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    How Mike Tyson grew 20-INCH neck by 18 through gruelling training technique that Anthony Joshua now copies

    MIKE TYSON grew a 20-INCH neck by the age of 18 through a gruelling training technique. Boxers train the neck to increase their ability to take a punch.
    Mike Tyson grew a 20-INCH neck by the age of 18Credit: YouTube Against The Ropes
    And Tyson, the youngest heavyweight of all time aged 20, was no different in the gym.
    He used a technique called neck bridges, which involve a rocking back and forth motion.
    Even current boxing stars like Anthony Joshua, 33, have used the old school technique.
    Tyson, now 55, remains one of the most celebrated fighters of all time, retiring in 2005.
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    He did make a shock comeback in 2020 and drew with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr, 53, in an exhibition bout.
    Tyson, who looks unlikely to fight again, used to consume anywhere from 3,000-4,000 calories a day.
    He started his day early with a three to five-mile jog around 4am.
    After two hours he would come back, shower and go to sleep again until about 10am, when it was time for breakfast.
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    By midday he would be in the gym for his first boxing session, which was normally ten straight rounds of sparring.
    Tyson then did three sets of Calisthenics, including squats, tricep extensions, pushups, shrugs with 30 kilos and neck crunches.
    Afterwards, at 2pm the heavyweight would then have lunch before returning back to the gym for more boxing.
    This consisted of sparring, bag work, pads with his trainer, and an hour on the stationary bike as well as more Calisthenics.
    At 5pm, Tyson would do four more sets of the same calisthenics routine and then slow shadow boxing, focusing on just ONE technique.
    Two hours later he would have dinner, before his final session of the day at 8pm, which was a light 30 minutes on the exercise bike for recovery.
    Tyson was in bed at 9pm, watching TV or studying fight films before hitting the hay.
    Mike Tyson is the youngest heavyweight champion of all timeCredit: Getty More

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    How France hero Olivier Giroud, 36, defies his years with a strict diet and tough fitness plan to keep scoring

    FRANCE forward Olivier Giroud continues to defy his years.The former Arsenal and Chelsea star was the match-winner against England – beating Harry Maguire to Antoine Griezmann’s header 12 minutes from time to set-up a semi-final date with Morocco.
    Olivier Giroud celebrates heading France’s winner against EnglandCredit: Getty
    Giroud shows off his buff physique on holiday in IbizaCredit: The Mega Agency
    36-year-old Giroud is in peek condition thanks to a strict exercise and diet regimeCredit: Getty
    While Giroud eats a balanced diet to stay on top of his game
    Just like the age-less Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2018 World Cup winner has given longevity to his career with a strict diet plan and tough fitness routine.
    And he eats plenty of fruit, vegetables, chicken and fish to maintain his incredible physique, while working overtime in the gym.
    YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
    Crucial to Giroud’s health and fitness plan is what he puts into his body.
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    The 6ft4in striker avoids processed foods, sugar and unhealthy oils – corn, canola, vegetable, and other chemically engineered cocktails.
    He chows down on a variety of breakfasts, including bagels with strawberry jam, egg white and ham omelettes, or brown toast with scrambled eggs.
    For lunch his options feature green Salad with mixed beans, salmon and rice, baked potato with tuna, or even a tuna pasta.
    At dinner, he will have fish (sometimes haddock or tuna steak) with a broccoli, or chicken with green vegetables.
    When it comes to eating, Giroud is very careful with what he puts into his body
    Giroud, on a dinner date with wife Jennifer, avoids processed foods and enjoys lean meats and fishCredit: BackGrid
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    Occasionally, he will go for a lean steak – with a mixed salad or steamed vegetables.
    And because Giroud is so incredible active, he will snack regularly during the day.
    Things he eats are dried fruit and nuts, muesli bars, popcorn and banana sandwiches.
    WORKING IT OFF
    Of course, this high-energy diet gives Giroud plenty to burn off when he works out.
    And when he’s not training with current club AC Milan at the Milanello Sports Centre, he is fully utilising his time off to stay fit with an action-packed routine.
    He reportedly allows himself just one day off – a Wednesday.
    Weekends, if he’s not playing, he will do cardio exercises and again rest.

