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      in Boxing

      Fabio Wardley thought he was being SCAMMED on Facebook when Oleksandr Usyk asked him for sparring

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      FABIO WARDLEY thought he was being SCAMMED after being approached to spar Oleksandr Usyk in 2018. Usyk was preparing to defend his undisputed cruiserweight titles against Britain’s Tony Bellew at the time. Fabio Wardley with Oleksandr Usyk in 2018Wardley thought he was being scammed when he got the sparring offerCredit: Instagram / @fabiowardleyWardley was just 4-0 having only turned professional a year earlier off the back of four wins on the white collar circuit. So when the former recruitment consultant got a message to join Usyk’s camp in Kyiv – he could not quite believe it. Wardley told The Times: “I got this message on Facebook in broken English and at first I thought it might be a scam. “I was confused as to why I’d even be on Usyk’s radar. I’d left my job in London to focus on my career and I was working part-time in a commercial gym. READ MORE IN BOXING”I asked them for three weeks off and they said no, so I left. I flew to Ukraine and a driver had a sign with my name on it. “He didn’t speak a lick of English and I got into this stranger’s white van and I thought, ‘I don’t know if I’m making it home’, but then I met his team and they were all really nice. “I was extremely green. I didn’t know the scale of Usyk’s skill. To even lay a glove on him was really difficult. “I think I got something like £750 per week.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWardley’s success is one of the most unlikely in British boxing after forgoing amateur experience. His handful of white collar fights started as a way of keeping fit and ended with aspirations of a genuine pro career. Fabio Wardley faces off with Justis Huni ahead of his homecoming fight Wardley got his break in 2018 after sparring with Dillian Whyte and later being signed to his management stable. And he has since racked up 18 wins with just one draw – against Frazer Clarke which he brutally avenged in their rematch. Wardley now has the chance to put himself in line for the heavyweight titles former sparring partner Usyk holds. He said: “When I turned professional, I just thought I’d have a few fights and if I could win any kind of belt in my career, I’d be happy to have something decent to look back on. “I wasn’t supposed to be achieving these kinds of things.I got this message on Facebook in broken English and at first I thought it might be a scam. I was confused as to why I’d even be on Usyk’s radar.Fabio Wardley “I fought at the O2, then I headlined the O2, I’ve fought in Saudi Arabia as the chief support to Tyson Fury and to Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol. “It keeps feeling like we’ve peaked and that it can’t get any better and now I’m fighting at the stadium in my hometown. “I’m genuinely on the edge of a world title, which sounds crazy for me just to say.”Wardley, 30, has his homecoming Ipswich fight at Portman Road against Australian Justis Huni, 26, on Saturday.He was initially set to fight Jarrell Miller – the controversial serial drug cheat – until the American pulled out due to “injury”. So Aussie Huni – who won gold at the amateur World Youth Championships in 2016 – filled in as a late replacement on five weeks’ notice. Read More on The SunWardley said: “Huni is another opponent from a completely different end of entry in boxing terms. “After starting in white-collar, anything was a win. This wasn’t realistic, but you always imagine.”Wardley facing off with Justis Huni at Portman RoadCredit: Instagram @justis_huni More

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      in Boxing

      Justis Huni survived a drive-by-shooting before swapping Australia for Blackpool ahead of Fabio Wardley fight

