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      in Soccer

      Inside six-time Champions League winners’ graffiti-covered former stadium which now hosts fourth tier football

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      BAYERN MUNICH’S much-loved former stadium is now covered in graffiti.More than 50,000 people were once packing the stands in the Grunwalder Stadion before Bayern left in 1972.The Grunwalder Stadion now hosts Bayern’s second team in the fourth tierCredit: AlamyThis is an outside view of Bayern Munich’s old stadiumCredit: AlamyIt was once crowded with 50,000 peopleBut the city council have continued to work on the stadium to keep football being played thereBut Bayern have kept some connection with the Grunwalder as their second team host games in the German fourth tier there.The record attendance was a massive 58,000 people back in 1961-62, but the capacity has since been reduced to 21,200.The ground saw many games of the early golden years of Bayern, including two German title triumphs in 1931-32 and 1968-69.Bayern, led by the great Franz Beckenbauer, left in 1972 and won their first of six European trophies two years later against Atletico Madrid.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt was once Munich’s largest stadium before Bayern’s current 75,000 seat Allianz Arena fortress opened in 2005.But now the Grunwalder, which was also used for their city rivals 1860 Munich, looks unrecognisable.After both teams left for the Olympiastadion in 1972, plans were put in place for it to be demolished.But that decision was postponed as the council decided to redevelop the ground instead.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt underwent a large renovation in the late 1970s, including the construction of two new main stands still used today.Over the years, the state of the stadium had slowly deteriorated and capacity was reduced due to safety measures.The new Champions League format explainedThe ground still does not meet standards to play matches in the German second division.In 2017, 1860 Munich, nicknamed the Lions, decided to move back into the Grunwalder Stadion.A Munich sport’s committee voted for a comprehensive renovation in September 2022, with work set to begin in 2026.The measures will reportedly set the council back £77million.The Allianz now hosts Bayern’s top-flight footballCredit: GettyJoshua Zirkzee played his reserve team football at the Grunwalder during his time at BayernThe same old stands remain at the GrunwalderCrowds still gather at the iconic stadium, which was built in 1911 More

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      in Boxing

      Eddie Hearn put on the defensive as he is warned he could be put out of business by his own innovation

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      EDDIE HEARN has rubbished suggestions that Saudi bigwig Turki Alalshikh could put him out of a job after being warned that he could be made redundant.The entire boxing landscape has been transformed by the Chairman of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, who brokered a whopping but ill-fated £100million two-fight deal between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.Turki Alalshikh has changed the landscape of boxing foreverCredit: REUTERSThe Saudi bigwig has negotiated some massive deals during his short time in the sportCredit: REUTERSPromoter Eddie Hearn has rubbished suggestions that Alalshikh will eventually make him redundantCredit: GETTYAlalshikh, thanks to his bottomless pit of money and eagerness to make fights fans want to see, is now the biggest mover and shaker in the sport.And his grand plans of making a singular boxing league could essentially render promoters redundant.Hearn was warned about potentially losing his job by talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan, who said: “We are in a unique period.”These guys are getting these fights made for them. They just turn up and that, to me, is not much of a skillset.READ MORE ON HEARN”It does make me wonder if the end goal is if the Saudis say, ‘What do we need these guys for? They are glorified agents, we can own the fighters.'”Unless there was a bloody good reason, why would I deal with Hearn and [Frank] Warren. “If I’ve got the ability to turn out their lights economically what do I need them for?”But Matchroom Boxing boss Hearn insists promoters like himself and Frank Warren are still imperative to the sport and Alalshikh’s future plans.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe replied: “I think that is a little bit harsh. “We have got a huge business of running global sports.From Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury to all American pound-for-pound clash, Eddie Hearn’s five must-see boxing fights”The ability runs deeper than being a glorified agent and a deal maker.”A few weeks ago we ran the Riyadh Season USA, with a Matchroom team of 40 people.”It was an event that couldn’t have been done without us in terms of promoting, the infrastructure of TV deals, licensing, dealing with commission, local governments and council.”The job is just incredible and as the size of the shows increase and the job changes.”This isn’t a situation of going in and doing a deal and taking a cut.”Ourselves and Queensberry do a huge amount of work and the requirement of these people and that Turki Alalshikh requires, it is not easy to do it yourself.”Hearn has built a fruitful relationship with Alalshikh and is confident he doesn’t want mass casualties in the sport.The 45-year-old continued: “He also acknowledges he wants the ecosystem of boxing to keep it thriving.Eddie Hearn insists Turki Alalshikh needs promoters like himself and Frank WarrenCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING”Riyadh Season will not on its own keep boxing alive.”There are hundreds of shows around the world every week, small hall etc, we can’t just rely on five or six Riyadh Season events.”But yeah there has been an explosion of boxing, but he can’t live without our stable and Frank Warren’s stable.”At the moment I think the relationship is great and I don’t think he wants to put everyone out of business.”Boxing’s top promoters are in talks with Alalshikh over a blockbuster league, although Hearn insists there’s a “huge amount of work to take place” in order for it to come to fruition.He later said: “Of course, we are in those conversations with him, it is all part of the strategy and plans that are being discussed.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Don’t forget these kinds of plans have taken place before.”But not necessarily with the depths of budgets that have taken place before, but we are all in for it.” More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League fans just accept their team rolling over for Man City – but everyone tried to beat Man Utd under Fergie

