with unique style and perseverance Wayne Rooney appointed new Birmingham boss and teams up with ex-England team-mate I know my worth – Rasmus Hojlund ready to build on promising start at Man Utd Bill Kenwright: Theatre producer who went from terraces to boardroom at Everton Mikel Arteta doubles down on VAR comments and vows to ‘talk loudly’ after criticism
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Diana Taurasi in new role as she chases history and 6th Olympic gold medal
Diana Taurasi is settling into a new role with USA Basketball
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