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      in Soccer

      I played with David Beckham for my club and against him at the World Cup, now I’m making my way in brand new career

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      CHRIS BIRCHALL was David Beckham’s team-mate at LA Galaxy and faced England at the 2006 World Cup.But now he has traded the high life of LA and glitz and glamour of international football for pounding the Staffordshire mud as a REFEREE.Chris Birchall is on red alert for a career as a whistlerCredit: Paul TongeBirchall says England legend David Beckham was humble both as an international opponent and club team-mateCredit: GettyBirchall and Becks won the MLS Cup with LA Galaxy in 2011Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdChris Birchall with a framed David Beckham personalised signed shirtThe  ex-midfielder, 39, lined up against the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Becks while playing for Trinidad & Tobago in Germany.Stafford-born Birchall, who qualified for the Caribbean islands through his mum, spent three seasons in LA.Hanging on a wall at home in Newcastle-under-Lyme is a personalised signed Beckham shirt and a photo of the pair when they won the MLS Cup in 2011.He said: “David was great with me. Although I played with him towards the end of his career, wow what a player. He could pick you out with a pass from 40 yards.READ MORE TOP STORIES“There was banter between us as English guys. He’d come into training every morning and say to me, ‘Hi, Mr Perfect’ and I was like, ‘If anyone should be called that it’s you!’“He sends video messages when it’s my lad’s birthday and I’ll text him when any big news happens. He’s humble and the type of person you want to be associated with.”Trinidad & Tobago — the Soca Warriors —  elevated Birchall’s career. While still a 22-year-old League One footballer at Port Vale, he found himself up against the Three Lions.England needed two late goals to win 2-0 in the group game before their World Cup quarter-final exit to Portugal. Most read in FootballThe ex-Trinidad & Tobago ace reckons VAR has big weaknessesCredit: Paul TongeCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBirchall said: “My biggest memory was Beckham shaking my hand at the end and telling me, ‘You had one hell of a game’. He was my hero so that was special.“It’s amazing looking back — lining up against Beckham, Scholes, Owen, Rooney, Ferdinand.  That squad should have won a World Cup.” Watch former Bohemians star score from own half with shot to rival David Beckham’s iconic goalBirchall — who also played for  Coventry, Port Vale and Brighton before retiring in 2016 — started the process of becoming an official six months ago.He said: “I’d love to ref in the EFL. The hardest things are positioning  yourself and making split-second decisions.”Birchall would like other former players to lend their experience to help the PGMOL stop the controversies ruining football.He said: “The way certain laws are written tie the hands of refs. There’s no room for common sense.“If an incident ticks all the boxes, you must give a certain decision. Yet if you’ve played you know every incident is different and whether a player meant to do something.He sends video messages when it’s my lad’s birthday and I’ll text him when any big news happens. He’s humble and the type of person you want to be associated with.Chris Birchall on David Beckham“Take handball — a ball’s blasted at you from ten yards. You might be jumping with your arms slightly away from your body and as you’re landing the ball touches your hand. That isn’t a penalty but they’re given.“The diving and simulation is ridiculous. That’s where I’d like to use my experience. Ex-footballers can see the tricks of the trade.“I’ve sympathy for a ref who has a split second to make a decision and then has VAR putting him under pressure to change it after viewing a replay at one thousandth of a second. The game isn’t played in slo-mo.”Birchall saw his ex-club Coventry denied what would have been an incredible win against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final.Victor Torp thought he had scored a 120th-minute winner to complete a fightback from 3-0 down. Ref Rob Jones gave the goal but VAR told him Haji Wright was a CENTIMETRE offside!Birchall took on Frank Lampard & Co in the 2006 World CupCredit: GettyHe rose to a momentous occasion against the Three Lions 18 years agoCredit: GettyBirchall said: “This is where VAR kills football. That decision affected a club’s history as Coventry would’ve reached the final having staged one of the greatest ever comebacks.“VAR wasn’t brought in to decide offside by a toenail or to take three minutes to work out.“If it’s level to the naked eye, award the goal — give the advantage to the striker as it used to be. We want to see goals, not find reasons to disallow them.”PGMOL chief Howard Webb wants to welcome ex-players into refereeing and Birchall hopes to see his peers and officials work together.He said: “I don’t want a battle between ex-footballers and refs. It’s about educating refs from a player’s perspective and the other way round.“Paul Merson slates refs on Soccer Saturday — some stuff he’s saying as an ex-player is correct. But it’s often not the ref’s fault, it’s the law that’s written that needs changing.”The high life of LA has gone, now it’s back to earthy EnglandCredit: Paul TongeBirchall gives our man Justin Allen more than just the lowdownCredit: Paul TongeBirchall concedes you cannot make a living refereeing at grassroots level and that perhaps puts ex-players off, especially those who played professionally in the lower divisions and are not wealthy.However, he believes the PGMOL should team up with the PFA, FA and clubs to encourage footballers still playing to take courses.He said: “Unless you’ve made good money from your career, you need a job while you’re developing to reach a level where you might get an income.READ MORE SUN STORIES“They need to be telling footballers towards the end of their careers, ‘You can do this while you’re still playing.’“There needs to be that transition from when they retire to going straight into refereeing or at least have a platform.” More

