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      Anthony Joshua will beat Tyson Fury in a rematch after first fight ends in a DRAW, predicted Bernard Hopkins

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA was tipped to beat Tyson Fury in a rematch with their first fight ending in a draw by Bernard Hopkins.Just like in the Gypsy King’s first go at Deontay Wilder in December 2018, Hopkins predicts the Brit will be subject to a controversial draw against Joshua.
      Anthony Joshua has been tipped to beat Tyson Fury in a rematch with their first fight ending in a draw
      Fury retired after knocking out Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April but is coming back
      Fury and Joshua seemingly agreed a Battle of Britain showdown in December completely out of the blue this week.
      Fury was expected to chase a bout with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
      Usyk is the undefeated WBA, IBF and WBO champion after beating AJ in their rematch in Saudi Arabia, but wants to rest and spend time with family.
      And Fury called out AJ on Monday, to which Joshua responded.
      The mischievous Gypsy King teased AJ by posting on social media: “I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.”
      And the Watford hero tweeted in reply:  “Yeah calm. I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if you’re really about it, shout.  I’ll be ready in December.”
      Fury can cherry pick any of the WBC’s top 15 contenders. And he told Joshua: “You’re coming off a 12-round fight, so you’re match-fit.
      “I’m giving you a few months’ notice. So, if you’re interested, I’ll send you the date over and we can rumble.

      “A Battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
      “Let me know if you’re interested. If not, I will select another opponent.”

      Should Fury pit his wits against Joshua, boxing legend Hopkins has had his say on how he sees the dream blockbuster bout playing out.

      Speaking to iFL TV in June 2020, the 57-year-old said: “It’ll be a draw and they’ll fight a second time and the second time Joshua would beat him.
      “I’m going to go with this one. The first fight is going to be a draw, I’m telling you.
      “The second fight Joshua wins, but the first fight will be a draw because it’s going to be hard to score and that’s when the controversy comes in with who got the rounds.
      “People will have their own opinion on who will win the fight, but I’m telling you the first fight is going to be so close it’ll be a draw.
      “The second fight will happen and Joshua is going to win.”
      He added: “I figure [Joshua] makes the adjustments, figures him out and realise he’s got to go for the body instead of the head.
      “And then he will fall. The head will hit the knees.”
      Bernard Hopkins reckons Joshua and Fury will draw in their first fight should they ever come to blows More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing legends including Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather pick who would win Joshua vs Fury bout

