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      in Boxing

      I was terrified as I stared down the barrel of gun while my wife cried when I was robbed of £71k watch, says Amir Khan

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      AMIR Khan told a court today how scared he was as he stared down the barrel of a gun before having his £71,000 watch stolen.The former boxing champion, 36, told how he was pushed, fell back on the car and saw the gun being pointed about a foot away from his face.
      Amir Khan told a court he was scared after being robbed by masked raidersCredit: PA
      The moment Amir was targeted by a gunman has been shown to jurors
      The masked gunman then allegedly told him: “Take off the watch.”
      Boxing champ Khan, wearing a pinstripe suit, told Snaresbrook Crown Court he heard wife Faryal, 31, “screaming and crying” during the incident, which was over in seconds.
      And he revealed how it was “totally different” to the tough situations he has been put in when fighting someone in the ring.
      He said: “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a gun in my face. It put me in shock straight away.
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      “I didn’t want to look at the gun. I looked away. I literally saw into the barrel.
      “I was really scared. I’ve got three kids. My wife was next to me. I was really really scared.
      “I’m a sportsman, a fighter. I’ve always been put in the toughest situations when I go into the ring and fight someone. This was totally different. Very very scary.”
      Asked how close the robber was to him, Khan said: “Very close. He was really close.
      Most read in Boxing
      “I remember the gun – a foot from my face. I remember looking right into the barrel there, looking into the gun barrel.”
      The incident happened moments after he left the Sahara Grill with his wife in Leyton, East London, last April.
      Khan crossed the road and saw a man running towards him, initially thinking someone was messing about or playing a prank.
      He said he didn’t know what the gunman wanted originally but it then hit him that he was after the watch. Khan took it off straight away and handed it to him.
      He told the jury: “I still didn’t look at him. I looked down and handed it over. Handed him the watch.
      “When someone puts a gun to your face you think he’s going to shoot. I looked away and handed it over.
      “I saw them run off. That’s when people ran across to see what’s happening.
      “I could hear my wife screaming and crying. I looked around to see if she was OK. I went to Faryal.”
      He said he “didn’t want to be there” because it was getting busy but had to wait for the police to arrive to give them his statements.
      But he did say he felt more comfort when people ran over to him, adding: “During the incident I was on my own. When I went to my wife and saw people I felt a little safer.”
      He told the court that his rose-gold diamond encrusted watch, estimated to be worth £71,000, was given to him after he won a boxing fight.
      Friend of eight years Omar Khalid, who had dined with the Khans, had gone ahead to get the car.
      He told the court: “There were two guys walking towards the car. Amir was next to the car.
      “When I looked I thought they might be fans speaking to him, but I felt someone had been thudded into the car.
      “I looked towards the passenger window, and saw one of them had a gun.
      “I froze and thought, ‘What do I do here?’. He was an arms’ length away from Amir.
      “He had the gun to Khan’s head or face. I decided to get out of the car, and as soon as I got out of the car the gun was pointed towards me. It was a black handgun.
      “They were just walking off and got into the Mercedes.
      “It lasted, from when I first saw them to when it finished, it was about 30 seconds to a minute.”
      Defendants Ahmed Bana and Nural Amin, both 25, and Ismail Mohamed, 24, deny conspiracy to commit robbery. Bana also denies having an imitation firearm.
      Dante Campbell, 21, has previously admitted being the gunman during the hold-up in April.
      Hamza Kulane, said to be involved as one of three ‘spotters’, has not been traced.
      Read More on The Sun
      The trial continues.
      Khan was with wife Faryal at the time of the robberyCredit: Central News
      He said she was screaming and crying during the ordealCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      I fought Mike Tyson, inspired him to get face tattoo, and sent to prison for attempted murder before becoming a painter

