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      in Boxing

      Daniel Dubois to fight Bogdan Dinu in first bout back after breaking eye socket in Joe Joyce defeat last year

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      DANIEL DUBOIS will face Bogdan Dinu in his first fight back since his crushing 10th-round TKO loss to Joe Joyce last year. The 23-year-old was heavily criticised and accused of quitting in his loss to Joyce back in November.
      Credit: The Sun
      Dubois suffered a broken eye socket in the British, Commonwealth and European title fight with Joyce, who looks set to fight Oleksandr Usyk later this year.
      But having recovered from his injury, Dubois is back as SunSport can reveal the London-born heavyweight will face Romanian Dinu on June 5.
      Dinu, 34, has a record of 20-2, and is best known for his losses to ex-Anthony Joshua foes Kubrat Pulev and Jarrell Miller.
      Pulev knocked Dinu out in the seventh round of their clash back in November 2019, while Miller destroyed him in four rounds on a Matchroom card in 2018.
      The heavyweight veteran last fought in October, knocking out Frank Bluemle in two rounds, and is an experienced operator.
      Dubois was hopeful of becoming a world champion in 2021, but his loss to Joyce set his plans for heavyweight domination back longer than he’d have liked.

      After the Joyce defeat, Dubois shook his team up by switching trainers from Peacock Gym’s Martin Bowers to Mark Tibbs, who used to train Dillian Whyte.
      Bowers remains as Dubois’ manager and advisor, but the No 10 ranked fighter with the WBO opted for a fresh face in the corner ahead of his return to action.
      “I believe I can bring something to Daniel’s game,” said Tibbs told Boxing Scene earlier this year.
      “I can add some seasoning to his game and make him a different fighter. I’m confident in that, and it won’t take too long.”
      Dubois’ clash with Dinu will likely take place in London and DDD is confident of getting back to winnings ways.
      Dubois will return on June 5Credit: The Sun
      He said: “I am excited to be back in the ring on June 5 after the frustration of being kept out of the gym and doing what I love to do for a number of months after my last fight.
      “This is my chance to remind people of what I am really about, which is winning fights in a devastating fashion.
      “I don’t need to make any excuses for the Joe fight because everybody could see the issue with my vision, but Joe won fair and square and we move on.”
      “Time is on my side but I don’t intend to slow down my progress and I am more than happy to be returning to the ring in a big title fight that puts me right back in the picture.”
      “I respect Dinu and accept that he could provide a tough test, but I can only see one outcome and that is me leaving the ring with another major championship belt for my collection.”
      Dillian Whyte blasts ‘coward’ Daniel Dubois for ‘quitting’ as he stops fighting in shock defeat to Joe Joyce More

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      in Soccer

      Man City ace Phil Foden reveals he and childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke have a second baby on the way

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      FOOTIE wonderkid Phil Foden is celebrating again after revealing he is to become a dad for the second time.The Manchester City and England star became a father for the first time at age 18.
      Phil Foden and Rebecca Cooke are having another childCredit: instagram
      Foden became a father for the first time at age 18Credit: Instagram @philfoden
      The Man City ace has told friends they are expecting a baby girlCredit: Rex
      He and childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke, both now 20, had little Ronnie — named after Foden’s boyhood nickname — in January 2019.
      Now the midfield ace has told friends they are having a baby girl to join them in their £3.25million mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire.
      The new arrival is expected in late summer or early autumn, The Sun understands.
      A source said of Foden and his table-topping Sky Blues: “City can’t stop scoring at the moment — both on and off the pitch.
      “They’ve hit the back of the net more times than any of the teams and are now celebrating another kid.
      Rebecca gave birth to little Ronnie in January 2019
      A source says ‘City can’t stop scoring at the moment — both on and off the pitch’Credit: Getty

      “It couldn’t be a better way to cap off such a great season.”
      Foden scored again on Wednesday night in his team’s 2-1 away win in a crunch European clash with Germany’s Borussia Dortmund.
      It saw City get through to the semi-finals of the Champions League, while they sit 11 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.
      Man City star Phil Foden nearly falls into BT Sport pundits as he shows off his skills ahead of Porto match More

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      Leicester stars ‘hid in the dark’ after getting busted by Brendan Rodgers during Covid-flouting house party

