More stories

  • in

    ‘I will not be accepting gifts on Christmas’ – Floyd Mayweather explains why he’s BANNED people from giving him presents

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER will not be accepting gifts this Christmas and has BANNED people from giving him presents. The boxing legend – who in 2019 topped Forbes’ rich list of the decade with £706MILLION earned – is a famously generous person.
    Floyd Mayweather revealed he will not be accepting gifts this ChristmasCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    But only receiving back on a “commercialised holiday” has infuriated Mayweather so much he will stop receiving presents on special days.
    He posted online: “I will not be accepting gifts on Christmas, my birthday, Valentine’s Day, or Father’s Day.
    “I constantly give gifts all throughout the year because I feel every day is worth celebrating and not just some commercialised holiday.
    “Where’s the thought behind a gift if it’s only given on a holiday? You only think of giving me a gift when society says you should give gifts?
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “I understand people can’t give me what I give them, but it’s the small thoughtful things that count.
    “It’s all about reciprocation. The random gift on any given day is priceless, not the gifts I receive 4 times a year. I’m better than that.”
    Mayweather boasted of making over £1bn during his time as the pound-for-pound and pay-per-view king.
    But he retired officially in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 34, in ten rounds.
    Most read in Boxing
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS FOR DECEMBER 2022
    Although he has returned for five exhibition bouts since, most recently against YouTuber Deji, 25, in Dubai in November.
    Mayweather won the bout in six rounds and has kept the door open to more exhibitions in the future.
    Anthony Taylor, 33, and MMA fighter-turned crossover boxer, claims to be in talks to fight the boxing legend in March.
    Floyd Mayweather pictured next to Anthony TaylorCredit: globaltitansfightseries More

  • in

    OnlyFans model and ex-Charlton star Madelene Wright wears barely-there thong in front of Christmas tree in cheeky post

    ONLYFANS and ex-Charlton star Madelene Wright gave her fans a Christmas cracker by posing in a barely-there thong. The former footballer posted the cheeky snap online while standing next to a Christmas tree.
    Madelene Wright gave her fans a Christmas cracker by posing in a barely-there thong
    Madelene Wright opened her OnlyFans account in 2021
    Fans of Wright’s have become accustomed to her racy photos after she created an OnlyFans account last year.
    Her football career ended in controversy when photos emerged of the blonde inhaling from a balloon at a party and swigging champagne while at the wheel of her Range Rover on a night out with friends in 2019.
    It saw her sacked by Charlton but opened the door to becoming a social media influencer.
    Her Instagram has swelled to over 250,000 followers and afforded her collaborations with brands.
    READ MORE IN Football
    But in an exclusive interview with SunSport this year, Wright revealed she earned £500,000 in her first year on OnlyFans.
    She said: “In the first year I made in the ballpark of half a million pounds. I can’t lie, it has completely changed my life.
    “I was able to get my own place, I have been able to travel the world and have enjoyed a lot of luxurious things.”
    Wright does not see OnlyFans as a place for her future. Eventually, she believes it will be a stepping stone to greater things.
    Most read in Football
    She said: “I want to start my own business and became an entrepreneur and step away from the stereotype and be looked at as a business woman.
    “The main thing for me is to get into property, which is something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a footballer. I want to build an empire.
    “For me, I think it is important for everyone to realise that you can start again.
    “When my scandal happened I thought that was it and I didn’t know how I was going to move past it.
    “But, there’s always a new day and always a fresh start. Everyone has a past, you can’t change it.
    “As long as you learn from your mistakes, make the right moves going forward, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
    Madelene Wright formerly played for Charlton
    Madelene Wright posing in a bikiniCredit: Instagram
    Madelene Wright still hopes to return to footballCredit: Instagram More

  • in

    Ebanie Bridges posts stunning throwback in lacy pink top as Blonde Bomber enjoys Christmas ‘shenanigans’

