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      in Boxing

      Troubled boxing champion Scott Fitzgerald is jailed after KOing man outside pub in drink and drug-fuelled rampage

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      FORMER boxing champion Scott Fitzgerald has been jailed after floored a man outside a pub with a single punch.The Commonwealth gold medallist attacked Leevi Francis in a drink and drug-fuelled rage.
      Scott Fitzgerald has been jailed for punching a man to the ground outside a pubCredit: Reuters
      Leevi suffered a broken jaw and a cut below his eyebrow after being knocked unconscious outside the Grand Junction in Preston, Lancashire.
      Fitzgerald has now been jailed for 46 weeks after he pleaded guilty to GBH on the first day of his trial.
      Preston Crown Court heard how the boxer had been drinking all afternoon and smoked cannabis on November 27 last year.
      CCTV footage showed him “bouncing around the pub” before he went into the pool room.
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      Landlady Kirsty Allen kicked him out after he stamped on the floor hard close to the pool table.
      After being shoved outside by a group of drinkers, Fitzgerald first confronted another man.
      Seeing this, Leevi stepped in to help and was punched to the ground by the British light-middleweight champion.
      He lay unconscious for around a minute before being taken to hospital.
      Most read in Boxing
      In a victim impact statement, Leevi said a plate inserted into his jaw causes him pain at night as he told how he lost two stone after being left unable to eat.
      He also revealed he has suffered socially since the attack and feels anxious about his son’s boxing hobby.
      Ayaz Qazi, defending, told the court how Fitzgerald’s successful career, which saw him win a gold medal for his country in 2014, was blighted by his drink and drug use.
      The lawyer said he is now banned from professional boxing but has remained sober while being kept on remand in custody.
      Mr Qazi added: “He is utterly aghast and ashamed of the way he was behaving, this loutish and disorderly behaviour in public.”
      Sentencing, Judge Richard Archer said Fitzgerald using his fists was the equivalent of using a weapon in a fight.
      He said: “You know, as somebody who is supposed to be trained to control aggression and channel it for the purposes of professional sport, that when to behave that way – even by your own admission under the influence of drink and drugs – is entirely unacceptable.
      “You risk very serious consequences for your victim.
      “A professional boxer who under the influence is unable to charge the power in those fists could all so easily have rendered a man not just unconscious, but dead.
      “It is fortunate you are not facing a much more serious charge. There are many people who face those charges based on a single blow.”
      The sentence is the latest drama in the boxer’s troubled personal life.

      In 2021, worrying pictures emerged of super-welterweight champ lying on the street outside a pub.
      Fitzgerald took to social media to reassure fans after promotor Eddie Hearn voiced his concerns over the pictures.
      The boxer had been kicked out of a pub after drinking and taking drugsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The British light-middleweight champion pleaded guilty to GBHCredit: Getty
      He has struggled with drinking and drugs, his lawyer saidCredit: Getty More

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      Amir Khan, 36, set for boxing comeback after personally phoning up YouTuber to ask for fight despite drugs ban

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      AMIR KHAN is set for a boxing comeback after personally reaching out to YouTuber Adam Saleh over a fight, reports say. The British boxing icon retired last year following defeat to bitter rival Kell Brook and left the door open to a return.
      Amir Khan is set for a boxing comeback after reaching out to a YouTuber over a fightCredit: Reuters
      YouTuber-turned boxer Adam Saleh
      But that was until it was announced Khan failed a shock drug test and was handed a subsequent two-year ban.
      Although it does not look set to stop him from trying to organise a fight with social media star Saleh.
      According to Fred Talks Fighting, the former world champion reached out to Saleh to discuss a bout.
      Due to Khan’s ban, it would likely be an exhibition bout with a target date believed to be in August or September.
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      Saleh, 29, boxed an an amateur before finding fame on the internet but returned to boxing amid the rise of influencer bouts.
      He has since fought five times, with three wins and two draws.
      Saleh has had two professional bouts, with his last coming in Saudi Arabia in February, winning by first-round stoppage.
      Khan, 36, is meanwhile still serving his backdated ban having tested positive for Ostarine, which aids weight loss and muscle growth.
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      The substance is prohibited by United Kingdom Anti-Doping, who the 2004 Olympian co-operated with during their investigation.
      UKAD confirmed Khan’s ban – after it was referred to the National Anti-Doping Panel – but he doubled down on unknowingly consuming the substance.
      A statement read: “Mr Khan’s case was heard by the independent tribunal on 24 January 2023 and in its written decision dated 21 February 2023, the panel found both violations proved, concluded that Mr Khan had established that they were not ‘intentional’ within the meaning of ADR Article 10.2.3 and imposed a two-year ban on him.”
      Kell Brook after beating Amir KhanCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-England footballer banned from pharmacies for using fake prescriptions to get pills & becoming aggressive with staff

