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    How Franklin lost 2st for Anthony Joshua fight with strict diet as he reveals very British way he’ll celebrate win

    JERMAINE FRANKLIN has beef and a trip to Buckingham Palace  on the menu if he beats Anthony Joshua on Saturday.Since his points defeat to Dillian Whyte in November, the American swapped red meat for fish and fruit smoothies — and lost almost two stone.
    Jermaine Franklin opened up about his insane diet ahead of the Anthony Joshua fightCredit: Alamy
    Joshua didn’t shake Franklin’s hand during their press conferenceCredit: PA
    And if the underdog can cut down Joshua as impressively as his waistline, he has a very British way to celebrate on Sunday.
    Franklin, 29, said: “I stopped eating red meat and cut down on sugar and lost 22lb.
    “The things I miss most are probably ribs or steak. I used to love steak. I’d feel really bad — if I smell it, I instantly get hungry!
    “Once I win I will have a good pile of ribs and steak and I want to go to see the city a little bit. See Buckingham Palace.
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    “We went past the Tower of London already but I like to stay in my room and focus before a fight, so I will try to go probably after the fight. After I win, not if I win.”
    Joshua refused Franklin’s handshake at the Wednesday press conference as the trash-talk got spicy.
    The Michigan man said: “I was going to shake his hand but he turned the opposite way.
    “He might have been mad because I said I was going to knock him out.
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    “I just answered the questions how they asked them — I didn’t mean no disrespect.
    “I didn’t disrespect the guy but if they ask me what I think I am going to do, I am going to tell them. I’m not going to sugar-coat it.”
    Despite a decade of Olympic and world title wins, in some of Britain’s biggest stadiums, AJ has failed to sell out the 18,000-seat O2.
    And that might let the Franklin family fan club overpower Team Joshua and urge their man on to the upset.
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    Franklin underwent a rigorous diet ahead of his clash with JoshuaCredit: Getty
    Franklin lost 2st ahead of Saturday’s big boxing matchCredit: Getty
    Franklin wants to visit Buckingham Palace after beating JoshuaCredit: Getty
    He said: “My mum and  sister are coming over. You’re going to see my little sister, she’s a character, she’s a lot of action, a lot of the time.
    “You might hear her over a lot of people. They’re going to have to tell her to sit down.”
    Franklin’s  godmother, nicknamed Boobut, died at the start of the week and the American admits he will not even start trying to grieve until he can get back home.
    He said: “She was struggling with some health problems.
    “We were very close. She’d always been around, always wished me the best. We always spent a lot of time together, since childhood.

    “It was hard to take. I didn’t think it was real. I thought my mum was lying when she told me.
    “I have had to put it to the back of my mind until I get back home and can start to process it.” More

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    Jack Grealish reveals his strange and pricey food habit after a game

