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      True story of Dicky Eklund – boxing champ-turned-crack addict who ended up in jail before inspiring Oscar-winning movie

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      DICKY EKLUND inspired an Oscar-winning performance by Christian Bale for his depiction of the boxing champion-turned drug addict.Bale took Best Supporting Actor in 2011 for his role in The Fighter alongside Mark Wahlberg – who played Eklund’s brother Micky Ward. Former boxer Dicky Eklund in HBO’s ‘High on Crack Street’Credit: HBOChristian Bale with Dicky Eklund in 2010Credit: GettyChristian Bale played Eklund while Mark Wahlberg portrayed his brother Micky WardCredit: AlamyMicky Ward and Dicky Eklund in 2011Credit: GettyIt followed the story of how Eklund went from hometown hero who fought the great Sugar Ray Leonard for $7,500 (around £6,000) to a crack cocaine addict.His brother Micky meanwhile was attempting to break out of Lowell, Massachusetts, and into the big time in boxing.But 20 years before The Fighter’s release, Eklund featured in the grim true-life HBO documentary called “High on Crack Street”.It followed a group of drug users and drew back the curtain on the harsh reality of addiction. READ MORE IN BOXINGIn the episode, Eklund can be seen smoking from a crack pipe and reminiscing about his boxing past – and his 1978 loss to Sugar Ray.He is later arrested – for the 27th time – and his family put on a fundraiser to pay off the $5,000 bail. A group of locals, paying $10 apiece, watch back Eklund’s HBO fight against Leonard, which included a disputed knockdown against the legend. Eklund is eventually bailed and starts training brother Micky for a fight. Most read in BoxingAnd after Ward wins a bout, Eklund said: “I could’ve been probably up close to the champion of the world, maybe. If I lived the right life. Staying clean.”Eklund then went missing the day after brother Mickey’s fight and was found in a local crack house.A-listers in surprisingly humble cars & why Daniel Radcliffe feels ‘more comfortable in a £2k hatchback than a Ferrari’His trainer Mickey O’Keefe – who actually played himself in The Fighter – said: “The addiction’s too much for him. It’s real sad. “Sad because he’s got a family and kids at home. A little baby that depends on him.”Maybe the best thing for him is going to jail, maybe it will save his life.”The doc finishes with Eklund being sentenced to ten years in jail for a series of crimes including armed robbery. In that time, Ward went on to win titles and shared an iconic trilogy with the late Arturo Gatti which earned him $3million in total.Eklund only served five years in prison and came out to again train Ward. But he found himself in trouble with the law over the years, again getting arrested in 2006 on drug charges. Ward retired in 2003 after his trilogy loss to Gatti, who he later coached and became close friends with.His son visits him in jailCredit: HBOThis was Eklund’s disputed knockdown against Sugar Ray LeonardCredit: HBOThe American opened up a gym and trained fighters alongside brother Eklund, who was clean of drugs. Their story was so inspiring Hollywood’s Wahlberg spent years trying to get it green lit. Eventually, director David O Russell produced the 2010 classic The Fighter with Wahlberg co-starring alongside Bale and Amy Adams.Bale dropped TWO STONE to portray drug-addicted Eklund at just 10st 3lb. The two spent time together in local Lowell bars and boxing gyms – with Bale still in touch with Eklund and his son Dicky Jr to this day. He told GQ in 2022: “Dicky, he’s such a character. “He makes his presence felt all the time. I spent so much time hanging out with Dicky beforehand. Wahlberg played Eklund’s brother Micky WardBale won an Oscar for his performance”Being in Lowell, hanging out with him, going walking around, getting kicked out of bars, having almost every cop stopping and going, ‘Hey, hey Dicky!’ and then telling me a story about when they arrested him. “Going to the boxing gym, jumping in the ring and sparring with him — and oh my God, it’s really quite something when you might think you can, ‘Ah, I’ll be a decent boxer,’ you spar with other amateurs and whatnot, I’d done that a few times. “But when you get in the ring with a pro? Bloody hell.”The success of The Fighter fuelled demand for a sequel and a year after its release plans for a follow up were in place. Wahlberg wanted to tell the story of Ward’s legendary trilogy with Gatti and their friendship after battle. But the sequel sadly never came to fruition despite Wahlberg never losing hope. He said in 2022: “I was never really in the sequel business. “But The Fighter really lent itself for another movie because of Micky and Arturo Gatti’s trilogy.I could’ve been probably up close to the champion of the world, maybe. If I lived the right life. Staying clean.Dicky Eklund, speaking on HBO’s ‘High on Crack Street’“I’m always kind of looking for the next thing. But if the audience really wants it, and they really love it, and we can make one better than the first then I’d be willing to do it again, for sure.”Gatti was mysteriously found dead in 2009 in a hotel in Pernambuco, Brazil where he was on holiday with his wife and ten-month-old son.His wife Amanda Rodrigues was initially charged with murder after Brazilian authorities ruled Gatti’s death a homicide. But after the coroner’s autopsy report was released, they declared it was a suicide by hanging, and charges against his widow were dropped.Ward often pays tribute to his opponent and close friend – posting a picture of them this past April. He captioned it: “Happy 52nd Arturo! Not a day goes by I don’t think of ya buddy.”Eklund has two sons, Dicky Jr and Tommy, and a daughter named Kerry. READ MORE SUN STORIESDicky Jr works at the famed Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles where Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach took him under his wing. And Sean was an 11-4 fighter who owns a gym himself Massachusetts, meaning after all these years, boxing is still in the family. Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward’s trilogy was the rumoured plot for The Fighter 2Credit: GettyEklund and Ward pose togetherCredit: Instagram More