    According to his ex-manager Thomas Tuchel, Giroud trains like a 20-year-old
    Dumbbells feature regularly in Giroud’s workoutsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Giroud performs a burpee while training with ex-club ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    On Mondays, he’s bench pressing, lifting dumbbells and working his abs using a plate twist.
    Tuesdays, he incorporates mountain climbers into his exercise, as well as squats and reverse grip push-ups.
    Thursday, Giroud will continue with weight exercises, including a series of routines with dumbbells, close-grip EZ-Bar curls and three sets of pull-ups of five reps.
    And for Friday, it’s burpees, a variety of squats, and plyometric lunges. The latter helps develop and improve lower body strength and power, as well as challenge dynamic stability and coordination.
    HIGH PRAISE
    Last year, Giroud showed astonishing athleticism with a stunning overhead kick against Atletico Madrid while playing for Chelsea.
    He became the oldest player to score in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the Blues at 34 years and 146 days.
    But that didn’t surprise his former manager Thomas Tuchel, who was in awe of his striker’s approach to keeping himself in shape.
    “If you see him on a daily basis, you cannot be surprised. He is totally fit, his body is in shape and his physicality is on top level,” Tuchel said in an interview back in 2021.
    “He trains like a 20-year-old, like a 24-year-old. He is a guy who has a good mixture of serious and joy in training. He is always positive and it is a big factor for the group.”
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    After a hard training session Giroud takes advantage of an ice bathCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Giroud’s incredible body defies his yearsCredit: The Mega Agency
    The overhead kick winner against Atletico Madrid in 2021 showed Giroud’s hard work has paid off and he still has his athleticismCredit: EPA
    With four goals in Qatar, Giroud has proven he is still one of the world’s leading forwards. Against Poland he broke France’s all-time scoring record held by Thierry Henry, and his goal against England was his 53rd for his country.
    You wouldn’t put it past him to add to that total against Morocco on Wednesday. More

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    David Haye vows to go from ‘fat to fit in eight weeks’ as he shows off ‘ridiculous rolls and unsightly belly’

    DAVID HAYE has vowed to go from “fat to fit in eight weeks” after piling on the pounds for an “experiment”. The former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion ditched his five hours of exercise a week and ate whatever he liked.
    David Haye plans to go from ‘fat to fit in eight weeks’Credit: Instagram @davidhaye
    David Haye ditched his usual routineCredit: Instagram @davidhaye
    As a result, his body fat went up 12 per cent, having gone from 15st 7lb to 16st 7lb, paving the way for a two-month transformation.
    He said: “I did an experiment, I stopped doing any exercise and started eating what everybody else was eating.
    “And as a result, this is what transpired. I’ve turned into a mere mortal I’ve got ridiculous rolls of fat on the side.
    “Body fat went from ten per cent to 22-and-a-half per cent in three months just by doing what everybody else is doing.
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    “I’m not overeating, I was just easting desserts, just drinking alcohol with everybody else and this is what happens.”
    Haye, 42, is now going to document his eight-week weight loss on his website, planning to drop 1.5 per cent body fat each week.
    The retired boxer gave an insight into his tricks, which includes loading up on nutrients, minerals and vitamin rich food.
    Unfortunately, sugar will have to be cut out alongside bread, rice, potato’s and pasta.
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    Haye will drink no less than three litres of water a day and will not eat his first meal until early in the afternoon.
    So it will leave the British boxing legend hungry for results, which he plans to reveal in the new year.
    Haye retired after consecutive losses to Tony Bellew but returned for an exhibition last year against his friend Joe Fournier.
    And the millionaire businessman-turned 9-0 boxer admitted he wished his ex-sparring partner came out of shape for their eight-rounder.
    He joked: “F*** me why couldn’t you have been in that shape when we fought.”
    Haye responded: “Because I wanted to win!! May the fat burning begin!!”
    David Haye and Joe Fournier during their exhibition boutCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Harry Kane reveals he has been seeing secret fitness guru to overcome injury problems and lets him stay at £17m mansion