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      ERLING HAALAND sauntered out of Stratford on Saturday night clutching a match ball under his arm, leaving behind 60,000 comatosed Cockneys.West Ham had duly fulfilled their role in the annual turn-up-and-take-three-points parade for Manchester City.Erling Haaland with the matchball after his hat-trick at West HamCredit: RexThe Hammers at least used to give Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United a gameCredit: RexIn itself, this is fine. There’s no doubt that having a planet-sized Viking battering ram spearheading a team of magicians gives City a certain edge over their rivals.But in conversation with some Hammers-supporting friends in the aftermath, one of them shrugged off the latest surrender by admitting ‘our season won’t be defined by Man City at home’.And that is the state of the Premier League in a nutshell.A declaration of defeat being totally acceptable — indeed, expected and irrelevant — long before kick-off. By the fans, not the players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThere was a time when a visit to West Ham for teams at the top of the table was a football minefield.When Manchester United were the dominant force here in the Nineties and Noughties, wherever they went they mostly got a game on the field.Even if they didn’t, the home team’s supporters would whip it up so that whichever of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 13 title-winning squads came to visit, they played in fevered stadiums.Everyone just wanted to give the champions  a bloody nose. And back in 1995,  United were defending the  title right up to the last day, when they rocked up at West Ham’s old Upton Park ground.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe atmosphere was so hostile that the very air became a performance-enhancing drug for the mid-table Hammers, who built a wall around their goal to deny a very red-faced Fergie his win and the title went to Blackburn — by a point.That season, the Red Devils lost at Everton, Leeds, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday in the league.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsLesser teams who were up for landing a punch on the best team in the country for the sake of it — or because they simply couldn’t stand United.Ferguson toughened up his team to wrestle back the crown 12 months later but even then they lost at Leeds again, Aston Villa and Southampton.In the past two seasons, Brentford and Wolves are the only teams from outside the traditional Big Six to  have found enough gumption to beat Pep Guardiola’s City at home in the Premier League.West Ham have moved grounds since 1995 but the apathy among what was once  a ferocious fanbase is not entirely down to the vast oval-shaped ground they now play at.It’s become the mindset of the  fans that, come what may, City will stroll up, pass their way around  the West Ham players and help  themselves to a few goals.If this is the feeling on the terraces in the East End of London, be sure it’s the same at Southampton, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth,  Nottingham Forest, Leicester. The list goes on.West Ham have not beaten City  at home in the Premier League  since 2014.Top-flight grounds are now more like must-see stop-offs on the tourist trail than hotbeds of pumped-up locals lying in wait to ambush title ambitions of the elite.No wonder Guardiola’s team have been able to plunder four titles on the spin with diehard home support diluted to a point of disappearing and those that remain resigned to defeat.It’s not games against