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      Harrowing story of undefeated boxer who ‘lost his mind’ after drugs binge before ‘murdering wife’ and committing suicide

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      IT appeared Edwin Valero had the world at his feet as an undefeated champion with a beautiful wife and two children. But outside the ring he was battling a fight against drug addiction which would ultimately cost him his life.Edwin Valero had 27 wins all by KOCredit: AFPEdwin Valero pictured with wife JenniferBut he led a dark life in privateCredit: ReutersValero committed suicide in 2010Credit: AFPWBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told SunSport: “He had unbelievably heavy hands. “Very unfortunately his life ended in tragedy, in controversy, but what happened inside the ring was tremendous by him. “Valero grew up in Merida, Venezuela and began boxing at 12 in a bid to combat the anger that raged inside of him. He had an 86-6 amateur record with 57 knockouts, winning national titles three years in a row before turning professional in 2002. READ MORE IN BOXINGValero broke the record by winning his first 18 fights all by KO in a display of power never-before-seen. He was also becoming somewhat of a myth behind-the-scenes in boxing gyms, regularly KOing sparring partners in chilling fashion. By 20 bouts, Valero was WBA super-featherweight champion and later won the WBC belt in 2009. WBC boss Sulaiman – his father Jose in charge at the time – befriended Valero on the boxer’s rise to stardom. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSulaiman told SunSport: “He was very nice, very quiet. He had a great charisma, macho type, but he was a family man.” Valero shared son Edwin Antonio and Jennifer Roselyne with wife Jennifer.Mike Tyson doesn’t hesitate when revealing heavyweight who would have beaten him Heading into the late 2000s and Valero was making huge waves in the sport, linked with massive fights against the likes of Manny Pacquiao.But he also led a secret life of drink and drugs, which caused a strain on his relationship. In 2010, Valero was accused of assault after his wife was hospitalised with bruises and a damaged lung. The feared fighter denied wrongdoing – while wife Jennifer told cops she hurt herself falling down stairs. Valero’s troubles outside the ring also included being denied a 2009 fight on Pacquaio’s undercard after his visa was rejected due to a DUI in Texas. The boxer continued to KO opponents around the world, from America, Asia and Mexico. But he would celebrate with drug binges back home in Venezuela – something that would have fatal consequences. Valero was one of boxing’s hardest hittersCredit: AFPHe knocked out every one of his opponentsCredit: GettyHe was world champion in two weightsCredit: AFPSulaiman said: “The sky was the limit for Valero because he was young and talented and powerful. “Very unfortunately, he experienced the evil of cocaine. In just a short period of time, he lost his mind.” Valero’s final fight was against Antonio DeMarco in February 2010 in Mexico – he won via ninth-round KO and retained his WBC lightweight title.But just two months later and he was dead alongside his wife.Sulaiman said: “After his fight in Mexico – he fought in Monterrey, Mexico – he flew back to Venezuela and some people introduced him to cocaine and he had a horrible week.”We were contacted by his family and friends and my father was a couple of days away from getting a humanitarian visa so that he could travel to a rehab facility in the United States.”And there was also one in Cuba that was ready to receive him. And unfortunately, history turned that way and it didn’t happen.” Valero’s 24-year-old wife was found stabbed to death on April 18, 2010. Valero walks after being arrested in a police station in 2010Credit: ReutersHe would commit suicide one day laterCredit: ReutersValero was arrested after Jennifer’s body was discovered in a hotel in the city of Valencia, Carabobo.The 27-0 champion – who won every fight by KO – was considered the prime suspect – but he never faced his day in court. Valero was discovered hanging in his jail cell just a day after his arrest – committing suicide only 24 hours after allegedly killing his wife. Reports in Venezuela claimed Valero admitted to hotel security and police that he had murdered his wife.Jennifer’s family accused Valero of being a violent, drug-addicted bully who stopped eating or sleeping before taking it out on his wife.Sulaiman and his dad saw Valero and his family dining out after his last fight – unaware of the horrors that would follow. He said: “I never could have believed what happened.Very unfortunately his life ended in tragedy, in controversy but what happened inside the ring was tremendous by him. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman”I was completely shocked. Heartbroken in disbelief because he was a real good friend.” “He was a very dear, fighter, dear friend. And it’s just a tragedy.” Both Valero and his wife had public burials in Venezuela.Their kids were taken in by Jennifer Carolina’s sister and their daughter later took up amateur boxing in her father’s honour. A 2016 film titled El Inca – Valero’s boxing nickname – was selected as Venezuelia’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.Valero’s brother-in-law – Jennifer’s brother Yoel Finol – also became a boxer and represented Venezuelan at the 2016 Olympics. In the run up to the Rio Games, Finol revealed he had forgiven Valero for his alleged horrors and only began boxing as a kid due to his influence. Finol is now a 3-0 pro bantamweight but he has not fought since 2020.READ MORE SUN STORIESValero remains the WBC’s only champion with a 100 per cent KO ratio with his career in the ring still celebrated to this day. But the questions he left unanswered also still remain.Yoel Finol, left, is Valero’s brother-in-law and an Olympic boxerCredit: Reuters More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League club boss admits arranging ‘cash for sex deal’ with teen girl he ‘raped at his home’