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      AN ex-Premier League ace has been banned from pharmacies for using a fake prescription to obtain sleeping pills.The former England under-21 international is one 78 football stars known to be seeking help for their addiction to drugs or booze.
      A former England under-21 international has been banned from pharmacies for using a fake prescription to get sleeping pillsCredit: Getty
      Also known as ‘sleepers’, zopiclone can create a recreational high when mixed with alcoholCredit: Alamy
      The household name was said to have used a letter containing the name and details of real doctors from a surgery in Bournemouth to obtain zopiclone.
      Also known as “sleepers”, the drug can create a recreational high when mixed with alcohol.
      The player became aggressive when told by pharmacy staff the prescription was fake — and fled before police were called.
      A source said: “There was a horrible set-to when he was refused his sleeping pills. The staff felt they were in danger.
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      “An alert was written to warn other pharmacies. He went on to try virtually every other chemist in South London.”
      NHS England confirmed it sent a warning to all London pharmacies advising staff not to serve the individual.
      The Players Foundation — previously the PFA — said 38 current and 40 retired stars were treated for substance abuse last season — a rise on the 59 total of the year before.
      Thirty-five went into rehab.
      Most read in Football
      We previously told of a struggling England ace popping zopiclone with champagne or vodka.
      And two other Three Lions players have turned to the black market to get their hands on larger quantities of the class C prescription medication.
      Nitrous oxide is also said to be increasingly popular among footballers, with Players Foundation chief Colin Bland seeing a “notable increase” during Covid.
      The union is working with the Sporting Chance clinic to boost care for stars. More

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      I was drinking and doing drugs before boxing showed up out of nowhere and saved me, says Jake Paul

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      JAKE PAUL has opened up on how boxing prevented him from his life spiralling out of control on drink and drugs. The American shot to fame on social media app Vine and later YouTube along with his brother Logan.
      Jake Paul formerly lived a life of partyingCredit: @jakepaul
      And in pursuit of fame and fortune, both moved to Los Angeles where their life moved in the fast lane.
      But it almost became too much for Paul until thankfully a shock career in boxing helped turn his life around.
      He bravely told DAZN: “I was drinking, doing drugs, doing all sorts of crazy s*** in Los Angeles, not being myself. 
      “Because that’s what happens when you’re drinking like that and doing those things like that.
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      “I needed something to save me and boxing showed up out of nowhere. 
      “I definitely worry – that side of me is the Problem Child side of me – that can get involved in those of things. 
      “But everybody has a story and I’m just now comfortable telling that story because I was kind of embarrassed by it. 
      “I didn’t know if I could talk about those things, I didn’t want to say that I had those problems or was doing those things. 
      Most read in Boxing
      “But I was like, if I can share my story about that and finding boxing and saving me then maybe someone else will be able to relate.” 
      Paul, 26, made his professional boxing debut in 2020, beating online rival AnEsonGib.
      It kickstarted a polarising prizefighting career which has seen the social media sensation headline around the world.
      He even moved out of LA in late 2020 to rid of any distractions, since building an isolated base in Puerto Rico.
      Paul has wins over ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 41, and Anderson Silva, 48.
      But he was beaten in his last bout in February by boxer Tommy Fury, 23, losing a split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
      Paul now returns on August 5 in Texas against ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, in a bid to prove he can bounce back from defeat.
      And having seen boxing change his life, the Most Valuable Promotions boss insisted he will be a mainstay in the sport.
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      Paul said: “One hundred per cent, always. Promoting fights, helping fighters, using my platform. 
      “I’ve even thought about getting my referee’s licence. Wouldn’t that be funny? Wouldn’t that be funny, if I’m like in the ring, refitting a match?” 
      Jake Paul in training for his next fight More