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      JUSTIS HUNI enters enemy territory when he faces Fabio Wardley in Ipswich – but it will take a lot to faze the travelling Australian. After all, Huni survived a terrifying drive-by-shooting in June 2022 only to win his next fight less than a week later. Justis Huni survived a terrifying drive-by-shooting in June 2022Credit: GettyPolice investigating at the house of Huni after the attackCredit: GettyThe boxer was just 23 when his family home in Brisbane, with ten inside, was targeted with five bullets. Two children, one aged eight and one just six months old, were among those in the house when shots fired at 4am. And despite cops and news crews surrounding the property – Huni was more focused on his morning sparring session that day. He told Ring Magazine: “I still remember it well.READ MORE IN BOXING”It was like, gunshots fired at my house then all of a sudden I had police and TV crews at the front of my house all morning. “But I had sparring that morning. I just looked straight past the news crews and just went to sparring. “Got my sparring done and then came back home to so much news and reporters at the house.”The frightening ordeal came while Huni was 5-0 – with four knockouts – and was approaching a fight against Joseph Gooddall.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd he would amazingly win the bout over ten rounds, not losing a round in the eyes of one judge.Three years on and no arrests were made and the perpetrators remain a mystery.Fabio Wardley prepares for dream Portman Road homecoming fight Huni has since improved his record to 12-0 and returns on Saturday in the biggest fight of his career. He replaced Jarrell Miller – the controversial serial drug cheat – after the American pulled out of facing Wardley through “injury”. Huni accepted the deal on just five weeks notice and has no fear in taking on Ipswich’s Wardley at Portman Road having overcome far worse. He said: “The timing of the shooting was crazy because I had the Goodall fight five days later. “I think if I could get through that, I’m sure I can handle what’s going to come at me on June 7th.”Everything is all character building and everything has got me to where I am today and to be able to get me past obstacles that are about to come up like June 7th. “Everything in my life has happened for a reason. It was scary of course, I was living in the house and my whole family was in the house that night. “It was a scare but I think I was so zoned in and focused on the fight it did not affect me. I kind of just overlooked it.”Now that I think back at it, it was a big deal, but at the time I was so focused on my job at hand that I kind of just brushed it away and just kept moving forward. I think if I could get through that, I’m sure I can handle what’s going to come at me on June 7th.Justis Huni on his drive-by-shooting ordeal “I won that fight and there was so much security and stuff at the fight because obviously they thought it was connected to me.”I don’t know. It just shows what the mind can do when you’re locked in on something so bad. You just kind of forget about it.”Huni, 26, flew to England in mid May to face off with Wardley, 30, for the first time on the football pitch. And instead of flying 10,000 miles back, the Aussie set up camp in Blackpool’s Sharpstyle Boxing Gym for the remainder of his training. He said: “It’s a kind of interesting place. It’s a bit different to the Gold Coast.”I haven’t had a chance to look around and go down to the water yet but from what I’ve seen it seems quiet here and that’s how I like it. “It’s a lot better than when I was in London for a few days – that was too busy for me, too much traffic.”But there’s not nearly as much traffic in Blackpool so I’ve liked it. “We’ve managed to get the sparring we need from a few local boys who have come down to help me out. Read More on The Sun”I’ve got all the training that I’ve needed. I’ve done all the hard work I’ve needed to do. “I’m just going to go in there and do my job… do what I’ve done for the last 20 years since I started in this sport.”Huni is from Brisbane but has been training in BlackpoolFabio Wardley facing off with HuniCredit: QUEENSBERRY More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea pair were like ‘Mr and Mrs’ and ‘drove each other mad’ in rows over moisturiser… but arguments HELPED squad

