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      Tyson Fury is a dad-of-seven, has £300m in bank and has earned the right to surrender – so why didn’t he against Usyk?

      by

      OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.Tyson Fury is rocked by a vicious Oleksandr Usyk punchCredit: PATyson Fury is dazed after a barrage of punches by Oleksandr UsykCredit: GettyTyson Fury is saved from being knocked out by the refereeCredit: TNT SportsTyson Fury is a dad-of-seven with wife ParisCredit: Instagram/@parisfury1Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent. He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?Why is a father-of-seven with £300million in the bank, three best selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like this?READ MORE IN BOXINGBritain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.His dad’s pantomime rubbish at the start of the week got us talking, his solemn silence and face-off refusal on Thursday got us worried and his Friday flip into thug-mode whet the appetite.Most read in BoxingBut the sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.The three ringside judges called it: 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury and 114-113 split decision.Oleksandr Usyk DETHRONES Tyson Fury with huge split decision victory at Ring of FireFury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.The rematch will be superb.Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – for the 18 months Filip Hrgovic has been IBF mandatory challenger and for all the potential Daniel Dubois might possess, these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.Their entrances, like their personalities and sizes, could not have been more opposite.Usyk marched into the ring dressed like his favourite 16th century Cossack warrior Ivan Sirko, with a fox fur hat and eagle feathers.Fury disco danced his way to the ring to Bonnie Tyler’s ‘I need a hero’ complete with a Superman run with his arm aimed at the ring and his dad wiggling around alongside him.Inside the ropes, while Usyk stuck tight to his blue corner and took on the final instructions, Fury barged past the Ukraine team and tried to goad his foe.Fusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdict
      HERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.
      ROUND 1
      Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.
      Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.
      The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.
      Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.
      Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.
      Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.
      Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.
      Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9
      ROUND 2
      Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.
      Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.
      Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.
      A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.
      Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.
      Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.
      But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.
      Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9
      ROUND 3
      Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.
      Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.
      A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.
      Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9
      Round 4
      Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.
      He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.
      But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.
      Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.
      Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.
      Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9
      Round 5
      Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.
      Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.
      A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.
      Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9
      Round 6
      Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.
      A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.
      Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.
      But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.
      Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.
      A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9
      Round 7
      Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.
      And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.
      Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.
      Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shot
      Usyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.
      But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9
      Round 8
      Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.
      But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.
      Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.
      Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9
      Round 9
      Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.
      But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.
      Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.
      Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8
      Round 10
      Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.
      Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.
      Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9
      Round 11
      A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.
      Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.
      Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.
      Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.
      The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9
      Round 12
      The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.
      Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.
      And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.
      A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.
      Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.
      But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9
      TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114

      Usyk barely moved from the moment he slipped through the ropes. Fury bounced endlessly and pumped his first to the crowd.Usyk’s straight lefts to the body were the first meaningful shots and then Fury went full theatre, backed into his corner he grabbed the ropes with his giant wingspan, gave his enemy an open goal and – when he backed off and didn’t shoot – he made an x-rated hand shaking sign.Moments later, Usyk tagged him with a whack right on the hooter, but he battered his own head and stuck his tongue out for fun.Fury showed his serious side in the second – barring the moment he pinned both hands behind his own backside – by stiffening up his previously flicked jab and driving in right hands and the odd uppercut.Usyk felt them but he never ever stopped moving, forwards, sideways, every which way.For all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua, these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.Wally DownesUsyk seemed to be wobbled by a shot in the third, his footballer’s legs stiffened for a moment but perhaps it was just a stumble.The right hand Fury whipped down and up onto his ribcage was unmistakable though, the gut is thought to be Usyk’s weak spot.Usyk slapped the sweat off Fury’s bald head in the fourth but the 6ft 9in Brit wasn’t hurt, he only showboated and teased even more.But Usyk was relentless, always racing forward, wave after wave of pressure. And the whole Kingdom Arena gasped when the pair accidentally clashed heads and had to use their gloves to check for blood.Fury raced away with the fifth thanks to dozens of body blows at Usyk’s infamously tender torso.Left and right hooks were slashed into his flanks, he complained twice of them being too low, Fury mocked him and the ref let them slide.Usyk was hurt in the sixth when a right uppercut from the Morecambe master stiffened his body for a nanosecond. He regained his senses and got on his bike, Fury chased him with poise and slashed in more body punches and landed another uppercut. It was the clearest Fury round so far.Seven looked like being another runaway Fury success but he got complacent or casual and shipped left hands in the final 40 seconds which could have swayed the judges back in his rival’s favour.Usyk smashed a bloody nose onto Fury in the eighth when he got sloppy and careless.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK AS IT HAPPENED: RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE THRILLERThe Traveller tried one too many uppercuts and ate a combination counter.And then a huge Usyk left hook landed right on the button and his hooter looked to have been shattered as he blew more and more red snot out of it.Nine was trotting along nicely until Fury was demolished by a left hand and needed to be saved by the bell, he was pinged so perfectly that every inch of his 19st frame bounced around the ring like a toddler.He was given a count in the corner but bravely continued just as the ding saved him.Fury’s superhuman recovery skills got him through the tenth, with Gypsy blood rushing up his nostrils and filling his lungs with belief, Usyk chased him around the ring and landed a couple of left hands.But Fury – for all his theatrics – is a warrior of the highest order.The penultimate stanza was a breather for the crowd, Usyk hastled and hurried while Fury played the preservation game. It felt like the final three minutes could now settle the last 25 years.They touched gloves on the bell.They played cat and mouse and Usyk landed another – perhaps life-changing left hand – Fury coped with it and for the final 10 seconds they slung their hands at each other to little avail.When the bell rung, Usyk marched back to his corner the same stoic way he stalked in. Fury held his hand aloft to signify another victory. But they still touched gloves and their warring teams even embraced.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt was sporting perfection, boxing brilliance. With all due respect; get to the back of the queue everyone else.These two great men must go again.Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury went the distance in their battleCredit: ReutersOleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury embrace after their epic fightCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury says ‘his country’s at war so people are siding with him’ moments after defeat to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk

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      TYSON FURY claimed “his country’s at war so people are siding with him” after his split decision defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.The world tuned in to watch the Gypsy King and Ukrainian fight for the undisputed heavyweight crown in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.Oleksandr Usyk is the new undisputed heavyweight champion of the worldCredit: GettyHe produced a brilliant display to outclass Tyson Fury in RiyadhCredit: ReutersThe two fighters shared a warm embrace after Usyk got the split decisionCredit: GettyFury then claimed that Usyk won as ‘his country’s at war’Credit: Sky SportsAnd it was Usyk who became the new king of the division courtesy of a split decision victory – despite later being rushed to hospital with a suspected broken jaw.However, despite the majority agreeing that the result was right, Fury claimed that the war in Ukraine had an impact on their battle in the ring.Fury said: “I believe I won that fight. He won a few of those rounds but I won the majority.“What can you do, one of them daft decisions in boxing.READ MORE IN BOXING“We’ve all put on a good fight, the best we can do.“His country is at war so people are siding with a country at war but make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion and I’ll be back. I’ve got a rematch clause.”Fury added: “I’ve thanked Jesus for all the victories that he has given me, I’ve had a split decision loss to a good little man, and I thank him again.“In the mighty name of Jesus, we go back home to our families and we run it back in October.Most read in BoxingTYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK AS IT HAPPENED: RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE THRILLER“Good luck to Oleksandr, well done and happy new year.”His promoter Frank Warren was then asked about the rematch, to which he replied: “That’s what the contract says and that’s what he wants.Tyson Fury answers HOW he managed to get up from Usyk blows that seemed to have him knocked out“It’s Tyson’s clause so whatever he wants to do it’s up to him. And the clause in the contract says immediate rematch.”Fury then added: “For sure. We’ll go back, have a little rest up, spend some time with our families and we get it back on in October.“Like I said, I believe I won the fight but I’m not going to sit here, cry and make excuses. It was a good fight.”Usyk then confirmed his desire for a rematch, saying: “Yes, of course. I’m ready for the rematch. One more time we’ll do it.”Fury stunned fans as he walked out to Barry White and Bonnie Tyler for the fight.He showboated in the very first round while he was on the ropes in the opening stanza against his Ukrainian opponent.Despite being under some slight pressure from Usyk, Fury showed he still felt very comfortable and, to prove it, he hilariously played up to the crowd.Fury danced with his arms up on the top rope and then he turned his face away from Usyk and opened his mouth wide while looking out into the audience inside the Kingdom Arena.Later on, he also did his usual trick of dropping his arms down by his side and behind his back before shimmying his body and he then lifted his arms high in the air mid-way through the fourth round as well as wagging his tongue towards the spectators.But the crowd was slammed pre-fight as viewers fumed that there was “more atmosphere in Greggs” than in the Kingdom Arena.Fury, whose nose was busted open, looked to be in control but he was saved by the bell in dramatic fashion against Usyk.Usyk peppered his opponent with a flurry of massive shots to send his rival stumbling around the ring seemingly totally dazed.Tyson Fury was up to his usual antics inside the first roundCredit: ReutersThe Gypsy King survived a big scare when he was saved by the bell in the ninthCredit: TNT SportsThe ref jumped in to save the Brit as the bell rang for the end of the roundCredit: TNT SportsFor all the love for resurgent AJ… these two are head, shoulders and fists ahead of everyone else

      OLEKSANDR USYK is the deserved undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, writes Wally Downes Jr
      A great biggun doesn’t always beat a great littleun, not when David has the weight of a besieged nation on his shoulders and is able to swing each compatriot into every punch.
      Usyk did what Usyk does, he moved magnificently, he counter punched and he outworked his taller and heavier opponent.
      He somehow manages to use every physical disadvantage to his favour.
      But what the hell is Fury doing getting up in round nine?
      Why is a father-of-eight with £300million in the bank, three best-selling books and a Netflix series going to the well like?
      Britain is not fighting back Putin’s army, Morecambe is not occupied.
      So when the 35-year-old’s senses are scrambled, when the canvas is calling him, when he is so desperate not to be felled he is willing to bounce around all the ropes like a drunk, when he eventually has to collapse into a corner, why doesn’t he just stay down?
      He has earned the right to surrender as well as his millions.
      The sheer courage and guts and bloody mindedness it takes to climb off that deck, with a broken nose and a crumbling ego is not comprehensible to us mortals.
      Fury said he felt he won the fight but was too dignified to call robbery or corruption, no doubt his dad will taint that decency by the time you’ve read this.
      The rematch will be superb.
      Because for all the love we have for a resurgent Anthony Joshua – who was ringside for that iconic event – these two polar opposite men are head, shoulders, fists, hearts and brains ahead of everyone else.
      There is the top two, then there is a void and then there is the rest.
      Read Wally’s big fight verdict in full here…