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      A PREMIER League club boss has admitted arranging a “cash for sex” deal with a teen girl he is accused of raping.The leading football figure, who cannot be named, is being sued by the alleged victim for aggravated damages.She claims she was raped by the man at his home when she was aged 15 after he invited her over to discuss a potential career opportunity.In High Court papers, the man admitted he had initiated a “cash for sex” arrangement while she was 16 or 17, The Athletic reports.He also claimed she had contacted him multiple times over the following years to offer sexual favours in return for money.His signed statement continued: “On the vast majority of occasions (he) has declined offers of sex, although he has engaged in sexual activity with the claimant on up to about 15 occasions in total over the years, for which he rewarded her with cash payments in line with her expectations.Read more news”On one occasion, the defendant engaged in sexual activity with both the claimant and her sister, both of whom were looking to earn some cash.”The football boss – anonymised in court as JZX – also branded her allegations as “dishonest and malicious”.The alleged victim came forward in 2021 claiming she was raped at his home when she was 15.But the man was not arrested and the case was left on file by the Crown Prosecution Service.Most read in FootballThis was due to a legal irregularity that meant the woman had waited too long to report the claims.Legislation at the time stated if the alleged offence took place between 1956 and 2004, and the complainant was a girl aged between 13 and 15, she had to make a report within a year.Although this was scrapped when the 2003 Sexual Offences Act came into place, it still applied if the alleged incident took place in the previous 48 years.She is suing the Premier League figure for aggravated damages for sexual assault and intentional infliction of injury.The woman claims that while he was showing her around the house, JZX subjected her to a “disgusting and traumatising” ordeal.She said in her own papers that he made her sit on his knee, told her she was a “good girl” and asked if she was a virgin.JZX then allegedly handed her £150 in three £50 notes after raping her.She says the alleged attack left her with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.The woman admits having sex on a number of occasions over the years but said she believed he would provide her with career opportunities “if she complied with his sexual demands”.READ MORE SUN STORIESJZX strongly denies the allegations and has stated the “implied contention that (he) might harm her or her family is wholly unfounded”.The BBC previously revealed how the boss was still in his post while awaiting the High Court trial.The leading figure in the Premier League has been accused of rape More

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      in Soccer

      Istanbul derby SUSPENDED as Fenerbahce fans throw flares into Galatasaray end and police forced to intervene

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      GALATASARAY and Fenerbahce’s heated derby was interrupted after a raft of flares were thrown in the stands.The historic clash between the two bitter rivals had everything except goals as the two Istanbul foes played out a goalless draw at the RAMS Park.Galatasaray and Fenerbahce’s heated derby was halted in IstanbulCredit: AFPFenerbahce fans repotedly threw flares towards Galatasaray supportersCredit: ReutersThe derby was halted on 52 minutes by the refereeCredit: RexTrouble erupted despite the presence of 30,000 