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      in Soccer

      Meet the stunning Europa League Wags cheering on Man Utd & Tottenham… from a glam doctor to Molly-Mae’s bestie

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      WITH 80,000 fans heading to Bilbao and millions more glued to TV sets, the Europa League final is one of the biggest sporting events of the year.And there’s plenty at stake as Tottenham face off against Manchester United tonight in the much anticipated match.Famous WAG Fern Hawkins is married to Harry MaguireCredit: GettyMan Utd’s Diogo Dalot proposed to his stunning girlfriend Claudia Pinto LopesCredit: Instagram / @diogodalotThe winning team could receive up to £54.4million and will earn a place in the Champions League for next season.It’s a dream ticket for the victorious team, and they’ll be cheered on all the way by their glamorous wives and girlfriends.The supporting stars are a talented bunch themselves and have proved to be true keepers in the lads’ lives. BETTING OFFER – GET EITHER TEAM TO WIN THE EUROPA LEAGUE AT 40/1READ MORE SPORT We take a look at some of the stunning Manchester United and Spurs WAGs who might make you take your eye off the ball – from a star philanthropist to the daughter of a mayor.MANCHESTER UNITEDClaudia Pinto and Diogo Dalot The couple have been dating since 2020Credit: Instagram/ClaudiaspintolopesClaudia posts her lavish WAG lifestyle on her social mediaCredit: Instagram/laudiaspintolopesClaudia Pinto, 25, is engaged to Portugese full-back Diogo Dalot, 26, and they have a one-year-old daughter. The pair, who have been dating since 2020, regularly post loved-up snaps on social media. Claudia joined Dalot in Italy when he spent a year with AC Milan during 2020.Most read in FootballEarlier this month she posted snaps from her glamorous hen party online. The WAG appears to live the life of luxury and keeps fans up to date with her regular outfit and make-up Instagram posts. Fern Hawkins and Harry MaguireFern and Harry tied the knot in 2022Credit: InstagramFern now owns her own businessCredit: InstagramHarry Maguire slow dances with wife Fern Hawkins at lavish wedding Science graduate and former physiotherapist Fern has been married to Harry since 2022 but they met when they were just 18 years old. The pair have two daughters, Lillie Saint Maguire, six, and Piper Rose, four. Last year entrepreneur Fern decided to open her own florist. She targeted the celebrity party market and even named her business venture after her daughters – The Saint Rose Floristry. Loyal Fern, 30, previously spoke out in support of her husband, 32, after he was arrested in Mykonos following a drunken bust-up outside a nightclub in August 2020.She slammed “lying” Greek cops for trying to ruin the Man United defender’s “reputation”. Melanie Kamayou and Andre Onana Melanie Kamayou is a pharmacist doctorCredit: instagram @ melaniekamayouMelanie first started dating Andre in 2019Credit: instagram @ melaniekamayouMelanie Kamayou, 29, is a pharmacist doctor and businesswoman, acting as co-chair of the Andre Onana Foundation. Melanie and goalkeeper Andre Onana, 29, married in 2023 after first being spotted together in 2019. She was left devastated after being robbed of her £62,000 Hermes Birkin bag and a Rolex watch outside a restaurant in Alderley Edge, Cheshire earlier this year. The pair still look loved-up and support each other on and off the pitch, with Melanie travelling across four different countries to watch Onana play.The social media star and model has been in the stands supporting Onana at Ajax in the Netherlands, Inter Milan in Italy, Manchester United and away on international duty for Cameroon.Anouska Santos and Luke ShawAnouska Santos is close friends with Love Island star Molly-MaeCredit: Getty ImagesThe pair typically keep their relationship privateCredit: Instagram @anouskasantosAnouska Santos, 28, owns an accessories brand, Treats Studios, and is good friends