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    Adopted steward discovers birth father is legendary US commentator Bob Sheridan – making him sole heir to £200m fortune

    AN adopted sport fan was stunned to discover his long-lost dad is a legendary US boxing commentator – making him sole heir to a £200million fortune.Simon Edwards, 40, tracked down his extended birth family in Galway, Ireland, who told him his birth dad is American household name ‘The Colonel’ Bob Sheridan, 76.
    A Hitchin Town steward has discovered legendary boxing commentator Bob Sheridan is his long-lost dadaCredit: East News
    Sheridan, right, is worth an estimated £200m and commentated on Muhammad Ali’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ against George Foreman
    Simon aged 15 with a young Sheridan earlier in his career
    The Hitchin Town FC steward, who lives with his parents, now speaks to his celebrity dad everyday and is set to jet to Las Vegas to stay at the Colonel’s £145m home.
    Simon – who now refers to himself as Colonel Jnr – told how he contacted Bob via an agency the day the childless widower laid his wife to rest.
    And Bob, famous for commentating on Muhammed Ali’s 1974 Rumble in the Jungle fight with George Foreman, in Zaire, knew instantly he was his son.
    Since discovering his famous dad, stunned Simon has had messages of support from superstars Angelia Jolie and J-Lo.
    The dad-of-two Simon, of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, told SunSport: “I always dreamed of being reunited with my long lost father.
    “As a boxing fan I knew exactly who he was, so it was fair to say it came as a pretty big shock. It’s just been so wonderful getting to know him.
    “To other people it must seem amazing that this famous person is my dad, but for me it’s amazing to just know who my dad is and be in touch with him
    “I’d probably still be as blown-away if he was a plumber from down the road.
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    Sheridan is one of the biggest names in boxing, pictured here with Mike TysonCredit: Getty
    Edwards is planning a trip to Las Vegas to visit his birth fatherCredit: East News

    “It’s so exciting to have all these plans to fly to America and meet him and make him part of my life.
    “And of course it’s totally surreal to be getting messages from people like Angelina Jolie.
    “But if I’m honest, I’ve managed to bag a place stewarding at Wembley for the European Championship – and I’m a bit worried all this might get in the way.”
    He added: “My mum and dad here are over the moon – they’ve always said if I wanted to find them they would be behind me.”
    Curious Simon tracked down his extended family to Galway and visited them in 2019 – sadly learning his birth-mum Rosemary Ruane, had died in 1985.
    He was told the unmarried hotel manager was one of nine daughters from the same Catholic family and had travelled to London to give birth after falling pregnant.
    Simon was born in Newham, London, in 1980 and put up for adoption through the Catholic Children’s Society.
    He was placed with retired British Aerospace scientist Mike Edwards and former healthcare worker Sue, who he still considers to be ‘his real parents’.
    During his 2019 visit Simon’s new-found family revealed to him his dad was Bob, who was an Irish-American baseball player, who visiting his family’s land in Galway in 1979.
    The Colonel’s family owned the land where Simon’s mum worked in a hotel and she befriended the US star before they had an affair.
    Edwards has two children – grand-children of Sheridan
    Edwards is a Hitchin Town steward by day and hopes to work at Wembley at this summer’s EurosCredit: East News
    Overjoyed Bob said: “I was lost for words when I was told, I have spent every day on the phone with Colonel Jnr.
    “It has given me a new lease of life and I’m looking forward to the reunion with junior in Las Vegas later this year.
    “I can’t wait to just have a beer with my son and getting to know him. I love him more than words express.”
    Bob told SunSport: “I had just buried my wife.
    “I was besides myself when the chaplain from my military regiment said to be ‘I know you feel cheated by the Lord, but remember he only gave his own son 33 years on this Earth.
    “I got home and had a Guinness and I really felt like I had nothing left in my life.
    “Then I got a call from an agency saying, ‘You have a 41-year-old son – and I said ‘are you sure?’
    “They said all you have to do is see him once and you’ll know he’s your son. He looks just like you, he’s a great athlete like you.
    “I was thinking, an hour ago I had nothing to live for – now I have a son.
    “I asked how did this happen? Then I remembered this lovely girl I had been dating before I met my wife.”
    Bob Sheridan, pictured with Larry Holmes, is thrilled to have learned of his long-lost sonCredit: Getty
    Edwards is officially the son of Sheridan with DNA test confirming itCredit: East News
    Sheridan explained: “She was the manager of the Shannon Shamrock hotel where I had my farm there.
    “Rosie told me I could go into the hotel for whatever I needed, a shower, food – anything.
    “I asked her what would she get out of it? And she said, ‘I want you’.
    “It seemed like a simple request for the likes of me and we were lovers and that’s when Simon was conceived.”
    The Colonel added: “The first time I spoke to him I knew he was my boy. He sounds like me, he talks the same way as me.
    “My sports number was always six, Simon told me he played high level cricket and football and his number was always six.
    “Even down to the number on our uniforms we were the same.
    “It’s just been such a blessing, I can’t wait to meet him and take him to meet my brother’s family in Boston.
    “I only wish my wife had lived to see our son.”
    Sheridan is famous for his booming baritone and has called ringside action for over 10,000 fights, including nearly 1,000 world title bouts and 100 heavyweight title fights.
    He is known as the Colonel because of his rank in the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
    The Colonel says the relationship has been confirmed by DNA, making him the ‘only heir to my fortune’.
    Simon, who also stewards at Lord’s so he can be part of the cricket, has a day job as a senior credit controller.
    Bob is already desperate to meet his new grandchildren – Simon’s two half-Philipino daughters Keira, nine and Scarlette, four.
    Edwards is a keen cricketer and has also worked as a steward at Lord’sCredit: East News More