      But just as Usyk was tightening the screw and looking to close in on a historic win, the referee pulled the pair apart before the klaxon sounded followed by the bell as Fury escaped.But it was Usyk who got his arm raised to become undisputed champ as two judges scored in his favour – 115-113 and 114-113 – with the other giving it to Fury at 114-113.The stars were out at ringside for the bout – with Cristiano Ronaldo seated alongside Anthony Joshua on the front row.The 39-year-old Ronaldo stole the show though with his cream Gucci outfit and £1.2m watch after arriving in his a £400k Ferrari.The blingy Franck Muller watch, which is finished with 424 glistening white diamonds, sparkled on CR7’s wrist as he took in the action. Tyson Fury instantly confirmed that he wants a rematch in OctoberCredit: GettyOleksandr Usyk announced that he is ready for a rematchCredit: PAMeanwhile, UK fans had three choices on how to watch the drama unfold between Fury and Usyk, who arrived carrying a CUDDLY TOY.But fans were all switching to Sky Sports’ coverage after realising who was back on their punditry panel.Sky Sports presenter Anna Woolhouse was hailed as being “absolutely smashing” as she fronted the show in the studio in London.Meanwhile, Becky Ives stunned on the TNT Sports screens after her late call-up for boxing duty.Those that purchased the fight on TNT Sports will have quickly noticed that Laura Woods was not on hosting duties as expected.The fan favourite host dropped out after suffering a freak accident this week.Anthony Joshua and Cristiano Ronaldo watched on from ringsideCredit: GettyThe two legends were sat alongside Turki Al-Sheikh on the front rowCredit: PAWoods posted a heartfelt note on Friday evening revealing she is unable to attend the clash after a horror injury while on holiday with boyfriend Adam Collard.She explained that she had accidentally smashed a glass lampshade above her head, causing it to shatter and cut her face and arm.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt was soon announced that Becky would be stepping into the shoes of Woods on fight night.And she was certainly ready to rumble in a bold green dress in Riyadh as she got to work alongside Carl Frampton, David Haye and Steve Bunce to analyse the action.Fusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdict
      HERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.
      ROUND 1
      Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.
      Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.
      The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.
      Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.
      Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.
      Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.
      Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.
      Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9
      ROUND 2
      Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.
      Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.
      Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.
      A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.
      Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.
      Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.
      But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.
      Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9
      ROUND 3
      Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.
      Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.
      A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.
      Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9
      Round 4
      Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.
      He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.
      But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.
      Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.
      Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.
      Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9
      Round 5
      Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.
      Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.
      A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.
      Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9
      Round 6
      Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.
      A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.
      Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.
      But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.
      Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.
      A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9
      Round 7
      Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.
      And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.
      Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.
      Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shot
      Usyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.
      But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9
      Round 8
      Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.
      But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.
      Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.
      Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9
      Round 9
      Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.
      But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.
      Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.
      Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8
      Round 10
      Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.
      Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.
      Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9
      Round 11
      A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.
      Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.
      Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.
      Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.
      The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9
      Round 12
      The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.
      Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.
      And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.
      A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.
      Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.
      But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9
      TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114 More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Euro 2024 security HQ where crack cops work around the clock to protect tournament from terrorists and hooligans

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      HIGH-definition screens flash constant streams of data as British intelligence researchers work around the clock in a vast security nerve centre bigger than a football pitch.Crack police teams from nations across Europe sit side-by-side at workstations in a constant vigil to snuff out potentially deadly threats.Policing teams from across Europe will be working together at Euro 2024 to combat disorder and potential terror threatsCredit: AFPGerman police have been taking part in operational drills at stadiums ahead of Euro 2024Credit: EPABut this is not Britain’s GCHQ listening post or a Pentagon war room — it is the hub of the biggest soccer security operation in history at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.It is expected that 300,000 fans of England and Scotland will head from the UK for the month-long tournament, which kicks off on June 14.German authorities admit that, as well as soccer hooligans, they are trying to counter unprecedented terror threats from IS and rogue factions spilling out of the war to the east in Ukraine.And growing tensions in the Middle East are only adding to their security concerns.READ MORE EURO 2024Germany’s answer has been to pull together 300 of Europe’s top police brains to oversee the daunting security challenge from the purpose-built International Police Cooperation Centre at Neuss in western Germany.And the man in charge of the British presence spoke for the first time last night of the vital role that will be played by three specialist officers spearheading the intelligence operation.Former Met officer Mick Johnson, director of the UK Football Policing Unit, told The Sun on Sunday: “I’ve no doubt it’ll be a well-run machine.“We’ll have three staff working shifts. That’s one more than most nations, because English fans tend to start early and finish late.Most read in Football“They’ll work in three-day stints starting one day before games, match day itself and the day after.“We have a team of plain-clothed operational football officers — once called spotters — on the ground watching fans who will report to our team based in the IPCC.Euro 2024 Controversy: Spying Suspicions in Scotland Fans’ Lodging“If they spot anyone causing trouble, or identify anyone who’s been banned from matches, they will tell the IPCC team who’ll relay it to the Germans who will step in to take action as they see fit.“There will be three or four games a day so each hub will feed into the central IPCC coordinating centre at the same time.“It’s a good system. We’ve used it many times and I have to say the Germans are up with the best in the world at organising it.”Security forces face the task of protecting 2.7million fans, 24 team base camps, and ten stadiums where 51 matches will be played between June 14 and July 14. Top officials in Germany have been visiting the policing HQ as they prepare for an influx of fans next monthCredit: GettyPolice officers will have direct contact with the nerve centre as they keep control of fans around the groundsCredit: GettyPolice leave has been banned as fan zones nationwide are expected to attract 12million visitors and have been identified as the most likely terror targets.In an unprecedented move, Germany has invited 300 security experts from competing nations to the state-of-the-art Neuss HQ.UK experts will work in shifts alongside officials from Germany, Europol and European football body Uefa sifting data from live CCTV streams and the undercover spotters mingling with fans. The hub of the operation is a hangar-like 500  sq  metre conference room equipped with 129 computers and a giant 40  sq  metre screen.Tournament director Philipp Lahm said: “From the outset, security has been our top priority.”Oliver Strudthoff, director of the IPCC, said: “Each country knows its troublemakers better than any other and the foreign experts present in Neuss will be able to identify them more quickly.“A delegation’s size will depend on number of fans and how potentially dangerous they are. “England, for example, will have more representatives than Switzerland.”Among the visitors to the HQ was Herbert Reul, minister of the interior of North Rhine-Westphalia.The country’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, revealed in March that an Islamist attack in Moscow had raised “dangers to a new level”.Her chilling alert came just days after the ISIS-K terrorist atrocity at a concert hall in Moscow killed 143.Among the drastic steps taken to protect Three Lions fans will be a plan to close borders temporarily and to ramp up frontier checks. A ring of steel will be thrown around every team base, including the home for Gareth Southgate’s England stars, who will be staying with their families at the five-star Weimarer Land Golf Resort and Spa in Blankenhain.More than 1,600 known England yobs have been banned from travel to Germany during the tournament.Between 800 and 1,300 police will be deployed around the stadiums at each match guarding three separate security perimeters.Cars will be checked at the first, bags searched at the second and tickets scanned at the third.Fan zones are feared to be softer terror targets as they welcome tens of thousands for every match.The German Army will scan the skies around matches for drone attacks and will feed data into the IPCC central command.Mr Johnson, whose nerve centre team will be led by his deputy Paul Foley, expects a minority of England fans to cause trouble but shares the hope it will be kept to a minimum.He said: “With England there are always going to be those who drink too much and engage in anti-social behaviour. “They might sing songs that they shouldn’t and are generally a pain in the arse.“But, by and large, they don’t get involved in premeditated violent outbursts and we’ve no major concerns with any of the teams we’ll be playing in the group stages.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’re hopeful that it’s going to be really pleasant and enjoyable for all and let’s hope England fans get voted best fans in the tournament. “We’ve got to win something.”English police are hoping the nation’s supporters are the best behaved at the tournamentCredit: Getty More

