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      Charlton wonderkid Karoy Anderson only made his senior debut a year ago but is already an international football star

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      KAROY ANDERSON had a remarkable first year in senior football.The Charlton midfield wonderkid made his league debut, within two months was playing for Jamaica, racked up 24 league starts and played at the Copa America.Charlton wonderkid Karoy Anderson has had an incredible first year in senior footballCredit: JUSTIN ALLENAll this and he is still only 19.The academy-graduate though is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.He told SunSport: “If you look far ahead, you get lost in the future. If you look into the past you can get stuck there.“It was a great opportunity and experience to go to the Copa America, to participate in a tournament that size. I didn’t think about the magnitude of it until I got there.“The atmosphere was unbelievable. It was the nature of the games and what it meant, especially for my family and the people of Jamaica. It was humbling. read more football“It was exciting – the fans, stadiums and being able to travel to see difference places but also take business seriously.”Anderson came on as a late sub against Ecuador and played the last 22 minutes of the final group match with Venezuela.In the Jamaica squad he played and trained alongside the likes of West Ham star Michail Antonio, ex-Leicester, Everton and Birmingham ace Demari Gray and Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock.And, also in the group, was his Charlton team-mate Michael Hector.Most read in SportAnderson said: “I learned so much. I saw how they carried themselves and their application to training every day. They’re at a high level and been there for a while. You see what habits have ultimately kept them there, their mindset and preparation.“I got on with the majority of the team. I was room-mates with Dexter Lembikisa from Wolves. He’s been on loan at Hearts in Scotland.EFL goalkeeper sends fans into meltdown with utterly ridiculous ‘skill of the season’ in pre-season clash”It was a good experience to speak to someone like that and learn things from someone who is a similar age to me and who is at a Premier League club.”And in the Venezuela game, the Charlton kid faced former Newcastle, Everton and West Brom ace Salomon Rondon.But Anderson said while he was out there he was so zoned into the game he did not take notice who he was up against.And he said: “I didn’t think about other players in the moment. After the game you think, “Oh, I played against him” but in the moment I see it as football.”We’re all on the same pitch and on the same level. I don’t look at players and think, ‘wow.’ Of course, it was nice to share the pitch with big names.”Anderson’s mum is Jamaican while his dad also descends from there.And while he did once harbour ambition to play for England in recent years his heart was set on playing for the Caribbean island.The midfielder said: “Because I was born and raised in South London, when I was younger I was thinking about playing for England but as I got older I spent a lot of time going with my mum to different places and interacting with Jamaican people.”Also with my brother too. We spoke about what it would be like to play for Jamaica, what it means to everyone back home and how proud they would be. For that reason, it wasn’t a question who I’d play for.”And there was never a question that Anderson would not play for his local club.READ MORE SUN STORIESCharlton boss Nathan Jones can use the vast experience he gained at Luton to plot a way up to the ChampionshipKaroy Anderson is hoping to help Charlton win promotion this seasonCredit: JUSTIN ALLENThroughout his journey through the academy he often played a year, two years, even three years above his age-group as his coaches constantly challenged him to step up in class.Anderson may not have been star-struck while playing in the Copa America but certainly was when he used to be a ball-boy at The Valley.He said: “I was a scholar at Charlton and we’d be ballboys at the games. As a kid, that was so exciting and I loved watching players like Joe Gomez. Even though we don’t play in the same position, seeing his journey has been really inspiring.”One of the midfielder’s middle names is Zidane — due to his mum’s admiration for Zinedine — but his idol growing up was another French superstar, Paul Pogba.He said: “I loved him when he was at Juventus, how exciting he was. I look up to those sort of players.”Anderson is hoping to help the Addicks climb out of League One at the fifth attempt.And in Nathan Jones they have a manager who has been there and done it – as he was instrumental in Luton’s climb from League Two to the brink of the Premier League.The rookie midfield ace added: “Everyone trusts him and knows he knows what it takes to get out of his league and will do his best to bring this group to where the club can be. There is complete trust and we follow him.“Our aim is to get promoted – it’s as simple as that.” More