    MANCHESTER City star Jack Grealish revealed he chows down on a mammoth five Chinese takeaway dishes all on the same plate after a game.And the monster meal costs the star a tidy dim sum – a whopping £53.50.
    Jack treats himself to a Chinese takeaway after a matchCredit: Getty
    He says Chinese is his favourite grub and he loves piling his order into a mountain of grub to devour in a “big free for all”.
    The star visits the pricey, high-end Chinese restaurant in Manchester for a carry out.
    Jack revealed: “Yeah, I love Chinese, man. After every game I get one. I go to Wing’s in Manchester.
    “I usually get a takeaway. I have Singapore chow mein, I have egged fried rice, I have salt and pepper chips, I have salt and pepper prawns and then curry sauce.
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    “I then mix it all in and have a big fee for all.”
    And the meal for one would be a wallet-buster as well as a belly-buster for most folk – but not the super-fit, £270,000-a-week star.
    His Singapore chow mein is £20.40, egg fried rice is £5.40, salt and pepper chips are £6.40, salt and pepper prawns are £16.90 and a tub of curry sauce to glug over the top is another £4.40.
    The place is walking distance from Jack’s city centre apartment which he shares with lover Sasha Attwood and their cockapoo.
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    Wing’s is a favourite haunt of stars from both Manchester clubs, as well as a haunt of actors from Coronation Street and visiting celebs.
    The Old Trafford Class of ‘92 – Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt and David Beckham put the eatery on the showbiz map.
    Sir Alex Ferguson was also a keen customer and Wayne and Coleen were regular visitors until he left the club.
    Jack recently revealed the secrets behind his massive calves and low socks.
    On those famous calves, he claimed it is all genetics, saying to the Daily Mail: “I actually don’t do anything. It’s just something that runs in the family.
    “My grandad always had big calves when he used to play football.
    “But I don’t do any calf exercises or calf routines in the gym or anything. Honestly, it’s just something that I’ve had since I was young.”
    And on those well-known low socks Grealish shared that superstition is the reason behind it.
    He said: “I think I was about 14 or 15 and we were sponsored by Macron at Aston Villa and the socks used to shrink in the wash.
    “In training I couldn’t get them over my calves because the socks were so small.
    “So I started wearing them below my calves in training — and that season I ended up playing really well.
    “So then I started wearing my socks below my calves in games. It was just something that stuck because I’d had such a good season.”
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    Fans had their say on Grealish’s calves when he played for the Three Lions in Qatar at the World Cup last year, with one saying: “So like, how big are Grealish’s calves going to get?”
    Another wrote: “Was very into the US-England game until noticing Jack Grealish’s mutant calves, which became my entire focus afterwards.”
    Jack Grealish says his famous calves run in the familyCredit: Rex More

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    I’m a former Premier League star but now I’m a Instagram chef… an online course sparked my success

    A FORMER Premier League star who scored in all five national football divisions has gone on to become an Instagram chef.Marc Pugh, 35, was a winger for Bournemouth and QPR before an online nutrition course inspired him to start a new career in the kitchen.
    March Pugh starred as a winger for QPR before becoming an Instagram chefCredit: Getty
    After scoffing heaps of pizza as a young player, Marc now serves up austere dishes on his chopping boardCredit: https://www.instagram.com/thefoodiefootballer/?hl=en
    He has attracted 85,000 Instagram followers with his snaps of healthy dishes like coconut and almond milk porridge and cucumber, radish and salmon towers.
    The ex-footballer told the Sun: “Ten years ago, I was a terrible cook. I wish I had educated myself more when I was younger.
    “I used to have pizza as a pre-match meal when I was at Shrewsbury as a 21-year-old.
    “We kept winning games so we thought it was a good omen!
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    “Before I did my course I didn’t know how important nutrition was.
    “Now I take it very seriously, both for myself and for my family.
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    “As a professional it has helped with recovery particularly.
    “During this lockdown, when we have all the time in the world, what better way to spend it than learning to cook! It could improve your game and your fitness.”
    Marc took the online course so he could help out his heavily pregnant wife with cooking.
    It inspired him to eat more healthily, with cheesy-crust pizzas strictly off the menu.
    He said: “I feel better now than when I was 21. Back then I made mistakes going into games and felt lethargic because of what I’d eaten.
    “When I was at Bury, we played Weymouth in the FA Cup and I felt horrendous.
    “I actually scored but I felt awful. The pre-match meal was pasta and it bloated me. I never do that now.
    “To this day, my pre-match meal is salmon, vegetables and sweet potatoes about 3½ hours before kick-off.”
    Marc’s Insta page is directed at anyone, not just professional athletes, who wants to eat good food but stay in tip-top shape.
    That does not mean it is all kale and quinoa though — even if he is partial to the latter.
    He said: “My Instagram page is to show people they don’t have to eat like a rabbit to be fit and healthy.
    “Refined carbs give you sugar spikes so I don’t use many of those. Good carbs like quinoa, sweet potato, brown rice and vegetables are amazing for you.
    “I do have a bit of a sweet tooth but mostly I use natural sweeteners like dates and honey.
    “There are some scones with jam and cream on there because my missus did it for our kids.
    Marc added: “I don’t like to call it a ‘diet’. But portion sizes are important.
    “Some people look like they could climb their mountain of food rather than eat it.
    “I like to get a lot of colour on the plate. And it is good to keep your metabolism guessing, so sometimes I skip breakfast and have more of a brunch instead.”
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    It comes after a Newcastle United cult hero who starred at the World Cup went on from scoring an iconic goal against Manchester United to become a greengrocer.
    Philippe Albert, 55, was a goal-scoring centre-back for Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle side before finishing his Prem career with Keegan at Fulham.
    Marc still has space for pizza in his health-conscious dietCredit: Refer to Caption
    The Bournemouth star sends Aaron Ramsey flyingCredit: Rex
    Marc is a big fan of radishes and cucumbersCredit: Refer to Caption
    Marc’s wife and kids favour jam sconesCredit: Instagram @thefoodiefootballer More

