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    England star who won World Cup with Phil Foden now a financial advisor after losing ‘spark of football’

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    Oleksandr Usyk warns Daniel Dubois his boxing IQ is too much for him ahead of undisputed title fight at Wembley

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    Fans in uproar as Manny Pacquiao, 46, announces comeback to fight for world title… despite not winning in SIX YEARS

    MANNY PACQUIAO has announced he is coming out of retirement and walking straight into a world title shot – causing fan uproar. The Filipino great took to social media to confirm a July 19 bout in Las Vegas against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Manny Pacquiao has announced he is coming out of retirement aged 46Credit: AFPMario Barrios is set to defend his WBC title against PacquiaoCredit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable PromotionsHe posted: “I’m back. On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.”Let’s make history!” Interestingly, neither Barrios nor Premier Boxing Champions – due to promote the fight – spoke out to confirm the bout. But Pacquiao’s post still caused havoc amongst fans with the boxing legend primed for a title shot after four years out and six without a win. READ MORE IN boxing One said: “Legend, but nah don’t do this.” Another added: “Why???? Who wants to see this”One fumed: “Disgrace from the WBC.”Another raged: “Ideal form for a world title shot. Winless for 6 years.” Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPacquiao’s last win came in 2019, beating Keith Thurman. He was then due to face Errol Spence Jr in August 2021 until an eye injury forced the Texan out, with Yordenis Ugas replacing him.Cacace Crushes Wood, AJ & Pacquiao Plot Shock Returns | Split DecisionUgas sprung a surprise upset on Pacquiao, who announced his retirement after the point loss to run for president in the Philippines. But after a failed election, rumours of a boxing return began swirling for PacMan, who later faced Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in a 2022 exhibition. Pacquiao then returned last July for another exhibition, against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in Tokyo. And the eight-division champ showed his age over the three rounds – with fans urging him never to fight again. But talks were taking place behind the scenes for Pacquiao to make a professional comeback in a bid for the welterweight title. Per WBC rules, a contender must be ranked within their top 15 in order to be eligible for a championship bout. Read More on The SunSo it came as little surprise when Pacquiao sneaked back into the WBC’s top five in mid May – despite his absence from the ring. Boxing’s oldest world champ of all time is Bernard Hopkins, who won a world title aged 49.Pacquiao’s last win came in 2019, against Keith ThurmanCredit: USA TODAY SportsYordenis Ugas defeated Pacquaio in 2021 with the boxing legend retiring afterwardsCredit: APPacquiao lost out in his 2022 presidential campaignCredit: EPAHis last bout was an exhibition in Japan against kickboxer Rukiya AnpoCredit: RIZIN More

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    George Liddard is the West Ham super-fan who went from windscreen fitter to Britain’s next middleweight boxing hopeful

    GEORGE LIDDARD is hoping to wipe out the middleweight competition having gone from windscreen fitter to boxing prospect. The West Ham super-fan was an elite amateur, winning four national titles and medals on the international stage. Liddard, with girlfriend Tegan Brooks, wears the famous claret and blueLiddard is a regular at West Ham gamesCredit: INSTAGRAMBut he snubbed the chance to earn a place on the Team GB Olympic squad to instead turn professional in 2022 under Eddie Hearn.It came after a brief absence from the ring as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, where Liddard worked for a windscreen fitting company. He told the Hammers website: “I was part of Team England, and then Covid-19 hit, and there was a lot of uncertainty in my life. “During that period, I ended up working with my dad at a windscreen company.READ MORE IN BOXING”I got defeated by a well-known Great Britain fighter in a close fight after the pandemic, and that was the moment I said to myself to give it a go.”I got a text from Tony Sims, one of the legendary boxing trainers, asking me to spar with John Ryder. “So I went down there and gave a good account of myself. I’ve been at the Matchroom Gym ever since and have never looked back.” Liddard is 11-0 and returns on Saturday night at the Copper Box on the undercard of Johnny Fisher’s rematch with Dave Allen. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 22-year-old East Londoner faces Aaron Sutton but has his eyes on fighting for the British title and even world honours beyond that. He said: “I feel as if I’m at a level already where I can win a British title. “I know I’m good enough but have to prove it to the world, and the next fight is another opportunity to do that.”I’m in this game to be a world champion, and I want to win world titles down the line. I will be a world champion someday; I know that for sure. “I look forward to the day I stand there with a world title belt and say, I made it.” Liddard dons the famous claret and blue when he steps into the ring and regularly sits in the Hammers stands outside the ropes. He said: “I couldn’t pinpoint an exact moment when I started supporting West Ham, but I’ve followed the Club all of my life and attend home games now with my sponsor, ABSM Building Services.”I would have loved to have been at the Conference League final, but I was fighting on that Saturday. Read More on The Sun”I remember watching it in the hotel and being ecstatic when Jarrod [Bowen] scored that goal. “I was gutted to have not been there, but I won the fight, so it was a memorable weekend.” Liddard returns against Aaron SuttonCredit: Getty More