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      Premier League’s biggest opening weekend shocks including Man Utd’s horror defeat and Arsenal stunned by Aston Villa

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      THE day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here.Premier League football returns TONIGHT as Manchester United host Fulham at Old Trafford.There have been some huge opening day shocks over the years, including Brentford’s win over Arsenal in 2021Credit: Richard Pelham / The SunIpswich boss Kieran McKenna will be backing his side to cause an upset against LiverpoolCredit: PAUnited are favourites to win the opening fixture, but Marco Silva’s side should not be underestimated.The Cottagers won two of three pre-season games – against Benfica and Hoffenheim – and could cause quite an upset against the reigning FA Cup champions.Prem new boys Ipswich face Liverpool at home on Saturday in the hope of giving new manager Arne Slot a huge shock.And Championship winners Leicester City will be looking to spoil Tottenham’s start to the season when they kick off their campaign at the King Power on Monday night.Read More in FootballWe have seen several opening day upsets over the years, and SunSport have looked back at some of the most memorable.Brentford 2-0 Arsenal (2021/22)A day that all Arsenal fans wish they could permanently erase from their memory.The Gunners suffered a shock defeat to newly-promoted Brentford on the opening day of the 2021-22 season.It was a dismal defensive display from Arsenal as Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard fired the hosts to a 2-0 win.Most read in FootballBrentford beat Arsenal 2-0 on the opening day of the 2021-22 season after earning promotionCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe result led Gary Neville to infamously question the North London side’s transfer strategy.Chelsea 2-3 Burnley (2017/18)Stamford Bridge was stunned into silence when Burnley earned a 3-2 win over reigning Premier League champions Chelsea.Goals from Sam Vokes and Stephen Ward fired the Clarets to a 3-0 lead before half-time.Chelsea managed to claw two goals back after the break but ultimately came away from the match with nothing.Sam Vokes scored twice as Burnley beat ChelseaCredit: PA:Empics SportPremier League sides deducted points and others at riskArsenal 1-3 Aston Villa (2013/14)Sorry, Arsenal fans.The Gunners suffered another unexpected opening day defeat in 2013, this time to Aston Villa.Olivier Giroud opened the scoring, but Christian Benteke turned the match on its head before Antonio Luna sealed the win for Villa at the Emirates.Arsene Wenger’s side still managed to sneak into the top four at the end of the campaign.The Gunners suffered a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in 2013Credit: Jamie McPhilimey – The SunArsenal 0-2 West Ham (2015-16)Once again, I’m really sorry, Arsenal fans!The Gunners suffered another shock opening day defeat two years after the Aston Villa disappointment.Slaven Bilic had just been appointed as West Ham manager and academy star Reece Oxford put on a stellar display to help the East London side to a 2-0 win.Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate were on the scoresheet for the Hammers on a memorable day at the Emirates.Arsenal also lost to West Ham on the opening day in 2015Credit: Getty Images – GettyHull 2-1 Leicester (2016/17)Just months after Leicester City were crowned Premier League champions, they started the 2016/17 campaign with a shock 2-1 defeat to Hull.It was the first time in the Premier League era the reigning champions began their title defence with a defeat.Hull beat Leicester after the Foxes won the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP or licensorsMan Utd 1-2 Swansea (2014-15)United suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Swansea on the opening day of the 2014-15 season following goals from Ki Sung-yueng and Gylfi Sigurdsson.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt was the club’s first opening day defeat at home since 1972.Wayne Rooney hoped to get his side back into the game after scoring in the second half, but the Red Devils walked away with nothing.Swansea beat Man Utd at Old Trafford in 2014/15Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      Chelsea star Raheem Sterling reveals brilliant reason why he’s eaten exact same breakfast every day for eight years