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      in Motorsport

      Five haunting questions behind Formula One’s greatest riddle – what caused Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash 30 years ago?

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      HEADING into a curve that the Formula One genius Ayrton Senna knew very well at the San Marino Grand Prix, there was no sign it would be the Brazilian’s final moment.But rather than his blue Williams racing car turning into the Tamburello left corner, it sped at 190mph straight into a concrete barrier.Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash 30 years agoCredit: GettyThe Brazilian was a three-time Formula One world championCredit: AP:Associated PressSenna’s girlfriend Adriana Galisteu mourns in front of his coffinCredit: AFPThirty years on from the three-time world champion’s death, serious questions still remain about how a man revered as the motorsport’s greatest talent could have lost control of his hi-tech vehicle.Was it really a driver error? Or were ill-judged modifications to Senna’s car to blame?Investigators in Italy believed members of the British-based Williams team were at fault.Conspiracy theorists have asked why it took the company a month to hand over the black boxes to the authorities and why they arrived so badly damaged.Read More In The SunBut fingers were also pointed at bumps in the historic Imola circuit.On top of that, there were questions as to whether debris had properly been removed from the track following an earlier collision. Could a shard of metal have interfered with Senna’s racing car?The risk of racing was clear because the day before, 33-year-old Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger suffered a fatal crash.Jordan’s Rubens Barrichello had been lucky to get out alive following a high speed smash on the Friday.Most read in MotorsportCritical issues about the car’s safety were largely skirted over in the Bafta-winning 2010 documentary Senna.And today no one knows why his life ended at the age of 34.Video shows Ayrton Senna racing in the San Marino Grand prix in 1994 before tragic death of driverThankfully, improvements introduced following his death has meant Ayrton was the last F1 driver to die during a race.That has only added to his legacy.Ben Hunt, The Sun’s F1 correspondent, says: “There is no other sporting icon who is celebrated in such a way. “The livery of his iconic crash helmet, featuring the colours of the Brazilian flag, are seen at every race on the calendar.”Here we look at the possible causesCar trouble?Senna in his Williams car on the day of the crashCredit: AFPThere were plenty of problems facing Williams and its reported £16million-salary star signing Senna in the weeks running up to the crash.Williams drivers had won the previous two Formula One championships, but new rules had cut into their reliance on electronic devices.Ayrton struggled with the latest vehicle, admitting at the start of the season: “The cars are very fast and difficult to drive. We’ll be lucky if something really serious doesn’t happen.”As is common in motorsport, he liaised with the team’s engineers to change the set-up, including adjusting the steering column.Senna did not appear to turn the wheel on the seventh lap as he approached the bend and instead went into the wall.During the crash part of the suspension had penetrated his helmet, causing a fatal head injury.The steering wheel was found to be broken.Italian prosecutors alleged that it had snapped prior to impact, leaving Senna unable to control his speeding vehicle.They charged the team’s founder Sir Frank Williams, technical director Sir Patrick Head and chief designer Adrian Newey with manslaughter.At the trial the prosecution said: “The steering column had been cut and a new element – which was not of the same quality of metal or of the same diameter, being 18mm instead of 22mm – was welded in.A complete stranger came up to me and said ‘Your dad is a murderer’Claire Williams”And it was where the new element had been welded that the column broke.”The Williams team analysis showed the steering column was not to blame and all three men were acquitted. In 2003 the Italian courts reopened the case and in 2007 determined that the steering column was responsible, but by that point it was too late to rearrest anyone for manslaughter.Newey admitted in his 2017 autobiography: “Regardless of whether that steering column caused the accident or not, there is no escaping the fact that it was a bad piece of design that should never have been allowed to get on the car.”While people in the sport do not blame the legendary Sir Frank, who died in 2021, some members of the public did.Sir Frank’s daughter Claire Williams remembered a year after Senna’s death “being in a pub, a complete stranger came up to me and said ‘Your dad is a murderer’.”Unsafe track?Roland Ratzenberger died on the same track the day before SennaCredit: AFPThere were concerns about the Tamburello corner on which Senna’ fate was sealed.A number of drivers had come off at that corner, including Gerhard Berger who’d gone up in flames in 1989.But all of the incidents were linked to car trouble rather than the track design.Senna, though, had noticed ripples on that bend during practice.There is no other sporting icon who is celebrated in such a wayBen HuntJust before the San Marino race he said about the track: “My car reacts a bit nervously on this kind of surface. “It stems from the special aerodynamics but it’s also got to do with a difficulty in the suspension.”The Italians charged three senior men connected to the track, Federico Bendinelli, Giorgio Poggi and Roland Bruynseraede, with manslaughter.State prosecutor Maurizio Passarini claimed that a raised edge at the Tamburello corner launched the Williams car into trouble.The three men were found not guilty by a judge in 1997.’Modern F1 misses a Senna’ By Bent Hunt, The Sun’s F1 Correspondent
      SENNA still has global appeal with new fans attracted by the ‘Drive to Survive’ boom.
      So why is he so popular?
      One simple explanation is that he was a brilliant driver, which of course we know and there is simply not enough room to pick out the evidence of this.
      Another aspect was the dark arts. The ability to mix sport with politics to achieve what he wanted or perhaps what he felt he deserved.
      He coupled this with his attitude on track, taking matters into his own hands and stepping over the line, such as deliberately ramming Alain Prost in Japan 1990, influencing the outcome of the title.
      Questionable morals perhaps, but taking it to the limit and going beyond is now almost celebrated.
      Senna offered a new level of professionalism but with it a complexity within his own personality.
      Magnetic charm and a level of charisma that is unthinkable among today’s drivers on the grid.
      Senna was intelligent, opened up with honesty and discussed the dangers he faced, putting his life on the line each time he went out to race.
      He appealed to and intrigued the public in equal measure. He had a personality.
      And that’s something that F1 desperately misses right now.

