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      in Motorsport

      Damon Hill lands new job in F1 just hours after Sky Sports confirmed his replacement in huge broadcasting shake-up

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      DAMON HILL has landed a new job just hours after Sky Sports F1 announced his replacement.Hill, 64, had worked as a pundit for Sky Sports on their Formula One coverage since 2012.Damon Hill has landed a new job in F1 after leaving Sky SportsCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe former world champion left the broadcaster last yearCredit: GettySky announced three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick would replace him this seasonCredit: Sky Sports F1But last November it was announced the 1996 F1 world champion was leaving the broadcaster. Johnny Herbert, who was dropped by the broadcaster in 2022, claimed Hill was pushed after accusing world champion Max Verstappen of “using dangerous tactics” during the Mexico Grand Prix.Tributes from Hill’s colleagues poured in at the time, before Sky announced earlier this week that three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, 26, would join the broadcaster for 2025.However, Hill has not wasted any time in landing a new job of his own.READ MORE IN F1But instead of being in front of the camera, Hill will be working as a radio pundit with BBC Sport.The Beeb announced Hill would join their radio coverage for the 2025 season starting with this weekend’s season opener at the Australian Grand Prix.It came alongside an announcement that BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds had secured the exclusive Formula 1 UK radio rights for the next three seasons.Jennie Gow, who has bravely battled back to the pitlane after suffering a stroke in 2022, and Rosanna Tennant will be on the presenting team.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMeanwhile, Harry Benjamin and Ben Edwards will serve as the commentators.Hill will also be joined on punditry by Formula E driver Sam Bird,  former W Series driver Alice Powell and former McLaren race mechanic Marc Priestley.F1 racing returns with the first event of the season the Australian Grand Prix On the upcoming season, Gow said: “With Lewis Hamilton moving stables to Ferrari, Max Verstappen going for a fifth consecutive title, and Lando Norris hoping to win his first drivers’ championship, it’s got all the elements to be the best season in history.”The first practice sessions of the 2025 season got off to a chaotic start as Ollie Bearman crashed out in the first practice session to mark a horror start to the rookie’s season.Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton was outshone by Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, while McLaren duo Lando Norris and home-favourite Oscar Piastri looked sharp Down Under. On the end of his time at Sky Sports, Hill previously said: “I think I felt like the end was coming anyway, because I was kind of pushed back all last year.Who is Jamie Chadwick?Jamie Chadwick is one of the world’s most decorated female racing drivers.She has broken barriers and made history at every level of the sport she has taken part in. Chadwick is a three-time W-Series Champion, MRF Series Champion, the only female racer to ever win an INDY NXT road course and British Formula 3 race and the first ever female and youngest ever driver to win a British GT Championship. A Williams F1 Racing Academy driver since 2019, she is regarded by many as a strong candidate to become the first ever woman to race in Formula One in the modern era. She is a figurehead for women in the sport and is hugely passionate about supporting the next generation of girls on their journey into racing and increasing the participation of young girls in karting.Jamie is currently racing in ELMS and will compete in the Le Mans 24hr this season. She is also continuing her development role for Williams Racing F1. In 2025 she will drive for IDEC Sport in the 2025 European Le Mans Series.She recently launched the Jamie Chadwick Series, an initiative encouraging more young girls to enter racing at the grassroots level, aiming to balance the gender gap in participation. In its first year, the series has reached over 450 girls and seen a dramatic 1900% increase in competitive participation.”I was doing the less attractive races. And they’ve got younger, fresher names. They’ve got Jenson [Button], they’ve got Nico [Rosberg]. And that’s fair enough – I completely get it.”They’re closer to the front line than I am. And it’s TV. There’s got to be a bit of eye-candy factor to it.”On replacing Hill, Chadwick told the Daily Mail: “I hope that anyone who switches on the TV screen and sees female pundits – they see female mechanics, engineers, and drivers hopefully in the future.”I think now the key is going to be trying to transition that female fan base into actual female participation – actually being involved in the sport across the board.READ MORE SUN STORIES”And I really don’t think that’s going to take too long, given how quickly we’ve seen the fan base change.”But it’s fantastic for the sport. You turn up to races now and you see so many different people watching and enjoying our sport.” More

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      in Boxing

      I cried after announcing my MMA retirement and got job on railway tracks… now I’ve got a second chance through boxing

