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      in Boxing

      Inside Chris Eubank Jr’s new £4MILLION villa as boxer reveals he’s purchased stunning beachfront pad on Dubai island

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR has bagged himself a stunning new home in Dubai.The former IBO super-middleweight champion recently put his plush four-bed Hove house on the market.Chris Eubank Jr has purchased a stunning new home in DubaiCredit: PALM JEBEL ALIThe Brit boxer has bought an Indigo Ocean Villa on the plush Palm Jebel Ali IslandCredit: PALM JEBEL ALIEubank Jr has dropped a cool £4million on the stunning abodeCredit: PALM JEBEL ALIEubank Jr revealed the location of his plush new digs on InstagramCredit: PALM JEBEL ALI / CHRIS EUBANJ JREubank Jr – the son of British boxing great Chris Eubank Sr – slapped a £1.8million asking price on the stylish abode.And he’s seemingly already moved on from the gaffe by purchasing a plush property in the UAE.The 35-year-old has bought a stunning five-bedroom Indigo Ocean Villa on Dubai’s Palm Jebel Ali Island.The brand-spanking new and highly-desired Palm Jebel Ali is described as a “sophisticated sanctuary” filled with “ultra-luxury homes”.READ MORE ON EUBANK JRAnd Eubank Jr’s oceanside villa is most certainly the definition of luxury.As well as five sizeable bedrooms and four bathrooms, the 7,882 square-foot home has multiple private balconies and a spacious roof terrace.The bedrooms and bathrooms are spaced out over three floors, the top of which features a stunning terrace.The luxury villa, understandably, doesn’t come cheap as they’re currently being listed for a whopping £4million.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChris Eubank Jr’s new UAE pad has five bedrooms and four bathroomsCredit: PALM JEBEL ALIPaying for the house will be a doddle for Eubank Jr if his long-overdue family grudge match with Conor Benn finally comes to fruition.The rivals have been publicly squabbling over a purse split for the domestic dust-up, which was initially set to take place in October 2022.Watch moment Conor Benn SHOVES Chris Eubank Jr and calls him ‘dead boy walking’ before boxing rivals are separated But Eubank Jr promoter Ben Shalom recently claimed his man had agreed to a 55-45 purse split.He told Sky Sports: “We have done an unbelievable job getting Chris to accept a 55 per cent fee.“We’ve worked wonders. You ask anyone, they can even see it, this isn’t even close to a 50-50 fight.”So the fact he’s managing to compromise on that is hugely generous from him. “I’ve done my job, and now it’s time for them to be sensible.“The fact they’ve already got us down to that shows how well we’ve done.Chris Eubank Jr is seemingly on course to finally face Conor BennCredit: GETTY”If the fight doesn’t get made now, then we know what it is.”But ‘Next Gen’ told Fight Hub TV last week: “Of course [Benn and Matchroom Boxing] they don’t want to budge [on the purse split].”These guys, their greed is what’s stopping the fight from happening.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The bottom line is the A-side doesn’t split 50/50 with the B-side and I am the A-side.”Once they comes to terms with that then the fight will be made.” More

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      in Soccer

      West Ham icon Ludek Miklosko reveals heartbreaking cancer battle and stops treatment to ‘enjoy best quality of life’

