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      in Boxing

      Joe Joyce loved cheerleading and springboard diving before becoming fearsome heavyweight boxer

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      JOE JOYCE has professed his love for extreme sports – while also revealing he has a nimble side.The Brit heavyweight used to enjoy springboard diving and cheerleading because, despite being 6ft 6in, he can “twist and flip” through the air.
      Joe Joyce used to enjoy springboard diving and cheerleadingCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Joyce jokingly teased a collaboration with Team GB diver Tom DaleyCredit: PA
      As a youngster Joyce, 37, dreamt of Olympic glory in athletics.
      But the multitalented Juggernaut also tried his luck with other sports before turning to boxing.
      When asked what he’d do if he wasn’t a boxer, Joyce told SunSport: “I was even considering doing springboard diving because I grew up by Putney Leisure Centre and did a lot of stuff on the boards.
      “I could do a lot of somersaults and different things, so I was interested in doing that.
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      “Maybe I could have done a thing with Tom Daley, what is it the duo thing? But maybe not I don’t know… I’m a tall guy.
      “But I can twist and I can flip as well and I enjoyed cheerleading for example, and doing the somersaults and stuff.”
      Joyce was a latecomer to boxing, taking up the sport in his early twenties and not turning pro until after his 31st birthday.
      But as soon as he laced up the gloves and stepped out onto the canvas, he knew it was the sport for him.
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      The Juggernaut added: “When I started boxing, I knew that this was the sport I wanted to be in.
      “I had the enjoyment factor, and I could see with each fight that I was getting closer and closer to where I wanted to be.
      “And all I needed to do was keep winning my fights and I could see the route to the top. It was very clear I was in the right place.”
      Joyce did achieve his Olympic dream, not in athletics but in boxing, controversially being denied gold but winning silver at Rio 2016.
      Joe Joyce won silver at Rio 2016Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Six years later and Joyce now has heavyweight title glory in his sights after brutally knocking out Joseph Parker last weekend.
      As interim champion he is in line for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO belt, while WBC champ Tyson Fury has even suggested he could LOSE to Joyce if the two Brits were to fight.
      Both Usyk and Fury, as well as Anthony Joshua, are on Joyce’s wishlist for when he returns to the ring in spring 2023.
      With one of the division’s elite eyed for his next fight, it’s a good thing the Juggernaut doesn’t mind taking the punishment that comes with being a pro boxer.
      Joyce concluded: “I like extreme sports… and boxing for me is an extreme sport.
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      “It has the adrenaline, the excitement, there’s a lot of fans.
      “It’s good fun to punch someone in the face… and I don’t mind getting punched in the face either as you can tell.”
      Joyce is in line for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO heavyweight titleCredit: Reuters More

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      in Soccer

      Footballer Ched Evans secretly marries his girlfriend Natasha – who stood by him during rape trial

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      FOOTBALLER Ched Evans has secretly married his girlfriend Natasha Massey – the woman who stood by him during his rape trial.The Welsh striker, 33, tied the knot in a lavish ceremony this summer to the beauty therapist, 32.
      Ched Evans and Natasha Massey have tied the knot in a lavish ceremonyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Natasha and Ched couldn’t stop smiling on their wedding day, a source revealedCredit: Neil Jones – The Sun
      He was found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in 2012 – a verdict which was later overturned before he was found not guilty in a retrial.
      Natasha had been dating the ex-Sheffield United player for almost three years when he cheated on her with the teenager at a Premier Inn in Rhyl, North Wales, which left her heartbroken.
      The daughter of wealthy businessman Karl Massey wore a lace bodice dress for her wedding day and beamed as she posed with her footballer husband who was pictured in a tuxedo.
      A source said: “Natasha has stood by Ched through thick and thin and their wedding day showed that they have firmly put the past behind them.
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      “The couple couldn’t wipe the smile off their faces as they said ‘I Do’ in front of their closest family and friends.“
      Natasha was heartbroken when Ched cheated on her but is hoping the ring on his finger will ensure he doesn’t do the same again.”
      Evans, who always admitted having sex with the accuser but insisted that it was consensual, was convicted in 2012 of rape and was sentenced to five years in jail after the woman was deemed “too drunk to consent”.
      Speaking on This Morning in 2014, Natasha said: “As soon as I found out he’d been questioned over rape, my instinct was kind of protective and I thought I had to stand by him.
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      “So my thoughts and feelings over the cheating were put to one side and I stepped in to help him through this terrible time.”
      Evans served two-and-a-half years in jail where he worked as a painter and decorator and accepted an out-of-court settlement of around £800,000 with his original lawyers who defended him in his first rape trial.
      Natasha had been dating the ex-Sheffield United player for almost three years when he cheated on herCredit: PA:Press Association
      Evans was found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in 2012 – a verdict which was later overturnedCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      in Soccer

      Manchester City hooligan fined for throwing flare onto pitch which landed close to goalie Ederson

