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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury’s biggest battle will be trying to walk away from boxing for good, after shock retirement announcement

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      TYSON Fury may have announced his retirement – but we’ve seen this dance before.The Gypsy King, 36, took to Instagram on Monday to say he’s hanging up his gloves following a second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.Former boxing champ Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxingCredit: PAFury leaves the sport of boxing as a legendCredit: AP Photo/Martin MeissnerFamously, Fury has found it hard when he’s not in the ring – suffering depression and piling on the poundsHe wrote on social media: “Hey everybody, I am going to make it short and sweet. I would like to announce my retirement from boxing.”It has been a blast and I have loved every single minute of it.”I’m going to end with this – Dirk Turpin wore a mask.”God bless everybody and see you on the other side.”read more in boxingIt’s unclear why Fury referenced the infamous highway man from the 1700s, but it offers a cryptic hint about his future.Fury had been tipped to fight Anthony Joshua next in a highly-anticipated all-British clash, but his announcement means the bout is now off.His career ends with a record of 34 wins, one draw and two defeats and he has been a multiple champion, having lifted the WBO, WBC, IBF, IBO and The Ring belts.Now, his biggest battle awaits – trying to walk away from boxing for good.Most read in BoxingIn the past, Fury has struggled without the sport that made him a household name and earned him a fortune in excess of £120million.SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr reacts to Tyson Fury’s shock retirement aged 36 Not his first retirement…THIS isn’t the first time Tyson Fury has retired.His first came 12 YEARS ago, when in 2013 he grew frustrated when a fight with David Haye fell through.He declared at the time: “Hi everyone, I have officially retired from boxing. There’s too many bent [crooked] people in the sport. They will have to f*** someone else. Goodbye boxing.”Then, he took a three-year break from the sport between 2015 and 2018, during which many didn’t expect to see him again.In 2022 he retired TWICE.Speaking in the ring after defeating Dillian Whyte at Wembley with a sixth-round finish, he revealed he’d made a promise to wife Paris.He stated: “I’m a two-time undisputed world champion. [I have] £150million in the bank and nothing to prove to anybody.”Later in the year, he stated his plan to “100 per cent” return to the ring.But then just four days later he posted on X that he was quitting again.He posted: “Massive thanks to everyone who had an input in my career over the years & after long hard conversations I’ve finally decided to walk away & on my 34th birthday I say Bon voyage.”It means there will be serious doubts that his latest declaration truly means we’ll never see him in the ring again.He famously ballooned up to 28 stone before he made his epic comeback against Deontay Wilder in 2018.Depression, which led to alcohol, cocaine abuse, as well as suicidal thoughts contributed towards his downfall then.Only last year, wife Paris revealed: “It was the worst few years of our lives.”Nothing can, seemingly, fill the void of boxing, as SunSport explains. But, a life of more reality TV could be in the offing.His darkest daysFury was king of the ring when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko with a superb boxing display in 2015.But, what soon followed was a mental health battle that was harder than any opponent faced.In 2016, he was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar.Amid struggles with depression, he soon turned to alcohol and cocaine as his life spiralled out of control.At his lowest point he attempted to drive his Ferrari into a motorway bridge — only to stop at the last minute as he thought about his family.In 2015, Fury stunned the world in a boxing masterclass over Wladimir KlitschkoCredit: APIn 2016, a topless and bleary-eyed Fury was spotted partying with England fans in NiceCredit: Darren Fletcher – The SunAt his lowest ebb, Fury considered crashing his Ferrari into a bridgeCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101By that point, already two years away out of the ring, his boxing career appeared over.Incredibly, his weight ballooned as his lifestyle took control of him. He turned his back on the gym, and weighed up to 28 stone at his heaviest.He was famously spotted at Euro 2016 buying England fans Jagerbombs after the Three Lions crashed out to Iceland.”I needed some time off, I’d been boxing from boxing since 10, 11 years old up to 27 with no breaks. So I needed time to live a little and enjoy myself but it just went too far,” he told the Breakfast Club in 2018.”I really don’t know what had me depressed but I knew I was just spiralling out of control. The only thing I could think of to make it better and go away for a bit was getting drunk and that just led to problems after problems after problems.”Paris’ woesDuring that period in Fury’s life, wife Paris was his rock.She admittedly found her husband to be intolerable. “It was the worst few years of our lives,” she told INews about those lost years between 2015-2017.Incredibly, Tyson pulled himself out of his lowest ebb by hitting the gym hard following a sudden “epiphany”.”Within a month of being crowned world heavyweight champ, I was an emotional wreck on my way to a heart attack, thanks to a diet of Class-A drugs, junk food and alcohol,” he wrote in his book, The Furious Method.Fury