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    Three-weight boxing champion Claressa Shields under investigation and suspended after testing positive for marijuana

    BOXING superstar Claressa Shields has been suspended after testing positive for marijuana following her last win.The three-weight undisputed champion, 29, beat fellow American Danielle Perkins to lift the heavyweight crown on February 3. Claressa Shields said earlier this month she was a ‘clean athlete’Credit: GettyShields celebrated beating Danielle Perkins earlier this monthCredit: GettyThe ex-Olympic golden girl faces an investigation after the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission suspended her from fighting in the state.Shields is said to have tested positive after providing an “oral fluid sample” following a dominant victory over Perkins on points.Marijuana is on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).The World Boxing Organisation is also looking into the case.READ MORE IN BOXINGIt’s a sanctioning body without the power to suspend fighters.But the BBC say the WBO has asked Shields for a “show notice”.That means they want her to explain the situation.Meanwhile, the Michigan Commission has launched its own probe to see if she should be the subject of disciplinary action.Most read in BoxingThe Commission said: “Ms Shields’ conduct as a licensed professional boxer constitutes an imminent threat to the integrity of professional boxing, the public interest, and the welfare and safety of professional athletes.”It comes just a week after Shields spoke out over rumours of a failed drugs test.Frank Warren’s Commonwealth Gold medalist Lewis Williams builds to second pro fight | Contender She went on social media to insist she was a “clean athlete”.Shields and Perkins were both scheduled to have been tested  by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (Vada) following their fight, due to the WBC’s clean boxing programme. More

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    ‘Nowhere else in the world has this’ – Eddie Hearn reveals little-known rule that can catch boxers out

    EDDIE HEARN has revealed the little-known rule that is catching international boxers out when they fight in Saudi Arabia. The British Boxing Board of Control oversee the bouts staged in Saudi – including this Saturday’s mega-event. Eddie Hearn revealed the little-known rule that is catching international boxers outAnd Hearn revealed how the BBBoC enforce a rule that boxers must check their weight on the Wednesday of fight week. That is two days before the official weigh in. So Hearn admitted uninformed boxers flying in internationally are sometimes blindsided by this rule. He told iFL TV: “One of the issues – and I’ll be completely honest – it’s a bit of a pain in the a***e.READ MORE IN BOXING”The British Boxing Board of Control operate the events out here. They have a very strict rule of a check weight on the Wednesday of fight week.”Now, I’m not saying that rule is a bad rule but, nowhere else in the world to my knowledge of any major commission has that rule.”So every international fighter that comes over – I mean they should be told weeks in advance, some only find out when they actually get there, that’s not our job if it’s not our fighter.”But, basically and this is where I think it’s a bad policy is fighters are really focussed on making that weight for the check weight.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”And then they’re rehydrating for the check weight and then they’re going forward to another weigh in two days later.”So I don’t know, I can’t give you the doctors’ opinion on whether it’s a good or a bad rule but it’s a rule and that’s it.”Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol come together before huge heavyweight showdownOfficial BBBoC rules read: “Three days prior to the contest both Boxers will have to submit to a further check weigh-in before a designated official of the Board or Area Council at a time and place to be determined by the Board or Area Council. “A Boxer weighing more than 3 per cent above the relevant Championship limit three days prior to the date of the contest will require the sanction of the B.B.B. of C. before being permitted to box for that Championship on the contracted contest date.”Artur Beterbiev, 40, rematches Dmitry Bivol, 34, in the main-event on Saturday after his close points win in October. And Daniel Dubois, 27, defends his IBF title against Joseph Parker, 33, as part of the massive card.American Floyd Schofield, 22, was due to challenge WBC champion Shakur Stevenson, 27, but he was pulled out by the BBBoC. And his dad and trainer, Floyd Sr, wildly claimed his son was “poisoned” before sharing a picture of him in a hospital bed.Promoters, Golden Boy, said: “Yesterday, Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield Jr. fell ill and was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure. “In the interest of Schofield’s health and safety, the British Boxing Board of Control made the decision to cancel his scheduled bout against Shakur Stevenson. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Schofield has since been discharged from the hospital and is awaiting the results of his medical evaluation. “We extend our gratitude to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, SELA, and the medical professionals who provided Schofield with care.” More

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    ‘They close the place’ – Joseph Parker’s cheat meal leaves waitress stunned as diet revealed before Daniel Dubois fight

