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    Anthony Joshua’s three next potential opponents revealed by Eddie Hearn after devastating Daniel Dubois defeat

    ANTONY JOSHUA has a list of three potential opponents for his next fight, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.The two-time heavyweight champion, 34, was battered and knocked out by Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their all-British dust-up in front of a record crowd at Wembley on Saturday night.Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, left, has revealed his potential opponentsCredit: ReutersThe defeat scuppered Joshua’s hopes of becoming a three-time world champion and handed him a fourth professional loss after coming up short against Andy Ruiz in 2019 and twice against Oleksandr Usyk.Since the fight, AJ has quashed talk of him hanging up his gloves.And Hearn has now revealed the three men Joshua could face next as he looks to bounce back from a damaging defeat.Those options are a rematch with Dubois, blockbuster showdown with Tyson Fury, or a clash with another former world champion in Deontay Wilder.READ MORE IN BOXINGHowever, he also added the caveat they could choose to wait for the outcome of Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21.Speaking to iFL TV, he said: “If Fury was to lose maybe they [AJ and Fury] both say ‘Right, let’s give the public one last hurrah, two big fights, done’.”Or, if Fury wins, he could defend against AJ for the unified world heavyweight title and AJ could beat him and become a three-time heavyweight champion. Anything’s possible.”Or we could rematch Daniel Dubois.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDaniel Dubois knocked Joshua out inside five rounds at Wembley on Saturday nightCredit: PAJoshua could also face one of Deontay Wilder or Tyson FuryCredit: Getty”Or [he] could fight someone else. Deontay Wilder. I dunno, it’s not something that’s been discussed yet but two guys coming off defeats, big punchers, someone’s got to go from the sport.”But for me the options are rematch Daniel Dubois or wait and see what happens in Fury against Usyk.”Anthony Joshua appears to take shot at his own team as he talks about ‘mistakes’ made in training campFury, 36, suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Usyk in May but has a rematch clause which was triggered for a December bout.Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren has touted his man for a rematch with Usyk after he was stopped by the Ukrainian last year.Wilder, 38, has lost four of his last five fights and is coming off the back of successive defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. More

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    Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta: Start time, stream, TV channel and full card for huge fight in Riyadh

    CHRIS EUBANK JR makes his long-awaited return to the ring against Polish star Kamil Szeremeta – and it is not to be missed!Boxing fans haven’t seen Eubank Jr in action since his technical KO victory over Liam Smith in September 2023.Chris Eubank Jr beat Liam Smith twice in a yearCredit: ReutersAnd that was the second successive time he had beaten Smith in a year, as well as winning four consecutive fights on the bounce.However, Eubank Jr could be in for a tough test as his upcoming opponent Szeremeta is undefeated in his last six encounters.But both of Szeremeta’s career defeats have been by a knockout – which Eubank Jr is known for winning by having secured 24 KO triumphs.Find out all of the information about this huge match below as it features on the undercard of another mouthwatering encounter.Read more on Chris Eubank JrWhen is Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta?Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta will take place on Saturday, October 12.Ring-walk times are expected to be around 9pm BST – 4pm ET and 8pm locallyKingdom Arena in Riyadh is the chosen venue and it can host approximately 26,000 spectators. The fight will be 12 rounds in the Middleweight divisionIt is scheduled to be on the undercard of the championship match between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.What TV channel is Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta on and can it be live streamed?Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta will be broadcast LIVE on DAZN PPV.You can subscribe to DAZN in the UK for £9.99-a-month on a 12-month deal.A flexible pass, worth £19.99-a-month, is also available, and you can cancel anytime.DAZN PPV can be streamed in both the UK and US.The full card is also likely to be shown on TNT Sports in the UK.What is the full card?Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol; For the IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA light heavyweight titlesChris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta; MiddleweightFabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke; For Wardley’s British heavyweight titleJai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey; For Opetaia’s IBF cruiserweight title Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron; Light heavyweightSkye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman; For Nicolson’s WBC women’s featherweight title Mohammaed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez; LightweightWhat has been said?Four-time world champion Carl Froch had some harsh words to say about Chris Eubank Jr.Most read in BoxingFroch said: “It’ll just be another knockover fight, won’t it? It’ll be a glorified sparring session just to get him back in the ring after his year layoff, which is the problem with Chris Eubank Jr, what is he, 34-years-old? “He’s having a year out of the ring at a time. I don’t think he’s got any ambition to become an actual bonafide world champion.”I think Chris Eubank Jr just wants to make money and that’s it. If pro boxing is not for you, that’s fine. I get it. “It’s a tough sport and it’s a lifestyle and you’ve got to be 100 percent committed and dedicated – and Chris Eubank Jr isn’t.” More