    BLONDE BOMBER Ebanie Bridges has shared a stunning throwback pic to her “Christmas shenanigans” in a lacy pink top.The 36-year-old beat her fellow Aussie Shannon O’Connell in the eighth round of their derby to successfully defend her IBF title earlier this month.
    Bridges posted a five-year-old Christmas throwback picCredit: Instagram
    Bridges defended her IBF title earlier this monthCredit: Twitter @EbanieBridges
    The 36-year-old beat her fellow Aussie O’Connell in the eighth roundCredit: Reuters
    A unification fight with WBA champ Hughes could be nextCredit: Reuters
    But Bridges revealed she went into the fight with a broken hand – which needed surgery.
    And so flesh was taken from her hip to help fix the break.
    However, to get into the Christmas spirit, Bridges has posted a throwback picture from 2017 alongside a friend, who she worked with at a hotel.
    In that snap, she was wearing an eye-catching lacy pink top.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    The post was captioned: “Christmas shenanigans with this beautiful woman @chell_laa think she got a little ‘horny’ poking me with her Christmas horns… this girl always brightens my day and makes my shifts @itshillsidehotel a lot of fun.”
    A unification bout could be on the cards for Bridges next.
    Promoter Eddie Hearn has now talked up a unification bout against WBA champ Nina Hughes, 40, who he recently signed.
    Bridges’ trainer Mark Tibbs said:  “This queen of Australia, she is the best fighter I have ever worked with, reason being she is such a professional.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
    “I’m very very proud of her.
    “She’s got the heart of a lion, she’s made of steel and there’s no quit in her.
    “So we keep moving forward and she’s going to keep chipping away.
    “I heard Eddie talking about the unification and this lady is always talking about unifying so we’re going to take some time out, take a breather and hopefully set a plan out.” More

  • in

    Man Utd and Liverpool MUST spend big in January transfer window… the future of both clubs could depend on it

    THE January sales. Three words guaranteed to strike fear into every bloke in the land.Just when you think the wallet’s survived a Christmas hammering, all of a sudden there are loads more “must-have” bargains to give it another battering.
    Erik ten Hag will be hoping for some big signings in JanuaryCredit: PA
    Now Erik ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp aren’t two names you’d think would be waiting for the doors to open with the shopping bags ready.
    But this year it is hard to imagine another couple hoping the credit cards will be maxed out quite as much as this pair.
    Nothing from the cut-price rail either. Only high-end, top-of-the-range goods will do. None of your slight seconds here, thank you very much.
    For the managers of England’s biggest two clubs, it’s proven, grade-A performers on the shopping list and nothing less.
    READ MORE TRANSFER NEWS
    They will cost, for sure, but then again, both Ten Hag and Klopp say they have been promised serious money.
    Well now is the time for the moneymen at Old Trafford and Anfield to back up those words with actions.
    Because if they don’t, the repercussions could echo way, way beyond what happens over the second half of the season.
    They could impact the entire future of the two clubs.
    Most read in Football
    That’s not your typical Sky Sports whip-it-up transfer window baloney, either. This one goes much deeper.
    This one comes with both clubs on the market and looking for a buyer.
    At a time when they both currently sit outside the top four — with no guarantee of finishing in there, either.
    So there will be some  very interesting trans-Atlantic conversations over the coming weeks to the offices of the Glazers and John W Henry.
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
    There are some massive decisions to be made by the American owners of the Premier League’s big two.
    And unless they accept the need to speculate before they can accumulate, they can forget all thoughts of getting anywhere near the eye-watering prices being bandied around.
    In United’s case, figures as high as £8billion have been mentioned, while Henry is said to want £5bn for the Reds.
    But anyone willing to splash that sort of dough around wants certain guarantees for the money. First and foremost, a seat at football’s top table — the Champions League.
    And that is far from certain for at least one, maybe both giants this season.
    Manchester City’s place in there is nailed on, so there’s one slot gone, while Arsenal look like they’re in it for the duration.
    That leaves two. Spurs are currently in there, and they won’t suddenly plummet, and although Newcastle are still a season or so off being genuine challengers, they’re in the mix.
    Chuck Graham Potter’s Chelsea into the equation as well, and the prospect of at least one missing out is more probable than possible.
    Ten Hag desperately needs more goals in his side, while Liverpool’s need is for legs and energy in midfield.
    The problem they both have is everyone knows it, too, so the price of any target will reflect that.
    Of course the Glazers and Henry may believe their clubs are so big that any interested party would not be put off by the thought of Europa League football instead.
    If that’s the case they may decide to keep their money in their pockets, rather than spend millions on something they’re trying to get off their hands.
    Well good luck to them if so, because that’s one hell of a gamble to take.
    It’s all well and good to be fluttering their eyelashes at would-be foreign buyers but if that means losing sight of the job in hand, the consequences could be costly. Very costly.
    Read More on The Sun
    The rivalry between Anfield and Old Trafford has long been one of the most bitter and hard fought anywhere in football.
    Yet never have the stakes been as high as this . . . and unless they have the foresight to realise it, both of them could end up as losers.
    Klopp will be hoping some key additions are brought in after a difficult start to the seasonCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Fans all say the same thing as Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney spotted at Man City vs Liverpool Carabao Cup clash

