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      Muhammad Ali would still tease George Foreman about Rumble in the Jungle 40 years on after they became best friends

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      Pochettino breaks unwanted record as USA thrashed by Switzerland just a year before World Cup leaving US icon in ‘pain’

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      Island nation nine times larger than UK banned from World Cup as statement released

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      Deontay Wilder shows off incredible state-of-the-art home boxing gym ahead of former world champ’s return fight

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      Bukayo Saka feared he wouldn’t be the same player after Arsenal injury hell as kind gesture to hospital staff revealed

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      BUKAYO SAKA lay in his hospital bed on Christmas Eve, doubting whether he would be as good a player in the future as he had been in the past.But thanks to a self-help book and the mindful joy of a new puppy, the England and Arsenal star has returned from hamstring surgery focused only on the present.Buyako Saka was ‘worried’ about his future after having surgery just before ChristmasSaka tore his hamstring against Crystal Palace in DecemberAnd it is that perspective that can help put a frustrating campaign —  that began with a Euros final loss for England and ended trophyless for his club — behind him.Saka, 23, said: “I was not happy with last season — how it went and how it ended.“But the only thing I can do now is look forward and try to be the best version of myself and help my team-mates be the same.”The Londoner went under the knife on December 24 after sustaining the injury three days prior in a 5-1 win at Crystal Palace.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIn typical, kind fashion, he opted to do the procedure 24 hours before Christmas so the surgeons could be with their nearest and dearest the following day.He made it home to spend Christmas with his loved ones but what followed was nearly four months out which he used for  self-reflection.The Gunners talisman said: “I had gone from five years straight playing football, either involved with the team every single day training or playing games. Everything stops.“You are on crutches, in hospital and need help around the house for the first few weeks.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge“I got to spend more time with my family and got to do little things around the house that I wouldn’t have even paid attention to when I was playing.“On that note it was nice and I’ve come back with a bit more of a balanced head about football and life, and I’m trying to balance them better. It definitely helped me mentally.Arsenal star Bukayo Saka’s glam girlfriend Tolami Benson steals the show in daring outfit at The Fashion AwardsSaka returned in March and played a starring role in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid“The first two days were the toughest, that realisation that I’ve got what I’ve got and I need an operation.“You start to think, ‘Am I going to be the same?’ as players came back from this injury and weren’t the same.“After two days my surgery was done, and successful, and you just look forward. I was really positive and put in all the work I needed with my diet, in the gym, on the pitch and the physios would say the same. I feel I’ve come back in a good place.”Saka is a keen reader of non-fiction and was inspired by a recommendation from Arsenal assistant coach Carlos Cuesta during his time sidelined.It is called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and its message struck a chord with the talented winger.He added: “It’s a really good book. It’s about not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future, just being in the moment.You start to think, ‘Am I going to be the same?’Saka“Sometimes I can think, ‘Oh, am I going to come back in the best shape?’ Or, in the past, ‘What could I have done to prevent injury?’“But all that is not necessary. It’s only going to bring bad energy, negativity to your body.“One of the best things I took from the book is always ask yourself, what’s necessary in this moment right now and try to live that way.”Saka spent Christmas Day in a brace and on crutches at his cousin’s, having had surgery at 5am the previous day.He claimed it took him “ten minutes” to get to the dining room for dinner.So when his lively new Cockapoo called Tucker turned up soon after, it was not easy “to get after him”, as Saka put it, even if having the pooch has been a “good and funny experience”.On Tuesday against Senegal at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, Saka hopes to ­feature for the first time under Thomas Tuchel, who he describes as “demanding and intense” on the grass but “relaxed and nice” off it.Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich chief Tuchel has been brought in with the sole remit of winning the World Cup next year after a series of near-misses under predecessor Gareth Southgate.The German has won all three of his games, without conceding a goal, but underwhelmed with performances,  especially in Saturday’s drab 1-0 victory over Andorra in Barcelona.And Saka admits England sometimes have a motivation issue against the smaller nations.Saka is eyeing his first England game under Thomas TuchelArsenal team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly has been called up to England againBut the bottom line — and Saka knows this best after a tough 12 months — is that winning is what matters most.He added: “Every player is different and I can’t answer for every player but naturally in the bigger games everyone is going to give a bit more.“In these other games we need to find a level where we can maintain that same quality and drive and hunger for the whole game.“It’s not easy at times but we need  to find that and get these games over the line.Read More on The Sun“The Andorra game, we still won, got another three points on the board and kept a clean sheet. It’s job done.“The expectation is to win, rather than entertain. If you can have both, then  perfect. But we feel more the expectation is to win than to entertain.”Saka’s Premier League stats this season More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Club World Cup stadiums including TWO $1.6BILLION arenas to historic venue set to host Oasis later this year

