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    I’ve worked in F1 for years so I know exactly how drivers pull ‘pit babes’ – and the best way to land a Grand Prix lover

    IT’S not quite life in the fast lane – but life in the pitlane still comes pretty close for glitz and glamour.Our secret Formula One employee has worked with both drivers and teams for seven years.Lewis Hamilton gets drenched in Champagne during one of his many GP winsCredit: AFPGrid girls are a famous feature of F1 pitlanes, but not everything in the sport is so glamCredit: AFPIt’s no surprise superfit megabucks F1 racers like Charles Leclerc are targets for ‘pit babes’Credit: GettyAnd while there’s plenty of VIP parties with posh plonk and models chasing motor racing stars, the reality of everyday life is far from extravagant. Here we get the inside track on what goes on under the bonnet of the F1 world – and why it might not be quite as sexy as it seems.Beautiful women are attracted to Formula One – netting a driver seems to be as attractive as a Premier League footballer.But of course there are only a few drivers, so they get the pick of the incredibly stunning women that flock to the race track.We dub the women desperate for some of the action ‘pit babes’, which is terrible but it’s been like that for ages.Girlfriends tend to come to the races as they’re all too aware thatwomen are desperate to step into their Louboutins.They’re right to keep an eye out as many of the drivers stray given half a chance.I know one driver whose race engineer was his eyes and ears both on and off the track.On track, he was in his ear all day talking him through the race, but before and after the race he was earmarking the prettiest girls for the driver and him.A lot of women soon learn that the best way to get into the sack with a driver is to befriend his race engineer. I know some women who hunt in pairs, to keep them both occupied!Martin Brundle’s most-awkward Formula 1 grid moments from Cara Delevingne to Ozzy OsbourneThe amount spent keeping sponsors happy on race days is eye-watering.One team I worked at would think nothing of having Chateau Petrus wine – which costs over £2,000 per bottle – flowing in the motorhome and endless Champagne is being poured in every hospitality area.The drivers abstain until after the race – but then they really let their hair down whether they’ve done well or not – it’s getting rid of all their excess energy.Races for me are just very busy, trying to keep sponsors and VIP guests happy.I’d arrive way before the race and leave after the last guests have gone and often it would take hours to get out of the track and to the hotel.All day long we’re on standby to make sure our sponsors and their guests are kept fed, watered and entertained.The most demanding guests are the girlfriends – I’ve lost count of the amount of times they’ve sent me off because they’ve forgotten their sunglasses or handbags in the motorhome.It’s a serious business on race day, when drivers really earn their cornCredit: GettyGrid girls pack the paddock at the Miami GPCredit: GettySuperstars flock to the GP, with Kylie Minogue even getting to wave the chequered flagCredit: GettyChampagne flows before and after the raceCredit: AFPBack at the factoryThe factories are of course where all the hard work is done. Lots of the mechanics, engineers and aerodynamicists work incredibly long hours (and sometimes in dark rooms) for not much money as there’s so much competition to work there.They are constantly developing the car for the next race which requires a certain type of set-up and tweaking the tiniest components to try to shave a few hundredths of a second off a lap time.It is still quite male-dominated on the engineering side, though they have made an effort to recruit more women.On non-race days the industry is surprisingly boring. Most of the factories are in the middle of nowhere in the English countryside so the nightlife isn’t great and it means you end up dating other people that work there.There’s very little glamour involved in the job other than on race day.Red Bull Racing’s HQ in Milton Keynes, where engineers toil through the week looking for the tiniest gainsCredit: AlamyEven the smallest tweaks can make a massive difference come race dayCredit: AFPPrima DonnaRacing drivers are athletes and so are very disciplined with a team of physios and trainers telling them exactly what exercise to do and what to eat.They’re obsessed with staying hydrated in warmer climes as they can lose a few kilos in weight during a race – one of them refused to drink anything other than apple juice with mineral water.They’re also quite boring. One driver I’ve worked for spends all his down time playing computer games.But they’re also very self-centred because they’re essentially the face of the team and at the end of the day the people who can win or lose a race and so everyone bends over backwards to keep them happy.If you’re remotely faint-hearted never get in a car they’re driving off the track, it’s terrifyingThey’re also very superstitious, they have lucky pants or shoes. They don’t tend to get nervous though before races – though they know the risks only too well.Everybody climbing into an F1 car would have been in an accident or seen other horrendous crashes in their time coming up in lower formulae.If you’re remotely faint-hearted never get in a car they’re driving off the track – they drive like lunatics, I was terrified the one time I did it.Our second driver was late leaving the hotel one morning and drove me to the test track in a hire car and all the while telling me about all the near-death experiences he had previously when trying to arrive at a test on time.Everyone laughed at my ashen face when I got out of the car.George Russell poses with a relatively normal car – but beware of going for a drive with an F1 racerCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63Party timeDrivers are now testing in Bahrain ahead of the new seasonCredit: GettyNeymar is one of the big stars who loves attending F1 racesCredit: ReutersBrad Pitt has regularly been spotted trackside while he makes his F1 film, which is out this yearCredit: RexRace team parties are very extravagant with free-flowing wine and amazing food. I’ve attended lots of them and always enjoyed them immensely.You don’t see many drugs, bar the odd line of coke. F1 teams are all about image and keeping sponsors happy and they’d take a very dim view of being associated with a druggy team.So it’s always very clandestine – the industry has moved away from the James Hunt image of old.Certainly the drivers are never going to risk taking it.A word of warning….You don’t want to work at ANY job in Formula One just for the sake of it, certainly not in the laundry!These men want to win above all else – they’re highly competitive.So they’re hardly going to stop mid race to go to the bathroom should nature call.I’ve known drivers not only urinate in their fireproof race suits – but poop too.I’m particularly thinking of one occasion at a race in Brazil when the driver had terrible diarrhoea… eeeew!F1 parties are a bit tamer than when former F1 champ James Hunt, seen here in 1976, was in his heydayCredit: Alamy More