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    Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta: Stream, TV channel and full card for huge fight in Riyadh

    CHRIS EUBANK JR makes his long-awaited return to the ring against Polish star Kamil Szeremeta – and it is not to be missed!Boxing fans haven’t seen Eubank Jr in action since his technical KO victory over Liam Smith in September 2023.Chris Eubank Jr beat Liam Smith twice in a yearCredit: ReutersAnd that was the second successive time he had beaten Smith in a year, as well as winning four consecutive fights on the bounce.However, Eubank Jr could be in for a tough test as his upcoming opponent Szeremeta is undefeated in his last six encounters.But both of Szeremeta’s career defeats have been by a knockout – which Eubank Jr is known for winning by having secured 24 KO triumphs.Find out all of the information about this huge match below as it features on the undercard of another mouthwatering encounter.Read more on Chris Eubank JrWhen is Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta?Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta will take place on Saturday, October 12.Ring-walk times are expected to be around 9pm BST – 4pm ET and 8pm locallyKingdom Arena in Riyadh is the chosen venue and it can host approximately 26,000 spectators. The fight will be 12 rounds in the Middleweight divisionIt is scheduled to be on the undercard of the championship match between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.What TV channel is Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta on and can it be live streamed?Chris Eubank Jr vs Kamil Szeremeta will be broadcast LIVE on DAZN PPVDAZN PPV can be streamed in both the UK and US.The full card is also likely to be shown on TNT Sports in the UK.What is the full card?Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol; For the IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA light heavyweight titlesChris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta; MiddleweightFabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke; For Wardley’s British heavyweight titleJai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey; For Opetaia’s IBF cruiserweight title Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron; Light heavyweightSkye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman; For Nicolson’s WBC women’s featherweight title Mohammaed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez; LightweightWhat has been said?Four-time world champion Carl Froch had some harsh words to say about Chris Eubank Jr.Most read in BoxingFroch said: “It’ll just be another knockover fight, won’t it? It’ll be a glorified sparring session just to get him back in the ring after his year layoff, which is the problem with Chris Eubank Jr, what is he, 34-years-old? “He’s having a year out of the ring at a time. I don’t think he’s got any ambition to become an actual bonafide world champion.”I think Chris Eubank Jr just wants to make money and that’s it. If pro boxing is not for you, that’s fine. I get it. “It’s a tough sport and it’s a lifestyle and you’ve got to be 100 percent committed and dedicated – and Chris Eubank Jr isn’t.” More

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    Anthony Joshua pleaded guilty to driving offence days before Daniel Dubois defeat and blamed it on ‘fatigue’

