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    I was working 6am shifts as electrician before life-changing call, now I’m biggest underdog on Anthony Joshua undercard

    JOSH PADLEY had his world switched upside down when he received a shock call to light up Anthony Joshua’s undercard.The 28-year-old Doncaster electrician had to do the small-hall circuits at the start of his career, at places like his local Holiday Inn and, more recently, the Bradford Hotel.Josh Padley is the electrician given billing on the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois undercardCredit: Josh PadleyThe Doncaster star has been given permission from his bosses to pursue his big momentCredit: GettyBut on Saturday he fights Mark Chamberlain on the AJ versus Daniel Dubois show at Wembley Stadium, which will be beamed around the world, in front of 96,000 fans.And thankfully his bosses back on site have backed his bid to drastically change his life and he’s now tipped for a life-changing night – rather than another trip to the tip.The 14-0 ace told SunSport: “My alarm was set for a 6am start until I got a call to tell me I had to be in London the next day for 3pm for the launch press conference.“The call came when I was driving from my paid job to go and work on my own house so I had a van full of rubbish ready to go to the local tip.READ MORE ON BOXING”So I texted the lads I was supposed to be working with and told them, ‘I won’t be in tomorrow, you’ll have to crack on without me.’”I didn’t tell my bosses, I got messages from them saying, ‘Where are you?’ and then one saying, ‘Are you on the AJ undercard?’”I had to come clean and they replied, ‘Not great for the next few jobs we had lined up – but we’re absolutely over the moon for you.'”They instantly started thinking of ways they could help and support me because they know the opportunity is massive.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I am the biggest underdog on the whole card, everyone else is a superstar or a well-supported prospect. But I am going to bring the fire.”A victory over the Portsmouth lightweight – who is the favourite fighter of Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh  – will hurl Padley into the big time.Watch moment Daniel Dubois smashes fist through birthday cake with Anthony Joshua’s face on it… two weeks before fightBut he’s not trying to trash talk his opponent or grab the limelight, he just wants to swap his hi-vis for high-risk fights.The underdog is not even too fussed about the money for the massive fight as he reckons his missus Sylvana will have already spent it in Ikea.He said: “I am not here for the payday.”I want what comes after the win, the next challenge or title.“And whatever money I make won’t matter because my girlfriend is doing the house up with me, so she will have spent every penny of my purse, no doubt.”How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.There’s a lot of talk about the cash involved in these new Riyadh Season shows that are taking place in the desert, in Los Angeles and now London.But tales like Padley’s – about the brave working-class boys and girls who risk their lives for the sport they love – should remind us that increased fighter pay can only ever be a good thing.He explained: “My usual week is up at 5:50am, travel with the lads to wherever the work is, last week we were about an hour away.”I clock off and go home and at the minute I am renovating my house so I do another hour on that, go to the gym for 5pm for an hour, home, dinner, bed and repeat and repeat and repeat.”Wembley will be a big stage, I have only boxed on small-hall shows.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The press conference room at Wembley Arena was bigger than most of the places I have boxed in, so it is some step up.”But that’s what I want, I want to change my life, I don’t want to go back to building sites after September 21. So I am grabbing this with both hands.”He admitted the press conference room was bigger than most of the small halls he has boxed inCredit: AlamyPadley faces Mark Chamberlain as they open up the undercard ahead of the world-title showdownCredit: AlamyPadley is 14-0 going into his Wembley boutCredit: GettyANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley More

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    Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois fight purse: How much money will both boxers earn for Wembley fight?