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      in Soccer

      Former LaLiga star accepts six-year prison sentence after confessing to leading drug trafficking ring

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      A former LaLiga footballer has accepted a six-year prison sentence after confessing to leading a drug trafficking ring.Sergio Contreras, better known as Koke, agreed to a plea bargain deal at a court in Malaga after being warned state prosecutors were seeking to have him imprisoned for 16 years ahead of his trial.
      Sergio Contreras played for the likes of Marseille, Malaga and Sporting LisbonCredit: AFP
      He has accepted a six-year prison sentenceCredit: AFP
      The ex-striker, whose clubs included Malaga, Marseille and Sporting Lisbon, was one of 17 defendants accused of buying large amounts of drugs that were smuggled in lorries into different European countries.
      Koke had been described in a pre-trial indictment as the gang leader.
      The drugs were mainly marijuana and cannabis resin, but also included cocaine.
      The gang Koke has now admitted he led was raided in November 2019 following a police operation codenamed Operation Vinculada that involved wiretaps and undercover follows.
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      One of the drug runs linked to the ex-footballer’s gang, consisting of vacuum-packed marijuana and cocaine hidden inside a cargo of garlic, was valued at £350,000.
      All 16 of the defendants who showed up for a trial at Malaga’s Provincial Court on March 27, which ended up being suspended following a no-show by a 17th female defendant police are still hunting, admitted their guilt at a brief hearing on Tuesday.
      As part of the plea bargain deals they struck following a subsequent period of negotiation between state prosecutors and their defence lawyers, they have agreed to accept prison sentences of between two and six years reflecting their different responsibilities in the gang.
      Jail sentences for first-time offenders in Spain normally end up being suspended.
      Most read in Football
      Koke, 40, started his footballing career at hometown club Malaga.
      He went on to join Marseille before being loaned to Sporting Lisbon.
      He produced the best football of his career in years at Greek side Aris, where the first of his two spells there included a brief cameo in a 2011 3-0 Europa League defeat to Manchester City.
      The forward retired from football in 2016. More

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      in Soccer

      I’m an ex-international ace.. I carried condom in my sock for half-time bonk with fan & was jailed for smuggling cocaine

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      FORMER Israel international Felix Halfon always carried a condom in his sock during matches in case he got lucky at half-time.And that’s exactly what happened back in 1993 during an international friendly against Sweden.
      Felix Halfon carried a condom in his sock and had sex at half-timeCredit: Alamy
      Halfon missed his manager’s half-time talk as he got up close and personal with a Swedish fan in a cupboard.
      Israel didn’t benefit from the now 51-year-old’s actions as they went on to lose 5-0.
      The former defender, though, insisted that was “no big deal” as he confirmed he “always” wore a condom in his socks.
      Halfon previously admitted: “It was no big deal. I always carried a condom in one of my socks.”
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      That revelation was made in a book written by former Israel FA spokesperson Shaul Eisenberg.
      Eisenberg was criticised for “exposing filth in football” by the country’s former FA director Gavri Levy.
      However, the ex-football chief defended his account, saying: “Let’s be rational, my publisher wasn’t going to pay me to keep things clean.”
      Halfon was no stranger to controversy during his 28-year career, which saw him amass 38 caps.
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      The former right-back was also caught smuggling cocaine into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport back in 2003.
      The ex-Maccabi Tel Aviv ace was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison.
      Halfon was released after two-and-a-half years due to good behaviour and actually resumed his playing career. More