with influencer and former Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague. While Anouska is a familiar face among the Premier League WAGs, she and boyfriend Luke Shaw keep a very private relationship but have been posting together on social media since 2017. The pair have three children – a boy, four, and two girls, one and two. Anouska recently jetted to Germany to support England star Luke, 29, and fans were quick to compliment her flawless outfit. Maja Nilsson and Victor Lindelof Maja has been dubbed the Premier League’s hottest WAGCredit: Instagram/majanilssonlindelofMaja is a popular Instagram modelCredit: Instagram/majanilssonlindelofThe pair got married in 2018Credit: Instagram/majanilssonlindelofMaja Nilsson, 25, and Swedish defender Victor Lindelof, 30, tied the knot in 2018 and Maja has since been dubbed the Premier League’s hottest Wag, with fans calling her the “finest of the finest”. Maja is a keen influencer and fashion entrepreneur, with more than 250,000 followers on Instagram.She recently starred on the cover of a glossy magazine and showed off her flawless bump as she is currently pregnant with the pair’s third child. Sadly the family experienced a horrific break-in during 2022 and Maja was forced to lock herself and her children in a room after intruders broke into their home. Anna Mariana and Casemiro Anna has two children with her football crazy husbandCredit: Instagram/annamarianacasemiroAnna Mariana is a makeup artistCredit: Instagram/annamarianacasemiroCasemiro plays for Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyAnna Mariana Casemiro, 35, is a Brazilian makeup artist and shares two children with the United midfielder. It was rumoured in 2023 that Casemiro had been cheating on his wife for years, but Anna hit back on social media. She said: “Oh man, really? Best to investigate your sources first, I just look around and know it’s not him.”The pair got together in 2011 and tied the knot three years later.Anna made headlines last year for defending her husband on Instagram after his performance during a clash against Liverpool was criticised. She swiftly posted a picture of Casemiro’s trophy cabinet – reminding fans of his talents. Ana Pinho and Bruno Fernandes Ana Pinho and United captain Bruno Fernandes met when they were teensCredit: Instagram/anaapinho_Ana stuns fans in her bikiniCredit: Instagram/anaapinho_Ana and United captain Bruno, both 30, are childhood sweethearts and got together at just 17 years old. Bruno has since revealed that Ana used to pay for the pair’s dates as he was broke as a teenager. He wrote online: “Ana has been with me on this ride since we were 16, 17, 18 years old.“We met as teenagers, and when we first started dating, I wasn’t making any money as a footballer, and she had a nice job working as a futsal referee on the weekends.”The couple met in their hometown of Boavista and they share a daughter, seven, and a son, four.Sabrina Kvist Jensen and Christian EriksenThe loved up couple at the 2023 Laureus World Sport AwardsCredit: GettyChristian Eriksen and Sabrina Kvist Jensen with their son AlfieCredit: chriseriksen8/InstagramTrained hairdresser Sabrina has been in a relationship with midfielder Christian since 2016 and they have a young son called Alfie. Sabrina worked for a clothing company when they first moved to the UK. The Danish couple prefer to keep a low profile, but Christian has previously spoken out about how tricky life on the go is for his girlfriend. He said: “You have to learn how to cope physically and mentally, but I can handle the pressure and the demands because I live seven days a week for my job.