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      in Soccer

      I was an England star but quit football to launch fashion brand – now I make £35m-a-year and have an Oxford Street shop

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      IN 2013, unfulfilled by his football career, Reece Wabara decided to set up a clothing line as a side-project.The former Man City right-back ploughed £15,000 into fashion label Maniere De Voir, after taking on advice from school pal Lewis Morgan, who co-founded leisure wear giant Gym Shark.
      Reece Wabara quit football and built a fashion empire
      Wabara was a former England under 20 international and played for Man CityCredit: AFP – Getty
      Today, Wabara is a cutting edge fashion designer with his own London storeCredit: The Times
      “I kept asking, where can I maximise my potential to be great,” he told The Times back in 2021.
      “I always had a way of dressing that was different and Lewis (Morgan, co-founder of Gymshark) said to me, ‘You should do something in fashion’.”
      Some ten years later, the company is now turning over a staggering £34.7million-per-year.
      It has clothed sports stars including Anthony Joshua and Raheem Sterling, while Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards is also a fan.
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      Better still, it has just opened its first flagship store on London’s Oxford Street – with queues forming around the block.
      Choosing a different destiny
      Football was in Reece’s blood.
      His grandfather Lawrence played for Nigeria, while his uncle Mark Walters starred for Rangers and Liverpool.
      At 16, he was scouted by Man City. Three years later, he was handed a £1million-per-year three-year contract.
      Most read in Football
      But, he had a sense he could achieve much more.
      He saved up £15,000 and launched online clothes store Maniere De Voir, inspired by a chat with his dad.
      “I signed to Manchester City at a transitional period, there was two or three managers in the time I was there and two or three owners too,” Wabara said.
      “I knew my football days at City were coming to an end and my dad always taught me I needed a second option to ensure you’re relevant and financially stable.
      “I founded MDV in late 2013 and launched a collection, the first clothing I produced was tracksuits, T-shirts, hoodies…I put them on the footballers that I knew and it took off.”
      In 2017, at the age of 26, following a spell at Bolton Wanderers, former England U20 international Wabara decided to hang up his boots and concentrate on his business.
      “The transition from footballer to fashion owner was a gradual one and only when the numbers and politics in football started to eat away at me did I need to make a choice,” he told Sports On Screen.
      “My football wasn’t progressing in the way I intended it to.
      “The business was progressing at an alarming rate and I had to choose one or the other because focus is important.”
      Wabara launched Maniere De Voir in 2013Credit: Twitter / @ManiereDevoir
      Raheem Sterling is a fan of the brandCredit: Instagram / @manieredevoir
      Success story
      Wabara, who is originally from Bromsgrove, Worcs, put his life and soul into his new project – working seven days a week.
      Initial turnover was slow. So, he had to revert to a ‘Plan B’.
      Noticing that the Sports Luxe market was male-dominated, he introduced womenswear to Maniere De Voir.
      “Men are very simple by nature,” he said.
      “There’s only so much you can do with those silhouettes.
      “Whereas women are more experimental – and they shop a lot more, typically.”
      The decision paid dividends.
      From his first year turnover of £1million, some seven years later he was raking in £30.2million.
      Wabara’s Maniere De Voir turned over £35million this yearCredit: Free for editorial use
      In 2022, Wabara was a new entry in the Sunday Times’ Young Rich ListCredit: Instagram
      Today, that number has swollen to a staggering £34.7million.
      The numbers catapulted Reece into last year’s Young Rich List in the Sunday Times – with a personal fortune of £26million, above footballer Marcus Rashford and level with rapper Stormzy’s net worth.
      And there’s more…
      Earlier in the year, Maniere De Voir signed a 10-year lease for the entire 5,189 sq ft retail space at 354 Oxford Street.
      “We are delighted to announce Oxbourne House as our London Flagship store,” Wabara revealed.
      “We strongly believe that the balance between online and physical retail space is key to growing and solidifying a brand that stands the test of time.
      “We hope to weave ourselves into the fabric of the high street’s resurgence, inspiring other successful online pure plays to become a part of the iconic location which is Oxford Street.”
      Already a buzz has been created – with queues of fashion fans lining up on the street to get a glimpse inside.
      Read more on The Sun
      Maniere De Voir has opened its first store on London’s Oxford Street
      Queues have been forming outside Maniere De Voir to get a glimpse inside the store
      Wabara is now ready to take over the high-streetCredit: Instagram
      Football may have provided Reece with a platform, but it was his business acumen and eye for fashion that earned him his enormous wealth.
      Now, he is taking over the high-street. Watch out JD Sports. More

