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    Nico Hidalgo dead at 32: Former Juventus star dies after battle with lung cancer as tributes pour in

    FORMER Spanish footie star Nico Hidalgo has tragically passed away aged 32. The former Juventus midfielder has sadly lost his lengthy battle with lung cancer.Nico Hidalgo has tragically passed away aged 32Credit: GettyThe former Racing Santandar and Juventus star had been battling lung cancer since 2021Credit: GettyTributes have poured in for the late Hidalgo, including from former club Cadiz. The Segunda Division side’s ode read: “Nico Hidalgo has left us.”We will never forget your smile and your joy. Your struggle is our example. Rest in peace.”Extremadura, which no longer exists, also paid tribute to their late player.”This morning we woke up to the sad news of the death of Nico Hidalgo, former Extremadura UD footballer, at the age of 32 due to lung cancer which he had been fighting since 2021,” a club statement read.”From [everyone at] CD Extremadura, we would like to express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. “We send them all our love and strength in these difficult times.”Racing Santandar also paid tribute to the midfielder, whom they’ll honour with a minute’s silence ahead of their La Liga clash with Elche on Sunday.Most read in FootballThe late Nico Hidalgo retired from football in 2022Credit: GETTYA snippet of a club statement read: “Real Racing Club regrets the death of its former footballer Nico Hidalgo, who played 73 official matches with the green and white shirt between 2018 and 2020. “The Cantabrian club joins in the pain of his family and friends for this irreparable loss.”While sending its most sincere condolences and announcing that it will observe a minute of silence in his memory before the LaLiga Hypermotion match that its first team will play against Elche CF at the Campos de Sport tomorrow Sunday, March 2, at 9:00 p.m.”Hidalgo began his career with his local team Motril CF, whom he made 40 appearances before joining Granada in 2012. He moved to Italian giants Juve in 2014 but didn’t make a single appearance for the Old Lady in his three years in Turuin. He returned to Spain permanently in the summer of 2017 following loan spells with Granada and Cadiz. He closed out his career with stints with Racing Santander and Extremadura, retiring after learning of his diagnosis. More

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    Thierry Jacob dead at 59: Former boxing world champion dies after battle with lung cancer

    FORMER world boxing champion Thierry Jacob has died aged 59 after a battle with lung cancer. Jacob held the WBC super-bantamweight world title and fought all of his career in France. Ex-boxing champion Thierry Jacob has died aged 59 after a battle with lung cancerJacob passed away at his home in Calais after losing his battle with cancerCredit: AFPJacob held the WBC super-bantamweight world titleCredit: GettyHe passed away at his home in Calais after losing his battle with cancer. Natacha Bouchart, mayor of the northern port city, announced on Facebook: “We begin this day with sad news. Thierry Jacob died overnight, so young.” Jacob turned professional in 1984 after a good amateur career and won his first 21 bouts. He was first defeated in 1987 by Kelvin Seabrooks when challenging for the IBF bantamweight title. READ MORE IN boxing Jacob also failed in attempts to win the EBU IBF super-bantamweight belts. But he did claim victory over British legend Duke McKenzie in 1990 for the EBU bantamweight strap. He lost three world title fights – against Tracy Harris Patterson and Wilfredo Vazquez (twice) – before his retirement bout. Jacob beat Edgar Orlando Ballen before hanging up the gloves with a 39-6 career. Most read in BoxingHis brothers Bruno and Herve were also boxers and won national and European titles with a fourth brother, Jacky, coaching. Jacob later trained his sons Romain and Joffrey – who both won titles. Romain was a former European super-feather champ while Joffrey won a French title. Meet the AI boxing official who’ll be ringside for Fury v Usyk with fans convinced it ‘will eliminate judges completely’ More

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    Chesney Hawkes gives away his tickets for West Ham’s Euro final for heartbreaking reason

    WEST HAM-mad Chesney Hawkes has given up his tickets to his side’s European final — so his terminally ill pal can go instead.The One and Only singer performed at a fan zone ahead of the big game in Prague tonight.
    Chesney Hawkes performed at a fan zone ahead of the big game in PragueCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The Sun
    The singer became England’s unofficial mascot during the winter World CupCredit: Dan Charity – Commissioned by The Sun
    But he handed his two tickets to childhood friend Vic Irvine, who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer last year.
    Vic, 52, and son Archie, 17, flew to Poland before making a last-minute dash across the Czech border.
    Chesney, 51, said: “West Ham offered me a couple of tickets to perform at the fan zone.
    “When they told me I had two tickets I knew I had to give them to Vic — I love West Ham but it was only right that he got to experience this.”
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    Brewery owner Vic, from Ascot, Berks, said: “It just goes to show that he’s the one and only.
    “I’ve been a West Ham fan all my life, and to see them play in a European final is the stuff of dreams.
    “Let’s just hope like my dreams, they don’t fade away and die.”
    Chesney, who will watch the game from the fan zone, said; “We’ve been having a lot of fun and getting a bit manhandled by the fans.
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    “They’ve been singing ‘Irons – the one and only’ which has been a good laugh.
    “I was supposed to go back to LA.
    “I haven’t seen my wife in six weeks — but I wasn’t going to miss this for the world.” More