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    Under-fire Pochettino admits Chelsea fans are much nicer to him in person – because they’re scared of his DOG

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    MAURICIO POCHETTINO is suffering dogs’ abuse as boss at Chelsea this season.From being booed by his own fans in the stands to trolled mercilessly from a safe distance by internet diehards accusing him of wrecking the club from within.Beagle-eyed fans often spot Mauricio Pochettino out with his dog Sansa, who he reckons might be why they act more kindly than onlineCredit: Instagram / pochettinoPochettino says his dog ensures fans in real life are no paws for concernCredit: RexFunnily enough, it is a different story when Chelsea’s head coach meets the punters face to face while out walking his dog in what little spare time he gets away from trying to build a team capable of chasing consistent honours.Pochettino said: “Maybe it is because they are scared of my dog — because it is a big dog.“It’s a Rhodesian Ridgeback. It’s massive. Maybe they are nice with me because of that?“I spend one hour, maybe one hour and a half with my dog and sometimes I meet the fans in different places and they ask me things. I can tell them the truth.READ MORE TOP STORIES“Fans sometimes get an image that is not real. That is fake.“Maybe sometimes my words are taken or a photograph is taken of me looking sad but I am not a sad person. I laugh a lot, I smile.“I am very positive. I am not acting. I try not to act.“Sometimes people get the wrong idea. And if you face me on the street you will become in love — especially if I have my dog.Most read in FootballPochettino tells supporters ‘the truth’ when they stop to chatCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”When I walk every day with my dog in different places I feel the appreciation from the fans.“On social media, it can be, ‘Hey, you must do this, do that’ but here, it is the opposite.Chelseas midfield struggles with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez“When I am on the street, the people are really good.“They appreciate and give us credit for working in a project and process that is so difficult, because the people who understand football know what is going on here.“They appreciate our commitment, the way we behave and the way we believe and support all the decisions that were taken before we arrived.“All we want is to help and add our knowledge and experience to be more competitive and help the team win games. That is what is most important.”Poch’s terrifying-sounding pooch Sansa is named after a character in Game of Thrones, Sansa Stark.It’s a Rhodesian Ridgeback. It’s massive. Maybe they are nice with me because of that?Mauricio PochettinoThis so-called captive queen apparently starts off with a naive view of the world but she becomes a more ‘hardened individual after suffering one betrayal and cruelty after another’.After almost 15 years in coaching, more than five of those spent at Thursday evening’s bitter opponents  Tottenham, there may be more to the dog’s name  than we imagine.Pochettino certainly needs his Chelsea players to be dogs of war on Thursday evening — eight years to the day since the infamous Battle of the Bridge.That was when Tottenham’s dreams of a first Premier League title were crushed by a surprisingly pumped-up Blues team enduring their worst season for two decades.Thiago Silva, 39, has announced his upcoming departureCredit: GettyOur beautiful game is broken, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd

    WHEN Manchester United got lucky in their FA Cup semi-final, Antony’s first instinct was to goad heartbroken opponents Coventry. To rub their noses in the dirt.
    Antony seems to be a vile individual but this isn’t really about Antony. Because Antony is merely a symptom of the hideous sickness within England’s top flight.
    There is so much wrong.
    After our elite clubs persuaded the FA to completely scrap Cup replays — which gave us Ronnie Radford and Ricky Villa and Ryan Giggs — without due recompense or reasoning with the rest of English football.
    The previous day, after his Manchester City side had defeated Chelsea in the other FA Cup semi-final, Pep Guardiola whinged about the fixture scheduling of TV companies who effectively pay much of his £20m salary.
    Up at Wolves, Guardiola’s friend and rival Mikel Arteta was playing the same sad song about fixture congestion, despite his Arsenal side having played two fewer games this season than Coventry — who don’t have £50m squad players to rotate with.
    Chelsea, oh Chelsea. The one-time plaything of a Russian oligarch now owned by financially incontinent venture capitalists who have piddled £1billion on a squad of players who fight like weasels in a sack about who should bask in the personal glory of scoring the penalty that puts them 5-0 up against Everton.
    Read Dave Kidd’s full column as he takes aim at Nottingham Forest, Fulham’s ticket prices, the 39th game, VAR and much more…

    Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele received a six-match ban after being sent off for violent conduct.Pochettino, 52, was in the away dugout that eventful night and football’s man of peace even got caught up in the scrums as the game spiralled out of control with 12 bookings — nine for his Spurs.Anger took over from football as Spurs handed the title to Leicester  and the game was used as a benchmark for learning purposes.Poch said: “We used this game after time, time, time, to talk and to see and to review and to reuse to try to learn from this game.“Players like Eric Dier were young and it was out of control. He became more mature after this game. We used all this experience to be better and better and better.“Son, Dele Alli, different players involved in this game.“We were playing well but we missed how to control the emotion when you compete for big things.“That was the point that made us more mature and to start the season after believing.“Then happened different things, circumstances that affected the  situation of the team.We have to be careful how we judge the young players because this is about them making mistakes and how they learn and improve.Mauricio Pochettino“We realised with this group we could go and fight for big things. It was tough but at that moment the team showed great character.“I don’t remember their position in the table. I think they were mid-table like we are now.“But we were talking about massive players . . . Hazard, John Terry, Costa, Willian, Matic, Azpilicueta, Cahill.“We have to be careful how we judge the young players because this is about them making mistakes and how they learn and improve — and then maybe they can perform better.“But we have worked out in our head what we need to do next season.”Whatever it is it will have to be without veteran defender Thiago Silva, 39, who announced he is leaving after four years.What should have been a one-year stay has stretched and the Brazil legend is a hugely influential figure in the dressing room.Poch said: “It’s true that over the years it is more difficult to find this type of player. We are talking about a 39-year-old. It is not easy to find this profile of player.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He is an amazing guy, an amazing professional. Nearly 40, an amazing career.“The players, the fans, the club is going to miss him but he is happy. He is so proud of his career here at Chelsea. I wish him the best.” More

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      Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson sued after his Italian mastiff ‘attacked sports masseur’ as they posed for selfie

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      ARSENAL star Reiss Nelson is being sued by his sports masseur who claims the player’s Italian mastiff attacked him as they posed for a selfie.Saeid Motaali, 50, alleges the dog went for his neck and bit him on the arm he raised to protect himself at Nelson’s pad in North London.Reiss Nelson, with his Italian mastiff, is being sued by a sports masseur who claims the dog attacked himCredit: FieldfisherSaeid Motaali claims Reiss’s dog attacked his neck and bit him on the armCredit: FieldfisherNelson playing for the GunnersCredit: GettyIt is said to have happened in 2020 after Mr Motaali finished a sports massage with the star and asked for a photo with him and his pet.According to the Evening Standard, Mr Motaali’s legal team said: “The dog was a large powerful animal.”A High Court claim accuses Nelson of failing to control the animal, which had allegedly been trained as a guard dog.The therapist says he has not been able to work for more than three years due to the incident.READ MORE ON REISS NELSONMr Nelson previously denied the accusation.Nelson also has concerns on the pitch, after penning a contract extension last summerit would be no surprise to see the club cash in this time around.The 24-year-old winger has been in the starting XI just once across both the Prem and Champions League this season.Nelson is surplus to requirements and it would take an injury to a key man like Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli for him to be handed a chance in the remainder of the campaign.Most read in FootballHis best moment in a Gunners shirt came when he scored a last-gasp winner in the 3-2 victory over Bournemouth last season.He has to come up with something similar to avoid being sold amid interest from Brighton.Arsenal’s title chances are ‘100% gone’ according to club legend who savages ‘lazy’ Gunners after Aston Villa shocker More

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      Arsenal star David Raya is training banned XL Bully as bodyguard after string of violent break-ins targeting footballers