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      WEST HAM hero Ludek Miklosko has revealed he’s been battling cancer for the last few years.The former Hammers stopper discovered he was fighting the deadly disease three years ago after finding a small lump on his hip.Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has revealed he’s battling cancerCredit: GETTYMiklosko discovered he had a growth on his hip three years agoCredit: GETTYBut it later emerged the former Czech stopper had an inoperable tumour in his stomach along with several smaller onesCredit: REXThe 63-year-old has opted not to undergo chemotherapy, which doctors couldn’t guarantee him would be a successCredit: GETTYThe 63-year-old’s initial treatment went well, although doctors failed to discover several other tumours in his body – including an inoperable stomach tumour.Miklosko underwent radiotherapy to shrink the growth but doctors soon discovered there were several other tumours.The only option left for Miklosko was chemotherapy, which doctors couldn’t guarantee would be a success.So the retired keeper has made the heartbreaking decision not to have treatment to ensure he has the best quality in his final days.READ MORE WEST HAM NEWSExplaining his decision, he told West Ham’s official website: “I was thinking about this, and had another conversation with the doctor in Ostrava.”And it was made clear to me that there could be no guarantees that it would work. “Maybe it would help to slow it down a little bit, but it would not stop it and there would be other issues to deal with.“I decided not to take the chemotherapy, because I want to live a normal life.Most read in FootballThe day Miklosko denied Man Utd the titleBy Henry TomlinsonLUDEK MIKLOSKO was once responsible for denying Manchester United a Premier League title.On the final day of the 1994/95 season, the Red Devils travelled to the former home of West Ham, the Boleyn Ground.Sir Alex Ferguson’s side needed to better the result of Blackburn in order to secure their third successive title.The Hammers had confirmed their spot in the league with a 3-0 win over Liverpool in the match before.Despite having nothing to play for, Michael Hughes caused a shock when he put the hosts ahead.Brian McClair levelled for Man United after the break and put them just one goal from claiming the title.However, Miklosko put in a brilliant performance in which he denied Ferguson’s men time and time again.Blackburn lost their match at Anfield 2-1 but the draw would not be enough for Man United.Miklosko spoke about the game in 2020 and has admitted he never tires of talking about it.He said: “I have been asked about the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground in May 1995 so many times, but I will never get tired of talking about it.“In fact, I was at Manchester United’s training ground recently with some young goalkeepers – I am now a player representative – and there were staff members there who remembered that game.“Some of them came up to me and talked about the game and a few of them said ‘I was there and remember that game and I hated you!’. We had a good laugh about it.“It was one of those games when everything went for me, but it was also a good team performance, too.“We scored a good goal and we defended so well to stop Manchester United, who were a very good team and wanted to win the title on the final day of the season.””I have very good people around me, and I have my work and my football, which is my life, all I have known. I want to keep doing that for as long as I can.”Miklosko was put off undergoing the gruelling and debilitating chemo once it was made clear to him that his entire life would be put on hold.Meet West Ham wonderkid Kaelan CaseyHe said: “When they told me about what the chemotherapy would mean, it was a case of not being able to work or be around my colleagues for around six months, not travel, have some sickness and everything else.”And I said, ‘No – I do not want that. There is no point. “I want to live my life.'”Miklosko will be in attendance at the Olympic Stadium this evening for the Hammers’ clash with Prem table-toppers Liverpool.The club will pay tribute to their former keeper ten minutes before kick-off.Miklosko is looking forward to returning to East London, saying: “It will be very special to me.Ludek Miklosko has opted not to undergo chemotherapy in order to have a better quality of lifeCredit: REX“And, of course, the supporters. “After all these years, they still remember me, still sing my name, and that is a great feeling.“I have two football clubs in my heart, Banik Ostrava and West Ham United, and in a funny way they are very similar. “Even the mentality of the fans, very similar. Hard-working people, loyal and passionate. “If I am ever doing an interview here in the Czech Republic, I am always saying this and making this comparison.“West Ham United is my second family. And I really am looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday.”Miklosko was in attendance for West Ham’s Europa Conference League final triumph against Fiorentina last summer.Ludek Miklosko has fond memories of his time with West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdMiklosko upped sticks from his native Czech Republic with his wife and son in February 1990 to join the Hammers. He’d go on to make 318 appearances for the East Londoners during an eight-year stint. Miklosko and his family enjoyed their time in England, so much that his son asked him to move back to Old Blighty after they returned to the Czech Republic. He told The Athletic: “When we moved back to [the] Czech Republic, my son begged me and his mum to leave him in England.“He went from saying, ‘Why on earth are we here?’ to wanting to stay there without us. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Seeing my son overcome his struggles put a big smile on my face. Me joining “West Ham worked out well for all of us.” More

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      in Soccer

      Amorim always knew Man Utd was a huge mess… but Ratcliffe’s ‘football committee’ could be the biggest of the lot