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      THE Club World Cup kicks off this Saturday and final preparations are being made in the United States.Some of the globe’s top clubs will take part in a new-look tournament over the next month, each battling for a place in the final on July 13 in New Jersey.The Club World Cup kicks off in the US this weekendCredit: GettyWith 32 teams competing, some of the biggest and most iconic stadiums in the US have been selected as host venues.From the MetLife Stadium to Lincoln Financial Field, SunSport has looked at each of the grounds in preparation for the tournament.Rose Bowl (Los Angeles)The Rose Bowl is an 88,700-capacity stadium located in Pasedena, California.First opened in 1922, the venue primarily hosted American football games throughout its early years.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt instantly became home to the Rose Bowl Game, a yearly college football game played on New Year’s Day.In addition, the Rose Bowl has played host to five Super Bowl games, the most recent being in 1992.Although it is primarily recognised for its American football history, the stadium is also used for regular football.It hosted the 1994 World Cup final and the 1999 Women’s World Cup final.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFurthermore, the US men’s national team has played there 17 times and it was previously the home fo LA Galaxy for six years.The Rose Bowl has also hosted some huge entertainment events and concerts.Dazn unveil brilliant Club World Cup promo video with legendary boxing announcer drafted in to ring bell on tournamentThe likes of Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Green Day have all played there.Oasis are scheduled to perform at the stadium in September this year.The Rose Bowl holds 88,700 spectatorsCredit: GettyIt is a multi-purpose stadiumCredit: GettyMetLife Stadium (New Jersey)The MetLife Stadium is an 82,500-capacity stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.It is the designated venue for the Club World Cup final this summer, which is set for July 13.Opened just 15 years ago, the stadium is one of two venues on our list that cost an estimated $1.6billion (£1.2bn) to build. It has played host to numerous NFL games and is now home to the New York Jets and the New York Giants.It also hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, which was won by the Seattle Seahawks.The US men’s national team has played there on several occasions, with some pre-season friendlies having taken place at the ground as well – including a match between Arsenal and Manchester United in 2023 and one between Barcelona and Real Madrid last year.In addition, the likes of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Elton John, Lady Gaga and P!nk are among the stars to have performed there.Taylor Swift also performed three dates of her iconic Eras Tour at the MetLife Stadium two years ago and had a record-breaking total attendance of 217,625 fans across the weekend.The MetLife Stadium cost $1.6billion to buildCredit: GettyIt is home to the New York Jets and the New York GiantsCredit: GettyBank of America Stadium (Charlotte)The Bank of America Stadium is a 74,800-capacity venue in Charlotte, North Carolina.Opened in 1996, the stadium has continued hosting every Carolina Panthers game.It is also the home of MLS team Charlotte FC, founded six years ago.In addition, several international football matches and club friendlies have taken place there.The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar and SZA are all among the acts to have performed there.The Bank of America Stadium has a capacity of 74,800Credit: Getty Images – GettyMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a 71,000-seater venue in Atlanta, Georgia.Opened in August 2017, it is one of the youngest stadiums on this list and cost an estimated $1.6bn to build.The venue has played host to several high school and college American football events alongside NFL games.It hosted Super Bowl LIII in 2019, which was won by the New England Patriots.And it is next due to host the showpiece NFL event in 2028, as announced in October last year.The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is also home to MLS team Atlanta United.Atlanta have played every home match at the venue since moving there from the Bobby Dodd Stadium in the year it was opened.Several international matches have been played there as well, including two in the 2024 Copa America.Coldplay, Taylor Swift and Beyonce are among the superstars to have played concerts thereThe Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in August 2017Credit: GettyIt is home to MLS team Atlanta United but hosted the Super Bowl in 2019Credit: ReutersWATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZNLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)Lincoln Financial Field is a 77,900-seater stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.It was opened in August 2003 and is home to Super Bowl winners the Philadelphia Eagles.The stadium also hosts games for the Temple Owls football team of Temple University.Although it is primarily known for American football, regular football has been played there on several occasions.Some international games have taken place at Lincoln Financial Field, as well as some club friendlies.It even played host to four group games at the 2003 Women’s World Cup.At this summer’s Club World Cup, seven matches will be played there in total, including a quarter-final.Some of the world’s biggest music acts have also played at the stadium.Lincoln Financial Field is the home of the Philadelphia EaglesCredit: GettyThe stadium will host seven Club World Cup gamesCredit: GettyLumen Field (Seattle)Based in Seattle, Lumen Field has a capacity of 68,740 and is home to NFL team Seattle Seahawks, MLS team Seattle Sounders and NWSL outfit Seattle Reign.It opened in 2002 and cost an estimated $752million (£554m) to build.It is used for both American and regular football, putting it in good stead to host three group stage games and three knockout games at this year’s Club World Cup.A temporary grass surface is set to be installed especially for the event.Lumen Field is located in SeattleCredit: GettyThe stadium hosts both NFL and football gamesCredit: GettyHard Rock Stadium (Miami)The Hard Rock Stadium is a 65,000-capacity venue based Miami, Florida.It is home to the Miami Dolphins of the NFL and college American football team the Miami Hurricanes.The stadium has played host to numerous major events over the years, including six Super Bowls and two World Series.It has also held some regular football games – including the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.Eight Club World Cup matches are set to be played there, including the opening match betweem Al-Ahly and Inter Miami.In addition, Sir Paul McCartney, Guns N’ Roses, Madonna, Taylor Swift and Beyonce are among the music artists to have performed there on their respective tours.Six Super Bowls have been held at the Hard Rock StadiumCredit: GettyIt is one of the most popular stadiums in the USCredit: GettyCamping World Stadium (Orlando)The Camping World Stadium was opened in late 1936 and is located in Orlando, Florida – less than a mile away from the Inter&Co Stadium, which is also set to host Club World Cup matches.It has continued to host different sports – mainly American and regular football – over the years.From 2017 to 2020 it held the NFL Pro Bowl, which then returned last year under the new title of Pro Bowl Games.In terms of football, matches were held there in both the men’s and women’s competitions at the 1996 Olympic Games.MLS side Orlando City played there from 2015 to 2016, as did NWSL team Orlando Pride when they were established nine years ago.Four Club World Cup games will be held there, including a round-of-16 match and a quarter-final.It has a capacity of 65,000.The Camping World Stadium will host four gamesCredit: GettyInter&Co Stadium (Orlando)Just a short walk from the Camping World Stadium is the Inter&Co Stadium in downtown Orlando.It is a football-specific venue that is the home of MLS side Orlando City and NWSL club Orlando Pride.Opened in 2017, it has a capacity of 25,500 and cost around $155m to build.As well as club football, several international games – both men’s and women’s – have taken place there.The stadium will host two games for the Club World Cup.The Inter&Co Stadium is less than a mile from the Camping World StadiumCredit: GettyGeodis Park (Nashville)Geodis Park is a 30,109-seater football-specific stadium located in Nashville, Tennessee.It has been the home of MLS club Nashville SC for the last three years and has also hosted a number of international games.Three Club World Cup group stages matches will be held at the venue, which cost an estimated $335m to build, this summer.Guns N’ Roses and Green Day have both played concerts there in recent years.Geodis Park will host three Club World Cup group stage matchesCredit: GettyTQL Stadium (Cincinnati)Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the TQL stadium is a 26,000-seater football-specific venue that is the home of FC Cincinnati.It was opened just four years ago and cost around $250m to build.FC Cincinnati have played every home game at the stadium since it was opened, with some international games also taking place there.Four Club World Cup games will be played there, with the first on June 15.The TQL Stadium is a 26,000-seater football-specific venueCredit: GettyAudi Field (Washington D.C.)Audi Field is a football-specific venue in Washington D.C.It is the home of MLS club D.C. United as well as women’s teams DC Power and Washington Spirit.Having cost $450m to build, it opened in 2018 with a match between D.C. United and Vancouver Whitecaps.Read More on The SunInternational games have also taken place at the stadium.Three Club World Cup games will take place at Audi Field this summer.Audi Field is the home of D.C. UnitedCredit: Getty More