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      Heartbreaking story of Crawley boss who lost mum, dad, brother and wife before football turned his entire life around

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      SCOTT LINDSEY carefully pulls out a photo at his home in Kent.It is a snap from the early 1970s of the Crawley boss as a toddler with his brother Matt, dad Keith and mum Jean.Scott Lindsey will manage Crawley Town during their Wembley bowCredit: Jim BennettHe is the last surviving member of his family as dad Kieth, mum Jean and brother Matt have all passed awayCredit: SCOTT LINDSEYLindsey’s wife Hayley also died in 2019 from cancerCredit: SCOTT LINDSEYSadly Lindsey, 52, is the only person alive today.The Red Devils boss has suffered so much tragedy he could write a book that would make tough men cry.Even his beloved wife of 16 years, Hayley, mother of his three daughters, passed away almost five years ago after suffering liver cancer aged 44.He will have all four of them in his heart as he leads Crawley out at Wembley in the League Two play-off final against Crewe on Sunday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn 1995, Lindsey’s brother Matt, aged 25, and house-mate and highly-promising England Under-21 keeper Alan Nicholls, 22, died in a motorcycle accident. It was the first news story I reported on as a 19-year-old journalist at the East Kent Mercury.Nicholls – who famously lit and smoked an entire packet of cigarettes in one go in front of stunned England team-mates such as Robbie Fowler, Sol Campbell and Trevor Sinclair – was so good he was voted Plymouth’s second-greatest keeper of all time.Lindsey was a hard-as-nails defender playing for Dover against Stalybridge in the Conference while pal Nicholls, who was at Gillingham, played in the game for the opponents on an emergency loan.He said: “The Gillingham manager Tony Pulis told Alan there was a northern team that had come down that day without a keeper and asked if he’d help them? They’d chuck him a couple of hundred quid.Most read in Football“The game was on my dad’s 49th birthday. My family lived in Scunthorpe, where I grew up, but he travelled to all my games. But dad told me the night before he was having car issues.“Next morning, I heard this motorbike revving up outside and it’s my brother and dad. Matt had the world’s fastest bike. I couldn’t believe dad had come down on the back of it.I was Gareth Southgate’s best man and walked out on Arsenal – now I’m managing EFL’s newest club after Wembley promotion“I drove Alan, my brother and dad to Dover. I got sent off for two yellow cards and we lost 3-1 – but Alan was brilliant.”Lindsey decided he would drive his dad home – to spare him another 250 miles on the bike. And he invited Nicholls to make the car trip with them. His brother followed behind.During the journey, Nicholls remarked he “would never ride on the back of a motorbike again” after a friend scared him while riding through Birmingham.After a couple of hours they stopped at a petrol station near Peterborough on the A1.Lindsey has worked wonders at Crawley TownCredit: RexHe has earned a lot of support from the fan baseCredit: RexA 1995 East Kent Mercury clipping which reported the tragedyCredit: EAST KENT MERCURY/KM GROUPAnd what happened there and during the next few hours will haunt Lindsey forever.He said: “After Matt fuelled up, he complained he was bored doing 70mph behind my Peugeot.“And Alan said, ‘I’ll get on with you!’. I was stunned after what he’d told us in the car – but he said, ‘Yeah, but we’re only going to be doing 70mph.’“Then while he got kitted up and Matt was smoking, I made the worst mistake of my life. I decided to get going with my dad, thinking they’d catch us.“That was the last time I saw them alive.”After 40 minutes, Lindsey was concerned they had not caught up and U-turned – and not far from where they last saw each other there were blue lights everywhere.The motorcycle had come off the road, which ended up killing both men, and Lindsey and his dad had to identify both bodies in a morgue hours later before driving to Scunthorpe to break the news to the family.Lindsey turned up at Farnborough three days later to play for Dover but got sent home by then boss Peter Taylor.He said: “It was my way of dealing with it. I used football as a release.“There were no psychologists to speak to – you had to deal with it.”But if that tragedy was not bad enough, his dad died in 2003 aged 56 after suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage – being found dead at home by Lindsey’s mum.And then heartbreakingly his wife Hayley was diagnosed with kidney cancer – which she bravely battled until she passed away in November 2019.Lindsey gave up his coaching role at Forest Green to care for his sick beloved and three girls.But his wife persuaded him to take up a part-time manager’s job with Chatham.He said: “Hayley was in a hospital bed in our living room. We had carers coming in three times a day and my mum was living with us at that point.“It was tough and Hayley told me, ‘Go and coach Chatham. It’ll be good for you. I want you to do it.“You’ll only coach Tuesday and Thursday for two hours and then manage 90 minutes on Saturday. And you’ll never have to leave Kent.’”After Hayley succumbed, like he did when his brother passed, Lindsey threw himself at football – managing Chatham two days later. His team did a whip round to register a star in honour of his wife for his three daughters.He said: “I suddenly was mum and dad at that moment. I had gone from being in a macho League Two dressing room to platting my girls’ hair and taking them to school.”Mum Jean passed away in 2022 aged 73 – having battled health problems for many years. He said: “She was a wonderful woman. My three girls adored her.”Lindsey’s biggest football role model was his dad Keith, who had a vast EFL career playing for Gillingham, Scunthorpe, Port Vale, Doncaster, Southend and Cambridge.He said: “Dad was everything to me. It was through him I got into football. He took me and my brother to watch Scunthorpe against Liverpool in a cup game.“Afterwards he took us to meet Ray Clemence and Kevin Keegan. It was only then I knew my dad was an ex-player. He said, ‘I used to play with them at Scunthorpe!’ From that moment I wanted to be a footballer.”When I was playing at Stafford Rangers in the Conference, we had some words on Friday night – I showed some disrespect to him.”Dad said to me, ‘How are you getting to Colchester United tomorrow?’”I said, ‘You’re taking me.’ He said, ‘No I’m not, you’re going to find your own way. See, you need me, I don’t need you and you’re going to start respecting me more than you’re doing.’“My mum worked out all the train times of where I had to change to make the journey from Scunthorpe to Colchester. She told me I had 15 minutes to shower before the cab turned up to take me to the station.“I asked my mum, ‘Why’s he being such a d**k?’ She said, ‘You disrespected him!’Scott Lindsey enjoying time with his dad KeithCredit: SCOTT LINDSEYOur man Justin Allen catches up with Scott Lindsey, who he used to watch play for Dover back in the mid-1990s as a teenage sports journalistCredit: JIM BENNETT”So I headed from Scunthorpe and changed at Doncaster. Then down to London and back out to Essex and got to Layer Road just about on time. I was knackered.”As I went to warm up, who do I see in the stands? My dad!“I went on to have an unbelievable game. It was one of my best.“Afterwards I walk into the clubhouse and my dad is there having a pint and he asked how I thought I had played? I told him I thought I’d done well.”He said, ‘It’s the best I’ve seen you play.’ It was rare for him to praise me like that.“Then he picked his pint up, finished it then said, ‘Right, see you later.’ He got into his car and made me get the train home. I got in at 10pm that night, he was sitting watching Match of the Day! I never disrespected him again.”Despite all the tragedy in Lindsey’s life, there is also a lot of happiness.His managerial career has taken off after doing a superb job with Swindon before transforming Crawley from a team fighting relegation to one competing for promotion at the national stadium.His three daughters Millie, Maisie and Mollie will be at Wembley – as will Scott’s niece Kayleigh, daughter of his late brother.And he now has a new partner Kelly who, along with her three kids, will be there to cheer on Crawley.However, Lindsey believes all his absent loved ones and friends will be there through him.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “I always feel mum, dad and Matt’s presence at football games – and Hayley is always in my heart. “I’ll be proud to walk Crawley out at Wembley – and then we must get to work and win.” More