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    Floyd Mayweather insists £510m fortune ‘doesn’t make me bad person’ and boxer can’t feed family just saying ‘I love you’

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER believes his vast wealth has not made him a ‘bad person’ as he prepares for a money-spinning clash with Logan Paul.The pay-per-view exhibition clash later this year will earn the 50-0 legend around $100million, he has predicted.
    Floyd Mayweather has insisted he is no bad person having made a huge fortune in boxing
    The man dubbed ‘Money’ regularly shows off his valuablesCredit: Instagram
    That would add to his hefty fortune worth an estimated £510m, which is believed to be significantly lower than its peak earlier in his career.
    Mayweather, also known as Money, is no stranger to flaunting his glitzy possessions but is adamant that he is not a bad person as a result.
    He told the Disruptive Entrepreneur Podcast: “Just because I talk about money doesn’t make me a bad person.
    “I like to have the finer things in life – money don’t make me, I make money.
    “I like to feed my family, we can’t feed our family just saying, ‘I love you’.
    “Money has put us in a position to have the finer things in life, so we are able to travel and have fun, live life and experience different things. When you’re able to make a lot of money, you’re able to do those things.”
    The 44-year-old was recently teased by Conor McGregor over his disappearance from the Forbes rich list.
    Ahead of a fresh payday against Paul, Mayweather stressed that there is no reason for him not to face an exhibition against the YouTube star.
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    When quizzed on why he is fighting the online sensation, he replied: “Why not?
    “I told y’all I was an entertainer, not just a fighter.
    “[It’s] something different, something I don’t mind doing, and something that the people want to see.”
    Mayweather is thought to be worth around £510millionCredit: Instagram / @floydmayweather
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    Mike Tyson reveals his three favourite boxers of all time including Muhammad Ali but none of current crop