made a change to his lifestyle with the help of trainer Kristian Blacklock, standing to the boxer’s rightCredit: https://www.instagram.com/kristianblacklock/Fury revealed those two years were the hardest they faced as a coupleCredit: Instagramread more sport features”I had my epiphany in a pub on Halloween night in 2017, hopelessly overweight and humiliated, wearing a skeleton outfit that was skin-tight and emphasised my full 28st.”Although I had started training again, I was still drinking and going on benders and making life a misery for my wife, my children and those who were closest to me.”Looking around the pub at people half my age I felt like a disgrace, and I knew things had to change.”I left the pub early for a change and later that night I stood in my bedroom in my underpants, fell on my knees and cried out to God to help me.”Fury got to work in the gym – working alongside trainer Kristian Blacklock – and miraculously shed 10 stone.He was back in the ring in 2018, earning a credible draw in his first bout against Deontay Wilder.Climbing off the canvas in round 12, after he was floored by a haymaker from Wilder, he showed astonishing mental courage.However, in 2019 Fury fell out of love with boxing once again and worried Paris revealed her concerns that there is potential for him to slip into depression, once again, without the sport.She said on their Netflix show, At Home with the Furys: “When he last stopped boxing, Tyson had an alcohol and drug addiction. He suffers from a few mental health problems. He’s got ADHD, depression, and it all spiralled out of control. We had a bad two years.”There’s no point saying that won’t happen again because that’s the elephant in the room I think about.”Fury showed incredible courage to draw with Deontay Wilder in their first fight after over two years out of boxingCredit: GettyParis Fury has spoken of her fears when husband Tyson doesn’t box of him spiralling out of control againCredit: ReutersFury has since become an advocate for mental health, after his depression woesCredit: PASo what’s next?The Dick Turpin clue might hint towards a career in WWE as a masked wrestler – think Mexican luchador.Back on 2019, Fury made his debut in the squared circle – defeating Braun Strowman by count out.However, it’s his career as a reality TV star that seems the most likely.Back in 2020, Tyson Fury: The Gyspy King on ITV was the catalyst for a life on the small screen.Sharing his life in Morecambe with Paris and their children, he now has seven, was captivating viewing. TV gold, at least, for Netflix who signed him and his family up on a mega deal for their own Kardashian-style show.Filming for a second series started last year, and that’s expected to drop this year.At Home with the Furys showed the family in a different lifeCredit: Courtesy of NetflixTyson Fury has proven to be a hit for Netflix thanks to his infectious personalityCredit: NetflixTime will tell if this really is the end of Fury’s boxing career after his retirement announcementCredit: RexAmusingly, Fury does embrace the mundane – so he’s partial to trips to the tip, for one.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut there’s only so many times you can visit the tip, before boredom kicks in.As we said, Fury will find it hard to resist the urge to get back in the ring once again.View of The Sun’s boxing expert: ‘I think it’s a ploy’By Wally Downes JrCALL ME a miserable fat little boxing cynic, but Tyson Fury’s latest retirement just doesn’t wash with me.It wasn’t too long ago we were hearing he had a ten-fight deal with Saudi Arabia, that he was gonna fight Anthony Joshua twice, then he was going to face Joseph Parker twice.He was planning on doing every fight in the world – there was even talk he’d rematch Francis Ngannou and do a better job.IF he has retired, then he goes out with an incredible career having made over £300million in boxing events alone, let alone all the extra stuff.He does so having sacrificed bundles of his own life for such success.We know his wife Paris suffered a miscarriage going into the first Olesandr Usyk fight.We know for Deontay Wilder III, his little girl was put in intensive care, he barely even trained for that fight, he was sleeping on the hospital floor.IF he has retired, IF it is genuine, then it’s been an incredible career.And for the big showman, it’s probably a nice little short sharp way to go out by just posting a video while sat inside his car.But I can’t help but think that it’s a bit of a ploy to drive AJ a little bit crazy.AJ was at the Ring Awards the other day and put out a social media post saying “Fury, where are you? I’m looking for you.”It’s the only fight that AJ wants, and Fury being wise and looking at the Floyd Mayweather playbook, knows that once you retire, you have to be coaxed out of retirement.And how do you coax someone out of retirement? Loads more readies.The fact of the matter is, Fury has always told us: I’m a prize fighter, I do it for money, I’m gonna do it for as long as I can and make as much money as I can.So the idea that he suddenly ducks out now doesn’t seem to ring quite true.As Fury made the announcement, I was with Frank Warren and he said hadn’t spoken to Tyson about it today, but that he hopes that it’s true, that Fury’s done enough and made enough money.IF it’s true, then what an incredible career.Fury and AJ have put British boxing on the map where it’s not been for decades, not since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago.So thank you, but rather than being at his leaving party, which I’m sure The Sun would be invited to, I suspect we’ll see him boxing AJ in Riyadh in a few months.  More

