Aurelia Butler

More stories

  • 263 Shares99 Views

    in Boxing

    Enormous £1bn fortune of AJ, Tyson Fury and Ronaldo in line up with Saudi mogul – but who is the richest?

    FOUR mega-wealthy sports stars look bang on the money with a Saudi mogul in a billion-pound line-up.Boxers Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou were joined in Riyadh by footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and promoter Turki Alalshikh.Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou were joined in Riyadh by Cristiano Ronaldo and Turki AlalshikhIt was a rare joint appearance by Joshua — said to be worth £200million — and his £125million rival Fury.Their combined fortunes are just over half the estimated £600million amassed by Ronaldo. Meanwhile, Alalshikh, dubbed His Excellency for his ability to tie-up fight deals, is worth £70million while Ngannou is the pauper of the group at £5million.A boxing source said: “This is literally a billion dollar picture.READ MORE IN SPORT“When you look at those stars and how much they are worth, as well as Mr Alalshikh, the mind boggles.“He holds the influence and the purse strings. Saudi is looking to overtake Vegas as the fight capital of the world and Alalshikh is a massive part of that.”The photocall came ahead of Joshua’s heavyweight clash with former mixed martial arts star Ngannou tomorrow night. WBC champ Fury — set to fight IBF holder Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi on May 18 — is there to support his brother, Roman, who fights on the undercard.Most read in BoxingHe posted online: “I want the winner after I smash the rabbit.”Alalshikh also teased an upcoming project with Ronaldo, who is the highest-paid footballer in history following his move to Saudi club Al-Nassr in 2022. Brilliant moment Anthony Joshua reveals what music he listens to after airpods start playing during press conference and Ngannou jokingly nicks oneThe Portuguese megastar has a reported £173million salary, plus multiple deals with sponsors including Armani and Tag Heuer. AJ — who has said he wants to become a billionaire — is raking in about £10million a fight, and the bankable star enjoys a string of commercial tie-ups.This is literally a billion dollar pictureBoxing sourceFury’s earnings rocketed when he beat then-world champ Wladimir Klitshcko in 2015.The Gypsy King now commands huge purses for each fight, with claims he will bank about £100million for the Usyk showdown.Cameroon-born Ngannou was reportedly paid about £500,000 for his last UFC heavyweight bout – but his earnings have soared since he switched to boxing. He knocked Fury down in their fight last October before losing on points.Fury and Ngannou battled each other in Saudi last year.Credit: AFPJoshua will face Ngannou this week after the UFC champ managed to knock Fury down in their fightCredit: Getty More

  • 225 Shares189 Views

    in Boxing

    ‘I thought, “f***ing hell,”‘ says shocked Anthony Joshua after Tyson Fury ‘started on Francis Ngannou at dinner party’

    ANTHONY JOSHUA thought “f***ing hell” when he heard Tyson Fury was starting on Francis Ngannou.Back in October, 35-year-old WBC champ Fury did 10 rounds with the MMA monster on his boxing debut and narrowly snatched a split-decision win after being dropped.Anthony Joshua was left shocked by Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou’s confrontationCredit: GettyFury had a heated confrontation with Ngannou in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyNgannou revealed he issued a chilling warning to FuryCredit: GettyOn Tuesday night in the Riyadh desert, as part of the AJ vs Ngannou fight week, Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh hosted a dinner with all of Friday’s boxers – plus the hyped-up Gypsy King.The 34-year-old Watford legend had to pose for a photo with his Morecambe nemesis but missed Fury’s most wild antics and was stunned to hear he tried to start a row with the 19st kickboxing and submission machine.“I wasn’t there when Fury was kicking off,” he explained about Fury fuming that Ngannou had called him a coward after their bout.“I just heard he was stepping to Ngannou and thought ‘f***ing hell’.Read More on Boxing“But apparently it was proper, he refused his handshake and promised to knock him out. But that’s Fury and Ngannou will have to get used to it on his boxing journey.”Joshua kept ice cool but admits that if he was given the choice to sit in a tight room with a host of past and present rivals, his RSVP would be brutal.He explained: “It is so funny because we all slag each other off online but that was probably the first time we were all in a room with each other and I realised there that it’s all bluff.“People don’t like each other but just because of that, it doesn’t mean that we are going to fight each other.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“Being there this time was the same situation so I knew how to handle it from past experience. I just stood in the corner, held my ground and scanned the room.“His Excellency invited us to house and we respect the invite but I think if the lot of us were given the invite and told it was our choice, a lot of us would say ‘f*** that’.”Brilliant moment Anthony Joshua reveals what music he listens to after airpods start playing during press conference and Ngannou jokingly nicks oneUnlike most of Fury’s previous opponents, cagefighter Ngannou held his nerve and his temper and sent Fury packing with a terrifying warning when they met.”I was very calm,” he grinned. “I told him, the only chance he has against me is in the boxing ring.“You can hit when standing upright but otherwise I know you can’t do s***.“The only moment he has a chance is when boxing rules apply, if you take them away, I beat him from Monday to Sunday and maybe twice on Sunday.” More