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      FOUR Leicester City players at a Covid-flouting house party were busted by their manager — then hid before cops arrived.Boss Brendan Rodgers found out James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Hamza Choudhury were at teammate Ayoze Perez’s home with up to 18 others.
      🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates…
      James Maddison was one of four Leicester City stars caught at an illegal house partyCredit: Rex Features
      Three of them were then dropped from yesterday’s 3-2 defeat at West HamCredit: Getty
      The group were busted at Ayoze Perez’s home with up to 18 othersCredit: PA
      After hiding from police they went to Hamza Choudhury’s home and continued partyingCredit: PA
      Harvey Barnes would have missed the game with West Ham anyway due to an injuryCredit: Getty
      Furious Rodgers texted them to call it a night. But they hid in the dark then half the guests got taxis to Choudhury’s house, 30 miles away in Nottingham, at 1am to continue partying.
      And on Sunday, three of the quartet were left out of the 3-2 defeat at West Ham. Barnes is injured.
      A source said: “Everyone was having a good time then suddenly the players said to each other ‘Look at your phone’.
      “They’d got a message from Brendan. He told them he knew what they were up to and to stop the party immediately.
      “They told everyone to hide and switched off all the lights so it looked like no one was home.”
      Cops had gone to Perez’s £1.3million home near the Foxes’ King Power Stadium, just after 12.20am last Sunday, six hours after a 2-0 defeat to Man City.
      Furious boss Brendan Rodgers had texted them to call it a night before cops cameCredit: Getty
      Neighbours said sports cars lined the street from 9pm and music was coming from Perez’s.
      Guests were made to put their phones in sealed pouches so no pictures or video could be taken.
      Why do they feel like they can do what they want just because they’re rich footballers?
      The source said: “Most guests were young women. They were all drinking and having a laugh then carried on at Hamza’s.”
      A neighbour said: “I could see coloured lights at Ayoze’s house. He’d also closed his blinds. He doesn’t usually do that.”
      Police found the house in darkness so took no action.
      The neighbour said they heard groups getting into taxis, which made a dog bark, waking another local.
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      Choudhury has played 20 times for Leicester this season, just nine of which have come in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty

      They added: “We are City fans but this is just not acceptable. Why do they feel like they can do what they want just because they’re rich footballers?”
      The players were hauled in at 6pm on Tuesday.
      Leicester said: “Those involved have apologised for their poor judgment. Our response to the matter will be concluded internally.”

      The most recent Covid breach by Premier League players comes just one month after Brighton’s Aaron Connolly was caught on video breaching regulations.
      And among the England internationals who have broken coronavirus rules, Aston Villa duo Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley were caught partying in London back in December.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Meet Leicester City star James Maddison’s stunning girlfriend Kennedy Alexa More

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      in Soccer

      Leicester players ‘hid in the dark’ after being busted by Brendan Rodgers at Covid-flouting house party

      by

      FOUR Leicester City stars at a Covid-flouting house party were busted by their manager — then hid before cops arrived.Boss Brendan Rodgers found out James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Hamza Choudhury were at teammate Ayoze Perez’s home with up to 18 others.
      🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates…
      James Maddison was one of four Leicester City stars caught at an illegal house partyCredit: Rex Features
      Three of them were then dropped from yesterday’s 3-2 defeat at West HamCredit: Getty
      The group were busted at Ayoze Perez’s home with up to 18 othersCredit: PA
      After hiding from police they went to Hamza Choudhury’s home and continued partyingCredit: PA
      Harvey Barnes would have missed the game with West Ham anyway due to an injuryCredit: Getty
      Furious Rodgers texted them to call it a night. But they hid in the dark then half the guests got taxis to Choudhury’s house, 30 miles away in Nottingham, at 1am to continue partying.
      Yesterday three of the quartet were left out of the 3-2 defeat at West Ham. Barnes is injured.
      A source said: “Everyone was having a good time then suddenly the players said to each other ‘Look at your phone’.
      “They’d got a message from Brendan. He told them he knew what they were up to and to stop the party immediately.
      “They told everyone to hide and switched off all the lights so it looked like no one was home.”
      Cops had gone to Perez’s £1.3million home near the Foxes’ King Power Stadium, just after 12.20am last Sunday, six hours after a 2-0 defeat to Man City.
      Furious boss Brendan Rodgers had texted them to call it a night before cops cameCredit: Getty
      Neighbours said sports cars lined the street from 9pm and music was coming from Perez’s.
      Guests were made to put their phones in sealed pouches so no pictures or video could be taken.
      Why do they feel like they can do what they want just because they’re rich footballers?
      The source said: “Most guests were young women. They were all drinking and having a laugh then carried on at Hamza’s.”
      A neighbour said: “I could see coloured lights at Ayoze’s house. He’d also closed his blinds. He doesn’t usually do that.”
      Police found the house in darkness so took no action.
      The neighbour said they heard groups getting into taxis, which made a dog bark, waking another local.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      Choudhury has played 20 times for Leicester this season, just nine of which have come in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty