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      PREMIER League goalie David Raya has a banned XL Bully dog to guard him, The Sun can reveal.The Arsenal ace, 28, has vowed to keep pet Goku following a string of terrifying raids on the homes of football stars.
      David Raya has a banned XL Bully dog to guard himCredit: Alamy
      Spaniard Raya has shared snaps of him cuddled up with the glaring beast on the sofaCredit: Jam Press/@d.raya1
      Goku lives in a secure cage at the couple’s multimillion-pound home in North LondonCredit: Jam Press/@t.trouboul
      The breed was outlawed after several attacks, but Raya has an exemption certificate.
      An expert said last night: “He’s a responsible owner.”
      Raya and model girlfriend Tatiana Trouboul, 27, are said to adore the mutt, even though new laws are in place outlawing XL Bullys after a string of attacks.
      Goku lives in a secure cage at the couple’s multimillion-pound home in North London.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Spaniard Raya has shared snaps of himself cuddled up with the glaring beast on the sofa.
      Tatiana has also been seen taking him for walks.
      Raya, who is currently on loan to the Gunners from Brentford, wants the pooch to guard their property after fellow stars suffered a series of violent break-ins.
      He has hired experts from Elite Protection Dogs to train Goku.
      Most read in Football
      A spokesperson for the firm said: “David Raya has one XL Bully. He is called Goku, he is a one-year-old. David’s had him since a puppy.
      “Everyone with XL Bullys is ­worried. But David is a responsible owner, he wants to be responsible with him.
      “We are training Goku on a long-term contract.”
      Tearful owner of XL bully begs for breed to be ‘wiped out’ after they killed grandma at his home
      Elite Protection Dogs has 35 years’ experience training canines, charging up to £20,000.
      In 2022, Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez got a Belgian Malinois from the firm in the same month he landed a prized World Cup ­winner’s medal with Argentina.
      New laws have come in over the past two months after a rise in maulings from XL Bullys, including those previously regarded as “soft and loving”.
      On December 31 it became illegal for an XL Bully to be out in public without a lead and muzzle.
      It is also an offence to sell, breed, give away or abandon the dogs.
      And this month it became illegal to own an XL Bully in the UK without an exemption certificate, which Raya possesses.
      The dogs must be microchipped, neutered and kept in a secure place. Owners must also have third-party liability insurance.
      Meanwhile, dog shelters have seen a huge increase in XL Bullys being handed in or abandoned.
      Fatally attacked
      The first reported attack on a person was in Liverpool in 2017, when a toddler was severely injured by four dogs.
      Their owner, Andrew McGowan, was subsequently jailed.
      In 2021, ten-year-old Jack Lis was killed by an XL Bully in Caerphilly, South Wales, while visiting a friend, after which two people were put behind bars.
      A month later Adam Watts was killed by an XL Bully at his dog shelter in Kirkton of Auchterhouse, Scotland.
      A further eight people were killed by the dogs in 2022 and 2023, including 54-year-old father-of-one Ian Langley, near Sunderland, in October last year.
      This month grandmother Esther Martin, 68, was the latest person to be fatally attacked by the breed – days after the ban came into force.
      She was killed by two XL Bullys owned by her son-in-law Ashley Warren, 39, who begged for the breed to be banned.
      Warren, of Jaywick, Essex, said: “If my dogs did that to her, when I had never seen anything but love from them, then that breed just has a killer switch.
      “I honestly thought the ban was a stupid government plan to wipe out a breed which I had never seen anything but softness and love from. Now I think they need to be wiped out.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The breed was said to be responsible for 20 per cent of dog attacks in 2023.
      The Sun approached Raya and Arsenal for comment.
      Raya vowed to keep the mutt following a string of terrifying raids on the homes of football starsCredit: ReutersPrem protection

      SEVERAL Prem stars have bought dogs for protection following a string of terrifying break-ins.
      Man City ace Jack Grealish posed with a £25,000 Belgian Malinois this month after raiders broke into his home while his family were in.
      He got the dog from Chaperone K9, which is popular with footballers.
      Grealish’s City and England team-mate Kyle Walker bought a £40,000 Doberman from the firm.
      The majority of dogs they provide are German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois, with each put through a rigorous 12-month training ­programme so the dogs are able to recognise threats including burglaries, attacks and robberies.
      Other current and ex-Prem stars to use the firm are Marcus Rashford, Mark Noble, Phil Jones, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jesse Lingard.
      Similar firms like Elite Protection have also sold pets to protect stars such as ex-Spurs goalie Hugo Lloris. More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua loses in bizarre tug-of-war against a LIGER as Brit boxing hero enjoys trip to zoo with football legend