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      MIKE TYSON’S career was nothing short of a rollercoaster – but perhaps his strangest opponent was a man nicknamed “The Black Rhino”.Iron Mike was undoubtedly on a downward spiral in 2003 when he stepped into the ring on February 22 in Memphis.
      Clifford Etienne now has a new passion in prison after retiring from boxingCredit: Getty
      Mike Tyson knocked out the ‘Black Rhino’ in just 49 seconds in 2003Credit: AFP
      Iron Mike got his iconic facial tattoo just a week before what transpired to be his final victoryCredit: Getty
      Clifford Etienne was jailed three years later and became an artist on the insideCredit: AFP
      He faced fringe contender Clifford Etienne and knocked him out in just 49 seconds – despite claiming he had a broken back.
      The pre-fight was marred by rumours of the then 36-year-old’s fitness with allegations that he sacked off his training camp in order to party in Las Vegas.
      And he even took time out to get his now iconic facial tattoo just a week before the bout.
      Despite all of that, and “The Baddest Man on the Planet” cancelling the fight before changing his mind, the legend still claimed what would be his final ever victory between the ropes.
      READ MORE ON SPORT
      He filed for bankruptcy soon afterwards but the American has since gone on to bounce back with his highly-profitable cannabis farm, several Hollywood movie appearances and his comeback to the ring against Roy Jones Jr in 2020.
      But while he has rebuilt his life, his opponent that night also hit rock bottom but now has a new passion since being JAILED.
      Etienne, now 53, is serving a 105-year prison sentence in Louisiana for armed robbery, kidnapping, and attempted murder of a police officer after being convicted in 2006.
      The ex-heavyweight, who retired with a record of 29 wins, two draws and four losses, discovered a love of painting while in the joint.
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      Lynn O’Shea handles Etienne’s business affairs and she revealed to TMZ how art has saved his life behind bars.
      She said: “He’s amazing. He took painting serious inside and after he earned trustee status he was actually able to become the warden’s artist and sleep in his paint room.
      “That kept him away from all the drama in gen pop.
      “The city of New Orleans bought one that hangs in a district police department, if you can believe that.”
      However, life has not always been a pretty picture for the artist on the inside.
      Back in 2015 he was transferred to a new prison after he was attacked and nearly killed in in his paint room.
      O’Shea added: “Things slowed down after the attack. He used to make all his own canvas and stuff to paint on … but now he’s locked down.
      “I’m hoping some friends from his past life as a boxer can help him out.” More

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      in Boxing

      Thug ran towards Amir Khan, pointed gun at his face and demanded ‘take off your watch’ in terrifying armed robbery

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      A ROBBER ran towards boxing champ Amir Khan in the street, pointed a gun in his face and demanded he hand over his watch, a court heard yesterday.He snatched the £72,000 custom-made Franck Muller timepiece before turning the imitation gun on Mr Khan’s pal.
      Amir Khan was targeted by armed robbers while with wife FaryalCredit: Getty
      Amir is being held up outside the restaurant in Leyton, East London
      The robber and an accomplice were then driven away in a silver Mercedes.
      Mr Khan, 36, his wife Faryal, 31, and friend Omar Khalid were targeted outside a restaurant by a gang who used spotters to track their victims’ movements and relay them by phone, it was alleged.
      The Khans had gone with Mr Khalid to eat at the Sahara Grill in Leyton, East London.
      Prosecutor Philip Evans KC told the court: “Mr Khalid had parked his car up on the other side of the road and, as the Khans left the restaurant, Amir stopped briefly to greet some people outside the restaurant who wanted to say hello to him.
      Read more news
      “He then proceeded to cross the road with Faryal following a few steps behind him.
      “As Mr Khan approached Mr Khalid’s car he looked back to see where Faryal was and the next thing he knew, a man with a gun was running towards him.”
      They had been followed into the restaurant by Nurul Amin, Ismail Mohammed, as well as Hamza Kulane who then phoned Ahmed Bana and Dante Campbell, it was alleged.
      CCTV was said to show Bana, Campbell and an unidentified man leaving Bana’s home and arriving in the Mercedes at a road near the restaurant.
      Most read in Boxing
      Mr Evans said they met Mohammed, who picked them up in his Astra, and drove them round the block and past the restaurant, in which Mr Khan could be seen.
      Mr Evans told Snaresbrook crown court: “The people in the restaurant had taken them to observe the person who was going to be the target of the conspiracy to rob.”
      He added that as the couple left the man pointed the gun at the former world champion’s face and said: “Take off the watch.”
      He added: “Mr Khan, unsurprisingly, took off his watch and handed it to the gunman who ran away immediately and as he did so pointed the gun towards Mr Khalid, who was nearby.
      “A second male had also run towards Mr Khan and he, too, turned and ran away with the gunman once the watch had been taken.”
      The court was told the robbers fled in the Mercedes, driven by Bana.
      Bana and Amin, both 25, and Mohammed, 24, deny conspiracy to commit robbery. Bana also denies having an imitation firearm.
      Campbell, 21, has previously admitted being the gunman during the hold-up in April. Kulane has not been traced.
      Read More on The Sun
      The trial continues
      Bespoke Franck Muller watch made for AmirCredit: PA
      Khan is seen leaving the Sahara Grill restaurant shortly before the horror
      His wife was just a few steps behindCredit: Instagram / @faryalmakhdoom More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Prem ace banned from driving despite claiming it might cost him chance of life-saving transplant