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    Ripped Cristiano Ronaldo scoffs a football cake in his tiny boxers.. but fans see right through it

    CRISTIANO RONALDO was fooling nobody as he posed in his pants while sat on a throne appearing to eat cake.Despite now being 38, the Portuguese legend remains in incredible shape due to his eating, exercise routine and sleep and rest following his explosive exit from Manchester United in December.
    Cristiano Ronaldo produced this pose to advertise his underwearCredit: Instagram @cr7cristianoronaldo
    We revealed last week how Ronaldo has raised training and nutrition standards since arriving at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
    He has just been named the Saudi Pro League player of the month after scoring eight goals and producing two assists in four appearances throughout February.
    With form like that, few would begrudge him a cheat day, but supporters were having none of it as he posted the latest advert for his CR7 boxers.
    The photo showed his ripped physique sitting in a throne in only his underwear, and he appeared to be tucking into a huge slice of a football cake.
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    Ronaldo captioned it with: “Turn your hunger to win into your greatest strength.#CR7 #DEARYS7NS #CR7UNDERWEAR #GLUTTONY.”
    But his followers saw right through it, with one reply saying: “There’s no way he’d eat that cake… Diet is very important…”
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    Another commented: “We know he didn’t eat that cake because he avoids foods that harm him. The man is a legend.”
    As we revealed previously, Ronaldo leads the most disciplined of lifestyles but can eat up to SIX meals a day, with fish a big part of his diet.
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    Swordfish, tuna and braised cod are particular favourites.
    He regards chicken as ‘magical’ due to its high protein and low fat content.
    For breakfast Ronaldo will eat egg or ham and cheese and low-fat yoghurt and if he doesn’t have it for brekkie, the now Al-Nassr forward will wolf down avocado toast for snacks during the day.
    Lunch No1 could consist of chicken and salad, while No2 might be fish – maybe tuna with salad, eggs and olives.
    Dinner will see the ace, who was released by Manchester United in December after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, fill his boots with meat or fish, maybe breaking them up in two separate sittings.
    Steak, swordfish or the Lisbon speciality of Bacalao a la Brasa – a mixture of braised cod, onions, thinly sliced potatoes and scrambled eggs should see him through till bedtime. More

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    ‘I thought I was going to die’ – Cristiano Ronaldo’s strict diet copied by Brazil ace but he reveals he ‘couldn’t run’