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      RAHEEM STERLING believes the ‘eventful journey’ of being a Chelsea player will ultimately pay dividends.The experienced winger is about to kick off his third season under his fifth manager at the volatile club which has also signed 35 players in barely two years.Raheem Sterling played a key role in Chelsea’s pre-season gamesCredit: GettySterling is back in favour under latest head coach Enzo Maresca and in line to start Sunday’s Premier League opener against his old club Manchester City.He said: “It’s been, again, an eventful two years. But one that I’m super committed to, that will get the results that I was expecting.“It’s been an eventful journey, but I do see the vision and I do see us taking our next step and now really challenging for stuff – slowly but surely.“Sometimes you have to pinch yourself and you hear yourself moaning sometimes, or being disappointed sometimes, and I always go back to the moments I was a kid in my bedroom and praying to God that one day, hopefully, this could be me.READ MORE ON CHELSEA“I’m very fortunate to be living that dream and just continue enjoying it and loving every minute of it.”Chelsea finished sixth last season but are aiming higher this term with demands from the board to qualify for the Champions League consistently – which means fourth place minimum.Sterling, 29, is all about routine and says former boss Pep Gaurdiola taught him how to use monotony to his advantage when they were together at Premier League champions City.The £47million winger has eaten eggs on toast for breakfast every day for the past eight years.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “It was just the messaging of sleep, eat, breathe football,” he recounts Guardiola telling him.“And as you can see from how he is and how successful he’s been, that’s the motto – not just football, any aspect of your life. If you want something and you’re doing it, you gotta be all in and have all your energy and thought process on that.Pedro Neto joins Chelsea for £54million in transfer from Wolves “The most beautiful thing in football is you’re the one in control. So when you’re on that football field, it’s you that’s in control. So I think that’s definitely something I’ve learned in the later years of my career that, you know, don’t focus on what you can’t control.”Sterling has been boosted by playing a large part in Chelsea’s pre-season games, learning to understand Maresca’s possession-based approach to the game and the new tactics under the Italian.He turns 30 in four months and has become a senior figure in the Chelsea dressing room – especially to emerging star Cole Palmer, eight years younger than him. They are previous team-mates from City too.Sterling also has two sons and is enjoying the responsibilities of bringing them up and sees a future in football for himself once he retires from playing.He said: “If I can have some part in football, it will definitely be something along those lines, helping younger individuals to seek their pathway in the game. That’s something that brings me joy.“I’ve got my boys, so I think my main focus, even now, is getting them as much information as I can with my experiences in life and football, to get them ready for the real world.” More

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      Sven-Göran Eriksson gave me blank cheque after romp but I never cashed it even when he left me high & dry, says Ulrika

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      WHEN I look at Sven-Goran Eriksson now, I see a much diminished man. A man reduced by terminal illness, but also a man who, by his own admission, has had a good life.As The Sun told yesterday, he talks about his private life on his Amazon Prime film Sven, including his affair with me.Ulrika Jonsson opens up on her time with Sven-Göran ErikssonCredit: Scope FeaturesUlrika says: ‘I was single at the time and he confided that he wanted to end his relationship with Nancy Dell’Olio because it was sapping him of energy’Credit: Rex FeaturesAfter a night together, Sven popped a blank check in Ulrika’s pocket when she was not lookingWe first met in 2002, when I asked him for his autograph at a party held by Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s spin doctor.He replied to me in our native language, Swedish, asking for my telephone number so he could call me. I was single at the time and 34. He was 54 and confided that he wanted to end his relationship with Nancy Dell’Olio because it was sapping him of energy.He then proceeded to call me every day when he went on holiday with Nancy, telling me I was beautiful and how much he wanted to see me.READ MORE ON SVENWhen he returned, the day after his 54th birthday, he visited me and we slept together.This was no great passionate affair. It was devoid of passion. He had all this power and money, yet he was the weakest man I have ever met.During our dalliance he was heading to his place in Portugal for the night between England games and asked me to join him.He said I should book myself on his flight and he would reimburse me. I said no way, I pay my own way — I’ve never taken money from a man.Most read in Football‘Pawns in a game’It was a point of principle.We met in the Club Lounge at Heathrow, pretending we had just met, and sat next to each other on the flight, almost giggling all the way.Legendary ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson kept terminal pancreas cancer secret for a year to enjoy time with familyThen we spent the night at his place, where his housekeepers cooked us a meal.The