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      in Boxing

      From reality TV to the ‘heir to the Klitschko throne’ how GB’s heavyweights fared after Delicious Orie’s Olympic exit

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      TEAM GB’S medal-laden super-heavyweight success came to a controversial end following Delicious Orie’s Olympic exit. Orie was bidding to become GB’s sixth super-heavy medalist in seven Games but he lost a disputed decision to Davit Chaloyan of Armenia. Delicious Orie was knocked out of the 2024 Paris OlympicsCredit: ReutersIt means for the first time in a decade, Team GB go without a super-heavyweight medal – with Orie now touted to turn professional.But it has yielded differing success from boxing superstardom to reality TV shows and failure to live up to heavy billing. Audley Harrison, Sydney 2000 Harrison became GB’s first super-heavyweight gold medallist in Australia and came home a hero. Promoters queued up for his pro signature and soon he signed a £1million deal with the BBC to show his first ten bouts. READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd he got off to an excellent start with 19 straight wins in five years – until he faced Danny Williams for the Commonwealth title. Williams – who had stunned and out-of-shape Mike Tyson the year prior – won the fight by split-decision. Harrison was then beaten in his very next bout by Dominick Guinn to leave his career in crisis. Audley Harrison won Olympic gold in 2000Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdIn the years following, his world title aspirations went up in smoke with inconsistent form. Most read in BoxingHe then fought David Haye in a 2010 domestic grudge bout but lost in three rounds – landing just TWO punches.A year after the infamous defeat, Harrison featured on Strictly Come Dancing – getting KOd in round seven. Harrison’s boxing career came to a sad end in 2013 losing to future heavyweight champ and star Deontay Wilder. A year later, he starred on Celebrity Big Brother alongside boxing promoter Kellie Maloney – formerly Frank. Harrison in 2016 featured on Celebrity MasterChef and now spends his time as an occasional boxing pundit and pro poker player. David Haye KOd Audley Harrison in 2010Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdHarrison went in Celebrity Big Brother in 2014Credit: GettyDavid Price, 2008 Beijing Liverpool’s 6ft 8in giant pipped a young Tyson Fury after becoming one of the only to beat the Gypsy King in the boxing ring. Price won bronze in China and turned pro with huge expectation – not helped much by future champ Tony Bellew’s prediction. Bellew told iFL TV in 2012: “David Price is the heir to the Klitschko throne.” Price, Fury and Wilder were all touted as the ones to succeed Wladimir and Vitali Klitshcko but only two of them made it. David Price won 2008 in BeijingCredit: PA:Press AssociationBecause while Fury defeated Wladimir in 2015 the same year Wilder also won the WBC belt, Price laboured behind. He was knocked out twice by Tony Thompson in 2013 – despite the American testing positive for a banned substance. Price in 2017 chased a mega-fight with Joshua and revealed he dropped a young AJ in sparring. Joshua admitted the story was true but the bout never materialised with Price further being knocked out by Christian Hammer and Alexander Povetkin. His career came to a crashing end in 2019 following defeat to Derek Chisora – with Price spending his retirement supporting his beloved Reds. Price was KOd by Alexander PovetkinCredit: ReutersAnthony Joshua, 2012 London Joshua came second in the World Championships in 2011 but ran into trouble with the law the same year. He avoided jail for drugs offences and turned his life around to qualify for the London Games – where AJ’s road to stardom began.Joshua took the gold on home soil and was quickly signed up by Eddie Hearn – at the time and up-and-coming promoter. Within four years he was heavyweight champion and one of the biggest stars in Britain. Anthony Joshua won gold at the 2012 London OlympicsCredit: PAJoshua has reigned twice as unified world champion and returns for his third crack on September 21 against Daniel Dubois. His career as a prizefighter has seen him earn over £200MILLION. Away from the ring, Joshua has sponsorship deals with Under Armour, Hugo Boss and Lucozade. And up until 2022, he was still training at Team GB’s Sheffield training HQ. Joe Joyce, 2016 Rio Joyce only began boxing at 22 after growing up as a talented track and field athletics talent. But he took to the sport well and used his huge 6ft 6in frame to win national titles and a place in the 2016 Olympic squad. And Joyce looked on the way to emulating AJ before he lost a controversial decision to France’s Tony Yoka in the final. The loss was among a series of bouts being investigated amid allegations of corrupt scoring.Joe Joyce won Olympic silver in 2016Credit: Getty Images – GettyStill, Joyce turned pro in 2017 aged 31 and raced through the ranks with a succession of big wins including against Dubois and Joseph Parker. But his career was left hanging in the balance following consecutive stoppage losses to China’s 20st giant Zhilei Zhang. Joyce did return with a laboured victory over Kash Ali before again losing to British veteran Derek Chisora. Despite the run of three defeats in four, Joyce hinted he will continue after talking down retirement. Frazer Clarke, 2021 Tokyo Clarke might have thought his Olympic dream would never come true. He first became a GB boxer in 2009 but was overlooked for Joshua in 2012 and then lost out to Joyce four years after that. Clarke – who worked security for Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing fights – eventually got called up for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. But again disaster struck as the coronavirus pandemic KOd the Games and potentially Clarke’s hopes. Frazer Clarke took bronze in 2021 in TokyoCredit: GettyClarke stuck with it and eventually made it to Japan and walked away with silver before turning pro in 2022 aged 30. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe is currently unbeaten in nine bouts and featured in one of the fights of the year in 2024. Clarke shared 12 gruelling and thrilling rounds with Fabio Wardley in March – fuelling demand for an anticipated rematch. Fabio Wardley and Clarke drew in a British classicCredit: Reuters More