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      WITH his eyes full of tears and admittedly harbouring regret, Darren Stewart announced his retirement from MMA. And after getting a job on the railway tracks to support his family – the father-of-two might have thought his fighting days were over. Darren Stewart retired from MMACredit: GettyBut an opportunity Stewart had been waiting for finally arised – offering his career a second chance. Stewart had fought professionally in MMA since 2014 – spending five years in the UFC until a losing streak saw him demoted to the domestic scene. And after six Cage Warriors bouts – the Londoner’s fight offers had dried up – prompting him to announce a heartbreaking retirement. Stewart, 34, told SunSport: “That day I was asking like, ‘What’s happening any more fights?’ READ MORE IN BOXING”And I was getting told that there might not be no more fights until the end of the year.”And I fought at the beginning of the year, so how am I gonna survive? “Remember, I got no job, how am I gonna survive from the beginning of the year to end of the year? No sponsorships, I mean, nothing”And then when I got that message, I started breaking down into tears. I was crying, I said, ‘You know what I’m done.’Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”My missus came and said, ‘What’s wrong?’ I said, ‘I’m gonna call it a day.’ I think she said something like, ‘Yeah, but you always say this.’ “I was like, ‘I’m done now.’ That’s a hard thing to do and I had to do it.” Chris Eubank Jr reveals relationship with dad has broken down completely Stewart was fighting full-time, relying only on his purses to get by and the cost of his fight camp expenses also piled up. He said: “I was getting loads of messages and saying, why, why, why? “I said, ‘What do you mean why?’ I’m not getting no help as a fighter, people just see us fight – it’s more than that.”What happens after the fight? What happens after three, five minutes (rounds). You gotta pay this, you pay that.”I didn’t have no sponsorship either, so you gotta pay this and pay that. It’s just too much, man.”And then what you’re left with that’s gotta cover your rent until so and so and when’s the next fight? You don’t know.” Stewart got a job working on a railway tracks and clocked in every evening as a retired fighter. I started breaking down into tears. I was crying, I said, ‘You know what I’m done.’Darren Stewart on retiring But everything changed when he got the call from Misfits Boxing – an avenue he had his eyes on for a while. Misfits – headed up by YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI – homes to celebrity-style crossover bouts. And Stewart will fight ex-UFC star Darren Till, 32, in Manchester on March 29 having never lost faith in a getting another break. He said: “It was a struggle, man.”I started working on the railway, so going to work every night when everyone’s sleeping. Working on the tracks, lifting heavy stuff. It’s not me.”I mean, my body wasn’t recovering, it was a big struggle, I just kept praying and saying, ‘You know what, something will come around, something will come around.'”I had good people around me and my coach I was still training with, not only do I box with him, I do rehab with him. ‘It’s sad that I’m saying it'”So I do my rehab, get my mobility back for all the years and trauma that my body took from MMA.” Stewart admits to regretting putting all his chips into the MMA basket without having a back-up plan to turn to. And he would advise his eldest so Tyler – who has just started judo – against doing the same. Stewart said in rare honesty: “I will support him, but I’ll say to him, ‘Do something else, just learn it for self defence.'”And depending what he goes into as well. If he’s really good at it, I can’t say nothing I’ve gotta support him, but if you’re just doing it for fun, no, it’s not a fun game.”Fighting’s a real thing, just do it for self defence and go do something else. It’s sad that I’m saying it. “I know people don’t wanna hear this, but I’m the only guy I tell you the truth.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I should write a book after this, honestly. A lot of people ain’t telling you this. When I speak to people, they’re like, ‘Wow, really?’ Yeah, really.”I’ll tell my son, ‘You know what, if you really want to, I’ll support you, but honestly, just learn their self defence and just keep it moving’.”Stewart with his eldest son TylerCredit: @darren_mma More

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      in Boxing

      Dana White gives brutal response to working with rivals Bob Arum and Oscar de la Hoya after UFC boss enters boxing