    WINNING will no doubt be on the front of both Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois’s minds – but the fight purse is also something that they’ll be thinking of.Two-time champion AJ is all set to go up against British icon Dynamite with the vacant IBF title on the line.Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois are expected to receive a huge paydayCredit: GettyJoshua goes into this huge Wembley showdown off the back of a brutal KO victory against UFC legend Francis Ngannou.While Dubois pulled off a sensational win over Croatian star Filip Hrgovic.And despite the winner of this match being rewarded with the IBF belt and a shot at either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk.The purse which is up for grabs could give both fighters a little extra motivation.Read more on Anthony JoshuaWhat is the Joshua vs Dubois fight purse?The official figures for Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois fight purse are yet to be revealed but it is guaranteed that both boxers will take home millions.Reports claim that Dubois will earn a £3.5million ($4.6m) guaranteed purse but that could rise up to £10m ($10m) depending on PPV sales.This would be his biggest cheque to date after taking home £1.6m ($2.1m) in August 2023 after losing to Oleksandr Uysk.Meanwhile, it has been said that Joshua will take home £6m ($7.9m) before the first bell but this could expand to £25m ($33m) depending on PPV.Most read in BoxingAJ reportedly banked a whopping £30million ($39m) after knocking out UFC icon Francis Ngannou earlier this year.What has been said?Anthony Joshua believes that age is nothing but a number once these two heavyweights step foot in the ring.Joshua is currently 34 while Dubois is 27 years of age.ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyAJ said: “I’ve had Dubois on my mind for a while.”The goal is just to get through a successful training camp, and performing on the night,” “I feel fresh… For this fight here, with Daniel, it doesn’t matter if I’m 35 and he’s 15… it’s a fight. Age is just a number in this one.”Who is on the Joshua vs Dubois undercard?Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois – for IBF heavyweight titleJosh Kelly vs Liam SmithJoshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson – for interim WBO light-heavyweight titleAnthony Cacace vs Josh Warrington – for IBF and IBO super-featherweight titleTyler Denny vs Hamzah Sheeraz Mark Chamberlain vs Josh Padley More

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    Team GB Olympics star Imani-Lara Lansiquot stuns in completely see-through dress at London Fashion Week after-party

    TEAM GB star Imani-Lara Lansiquot dazzled in a see-through dress at London Fashion Week.The 26-year-old won silver in the 4x100m relay at the Olympic Games in Paris.Imani-Lara Lansiquot stunned in a see-through dressCredit: BackGridThe Team GB dazzled at an event to celebrate the end of London Fashion WeekCredit: BackGridShe has been labelled a ‘queen’ by adoring fansCredit: BackGridThe dress was designed by Han ChongCredit: BackGridLansiquot posed with Keely Hodgkinson and Katarina Johnson ThompsonCredit: Instagram @imanilaraBut she has now swapped sprinting on the track for strutting her stuff in the fashion world.Lansiquot was invited to a luxury party hosted by Burberry to celebrate the end of London Fashion Week.She stunned in a revealing outfit that was designed by Han Chong.And Lansiquot loved the look, writing on her Instagram page: “The dress of dreams. READ MORE IN ATHLETICS”Thank you to the best squad for making me feel so beautiful at the Burberry event yesterday evening. Loving being in my fashion era.”The figure-hugging outfit flaunted her incredible physique, with fans commenting: “Mindblowingly beautiful.”Another added: “Star girl.”A third said: “Queen inside and outside the track.”Most read in AthleticsLansiquot was joined at the event held at the Kensington Roof Gardens by fellow Team GB stars Keely Hodgkinson and Katarina Johnson-Thompson.The trio posed for selfies, with the snap captioned: “Track girlies absolutely do it best.”Golden girl Hodgkinson won the 400m in Paris and Johnson-Thompson got silver in the heptathlon.Ten things from the Olympics closing ceremony you may have missedImani-Lara Lansiquot (second left) with Team GB’s 4x100m relay teamCredit: AFP More

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    When is Anthony Joshua fighting Tyson Fury?