closest rivals that should count. Clashes between the top teams have always guaranteed uncertainty because of the smaller skills gap between the players.It should be the less glamorous surroundings of the relative minnows or the also-rans where English leagues are ultimately won and lost.Top-flight grounds are now more like must-see stop-offs on the tourist trail than hotbeds of pumped-up locals lying in wait to ambush title ambitions of the elite.ANDREW DILLONAt grounds where world-class footballers like Haaland tremble, even if just momentarily.The players of those teams need their supporters to believe — foolishly  or not — that everything depends on beating City.That even if they go down, they go down fighting.Not knowing that the vast majority of the home crowd are checking their watches to see if there’s time for a crafty pint if they leave early enough and that losing to City at home is ticked off for another year.GREEN WITH ENVYOF course, the Irish have a point about Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and, to an extent, Lee Carsley.With Rice in particular, three senior caps for the Republic of Ireland before jumping ship to England in 2019, means he should rightfully expect a coating from the fans in Dublin on Saturday. Grealish is the same, having represented the Boys in Green at Under-21 level.Lee Carsley won 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland but will manage England against them on SaturdayCredit: GettyEngland’s interim boss, former midfielder Carsley, played 40 times for the Republic, so is Irish in football parlance.Yep, pretty dodgy, isn’t it? The Irish must be fed up as hell to have lost those three to their colours — and it’s England’s gain.For those old enough to remember Sunday afternoons watching quiz show Bullseye on the telly, the words of compere Jim Bowen spring to mind, ‘Look at what you could have won’.THE D’OR IS WIDE OPENTHE Ballon d’Or has been pretty much a two-horse race for 15 years.With the odd exception, it has been either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo winning the poll of the planet’s best player.So it’s refreshing that neither Messi nor Ronaldo has even been nominated for the 2024 award.Can’t see past Erling Haaland as the winner but seeing Jude Bellingham’s name on the list suggests there could be more competition from now on.However, we need the likes of fellow nominees Kylian Mbappe and Phil Foden to make sure the competition doesn’t just slip back into its old ways.Otherwise, it will be no more interesting than Scottish football.MAKING A BEELINE FOR ITI DO rather bang on about climate change and annoy the hell out of my editor by doom-mongering about the environment.Yet it’s always better to see something good happening and reading this week’s ‘Sport Positive’ bulletin, a little initiative by Brentford lifted my mood.The Bees travel to Manchester City for their next match a week on Saturday.And they have teamed up with Trainline so that anyone in possession of an away ticket can save 20 per cent on the rail fares to Manchester.It’s part of the ‘I Came By Train’ campaign to curb car journeys and it’s wonderfully simple.Though it does make me think why nobody has thought of it before?LIFE GOES JONNORTHERN IRELAND began life without Jonny Evans in their squad last night.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter 107 caps, one of the best defenders and nicest blokes in the game has retired from international football.Just hope the Irish FA don’t let him slip away and give him a role shaping the next generation in their tiny but productive football outpost. More