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      Fabio Wardley scores INCREDIBLE one-shot comeback KO of Justis Huni to set up stunning world title shot

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      FABIO WARDLEY’S baby daughter will arrive just in time to celebrate her daddy’s sensational comeback christening.Ipswich’s 30-year-old heavyweight boxed his way up from the white-collar obscurity to a headline slot at Portman Road.Fabio Wardley knocked out Justis HuniCredit: GettyIt was a huge come from behind winCredit: GettyWardley celebrates his huge KOCredit: ReutersBut he put on a performance worthy of the Tractor Boys’ Prem relegation and was dominated by 26-year-old Australian Justis Huni until a sensational 10th round KO.The battered and bruised winner said: “I am so thankful to everyone here, you got me through that, I could not have done it without you.”I have never claimed to be Usyk, with all the skills, but I know how to bite down on the gumshield and find a way to win.”I should have performed better but I pulled something special out of the bag.READ MORE IN boxing “He pulled out so many tricks and I didn’t expect him to bank so many rounds But I screwed my head back on and got the job done.”The 26-year-old Aussie caught the hometown hero’s attention with a two-jab combination in the opener, stabbing to the body and then the head.But Wardley threatened him back with whipped right hands in spiteful Mexican Fly-branded blue gloves.The Tractor Boys could not intimidate Huni with even their loudest songs and the underdog grew in confidence in the second and scored with the cleaner and more technical shots, while Wardley headhunted bluntly.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWardley was slapped by three meaty left hooks in the third that had the partisan crowd panicked.But then he landed a peach of a punch that stunned Huni and had him staggering backwards and covering up.’We never know’ – Tyson Fury refuses to rule out comeback as Anthony Joshua nears new ‘amazing’ fight dealHuni ran away with the fourth, cracking Wardley with a pinpoint one-two and clipping him with a left hook.Prior to his one-round demolition of Frazer Clarke, Wardley had a bad reputation for slow starts and was returning to bad habits.Wardley inexplicably dropped his hands for the middle rounds and let his face get flattened by every shot Huni threw.It was bafflingly bad boxing from a fighter who had shown freakish improvements with every previous bout. Huni landed every right hand he aimed and made a bloody mess of the Englishman.Wardley remained a punchbag for the next few, either getting terrible advice from his corner or ignoring anything worthwhile.Huni only took the challenge on five weeks notice and was doing Down Under proud with clever technical boxing and nerves of steel.But, after losing almost every round in a stinker of a performance, Wardley uncorked a life-changing shot hat dropped Huni and he failed to rise from.Read More on The SunWardley is now the WBA “interim” champion with Oleksandr Usyk defending his full version against Daniel Dubois on July 19 at Wembley. And Wardley’s Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren insisted the comeback king will be first in line for the winner. Wardley sets himself up for a title shotCredit: Reuters More

