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      in Boxing

      Josh Padley ready to quit day job as an electrician after fighting world champion Shakur Stevenson at four days’ notice

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      JOSH PADLEY has admitted he is ready to give up his day job after fighting lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson.The Doncaster bruiser took on Stevenson at just four days’ notice after Floyd Schofield dropped out after being allegedly ‘poisoned’.Josh Padley took on lightweight world champion Shakur StevensonCredit: GettyHe is ready to go full-time in boxingCredit: GettyPadley, 29, may have lost the bout, but last nine rounds and earned plenty of plaudits for his performance.He has now insisted that he is ready to box full-time and give up his part-time job as an electrician.He had been managing the load by training alongside the part-time role.He had even been working on a construction site on the Tuesday morning before he got the call to see if he could fight StevensonREAD MORE ON SPORTHe told Sky Sports: “Luckily I am in a position now where I can probably pack that in and fully dedicate my life to boxing.”I’m grateful for that, thank you to [Turki Alalshikh] for giving me that opportunity, we’ll be back.”There’s more of that to come.”That was four days’ notice. Eight-week camp and I know I’ll be better.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPadley was presented with a medal by the WBC after the fight with Stevenson.He joked: “Not quite the hardware I had in mind to come back with.I was meant to be doing DIY in Doncaster this weekend, now I’m on a world title fight – my boss isn’t best pleased”But the rebuild will be on and very good possibility of being a full-time athlete.”Padley also admitted that he left the ring after the defeat to Stevenson without any regrets.He added: “I would have loved to have got the win and there would have been some back story to it, but didn’t get it.”I tried my hardest, no regrets, I gave it everything I could but the body wasn’t conditioned to take them shots.”He made a name for himself after beating Alalshikh favourite Mark Chamberlain in September 2024.Stevenson spoke about the fight after being named the win and insisted he could have finished it earlier.He said: “I barely got touched. Yeah, I probably could have got the stoppage a little bit earlier, but there’s always going to be something to critique.”As long as I enjoyed what I did, that’s all that matters.”I was knocking out the ring rust. I fought in July. If I can stay active and stay locked in, I’m good.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He was supposed to come in here and give it his all, make sure he can make it to the 12th round.”That’s what he was trying to do. So, I succeeded at my job and he was trying to do his job.”Who is Josh Padley and what is his boxing record?Josh Padley is a British Lightweight boxer who has recently rose to fame after fans have found out that he is a part-time electrician.Before his most recent fight, Padley was seen fighting on small fight events against much lesser-known boxers, forcing the electrician to keep his part-time job for the much-needed income.His last fight held at Wembley Stadium truly put him on the map with a huge upset after beating Turki Alalshikh’s favourite fighter, Mark Chamberlain.Padley has been a professional boxer for just six years now and with a record of 15 wins and zero losses he now takes a huge step in his career as he takes on Shakur Stevenson for the WBC World Lightweight title.With a win on Saturday night, it would be one of the biggest upsets in boxing history and one of the greatest underdog stories we have seen in recent British boxing. More

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      in Soccer

      Jose Mourinho’s most controversial moments, from poking a rival coach in the eye to handbags with Arsene Wenger