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      CARDS maxed to the limit, a fortune spent on stuff that seemed a bright idea but will just lie around cluttering up the place.Unwanted tat you’re stuck with as no one else wants it either. Ruben Amorim is giving Man Utd an identity but must rebuildCredit: GettyChristian Eriksen and Co slumped 2-0 at Wolves on Boxing DayCredit: AlamySir Jim Ratcliffe’s football committee at Man Utd looks like a bigger joke than anything that came out of a Christmas crackerCredit: PAWondering whatever possessed you to think it was good value in the first place.The story of the festive season for households across the nation. The story of the past ten seasons for Manchester United.One which means even though they seem to have found a suitable successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at last, he is having to do the job with both hands tied behind his back.So much for all those boasts of how cock-ups were a thing of the past now Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s much-vaunted football committee was running the show.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSeriously, Sir Jim? That already looks a bigger joke than anything which tumbled out of a cracker.This is a regime which arrived 12 months  ago with chest-beating promises that United would be title contenders in three years.But right now is more likely to be remembered for their role in one of  the most unforgivable chapters in the history of England’s biggest club.Reckon that is overplaying the  seriousness of the situation at Old Trafford? Well, scratch beneath the surface a little and see what you think.Most read in FootballUnited keeper Andre Onana let in a goal direct from a corner at WolvesCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe biggest and most obvious clanger of all was fudging Erik ten Hag’s future last summer. And then managing to trump themselves by compounding it even further.First co-owner Sir Jim, right-hand man Dave Brailsford and the rest of the brains trust decided Erik wasn’t so bad after all — having spent months wildly thrashing around in vain for a better option. ‘Who do you think you are’: Sir Alex Ferguson reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears after ‘ripping in’ to Man Utd iconNot many truly believed it with any serious conviction — maybe not even the committee themselves — but the FA Cup final win in May gave them a platform to argue so.For all it was great to beat Manchester City, there’s a case to suggest it was the worst thing that could’ve happened. Crystal clear waters became muddied.Defeat at Wembley would certainly have seen off the manager. Instead Sir Jim’s boys not only stuck with Ten Hag, but then let him spend more than £170million on new recruits.Until late October, when reality could be ignored no longer and they swung the axe. At last a unanimous verdict . . . no disputing this decision.Most fans agreed the next one was spot on, too. In Ruben Amorim, United, after 11 error-riddled years, finally had the manager they craved.One whose personality, character, presence and belief is as big as the sporting institution paying his wages. Results alone wouldn’t scream as much, for sure. They are no better than Ten Hag’s early days at Old Trafford.But already Amorim is giving United an identity again. Already there is a system in mind. His predecessor couldn’t manage either in over two years.The problem, though, is the manager needs the tools to do the job . . . and there aren’t many — of the right kind at least — to work with.There is an urgent demand for new faces. But that demands departures which, in turn, demands finding buyers. And there is no queue for Old Trafford cast-offs.Of the players Amorim inherited, you could say with any certainty only Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and, probably, Bruno Fernandes are out  of bounds.This is a rebuild of knock-it-down, start-from-scratch proportions… demanding ultimate stick-with-it patience.Plus possibly £42m summer signing Leny Yoro — if only for the reason his injury-delayed start means he hasn’t played enough to pass judgment.Yet so many of the rest simply aren’t up to it —  Amorim has swiftly  realised it, too. He knew United had problems, but probably not what a mess they were in.One logic-defying win at City won’t pull the wool over his eyes. Not with red-faced losses to Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Wolves in the mix, too.Amorim knew full well this was a mission with no quick fix . . . but not, you sense, the reality that it will take years longer than he first believed.This is a rebuild of knock-it-down, start-from-scratch proportions. A job demanding ultimate stick-with-it patience.Which, ironically, has been the mantra of the post-Fergie era. That plea urging the owners to keep faith in the manager.So far none have had more than two full seasons.READ MORE SUN STORIESNo surprise, then, that patience is the watchword once again. Yet now with a huge sense  of irony.For this time the call isn’t begging United’s owners to be patient, but for the manager to have enough in those who brought him in.Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo are the two players whose Old Trafford future should be most secureCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      ‘I had some very dark times & my body has been through hell’ – ‘Voice of Boxing’ opens up on heartbreaking cancer battle

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      ADAM SMITH has bravely opened up on his battle with cancer, which at times left him in a “dark” place.The beloved boxing commentator was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of bladder cancer in 2023.Former Sky Sports boxing commentator Adam Smith was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of bladder cancer last yearCredit: GettySmith was days away from dying before having 19 lymph nodes, his bladder and prostate removedCredit: GETTYSmith went through some “dark times” during his recoveryCredit: GETTYA massive tumour situated next to Smith’s bladder wall left him “about four days” away from death.A six-hour operation, in which 19 lymph nodes were removed as well as his bladder and prostrate, saved ‘The Voice of Boxing’.Smith would then undergo three-and-a-half months of gruelling chemotherapy.And the gruelling toe-to-toe battle with the disease took its toll mentally and physically.READ MORE BOXING NEWSHe told DAZN ahead of Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk: “I am very lucky and honoured to be doing this job and watching these fine boxers.”Whether it is calling a four-round fight between two debutants or a world title fight, I love it all and am grateful to be doing such a job, if you can really call it a job.”The cancer was brutal, it has been very difficult to fight this disease.”I had some very dark times and my body has been through hell.”Most read in BoxingAdam Smith credits his family for getting him through his battle as much as the doctors who saved himCredit: REUTERSSmith credits the support of his family for getting him through the fight of his life.”My doctors saved me, my family brought me back,” he said. “I had three-and-a-half lonely months in hospital undergoing treatment. Tyson Fury gives cryptic update on his future after Oleksandr Usyk defeat as retirement rumours circle”I was very lucky to make it through. I am very lucky to be alive and I have a different perspective on life after what happened to me.”I wake up in the morning and I am happy, I am not stressed. I am just delighted to have another day.”Reflecting on his health back in September, Smith told The Independent: “I look healthy, but underneath is a wrecked body.“I’ve lost major parts of it. A lot of people are in much worse situations, but it’s a tough new life.”You have tubes at night, it’s not easy. And after the operation, last spring, I got an ileus: my entire body was blocked, food wouldn’t go through for 10 days.Adam Smith thought he wouldn’t win his cancer battleCredit: GETTY”I lost four stone in weight, then I had a twisted bowel. It all went wrong. I was a mess, I was in agony, I couldn’t move.“The hardest thing was learning to walk again; I had to sit on a chair in the shower for a couple of months, because I couldn’t stand.”But my family were unbelievable, Sky were amazing. I still had many, many lonely nights, but I owe everything to my doctors.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I saw my bladder consultant at the end of last year and I said: ‘I have to be honest, I didn’t think I’d make it.’ He said: ‘I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t think you would either.’” More

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      in Soccer

      Troy Deeney: Being a footballer around Christmas might be the most depressing time of your life – it’s torture