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA might want to avoid the re-match claws – after losing a tug of war with a LIGER.The boxer even posed with an “I lost” sign as he reassured the rare hybrid of a lion and tiger that it was the king of the rumble.
      Anthony Joshua strained seriously but still came a distant second in his one-one-one with the liger at the exclusive zooCredit: The Mega Agency
      The extremely-rare hybrid proved it was the best of the beastCredit: The Mega Agency
      The boxer did the zoological equivalent of throwing in the towelCredit: The Mega Agency
      Joshua joined the cub for some up-close feeding timeCredit: The Mega Agency
      Ex-footballer Alessandro Del Piero, who won 91 Italy caps, was with his family when he too challenged the liger in another mismatchCredit: The Mega Agency
      There’s nothing for AJ to feel grizzly about as he warmed up for what could be a spectacular year in the ring with a touching bear encounterCredit: The Mega Agency
      AJ was visiting a Dubai zoo, along with Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero, when he took on his unlikeliest opponent ever.
      The Brit, who won all three comeback fights in 2023, must soon start preparing for a bout with UFC icon Francis Ngannou, probably in March.
      Many believe that’s a strange route to proving he is the top cat of boxing – but it’s nothing compared to his latest method of relaxing.
      The ex-world heavyweight champion grinned but gritted his teeth as he pulled on a rope – with a huge liger at the other end.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      There are thought to be fewer than 100 of the animals in existence, reportedly all in captivity.
      It’s the offspring of a male lion and female tiger, making it the largest cat in the world.
      And when this specimen got its teeth into one end of the rope, it was too strong for the weight and straining hands of Joshua at the other end.
      Needless to say, ex-Juventus striker Del Pierro went the same way as AJ when he followed suit in his own tug of war with the liger.
      Most read in Boxing
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      ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
      All in all, it was no surprise when Joshua looked more confident elsewhere at the Fame Park zoo, especially when he bottle-fed a baby lion.
      The 34-year-old – a guest of Dr Saif Belhas, the billionaire owner of the invitation-only venue – was also pictured hand-feeding a bear, holding a sloth and draped with a massive python.
      But he’ll hope setting up a clash with the winner of February’s bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury proves less slippery.
      Joshua could only smile as he succumbed to defeat vs the ligerCredit: The Mega Agency
      Away from the liger, AJ found it less stressful with other animals at the zoo, including some slightly large but nevertheless still big catsCredit: The Mega Agency
      Joshua also posed with a python, having snaked back into contention at the top of heavyweight boxing with three straight winsCredit: The Mega Agency
      Azzurri icon Del Piero, known for his super-fast finishing, was happy to be snapped with a sloth, known for its super-slow lifestyleCredit: The Mega Agency More

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      Former pro-footballer Wayne Heseltine fined after his XL Bully Bruno mauled dog and its owner 

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      An EX-Manchester United footballer has been fined after his XL bully bit a labrador and its owner in a vicious attack.Wayne Heseltine’s dog Bruno had to be pulled off the labrador, called Daisy, by her horrified owner who thought he was ‘going to watch her die’.
      Ex professional footballer Wayne Heseltine appeared at Bradford Magistrates CourtCredit: SWNS
      Bradford Magistrates Court heard two-year-old Bruno sprinted towards Daisy while she was on a walk with her owner in the Cullingworth area of the city on June 24.
      Bruno appeared to lock his jaw around Daisy’s neck, leaving her helpless on the floor, the court was told.
      Heseltine’s son then came out of the house and helped pull the two dogs apart.
      Heseltine, who was out of the house at the time, admitted to being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control causing injury and was fined £960.
      MORE ON DOGS
      The former full back, who came through the Red Devils’ youth academy but never made a first team appearance, also has to pay £1,000 in compensation.
      Daisy was taken to the vets for cuts on her neck, while her owner sustained injuries to his hand.
      In a statement read out in court, the victim said: “I felt extremely distressed. I felt like I was going to watch Daisy die.”
      Heseltine, who was not at the house at the time, said the dog escaped through a hole in the fence behind the bin store. He also wanted to pay for the vet bills.
      Most read in Football
      The court heard he had no previous convictions and a “shield of good character”.
      He owns three other dogs and spent £2,800 on a four-week course to get Bruno home-trained.
      Heseltine, who played more than 50 games for Bradford City between 1992 and 1994, now earns around £50,000 a year as a contract manager, the court heard.
      The court heard magistrates recognised Heseltine had taken all the reasonable steps that a good owner would have taken.
      But they said the matter was “serious” and referenced the breed of dog as in the public interest given the imminent legislation.
      An order was issued meaning the dog must have a muzzle and lead on when in public.
      American XL Bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year, PM Rishi Sunak announced in September after a spate of terrifying attacks involving the breed.
      The PM said the breed will be outlawed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
      From December 31, XL bully dogs must be microchipped, and owners must keep them on a lead and muzzled in public. They must also be securely housed at home. More