      They added: “We are City fans but this is just not acceptable. Why do they feel like they can do what they want just because they’re rich footballers?”
      The players were hauled in at 6pm on Tuesday.
      Leicester said: “Those involved have apologised for their poor judgment. Our response to the matter will be concluded internally.”

      The most recent Covid breach by Premier League players comes just one month after Brighton’s Aaron Connolly was caught on video breaching regulations.
      And among the England internationals who have broken coronavirus rules, Aston Villa duo Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley were caught partying in London back in December.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Meet Leicester City star James Maddison’s stunning girlfriend Kennedy Alexa More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury open to Anthony Joshua fight at Wembley after Khan offer but London mayor told to put money where mouth is

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      TYSON FURY is open to having his huge undisputed heavyweight title fight with Anthony Joshua staged in the UK, according to his promoter Frank Warren. The Gypsy King and AJ have been negotiating a monumental two-fight deal for the pair to clash in the summer, with the rematch to take place in November or December.
      Credit: Reuters

      Both sides signed the fight contract last month and were given 28 days to agree a site, date and financial particulars.
      And over the weekend, both Joshua and Fury confirmed they’d been presented with offers from various countries to host the fight.
      Saudi Arabia looks to be the frontrunner, but Qatar, Russia, Uzbekistan, the US and the UK were all mentioned by Fury, too.
      Fury’s British promoter Warren says talks for the first fight to be hosted in the UK have gone on for some time, with London mayor Sadiq Khan pledging his backing to the fight in an interview last week.
      Warren told SunSport: “We’re just waiting for confirmation on a couple of offers, we’re waiting for them to come in and I understand they’re imminent.
      “If the offers are acceptable then it’ll happen this summer. If the fighter’s expectation levels are being met then it should do.
      “If they’re not met then everyone has got to step back and take a reality check.

      “But I’m an optimist and I’m confident that what everyone’s working towards will happen. I do believe we will get something concrete.
      “And there’s one other thing, we’ve been negotiating for a while now to put the fight on in the UK. We’ve been working to do that.
      “If Sadiq Khan wants it at Wembley then he needs to put his hands in his pocket and make it happen.
      “There’s interest from other countries of course but the UK thing is still there. Everything is governed, however, by what’s happening with the pandemic. No-one knows what’s going to happen.
      “And I’m sure that if the money was right then Tyson would have no problem fighting in the UK again, despite previous comments. It’s all got to stack up to what the fighters want.”
      Credit: PA
      Credit: AFP
      It’s thought both Joshua and Fury will earn up to £100million each for their massive bout, but coronavirus restrictions across the globe have seeded doubt about just how much each fighter will take home.
      There have been reports that potential host countries Saudi and Qatar would rather wait for the fight to take place later in the year, when more fans will be able to attend Joshua vs Fury.
      Warren is keen for the fight to happen at Wembley Stadium in London, however, and hopes it can be done for the fans.
      “I’d love the fight to be in the UK, the fans deserve it. It’s an all-British affair, it’s a history-making fight,” he added.
      “It’s two British heavyweight fighters, with all four belts on the line. It’s never happened before, so it’s unique.”

      Fury will have been out the ring for 17 months by the time a potential first fight with Joshua takes place, though.
      And Warren has warned the WBC titleholder will move on if the negotiations continue to drag on.
      He said: “If this goes on too long then Tyson will have to move on, he’s p****d off he’s been inactive, he wants to be out, he’s not going to hang about forever, that’s for sure.”
      Tyson Fury works on body punches as he prepares for Anthony Joshua More

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      in Boxing

      Meet Joe Smith Jr, the man who KO’d Bernard Hopkins, has his own tree surgeon business, and is aiming for a world title

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      JOE SMITH JR sits back in his chair, ponders the question posed to him, looks around the room, thinks a little more, and comes to a decision. “The craziest moment of his career?” he asks back. “I mean, looking back… Andrzej Fonfara, Bernard Hopkins, there have been some amazing times and unexpected moments in my career.