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      BEING a pro footballer around Christmas might be the most depressing time of your life.I’m not asking for huge amounts of sympathy.Footballers do not get time off during ChristmasCredit: AlamyBrighton and Hove Albion were visited by the GrinchCredit: Instagram @officialbhafcWe are very privileged people who get paid extremely well, so I don’t expect the tiny violins to be coming out.But it is not an easy time. Your whole family is buzzing — the Pringles are out, the wine, the beers.So many things that you would normally enjoy but just know you cannot do it.I remember as a footballer having Christmas dinner and knowing we were playing a game the next day.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLI would have to ask for a third of what I would normally stuff on my plate.Now I am retired — my first Christmas away from the game for nearly 20 years — I asked my family to give me a third more than I can even stomach.I was so excited and loved it.But as a professional player, you would be counting how many potatoes you have eaten.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThen the club nutritionists would be on to you.I used to have to jump in the gym straight after my turkey dinner. ‘Who do you think you are’: Sir Alex Ferguson reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears after ‘ripping in’ to Man Utd iconCody Gakpo was one of the scorers on Boxing DayCredit: AFPWho are these famous footballers?Usually, if we had an away game on Boxing Day, we would have to train in the late afternoon or early evening on Christmas Day — and then it was straight to wherever the hotel was.I’d get up in the morning on Christmas Day, do stuff with the kids, have a light breakfast, probably run a 5k on the treadmill, then the family came over to have dinner but you are always watching the time.Let’s say we had dinner at 1:30pm.I would then get on the scales at 2:45pm and I am two kilos over. So, I have to jump in the sauna for 20 minutes.Then it is in the car, down to training, weigh yourself again and into a hotel with 20 other lads who also don’t want to be there.You’re looking on your social media and everyone is posting videos of themselves enjoying some drinks, opening presents, spending time with their kids. It really hits you.By the time Boxing Day comes around, everyone is in the mindset of, ‘Thank God that’s over’.I always tried to have a bigger dinner that day to make up for what I missed.For me and my family, our Christmas Day would be on the 27th, so you could enjoy yourself and have a few days resting before the New Year games.As players, we were generally well behaved during those periods.Sometimes at Watford, depending on the manager we had, we would have to come in for training at 8am on Christmas Day, so everyone would be home by midday.Get in, get out.There used to be a rule whereby you then did not have to report until Boxing Day morning.But that was stopped after a few players would turn up with red eyes after staying out until 2am.Those Christmas Day morning sessions were the worst, because my kids would wake up all excited wanting to open their presents and I would have to say: “No, wait until dad gets home!”It’s torture.And even when I got home, I would have to eat, shower, have a little nap and then drive back to the hotel for 7pm.When I first met my wife, she thought I would only train a couple of times a week and then play on a Saturday.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe then got the biggest shock of her life. My life was so regimented, even at Christmas.Look, it’s part of the gig. You’re paid to put up with it but it was a mental strain at times, especially with kids and those who were really family-orientated. More

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      in Soccer

      Inside football’s most explosive divorces…from star’s £10m payout to bitter split over twins fathered by another man