    FANS worried Wayne Rooney had got lost after he turned up at Etihad to watch the two Prem clubs he most wanted to beat.The Manchester United and Everton legend saw Man City KO Liverpool 3-2 in a Carabao Cup cracker.
    Wayne Rooney didn’t give any clues as to why he was watching two of his big rivals with this expression in the Etihad stands
    Perhaps this is the Rooney thinking that many fans were too polite to suggest
    The only certainty is that the former England skipper wasn’t Christmas shopping – as his two old Prem rivals are of course way out of the DC manager’s league for transfer targets.
    And this fan got to the point: “WTF is Wayne Rooney doing here?!”
    Another said: “Wayne Rooney lost or something? watching man city vs Liverpool ?”
    The longest shot seemed to be this: “Maybe Rooney is a Man City fan now.”
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    But that wasn’t the most intriguing suggestion.
    One observer perhaps remembered Rooney’s son Kai had been spotted in a City hoodie last year – for which the United academy whizkid was teased by Old Trafford legend Rio Ferdinand.
    The fan posted: “For those that don’t know, his son is a City fan.
    “So fair play to him, this is actually him being a good dad to take him to watch City. Never thought I’d say that about him but this is actually such a moment.”
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    Judging purely on the moment Rooney was pictured, he didn’t look too happy or excited to be there.
    But, just like he could with the ball at his feet on the pitch, perhaps he bursts into life in the stands at unpredictable moments.
    He should have left feeling entertained, though, as Pep Guardiola’s men and Liverpool both looked in good nick ahead of the Prem resuming at Christmas.
    Second-placed City have the longest wait before visiting Leeds on Wednesday.
    Before that, on Monday, Liverpool travel to Aston Villa and Rooney’s old club Everton host Wolves.
    Inbetween those dates, Nottingham Forest go to Old Trafford on Tuesday.
    The Red Devils will fancy their Carabao Cup chances even more after being drawn at home to League One Charlton in the quarter-finals.
    The other three clashes are all-Prem ties.
    Southampton entertain City, Forest are at Wolves and Newcastle face Leicester at home. More

  • in

    Lionel Messi set to spend Christmas holed up in Rosario home and snub public appearances after Argentina’s World Cup win

    WORLD CUP winner Lionel Messi is set to “avoid public appearances” over the Christmas period as he spends time with his family at his Rosario home.Messi, 35, led Argentina to a sensational World Cup final win against France on Sunday.
    Messi will spend Christmas in Rosario with his familyCredit: Splash
    He returned to Argentina earlier this weekCredit: Alamy
    He, along with his teammates, celebrated the historic victory with an open-top bus parade through Buenos Aires on Tuesday, with millions taking to the streets to join in with the festivities.
    However, the celebrations were abandoned prematurely after some fans attempted to jump onto the team bus from nearby bridges.
    When the chaos curtailed, Messi travelled back to his home in the city of Rosario, where he was once again mobbed by a large group of adoring fans.
    And according to Spanish outlet Clarin, he will remain with his family in Rosario over the festive period.
    Read More in Football
    Rumours had suggested that another victory parade would take place in the city this week, however they have since been played down.
    Messi is not expected to return to Paris-Saint Germain training until the new year as he celebrates finally winning the only trophy to have eluded him during his incredible career.
    But, he has reportedly agreed to sign a new deal with the Ligue 1 club.
    Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner verbally agreed to extend his PSG contract this week.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Messi had been linked with a move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami as well as a sensational return to Barcelona.
    But according to Romano, Messi never entered talks with his former club and a proposed move collapsed before entering an advanced stage. More

  • in

    Pele, 82, ‘will spend Christmas in hospital’ after his cancer worsens as daughter asks fans to ‘pray’ for legend