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      in Boxing

      Deontay Wilder net worth 2023, career earnings and boxing record

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      DEONTAY WILDER is one of the hardest-punching heavyweights in boxing history and will return to the ring on December 23 after more than a year away.Wilder, 38, is set to face fellow former world champion Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia, ahead of a blockbuster clash with Anthony Joshua in March – should both win.
      Deontay Wilder will fight Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on December 23Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Wilder will fight AJ – who is also fighting on the card – in March should both men winCredit: Reuters

      AJ will fight Otto Wallin on the same card, dubbed the Day of Reckoning, which is set to be one of the richest cards in boxing history.
      Here is everything you need to know about the former WBC heavyweight world champion who is famed for his ferocious power.
      What is Deontay Wilder’s net worth?
      According to Forbes, Wilder made a massive $46.5M (£33m) in 2020 alone – despite fighting just once.
      That made him the third wealthiest boxer behind Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Anthony Joshua.
      Wilder took home $2 million when he faced Luis Ortiz in March 2018 and made $20 million in their 2019 rematch.
      He made $10 million for his knockout victory over Dominic Breazeale in 2019.

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      The trilogy fight against Tyson Fury meant a huge increase in Wilder’s salary.
      He earned $10 million (£7.8m) in the first bout and around $28 million (£21.9m) in the rematch.
      For the third fight, Wilder took home a guaranteed purse of $10 million, including a share of the pay-per-view revenue.
      Wilder has only fought once since that trilogy ended in October 2021 – destroying Robert Helenius inside one round in New York City.
      The Bronze Bomber earned a reported fortune for his 2 mins 57 seconds of work that night, earning an estimated purse of $20 million (£15.68m).
      According to Forbes, Wilder has earned approximately $500,000 (£292,000) through endorsement deals.
      He has partnered with Everlast Boxing, PureKana CBD and Raising Cane’s.
      As of December 2023, Wilder has more than 3 million followers on Instagram.
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      He owns a number of luxurious cars and expensive jewellery and plans on focusing on music once he retires from the ring.
      Whether that proves to be a massive money-maker for Wilder is yet to be seen.
      While the exact figures for his fight with Parker are not yet known, Wilder reiterated how lucrative this Saudi Arabia deal will be for Joshua – leading to claims that Wilder will also make out big.
      The American claimed AJ will make more than £50 million over his two-fight Saudi deal, which will see the Brit face Wilder should he beat Otto Wallin.
      Wilder said: “Everyone will get in the ring for the right price, especially when there is over $50m on the table.
      “Everything is going in the right direction now and the fight will happen.
      “The time is finally here and people are going to get what they have wanted for years.”
      What is Deontay Wilder’s boxing record?
      From 2015 to 2020, Wilder held the heavyweight title and successfully defended the belt on 10 occasions.
      In 2015, Wilder became the first American world heavyweight champion since 2007.
      This marked the end of the longest period in which an American had not held a heavyweight title.
      Wilder’s record today stands at 43-2-1 – the two losses and one draw all from his trilogy with Tyson Fury.
      He suffered his loss against Fury via 7th-round TKO on February 22, 2020, which ended his 42-fight win streak.
      Both of Wilder’s losses came via stoppage.
      Aside from Fury, Wilder has beaten every other man that he’s stepped into the ring with.
      He entered the professional boxing scene in November 2008 at the age of 23, securing victory in his debut with a 2nd round TKO.
      Following this, he embarked on an impressive streak of 39 more consecutive wins, including 38 via stoppage.
      Wilder’s first world title fight came in January 2015, when he faced Bermane Stiverne for the heavyweight WBC title.
      He defeated Stiverne in round 12 in a unanimous decision to become the heavyweight champion of the world.
      Some of his notable victories include winning against Robert Helenius, Dominic Breazeale, Luis Ortiz, Gerald Washington, Artur Szpilka, and Éric Molina.
      Read More in The Sun
      Despite his successful career, Wilder has faced criticism for his fighting style, with some commentators arguing that he heavily relies on his right hand and lacks versatility in his boxing approach.
      However, his fans appreciate and applaud his raw power, which has earned him the nickname “The Bronze Bomber.” More

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      in Soccer

      I played for Real Madrid and drank 10 beers a day and once turned up to training drunk but managed to hide it

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      CICINHO revealed he “drank 10 beers a day” and turned up to training drunk at Real Madrid.