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      CHELSEA need brotherhood, shower gel and plenty of moisturising cream to get back to the summit of football.Legendary Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel believes dressing room chemistry is the key to success on the pitch. And he can see it brewing in the current squad.Chelsea legends John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou had a funny feudMikel and Kalou’s friendly feud created morale in Chelsea’s dressing roomHe was part of the all-conquering Chelsea team which landed title after title, cup after cup during his 11 years at Stamford Bridge.But small details are behind big wins and Mikel revealed how his bizarre relationship with Salomon Kalou epitomised the strong bonds between the players of the time.Together they won the Champions League, Premier League and four FA Cups when team spirit was the fear factor which often made the difference in key games.Mikel, 38, said: “It is very important, the friendship between your teammates in the squad, because It brings you guys together. Read More on Chelsea“The chemistry is there, not just the chemistry on the pitch, the chemistry outside the pitch because you already know your partner, your team-mates. “You know what they like and what they don’t like. How to approach them in terms of when they’re not performing,“How do you get them to wake up? Do you go to them? Do you scream at them, or is it like a quiet word you need to have and get them to keep going?“So that relationship is very important. And of course, Salomon Kalou, what can I say about the guy? Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge“Listen, we were Mr and Mrs at the football club, we were called Tom and Jerry.“He drives me mad, a guy I absolutely love. I can never say a bad word about Salomon Kalou.Here is why Liam Delap is the perfect striker for Chelsea “He never bought his own shower gel, his own cream, he always went to my locker and nicked mine. “I’d finish having a shower and I go to my locker trying to get my cream, it’s not there. Salomon Kalou’s nicked it.“Sometimes it’s fine to use it, but please, return it to my locker. He didn’t.“And when I go to him and ask where’s my cream? He says, ‘buy another one’. I’m like, ‘what? Why don’t you buy yourself your own cream?’“He just drove me mad. But then on the pitch, when you’re that honest and open with each other, on the pitch, you know each other so well, right and it helps so much. “I’d love to see the players create that friendship, that chemistry between each other. Looking at this team squad, They’re young but I can see a little bit that they have that.Mikel insists the current Chelsea team need a similar dressing roomKalou and Mikel had some hilarious exchanges“I need to see a bit more. It’s so important to create that atmosphere.”Where Mikel won, lost and partied alongside superstars like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, modern day Chelsea is about building reputations through ambitious young players like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and soon-to-arrive Liam Delap.Mikel said: “We enjoyed good times together. We went out to central London every time we won a trophy. We celebrated quite heavily because we were successful and were given a licence to go out and enjoy ourselves.“That brought that chemistry together because every year, every other year, we had something to celebrate. We were always winning something. So we were always having a massive party come the end of the season. That brought us together.“They have to win trophies in order to be able to bring that chemistry in the squad.”New Chelsea have started the process by qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Conference League. But the post-match party was tame by previous standards, mainly because a lot of the players are now on international duty before travelling to next week’s Club World Cup.I’d finish having a shower and I go to my locker trying to get my cream, it’s not there. Salomon Kalou’s nicked it.John Obi MikelThe month-long tournament in the US Club World Cup railroads through the traditional summer. Mikel said: “It’s silverware to be won and we want to go out and compete to win it. “We have to talk about the prize money as well.  Almost £100million. That puts you in a great advantage in terms of in the summer, transfer window, bringing in players, strengthening your squad. There’s a lot there for these players to think about.“I know we players talk about having a rest, which we should. But we actually don’t rest when we go on holidays.“We fly back to our different continents where we’re from, countries where we’re from.“And then we go back after a week or a few days, playing locally with the local teams where we grew up from, kicking the ball about, playing five-a-side, ten-a-side games.“You don’t want to rest for two, three weeks without doing anything. When you come back for pre-season, it takes you even longer to get in shape.“During the summer, you’re looking at yourself thinking, I need to get back into it. You start running, you start playing football and make sure you come back, so that it doesn’t take you a long time to get back into shape. We all did that. I get it, I understand. Read More on The Sun“The Club World Cup, for the teams involved, it’s a great opportunity, a great way for those teams to keep their players fit, keep them ticking over, knowing that when the season starts, they are almost half there.”John Obi Mikel was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Watch all 63 games live on DAZN for free.  More

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      in Athletics

      Transgender athlete, 17, tells critics to ‘get a life’ as they are booed after winning girl’s state track race