“That is very tough for my girlfriend. Of course, I would like to go out in the city with her and friends, but it just doesn’t fit in with playing in England.”In June 2021, Christian collapsed on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 game against Finland. Distraught Sabrina thought he had died and leapt over the barriers to run to his side. She was comforted by Leicester City’s Kaspar Schmeichel who made a beeline for her.Kaspar’s dad Peter said: “He said that Christian is breathing. She actually thought that he’d passed away, and just to confirm that (he was breathing) he went back to be absolutely sure that he wasn’t saying anything that was out of order.”Eva Garcia and Alejandro GarnachoEve is a Spanish influencerCredit: Instagram/evagarciaThe pair have a young son togetherCredit: GettyPopular influencer Eva, 20, has over 600,000 followers on Instagram and has been with Argentinian winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, since 2021. The pair are both from Spain and share a young son, Enzo, and Eva is also a co-owner of a jewellery store. Rumours flew when Eva allegedly unfollowed her partner on Instagram last year after she gave birth, but the pair have recently been posting snaps of their happy family. TOTTENHAM HOTSPURSKennedy Alexa and James Maddison Kennedy is a supportive girlfriend of the star footballerCredit: instagram @kennedyalexaKennedy is a modelCredit: InstagramKennedy and James have been together for five yearsCredit: InstagramKennedy, 30, and Spurs midfielder James, 28, are parents to three young children and have been together for five years. The English-American model has a keen fan base with whom she regularly shares stunning outfit posts on social media. The pair went public with their relationship in 2020 but tend to keep it on the down-low. Kennedy gave birth to twins in 2023 and was later championed by mums online for showing off her stretch marks. Mackenzie Medlock and Lucas Bergvall Mackenzie Medlock and Lucas Bergvall on the model’s InstagramCredit: Instagram/mackenzie.medlockThe Swedish influencer is new to the public eyeCredit: Instagram/mackenzie.medlockSwedish social media influencer Mackenzie has over 20,000 followers on Instagram and loves sharing their luxe lifestyle on social media.The teen couple are fairly new to the public eye and Mackenzie had to turn off comments on her Instagram last year, after Barcelona fans got angry due to Lucas turning down the Catalan club.Lucas, 19, plays as a midfielder for Spurs. Karen Romero and Cristian Romero Cristian and Karen Romero with their sonCredit: Instagram @cutiromero2The pair met in 2018Karen, 25, is from Argentina and has worked as a human resources manager. Unlike other WAGs, her social media is private. She met Argentinian centre-back Cristian Romero, 27, in 2018 and they have two children, Lucy and Valentino. Cristian shared an adorable video in 2023 which showed him jokingly teaching his young son football, with fans going wild for the rare glimpse at their family life. Ioana Stan and Radu DragusinIoana and Radu have been dating since 2020Credit: Instagram/ioanastan_Ioana Stan sharing her fashion look onlineCredit: Instagram/ioanastan_Radu Dragusin of Tottenham HotspurCredit: GettyArchitecture student Ioana regularly shares romantic snaps online with her footballer boyfriend Radu Dragusin, 23. She too is from Romania and is the daughter of Gabriel Stan, the former deputy mayor of Constanta in the country. The pair have reportedly been dating since 2020, and Ioana has moved to England with Radu while he plays for the north London club.Indira Ampiot and Mathy Tel Fans have gone crazy for the French pair’s relationshipCredit: Instagram/indira.ampiotIndira is a beauty pageant queenCredit: GettyMathys Tel of Tottenham Hotspur in action in MayCredit: GettyFrench beauty queen Indira, 20, has been dating 19-year-old forward Mathys Tel, 20, since December 2024. Indira was crowned Miss France in 2023 and went on to compete in Miss Universe the following year. Read More on The SunShe also has a degree in communications and the blossoming love story has caught the attention of fans online. Mathys Tel is also from France and is on loan from Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. He plays for the French U21 national team.  More