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      CONTROVERSY has seemed to follow Jose Mourinho throughout his career.The Special One is currently causing a stir in Turkey, where he coaches Fenerbahce.Jose Mourinho is in hot water at Fenerbahce after being accused of racismCredit: GettyMourinho has courted plenty of controversy over the years, including his respect rantFollowing a 0-0 draw with fierce rivals Galatasaray, the Portuguese tactician has been accused of making “racist statements”.Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho claimed after the stalemate that Galatasaray had tried to get one of his team booked early on.He told a press conference that “everyone on the opposing bench was jumping around like monkeys”.However, Galatasaray have now hit back – vowing to file a criminal complaint against the two-time Champions League winner.Read more football news It’s the latest of a long list of controversial moments that have featured Mourinho.SunSport wades through some of those below.”Respect”During a press conference in the 2018-19 season, Mourinho took umbrage to journalist’s questions following a 3-0 defeat for his Manchester United said.Holding up three fingers, Mourinho said: “What was the result? 3-0? You know what this means? 3-0.Most read in Football”But it also means three Premierships, and I’ve won more Premierships alone than the other 19 managers together. Three for me, and two for them.”‘I’m not Kurt Zouma’ – Jose Mourinho makes outrageous outburst when asked if he prefers dogs or catsHe then got out of seat, gesturing the media to calm down with the palm of his hand, before repeatedly saying ‘respect, respect man’.Fracas with WengerMourinho and Wenger already had previous, when the then Chelsea boss called the French manager a “specialist in failure”.However, handbags were flying when the legendary Arsenal manager entered his rival’s technical area and gave him a shove and angry words were exchanged.After the game, Wenger explained: “I wanted to go from A to B, and somebody confronted me before B without any sign of welcome.”Honestly, I don’t listen to what he says. Push him? You would know if I really tried to push. Come on.”Mourinho and Arsene Wenger had a tempestuous relationshipCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe pair got into a shoving match during a Chelsea vs Arsenal gameCredit: GettyWearing a wireThe conspiracy theories were really getting to Mourinho during his spell at Roma.He was convinced referees had it in for him during the 2022-2023 season, a campaign which saw him receive three red cards on the touchline.So, in true Mourinho form, he did what he could to protect himself. He became an informant and wore a wire.He revealed: “I’m not stupid, you know. Today, I went to the game with a microphone. I recorded everything. From the moment I left the locker room, to the moment I returned. I protected myself.”Mourinho lost confidence in Italian refs so he started wearing a wire to record their conversationsCredit: GettyMore touchline shenanigansWhen Mourinho revisited Stamford Bridge with his Man Utd team, it took his team to hold him back as he looked for a fight.To be fair to Jose, he was wound up by Chelsea’s coach Marco Ianni celebrating a late equaliser in front of him by the dugouts.Stewards, Phil Neville, and other Red Devils staff members had to hold him back as he tried to race down the tunnel to confront the Italian.Afterwards, Ianni and Maurizio Sarri offered their apologies.When coaching Man Utd, Mourinho was taunted by Chelsea coach Marco IanniCredit: ReutersMourinho tried to race down the tunnel to confront the Italian coachCredit: Sky SportsHiding in a laundry basketIn his first season in the Prem at Chelsea, Mourinho was handed a touchline ban for the Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich.But, there was no way he was going to let that get in the way of entering the dressing room to talk to his team.He told Sky Sports years later: “I go to the dressing room during the day so I was there from midday and the game is seven o’clock. I just want to be in the dressing room when the players arrive.”I went there and nobody saw me. The problem was to leave after. And Stewart Bannister the kit man put me in the basket. It was a little bit open so I could breathe.”But when he is taking it outside the dressing room, the UEFA guys were following and desperate to find me so he closed the box and I couldn’t breathe.”When he opened the box I was dying! I am serious! I was claustrophobic, I promise! It’s true.”After receiving a ban, Mourinho hid in a basket to speak with his team in the dressing roomCredit: GettyNo questions, pleaseOften, you can strike gold with Mourinho at press conferences – because of his wit, charm, and no-holds-barred comments.But, on this occasion, he chose to say nothing.It was a press conference that lasted just 10 seconds, when Man Utd’s press officer asked waiting journalists if they had any questions following the final league game of the 2016-2017 season.Now most of the written press weren’t in the room at this time, with Jose arriving before them.With the handful that were in the room hesitant, Mourinho took it upon himself to say “good” before marching off.Mourinho often gave journalists gold during press conferencesCredit: Getty – ContributorAssault on Tito VillanovaDuring his Real Madrid years Mourinho was especially spiky.And it was fierce rivals Barcelona, who irked him the most, with things coming to a head in El Clasico.After the game, Mourinho poked Pep Guardiola’s then-assistant Tito Villanova in the eye in an unprovoked attack and wandered off.Barcelona didn’t make an official complaint. However, the club said: “The public have given their opinion. They are very clear that what this person did wasn’t right. The (Spanish football) federation will act if they want to.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThey did, they gave Jose a two-game ban, which was later rescinded in a general amnesty on suspensions across Spanish football.Mourinho apologised a year later and has always continued to express his sorrow for the incident.Mourinho famously poked Tito Villanova in the eye following an El Clasico match More