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      in Boxing

      Watch bizarre moment Chris Eubank Jr pummels Ed Balls with punches live on Good Morning Britain

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR was taken the distance by TV host Ed Balls after a bizarre Good Morning Britain challenge. Eubank – son of the brilliant Chris Sr – was on the day show to discuss his return bout on October 12 in Saudi Arabia.Chris Eubank Jr gives Ed Balls a barrage of body punchesCredit: RexBalls made it to the final bell amid the body assaultCredit: RexBut first, he was tasked with leathering former politician Balls with body shots for 20 seconds straight. Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Balls, 57 was wearing a padded belt for his safety, and the show’s medic was on standby.Co presenter Susanna Reid, 53, said: “We should say we have our medic Phil on standby if Ed needs any sort of support.”As the boxer started punching the TV host, Susanna looked shocked and said: “Oh my goodness. Go gentler.”READ MORE IN BOXINGEubank, 34, replied: “I’m trying not to go too low.”Eubank appeared to pull his punches as Balls winced in pain but miraculously he stayed on his feet and took the punishment until the final bell.The former WBA world champion told the ITV host he was very impressed with how he took the punches.And Susanna joked the belt looked as though it was rather low.Most read in BoxingEd replied: “I kept pushing it down, I kept thinking, ‘get it lower, get it lower’. I was slightly worried I might have to change my surname.”Eubank admitted he didn’t hit as hard as possible, saying: “I mean, I’m not going to kill the guy on national TV.”CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBalls said afterwards: “I can’t speak very well at the moment.”Susanna joked: “It’s almost as if you’ve just been punched and winded.”When the programme returned from an advert break, Ed appeared to have recovered himself. Eubank has not boxed since his rematch victory over Liam Smith, 35, last September. Susanna Reid laughs as her co-host takes a beatingCredit: RexChris Eubank Jr is due to fight next monthCredit: RexAwkward moment Daniel Dubois tells Eddie Hearn to ‘calm down’ before Anthony Joshua threatens rival with chairSo it will be over one year out the ring by the time he returns against Pole Kamil Szeremeta, 34, in Riyadh. Eubank said: “This is a very important fight for me to get back in the swing of things, 34-years-old, 35 next month, no this month September. “So this is kind of, we’re coming into the final chapter, my last three or four years in the game. “I’ve got to make a statement, I’ve got to go out there and perform and win these big fights each and every time now because these are like my legacy fights. What people remember me for.”Eubank was linked with a mega-fight against Canelo Alvarez, 34, and also a rematch with Billy Joe Saunders, 35. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut asked if he can beat Szeremeta, he said: “Absolutely. He’s a tough opponent from Poland he is the type of guy that is perfect for a guy who’s been out the ring for a year, come back. “He’s a tough guy, he’s got a great record I think he’s got 24 wins, two losses. Yeah, I’m excited.” More

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      in Soccer

      David de Gea’s wife Edurne opens up on long distance relationship as she denies that couple are in crisis

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      DAVID DE GEA’S wife has opened up about their long distance marriage as she revealed the couple live in different countries again.Edurne De Gea revealed that the pair are “more in love” than ever and denied any notion of a crisis as she explained their busy work schedules.Edurne Garcia has opened up on her distance relationship with David De GeaThe Spanish beauty hushed rumours of a crisisCredit: SplashSince the former Man Utd keeper moved to Italy to join FiorentinaCredit: GettyThe couple have rarely been able to live together since they met in 2010.The former Old Trafford keeper lived in Greater Manchester between 2010 and 2023, while his partner mostly stayed in Madrid for work commitments.Edurne is a Spanish singer, actress, TV presenter and judge on Spain’s Got Talent since 2015 – after she finished 21st on Eurovision.While the former Premier League star has lived with his wife since his £375,000-per-week contract expired last July, he has since moved to Italy after signing with Fiorentina this summer.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSBut Edurne has shut down any suggestions of a plight in their marriage.She told Spanish news outlet Vanitatis: “We are doing very well, we are very happy and we have not separated and there is no crisis.”I have already said that because every time we do something there is a revolution.”We are happier and more in love than the first day we met. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”We have been like this for fourteen years. Distance is not a problem, we live our life at a distance because our work has required it”It has happened that his work is outside of Spain and mine is in Madrid.”Inside Angel Gomes’ rise from Man Utd wonderkid to England starEx- Manchester United keeper De Gea, 33, tied the knot with Edurne, 38, in July 2023, the same day he formally left Old Trafford.He turned down a move to Saudi Arabia because it was too far for his family, before signing a one-year deal as a free agent with Fiorentina.De Gea endured a nightmare start to life at Fiorentina after conceding two goals in the opening 12 minutes against Puskas Akademia in their Uefa Conference League first leg play-off.But he produced a man-of-the-match performance and saved a penalty to help nine-man Fiorentina dramatically win the second leg play-off tie via penalties and advance to the main group stage.Fiorentina fans have taken too De Gea since he joined this sumerCredit: GettyThe couple first met in December 2010 during a recording of a Christmas Carol to raise money for children with cancer.Seven months after their first date, David De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid for £18 million.Garcia continued to live in Spain and made regular visits to Manchester, and briefly lived in the North West for year in 2018.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 2021 the pair had their first child, a daughter called Yanay.The name origins from the Quechua language and translates into English as My Beloved.The pair met in 2010 and began dating shortly afterCredit: Instagram @edurnityEdurne supported the goalkeeper throughout his 12-year Man Utd careerCredit: Instagram @edurnity More