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      Inside Team GB’s boxing failure in Paris with fighters controversially beaten before iconic sport VANISHES from Olympics

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      TEAM GB’s boxing team have been knocked off the podium in dramatic fashion.By Monday night, FOUR of our six fighters were already out.Team GB used to be at the top of the world boxing podiumCredit: PABut four of the nation’s six boxing hopefuls at Paris 2024 – including Delicious Orie – are already outCredit: GETTYRob McCracken’s tenure as performance director is under serious threatCredit: GETTYAnd if Lewis Richardson and Chantelle Reid cannot halt the downward trend, the value of the £12million injected into boxing for the Paris Olympic cycle will be seriously questioned.Three of the British defeats were split decisions — with the verdicts against Delicious Orie and Rosie Eccles controversial to say the least.Mike Tyson was world champion in 1996 the last time Britain left without an Olympic boxing medal.Golden duo Galal Yafai and ­Lauren Price led the way last time as GB claimed six medals in Tokyo.READ MORE OLYMPICS NEWSNicola Adams won gold in Rio with Joe Joyce denied a title by scandalous judging that later cost the IBA its job of running boxing for the IOC.There was a golden hat-trick at London 2012 through Adams, Luke Campbell and Anthony Joshua.But the path paved by amateur pioneers like Audley Harrison, Amir Khan and James DeGale has crumbled.It seems unlikely performance director Rob McCracken will remain at the helm.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut it is not British boxing that is desperate for reform — it is the entire amateur code of the sport.Boxing could be binned for 2028 in Los Angeles if a replacement body cannot be found to run the event.GB’s super-heavyweights The IBA was stripped of recognition by the IOC in 2023.That came after professor Richard McLaren reported “significant” and “rampant” manipulation of results among 77 Rio bouts the IBA oversaw.Umar Kremlev, a Russian pal of Vladimir Putin, was elected president in 2022 and promised a revolution.But a sponsorship deal with Gazprom and throwing cash around the unpaid ranks has raised alarm bells.Any talented boxer who watched the robbery Joyce suffered in 2016 or the suspiciously harsh decisions in Paris could be forgiven for ditching their own Olympic dream.Because even if Orie had got the nod over Davit Chaloyan, he looked nailed on to lose to Uzbekistan’s ­Bakhodir Jalolov — a pro with an unbeaten 14-fight record who is still allowed to clean up at amateur events.It is no surprise that British heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma, 19, and super-lightweight Adam Azim, 22, ditched the vest and headguard to make a living out of the sport.Undefeated heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma opted against pursuing Olympic goldCredit: RexAs did super-lightweight prospect Adam AzimCredit: PAAnd yet the amateur code — and the Olympics specifically — is supposed to be the sport’s pinnacle.Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko will all tell you their gold medals mean more than every belt and pound note banked since.Britain’s lack of success this week seems to say more about the state of the sport than the form of our crop.Far more worrying than a disappointing medal haul is the feeling younger stars may be better off out of amateur boxing.READ MORE SUN STORIESEspecially our women since the IOC allowed two athletes with male DNA to fight in Paris.Boxing’s toughest opponent right now is itself. More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Chelsea’s pre-season camp after Enzo Fernandez racism storm as Enzo Maresca lifts lid on clear-the-air talks