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      Fabio Wardley reveals the fight he would never agree to and claims he would even ‘take a knee in the first round’

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      FABIO WARDLEY has floored the baffling suggestion that he could fight his mentor and pal Dillian Whyte.After following all of Wardley’s career, we were stunned to hear the idea even mooted from some clumsy pundits. Fabio Wardley has ruled out fighting his manager and mentor Dillian WhyteCredit: @fabiowardleyBut Wardley told SunSport with a laugh: “From the second it would be announced, everybody who knows the sport and who knows us, would know it would be fake and not something I would ever do, because of the amount of love, respect and admiration I have for Dills.“People go on about my story, white-collar, coming from nowhere, sparring Usyk.”But none of that is possible without Dillian at the beginning, giving me all of these opportunities.“So I would never spit in his face and fight him.READ MORE IN boxing “Even if all the sanctioning bodies called for the fight and somebody was silly enough to put all the money up, I would take a knee in the first round and give him the win.”Ipswich’s 30-year-old former recruitment worker and white-collar boxer headlines Portman Road on Saturday night against tough Australian Justis Huni.Whyte was due to feature on the Ipswich undercard but pulled out to secure a summer showdown with Lawrence Okolie.He has not boxed in England since November 2022 and was supposed to have a rematch with Anthony Joshua in August 2023.Most read in BoxingFABIO WARDLEY VS JUSTIS HUNI: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut that O2 sell-out was scrapped when Whyte failed a doping test.Whyte has boxed in Gibraltar and Ireland since that big-money clash was binned, landing underwhelming wins.Fabio Wardley prepares for dream Portman Road homecoming fight For Wardley, on June 16 his partner is scheduled to give birth to his first child, a bouncing baby girl.For anyone else, the nail-biting fortnight would be a crippling rollercoaster of emotions impossible to combine. But the Suffolk Puncher – who went on an Oleksandr Usyk sparring trip to Ukraine in 2018 when he barely knew how to throw a jab – is loving the chaos.The class act told SunSport: “June 2025 is going to be a wild month I talk a lot about, for the rest of my life.“I will be an old man in a rocking chair, telling people about it and wondering how we pulled it off.“Everything has come together at the same time, it might seem a bit hectic but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I thrive on it, I love the chaos.”Nine months ago, the 18-0-1 ace got the wonderful news he would be a dad for the first time.And a few weeks later he got the offer of a lifetime, to headline at his boyhood football club, a chance that some Olympic and world champions never get.It seems like a psychological and logistical nightmare that would be destined for the divorce courts but Team Wardley is way too tight.“If my little girl is anything like me, then she’ll be chilled out and late, which will give me a little bit more time to decompress from the fight,” he grinned.“The flight date has been moved around a few times but my missus has been unbelievable.“I have just promised to her that, as soon as Saturday night is over, I am all theirs.“This week, though, is just my week. I need to be totally focused on me and then it’s all on them.”Wardley – who cracked 2020 Olympic bronze winner Frazer Clarke’s skull in their one-round rematch in October – somehow combines being a brutal boxer with being a lovely bloke and he insists that won’t change with another win or a baby.“I don’t know how parenthood will affect me,” he said. “I do plan to be the fun-dad though. Read More on The Sun“I want mum to do the telling off. I think I will always be driven to push myself in everything, though. “That’s something just innate in me. And I am sure I will need to feed and stoke that fire regularly.”Wardley and his girlfriend are expecting their first child togetherCredit: Instagram @fabiowardleyWardley facing off with Aussie Justis HuniCredit: Getty More