    PELE will spend Christmas in hospital as his cancer worsens, according to reports.His daughter pleaded for fans to pray for the three-time World Cup winner’s health during this troubling time.
    Pele is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Sao PauloCredit: Refer to Caption
    The Brazilian football legend, 82, has been suffering with colon cancer since September 2021.
    He was readmitted into hospital in November for treatment on a respiratory infection aggravated by Covid-19.
    And an update from the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on Wednesday evening confirmed the icon is still under the watchful eye of nurses and doctors.
    Now, as reported by Sky News, he is not expected to be released before Christmas Day on Sunday.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    The latest statement from medics said: “Admitted since November 29 for a reassessment of chemotherapy therapy for colon tumour and treatment of a respiratory infection, Edson Arantes do Nascimento [Pele] presents progression of the oncological disease and requires greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions.
    “The patient remains hospitalised in a common room, under the necessary care of the medical team.”
    Pele’s daughter begged fans to rally round the all-time great.
    Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram: “Your love for him, your stories and your prayers are a HUGE comfort because we know we are not alone.
    Most read in Football
    “Let’s turn this room into a Sambadrome (just kidding), let’s even make caipirinhas (not kidding!!).”
    There was widespread support for Pele on display during the World Cup with Brazil’s players and fans revealing banners and images of their greatest star.
    And despite being in hospital the legendary striker revealed he was “rooting” for the Samba Boys before their last-16 clash against South Korea.
    In an earlier social media post, Pele added: “My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive.
    “I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual.
    “I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received.
    “I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too!
    “Thank you so much for everything.”
    Pele won his record three World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970Credit: Getty More

  • in

    Hypocrite Gary Neville hates gig economy…unless it’s well-paid Qatar one

    THE race for that prestigious award Thick As A Plank Hypocrite Of The Year (TAAPHOTY) is really hotting up.Gary Neville reckoned he’d got the prize in the bag but then along comes fantastically unfunny “comedian” Joe Lycett and nearly nicks it from him.
    The race for that prestigious award Thick As A Plank Hypocrite Of The Year (TAAPHOTY) is really hotting up, pictured Gary NevilleCredit: Rex
    Neville reckoned he’d got the prize in the bag but then along comes fantastically unfunny Joe Lycett and nearly nicks it from himCredit: Rex
    Congrats, Gary. You’ve won your prize. In the end, nobody came close. Now, see if you can retain the trophy next yearCredit: Rex
    Lycett made a big hoo-ha about the money David Beckham received from the Qatari government.
    As it happens, Beckham was indeed one of the TAAPHOTY nominees for his sterling work in trousering money from the Arabs after spouting woke LGBTQ slogans and so on.
    But it’s a bit much for the ghastly Lycett to have a go.
    As The Sun revealed, he did a couple of paid gigs in Qatar in 2015. The biter bitten, then. Pure, unadorned, hypocrisy.
    READ MORE ON GARY NEVILLE
    But Joe always had his work cut out wresting the trophy from Gary Neville.
    The Mancunian football pundit wins by a length. Not least for his staggering pig-ignorance.
    Neville is paid for his brilliance as a football pundit, such as not being sure “where the goals are going to come from” shortly before Spain won 7-0. He is not paid for his political nous — which is just as well, because you could fit all of his into a vole’s nutsack.
    Not just stupid, it is ­odious
    Commenting on Qatar’s disgraceful record on using slave labour, he said: “It is just worth mentioning that we’ve got a current government in our country who are demonising rail workers, ambulance workers and, ­terrifyingly, nurses.
    Most read in Football
    “So, in our country, we’ve got to look at workers’ rights — but where football goes, we have to pick up on workers’ rights wherever it goes because people have to be treated equally.
    “We can’t have ­people being paid a pittance to work. We can’t have people in accommodation which is unsavoury and disgusting. It should not happen here.”
    You abject ninny, Neville. To compare the plight of ­British workers on strike for more money with the slave labourers of Qatar is not just stupid, it is ­odious.
    I agree the nurses should be paid more dosh, sure. But they are not being killed, are they? Nor do they have their passports taken away from them so that they have no free movement.
    Maybe this gobby, wooden-headed clown should see what happens when people in Qatar DO go on strike.
    Industrial action is illegal in Qatar and the few migrant workers who have dared to complain about their ­appalling treatment were rounded up, detained and then kicked out of the country.
    To compare their plight to that of the nurses here is simply ­outrageous.
    But then there’s the hypocrisy of Neville. He was happy to work in Qatar and trouser loads of dosh. He was even happy to work as a pundit for ­Qatari TV.
    This is hypocrisy on a whole other level. And maybe he should take a bit of time to listen to the complaints of the underpaid workers at a place called Hotel Football.
    Hotel Football is in Manchester and it is co-owned by Neville and the loveable little Ryan Giggs. It is currently advertising for staff — paying just £9.50 per hour.
    That’s the minimum wage. Over the course of a year, people working in this idiot’s luxury hotel would earn about HALF of a nurse’s salary.
    So congrats, Gary. You’ve won your prize. In the end, nobody came close. Now, see if you can retain the trophy next year.
    Pretty likely, I reckon.