police officersCredit: GettyMourinho had to settle for a pointCredit: GettyTensions were sky high before kick-off as the two sets of players refused to shake hands after making their way on to the pitch.And Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic had to interrupt the clash in the 52nd minute due to crowd trouble.According to Hurriyet, Fener fans threw flares towards rival supporters.Scary scenes ensued despite the strict security measures which saw a reported 30,000 police officers on duty at the game.Read More on FootballHowever, the match was restarted after the authorities intervened and regained control.Jose Mourinho’s side were desperate for the three points to cut down the deficit with Galatasaray.And the visitors almost pulled it off on 67 minutes with the biggest chance of the match.Fenerbahce star Filip Kostic delivered a corner-kick that was met by Alexander Djiku’s header.Most read in FootballHowever, Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera produced a stunning double save as he denied Djiku and then Edin Djeko who came close to scoring from the rebound.Mourinho’s men, who will face Rangers in the Europa League’s last 16, are now in second place with six points separating them from the top.Jose Mourinho ruins Mauro Icardi with sarcastic comments and fans love it Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray are now favourites to win a third successive Super Lig title. More

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      Bundesliga star shellshocked as stepfather shot dead in street after ‘shooting 10-year-old son and going on rampage’

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      GERMAN league star Kenneth Schmidt has been left in shock… after armed police shot his stepfather dead in the street.The 22-year-old defender belongs to his hometown club, Bundesliga outfit SC Freiburg.Kenneth Schmidt plays for hometown club SC FreiburgCredit: GettySchmidt, 22, has been on loan at Hannover 96Credit: AlamyCapped 18 times at youth level, he joined second-tier Hannover 96 on loan last month.But Schmidt’s world was turned upside down on Sunday when his stepdad reportedly attacked his mum Samira and half-brother.Reports say the man, named as Christoph S., threatened the pair at their home in the quiet village Eichstetten near Freiburg.The 48-year-old is said to have fired a shotgun through his son’s bedroom door, wounding the ten-year-old.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInvestigators told German media that the man then rampaged though nearby streets, armed with the shotgun and a pistol, before being gunned down by armed cops.He was rushed to hospital, but could not be saved.A police spokesman said: “The man’s motives seem completely unclear.”Samira, 47, and her younger son have received treatment for their injuries as well as psychological help.Most read in BundesligaSchmidt bravely turned up to Hannover training on Tuesday despite learning of the tragic drama the day before.However club chiefs have urged the centre-back to take time off to process events.North Korea’s Bizarre Ban on Tottenham HotspurA Hannover spokesman said: “We ask for people’s understanding that we are unable to comment more precisely about this matter at this time.”Hannover’s coach is Andre Breitenreiter, who had a three-month spell as Huddersfield boss last year.He was sacked after the Terriers’ relegation from the Championship, having won just two of his 13 games in charge.Christoph S. reportedly had previous convictions for drug offences and illegal gun possession.Schmidt is contracted to hometown team SC FreiburgCredit: Alamy More

