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    Fastest-ever Brit Zharnel Hughes predicted he would smash Linford Christie’s 30-year-record after DREAMING 9.83secs

    ZHARNEL HUGHES had a dream he would become the fastest Brit in history  — and here is proof!Linford Christie’s 100 metres national record of 9.87secs — which was set in Stuttgart in 1993 — was smashed on Saturday night in Manhattan.
    Zharnel Hughes became the fastest Brit everCredit: Zuma Press
    Here is the journal where Hughes predicted his moment of gloryCredit: Supplied
    Hughes, 27, produced a stunning run of 9.83secs that propelled him to the top of the record books.
    When Hughes woke up that morning, he felt compelled to write in his journal he was going to do something special later that evening in the Big Apple.
    SunSport has been shown a photo of his Saturday June 24 diary entry. It reads: “Competition day in New York. I’m going to run 9.83. Slowest 9.89-9.91. HAVE FAITH.
    “I am prepared and I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me!! Watch God!!!”
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    Hughes said: “I saw 9.83 in my dreams. I wasn’t in a race, I just remember seeing the number.
    “So, I got up, said my prayers, and started writing in the book. I just put it down: I’ll run 9.83 today.
    “You could see the whole reaction on my face when I saw the clock. I actually wrote that time in my book and now I’m seeing it right now on the board. It’s a manifestation, it’s the power of belief, the trust in God that everything will align when the time is right.
    “It was surreal to see the British record go down. It’s crazy to think it was set 30 years ago. It’s an achievement of the hard work I’ve put in. I’m proud of myself.”
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    Hughes, whose time is a world lead for 2023, had been told by his coach, Usain Bolt’s ex-guru Glen Mills, that he was in blistering form.
    The qualified pilot, whose previous best was 9.91, said: “My coach had been singing it to me in training. ‘It’s there, it’s there, Zharnel has a great performance in him’.
    “He was laughing on the phone when I called him. ‘Captain Hughes, we did it’.
    “He’s happy, I’m happy. My mum is happy and crying a lot. I’ve made her proud.
    Linford Christie was the previous holder of the recordCredit: Getty
    He has been through trials and tribulations. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he was axed from the men’s 100m final for a false start.
    Then his silver medal in the 4x100m relay was stripped when team-mate CJ Ujah failed a drugs test.
    Hughes said: “I’ve been through a lot of pain. I’m happy I can see the light.”
    He will head to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August as a favourite for the 100m gold.
    Celebrations post-race were relatively low-key as he noshed on Jamaican fried chicken, rice, peas, macaroni and cheese with his pals and agent.
    He had begun the day with a Subway sandwich for breakfast because there was no food available at his hotel.
    What makes this mark so special is the fact he has been through his fair share of trials and tribulations.
    At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he was axed from the men’s 100m final for a false start and then his silver medal in the 4x100m relay was stripped when teammate CJ Ujah failed a drugs test.
    Hughes has revealed had a dream that he would achieve the featCredit: Getty
    Hughes said: “God gives the toughest battles to the strongest soldiers. I strongly believe that I’m one of those guys. I have been through it.
    “I’ve been through a lot of pain man that you don’t even know.
    “I remember reading the comments at the time, and it was easy to get caught up with it, but I locked off from the rest of the world and dug deep.
    “The darkest part of my journey has helped me to be where I am today. I’m so grateful for it. It wasn’t easy but I’m happy I can see the light.”
    Hughes, the reigning European 200m champion, will be next seen in the UK doubling-up in the sprints at next month’s GB trials in Manchester.
    Assuming he remains fit and injury-free, he will head to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in two months as one of the favourites for the 100m gold medal.
    Technical improvements can be made to his start and if that happens come August, he will only get quicker.
    Hughes added: “I don’t have any more predictions in my head. But we’ll try to get a lot faster. It’s great to be mentioned among the greatest.
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    “The sky’s the limit, anything is possible, if you believe in yourself and continue to trust the process.
    “I won’t get caught up in the hype of breaking the record. The job isn’t fully completely yet. I can only get better.” More