      The ex-Brazil right-back spent 18 months with the Spanish giants before joining Roma in August 2007.

      Cicinho won 15 caps and played for Real between 2006-2007

      AP:Associated Press

      The Brazilian played for Madrid in their golden era alongside David Beckham

      He also won 15 caps for Brazil all between 2005 and 2006 and scored one international goal.

      The star opened up on the harrowing off-field issues he endured with Real, for whom he played 32 games.

      Speaking to Ressaca on Brazilian network EPTV, Cicinho delved into his battle with alcohol during his stint in Madrid.

      Now 43, he admitted: “If they ask if I’ve ever been drunk to train with Real Madrid, I did.

      “I drank coffee to take my breath away and showered myself with perfume.

      “In my profession, as a professional footballer, it was easy.

      “I didn’t need money to get drinks.”

      On how he fell into alcoholism, he added: “When I was 13 years old, it was when I tried alcohol for the first time, and I never stopped.

      “I lived in the countryside, and on weekends, we met with friends and went out to the squares, discos.

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      “I asked adults to go to buy and drank secretly from my parents and the police.

      “Alcohol surrounds you with people who like that lifestyle, and the people who really love you are left out.

      “When they hit a wall and tell you it’s not okay, you don’t want to hear it.

      “I have a 15-year-old son and I’m always apologising to him.

      “At that time, he was two years old and he didn’t even understand it well, but that was recorded in my head.” More

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      in Soccer

      I was the ball boy ex-Chelsea star Eden Hazard kicked… now I’m worth £40m aged 26 and on Times Rich list

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      CHARLIE MORGAN looked destined to be forever known as the ball boy kicked by Eden Hazard.So it is quite the revelation when you learn that he now owns a £40million empire.
      Eden Hazard kicked Charlie Morgan while trying to retrieve the ballCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      The incident ended up with Hazard being shown a red cardCredit: Action Images – Reuters
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      Morgan, left, has gone on to make a fortune through his vodka companyCredit: Instagram / @charliem0rgan_1
      Charlie’s empire has become a multi-million pound industry in recent yearsCredit: Instagram / @charliem0rgan_1
      He has posted several pictures of himself jetting off around the worldCredit: Instagram / @charliem0rgan_1
      As a 17-year-old back in 2013, the youngster attempted to waste some time during Swansea’s League Cup semi-final second leg against the Blues.
      Working pitchside for the Welsh club, he appeared to shield the ball from Hazard when it went out for a corner.
      Chelsea were 2-0 down from the first leg and had just 10 minutes of the return fixture to try and find two goals.
      Hazard’s frustration at the state of play and Charlie’s antics led to him kicking the teenager in an attempt to free the ball.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      The Belgian forward was shown a red card for the violent conduct and Swansea went on to knock Chelsea out – before lifting the League Cup thanks to a 5-0 win over Bradford at Wembley.
      A decade on, Charlie has made a name for himself outside of that bizarre moment with Hazard.
      In fact, he is a multi-millionaire with a thriving vodka company worth £40m.
      He set up the business – named Au Vodka – in 2016 alongside school friend Jackson Quinn.
      Most read in Football
      They were steadily increasing their sales but in December 2019 really began to take off when they shifted 10,000 bottles of black grape vodka in a single month.
      And Charlie’s empire saw him named on the Sunday Times Rich List for 2022.
      The young entrepreneur’s father is Martin Morgan – Swansea FC director and owner of Morgan’s Hotel.
      But Charlie has certainly made a name for himself – with a host of celebrities pictured endorsing his product.
      Among them is ex-footballer Ronaldinho, club owner Wayne Lineker, and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.
      Charlie has even claimed that Mayweather got in contact with the business.
      Ronaldinho is one of the famous stars to have been pictured with Morgan’s vodkaCredit: Instagram / @auvodka
      Mayweather is thought to be interested in working with MorganCredit: Instagram / @auvodka
      Wayne Lineker is another star to have been snapped with the drinkCredit: Instagram / @auvodka
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      Speaking to WalesOnline in 2021, he said: “We got a contact for Floyd – through a mutual friend of Frost the music producer – and we were told that Floyd absolutely loves the brand and loved the black grape flavour.
      “We were asked whether he could have few bottles before he goes home.
      “We said yeah, OK sure, and Floyd said he would post a photo on Instagram as long as we included him when we do something big in America.
      “Back years ago we were asking ourselves, who would be the best ambassador we could have holding the bottle and I think our answer was Floyd, so it’s amazing how it has manifested itself.
      “Seeing the brand in the hands of someone you admire is crazy.”
      Au Vodka now produce 35,000 bottles PER DAY, although Morgan has admitted a couple of flavours really did not work out.
      The manuka honey and chocolate orange flavours were both discontinued as they did not taste nice, while Charlie himself labelled a banana one “particularly disgusting”.
      But that has not stopped the business from continuing to grow.
      Read More on The Sun
      That being said, Morgan, now valued at £40m, is still some way off the net worth of Hazard – who he had that famous altercation with all those years ago.
      As for Hazard, who is estimated to have a £80million fortune, the Belgium legend hung up his boots following his release from Real Madrid in October. More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea’s 2008 schoolboy side produced James and Guehi along with Man City and Liverpool stars