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      in Boxing

      I was Mike Tyson’s hardest fight despite $150-a-day heroin addiction and gangster life – I was my own toughest opponent

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      PINKLON THOMAS is the heavyweight who became champion while battling heroin addiction and was credited as Mike Tyson’s hardest fight.Thomas won the WBC title in 1984, having had just THREE amateur bouts, and also fought Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe in is career.
      Former heavyweight champion Pinklon ThomasCredit: Getty
      But he admits his hardest opponent was himself, having fought substance abuse during the peak of his career.
      Thomas was born in Pontiac, Michigan and was not raised with his two sisters in poverty.
      Instead, Thomas was drawn to a life of crime on his own and before his teenage years he was using drugs.
      He told The Ring: “I chose to go to the projects, I wasn’t from the projects, I chose the lifestyle. I was an athlete in elementary school.

      “By the time I was in seventh grade I was shooting heroin. I got caught up early.
      “I was hanging out with older guys because I was bigger than guys I went to school with.”
      Thomas first tried heroin when he was 12 years old and by 14 he had a $150-a-day (£125) habit. He was then kicked out of school at 15.
      As a result, he reverted to a life of crime in order to fund his drug addiction.
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      Thomas revealed: “I did a lot of crazy things to get money. I did what I had to do for my habit.
      “I did things against the law – armed robbery, cleared out cash registers, snatched money. I did all kinds of crazy stuff.”

      Thomas was just 17 he got married and soon after his wife joined the army but his own application was declined.
      Although after his wife fell pregnant, she received honourable discharge and the couple settled in Seattle.
      Thomas was later evicted from his home for failing to pay the rent and was forced to live in public housing.
      It was there he began bragging about being professional boxer – despite never trying the sport before.
      He was then invited to the local gym and recalls: “I had just shot some heroin and cocaine speedball.
      I did things against the law: armed robbery, cleared out cash registers, snatched money. I did all kinds of crazy stuff.Pinklon Thomas
      “They had told the trainer, Joe West, the same lie I had told them. He told me he wanted me to hit the bag.
      “I didn’t know if I was right-handed or left-handed, and after three or four minutes I ran out the door and threw up everywhere.”
      Thomas would go on to have just three amateur bouts, winning two, before turning pro in 1978.
      And he later linked up with Muhammad Ali’s former coach Angelo Dundee, meaning he rubbed shoulders with The Greatest.
      Thomas told Pro Boxing Fans: “Because Angelo was affiliated with Ali, and Ali was around a lot I learned a lot from him too.
      “Angelo would always bring me to different functions that was going on with Ali and I would watch what he would do.”
      Thomas, with Dundee in his corner, won the title after beating American Tim Witherspoon.
      Pinklon Thomas beat Tim Witherspoon for the WBC titleCredit: Getty
      He said: “I never dreamed I could reach that level, I never even set a goal. It was the greatest accomplishment of my life at that time.”
      But following just one successful defence, Thomas lost the belt to Trevor Berbick in 1986.
      In the same year, Tyson knocked out Berbick aged 20 to become the youngest heavyweight champ of all time – a record which still stands.
      Thomas had three confidence-building wins before he challenged Tyson, but was beaten in six rounds.
      Amazingly, Tyson “didn’t impress” him as he claimed: “It was just unfortunate that six weeks before the fight I had a shoulder injury.
      “I figured my experience with the left jab [would help me win] ‘cause I didn’t have a right hand ‘cause of the shoulder.
      “I did well for two rounds, then the glove split. It took about nine minutes and 40 seconds to get me another glove which gave him time to rest.”
      Mike Tyson beat Pinklon Thomas in 1987Credit: Getty
      Pinklon Thomas was Mike Tyson’s hardest ever fightCredit: Getty
      Pinklon Thomas was knocked out in round six by Mike TysonCredit: Getty
      On the contrary, Tyson named Thomas as the hardest fight of his career, telling History Bites: “He was my toughest opponent.
      “I never thought him, but two years ago I watched the tape of him, a friend of mine told me to watch it.
      “I hit him with seventeen punches, flat, on the face, he went down but it was seventeen punches.
      “Seventeen punches, flush, all of them were as hard as they could be and the last one he just passed out.
      “I thought ‘God, that is my toughest fight, he took seventeen on the chin!’”
      Thomas went on to face Holyfield the year after, losing in seven rounds in what was his first fight off drugs.
      I thought ‘God, that is my toughest fight, he took seventeen on the chin!’Mike Tyson on Pinklon Thomas
      He said: “My toughest opponent was me, myself, because of the drug addiction and stuff I did.
      “I was still using at the time that I was fighting all of those guys until I fought Evander Holyfield in ’88. Then I went to treatment and I got in recovery by 1989.
      “So, I was my worst enemy, my toughest opponent and that’s just no joke, it’s no lie. I honestly am just saying what I feel.
      “I get asked that question all the time sometimes I would say it was different fighters but to be honest with you, man, I was my own toughest opponent, a dummy and I made some crazy decisions.”
      Thomas faced ex-champions Bowe and Tommy Morrison, losing both, before having 14 more lower-level bouts.
      He won all of them bar one and that defeat in 1993 to Lawrence Carter spelled the end of Thomas’ career.
      In later life, Thomas settled in Florida with his wife and has four children, two with his partner and two from a previous relationship.
      He is also a grandfather to five grandchildren and has been clean from all drugs and alcohol for 30 years.