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    Wilder breaks silence as he tweets for first time since he was arrested after ‘gun and drugs found in Rolls-Royce’

    DEONTAY WILDER has broken his silence following his arrest after a gun and drugs were allegedly found in his Rolls-Royce.The heavyweight legend urged fans to “never let anyone dim your light” in his first tweets since Los Angeles traffic police pulled him over on May 2.
    Deontay Wilder has returned to social media after an eight-week breakCredit: AFP
    Knockout specialist Wilder has not fought since a swift win in OctoberCredit: Getty
    The ex-world champion, 37, was charged with “possession of a concealed weapon” following what was described as a routine stop.
    But on his return to social media the Bronze Bomber made no reference to the case – instead treating fans to some philosophical musings.
    Wilder was beaten twice by unbeaten Brit Tyson Fury in their iconic trilogy before knocking out Finn Robert Helenius in round one of his comeback fight last October.
    And he told his followers how to win at life with a series of deep tweets.
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    Wilder shared this mantra with fans: “You’re an amazing human being and it’s deserving to be acknowledged.”
    But with his next step in the ring uncertain, he also posted: “Certain things come to an end as the years get older it’s called growth.”
    He didn’t explain if that was a reference to his boxing career.
    Arguably most Wilder’s most heartfelt message was his longest.
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    The American pleaded: “Never let anyone dim your light. We all are capable of doing multiple things in this world.
    “Some people will not like what you do because they can’t figure out their problems but, that’s ok bec many will LOVE & appreciate what you give to this world. My light will always shine.” More

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    Boxing fans horrified as ringside camera is splattered with blood after fighter’s ear ‘EXPLODES’ during brutal bout

    BOXING fans have been left horrified after a ringside camera was splattered with blood after a fighter’s ear exploded.The brutal bout was between Fernando Martinez and Jade Bornea for the IBF world super-flyweight title.

    Boxing fans were grossed out as blood landed on a camera lensCredit: Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing
    Jade Bornea’s ear exploded as blood ran downCredit: Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing
    Martinez secured victory when the clash was stopped in round 11.
    The 31-year-old pounded the Filipino’s right ear in the ninth round causing visible damage.
    Martinez got his opponent up against the ropes and landed a number of good shots to the head.
    It caused Bornea’s ear to explode and blood fired out, dropping onto the lens of the nearest camera.
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    Fans were left grossed out, one said: “The most gruesome injury I’ve ever seen.”
    Another added: “Looks painful.”
    The Argentine admitted after the fight that he targeted the battered body part.
    He said: “I just kept going at the ear and that’s what ended this fight.
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    “The stronger fighter won and it was me.”
    Martinez is now unbeaten in 16 fights as Bornea suffered the first defeat of his career. More

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    Bare-knuckle boxer unrecognisable after suffering horror injury that sees swollen eye sealed shut – but he wins fight

    MARTIN REFFELL suffered a gutting back-knuckle loss for Team GB despite inflicting a horror eye injury on Ryan Jett leaving him looking unrecognisable.The Peterborough fans’ favourite had two of his six daughters ringside – and his missus in his corner – to watch the unanimous decision defeat to Team USA.
    Ryan Jett was left looking unrecognisable after beating Martin ReffellCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
    Jett before the injuryCredit: Instagram @ryanjett_
    But he went home to all of his girls with a much healthier-looking face than his victorious foe, who had his right eye punched completely shut.
    Good jabs swapped in the opener but a right hand from Jett landed flush and was worryingly loud
    American Jett was a master at grappling and wrestling in the regular clinches and another right drove into the Brit when he crouched down to reset his stance
    After three minutes of slashing at each other, they shook hands on the bell and went to their corners to recover
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    Reffell’s left eye started to look painful swollen and bleeding by the second
    But he soldiered on and did the better boxing but he was being manhandled by the visitor. 
    In round four both men nearly flew over the top rope and into the Indigo O2 crowd, like a WWE stunt, when Jett pushed and their pair entangled their arms.
    Both men looked exhausted and hurt by the final bell but it was Jett’s vision that was slashed in half by the end, thanks to Raffell’s precise shots.
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    The judges called the close contest 48-46, 48-46, 48-45, which seemed especially harsh after Jett had been deducted a point for a late punch after the bell that ended the fourth.
    The decision put American 2-1 up in the BYB Police Gazette International Cup, with six fights to go. More