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      I graduated from uni last week having studied for SIX years during loans from Chelsea – now I’m targeting Wembley glory

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      NATHAN BAXTER got a 2:1 last week — and that will do him just fine this weekend too.Bolton’s brainy keeper has just graduated with a degree in history from the Open University.Nathan Baxter is one game from the Championship with Wanderers after building his career on loan at seven clubs from ChelseaCredit: RexThe Londoner worked his way up via temporary spells in non-leagueCredit: GettyAnd six years of study while working flat out to forge a career in pro football could be about to pay off big time.The ex-Chelsea stopper hopes to cap an amazing season by seeing off Oxford United in the League One play-off final to clinch promotion to the Championship.Baxter, 25, will be hoping to show he is as clever between the sticks as he is between his ears at Wembley today. He said: “Football is an intense environment at times, but you also get a lot of time to yourself in the week, in the afternoons.READ MORE TOP STORIES“I just wanted to do something to take my mind off football. Everyone has their thing. Some play golf, some video games.“History was always something I enjoyed as a kid. “My dad would watch history documentaries at night. He would sometimes fall asleep on the sofa and I would stay up. “That’s where my love of history started.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“When I left school and was doing my scholarship at Chelsea, they paid for Mr Smith, my old history teacher from school, to come into the club and teach me my A levels. I did history and politics.“It was an emotional moment when I got my graduation because he has sadly passed away. The rise of Adam Wharton”Me and my dad thought of him and hoped he was smiling down.”Baxter was so determined to make a go of goalkeeping that he took seven loans while at Chelsea to learn about football the hard way — in competitive games that matter. He was just 17 when he played for the Met Police.From non-League with Solihull Moors to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership, he had boots and gloves in one bag and a laptop and textbooks in another.Degrees normally take three years  to complete and most undergraduates combine it with boozing and partying.But teetotal Baxter said: “It was quite a lot of commitment. “Sometimes I was questioning whether it was worth it because it was hard at times. “I’d be up at night and having to play the next day.“I remember being on summer holiday in Lanzarote with the family and having to do work. Baxter faces the biggest match of his career so far vs OxfordCredit: Rex”There were a couple of times it was tough around handing in time. But it was definitely worth it. “The Open University was great too, giving me extensions if I had a lot of games coming up.“The degree covered everything. I find it interesting when I watch the news and can understand why certain things have happened because of events 50 to 100 years ago.”Ironically, it is with Wanderers where much-travelled Baxter feels most at home.He said: “I didn’t quite realise how much of a difference it would be and I love it.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I feel more settled and I have improved massively as a keeper.“The whole aim is to get promoted and we are now one game away from that.” More

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      in Boxing

      Incredible pictures show Tyson Fury with wife Paris outside £35k log cabin – before boxing champ amassed £300m fortune