    THINGS are hotting up a bit on the India-China border, with troops throwing stones at each other.
    The two countries are on the brink of war over disputed territory.
    Normally, we would be four-square behind the Indians. But the country has refused to condemn Russia’s ­invasion of Ukraine.
    And they took advantage of the war to sign a massive gas deal with the Russians.
    So stuff it, India. You’re on your own. What goes around . . .

    Yule never believe . . .
    THE phrase “Merry Christmas” was first written by Bishop Charles Booth of Hereford in 1520, 14 years earlier than originally thought, according to new research. OK, fine.
    I have been making my own study of the origins of traditional Christmas stuff and have unearthed the following . . . 
    Wizzard’s 1973 smash hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas EverydayCredit: Getty – Contributor
    The tune was actually written in 1512, by King Henry VCredit: Alamy
    The Christmas Truce of 1914 between German and English soldiers was almost ruined when a Brazilian man wandered into No Man’s LandCredit: Getty

    Robins are associated with Christmas because in the 12th Century that was the ­largest bird poor folk could afford for their festive dinner.
    The Christmas Truce of 1914 between German and English soldiers was almost ruined when a Brazilian man wandered into No Man’s Land and insisted on refereeing the football game, later denying England three stonewall penalties.
    In 1255, Genoese diplomat Luca Grimaldi was charged with the task of finding a suitable present for his mother-in-law. He instructed his kitchen staff to “create something vast, dry and inedible, so that she might choke to death”. Thus was born panettone.
    Wizzard’s 1973 smash hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday was actually written in 1512, by King Henry VIII.
    While Christmas was banned by Oliver Cromwell in the 1640s, people were still expected to eat turkey, because Cromwell owned a huge turkey farm (and actually invented Turkey Twizzlers).

    In 1255, Genoese diplomat Luca Grimaldi was charged with the task of finding a suitable present for his mother-in-law – thus was born panettoneCredit: Oliver Dixon
    While Christmas was banned by Oliver Cromwell in the 1640s, people were still expected to eat turkey, because Cromwell owned a huge turkey farmCredit: Getty
    ON the subject of Christmas, this is beyond parody.
    The much-loved carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, which dates back centuries, has been rewritten by an American idiot and sung at a church in Leicestershire.
    The much-loved carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, which dates back centuries, has been rewritten by an American idiotCredit: Getty
    The second verse now begins, “God rest you also, women, who by men have been erased, through history ignored and scorned, defiled and displaced”.
    So, it’s stupid, tendentious and doesn’t even rhyme or scan. Or make sense.
    The third verse starts: “God rest you, queer and questioning, your anxious hearts be still.” I suppose it’s too much to hope that the church is struck by a divine thunderbolt.

    TIME TO THANK NURSES
    THE manacles and gimp mask I had ordered as a present for our local vicar have failed to arrive.
    I blame the striking posties. It is a disgrace that frisky members of the clergy won’t get the gifts they deserve this Christmas.
    The Government should make a decent settlement with the nurses, rather than pretend it is not the final arbiterCredit: EPA
    Meanwhile, the nurses are out and so are the ambulance workers.
    And the two sides are arguing as to who should be blamed if we pop our clogs because we can’t get treated in hospital.
    The Government should make a decent settlement with the nurses, rather than pretend it is not the final arbiter.
    We can bang our saucepans together for the NHS until doomsday but it’s a decent wage the nurses really want.
    Light just round the corner
    WELL, thank the Lord. The shortest day of the year is over.
    From here on in, the days become longer and lighter. And warmer.
    It’s been a struggle for lots of people this year – hard-working people finding it very difficult to make ends meet.
    But this misery won’t last for ever – there is light just round the corner, so have some hope.
    And have a wonderful Christmas.

    ‘Only God can judge me’
    MELISSA SLOAN is feeling terribly hurt. She says she was banned from her kid’s Nativity play and had to watch it through a window.
    She’s also been banned from the town Christmas fair and from her local pubs.
    Melissa Sloan is surprised people don’t want to look at herCredit: Roland Leon
    The reason is that her entire face, and body, are covered with hundreds of tattoos, above.
    She is surprised people don’t want to look at her.
    Read More on The Sun
    One of Melissa’s ­tattoos reads: “Only God can judge me.”
    Hmmm. I’d get that one inked over. Because, as you are now aware, it’s not true, is it? More