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      in Motorsport

      ‘I won’t fit in the car anymore!’ – Lewis Hamilton admits to eating THREE pizzas a week at Ferrari and reveals fave dish

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      LEWIS Hamilton fears not being able to fit into his Ferrari now that he’s eating THREE pizzas a week.The Brit, 40, has opened up on his diet since joining Ferrari and his love for Italian food.Hamilton joked that he has concerns about fitting in his car for the 2025 seasonHamilton attended a F1 event in London with Charles Leclerc and Frederic Vasseur last weekHamilton is beginning a new chapter in his career by joining Ferrari, one of the most storied teams in F1.The move ended his 12-year stint with Mercedes, where he became a seven-time world champion, clinching most of his 103 race victories and amassing his 104 pole positions.Hamilton is set to debut with Ferrari during the official test drives in Bahrain this week.And the Brit has highlighted his excitement at the new chapter of his F1 career.READ MORE F1 NEWSHe said: “I have to watch my diet. But that will be difficult. “I have to be careful and I can’t eat pizza all year round. Otherwise I won’t fit in the car anymore.'”Oh God. I’ve eaten so many pizzas in the last few weeks. But funnily enough, I’ve lost weight. “Last week alone I had three pizzas. I love Italian food. Penne a la Arrabbiata is still my absolute favourite dish.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHamilton has a deep-rooted connection with Italy that dates back to his karting days. He first cut his teeth in motorsport at the age of 13, racing in Italy with his first mechanic, Luca del Fante.Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia This included his time with the MBM team in the Open Italian Championship in 2000 and 2001 alongside Nico Rosberg, who later became his team-mate at Mercedes.Hamilton added: “I still remember going into town with Nico every evening to buy pizza and ice cream. We ate so much pizza.”Luca, my first mechanic, and his mother always made me an incredible lasagne. “I have never forgotten that lasagne to this day.”Ferrari’s hopes are pinned on Hamilton and his new teammate Charles Leclerc, who has confirmed his contract with Ferrari beyond 2024.The pair will look to end Ferrari’s long-standing title drought since Kimi Raikkonen’s 2007 crown.The driver market has been shaken by Hamilton’s move, leading to changes like Carlos Sainz’s departure from Ferrari to Williams. F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      in Soccer

      Since I arrived in LA we’ve had wildfires, earthquake, power cuts and personal ‘bad experience’, admits Olivier Giroud