    BRAZILIAN football star Gabriel Menino claims that he thought he was “going to die” after copying Cristiano Ronaldo’s diet.Despite now being 38, the Portuguese legend remains in incredible shape due to his eating, exercise routine and sleep and rest.
    Cristiano Ronaldo remains in top physical condition due to his strict dietCredit: Instagram @cr7cristianoronaldo
    Many athletes have tried to copy the eating and exercise habits of the 38-year-old
    As we revealed previously, Ronaldo leads the most disciplined of lifestyles but can eat up to SIX meals a day, with fish a big part of his diet.
    Swordfish, tuna and braised cod are particular favourites.
    He regards chicken as ‘magical’ due to its high protein and low fat content.
    For breakfast Ronaldo will eat egg or ham and cheese and low-fat yoghurt and if he doesn’t have it for brekkie, the now Al-Nassr forward will wolf down avocado toast for snacks during the day.
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    Lunch No1 could consist of chicken and salad, while No2 might be fish – maybe tuna with salad, eggs and olives.
    Dinner will see the ace, who was released by Manchester United in December after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, fill his boots with meat or fish, maybe breaking them up in two separate sittings.
    Steak, swordfish or the Lisbon speciality of Bacalao a la Brasa – a mixture of braised cod, onions, thinly sliced potatoes and scrambled eggs should see him through till bedtime.
    We revealed last week how Ronaldo has raised training and nutrition standards since arriving at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
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    We previously revealed what his typical daily diet consisted ofCredit: The Sun
    However, 22-year-old Palmeiras defender Menino, who was previously linked with Chelsea, has also tried to follow suit.
    But speaking to Palmeiras Cast, he revealed just how difficult it was to emulate the superstar.
    Menino revealed: “I called Mirtes, Palmeiras’ nutritionist, and asked her to make me a Cristiano Ronaldo diet. I wanted to look like Cristiano Ronaldo.
    “The diet was like this: breakfast was an egg and supplement. Pre-workout was a supplement, lunch could be grilled and salad. For breakfast it was more supplement, for dinner, again, grilled meat and salad, and before going to bed another supplement. That was it.
    “I was warming up and couldn’t take any more running. I just thought, ‘I’m going to die.’ Five minutes into the game, I couldn’t run anymore, I would need to be substituted.
    “She [Mirtes] saw from above that I was not well. She asked the masseur to bring me gel and isotonic.”
    Although Menino freely admits his struggles to stick with the strict regime, it is still paying for the veteran Ronaldo.
    He has just been named the Saudi Pro League player of the month after scoring eight goals and producing two assists in four appearances throughout February.
    He will next lead out Al-Nassr at home to Al-Batin on Friday.
    Palmeiras star Gabriel Menino felt like he ‘was going to die’ after copying the dietCredit: Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo is still producing the goods for Al-Nassr in Saudi ArabiaCredit: AFP More

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    Football fans split over Aston Villa’s ‘glorified chips, cheese and gravy’ which costs £8.50 but looks ‘spectacular’

    ASTON VILLA have introduced some new scran that has divided the football world.Villa Park is now serving poutine, a dish from Quebec that consists of chips and cheese curds topped with brown gravy.
    Aston Villa fans are split over the club’s new grub because of the priceCredit: AFP
    Aston Villa fans are divided over the new poutine dish that costs £8.50Credit: https://twitter.com/FootyScran/status/1627355116561920003
    Supporters who want to scoff down on the meaty meal while watching Unai Emery’s men in action are being charged £8.50.
    Some of the Premier League club’s faithful are very much on board with the “spectacular” grub despite the lofty price tag.
    One fan posted on Twitter: “Looks absolutely spectacular.”
    Another tweeted: “Needs more/larger curds but it still looks fire!”
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    A third commented: “Can confirm, top scran.”
    This fan wrote: “Most legit poutine I saw outside of the province of Quebec.”
    And another said: “Shoutout Villa, that looks on point.”
    But some fans couldn’t stomach the price for what they described as “glorified cheesy chips and gravy”.
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    And that section called for Villa to lower the “atrocious” rates.
    One fan tweeted: “Bet it tastes great but between 8.50 and 11 quid for glorified cheesy chips and gravy is terrible.”
    Another posted: “Not for £8.50. It is basic stuff.”
    A third said: “Chips n gravy, £8.50. Is he havin a laugh?”
    This fan added: “8.50 for cheesy chips. No thanks.”
    And that one tweeted: “Looks okay, but the pricing is atrocious.” More

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    Why is Erling Haaland always eating carrots? Fans in hysterics as they realise Man City star’s bizarre habit