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    ‘IQ score beat my wife’s… that’s the best thing’ – Brainiac Frank Lampard on why he’s proving smart choice at Coventry

    AFTER failing his last two tests at Chelsea and Everton, Lampard is gaining pass marks again.It does not take a genius to work out why… but if it did the high-flying Coventry boss would certainly fit the bill.Frank Lampard is loving his time with Coventry CityCredit: GettyThe Chelsea legend has taken Coventry from 17th to play-off contentionCredit: PAAfter all, how many football managers qualify for Mensa with an IQ of 150 — which puts him in the top one-two per cent of Britain’s brainiacs?Lampard, who also has a GCSE A-star in Latin, told SunSport: “It’s true, I do have an IQ of 150!“I was tested at Chelsea in the aftermath of John Terry getting kicked in the head in the Carabao Cup final.“Our doctor, who was Brian English at the time, made us do IQ tests to get us all a base-level IQ so we could be registered again if you had a concussion or a head injury.Read More in Football“I just breezed it. Other people seem more interested in it than me.“But I am quite proud of it. My score of 150 just beat my wife, Christine, which was the best thing about it.“She was just below me. I don’t know the exact numbers but we were around the same.“But I think she’s smarter than me — at least it feels that way in the house!Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“It was a strange test. I’d never done one before. For whatever reason, I came out on top of it.“That was my one and only IQ test. I retired after taking one, just in case it was a false test!”Fans spot Frank Lampard do his trademark face change as clip of his first day at Coventry training emergesLampard admitted he was thrilled when he found out his IQ was higher than his wife’sCredit: GettyLampard was also a smart cookie as a schoolboy, dreaming of following in the footsteps of his father and making it as a professional player with West Ham.He added: “I got 11 GSCEs. Four or five A passes, the rest Bs and one C, as well as one A-star-plus for Latin!”Lampard replaced Coventry fans’ favourite Mark Robins in November when the Sky Blues were 17th in the Championship.Yet three months on, it is beginning to look like one of the smartest moves of the season as Lampard has lifted Robins’ relegation candidates to within one point of the play-off positions.Coventry head to Oxford United tomorrow with the confidence of a side who have won seven out of their last eight games — their only defeat coming against leaders Leeds.But I am quite proud of it. My score of 150 just beat my wife, Christine, which was the best thing about it.Frank LampardAfter being burned at Everton and his second stint at Chelsea, Lampard is clearly loving life again in the dugout.Having enjoyed success as a TV pundit it would have been easy for him to take the easy option of becoming a full-time football critic.But he admits he has been bitten by the managerial bug and believes he is young enough — and wise enough — to succeed as a top-level boss after learning some harsh lessons from his past.He said: “I enjoyed the media when I packed up playing. I did it for a year and it was lovely to still have one foot in the game.“When I’ve been in between jobs, sometimes you want to rest, other times you want to work a bit and the media is great for that.“You work with great people. You see the game from the outside. You look at other teams more.“But this is what I love doing the most. I love the day-to-day involvement of being a manager.“I love the challenge, with all of its frustrations.“People tell me: ‘You don’t need to do it’. But it’s not a monetary thing.“I’m 46 years of age. I love working and I’m doing something I love to do.“The media life is easier, that’s for sure! It’s so much easier to comment on everyone with the benefit of hindsight. Management is much tougher.“I’ve been criticised before by former team-mates. Does it feel like betrayal? No, I’m pretty balanced about it now.Coventry have won seven of their last eight gamesCredit: Getty“I’ve experienced that situation, it’s not so much former team-mates, as some ex-players who don’t know what it’s like to manage.“They’ve never worked in management so they don’t understand the rigours.“They don’t understand the working week, don’t understand the challenges of team selection and injuries and managing players and formations.“It doesn’t mean you can’t be in the media.“But if you haven’t worked in management then I take what you say not with a pinch of salt — that sounds disrespectful.“But if I sense that it’s a little bit of a loaded dig or something that’s not well backed up, then I note it and move on.”So has Lampard ever dug up an ex-pro for his on-air comments? He replied: “I’ll answer that by not answering it… what do you think?”Lampard was a battler on the field and he has not lost his competitive edge now he is back in the dugout and in a tracksuit on the training ground.Management has chewed up and spat out so many of England’s so-called Golden Generation.Wayne Rooney has become the latest casualty, following in the footsteps of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, John Terry to a lesser extent, and Steven Gerrard, who have all experienced failure and criticism.The media life is easier, that’s for sure! It’s so much easier to comment on everyone with the benefit of hindsight. Management is much tougher.Frank LampardLampard said: “I don’t feel like I’m the one left holding the torch for the Golden Generation. It’s a lazy generalisation.“Anyone that goes into this job as an ex-player who’s had a highly regarded career should get a lot of credit because you understand that there’s a bigger fall for you.“There’s a bigger level of interest. Maybe we’ll succeed but what about if we fail?“It’s a little bit of a cultural issue. I think we’re all a bit guilty of that in our British culture.“So I don’t listen to the Golden Generation stuff.“It’s just a really lazy thing to say: Great players don’t make great managers.“And then you actually start listing them. Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti, Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola and all the other ones.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s just a fallacy. It’s just picking an argument with confirmation bias.“It’s nonsense.”Lampard’s ex-England team-mate Wayne Rooney was axed by Plymouth on New Year’s EveCredit: Getty More

