Underdog Daniel Dubois looks back in bid to take big step forward
British underdog Daniel Dubois will draw inspiration from Tyson Fury when he faces world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night. Dubois (19-1, 18 knockouts) will walk out at Tarczynski Arena in front of around 43,000 spectators this weekend, with the majority inside the Polish venue supporting Ukrainian hero Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) given many Ukraine natives have resided in Poland since Russia’s invasion of their country last year. While Dubois, 25, can expect a hostile ring walk for his first world title fight, his promoter Frank Warren has been here before. It was Warren and his Queensberry Promotions company that made the match-up between Fury and Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, which ended with the British heavyweight producing an enormous upset in Germany to claim the WBA, IBF and WBO belts in remarkable fashion. That was Fury’s maiden world title bout and few gave him a chance, but he pulled off a shock victory on points in Dusseldorf and stablemate Dubois is now dreaming of doing the same in Wroclaw. “All the great fighters had to do it. Before they were champions, people doubted them and had a lot of things to say,” Dubois told the PA news agency. “Boxing is made up of opinions so I never take it to heart or let it break me. I am ready to go. Ready to go out there and prove what I need to do. “Tyson is a good example. Look at what he has done and gone on to achieve now. I just need to get the prayers going and hopefully the big man upstairs hears me.” Saturday’s show is the start of a busy period for Warren and Queensberry Promotions, with a rematch between Joe Joyce and China’s Zhilei Zhang scheduled on 23 September at Wembley Arena. Meanwhile, Fury is due to step in the ring to take on mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou in a boxing contest on 28 October in Saudi Arabia, but the Briton’s WBC heavyweight title will not be at stake. A successful couple of months for Warren’s fighters could result in an in-house unification bout at the start of 2024. Warren told PA: “Every big heavyweight fight, our fighters are involved in. Regarding Tyson’s future, it all depends on what happens on 26 August, so it is an interesting time for the heavyweight decision. “We’ve seen the odds upset and I just feel it is Daniel’s time. I know he has all the equipment to do it, he can punch from both hands, he has a great jab, good speed and footwork. It will all be about his temperament and I believe his temperament will see him through. “No one gave Tyson a chance and over the years we’ve done a few of those fights, so I hope it is the case again. At the end of the day, Daniel has got a massive opportunity and if it comes out right for him, it would be brilliant.” Plenty has been thrown at Dubois since the fight was confirmed with his age and lack of experience cited as big weaknesses, while the bookmakers have him as a huge outsider. The Londoner has fought 20 times since he turned professional in 2017 but notably took a knee which allowed himself to be counted out in the 10th round of a clash with Joyce three years ago due to a grotesquely swollen left eye. Dubois received a barrage of criticism for ‘quitting’ from current and former boxers. It was later revealed he suffered a broken orbital bone and nerve damage around his eye in addition to retinal bleeding. After rebuilding his career in America, Dubois now enters his first world title fight at the age of 25 but with more heavyweight bouts than Usyk and a secret weapon in new trainer Don Charles, who was in Derek Chisora’s corner when the Briton pushed Usyk all the way at Wembley Arena in 2020. Dubois added: “I have been boxing for most of my life so that [age] argument is out of the window. I have the experience and I need to be a veteran in this fight. “I have to bully him. I have to go in there and be the bully. Be the bully and shake him up. Yeah, Don will be putting in things that I am not even aware of style-wise and coach-wise. He has a lot of passion and that is what you need. “You need the bully-the-bull type mentality to go in there and f*** s*** up, as they say. That is what we need to do.”
