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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    Abandoned iconic UK stadium left to rot with track ripped up 110 years after hosting FA Cup final

    AN ICONIC athletics stadium that formerly hosted the FA Cup final is being given a new lease of life. Crystal Palace National Sports Centre fell into disrepair after closing almost four years ago. Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has been closed for almost four yearsCredit: The TimesThe stadium has fallen into a state of disrepairCredit: The TimesThe athletics track is in dire need of repair and has been ripped up in partsCredit: The TimesThe diving and Olympic swimming pools lie emptyCredit: The TimesNature has begun to claim back certain areas of the facilityCredit: GettyThe South London complex was shut in November 2022 following unexpected safety concerns. Concrete pillars holding up the floodlights were discovered to have been unsafe. Prior to 2012, the 19,000-capacity ground hosted the London Grand Prix before the event was switched to the nearby London Stadium.The FA Cup final was also held on the same site between 1895 and 1914, with the current stadium opened at the same address in 1964.READ MORE ON SPORTFollowing its surprise closure, the site quickly grew into a state of disrepair.The running track was partially ripped up, with the scoreboard and stands littered with fox and rat poo. An Olympic-sized swimming and diving pool on the site has also been closed.The move has frustrated local coaches, who maintain the facilities must reopen to help train new talent. Most read in AthleticsBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKJohn Powell, chair of Crystal Palace Sports Partnership, told the Guardian: “At the moment you’ve got an indoor track with rats on it and pigeon excrement all over the place. “There are trees growing out of the West Stand and then there was the floodlight farce, which meant no one can train there after dark now.  Former top flight stadium left abandoned and overgrown just two years after club last played a game there”London is the only capital city in Europe that doesn’t have a dedicated athletics centre. “Crystal Palace is the most accessible athletics stadium in the country so it’s a total joke what has been allowed to happen.”Extra funding has now been provided to restore Crystal Palace to its former glory.Track repair at the site began in late 2023, with more work expected in the coming yearCredit: x/CPSP2020The facility is set for a phased reopening between 2027 and 2028Credit: The TimesThe track has now been relayed, while the reopening of the 50m and diving pools remains the key priority for the project. London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, Thomas Turrell, said: “The phased target openings for facilities across the estate remain for 2027 and 2028. “The project is currently at the mid-point of the contractor procurement process, aiming to have a contractor on board by Spring 2025. “A planning submission will follow later in the year with works programmed to start on site in 2026.“I am pleased to this project developing. While there is still a lot to do, and I know local people are keen to see the pool in particular opened as soon as possible, it is good to see progress finally being made. Read More on The Sun”The Centre has been forgotten for too long and I am really excited by this plan. “It is time to bring UK athletics home to Crystal Palace!” More