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      FOOTBALLERS’ love lives are notoriously messy – with numerous reports of playing away.And that can lead to explosive and VERY costly divorces. Kyle Walker, who shares four kids with Annie Kilner, is set for a courtroom showdown after she served him divorce papersCredit: BackGridIt comes after he fathered two kids with his on-off mistress Lauyn GoodmanCredit: GettyKyle was previously in a legal battle with Lauryn over child support paymentsCredit: PAKyle Walker’s bitter split from his wife, Annie Kilner, is the latest case shaking the sport.Annie finally filed for divorce earlier this year after their marriage was wracked by a series of scandals.In 2020, she agreed to stay with Kyle, 34, after it was revealed he had fathered a child with Lauryn Goodman during a brief affair and she stood by him during a bitter court battle which saw the Manchester City ace ordered pay a substantial amount.But, after it emerged that Kyle had fathered a second child with his on-off mistress, she is now preparing to battle it out in court for half of his staggering £27million fortune.READ MORE FEATURES But Kyle is far from alone in seeing his marriage end in explosive claims and courtroom showdowns over the players’ eye-watering wealth.’Not fair’Former Arsenal right-back Emmanuel Eboue, 41, had one of the most acrimonious divorces in football. Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner files for divorce and gears up to fight for star’s £27m fortuneEmmanuel Eboue says he lost a fortune to his ex-wife after their bitter divorceCredit: TwitterThe former Arsenal star blamed a lack of education for his lossesCredit: TwitterDuring his seven-year stint in the Premier League, he built an enviable fortune but lost it all in a bitter split with his ex-wife, Aurelie Bertrand, in 2017.She was awarded all their assets in the divorce, including their two mansions and his fleet of luxury cars – and he later claimed he had to wash his clothes by hand as he couldn’t afford to use his washing machine.Most read in FootballIn 2017, he told the Sunday Mirror: “I can’t afford the money to continue to have any lawyer or barrister. I am in the house but I am scared.”Because I don’t know what time the police will come. Sometimes, I shut off the lights because I don’t want people to know that I am inside. “I suffered to buy my house, but I am now scared. I am not going to sell my clothes or sell what I have. I will fight until the end because it is not fair.”Emmanuel also claimed naivety was to blame for his losses, saying that he signed everything Aurelie asked him to without question.He added: “I look back and say ­’Emmanuel, you have been naive… why didn’t you think about that before?’ It is hard. Very, very hard.”The money I earned, I sent it to my wife for our children.”He claimed of the €8 million he earned playing with Galatasary in Turkey – between 2011 and 2015 – €7million was sent to his ex wife.Paternity blowAfter 12 years of marriage, Geremi filed for divorce after a DNA test revealed he was not the father of Laure’s kidsThe Cameroonian star says it left him in “emotional shock”Credit: AFPCameroonian footballer Geremi filed for divorce from his wife Laure in March after a bombshell that blew the marriage apart.The former Chelsea star, 45, claimed he was “psychologically damaged” after finding out the 16-year-old twins he raised as his own were actually fathered by her ex.In court documents seen in March, the midfielder claims that the children were born after she had a fling while they were still together. It read: “No children have been born from this union” and also slammed her “repeated lies”. It also said that Laure had destroyed the harmony” of their marriage “through her abject behaviour”.The twins were born in 2008 and Geremi revealed they were the motivation for the pair tying the knot four years later.The court filing in March this year said that the revelation had “caused him a huge emotional shock”. Love ratRyan Giggs and his wife battled it out after she tried to take a large chunk of his fortuneCredit: Getty – ContributorRyan had a long-term affair with his brother’s wife NatashaCredit: Dan Kennedy – The SunRyan Giggs’ wife Stacey filed for divorce in 2017, after ten years of marriage, over numerous infidelities, including an eight-year affair with his brother’s wife, Natasha.He also cheated on Stacey with former beauty queen and Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas. As one of the highest-paid players, the former Manchester Utd star had amassed a £40million fortune and the bitter split looked set to end in an explosive courtroom battle over the cash.But in November 2017, it was announced that they had reached an agreement and the figures were kept under wraps.In a statement, their lawyers said: “The terms of the settlement are confidential, but both wished to express their sincere thanks to their respective legal teams.”They are pleased to leave this chapter of their lives as firm friends.”Mummy’s boyAchraf Hakimi’s divorce had a shocking and unexpected plot twistCredit: GettyMany wondered whether Achraf had always anticipated a divorce from his wifeCredit: GettyParis Saint-Germain player Achraf Hakimi’s divorce from his wife, Hiba Abouk, had a shocking plot twist that very few saw coming.Model and actress Hiba, who has two kids with the footballer, filed for divorce after he was accused of rape by French prosecutors in March 2023.During the court battle Hiba reportedly asked for half of Hakimi’s £18.4million fortune.But in a bizarre twist it was revealed that most of his assets were actually in his mother’s name and even his substantial salary, reportedly £170,000 a WEEK, was paid into his mother’s bank account.Legally, Hakimi owned very little in his own name, leaving his furious ex with limited claim to his wealth.The revelation led to speculation that Achraf had planned his financial arrangement in anticipation of the divorce.Timeline of Kyle Walker and Annie Kilner’s relationshipEarly years – Kyle and Annie first meet in Sheffield when she was 15 and he was 17Euro 2016 – Walker caught messaging Playboy model Carla HoweApril 2019 – Annie dumps Kyle after his alleged romps with reality TV star Laura BrownApril 2020 – Kyle allegedly hosts sex party with two escorts during covid-19 lockdownFebruary 2020 – Lauryn Goodman gives birth to Kairo, her son with WalkerNovember 2021 – Walker and Kilner marry in secretMarch 2023 – Lauryn announces her second pregnancySpring 2023 – Kyle allegedly flashes and kisses another woman in a Vodka Revolution bar in CheshireAugust 2023 – Lauryn gives birth