    HARRY KANE has revealed he has overcome his injury nightmares with the help of a new fitness guru.The Tottenham striker, who had been dogged with ankle and hamstring injuries, has suffered barely any problems since he started working with a Spanish expert in 2020.
    England captain Harry Kane is just a few goals shy of Wayne Rooney’s England recordCredit: PA
    Kane in his home gym
    In fact, since rupturing a tendon in his left hamstring against Southampton on January 1 2020, Kane has missed just five games in total.
    The England captain, who refused to name the fitness guru, said: “I did my hamstring against Southampton away on New Year’s Day and since then I’ve actually found this new physio and we’ve been working together since, for nearly three years now. 
    “He’s been really great for me. We’ve worked for hours and hours over the three years, built up a really good relationship and I feel like he’s really helped me get my body right.
    “I’ve seen changes in my body in terms of what my ankles were like before and now after. I’m in a totally different place.
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    “So it’s really pleasing, I’ve kept that under the radar. Not now! It’s the first time you guys have asked me about it, to be fair.
    “I was at a period in my career where I was struggling to play consistently throughout a season.
    “Especially when you come up to major tournaments, it’s great to know your body is in a good place.
    “Of course, you can get injured at any moment, whether it’s a tackle or a bad movement but I think when you’re free in your mind and you’ve been playing consistently for a while, it definitely helps with your mindset going into the seasons and major tournaments.”
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    Asked about his identity, Kane said: “I’ll keep his name quiet. He’s Spanish. I’ll use him maybe one week of the month.
    “He doesn’t live in the UK so he comes over one week a month and stays with me.”
    Kane has lived in a mesmerising £17million London mansion since 2018.
    The house comes equipped with seven bedrooms, a state-of-the-art gym and an epic man cave.
    Kane enjoys some down time ion his man caveCredit: Refer to Caption More

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    Inside Anthony Joshua’s new ‘mental training’ plan after losing to Usyk

    TWO time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has said he is now taking a more ‘mental approach’ to training after losing to Oleksandr Usyk.The 32-year-old said he is increasingly focusing on the mental aspects of his boxing training.
    Anthony Joshua has revealed the way he is tackling training in the lead up to 2022Credit: Getty
    Speaking at an Under Armour panel, Joshua said he was turning to ‘uplifting activities’ to help put him in the right headspace.
    “I’m not happy with what happened in my previous fight. You have to be angry at losing and it’s not acceptable,” he says.
    “My losses should be put in my highlights reel really, as that’s the stuff that shapes you, it’s always on my mind.
    “I don’t take losses well, I fight the best consistently, and I try to overcome obstacles.”
    Joshua’s next fight is set for April 2022 and after September’s loss, he’s taking on a new approach.
    Mental health is key to all of us, and can make a real impact for any athlete; it’s something Watford-born Joshua puts a lot of emphasis on.
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    The Sun previously launched its You’re Not Alone campaign, to remind anyone facing a tough time that there is hope and support available.
    Joshua says mental recovery is really important for him and explains that keeping his mental health in good condition helps him feel strong and perform at his best.
    Keeping an eye on his social media usage is a crucial step in managing his mental health.
    “It’s all about the environment I create around myself and the information I let in,” says Joshua.
    “It’s too much of an effort to block out social media. If you like it, jump on it, but when you’re on it, control what you let into your life.
    “If you use it, it’s fine, get the positives out of it.
    “You have to fill your life with motivation, because life is hard. 
    “I’ve been at the bottom so I need to see things that are uplifting.” 
    Anthony Joshua’s top tips for training outside this winterChilly training doesn’t just have to involve sub-zero temperatures and sprinting in the snow.
    “It’s important to just get outside and just get some sunshine,” says Joshua.
    “Just going for a walk and getting some sunlight is great; it’s so important to be outside.”
    If you’re anxious about cold weather workouts, start slow and build up your cold weather tolerance.
    “Lots of little things impact us,” says Joshua.
    “You need small targets. Small little steps will take you a long way.
    “Cold training is good because it helps you learn how to deal with stress. 
    “It helps you become a better person, no matter what environment you are in.”

    Another way he keeps his mental health topped up is with a chilly daily ritual.
    While many influencers and athletes like to post photos of themselves luxuriously lounging in hot places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Joshua much prefers the cold, and Joshua likes to take a cold shower first thing.
    It’s a shock to the system, and a boost for his mental health.
    “A cold shower is one of the first things I do in the morning,” he says.
    “It’s all about being uncomfortable. 
    “Each day presents me with millions of obstacles and I just feel like if I can get through a 30 second cold shower, then I can deal with 10 minutes of stress.”
    LET’S GET PHYSICAL
    Joshua, an Under Armour ambassador, takes his cold shower philosophy into the training ring too. 
    Icy weather training might be something he struggles with, but he says: “It’s that mental blockage that you need to overcome.”
    He remembers his trainer telling him to go for a run outdoors, in freezing temperatures. 
    “I knew I had to go outside. The spartans and the vikings would always be outside, but I’m a new school guy.
    “My coach showed me a video of someone running in the snow, so I knew what I had to do.
    “I had to overcome my thoughts and I felt alive when I came back from that run.”
    Training at low temperatures can be hugely beneficial for your physical and mental health, if you can get yourself out the door.
    “Being in a warm environment relaxes you, you shut down,” says Joshua.
    “The cold signals to your brain and the rest of your body that you need to wake up.
    “It’s all about being switched on and that’s what cold weather training does for your mind and body.”
    Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua step-aside talks axed and will now fight Usyk as planned More