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      FORMER England star Kieron Dyer has been banned from driving — despite claiming it might cost him the chance of a life-saving transplant.The 44-year-old, who was fourth on I’m A Celebrity in 2015, admitted taking a phone call while at the wheel of his Audi.
      Kieron Dyer has been banned from driving — despite claiming it might cost him the chance of a life-saving transplantCredit: Rex
      But he argued in court he would face exceptional hardship if stripped of his licence under the totting-up points procedure.
      The former Newcastle United and Ipswich Town midfielder, who won 33 England caps, has a chronic liver disease.
      He told the court he needed to be able to get to hospital within two hours if a donor organ became available.
      Magistrates in Ipswich expressed sympathy but said he could afford taxis.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      They banned Dyer, who lives in the town, for six months, along with a fine and costs totalling £836. More

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      in Boxing

      I knocked down Muhammad Ali, fought a BEAR, went to jail for drug possession and inspired the Rocky films

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      HE knocked down Muhammad Ali, twice fought a bear and was sentenced to 10 years in jail.The real-life inspiration for the Rocky movies really had some tough times.
      Chuck Wepner has had a statue erected in his honour after an amazing lifeCredit: Getty
      Wepner put Ali down in the ninth round of a contest that led to a viewer watching on closed-circuit Tv in an LA movie theatre to write a screenplay for RockyCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Chuck Wepner, 83, broke his nose nine times in 16 years and was known as the Bayonne Bleeder because such messy injuries were his hallmark.
      And for the man who joined the Marines aged 15, his incredible experiences make those of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa character seem like a week in a kindergarten.
      Chuck told the BBC: “Where I grew up, there were always two or three gangs.
      “And more or less you had to go up there and beat up the toughest guy to survive, which I did. I’d have a fight almost every week.”

      Following three years in the Marines he had 52 pro fights, winning 36 and succumbing to all-time greats like Ali, Sonny Liston and George Foreman.
      Liston gave him 71 of the 328 stitches he believes he’s had over the years – always with only ice to dull the pain.
      Wepner says he always gave everything in the ring: “Jesus, absolutely. I would go in there ready to die.”
      And with real Rocky undertones he added: “Matter of fact, after the Liston fight, I was in a semi-coma and I was in shock.
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      “My doctor told my mother I was pretty banged up. I really thought about whether I wanted to continue.
      “But then I thought, I gotta try, I gotta try again. I gotta give it one more shot.”
      And it was such spirit, as a 10-1 outsider against Ali, that inspired one spectator to dash off to write the screenplay for Rocky, which became the most popular film of 1976.
      Wepner became only the fourth person to floor the iconic Ali.
      But, to the dismay of a crowd who had switched sides to roar him on, he was stopped 19 seconds from the end of the full 15 rounds.
      Denying claims from Ali’s camp that their man had tripped when sent to the canvas in his ninth-round moment of fame, Wepner said: “Strike me dead, I dropped him.
      “I hit him with that punch and you can hear it on the replay, He was off balance and I dropped him and he knew it.”
      But he added: “I could see his eyes and I thought, I’ve really got him angry now! That’s when he started counter punching and swearing at me.”
      Wepner went on to fight wrestling legend Andre “The Giant” Rene Roussimoff, against whom he was counted out in a staged fight.
      Fans had turend from backing Ali to brave underdog Wepner but he was stopped just 19 seconds fromt he end of the 15th and final roundCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Then came two bouts with Victor the performing bear.
      Victor was so riled by continuous jabs to the head that he hurled Wepner across the ring.
      But the American revealed a darker side began looming in his life as he turned to “solving problems”.
      He said: “Let’s say I did a couple favours for friends of mine, you know.
      “I used to go around and ask people politely [about the money they owed] and then maybe I have to smack them in the face or something.”
      After retiring from boxing in 1979, Wepner admits he took cocaine – one reason he failed an audition for Rocky II.
      And in 1986 he was jailed for 10 years for possessing drugs – only to be treated as a hero by inmates and paroled after three years.
      He explained: “Give me a break. It was fine.
      “Everywhere I went, the guys were singing: ‘Champ, Champ!’ and saying to me, ‘How are you doing, Chuck?'”
      Wepner then won an undisclosed sum after suing for not being credited in the Rocky franchise.
      And now he’s got a statue in his honour.
      Read More on The Sun
      Not quite the equivalent of one of the three Oscars the first Rocky film won.
      But it’s still worthy recognition for a man whose character helped sculpt one of the most famous sporting characters in cinema history. More