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      in Soccer

      Dejan Kulusevski eats SEA MOSS and hangs out in sauna as day in the life of Tottenham star revealed in video

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      TOTTENHAM winger Dejan Kulusevski has given fans a glimpse into his training regime – including snacking on sea moss and spending time in an oxygen chamber.Kulusevski joined Tottenham from Juventus four years ago and quickly established himself as an important first-team player.Dejan Kulusevski showed fans a day in his life, starting with breakfast at the training groundCredit: X @SpursOfficialHe was filmed eating sea moss from a jarThe winger then went for a gym sessionCredit: X @SpursOfficialNow comfortably settled into life in London, the 24-year-old has given fans a look at a day in his life, starting with breakfast at the training ground.After arriving at Hotspur Way, the Sweden international signed some shirts before getting changed into his training kit and making his way into the dining room.After eating some scrambled eggs, avocado and a bowl of fruit, he tucked into a spoonful of SEA MOSS from a jar.He said: “Here we have the speciality – sea moss. Contains 92 0f 102 essential minerals.”Read More in FootballSpeaking to team-mate Son Heung-min across the table, he then went on to say: “Don’t look at me, you tried this last year!”Kulusevski then completed an interview for Sky Sports before starting work in the gym.After his work-out, the winger went into a hyperbaric chamber – a treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised room to help the body heal – for around 45-50 minutes to recover.He then did some recovery work in the pool and spent 15 minutes in a sauna.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe spent 45 minutes in a hyperbaric chamberCredit: X @SpursOfficialKulusevski concluded his morning session in an ice bath alongside team-mates James Maddison and Radu Dragusin.The Tottenham stars were fed chicken and salad for lunch before leaving the ground.Ange Postecoglou praises hosts Tamworth after hard-fought FA Cup win But rather than going home straight away, Kulusevski made a surprise appearance at a local community centre to give gifts out to children alongside Lucas Bergvall.The winger went on to score for Tottenham in their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United two days later.Spurs subsequently booked their spot in the semi-finals with a 4-3 win.Kulusevski ended the training day in the ice bathCredit: X @SpursOfficialHe enjoyed lunch before leaving the training groundCredit: X @SpursOfficialKulusevski made a surprise appearance at a local community centre to give gifts out to childrenCredit: X @SpursOfficial More

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      in Soccer

      How Pep Guardiola’s wife Cristina Serra went from being his rock to ‘moving away’ before their shock ‘split’

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      PEP GUARDIOLA’s strain has been there for everybody to see this season.The Man City boss has been, literally, scratching his head over his team’s poor form in all competitions.Pep Guardiola has ‘split’ with Cristina Serra after more than 30 years togetherCredit: Getty – ContributorGuardiola and Cristina share three children, Marius, left, Valentina, centre, and Maria, rightCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe Spaniard appeared with red scratch marks over his face and head in late NovemberNow, it has been reported by Spanish media that he has ‘split’ from wife of over 30 years, Cristina Serra.Barcelona-based newspaper Sport claim that the pair ended their marriage in December while both in Spain.Sport add their relationship is still “cordial, stable and friendly” despite deciding to part ways.The report claims they have been living apart for nearly five years after Cristina moved back to Barcelona to run her fashion company.Read more in footballBut she has been moving from Spain to London – still visiting her husband when time allows.While his life was unravelling off the pitch, on it things weren’t much better.The Premier League champions endured a miserable run during that month – losing to Juventus in the Champions League, at home to Man Utd in the Manchester derby, and suffering defeat to Aston Villa before Christmas. After a Champions League game against Feyenoord in late November, where he watched his side blow a three-goal lead at the Etihad, he cut a tense and nervous figure.Most read in FootballHe was seen with scratches on his head and nose in the press conference that evening.Guardiola left scratching his head as City blow 3-0 lead against FeyenoordGuardiola was quizzed about how he got the cuts and responded by saying: “My finger, here [makes a scratching motion]. My nail.”The Spaniard then joked that City’s woeful form over the last few weeks has driven him to self-harm, saying: “I want to harm myself.”Guardiola later apologised for his comments and insisted he wasn’t making light of mental health issues.Behind the scenes, his marriage was crumbling as he felt pressure he’s never felt during his managerial career.The missusPep met beautiful Cristina in Catalonia, when they were just starry-eyed teenagers.She comes from a fashion family dynasty, who own the Serra Claret boutique in Barcelona.It was there their paths crossed for the first time.Guardiola, then a youth star, was doing a modelling shoot for the late Spanish designer Antonio Miro in the shop, when he fixed his gaze on his future missus.They finally walked down the aisle in 2014 at a town hall on the outskirts of Barcelona.Last year, he revealed his wife was his fashion guru.Cristina Serra comes from a fashion family dynastyCredit: Bongarts – GettyHe said: “My wife is the best in the world at many things, but especially in fashion. So she says normally to me, don’t wear this or wear that, so I follow her.”I am smart enough to know that when people are much much better than me, follow their advice and hers is really good.”Whenever City tasted success, Cristina was often seen at the Etihad alongside Guardiola.She happily posed with the trophies his teams won, with their kids in tow.Guardiola and Cristina met when they were teenagers at her family’s fashion boutiqueCredit: AFP – GettyCristina, daughter Maria and Pep enjoyed a trip to Wimbledon last summerCredit: APread more sport featuresModel daughterGuardiola and Cristina share three children together.Their eldest child is daughter Maria, 24, who has branched out on her own.She shares her glam lifestyle to almost one million followers on Instagram.Unsurprisingly, the beauty is a model and has appeared in sexy bikini shoots for swimwear brand iBilovesyou.She also once reportedly dated a footballer.Back in 2021, Maria was spotted with ex-Spurs star Dele Alli in a romantic clinch.As we exclusively revealed, the pair didn’t care who saw them as they snogged each other at Cloud 9 rooftop bar in front of the DJ booth.Daughter Maria Guardiola has branched out on her ownCredit: INSTAGRAMUnsurprisingly, stunning brunette Maria is a modelCredit: INSTAGRAMMaria once dated Premier League footballer Dele AlliCredit: INSTAGRAMA few months later, they were spotted getting lunch at trendy Mayfair hotspot Novikov, before grabbing a coffee at Starbucks.However, six months later it was reported that Alli had split with Maria.Family timeIn 2023, after a gruelling and successful season as City boss – winning the treble – family came first for Pep.He took Cristina and their kids on a trip of a lifetime to visit to Egypt.Maria, son Marius, 21, and youngest daughter Valentina, 16, joined their parents to tour Cairo and Luxor and visit the Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Giza.Wearing a white outfit and a red baseball cap bearing the letter P, Guardiola received a special ‘Pharaoh’ trophy in photos taken by officials at the Ministry of Tourism.Marius Guardiola is Pep’s only sonCredit: SuppliedThe Guardiola family enjoyed a once in a lifetime trip to EgyptPep and his family pose in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza in matching outfitsCredit: SuppliedShowing a family that all pull the same way together, they were all dressed in neutral shades of white as they beamed for photos.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile Pep and Cristina have split, this kind of showing points to a more amicable resolution.That can only be for the benefit of Pep, Cristina, Maria, Marius, and Valentina moving forward. 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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury WILL still fight Anthony Joshua and they’ll even be friends after, says ex-world champ in shock prediction

