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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.
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      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.
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      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.
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      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.
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      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.
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      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

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      in Soccer

      Sam Allardyce sues ‘thug in a suit’ Irish property developer for £3.5million

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      SAM Allardyce is suing an Irish property developer once dubbed “a thug in a suit” for £3.5million.Ex-England boss “Big Sam” and his wife claim they paid John Kelly £883,000 to buy and do up two Surrey mansions.
      Ex-England manager Sam Allardyce is sueing ‘thuggish’ property developer John KellyCredit: Getty
      But the deal — which also included buying £100,000 in Bitcoin — fell through, a High Court writ claims.
      Now lawyers for the couple say Kelly, 60, has since “failed to account” for their investment.
      The developer, of Windsor, Berkshire, built a property empire in Dublin in the 2000s worth millions.
      He paid around £350,000 to Girls Aloud to perform at his step- daughter’s 21st birthday.
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      In 2009 he told an Irish court he owned a helicopter, a yacht in Marbella, a Bentley and an Aston Martin.
      But his fortunes collapsed and in 2012 he claimed he was under police protection after paramilitary threats.
      In 2013 convicted fraudster Thomas Byrne accused Kelly, his former business partner, of being a “thug in a suit” and “vampire-like” while on trial at Dublin’s central criminal court.
      The writ by the Allardyces at London’s High Court, against him and his wife, Mary O’Connor, claims they handed over £883,000 to Kelly between 2017 and 2019.
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      The money was allegedly meant to be used to buy the properties in Woking and Cranleigh, which would be developed and sold for profit.
      Kelly also pledged to use the cash to buy 34 units of Bitcoin for £100,000. But the writ accuses him of failing to pay the Allardyces “any of the sums owed to them”.
      It says Kelly even rang 68-year-old Allardyce, who managed the England football team in 2016, and told him the Bitcoin deal had gone “belly up”.
      The writ is for £650,000, plus £2.5million in interest, with £1,417 per day in interest until the claim is concluded.
      It is also demanding 34 units of Bitcoin be returned or £511,200 in compensation.
      The writ also reveals Kelly committed to pay £200,000 to Mark Curtis, understood to be Allardyce’s football agent, by February 2019.
      Kelly’s defence is yet to be made public. More

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      in Soccer

      Achraf Hakimi denies rape accusation alleging he’s victim of ‘racketeering’ plot as wife ‘dumps’ the PSG star

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      PARIS Saint-German star Achraf Hakimi has denied the rape allegations and claims he is a victim of attempted racketeering. The Morroco-born ace, 24, was placed under judicial supervision on Friday on preliminary charges of rape.
      The footballer alleges he is a victim of attempted racketeeringCredit: AFP
      Hakimi has denied all the allegationsCredit: AFP
      A preliminary investigation was opened last week after a woman accused the footie star of rape.
      The woman alleged the 24-year-old assaulted her after inviting her to his home while his wife Hiba Abouk was on holiday with their kids.
      Hakimi was questioned by prosecutors on Thursday and denied wrongdoing.
      The footballer’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, later released a statement noting that Hakimi “strongly denies” the allegations and alleging that he is a victim of attempted racketeering, ESPN reports.
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      The statement read: “According to the elements currently at the disposal of the police that M. Hakimi, in this case, is the victim of an attempt of racketeering.”
      “Achraf Hakimi strongly denied the accusations against him during his police interview.”
      According to Le Parisien, the 24-year-old defender began talking to the woman on January 16 on Instagram.
      He allegedly then invited her to his home in Boulogne on Saturday, reportedly ordering her an Uber to transport her.
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      She claimed he assaulted her before she was able to free herself by kicking him then texted a friend to pick her up.
      The woman went to a police station but said she did not want to press charges.
      Prosecutors launched an investigation due to the seriousness of the allegations.
      Meanwhile, TV actress Hiba, 36, is believed to have dumped the star with reports suggesting they have been estranged for weeks.
      They have not been seen together in public for months.
      And following the rape allegation she is “accelerating” proceedings to separate for good, according to Cierre Digital.
      She has not publicly commented, but an Instagram post shows her walking on a Dubai beach with her two young sons.
      She captioned it “Adding moments”, and added the hashtags “family first” and one translating as “I’d die for mine”.
      The pair met in 2018 when Hakimi was in Dortmund, seeing her relocate from Madrid.
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      They got married in a secret wedding in 2020 before welcoming their first son, while their second child was born in 2022.
      Hakimi was credited for helping his national team reach the historic semi-final sport in the 2022 tournament.
      The pair have been reportedly estranged for weeksCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      PSG ace Achraf Hakimi charged with rape after ‘inviting woman to his home while wife Hiba Abouk & kids were on holiday’