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      TRANSGENDER athlete Veronica Garcia has told their detractors to “get a life” after being booed at a state track championship in Washington.The 17-year-old blew away their 400m rivals by a whole second and played a big role in their East Valley of Spokane team-mates winning the 4x100m relay race.Veronica Garcia was subjected to a torrent of boos during a Washington state track meetCredit: runnerspaceFor the second year in a row, Garcia, the first transgender athlete in the state of Washington to win a track title, was heckled by track goers.The Seattle Times claims scores of attendees booed when Garcia – who is permitted to compete against biological females as students in Washington state can participate in sports based on their gender identity – stood on the podium after cheering loudly for their counterparts.That wasn’t the only backlash Garcia had to deal with as a man wearing a ‘Save women’s sports’ t-shirt – shouted: “Let go, girls!”The man, who made his feelings known during the warm-up, also shouted: “Girls’ race!”READ MORE IN SPORTGarcia fully “expected” to be hounded given the reception they received last year.But unlike last year, they had a defiant message for the minority in attendance who targeted them.Garcia said: “It maybe didn’t have their intended effect.”It made me angry, but not angry as in, I wanted to give up, but angry as in, I’m going to push.Most read in AthleticsVeronica Garcia blew away rivals in the 400m by a whole secondCredit: X@RILEY_GAINES_”I’m going to put this in the most PG-13 way, I’m just going to say it’s a damn shame they don’t have anything else better to do. “I hope they get a life. But oh well. It just shows who they are as people.” Garcia could care less about her critics, insisting: “I’m really proud of myself.”I did what I came to do, and that’s good enough for me.” Garcia pipped Lauren Matthew to victory in the 400m, although their rival insisted they were the “real champion” with a homemade sign.Garcia also had to endure a rival school wearing tees which read ‘Keep Women’s Sports Female’ before and after the 4x400m relay. More

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      in Soccer

      Coventry sleep coach says it is ‘bonkers’ that Prem clubs don’t take his work seriously after helping Frank Lampard

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      COVENTRY CITY are just the latest club in English football to reap the benefits of a sleep expert as they aim for marginal gains at the elite level.And “The Sleep Geek” James Wilson admits it is “bonkers” that Premier League sides wanting to win titles are still reluctant to fully embrace his unique and successful methods.Frank Lampard embraced a sleep coach in Coventry’s play-off runCredit: GettyJames Wilson worked with Jarrod Bowen before his Conference League-winning goalCredit: GettyWilson has worked with a variety of EFL clubs including RotherhamWilson has built a sound reputation in the world of football, helping players and coaching staff to perfect the art of sleeping and recovery at the likes of Rotherham United, Sheffield United, Lincoln City, West Ham and now Coventry.His influence is telling, and appears to have the golden touch, involved in promotion success tales with Rotherham, Lincoln and Sheffield United, while also playing his part in West Ham’s Europa Conference League triumph of 2023.Frank Lampard’s Coventry are the latest club on Wilson’s list of honours, the Sky Blues coming within seconds of the Championship play-off final only to concede in injury-time to Sunderland in the semi-finals.Having also worked with F1, NBA and NFL stars, Wilson’s knowledge in the sleep field currently sees him approached by top footballers in the Prem and the EFL.read more footballBut other than Brentford having sleep coach Anna West in their ranks, Wilson’s dream of his field being taken more seriously by the country’s biggest clubs is still falling on deaf ears.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWilson told SunSport: “It’s bonkers to me, it really is. There’s me and Anna and that’s it.“It’s not me making the decisions, but is it that they don’t see sleep as that important? Is it that they feel they’ve already got the resource internally?Most read in Football“One of my worries is you see more and more clubs working with brands that have some connection to sleep, maybe like a sleep supplement company or a piece of sleep technology.“That’s not sleep advice. It is worse now than when I started because those pieces of technology are so inaccurate. They are driving a sense of fear and despair in players.Doctor reveals the dangerous effects going to sleep after midnight has on our brain“It needs people who are properly trained. Some of the advice given by members of the medical team is not taken from reliable sources, like Jake Humphrey and Steven Bartlett podcasts, that can be troubling. And even if the stuff is right, it is not right for that individual.“We’ve got to a point where bringing me in means you may upset a commercial brand paying for that relationship. I don’t understand why every club hasn’t got [a sleep coach].“You might not get as much commercial benefit, but you’re going to get a team into the play-offs. You’re going to get promoted. You’re going to win European trophies.“That’s what happens when you get proper sleep expertise. People responsible for the performance and wellbeing should have some sort of proper sleep knowledge.“You can see how well Bentford have done can’t you? You can see how well Rotherham did when I was there, Sheffield United, West Ham, Coventry.“It’s not hard, is it? If clubs invest properly, it really, really does work.”Wilson began working with Coventry at the end of last season, giving the squad advice on how to prepare for their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United – one that they agonisingly lost on penalties under former boss Mark Robins.Wilson helped Coventry prepare for last season’s FA Cup semi defeat to Man UnitedCredit: The TimesWilson explained: “We did this little tweak before the United game where we suggested watching the other semi-final with Manchester City the day before might not be the best thing to prepare for sleep before you go and play.”At other clubs, Wilson dealt with players who struggled with sleep paralysis. Parasomnia sufferer Richard Wood would sleep walk and head balls in his sleep, but the former Rotherham defender’s career was prolonged with Wilson’s help.Wilson is now also sponsoring his local non-league side Nostell Miners Welfare from Wakefield in the Northern Counties East League.It is undecided whether Wilson will continue working with Coventry next season, but he is highly rated by performance director Claire Marie and head of sports science Adam Hearn and worked alongside sports psychologists.Wilson continued: “The culture at Coventry was really good – they were doing a lot around the players, supporting them emotionally. Frank was really open to what we were doing.“I started with a few seminars. I went in every four or five weeks from pre-season to February and I was then available from then for players who needed it.“It’s not snazzy. It’s not wham-bam, thank you ma’am. It’s conversations.“You can see improvements within about three months. Give them the simple signs behind sleep and an understanding of themselves. You need to drop your heart rate, drop your core temperature.Read More on The Sun“We did an education on sleep posture. It’s scary how little a professional footballer spends on a mattress.“You’re going to earn more money if you do this stuff because you’re going to have a longer career.” More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul reveals ‘hefty’ six-man hit-list of opponents for next fight including Anthony Joshua and world champ