      Race debris?The wreck of Senna’s car following his fatal crashCredit: AllsportAt the start of the race Bennetton’s JJ Lehto stalled and an unsighted Pedro Lamy in a Lotus piled into his car, sending pieces of their vehicles into the crowd and on to the grid.A safety car was brought out so that the debris could be collected and then the race restarted.But a photograph in Autosport magazine suggested that Ayrton’s car passed over one piece. Could that have caused a slow puncture?Williams’s Adrian Newey said in 2017: “His right front and right rear tyres were destroyed in the accident, so it was impossible to examine them, but debris that size could have caused a slow puncture. “The puncture would have caused the bottoming we saw, and that in turn would have caused the rear to step out as it lost grip.”Driver error?Senna, pictured during a race in 1989, pushed his cars to their limitsCredit: GettyAlain Prost was knocked out a crucial championship race by SennaCredit: GettyAyrton Senna is regarded as one of the greatest ever racing drivers – with his fearlessness putting him on the podium.He had a reputation for pushing his machines to their absolute limits.On top of that the Brazilian hated losing, admitting: “Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. “Winning is like a drug. I can’t settle for second or third in no circumstances whatsoever.”In 1990 he knew he would become world champion if his great rival Alain Prost did not finish the Japanese Grand Prix.At the first turn he ran into the back of Prost’s Ferrari taking them both out of the race.Some observers believed it was deliberate and Senna later admitted: “I didn’t care if we crashed.”Is it possible that Senna was simply racing too hard at San Marino in 1994 in order to keep ahead of Michael Schumacher who was not far behind him in second place?Black Box controversyA jury were shown the black box recorder from Senna’s carCredit: EPASenna’s Williams car was fitted with two black box recorders designed to keep data safe if there was a crash.They were similar to the devices on aeroplanes, but not as robust.A senior member of staff at the San Marino track told the 1997 trial that two members of the Williams team removed the recorders shortly after the crash.After giving evidence Fabrizio Nosco told journalists: “I have seen thousands of these devices and removed thousands for checks.“The two boxes were intact, even though they had some scratches. The Williams device looked to have survived the crash.”It took the Williams team over a month to hand over the black boxes to the crash investigators.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen they arrived they were too badly damaged to yield the information needed to determine the exact cause of the accident. Other witnesses told the court they were wrecked by the high speed impact of the Williams vehicle hitting the wall.Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger died on the same weekend as SennaCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      in Motorsport

      Thirty years on from Ayrton Senna’s tragic death Bernie Ecclestone reveals he was told F1 would be CANCELLED for ever