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      in Boxing

      Mike Balogun is the former NFL star who knocked out the son of a heavyweight legend and now faces Brit star Moses Itauma

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      MIKE BALOGUN is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxer daring to take out feared Brit Moses Itauma. Itauma is only 20 years old and 11 bouts into his professional career but has struck fear into the division with nine brutal knockouts. Mike Balogun is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxerCredit: GettyTrey Lippe McKenzie, son of ex-champ Tommy, and BalogunCredit: GettyBalogun faces Moses ItaumaCredit: GettyHe has even been dubbed the next Mike Tyson – who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time aged 20. Finding willing opponents to put their reputation on the line against the youngster from London has proved to be Itauma’s toughest fight so far. But stepping up this Saturday in Scotland on Josh Taylor’s undercard is southpaw Balogun. The 6ft 1in American first made his name in the NFL, playing for the likes of the San Francisco 49ers, the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut his career as a linebacker came to an end in 2012 – by that time he had already trained in boxing as part of his American football regime. It was only after being released by the Virginia Destroyers that Balogun decided to cross over to professional boxing. He made his debut in 2014 and his career transformation was underway. Balogun’s biggest win to date came in 2021 when he knocked out Trey Lippe Morrison – son of the late former world champion Tommy. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 41-year-old suffered his first and only defeat in 2023 to Murat Gassiev – who lost his cruiserweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk five years earlier. Balogun will come to the UK with nothing to lose meanwhile Itauma is tipped for greatness. Moses Itauma, 20, lined up for sensational world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk this yearHis promoter Frank Warren has already warned not to rule out a world title fight in the future with Usyk, 38. Meanwhile Martin Bakole, 31, and Filip Hrgovic, 32, are two others on Itauma’s radar. Warren told BoxNation: “Billy Nelson (trainer of Bakole) sent me a text about him making the fight at the end of the year or next year.“Moses is not sitting around waiting for him, is he? He’s gonna get on with his business and who knows, I would expect by the end of this year for Moses to have at least another three fights. “I haven’t got to drum up Bakole in my job, I’m in the Moses Itauma business and that’s all I care about.  “I think that’s [Itauma and Hrgovic] also a good fight to make. I wouldn’t have a problem doing that sometime this year.”Itauma is tipped for greatness in the heavyweight divisionCredit: PA More

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      in Boxing

      Josh Taylor open to exhibition with returning Manny Pacquiao, 46, having named his late DOG after boxing great

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      JOSH TAYLOR is open to sharing the ring with Manny Pacquiao – having named his late DOG after the boxing hero. The Filipino great is on the verge of announcing a shock comeback aged 46 to fight WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios. Josh Taylor with his his late dog MannyTaylor got his dog tattooed on him following Manny’s passingManny Pacquiao is back in training for a comebackPacquiao was once a dream bout for Taylor – who named his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier after PacMan. Sadly, Taylor’s Staffie passed away in 2020 but he commemorated his beloved dog with a tattoo on his thigh. And he would also be ready to honour Pacquiao in the form of an exhibition bout. Taylor told The Herald: “Listen, I would absolutely give my left foot to share a ring with my hero. It would be absolutely amazing. READ MORE IN BOXING”But as a competitive fight, I don’t think I would want it. What’s in it really for me is a lose-lose. “If I go in there and I win, I’ve beaten up a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao. Or if I go in there and I lose, I’ve lost to a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao. “So, it’s a lose-lose situation. But in terms of just going in there and doing an exhibition, just sharing the same ring with my hero, would be absolutely fantastic.”Pacquiao retired in 2021 after defeat to Yordenis Ugas but following a failed presidential campaign in the Philippines he is returning to boxing. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd he was controversially slotted fifth in the WBC rankings – despite not winning a fight for six years. Taylor also now moves up to welterweight after dropping his 140lb WBO title to Teofimo Lopez in 2023 before losing his rematch to Jack Catterall last May. Josh Taylor reveals his toughest ever fight that left him peeing BLOOD for five days and unable to walkThe Scot faces former British champion Ekow Essuman, 36, up at 147lb on Saturday in Glasgow with the WBO European belt at stake. Taylor said: “It’s good because it gives me a title, which then gives me a ranking on the world scene. “But at this point in my career I’m just thinking one fight at a time. I made that mistake in the lead-up to the [first] Jack Catterall fight, looking at what was going to be after it. “And I almost paid the price for it. So I’m not making that mistake again. I know there won’t be a shortage of options moving up and moving forward at welterweight.“I’m only 34. I didn’t turn pro until I was 25, you know? So it’s not like I’ve been pro since I was 16 or 17 and been in loads and loads of wars. I’m still fresh.”Taylor steps up to welterweight to fight Ekow EssumanCredit: Queensberry Promotions More