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      A FIGHT between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has divided opinions across the world.The Battle of Britain was thrown into doubt by AJ’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last month, while Fury retired before seemingly agreeing a ring return.
      Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury originally agreed to a two-fight deal in 2021 before Joshua lost his belts
      And boxing’s most famous faces are divided over who would win
      Fury and Joshua seemingly agreed a Battle of Britain showdown in December completely out of the blue this week.
      Fury was expected to chase a bout with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.
      Usyk is the undefeated WBA, IBF and WBO champion after beating AJ in their rematch in Saudi Arabia, but wants to rest and spend time with family.
      And Fury called out AJ on Monday, to which Joshua responded.
      The mischievous Gypsy King teased AJ by posting on social media: “I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.”
      And the Watford hero tweeted in reply: “Yeah calm. I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if you’re really about it, shout.  I’ll be ready in December.”
      Fury can cherry pick any of the WBC’s top 15 contenders. And he told Joshua: “You’re coming off a 12-round fight, so you’re match-fit.
      “I’m giving you a few months’ notice. So, if you’re interested, I’ll send you the date over and we can rumble.
      “A Battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
      “Let me know if you’re interested. If not, I will select another opponent.”
      Here, SunSport runs down who the stars of boxing are backing as their winner.
      MOST READ IN SPORT
      MIKE TYSON
      Iron Mike has backed his namesake to prevail against AJ if the pair meet inside the ring.
      Tyson told BBC Sport: “It’s very interesting, Joshua is a masterful puncher. But you can see his punches coming, he telegraphs his punches.
      “And that’s just a recipe for disaster if you’re fighting Tyson Fury and you’re telegraphing your punches – to a guy whose 6ft 7in, come on.”
      The Baddest Man on the Planet also left AJ off his list of his top five current boxers.
      Prediction: Fury
      Mike Tyson has backed namesake Tyson Fury to defeat JoshuaCredit: Instagram
      FLOYD MAYWEATHER
      Mayweather was credited for bringing the money to the smaller division – but he has a friendship with both Joshua and Fury.
      He even revealed he speaks to AJ on the regular, but refrained from calling a winner.
      Mayweather told entrepreneur Rob Moore: “It’s a very intriguing match-up, you can never say what’s going to happen in the sport of boxing.
      “Both guys are great competitors. Like I say, me and Anthony Joshua talk on the regular, so I look forward to working with Joshua.”
      Prediction: Wouldn’t like to say 
      Floyd Mayweather admitted he does not care who wins between Fury or Joshua
      ANDY RUIZ JR
      Ruiz Jr, who famously handed Joshua his first ever defeat, reckons AJ can get the better of Fury – but only if he adopts an aggressive approach to the blockbuster fight.
      Mexico’s first heavyweight champion told The Daily Mail: “Fury has a really weird style.
      “I feel if Joshua doesn’t box around – like he did to me – and goes forward, throws his combinations, I think Anthony will pull out the victory.”
      Prediction: Joshua
      Andy Ruiz Jr may have beaten Joshua – but he fancies AJ to beat FuryCredit: PA
      GEORGE FOREMAN
      The former two-time world heavyweight champion sees no way in which AJ can prevail.
      He told iFL TV: “That boy Tyson Fury, you’re going to have to bring everything you’ve got to beat him.
      “I’m going to be honest with you – I just can’t see Joshua beating him.”
      Prediction: Fury
      DAVID HAYE
      Haye, a former heavyweight champion, twice pulled out of fighting Fury and he had some words of warning for his old rival.
      He told Sky Sports: “If Tyson Fury attacks Anthony Joshua in the same manner, in which he did in Vegas against Deontay Wilder, I don’t believe it works in his favour.
      “I believe he’ll be too open, too wide and someone as fast, athletic, and as skilful as Anthony Joshua will be able to punch right through the middle and take him out, and take him out early.
      “I know it’s a controversial prediction.”
      Prediction: Joshua.
      David Haye pictured with Tyson Fury in 2013Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      DILLIAN WHYTE 
      Whyte was beaten by Joshua in 2015 and Fury back in April. His prediction reflects how he feels about the two.
      He said on Behind The Gloves: “I have no idea who wins the fight, man.
      “I think it’s a 50/50 fight.
      “It’s crazy, in heavyweight boxing there’s a lot of things going on.
      “We’ll have to wait and see.”
      Prediction: Too close to call. 
      Joshua beat Dillian Whyte in 2015Credit: Action Images – Reuters
      ROY JONES JR
      The American four-division great – who amazingly won the heavyweight belt in 2003 – sat on the fence but did appear to suggest Fury is favourite.
      Jones told iFL TV: “I’m not saying Fury is as good as Ali skill-wise but he has a mind like Ali. With a mind like that, he can be anybody.
      “I think it was at a local show I saw him at and I said to him: ‘If you just give yourself to boxing for five years, you’ll be amazed and you’ll beat all these guys.’
      “I love him to death. I’m so happy for him and proud of him that he was able to do it.
      “I see him as the No1 and I think him against Joshua is a good fight.”
      Prediction: Fury… just about.
      Roy Jones Jr believes Fury is the No1 heavyweight in the world
      TONY BELLEW
      Only one winner for the Bomber.
      He said: “The top three heavyweights today, if you’re going on what they’re actually doing, you can’t really knock Tyson Fury for what he’s doing since he’s come back.
      “I understand why people have him No1.
      “I have to put Fury No1, but I still think AJ beats him. Styles make fights, and I think AJ’s style is all wrong for Fury.”
      Prediction: Joshua
      Tony Bellew has backed pal Joshua to defeat Fury
      AMIR KHAN
      Fury’s dominant rematch win over Wilder in February 2020 has convinced Khan he has the edge over AJ.
      Khan told Sky Sports: “If I was to pick someone, I do lean a little bit more towards Fury.
      “I think Fury is the full complete fighter. He is a good boxer, he can fight, he’s the one who put Wilder down with the power.
      “I never used to think he had that much power as a heavyweight and I think he proved it coming forward on the front foot.
      “So I do favour him a little bit more.”
      Amir Khan favours Fury to beat JoshuaCredit: Reuters
      BERNARD HOPKINS
      Following lessons learned from AJ’s loss to Andy Ruiz Jr, Hopkins has not only backed him to win – but to knock out Fury and ‘make a serious statement’.
      He told Sky Sports: “He redeemed himself. Now that is in his memory – what not to do ever again – Joshua beats Fury by knockout late.
      “It will be an interesting, exciting five or six rounds at the beginning. Then Joshua’s athleticism, boxing IQ and experience would overwhelm Fury.
      “Joshua would come out of a dust-storm based on his experience.
      “At this point he has to make a really serious statement based on [the Ruiz defeat]. Redemption.”
      Prediction: Joshua
      Bernard Hopkins tipped Joshua to beat FuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
      Klitschko, who lost to both men, spoke earlier this year about his prediction.
      He told the National: “Joshua is a superior athlete, great fighter, Olympic champion.
      “Most importantly, he’s a great guy, who carries the torch of this image of a heavyweight champion perfectly. I’m proud to call him as a friend, even though we were [rivals].
      “And I think and I wish that eventually Joshua is going to unify all of the belts. That’s the eventual plan.”
      Prediction: Joshua
      Wladimir Klitschko thinks Joshua will rule over the division
      CARL FROCH
      Froch thinks Joshua could upset the bookies’ odds but gives Fury just as much chance of winning on points.
      He told Sky Sports: “I think the only way that Anthony Joshua can win this fight is by stoppage.
      “He can’t outbox Fury, who is too good at range. He throws punches from all angles and he’s so awkward.
      “But Joshua is an Olympic gold medallist with strong fundamentals and he’s got combination punches with real aggression.
      “If he produces the same finishing instinct that he’s shown in past fights, then he can beat Fury.
      “AJ can get him out of there, I think he can, because you saw bursts of his aggression in the Kubrat Pulev fight.
      “If AJ maintains that, there’s a chance he could stop him, but the problem is, if he doesn’t stop Fury then he’s going to lose on points.”
      Prediction: Sitting on the fence 
      Carl Froch thinks Joshua can win by KOCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      JOHNNY NELSON
      The former WBO cruiserweight champion believes Joshua has more in his arsenal than Fury.
      He told talkSPORT.: “I’ve gone public in saying I think Anthony Joshua is the all-round better fighter.
      “I think Tyson Fury is better tactically and the more technically equipped, but AJ is the all-rounder.
      “He can fight, he can box, he’s an athlete. Tyson Fury is a boxer.
      “I think both men are now at a stage where they’ve done so much and learned so much in their careers that they’re so neck and neck.
      “But, I’d go with Anthony Joshua because he’s shown me a lot more variety in his arsenal.”
      Prediction: Joshua
      Sky Sports pundit Johnny Nelson believes Tyson Fury would lose against Joshua More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua, from their expensive cars, jewellery, stunning luxury mansions and generous charity work