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      JAKE PAUL has included Anthony Joshua in his “hefty” six-man hit-list of opponents after he fights Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The YouTuber-turned-boxer returns on June 28 against former middleweight world champion Chavez in a cruiserweight clash. Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez JrCredit: ReutersAnthony Joshua has been called out by Jake PaulCredit: GettyBut he is targeting even bigger bouts in the future, including against 41-year-old WBC world champion Badou Jack. Paul told his Most Valuable Promotions: “After Chavez I think Gervonta Davis, Anthony Joshua, KSI, Tommy Fury, Ryan Garcia, Badou Jack. It’s a pretty hefty list.” The American revealed he is lining up an exhibition bout against WBA lightweight champion Davis, 30, later this year. Davis, 30, was in talks to face Paul this summer until he controversially drew against Lamont Roach, 29, in March with the two set to rematch in August. READ MORE IN BOXINGPaul, 28, audaciously called out two-time heavyweight champion Joshua, 35, earlier in the year. And he has claimed the two struck a shock verbal agreement to fight in 2026. He has also voiced lofty ambitions of fighting for a world title and claimed talks are underway with Jack’s camp for a championship bout. Garcia, 26, is another big American name who was formerly friends with Paul until the two started to call each other out. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd Garcia – recently upset by Rolando Romero – revealed he would be willing to jump from 147lb to 185lb in order to fight Paul. KSI, 31, is another to have rivalled Paul for several years but a disagreement over weight has stalled talks. ‘I would’ve beaten him’ – Jake Paul blasts Canelo Alvarez’s win over William Scull and but says shock fight WILL happenPaul’s next fight is at the 14st 4lb cruiserweight limit of 200lb having beaten Mike Tyson, 58, at heavyweight weighing 227lb (16st 2lb). Meanwhile, KSI’s last fight came in defeat to Fury, 26, in October 2023 at 183lb over a STONE lighter than Paul’s fighting weight. Paul himself wants to rematch Fury after his split-decision loss in 2023 – which stands as his first and only defeat so far. He said: “I definitely think that will happen at some point Tommy just has to be realistic about what he’s worth and taking the amazing deal that we had. “I can fight any big name opponents all Tommy has is me. But I do wanna make the rematch happen and I definitely know that I’m going to destroy and knock him out. “Based off his last fight, he hasn’t got any better whereas I have two and a half years worth of more experience. “And better preparation, better coaches, better diet, better everything. Read More on The Sun”I’m just a completely different boxer than I was when we got in the ring the first time. He hasn’t improved as much. “He’s been doing this his whole life so the level that he can get to is not going to change much versus every year that goes by I can increase expediently.” Gervonta Davis is set to rematch Lamont Roach JrCredit: GettyWBC cruiserweight champion Badou Jack has been called out by Jake PaulCredit: GettyTommy Fury beat Jake Paul in 2023Credit: EPARyan Garcia has called out Jake Paul in the pastCredit: RexKSI facing off with Jake Paul in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Fabio Wardley reveals he is facing his girlfriend’s wrath with baby due a week after his dream Portman Road fight