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      in Motorsport

      Michael Schumacher’s wife Corinna breaks silence over family bodyguard’s sick ‘intimate photo’ blackmail plot

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      MICHAEL Schumacher’s wife has broken her silence on a “far too lenient” sentence handed out following a £12million blackmail plot against the racing star.Corinna Schumacher has sought to appeal the trial verdict handed out to the “mastermind” behind the shocking case.Michael Schumacher with his wife Corinna in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, on 16 January 2003Credit: AlamyMichael Schumacher and his wife Corinna at the 2006 FIA Gala held in Monaco on December 8, 2006Credit: RexEx-bodyguard Markus Fritsche was handed a two-year suspended prison sentenceCredit: FacebookThe Schumacher family’s ex-bodyguard, Markus Fritsche was accused of supplying blackmailers with private images and was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence.Despite this, Corinna and the Schumacher family slammed the sentence for not being hard enough.A statement from Monday said: “We have appealed against what we consider to be the far too lenient sentence for Mr F,”In my opinion, he was the mastermind behind this. What still shocks me most is the massive breach of trust.read more on formula one”He should receive a punishment that deters any potential copycats.”Yilmaz Tozturkan, 53, was also arrested after hard drives containing private pictures, medical records, and videos of the Formula One legend were stolen.Tozturkan and his his 30-year-old son Daniel Lins were accused of demanding £12 million from the Schumacher family.The pair from Wuppertal in western Germany threatened to release 1,500 confidential files about the motorsport legend, on the dark web, if they did not get the money.Most read in MotorsportThese files allegedly included information on the F1 champion after his skiing accident in 2013 – when the driver was last seen in public.Prosecutors said the former security guard for the family sold the images of Schumacher for what was described as a five-figure sum.Michael Schumacher security guard ‘tried to blackmail stricken F1 star for £12million so he could pay off his debts’The father was given an email, by Schumacher’s office, to send the files as proof he had them.Tozturkan brought his son into the mix when he reportedly set an anonymous email, per BILD.Tozturkan, who is currently behind bars for an unrelated crime, was handed a three-year sentence and Lins was handed a six-month suspended sentence.The father and son made admissions of guilt at the start of their trial.Yilmaz Tozturkan standing in the courtroom before the verdict was announcedCredit: Avalon.redDaniel Lins was handed a six month suspended sentenceCredit: Avalon.redCorinna Schumacher with her daughter Gina on 20 July, 2022Credit: RexIn court Tozturkan said: “I am very sorry and ashamed.”I will take responsibility for what I have done.”The mystery around the former F1 world champions’ current health condition continues.He was last seen in public in 2013 when he set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel, with his then 14-year-old son Mick.Michael’s skis caught on a rock below the snow, which caused him to crash head first into a boulder.READ MORE SUN STORIESCorinna and the rest of his family have been incredibly secretive about his condition 12 years on.Only close friends are allowed to visit Michael at the family’s home in Gland, Switzerland.Michael Schumacher on 4 October 2012Credit: APMichael Schumacher with Corinna after winning the formula one world championship at the Japanese Grand Prix on 8 October 2000Credit: GettyMichael Schumacher celebrates on the podium after winning the German Formula One Grand Prix on July 30, 2006Credit: GettyWhat happened to Michael Schumacher?MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread 10-years-ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. 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      Football League referee, 46, is charged with child sex offence & suspended from officiating