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      GEORGE GROVES has tipped Tyson Fury to come out of retirement to fight Anthony Joshua – before becoming shock friends.Fury appears ready to walk away from a mega-money showdown with AJ after announcing his latest hanging up of the gloves. Tyson Fury announced his retirement from boxingCredit: APIt leaves a fight with Anthony Joshua in doubtCredit: GettyBut Groves – who retired in 2018 as a former super-middleweight world champion – joins fans alike in not buying into Fury’s latest claim. In fact, he believes it is all part of a negotiation and mental warfare ploy. Groves, 36, told SunSport: “I mean there probably is a significant part of him that thinks, ‘Oh I want to retire.’ “And he might be speaking it into existence. He might get a true feel of what it’s like to retire but I don’t think he wants to retire. READ MORE IN BOXING”And boxing moves on so quick, I don’t think he’s the sort of fella that could walk away if there’s a big fight on the table. “I reckon it’s a negotiation tactic, maybe it’s a mind game thing with Anthony Joshua.”Groves lost one of Britain’s most bitter of grudge matches against Carl Froch in 2013 – with the controversial stoppage setting up a big rematch. Froch won again in 2014 in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium – but nowadays the two are broadcast partners and even tour together. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSGroves also had a feud with James DeGale that dated back to their schoolboy days. DeGale lost in both the amateurs and pro ranks to Groves – and their hatred for each other only got worse. SunSport’s Wally Downes Jr reacts to Tyson Fury’s shock retirement aged 36 But even they made amends in retirement, with DeGale joining Groves’ podcast as a shock guest. And Groves reckons even Joshua, 35, and Fury, 36, will one day kiss and make up after they eventually settle it in the ring. He said: “I don’t think there’s that intense rivalry that me and DeGale had where it was too much and we ended up spiting ourselves. “I don’t think that’s the case with these two. I don’t even think there is that much animosity there. “For a while they both hated Deontay Wilder, didn’t they? Joshua hated Wilder then Fury hated Wilder, I just think it was easy for the British icon to hate the American.”But against each other, especially at this time when the fight’s only really just been talked about in the past few years, when you’re longer in the tooth, start getting softer and start having kids life’s too short for these sort of intense rivalries. “I bet you, if they do box they’ll be cuddling each other after.”READ MORE SUN STORIESGroves says it is impossible to compare Fury and Joshua’s records until they put it all on the line against each other. He said: “I think they should settle it with a fight. I think we will, I think it happens.”Former British world champion George GrovesCredit: PA More

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      in Soccer

      Pep Guardiola ‘SPLITS from wife after 30 years and three children together’ according to reports in Spain