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      in Boxing

      Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers in ‘violent’ career switch after announcing retirement from boxing and MMA

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      AARON CHALMERS is returning to the ring – and this time the fighting will be more violent than ever.The reality TV star left the Geordie Shore house in 2017 to become a professional MMA fighter – where he amassed a 5-2 record. Aaron Chalmers is coming out of combat retirementCredit: Instagram @aaroncgshoreThe Geordie Shore star has signed for BKFCChalmers then focussed on boxing and had five bouts mixed from pro fights and crossover-style exhibitions including a contest with legend Floyd Mayweather.But after a lack of offers, combined with a personal life stresses, the 37-year-old hung up his gloves. That was until Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship – co-owned by UFC legend Conor McGregor and David Feldman – came knocking. Chalmers told SunSport: “I just gave up and then BKFC reached out, and I knew it was going to take something big to bring us back.READ MORE IN BOXING”I spoke to David a couple of times on the phone, and I was just like, ‘Ah, this is this definitely is right up my street.'”Obviously got a multi-fight contract and yeah, I think he’s got some big plans for us. So I’m excited.”It’s another one. I’ve done MMA, I’ve done boxing, I’ve done influencer boxing now into the bare-knuckle. “So I’ve kind of ticked off most of the top combat sports I could probably tick off.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSChalmers shelved a £12,000 nose job to continue his combat career. But after taking a step back from TV work, he does not have to worry about protecting the money maker so much. Sickening moment fighter snaps ankle mid-fight before slipping it back into place as if nothing happenedHe said: “Is this any more brutal than getting elbowed in the face in MMA? “Is it more brutal than getting kicked in the face in MMA or kneed in the face? I don’t know.”I mean, there’s only one way to find out. It’s just pure violence, really, isn’t it?”I need to learn to hit and not get hit. So there’s gonna be a lot more movement than just standing there like I do in the boxing and trying to have a scrap.”My coach, he’s like, ‘I want you to be in and out.’ So that’s all well and good doing that for eight weeks in training but as soon as you get in there, it’s a totally different story.”Like I say, listen, I’m older now and they came in with a great offer that I couldn’t turn down. So I’m not really too bothered about the face.”I’m getting on now. It’s not like I’m on TV in front of all these people, so yeah, I’m just excited.”American TikToker Bryce Hall, 25, won his BKFC debut last year while YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 27, is also a target for Chalmers. He said: “Bryce Hall, that would be a great fight for me. Obviously, I want to get me feet in, I wanna get my toes wet in there, see what it’s like.”Maybe have one or two, and then we can start looking at people like that. “I mean, I still think if I make a big enough splash in BKFC, the fight with Jake Paul can be there.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We’ve got to make a big splash. Basically, we need to get back to back to the Bellator days, the Bamma days, where I was knocking people out cold.”That’s that’s what gets the interest. So that’s what we’re going back to.”Chalmers even faced boxing great Floyd MayweatherCredit: PAChalmers’ record was 5-2 in MMACredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Raheem Sterling’s first meeting with Arsenal team-mates in dressing room after controversial Brighton draw