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      OLIVIER GIROUD always wished to finish his career in  California — but life has not quite been the dream he imagined so far.The Frenchman suits Los Angeles, sitting in the sun after training at LAFC’s impressive facility, east of the beaches and palm trees of America’s West Coast.Olivier Giroud joined LAFC last summerCredit: SuppliedHe has had to deal with devastating wildfires in the areaCredit: APGiroud spent six years at ArsenalCredit: AFP or licensorsHe won the Champions League at ChelseaCredit: GettyBut Giroud has faced an awful lot of challenges since arriving from AC Milan last summer.A number of LAFC team-mates and staff were put on evacuation alert during January’s devastating wildfires which destroyed more than 18,000 homes.The club have helped raise funds to support those who were displaced, while striker Giroud has donated possessions.There have been powercuts, earthquakes and the Giroud family home was even burgled earlier this month.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLGiroud said: “Since I arrived in LA last summer, we had three power outages in five days of ten, 12 and 15 hours.“There was a massive earthquake when we were at the training ground. There were all the fires. It was a really sad situation. People lost everything.“We thank the first responders and firefighters who did an amazing job. It made me really sad. I was scared.“I also had a personal bad experience. Hopefully, there will be better days up front. It’s part of life.Most read in Football“Sometimes you have great days and sometimes tough moments.“It was a wish to finish here in the US and to give this opportunity to my kids to discover another way of life.”Lionel Messi finally puts ‘cold Tuesday night in Stoke’ theory to bed by running the show in -17 degrees temperatures Giroud’s career by numbersHere is a look at Oliver Giroud’s career…Grenoble, 2005–2008Appearances – 26Goals – 2Istres, 2007–2008 loanAppearances – 34Goals – 14Tours, 2008–2010 and 2010 loanAppearances – 69Goals – 38Montpellier, 2010–2012Appearances – 85Goals – 39Arsenal, 2012–2018Appearances – 253Goals – 105Chelsea, 2018–2021Appearances – 119Goals – 39AC Milan – 2021–2024Appearances – 132Goals – 49Los Angeles FCAppearances – 21Goals – 2Honours:Ligue 1 x1, FA Cup x4, Champions League x1, Europa League x1, Serie A x1, US Open Cup x1, Fifa World Cup x1, Despite all the challenges, Giroud is fully embracing California and Major League Soccer.The 38-year-old, who started out with French side Grenoble two decades ago and has taken in London and Milan along his journey, is more than content with life — despite a dramatic six months.He added: “It reminds me a bit of London. I lived nine years in  London and I really enjoy this city. “You can do a lot of things with the family. Plus you have the ocean side, which is really nice. “It’s a bit far from Europe but I like the lifestyle and visiting other parts of the US.“I brought the family to different places in California, but I really want to go to Hawaii and San Francisco. “I took them to Las Vegas, San Diego. Maybe also New York, if I can, for a break.“It’s sunny almost every single day. You feel far from home, like on holiday every single day. It’s not holiday time yet but maybe in a couple of years.“I’m really here to bring my experience to the team and to keep playing to win.“I’m a competitor and I said I’m coming in MLS to always give my best and achieve.”One sticking point of his new life in LA is keeping up with events back in the Premier League.As Giroud says, “it is a long way from Europe”, with English early games on a Saturday kicking off at 4.30am here.That has, at least, allowed him to sleep through some of Arsenal’s recent struggles. But despite the Gunners looking like falling short of a title once again, Giroud’s confidence in former team-mate Mikel Arteta is unshakeable.Giroud said of Arsenal’s Spanish manager: “He’s done a great job in the last few years.“I would say in a different style, but in a continuity of what Arsene Wenger did.“He’s had time to make the team improve, to set up his ideas.  He’s one of the best managers in Europe now.“He’s shown it. He brought Arsenal back to the top of the league, almost. I would love to see them win the title.“Mikel will never give up. I wish them to win.”One of the biggest factors holding Arsenal back has been their lack of a No 9.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut France’s all-time top scorer with 57 goals, who also bagged 105  for the Gunners, did not consider a Thierry Henry-style return to North London from MLS.He said: “No, I’m getting old. I’ll turn 39 soon.”Giroud has ruled out a Thierry Henry-style loan back to ArsenalCredit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      It’s grim down south as London’s so-called football elite lose out again and keep the capital a trophy-free zone