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      CHELSEA hope they have drawn a line under the Enzo Fernandez race row after he rejoined the group.The players are putting on a united front — publicly at least — and seem prepared to accept it was an incredibly foolish mistake by a young star.Maresca insists he is Chelsea are a happy campCredit: GettyEnzo Fernandez returned to Chelsea training todayCredit: GettyIt comes after Enzo Fernandez sung a racist and transphobic chant aimed at the French national teamCredit: Instagram @enzojfernandezWesley Fofana, Renato Veiga, Reece James, Josh-Kofi Acheampong, Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell train in CaliforniaCredit: GettyBut the initial reaction, as well as the fallout in Argentina and France, suggests it is something that cannot be solved with a quick chat and donation to a good cause.While most within the squad have accepted that things will be back to normal, sources claim there was still an awkward air as the group trained again for the first time.For new boss Enzo Maresca, that will have been expected and it could have been a far worse reunion.The Italian has made a concerted effort to keep spirits high.READ MORE ON CHELSEAAfter arriving in Atlanta on Saturday night following their 4-1 friendly defeat by Celtic in Ohio, the squad were treated to a sushi night in Buckhead — the area of the city where their plush hotel is based.Wandering around St Regis — where rooms start at $659, or £515, per night — there remains a happy families vibe, nothing to see here.The manager and players are moving on and the club have wound up an internal probe, with Fernandez’s donation to an anti-discrimination charity effectively seen as a fine. Yet Fifa chiefs are still investigating the video of the racist chant — which could eventually lead to an FA ban — as well as considering a legal complaint from the French Football Association.Most read in FootballWesley Fofana condemned Fernandez’s ‘uninhibited racism’Credit: GettyMaresca insists Chelsea are a happy campBy Jack RosserENZO MARESCA insists Chelsea are a happy camp  after  clear-the-air talks as Enzo Fernandez joined the squad in America.Fernandez trained with  Blues on Monday for the first time since sparking a racism storm during Copa America celebrations.The 23-year-old midfield star  filmed himself and other  Argentina players  singing a racist chant about France’s black players. Maresca, captain Reece James and French pair Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi were among a small group who met Fernandez —  before he addressed all the  team  to apologise.Fofana had previously hit out at the “uninhibited racism” displayed by the midfielder but has since deleted that social media post.Chelsea  concluded their own investigation, resulting in the player donating to an anti-discrimination charity which the club will match.Boss Maresca said: “We all feel very comfortable, very good, as Enzo is back. He had a chat  with all of us just to clarify there were no bad intentions and the lads all accepted that.“Since yesterday’s session, everything was like before in terms of they were all together, all speaking, all laughing. Normal situation.”Asked about the meeting,  Maresca added: “It was between me, Enzo, and a few players to  just clarify the situation.“There is nothing more to add. There is not any mystery behind it. We all make mistakes. We have to be good to apologise as sometimes we struggle even to apologise. Enzo apologised already four or five times.“They  all accepted it. Everyone is speaking with each other, everyone is laughing.“This is exactly what I expected because I knew there was never any bad intentions and they are all  good people. But all of us, sometimes we make mistakes.“The meeting was between Enzo, some team-mates, Wes  Fofana was there.“They spoke with each other. It is normal sometimes that  the first reaction is not always  good when they argue, the first interaction is not good.“But thinking about it a little bit, day after day, you can  understand there was not any bad intention.”Meanwhile Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta fired France to an Olympic quarter-final with Argentina on Friday.It comes less than three  weeks after Fernandez and Co’s vile chanting about the French.Mateta scored as the hosts beat New Zealand 3-0.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis is not something that will be so easily swept under the carpet.Maresca was tossed a grenade a few weeks into the job by their £106million midfield man’s behaviour.Enzo Maresca’s tactical overhaul at ChelseaFernandez posted a video of him and his Argentina team-mates singing a vile song about the French team following Copa America glory.While Maresca started on the front foot, getting players around the table with Fernandez, 23, to clear the air, the ex-Leicester boss will have to keep on top of things in the coming days and weeks.Chelsea’s pre-season tourHere is a look at Chelsea’s full tour of the USA:RESULTSChelsea 2 Wrexham 2 – July 24Chelsea 1 Celtic 4 – July 27FIXTURESChelsea vs Club America – July 31 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaChelsea vs Manchester City – August 3 – Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OhioChelsea vs Real Madrid – August 6 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North CarolinaGotham FC vs Chelsea Women – August 19 – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New JerseyChelsea Women vs Arsenal Women – August 25 – Audi Field, Washington DCDefender Levi Colwill said: “We’re a team. We moved forward together and that is what we are going to do.“Everything that has happened stays between us. I am really excited to get to work and that we have a really good season.“We all know Enzo is a good person and works well for the team.”The hope will be that, once the Premier League season is underway, the focus moves on and other things become more important.But a poor start on the pitch can easily open up any old wounds and rifts in a dressing room.Players felt Fernandez was being heartfelt when he apologised in person — following on from his public statement and personal messages over WhatsApp before flying in to join the pre-season tour.But it is hard to imagine the likes of Blues defender Wesley Fofana, who called out the “uninhibited racism” from his team-mate, will be able to move on quite so quickly.Maresca has passed his initial test by coping with the first of what will no doubt be a few crises.But, for many, there will still be a sense of wait and see around just how warmly Fernandez is welcomed back — not only by team-mates but by Chelsea fans and rival supporters, too.READ MORE SUN STORIESYou can be sure those in the away end at Stamford Bridge this season will be ready to revive this time and again across the season.Chelsea and Maresca will hope that is as far as it goes.Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi. More