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      A MANCHESTER City hooligan has been fined for throwing a flare onto the pitch during the Champions League semi-final – which landed close to goalie Ederson.Bradley Holden, 24, celebrated when his team went 2-0 up against Real Madrid at the Etihad.
      Bradley Holden has been fined for throwing a flare onto the pitch at the EtihadCredit: STEVE ALLEN
      The flare landed close to goalkeepr EdersonCredit: Getty
      He was caught on CCTV later removing his top in a bid to avoid detection but was arrested at the game.
      Holden, a season ticket holder, tried to claim that he threw the flare in “panic” because he was so concerned about a fellow fan having an asthma attack.
      Miss Emily Potter, prosecuting at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, said his actions had shown “disregard” for the safety of his fellow supporters and the police sought to impose a football banning order against him.
      Holden told the court that he hadn’t lit the flare and only became aware of it after another fan pointed at it on the floor.
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      He said: “I looked down and heard an elderly male say, ‘What the…I’ve got asthma.”
      “I had a blind panic and wanted to get it away as quickly as possible.”
      He said that he had a friend who’d died from an asthma attack six years ago and he was also aware of the dangers from discussions with his primary school teacher partner
      CCTV footage revealed the flare landed near City goalie Ederson.
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      Holden, who pleaded guilty to charges of throwing a missile onto a football pitch and possession of a flare at an earlier hearing, also denied trying to disguise his identity by removing his top.
      Mark Kelllett, defending, said Holden was a man of good character who had never been involved in any other incidents at football matches, and a football banning order was unnecessary.
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      District judge Joanne Hirst agreed and said she had “taken into account the unusual circumstances” and believed Holden had shown an “instinctive reaction” on seeing the lit flare and it was clear he hadn’t brought it into the stadium.
      She handed Holden, of Hyde, Gtr Manchester, a £500 fine and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £50 surcharge. More

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      in Soccer

      Female football fans risk jail or flogging at World Cup if they are raped in Qatar

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      FEMALE England fans risk jail or flogging at the World Cup if they are raped in Qatar.Women at the tournament in November face prosecution if they report offences in the Muslim country.
      Female England fans risk jail or flogging at the World Cup if they are raped in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Qatar’s strict Islamic code outlaws all sexual contact between unmarried couples — and there are 100 prosecutions a year.
      Even rape victims have been hauled into court and handed sentences ranging from seven years in jail to flogging.
      May Romanos, a Middle East expert at Amnesty International, said: “You go to the police, and instead of being the victim, you become the accused.”
      The Detained in Dubai legal aid group has an app to help World Cup fans in trouble.
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      Director Radha Stirling said: “The UAE has a long history of penalising rape victims.”
      Figures show football stadiums in the past have become sex assault hotspots at tournaments.
      There were 72 sex attacks reported in Brent, North London, when the Euro 2020 semis and finals were played at Wembley in July last year — while there were 39 cases at the same tournament in Seville, Spain.
      A Qatar spokesman said the country “promotes the rights of women, and this extends to all women visiting”.
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      Fifa said: “Any fan who reports a sexual assault will have access to Qatar’s ­high-quality healthcare system irrespective of marital status.” More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea star Ben Chilwell signs up to celeb dating app Raya after split from Too Hot To Handle star Holly Scarfone

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      ENGLAND and Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is back on the market again and using A-list dating app Raya to meet potential sweethearts.In June the footie ace was snapped in LA with star of Netflix show Too Hot To Handle Holly Scarfone but since then the pair have gone their separate ways.
      Ben had been pictured in LA with stunning model Holly ScarfoneCredit: @hollyscarfone
      Chelsea and England defender Ben Chilwell is looking for love on RayaCredit: Getty
      This week Ben’s profile popped up in Birmingham.
      He said he was “visiting from London” and shared a series of snaps with his famous footie pals, including Dele Alli and Mason Mount, set to a Burna Boy soundtrack.
      Get swiping, ladies.
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      in Soccer

      Chelsea coach Anthony Barry ready to snub Huddersfield job to join Roberto Martinez and Thierry Henry with Belgium