to a daughterJanuary 2024 – Annie announces split from Kyle after two years of marriage. It emerges Kyle is the dad of Lauryn’s second child. Kyle begs for forgiveness in exclusive Sun interview. Lauryn brands him a ‘pathological narcissist’October 2024 – Annie files for divorceMessiest divorce The couple were hugely popular and seen as Italy’s answer to Posh and BecksCredit: GettyTheir 2005 wedding was a spectacle filmed for national TVCredit: GettyBefore their acrimonious split, they seemed happy and had three kids togetherCredit: RexFrancesco Totti and Ilary Blasi were branded Italy’s Posh and Becks after they married in 2005, on national TV, and went on to have three kids together.But their 2022 split, after 17 years of marriage, was one of the most sensational in the country’s history and things quickly got messy. It was revealed that Ilary had hired a private investigator after suspecting him of cheating.But Francesco, 48, also accused Ilary of infidelity, claiming she was the first one to betray their marriage. The AS Roma icon said: “It is not true that I was the first to betray.”I said I was not going to speak, and I did not, but I have read too many hoaxes in recent weeks. Some have even made my children suffer.”The divorce battle escalated over financial assets, as Totti accused his ex of running off with his expensive watch collection.In turn, he hid all her luxury handbags until she safely returned his belongings. In an interview, he said: “What was I supposed to do? I hid the bags, hoping for an exchange.”They also fought over their lavish home in Rome and custody of their three children. In November, Ilary claimed the Roma star left their eight-year-old home alone when he went away – an allegation he strongly refutes, saying she was being looked after by a ‘professional babysitter’.”The police came knocking on Totti’s door and a woman, allegedly a babysitter, opened the door,” says Italian journalist Daniele Fisichella.”It’s not clear whether it was actually a babysitter -Totti was away – or it was the concierge working at Totti’s residence. “If anyone wants to write a TV series, ‘The Totti’s’, that obviously could be part of it. It’s been going on for the last two years, to be fair… it seems that the end, it’s very far away.” The pair are still battling it out in court.Bankrupt star David James ended up paying his wife £3million in their divorceCredit: Getty – ContributorFor years, David James was one of the most recognisable faces in English football. The goalkeeper played for top clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City, and West Ham. He is said to have been earning £50,000 a week while playing for Portsmouth.He has four children with ex-wife Tanya, but the couple split in 2005 when he left her for his childhood sweetheart, Amanda Salmon, who wooed him by sending X-rated images of herself in a G-string.Tanya late said she found out about the affair when she saw a text he received during her birthday meal which read: “I would love to have your warm body next to mine right now.”The sender came up on his phone under the name Corgi Cars as David tried to hide her identity.During their bitter divorce battle, Tanya claims the star went back on his word of paying their children’s school fees and only gave her a “paltry” amount to live on after he took care of the household bills.But after paying Tanya £3million in the divorce settlement, the 51-year-old’s huge empire came crashing down and in 2014 he declared himself bankrupt, despite the £20million he had made from his time as a footballer.He was forced to auction many of his valuables, including his football memorabilia. In his 2004 biography, former Liverpool teammate, Stan Collymore wrote about David: “If he had a new car and he pranged it, he would just go and buy a new car – so there were five cars parked in the drive.”If he bought a new pair of shoes and he scuffed them, he wouldn’t clean them. He would just chuck them in the spare room and buy a new pair.”Too much disposable income, I suppose. Too easy just to bin stuff. Too easy to spend money like you’re going to be earning that kind of money for the rest of your life.”Huge payoutThierry Henry ended up paying his ex-wife nearly £10million after they splitCredit: GettyClaire was devastated when he walked outCredit: GoffINF.comIn 2003, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, 47, married Claire Merry. The couple welcomed their daughter, Tea, in 2005. However, after just four years of marriage, the French international announced he was leaving his wife, shortly before his transfer to Barcelona on a £130,000 a week contract.Claire was said to have been devastated when Henry walked out on their marriage amid rumours he had formed a “close friendship” with a Spanish actress.In court, Claire cited “unreasonable behaviour” as grounds for divorce. Thierry did not dispute the claim.In September 2007, a judge granted the divorce in a one-minute hearing at the High Court’s Principal Registry. Claire requested £10million and was reportedly awarded close to the figure, although Henry kept the £6million Hampstead mansion the couple shared. He has since demolished it and built a larger home in its place.He married Bosnian model Andrea Rajacic in 2011 and they have three children together.Locker room gossipThomas Tuchel and Sisi married in 2009 but ended their marriage 13 years laterCredit: GettyThe couple share two daughters together, Emma and KimCredit: GettyEngland’s new manager, Thomas Tuchel, 51, married his ex-wife Sisi while he worked in Germany in 2009. The couple eventually had two daughters, Emma and Kim. She quit her profession as a journalist to raise their young children.When he was offered a role as Chelsea manager, she moved to the UK in August 2021, and they bought a home near the club’s training ground in Surrey. But after 13 years together, their marriage broke down. Court documents show that Sisi had cited irreconcilable differences for their split. READ MORE SUN STORIESThree months after the divorce was finalised, he was seen out and about with his new girlfriend, Natalie Guerriero, 37, and it was revealed they have been dating since May 2022 – just a month after the split. According to the New York Post, his complicated love life and “erratic” behaviour had become a talking point in the Chelsea locker room. Shortly after, he was fired as the Blues’ boss.The breakdown of their marriage became a topic of conversation in the Chelsea locker roomCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Controversial EFL team’s old stadium and former home of national side is now headquarters of Network Rail