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      in Boxing

      How Olympics defeat sparked Floyd Mayweather’s unbeaten pro legacy while rival’s career went wildly different direction

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER’S last-ever defeat sparked an unbeaten professional legacy – while victory left his opponent doomed. Mayweather was just 19 when he made it into the 1996 Olympic semi-finals in Atlanta against little-known Bulgarian Serafim Todorov. Floyd Mayweather famously missed out on gold at the 1996 OlympicsCredit: AP:Associated PressMayweather was left in tearsCredit: NBCThe American legend retired at 50-0Credit: ReutersAnd he looked to be on his way to the final after the referee Hamad Hafaz Shouman raised his hand following three convincing rounds. Except confusion ensued around the arena when it was in fact Todorov’s name announced as the winner – to the shock of all. Mayweather was so devastated and full of emotion that he could barely get his words out in the aftermath. Fighting back tears, he told NBC: “I feel I won that fight.” READ MORE IN BOXINGMayweather then let out a cry and walked away from the interview as he was too heartbroken to speak. That pain followed the American legend throughout his career and it ultimately proved inspirational to his unmatched 50-0 pro record. Mayweather, now 47, told ex-NFL star Shannon Sharpe: “Am I happy with my amateur career? Absolutely. “Am I happy with the bronze medal and not winning gold? Absolutely. The referee raised my hand because he thought I won. Most read in BoxingEven the referee thought Mayweather wonCredit: YouTube Todorov was left in equal shockCredit: YouTube CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”But I am glad that the fight went how it went because it made me work that much harder as a professional – not to feel that same pain again. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me.” Mayweather made his pro debut just months on from Olympic heartache while Todorov rejected lucrative deals to stay amateur. Floyd Mayweather cried on camera after 1996 Olympic final defeat Todorov – who took silver after losing the 1996 Olympic featherweight final – was locked in a dispute with the Bulgarian Boxing Federation. He even tried to switch alliances to represent Turkey in the 1997 World Championships – a year after his controversial win over Mayweather. The move was barred and Todorov refused to represent Bulgaria again – finishing his amateur boxing career in 2003. In the years since, Mayweather became boxing’s richest prizefighter of all time, topping Forbes’ rich list of the decade in 2019 with over £700MILLION made. Todorov meanwhile barely had enough to get by.He was living in a house in Peshtera, located in the southern area of Bulgaria, but he was forced to sell it to after falling on hard times.In 2015, New York Times tracked the former Olympian down and revealed he and his wife were working in sausage factories and supermarkets. And Todorov – who also turned down approaches from the Bulgarian underworld – was left to rely on £370 benefits. Serafim Todorov took a different path to MayweatherCredit: ReutersMayweather is the richest prizefighter of all timeCredit: InstagramHe is known for his extravagant lifestyleCredit: Instagram @liramsustielHe said: “I live on just a handout from the state, the money I get from the government is not enough, my family have no jobs. “It’s hard here because it is a small town and there is very little work. “I did have a bigger house in my home town, Peshtera, 20km from where I live now but I had to sell because I had no money to get by.”Mayweather caught wind of Todorov’s sad circumstances and said: “I wish him nothing but the best.”I don’t know why he didn’t become a boxing trainer because at the time when we fought, he was already a lot older than I was.”I was fighting at the elite stage at 16. I wanted to turn pro at 14, but it never happened. Five years later, I turned pro at 19. Within a year, I was a champion.”As Mayweather used the setback to greater good, Todorov took the opposite approach of self-pity. He said: “After I lost we had to stay in Atlanta for two more days to wait for our plane. I am glad that the fight went how it went because it made me work that much harder as a professional – not to feel that same pain again. Floyd Mayweather on his Olympic loss “I drowned my sorrows in alcohol and when I came back to Bulgaria, I wanted to quit boxing.”Mayweather – who has never once touched alcohol – was famed for his exhausting training sessions – and has Todorov to thank for it.He told Showtime in 2015: “I’m happy with how the result went. “I’m really happy because that made me strive and work hard to get to where I’m at today.”Mayweather officially hung up his gloves in 2017 after beating ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, 36, in a lucrative crossover clash. But even in retirement, the money continues to come in with Mayweather still boxing in exhibition bouts.His next is a rematch against the grandson of notorious New York crime boss John Gotti on August 24 in Mexico. Gotti III was disqualified last year before a brawl in the ring.READ MORE SUN STORIESTodorov on the other hand has kept a low profile although a movie about his life was said to be in the works. So it may not be the last we hear of the man who gave Mayweather his last loss.Mayweather is still boxing in exhibitions and rematches John Gotti III on August 24Credit: Rex More