following morning we left for the airport together and, in the car, he put a blank cheque from Coutts in my pocket when I wasn’t looking.He presented me with a blank cheque which he put in my pocket when I wasn’t lookingI keep it for posterity. But it might have been nice to fill it out at some point for all the hassle he brought me!When news of our affair broke, he didn’t confirm what went on between us. This meant I was left high and dry, even to the point that people believed I had made it up to get Press attention.That really angered me.I was an independent, working woman who did not voluntarily need to create a drama around my life for attention.He says in his documentary that he didn’t commit a crime, and he’s right about that.But he did do wrong.And he simply didn’t really care about much of life.As far as I could tell, he cared only about three things: His two children, who he adored. And football.Even when we were in Portugal, I asked him about his ex, the mother of his children.He said he had moved the wedding day in fav- our of a football match and she wasn’t happy.And I wondered if he was romantic and asked him how he proposed.I was surprised when he confided that she had proposed to him, which confirmed to me that I don’t think he had a romantic bone in his body. I know people didn’t understand why we were seeing each other, as it was an odd connection.Initially it was the Swedish thing that united us — and football.We talked about football a lot. But he was chivalrous and, in his heart, he was a kind man.He brought a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne — without fail — every time he came to my house.No ‘words of affection’For me, he showed me kindness and I’d just been going through the most horrendous time with being abandoned by my sick daughter’s biological father and worrying if she was going to get through her operations.When someone shows you kindness, it grabs your attention. In the film, he says he does have feelings, but he doesn’t show them. I think that’s honest and true. We never exchanged words of affection — it wasn’t that kind of set-up.I just saw him when he could get away from Nancy or was on the way to football games.She should be grateful for me raising her profile, she made a career out of ‘refusing to accept that she had been cheated on’Ulrika on Nancy Dell’OlioNancy admits in the film that she only stuck with him because she could get something out of it, which strongly suggests that she only really was with him because of the fame and the glory.She should be grateful for me raising her profile. She seemingly made a career out of “refusing to accept that she had been cheated on”.Before news of the affair between me and Sven broke, she was just the Italian girlfriend of the England manager. When it hit the headlines Nancy was suddenly famous. And she used that to her advantage. She’d have never been on Strictly Come Dancing if it wasn’t for me.Sven told me she was very fiery — it was a volatile relationship and I felt it was clear that he didn’t really, truly care about her.But he never promised me he would leave her, because I never asked him to.I sensed he feared her. And he confirms that in the film.He says he was afraid (of leaving her). He admitted to me that she “loved” the attention she was getting from the media, so it’s little wonder if she didn’t want to give that up.And obviously, apart from women attacking each other, there is the problem that misogyny is still verymuch alive and kicking in the world of football. Women continue to be viewed as pawns in a game of utmost importance, ruled over by men who show little but disdain for the opposite sex.I’ve never in my life fought over a man. I know Nancy was clinging to Sven, but she really needn’t have worried.She threw insults at me because she didn’t believe the brief affair was true. Surely her beef should have been with him?In the film, Sven’s son says how his dad doesn’t stress about things, and that was my experience, too.He never got concerned about things and said to me, “Why worry about something which might not happen?”.’Thinker perhaps more than a doer’He’s bright and studied philosophy, which is probably what brought a new and different approach to being England boss.Many didn’t like that he wasn’t demonstrably expressive, but that was just the way he was.Nancy says in the film that Sven is a narcissist, but I think that might be unfair. I just think he’s a very simple-minded person. And by that I mean he only puts energy into the things that are important to him. He’s pragmatic. Not a practical man, however.He proudly showed me his hands and said “these have never done a day’s hard work”.Sven is right, of course, about his outlook on life now. Life is short and I believe he has certainly made the most of itSven is certainly a thinker, perhaps more than a doer.I extracted myself from the situation when he clearly wasn’t going to ’fess up and carried on going out publicly with Nancy.I certainly didn’t become a Princess Di character, where there were “three of