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      Former England star Andy Carroll reveals he spent £1,000 on exotic cat before giving it away just two weeks later

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      FORMER Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has revealed he spent £1,000 on an exotic cat – only to give it away two weeks later.Carroll caused a stir this summer when he left cash-strapped Reading for Ligue 2 French side Amiens – and it’s fair to say not many people saw the move coming.
      Andy Carroll said too much money at a young age led to some unwise decisionsCredit: PA:Press Association
      That included buying a Bengal cat which he had to give to his parentsCredit: Getty
      Explaining the transfer to the French side located 75 miles north of Paris, Carroll, 34, told The Daily Mail: “I was at Newcastle from seven years old. I made my debut at 17. I just thought, ‘You know what, if I don’t go [abroad] now then I’ll never go’.
      ” I had another season at Reading. I wasn’t playing and I spoke to the manager. He wanted legs up top which is something I don’t have. I was going to say ‘anymore’ but I don’t think I ever had them!
      “I wanted a challenge. A challenge in a completely different country. A fresh start. I spoke to my agent and said, ‘Get me a club abroad’. I came here and it was the one. It’s a one and half hour drive to Calais and I can get the shuttle back to Epping [his family home].”
      Carroll wears the number 99 shirt at Amiens and has one goal from his six games played in the French second division so far.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      He says one of the greatest parts of playing in France is his ability to keep a low profile.
      He revealed he was able to watch Newcastle’s 4-1 thrashing of PSG in “a little pub” near Amiens’ training ground with some of his team-mates.

      He said the best part about it was that: “No one said a word to me.”
      Carroll recounted how having too much money at a young age led to him making some stupid decisions, such as dropping £1,000 on a Bengal cat.
      Most read in Football
      Carroll joined Liverpool for a British record feeCredit: PA:Empics Sport
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      He said about trying to balance his finances: “It’s hard, really hard. It was just coming in my bank and going straight back out, even though me mam and dad were telling me not to.
      “You’re 17 years old and getting all this money. All your friends haven’t got anything so you take them with you.
      “I wasted money on stupid things. I’d go to Harrods in London and spend five-grand on rubbish. I’d have nothing to show for it. Just gone.
      “In the dressing room everyone’s walking round with Lamborghinis or designer clothes. I’ve got money and I’m thinking ‘They’re doing it… I’ll do it as well’. I wanted an exotic cat. Found this Bengal and got it. Like a thousand pound. I had it for two weeks.”
      After being unable to take care of the animal, he said he gave it away to his parents.
      The striker said he was taken by surprise at his £35million move to Liverpool in 2011, a British record at the time.
      He had started the 2010-2011 Premier League season on fire having just led Newcastle up from the Championship as top scorer and both Spurs and Liverpool showed interest.
      He said he only learned of the transfer from watching Sky Sports News, explaining: “It came up on Sky Sports News saying £30million for Andy Carroll from Tottenham rejected. Then it says Liverpool £35million accepted.
      He’s rediscovering his love of the game at AmiensCredit: Instagram @amiensscfootball
      “I went in to see the manager, he rang the owner and the owner says, ‘Yeah, you’re gone’.”
      He said he struggled to adjust to the step up in professionalism at Liverpool following a more relaxed approach at Newcastle and that he regrets not grasping his opportunity a little more.
      The striker said: “I’m disappointed that I didn’t really grasp Liverpool. I kind of took it for granted. I came out of school, went into Newcastle reserves, went into the first team, signed for Liverpool, played for England.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Everything I touched turned to gold. Maybe it went to my head a little bit. I could do no wrong, that sort of thing.
      “I don’t really know what went wrong. Maybe I wasn’t good enough… I don’t know. I just wish I’d grabbed it a little bit more.” More