    MIKE TYSON revealed Muhammad Ali is one of the three in his list of favourite fighters of all time. The heavyweight legend told current pound-for-pound No1 Canelo Alvarez that Sugar Ray Robinson and Roberto Duran are his other two.
    Mike Tyson pictured with Muhammad AliCredit: AFP
    Mike Tyson idolised Roberto Duran
    And it was Duran’s iconic 1980 win over Sugar Ray Leonard which first inspired Tyson to become a boxer.
    Tyson, 54, said: “Duran got me into fighting. I watched him fight Leonard and thought, ‘Wow, I wanna do this’.
    “Ali, Duran, Robinson, I love all of the fighters.
    “There’s not one fighter that could do everything, like one guy can do one thing, another guy can have a left hook that’s just better than everybody else, just looks better than anybody else even though he’s not a better fighter.
    “Fighting is weird, people look good fighting, even if they’re not a good fighter they look good losing, they just have that pizazz in them.
    “Some people are born like that, they just look good doing everything, even losing.”
    Ali – known as The Greatest for his impact not only in boxing but culturally – was who Tyson first idolised.
    But after discovering Duran, a vicious and ruthless character in and out of the ring, Iron Mike found a new hero.
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    Mike Tyson’s incredible bodyweight workout routine

    Tyson, speaking on his podcast in 2019, said: “You know when I first saw Ali I said, ‘Yeah, that’s who I want to be like’. I knew I wanted to be a fighter.
    “But then I saw Roberto Duran, and I said that’s who the f*** I want to be. I said that’s who I want to be.
    “A mean motherf***er, people scared to look at him. The devil. Yeah, I wanted to be that.”
    Tyson was such a big fan he would wait outside Duran’s favourite Cuban restaurant, Victor’s cafe, just to get a glimpse of the Panamanian hero.
    And when he finally got a name of his own, he would ask for the same meal as Duran.
    Tyson explained: “I used to go over there and sit outside and wait to see him. He had too many bodyguards and stuff.
    “So, I became a famous fighter, I became champion, then I started going there and I used to say, ‘What does Duran eat? Show me the food he eats. Feed me what you gave Duran’.
    Asked what Duran ate, Tyson replied: “Steak. A lot of steaks, rice and stuff. I said I made it, I’m in the restaurant my hero ate at.”
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    Mike Perry warns UFC boss Dana White ‘it’s not looking good’ for $2m Ben Askren bet after training with Jake Paul

    UFC bad boy Mike Perry has warned Dana White he could end up losing his million-dollar bet on Ben Askren to beat Jake Paul.Earlier this month, the UFC chief backed the retired mixed martial artist to win his upcoming boxing match with the YouTuber.
    UFC boss Dana White (M) recently told Mike Tyson he’d $1M on Ben Askren beating Jake PaulCredit: YouTube: Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson
    UFC welterweight Mike Perry is seemingly tipping Jake Paul to beat Ben AskrenCredit: Getty
    A confident White told Mike Tyson and Zab Judah he’d happily bet $1,000,000 on Askren having his hand raised, an outcome Perry believes is unlikely after training with the younger Paul brother.
    The UFC welterweight tweeted: “Idk Dana White, I just got some work with Jake Paul and it’s not looking good for Ben Askren …. #IronSharpensIron.”
    White believes Askren’s vast experience in combat sports will guide him to victory against the 2-0 Paul.
    He said: “Let’s be honest. Jake Paul is not a f***ing boxer. This guy’s a f***ing YouTube kid.
    “Zab, no bulls***t So you’re saying he can fight? So the kid he’s going to fight, Askren, he’s a wrestler.
    “A real good, decorated wrestler. But he’s actually fought real guys.
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    “He’s been a world champion in other organisations than MMA.
    “I’ll bet a million dollars he (Paul) loses this f***ing fight.”
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    White’s confidence in Askren quickly came to the attention of Paul, who immediately upped the ante.
    The former Disney actor said: “Dana let’s double the bet up! $2 Million.
    “We wire the money into escrow. $4 million total. Winner takes all.”
    Paul, 24, recently predicted a first-round KO of Askren, who has no professional boxing experience to his name.
    Alongside a recent video of him pulling a fire engine, Paul wrote: “I’m literally a tow truck.
    “Ben Askren eatin’ Oreos right now. April 17th. 1 round knockout.”
    And the social media star reckons his latest opponent won’t lay a glove on him.
    He told ESPN: “Go Google Ben Askren’s striking.
    Jake Paul will throw down with Ben Askren on April 17Credit: TRILLER
    Jake Paul has vowed to knock out Ben Askren inside one roundCredit: Instagram / @brutalbostwick