    JOSEPH PARKER has a cheat meal which often forces restaurants to close and can leave waitresses stunned.The boxer is preparing to take on Daniel Dubois in a heavyweight clash on Saturday – his second shot at winning a world title after losing to Anthony Joshua in 2018.Joseph Parker gorges on sushi for his cheat mealCredit: GettyParker takes on Daniel Dubois in the ring this weekendCredit: GettyParker has changed his diet to eat more fish, lean pork and chicken, having moved away from red meat as a method to bulk up.His coach and nutritionist George Lockhart revealed Parker eats up to 7,000 calories a day and has fish three or four times a week, and again for his cheat meal on Sundays.Parker, 33, can eat up to 40 pieces of sushi in a sitting and it can take so long the restaurant has to close up.Lockhart said in an interview with Action Network: “For Joseph, we have Sushi Sundays. He’ll do a 24-hour fast, starting with an anaerobic workout and finishing the fast with an aerobic, high-volume, low-intensity workout. READ MORE IN BOXING”This method helps the body lean out while preserving muscle mass, as it avoids depleting calories over the week. It also improves how efficiently the body uses carbohydrates.”On Sushi Sundays, we go to a spot where they sometimes close the place just for us because of how long we take. Joseph can eat up to 40 pieces of sushi and sashimi, it’s unreal. “We started this tradition in Ireland, and I remember a waitress saying, ‘this is meant for 10 people.’ Fifteen minutes later, every plate was cleared. I’d say sushi is Joseph Parker’s ultimate guilty pleasure.”Parker is a big fan of fish and has eaten it raw previously – biting into a whole fish to get his protein hit.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDubois vs Parker: Ring walk, TV channel and full card – everything you need to know for the massive heavyweight title fightWhen asked what his favourite Kiwi meal is in a video shared by DAZN Boxing, Parker admitted that he likes to “eat fish straight out of the water”.One video captured Parker munching on a fish over a bucket, which left fans feeling queasy.Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker come together before huge heavyweight showdown More

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    I was going to the toilet 40 times a day, it nearly finished my career – FA Cup star opens up on horror bowel disease

    JACK FITZWATER has revealed how he thought his football career was in jeopardy when he was forced to visit the toilet 40 times a day.The defender hopes to help League One club Exeter topple Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup at St James Park on Tuesday.Jack Fitzwater has opened up on his struggles with colitisCredit: RexThe Exeter defender revealed he was playing through pain and discomfort to hide itCredit: RexColitis is an inflammatory bowel diseaseCredit: GettyThe 27-year-old thought his career was in jeopardyCredit: RexBut two years ago his health and career were in peril when he started suffering from colitis — an inflammatory bowel disease.Fitzwater, 27, admits he was so embarrassed by his increasing visits to the loo he tried to hide his problem from everyone before telling family, close friends and eventually team-mates.He told SunSport: “It came out of the blue in February 2023. The symptoms steadily got worse.“As a man you try to hide it so I didn’t get seen until that summer, after the season had finished, and by that time the symptoms were terrible.“It’s only then I discovered I had colitis, which is an inflammation of the bowel and you can get it at any age, any time.“When you’re a footballer people think you’re young, fit and healthy. But privately I was struggling.“Symptoms can be blood in your stools, huge fatigue and feeling generally unwell.“I went to the toilet 40 times a day at the worst point. People think you’ve got to be making that up but anyone with colitis or Crohn’s disease will understand it’s a real problem.“It’s not only draining mentally but physically as well.”Fitzwater managed to get through most training sessions and games despite suffering discomfort — so to his team-mates everything would have appeared normal.What is Ischemic ColitisBut he admitted: “I would have to on occasion during the warm up run off and go to the toilet.“I was still able to perform at a decent level in games despite the pain but there were times I had been up during the night for hours so getting up in the morning was a nightmare.”Although he was able to hide his problem from team-mates for some time, it was impossible to do so in his personal life.His toilet visits were far too regular at home.He said: “My fiancee and family started noticing so I had to tell them.“We all deal with things in different ways. I hid it because I’m a man — and you don’t want to show weakness to anyone or anything.“Yet you later realise when you do and speak to the people you need, the problem gets fixed quicker than if you were to hide it all the time.“It was hard and embarrassing for me but anyone who has had it will understand how horrible it is.“Thankfully, I finally listened to what my body was telling me and went to see doctors and got the right treatment. Being comfortable with being vulnerable was something that helped me out hugely.”Fitzwater says listening to medical specialists must always be the priority because once treated the problem can be sorted.Colitis: All you need to knowWhat is colitis and what are the symptoms?Colitis is a condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed.The colon is the large intestine, or bowel, and the rectum is the end of the bowel where stools are stored. Ulcers can develop on the colon’s lining and bleed and produce pus.Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis that is caused by autoimmune inflammation (the body attacking itself), whereas colitis can be caused by a number of factors including infection.Ulcerative colitis is similar to another condition which causes inflammation of the gut – Crohn’s disease.Symptoms can often be very mild for weeks or months but flare ups with extreme symptoms can cause a lot of pain and trouble for sufferers.Flare ups can include painful and swollen joints, mouth ulcers, areas of painful, red and swollen skin and irritated and red eyes.In addition to this people will often need to empty their bowels six or more times a day and have shortness of breath, a fast or irregular heartbeat, high temperature and blood in stools.Stress can be a factor as can a gut infection.Who can be affected by colitis and how does it differ from Crohn’s disease?It is thought that about one in every 420 people in the UK has ulcerative colitis.It is more common in people of European descent, especially those descended from Ashkenazi Jewish communities and black people.The condition is rarer in people from Asian background, although the reasons for this are unclear.The difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease is that colitis is limited to the colon, while Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere between the mouth and the anus.In Crohn’s disease, there are healthy parts of the intestine mixed in between inflamed areas, on the other hand, ulcerative colitis, is continuous inflammation of the colon.Former Chelsea midfielder Ray Wilkins, who died aged 61 after suffering a heart attack, battled poor health including ulcerative colitis.The defender advises against going online to search for the symptoms and take the results as gospel.He said: “The worst thing was going on to Google and doing a search. I found some accounts on Instagram of people who have had it and shared their experiences.“You end up fearing the worst-case scenario but, once you get to know what it’s about, you come to terms with it and understand it can be effectively treated.”Fitzwater was overwhelmed by the support he received from the club and later the wider public when he decided to let everyone know on social media that he was suffering with colitis.He said: “I told people on my private Instagram account and got so much good feedback — and then made it public by explaining what it was and what I was doing about it. It gained lots of traction.“It’s helped a lot of people. So many people in sport and other walks of life have messaged me since then gone and got treatment.“The club, management, coaches and team-mates have been massive. Only the physios and doctors knew at first.“They have all been helpful and asked me questions about what it was. They didn’t have a clue about it.“And then, as is the case in football, everything moves on to the next thing and life is back to normal.”Fitzwater battled the condition for 18 months and is now feeling fit and healthy.The Grecians ace is back in the team and has been an important part of the club’s run to the fourth round to set up this tie against the Premier League big guns.He said: “I must take medication daily and will do so for the rest of my life. It’s part of my morning routine now. I take it with my vitamins.“It’s all about staying as healthy as possible and enjoying my football.”Fitzwater recalled how he had to go to the toilet 40 times in one day at its worstCredit: GettyHe said the worst thing someone can do is searching the internet and taking results as gospelCredit: GettyHe hopes speaking out will help others who have been hit by the diseaseCredit: Rex More