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    I fought Anthony Joshua for £5,000 but now live new life as a bailiff and expose some of the biggest secrets in boxing

    PAUL BUTLIN was once a heavyweight fighting the likes of Anthony Joshua – but now he is a TikTok star from his van exposing boxing’s secrets.Butlin, now 48, boxed top names in his career including Derek Chisora and Joshua before retiring in 2016.Paul Butlin is the ex-heavyweight champ now exposing boxing’s biggest secretsCredit: RexButlin went viral while working in his job as a bailiffCredit: https://twitter.com/MichaelBensonnButlin is a big hit on TikTok exposing boxing’s secretsNowadays, he works as a debt collector while becoming a surprise hit on TikTok where he has almost 40,000 followers and millions of views.No longer at risk of getting on the wrong side of promoters or managers, Butlin pulls back the curtain on boxing’s dark side.Blowing the whistle on fighters’ pay, matchmaking and failed drug tests are all part of the reason fans can’t get enough of Butlin’s channel.And he tells SunSport: “I just started making boxing videos and people seem to like the real side of me, because all they see is like Conor Benn and people like this.READ MORE IN BOXING”They just think you’re gonna make millions, so I’m just trying to distract people to the other side of it. “The real side of boxing where you’ve got graft just to live really.”His controversial claims have included suggesting several top but nameless boxers use performance enhancing drugs. Butlin alleged in one video: “All the big names, I’m not gonna mention, I know they’re on it. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I’ve been training in gyms since 16-years-old, I know who’s on gear, who ain’t on gear. I can tell with the power.” And he believes Jake Paul’s eight-round points victory over 58-year-old Mike Tyson in November was an example of a rigged fight.He said: “The whole fight was a fix, I watched it. Absolute b****s. “He hardly threw a punch, (Tyson) could have knocked him out at any time. Absolute fix, the game is a con.” Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions company did release a statement to deny accusations of the bout being fixed. Butlin – a former bouncer – went viral himself when a video emerged of him having a row while collecting a debt.Little did the man recording know that he was dealing with one of Britain’s most respected and experienced heavyweights.But Butlin said: “It’s just one of them that you get used to. I’ve got nothing to prove, do you know what I mean?”I don’t stand – even when I work at the door – I didn’t stand there and saying, ‘Well, I’m a professional boxer.’ Do you know what I mean? Or I used to be a professional boxer.”I just am what I am, and then people can abuse me. That is part of the job.”Butlin opened up about being verbally abused during his day jobCredit: https://twitter.com/MichaelBensonnWhen Butlin speaks about boxing, fans will listen. After all, he’s not a pretender with a big social media following, he has experienced it all in the ring. Butlin only started his amateur career at 26 and turned pro after just two years and 12 bouts. He went 4-0 before losing to Paul Buttery – in what he admits was a step up too soon in his career. An up and down run of performances and results then forced the East Midlands man to the away corner to make reasonable money. He said: “I realised the only way I could make money without selling tickets is going on the road if you like.”Butlin also made a name for himself sparring the likes of Tyson Fury before the Gypsy King became a world champion superstar.In fact, Butlin first crossed paths with Fury while the future British legend was still a teenager and knew he was destined for greatness.First jab he hit me with – and I told this story before – I was like, Jesus! It was like a right hand off a good heavyweight. That’s how strong he was.Paul Butlin on Anthony Joshua Butlin revealed: “Even after sparring him the first time, I said to him, ‘You’d beat most heavyweights now.’ “Obviously at the time I was sparring Matt Skelton, Pele Reed, loads of heavyweights. “I said, ‘Mate, you beat all these heavyweights now as an amateur.’ That’s what I told him.”And then he invited me up where he couldn’t get sparring. I went up to Manchester, I went to his uncle’s who sadly passed away. “Tyson was living in a caravan back of there, and he was training in like the barn.”And then I went to an amateur club in Manchester, so probably two or three times I sparred him, always got on well with him, he always looked after me and yeah, he’s a good lad.” Butlin also helped welcome Joshua to the world of professional boxing – one year after AJ won Olympic gold in London.And he admits to being blown away by the sheer power of Joshua – even with his lesser left hand jab.Butlin was beaten by Anthony Joshua in 2013Credit: Mark Robinson – The SunHe was paid just £5,000 for the fightCredit: Mark Robinson – The SunButlin said: “I squared with him in the casino where we had the weigh in, I looked at him and I thought, ‘Mate, you’re having it! “Got in the ring, I wasn’t even bothered. I thought, ‘Do you know what, you’re having it! I’m fit as a fiddle.'”First jab he hit me with – and I told this story before – I was like, Jesus! It was like a right hand off a good heavyweight. That’s how strong he was.”I went back to Carl Greaves first round, and said, ‘Mate, I can’t deal with him.'”He goes, ‘What are you on about?’ ‘I can’t deal with his power.’ He hits that hard.”And the only reason I got up after that big shot is because I was fit. I mean, I had nine stitches in my eye. Great shot. I can’t fault him.”Fans would assume fighting Joshua is a top payday – but Butlin is open in admitting he made just a tiny £5,000. He said on reflection: “At the time I was working, I had my gym. I think we just got married. We had young kids, five grand helps.I’ve been training in gyms since 16-years-old, I know who’s on gear, who ain’t on gear. I can tell with the power.”Looking back now, obviously the older you get I’m a bit gutted I didn’t get more. But that’s life, innit? You’re gonna take it.”If you don’t take it, someone else is gonna take it. So £5,000 at the time was a lot of money, and I just thought, ‘Yeah, why not?'” But Butlin also caused damage of his own – just ask Chisora. London’s veteran fan favourite once revealed Butlin was the hardest-hitting opponent he ever faced.Chisora claimed Butlin hit so hard he had to get the referee to check his gloves and make sure it wasn’t loaded with weights in it.”He never told me that afterwards,” Butlin says with a laugh. Butlin’s career on the road as the opponent was filled with short-notice bouts. Sometimes it was only 24 hours notice, other times while he had a BROKEN HAND.But Butlin always showed up – until he packed it in to tell the tales on the grubby boxing business. And while his career in the ring, all across Europe, may have gone unnoticed among some fans, his boxing exposes on TikTok certainty aren’t.READ MORE SUN STORIESButlin gets dozens of requests and questions sent in by his TikTok fans – but did he ever expect to be such a hit among social media?He said with a grin: “No, not really. I thought, it’s bald old Paul just making videos.”  More

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    ‘I am heartbroken’ – Man Utd’s pre-eminent writer reveals he’s victim of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cuts in emotional post

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S most esteemed writer has been let go by the club amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s second round of brutal cuts.Ratcliffe, 72, completed a minority takeover in 2023 and has since gained control over sporting operations at United, which in turn led to some severe downsizing.Manchester United’s ‘pre-eminent writer’ has been let go amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s second round of cutsCredit: AlamyLast summer saw 250 staff members made redundant in a heavy first wave to save costs under Sir Jim.But the list of casualties is set to increase by between 150 and 200 job cuts amid the club’s transformation plan, which includes axing free lunches.That also led to the dismissal of some of the Red Devils’ most esteemed figures, such as legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson whose ambassador role was ended.And now best-selling author Wayne Barton has become “one of the statistics” of Ratcliffe’s latest cuts.Read More on Man UtdBarton worked as an editorial consultant for the club since January 2023 and has been very close with the club for many years.His incredible work, which has seen him publishing 20 books, led to immense praise from key figures, such as Tony Whelan and Martin Edwards who dubbed him the club’s “pre-eminent writer”.The writer was left “heartbroken ” as he announced the news on social media where he sang the praises of other members of staff who were made redundant and expressed his desire to return one day.Barton tweeted: “So just over two years in my dream job came to an end today as I became one of the statistics you’ve been reading about in the press associated with United.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”For those two years I loved every day of being able to work at Old Trafford, I loved the immense privilege despite it being such a difficult time in our history, hoping that I could help from within to contribute something positive.”I’m beyond proud of my work outside of United, the kind reviews of my books and perception of me as a writer. Ruben Amorim makes blunt admission as Man Utd face cash crisis “Obviously, I am heartbroken that my contribution is no longer of value to the club I love.”I understand that difficult decisions have to be made. I have seen very talented people leave their roles, and I have seen legendary figures who are drenched in the history of our club been told they too are now part of the past; a past which is, for me, the richest history in football, a past which these people remain a significant part of the tapestry and educational process for the future. “They are indispensable; the cost of losing them far greater than financial.’I am heartbroken’He continued: “It’s the biggest club in the country, possibly the world, and every loss I’ve seen and experienced has been significant to the operations. Every loss has been felt.”These are real people, real lives, being affected – not because of the quality of their performance or contribution. They work incredibly hard and feel, like I have done, a sense of gratitude and privilege and a dream coming true. “There are people having to deliver terrible news which wasn’t their decision to make. A football club is not a normal business. It is a community asset, serving different needs. It is it’s history.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Anyway. So today I leave the club I love, hoping that one day, they will need me again, and that I’ll be back, my tiny little cog in the big machine, my sense of grandoise not lost on me with the self-importance of this post.”I’m by no means an important loss, but it’s an important loss to me.” More