    ANTHONY JOSHUA pleaded guilty to a driving offence just days before his crushing defeat to Daniel Dubois, according to reports.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion was reportedly slapped with a speeding charge in the build-up to his Wembley war with his old sparring partner.Anthony Joshua locked horns with Daniel Dubois in a Wembley war last weekendCredit: REUTERSThe Watford warrior suffered a crushing fifth-round KO loss to ‘Triple D’Credit: GETTYAJ reportedly pled guilty to guilty to a speeding fine days before the boutCredit: REUTERSAnd the Watford warrior is said to have pled guilty to the offence FOUR DAYS before his fifth-round TKO defeat to Triple D.The London Evening Standard claims AJ, 34, turned in a guilty plea online on September 17.He was permitted to submit his plea online and not in court as the Single Justice Procedure dealt with the case.The London 2012 gold medallist is said to have blamed the offence on the “physical and mental fatigue” from his latest training camp.READ MORE ON AJIn a letter of mitigation seen by the Evening Standard, he said: “I fully accept responsibility for my actions on May 29, 2024 and deeply regret my failure to adhere to the speed limits. “I understand the importance of road safety and am fully aware of the potential consequences of speeding, not only for myself but also for other road users.””My behaviour on that day was not excusable, and I take full ownership of my mistake. “I would, however, like to offer some context regarding the situation, not as an excuse. Most read in Boxing”But in the hope that the court may consider it when determining my penalty.Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fans“I am a professional athlete, currently in the middle of a very intense training camp. “My schedule has been extremely demanding, and I was traveling to or from a training session at the time and date of the offense.“The physical and mental fatigue from my training may have clouded my judgment, leading to this lapse in concentration.“I recognise that such circumstances do not justify speeding, and I deeply regret allowing myself to make this error. “I have since made a very conscious effort to be more mindful of my speed and have been adhering strictly to all traffic laws.”AJ is now at a career crossroads following his demolition at the hands of IBF heavyweight king Dubois.Anthony Joshua insists retirement is NOT on the cards for himCredit: REUTERSHe was dropped a staggering FOUR TIMES on his way to being stopped in the fifth round, in which he hurt the defending champion.Fans and pundits alike have called for him to hang up his gloves and enjoy his millions in the bank.But AJ is still hell-bent on becoming a three-time heavyweight champion and insists retirement ISN’T on the cards.He said in his post-fight interview: “Before I came here, I’m always saying to myself, ‘I’m a fighter for life.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We rolled the dice at success and we came up short and we roll it again.”We keep rolling the dice.” More

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    Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk put rivalries aside as they reunite at Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua for amazing selfie

    TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk put their rivalries aside as they posed for an amazing selfie during Anthony Joshua’s defeat to Daniel Dubois.The historic boxing match on Saturday saw a record 96,000-strong crowd turn out at Wembley Stadium.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk reunited for an epic selfieThe pair are set for a Christmas rematch after Usyk’s win earlier this yeaerCredit: PAThe pair linked up as Daniel Dubois KO’d Anthony JoshuaCredit: GettyFamous faces including Maya Jama, Emma Bunton and Sienna Miller led a long list of glamorous names.While fighting stars like Conor McGregor and Ricky Hatton were also in attendance at the home of English football.The thrilling bout saw AJ put down FOUR times by Dubois, who eventually won with a fifth-round KO.But another exciting moment had heavyweight kings Fury and Usyk reuniting at ring-side.READ MORE IN BOXINGThe Gypsy King suffered his first pro defeat at the hands of the Ukrainian earlier this year.It saw him lose his WBC title to make Usyk the division’s top dog.And Fury has since moaned about the manner of his points defeat.However, there appeared to be no bad blood between the two men.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThey posed for a brilliant selfie at the side of the ring, with both bruisers grinning like Cheshire cats.Fans were certainly blown away, especially as Fury and Usyk are set for a money-spinning rematch days before Christmas in December.Daniel Dubois KNOCKS OUT Anthony Joshua in HUGE upset after savage onslaught in front of 96,000 stunned fans at WembleyOne said: “Usyk and Fury deep down really respect each other.”Another declared: “They have the strangest relationship.”One noted: “Gotta love these heart-warming moments.”Another added: “There is no rivalry, only a lot of respect.”With Fury and Usyk having a rematch, it leaves IBF champ Dubois facing a rematch with Joshua.But the Brit is also eyeing a fight against the winner of Fury vs Usyk 2 in an attempt to unify the four-belt division.Dubois told talkSPORT: “I would love a rematch but either one really, whoever pays me more money.“If that happens (the rematch) I want to go for it. I want to do even better next time.“I know where I need to improve, I want to prove people wrong every time.”Fury certainly seemed gutted to see Joshua lose, exclaiming ring side: “That’s cost me £150million, the silly c***.”He later said: “It’s heavyweight boxing, s*** happens, you get knocked spark out.“It could have been me. In the heavyweight division, it’s what happens.Round by round: How Dubois demolished JoshuaANTHONY JOSHUA bravely picked himself up from the floor against Daniel Dubois – until he could no more.AJ was floored four times in five rounds by Dubois before a thudding counter right closed the show in dramatic fashion.Here, SunSport’s Jack Figg takes you round-by-round from the Wembley war.ROUND 1Dubois comes out sharp with the jab as Joshua bounces around struggling to deal with the piston-like left.Huge right hand from Dubois has AJ staggering backwards with his hands far too low from the opening bell.Joshua made to pay for the mistake as he circles out with his hands down and gets dropped by an overhand right.ROUND 2Joshua – saved only by the bell after being floored – struggles to get going as he takes shots to the face.AJ is tottering and teetering around the ring with his guard again dangerously low and inviting pressure on.Joshua is attempting to get back into the bout but his jab looks far too lazy – he doesn’t look to have recovered from the knockdown.ROUND 3AJ comes out with more intent but swings wildly with a right and connects with only thin air.Dubois pours on the pressure and hammers Joshua into the corner scoring another knockdown.The bell sounds but Dubois lands one or two afterwards – again AJ is saved by the clock as the writing looks on the wall.ROUND 4Disaster strikes again with Joshua floored once more – losing his balance as he touches the canvas.The referee gives AJ another fighting chance and Dubois lands a low blow – giving the challenger some valuable respite.Dubois slows down as four rounds come to a close with Joshua showing sensational resilience to hang in there.ROUND 5Joshua lands a huge right hand and Dubois legs buckle – an astonishing turnaround looks to be on the cards.AJ pins Dubois onto the ropes and attempts one of his signature uppercuts but the countering right hand gets there first.Joshua is caught flush on the chin, dropped once more and this time out for good. Dubois scores a stunning KO win.“What went wrong is what always happens in heavyweight boxing. A good right hand on the end of the chin, and that was it.“I don’t know [if Joshua will retire]. It’s up to the man and whatever he wants to do.”If he has good ambitions to come back again, he can make his own decisions. He’s a big boy.“I thought it was a 50-50 fight. Dubois is a lot younger. He’s 27 years old. Joshua is 35 [sic], the same age as me. Age doesn’t wait for anybody.”You get hit with those punches [and] you don’t see many heavyweights get hit, get knocked down, get back up, and continue on.”READ MORE SUN STORIESUsyk also had his say on the result, adding: “I thought Joshua should have won, but who knows? It’s boxing.”For me, it was a surprise. I was expecting that Anthony was going to win the fight.”‘Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fightDANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.Here’s what they said after the fight:DANIEL DUBOIS“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”ANTHONY JOSHUA“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)“It was a phenomenal fight, like  Hagler v Hearns.“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)“AJ shipped a huge right hand  in the first round and  was fighting on heart.“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.” More

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    British boxing legends Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank reunite at premiere for new documentary

    FOUR of Britain’s greatest-ever boxers join forces at the premiere of a new documentary about them.Fighting legends Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank lined up alongside each other on the red carpet in central London this week for Four Kings.Brit boxing legends Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank joined forces at the premiere of new documentary Four KingsCredit: GettyThe four-part documentary charts the rivalry between heavyweights Frank Bruno, above, and Lennox LewisCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe four-part documentary charts the rivalry between heavyweights Bruno, 62, and Lewis, 59.The pair fought for the world title in Cardiff in 1993, with Lewis coming out on top.Before the fight, Bruno questioned how British his opponent was.The series, out on Prime Video later this week, also tells of the thrilling middleweight bouts between Eubank, now 58, and Benn, 60.READ MORE ON BOXINGEubank won the first in 1990 with a ninth-round stoppage before a draw in the rematch three years later.It also focuses on their struggles outside the ring and how they paved the way for modern-day stars like Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua.Earlier in the week, The Sun revealed that Lennox Lewis wished he could have mentored Joshua. The pair have been at loggerheads for most of the 34-year-old’s pro career, with AJ insulted by some of Lennox’s educated criticisms and once labelling Lewis a “clown”.Most read in BoxingBack in May, Lennox also commented on the proposed fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.Lewis said he was more concerned for Jake than 57-year-old Mike in the controversial fight for the ages.’I’ve never been more confident in Mike Tyson,’ say fans as Jake Paul releases bizarre bench press video Bruno and Lennox, pictured, fought for the world title in Cardiff in 1993, with Lewis coming out on topCredit: GettyThe doc also tells of the thrilling middleweight bouts between Chris Eubank, pictured, and Nigel BennCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdBenn in 1993Credit: Action Images More