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      DANA WHITE gave a brutal response to working with rivals Bob Arum and Oscar de la Hoya after entering the boxing business. The TKO group that owns and controls the UFC and WWE announced the launch of their anticipated boxing league alongside Turki Alsheikh. Dana White is moving into the boxing businessCredit: GettyUFC boss White and WWE president Nick Khan will work with Saudi supremo Alsheikh in the new boxing venture. It remains to be seen whether White will do business with promoters like Arum and De La Hoya – who he has criticised in the past. And he said on the matter: “I mean, let’s hope not! I would never say never but that is not what I plan to do.” White fell out with De La Hoya after the boxing legend slammed Conor McGregor’s 2017 crossover fight with Floyd Mayweather. READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd Arum spent years blasting the sport of MMA during the UFC’s early rise – causing friction with White. But the UFC boss has praised Arum for his longevity while also speaking positively about Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren before. Details on TKO’s new boxing venture remain a mystery but White will look to follow the same model that has made the UFC a global powerhouse. White said after UFC 314: “If you think about the UFC when we bought the company we had three letters, the old octagon and 12 contracts. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”We had to build the thing from the ground up. I think the sport of boxing is so broken that it needs to be built from the ground up again. “And that’s what I’m focussed on doing. (Alsheikh’s) got some commitments from the next 18 months with a lot of guys and a lot of fights and a lot of different promoters. Eddie Hearn jokes he is ‘totally finished’ after UFC boss Dana White enters boxing with Turki Alsheikh”But I talk a lot about USA Tuesday Night Fights – the best up and coming fighters all fought on that show and then became big pay-per-view stars. “And it’s the same thing that happened with the UFC. We started on Spike TV, we built stars and they became pay-per-view stars. “I want to do the same thing with boxing.” Jon Anik, with Turki Alalshikh and Dana WhiteCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Eddie Hearn jokes he is ‘totally finished’ after UFC boss Dana White enters boxing with Turki Alsheikh

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      EDDIE HEARN joked that he is “totally finished” now Dana White has entered the boxing business with Turki Alsheikh. UFC boss White and Saudi supremo Alsheikh finally announced their long rumoured boxing venture together. Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alsheikh and Dana WhiteFrank Warren with Turki Alalshikh and Eddie HearnCredit: Matchroom BoxingIt will be spearheaded by the TKO group that owns and controls the UFC and WWE – and now has a foot in the boxing world. Alsheikh has spent the last two years using his deep pockets to help turn boxing around by spending huge sums to make the best fights happen. And he even offered enough to get rivalling promoters like Hearn and Frank Warren to do business together. But now White has teamed up with Alsheikh – fans online have goaded that boxing’s old guard will soon be yesterday’s news. READ MORE IN boxing When SunSport put this to Hearn, he said with his trademark Essex grin: “Totally finished! Yeah. “We did have a business before Saudi Arabia and obviously we’ll continue to have some.”But we’ve loved being involved with Riyadh Season and His Excellency, it’s been hugely beneficial for us and the sport and our fighters and we expect that to continue.”It is unclear yet what TKO’s boxing league will look like – with even Hearn in the dark about the sport’s new players. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe said: “I’ve known about it for probably over six months and kind of waiting for an announcement but don’t really know anything about the format of it.”I saw some aggressive things said in the press release about one belt and all this kind of stuff but we’ll see how it plays out.”When does WWE-backed TKO Saudi boxing league start and what does it mean for Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren?TKO announced they will look to host “four large scale super-fights” across 2025 and 2026 as well as building up-and-coming talent. And after a recent turnaround in working with his rivals, Hearn opened the door to breaking bread with White & Co. He said: “If it suits us, if it suits our fighters, and if we’re asked to be, yeah, definitely consider it.”I mean, I think it’s great that Dana White’s getting involved with boxing. TKO is a great company, he’s a great promoter.”I think it shows you where boxing’s at, I don’t believe boxing’s broken. “I think we can always work on improving it but no, I think it’s exciting to see what kind of structure it’s gonna deliver.”Canelo Alvarez, 34, and Terence Crawford, 37, are set for a super-fight in September in Las Vegas, rumoured to be promoted by TKO. And after ESPN did not renew their contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank stable, TKO could be headed to the sports network. Hearn said: “I think in the press release said about building stars and building talent, so is it lesser known fighters?READ MORE SUN STORIES”I mean, it looks like they’ve got the ESPN deal from Top Rank which is obviously massive. “And that can build stars, so listen, they’re smart guys. I’m sure they’ll come up with a structure that has potential.”White and the TKO group announce their boxing venture with Turki Alalshikh More