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      in Motorsport

      I was jailed after CS gassing a taxi driver which led to Michael Schumacher getting his F1 debut and the rest is history

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      RACING legend Michael Schumacher was handed his Formula 1 debut after French driver Bertrand Gachot was imprisoned for Actual Bodily Harm.Eddie Jordan’s racing team began the 1991 season with the driver pair of Gachot and Andrea de Cesaris.
      Bertrand Gachot was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 1991Credit: Getty
      Gachot’s imprisonment handed Michael Schumacher his F1 debutCredit: Getty
      But they were soon left a man short when Gachot was sentenced to 18 months behind bars.
      It was the result of a road rage incident in December 1990 where his car crashed into a taxi.
      Following a confrontation, Gachot sprayed the taxi driver with CS gas.
      He was subsequently arrested for Actual Bodily Harm.
      READ MORE ON MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
      Gachot learnt that Schumacher had replaced him while he was in jailCredit: Getty
      This picture was taken outside court before Gachot was found guilty in 1991Credit: National Pictures
      When the trial took place nine months later, he was expecting to be handed a fine or suspended prison term.
      Instead, Gachot was locked up meaning he could not compete in the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix.
      This gave Schumacher his breakthrough opportunity – something Gachot was not aware of until someone told him in jail.
      Schumacher ended up qualifying seventh ahead of team-mate De Cesaris in 11th.
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      And while he was then forced to retire from the race on the first lap, word soon got back to Gachot about the talented driver that had replaced him.
      Speaking about the events on the Beyond The Grid podcast in 2021, Gachot said: “I didn’t know [about Schumacher].
      “The first time somebody spoke to me about Michael Schumacher – I won’t forget – is one of the guards in jail.
      “He said, ‘The new guy that they hired is so good, they don’t need you anymore. So you can stay here’. I tell you, word for word.”
      He added: “Andrea de Cesaris sent me a letter. And that was very funny. I was really good friends with Andrea, and he was an amazing guy.
      “He wrote me the letter saying, ‘Don’t worry about the German. He just got me in qualifying, but I will get him soon. You watch.'”
      Schumacher ended up joining Benneton-Ford for the remainder of 1991 and managed three top six finishes before the end of the season.
      He would go on to win two F1 world titles with Benneton-Ford, before joining Ferrari and claiming another five drivers’ championships.
      Meanwhile, Gachot was released from prison after just two months following an appeal.
      Read More on The Sun
      He drove for the Larrousse team for the rest of the 1991 season and in 1992.
      He then finished his F1 career with Pacific Racing, driving for them in 1994 and 1995.
      Gachot raced until 1995 following his release from prisonCredit: Getty
      Schumacher holds the record for seven world title wins alongside Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Schumacher led Ferrari to unprecedented successCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      I’m a former Blackburn Rovers striker but now I’m a painter decorator… I look unrecognisable in my work gear