1970-01-01 08:00
Ex-girlfriend of Miami Dolphins' Eli Apple offers to pay fines for anyone who injures him
The former girlfriend of an NFL football player has offered to pay the fines of anyone who injures him. Getting on the wrong side of an ex-partner is never fun, but when that ex is offering to cover your rivals’ fines for intentionally injuring you in your sport, you know you’re on dangerous ground. Instagram model Destani, on Instagram as @nee.ariiii, is the former girlfriend of Miami Dolphins cornerback Eli Apple and has offered up the money to any other players who injure him on the field and face fines. She made the comment on her Instagram story, urging other players to go after her “baby dad”, targeting the knees and hamstrings. She wrote: “If you play against my baby dad this season, please go for the knees, maybe a hammy. No.33 for the Dolphins. I'll gladly Zelle you back any fines.” According to Boardroom, players can face a $15,914 fine for an illegal blindside block, while a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct can cost them $13,261. It’s not the first time Apple has been involved in controversy in his footballing career. The player is fairly notorious among NFL fans for gameday antics and feuding with other players on social media. One of Apple’s ongoing social media feuds was with Tyreke Hill, who is now his teammate at Miami Dolphins. When the team signed Apple, Hill said: “Now, my looking from it is now I get to embarrass him every day.” Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Spanish football president Luis Rubiales refuses to resign from post
A defiant Luis Rubiales has said he will not resign as president of the Spanish football federation despite facing widespread criticism and disciplinary proceedings over his behaviour at last Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final. The 46-year-old kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy and medals presentation after Spain’s victory over England in Sydney. He had earlier grabbed his crotch in celebration while stood metres away from Spain’s Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter in the stadium’s VIP area. Football’s world governing body FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales on Thursday over his conduct, but he told an extraordinary general assembly of Spain’s football federation, the RFEF, on Friday, that he would not step down. “I will not resign,” he said multiple times. “I apologise for my mistakes. I’m going to continue fighting as my parents and my coaches taught me. Those who know me, know that we are going to get to the end.” Rubiales issued an apology via video message on Monday, but Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez described that as “insufficient”. Hermoso’s interests in the case are being managed by the FUTPRO union, which expressed its “firm and resounding condemnation” for behaviour “which violates the dignity of women” in its own statement issued on Wednesday. Rubiales is a member of UEFA’s ruling executive committee and a vice-president of European football’s governing body, and is also leading a Spanish bid to co-host the 2030 men’s World Cup finals. FIFA Congress is expected to appoint the hosts of the centenary tournament late next year. FIFA, in opening proceedings against Rubiales on Thursday, said it remained committed to “respecting the integrity of all individuals, and strongly condemns any behaviour to the contrary”. It said Rubiales’ conduct may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs one and two of the FIFA disciplinary code. That section of the code covers “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play”. The code cites examples of behaviour which could lead to disciplinary measures being taken, including “insulting a natural or legal person in any way, especially by using offensive gestures, signs or language” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute”. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Underdog Daniel Dubois looks back in a bid to take a big step forward Iain Henderson wants Ireland team-mates to prove they deserve World Cup spot Eddie Howe urges Bruno Guimaraes to learn from social media criticism
1970-01-01 08:00
Eddie Howe urges Bruno Guimaraes to learn from social media criticism
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has urged midfielder Bruno Guimaraes to learn a lesson after hitting back at “stupid” criticism on social media. The 25-year-old Brazil international has become something of a cult hero at St James’ Park since his £35million arrival from Lyon in January last year and has established an online following with his regular posts. However, he felt moved to mount a staunch defence of his team after Saturday evening’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester City, who he described as “maybe one of the best teams in the world”, accusing some detractors of having “short stupid memories” in a message since deleted. Asked about Guimaraes’ response, head coach Howe said: “I’m certainly not going to criticise the supporters here. I think it’s more a lesson for us. “I choose not to be on social media for that exact reason, because I want a clear thought process. I don’t want to pollute my thoughts with things that I read and avoid certain situations, so I take myself out of that environment. “The players can choose to be on it, that’s absolutely fine because that’s their individual choice, but I think it’s important that we don’t overly react emotionally to certain things. “Now, Bruno is a very emotional person and I think you’ve seen on the pitch, it’s so positive for us, that emotion. He uses it brilliantly, he has used it brilliantly to not just perform well, but build a feeling with the supporters because I think the supporters see how much it means to him. It's all positive in terms of that feeling that Bruno has, but this is just maybe a little lesson for him. Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe “It’s all positive in terms of that feeling that Bruno has, but this is just maybe a little lesson for him.” Howe admitted that the advent of social media has brought a new element to the lives of players which can have an impact, both positively and negatively. Asked how that can be managed, he said: “A lot of the young players now will have been on social media all of their lives or from a certain age, so it just becomes part of their daily routines, potentially, to look and to read and to be in that world. “Once you’re in it, it’s slightly more difficult to come away from it, whereas when I was growing up, it wasn’t there.” Guimaraes and his team-mates will hope to do their talking on the pitch on Sunday, when they return to action against Liverpool, the only side to beat them home and away in last season’s Premier League. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has aimed a series of barbs at the newly-enriched Tyneside club and, asked if he had a relationship with the German, Howe said: “I don’t really have a relationship with any manager. “I’m competing against them, I find it very difficult to have personal relationships with competitors. “I respect Jurgen a lot. I think he’s done an incredible job. He’s an unbelievable football manager, but I draw the line at friendships because they don’t exist for me.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Steve Borthwick has work to do – England v Fiji talking points He’s essential to Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp dismisses Mohamed Salah transfer talk Football rumours: Arsenal and Tottenham eye Ivan Toney once betting ban ends
1970-01-01 08:00
Tyson Fury fans shocked to hear voice before life-altering punch to throat
Tyson Fury's voice before a life-altering sparring accident has shocked fans, after the boxer admitted his signature raspy sound was a result of what happened. The heavyweight champion previously spoke about how the punch to the throat caused a blood clot which permanently altered his voice. "Ever since then, I now sound like my dad", he joked as he told the story on Hits Radio recently. In the clip, taken from his first TV interview back in 2008, Fury had no huskiness to his voice at all. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
1970-01-01 08:00
Why Penn State QB Drew Allar might college football's most important player
Penn State sophomore Drew Allar might be the most important player in collefge football
1970-01-01 08:00
Big 12 goes from endangered to bigger before No. 11 Texas and No. 20 Oklahoma leave for SEC
The Big 12 Conference is bigger than ever this season with 14 teams
1970-01-01 08:00
Sun Belt stability: Lack of change has league poised to lead Group of Five conferences
The Sun Belt Conference enters the season with stability and momentum, both which give it a strong case to be the top Group of Five football conference this season
1970-01-01 08:00
Chelsea transfer news: Moises Caicedo, Michael Olise, Romelu Lukaku, Trevoh Chalobah and more
After Chelsea experienced their worst season since the establishment of the Premier League, American owner Todd Boehly has taken significant measures to bring about change at Stamford Bridge. The Blues went through a revolving door of three managers last season, including Thomas Tuchel (now at Bayern Munich), Graham Potter, and interim manager and club legend Frank Lampard. Now, Mauricio Pochettino, who previously led London rivals Tottenham to a Champions League final, will take over the reins and attempt to restore stability to a club that won the Champions League as recently as 2021. This summer, the club has witnessed an astonishing number of departures already, with several key players leaving who played pivotal roles at Stamford Bridge over the past few seasons. Among those having exited are Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, N’Golo Kante, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, and Christian Pulisic. These departures mark the beginning of a new era at Chelsea and may be the transformative change required for the club to regain its place in Europe. Here are the latest transfer rumours regarding the Blues: Moises Caicedo With Kovacic, Kante and Mount departing, Chelsea will look to bring in some central midfield replacements. One such player that the Blues may target is Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian was a key player as Brighton finished sixth but has been the subject of much interest from the league’s biggest club. Chelsea’s latest bid of £80m bid has been rejected, with Brighton holding firm on their £100m valuation. It is thought that Brighton would have been willing to accept a deal that also involves Levi Colwill returning to the Amex on a permanent basis after his successful loan spell last year, but that appears