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      THE home of English football’s most controversial club is now the headquarters of Network Rail.In it’s heyday, 9,000 fans would fill the stadium every week – but before all of that it housed England’s national hockey team.The home of English football’s most controversial club is now the headquarters of Network RailIt was once the National Hockey stadium before it was demolished in late 2009The stadium was previously used by England hockey between 1995 and 2003But housed the contentious EFL side for four years between 2003 and 2007The old multi-purpose ground was leased by a club that was going through one of the biggest changes in modern football history.It temporarily housed MK Dons, who were in League One at the time, between 2003 and 2007 – during the EFL side’s gigantic move away from London.MK Dons suffered the highs and lows of relegation to League Two and promotion back up again during that four year stay.In summer 2007, the Dons relocated to the new Stadium MK, near Bletchley, leaving the hockey digs without a tenant. READ MORE FOOTBALLIt was unused for two years and, in late 2009, demolition began in preparation for the redevelopment of the site into a new Rail HQ, which became operational in July 2012.MK Dons were formed in 2004 following the controversial relocating of Wimbledon FC.Back in the 80s and 90s, Wimbledon’s notorious ‘Crazy gang’ played at Plough Lane in Merton, South West London.However the iconic, but dreaded ground, no longer met the all-seater requirements for Premier League stadiums by 1991.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMK Dons suffered the highs and lows of relegation and promotion at the stadiumOwner Sam Hammam couldn’t afford the renovations and sold 80 per cent to Peter Wrinkleman by 1997.Wimbledon were forced into ground sharing with Crystal Palace from 1991 to 2003 before Wrinkleman relocated 46 miles north to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire with the permission of the FA.New Luton Town Stadium given planning permissionMillions of fans were appalled when the club had to abandon their ‘Don’ name, 102-year-old stadium, badge and colours by 2004.Many supporters walked away and formed AFC Wimbledon in 2002 as a non-league club, who are currently pushing for promotion in League Two.During that time, the club played home matches at Kingsmeadow – which is now the home of Chelsea FC Women.AFC Wimbledon returned to their spiritual home on Plough Lane to the Cherry Red Records Stadium a few hundred yards away from the original ground in 2020.MK Dons relocated to the Stadium MK in 2007A groundshare with rugby league side London Broncos began in 2022.MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon continue to share a unique, but bitter, with the latter refusing to recognise the former.AFC were charged for failing to call MK Dons by their proper name in a pre-match programme when they both sat in League One in 2017.No collection of football’s most memorable teams could ever be complete without mention of the rise of Wimbledon FC in the 80s.The notorious ‘Crazy Gang’ brought together a group of players who went from the fourth division to the top-flight in four consecutive seasons.And, most memorably of all, the Wombles lifted the FA Cup after Lawrie Sanchez scored the Wembley winner against all-conquering Liverpool in the 1988 final.But the old First Division’s most famous Cinderella story had a dark side.Vinnie Jones and the rest of the Crazy Gang were famous for their wild antics both on and off the pitchThe team’s work hard-play hard-tackle harder approach to football made them intimidating for opponents.And the fear factor spread within the team’s own dressing room.Former players Dennis Wise, Vinnie Jones and John Fashanu told BT Sport a tale of vicious beatings, endemic brutality and even arson.“I saw players actually cry from the abuse – physically break down and cry,” said ex-defender Terry Phelan.Jones backed up those words saying: “We were a lot of misfits, a lot of throw-outs, a lot of not-wanteds.”You either grew a backbone very quickly or you dissolved as a man.”Jones was often identified as the ring leader, but he claims that the tough culture was already well established by the time he signed in 1984 and that Wally Downes really ran things. Meanwhile, Wrinkelman sold MK Dons to a Kuwait-based consortium led by entrepreneur Fahad Al Ghanim in August this year.READ MORE SUN STORIESWinkelman oversaw the club’s promotion up to the Championship before an eventual return to League Two.MK Dons currently sit below their fierce rivals AFC Wimbledon in the professional fourth tier.MK Dons’ first stadium was the home of England hockeyThe National Hockey Stadium was demolished and replaced by a Network Rail building in 2012 More