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      FROM Hackney Marshes to Wembley Stadium, London is a city which eats, sleeps and breathes football.Forget the supposed heartlands and  hotbeds of the north, England’s capital boasts more professional clubs than any metropolis outside South America — 16 of them in the top five tiers, with seven in the Premier League.Arteta’s hopes of domestic silverware look to have gone againCredit: RexMaresca has a long way to go to make Chelsea top boys once againCredit: GettyAnge’s hopes of a trophy rest with the Europa LeagueCredit: GettyYet Erik ten Hag won more silverware during his dismal Manchester United reign than the whole of London put together.And after a major February meltdown, it’s highly likely that no London club  will lift a domestic trophy for a fifth  consecutive season.Arsenal have blown another title, the Gunners and Spurs lost the League Cup semi-finals, while only Fulham, Crystal Palace and Millwall remain in  the FA Cup — with none of them having previously lifted the trophy.Arsenal don’t have a striker and don’t have any discipline, Chelsea’s owners have spent a billion and don’t have any senior players, while Tottenham don’t even want to be referred to as Tottenham any more.READ MORE FOOTBALLWest Ham are the worst Premier League team in the capital after sacking their best manager in decades — and David Moyes is the only boss to have won a major trophy for a London club in front of a full stadium since 2018. If Uefa’s Conference League even counts.Chelsea won the Champions League in front of a post-pandemic sprinkling of supporters in 2021 but the Blues have lost six successive Wembley finals, while Arsenal haven’t  won the title since 2004 and Spurs have won nothing since 2008.So with London such a des res for footballers, and with more than a third  of the Premier League based in the  capital, why do all major domestic  trophies head north?The winner of next month’s Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle will be the 14th consecutive English trophy-winner from north of Watford.Most read in FootballOne common factor, a perennial  problem for all of the capital’s clubs, is the sheer weight of derby fixtures.How Mo Salah bamboozled Man City with genius ‘backpedal trick’Derbies tend to be levellers which take their toll — and while Arsenal are top of this season’s London derby table, they have lost at home to West Ham twice in succession and failed to beat Fulham this term or last.Since the exits of Arsene Wenger and Roman Abramovich — the two most  influential figures in London football over the previous half-century — the city is becoming a trophy-free zone.Wenger took the Premier League by storm with his genius during his early years at Arsenal — and kept winning FA Cups even in his dog days.By then, Vladimir Putin’s pal  Abramovich had arrived at Stamford Bridge and, as Arsenal director David Dein put it, “parked his Russian tank in our front garden and fired £50 notes at us” — before we’d even heard of FFP or PSR.With Manchester City in meltdown, this ought to have been Arsenal’s time for a first title since Wenger’s heyday. Yet five red cards have cost them up to ten points and the lack of a fit striker, or any authentic No 9, means their chances of catching Liverpool were always remote.Under Abramovich, Chelsea collected five Premier League titles and the only two European Cups ever won by any London club.Since he scarpered into exile, the Blues have become prisoners of their own dogmatic business model — signing young players on extremely long contracts, with no senior pros to guide them.Now Cole Palmer, the 22-year-old who has carried the club for 18 months, faces another season without Champions League football.And with six years to run on his Blues deal, a player who sees himself as Ballon d’Or material might soon be getting itchy feet. A Conference League title won’t cut it.Then there’s the football club formerly known as Tottenham who, in a bizarre missive, requested broadcasters no longer refer to them as “Tottenham”, only as “Spurs” or by their full name, Tottenham Hotspur.We knew Ange Postecoglou’s men were having a poor season but we didn’t realise they needed to seek a new identity under the witness  protection programme.All in all, it’s grim down south.Pep Guardiola made the north football’s dominant region – and Arne Slot is making sure things stay that wayCredit: RexEven Erik ten Hag lifted two trophies as Man Utd bossCredit: ReutersDIFFERENT LEAGUELAST season, the clubs promoted to the Premier League all went back down.While two of those relegated to the Championship came straight up and the third, Leeds, lost the play-off final.This term, the three promoted clubs look relegation certs.And all three were  hammered at home this weekend by an aggregate scoreline of 12-1.Opposition players aren’t even properly  celebrating their goals against Southampton or Leicester any more.Meanwhile two of last season’s relegated clubs — Sheffield United  and Burnley — sit in  the Championship’s top three, along with Leeds.If it seems the gap between the top two divisions is widening again, then how on Earth do you explain the plight of Luton Town?The Hatters  made a decent stab at top-flight survival last year but are rock-bottom of the Championship right now.Luton could be set for two drops in a rowCredit: RexASH CLOUDOVERTURNING the injury-time penalty awarded to Everton’s Ashley Young against Manchester United proves the supposed VAR ‘high bar’ has been forgotten and matches are again being re-refereed from Stockley Park.And, after ref Andy Madley had made an honest, instinctive on-field decision on a 50-50 call in awarding the spot-kick, it’s also possible his VAR might have had time to take into account Young’s previous for taking a tumble.Which wouldn’t be right.Ashley Young thought Everton had won a penalty against his old sideCredit: GettyLEAKY BUM TIMEIF you thought Manchester United were bad on the pitch, consider the mess behind the scenes.Chief executive Omar Berrada is threatening to sack any United employees who turn whistle-blower and leak news of plans to axe even more staff.These job cuts will help pay for billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s disastrous decision to offer a new contract to Erik ten Hag, then sack him, and to poach sporting director  Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, only to fall out with him and pay him off five months later.Ratcliffe’s chum Sir Dave Brailsford is apparently sick of hearing about the Sir Alex Ferguson era.Brailsford reckons it puts unfair pressure on the Ratcliffe regime to mention that, under Fergie, United dominated the English game, winning 13 Prem titles and two European Cups.In which case, why didn’t Ratcliffe buy a club which had never won so much as a raffle prize, and run that one into the ground instead?Ratcliffe and Berrada are trying to stop the leaksCredit: GettyHOME RULE?YOU’VE got to turn your home stadium into a fortress because it’s always tough to win  on the road in the Premier League, isn’t it?Well, hardly any tougher than winning  at home, actually.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere were seven away wins in the top flight this weekend, meaning a total of 101 home victories and 95 away successes this season.With plenty of teams enjoying success on the counter-attack, with defensive ‘low blocks’ difficult to break down and away ends invariably out-singing home fans, home advantage is a thing of the past. More