      “This Saturday I’m hoping to do that again and finally secure myself a world championship.”
      It’s been a long road for Smith Jr. He’s a simple man who’s lived the ultimate life of labour, sprinkled with lashings of the extraordinary.
      He began boxing at 13 at Heavy Hitters Gym in Ronkonkoma and began work, cutting down trees with his father, just a few short years later, before getting more fruitful work with Laborers Local 66 in Long Island, New York, where he grew up.
      Smith Jr held the constriction gig on his back but ploughed forward with a full-time pro boxing career in his sights, picking up the opportunities that worked their ways into his path.
      Signed to Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, it was time for Smith Jr to start seizing those opportunities. And he did, despite opening up as a 33/1 underdog in a fight with Fonfara in 2016.

      Smith Jr smashed Fonfara around the ring for over two minutes before the referee stopped proceedings in the first round. His next opponent? Only the legendary Bernard Hopkins, a fight in which he was another sizeable underdog.
      Hopkins never returned to the ring after his evening with Smith Jr. B-Hop was sent tumbling through the ropes, onto the arena floor and into retirement by a much stronger and hungrier man. TKO8.
      Smith Jr returned to work on the construction site the week after.
      “I literally went back to work after the Hopkins fight, just that week later,” he reminisces. “I worked for a couple weeks then I realised I had other big fights coming up. I stayed there a little longer but then when we opened our own business I stopped working full-tine.
      “I walked into the job site after the Hopkins fight and the guys were like ‘what the hell are you doing here? You just fought a legend knocked him out and you’re back here at work? Something’s off!’ I was like ‘I need to make money!’.

      Losses to Sullivan Barrera and Dimitry Bivol have followed, but so have emphatic wins over Jesse Hart and Eleider Alvarez.
      Next is Maxim Vlasov, for the vacant WBO light-heavyweight world title. And he’s finally the bookies’ favourite.
      The construction work has stopped, but Smith Jr now runs his own tree service business, Team Smith Tree Services, with his father. The dirty work now gets left to his own workers, while he gets down to business in the ring.
      But there was a time where Smith Jr wasn’t so convinced his boxing career would lead to anywhere special. Enter trainer Jerry Capobianco.
      The vacant WBO Light Heavyweight title is 𝙊𝙁𝙁𝙄𝘾𝙄𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙔 on the line in Tulsa. 👑⚖️ Joe Smith Jr. – 174.8 lbs⚖️ Maxim Vlasov – 175 lbs#SmithVlasov | TOMORROW | ESPN & ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/dZfUmgKV6e— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2021

      Smith Jr adds: “My trainer Jerry, he said ‘give me everything you’ve got for a few years and I’ll make you a world champion’. At first I was like ‘you crazy?’. But as my career went on I started getting the bigger fights I knew this guy wasn’t lying to me.
      “Now, I go into every fight the same way, that guy there opposite me is there to hurt me, he’s trying to take away what’s mine so I’ve got to go in there and stop him from doing that.”
      A big win over Vlasov sets up a huge unification fight with current 175lb king Artur Beterbiev, who turned 36 in January.
      “It’s going to be there that Beterbiev fight,” Smith Jr says.

      “I just need to win and set up an opportunity like that for myself. That’s the main thing on my mind, stay focussed on this fight, do whatever it takes to win and there’ll be some huge opportunities to come.
      “We’ll see what happens in the ring with Vlasov but I’m going to go after the stoppage of course.
      “He’s an aggressive fighter. He comes forward, throws a lot of punches.
      “A lot of the guys I’ve fought are more boxers and counter-punchers. But Vlasov will be busy and aggressive. Whatever he brings I’m prepared for it all.
      “I can’t wait to get in there on Saturday night. It’s been a long time coming, I can’t wait to put that belt above my head and walk out as a champion.”