      Thomas ran a non-profit organisation called Project P.I.N.K. (Pride In Neighborhood Kids) helping educate and mentor youths.
      Evander Holyfield against Pinklon Thomas in 1988Credit: Getty
      Michael Buffer, Pinklon Thomas and Bob Alexander in 2015Credit: Getty More

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      Gervonta Davis’ trainer claims says Bernard Hopkins ‘rubbed testosterone cream on Tank to taint drug test’

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      BERNARD HOPKINS has been accused of rubbing testosterone cream on Gervonta Davis in an alleged effort to taint the fighter’s drug sample ahead of his win over Ryan Garcia.Davis went on to win the fight with a brutal body shot in the seventh-round.
      Gervonta Davis’ trainer claims Bernard Hopkins rubbed testorone cream on Tank during the pre-fight face-offCredit: ESPN
      Bernard Hopkins touched the star’s back during the tense face-offCredit: Getty
      That was after Garcia, 24, had a tense face-off with his rival and became embroiled in a shoving match.
      Golden Boy Promotions executive and boxing legend Hopkins, who promotes Garcia, stood on the periphery of that melee and then appeared to rub his hand across Davis’s back at one point.
      And the Baltimore native and his camp have now revealed they were infuriated by it.
      The 28-year-old wrote in a now deleted tweet: “I should’ve slapped the s*** outta B-Hop as soon as he touched me.”

      Davis’ trainer Calvin Ford then promoted a theory on social media that he believed Hopkins was rubbing testosterone cream on his star’s back in order to taint a drug test.
      A text message shared by Ford on instagram read: “Coach beware of B hop and testosterone cream.
      “[It] will make you test dirty. Be careful.”
      Ford then added his own caption: “See this is why Bernard touch him.”
      Most read in Sport
      Golden Boy have been contacted by Sun Sport for comment on the allegations.
      Continuing his rant about Hopkins on Friday, Davis said: “[Hopkins is] talking about he about that life, man, nobody’s worried about his old ass, he needs to sit back and let the youngins do it.”
      Meanwhile, DAZN were forced to apologise after huge issues with the Davis and Garcia fight.
      Hundreds of TV viewers flocked to social media to complain about purchasing the PPV clash.
      Fans had paid $84.99 all together to watch the huge bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
      But boxing supporters suffered delays to their streams and accessing the broadcast.
      That forced DAZN to take to Twitter – but fans were left fuming with issues even after the first bell. More