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      in Boxing

      Nino Benvenuti dead at 87: Two-weight undisputed world champion and Olympic gold medallist passes away

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      BOXING great Nino Benvenuti has died at the age of 87.Benvenuti, widely considered as Italy’s greatest ever fighter, became world champion in two weight classes and won three world titles.Italian boxing legend Nino Benvenuti has died at the age of 87Benvenuti became world champion in two classes, light middleweight and middleweightBenvenuti held the undisputed super-welterweight championship from June 1965 to June 1966.He also held the undisputed middleweight championship twice, from April to September 1967, and from March 1968 to November 1970. He boasted a stunning record of 82 wins, including 35 knockouts, seven losses and one draw in his 90 professional boxing bouts.His three world title fights against Emile Griffith in 1967 and 1968 were epic battles.READ MORE BOXING NEWSBut Benvenuti’s amateur career was equally ground-breaking, losing just ONE of his 120 matches.The pinnacle of his amateur career came when he won Olympic gold at the Rome 1960 Games in the welterweight category, also receiving the prestigious Val Barker Trophy for boxing style. As an amateur, he won the Italian welterweight title from 1956 to 1960 and the European title in 1957 and 1959. Turning professional in 1961, Benvenuti eventually won the light-middleweight world championship in 1965 in front of a 40,000 crowd in Milan’s San Siro Stadium.Most read in BoxingBenvenuti lost just ONE of his 120 amateur matchesIn 1968, Benvenuti was named “Fighter of the Year” by Ring Magazine, the only Italian to receive this honour. In 1992, the Orthodox fighter became the first Italian to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.Although never holding U.S. citizenship, he was also admitted to the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements on American soil. He lost his last three fights, including two knockout defeats to Carlos Monzon.After retiring from the ring, Benvenuti’s movie star looks landed him a job in show business.He appeared in several Italian films such as “Vivi o preferibilmente morti” (1969) and “Mark il poliziotto spara per primo” (1975). He also worked as a sports commentator for RAI Italia and, since 1979, was registered with the Journalists’ Association.Benvenuti’s wife Nadì Bertorello died at the age of 75 after a short illness in January 2023. Benvenuti’s movie star looks landed him a job in show business after he retired from boxingBenvenuti’s stunning pro record in 90 fightsWins: 82Knockouts: 35Losses: SevenDraws: One More

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      in Boxing

      Moses Itauma, 20, lined up for sensational world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk this year

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      FRANK WARREN warned not to rule out Moses Itauma fighting Oleksandr Usyk for the heavyweight title this year.Itauma has set the British boxing scene alight in just after just 11 bouts – delivering nine brutal knockouts. Moses Itauma could fight Oleksandr Usyk for the heavyweight title this yearCredit: PAUsyk only has two fights left in his careerCredit: GettyHe has even been dubbed the next Mike Tyson – who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time aged 20. And Itauma’s promoter Warren has not ruled out the 20-year-old Londoner fighting for the world title or against Usyk in 2025.Warren told Sky Sports: “I think he could fight for a world title this year. Who knows? He may fight him [Usyk] this year. Anything’s possible. “We’ve got to see what happens but the thing is with Moses, I think within another fight or two he’s quite capable of being in exactly the same company as all these guys.READ MORE IN BOXING”He can be up there with all of them.”Usyk, 38, faces Daniel Dubois, 27, on July 19 at Wembley two years after beating him in Poland but only after low-blow controversy. The Ukrainian hopes to add to doubles over Tyson Fury, 36, and Anthony Joshua, 35, and warned he only had two fights left in his career. Itauma meanwhile knocked out Demsey McKean with a savage left hand in December and now returns on Saturday against American Mike Balogun.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWarren said: “His last fight was a phenomenal performance. He was briefly in the ring but it’s not just the knockout, it’s how you do it.”He’s got an excellent boxing brain, he’s got a superb jab. He measures his punches. Moses Itauma ‘could beat’ Mike Tyson’s youngest heavyweight champ record after impressive first round KO of Demsey McKean”Especially young guys, when they’ve got someone in trouble they swarm them, they don’t get their distance. “He takes his time. He measures his shots before he throws them. He gets it dead on.”What is there not to like about him? He’s an exciting fighter.”Itauma knocked out Demsey McKean in his last fightCredit: Reuters More