  • 238 Shares99 Views

    in Boxing

    Tyson Fury ‘finally ADMITS he elbowed Ngannou’ and says he’ll face Anthony Joshua with ‘arm tied behind my back’

    TYSON FURY has admitted to elbowing Francis Ngannou during their bout last year.The Gypsy King narrowly came out on top in the clash with Ngannou putting up an admirable display in his first ever pro fight.Tyson Fury has admitted to elbowing Francis Ngannou in the face during their fightCredit: AFPFury appeared to use his elbow against Ngannou in October of last yearCredit: ESPNNgannou didn’t just take Fury all the way to a narrow points victory, but also did it while taking an illegal elbow to the face in the process.Fans had spotted the dangerous hit from Fury during the fight while others had labelled the Brit as “dirty” for the sixth round blow.But Fury had not admitted to elbowing The Predator in the match-up until he opened up on the fight in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday ahead of Ngannou’s fight with Anthony Joshua.Defending his reputation as a courageous fighter, he said: “I hear a lot of this coward talk from the two-time heavyweight champion of the world.READ MORE ON BOXING”There was 10 knockdowns in them Wilder trilogies, I went to Germany to fight Klitschko and the US to fight Wilder.”Where’s all this coward s*** come from? Who am I a coward from? I don’t get it.”The one thing I can gauge is I hit him [Ngannou] with some flush punches in the face, quite a lot, and even an elbow right in the face.”He never went over, so regardless of my performance and his performance, I know he’s a tough so a gun.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT”I couldn’t really tell if he was good or bad because I wasn’t having a good performance.”Ngannou faces AJ on Friday night and Joshua will know just how tough of an opponent the 37-year-old will be from watching him impress against Fury in October.EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Joshua under huge pressure to ‘out do’ Tyson Fury and KO Ngannou, warns ex-UFC champ’s coachFury himself is preparing for his undisputed heavyweight bout with Oleksandr Usyk in May.And the charismatic fighter has claimed that he will take on the winner of Ngannou vs Joshua with ease.In fact the 35-year-old has even claimed he could beat the winner with one hand behind his back.He said: “The winner of these two [Ngannou and Joshua] will get a shot at me after I beat Usyk twice this year, “So I guarantee when we fight again I’ll tie one hand behind my back and punch his head off.”Fury has claimed he will be able to beat the winner of Anthony Joshua and Ngannou’s fight with one arm behind his backCredit: GettyHe will have to beat Oleksandr Usyk firstCredit: Getty More

  • 275 Shares129 Views

    in Athletics

    I’m a porn icon dubbed the ‘Italian Stallion’ – I give my athletics ace son tips on how to beat performance anxiety