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      AN ASSISTANT referee who officiated EFL and FA Cup matches is due to appear in court charged with a child sex offence.Gareth Viccars, 46, has been charged with “engaging in sexual activity” with a 15-year-old girl.The assistant referee appeared in court earlier this month (stock image)The assistant referee appeared in court earlier this month accused of “intentionally touching” a girl aged 15 “not reasonably believing she was 16 or over”.He has worked as an official for League One clashes in the EFL alongside his day job as an estate agent. Viccars appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court on February 7 charged with engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The assistant referee, from Milton Keynes, is alleged to have committed the offence in Romford, east London, on November 15, 2021. Read More on FootballOn March 7, he will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London where a plea will be entered.He has not refereed in the EFL since last year, and last appeared on February 3 2024 when he was the fourth official League One Charlton Athletic v Derby County.The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which is responsible for the refereeing of games in professional English football, suspended Viccars while the police investigation was ongoing.A PGMOL spokesperson said: “As soon as the allegations came to light, Mr Viccars was immediately suspended.Most read in Football”As the matter is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, we are not in a position to comment any further.”Gareth Viccars will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court next month (stock image)Credit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      My boxing career feels like a prison sentence even when I win – Anthony Joshua got it spot on

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      HAMZAH SHEERAZ is treating his boxing career as a jail sentence — with Anthony Joshua in the cell next door.The Ilford-born middleweight, 25, faces Dominican Carlos Adames in Riyadh on Saturday, with the WBC crown and a step closer to freedom at stake.Hamzah Sheeraz faces Carlos Adames in RiyadhCredit: GettyIt has been a rocky road for the Londoner, whose dad was in and out of jail, which meant his mum raised Sheeraz and his two younger siblings almost single-handedly.When the 21-0 ace was reminded that AJ once compared boxing to a stretch behind bars, Sheeraz laughs that even the good days are like being banged up.He said: “AJ isn’t wrong. Even after you have won a fight, it is only like being in a cat-D prison.“It’s like I am still on tag and have to be at home at certain times. The way AJ put it into perspective is spot-on.READ MORE IN BOXING“I never really looked at it like that before.”Despite his dedication to his mum — who sold her jewellery at times when former Gloucestershire cricketer Kamran was locked up — Sheeraz has flown the nest to help realise his dream.Training camps are held in California, where he and American coach Ricky Funez have formed a brilliant bond. And his downtime is split between Dubai and Saudi Arabia, where he hopes to be crowned this weekend.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWith a huge family and a proud British-Pakistani community pulling him in all directions, home visits are becoming shorter and the comforts are being craved. Despite squeezing his 6ft 3in frame into 11st 7lb, Sheeraz said: “I miss fish and chips.’Greedy Belly has been my best opponent’ – Oleksandr Usyk reveals how he really feels about Tyson Fury “I don’t want to miss Arsenal winning loads of titles and trophies in the next few years.“I thought I had time to catch up with the family after the last fight but it was probably only two days and then I was off again. I don’t mean to sound harsh but that was enough!“All my family understand the vision and for the next five to seven years I really need to capitalise on my opportunities and give 100 per cent to my craft.”Barring a surprise 2023 sparring session with pop star Justin Bieber and a few verbals with Chris Eubank Jr, Sheeraz swerves the limelight.He knows he could command bigger purses and get more attention by playing up for the cameras.But he added: “I know a lot of fighters say ‘I let my fists do the talking’ — but I am the perfect example of doing that.“When my fists do the talking, they also put bums on seats. I don’t have to talk s**t and then win a boring fight.READ MORE SUN STORIES“My sole objective when I get in the ring is to knock them out. Not just win.“That is why I am getting the right attention and the right fights.”Sheeraz has middleweight world titles in his sightsCredit: Getty More