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      in Soccer

      Lamine Yamal set to land Messi’s No10 shirt after signing generational new Barcelona deal with €1billion release clause

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      LAMINE YAMAL will reportedly inherit Lionel Messi’s iconic No 10 shirt at Barcelona after signing a generational deal this summer.The 17-year-old has emerged as a Ballon d’Or front-runner and is widely viewed as the game’s biggest talent since Messi burst onto the scene almost 20 years ago.Lamine Yamal will reportedly inherit Lionel Messi’s iconic No 10 shirt when he signs a new deal this summerMessi famously wore the No 10 jersey for the majority of his iconic Barcelona careerMessi wore the No 10 for 13 years, winning seven of his eight Ballon d’Ors in that timeYamal was considered the heir to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi when he came the youngest player to start a Euros final with Spain.And Yamal, who has already provided 25 goals and 34 assists in 105 appearances for Barca, will celebrate his 18th birthday in July by signing a new long-term contract.According to Memorabilia1899.co, the Catalan club will include a €1billion (£841million) release clause in the once in a lifetime deal.Yamal, who still wears braces, will also be handed the iconic No 10 shirt, which is worn by Ansu Fati at the moment.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFati was termed as the original heir to Messi, but injuries and a lack of form has left him facing an exit this summer.Yamal currently holds the No. 19 jersey, which was also the number worn by fellow former La Masia product Messi before he switched in 2008.The changeover will mark another historic moment in Yamal’s young career, after he made his Barca debut two years ago when he was only 15.Since then, he has won LaLiga twice and provided 43 goal contributions in 54 games for Barca’s domestic treble this season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe stats show Yamal’s trajectory since his debut aged 15 years and 290 days is rising faster than that of either Messi or the other superstar of his generation, Cristiano Ronaldo.By 17, Messi had scored once in nine senior games for Barca, while Ronaldo had netted five goals in 19 games for Sporting.’Absolute cinema’ – Kate Abdo dubbed ‘real talent’ after showing off incredible Spanish in Lamine Yamal interviewYamal also has four goals in his 19 appearances for Spain. Neither Messi or Ronaldo made their international debut until they turned 18.It took Messi, who made his debut at 16, until shortly before his 21st birthday to hit the 100-game mark in Barcelona colours, scoring 41 goals in the process.Before bagging an incredible screamer in Barca’s 3-3 Champions League draw on his 100th appearance, Yamal said: “I don’t compare myself to anyone, and much less with Messi.”So I don’t think the comparison makes sense, with Messi even less, I’m going to enjoy myself and be myself.”Remarkably, there are pictures of baby Yamal being held by a 20-year-old Messi during a photoshoot for Barcelona and Unicef in 2007.Seven years later, that baby was training with the club. By the age of 12, Spanish publication Marca was already comparing him to Messi.The Argentine icon finished his Barcelona career in 2021 with a staggering 672 goals in 778 appearances, plus 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League triumphs to his name.Messi held baby Lamine Yamal for Unicef in 2007 More

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      in Boxing

      Ekow Essuman is the former basketball hopeful turned boxing champ looking to spoil Josh Taylor’s big comeback