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      RAHEEM STERLING met his new Arsenal teammates for the first time in the dressing room in the aftermath of their 1-1 draw with Brighton.And the 29-year-old is ready to hit the ground running thanks to a specialised individual fitness programme alongside a former Three Lions coach. Raheem Sterling signed for Arsenal on loan from Chelsea on Deadline DayCredit: GettySterling visited the Arsenal dressing room after watching the 1-1 draw vs BrightonCredit: GettySterling is expected to train for the first time at London Colney todayCredit: GettySterling was in the stands at the Emirates for the Seagulls clash – hours after joining the Gunners on a season-long loan from Chelsea on Deadline Day.Having only seen his Arsenal switch confirmed at around 2am on Saturday morning, Sterling was unable to make the squad, instead showing support for his new club alongside his family.And he was given a great reception from the Arsenal fans just before kick-off with his name read out over the tannoy system.Joined by another late loan capture in Bournemouth keeper Neto, Sterling made his way down to the changing rooms at the final whistle to introduce himself to members of the squad he was yet to catch up with.read more arsenalIt was a game that saw Arsenal drop points after Declan Rice’s controversial sending off for two yellow cards in either half.Sterling is expected to take part in his first full training session at London Colney today – reuniting with boss Mikel Arteta who was Manchester City’s assistant under Pep Guardiola between 2016 and 2019.SunSport understands that Arsenal are anticipating Sterling to be a fast learner under Arteta as a result, with the player raring to go to prove himself after being brutally axed from the Chelsea squad. Sterling has been keeping fit away from Cobham over the last two weeks with England’s former lead physical performance coach Ben Rosenblatt – who stepped down from his role in June 2023 after seven years.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe pair have worked together for pre-seasons in the past, and have recently made use of Sterling’s state-of-the-art fitness facilities at his home in West London.Sterling could be thrown into a Prem debut for Arsenal straight after the international break due to Rice’s suspension ahead of the trip to face North London rivals Tottenham on September 15.Arsenal travel to Man City later this month More

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      in Soccer

      My dad’s an MMA icon who KO’d nearly 30 opponents and a UFC icon – I’m making my own way at former Premier League club

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      MILLION MANHOEF is flying in the Championship with Stoke – but he could’ve had a completely different sports career.The winger joined the Potters from Dutch outfit Vitesse Arnhem in January, inking a three-and-half-year-long deal at the Britannia.Million Manhoef joined Stoke City from Vitesse Arnhem in JanuaryCredit: RexThe Dutchman has been in fine form for The Potters this seasonCredit: REXThe 22-year-old comes from incredible athletic stockCredit: REXMillion is the son of MMA and kickboxing legend Melvin ManhoefCredit: BELLATOManhoef initially struggled with the physicality of the Championship but has been one of Stoke’s best players this season.The 22-year-old has scored three goals and bagged a solitary assist in six appearances for Steven Schumacher’s side.The Dutchman has proved to be an explosive force for The Potters, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given the athletic stock he comes from.Manhoef is the son of kickboxing and mixed martial arts legend Melvin, who was one of the most ferocious strikers during his pomp.READ MORE IN MMAMelvin competed in the now-defunct DREAM MMA promotion during the 2000s and was a terrifying force inside the ring.And it was in DREAM where he became the first man to KO future UFC fan favourite Mark Hunt, whom he put to sleep in a mere 18 seconds.It wasn’t long after the birth of Million that Melvin pushed him into the world of combat sports with kickboxing.Million showed great promise in his junior Muay Thai fights but opted to pursue a football career instead.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRecalling his decision to pick football over the fight game, Million said: “My father and mother separated when I was six or seven.”But before that, of course, I was pushed into kickboxing.Inside Conor McGregor’s first gym “I was two and a half years old when I put on the kickboxing gloves.”When I turned four I also started playing football and did both sports. “I fought in competitions and became Dutch kickboxing champion.”Kickboxing is certainly a great passion, but at a certain point I could no longer combine the two sports and I chose football.”It’s a good thing that many people know that he is my father. But I want to do my own thing.”He has had a great career, but to do that he had to make sacrifices with his family. Melvin Manhoef was an incredibly ferocious striker during his 28-year-long combat careerCredit: INSTAGRAM@MELVINNOMERCYMANHOEFManhoef scored a whopping 56 knockouts during his iconic careerCredit: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP”And I grew up with my mother.”I have experienced pressure at some point in my career because of my surname, but it’s not been too bad.”When I first broke into the Vitesse Arnhem first team I heard about it a lot and everyone was always asking about him.”I used to say, ‘What about my mother!'”READ MORE SUN STORIESMillion’s famous dad retired from combat sports in September 2022 after suffering a KO loss to Yoel Romero at Bellator 285 in Dublin.That loss to Romero brought the curtain down on a 28-YEAR-LONG career in which he had over 100 professional fights in kickboxing and MMA.Million Manhoef was an astute kickboxer but chose to pursue a career in football insteadCredit: REX More