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      Team GB footballer Gemma Wiseman took her own life aged 33 just days before Christmas, coroner rules

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      FORMER Team GB Olympic and England football player Gemma Wiseman took her own life, a coroner has ruled.The 33-year-old was part of the UK’s bronze medal-winning team at the 2016 World Deaf Football Championships in Italy.England football player Gemma Wiseman was found dead a week before ChristmasCredit: FacebookGemma Wiseman, left, and Laura Wiseman after winning bronze with Team GB in ItalyCredit: ArchantMrs Wiseman was found in woodland close to her home in Rackheath, near Norwich, by concerned friends who were looking for her on December 16 last year.She died at the scene, with her medical cause of death recorded as “constriction of neck structures”, Monday’s inquest in Norwich was told.Her wife, Laura Wiseman, said in a statement read by the coroner that they had “planned to go to Cornwall over Christmas”, adding: “I didn’t know what Gemma intended to do.”She said she had last seen her alive earlier that day.In a statement read to the inquest, friend Chloe Callaghan said that on December 14 Mrs Wiseman was “very quiet” and “wasn’t her usual self”.She said that in “all the years I had known Gemma”, who worked as a teaching assistant, “she had been very up and down with her mental health”.”She told me of previous dark thoughts and an attempted overdose,” said Ms Callaghan.She said Mrs Wiseman, whom she described as an “amazing mum and devoted wife”, had attempted to take her own life on December 15, the night before her death.Most read in FootballMrs Wiseman’s mother-in-law, Christine Wiseman, said in a statement read by the coroner: “To my knowledge Gemma has always suffered with her mental health since an interview she did in 2017.”She was asked about her dad, who passed away when she was five.”In a family statement, Mrs Wiseman was described as a “kindred spirit to all of us”.They said she was a “loving wife and mother – she always put other people first before herself”.”We have lots of happy memories we will treasure,” the family said.Norfolk area coroner Yvonne Blake concluded that Mrs Wiseman died by suicide.She said: “I’ve been told she was a former Team GB footballer – that’s an achievement, isn’t it?”She asked family members who attended court what position she played in, and was told she was a defender.The coroner said Mrs Wiseman was medicated for depression and anxiety, and a therapeutic level of an antidepressant was found in her blood.She said Mrs Wiseman had previously “taken overdoses”.”Her friends say her mood had dipped before her death for about a month… don’t know why but it suddenly dipped,” the coroner said.”She put it down to stresses of life, child, working.”She added that she was “very low in mood for at least a month or six weeks before she died”.She said Mrs Wiseman “seemed to have a bunch of good friends who were keen to help her and unfortunately found Gemma deceased in the woods”.After recording that Mrs Wiseman died by suicide, she told family members who attended court: “I’m very sorry – it’s such a horrible thing to have happened for all of you.”People feel so bad afterwards and tend to blame themselves.”The sad fact is if somebody is determined to do it they probably will, that’s my experience.”She added that Mrs Wiseman “obviously made an impact on people’s lives and they cared enough to say so”.She had won other medals with England and Team GB, including a bronze at the 2013 Deaflympics in Bulgaria.Gemma supported Norfolk FA’s first inclusive festival for girls and played for local clubs.In a 2021 interview with Norfolk FA, Gemma said her football idol was David Beckham.She revealed: “Girls who are not sure about playing football, you never know until you try and follow your heart.”It’s important to have the girls look up to as role models, so they can prove them wrong and be able to play the sport that they enjoy.”In 2016, footballing ace Gary Neville donated £20,000 to help the men’s and women’s deaf football teams get to the 2017 Deaflympics.The former Manchester United and England defender made the donation in response to a tweet from GB Women’s captain Claire Stancliffe.Wellwishers were distraught at Gemma’s death.One said: “Our thoughts are with you Laura and Allie.”Gemma always had such a wonderful smile and bubbly personality when we bumped in to you around Blofield.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnother wrote: “We are so sorry to hear of your loss.”You, Allie and family are in our thoughts. Lots of love.”You’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicideIt doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:Gemma was found dead a week before ChristmasCredit: Facebook More