    “Hahaha. It’s not going to go that long, it’s not going to go that long.
    “I don’t even think he’ll hit me. I haven’t been hit one time in the face in my past two fights.
    “So I haven’t even been punched as pro boxer one time. Nate Robinson landed one body shot in a clinch.
    “I don’t think Ben Askren will even hit me. That’s my prediction.”
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    Dillian Whyte could face Deontay Wilder in eliminator to fight for Tyson Fury’s belt, confirms WBC

    DILLIAN WHYTE could be set to face Deontay Wilder in a final eliminator for Tyson Fury’s world heavyweight title, the WBC have confirmed.Whyte, who was WBC No1 for a number of years before his defeat by Alexander Povetkin in August of last year, is seeking retribution next weekend when he rematches the Russian in Gibraltar.
    Povetkin and Whyte will go to war once more next SaturdayCredit: Mark Robinson
    And if he is victorious, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has revealed he could put himself in line for a shot at former world champion Wilder.
    Speaking to Sky Sports, Sulaiman said: “Yes, that could be a very interesting match-up.
    “Unfortunately we are not promoters, we are not match-makers, but this could be potentially a very interesting fight.
    “There is great talent in the heavyweight division and I am sure that we are up for a great ride in the coming years. We have so many combinations that can happen.
    “Of course the excitement of Fury and Joshua is what everyone is talking about, but there are also many other fights that could potentially take the great entertainment for the boxing fans around the world.”
    Wilder has not returned to the ring since being de-throned by Fury in Las Vegas at the beginning of 2020.
    The American has been linked with a fight against another former champ in Andy Ruiz Jr as he too looks to re-build following his defeat by Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia in December 2019.
    But now talk of a fight between Whyte and Wilder – a clash the Brit has been calling for since 2017 – appears to be gathering pace once more.
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    Wilder has not fought since Fury destroyed him in February of last yearCredit: PA
    Whyte’s two defeats as a professional have come at the hands of Joshua in 2015 and Povetkin last time out.
    Meanwhile, Wilder was undefeated prior to his rematch with Fury, although many believe he also lost their first contest.
    Either way, Whyte is expected to have to wait some time for a shot at the WBC strap as Joshua and Fury prepare for two fights in 2021.
    The first clash is set to be an undisputed fight for all four belts, while the rematch may be without the WBO title as Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce prepare to battle it out for the vacant belt.
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    Canelo Alvarez slams YouTuber fights after Jake Paul ‘left Nate Robinson half dead’ with brutal KO

    CANELO ALVAREZ has slammed the trend of YouTubers and celebrities jumping into the boxing ring, insisting the Sweet Science is ‘no joke’.Over the last few years, boxing has been infiltrated by social media celebs looking to settle online spats.
    NBA star Nate Robinson suffered a brutal loss to Jake Paul last NovemberCredit: ZUMAPRESS.com
    WBA super-middleweight king Canelo Alvarez isn’t a fan of YouTube fightsCredit: EPA
    Fights between YouTubers – in particular those involving Jake and Logan Paul – have divided opinion in the boxing world, with some believing they’re contributing to the growth of the sport.
    WBA super-middleweight champion Canelo, however, isn’t part of that group and made his opinions on the matter clear during an appearance on the Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson Podcast.
    Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo translated for the Mexican, saying: “He said anybody can do whatever it is that they desire, but he says boxing’s no joke.
    “Nate Robinson, he says he had no reason to become a professional boxer, I mean look at him, he says, they left him half dead after that fight.
    “This isn’t a joke either.”
    Canelo, 30, voiced his disapproval at the trend last December, telling TMZ: “Ya know, it’s all about the money.
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    “I don’t think we would agree that people that are basketball players, that are YouTubers get licences.
    “Ya know, I don’t criticise [the Paul brothers]. This is a very risky sport, and if you go up there, it’s very risky.”
    The hard-hitting Mexican added: “I truly believe that it’s a lack of respect.
    “It’s all based on money. It’s all for money. I’m focused right now on other projects.
    Canelo Alvarez is currently gearing up for his showdown with Billy Joe SaundersCredit: EPA
    Jake Paul is set to box former UFC star Ben Askren on April 17Credit: TRILLER