    LEONARDO TANO’S porn-icon parents have helped him get his legs over – as a rising star of hurdles.Dad Rocco – dubbed the “Italian Stallion” – claims he gave the athletic all-rounder the heads-up on “how to fight performance anxiety”.Leonardo Tano is a bright young name in Hungarian sportCredit: Instagram @leonardotanoLeonardo and his brother Lorenzo flank parents Rocco and Rosa at a screening of new Netflix show Supersex at a Berlin film festivalCredit: ReutersDad Rocco, shown at his porn peak, has passed on tips such as self-belief to son LeonardoCredit: FacebookNow Leonardo, 24, is in pole position to exploit his versatile talents – as he has all the mental and physical attributes needed.Sports-wise, the part-time model eagerly plays the field – and the track.The social media influencer rode dirt bikes, was a karting champion and also ran before focusing on his main gift – hurdling.And thanks to some fatherly advice, he takes on all-comers with confidence as one of Hungary’s hottest prospects.Tano Senior, 59, who calls himself a sex addict, and wife Rozsa Tassi, 51, found fame via their screen names of Rocco Siffredi and Rosa Caracciolo.Rocco has appeared in more than 1,300 adult “movies” and features on Netflix show Supersex, which was released on Wednesday.But he is most proud of keeping his son on the straight and narrow in sport.The Daily Star report Rocco as having said: “I taught him how to fight performance anxiety.Most read in Athletics”Leonardo took all of my stubbornness. But in another area he uses his head much more, so to speak.”Tano Junior was a karting whizkid – until he grew too big.Five celebs that could have been professional athletes including mega movie star and a member of the royal familyLuckily, however, his 6ft4ins frame has proved ideal for the hurdles.And his dad loves the dedication Leonardo has shown in recent years, starting when he was a mechanical engineering student. He told Crush Fanzine at the time: “I try to play as many sports as I can. “My principal focus is track and field, which I do six times a week, resting on Sunday.”I would say I am sports addicted, as for me it is an important ingredient to my general health and happiness.”Instagram star Leonardo has branched out from his family’s fameCredit: Rex More

  • 163 Shares119 Views

    in Boxing

    Who is Turki Alalshikh and why is he referred to as His Excellency?

    ALL eyes will be on Anthony Joshua this Friday as he takes on Francis Ngannou in a huge crossover battle – but fans have Turki Alalshikh to thank for that.AJ has won his last three consecutive fights which includes a dominant five-round dominant display most recently against Swede Otto Wallin.Turki Alalshikh was pictured with four greats – Anthony Joshua, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou (left to right)Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4Jtx8Vo-mb/?hl=en&img_index=1A whole host of mega stars posed for a group photo with the Saudi Royal adviserCredit: Instagram @turkialalshikANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTBut the British mogul’s opponent could cause a serious threat as Ngannou dropped Gypsy King Tyson Fury in his first competitive boxing bout.However, ahead of the fight, Saudi Arabian royalty Turki Alalshikh has been pictured in an iconic photo with Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou and Cristiano Ronaldo. And SunSport can give fans a rundown on who he is.Who is Turki Alalshikh?Born on August 4, 1981, Turki Alalshikh is the mastermind behind the huge battles that take place in Saudi Arabia and is a member of the Saudi Royal Court.Read more on AJ vs NgannouHis Excellency graduated from King Fahd Security College in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in security sciences before receiving certificates in criminology, investigation, risk management and general management.Alalshikh then worked in several sectors including the Interior Ministry, the Emirate of Riyadh and the office of the Defence Minister and the Crown Prince.But his big break came in September 2017 when a royal decree was issued to appoint Alalshikh as the new chairman of the General Sports Authority before becoming chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA).In his role as the General Minister for Entertainment, Alalshikh and the GEA have been tasked with developing, promoting and expanding tourism and entertainment in the Kingdom.Most read in BoxingWhy is Turki Alalshikh referred to as His Excellency?’His Excellency’ is an official title that is given to members of the extended Royal Saudi family – similar to ‘Your Highness’ for the British Royal family.Turki Alalshikh is known for being key to bringing boxing to Saudi Arabia.The Saudi Royal adviser helped Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk sign off their postponed heavyweight unification bout which was initially scheduled for Saturday, February 17.And his name began to ring bells within the sporting industry when he posted a stunning photo featuring a host of greats.Among them were several icons such as Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Conor McGregor, Amir Khan, Lennox Lewis, Ricky Hatton and Evander Holyfield.Oscar De La Hoya and Frank Bruno posed for the picture too.He is also the mastermind behind the World Masters of Snooker, where Ronnie O’Sullivan and Co have been battling for a huge prize pool.The exhibition tournament saw the controversial inclusion of a 23rd ‘golden’ ball, which would be worth 20 points and £400,000 reward for potting it.When is Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou?
    Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou will take place on Friday, March 8.
    The big crossover clash will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
    Ring-walks are expected to get going from around 11pm GMT. More

  • 250 Shares149 Views

    in Boxing

    Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou: Start time, TV channel, live stream, ring walks, PPV price as AJ faces MMA great