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      in Soccer

      Meet stunning DAZN presenter Eleonora Incardona who has been hailed as the ‘next Diletta Leotta’ and dates a footballer

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      ITALIANS are spoiled when it comes to their football presenters.And they don’t come any more beautiful than DAZN host Eleonora Incardona.Eleonora Incardona is the new face of DAZN’s coverage of Italian footballCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eleonoraincardona/Stunning Eleonora was a former model and is now an influencerCredit: Instagram @eleonoraincardonaEleonora is followed by 1.1 million fans on InstagramCredit: Instagram @eleonoraincardonaGlamorous Diletta Leotta is DAZN’s usual Italian football presenterCredit: Instagram @dilettaleottaThe pretty brunette regularly turns heads when she’s reporting on the touchline at stadiums including the San Siro in Milan and the Allianz Stadium in Turin.It’s led to admirers hailing her as the “next Diletta Leotta” as the 34-year-old continues to grow her fanbase.On Instagram she has over one million followers who stay tuned to her glam life on and off the pitch.That includes dating Italian international Samuele Ricci, who stars for Torino.Read more football newsSunSport invites you to get to know a bit more about Eleonora in case you haven’t been tuning into Serie A (until now). Sicilian beautyEleonora hails from Sicily, where inhabitants are considered hot-blooded by their fellow Italians.But it’s the gorgeous former model who stirs emotions.She graduated in law and appeared destined for a life in the courtroom.Most read in FootballHowever, in 2010 she appeared in the Miss Italia competition and it changed her life forever.Sports presenter and ex-Premier League Wag Diletta Leotta stuns in see-through top for live TV broadcast She scored modelling gigs and it appeared her life was set as an influencer.However, her calling with presenting came when Sportitalia offered her a job in her homeland.Last year, DAZN brought her into the mainstream when she began hosting their Giro d’Italia coverage.But it was no surprise that the streaming giant encouraged her to try her hand at football.Eleonora made her debut for DAZN this monthCredit: Instagram @eleonoraincardonaPretty brunette Eleonora was a former Miss Italia contestantCredit: GettyPresenting soon became Eleonora’s dream jobCredit: Instagram @eleonoraincardonaread more sport featuresMaking a splashEarlier this month, DAZN’s viewers were treated to Eleonora’s talents.She stepped in for Diletta Leotta to present the channel’s coverage of Juventus against Inter Milan.Comments online called her “the new Diletta” – with some even suggesting she could replace the regular host.Most recently, she spoke about football being her real passion.She told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “The stadium is something special for me.“The opportunity to be close to the action, to study the details, to understand what is happening by listening to the voices of the protagonists, gives something extra that is difficult to explain.”Obviously, I cannot forget the first matches I saw live in Catania.”Beautiful Eleonora wowed fans with her stunning outfit during her DAZN debutCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eleonoraincardona/Beauty Eleonora was hailed by fans for her appearanceCredit: Instagram @eleonoraincardonaWith her stunning looks, Eleonora has been likened to Diletta LeottaCredit: Instagram @eleonoraincardonaIntriguing love lifeIt’s not just Eleonora’s professional life that is thriving.She is currently in a romance with Italian international midfielder Ricci.They went public with their relationship on Instagram in 2024.Astonishingly, Eleonora was engaged to Diletta Leotta’s stepbrother Mirko Manolo before she met Ricci.READ MORE SUN STORIESEleonora shows off her trendy side at the Allianz StadiumCredit: Instagram @eleonoraincardonaEleonora is in a romance with an Italian footballerCredit: InstagramTorino star Samuele Ricci and Eleonora went public with their romance in 2024Credit: Instagram @eleonoraincardonaEleonora was once engaged to Diletta Leotta’s stepbrotherCredit: InstagramShe revealed in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I am very happy with him. I met him in one of the most complicated periods of my life.”I was only thinking about work to distract myself from everything else. And instead I met a wonderful person, with sound principles and strong values.” More