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      in Soccer

      Former EFL star who won trophy at Wembley now runs £10MILLION business after breakdown prompted him to quit football

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      LEE BROWN enjoyed one hell of a career in the Football League.Two Wembley wins, more than 400 EFL appearances and a reputation as one of football’s nice guys.Lee Brown during AFC Wimbledon’s match with Salford City, one of the last games of his careerCredit: RexBrown celebrates securing Bristol Rovers’ promotion back to League One with a 92nd minute winnerCredit: PA:Press AssociationBrown, left, celebrates winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley in 2019Credit: ReutersStarting out at QPR, he really made a name for himself at Bristol Rovers, scoring a dramatic 92nd minute winner on the final day of the 2015-16 season to secure back-to-back promotions for The Gas.He moved across to Portsmouth in June 2018, winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley the following season in front of 80,000 fans, before returning to his London roots and finishing his career at AFC Wimbledon.At 33, Brown rejected a new deal at Plough Lane, instead opting to pursue “other business interests”.Dubbed ‘Lee from football’ wherever he went for his bubbly personality and jokey antics on the pitch, Brown has now lifted the lid on the man behind the mask in a candid new interview.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSpeaking to the Portsmouth News’ chief reporter Neil Allen, the former Pompey man revealed football “had to go” as two worlds collided.He admits he could have easily carried on playing, and was still a regular in the AFC Wimbledon defence, but behind the scenes all was not well.He said: “I had to quit for my own sake. I was in a dark place, I’d had a mental breakdown, something had to give.‘I could no longer juggle football full-time and run a full-time business.”Most read in FootballNow 34, Brown runs a thriving property business called B3 Homes. He employs 20 staff, and boasts an impressive portfolio of luxury pads, with many selling for well in excess of £1million.B3 Homes “develop niche, high-end residential homes across London and the South East”Credit: Instagram b3.homesInside one of the properties Brown’s property portfolio has builtCredit: www.b3homes.co.ukJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAmong the current projects are a £1.3million house in Purley, a plot of three more houses in the same area and an ultra-modern detached family home in Warlingham.It all started when, at 26, he used his £25,000 savings pot to buy a house in the Filton area of Bristol, and built another house in its garden.Harry Redknapp phoned me up out of the blue to sign for ‘f***ing s****’ team – it was one of best moves of my careerHe had no money left to pay people to help build the house for him, so ended up doing it in his spare time while still playing League One football!Brown continued: “I’d never held a tool in my life, but I have this obsessive nature where I need to learn about everything.” If I was doing the plumbing, I would research how to be a plumber and, all of a sudden, knew how to run pipes. I would sit there until 3am until it sunk in.”Lee Brown wheels away in celebration after scoring for PortsmouthCredit: RexThe business grew and grew, but eventually Brown reached breaking point.He recalled former working from as soon as training finished until extremely late at night, and working again before hitting the training pitches the following morning.But it all became too much for him, and football had to go.”I was building six houses over in Purley, two in Cobham, while training every day and playing matches on a Saturday.”I lived in a pressure cooker, rocking in the chair at points because of so much stress.”I could not cope, physically or mentally. I had to give up football – or I would have been a goner.”Brown admits he shut off those around him, and the tipping point was when he broke down in tears in AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson’s office.Lee Brown lifts the Vanarama Conference Playoff Final trophy as Bristol Rovers secured their return to the Football LeagueCredit: Getty Images – GettyEx-Spurs and Charlton man Jackson gave Brown a fortnight off, regularly checking in on the veteran defender.He returned to the Wombles team in November 2024, making a further 22 appearances before bidding football farewell at the end of the season.Now almost a year into his post-football life, Brown is back to his bubbly self and is reaping the rewards of his hard work.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe finished: “I had to sacrifice my football career after biting off more than I could chew. But, sitting here now, I am good.Actually, I’m more than good. I’m happy.” More

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      in Boxing

      Floyd Mayweather on course to lose unbeaten record to unknown 42-0 boxer who feared he would die in horror kidnapping