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    Fitness coach to the sports elite reveals incredible ‘mind training’ method to get yourself in shape

    A TRAINER to the top Italian sports stars has revealed his secret method to keeping your body in tip-top shape.
    Alessandro Cassano from Taranto, southern Italy, works with professional footballers, rugby players and athletes, helping them improve their performance through techniques that focus on their mental wellbeing.

    Alessandro Cassano works with professional footballers, rugby players and athletes, helping them improve their performance

    The Italian coaches them through techniques that focus on their mental wellbeing

    Known as ‘Trivo’, an Italian abbreviation for Training Risolutivo Intensivo verso l’Obiettivo – meaning intensive and definitive goal training in English – the programme requires five to six coaching sessions to increase motivation and perseverance.
    It allows clients to reach their goals in a faster and ‘more functional way’.
    It’s a brand new method that sees Alessandro combine his knowledge of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) to train the mind first and later the body, effectively breaking through the mental barriers associated with achieving fitness goals.
    It helps support athletes to overcome their difficulties, fears and weaknesses and to acquire consciousness about their strengths.

    The fitness buff stresses that there will always be obstacles to face along your journey, and that maintaining mental concentration and determination will lead you to obtain the results you are looking for.
    Alessandro said: “In the specific case of the sports world, these kind of resources are linked to motivation.
    “The process allows you to re-programme an attitude or a behaviour to make living life in a positive way the value that guides you.”
    The Trivo method comes in various steps, the first of which is called an ‘intake session’ in which the trainer establishes a general goal with the client.

    In this same session, the trainer begins to use NLP to set up a strategy, after which they look at the client’s past to identify if there were any failures or obstacles that may have hindered them achieving other things in their life.
    The second phase is known as ‘up chunching’, in which the coach tries to understand what values the client uses to achieve their goal.
    Finally, the third phase, also the most important, sees the coach set up or recall lost ‘resources’ from the client’s mind and body – through NLP techniques.
    In follow-up sessions, the pair will work together on the predetermined goal through NLP techniques called ‘trance for objective’ and ‘timelines’.
    Alessandro said: “After this, the life coach brings client to reality through ‘future pacing’, another PNL strategy.
    “And then finally, the client, with a strong sense of motivation, is ready to begin practical sessions.
    “From this moment, the path will be faster and more efficient and you share the practical protocol with the client.
    “All this is supported by a nutritionist who collaborates with my teams. This synergy between mind and body is the key behind the Trivo method.

    The trainer to top Italian sports stars has revealed his secret method to keeping your body in tip-top shape

    The Trivo method comes in various steps with the trainer establishing a general goal with the client
    For Alessandro, motivation plays an important role in fitness and so he makes sure to allow his clients to communicate their needs, objectives, and achievements.
    This lets them move forward and encourages them to overcome their limits.
    Alessandro, who earned his first black belt in Shotokan-style karate when he was just a kid, moved to Parma in 2000 where he quickly began attending courses in Wing Tsun, a style of Kung Fu practiced with bare hands.
    In 2008, he was awarded the blue shirt from the The European WingTsun Organisation (EWTO) and soon launched his own lessons teaching street self-defence.
    Today, he is an associated FIF personal Trainer, specialising in metabolic fitness, weight loss and functional training for women at the Italian Fitness Federation.
    He also works as a life sports coach and has a diploma in NLP.
    Alessandro has dedicated his entire life to physical and mental preparation and to strengthening his knowledge on this basis.

    PSV star Donyell Malen works out in the gym as he recovers from injury
    He credits his determination, positive energy, and enthusiasm for helping him to stand out among others in the fitness industry. More

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    Pro Direct Sport offering SunSport readers extra 10 per cent off for Home Essentials to keep active during coronavirus

    PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson announced on Friday night that gyms will be closed for the foreseeable future because of the coronavirus. Last week, the Football Association was one of a great number of organisations to announce that amateur sports, as well as professional, are on hold. Use discount code SUN10 to get an extra 10 […] More