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      CHELSEA’S prolific academy can be summed up in just one photo.In 2019, Blues assistant manager Joe Edwards shared an astonishing picture from 2008 when 15 youngsters had just signed their first schoolboy forms with the London club.

      Twitter / @JoeEdwards86

      Chelsea assistant boss Joe Edwards, back row, centre, shared a picture of his academy side in 2008 which now contains nine professional players Two of those – Marc Guehi and Reece James made their debuts for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup demolition of Grimsby in September 2019, while another was on the bench. Guehi has since signed for Crystal Palace for £20million and has been linked with a move back to Stamford Bridge, with Arsenal watching closely.
      James, of course, is now Chelsea’s captain and plays for England.
      And the line-up of fresh-faced kids also boasts players who featured regularly in the Premier League.
      Rhian Brewster, bottom left, impressed at Anfield before joining Swansea on loan and then Sheffield United permanently.
      Ian Carlo Poveda, bottom right, made his City debut in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup before joining Leeds.
      It shows the huge strength of the academy system at Stamford Bridge which saw the club win five successive FA Youth Cups between 2014-18.
      While Mason Mount made a £60million move to Man Utd in the summer, after coming through the ranks.
      The previous sales of Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori for £34million and £25million respectively certainly swelled the coffers to allow Chelsea to buy Romelu Lukaku for £98million, although the Belgium forward has since moved on loan tom Roma after falling out of favour. More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Arsenal transfer chief explains why Gunners made infamous £40m+£1 bid for Suarez, when there was NO release clause

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      ARSENAL’S former transfer chief Dick Law revealed why the club made their infamous £40million and £1 bid for Luis Suarez.The Uruguay international looked set to move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2013 after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League.

      PA:Press Association

      Luis Suarez was heavily linked with a switch from Liverpool to Arsenal in summer 2013 The now 36-year-old, who plays for Brazilians Gremio, had a clause in his contract with the Reds that they had to inform him of any transfer bid if it was more than £40m.
      And Law insisted that Arsenal were always aware the figure was not a buy-out clause and they simply added the extra pound to kick-start negotiations.
      But Liverpool owner John W. Henry took offence to the offer and, after it was publicised, he tweeted: “What do you think they’re smoking over there?”
      Suarez ended up remaining at Anfield for another season where he was named PFA Player of the Year before sealing a £75m move to Barcelona.
      Several years later and the striker was available for a nominal fee, leaving Barcelona for Atletico Madrid in 2020, where he won the LaLiga title.
      The Gunners’ then-transfer guru Law would later explain that the North London side had never wanted to antagonise their Premier League rivals. More