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    Watch bare-knuckle boxer win in brutal fashion with his ONLY punch of the fight

    TOM STOKES won a bare-knuckle boxing fight for Britain with his only punch of his 32-second fight.The West Brom slugger earned a point for us against the USA team with one sensational left hook in the triangle ring.
    Stokes knocked down his opponent with one punchCredit: TWITTER @bybextreme
    He won the fight after just 32 secondsCredit: TWITTER @bybextreme

    Will Chope, the Malaysia-based beanpole from the opposite corner, tried to tie our man up in a clinch and whack him on the back of the head with an illegal rabbit punch.
    But 28-year-old Stokes, making his bare knuckle debut after 14 pro boxing bouts, caught him perfectly on the chin as the pair parted.
    Chope, who towered over the Englishman and wore exotic martial arts shorts and shoes, folded into the floor and never looked like returning before the count.
    And he was left with a cut slashed into his right cheek and seeping blood that was tended to once he staggered back to his unsteady feet.
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    With his Brummie crowd roaring down the front row of the O2 Indigo, Stokes said: “I am buzzing, I came here to beat him and that’s what I did.
    “Thanks to everyone who came and bought a ticket, it means a lot.”
    Stokes lost two Midlands Area fights before taking off the gloves, the most recent against Stoke middleweight herp Natham Heaney.
    Team UK went one fight down after the opener of the Police Gazette International Cup went to the visiting Americans.
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    But Stokes’ peach of a left hook dragged it back to 1-1 with five more fights to follow. More

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    Busty boxing ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn shows off major underboob and almost bursts out of bright pink bikini

    WHEN in LA…Busty boxing ring girl Apollonia Llewellyn daringly showed off some major underboob as she caught some sun on a beach in California.
    The 23-year-old blonde beauty lived up to her “Barbi” nickname – wearing a bright pink bikini that barely covered her modesty.
    Apollonia Lewellyn almost spilled out of her bikini on a LA beachCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Gorgeous Apollonia is no stranger to sharing risque images on social mediaCredit: INSTAGRAM
    Accessorising her swimwear with a diamond encrusted cross necklace, the stunner from Leeds looked every part the bikini babe the Californian beaches are famous for.
    Captioning the sexy photo, she wrote: “Wind swept on the beach is my idea of happiness.”
    And the image drew plenty of reaction from her 560,000 followers on Instagram.
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    One wrote: “Always breathtaking.”
    Another shared: “You look amazing.:
    A third penned: “My new favourite Instagram human.”
    While a fourth simply commented: “Wow wow.”
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    The model is no stranger to posting risque images online.
    Apollonia caught the eye back in January when she appeared as a ring girl at a Misfits Boxing event.
    She has since made the most of her growing fanbase with regular snaps on social media.
    Last week, the buxom beauty treated her thousands of followers to a racy snap in yet another plunging bikini.
    In the post, she can be seen bursting out of a long-sleeve pink top as she made the most of the weather.
    Smouldering to the camera, she held up her bikini bottoms as the zip on her top strained to cover her chest.
    Apollonia has earned the nickname BarbiCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Social media influencer Apollonia has amassed 560,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @apolloniallewellyn
    Apollonia appeared as a ring girl for Misfits boxing back in JanuaryCredit: Instagram / @apolloniallewellyn More

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    Boxing drug cheat vows to ‘RETIRE’ Anthony Joshua as Eddie Hearn scrambles to find August opponent for AJ