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      BERNIE ECCLESTONE revealed he was told Formula One would be CANCELLED in the aftermath of Ayrton Senna’s death.Today marks the 30th anniversary of Senna’s fatal crash in Imola.Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna died while leading the San Marino Grand PrixCredit: AFPBernie Ecclestone was told that F1 would be cancelled after thatCredit: ReutersBrazil’s triple world champion died almost instantly when his Williams ran off the road at 190mph and smashed into a concrete wall on lap seven of the San Marino Grand Prix.And Ecclestone, who ruled the sport for four decades until 2017, said: “Max Mosley, the FIA president, said to me that he believed it would be the end of Formula One.“We hoped it wouldn’t cause what Max had suggested but it was a disaster. “It seems to me a lot longer than 30 years. Ayrton was so unlucky to die.”READ MORE ON SPORTSenna was leading when he lost control at the notorious Tamburello corner. The right-front suspension of his car penetrated his crash helmet.Yet the race restarted less than 40 minutes later with Michael Schumacher winning. Senna’s team-mate Damon Hill was sixth, two places ahead of fellow Brit Martin Brundle.Now a TV pundit, Brundle has said he was angry that “we raced past a pool of Senna’s blood for 55 laps”.But Ecclestone, 93, insisted: “Should we have stopped the race? I don’t think so.Most read in Motorsport“It wouldn’t have helped Senna in any way. When these things happen, they happen so quickly that you don’t really have that much time to think.“Legally, it should have been stopped because we now know he died at the circuit but it came down to commercial problems, people who would have wanted refunds and all these sorts of things.Video shows Ayrton Senna racing in the San Marino Grand prix in 1994 before tragic death of driver“The other side of it wasn’t really taken into consideration.”F1 is expected to pay tribute to Senna at the Emilia Romagna GP in Imola on May 19.His death is the last time a driver was killed during an F1 race.Jules Bianchi died nine months after injuries he suffered at the Japanese GP ten years ago.It’s the 30th anniversary of Senna’s fatal crash in ImolaCredit: GettyEcclestone added: “Formula One became more popular after Senna’s death.“It got so much worldwide publicity that people who had not watched before started to become interested.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But I hope we will never see something like that again.“And I think today, with the way everything has improved with safety, the chances are so much smaller.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      in Boxing

      Inside Muhammad Ali’s stunning former LA mansion on sale for $13.5million which includes priceless antique architecture

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      A STUNNING mansion formerly owned by Muhammad Ali has gone on the market for $13.5million. The boxing great owned the sensational seven-bedroom Los Angeles home from 1979 to 1984, according to Top Ten Real Estate Deals.The mansion formerly owned by Muhammad Ali has gone on the market for $13.5mCredit: GettyAli owned the sensational Los Angeles home from 1979 to 1984Credit: Concierge AuctionsThe LA mansion includes seven bedroomsCredit: Concierge AuctionsFamous guests such as Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood and former US president Barack ObamaCredit: Concierge AuctionsA stained glass personally designed by artist Louis Comfort Tiffany tops a collection of priceless architectural features. They include antique fireplaces, French Empire chandeliers, and imported Italian marble.The mansion’s lower floor features a grand entry hall, a sun room with a glass roof, a salon, dining and living rooms as well as a wet bar. Famous guests such as Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood and former US president Barack Obama are all said to have stayed in the pad before. READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd Ali’s neighbours in the past included performer Mae West, actor Clark Gable, and singer Nat King Cole. Upstairs has bedrooms and offices, including a massive primary suite with its own fireplace. The suite opens onto a columned deck that overlooks two landscaped gardens. Outside includes a swimming pool, a huge lawn, a pergola terrace, stone fountains, and patios.Most read in BoxingAli’s neighbours in the past included performersCredit: Concierge AuctionsThe outside is the perfect place to relaxCredit: Concierge AuctionsThe suite overlooks two landscaped gardensCredit: Concierge AuctionsThe mansion is 10,500-square-footCredit: Concierge AuctionsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAli’s fighting family The boxing icon left the sport in 1981 and sadly passed away in 2016.
      But his legacy in sport was carried on with daughter Laila becoming an undefeated world champion.
      Ali’s brother Rahaman was also a heavyweight boxer, amassing a 14–3–1 record and even facing his iconic sibling in a 1972 exhibition.
      Laila’s sister and one of Ali’s seven daughters Rasheda has two boys, Biaggio and Nico, who are both fighters.
      Biaggio Ali Walsh is a 1-0 MMA star while brother Nico is 10–1 as a boxer.