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      in Boxing

      I came close to being victim of deadly knife crime – that’s why I’m spending £1m to stop it, Tyson Fury’s promoter says

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      TYSON Fury’s promoter Frank Warren says violent crime on UK streets could have changed his life – so he’s spending £1million to stop it.Frank’s Queensberry outfit is donating the huge sum to BoxWise, a charity which gets youngsters in the ring to keep them out of trouble.Frank Warren at the Islington Boxing Club this weekCredit: BoxWiseFrank with his star boxer Tyson FuryCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe donation will let the charity double the number of places on its ten-week programme from 1,500 to 3,000.Legendary promoter Frank announced the donation at the Islington Boxing Club – a stone’s throw from the street where he grew up.In an exclusive chat at the boxing club, Frank told The Sun: “I remember growing up here on the streets of north London.”It was really tough and life could have easily been different for me.Read More Sport”The background that I have, that a lot of these kids have, you get a lot of peer pressure to be the tough guy.”You want to do this, you want to be that. That’s what you have to take away – that’s not what it’s about.”I’ll tell you what it is about boxing. When I was a kid in Islington there were no golf clubs, no tennis clubs.”All kids from working-class backgrounds could do was go and play football or box. Those were really the two sports.Most read in Boxing”They weren’t expensive sports to play – football on the grass or on the street, boxing you’d go down to the local gym. It was easy to do.”It’s not about being tough, it’s about respect. It’s not respecting someone if on the street they’re a tough guy.”It’s about respecting each other. That’s what boxing does. We’ll have a fight this weekend. “After that fight those guys will have knocked seven bells out of each other.”But they’ll have their arms around each other – that’s respect. That’s come about from working in the gym.”The son of a bookie, Frank grew up in Islington and started out as an unlicensed fixer promoting his second cousin Lenny McLean.Since then, he has managed or promoted the likes of Prince Naseem, Frank Bruno, Tyson Fury, Chris Eubank, Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton.He said: “Professional boxers are very important as role models. Kids look up to them and aspire to have their success. “The thing is with boxers, most of them are approachable.”Unfortunately in this day and age, you have to go through God knows how many people to speak with footballers.”When I was a kid, you’d stand outside the Arsenal and get autographs. They don’t do that any more.”But boxers are quite approachable. They come from the local area so they know people and people can see them and buy into them.”WARREN P’sQueensberry is donating £1million to BoxWise to boost its efforts to combat gang and knife crime in some of Britain’s poorest areas.The charity puts disadvantaged youngsters through a 10-week boxing programme at gyms up and down the country.Queensberry’s donation will let BoxWise double the spaces on the programme to 3,000.Frank will also join the charity’s new development board as its chairman.He said: “We have terrible knife crime and other problems due to the lack of respect that people have towards each other.”We’re obviously in the boxing business and BoxWise do a lot of brilliant things for the community and for boxing.”These kids been excluded or have been referred by the police or their teachers. If they weren’t here, they’d be out on the streets.”They’ve brought them through a programme that has changed their lifestyles, how they behave and the way they interact.”The way they interact with people, the way they work as a team, the attitude they have to their bodies with obesity and keeping fit. “Working together from different ethnic backgrounds. All these things – they’re all massive big pluses. It’s all tick, tick, tick.”Why would anybody not want to get involved? We’re blessed and privileged at Queensberry to be able to do this.”The thing is with boxers, most of them are approachableFrank WarrenFrank added: “The fact we’re launching it in Islington where I come from adds a bit of spice to it.”But this is being rolled out all over the country. BoxWise can now double the spaces they have for kids in the future.”People are giving their time up to do this. The adults, the coaches, it’s amazing what they do. “The boxing clubs are part of the community, and they deserve the support of the community.”If you want to talk about crime and doing things, start at the bottom. “What BoxWise does is just a revelation – for these kids it’s a revelation.”We’ll double the spaces to 3,000. We’ll make it happen, it’s a fact of life. “And then we want to get it from 3,000 to 30,000. Seriously, that’s what it’s about. “All over Britain. Kids should have opportunities – if you want better citizens, then raise them as better citizens.”Frank joked that if any of the youngsters at the Islington Boxing Club fancy their chances as a pro, they now know where to come.But he said: “The boxer of the future could be over there right now, and God bless them if they are. “But it’s not for me about being a boxer, it’s about the training. It’s about learning about your body.”Obesity is a big problem in this country – they’ll be learning about nutrition. The whole programme is great.”LET ME BE FRANKBoxWise’s Rick Ogden said Frank’s donation will make a “huge difference” to thousands of young people.Rick told The Sun: “It’s amazing. We’ve actually secured £3million in funding “Queensberry has pledged £1million, and its donation has been matched.”With this additional funding, we’re going to be able to double that straight away to more than 3,000 young people.”It’s not just about the money, it’s about the influence that Queensberry bring. “Everything from the ambassadors to the annual fundraising event to draw in more money.”For any charity to be able to tap into that huge level of expertise is really powerful.”The thing with BoxWise is the opportunity we offer at the end of the ten-week programme. “We pay for young people to take on further education or employment courses.”For any young person you’ll have an outcome after ten weeks, but what’s the long term outcome? “They will change so much, but they will still need that support after ten weeks.”Rick added: “I really hope that one of the things Frank will bring is being to open some of those doors within the sport as a whole.”Whether those young people want to carry on boxing, get into coaching or start volunteering in their local communities.READ MORE SUN STORIES”If we’re bringing thousands of young people through the programme each year, there’s going to be some serious undiscovered talent. “Could the boxer of the future be here? Never say never. It’s absolutely possible.” More