us” in that relationship.For a while he kept phoning me to speak to me or ask me to see him. He even got his agent to phone my agent to ask if I would wait for him after the World Cup. I declined.Sven is right, of course, about his outlook on life now.Life is short and I believe he has certainly made the most of it.He has led a life according to his own wills and desires.I’m sure he has regrets over some of his actions, but what good are regrets when the clock is ticking?We can but do our best.I bear him no ill will.READ MORE SUN STORIESI hope he squeezes the best out of whatever life he has left and that, on reflection, he realises that to err is to be human.He didn’t get it all right. But then, who does?Ulrika also says of Sven: ‘He had all this power and money yet he was the weakest man I have ever met’Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe ex-England boss has been diagnosed with terminal cancerCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury makes heartfelt retirement admission ahead of Usyk rematch and admits he has ‘toxic relationship’ with boxing

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      TYSON FURY admits he doesn’t know if his “toxic relationship” with boxing will allow him to walk away from the sport.The Gypsy King, 36, has “retired” several times in recent years only to reverse his decision and return to the squared circle.Tyson Fury has won every belt going in the heavyweight divisionCredit: GETTYHis dream of becoming undisputed heavyweight champ was shattered by Oleksandr Usyk in MayCredit: GettyFury is out of his physical prime and his punch resistance isn’t what it once wasCredit: PAFury admits he’ll find it hard to walk away from the sport he loves so dearlyCredit: PABut with his physical prime well behind him and his punch resistance no longer what it once was, it’s clear and evident that Fury’s days in the sport are numbered.Hanging up his gloves and fully dedicating himself to his family of nine, however, will be just as difficult as any fight the Wythenshawe warrior has had in his professional career.He told Queensberry Promotions: “I’ve been in love with boxing for such a long time – from being a little boy.”And I’m probably at the end of my career in the next few years.READ MORE BOXING NEWS“It’s been a love-hate relationship. It’s been toxic at times. When it’s good, it’s very good, and when it’s bad, it’s very toxic.“So I’m in that relationship and I don’t just abandon things. “I try and make things work and that’s where we are at the minute.”We’ve been in this romantic relationship since I can remember, since I was a child, and now I am a fully grown adult with a family of my own.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdictHERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.ROUND 1Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9ROUND 2Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9ROUND 3Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9Round 4Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9Round 5Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9Round 6Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9Round 7Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shotUsyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9Round 8Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9Round 9Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8Round 10Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9Round 11A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9Round 12The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114″It’s like, ‘Do I abandon it, or do I not?’ I wanted to walk away a lot of times but it always drags me back.”Bar becoming the undisputed king of the heavyweights, which he failed to do in his Saudi showdown with Oleksandr Usyk in May, Fury has achieved it all. Oleksandr Usyk brutally calls out ‘Greedy Belly’ Tyson Fury after Gypsy King fires warning to Ukrainian ahead of rematchFighting keeps the dad-of-eight on the mental straight and narrow, although it’s become somewhat of a double-edged sword.“It’s like a massive drug and an addiction,” Fury admitted. “I know it’s an addiction and I’m an addictive person.”Boxing is an addiction; it’s not my best friend. It abuses me. When I come in this gym, it abuses my body, my mind [and] my soul.”But afterwards I feel like it takes me to ecstasy. The rush is unbelievable.”It gives me the biggest highs ever, but it also gives me the lowest lows as well.”Boxing is more addictive than any drug ever. Ever. You can’t let it go.”Fury’s dream of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis in 1999 was shattered in his Riyadh rumble with Usyk.The former unified champion suffered a split decision loss to the slick southpaw, whom he’ll renew his rivalry with on December 21.And to say he’s champing at the bit to exact his revenge on the undefeated Ukrainian would be an understatement.He said of the desert dust-up: “[I’m] counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk.”December 21 is going to be my time. I’ve done everything in boxing, but I ain’t come back from a loss.READ MORE SUN STORIES”And I relish it, the chance to redeem myself GET UP.”December 21 is all me – undisputed heavyweight here I come.”Tyson Fury will bid to exact revenge on Oleksandr Usyk on December 21Credit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      ‘It’s a great fight’ declares Brit world champion as he calls out Deontay Wilder for bout in new weight category