      It sits on a 1.5-acre corner lot, the 10,500-square-foot mansion and 1,000-square-foot guesthouse are surrounded by privacy hedges.Previously listed for $13.5m (£10.7m), the estate will be auctioned with a reserve and bidding closes on May 15.There are both dining and living roomsCredit: Concierge AuctionsThe estate will be auctioned with a reserve and bidding closes on May 15Credit: Concierge AuctionsThe upstairs has bedrooms and officesCredit: Concierge AuctionsThe mansion’s lower floor features a grand entry hallCredit: Concierge AuctionsThe wild behind-the-scenes story of Rumble in the Jungle, when Ali and Foreman were BLOCKED from leaving Zaire More

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      in Boxing

      Mike Tyson lost £2.3m for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear… but wife’s amazing idea saw him recoup the money

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      MIKE TYSON was fined £2.3million for infamously biting Evander Holyfield’s ear – but he found a brilliant way to recoup it back. Tyson disgracefully sunk his teeth into Holyfield’s ear in their 1997 rematch, a year after losing the first fight in 11 rounds. Mike Tyson infamously bit Evander Holyfield’s earCredit: AFP – GettyTyson sells cannabis edibles in the shape of Holyfield’s chewed earCredit: Tyson 2.0The former heavyweight champion was banned from boxing for 15 months and hit with the multimillion dollar fine. In retirement, the two made up and became friends while Tyson went on to build a cannabis empire. He sells products like vapes and edibles, with one amazingly shaped on Holyfield’s bitten ear. And Tyson revealed the idea to sculpt the edible on Holyfield’s chewed off ear came from his wife Lakiha Spicer. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe told Forbes: “My wife is a nut, but she’s brilliant. And she said, ‘Why don’t you use the ear?'”‘Get out of here,’. “I was a little bitter because the ear got me in a lot of trouble.”Tyson, 57, joked how he and Holyfield, 61, are still profiting from their “bite fight” almost three decades later. He said: “You know what’s funny? When I bit Holyfield’s ear, they took $3million from me. Most read in BoxingCredit: The SunCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I made more than that taking pictures of biting other people’s ears.”Me and Holyfield are the only people still making money from a fight 30 years ago.”Fans say ‘Mike Tyson’s coach has most terrifying job’ as footage of him throwing punches that ‘sound like death’ emergesTyson is currently training for his controversial comeback fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on July 20 in Texas.The bout – set for the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Dallas – has raised eyebrows due to the 30-year age gap.Tyson will be 58 by the time the fight for the ages comes around and nearly 20 years removed from his last professional contest.But he is attempting to roll back the clock in training and has been showing off his devastating combination punching online.And behind the scenes, Tyson is also putting in sacrifices which include giving up sex and smoking weed.He said: “Six weeks I haven’t gotten high or had sex.”Mike Tyson’s controversial comeback Mike Tyson is BACK!
      Yes, boxing’s youngest heavyweight champ of all time – just 20 when he achieved the feat – is preparing to lace them up again.
      He faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on July 20 in Texas.
      The controversial clash – set for the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Dallas – has been scrutinised over the 30-year age gap.
      Tyson will be 58 by the time the fight for the ages comes around and nearly 20 years removed from his last professional contest.
      He was last seen in the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr, which ended a draw after eight rounds.
      Paul is meanwhile 9-1 in the ring, losing only to Tommy Fury in 2023, and has won three times since.
      His fight with Tyson will also be a landmark first on Netflix, with over 250MILLION subscribers able to watch the bout.

      Asked why, he explained: “Discipline. You know discipline, doing what you love to do, what you love to do, doing what you hate to do but doing it like you love it.”You know, I hate not being able to smoke, I’m doing it like I love it. I hate not not being able to sleep with my wife but I’m doing it like I love it.”During Tyson’s volatile heyday, he is said to have enjoyed having sex in his locker room only moments before fighting.That is despite the long-standing belief in boxing that abstinence helps boost testosterone which is why several restrain from sex while training.And Tyson – who married his third wife in 2009 – once admitted to smoking £33,000 worth of weed a MONTH.He was last seen in the ring in 2020 for an exhibition drawn over eight rounds with fellow great Roy Jones Jr.Meanwhile Paul is 9-1 as a boxer who suffered his only defeat to Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy in February 2023.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he has won three since and vowed to put friendship aside to score the biggest win of his career against Tyson.Paul, 27, said on DAZN: “Uncle Mike, I love you, you’re looking amazing but there can only be one winner and I’m sorry but I’ve got to end you.”Tyson married Lakiha Spicer in 2009Credit: GettyJake Paul and Mike Tyson facing offCredit: @jakepaul More