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      ROAD WARRIOR Abel Mendoza has been been building a record that matches the great Floyd Mayweather – but it almost cost him his life. Mendoza’s undefeated 42-0 record has been flying under the radar thanks to bouts in Mexico, South America, Jamaica and even South Korea. Abel Mendoza is the 42-0 boxerCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelHe is close to breaking Floyd Mayweather’s 50-0 recordCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelHis career has been going under the radarCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelBut it was after his last win in December – a win over Yonnaiquer Rondon in Colombia – that he was left staring death in the face. Mendoza was kidnapped in the back of a taxi alongside his friend and faced a fight to survive. Recalling the harrowing experience, he told SunSport: “I thought we were gonna die. “I thought they were gonna take us, hold us for ransom. At that moment I thought, man, I was disappointed.READ MORE IN BOXING”And in that moment I thought to myself – that’s when it just kind of hit me like – no I can’t die like this. I’m not gonna die.” Before turning professional in 2016 in Texas, Mendoza says he had close to 300 amateur bouts. He even beat Lamont Roach – who most believed was robbed of victory against superstar lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis.Mendoza said: “I thought he beat Tank and I knew Lamont was gonna be a a hard fight for Tank, but a lot of people didn’t believe it.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 29-year-old is managed by brothers Scott and David Tetreault – who have taken his boxing career around the globe. But still Mendoza is without his big break, despite a shiny record to defend. When does WWE-backed TKO Saudi boxing league start and what does it mean for Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren?He said: “I haven’t been working with anybody or no other fighters wants to take a chance. They see my record, maybe they’re intimidated. “But I would have thought it would be the other way like, ‘Oh, he’s 42-0. Let me take his unbeaten record.’ But it’s not like that.”Mendoza took his career on the road in a bid to build his record, fighting largely in Mexico and up to EIGHT times a year.But six of his last eight have been in Colombia – with the most recent sparking his horror kidnapping ordeal. Mendoza claims he hailed down a cab after his Uber app stopped working – before a group of thugs robbed the boxer and his friend. He said: “Two guys get into the back and one of them had a screwdriver, the other one had a knife.”The driver, he turns around, he’s like, ‘Shut up, shut up, don’t talk.’ And I’m just in shock. I just couldn’t believe it.”And then they keep driving. I kept telling him like, ‘Hey man, let me go. You can take all my things here.’Mendoza has fought all around the worldCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelMendoza poses with boxing legend Manny PacquiaoCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelHere he is rubbing shoulders with UFC boss Dana WhiteCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabel”They just kept telling me to shut up. They hit me, I gave him my phone, gave him everything and all the money that I had.” Mendoza spotted an ambulance – first mistaking it for a police car – when he decided to fight his way out. He said: “I look at my friend and I’m like, ‘Right now’ because they don’t know English.”So I’m like, ‘Hey, right now.’ And my friend’s like, ‘All right.’ So I punched the guy and I opened the door.”My friend kicks the seat and he grabs the guy – because you could tell they weren’t fighters – and I opened the door and jumped out and my friend did the same thing.”He grabbed him and he took the knife and he jumped out too and we ran to a gas station.”Despite the terrifying ordeal, Mendoza is still not put off boxing away from home. He said: “I’m not afraid. I’ve been to Korea, I’ve been to Mexico a lot, even in New Mexico. I probably won’t go back to Colombia.”I mean, I’ll go anywhere, it’s what I’ve always done.”No I can’t die like this. I’m not gonna dieAbel Mendoza Mendoza improved to 42 wins before the kidnap attempt – moving ever closer to Mayweather’s record-breaking 50-0.But Mendoza insists: “The goal has always been trying to win belts. “I wanna become a world champion and I really don’t care about getting to 50-0. I have a lot of fights because I like to fight. “I love to fight. I have a lot of fights, I would rather take a fight than stay inactive and that’s why I have a lot of fights.”The goal is not to get to 50-0, the goal is to become a world champion. “If I get to 50-0 while that happens, it happens but I’m just trying to become a world champion.”Mendoza thought his big break was coming in February when Floyd Schofield pulled out of fighting WBC champ Shakur Stevenson.The Texan was ready to travel 8,000 miles to Riyadh to replace Schofield – but Britain’s Josh Padley was just a seven-hour flight away.Abel Mendoza snapped with Jake PaulCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelBrave Padley was beaten in nine rounds as Mendoza said: “My team reached out to them and they were trying to make it happen.”But I guess somebody from the UK was closer so they found him and he was there. It happens.” Mendoza has also called out 11-1 YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul – despite their FIVE STONE weight difference. But he said: “I just put it out there that I’d fight Jake. I actually think Jake’s a decent fighter, so that was one of the reasons why I put that out there.”I don’t know if he’s at the elite level. I think that’s whatwe’re all waiting to see… if if he’s at the elite level.”But from what I’ve seen, he looks pretty decent.”Mendoza is now just waiting for his big opportunity – warning boxing bigwigs he is open for business. He said: “I’m ready to fight, I wanna fight the best so I can prove myself that I am the best. I’m a free agent, so that’s a good thing.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’m able to work with whoever right now and there are a few promoters interested. “But I’m just trying to be patient and just waiting to see what happens.”Mendoza is ready for the big timeCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabel More