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      A FORMER Blackburn Rovers striker turned painter decorator now looks “unrecognisable” in his work gear.Hat-trick scorer Simon Garner, 63, dons a paint spattered fleece to work instead of the blue and white kit of his Ewood Park days.
      Hat-trick scorer Simon Garner, 63, dons a paint spattered fleece
      Garner, who spent four weeks in prison in 1996 for contempt of court during a “messy” divorce from his first wife, went through a number of jobs following his successful football career.
      The goal-scorer has now traded in the glory of his 1980s title as “Blackburn’s all-time leading scorer” for the acclaim of not spilling a pot of paint in 20 years.
      But the Lincolnshire lad also spent three months as a postman and “a short time” managing council houses for Wycombe Wanderer’s former owner Steve Hayes before settling down in his new career.
      He fell into painting and decorating after a pal took him under his wing following a conversation in the pub.
      Read More On Football
      He said: “Fortunately, this guy gave me the job, taught me the ropes, and after eight months I went on my own.”
      Now based in Cookham, Berkshire, Garner transforms homes with a slick of paint.
      And he said the job’s perfect for him because he can choose which hours he works.
      He finishes work early on the days Blackburn Rovers play and commentating on games in the south for his local radio station.
      Most read in Football
      It comes after Garner’s striking career ended in 2000.
      He started his incredible career at his local club Boston United before joining Blackburn Rovers as an apprentice, turning professional in July 1978 and playing his debut the following season at Newcastle United.
      He played 474 league games for Rovers over his 14-year stint at the club.
      In his final season at Ewood Park, Blackburn were promoted to the Premier League.
      He scored 168 goals in the league and 192 in all competitions – which remains a club record and in February 2019 he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
      After Rovers he moved to West Bromwich Albion for £30,000 in 1992, Wycombe Wanderers in 1993 and Woking in 1996 before spending a couple of years with non-league Wealdstone.
      He’s previously revealed Rovers had no defence during his time there.
      “We didn’t know how to defend,” he said. “If the opposition scored three, we scored four.”
      Garner in 1987 with Blackburn Rovers. He scored 168 goals in the league and 192 in all competitionsCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      in Soccer

      Team that Mason Greenwood REJECTED previously picked sex offender Premier League star after jail for sick assault

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      A TEAM rejected by Mason Greenwood previously picked a Premier League star after he was convicted of sexual assault. Striker Marlon King joined the Jamaican national team in 2004 following several spells behind bars and continued to play for the club after becoming a registered sex offender.
      Striker Marlon King played for the Jamaican national team after his jail term for sexual assault in 2009Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Manchester United ace Mason Greenwood turned down a chance to switch to the Caribbean teamCredit: Reuters
      King, who has a history of drink-driving, threatening behaviour and criminal damage, was in 2009 locked up for “decking” a woman who objected to him groping her bottom in a nightclub the year before.
      He punched the 20-year-old in the face, causing a broken nose and split lip, and was jailed for 18 months.
      After his release, King twice played for Jamaica in 2012 before being suspended from the next two World Cup qualifiers for breaking curfew.
      He announced his retirement from football a short time later.
      READ MORE ON GREENWOOD
      King, who also played for teams including Nottingham Forest, Watford, Birmingham City and Sheffield United, scored 162 goals throughout his British career.
      The 42-year-old, who was on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years, netted a further 24 for Jamaica, nicknamed the Reggae Boyz.
      Greenwood rejected a similar switch to the Caribbean – even though he is unlikely to ever be selected for England by Gareth Southgate again, The Sun understands.
      The Man United ace, 21, has not given up on his Three Lions dream, despite falling out with the England manager.
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      He is waiting to hear if The Red Devils will re-integrate him after charges of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour were dropped last month.
      Greenwood qualifies for Jamaica via his mother’s side, and rules state he could be eligible to play for them in September.
      Jamaica Football Federation boss Dennis Chung said: “He is only 21 and so has a very bright future ahead of him and I think he will add value to any team he is on.”
      However, Greenwood is keen to resurrect his England career after making his debut at 18 away to Iceland in 2020.
      The next day he and team-mate Phil Foden were sent home after smuggling two women into the team hotel in breach of Covid rules.
      Greenwood, who has scored 22 goals in 83 matches, has not played for his country since.

      A source said: “He is clinging to the hope of playing again at the highest level.
      “But Southgate places a great deal of importance on not only a player’s talent, but how the squad gels.” More