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      in Boxing

      Meet Britain’s six next boxing superstars who are set to replace Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua including new Mike Tyson

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      BRITISH boxing has never been in a better vein of pulling power thanks to the super-funding coming in from Saudi Arabia.But with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua cashing in and racing toward 40, who are the new generation of unknowns fighting hard and fast to make it to the promised lands of Riyadh and Wembley?Tyson Fury suffered his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk at the weekend and could soon hang up his glovesCredit: GettyAnthony Joshua is also likely coming to the end of his boxing careerCredit: GettyWith more and more British boxing heading behind the paywall of the DAZN app – and the main broadcasters spending their time and budget elsewhere – it has never been more difficult for the next AJ or Gypsy King to build their name or fanbase.If you don’t have an Olympic medal, like Audley Harrison, Amir Khan, James DeGale or Lauren Price – or have the backing of a football club and city like Manchester and Leeds icons Ricky Hatton and Josh Warrington, the early rounds of the hurt business can be brutal.But SunSport reckons we’ve unearthed half-a-dozen rough diamonds who will shine bright in 2025.And, most importantly for their health and success and that of the sport, they will be deserving of your attention and ticket money.READ MORE IN BOXINGMoses Itauma – 19 – heavyweightThe most obvious pick of the bunch but – at still a ridiculously young age – the Chatham wonderkid deserves top billing.SunSport was in the Ropes and Glory amateur gym for Itauma’s 18th birthday – and training session – last December 28.Moses Itauma has been dubbed Britain’s Mike TysonCredit: GettyItauma managed a first round knockout against Demsey McKean at the weekendCredit: GettyAnd his stunning rise to Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s chief support – in the space of just 12 transformative months – has been super.Manager Francis Warren and his promoter dad Frank have supported and guided the southpaw perfectly.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut his freakish natural talent, laser-focused attitude, baffling maturity and even his ready-made media skills are what has got him so close to the top already.Barring injury or a catastrophic upset, it seems certain that Itauma will be a bonafide world champion before the end of 2026.Tyson Fury breaks silence on Oleksandr Usyk defeat in angry backstage rant after storming out of ringHe might not beat Mike Tyson’s record time of landing one in 20 years, four months and 22 days.But he seems to have the talent and – perhaps even more importantly the unshakable mindset- to have a longer and more sustained reign.The wonderkid was red-hot property way before his one-round demolition of 6ft 6in Aussie tough man Demsey McKean.But after smashing his biggest test way back Down Under, he is even closer to a world title than even his biggest fans could have imagined.Cindy Ngamba – 26 – middleweightThe 2024 Paris Olympics was such a dismal time for amateur boxing following the controversy over the gender of two fighters competing in the female code.It was painfully slim pickings for Team GB too, whose only medal was the bronze Colchester’s classy Lewis Richardson claimed.Cindy Ngamba made her debut at the Olympics this summerCredit: PABut our team up in Sheffield deserves credit for one more magnificent medal and an even better story.Bolton-based Ngamba came to England from Cameroon aged just 11 and, after her immigration paperwork was lost, she was given refugee status and even detained at the immigration office one sad day.Tragically, due to the ongoing lack of a British passport, Ngamba could not represent Great Britain at the Games.But she did manage to win the first ever medal – an iconic bronze – for the newly formed Refugee Olympic Team.Promoters should be fighting each other to sign the wonderful woman, with the amateur pedigree and the inspirational story. Ngamba truly is the full package.Lewis Williams – 26 – heavyweightThe Leamington Spa giant lit up Birmingham’s 2022 Commonwealth Games by coasting to a gold medal.It was even more poignant because dad Bob had to force his way out of hospital to race to ringside and watch all their shared dreams come true.Lewis Williams won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022Credit: GettyThe 6ft 7in talent was nailed on for a life-changing Olympics spot but when his dad’s health plummeted, Williams’ form went with it and he chose hospice stays over training and tournaments and his Paris dream and dad eventually faded away.Thankfully trainer and manager Edwin Cleary is ferociously invested in his fighters and whipped Williams back into shape and got him a pro deal with Frank Warren, who can guide an English heavyweight like nobody’s business.On his November debut he grabbed everybody’s attention when he finished a tough journeyman with intelligent spite.And he will return in February to help Itauma and Daniel Dubois keep the juggernaut of young British heavyweights booming on.Lucas Roehig – 21 – cruiserweightTrust George Groves to gift his promising protege one of the most testing pro debuts a young kid could ever have nightmares about.Most paid bows – especially one is as modest a venue as the Harrow leisure centre and untelevised – come against veteran journeymen who never win and are just a clever foil to test and teach the hotshot over the scheduled distance.Lucas Roehrig is considered a huge prospectCredit: RexBut Groves – a product of the excellent Dale Youth gym and criminally underrated trainer Mick Delaney – is not one for following trends.Roehig was slung in with dangerous and proud Pompey puncher Joel McIntyre, a former English champion.And Roehig cut, flogged and finished the warhorse in just three rounds.Groves – who won his super-middleweight title at the fourth time of asking – was always a maverick in British boxing’s too predictable business.And it looks like he is passing that baton on as Roehig has set a very high early pace and fans will enjoy trying to keep up.Leighton Birchall – 18 – bantamweightIn February the Morecambe sensation and equally exciting Adam Maca put on the sort of 57kg show that amateur British boxing buffs dream of.The pair of pocket rockets put on a clinic of freakish talent with Maca winning a razor-close split decision.Leighton Birchall is rapidly becoming more and more popularCredit: Photo credit Stockbridge ABC.But because Birchall has ditched the vest and headguard and raced into the paid ranks ahead of his rival, he lands on this list first, with Maca certain to follow.A Haringey Box Cup double winner, a multi-time national champion and GB youth representative, Birchall ran out of things to win in the amateurs.One of three professional fighting brothers, Birchall can talk as well as he can fight and his style will tantalise fans and tease opponents.And he is already using Generation Z’s many social media platforms to increase the speed of his rising reputation and call out his domestic rivals.Jermaine Dhliwayo – 22 – super-featherweightYou are probably not a real British boxing fan if you have not watched Derek Chisora in awe over the years and recently hoped he would settle down into a hard-earned retirement.Thankfully this Northampton-born southpaw could help guide us into that sweet spot.Jermaine Dhliwayo has a big fan in Derek ChisoraCredit: Instagram @jermaine.dhliwayoVeteran brawler Del Boy is Dhliwayo’s uncle and mentor.The pair are so close that the second-generation fighter lives in his uncle’s old bedroom – being watched over by his aunty and Chisora’s mum Violet – and he has not even changed the decor or ditched all the old boxing posters.Dhliwayo is a trained electrician who still works – properly – around his boxing and he is being well managed to learn on the job.In the space of just five months he has got to 4-0 with understated bouts at the O2, in Finland, at York Hall and in Gibraltar.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen Chisora finally hangs up his battered old mitts, he will be a serious miss. But Dhliwayo looks like being his parting gift to UK fight fans – even though he never owed us anything after so many brutal nights. More