    “I have other stuff going on, and I would invite him [Jake Paul] for a sparring session so that he truly knows what it’s all about.”
    Pound-for-pound king Canelo is currently gearing up for a super-middleweight title unification bout with WBO belt holder Billy Joe Saunders, whom he’ll face on May 8.
    Paul, meanwhile, is getting ready to throw down with former UFC welterweight Ben Askren in the showpiece bout of Triller Fight Club’s second event.
    The YouTuber’s clash with the ex-ONE Championship and Bellator 170lb champion will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on April 17.
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    Seven opponents for Mike Tyson second comeback fight on May 29 including Evander Holyfield, Oliver McCall and Tyson Fury

    MIKE TYSON’S comeback trail is showing no signs of ending after he announced his next fight on May 29. The heavyweight legend sensationally returned to the ring, 15 years after retiring, in November.
    Canelo Alvarez pictured with Mike TysonCredit: https://www.instagram.com/miketyson/?hl=en
    He drew with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr and right away revealed he was counting down the days until he could do it all again.
    Tyson recently said on his podcast with guest Canelo Alvarez that his second exhibition would be in Miami on May 29.
    Here SunSport gives the lowdown on five potential opponents for Iron Mike.
    Evander Holyfield
    Holyfield, 58, was inspired be Tyson, 54, to make a return of his own and the pair are now in talks for a trilogy bout 24 years in the making.
    Tyson was twice beaten by his iconic rival, firstly in 1996 and then infamously a year later when he bite Holyfield’s ear.
    With a combined age of 112, the former champions look set to face off once again with a lucrative payday in the Middle East awaiting them.
    Mike Tyson bite Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1996Credit: AFP
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    Oliver McCall
    McCall’s history with Tyson dates back to 1887 when they spent a year as sparring partners.
    They never got to do it for real in the pros but their heated sessions in the gym have since become on YouTube.
    After Tyson announced plans to fight again, McCall, 55, was one of the first to call him out.
    Oliver McCall called out Mike Tyson last yearCredit: Getty
    Roy Jones Jr
    After the pound-for-pound great and Tyson could not be separated, the pair both called for a rematch.
    Jones, 51, said: “I’m cool with a draw, just might have to do it again.” and Tyson responded: “We’ve got to do that again.”
    But since then, with Iron Mike now in negotiations with Holyfield, RJJ has instead put his focus on facing ex-UFC champion Anderson Silva, 45.
    Roy Jones Jr pictured with Mike TysonCredit: AP
    Shannon Briggs
    The king of ‘Let’s Go Champ’ and Tyson are good friends, but it has not stopped Briggs, 49, from campaigning to fight Iron Mike.
    He last year announced plans to return both as a pro boxer and in bare-knuckle.
    But having fought as recently as 2016, Tyson would be well advised to pick a more evenly matched veteran.
    Mike Tyson is a good friend of heavyweight Shannon Briggs
    Lennox Lewis
    Lewis emphatically knocked Tyson out in round eight when they finally fought in 2002.
    And that should be the end of it – but after watching his former foe attempt to roll back the clock, the Brit hero is contemplating giving it a go.
    Lewis, 55, told BT Sport: “If it is right, I may come back. There’s been talk of Riddick Bowe wants to fight me still so there is still some unfinished business there.”
    Lennox Lewis emphatically knocked Mike Tyson out in 2002Credit: Getty
    Riddick Bowe
    Heavyweight legend Bowe never got to fight Tyson during their careers but he told SunSport last year he was training to fight again.
    He said: “If the fans want to see me fight again, I’m fighting. I want to make fans happy.
    “Equally, I want to be remembered as one who did everything to truly make boxing great.”
    Riddick Bowe said he would be open to fighting againCredit: AP:Associated Press
    Tyson Fury
    Amazingly, WBC king Fury revealed he was approached for a pay-per-view spectacle with his namesake, but it was Tyson who priced himself out.
    The Gypsy King has remained open to the fantasy fight and said he was so frustrated with drawn out talks to face Anthony Joshua he would consider boxing Iron Mike.
    Fury, 32, told iFL TV: “I don’t care. I don’t care if it’s Joe Bloggs, Fred Flintstone, Mike Tyson, anybody. I just want to fight this year.”
    Mike Tyson pictured with namesake Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram More