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      Moses Itauma puts on ‘best British boxing performance of the year’ with brutal stoppage of Mariusz Wach

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      MOSES ITAUMA snatched the first serious scalp of his career with a ruthless second-round stoppage of a giant more than twice his age.Mariusz Wach – now a tired 44 – took Wladimir Klitschko the distance in 2012 and later did the same to Hughie Fury, Dillian Whyte and Frazer Clarke.Moses Itauma stopped Mariusz Wach in two roundsCredit: PAItauma knocked down WachCredit: PABut the 6ft 7in Viking Pole was peppered and pillaged by the 19-year-old Kent prodigy inside six one-sided minutes – the quickest Wach has EVER been beaten. Itauma said: “I don’t want to badmouth anyone but Wach was known for taking people the distance.“The earliest I think he was ever stopped was around six rounds but I have done him in two, so it is a statement.“He has been in there with the likes of Klitschko and Dillian Whyte and they have not done that to him.READ MORE IN BOXING“It lets the heavyweight division know I am here, I am only 19 but come on.“But I want to say thank you to Mariusz because nobody else wanted to take the fight.”Itauma, who only turned 19 in December, feinted and jabbed with skill and sense beyond his years in the opener, sussing out his veteran prey.But in the second round he zoomed up the gears, dropped Wach with a series of spiteful whacks and forced the referee to jump in before a case for abuse of the elderly could be launched.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Chatham ace backed the battered visitor into a neutral corner and unleashed a volley of shots into his flabby torso and ponytailed head.And, when ref Michael Alexander halted the abuse, the Brit prospect poked his baby face through the ropes and grinned into the crowd that was roaring at his latest masterclass in measured savagery.Former world champion and commentator Carl Froch hailed it as one of Britain’s best boxing performances of the year. And Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren warned Frazer Clarke that he is there intended next victim. Itauma celebrates with his WBO beltCredit: Getty More

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      Derek Chisora’s nephew, 22, won’t let tragedy stop him making boxing debut alongside uncle on Joe Joyce undercard