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      CHELSEA coach Anthony Barry will be unavailable for an immediate move into a new job — as he is going to the World Cup with Belgium.Highly-rated backroom boy Barry, 36, was fancied by Huddersfield and has been linked with other clubs as a No 1.
      Chelsea coach Anthony Barry will not be taking charge of Championship outfit HuddersfieldCredit: Rex
      Barry has opted to continue his coaching role with Belgium ahead of the World Cup in NovemberCredit: AFP or licensors
      But he is due to assist Roberto Martinez and the Belgians in Qatar.
      Championship Terriers could not afford to lose him to international duty or wait until after the finals.
      Despite looking at former Manchester United skipper Michael Carrick, they are set to welcome back David Wagner for a second spell.
      Former Huddersfield gaffer Danny Schofield lasted just 69 days in charge after being promoted from the ranks.
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      Wagner was in charge of the Yorkshire outfit between November 2015 – January 2019.
      During his first spell in charge at the John Smith’s Stadium, he took Huddersfield to the Premier League after beating Reading on penalties in the 2017 Play-Off final.
      And he managed to guide Huddersfield to safety in the club’s opening season in the top-flight after finishing 16th.
      But after a horror start to the 2018-19 campaign, Wagner and Huddersfield agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
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      Huddersfield were rooted to the bottom of the table at the time of his leaving, with the club subsequently relegated after winning just three out of their 38 matches.
      Following his departure, he was named as Schalke’s boss in July 2019, with the German club finishing 12th in the Bundesliga.
      But after a run of 18 league games without a victory stretching back to the end of the 2019-20 term, he was sacked in September 2020.
      A move to Swiss side Young Boys followed in July 2021, but he was axed in March as they trailed eventual champions FC Zurich by 15 points.
      And Wagner knows he faces a huge job to keep Huddersfield in the Championship with the Terriers sitting in 23rd spot having won just two out of their opening ten matches. More

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      Gary O’Neil set to stay as Bournemouth boss under new owner William Foley despite Sean Dyche links

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      GARY O’NEIL is set for extra time as Bournemouth boss under new owner William Foley.The American businessman is about to conclude a takeover deal and deciding on a full-time gaffer will be his first priority.
      Bournemouth caretaker manager Gary O’Neil is yet to lose any of his opening three games in chargeCredit: Reuters
      O’Neil, 39, has been in caretaker charge since Scott Parker was sacked last month.
      And sources close to Foley, 77, say he is happy with O’Neil’s work and has heard good things about him.
      The ex-Cherries coach has been nominated for the Prem’s Manager of the Month award.
      Ex-Burnley chief Sean Dyche is among those linked with the post but Foley looks set to stick with O’Neil for now.
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      The new owner is likely to review the squad and manager situation in January.
      Parker was relieved of his duties after Bournemouth lost three out of their opening four Premier League matches.
      But they are unbeaten under O’Neil, with the 39-year-old picking up five points (one win, two draws) from a possible nine.
      They are now up to 12th in the table having picked up points Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.
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      Former Burnley gaffer Dyche declared last week how he would be open to taking charge of Bournemouth as he looks to return to the dugout.
      Commenting on the Cherries, he said: “There’s nothing that I wouldn’t look at.
      “Because in my career, I didn’t play in the Premier League but played loads of cup games against Premier League clubs and I played in all the other divisions.
      “I managed in the Championship, the Premier League as well. I’d never disrespect any club. I’ve been around the game since I was 16.”
      As for Parker, he has been linked with a shock switch to French outfit Nice with Lucien Favre under huge pressure following their poor start to the campaign. More

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      ‘I am surprised’ – Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn questions Ben White’s omission from Gareth Southgate’s England squad

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      NIGEL WINTERBURN has been left in disbelief that Gareth Southgate omitted Ben White from his latest England squad.The Arsenal defender has starred this season under Mikel Arteta where he has started all seven Premier League games for the table-toppers.
      Arsenal star Ben White was a notable omission from Gareth Southgate’s latest England squadCredit: Getty
      Gunners legend Nigel Winterburn has been left surprised by White failing to be includedCredit: Alamy
      Despite being a natural centre-back, White has shown his versatility by fitting in at right-back due to the emerging partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel.
      But his dazzling form wasn’t enough to convince Three Lions gaffer Southgate to include White in his last squad before the World Cup which kicks off in November.
      And his absence in the team was felt on Friday night as England lost 1-0 to Italy in their Nations League clash at the San Siro.
      The result means that England have been relegated from Nations League A regardless of whether they beat Germany on Monday.
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      Speaking to SunSport on behalf of FreeSuperTips prior to the Italy match, Arsenal legend Winterburn was asked if he was surprised by White being left out.
      To which he said of the 24-year-old four-cap international: “I am surprised, but I never try to predict what England managers do with players.
      “But I am surprised, he was initially in the last squad so if he was in the last England squad, I don’t understand why he wouldn’t be in this squad.
      “Unless Gareth Southgate has left him out because he wants to look at other players.
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      “Ben White hasn’t made that many appearances for England, so I would think he deserves a look in, so it’s a surprising decision to me.
      “Especially when you see some of the players in that squad and the club form they’re currently producing.
      “But we’ve seen this with Gareth Southgate, and I’ve spoken about it on different occasions when we talk about Jordan Pickford.
      “People were criticising [Jordan] Pickford and saying he should be left out, but I’ve always said you’ve got to look at it from Gareth Southgate’s point of view.
      “When he’s come in and played for England, he’s never done anything wrong so how do you leave him out?”
      He added: “So, there is going to be a lot of debate over the next 10 days, especially if England don’t pick up their form in the next two games.
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      “England have dropped off a little bit in terms of performances and what we expect to see.
      “It’s going to be interesting watching those games and the reaction of the supporters during and perhaps after.” More