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      in Boxing

      Inside Floyd Mayweather’s gym where boxing legend trained in sweltering heat & forced sparring partners to arrive at 3am

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER crafted the most iconic unbeaten boxing record of all time by training in sweltering heat in the middle of the night. The American’s gym is just two short miles from the Sin City strip where he collected the majority of his belts and millions in the ring.Floyd Mayweather training in his Las Vegas gymCredit: GettyMayweather’s fight posters, in chronological order, adorn the gym wallsCredit: The SunThe Sun took a trip to the famed boxing clubCredit: The SunBut the real work was done inside the Mayweather Boxing Club, where the 50-0 legend whipped himself into sensational shape. He did so by training at all hours of the night, often as late as 3 am, and with the thermostat cranked up to a boiling 83 degrees (28 C).The Sun took a trip to the iconic gym and experienced firsthand just how hot the boxing club was.And according to Mayweather’s uncle Jeff, his nephew’s influence is so great that up-and-comers force themselves to train in the heat like their hero once did.”Well, that’s because that’s what Floyd used to do and everyone that comes to the gym wants to pattern themselves after Floyd. So they let the gym just heat up and I hate it!” Jeff told us.Mayweather, who officially retired in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, prided himself on doing things his own way. And to gain a psychological edge he would train in the middle of the night while his opponents slept. So if you were on his training team it meant being on call at all times.Most read in Boxing”He trains some crazy times,” former world champion Badou Jack, 40, said.”I’m not sparring with him but we’d get a call in the middle of the night and he’ll say ‘Get to the gym, we’re working out.'”Ultimate boxing rich list including Anthony Joshua, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Deontay WilderNot even a night out on the Vegas town would get in the way of his sparring sessions. “Everything he does is different, he does his own thing,” 23-8 Denis Douglin, 35, remembers.”Floyd would go out to the club, finish at three o’clock in the morning and then go and train.”That was regular. It sounds crazy to the world but the man does what he wants, but he stays focused. He’s just on a whole different level.”Mayweather is so impromptu he would often challenge his sparring partners to box until one of them gave up. “Floyd said to me, ‘We’re going to turn the bell off and spar till somebody quits. I’m gonna make you quit,’ Douglin recalls.”I said to him, ‘Floyd, if you turn that bell off we’re going to spar for the rest of the day, because I’m not quitting.’A painting of Mayweather’s family and team members hangs on the wallCredit: The SunThe boxing legend has never been shy of showing off his beltsCredit: The SunPhones were banned when Mayweather was trainingCredit: The SunThe heat was cranked up to 83 degrees (28 C)Credit: The Sun”We sparred about 20-30 minutes straight, but we had to stop because Devin Haney was sparring after us.”If it wasn’t for that we weren’t going to stop – we’d probably still be sparring now.””We’re boxing, going back and forth, we did three or four rounds straight, but Floyd’s the type of guy to try and break you,” Daquan Mays, who is 5-1, added.”He’s looking me in the eyes the whole time, and I’m like this s*** is fun as hell.”We’re in like the third round and he’s like, ‘I ain’t tired, I’ll keep going, I don’t give a f***.”I was like, well I don’t give a f*** either. So he said, ‘Get the clock off, get the clock off, we going until you’re tired, until you’re done boxing’.”Me myself, I didn’t care, I wanted to see where I was at. We did 16 minutes, he gave me props afterwards and that was that.”Mayweather has a custom money-heavy bagCredit: The SunAnd he has a bag with all 50 of his wins recorded on itCredit: The SunMayweather’s gym is full of his favorite memorabilia with fight posters – all in chronological order – draping from the ceiling.There is also a poster of the five-division champ with the quote, “A true champion can adapt to anything.”On the entrance door of the gym are also strict instructions prohibiting phones in the gym whenever Mayweather was training. Failure to do so would see you kicked out of the gym and banned from coming back.But Mayweather is not often seen around the gym these days.He continues to box in exhibitions since hanging the gloves up, facing stars of the social media, MMA, and boxing world.His last was against the grandson of notorious mob boss John Gotti, which ended in a disqualification win last June after a brawl broke out in the ring. Mayweather continues to tease more money-spinning spectacle bouts, meaning there are rare cameos in the gym here and there. READ MORE SUN STORIES”He comes through every once in a while,” uncle Jeff revealed.”He doesn’t really train unless he’s got an exhibition or something going on like that. He’s in the gym sometimes to help other young fighters.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Its a big lie’ – Brazil legend breaks silence on claims ‘three-in-a-bed’ relationship wrecked celeb couple’s marriage