    ANTHONY JOSHUA faces Francis Ngannou in truly make-or-break fight for the British superstar. The fight will be a ten-round boxing match, with the former two-time heavyweight champion and the ex-UFC star colliding in what’s another big coup for Saudi dealmaker Turki Alalshikh.AJ overcame tricky southpaw Otto Wallin on another blockbuster bill in the Middle East at the end of last year. Before last month’s epic card, Joshua was expected to fight long-term rival Deontay Wilder after his meeting with the Swede.But any hopes of a deal went up in smoke after the Bronze Bomber was on the end of a shock defeat to Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia.Ngannou meanwhile raised many eyebrows in the world of boxing following his stunning debut against Tyson Fury in October 2023.READ MORE IN BOXINGMany thought the UFC legend got the better of the Gypsy King on the night, dropping him in the third round before losing a split decision in controversial fashion. Fury now faces Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed title on May 18. And the winner between Joshua and Ngannou are then primed to challenge for the unified belts. So it’s all to play for in the Riyadh rumble with careers and title shots on the line. Most read in BoxingAnthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou fight predictions from Sun Sport panelWhen is Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou?
    Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou will take place on Friday, March 8.
    The big crossover clash will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
    The ring-walks are expected to get going from around 11pm GMT.
    Who are their trainers?For the second fight in a row, Joshua will be cornered by Ben Davison, who he linked up with before his latest victory against Otto Wallin. Davison replaced Derrick James, who was occupied Stateside, and the former coach to Fury retains his place in AJ’s team. For Ngannou, his corner is led by ex-kickboxer Dewey Cooper with assistant John M’Bumba and MMA head trainer Eric Nicksick making up the team. What happened in Joshua’s last fight?AJ comes into the bout having dominated Wallin just four months ago in an impressive performance. Many believed he was back to his best as he ruthlessly broke the Swede down, fracturing Wallin’s nose in the process. It was Joshua’s second stoppage on the spin and third victory in a row. What happened in Ngannou’s last fight?The Cameroonian put his MMA career on hold for a boxing switch and stunned several on his debut against Fury. He dropped the Gypsy King and was deemed unfortunate to walk away with a split-decision loss. Still, the showing convinced AJ to the negotation table and set up another lucrative crossover clash for Ngannou. What TV channel is Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou on and can it be live streamed?
    Joshua vs Ngannou will be shown live on DAZN PPV and Sky Sports Box Office.
    You can live stream all the action from the DAZN and Sky Sports Box Office websites as well as their apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
    The DAZN UK PPV price will be £19.99, which includes one month’s DAZN subscription.
    For existing DAZN subscribers, the PPV price will be £18.99.
    The Sky Sports Box Office price for the fight has been set at £19.95 for Sky customers in the UK. 
    Francis Ngannou dropped Tyson Fury in his last boutCredit: GettyWhy is Joshua vs Ngannou on a Friday?The fight goes down on a Friday night, not the usual Saturday.This is because of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix taking place that weekend at 5pm GMT on Saturday, March 9 over in Jeddah.SunSport’s predictionBoxing will be on it’s knees if 2012 Olympic golden boy and 2x world champion Anthony Joshua cannot handle a cage fighter, writes Sun Boxing correspondent Wally Downes Jr.Yes Francis Ngannou always wanted to emulate Mike Tyson, yes his best days with the UFC were spent on his feet trading punches instead of kicks and submissions and yes the 37-year-old Cameroonian Adonis did floor Tyson Fury in October. But our AJ now knows not to take the powerhouse lightly and to respect his power and resilience in a way Morecambe’s WBC Gypsy King did not. AJ should hit Ngannou harder than he’s ever been struck before and he should finish him inside the opening five rounds.Joshua vs Ngannou full cardAmong the fights taking place on the Joshua-Ngannou undercard is Zhilei Zhang’s huge fight with Joseph Parker. Queensberry fighter Nick Ball will also challenge Mexican Rey Vargas for the world featherweight title.
    MAIN EVENT: Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou
    Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker
    Nick Ball vs Rey Vargas – (WBC featherweight title)
    Israil Madrimov vs Magomed Kurbanov – (WBA super-welterweight title)
    Mark Chamberlain vs Gavin Gwynne (European lightweight championship)
    Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres
    Justis Huni vs Kevin Lerena
    Ziyad Almaayouf vs Christian Lopes Flores
    Roman Fury vs Martin Svarc
    Jack McGann vs Louis Greene
    What has been said?Joshua has said: “He brings two arms, a body, but his mind is different to everyone else. In terms of his frame and make-up, I’ve seen people like him many times before.”My main focus is Ngannou and getting through an intense training camp. “I have got to take his mind and his spirit, it will be explosive. We can both trade and it will be a good fight.”READ MORE SUN STORIESNgannou said: “Of course I think I can beat him. I called for the fight. I am here to beat him and that’s why I came over here. “I’ve been calling for these kind of fights for four years. I’m not here to show up, I am here to take over. It might sound crazy. It might sound irrational. But that’s what I am committed to and that is what I want.” More