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      DEONTAY WILDER has been challenged to a bridgerweight bust-up with a Brit world champion.The Bronze Bomber’s future at heavyweight is in limbo following four defeats in his last five outings, the most recent of which was a brutal sixth-round KO at the hands of Zheili Zhang.Deontay Wilder is currently on the worst run of his careerCredit: GETTYThe American is facing calls to retire following four losses in his last five fightsCredit: GETTYLawrence Okolie wants to welcome The Bronze Bomber to the bridgerweight divisionCredit: RexDespite his brutal and long reign as WBC king, fight fans have long thought the tall and wiry Wilder would be better suited to fighting at lighter weight.The recently formed bridgerweight division would be an ideal new home for the American should he try to breathe new life into his career.And WBC titleholder Lawrence Okolie would happily welcome him to the weight class, telling Betway: “I think it would be a great fightAnd he’ll always have what leaves people late and that’s his punching power and the name – Deontay Wilder.”READ MORE BOXING NEWSUnlike most of Wilder’s opponents, Okolie wants to feel the full force of Wilder’s cannon-like right hand.He continued: “If I’m boxing Wilder, no matter what I say, I’m going to be a little bit apprehensive and think, ‘Okay let’s see what his power is like’.”I think it’s a great fight.”Wilder’s run of form has, understandably, sparked calls for him to hang up his gloves.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDeontay Wilder’s defeat to Joseph Parker last December scuppered a two-fight series with Anthony JoshuaCredit: GETTYAJ is refusing to call for The Bronze Bomber to retireCredit: REUTERSThe most costly of those losses was last December’s defeat to Joseph Parker, which scuppered a two-fight series with long-time rival Anthony Joshua worth a whopping £100million.AJ, however, refuses to join the growing list of fighters telling the Alabama slammer to call it a day.Worrying new footage shows moment Deontay Wilder gets brutally KO’d by Zhilei Zhang while COMPLAINING to refereeThe former two-time unified heavyweight champion said: “Come again if you want, but he’s got his family and there’s a life outside of boxing for him.”I enjoy fighting in London, I enjoy fighting out here [Saudi Arabia], I enjoy fighting in America.”It’s a blessing, and it doesn’t last forever. “That’s why I say it with Wilder if he wants to go again, give it another crack.”But sooner or later, Father Time will catch up with you – with everyone.” More

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      in Soccer

      Sex is one of the good things in life… I was stupid but did nothing criminal, says Sven Goran Eriksson on his affairs

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      TERMINALLY ill former England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed all about his astonishing sex life in a documentary.The 76-year-old Swede tells Amazon Prime show Sven how he cheated on his long-time partner Nancy Dell’Ollio with Ulrika Jonsson and FA secretary Faria Alam.Ex-England football boss Sven-Goran Eriksson with his ex-lover Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’OllioCredit: Rex FeaturesSven had a fling with Swede Ulrika Jonsson while he was with NancyCredit: GettySven also cheated on long-time partner Nancy with FA secretary Faria Alam, aboveCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdBut he tells the programme that he did not commit any crimes and that “sex is one of the good things in life for all of us”. In the 107-minute documentary, Faria, now 58, reveals how the then-England manager told her to cash in on their 2004 affair.She says: “The Noughties were just that, they were naughty.“You could do so many things. I’ll be honest, I was a beautiful girl and I attracted a lot of attention.READ MORE ON SVEN“He said, ‘Tell your story, go and tell them everything. Make some money, why not?’.”Last year Amazon Prime cameras had access to Sven and his family as he battled pancreatic cancer at his home in Sweden.But at the start of this year Sven revealed that he had “probably less than a year to live”.As well as discussing how he feels facing death, England’s first foreign manager also talks candidly about the women in his life.Most read in FootballShe loved it. The tension. It was not peace in my house always.Sven on NancyItalian lawyer Nancy, 62, who spent nine years with Sven, admits that she nearly left him after his fling with fellow Swede Ulrika.But her lawyer advised her to give him another chance.Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson reveals that he is dying of pancreatic cancer and ‘has at best a year to live’In the documentary, Sven also admits that life could be interesting with fiery Nancy.He said: “She loved it. The tension. She was a lady from the upper classes in Rome. She liked to go out with important people.“In the beginning I didn’t react very much. But you don’t change people at a certain age. It was not peace in my house always.”’First lady of English football’ Nancy adds: “The first impression that I had about Sven, people in power always have extra, extra sex appeal. I felt in love.“It wasn’t something that I was looking for. I was married and I left my husband to start my journey with Sven.“We were Sven and Nancy since the first date.“I was the first lady of English football and there was never going to be another one after me.”But when news broke in April 2002 of Sven’s affair with Ulrika, Nancy was humiliated.Sven, who was England manager from 2001 to 2006, tells how he received a phone call from football agent Athole Still advising him not to let Nancy read the newspapers.He recalls telling Still: “It’s too late, there are 100 photographers outside already.”Sven adds: “Sex is one of the good things in life for all of us. She was not married. I was not married.“Probably I was stupid but I think I didn’t do anything criminal. I didn’t really disturb anyone.”She was not married, I was not married. I didn’t really disturb anyone.Sven on UlrikaBut he admits being fearful that Nancy would leave him.He says: “I could see in front of me, if I break up, it would be ‘pouf’. I was a little bit afraid but anyhow it became what it became.”Nancy confesses: “The stupidity of Sven. After Sven’s first scandal, I wanted to leave him.“I couldn’t want to admit to myself that there was a possibility that I made a mistake. That I left everything for him. My lawyers said give him another chance but think what you can get from this.”Sven also reveals that after he was appointed England coach he took tea at No 10 with Tony Blair who said: “Shall we take a bet? Who keeps the job longest, you or me? We have two impossible jobs.”’Don’t be sorry. Smile’Sven quit after the 2006 World Cup Blair resigned as PM in 2007.In the documentary, which streams next week, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney also pay tribute to their former boss. Becks says: “I loved him from day one. He made me captain. The confidence he had in me was so important.“The way he protected the players, the way he treated the players, it was a breath of fresh air.”I felt very sorry for her. She lost the job and two members of FA lost jobSven on FariaToday Sven lives with his partner Yaniseth Alcides, a former dancer, he met while coaching in Mexico.She tells the documentary: “I try to be calm for him because he is making a great effort. This year we turned 15 together. And I have hope that we will be together for many more years. I will not lose that hope.”They live in Sven’s rambling house overlooking Fryken lake near Sunne, in Värmland, where the bus driver’s son grew up and where he began his football career for local club Torsby.Sven says: “It’s a beautiful place. It makes me calm, below the mountain where my father grew up.Sven pictured in the Prime documentary Prime Video which airs in the UK, Ireland and Nordics on August 23Credit: Amazon PrimeDavid Beckham pays tribute to Sven in the documentary, saying: ‘I loved him from day one. He made me captain. The confidence he had in me was so important’Credit: Action Images“The ashes could be thrown into the water here.”Sven’s cancer was spotted after he collapsed at his home and, despite treatment it is terminal. He says: “Whoever it was said ‘life is too short’ is right.“I had a good life, maybe too good. You have to pay for it. I think we all are scared of the day when it’s finished, when you die.“You have to learn to accept it for what it is.“Hopefully, at the end people will say, ‘Yeah, he was a good man’. But everyone will not say that. I hope you will remember me as a positive guy and trying to do everything he could do. Don’t be sorry. Smile.”READ MORE SUN STORIES SVEN is on Prime Video in the UK, Ireland and Nordics on August 23.WOOED BY YOGA TALKFARIA Alam has revealed that she fell for Sven-Goran Eriksson because he had charmed her by talking about art, poetry and yoga.She had a fling with the Swede after joining the FA as a secretary in 2003.Speaking about it in the Amazon Prime documentary Sven, Faria, now 58, said: “He didn’t have the mindset of a super-rich man. He talked to me about poetry, he talked to me about art.“He was saying how he did yoga and things like that.“And I just fell in love with him, I guess. And that lit the fuse for all this to explode.” But the lovers were found out. At first, the FA denied it but emails not only proved it but confirmed that she also had a relationship with the FA chief Mark Palios.Sven, 76, says: “I felt very sorry for her. She lost the job and two members of the FA lost the job.”Faria signed two deals to sell her story for £300,000 after she had resigned — on the advice of Sven.But she was hurt by being portrayed as a “disgusting gold digger person”. She says on the show: “I’m the person that’s the bad person, and I was the scapegoat for them to be relieved of any responsibility.” More