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      EKOW ESSUMAN has had a slam dunk boxing career after leaving behind his hopes of being a basketball star. Essuman came to the UK from Botswana aged 11 and immigrated with a passion for sports. Ekow Essuman swapped basketball for footballCredit: GettyHe started playing basketball while at school and only began boxing in a bid to better his chances on the court. Essuman told Fight Post: “When I eventually moved to the UK, I got into football and then basketball and I was doing really well at basketball. “One season I went to some try-outs for a big team locally and I didn’t get in because I wasn’t fit enough. “They wanted me to be more ambidextrous. It really got to me and I wanted to better myself, get fitter and come back stronger for the next season. READ MORE IN BOXINGI gave it a go and my first session, I had two left feet and struggled with the bag.”I slowly got into it and it got to the point where I thought ‘I’ll have one bout’ and I just caught the bug.”Before long, Essuman was competing in national finals after only starting boxing at 17 and even earned himself a place on the GB squad. That was all while studying for a Marketing, Design and Communications degree at Nottingham Trent University.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe said: “It was initially just juggling the two. I’d take my uni work with me to camp and do it while between the training sessions and at night when we were meant to be resting. “Shortly after uni, I became a junior web developer for the A.G.A group. Josh Taylor reveals his toughest ever fight that left him peeing BLOOD for five days and unable to walk”I was working on up to 40 websites for them at the time, in different countries, in different languages as well. I was doing that whilst at GB. “But eventually when I got offered the podium spot, I had to put that to one side, as I was spending a lot of time with GB on camp, so I wouldn’t have been able to work from home in regards to web design.”Essuman eventually turned professional in 2016 with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren. And over nine years and 22 bouts, he has become one of the best welterweights in the country with British and Commonwealth titles to his name. Essuman suffered defeat for the first time in 2023 – losing a decision to Harry Scarff – but he has since returned with two wins since. Now he welcomes former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor to the 147lb division this Saturday in Scotland. I gave it a go and my first session, I had two left feet and struggled with the bag. I slowly got into it and it got to the point where I thought ‘I’ll have one bout’ and I just caught the bug.Ekow EssumanAnd the two know each other well from their time in the GB set up in Sheffield.Essuman told Ring Magazine: “To be honest, I personally touted him as one of the higher talents on GB whilst I was there so I always had respect for him.”I was always just shooting from the hip of him, just being really honest and whatnot. “We’ve talked a few times as pros, just about matches we’d had and stuff like that, and the respect was always there. “He knows I respect him. I’ve been training hard for it because I know he’s going to pose a hard puzzle to solve but I am going to solve it.” Taylor was beaten by Teofimo Lopez in 2023 and then suffered defeat in his rematch with Jack Catterall last May. Read More on The SunAnd his career could be on the line when he returns up in weight. Essuman said: “Regardless of if he has the answers or not, he will come apart because I’m not going to let anything else happen but that.”Josh Taylor steps up to welterweight to fight EssumanCredit: Queensberry Promotions More

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      in Soccer

      My dad is a former undercover agent and TV star who’ll be cheering me on in Europa League final, says Tottenham star