  • 225 Shares109 Views

    in Boxing

    Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury ‘never said a word to each other’ during tense meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo

    ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury stood shoulder-to-shoulder with each other during a tense meeting – but not a word was said. Fury is in Saudi Arabia to watch Francis Ngannou in action against AJ on Friday, just five months after his controversial win over the MMA star.Anthony Joshua, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou pose for a snapCredit: https://www.instagram.com/tysonfury/The Gypsy King and Ngannou joined Joshua and football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for a picture with Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh. And the heavyweight rivals got into a verbal altercation just moments before the sensational snap. But according to Fury’s assistant coach Andy Lee, there was no such verbal warfare with Joshua, 34, despite the years of feuding. He told iFL TV: “They actually never said a word to each other, which was interesting. READ MORE IN BOXING“We were walking shoulder to shoulder at one stage – me, Joe, Joshua and Tyson, but it just never happened.”Fury, 35, was floored in his bout with Ngannou, 37, and the ex-UFC champion has insisted he was robbed of a sensational upset victory.So there was evidently no love lost when the pair reunited face-to-face again in Riyadh. Lee said: “Ngannou came in and Tyson pulled him up straight away and said, ‘Hey you, you’ve been talking about me in interviews saying I’m a coward, calling me yellow belly.’Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”But Ngannou in fairness was quite calm and cool and said, ‘I didn’t say that.’ (Fury said), ‘You did, saying you won the fight. I beat you. I beat you.’And Ngannou said, ‘No, no, no, I didn’t say that.’ ‘Yes you did,’ Tyson said. ‘What does your record say?'”Tyson said, ‘You take care of your man and I’ll take care of mine and I’ll give it to you again.’ He put it on him for a bit but it was interesting.”Tyson Fury ‘in heated clash with Francis Ngannou’ moments before amazing pic with Anthony Joshua and Cristiano Ronaldo More

  • 250 Shares159 Views

    in Boxing

    Fans think Tommy Fury wants to fight Ronnie O’Sullivan after snap of Love Island star and boxer in Saudi emerges

    BOXING fans joked Tommy Fury wants to fight Ronnie O’Sullivan after a picture emerged of the Love Island star watching the snooker legend in Saudi Arabia.O’Sullivan, 48, is competing in the inaugural World Masters of Snooker – the first snooker event to take place in Saudi Arabia.Ronnie O’Sullivan won his opening match in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyTommy Fury watched O’Sullivan in Riyadh as the cameras caught a snap of the boxerCredit: EuroSportAnd, despite being made to wait until the early hours of Wednesday morning, the seven-time world champion kicked things off in fine form as he thrashed John Higgins 4-0 to set up a semi-final clash with Judd Trump.One famous face watching on was boxer and reality star Fury, 24.The 10-0 pro, whose last two wins have come against YouTubers Jake Paul and KSI, is understood to be in Saudi for the huge boxing event on Friday.Anthony Joshua is taking on Francis Ngannou in the main event, while the undercard includes Tommy’s brother Roman Fury.Yet some fans made the connection that Tommy – brother of heavyweight king Tyson Fury – might actually be looking to get O’Sullivan or another snooker star into the ring.One said: “Potential fight with Ronnie O’Sullivan?”Another added: “Looking for his next opponent.”A third replied: “Him Vs Mark Selby. my money on Selby via century.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA fourth responded: “Can’t wait for Tommy Fury v John Higgins next.”While a fifth said: “Ronnie would smoke him.”Ronnie O’Sullivan confirms where historic golden ball will be placed ahead of Riyadh World Masters of Snooker eventDespite a sensational win, O’Sullivan did not manage to make the first ever 167 break in his win over Higgins.To raise the event’s profile, against a backdrop of sportswashing accusations, a 20-point “Gold Ball” is available for those who are on a 147 maximum break.The achievement would also see the player pocket a huge £400,000.And O’Sullivan has already revealed he is setting his sights on achieving the feat. More