    TYSON FURY will be keeping a close eye on Anthony Joshua’s blockbuster battle against Daniel Dubois.The reason is he could face the winner of this highly-anticipated battle sooner rather than later!Tyson Fury is all set to rematch Oleksandr UsykCredit: GettyAnthony Joshua can earn a fight with Tyson Fury if he beats Daniel DuboisCredit: AFPFury is in camp for his mouthwatering rematch against Oleksandr Usyk on December 21And the winner of this thrilling match is scheduled to face Joshua or Dubois.So here, SunSport looks at when the British boxing fans could finally get fight that has been teased for so many years. When would Fury and Joshua fight? Tyson Fury activating his rematch clause against Oleksandr Usyk after the defeat in May meant that his highly-anticipated fight against AJ won’t take place until 2025 at the earliest.READ MORE IN BOXINGHowever, for that to happen sooner rather than later, Joshua needs to beat Daniel Dubois.And Fury will need to get revenge over Usyk in their December bout.But legendary promoter Eddie Hearn believes that the two British icons will fight at some point no matter what.Hearn told BBC Sport: “I do think AJ-Fury will happen regardless of whether Fury wins or not, but the size of the fight depends on their next two results.”Most read in BoxingAsked whether there is a deadline of next year, Matchroom’s Hearn replied: “Yes, definitely.”If AJ beats Dubois and Fury beats Usyk, you’ve got the biggest fight in the history of the sport ever. If one loses and the other wins, it’s still a monster fight.”ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyWhat would be on the line? If Fury prevails from his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk and AJ beats Daniel Dubois to the IBF title, that is the belt they will face off for.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhat has been said? Turki Alalshikh, His Excellency is dedicated to making Joshua fight Fury even if they both lose their upcoming respective fights.His Excellency told talkSPORT: “If Usyk wins [rematch with Fury on December 21st], I still want to see Joshua against Tyson if they accept.“I will not try to do the third [Fury-Usyk] fight before having Tyson and Joshua.“As a fan, I think it [Joshua-Dubois on September 21st] will be a tough fight, but I think Joshua will win. You don’t know. This is boxing, especially heavyweights, but I want to see Joshua and Tyson, and the world wants to see Joshua and Tyson.” More

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    Who is Anthony Joshua’s trainer Ben Davison?

    ANTHONY JOSHUA is the face of British boxing – so it is only right that he has highly-rated Ben Davison as his trainer.AJ has now won four fights on the spin since putting Davison in his corner.Anthony Joshua decimated UFC legend Francis Ngannou in his last fightCredit: ReutersAnd the boxing mogul will be hoping to make it a fantastic five as he steps foot in the ring with his fellow British compatriot Daniel Dubois.But let’s take a deep dive into the man who now prepares AJ for all his big battles.Who is Ben Davison?Born on November 29, 1992, Ben Davison is a professional boxing coach who has worked with some of the top names in the sport.Following in his father’s footsteps, Davison also took up amateur boxing at a young age but switched it out for a semi-professional football career.Read more on Anthony JoshuaHowever, he formed a long-term friendship with world champion Billy Joe Saunders and that led to Ben’s introduction to the boxing coaching scene.Ben trained Saunders, Tom Little, Ashley Sexton and Michael Maguire all in 2017.But his name began to ring bells when he single-handedly helped a certain Tyson Fury shed over 100lbs to earn a hard-fought draw with American machine Deontay Wilder in 2018.Fast forward to 2024, Davison is working with former undisputed light-welterweight champion Josh Taylor, world featherweight champion Leigh Wood and the face of British boxing, Anthony Joshua.Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyWhy did Anthony Joshua choose to train with Ben Davison?Tyson Fury’s former trainer Ben Davison first trained Anthony Joshua for his fight against Otto Wallin in December 2023.Before AJ’s clash with the Swede, he was trained under American Derrick James in Texas for wins against Jermain Franklin and Robert Helenius.AJ said at the press conference for the fight in January: “I believed that [training with] Derrick was like a process. He’s got an actual style of training, and I had to adapt to his style, it was a process. “And I’d just changed trainers; I’d been to Rob [McCracken], I’d been with Angel [Fernandez], [Robert] Garcia, now Derrick. I said to the boys: ‘I don’t wanna move again, I wanna make my bed and lie in it.’”But the thing is, when I was back in the UK, I was in Finchley hitting the heavy bag on my own. They were like: ‘Why don’t you go and speak to Ben?’ He’s good, he’s given us some tips and me some tips, leading up to the fight that was supposed to be with Dillian [Whyte]. ‘Why don’t you just go and see him?’ I was like: ‘Na, na, na, na, I don’t wanna change, I’m pretty set on going to America.’ But I went and saw Ben, had a really good session.””The reason I was able to gel with Ben is because he doesn’t try to change your style. “He kind of looks at your attributes and adds to what you’re good at. I went to a stage where I was trying to change my style: a bit of back-foot boxing, box behind the jab, stick and move, not be explosive, control the pace, and stuff like that. “But Ben was like: ‘That’s not your body type! You’re a f***ing big unit, you’re explosive, go and knock f***ing people out. Basically, work to your body type. So, we got along in that sense. He gets it.”What has Tyson Fury said about Anthony Joshua training with Ben Davison?Tyson Fury claims that he has not paid close attention to Anthony Joshua and Ben Davison’s partnership.The Gypsy King told TalkSPORT: “I don’t know, it’s not like [Joshua] is my boyfriend, is it? Like I’m studying him every night, like: ‘Oh, my god. I like your muscles, man.’“I’ve got my own wife and kids to look after, not focus on other men’s careers.”The Briton also played down the idea that there is a grudge between him and compatriot Joshua, saying: “What, because I called him a sausage? Has he ever said anything bad to me that’s personal, or me to him?READ MORE SUN STORIES“If he was here now, we’d go for a beer and a jam sandwich, or I’d take him out for fish and chips. I’d take him back to my house to meet my kids and take a picture.“What, you think there’s bad blood between two boxers? Behave yourself.” More