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      DEREK CHISORA and his nephew witnessed British boxing’s latest tragedy from ringside but will still fight together on Saturday night. In May, at the Harrow leisure centre, 29-year-old Sherif Lawal lost his life after suffering a brutal knockout in his professional debut.Derek Chisora has been in brilliant and bloody battles to secure better lives for his little girlsCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunSherif Lawal sadly died after losing his professional boxing debut in Harrow, LondonCredit: Philip SharkeyHampstead warhorse Chisora, 40, was ringside with 22-year-old Jermaine Dhliwayo when the tragedy struck, as the prospect and Lawal shared their St Pancras amateur gym.And on Saturday night Dhliwayo – an electrical apprentice – will make his own professional bow after a frank talk with his uncle, a no-nonsense veteran of 47 punishing pro fights.“I haven’t talked to him about it,” Chisora tried to tell SunSport ahead of his Saturday shootout with Joe Joyce. “I am nobody’s therapist!“I went to the hospital and I spoke to the British Boxing Board of Control, I went to visit the boy’s family and spoke to his mother.Read more in Boxing“I spoke to my nephew about it briefly, I asked him if he still wanted to fight, after seeing that.“He said he did so I told him ‘cool, go and do your thing’.“Formula 1 drivers go 200mph, they crash and they blow up.“We just love the game, it’s hard but we love it. I won’t lie to you, we love the game.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnyone who loves the game will love Chisora, he has taken on almost every dangerous giant of his era.After foreign robberies against the likes of Robert Helenius and Kubrat Pulev – and violent stoppage losses against David Haye, Dillian Whyte and Tyson Fury – fight fans are rightfully worried about the fearless veteran.Moment Derek Chisora HEADBUTTS Deliveroo rider as row erupts outside restaurantThe Zimbabwe-born wildman – who used to kiss, slap, spit on and throw tables at rivals – is now a dedicated father of two daughters.And we are all starting to fear for his health and safety, especially in later life when he should be enjoying his retirement with Angelina and Harare.But the showman – who has bravely taken world champions Vitali Klitschko and Fury the distance in valiant losses – tells us NOT to worry about the price he has paid but more the lifestyle he has earned for his family.“Do not worry about me,” he said in an emotional chat. “Nobody anywhere needs to worry about me.“I am the last person in the world anyone needs to worry about.“Trust me, I am fine.“I know what I am doing, I know what I have done, I know where I will end up.“I prefer to keep my eye on everyone else.“I have put my girls through private schools, I have given them the best lives I could have wished for.”And what else is there to do after boxing? “You see all the great guys who finish boxing – maybe a bit too early – they end up depressed and they try to heal their depression with drink and drugs. “You have to be ready to walk away, you have to have a plan for afterwards and I am not ready yet. When I am ready you will know it.”Deliveroo headbuttChisora hit the headlines two weeks out from his Joyce battle for appearing to headbutt a Deliveroo driver in the street after an argument.Footage shared on social media suggests he acted in self defence after the fast-food rider threw the first punches.And SunSport understands Del Boy was angered that the electric bike was trying to zoom past children and pet dogs enjoying lunch on a narrow pedestrianised walkway.It was a rare reminder of his old days as the bad boy of British boxing and he insists having two little girls – who witnessed the fracas – to provide for and protect has helped to tame him.He explained: “I try to behave very well around my daughters at home, so they learn to behave that way outside of the home.“My daughters have grown up to become very kind, really kind. But they are vicious as well!”They have taken their kindness from their mum, they’re understanding and sharing and very calm. “They don’t have any violence in their lives. They are very good girls.“Having girls made me softer. But the beast in me is still there, when that switch goes, it goes.”Last danceChisora claims he will hang up his gloves after his 50th bout. After Joyce there will be a final trip to Manchester and his last dance will hopefully be back in Zimbabwe.It’s probably a few fights too late for Chisora to go out on a high but he will be sorely missed after giving everything to the sport.And despite his occasional madness, controversial comments, Nigel Farage friendship and trademark red MAGA hat, Chisora doesn’t seem to be leaving the hurt business with a single serious enemy.“I love everybody,” he said sincerely. “We are all somebody’s son. I don’t need aggro with anyone.READ MORE SUN STORIES“After a fight we go to see each other, we hug, we meet our families and that’s it.“Everyone is my friend, I have no beef with anybody. But, when it is fight time, I go.”Veteran fighter Chisora had an altercation with a fast food courier in HamsteadCredit: YouTube/CityBanterDel Boy struck up an unlikely friendship with politician Nigel FarageCredit: ReutersChisora also likes to wear a bright red hat with Donald Trump’s favourite mantra on the front More