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has SPLIT from his wife of 30 years, according to reports in Spain.Barcelona-based newspaper Sport report that Guardiola and wife Cristina decided to end their relationship in December while both in Spain.Pep Guardiola and Cristina in July 2024Credit: RexThe couple met as teenagersCredit: GettyThe two pictured in 2013 in MunichCredit: Bongarts – GettySport say their relationship is still “cordial, stable and friendly” despite deciding to part ways. The report claims they have been living apart for nearly five years after Cristina moved back to Barcelona to run her fashion company. But she has been moving from Spain to London – still spending time with Manchester City manager Guardiola. City declined to comment when approached over reports of the split. READ MORE IN football Guardiola is believed to have met Cristina in her family’s clothes store called Serra Claret when he was just 18. He was modelling for designer Antonio Miro in Serra’s shop when he first met Cristina. And even as recently as January 2024, the former midfielder revealed Cristina helps pick out his matchday outfits. Serra Claret stock many brands he has worn on the touchline, such as Dsquared2, CP Company and Armani.Most read in FootballHe told Men In Blazers: “My wife is the best in the world at many things, but especially in fashion.”So she says normally to me, don’t wear this or wear that, so I follow her.Pep Guardiola reveals Kyle Walker has asked to LEAVE Man City with England defender set or £400K-A-WEEK Saudi transfer”I am smart enough to know that when people are much much better than me, follow their advices, and hers is really good.”Despite meeting as teens, they waited a long time to get married.They tied the knot in 2014 in an intimate ceremony in Spain – a private service just for close family in Catalonia.And the two have three children, Maria, Marius and Valentina.Eldest daughter Maria, 24, is a model who has over 900,000 followers on Instagram.Son Marius, 22, currently resides in Dubai and runs three companies – one of them dedicated to advertising and marketing. And youngest Valentina, 17, is focused on studies.Cristina supported Guardiola as a player and then manager – his career as a boss starting with Barcelona in 2008.He won three LaLiga titles and two Champions League trophies with Barca before moving to Bayern Munich in 2013. He left Germany in 2016 after three seasons – in each of which he won the Bundesliga.READ MORE SUN STORIESGuardiola joined City in 2016 and has won SIX Premier League titles during his reign – and also a Champions League in 2023 to complete an historic Treble.But this season has seen a dip in form, with with six losses leaving the club in sixth – 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Guardiola with Cristina and their three kids in 2018Credit: PA:Press AssociationEldest Maria is a modelCredit: INSTAGRAMGuardiola has won six Premier League titles with CityCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      All the signs Tyson Fury’s latest retirement is rubbish – and why I’m convinced it’s a ploy to drive Anthony Joshua mad

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      CALL ME a miserable little boxing cynic, but Tyson Fury’s latest retirement just doesn’t wash with me.It wasn’t too long ago we were hearing he had a 10-fight deal with Saudi Arabia, that he was gonna fight Anthony Joshua twice, then he was going to face Joseph Parker twice.Tyson Fury announced his latest retirement from boxing on social mediaCredit: INSTAGRAM@TYSONFURYHis retirement comes less than a month after a second straight defeat to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYHe was planning on doing every fight in the world – there was even talk he’d rematch Francis Ngannou and do a better job.IF he has retired, then he goes out with an incredible career having made over £300million in boxing events alone, let alone all the extra stuff.He does so having sacrificed bundles of his own life for such success.We know his wife Paris suffered a miscarriage going into the first Oleksandr Usyk fight.READ MORE ON FURYWe know for Deontay Wilder III, his little girl was put in intensive care, he barely even trained for that fight, he was sleeping on the hospital floor.IF he has retired, IF it is genuine, then it’s been an incredible career.And for the big showman, it’s probably a nice little short sharp way to go out by just posting a video while sat inside his car.But there are PLENTY of reasons why something just doesn’t sit right with me with the ‘big announcement’.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSJOSHUA PLOYI can’t help but think that it’s a bit of a ploy to drive AJ a little bit crazy.AJ was at the Ring Awards the other day and put out a social media post saying “Fury, where are you? I’m looking for you.”Frank Warren reacts to Tyson Fury retirement and reveals his favourite moment from incredible careerIt’s the only fight that AJ wants, and Fury being wise and looking at the Floyd Mayweather playbook, knows that once you retire, you have to be coaxed out of retirement.It also comes just days after Anthony Joshua challenged him to a Battle of BritainCredit: GETTYEARN EVEN MORE £££How do you coax someone out of retirement? Loads more readies.The fact of the matter is, Fury has always told us: I’m a prize fighter, I do it for money, I’m gonna do it for as long as I can and make as much money as I can.So the idea that he suddenly ducks out now doesn’t seem to ring quite true.Fury’s so-called ‘retirement’ could be a carefully executed ployCredit: REUTERSWON’T WANT TO UPSET HIS EXCELLENCYTurki Alalshikh is steering a new dawn for boxing – and the man with all the plans is DESPERATE for a Battle of Britain, Fury versus Joshua.The Gypsy King has built quite an endearing relationship with His Excellency, and has pretty much become the face of boxing out in Saudi.Why bite your nose of to spite your face. Could Fury miss out on millions AND a friendship if he has REALLY retired?Tyson Fury has developed a friendship with Turki AlalshikhCredit: GettyHis Excellency has become a HUGE name in boxingCredit: PASHOULD STICK TO HIS WORDSIt was only in April last year that Fury announced a spectacular TEN-FIGHT plan.That was BEFORE he lost for the first time ever in his career to Usyk.There was the Usyk rematch in the plan, which of course he lost.Then two against Joshua, and fights against Daniel Dubois, Joe Joyce, Joseph Parker, a FOURTH against Deontay Wilder, one against Agit Kabayel and to round it off, the Usyk trilogy clash.HE’LL MISS THE ROMANCE OF BOXINGAs Fury made the announcement, I was with Frank Warren and he said hadn’t spoken to Tyson about it today, but that he hopes that it’s true, that Fury’s done enough and made enough money.IF it’s true, then what an incredible career.READ MORE SUN STORIESFury and AJ have put British boxing on the map where it’s not been for decades, not since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago. So thank you.But rather than being at his leaving party, which I’m sure The Sun would be invited to, I suspect we’ll see him boxing AJ in Riyadh in a few months. More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Wanda Nara’s divorce hell, from split from rapper boyfriend to ex-husband Icardi moving on with alleged mistress