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      MICKY VAN DE VEN is out to crack the case of Tottenham’s trophy drought — with the support of his detective dad.The Dutch defender will have his old man watching him in Bilbao as Spurs look to end 17 years without silverware by beating Manchester United in tomorrow’s Europa League final.Micky van de Ven is out to end Tottenham’s trophy droughtCredit: PAVan De Ven’s dad Marcel is former detective and TV star in the NetherlandsCredit: Twitter @ESPNUKThe Dutchman was written off as a teenager at VolendamCredit: GettyMarcel van de Ven is a former undercover agent who later became famous on the Dutch version of TV show Hunted.Despite Van de Ven Sr’s busy schedule fighting crime, somehow he still had time to go to all of his son’s matches right from youth level.Micky, 24, said: “Every game he was there, even when I was younger. You have to ask him how he managed that!”Midweek, most of the time he was gone because he had a job to do and couldn’t tell us everything about it.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”But at the weekend when we had to play, the most important part, he was always there.”Literally until today, he’s everywhere. Every home game, every away game, he wants to be everywhere. He always tries to be there.”It was my dad, my mum and my sister who were the ones who kept pushing me.”Because even when you’re younger, every year you get a new gaffer.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Then the people around you are the ones you are close with.”Even now, these days after a game they help me. They’re like, ‘You could do this better or that better’, they are still the people who help me.”How Europa League final will be decided – four key Man Utd vs Tottenham tactical battlesMarcel may have always backed his son’s foray into football but Micky was not always so well supported by the professionals overseeing his development.In fact, there was a feeling at his first club Volendam that a teenage Van de Ven did not have the ability to make it as a footballer.It was only when former Sheffield Wednesday star Wim Jonk became his manager at the second-tier Dutch club that the young defender got his big break, which led him to Wolfsburg in 2021 then on to Spurs in the summer of 2023.And Van de Ven, also a Netherlands international, still uses being written off in his teens as motivation to succeed today.On those that believed he would not make the grade, he added: “That’s crazy.”At Volendam there were people who didn’t have the trust in me and now I am standing here. I proved them wrong.”We have all been standing behind Ange since day one, since he joined here.Micky van de VenVan de Ven’s Spurs defensive partner Cristian Romero also once revealed he was so miserable at his own first club Belgrano back in Argentina that he considered quitting the game.Romero, nicknamed Cuti, went on to win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 alongside the iconic Lionel Messi.Tottenham ace Van de Ven continued: “There are a lot of players in their careers who get doubts from multiple people.”It depends a bit on how late in your career you are getting doubts, of course.”I was getting doubts when I was 17, 18 years old.”Then you might have to think about something different. Then it’s all down to yourself and the people around you to keep pushing.”That’s what Cuti probably did and that’s what I did, and now we are both standing here.”And Cuti won a World Cup. I am now in a European final. It’s a beautiful thing.”Coaches at Volendam told van de Ven he wouldn’t make the gradeCredit: GettyNow Van de Ven is determined to change Tottenham’s trophyless ‘Spursy’ tag with victory over the Red Devils.He said: “It would be a big thing, of course.”Everybody knows that when you join Tottenham you get, ‘Ah, you’re not going to win a trophy’, people saying you will be trophyless for the rest of your career.”All the guys that came up here were like, ‘We’re going to change something about this club’.”It was the gaffer and it was the whole squad who said, ‘We’re going to come here and change something’.”For us, it’s the job now to make this happen in Bilbao.”Van de Ven could come up against his compatriot Matthijs De Ligt, 25, in Bilbao — provided the United centre-back is fit to play.De Ligt may only be a year older yet he is a hero to Van de Ven, who used to watch him play for Ajax as a supporter in the stands when both were teenagers.Ironically, it was Tottenham’s unforgettable comeback win against Ajax in the 2019 Champions League semi-final — when Lucas Moura scored a second-half hat-trick and Spurs won on away goals — that stands out most in his memory.Van de Ven explained: “The first thing that pops up in my head is the game against Tottenham.”I was in the stadium. He was playing that game.”These games I can remember are more from the Champions League when Ajax went to the semi-final. He was playing unbelievable.”When you’re a young kid, you’re looking up at him — captain at 18 years old, doing an unbelievable job. Then you think, ‘I want to be like him’.”Spurs have had an awful league campaign, with a record 21 defeats.Even if they beat United, boss Ange Postecoglou is expected to leave the club.Yet Van de Ven reckons the Aussie has proved his worth by taking the club to just its second European final in 41 years.He added: “We have all been standing behind the gaffer since day one, since he joined here.”He showed his quality, he brought us to a European final.Read More on The Sun”Of course, he’s getting a lot of doubt from the media and we see these things.”But I think he proved all you guys wrong and we’re standing in a European final, so hopefully we can lift the trophy. Not only for us but also for him.” More