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    Play-off final goalkeeper is TikTok sensation who won reality TV series and has Miss Universe star girlfriend

    ALEXIS ANDRE Jr is not your typical footballer.For the Maidstone United goalkeeper is also a social media influencer who won a hit reality television series and whose girlfriend competed in Miss Universe.Alexis Andre Jr met model girlfriend Zoe Brunet while filming a major TV showCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIHlDSDNuli/Andre aims to return to the National League with play-off-final successCredit: Instagram / @alexis.andrejrThe much-travelled Maidstone keeper will take on Boreham Wood in the National League South play-off final on SundayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIHlDSDNuli/The France-born stopper has around five million followers on TikTok and Instagram, something he started at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic when he was at Bristol Rovers.Andre, whose Maidstone side face Boreham Wood in the National League South play-off final on Sunday, said: “I had nothing to do during the first lockdown.“I make content about anything, about my life and career and everything.“After the first lockdown, I came back to Bristol Rovers and I was bigger than the club because I had so many followers!READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Now they have their own TikTok account.“But I don’t want people to think I am just a social media content creator and not a footballer.“It has never been an issue wherever I have played because I am a professional and respectful, too.”His most recent TikTok videos include dancing with his girlfriend to the latest dance craze, a behind-the-scenes look at Maidstone’s play-off semi-final win against Eastbourne, modelling for a number of fashion houses and quizzing his team-mates on their football knowledge.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe son of a man from Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, he was abandoned aged four by his Moroccan mother at a railway station in his native Mulhouse.And it formed his “secret” on TV show Secret Story, where contestants all have a secret they are trying to hide.Andre’s partner Zoe competed in the 2018 Miss Universe competitionCredit: Instagram / @alexis.andrejrAndre, who bagged £105,000 after winning it last year, said: “My dad raised me and I have no contact with my mother.“I didn’t miss the love of a mother because my dad, Alex, has given me everything.”He also met his girlfriend, Belgian TV presenter Zoe Brunet – who finished in the top 20 in the 2018 Miss Universe – during filming.Now he is hoping for another win, this time with Maidstone as they look to return to the National League after a two-season absence.The game will take place at the Wood’s Meadow Park ground as they finished higher in the league than the Stones.Andre, who has recorded a divisional best of 23 clean sheets, said: “We have no problem playing there because we are more confident being the away side and we have been all season.“But we know this is a one-off game and we know we have to perform.”Andre spent seven years in the Strasbourg youth set-up and played lower-league football in France and Germany before he joined the Nike Academy, at St George’s Park National Football Centre.Read More on The SunFrom there, he went on trial at Bristol Rovers and signed for the Gas, but only made one senior appearance.Andre, who is also signed to leading model agency SELECT, was signed by Maidstone manager George Elokobi last summer and rates the ex-Wolves defender as the best coach he has worked with.Andre has become a fans’ favourite in his first season with the StonesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIHlDSDNuli/ More

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    Cheeky Mo Salah reveals Liverpool’s Premier League title felt ‘way better without Klopp, Mane and Firmino’