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    England legend ‘Razor’ Ruddock reveals Harry Redknapp show saved his life after doctors feared he had two months to live

    ENGLAND legend Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has revealed how Harry Redknapp’s show saved his life.The former Liverpool centre-back disclosed that what he initially thought was dementia turned out to be a serious heart condition as doctors feared he had just two months to live.Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has revealed details about how Harry Redkapp’s show saved his lifeRuddock linked up with his old England team-mates for ‘Harry’s Heroes: The Full English’ in 2019 and it’s sequel a year laterThe ex-England defender ballooned to 27st during the pandemicRuddock, 56, has turned his life around and reduced his alcohol intake as he credits his former gaffer’s TV show ‘Harry’s Heroes’.Speaking to Nigel Farage on GB News, he said: “From when I left school until like 35, every day I was told where I’ve got to be.”What I can eat, what I can’t drink, and all this. And when you’re 35 there was no sort of step back.“There was no help when football finished. I turned into an 18-year-old kid and couldn’t wait to retire at 35 and start drinking and eating what I wanted and then I got 28 and a half stone.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“I did the Harry Heroes TV show. I was feeling dizzy. At the time there was a lot of talk about dementia in football, heading the ball.“So I was going dizzy. So I thought, you know, ‘it’s dementia’. I went to see all the specialists and it was my heart, he said, ‘the way you’re going, you’ve got two months to live’.“Trust me, that changed my life, and then they had to stop my heart, restart my heart. I got a pacemaker. I’ve had the gastric sleeve…because I’d given up on myself, basically.“Without doing that TV show, I wouldn’t be here today.”Most read in FootballNeil Ruddock has shown off his incredible weight transformationThe award-winning documentary series was filmed in 2020.It saw Redknapp tasked with turning a cohort of unfit England football legends from the 1990s into a winning team once more.Neil Ruddock and Paul Merson fall out over the ex-Tottenham star’s drinking habit on Harry’s Heroes: Euro Having A LaughThey included a host of familiar faces – such as David Seaman, Paul Merson and Matt Le Tissier – keen to prove that, even in middle age, they could still cut it on the pitch and beat old rivals Germany.Viewers saw the ex-star players, who came from an era with a more relaxed approach to footie practice and healthy eating, as they adopted a rigorous new training and nutrition regime akin to that of today’s pros.Former Liverpool ace and 2018 King of the Jungle, assistant John Barnes, successfully coached the blokes to a 4-2 victory.’Harry’s Heroes: The Full English’ was filmed in 2020 before Ruddock’s gastric bandNutritionist Luke Worthington did a body mass index with RuddockRuddock, who earned one England cap during his career, memorably told the lads about his heart scare in one of the episodes.Meanwhile, Redknapp managed Ruddock when he played for West Ham in the late 1990s.Asked what advice he would give to anyone else who was worried about their health, he said: “Go and see the doctor. It costs you nothing.“If you’re driving your car and your car makes a noise, you take it to the mechanic and pay to get it fixed.“If you’re not feeling well, go and see the doctor, because men are scared of going to see the doctor. “It’s bad news, and you can’t go out Saturday night and watch football.“Go get yourself checked out. It costs nothing.”Ruddock unveiled his incredible 11-stone weight transformation earlier this year.The 56-year-old began his weight loss journey back in 2021 after meeting TV personality James Argent.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe dad-of-two teenagers had ballooned to 27st during the Coronavirus pandemic, which put his health at serious risk.He made 195 Premier League appearances during his career and played for the likes of Liverpool, West Ham, Tottenham, Southampton and Crystal Palace.In his 17 year career, Ruddock made 355 club appearances and earned one cap playing for England More