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    Arsenal set to appoint new sporting director in days with five names in frame including Dan Ashworth after Man Utd axe

    ARSENAL are planning to hire a new sporting director to replace Edu Gaspar next month.Edu, 46, resigned in November after five years with the Gunners who appointed their former player as the club’s first ever technical director in 2019 before his promotion as sporting director in 2022.Dan Ashworth is among the names Arsenal are considering for a new sporting directorCredit: PAArsenal are looking for a replacement for Edu GasparCredit: GettyThe Brazilian executive is now expected to link up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ new group, which also includes reigning Conference League winners Olympiacos and Rio Ave.According to The Athletic, the North Londoners are rigorously searching for Edu’s successor and are in the process of whittling down candidates before reaching a final decision.The likes of Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe and Thiago Scuro are among the names that have been discussed internally.The same goes for Arsenal interim sporting director Jason Ayto, who was promoted after Edu’s departure.Read More on ArsenalParis Saint-Germain strategic advisor Luis Campos was also linked but is not actually in the frame.The Premier League giants’ owners KSE are heavily involved and a final call will not be made without their approval.Ashworth has been a free agent since his sudden departure from Manchester United in December after just five months in the job despite his previous employers splashing £3million to Newcastle for his services.The ex-Man Utd chief enjoyed tremendous success at Brighton, whom he turned into a competitive Premier League side, and Newcastle, where he signed Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAyto has been with Arsenal for a decade and worked under Edu as his assistant for two years.He was heavily involved with talks that led to the signing of Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori last summer.Nuno thanks the fans after solid defensive performance against ArsenalBerta is one of the main figures that turned Atletico Madrid into LaLiga and Champions League challengers thanks to his stunning 12-year stint working with manager Diego Simeone until his exit last month.The Italian signed the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak as well as Rodri and recently spent time in London learning English as he is targeting a job in the Prem.Olabe is set to step down from his role as sporting director at Real Sociedad this summer.The Spaniard signed the likes of Merino, Isak, Martin Odegaard and David Silva during his seven-year spell at Sociedad – he also worked out deals with Arsenal involving Kieran Tierney and Nacho Monreal.Scuro has been with Monaco since 2023 where he was promoted as CEO after helping the club finish second last season for the first time since 2018.Arsenal ratings vs Forest as NOBODY looks like scoring for Gunners but Saliba’s a Rolls Royce againMIKEL ARTETA may not have anyone to put the ball in the back of the net but in William Saliba he has one of the best defenders in the Prem.The Arsenal boss watched his side’s faint title hopes go well and truly up in smoke in the goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.But his brilliant backline emerged, once again, with credit from this tricky clash at the City Ground.Together with Gabriel, Saliba kept a tight lid on Forest dangerman Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick in his last appearance on this ground.But the fact the Gunners’ biggest threat at the other end of the pitch came from left-back Riccardo Calafiori – who was subbed off at half-time – says it all about the dire situation Arsenal somehow find themselves in.Here is how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated the Gunners stars’ displays… More

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    Meet Oscar de la Lawyer, UK’s first boxer and solicitor who’s named after ring icon and wows clients with his black eyes