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      THESE remarkable pictures show Tyson Fury’s rise from humble beginnings — to heavyweight champion of the world.Just 15 years ago Fury proudly posed for the camera with wife Paris, 25, while he was having a £35,000 gypsy-style one-bedroom cabin built on the site of his father’s scrap yard.Pictures of Tyson Fury and wife Paris in 2010 show the couple outside their one-bedroom cabinCredit: Matthew PoverTyson, just 22 at the time, was living a far more modest lifestyle before his boxing career took offCredit: Matthew Pover14 years later Fury is a multi-millionaire preparing for the latest defence of his world title against Oleksandr UsykCredit: EPAThe wooden building in Styal, Cheshire, was so small the 6ft 9in boxer had to stoop to get inside, while it was surrounded by caravans owned by other family members.Then 22 he boasted an unbeaten record of just 12 professional fights.But he already had his sights firmly set on the highest honours in boxing, saying: “It’s meant to be. My destiny. “I want to become champion of the world.”READ MORE TYSON FURYAt the time, he said the trappings of wealth held no interest for him“To me,” he declared, “fighting and boxing is more prestigious than Bentleys and Rolls-Royces. “Cars and things like that don’t impress me.”Fast forward to 2024, Fury, who left school when he was 13, has enjoyed unbroken success inside the ropes, winning 34 fights and drawing once against Deontay Wilder.And outside the ring, he has amassed an estimated £300million personal fortune. Most read in BoxingMoreover, should he overcome Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, 37, tomorrow in the undisputed heavyweight champion title fight in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, his bank balance will swell by at least another £80million, enough to buy his log cabin 2,300 times over.The star, who holds the WBC belt, already enjoys a lifestyle he could only dream of while living in a log cabin and earning just a few thousand pounds a fight.Tyson Fury pulled apart from Oleksandr Usyk as fiery brawl breaks out at weigh-in for undisputed title fightHe lives with Paris and the couple’s seven children in a £1.7million mansion — which has “Gypsy King” emblazoned on the driveway — in Morecambe, Lancs.He also owns a £6million holiday home in the Spanish resort of Marbella and another two mansions in US fight capital Las Vegas.One of them is used to house his trainer when he is in fight camp.Alongside his array of homes, the 35-year-old has developed a £2million collection of supercars. It includes two Rolls-Royce Cullinans, which cost upwards of £500,000 each, a £150,000 Mercedes G-Wagon, a £50,000 classic Mini Cooper, a £150,000 Range Rover and a Ferrari.The Gypsy King has also landed millions in lucrative sponsorship deals with companies including Italian fashion label Claudio Luigi and drinks brand Wow Hydrate.For all of his fantastic wealth, viewers of last year’s hit Netflix series, At Home With The Furys, saw a mundane side to the boxer’s family life in Morecambe.Tyson and his family starred in Netflix documentary series At Home with the FurysCredit: Courtesy of NetflixHeavyweight champ Tyson is favourite with the bookies to win his fight against UsykCredit: GettyHe was seen taking the bins out, going to the tip and a barber’s and drinking tea from a chippy.On his 34th birthday, he opened everyday presents including pants, socks and a £5 T-shirt.If Fury — 4/15 favourite with the bookies — wins the Usyk fight, he will become the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since 1999 and certain to rake in tens of millions more from sponsorship deals around the world.His post-fight plans are simple, with Fury saying he was going to Saudi to “get paid, get laid and come back to Morecambe Bay”.Tyson has a formidable boxing record but so does his unbeaten opponentExpert analysisTYSON FURY’S life inside and outside of the ring has been a rollercoaster worthy of the crazy Riyadh skyline.

      It wasn’t too long ago he was overlooked by Team GB for the 2008 Olympics and failed to convince the Ireland team to let him in.
      One of his earliest professional assignments was a bout at the Norfolk Showground, Alan Partridge would have probably turned a ticket down.
      He was infamous for a sketch-show standard verbal volley against David Price where he made a mantra out of the term “you big stiff plumber from Liverpool”.
      He even upercutted himself flush in the face once – it went viral when that tern was reserved for infections.
      His physical and mental collapse after the magnificent dethroning of Wladimir Klitschko helped wash away a doping ban.
      And he has sky rocketed since he rebuilt his life and career after ballooning to 29st and plummeting into addiction.
      But now he stands on the cusp of utter boxing immortality and emulating only the finest big men in history.
      It will be some turnaround.
      And with 10 more fights still wanted by Saudi and a mega-money Anthony Joshua rivalry still to address, it might only just be getting started

      Fury’s promoter Frank Warren, 72, was more eloquent about the sporting contest he faces. He said: “These are two guys in their prime and very rarely in the past 30 or 40 years have heavyweights at their best fought each other.“This is happening and it’s a tremendous fight.“It’s going to be a major moment in sporting history, not boxing history, sporting history.”Fury and Usyk are destined to fight again later this year before the Gypsy King can battle Anthony Joshua in an all-British superbout.Warren said: “If Tyson comes through, of course we want to see the big fight between Fury and AJ.“But I don’t think that will be the fight afterwards. “I don’t think it will be because there is so much money involved for the loser of this fight — and the rematch. “I don’t know what sort of step-aside money you’d give them to do that.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It would only happen if someone was out of action after this first fight — that would be a thing. “But it will come around quickly, February.”Tyson had already won 12 of 12 professional fights back when he was 22Credit: Matthew PoverHe now enjoys a lifestyle he could only dream of when he was living in a log cabinCredit: Matthew PoverTyson has now amassed an estimated £300million personal fortuneCredit: Matthew Pover3% say I’d win fightTHREE percent of Brits think they could beat Tyson Fury, a poll found.