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      Inside John Stones and Olivia Naylor’s relationship, from meeting when she was pregnant to romantic proposal

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      JOHN Stones and Olivia Naylor have announced the happy news that they are engaged.The Man City ace, 30, popped the question to the 35-year-old beautician/entrepreneur during a romantic getaway after the Euros.England ace John Stones and Olivia Naylor are engagedStunning Olivia revealed the news on Instagram to her followersCredit: InstagramBusinesswoman Olivia runs her own beauty salon and has a kids’ clothing brandCredit: Instagram @olivianaylorSunSport first broke the exclusive news, which Olivia confirmed on Instagram.She captioned the post “Mrs Stones to be” alongside a wedding ring emoji.A beaming Olivia posed next to champagne, cake and flowers as she stood next to a sign reading “engaged af”.In another snap, she posed up with her pals with a celebratory cake reading “love is sweet” and strawberries covered in icing on show.Read more football newsOther cute pics on her story showed champagne glasses and candles set alight in celebration.Stones and Olivia met in 2019, after he was nursing a broken heart following a split from his longterm girlfriend.Olivia was pregnant at the time, but love soon blossomed and they couldn’t hide their happiness at the 2022 World Cup, when she was seen cheering her beau in Qatar.Then in 2023, they welcomed their own child together.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPast loveBefore he met Olivia, Stones was in a longterm relationship with childhood sweetheart Millie Savage.They grew up together in South Yorkshire and went to the same school, where they began dating from the age of 14.England’s WAGs: The Real Stars of Euro 2024 By 2017, their baby daughter was born.However, a year later Stones and Millie split and he left the family home in Manchester.Bitter Millie told The Sun that Stones got distracted with his new found fame and neglected her.She revealed: “Footballers are treated as gods and John bought into it wholeheartedly after the World Cup.”He let fame get into his head.”For footballers the rules of normal life become blurred. We are just mortals to them, but in reality it is like looking after a child who has no concept of how the real world works.”A new startStones began seeing Olivia after he moved out the home he shared with Millie.Stones was in a romance with childhood sweetheart Millie SavageCredit: Darren Fletcher – The SunAfter leaving Millie, Stones was drawn to the charms of Oliviaread more sport featuresThey reportedly met on a night out in Manchester and clicked instantly.A source told The Sun at the time: “John started seeing Olivia after he moved out of the family home.”Olivia is very pretty and is well known on the Manchester social scene.”They met during a night out after John was single. There was an instant rapport.”Olivia was pregnant at the time and they discovered they had mutual friends. They make a nice couple and seem happy.”Respectfully…In an attempt to protect their relationship from the public, Olivia and Stones kept their romance private.That was until 2022, when all eyes were on Stones and the England team at the World Cup in Qatar.Olivia was pregnant at the time she met StonesSoon, Olivia became a permanent fixture in Stones’ lifeAnd she also joined England’s Wags at international matchesCredit: RexOlivia joined Wags including Megan Pickford, Sasha Attwood, and Fern Hawkins in cheering the Three Lions on.It was the first time her love for Stones was shown to the world.She has since been seen on the pitch at the Etihad, toasting his success with Man City.A child of their ownOlivia, who also founded children’s clothing brand Moosh alongside her eyebrow specialist business, gave birth to their baby boy last year.A source told SunSport: “They’re absolutely thrilled.”They couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin the year than with the birth of their son.”He’s absolutely gorgeous and they’re so thankful.”They take nothing for granted. They both work extremely hard but it’s been lovely to spend some time together at home with the kids.Last May, Olivia joined Stones on the pitch to celebrate Man City winning the leagueCredit: InstagramOlivia is Stones’ biggest supporter on and off the pitchCredit: PANext, happy couple Stones and Olivia will have to plan their nuptialsCredit: olivianjnaylor / Instagram”Family is such an important part of their lives and they’re elated he has arrived safe and well.”READ MORE SUN STORIESNow, Stones and Olivia have a wedding to prepare.Their romance continues to go from strength to strength. More