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    Tyson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren opens up on ‘very awkward situation’ after Daniel Dubois KOs Anthony Joshua

    FRANK WARREN is in a “very awkward situation”. The Hall of Fame promoter watched on as Daniel Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in round five in front of a British-record 98,000 fans. Daniel Dubois with promoter Frank WarrenCredit: ReutersTyson Fury is also promoted by WarrenCredit: GettyAmong those in the historic number was Tyson Fury, who is now eyeing a fight with Dubois. And the man in the middle? Their promoter Warren. He said, via Boxing News: “I am going to tell you straight, I would be in a very, very awkward situation to do that.“I’m not going to lie about that. I would struggle with that. If they wanted it and the business called for then that’s up to them. READ MORE IN BOXING”It’s not something I would push for. If there is an offer made that makes a lot of sense and they want to do it then that is up to them. “We will see what happens. It’s not going to be my decision. It is up to the fighters.” Fury, 36, lost his WBC belt and unbeaten record after 45 minutes and 12 thrilling rounds against Oleksandr Usyk, 37, in May. But to proceed with their December 21 rematch, Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF belt. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDubois, 27, was elevated from interim champion and dropped Joshua, 34, FOUR times before a fifth-round knockout in his first defence. It also KO’d plans – seemingly – for Joshua to fight Fury next year. ‘That’s cost me £150m, silly c–t’, rants Tyson Fury in immediate aftermath to Anthony Joshua’s KO vs Daniel DuboisBut Warren, who also promotes 19-year-old sensation Moses Itauma, remains in a good position. He said: “We will see what happens in December but there are loads of options. The heavyweight division is so loaded. “We are blessed in the UK. I think we have the best heavyweights in the UK. “We have Tyson, Daniel, got young Moses coming through and other guys. There are great fights there to be made.“Daniel will go where the money is. There are some big fights there for him.”Dubois knocked out Joshua in five roundsCredit: Getty More

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    Boxing champion sentenced to death in Iran for third time for ‘corruption on earth’ and ‘protesting’