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      FABIO WARDLEY revealed he is facing his girlfriend’s wrath with their first baby due just a week after his dream Portman Road fight.The Ipswich super-fan faces Australian Justis Huni on Saturday at the Premier League stadium. Fabio Wardley with his girlfriendCredit: Instagram @fabiowardleyThey are expecting their first child togetherCredit: Instagram @fabiowardleyTheir daughter is due a week after his Portman Road fightCredit: Instagram @fabiowardleyIt is a homecoming fight years in the making – but arrives just as his partner is expecting to give birth to their daughter.Wardley told Ring Magazine: “This is a slightly tense topic. My missus wasn’t the happiest with this fight date.“She is due a week later but it is Portman Road. It’s not just any fight, it’s the one at Portman Road. She said, ‘Yeah I know but…’“They say the chances are that the first one comes late but who knows. READ MORE IN BOXING”Whatever will be will be at this stage. I’m just focusing on my job at this point and that is winning the fight.“It’s a mad 2025 and really just a mad June but I can’t wait. I’m ready for fatherhood. My best mate’s not long had his, a beautiful little girl as well. “So being able to watch her grow and knowing that’s coming for me has made me a big softie to be honest. “It’s going to be something special and I’m really looking forward to it.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDespite Wardley admitting he will transform into a “big softie” he also expects to switch from doting dad to destructive puncher at ease.He said: “I think I will be able to do both. It will be double bubble for me.Fabio Wardley faces off with Justis Huni ahead of his homecoming fight “What I mean is that when I’m at home with her and my family I will be as soft as anything but once it’s training time, fight time, I’ll do the opposite.“I believe it will make me even more determined, even more driven, even more relentless, because now they’re relying on me.”That little girl will be relying on and depending on me. I need to go out and do my job.”Wardley, 30, is coming off a brutal knockout win over Frazer Clarke, 33, last October which followed their thrilling draw six months prior.He was due to fight Jarrell Miller but the controversial American – who failed three high-profile drug tests in the past – pulled out through injury. So unbeaten Aussie Huni, 26, replaced Miller, 36, on short notice in a bid to upset the hometown hero. She is due a week later but it is Portman Road. It’s not just any fight, it’s the one at Portman Road. She said, ‘Yeah I know but…’Fabio Wardley Wardley said: “Of course it comes with pressure. But pressure is a privilege. Being here is a privilege.“Being able to fight here is a privilege and I think I have proven throughout my career that I do well under pressure.“I like it. When the lights are bright, when the occasion is big, it’s when you get the best from me. “It’s when you get the biggest amount of heart, grit, determination, the biggest amount of focus, and me firing on all cylinders.“I’m in the best place I’ve been. I’ve got so much experience now within this professional game, from a variety of fights up and down the country. “I’ve fought over in Riyadh. I’ve fought over in Gibraltar. I’ve fought in the UK, London, Sheffield, here, there, everywhere.Read More on The Sun“Small Hall, York Hall. I’ve mixed it all. I’ve done it all now. Now it’s about bringing all that experience into one fight and that’s what will happen on June 7.“Only then will it be time to go back home to become a dad.”Wardley is taking on Justin Huni on SaturdayCredit: @Queensberry More