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    Why was Oleksandr Usyk detained at Krakow Airport?

    OLEKSANDR USYK sent shockwaves throughout the boxing world on Tuesday night after he was DETAINED by uniformed officers in Poland.The incident took place at Krakow Airport and saw Usyk being led away in handcuffs while he was trying to board a flight.Oleksandr Usyk was held by uniformed officers at Krakow AirportUsyk is the undisputed heavyweight world champion and has previously beaten Britain’s two superstar heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.The Ukrainian is set to rematch Fury in December in Saudi Arabia. But his detainment could’ve put a spanner in the works.The 37-year-old, however, was later releassed after the matter was deemed to be a misunderstanding.Why was Oleksandr Usyk detained?According to ESPN, Usyk was boarding a flight from Poland’s capital to Valencia, Spain, where he is to begin camp for his December 21 rematch with Fury.But Usyk was put in cuffs after an airline official determined the champion boxer and his trainer Sergey Lapin were not fit to travel.It’s being reported that Usyk explained he and his trainer were fit to fly and that they were exhausted from an apparent 557-mile drive and 14 hours of travelling from Kiev.Usyk’s wife Katheryna was travelling with her husband and quickly assured everyone on social media that the matter was ‘nothing criminal’.Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also got involved and secured Usyk’s release.Most read in Boxing”I was disappointed by this attitude towards our citizen and champion,” Zelensky wrote online alongside a picture of Usyk with a Ukrainian official. Oleksandr Usyk was released after a misunderstanding led to his detainmentCredit: https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1836155031680356431/photo/1″I instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, to immediately look into all the details of the incident at Krakow airport.”Now, everything is fine, our champion has been released, and he is no longer being detained.”Usyk wrote on social media: “A misunderstanding took place.”It was quickly resolved. Thanks to all who got concerned. Thanks to Ukrainian diplomats for the efficient support. And respect to Polish Police for conducting their obligations with no regards to height, weight, reach and regalia.” More

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    Who is Daniel Dubois’ trainer Don Charles?

    DANIEL DUBOIS takes on Anthony Joshua this weekend with the IBF world heavyweight title on the line. Dubois is coming off two impressive wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic in his corner following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. Don Charles has been in Daniel Dubois’ corner for over a yearCredit: GettyAnd he’s done it all with the help of boxing trainer Don Charles, who has been in the sport for years. Before Charles, Dubois was training with Shane McGuigan and before that Martin Bowers. But his wins under Charles’ tutelage of propelled him into the biggest night of his life. And against Joshua at Wembley, Charles will be hoping his man can pull off the upset. Who is Don Charles?Charles is a 62-year-old boxing trainer who was born in the Republic of Biafra, a previously war-torn country that battled against Nigeria in 1967.He moved to London when he was 14 with his parents and during his youth got into boxing.He fought as an amateur at Brixton ABC and later opening up market stalls and clothing shops in the capital.On the side, he participated in unlicensed fights before going on to work as a doorman after bagging a private security contract.Most read in BoxingHe even had a few harrowing run-ins with local gangsters and feared he would be shot working one night.But his big break came when he met Derek Chisora at a petrol station in what was a chance meeting in North London.The pair chatted and eventually agreed that Charles would become Chisora’s trainer full-time.In the end, Charles was in Chisora’s corner for the Tyson Fury trilogy, the Dillian White fights and Del Boy’s fierce clash with David Haye at Upton Park.Charles also engineered victories over Carlos Takam, Malik Scott and Kubrat Pulev.Charles who helped Dubois do what Chisora couldn’t by winning a world title, will be hoping the 27-year-old can defend it against AJ.Joshua is looking to become a three-time world champion himself, having lost his titles to Usyk in August 2022. More