    OSCAR McCRACKEN is the country’s first solicitor by day and fighter by night – and the owner of arguably boxing’s greatest nickname.The 25-year-old’s uncle Rob used to train Anthony Joshua and still works as Team GB’s head amateur coach.Oscar McCracken is a solicitor by day and fighter by nightCredit: Blanche Canvas Official
    He was actually named after boxing legend Oscar de la HoyaHis boxing nickname is amazingly Oscar de la LawyerCredit: Blanche Canvas Official
    His father Spencer was also a welterweight fighter – so it was only a matter of time till his son, Oscar, entered the family business. But Oscar tells us: “My dad never wanted me to box.” So instead he played football, captaining his county and even having trials with Birmingham City – his boyhood club.But Oscar was always in the boxing gym – from as far back as he can remember – sparring pro fighters by his teenage years.READ MORE SPORTBy his 18th birthday, Oscar decided he too wanted to be a boxer, like his uncle, dad and brother Spencer Jr before him.But his old man – who had 19 wins, four losses and one draw – had just one rule – study for another career at the same time. So Oscar enrolled into the University of Worcester and achieved a First Class LLB Law with Honours degree in 2022. He was also gearing up for his pro debut when his dad came up with quite possibly boxing’s most ingenious monikerMost read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt all started when Oscar travelled to the Cayman Islands to help corner Matt Windle – a former Commonwealth champion.An argument broke out with a promoter when a cocksure lawyer – who thought he could talk his way out of the dispute – chimed in. Usyk spotted ‘giving Anthony Joshua tips on how to beat Tyson Fury’ in ringside footage at Beterbiev vs Bivol 2.mp4But he was not the only man of the law in the building that day. Oscar said: “An issue cropped up between the promoter and a couple of others. “Then a lawyer came in and thought he was going to just start telling everybody what was what. “But obviously he didn’t know that I’ve got a legal background as well, so we ended up in a bit of an argument – well, discussion.“And after it was fully rectified after quite an intense hour or so. My dad just said, ‘See, I told you Oscar de la Lawyer would sort it.’“The whole room just went up, all the fighters, all the managers, promoters everything, and I thought, ‘Oh, you’ve just thought of the name.’ It’s perfect.” Oscar was actually named after American great De La Hoya too – such was his dad’s love for the Golden Boy. He said: “My dad was a big fan of him back in the day, so that’s what I’m named after.’I didn’t expect any of this’“So it’s just mad how it’s come around now that it just fits perfectly off Oscar de la Hoya, but I can’t believe how much it’s picked.”I didn’t expect any of this.”His dad revealed the amazing nickname to millions on social media – and it also received an extra push thanks to the People’s Paper.Oscar revealed: “The Sun actually did an article! My phone was going, I was playing football because I still play football – I play Saturdays. “I got off the pitch and my phone was going insane. I was like, what’s going on there? ‘Have you seen in this? You’re in The Sun! “I didn’t know anything about this. And from then on it’s just been all about the name, yeah, people love it.” Oscar is a year away from becoming a fully-qualified solicitor and is currently working in the corporate and commercial sector.But Oscar wants to one day mix his two passions to protect young up-and-coming fighters from boxing’s shady, fame-hungry characters.McCracken is a trainee solicitorCredit: Blanche Canvas Official
    And he is also 3-0 as a boxerCredit: Blanche Canvas Official
    McCracken was named after American legend Oscar de la HoyaCredit: Getty Images – GettyHe said: “Would you want to go and get a manager who’s sticking his face on TV every five seconds, never boxed a day in his life? “But you know, he gets on with the big promoters because he’s got a big mouth, but he can’t guide you.“He’d put you in the wrong fights. That’s why so many prospects are getting beat now. “Or would you want to go with a manager who one had the balls to fight? “I don’t need to fight, but I’ve done it myself because I’ve got respect for fighters and I know how hard it is, and you can see that I’ve done that as well.”Oscar – who welcomed baby son Arthur into the world in November – lives next door to dad and coach Spencer. He is up by 6am for his runs, in the office by 9am, then back into the gym by the evening for more exhausting training. Oscar said: “Sometimes I get in there, my dad’s got like two lads from a different gym waiting to spar me. I didn’t even know I’d be sparring. I’ve had a couple of like little marks and black eyes and that and gone in the office and everyone’s had a look, but what do you expect it’s boxing?“I’m walking into a gym, I could be absolutely knackered and then I’ve got two people waiting. They’re thinking, ‘I don’t care about the law thing.’ “They’re thinking, ‘I’ve got a McCracken here I can smash up and I can go and tell everybody I’ve battered one.’“So then it’s about you’ve got to find the dog in you then of getting through, getting through the session and seeing how much you want it.“If I didn’t want it, there’s no way I would have gotten to my third fight because of how hard it is.” Oscar only just begins winding down by 8.30pm when he eats dinner and puts his son to bed – but it’s now baby Arthur who inspires his long hard days. He said: “Before I had my son, it was all about history but now, I want to lead by example. “I want him to grow up and think, ‘Bloody hell, my dad became a lawyer, which was hard enough from being from a proper working class background anyway, and then being a pro boxer at the same time.’’Like any boxer, Oscar wears his battle scars as a badge of honour – and his clients are big fans.McCracken with brother and trainer Spencer JrCredit: Blanche Canvas Official
    McCracken turned pro without amateur experienceCredit: Blanche Canvas Official
    Oscar’s uncle Rob formerly trained Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty Images – GettyHe said: “The firm that I’m with now are fully behind me and clients love it as well.“It’s a talking point, isn’t it? ‘Do you know your solicitor’s also a pro boxer? Then, they’re Googling you and you’re coming up and everything – they love it.“Obviously, I’ve had a couple of like little marks and black eyes and that and gone in the office and everyone’s had a look, but what do you expect, it’s boxing?”Oscar – like his family before him – does not want his son to be a boxer – but if history is anything to go by it will be hard to stop. He laughed: “I hope he don’t box. But listen, it’s like an illness in this family.“You just end up getting sucked into it somehow or the other, and people expect you to be able to fight as well.”Oscar has been rubbing shoulders with Britain’s best since he can remember with uncle Rob having coached Joshua and Carl Froch among others.Whatever you do today, make sure you get a picture with him because he’s gonna be a heavyweight world champion, 100 per cent. He remembers heading up to Team GB’s Sheffield training HQ to watch Carl Froch spar Tony Bellew in 2011.It was there he met a hulking 6ft 6in super-heavyweight known as AJ – who was a year away from winning Olympic gold.Oscar said: “Robbie was like, ‘Mate, whatever you do today, make sure you get a picture with him because he’s gonna be a heavyweight world champion 100 per cent. “I was like, Really?’ He was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He was super friendly, put his arm around you, just so down to earth and humble.“Obviously he hadn’t achieved anything then in terms of what he’s done now, but I took a picture with Joshua and yeah, I’ve been to virtually all his fights.”Oscar is now 3-0 having most recently beat Shane Smith and now looks ahead to another year juggling life as a lawyer by day and being a boxer by night.He said: “Three fights in my first year, I think that’s quite good considering how much I’ve got going on.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’ll sit down with my dad and and see what he says and we’ll start putting a bit of a bit of a plan together. “There’s definitely scope to go and do something, but obviously it’s just about managing it correctly and not taking it on too much because obviously I’ve got a lot, a hell of a lot going on in my life, but I’m committed to boxing 100 per cent.” McCracken welcomed baby son Arthur into the world in NovemberCredit: @mccracken1 More