      Of the confident punters, Leicester and Glasgow locals thought they had the best chances, with 6 per cent claiming they had what it takes to knock out the Gypsy King in the ring.
      And 5 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds say they would make light work of the heavyweight.
      In Paddy Power Bingo’s poll of 2,000, many also said they could take on Anthony Joshua.
      Paddy Power’s Rachael Kane said: “Brits must’ve had a knock to the head if they think they could flatten Fury.” More

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      in Soccer

      How Mikel Arteta ‘found his way’ in completely different sport as Arsenal boss grew up alongside legendary uncle

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      MIKEL ARTETA goes into Premier League title D-Day on a wave of optimism despite the odds being stacked against his Arsenal side.Boss Arteta’s Gunners need to beat Everton on Sunday and hope West Ham deny Manchester City victory at the Etihad to emulate Arsene Wenger’s winners of 20 years ago.Mikel Arteta has worked wonders at Arsenal since his appointmentCredit: RexHe has been inspired by professional surfer Ibon AmatriainCredit: GettyBut Arteta is no stranger to facing his fears when his back is against the wall.From the age of six, the Spaniard was thrown into the deep end — quite literally — learning to ride waves in his hometown of San Sebastian on La Concha beach alongside his surfing uncle Ibon Amatriain.Amatriain, 55, is considered a minor celebrity back in Basque Country, hailed as one of the best big wave surfers in Europe for decades.Nicknamed Sensei, he now passes on his knowledge to the next generation, including his three sons Ikre, Adur and Eki — as well as teaching yoga to the locals.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSAnd it was during those fun-filled, yet formidable, beach days that Arteta, now 42, embraced fear head on.Arteta explained: “Ibon was an inspiration for me, as an athlete, competitor, someone who connected me with nature and challenging fear when you are on those big waves.“He used to take me when I was six, seven, eight years old, to face the difficulty with courage and find a way to survive.“When you are under the water you have to find your own way to do it. It was so fulfilling.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSYet it was not always plain sailing for ex-midfielder Arteta during his playing career, which started at the famed La Masia academy in Barcelona and ended at the Emirates in 2016.After experiences at Paris Saint-Germain and Rangers, he decided to return to San Sebastian in the summer of 2004 with Real Sociedad in order to be closer to his family.Eight times Arsenal and Tottenham’s North London rivalry got pettyArteta recalled: “I get the news that my parents are getting divorced. I felt so guilty.“I didn’t know if that was because of me and trying to pursue my dream. I felt responsible.“But at Sociedad, it was a disaster. It never worked. I never felt connected. I felt  I had disappointed my family.”Everton swooped in January 2005 in a career-defining switch before joining Arsenal on deadline day in August 2011.Eight years later, having served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City during that time, he was hired as Gunners manager.Arteta said: “It was very complicated at Arsenal, very divided.“The energy was very difficult to manage, problems with the ownership, problems with the supporters.“No real clear identity to build the club and how to play — but the issue was much deeper. The issue was in our roots. It was all a mess.“After a lot of changes, I did a lot of research to understand what was happening.“We needed to convince people we were willing to take this club to a very different place.”In almost five years in charge, Arteta has transformed the Gunners into title challengers — one game away from ending two decades of title despair.His accomplishments have been  recognised, receiving The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic at the Spanish Embassy in London on Wednesday — a prestigious honour.A Hollywood-style epic finale is needed to add another crown to his collection, much like the script of Arteta’s favourite film: Gladiator.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “I’ve watched it many times. There are clips that are very significant.“I feel very attached to it all — the soundtrack, the music. I feel very good watching it.”Tactics Exposed: Why Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s most important playerBy Dean Scoggins
      KAI HAVERTZ endured a difficult start to life at the Emirates after his big-money move from Chelsea.
      But has now well and truly found his feet.
      The German, 24, has found his scoring boots in recent weeks, including his double against his old club.
      But Havertz has been providing much more than goals in recent months.
      In fact he has become Mikel Arteta’s most important player as Arsenal go for the title.
      That’s after the Spanish boss made a genius tactical switch.
      Read more on how Mikel Arteta is using Kai Havertz.
      Or to watch the brilliant video in full on YouTube. More

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      in Soccer

      I disliked football so much I prayed for injury, says West Ham hero Michail Antonio as he bravely opens up about therapy