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    Lawrence Okolie secures brutal first-round stoppage win in first heavyweight fight after bulking on FOUR STONE

    LAWRENCE OKOLIE piled on the pounds to announce himself to the heavyweight division with a brutal first-round knockout.The former WBO cruiserweight champ cleaned out woeful Hussein Muhamed with a trademark right hand.Lawrence Okolie quickly dispatched Hussein MuhamedCredit: GettyOkolie made a blasting impression on MuhamedCredit: GettyThe Sauce reckons he’s more ‘explosive’ nowCredit: PASix months on from his dismal title defeat to Chris Billam-Smith down at the 14st 4lbs division, The Sauce beefed right up to light up Wembley arena at his curvy NEW 18st 8lbs stature.”I felt good,” he beamed. “That’s my second first-round KO in a row.”Now that I’ve been putting on the weight, enjoying training camp, I can be a lot more explosive.”It’s showing in the fights, as soon as I start hitting these guys, they start going. I’m ready for the best in the world at any weight.READ MORE TOP STORIES”I felt super robust, super strong. I think people might have thought, ‘he weighed 200lbs last year, why’s he 260lbs now’?”But I feel happier and natural and a lot more solid.“You know when I was making cruiserweight because of what I had to do to make that weight I felt tired.”But now, I just know every round I can go explosive, recover, explosive, recover. So it feels good.”Most read in BoxingHere’s how a smaller Okolie looked in losing to Chris Billam-SmithCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHussein arrived with a decent looking record but it was padded in Germany and he looked way out of his depth from the opening bell.The 2016 Team GB Olympian poked and probed with his long jabs, while Muhamed did very little.Reality TV star, 37, and former world champion offer to replace Tommy Fury after pulling out of Darren Till fight”Toward the end of the opener the visitor did decide to finally throw a shot and it was to be his undoing.Okolie telegraphed Muhamed’s first crack at a punch and landed his own giant right hand.Muhamed’s body folded down on itself left him in a heap.To his credit, the 18-1 plodder did climb back up to his feet and plead to be allowed to continue.But the referee rightly waved off the contest to let Okolie start calling out far more credible opponents.Muhamed was completely outclassedCredit: Getty More

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    Tyson Fury leaks new game plan for Usyk rematch after undergoing dramatic body transformation