    WHEN you’re on the Prem summit, just ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United, surely the last thing you want to think of is a red top.But not Erling Haaland.
    Man City superstar Erling Haaland likes eating on the go, but not in the way most of us might considerCredit: Twitter
    Carrots seem to have become an integral part of Haaland’s in-car experienceCredit: Twitter
    Perhaps the Norwegian is just trying to set his young fans a healthy exampleCredit: Twitter
    Fans have noticed the Manchester City striker is a machine not just at scoring goals but also for munching carrots – even dangling them out of his mouth as he signs autographs.
    Haaland rounded off City’s return to the top of the table with a cracking finish in Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Arsenal.
    And he’s a gold-carrot performer off the pitch as well.
    The £51million Norwegian will never be short of vitamin A, judging by his knack for the healthy snack.
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    the 22-year-old was snapped with his car window down as a carrot hang from his lips while he scribbled his name for supporters.
    And in another picture he can be seen driving off with one hand on the wheel, the other on a half-eaten carrot.
    One fan dreamed: “I want to be to Erling Haaland what carrots are to him.”
    And another pondered: “Maybe the trick is to eat whole carrots to become Haaland.”
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    But in fact the orange sticks are just the tip of the ex-Borussia Dortmund hero’s incredible eating regime, designed for peak power and fitness.
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    He downs 6,000 calories a day – leading to some amazing claims from his international team-mate Josh King.
    The former Watford and Everton frontman, now with Fenerbahce, once said Haaland “eats like a bear”.
    King told Ben Foster’s ‘The Cycling GK’ podcast: “He’s just a freak. I’ve never ever seen anyone eat as much as he does.
    Haaland himself has revealed he also eats chunks of liver and heart beef from local butchers.
    He told the ‘Haaland: The big decision’ documentary: “You (other people) don’t eat this, but I am concerned with taking care of my body.
    “I think eating quality food that is as local as possible is the most important.
    “People say meat is bad for you but which? The meat you get at McDonald’s?
    “Or the local cow eating grass right over there? I eat the heart and the liver.”
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    Add in his vegetable-chewing antics, and it might not sound too tasty.
    But he’s in prime condition, with amazing stats, so perhaps the carrot-and-kick approach works best for him. More

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    Gary Lineker offers bouquets of CRISPS to lucky passers-by for Valentine’s Day

    GARY Lineker has been helping spread the love ahead of Valentine’s Day – fronting a flower stall offering bouquets of CRISPS.Unsuspecting passers-by were treated to the sight of the football icon trying to tempt them into an arrangement for their loved ones, but rather than red roses, they were ready salted.
    Gary Lineker has been helping spread the love ahead of Valentine’s DayCredit: SWNS
    Unsuspecting passers-by were treated to the sight of the football icon trying to tempt them into an arrangementCredit: SWNS
    The former footballer and Walkers ambassador, surprised shoppers in London’s Old Spitalfields Market to celebrate the bouquets going on sale.
    The limited-edition 12-stem bouquets, made up of a dozen packs of crisps, give people more opportunities to win £100k for finding the UK’s ‘best’ heart-shaped crisp.
    The bouquets are available in three varieties – Ready Salted Red, Salted and Vinegar Green and a Cheese and Onion Blue and available to purchase until Tuesday 14th February.
    It comes after research revealed 53 per cent of 2,000 adults polled would prefer to receive their favourite snacks and crisps over cliché presents like chocolates and flowers.             
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    Gary Lineker, speaking on behalf of the brand, said: “As a lifelong advocate of crisps, this is a great way to share the love this Valentine’s Day.
    “Not only are you getting 12 packs of your favourite crisps, but you might also find the UK’s best heart shaped crisp and bag yourself £100k – what’s not to love?”
    It also emerged 72 per cent of adults believe food plays an important part within love and romance, according to the OnePoll data.
    And 70 per cent would prefer a gift that was given some thought than something that was expensive.
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    Unluckily for one in 10, they’ve bought a gift their recipient didn’t like.
    The study also found 39 per cent of those celebrating Valentine’s this year would be happy with the opportunity of potential big money winnings, by receiving a lottery ticket.
    A spokesperson from Walkers added: “Through our hunt for the best heart-shaped crisp, we wanted to bring a little joy and levity to people’s lives to start the year – and what better way to continue that into February than with the launch of the limited-edition Valentine’s Day bouquets.
    “Through these bouquets and the wider competition, we want to share some of the love that we receive as the nation’s most-loved crisps – and give people the chance to win a life-changing prize while enjoying their favourite snack.”
    Lineker handed out crisps to passers-byCredit: SWNS More