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      ADRIANO has denied claims his “three-in-a-bed” relationship with a fitness model and her husband were to blame for the couple’s break-up.Journalist Bruno Di Simone alleged the former Brazil international had enjoyed ‘throuples’ with Gracyanne Barbosa, 40, and her 50-year-old now ex-partner Belo.Adriano is alleged to have had a relationship with Gracyanne BarbosaCredit: GettyModel Gracyanne split from husband Bruno Di Simone this monthCredit: NewsflashThe couple split earlier this month after 12 years of marriage.On Rede TV programme Geral do Povo, Di Simone said: “They had an open relationship.“Adriano had a relationship with Gracyanne and Belo witnessed it.“She fell in love with him and continued to have a secret relationship with him.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe went on to claim it was an “open secret” in the neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro where they lived.Adriano has hit back by posting a video to his 9.3million Instagram followers, saying the throuple claims were an invention and he had never dated Playboy model Gracyanne.He raged: “Once again this controversy that’s been made up about me, Belo and Gracyanne.“I don’t even know what this menage thing is they’re talking about.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I have the greatest respect for Belo and I’ve never been out with Gracyanne.”He continued: “You can be sure the man who’s making these allegations and inventing this about me is going to get sued. What he claims happened never existed. I’ve never done anything like this in my life.”Meet Jude Bellingham’s glam new WagAdriano, who has made just as many headlines off the pitch as he did on it, concluded his post by telling his fans: “Always, when I least expect it, they invent things about me.“I’ve never done this menage-a-trois thing. My fans, it’s all a big lie. That is the truth. I’m a man, everybody knows that.”Gracyanne and Belo, real name Marcelo Pires Vieira, confirmed they had split on April 18 following reports they had been living separate lives for the past eight months.They said in a joint statement: “The singer Belo will not comment on his personal life and reinforces that he is focused on his career.“Gracyanne Barbosa reaffirms that the love between the couple has not ended, but confirms the current separation.”Neither has commented on the claims linking them to Adriano which the footballer has angrily denied.Adriano made headlines by tying the knot with an old flame in a whirlwind romance in November 2022 before they split just 24 days later.The retired striker had surprised family and friends by bringing forward his plans to marry on-off girlfriend Micaela Mesquita.Adriano had reportedly been seeing Micaela in secret before they married at the same time he was enjoying trysts with model and medical student Victoria Moreira.At the time he was staying in the presidential suite of a luxury hotel in the upmarket neighbourhood of Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro while between homes after selling a former mansion.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe also had a short-lived affair with medical student Ceu Oliveira at the start of 2021.He was first linked to the 21-year-old days after it was reported he had allegedly cheered himself up after a failed transfer by spending £13,000 on 18 prostitutes. More

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      Three key things Ten Hag is getting wrong at Man United which could cost him his £9million-a-year job