    TYSON FURY insists he won’t make the mistake of trying to outbox Oleksandr Usyk in their crunch rematch.The Wythenshawe warrior’s dreams of becoming undisputed heavyweight champion were shattered in his May melee with the Ukrainian, which he lost via split decision.Tyson Fury renews his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia later this monthCredit: GETTYThe Gypsy King suffered a split decision defeat in their historic May meleeCredit: REUTERSThe Wythenshawe warrior insists he won’t try to outbox the slick southpaw againCredit: GETTYFury, 36, insists he only lost the historic Saudi showdown because he was “playing around” with the London 2012 gold medallist.And the Gypsy King has adopted a kill-or-be-killed mentality for his second straight Riyadh rumble with the slick southpaw.The former unified heavyweight champion said: “I’ve always been a bad man my whole life, and I’m still one today at nearly 40 years old, a few years off 40.”I’m going to go in there with destroy mode. Last time I went to box him, I was being cautious.READ MORE ON FURY VS USYK 2″Anybody can get caught as we have seen in a lot of these heavyweight fights.”But this time I’m not going for a points decision. I’m going to knock that motherf****r out.”Fury outrageously claimed Usyk was given the nod in their first fight because of his homeland being “at war” with Russia.And he’s adamant the judges won’t give him a fair shake if they go the distance again.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “There’s no secret. I’m going in there to knock you out.”Because I don’t think I’m going to get a decision no matter what I do.Moment Tyson Fury tells Oleksandr Usyk ‘you look like a sexy beast’ as heavyweight boxer shows off new look”I don’t think I’m going to get a boxing decision.”So I’m going to have to take it out of the judges’ hands like I did in America that time [against Deontay Wilder].”And I’ve got to get him out of there. “Hand on heart, I have to get him out of there to see victory.”Fury looks to have beefed up considerably for the do-or-die desert dust-up.Tyson Fury looks to have out on a considerable amount of size for the rematchCredit: INSTAGRAM@KEVINLERENAAnd he’s seemingly on course to weigh more than the 18st 7lb he did for his first meeting with the former cruiserweight king.The dad-of-seven enters the potentially legacy-defining rematch as both a challenger and an underdog for the first time in five years.But he insists he does his best work when the whole world is counting him out.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “For the first time in years, I’m going in there as a challenger, not a champion.”And I believe that I’m better as a challenger, always, because I’ve got that goal of achieving something and it’s giving me a fire underneath.” More

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    Tyson Fury receives ominous body transformation warning from ex-world champ as do-or-die Usyk rematch nears

    TYSON FURY has been warned his drastic body transformation for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk could work against him.Photos emerging from Fury’s training camp appear to suggest he’s carrying more weight for next month’s do-or-die Saudi showdown.Tyson Fury renews his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21Credit: PAThe Gypsy King looks to be carrying more weight for the boutCredit: INSTAGRAM@KEVINLERENABut former Brit world champ Duke McKenzie has warned Fury carrying too much size could work against himCredit: GETTYThe Gypsy King may have decided to come in heavier in order to rough Usyk up in their Riyadh rumble.But former Brit world champion Duke McKenzie reckons the added size could end up working against the Wythenshawe warrior.He told GiveMeSport: “If he puts on more weight and thinks to himself ‘I’m going to bully Usyk this time, I’m going to go in and walk him down, I’ll be able to take his shots because I’m that much bigger’, it’s not going to work for him.”He’s going to be slower, he’s going to be more predictable, he’s going to get hit more and a lot sooner…READ MORE ON FURY VS USYK 2″Usyk wins the rematch all day long, I can’t see how Tyson Fury beats him.”Fury’s lifestyle outside of the ring is also a concern for former three-weight world champ McKenzie: “He [Fury] doesn’t live, eat, walk and talk the sport.”But you’re supposed to, in-between fights is where fights are won and lost.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We know Fury blows up, puts on a load of weight between fights and then he has got to get rid of all that weight again.Most read in Boxing”Now, they’re trying to tell us that Fury is going to be bigger and better. Bigger and better isn’t going to beat Usyk. It’s really not.”Usyk Vs Fury 2 Launch Event entrancesMcKenzie reckons Fury doesn’t stand a chance of knocking slick southpaw Usyk out, adding: “This guy is unbeaten, so you have to look for chinks in his armour.”Has this guy got a bad engine? Does he get cut? Does he go down?”Does he have to get up off the floor to win fights? “Usyk doesn’t have to do any of them, he’s never shown any vulnerability.”Fury, 36, suffered a split decision defeat to Usyk in their first desert dust-up in May, in which he was knocked down in the ninth round.And he’s adamant he won’t let the Ukrainian hear the final bell, saying: “I’m going to roll the dice and it’s going to be you or me.Tyson Fury has vowed to be killed or be killed in his rematch with Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTY”Best foot forward and swing away.”I’ve never been afraid to get knocked spark out. I’ve always put it on the line every time.”He continued: “There’s no secret! I’m going in there to knock you out. Because I don’t think I’m going to get a decision no matter what I do.”I don’t think I’m going to get a boxing decision.READ MORE SUN STORIES”So I’m going to have to take it out of the judges’ hands like I did in America that time [against Deontay Wilder].”And I’ve got to get him out of there. Hand on heart, I have to get him out of there to see victory.” More