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      in Boxing

      I sunk $100,000 into my boxing career before one punch changed my life… now I’m signed to Jake Paul

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      LUCAS BAHDI sunk $100,000 of his own money into his boxing career – but one punch saw the gamble all pay off. Bahdi was an unknown outsider in July 2024 when Floyd Schofield pulled out of fighting Jake Paul’s highly-touted prospect Ashton Sylve. Lucas Bahdi knocked out Ashton Sylve with a monstrous left hookCredit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable PromotionsBahdi was signed by Jake Paul afterwardsCredit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable PromotionsSo when the Canadian got the call on three weeks notice to replace Schofield – he backed his lightning quick hands to steal Sylve’s thunder.Bahdi, 31, told SunSport: “I was going in as a B-side opponent. They didn’t expect anything from me. “That was an event to showcase Ashton and I came in and I stole the show.”They didn’t really know much about me at the time but they got to learn real quick.” READ MORE IN BOXINGBahdi sensationally came from behind to knock Sylve out and leave the 21-year-old faceplanting the canvas after a devastating left hook.The lightweight became a star overnight and was quickly signed by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions banner. But what fans did not know was Bahdi had been quietly making a name for himself on small shows in Mexico and Canada. He was just praying an opportunity would come his way – estimating he spent $100,000 (£77,000) of his own cash to fund his career. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBahdi said: “When I first turned pro, I was fighting like every four or five weeks.”I fought nine fights in nine months and I funded my whole career from from my pro debut till about 11-0, 12-0.KSI lifts lid on meeting with Turki Alalshikh and teases fight talks… but blasts Jake Paul as ‘disgrace to boxing’ “And if I didn’t do that, I probably wouldn’t have got that opportunity to fight Ashton.”Because I would have had only a couple of fights or I would have been with the local promoter.”I think everything played out in my favour. I bet on myself and I definitely pulled through.”Bahdi’s sixth-round KO of Sylve was fitting for any Hollywood movie script – but he says that is nothing compared to what he experienced in Mexico. One bout – during the covid pandemic – saw Bahdi travel without any friends, family or coaches.And he was staring defeat in the face when both his hands were busted and his eyes almost closed shut due to damage sustained. Bahdi revealed: “Five weeks before, I broke my left hand. I was so frustrated with everything that I didn’t care.It was the craziest story – they could have made a movie on that night. Lucas Bahdi “I said, I’m still gonna go and I’m gonna knock him out with one hand. And in the first round, I broke my good hand!”So I was in there with two broken hands and it was the middle of the second round when I realised something is really wrong with my good hand at the time.”Things weren’t going well for me after that point, the third round was a terrible round and I was getting touched up pretty good.”Both my eyes were almost swollen shut and in the fourth round, I ended up catching him with counter left hook and knocked him out.”It was the craziest story – they could have made a movie on that night. “From before the fight, till after the fight, to going home, traveling alone with two broken hands, with almost two eyes that are swollen shut.”There could have been a movie on that. I couldn’t even pack my bags. ‘It’s only a matter of time'”To get out of the hotel, I literally had to get the front desk to help me. It a crazy eventful experience, to say the least.”Bahdi is now a 135lb contender being pushed with the help of YouTuber-turned boxer Paul. And Bahdi said: “He’s not only a boxer himself, he’s a promoter, so he’s got to put both hats on and it’s not easy to do. But he’s amazing for the sport.”He’s amazing to be a part of his team because he’s got such a big influence and he’s he’s making waves in the boxing scene right now as you can see and I think this is only the beginning.”Bahdi is 18-0 with 15 KOs and returns on Friday in Canada against Ryan James Racaza, 28, himself unbeaten in 15 bouts.And he warned the champions at lightweight that it is only a matter of time until he comes hunting for their gold. Bahdi warned: “I think in the next six to 12 months, I’ll be fighting for titles. It’s only a matter of time. I’m only a couple of fights away.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’m aiming for the champions, whether it’s Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson, Loma or Keyshawn Davis. For me, I don’t care.”I’m gonna be knocking on their doors very soon and if they don’t answer, I’ll be kicking them down.”Bahdi’s brutal KO of SylveCredit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable PromotionsHe is now 18-0 looking for a world title shotCredit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable Promotions More