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      in Soccer

      What does the Man Utd badge mean?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED is one of the most followed football teams in the worldIn April 2023, the club’s iconic badge came under scrutiny as woke campaigners questioned its historic links.
      The Manchester United badge has changed over the yearsCredit: Getty
      What does the Man Utd badge mean?
      The Manchester United club badge is one of the most recognisable in the world of football.
      Over the course of the history of the club, the badge has evolved.
      Originally, the club used Manchester’s coat of arms as its crest.
      This featured three diagonal stripes, a globe and a ship, with the motto “Concilio et Labore”, which loosely translates as “by wisdom and effort”.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      The words Manchester United Football Club were added in the forties as the badge was reshaped into the familiar form we know today.
      Legendary manager Matt Busby first coined the nickname the Red Devils in the 1960s, and the stripes were then replaced by the devilish figure in the 70s.
      It is suggested he used it to try and inspire the players to be aggressive and fearless on the pitch.
      Originally, the red devil design was drawn by cartoonist and ex-player Dennis Law.
      Most read in Sport
      The emblem now sees a shield with a red devil holding a pitchfork with a three-mast ship above it.
      What does the ship on Man Utd badge mean?
      The three-mast ship represents the historic connection between Manchester and the Irish Sea.
      It is the only feature remaining from the city’s coat of arms, although is very different in appearance.
      The ship represents the city’s global trading power during the industrial revolution.
      In April 2023, campaigners called for the removal of the ship alleging it has links to a darker past of slavery.
      Historians have dismissed the claims.
      Local Labour MP Graham Stringer said the “crazy” claim tarnished the northern city’s proud history of anti-discrimination.
      He added: “Manchester had nothing to do with the slave trade.
      “People from the city at the time of the US Civil War in 1861 ­protested against slavery.
      “This is one of the craziest campaigns I have ever seen.”
      The boat on the Manchester City crest represents the famous Manchester Ship CanalCredit: PA
      What does the Man City badge mean?
      Manchester City’s club badge contains a boat which is a reference to the Manchester Ship Canal, which opened in 1894, the same year Ardwick FC changed its name to Manchester City.
      The ship canal was one of the biggest feats of engineering in the world at the time and the city of Manchester was very proud of it, hence its inclusion on the Manchester City badge.
      It also incorporates the red rose of Lancaster which symbolises the county of Lancashire.
      Read More on The Sun
      The three blue lines on the shield represent the city’s three rivers; the Irwell, the Irk and the Medlock.
      Much like their local city rivals, their badge has changed over the years, with the most recent version introduced in 2015. More

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      in Soccer

      RB Leipzig star Ilaix Moriba ‘cancelled flight’ to seal Man City transfer before Barcelona debut, his dad claimed

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      THE father of Ilaix Moriba has revealed he cancelled his son’s flight to Manchester City so the teen could remain at Barcelona.Moriba, now 20, burst into Ronald Koeman’s team in 2019 and was tipped for a bright future with the Catalans.

      AFP OR LICENSORS

      Ilaix Moriba, now 20, was set to agree a deal with Man City before staying at Barcelona However, he chose to leave the Camp Nou in 2021 and joined RB Leipzig for around £16million after a row over his contract.

      He had a two-year spell on-loan with LaLiga giants Valencia, and his future is currently in limbo in Germany.

      Moriba was put up for sale in the summer, although there were no takers.

      But, Moriba came close to joining Pep Guardiola at City when doubts emerged over a Barca deal back in 2019.

      The Spain youth international, who plays internationally for Guinea, had even booked a plane ticket to the Etihad as he searched for his first professional contract.

      However, Moriba’s dad Mamady Kourouma cancelled the ticket on the morning of the flight after a breakthrough in contract talks with Barca.

      He told Sport: “With Barcelona, the negotiations did not advance. We met with Txiki Begiristain [City’s sporting director] and he explained his entire project to us.

      “We liked it because they bet a lot on him. A few weeks later we had the tickets to travel to Manchester and sign the contract.

      “I cancelled it the morning that we had to go there. I wanted Ilaix to be an example and a reference for the next generations of Barcelona.

      “His friends were gone. If he stayed, it was proof Barca was betting on the youth players. We managed to reach an agreement where we all came out winning.” More