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      in Boxing

      ‘There’s going to be blood shed, and it ain’t gonna be mine’ – Anthony Joshua still thinks Tyson Fury fight will happen

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has vowed to spill Tyson Fury’s blood in an epic Battle of Britain – if his rival comes out of retirement.The pair’s long-overdue domestic dust-up seemed finally set to come to fruition after Fury’s back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk last year.Tyson Fury was on course for a grudge match with Anthony Joshua before announcing his retirement last monthCredit: GETTYAJ isn’t buying the Gypsy King’s retirement and reckons he will fight againCredit: GETTYThe Watford warrior insists he’ll shed Fury’s blood if they do end up fightingCredit: AFPBut Fury threw a major spanner into the works last month by announcing his FIFTH retirement, although AJ isn’t giving up hope of putting a brutal beating on the Gypsy King.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion told iFL TV: “I feel like it’s the best fight [for me].”People might say [Joseph] Parker, people might say – I don’t know.”But I think Fury, commercially, is a great fight and it’s a great man’s fight as well. So I think it makes sense.READ MORE ON AJ”You could say it’s been years in the making. But listen, the heavyweight division has been thriving.”And why I say it’s probably still a great fight is as I said Parker is, for me, a great story of someone that never gives up.”And the thing is, there is going to be one winner and one loser and there’s going to be bloodshed. And it ain’t gonna be mine.”Fury, 36, has remained radio silent on his fighting future since his latest hanging up of the gloves.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut Joshua isn’t convinced we’ve seen the last of the Wythenshawe warrior.”Has he retired with the possibility of coming back?” Joshua asked when quizzed about Fury’s retirement “Yes.Anthony Joshua gives cryptic update over future amid Tyson Fury fight talk in interview at Beterbiev vs Bivol 2″Has he retired? Yes. Is he going to come back next month? No. In short, he might come back but he is retired.”Saudi boxing kingpin Turki Alalshikh is desperate to make the fight, telling The Stomping Ground: “I want Joshua vs Tyson.”I spoke with Fury but not about boxing. I just checked about his health and his family.”I think he maybe will return. I hope so.”Joshua, 35, hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his brutal fifth-round KO defeat to former sparring partner Daniel Dubois last September.A February rematch with Triple D was on the cards before his team convinced him to rest and recover from niggling injuries.And he’s keeping his cards close to his chest over when he’ll next be back in the squared circle.When asked about his ring return, AJ said: “More fights, this is my life, this is what I do.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Right now I sit outside and I watch and then I’ll make my return one day.”Right right I sit back as a fan and watch the great people in the sport I love.” More

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      in Soccer

      Brenden Aaronson so at home at Leeds after getting engaged to high-school sweetheart and winning over doubters