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    Josh Padley’s payslip revealed after electrician took world title fight at four days’ notice and will QUIT day job

    BOXING underdog Josh Padley has seen his payslip revealed for his world lightweight title fight with Shakur Stevenson.Padley had been working as an electrician last week and had planned to do DIY in his new home when he received a phone call bringing him in as a last-minute substitute to fight Stevenson.Josh Padley is set to quit his job as an electrician after receiving a sizeable purse from his fight with Shakur StevensonCredit: GettyThe Doncaster electrician went nine rounds with the world champion despite being drafted in with four days noticeCredit: GettyThe Doncaster-born star was then flown out to Saudi Arabia to replace Floyd Schofield after he fell ill through alleged poisoning.On just four days’ notice, Padley, who had won favour after stunning Mark Chamberlain on the Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois undercard in September, fought valiantly against the world champion.However, after nine rounds of brutal punishment, his coach threw in the towel to stop the fight and confirm the first defeat of his career at 15-1.A week on from the fight, Padley has revealed he is set to quit his day job to pursue boxing full-time.READ MORE IN BOXINGIt comes after he collected a sizeable fight purse despite the defeat.According to figures from Sporty Salaries, Padley earned a cool £395,000 ($500,000) which is perhaps the biggest of his young career.Speaking after the fight, Padley revealed his plans to commit to boxing fully. He said: “Luckily I am in a position now where I can probably pack that in and fully dedicate my life to boxing.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”I’m grateful for that, thank you to Turki for giving me that opportunity, we’ll be back.”There’s more of that to come. That was four days’ notice. Eight-week camp and I know I’ll be better.”I was meant to be doing DIY in Doncaster this weekend, now I’m on a world title fight – my boss isn’t best pleasedHe added: “I would have loved to have got the win and there would have been some back story to it, but didn’t get it.”I tried my hardest, no regrets, I gave it everything I could, but the body wasn’t conditioned to take them shots.”Padley’s impressive showing last weekend could land him another bout in Riyadh Season. More

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    Former Man Utd star, 47, who became a monk after growing bored of footballer lifestyle opens up on living in monastery