      Newly married to his long-time girlfriend Kelly Reilly, Smith Jr plans to spend his hopeful post-win months relaxing back in Long Island, by the water where he can jet-ski. More simpleness accompanied by thrill.
      “I’m a big jet-skier,” he says. “I love going out on the boat too. That’s the sort of stuff I love to do.
      “I’m looking forward to the summer, once I win this fight we’ll go jet-skiing right by my house in Long Island. I can’t wait.” More

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      in Soccer

      Diego Maradona’s sister evicted from family home as feud over £60m fortune rages

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      DIEGO Maradona’s sister has been evicted from the family home by relatives as the war over his fortune rages.Lili watched in tears as bailiffs stripped treasured possessions from the property the World Cup winner bought their parents.
      The war over Diego Maradona’s fortune took a turn as his sister LilI, here on the far-left, was evicted from the family home in tears
      Argentina star Maradona was said to be closest to older sister LiliCredit: Getty
      The items, including a giant portrait of Maradona, will be stored while the legal wrangle involving at least 16 relatives plus hangers-on is resolved.
      Argentina star Maradona was said to be closest to older sister Lili.
      She was with him until he died at 60 last November following an op to remove a blood clot.
      Lawyers acting for other beneficiaries battling over his estimated £60million fortune got a court order to oust her.
      Hand of God star Maradona bought the plush Villa Devoto in Buenos Aires at the start of his glittering career.
      A source said: “Diego’s acknowledged daughters Dalma, Giannina and Jana and representatives of sons ­Dieguito Fernando and Diego Junior wanted Lili out.
      Lawyers acting for other beneficiaries battling over his estimated £60million fortune got a court order to oust her
      A source said ‘It is essential that the house is unoccupied while the inheritance is decided’Credit: AFP
      Maradona bought the Villa Devoto in Buenos Aires and the feud around his fortune involves at least 16 relativesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “It was a difficult and emotional decision but it is essential that the house is unoccupied while the inheritance is decided. The legal process demands it.”
      Family members gathered at the house on the eve of the eviction to raise a toast to Maradona, who also had seven alleged love-children.
      Clashes have arisen because he signed a will in 2012 but scrapped it four years later.
      Diego Maradona’s relatives begin battle over his £37million fortune More

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      Footie-mad dad finally completes his £10k sticker collection after scoring rare England badge

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      A FOOTIE-mad dad has finally got his huge sticker album collection up to date — with a 1998 World Cup England badge.Simon Livermore, 45, paid £11.41 in an online bidding war for the elusive crest.
      Simon Livermore has finally got his huge sticker album collection up to dateCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
      He has now completed every World Cup and Euros album produced by Panini since 1974.
      And he is already busy filling in his Euro 2020 sticker album.
      Brighton and Hove Albion fan Simon said: “Half the fun is the hunt. I’ve needed two for France 98 for absolutely forever but the badges, the foils, are particularly hard to come across.
      “I was always led to believe there was equal numbers printed, But I swear it’s not the case.”
      The project manager caught the collecting bug with the Mexico 86 World Cup album.
      Over the years he has spent up to £10,000 on packs of stickers, selling swaps online to fund his habit and buying missing stickers from Europe, Egypt and the US.
      The footie-mad dad has spent over £10,000 on roughly 23,000 stickersCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
      His extensive collection was finally completed when he scored a 1998 England cardCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
      Simon paid £11.41 in an online bidding war for the elusive crestCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
      The most expensive sticker Simon sold was a rare Diego Maradona from 1982Credit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
      Simon caught the collecting bug with Panini’s Mexico ’86 albumCredit: Paul Edwards / The Sun
      The most expensive sticker he sold was a rare Diego Maradona from 1982 — which went to an American collector for £90.
      And Simon reckons he could wallpaper his spare room with Bulgarian swaps from Euro 96.
      It’s the childlike feeling of just opening a pack that’s kept me going. Simon Livermore
      As well as stickers, he also buys old books online then re-pastes what he needs into his albums.
      Simon, who has a daughter aged 25, reckoned: “It’s the childlike feeling of just opening a pack that’s kept me going.
      “The haircuts are some of the best bits. They remind me of my childhood.”
      Simon says ‘half the fun is the hunt’Credit: Paul Edwards / The Sun

      He also has Panini albums for the English top flight from 1978 to 1990 and the past two seasons.
      He refuses to buy albums produced by Merlin in the 1990s and 2000s as he says they are not as good.
      He said: “The feeling of opening a pack and getting your favourite player just won’t ever get old.”
      Panini land official Premier League sticker album for first time More