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      in Boxing

      Watch bizarre moment boxing legend Mike Tyson gets on hands and knees before rubbing heads with a giant dog

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      A BIZARRE clip has gone viral of boxing legend Mike Tyson getting on his hands and knees before rubbing heads with a giant dog.The ex-heavyweight champion is currently training MMA man-mountain Francis Ngannou ahead of his controversial crossover clash with Tyson Fury on October 28.
      A bizarre clip of Mike Tyson and a huge dog has left fans stunnedCredit: X/2Cool2Blog
      Iron Mike started pushing his head against the beast on his hands and kneesCredit: X/2Cool2Blog
      However, it appears that one of their sessions was interrupted by another beast – and the icon known as the Baddest Man on the Planet was in his element.
      It showed a group walking into the gym with a massive, that looks similar to a mastiff, on a lead, but instead of looking fearful, Tyson went straight on to embrace it.
      After stroking it, Iron Mike then got down on his hands and knees before rubbing his head against the dog’s and then underneath it’s chin.
      One fan reacted to the footage on social media by commenting: “Mikes a brave man… thats probably the worst thing u can do putting your face into a strange dog’s face. Good thing they a good boy!”
      READ MORE FOOTBALL
      Another said: “Mike started challenging him and wanted to grapple lmaooo.”
      “That dog was lucky Tyson didn’t punch him,” joked another.
      Tyson is a renowned animal lover and previously kept three tigers as pets.
      However, he has revealed that mountain lions are his favourite animals.
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      The American icon also revealed that he used to let his tigers sleep in his bed next to him – but that their farts were unbearable.
      But he also admitted that he had suffered injuries from a big cat – and a dog.
      He said: “I was giving one a tetanus shot and they bit me.
      “It was scared, he was scared. Six, seven stitches and it was over.
      “Then my dog bit me.”
      Meanwhile, he is trying to get Ngannou, 37, in shape to do in ten rounds what 31 of the Gypsy King’s career opponents have failed to do and put him out for the count.
      But Tyson insists: “He has what it takes to knock out anything and anybody.
      “[The biggest upset] in the history of the sport, definitely. There’s no doubt about that.”
      Mike Tyson owned three pet tigers during his boxing heydayCredit: Getty More

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      F1 fans distraught as Fernando Alonso RUNS OVER giant lizard dubbed ‘Godzilla’s kid’ during Singapore GP practice

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      THIS is the incredible moment the Singapore GP was invaded by a giant LIZARD – forcing champ Max Verstappen to swerve around “Godzilla’s kid.”But the reptile paid the ultimate price as he was eventually run over by Aston Martin star Fernando Alonso, leaving fans in tears.
      Max Verstappen was forced to swerve to avoid a lizard at the Singapore GPCredit: Sky Sports F1
      The giant reptile, dubbed ‘Godzilla’s kid’, calmly crossed the tarmac during practiceCredit: Sky Sports F1
      The cheeky lizard was eventually run over by Fernando AlonsoCredit: Getty
      Verstappen and Alonso were caught off guard as Formula One stars warmed up for this weekend’s race in Southeast Asia.
      With temperatures in the low 30s, many exotics animals are thriving in Singapore’s humid climate.