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    My boxing career plunged my family into £800,000 of debt… AJ vs Dubois undercard could put us back in the black

    HAMZAH SHEERAZ will almost drag his family out an £800,000 debt on Saturday night that they willingly risked to fund his boxing career.The 25-year-old Ilford middleweight captained the Frank Warren promotional team that battered Eddie Hearn’s flops 10-0 in June.Hamzah Sheeraz spoke exclusively to SunSport ahead of his bout at WembleySheeraz shown his belts after winning his fight against Liam Williams earlier this yearCredit: AlamyAnd his ruthless double-bubble stoppage of American Ammo Williams earned him an ambassadorial role with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh, who is bankrolling these Riyadh Season spectaculars all around the world.Casual fans will assume a few televised shows and a sparring session with Justin Bieber will have made Sheeraz a multimillionaire already. But, unlike the young Premier League players they see on the same TNT and Sky channels, the slog is far harder and more expensive than those of the Prem pups who get a gilded existence before hitting the big time.And Saturday’s Wembley stadium battle with classy Midlands southpaw Tyler Denny will just about cover the crippling debt his courier dad took on to set his son on his way to greatness,READ MORE IN BOXINGHe told SunSport: “I have never given this figure out to anyone before but – I am 25 now and from the age of 18, when I first turned pro – the debt we got into was about £800,000, in the red.“Nobody would believe me, but we are still clearing some of that debt now.“Every penny of it was invested into me and I didn’t understand it at the time, but my dad just told me I had to take a punt on myself, he told me I had to do it.“He put every penny he had ever saved into me and luckily we are close to clearing it now.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“It’s what dreams are made of, it shows that total commitment and sacrifice do pay off.“99 per cent of fighters doing this professionally are just trying to make a living and most of them have a second job to help them do it.Hamzah Sheeraz shows off his explosive power in boxing training How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.“I sat next to Josh Padley at the launch press conference and he told me he was driving his work van full of rubbish to the tip when he got the call. “It goes to show that, away from all the glitz and the glamour, the purses and opportunities fighters are getting now are life changing.”Sheeraz is a caring and respectful family man, just like his opponent who helped him in his last camp by being a willing sparring partner.And he admits that having to flick a switch and turn friend into foe – especially when he knows how vicious his two heavy hands are – is difficult.“It’s hard but when I get in the ring I have to become cold.” he said without trying to boast.“The moment I am in there I become cold-blooded and just want to get them out of there.“My mentality is that I have taken this massive punt on myself and nothing is getting in my way.“Outside the ring I have nothing bad to say about Tyler, this is the opportunity of a lifetime for him, so I am sure he’s trained his nuts off, like I have.“He is coming with nothing to lose and that makes him dangerous. But that means I have to be dangerous too.”After Denny, Sheeraz wants another fellow Brit he is far less fond of.“Chris Eubank Jr is delusional.” he said.“He was offered all the money he wanted to fight me, then he said I wasn’t a big enough name.“But now I know he is fighting a lesser name for less money.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Without his family name he wouldn’t be where he is. My quest is to be a world champion.“He talks about being a world champion but he has turned down multiple chances. So I don’t understand what his mindset or plan is, but I would love to fight him one day soon.”Hamzah Sheeraz celebrates winning The Vacant WBO European Super-Welterweight Championship back in 2019Credit: Getty More