    IRANIAN boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani is facing execution for a third time after being convicted of “corruption on earth” during anti-government protests in 2019.The 29-year-old athlete was arrested in March 2020 and accused of setting fire to a government building – which he denied.Iranian boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani has been sentenced to death for the third timeThe 29-year-old athlete was arrested in March 2020 and accused of setting fire to a government buildingCredit: Youtube / @WIONHis death sentence is being compared to the execution of wrestler Navid AfkariCredit: AFPIt’s claimed that the boxer was subsequently put through horrific “severe physical and psychological torture”, AS reports.Vafaei-Sani’s case has been commonly compared to wrestler Navid Afkari, 27, who was accused of killing a state security guard during the anti-government protests in 2018 and hanged in 2020.Vafaei-Sani was convicted in December 2021 of “corruption on earth” – which is considered to be the most serious charge under Iran’s penal code and punishable by death.His lawyer Babak Paknia said on X that despite the Supreme Court overturning the previous verdict, “the majority opinion of the investigative judges (consultants to the Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court), in opposition to the Supreme Court judges, has again issued a death sentence for ‘corruption on earth’.read more world news”This ruling can be appealed.”Figures show Iran carries out around 250 executions a year, in addition to a 100 executions of children each year.The country’s barbaric system of punishments includes hanging from cranes in public, use of horrific electric shocks and flogging.Vafaei-Sani is one of the many Iranian athletes who have been sentenced to death by the government or killed during protests in recent years.Most read in BoxingAs reported by Iran Wire, volleyball player Ali Mozafari was killed during protests in 2022.Footballer Mohammad Ghaemifar was fatally shot by regime forces a month later and was reportedly targeted and cornered in an alley.And bodybuilder Ehsan Ghasemifar, 32, was killed during protests in December 2022.He was “surrounded by security forces while livestreaming on Instagram” and his family were urged to say his death was due to a “heart attack”, says Iran Wire.Other Iranian athletes have suffered the same fate for decades.Navid AfkariNavid Afkari was a champion wrestler before his deathCredit: EPAIran hanged champion wrestler Navid Afkari in 2020 on a trumped-up charge of killing a security guard during protests.He is believed to have been tortured and forced to sign a confession letter.Handwritten letters from him detailed 50 days of beatings and attempted suffocation.”The Islamic Republic of Iran is about to execute an innocent person,” he said in a final voice message.Navid was hanged – and his death sparked outrage around the world, with even then US President Donald Trump decrying Tehran.Habib KhabiriHabib Khabiri was a national footballing hero – but was killed aged just 29Credit: IranWireDescribed as the closest thing Iran has ever had to American national hero Kobe Bryant, Habib Khabiri was hanged by Iran.He was the captain of Iran’s national football team and a hero.Habib scored a dramatic winning goal in the 1978 World Cup qualifying game against Kuwait.But he was arrested and executed when he was aged just 29, being hanged for being a member of a dissident group.He was killed among 40 others at the notorious Evin Prison.”Habib was the Iranian Kobe Bryant,” commentator Manook Khodabakhshian told Sports Illustrated in 1998.”Sometimes when I watch Kobe Bryant, I see Habib Khabiri. He was only 16 or 17 when he started to play for the national team. He was a very creative player.”So young, such a happy guy.”Mahshid RazaghiHabib (bottom) also saw his teammate Mahshid Razaghi (top) be arrestedCredit: CSDHI NewsAnother footballer who played alongside Habib, Mahshid Razaghi was a member of the Iranian team that went to the Olympics.He was arrested for selling anti-government newspapers – and was sentenced to one year in prison in 1980.But the footie star was never released.Mahshid was left rotting in jail until 1988 – when he was executed along with a wave of other political prisoners as part of the infamous massacres by the Death Commission.His brother Ahmad was also executed just days later, with up to 30,000 people estimated to have been killed in the purge.Foruzan AbdiForuzan Abdi was the volleyball team’s captain – but she was executedCredit: FacebookAnother high profile athlete, Foruzan Abdi was the captain of the Iranian women’s national team.She was arrested in 1981 and sentenced for eight years in prison for supporting a dissident group.Just like Mahshid, she was never released from her prison.And she was killed along with thousands of others as part of the 1988 purge.Majid Jamali-FashiMajid Jamali Fashi claimed he was tortured and forced to confessCredit: APIran killed kickboxer Majid Jamali-Fashi after a show trial which was shown on TV.He was accused of working for Israeli spies and assassinating a nuclear scientist in Tehran.Pictures were paraded on TV of an Israeli passport said to be his – only for it to be exposed as one edited from Wikipedia.Majid is alleged to have been tortured into to confessing, and he is believed to have doomed after being mentioned in a leak by Wikileaks.He was hanged.Houshang MontazeralzohourHoushang Montazeralzohour was reportedly executed by firing squadCredit: CSDHI NewsFive years after he represented Iran at the Olympics as a wrestler, Houshang Montazeralzohour was executed by firing squad.He was a national champion in his weight class and competed for the his country at the Summer Olympics in Montreal.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he was arrested along with 29 others in 1981.Houshang was allegedly tortured and then shot dead by firing squad. More