unlikely with The Guardian reporting that the 21-year-old is ready to sign a six-year-deal to stay at the London club. Michael Olise After a summer of outgoings so far for the west London club, Chelsea now appear to be turning their focus to incomings as they look to assemble a squad that can improve on last season’s miserable campaign. One player reportedly being eyed up is Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, with RMC Sport suggesting that the Blues have tabled a bid for the French winger. Olise is said to have a £35m release clause in his contract, which runs until 2026, with Chelsea willing to pay above the buyout clause to secure preferable terms of payment for the 21-year-old. Chelsea are not alone in their interest in the playmaker, with Arsenal, Manchester City and PSG also said to be interested in Olise. Romelu Lukaku The Belgian has endured a torrid spell at the club since returning in 2021 and now looks set to leave the club for the second time this summer. The 30-year-old is unlikely to return to Inter, where he spent last season on loan, but could be staying in the Serie A with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Juventus are interested in the striker and a swap deal with Dusan Vlahovic. Chelsea turned down a similar deal in July but are said to be re-considering the deal now. Trevor Chalobah Wesley Fofana’s second long-term knee injury had meant that Trevor Chalobah was likely to stay at Stamford Bridge to provide cover at centre-back. However, with the imminent arrival of Axel Disasi, the Englishman now looks to have his eyes set on leaving this window to ensure playing time next season. The Evening Standard are reporting that the Blues would be willing to accept a bid of £45million for the 25-year-old with Inter one of the clubs with a long-standing interest in the centre-back. Robert Sanchez With Edouard Mendy leaving for the Saudi Pro League, Chelsea look set to dip into the market as they search for a replacement to provide competition to Kepa Arrizabalaga. That man could be Brighton’s Robert Sanchez who lost his place in the team to Jason Steele last season and did not travel to the US for Brighton’s pre-season tour. According to The Athletic, Chelsea have made an offer for the Spaniard but have yet to receive a response from Brighton. Mohammed Kudus Playing for Ajax, Kudus can play in a more attacking central midfield role as well as out on the right wing and could be the latest player to leave the Dutch club as they continue their cost-cutting measures having failed to qualify for the Champions League. The Ghanaian international could cost up to £40m and has attracted interest from Arsenal, according to The Daily Mail. Despite this, Chelsea are also said to be interested in the player with David Ornstein reporting that Chelsea have made contact with the Dutch side about a move for the 22-year-old. Callum Hudson-Odoi Chelsea’s outgoings are not done for the summer, however, with Callum Hudson-Odoi the latest to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge. The 22-year-old had an unsuccessful loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen last season and is reportedly training with the Under-21’s currently. Hudson-Odoi only has one year left on his contract with The Evening Standard reporting that the winger has agreed personal terms with Fulham ahead of a move to the Premier League side. Lazio are another team said to be interested in the winger but the Serie A club are yet to table a formal bid. Conor Gallagher The Chelsea midfielder has featured during the club’s pre-season tour to America but reportedly is being offered out to clubs as the west London outfit continue their clearout after a hugely disappointing season last year. Gallagher has been at Chelsea since he was six but has just two years left on his current deal. Tottenham are said to be interested but they will also face competition from West Ham who have made a move for the Englishman as they look to fill the void left by Declan Rice’s record-breaking move to Arsenal. According to Sky Sports, the Hammers’ initial bid of £40m has been rejected with Chelsea wanting £50m for their 23-year-old midfielder. Read More ‘I felt free’: Lauren James explains starring role to inspire England at World Cup Chelsea agree fee with Monaco for France international defender Axel Disasi Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaves for Marseille as Chelsea exodus gathers pace Chelsea transfer news: Balogun, Olise, Lukaku, Chalobah and more Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink calls for patience at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea suffer blow with Carney Chukwuemeka injury update
1970-01-01 08:00
As temperatures climb across the globe, track and field athletes try to keep cool
Everyone in track and field is constantly looking for ways to keep cool in an era of rising temperatures and rising risk that comes with competing in them
1970-01-01 08:00
List of NFL players suspended for violating gambling policies
The NFL has suspended 10 players this year for either betting on NFL games or placing bets while on league property
1970-01-01 08:00
Players credit the NFL and union with doing a better job of teaching when sports betting isn't OK
NFL players credit the league with doing a much better job of educating them on where and what they can bet on
1970-01-01 08:00
