Boxing

GEORGE GROVES has reunited with former foe James DeGale after a chance encounter in London.The pair famously fought in 2011, with Groves outpointing his rival at the 02 Arena – taking his unbeaten record in the process.James DeGale and George Groves reunited in LondonCredit: Instagram / @stgeorgegrovesThe pair had a bitter feud in the early 2010sCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThey fought at London’s 02 Arena in 2011Credit: Action Images – ReutersSaint George later went on to twice fight Carl Froch, losing both times, with the hotly-anticipated rematch taking place at a packed Wembley Stadium.Groves, now 36, became super-middlweight champion in 2017, holding the title for a year before going on to retire following his defeat to Callum Smith.DeGale, meanwhile, shot to fame by winning gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.He went on to become a two-time IBF super-middleweight champion – retiring in 2019 after a defeat to Chris Eubank Jr.READ MORE BOXING NEWSAfter bumping into DeGale, Groves took a picture with his former foe.Posting the snap of the grinning pair to Instagram, Saint George wrote: “Look who I bumped into today on the King’s Road.”The debate still remains.. who had the better career? or shall we just debate it on the podcast?”DeGale, 38, commented with the eyes emoji.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe pair’s 2011 meeting took place amid significant bad blood.Having previously trained at the same club, the pair fell out dramatically.Tyson Fury says ‘I’m still good looking’ as he laughs off boozy night out in pub that saw him fall on his face DeGale taunted his former pal at the time, telling Sky Sports: “I’m ready for it, I’m just waiting for the call from my promoter. I’m ready to knock Ugly Kid out.”Fans want it, so it’s only right for him to get knocked out. Let’s get it on. I’m just waiting for the call. I just want them to sign the contract. Let’s do this Ugly Boy. I’m coming for you – you’re next.”Since hanging up his gloves, Groves has gone on to start a podcast, entitled George Groves’ Boxing Club.While he has also provided punditry for Sky Sports.DeGale, meanwhile, is a far less frequent figure on boxing’s talking head circuit.He seldom appears as a pundit, and rarely offers his opinions on today’s stars.Seeing the pair having buried the hatchet, many fans were thrilled on social media.One wrote: “Never in my life did I think you two would be in a picture like this. Fair play.”While a second commented: “Beautiful.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA third gushed: “Both done us proud.”And another added: “What a rivalry.”Groves had his hand raised after a 12-round warCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

TYSON FURY has laughed off concerns over his boozy session and tumble.The 35-year-old got over his May 18 undisputed defeat to Ukraine genius Oleksandr Usyk with a good swig at his local Nowhere bar in Morecambe.Tyson Fury fell to the floor after stumbling out of a pub in MorecambeCredit: SuppliedThe Gypsy King bounced back with a cheeky commentCredit: YouTube / FUROCITY By Tyson FuryAnd, when it was time to leave, the former WBC heavyweight champ lost his balance and hit the deck – much like in the ninth round in Saudi against Ukraine’s 37-year-old superstar.Fans well aware of his past battles with addiction and mental health problems were quick to share their worries on social media.But the 6ft 9in Gypsy King has assured his people that he suffered from nothing more than a brief and hard-earned hangover.“I have just been taking life very simply,” he told his Furocity drinks brand about his recovery.READ MORE ON TYSON FURY“I got p***ed-up about two weeks ago and fell over on my face, didn’t do any damage though, as you can see I’m still good looking!“Apart from that I have lots of messages and phone calls from people asking me if I am OK.“I just had a drunken night out and suddenly everyone thinks you’re going to jump in front of a train.“Maybe, because of my past history, people are concerned.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSDespite having earned around £300million from his boxing career alone – without the Netflix shows, book deals and property portfolio too add – Fury prefers a very working-class life away from the glitz and glamour of heavyweight world title boxing.And his rest and recovery time – before returning to camp for the December 21 rematch – has been a prime example of his humble roots still holding him in good stead.Tyson Fury says ‘I’m still good looking’ as he laughs off boozy night out in pub that saw him fall on his face Fury said: “I’ve just been chilling out, really.“I have probably been training five times a week.“I went caravanning with the kids, three days in one place and three days in another.“I have just been spending time with my dad, my brothers, my wife and my kids.”I thought it was my time but it was not God’s plan for me to win, otherwise I would have got the decision.”But it hasn’t affected me in any way, I lost a split decision.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I would have been doing the same s***, anyway, undisputed champion or not.”I would still be picking up dog s***, dropping the kids to school, running and having the odd beer until I fall over, I don’t really do much else.”Fury was beaten on points in their Saudi dust-upCredit: AFPYou’re Not Alone

EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: More

TYSON FURY has admitted his showboating cost him the Oleksandr Usyk undisputed fight.Ukraine’s 37-year-old southpaw mastermind has a habit of losing the early rounds, as he works out his opponent, just ask Derek Chisora and Tony Bellew who both raced into leads against him.Tyson Fury admitted his showboating cost him the Oleksandr Usyk undisputed fightCredit: ReutersBut instead of using his 3st and 6in height advantages to bully Usyk from the off, Fury played up to the Riyadh crowd and didn’t bank the beginning clearly.Rounds four to seven were a huge success for the 35-year-old Morecambe giant, who battered Usyk with uppercuts and hooks to the body.But his world flipped over in round eight when his nose was smashed with a left hand and in the ninth he was flattened and showed superhuman strength – once again – to drag his giant frame off the floor and finish another iconic fight.Fury’s fame-hungry father John rightly bore the brunt of the blame for his son losing the split decision – after shouting over trainers Sugarhill Steward and Andy Lee in the corner and telling his son to throw light punches and coast along in the final couple of rounds.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut the rebuilding former WBC boss, who gets a revenge mission on December 21, accepts FOOL responsibility for playing the class clown.“I thought I boxed his head right off him for most of the rounds,” he told his Furocity drinks firm.“He landed a good punch in round reight, that busted my nose. In round nine he had a 10-8 round, and I gave him round ten.“Other than that I didn’t give him any other rounds, I gave him rounds eight, nine and ten. Most read in BoxingInside the Gypsy King’s royal courtTYSON FURY is one of the biggest characters in sport.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”But round nine is classed as two, so I gave him four rounds of the fight. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be, a lot easier.“People were saying he is a hard man to hit but I was lighting him up with three-and-four-punch combinations and laughing at him.Tyson Fury says ‘I’m still good looking’ as he laughs off boozy night out in pub that saw him fall on his face “My problem in that fight was that it was probably too easy.“At times it was too easy, it was like I was in there with a local amateur boxer and I was enjoying it too much and messing around.”And for that I paid the ultimate price in round nine when I had too much fun and got clipped.“I was always told ‘never mix your work with having fun’ and I always gave my middle finger up to that – but now it has come back to bite me. I still enjoyed it, thought, it was all good.”The only judge who scored the split decision in Fury’s favour was Canadian Craig Metcalfe, who has a long-running relationship with the same WBC sanctioning body that Fury has made millions of pounds for.The Brit ace was also lucky to retain his undefeated record in previous close calls with John McDermott way back in 2009 and Francis Ngannou last year, so it’s a surprise to hear him raise concerns about the integrity of the officials for the first Usyk clash – and the December 21 rerun.He explained: “I have watched the fight back lots of times and still have the same answer, I thought I did enough and won the fight. Usyk knows he didn’t beat me.“It was close enough, one judge had me winning by a round and one judge had him winning by a round. And then the final one made the decision.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I have to get him out of there because I won’t get a decision, which is unfortunate because it’s hard enough to win a fight, let alone winning it when you have yo knock someone out.“But I am confident and looking forward to the challenge.”Usyk and Fury are set to rematch on December 21Credit: Getty More