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      WANDA Nara is stuck in a divorce hell, with ex-husband Mauro Icardi finding love with his alleged mistress in what feels like a storyline from a Latin American telenovela.The Argentinian beauty, 38, announced her relationship with the former Inter Milan striker, who she shares two daughters with, was over in July.Wanda Nara and Mauro Icardi in happier times before their split six months agoCredit: Instagram @mauroicardiSince their split, Nara has endured a horrific six monthsCredit: Instagram @wanda_naraIcardi has since moved on with model and actress China SuarezCredit: https://www.instagram.com/mauroicardi/However, since their split the pair are no closer to finding a happy resolution.In a rebound romance, the curvy blonde couldn’t find happiness with South American rapper L-Gante.While Icardi is settling down with glam actress and model China Suarez, who he allegedly had an affair with.Worse still, the Galatasaray forward has moved Suarez into a £3.3million mansion in Argentina that Nara believed she and Icardi would live in when he retired from football.Read more in footballNara has endured a rotten six months, as SunSport can reveal.Messy break upBack in the summer, after Icardi and Nara had tried to make things work following infidelity rumours, she asked for a divorce.But the 31-year-old footballer was opposed to the idea, as was revealed by x-rated messages he sent to her after she said she wanted to part ways with him.In text messages used by Nara’s lawyers as divorce proceedings continue, it emerged that he begged for her back.Most read in FootballIcardi wrote, as reported by Bild: “Do you think I want to f*** another girl? You think I want to do something with another girl… I can’t! I want to do it with you, […], like I’ve been doing it for 10 years and I’m crazy about it and I love it so much!!! Why do you keep saying nasty things about me?”Wanda Nara risks Instagram ban as Mauro Icardi’s ex-wife poses naked to promote new single”I want to feel that peace that I feel when you sit on me and we make love, I want to have that love that has filled me with so much pride for 10 years. Whatever you want… it’s the love of my life!!!! And I want it to last forever. We will look for a solution to everything… but let me do it.”He added: “I know you’re dying to f*** me […]. Will you give us a chance? Will you leave me?”Nara didn’t want to give him a chance, and instead she moved on with Argentinian rap singer L-Gante.They met in 2022 when she starred in one of his music videos and enjoyed a steamy kiss, which reportedly left Icardi fuming.But she recently announced she was single to concentrate on her divorce and her children.In a deleted Instagram story with L-Gante, Nara posted: ‘Today our paths are going our separate ways, so that we can take care of ourselves and focus on our work and our family. “My complex and painful legal situation made me take this decision. Today my children need me and my time is totally dedicated to them.”Nara recently revealed her romance with Argentine rapper L-Gante is overCredit: InstagramDivorce proceedings between Icardi and Nara are getting messy after x-rated text messages from him were leakedCredit: Getty Images – GettyNara’s focus is now on her divorce proceedings and her childrenCredit: instagram @wanda_nararead more sport featuresIcardi falls for SuarezAfter Nara went public with her relationship with L-Gante, Icardi followed suit with China Suarez.Reports in their homeland alleged that Suarez and Icardi had an affair the same year L-Gante and Nara were seen enjoying a steamy kiss in his pop promo.Now, Nara believes Icardi wants to “destroy” her because she walked out on him.She appeared on Argentina TV show LAM, where she also claimed Icardi has moved Suarez into a home in the exclusive La Isla neighbourhood of Nordelta, Buenos Aires, that they had planned to live in when he retired.”Seeing this woman uploading photos in the house I dreamed of for my daughters breaks my soul,” a tearful Nara said. “That house is mine because Mauro bought it when we were married. In Argentina there is no division of property. That house will be my daughters’ and mine too. This is not a separation, it is a constant provocation.”But, according to Paparazzi.com, Icardi has no intentions of sharing the mansion – and has told Suarez to decorate the property how she sees fit.Icardi has now moved Suarez into Nara’s ‘dream home’Credit: https://www.instagram.com/mauroicardi/Suarez and Icardi allegedly had an affair when he was married to NaraCredit: InstagramIcardi has reportedly allowed Suarez to decorate a home he bought when he was married to NaraThe kidsNara has two girls with Icardi, Francesca, 9, and Isabella, 8.She also has three other children with former footballer, Maxi Lopez.Meanwhile, Suarez has three children from two previous relationships.Nara, who was forced to spend Christmas apart from Francesca and Isabella, claims that Suarez is trying to turn her two daughters against her.”Someone who helped them in a toy store wrote to me and told me: ‘I’m with these girls because their mother abandoned them,” Nara revealed.”That’s a huge lie. I never abandoned my daughters. I didn’t see them because Mauro didn’t sign the authorisation for me to leave the country with them. He decided to keep the girls so they wouldn’t be with me at the parties.”Before China, our life was perfect. When I asked for a divorce, he swore to me that he was going to destroy me. Now he is carrying out his threats, using my daughters and allowing this woman to say things as serious as that I abandoned them. “I never thought that anyone would lend themselves to something like that, and even less a mother.”Nara has vowed to fight till the bitter end and ensure she comes out of the horror situation with her head held high.Nara has accused Suarez of trying to turn her two daughters against herNara has vowed to fight till the end as far as her divorce is concernedCredit: Instagram”I will not remain silent,’ she determinedly said on LAM.READ MORE SUN STORIES”This woman has already caused harm to other families, but she will not be able to do so with me. I am speaking on behalf of all the women whose lives she ruined. “Everything I do is for my daughters, so that they know that I always chose them, even if others want to dirty me.” More