    A FORMER Manchester United midfielder has opened up on life after swapping football for a career as a priest.Phil Mulryne, 47, played just five times for the Red Devils after coming through the academy before starring for the likes of Norwich and Cardiff.Phil Mulryne has revealed how he keeps up with Man Utd despite a stunning career changeCredit: PA:Empics SportThe midfielder is now a catholic priest after admitting he was bored of the footballer lifestyleCredit: PA:Press AssociationHe decided to hang up his boots in 2008.But in 2017, the 27-cap Northern Irish international went down a stunning new career path by becoming a Catholic priest.Mulryne had revealed at the time how he had grown “dissatisfied with the whole lifestyle”, where he once earned over £500,000 a year and dated models, including Nicola Chapman.And he has now opened up about his life’s second coming and how it compares to his old job as a footballer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe told Belfast Live: “I live in a monastery, so I am more of a monk, really. And it’s not on the surface, but there are a lot of the qualities there.”They were saying, sacrifice, giving yourself to something greater than you, in the sense that I live in a community of brothers, there are 15 of us in the monastery.”So there is a sense of dependence on each other, the kind of things that Man Utd taught me, all these virtues and characteristics that you learn from being here.”I have a superior in the monastery that I answer to, like a manager, like a gaffer.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”All these things have been great. I had a most wonderful career. It was a dream to come here and play.”He also revealed how he keeps up with watching Ruben Amorim’s side – not that there has been much to write home about.Federico Macheda says he’d get into this Man Utd team and reveals Sir Alex Ferguson’s amazing claim about himMulryne, whose full title now is Reverend Father Philip Mulryne, added: “We don’t have TV in the monastery. “We have a room with a couple of computers, so I watch the three-minute highlights. “I get all the highlights, so I keep in touch with it.”Mulryne also revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson had called him while he was in hospital after he suffered a horror leg break a year after joining Norwich.He previously told the official Norwich website that he had no regrets over the decision, admitting the move to become a priest came after he volunteered at a homeless shelter.Mulryne explained: “It’s hard to pin down a particular moment. “I would say it started in my last year at Norwich, not explicitly and I wasn’t thinking about it at that time but I started to get dissatisfied with the whole lifestyle.”We have a wonderful life as a footballer and I was very privileged, but I found with all the surrounding stuff that eventually there was a kind of emptiness with it. “I was quite shocked – why am I not happy when I have everything that young men want?”It started me on a journey towards exploring my faith again, the faith that I had as a young man. “I took a decision to come home for a year and it was really during that year that everything turned upside down.”I volunteered at a homeless shelter for a while. I started going back to mass and I started praying again on a regular basis. I just found a real sense of fulfilment with it. “Football was huge highs and lows and here was something that was giving me a steady sense of contentment…”My vocation to priesthood and religious life came later in the course of that year – I felt this strong desire for this way of life and I stayed with it for a few months and then got the courage up to explore it and I took the decision and it’s now eight years later.”READ MORE SUN STORIESPeter Crouch, who played with Mulryne at Norwich, wrote in his book, How to Be an Ex-Footballer, that he believes his giddiness was part of the reason the midfielder ended up becoming a priest.Crouch said: “Maybe — and this is a possibility I don’t like to entertain — it was hanging out with me in those giddy months that convinced him he needed a fresh direction in his life.”Man Utd ratings vs EvertonMANCHESTER UNITED fought back from two goals down to draw against Everton at Goodison ParkThe Red Devils were slammed as “embarrassing” by Rio Ferdinand after failing 2-0 down in the first half.But they fought back late on thanks to a stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick and volley from Manuel Ugarte, who bagged his first goal since his summer arrival from PSG.Amorim’s men were then lucky to escape a penalty in the final moments after VAR overturned the decision.SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of the Manchester United team…Andre Onana – 7United needed him with his game-head on, and his 93rd-minute stop saved a point.Noussair Mazraoui 69′ – 4Looked seriously uncomfortable on the right side of the back three – forced there because of a defensive injury crisisHarry Maguire – 4Out-jumped by Doucoure as the midfielder grabbed Everton’s second and was generally all over the place.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Nowhere for Beto’s opener, completely missing attempted clearance and got away with a 93rd-minute penalty call.Diogo Dalot – 5At least shows willing. Which is more than could be said for some of his team mates at Goodison.Manuel Ugarte – 7Spent most of the game stranded in United’s midfield morass but salvation came with a brilliant strike.Casemiro 62′ – 2The Brazilian is beginning to look like the world’s oldest 32-year-old —he’s become a genuine irrelevance.Patrick Dorgu – 6Made a determined start down the left flank but that enthusiasm was slowly but surely sucked out of him.Bruno Fernandes – 8His free kick was genuine class and once he was dropped deeper started controlling the game.Joshua Zirkzee – 4At £36.5M you would expect an element of ball control but the Dutchman used as a joint No 10 just looks lost.Rasmus Hojlund 69′ – 3Not so much a desperate Dane, more a despairing one although it would help if he had some support.Subs:Alejandro Garnacho 62′ – 7Injected some desperately needed pace and passion. Leny Yoro 69′ – 6Should have been on much earlier.Chido Obi-Martin 69′ – 5The 17-year-old has a presence for sure. More