    MOHAMED SALAH cheekily suggested Liverpool’s title this season felt better without Jurgen Klopp and two of his most famous former team-mates.Liverpool were crowned English champions for a joint-record 20th time today after a 5-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield.Mohamed Salah said the Premier League title was specialCredit: EPAHe joked it was better without Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Jurgen KloppCredit: Sky SportsTalisman Salah added his side’s fourth goal in the rout, taking his league tally to 28 and season tally to 33 goals in all competitions.Salah was also instrumental when the Reds won the title five years ago under Jurgen Klopp alongside attacking partners Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.One of the most notable differences between now and five years ago is the presence of fans in the stadium.Liverpool were forced to celebrate their first title for nearly 30 years effectively without fans due to restrictions put in place from the Covid-19 pandemic.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut this time around there will be no lockdown to stop the title party.However, the Kop’s Egyptian king cheekily suggested that this title with Arne Slot feels more special to him.Speaking to Sky Sports, the 32-year-old said: “Ah, this is way better 100 per cent.”The Egyptian then grinned as he joked: “Without Sadio [Mane], without Jurgen [Klopp], without Bobby [Firmino], without everybody…Most read in Football”It feels more special, with the fans.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”But you know, you have a different group now, a different manager and you show you are able to do it again – it’s something special.”Salah is the last remaining star of the famous Liverpool attacking trio which returned the club to the top of both England and Europe with the Champions League.Arne Slot shows his class as he leads Anfield in chant about Jurgen Klopp after sealing 20th title for LiverpoolMane left Liverpool in 2022 to join Bayern Munich while Firmino departed in 2023, with both now playing in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli respectively.Salah recently penned a new blockbuster £400,000-a-week deal with Liverpool alongside fellow veteran Virgil van Dijk, who was also present in the first PL era title win for the club five years ago.The winger also praised Dutch boss Slot and explained how his tactics have made him an even better player.He said: “You can see the numbers! Now I don’t have to defend much.”The tactics are quite different. I said, ‘As long as you rest me defensively I will provide offensively’, so I am glad that I did. He listened a lot and you can see the numbers.Read More on The Sun”When you play in the Premier League you have to defend but I said that I can gamble and somehow I can make a difference. My number of assists shows that, you can create chances as well.”After keeping much of the squad he inherited last summer, former Feyenoord boss Slot paid tribute to predecessor Klopp and led the Anfield crowd in a chant for the German. More

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    Daniel Dubois vs Oleksandr Usyk ANNOUNCED with fighters to do battle in huge Wembley rematch on July 19

    DANIEL DUBOIS’ rematch with Oleksandr Usyk has been moved to July 19.Dubois is chasing both revenge and the undisputed heavyweight crown at Wembley, 19 months after his controversial ninth-round TKO defeat. Daniel Dubois lost to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2023Credit: RICHARD PELHAMDubois is out for boxing revenge – at the home of English footballOrganisers have now shifted the fight back a week from July 12.That’s to avoid sharing the spotlight with a mega bill the same night, featuring Edgar Berlanga and Shakur Stevenson in New York City. IBF king Dubois said: “This is the fight I wanted and demanded and now I get my chance for revenge.”I should have won the first fight and was denied by the judgement of the referee, so I will make no mistake this time around in front of my people at the national stadium in my home city.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”I am a superior and more dangerous fighter now and Usyk will find this out for himself.”The response from Dynamite’s Ukrainian opponent was more measured.Unbeaten Usyk said: “I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to once again fight for the undisputed championship.”Thank you, Daniel, for taking care of my IBF belt – now I want it back.”Most read in BoxingBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKDubois is still smarting from his downfall against Usyk in August 2023.Dynamite dropped the icon, who beat Tyson Fury twice, in the fifth round.SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr reveals Daniel Dubois’ chances of fighting Joseph Parker ‘look grim’But referee Luis Pabon deemed the punch a low blow, meaning Usyk had five minutes to recover.Pabon raised eyebrows further by urging the 38-year-old to take more time to get over the punch. Dubois and promoter Frank Warren unsuccessfully appealed to the WBA, asking for the loss to instead be recorded as a no-contest, due to Pabon’s debatable low-blow call.Now, though, Warren reckons the Londoner has the weapons to KO Usyk beyond debate.He described Dubois as the world’s “most destructive and dangerous heavyweight puncher”.The Greenwich Gladiator, 27, overwhelmed fellow Brit Anthony Joshua in less than five rounds last September. More