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      YORKSHIRE will forever have a special place in Brenden Aaronson’s heart.Not only is he enjoying the best season of his career with Leeds but it is the county where he got engaged to his high-school sweetheart Milana D’Ambra.Brenden Aaronson has enjoyed a redemption season with LeedsCredit: GettyThe American has been an ever-present for Daniel Farke’s Championship leadersCredit: PAAaronson has even found time to get engaged to partner Milana D’AmbraCredit: Instagram @baaronson7The USA international, 24, got down on one knee in the famous Harrogate park, The Stray, and the happy couple are due to “march up the aisle together” next year.He told SunSport: “It was so nerve-racking. It was the whole build-up to asking the question but thankfully she said, ‘Yes.’”Getting ready for the wedding will be more stressful than any game of football. “But Milana has helped me a ton in my life so it’s really great we’re getting married.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt is an exciting time for Aaronson and he hopes to make this season one to remember by helping to shoot Leeds back into the big time.And next year is set to be his greatest yet – playing in the top flight again then almost immediately after the nuptials across the pond he hopes to appear for USA at the World Cup on home soil.Top-of-the-table Leeds travel 36 miles south down the M1 on Monday to take on second-placed Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United.It’s a far cry from the 5,500 miles-plus journey and a six-hour time difference he negotiated when the two sides last met at Elland Road in October.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAaronson had played a full 90 minutes for USA in Mexico, playing at high altitude in Guadalajara, in a game that did not finish until just before 6am UK time on the Wednesday.Yet he remarkably started against the Blades on the Friday night in a 2-0 win.Leeds manager Daniel Farke gives his reaction to draw with Burnley And the midfielder has so far played in all 33 Championship games this season, which is testament to his remarkable stamina.He said: “It’s always tough with the national team, going all the way to the US and back, but I’ve done it for the last four and a half years playing club football in Europe so I’m used to it.”We played that game at high altitude in Mexico and it was so difficult.”Then that night I got on a private jet with a bunch of European-based Americans, flying either to London or Amsterdam.”It’s a good little system where all the clubs from Europe and the US football federation chip in to charter the planes to allow us to get back home a day earlier.”I got back for Thursday and was available to play Friday.”Afterwards I felt dead! But I knew if I could get through the game and play at my level then get through to the next week and have some days to relax and sleep I could do it.”And that’s what I’ve been doing all season. I’ve been able to keep confidence in what I’m doing.”World Cup qualifying draw in fullGroup A: Winner GER/ITA, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, LuxembourgGroup B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, KosovoGroup C: Loser POR/DEN, Greece, Scotland, BelarusGroup D: Winner FRA/CRO, Ukraine, Iceland, AzerbaijanGroup E: Winner SPA/NED, Turkey, Georgia, BulgariaGroup F: Winner POR/DEN, Hungary, Ireland, ArmeniaGroup G: Loser SPA/NED, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, MaltaGroup H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San MarinoGroup I: Loser GER/ITA, Norway, Israel, Estonia, MoldovaGroup J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, LiechensteinGroup K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, AndorraGroup L: Loser FRA/CRO, Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, GibraltarAaronson has turned around fan opinion this season. Having played 36 games in the Premier League after joining from Red Bull Salzburg in May 2022 in a £24.7million deal, he activated a relegation-release loan clause to spend last season with Bundesliga club Union Berlin to anger supporters.And there was a hostile response on social media when it was announced Aaronson had decided to come back this season.He said: “It’s tough when you see people are doubting you but I stayed away from the internet and focussed on myself. “I’m a people pleaser and care about other people’s feelings. I like to make people happy and prove to them how good I am.”I learned from the Prem season when I was first here and when I came back I learned a ton on focusing on myself and believing in myself. “I’ve let myself work over the fans and continue being like that.”Aaronson has scored eight times this season for LeedsCredit: GettyAaronson – nicknamed the Metford Messi back home – bucked the trend in the small New Jersey town by taking up “soccer” while most of his friends were into baseball and American Football. While his younger brother Paxten, 21, also has become a professional footballer and got a senior USA cap to his name, currently on loan at Dutch club Utrecht from Eintracht FrankfurtAnd although he is half-decent at basketball, and has played Lacrosse, football has always been his passion.He grew up supporting Liverpool while idolising the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Philippe Coutinho. He also had a soft spot for Tottenham when Luka Modric was strutting his stuff in North London.Aaronson – whose dad Rusty is a football coach – progressed through the ranks of MLS side Philadelphia Union and has gone on to win 47 caps for his country.The 24-year-old has already earned 47 caps for the United StatesCredit: APThe Leeds star is so excited that the World Cup will be co-hosted by his homeland alongside Canada and Mexico – and has enjoyed working under new coach and former Chelsea, Tottenham and Southampton coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took over in September.He said: “I cannot speak highly enough about Poch. I’ve only had him for two camps now and each one I’ve learned new things.”The formation, the way he wants to play, suits me. That’s what I like about it. Learning new things.”Although Aaronson was not even born when the USA staged their last World Cup in 1994, he has read, watched and listened to many stories about that tournament.He said: “It’s crazy England didn’t even qualify for that one. Dad always tells me how amazing the vibe was.”It kickstarted soccer in America. It made everything boom a lot more. This one will make it even bigger. “We’ve got some great stadiums and the whole atmosphere is going to be amazing.”But Aaronson hopes his home nation does not repeat part of the opening ceremony of that tournament .. when Diana Ross famously shot at an open goal and missed!He laughed:”“We should definitely avoid that this time around!READ MORE SUN STORIES”But it’s hopefully going to be a great year for me – playing in the Premier League, getting married and playing at a home World Cup.”It’s going to be awesome.” More