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      Sick world of ‘football trafficking’ where desperate kids are shipped to UK like Man United star… then sold into sex

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      SMILING for the cameras, Amad Diallo looked delighted this week as he signed a stunning new deal with Manchester United.The dazzling prodigy – originally from the Ivory Coast – has fulfilled the dream of so many African youngsters of a lucrative career at one of the world’s richest clubs.Amad Diallo is now Manchester United’s biggest rising star after being trafficked to Europe aged just 12Credit: GettyThe football ace at Boca Barco in ItalyCredit: Boca BarcoThousands of African youngsters share the same dream, only to find they have been sold a lie by sick traffickersCredit: GettyIt’s a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the gifted youngster whose footballing journey began with him being trafficked to Europe as a 12-year-old.His dramatic equalising goal against arch-rivals Liverpool last Sunday follows his brilliantly executed volley to seal victory in the Manchester derby.His story will now be one of riches and, if he can help revive slumbering giant United, glory too.Yet, for thousands of other African youngsters, the promises of trials at clubs like United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain made by shysters claiming to be agents are a sick con.READ MORE FEATURESThese ‘agents’ demand thousands in upfront payments which often amount to the life-savings of a player’s family.The trials never materialise. The ‘agents’ disappear with the cash and the teenagers are abandoned, leaving them at risk of being sexually exploited or left destitute.A few years ago a young lad turned up at the reception at Tottenham’s old White Hart Lane ground saying he’d come from overseas for his trial with the club.The youngster had been conned, there was no trial. Spurs’ safeguarding procedures kicked in and the police and local authorities were contacted.Most read in FootballCharity Foot Solidaire has estimated that as many as 15,000 teenage footballers are shipped out of West African countries every year under false pretences.Former Watford midfielder Al Bangura has told how attempts were made to force him into the sex trade after he was trafficked into the UK.Amad runs the show again but Rashford is lucky to stay on the pitch and Onana has night to forgetFleeing his native Sierra Leone after elders tried to make him follow in the footsteps of his late father and become the leader of a voodoo cult, he made for neighbouring Guinea aged just 14.There a Frenchman promised to help him secure his dream of bringing him to the UK to become a Premier League footballer.Bangura revealed: “I didn’t know he had another different intention – to get me into the sex trade.”On arriving in the UK, he says he was taken to premises where he met men who hadn’t come to discuss his football career. “All of a sudden I saw two or three guys come around me, trying to rape me and make me do stuff,” he remembered.”Because I was young and I was small, I just started screaming. They probably thought I knew what I was there for – obviously I know what I came over here for, I was here to play football.”I was just crying and proper screaming and I tried to make my way out – I was cold, I was crying, I was shaking, I didn’t know what to do, I was all over the place.”I made my way outside. I didn’t know where to start, I thought it was the end of my life.”Al Bangura opened up about how he was almost led into the sex tradeCredit: GettyWatford fans protest over a Home Office ruling that Bangura should return to Sierra Leone in 2007. The ruling was eventually overturnedCredit: Getty Images – GettyBangura managed to escape and seek asylum. He was spotted by a talent scout and joined Watford when he was 16 and later awarded a work permit based on his footballing abilities.The youngster played for the Hornets in the Premier League and also played for Brighton, Blackpool, Forest Green Rovers and Coventry City.Bangura, now 36, has worked with the Premier League and charities to raise awareness on trafficking.”I think there’s loads of vulnerable kids in Africa who want to achieve what I’ve achieved in my life,” he said.”There’s loads of kids who might not even tell their parents, or their parents might use their last money to make sure they come over here to play football and they end up doing something else.”It’s important for me, having been through what I’ve been through in my life, for me to say I’ve been through that, I’ve survived, but what about the young kids coming up, will they survive?“Are they going to be able to cope with that? So we really need to find a way to stop all of that.”It’s quite emotional to talk about it now, I’m happy I’ve got over it, but it’s sad for me.”Crooked agents Dr Serhat Yilmaz – a Lecturer in Sports Law at Loughborough University – describes football trafficking of children as “a dark form of modern slavery”.Ramshackle football academies have sprung up on dustbowl pitches across West Africa with youngsters chasing the dream of a lucrative contract with a top European team.Crooked agents wheedle cash out of families after promising child players a trial at a footballing giant.Instead many are abandoned or enslaved on reaching Britain and other leading footballing nations.An investigator with the Spanish National Police says the number of trafficking cases is “sharply increasing” there.One youngster, 17-year-old Tidiane, originally from Conakry, Guinea, believed his dream of playing professional football in Spain had come true.Scouted while playing in his homeland, his family raised cash to pay a smuggler who promised a place in a Barcelona academy.