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    When Joe Joyce DESTROYED future world champion Daniel Dubois as he prepares for huge Filip Hrgovic test

    JOE JOYCE looked on track for the heavyweight title after destroying Daniel Dubois in 2020 – now he fights to save his career.Joyce faces Filip Hrgovic on Saturday in Manchester looking to KO any talk of retirement following his punishing points loss to Derek Chisora last July.Joe Joyce beat Daniel Dubois in 2022Credit: The SunDubois was left with a horror eye injuryCredit: The SunDubois was accused of quittingCredit: The SunThe 2016 Olympic silver medallist was once touted as a contender for the world heavyweight championship. His crowning night came in November 2020 – but no one was there to watch it.Joyce took on Dubois – during the coronavirus pandemic – behind-closed-doors at Church House in London. A handful of people, from select media to fight night officials, watched the anticipated British and Commonwealth title fight. READ MORE IN boxingIt was closely contested until gruesome swelling caused Dubois’ left eye to completely close up as a consequence of Joyce’s jab. Dubois was left unable to see and reduced to taking a knee in round ten – where he surrendered. Joyce’s brilliant lead left hand, punch accuracy and pressure was overshadowed by harsh criticism levelled Dubois’ way.Promoter Frank Warren even had to defend Dubois – who suffered a fractured orbital bone – amid claims he QUIT in the ring. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWarren said: “I understand what they said but he was in pain and had already been fighting three rounds with his eye totally closed.”Anthony Ogogo fought on when he with an eye injury when he shouldn’t have and it ruined his career. David Adeleye and Jeamie TKV forced apart in explosive row ahead of Joe Joyce undercard fight “Everyone can be wise afterwards but he got caught on the eye which was damaged.”Daniel had been telling his corner in between rounds that every time he got caught there it was excruciating and if he had fought on it could have got worse.”They would’ve pulled him out at the end of the [10th] round anyway. He was hampered from that injury from the third round but even if he lost the next two rounds it could have been a draw.”There was nothing in that fight, I had him [Dubois] a round up. But take nothing away from Joe Joyce, he boxed excellently, and he’s now in an excellent position.”They have to wait for the swelling to go down before deciding what to do.”It’s definitely a broken orbital bone and he’s seen a specialist to see if he needs surgery.”Dubois did not need surgery but his road back was not easy. He was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in nine rounds despite arguing that a low-blow landed in the fifth was instead legal. Zhilei Zhang stopped Joyce in six rounds of their first fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunZhang won the rematch by KOCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunBut Dubois bounced back with big wins over Jarrell Miller and Hrgovic – where he won the IBF interim title. And after Usyk vacated the strap to rematch Tyson Fury – beating him twice in 2024 – Dubois was elevated to full champion. He knocked out Anthony Joshua in his first defence in September – marking a stunning career turnaround. For Joyce, things have played out drastically differently. After beating Dubois, he won three on the spin against Carlos Takam, Christian Hammer and Joseph Parker. He was even the WBO mandatory for the title held by Usyk at the time – with talk of also challenging Fury for the WBC belt at Wembley. But he took an interim bout against Zhilei Zhang in April 2023 – suffering a round six stoppage with a similar eye injury to Dubois’.Zhang then brutally KOd Joyce in the rematch – leaving his title hopes in tatters and his career in question. Joyce did return with a routine but uninspired win over Kash Ali in March 2024 but was dropped on the way to a points loss to Chisora. Read More on The SunHe refused retirement and was due to face Dillian Whyte next.But Whyte pulled out with a finger injury – with Hrgovic agreeing to fill in as a replacement for what could be a make-or-break night for Joyce.Joyce and Filip Hrgovic face offCredit: Getty More