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    Eddie Hall vs Thor: How two strongmen compare with largest ever boxing match CONFIRMED this year

    POWERLIFTING rivals Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson are ready to duke it out in the ring after the Icelandic behemoth laid down the gauntlet.The gigantic boxing match has been confirmed for September.

    The pair’s long-running feud escalated when a world record 501kg deadlift by the man dubbed Thor last May tipped him past Hall’s personal best from July 2016.
    Bjornsson declared at the time: “So Eddie, I just knocked out your record, and now I’m ready to knock you out in the ring.
    “Time to put your fists where your big mouth is and sign the Core Sports contract.
    “I’m ready. Are you ready, Eddie?”
    Hall replied that he was ready and waiting for the contract to fight Bjornsson – despite the Brit’s height and weight disadvantage.
    He said: “One thousand per cent I’m going to sign those papers.
    I’m gonna train the hardest, prepare the hardest… do everything in my power to step in that ring and rip your f***ing head off.”Eddie Hall
    “And you know why I’m going to sign those papers… it’s not the money, it’s not the dead lift feud we’ve got going on, nothing to do with that.
    “It’s because you called me a cheat at World’s Strongest Man 2017. I can’t put that to bed, I can’t forget it. People may forget it, but you’ve never apologised.
    “I don’t care if you’re 6ft 9in, I don’t care if you’re an actual giant. I don’t care.
    Bjornsson has a weight and height advantage over HallCredit: EPA
    Hall has found fame on YouTube after ending his World’s Strongest Man participationCredit: �Northone TV
    “I’m gonna train the hardest, prepare the hardest… do everything in my power to step in that ring and rip your f***ing head off. So Thor, get training, I’ll see you in the ring.”
    So how do the two compare?
    As Hall pointed out, Bjornsson stands at a mighty 6ft 7in compared to his 6ft 2in frame, weighing 30st 5lb to The Beast’s 25st 11lb.
    Both men were born in 1988 and possess a single World’s Strongest Man title.
    Thor once put together an eight-year streak of podium finishes, claiming the gold medal in 2018.
    That came after Hall quit the competition off the back of winning the 2017 title, citing health concerns.
    Working out the competitors’ net worth is naturally difficult but a YouTube channel with two millions subscribers and various sponsorship deals are thought to put Hall at around £4million.
    That is estimated to surpass Bjornsson’s £1.6m, bulked up by his appearances as The Mountain in Game of Thrones.

    Both men are also big eaters and Staffordshire-born Hall is thought to put away 10,000 calories per day – including his stunning 4,000 calorie ‘cheat meal’.
    He revealed: “I was in a restaurant ordering mouth-watering lumps of fat taken straight from a massive joint of gammon.
    “In terms of taste it was probably one of the most disgusting meals I’ve ever eaten, but in terms of calories, it was the dog’s – about 4,000, all told.”
    Bjornsson also revealed his daily goal of scoffing 17,000 calories to repair his muscles after tiresome workouts.
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