      And one cheeky heat-loving creature appeared to want a close-up encounter with Verstappen and Co.
      The huge reptile, believed to be a monitor lizard, left pundits and drivers stunned as it sauntered across the track during Friday’s practice THREE times.
      READ MORE IN F1
      The beast took little notice of the zooming cars while crossing the tarmac.
      And one racer who had a close encounter with the lizard was none other than Red Bull superstar Verstappen.
      It wasn’t his first face-off with one of the creatures in Singapore, with Verstappen facing off against a lizard in 2016.
      But this time the double world champ was forced to swerve to avoid making contact while turning a corner, forcing yellow flags to be deployed.
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      Verstappen previously encountered a lizard in Singapore seven years ago
      Verstappen exclaimed on the Red Bull team radio: “There’s a lizard again on the track! A smaller one this time.”
      His team responded: “Ok understood. Maybe Godzilla had a kid.”
      Verstappen laughed: “That makes sense!”
      Williams star George Russell also encountered the lizard as he zoomed past, declaring it was the second one he’d seen that day.
      He said on his team radio: “Another lizard but a different one this time!”
      Fans certainly found the incident hilarious, with one saying: “Them lizards love that race.”
      Another declared: “Best seat in the house.”
      One added: “Who let him onto the track?”
      However, it later emerged the innocent lizard had been squished by Spanish star Alonso as the Aston Martin man zoomed around at 70mph.
      One heartbroken fan said: “Aint no way, did someone actually run over a lizard.”
      Another declared: “The lizard got run over? I am heartbroken.”
      One added: “Finding out there was a lizard on track and someone run him over…”
      As far as practice went, it was a one-two for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc finished 0.078 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Verstappen came third, with Lando Norris fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth.
      And all eyes will be on tomorrow’s qualifying round to see if any more cheeky lizards make an appearance. More

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      in Soccer

      Costa Rican footballer devoured by crocodile while bathing in river as beast is spotted with body in its jaws

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      A FOOTBALLER has been devoured by a crocodile after taking a dip in a river to cool off.Shocking images show the large reptile swimming through the water with the victim’s body in its jaws.
      Tributes have been paid to Costa Rican footballer Jesus Alberto Lopez OrtizCredit: Jam Press
      Shocking images emerged of the player being mauled and carried by a crocodileCredit: Jam Press Vid
      Locals battled to haul the victim’s body from the riverCredit: Jam Press Vid
      Another clip shows the crocodile being shot dead in the water before locals carry its victim’s body to the riverbank.
      Jesus Alberto Lopez Ortiz, nicknamed “Chucho”, was killed by the reptile on Saturday, it has been revealed.
      The 29-year-old footballer was attacked by the crocodile while cooling off in the river in Rio Cañas in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica.
      Locals followed the reptile in a canoe – but a statement by local police said it was their officers who killed the crocodile.
      Read More On Costa Rica
      Lopez was a footballer for amateur side Deportivo Río Cañas, as well as a dad to two children aged eight and three.
      His distraught family have now appealed to the public to help pay for the player’s funeral costs, while his team manager Luis Carlos Montes is also organising a collection.
      The player’s club paid tribute, saying: “With deep sorrow we make public the death of our player Jesús López Ortiz that God enjoys.
      “Rest in peace, Chucho – we join the pain of all his family.
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      One supporter’s comment in response on Facebook said: “Always with his humility that characterised him, last night he delighted us with his last game.
      “We will miss you, Chucho – the ball always at 10.”
      Costa Rica’s ministry of environment and energy bans hunting or killing protected animals including crocodiles.
      But local police decided they had permission under the central American country’s wildlife laws “to free the body from the jaws of the reptile” and shoot the crocodile dead.
      In a statement, they said: “It should be clarified that all efforts were made to rescue the body of the deceased person without causing damage to the reptile, which was not possible.”
      Last November a 12ft crocodile tore off the head of an eight-year-old boy Julio Otero Fernández in Costa Rica while he was on a fishing trip with his horrified family.
      Later that month a hunter tracked the suspected predator and shot it dead before fleeing the scene.
      In Indonesia last July, a 14-year-old girl was killed by a crocodile while washing her clothes in the river.
      That attack came a year and a half after another eight-year-old boy was mauled to death by a crocodile near his home in Malaysia.
      And just last week, also in Malaysia, a missing farmer was found inside the belly of a huge 14ft crocodile.
      An elderly man died when he was set upon by some 40 crocodiles after falling into their enclosure earlier this year in Cambodia.
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      Also in May, the remains of a missing fisherman were found inside two crocodiles in Australia.
      And last year two tourists from the United States were attacked by a crocodile at a resort in Mexico when one went swimming in the ocean at night and the second came in to try helping him. More