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Achraf Hakimi has been charged with rape.French prosecutors confirmed the Morocco defender, 24, is facing formal charges this morning.
      Achraf Hakimi has been charge with rapeCredit: AFP
      The alleged incident involving PSG’s Moroccan star happened on February 25Credit: AFP
      On Thursday, it was reported that the PSG star was questioned by prosecutors in connection with accusations from a 24-year-old woman.
      Now Hakimi, 24, has been subsequently charged, prosecutors told AFP.
      The alleged attack happened when he reportedly invited a woman to his home in the suburbs of Paris while his wife and kids were on holiday on February 25.
      His alleged victim went into a police station on Sunday to say that had been raped by the PSG player but did not wish to file a complaint.
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      Prosecutors launched an investigation due to the seriousness of the allegations.
      According to Le Parisien, the ex-Real Madrid, Dortmund, and Inter Milan ace began talking to the woman on January 16 on Instagram.
      He allegedly then invited her to his home in Boulogne on Saturday, reportedly ordering her an Uber to transport her.
      Hakimi’s wife – actress Hiba Abouk – is currently holidaying in Dubai with their young two sons.
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      His accuser claims that after arriving at his home, the footie star began kissing her on the mouth while lifting her clothes.
      She alleged he sexually assaulted her before she finally managed to free herself after kicking Hakimi and then texting a friend to pick her up.
      Hakimi’s lawyer described the accusations as “false” earlier this week.
      The Morrocan ace met his wife Hiba in 2018 when he was at Dortmund, seeing her relocate from Madrid.
      Twelve years his senior, she made her name in the Spanish crime drama El Principe, and like Hakimi, she is a devout Muslim.
      The pair share similar stories – she was born in Madrid to parents who had emigrated from Tunisia.
      They got married in a secret wedding in 2020 before welcoming their first son, while their second child was born in 2022.
      Back in October, with the World Cup on the horizon, they appeared in a stunning shoot in Vogue Arabia.
      Hakimi was credited for helping his national team reach the historic semi-final sport in the 2022 tournament. More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League urged to re-investigate Newcastle’s Saudi takeover after stunning court revelation

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      THE Premier League is under pressure to re-investigate Newcastle’s takeover after US court revelations that the club’s owner is part of the Saudi government.Prem bosses gave permission for the controversial £300million takeover in October 2021 after insisting they had “legally binding assurances” that the Saudi government did not control the club.
      Some Prem rivals want Newcastle’s takeover re-examinedCredit: Reuters
      Lawyers for Toon chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the US court case admitted their clients were representatives of the Saudi governmentCredit: Getty
      But those pledges were thrown into doubt after stunning revelations in a US court case in the bitter golf battle between the Saudi-funded LIV Tour and the PGA.
      In a bid to avoid giving evidence, lawyers for Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and the Saudi Public Investment Fund admitted their clients were representatives of the Saudi government.
      LIV lawyers said: “PIF and His Excellency Yasir al-Rumayyan are not ordinary third parties subject to basic discovery relevance standards.
      “They are a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a sitting minister of the Saudi government.
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      “Thus they cannot be compelled to provide testimony and documents in a US proceeding.”
      Those arguments failed to impress Judge Susan van Kaplan, who ruled in favour of the PGA and ordered the Saudis to give a sworn deposition testimony.
      But more critically it appears that LIV’s legal team were making claims that run diametrically opposite to those made to justify the Prem allowing the Newcastle deal to take place.
      It has sparked anger from Prem rivals who are furious that the Prem failed to block the deal in the first place.
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      As part of the final discussions between Prem bosses and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, concerns were raised over “which entities would own and/or have the ability to control the club” before the ownership guarantees were given.
      But at the time Prem chief executive Richard Masters also insisted: “If we find evidence to the contrary we can remove the consortium as owners of the club in accordance with the rules.
      “That is understood. There are ways of ensuring we are comfortable and satisfied and that remains the case.”
      Masters will now face calls from rival Prem clubs to rule on whether he must intervene following the legal moves in a court in California.
      Rival club chiefs reacted with disbelief and anger and are now expecting Masters and Prem bosses to act.
      One club boss said: “This looks like a complete reversal of the position we were told was the reason the deal was approved.
      “Surely the Premier League has to get involved here and look at this issue again.”
      A Prem spokesman last night declined to make any comment when asked to respond to the latest development.
      But the demands for action will concern Newcastle fans just days after their first cup final in 24 years – Sunday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester United.
      The Toon board gave a public show of “gratitude” in an open letter to fans, many of whom helped clean up Trafalgar Square after gathering there before the match.
      The board said: “The scenes around Wembley and inside the stadium on Sunday were remarkable and beyond inspiring.
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      “We could not have asked for any more from you. That connection and sense of family is part of our identity.
      “Our ambitions are strengthened by this experience and it will only make us even more determined as we move forward.”
      Newcastle directors Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi were part of the takeover in October 2021Credit: Getty More