    DISGRACED drug cheat Jarrell Miller has offered to step up on short notice and save Anthony Joshua’s August ring return.Joshua, 33, is without a dance partner for his proposed August 12 return after negotiations over a rematch with Dillian Whyte went south.
    Anthony Joshua was set to throw down with Jarrell Miller in 2019Credit: GETTY
    A spate of failed drugs tests for the American scuppered the pair’s showdownCredit: AP
    Big Baby is willing to step up and fight AJ on short notice in AugustCredit: GETTY
    Promoter Eddie Hearn is scrambling to find a new opponent for the second fight of AJ’s career rebuild, which kicked off in April with a scrappy points win over Jermaine Franklin.
    And American motormouth Miller is eager to save the day, although he plans to end Joshua’s hopes of getting back into world title contention four years after their grudge match was cancelled.
    “Big Baby” told Stamina For Sale: “I’ll annihilate him! Retire him! Send him back packing – plain and simple.
    “I’m not playing no games with nobody, I’m playing no games.
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    “There is bad blood there in a boxing sense so it would be great entertainment.
    “It’s nothing personal, I just don’t care for him, but when I see you on my radar, I don’t like you.
    “I don’t like anything about you, I want to rip your guts outs and nothing going to change that.
    “I’m not going anywhere for a while, I’m back, I’m here to stay and I’m coming with vengeance.
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    “And if anybody wants the smoke they know I’m here. I’m back baby.”
    Miller was due to welcome Joshua to America in a Madison Square Garden melee in 2019 but their fight was scrapped after he tested positive for a cocktail of performance-enhancing drugs.
    The New Yorker popped for THREE banned substances, paving the way for Andy Ruiz Jr to pull off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history at MSG.
    Matchroom supremo Hearn vowed to never work with Miller in wake of his anti-doping violations – another of which he racked up ahead of his proposed 2020 clash with Jerry Forest.
    But he’s seemingly softened his stance, telling Boxing Social: “I understand that it could be a big fight. Do I rule it out forever?
    “I don’t think it would be wise in this crazy boxing world to rule anything out forever.
    “Obviously I don’t like what happened.
    “I do understand it’s a big fight but it’s not something we’re looking at at the moment.” More

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    Zharnel Hughes becomes fastest British man in HISTORY after finally beating legend’s 30-year 100m record

    GOBSMACKED Zharnel Hughes says he dreamt about becoming the fastest British man in history – just hours before he officially earned the title.The 27-year-old sprinter stormed to victory at the USATF New York City Grand Prix in the world’s quickest time this year of 9.83 seconds.

    Zharnel Hughes celebrates taking Linford Christie’s record after his NYC GP winCredit: Getty
    GB sprinter Hughes overcame Brandon Carnes, Christian Coleman, Ackeem Blake and Terrance Laird in his barnstorming New York performanceCredit: Getty
    Iconic Linford Christie set the previous British 100m mark of 9.87s in 1993Credit: PA:Press Association
    Jamaican Ackeem Blake finished second in 9.93 seconds in the nine-man race while American Christian Coleman, the world champion in Doha four years ago, settled for third place in 10.02 seconds at the Icahn Stadium in Manhattan.
    Hughes’ personal best smashed Linford Christie’s British record of 9.87 seconds, which has stood since the 1993 World Athletics Championships in Stuttgart.
    Though he benefited from a +1.3 metres/second tailwind, it was deemed to be a legal display.
    And the former European champion put his hands over his mouth in disbelief when the time was announced in the stadium.
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    Initially it flashed up as 9.84 seconds before being quickly corrected to 9.83 as Hughes looked at the clock in astonishment.
    Hughes, who is coached by Usain Bolt’s ex-guru Glen Mills, had previously run 9.91 seconds but this has put him into the record books.
    He said: “I woke up with a dream (on Saturday) morning. This morning I woke up with 9.83 on my mind.
    “When I looked at the clock and saw 9.83 – I don’t know if you saw my reaction – but I was like: ‘What just happened there!’ It actually came through. Manifestation is real.”
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    “I wasn’t coming up here thinking about breaking records – I just wanted to run fast.
    “I didn’t try to do anything crazy. I didn’t try to say, ‘Get the perfect start’ – I didn’t get the perfect start – but I relaxed and that’s what’s really important for me.”
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    Hughes, a former European 100m and 200m champion, will head to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August tremendous form and confidence.
    It is a far cry from his appearance in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics final when he was disqualified for a false start.
    Away from the track, Hughes is a qualified private pilot – and once told SunSport he has ambitions to run his own airline one day. More