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      in Soccer

      Brentford striker Yoane Wissa thought he was destined for career in police before shooting to Premier League stardom

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      YOANE Wissa thought he would be a policeman tackling crime rather than Premier League opponents when he was growing up.The 28-year-old has formed a lethal partnership with Bryan Mbeumo, and together they’ve made up for the loss of England forward Ivan Toney.Yoane Wissa thought he was destined to become a policemanCredit: GettyWissa has scored 14 goals this seasonCredit: GettyWissa while on loan at AC Ajaccio from Angers in 2017Credit: GettyWissa has scored 14 goals for Thomas Frank’s side this season, who are 11th in the table and in with a shout of European football next season.Speaking exclusively to Sun Sport, Wissa said he initially thought he’d be “just another guy on the street”.The Brentford star, who was born in northern France to Congolese parents, said: “When I was growing up, I really just expected to be a random guy, maybe a policeman. Why not?“But once I saw the small light that I could be here, I took it. I know it sounds crazy when I say that to people, but the truth is I’m not the most talented guy. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“What keeps me going is that I love to work hard, and I guess I’m not doing too bad.”Wissa started out as a goalkeeper and progressed into midfield before settling as a forward who can play in various positions across the front line.The striker, who came through the ranks at Chateauroux before moves to Angers and Lorient and eventually Brentford for around £8million in 2022, added: “The first time I really thought I could be good at football was when I was 16.”Then I went to the academy, so you see, I went there at 16, which is considered late because most of the others were around 14. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“But then I started to feel that there could be something for me here.“Some will say it’s a dream come true, but if I’m being honest, it wasn’t even my dream because I didn’t expect to be a footballer.Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo shows his skills on the training pitch “So I don’t take that for granted, if you know what I mean. I didn’t expect to be here, and now I’m here with Thomas and the guys.“I just work hard, and that’s why when I speak, I do so with a smile.”Since the departure of Toney to Saudi Arabia, Wissa and Mbeumo have become the face of Brentford. They are the most lethal duo in the Premier League this season, with a combined 28 top-flight goals for the Bees.Asked what makes playing together with Mbeumo so smooth, he said: “He’s a top player, so that is the first thing that makes it very easy. “What I do is try to help him. I make sure to position myself in a way that if he needs me, I’ll be there. It also helps that we’ve played together for a while.”But it’s not just Mbeumo that Wissa gets along with easily. Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have become the face of BrentfordCredit: ReutersAs the interview continues, manager Frank comes by to pat him on the back, and I asked what the Brentford manager is like behind the scenes.His response gives an indication of the strong bonds within the club. He said: “Listen, Thomas is a friend. That’s what he’s good at – he’s a guy who is open to talk, and everyone loves him.”He’s always positive, not just in the good times, and this is why it’s very good for us.“But I have to say this, it’s easier to speak to someone who is always playing, but he also likes to make sure people who feel a bit isolated are taken care of.“That, for me, is also very crucial. So, if I can say something about him, Thomas Frank is just a friend to us.”Back in Congo, fans gather around viewing centres to watch Wissa play, and some say they wish he could move to a bigger club and possibly play in some of the top European competitions. They may get their wish as far as Europe is concerned soon, at least.But, he says, even though he’s aware of the perks of doing well, he’s the kind of person who thinks more about the team, given that he didn’t even think getting this far was possible at the beginning.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “Of course, I’m settled in the Premier League, and everyone knows that I can score goals, but also, everyone wants to continue to do better for themselves. “Now I’m in Brentford, and for me, I always think about the team. I’m hoping I can help the team take the next step, and by doing so, I’ll also do well for myself too.”The feeling is good at Brentford at the momentCredit: PA More