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      MANCHESTER United are in turmoil, despite back-to-back wins over Coventry and Sheffield United.They are unbeaten in four games – however manager Erik ten Hag is clinging on to his job because the club’s performances have fallen way below expected standards.Erik ten Hag is facing a fight to keep his job at Man UtdThey collapsed to throw away a 3-0 lead to Championship side Coventry who fought back to draw 3-3 at Wembley in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.Utd won on penalties but only after VAR saved them from a humiliating defeat by ruling out what would have been a winner for Coventry in the dying moments of the game.United went on to win the shootout as Antony taunted the Coventry supporters afterwards.Ten Hag’s men then stumbled to a 4-2 midweek win over Sheffield Utd, after twice falling behind to the Premier League’s bottom team.read more in footballThe Dutch manager is under huge pressure as joint owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues his extensive overhaul of the club behind the scenes with new technical director Jason Wilcox overseeing events on the pitch.For a long time United have been run poorly from behind the scenes. Recruitment has routinely been scatter-gun and the slow nature of-decision making at the club has seen them miss out on potential new players. Ratcliffe and his right hand man Sir Dave Brailsford are fixing some of these problems – and the expectation is growing that Ten Hag will be shown the door sooner rather than later. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHere we highlight three key things that Ten Hag is getting wrong at the moment at United which could cost him his £9million-a-year job.Conceding too many shots  The most damning stat is that United concede an average of 17.7 shots at their goal per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.Only lowly Sheffield United have more, with 17.9. Man City manage to keep that figure down to just 8.Who could be Man Utd’s next manager after Ten Hag?Man Utd concede on average a shocking 17.7 shots per gameIn essence, United look soft defensively.Ten Hag will point to the amount of injuries with the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane once again being injured. Brazil star Casemiro has been deputising as a centre half in recent games.However, there are no excuses for how disorganised the defensive unit has looked as a group and the blame for this has to come down to the coaching staff.Man Utd’s defence is chaotic in the build-up to a Coventry goal. There is a huge gap between centre halves Casemiro and Maguire while right back Dalot is completely out of positionAgainst Coventry there’s a giant hole in the centre of defence between Casemiro and MaguireWith the exception of the young French central defender Willy Kambwala the rest of the players who have played in the back four for United during this injury crisis have been established internationals. This means that at the very least we should expect them to get their basic positioning right against the ball.But instead United are often disorganised with players getting caught well out of position leaving gaps in the defensive line. This lack of positional solidity from the defensive line, however, is not helped by the fact that United struggle to get pressure on the ball when the opposition are in possession. The lack of pressure and defensive solidity that United have shown from their midfield unit has led to the opposition being able to find through balls or passes into space to threaten and stretch the United defensive line.Kambwala has been caught high looking to win the ball and Maguire has come across to  defend on the same line which leaves huge gaps in the defensive line that Bournemouth can exploitOne of the biggest things that United need to do looking forward to next season is to fix their defensive issues. With that said, however, keeping key players on the defensive side of the game fit should also be a priority.Too passive in midfieldWith the exception of club captain Bruno Fernandes, United can be extremely passive and slow in possession when they look to build their attack. United have traditionally been a team that attacks quickly through transitions and counter attacks.But this season, under Ten Hag, they seem to have slowed the pace of their attacking movements down. While Fernandes will still get on the ball and try to be aggressive in terms of his progressive passing to move the ball into the final third he is the only midfield player that we see break lines consistently for United.Scott McTominay mostly moved the ball sideways against CoventryChristian Eriksen barely passed the ball forwards despite being at home against the bottom teamThe back four and the other midfield players for United will typically look to be safe and secure in possession.However this just allows the opposition players to quickly get back into their defensive shape. Given the pace that United have in the attack in the likes of Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho it would be far more beneficial for United to be more direct and progressive in possession.Casemiro passes forward to Eriksen in huge amounts of space to turn into but instead he just plays a simple pass backwardsUnited are not helped in this regard though by some of the poor technical quality that their players show when they have space and time to play. Too often United players will give the ball away to opposition players or put the ball out of play when they have plenty of time and space to play and to break down the opposition.Maguire receives the ball but instead passing easily to Mainoo or Wan-Bissaka he loses composure and passes straight to the oppositionFor Manchester United to be truly successful they need to be braver and more progressive in possession of the ball. We would expect this to be another aspect of the game that United will look to improve in the transfer market this coming summer.They don’t play to their strengthsFor a team to be truly successful at the top levels of football they have to be able to recognise their strengths — and play to those strengths. As we have already touched upon, United this season have been far too slow and passive in their attacking play and as such they have struggled to really stretch the opposition and use the pace that they have in the attacking unit.The likes of Rashford, Garnacho and Hojlund are all very strong runners with true pace. If United were able to get the ball forward more quickly then the opposition would be forced to defend deep and in space. Time after time we see United’s quick forwards making off the ball runs to attack space only for the ball not to be released quickly to exploit these movements.Bruno Fernandes has been the outstanding player this seasonAgainst Bournemouth, Hojlund makes an aggressive run to attack the space but United instead keep passing the ball around the midfieldAll of the three most dangerous attacking players that United have thrive on getting the ball in space with the ability to run at opposition defenders and to attack space when they are in possession. The fact that United are slow when they build the attack means that when these attacking players do finally get possession of the ball they tend to be playing against a more structured and settled defensive block from the opposition.Hojlund starts to make an attacking run, against Liverpool, but the player in possession makes a simple sideways pass instead of putting the ball forward and into space.As things stand United, under Ten Hag, have been far too slow in all thirds of the pitch when they are in the attacking phase. Giving players more freedom to play long and into space would cause the opposition real problems with the pace that United do have in their attack.ConclusionIt is looking increasingly more likely that Erik ten Hag will not be the Man United manager at the start of next season. READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile he has been unlucky with constant injury issues, especially in the defence, this season it is also fair to say that he has taken some freedom away from players on the pitch.This will be a big summer for United with England boss Gareth Southgate and former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel in line to reoplace Ten Hag. More