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      in Motorsport

      Calls for Verstappen to be DISQUALIFIED after ramming Russell in ‘Mario Kart move’ as Piastri wins Spanish Grand Prix

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN reignited his old feud with George Russell as he appeared to RAM into the Mercedes driver late on.Former world champion Nico Rosberg called for the black flag to be brought out and disqualification for Verstappen after the stunning incident on lap 64. Oscar Piastri took the race win at the Spanish Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Lando NorrisCredit: PABut late on Max Verstappen appeared to RAM his car into George Russell after being told to let him passCredit: Sky SportsVerstappen was told to let the Brit pass him on track before smashing into himCredit: Sky SportsFormer world champion Nico Rosberg called for the Dutchman to be disqualifiedCredit: GettyVerstappen was hit with a ten second time penalty in the end after colliding with Russell as he was told to let the Brit driver through. Watching in the cool-down room after the race, runner-up Lando Norris compared it to something he has done before in “Mario Kart”.The chaos began after the restart from the safety car which was prompted by Kimi Anontelli veering into the gravel. Verstappen nearly spun and Charles Leclerc overtook and then Russell nearly went into the back of the Dutchman who had to veer off track onto the escape road and was told by his team to give the place back to the Brit. READ MORE IN F1The Mercedes man thought he was doing so but the Dutchman appeared to intentionally ram into the side of him. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri pulled off a blinder to win the race ahead of his teammate Lando Norris who is hot on his tails in the push towards the driver’s title. The time penalty for Verstappen meant Leclerc finished third ahead of fourth-place Russell, but it was misery for Lewis Hamilton who was overtaken by Nico Hulkenburg for fifth. At the start, Australian driver Piastri got off perfectly while Verstappen picked out Norris for second. Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKRussell produced a horrific start which left him for dust by both Ferraris as Hamilton went into fourth and Lecerc into fifth. Flustered Russell was fuming saying: “These ***** are moving under braking today. What is going one!?”One of F1’s most recognisable voices reveals Leclerc and Hamilton moments that will live with him foreverToto Wolff hit back with: “George, concentrate.”Ferrari’s swap conundrum was back again on lap 9 with Leclerc right up Hamilton’s jacksie as the seven-time world champion struggled with his grip on the car. He was finally told “swap positions with Leclerc” and he waved his teammate past. Norris was all over Verstappen and the McLaren one-two was restored on lap 13 as the Brit eased past the Red Bull driver who didn’t even bother to defend. Now the race was on between Norris and Piastri as they went toe-to-toe on lap times. Verstappen took the lead in his Red Bull on lap 23 after the two McLaren’s had pitted after his own stop. But the Dutchman was struggling and pitted again on lap 30 and the two Papaya cars shimmied into the lead. Just over half-way and Norris was closing in on Piastri with blistering lap times and was the quickest driver on the track. Red Bull were still in the mix though and Christian Horner came on the blower to Verstappen to say: “McLaren are receiving the threat. They realise they have to push on. It’s a long way to go from there.” Piastri played Norris like a fiddle though, allowing him to get close before charging clear of his teammate with the gap over five seconds with 20 laps to go. Norris and Verstappen got caught up in a fierce battle between Ollie Bearman and Liam Lawson. The four-time world champion slammed the “f****** idiots!” on his team radio as he angrily waved at Bearman when he passed him. Drama erupted when the safety car came out after Anontelli’s Mercedes veered into the gravel while England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham watched on from the garage. Read More on The SunThere was chaos on the restart for Verstappen which took the attention away from Piastri eventually soaring over the line with another perfect performance.The dramatic events saw Piastri move ten points ahead of Norris at the top of the World Drivers Championship, with Verstappen tumbling 49 points behind the leader.Kimi Antonelli’s caused the late safety car to spark the chaosCredit: GettyLewis Hamilton finished P6 after being passed at the end by Nico Hulkenberg and then bumped up one spot by the Verstappen penaltyCredit: Alamy More