“I was brought to Spain in March 2023 with documents saying that I had come on a school exchange trip, along with several other Guineans my age,” he revealed.The youngsters were told that they would be supported by an academy while continuing to go to school.Football trafficking is ‘a dark form of modern slavery’, says an expertCredit: GettyTidiane added: “After 15 days, we still hadn’t started school or football training.“They didn’t tell us anything, and after a month and a half, we were asked to pay again, even though it hadn’t been planned.“We were lost, so we fled late one night while everyone was sleeping.”With no money and his ID card confiscated by his smuggler, Tidiane was reduced to scavenging for food and sleeping in parks for five months.In October 2023, he was rescued by the Caritas charity who are helping him restart his schooling.The teenager said: “My story is far too common in Spain, many of us end up in the clutches of ill-intentioned people who take advantage of youth and their dreams.”International governing body FIFA’s Article 19 – written in 2003 – forbids clubs from signing international players below the age of 18.Since then, amid football’s scramble for new young talent, agents, players and clubs have been trying to break it.Article 19 has a clause allowing a club to sign a player under the age of 18 if it can be proved the child’s family was moving to that country for “reasons other than football”.It means job opportunities for the child’s parents can suddenly emerge in the city of the club that is interested in signing the youngster.Diallo’s journeyManchester United star Amad Diallo managed to leave his Ivory Coast homeland and, aged 12, and join an Italian club.His footballing journey – well before arriving at Old Trafford – left him a pawn in the sometimes murky world of signing young African talent.Born in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast’s capital in 2002, his precocious talent suggested he had the ability to follow countrymen Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Gervinho to stardom in Europe.In 2014, the youngster – then known as Amad Diallo Traore – joined minnows ASD Boca Barco not far from Parma. His brother Hamed Junior Traore, also a gifted footballer, would join him.The pair were able to make a new life in Italy under the family reunification system as their parents were Italian residents.My story is far too common in Spain, many of us end up in the clutches of ill-intentioned people who take advantage of youth and their dreams.TidaneYouth coach Denis Cerlini would later tell the BBC: “We didn’t discover Amad, but rather he just came to us. It was a great stroke of luck.”The brilliant youngster and his brother were noticed by Giovanni Galli, the ex AC Milan goalkeeper who played for Italy at the 1986 World Cup, who was working for an Italian third division club.Galli invited the brothers for a trial, remembering: “I quickly saw they were simply too good for us. Amad played with bigger boys and drove them insane with his dribbling.”Instead, Galli tipped off Serie A club Atalanta who signed Diallo in 2015. His brother signed for Empoli.Then in 2017 agent and talent scout Giovanni Damiano Drago was arrested as part of Operation Baby Elephant, an investigation into the trafficking of footballers.In a plea bargain, Drago gave information to police about the immigration status of Diallo and other young players. It left the scout with a suspended sentence of one year and 10 months.Former AC Milan icon Giovanni Galli noticed Amad and his brotherCredit: GettyA young Amad poses with former Manchester United star Paul PogbaFive people were arrested, accused of smuggling Diallo, his brother and three other young footballers into Italy.DNA tests by investigators proved Diallo and his ‘brother’ – now on Bournemouth’s books – were not related to the purported parents. It was all an elaborate sham.Incredibly, the scam led to Diallo – who was a child when he was trafficked – being fined £42,000 by the Italia FA. Hamed Junior Traore received a fine for the same amount.Diallo dropped his fake surname Traore on his 18th birthday.Dreams & nightmaresIn January 2021 Diallo joined Manchester United for £18.7million from Atalanta. He has been described as the “jewel in the crown” of new manager Ruben Amorim’s team.In West Africa, thousands of young footballers will be admiring the now 22-year-old’s progress, dreaming of their own lucrative career.Some, desperate for the riches European football can offer, take matters into their own hands.On the migration routes along the Mediterranean coast and in the camps of Calais and Dunkirk I’ve met many aspiring young footballers trying to make it to the UK by flimsy boat.Dr Ini-Obong Nkang, 32,  author of the book Football Trafficking: A Legal Analysis of the Trade of African Minors – says the key to preventing trafficking is to boost African leagues.Dr Nkang told The Sun: “Dig deep, and you’ll find South African players aren’t being trafficked because South Africa has the most developed league on the continent.“They can see for themselves that, ‘OK, if I stay here and join an academy, I can still make a future for myself’.“In West Africa – where the bulk of trafficked players come from, the leagues are not up to scratch. That has to change.”READ MORE SUN STORIESDiallo’s goals against Liverpool and Manchester City made him the toast of Old Trafford.For other African youngsters dreaming of football’s wealth and glory, their journey to Europe at the hands of traffickers brings only misery.Amad has been described as the “jewel in the crown” of new manager Ruben Amorim’s teamCredit: GettyHe joined Manchester United for £18.7m from Atalanta in 2018Credit: EPA More