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      PREMIER League star Michail Antonio has revealed he is in therapy after starting to hate football.The £85,000-a-week West Ham and Jamaica striker, 34, told how he even prayed he would get injured so he did not have to play.I hated football so much that I prayed I would get injured, revealed Michail AntonioCredit: GettyWest Ham’s then-skipper Declan Rice lifts trophy last JuneCredit: GettyAntonio, who reveals how personal traumas caused his mental anguish, said: “I just started disliking the game. I began therapy because I was really struggling.”The West Ham star says his mental health battles left him unable to celebrate the club’s epic European win last year with team-mates — and he slept instead.In a brutally honest interview, the star says he even hoped for an injury to prevent him from playing.He believes his problems partly stem from being betrayed by school friends and splitting from his wife.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAntonio — who was called up for England before he chose to play for Jamaica instead — says he expects to still be seeing his therapist for another two years because it has changed his life.The London-born star — known for his happy public persona — revealed his mental turmoil in a searingly frank interview with telly presenter Jake Humphrey and author Damian Hughes.He told how everyone associated with West Ham was enjoying wild celebrations last June after they won the Europa Conference League final — their first major trophy in more than 40 years.But Antonio — the club’s all-time leading Prem goalscorer — was so drained by off-field events he fell asleep on the coach back from the stadium in Prague then went to bed in his hotel room.Most read in FootballHe recalled: “I was going through my divorce and stuff, and I honestly couldn’t get my head around it. After we won, the whole team went out, the gaffer went out, got steaming, a couple of boys didn’t sleep for two days, just got drunk for two days — I was asleep on the coach and went back to the hotel.“I was just mentally drained because of everything that was going on outside of my football and then I went back to the hotel and went to sleep while everyone was out partying.”Michail Antonio slept during West Ham’s celebrations after European Conference League triumphIt was six months before he began to appreciate the enormity of the Hammers’ brilliant 2-1 win over Fiorentina. He said: “It wasn’t until probably December where I was in a better place where I was like ‘Oh my God, I’ve won a European championship’.”In an interview available to hear on today’s High Performance podcast, Antonio said it dawned on him he had lost interest in football during a match in December 2022, as his form began to nosedive. He said: “I think we even won the game, but I didn’t have the best of games.“And I was just like to myself, ‘I’m not enjoying football’. During the game, I was like, ‘I’m really not enjoying this’.“I just felt quite negative. I’m a very positive person myself.“I didn’t score from December until I think it was March, April time. And I just felt, like, run- down. And then I went away with Jamaica because I was enjoying football with Jamaica for some strange reason. But I actually prayed for an injury.It’s all those things that spiral through your mind. You’re thinking, ‘Is this the end for me? Is this my football career over?“I was like, ‘I just want to get injured, I want some time off’.“And then I went away with Jamaica and I did my medial (knee ligament, in November 2023).“I was thinking to myself, ‘I’m 33. I can’t afford to be performing this way, otherwise I’m not going to get another contract’.“So, it’s all those things that spiral through your mind. You’re thinking, ‘Is this the end for me? Is this my football career over?’”He said his football problem was primarily down to getting such short breaks from the game he has been involved in for 16 years — and the constant scrutiny. And his troubles were worsened by separating from his wife Debbie Whittle, 34, who he married in 2017.He said: “I just started disliking the game. But because football’s just constant, you’re constantly just in it. As soon as your life depends on it, as soon as you have people constantly berating you and criticising you, it becomes a job.“So, it doesn’t matter how good it is, it doesn’t matter how much you love the game, it becomes an actual job for you.” Antonio said he sought help around Christmas 2022 — seeing a few therapists before he found one he liked.The West Ham star says his mental health battles left him unable to celebrate the club’s epic European win last yearThe striker with the Conference League trophyCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunAntonio said it dawned on him he had lost interest in football during a match in December 2022Credit: instagram/Michail AntonioHe had spoken to club doctors and physios, and West Ham and the PFA also had specialist counsellors available. But he wanted someone independent and so he started paying for his own.The father of four said: “I started therapy because I was really struggling. And how I grew up, it was never a thing. I thought therapy was for crazy people. But therapy changed my life. At first it was awkward, I’m not going to lie. You’re sat in the room, someone was there and goes, ‘How are you?’Michail Antonio’s braveryBy Jack Rosser
      MICHAIL ANTONIO has always been know as West Ham’s dressing room joker, so it is incredibly shocking to hear him talk about such awful mental trauma.
      The 34-year-old is the go to man for a laugh or a great quote around West Ham.
      That the life and soul of the squad was unable to celebrate the crowning glory of his career – winning the Europa League Conference League title in Prague last June – with his teammates shows just how bad things got.
      Most shocking to read is that the striker “prayed” for an injury, given his career has too often been blighted by them.
      Considering all of that, and the fact that Antonio has always been around the macho world of men’s football, it is such a brave thing to reveal and speak up on.
      Football has often shied away from opening up and discussing personal problems.
      Players were traditionally told to brush things off and move on – leaving egos and issues at the door.
      Things are changing, but for many it is not fast enough so Antonio should be applauded and supported – as he will be at West Ham – for speaking up.

      “And your natural response is ‘Fine’. So, he’s like, ‘So why are you here?’ I was like, ‘To be honest, like, football, I’m struggling with football, I split up with my missus’.”Antonio, who joined West Ham for £7million from Nottingham Forest in 2015, went on: “My football was always my getaway from anything that happened in my life. My dad died and stuff like that, I went to football, and I could black it out for the two hours that I was there or the four hours that I was there.PROFESSIONAL HELP“But then my life was a bit turned upside-down because obviously I’m splitting up with my missus, my wife, and also, I’m not performing on the pitch and things are just not going well for me.“And then I’m a person where I’d never cry. And as I was talking to him, I just burst into tears. It was uncontrollable. That gave me some type of relief. And then like my chest felt like clear.” He began weekly sessions, which he can see continuing for another two years. But his therapist wants him to eventually cope without them.Antonio said: “What is crazy is I was always portrayed to be a very confident person, then what they’ve taught me was that I was a person that’s basically always set myself targets, always looking for missions because I always need something to be done. I can’t relax within myself.“Because growing up there was a lot of traumas that I dealt with. So, I avoid sitting within myself. And that’s one thing that I learned via therapy because it was true.”He told how he “never could just sit at home”, which “said something about my self-esteem”. He went on: “I’m searching for something. And just to hear that, that set me off. I was in tears again.”My life was a bit turned upside-down because obviously I’m splitting up with my missus, my wife, and also, I’m not performing on the pitch and things are just not going well for me.Interviewer Jake said: “It’s a hard thing to hear though, isn’t it?”Antonio replied: “Massive. Like, I always believed I was the happiest person there is.”Through therapy he has learned that his tough upbringing in South London left him mentally scarred. He said: “There were certain things that happened in my childhood.“Let’s just say I struggled to make friendships when I was in primary school. There was no one that was, I would say, my best friend until I was like 12 and then that person kind of left.“When I was 14, I thought these people were my friends, these guys end up stealing a bike. The people got caught with the bikes.Antonio said he sought help around Christmas 2022 — seeing a few therapists before he found one he likedCredit: GettyThrough therapy he has learned that his tough upbringing in South London left him mentally scarredCredit: Premier League“They grouped up and said ‘Michail did it’. I’ve been friends with them for three years, going to school every day with them, so it just made me mistrust people.”Antonio told Jake and Damian he would never have been able to open up to them before his therapy.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith his mind in a much better place, he said he feels he has three more years left playing and is happy at West Ham, who will soon have a new manager.
      LISTEN to the full interview on the High Performance podcast on all major platforms from today.
      You’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
      It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
      It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
      And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
      Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
      That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
      The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
      Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
      If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: More