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      IT’S the fight that all boxing fans want to see – and it might be with us after all.Despite losing to Oleksandr Usyk in his rematch, Anthony Joshua has sensationally been offered the opportunity to fight Tyson Fury by the Gypsy King himself in December.
      Tyson Fury is WBC heavyweight champion of the worldCredit: Reuters

      Anthony Joshua was beaten for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk
      Fury took to social media and said: “I think you’ve all heard I’m going to be fighting soon, in the next few months. I think before I announce an opponent, I need to do this just in case.
      “Anthony Joshua, I know you’ve just lost a fight to Usyk and you’re boutless at the moment.
      “I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight me for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world and the lineal championship in the next few months. You’re coming off a 12-round fight so you’re match fit, you’re ready.
      “I’m giving you a few months’ notice. If you’re interested, I’ll send you a date over and we can rumble. A battle of Britain for the WBC championship of the world; if you’re not interested, let me know and I’ll select another opponent.”
      Seeing Fury’s call out – AJ posted his reply on Twitter. He wrote: “Yea calm. I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if you really about it shout 258 Management. I’ll be ready in December.”
      Outside the ring, Joshua and Fury are contrasting personalities that live fairly modest lives.
      Joshua, who has amassed a reported £107million fortune, lives in a North London home with his mum.
      While Fury, believed to have been worth around £30million prior to his last fight, has a base in Morecambe and plenty of impressive motors. But how do they compare?

      After suffering with depression, Tyson decided it was best to scale down his lifestyle. He did own a Rolls Royce Phantom, worth around £360k, but decided to sell that when he hit an all-time low.
      Instead, he bought himself a 15-year-old Mercedes S-Class for £2,000. A shrewd investment from the big man.
      He did own a £160k Ferrari California, before he sold it to one of his friends.
      And Fury has also been seen around town in a £150,000 camo-wrapped Range Rover.
      Fury decided to sell his £360k Rolls-Royce PhantomCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Fury was a fan of Rolls-Royce before depression hitCredit: Instagram
      Paris Fury poses with their Ferrari Enzo before they sold it to a mateCredit: Instagram
      Fury’s camo-wrapped Range Rover in all its glory
      Fury washes his Land Rover DefenderCredit: Instagram gypsyking101
      A £300,000 Ferrari GTC supercar sits in Fury’s driveCredit: Instagram gypsyking101
      Fury shows off his £250,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan
      “I used to love leading the flash life, like most red-blooded young men,” Tyson admitted. “No longer. I’m not interested in material possessions. Not any more. They mean nothing.”
      However, he has slightly contradicted himself at times.
      Tyson splashed around £300,000 on a Ferrari GTC supercar. While he also has a Land Rover Defender worth around £38,000, that he takes great joy in keeping clean.
      After beating Dillian Whyte at Wembley, Fury splashed out on more motors.
      He added a £250,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan to his fleet, as well as a £250,000 Porsche Taycan.
      Meanwhile, Anthony did have his very own bespoke Range Rover –  the SVAutobiography-Dynamic through a sponsorship deal with Jaguar.
      Worth around £150k, the vehicle is so elaborate diamonds are stitched into the seating. There’s also a huge sports equipment storage unit in the boot for trophies, gloves, pads and a punchbag.
      AJ loved his bespoke Range Rover which is worth £150kCredit: Instagram, @anthony_Joshua
      Anthony Joshua poses with his custom-made Range RoverCredit: Instagram, @anthony_Joshua
      Anthony Joshua is sponsored by car giants JaguarCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      AJ’s signature is marked on a chrome B-pillar badge, while the door handles are engraved with boxing gloves.
      Showmanship is taken to the next level with Anthony’s signature on aluminium letterbox finishers on door cards. It’s certainly AJ’s pride and joy because he’s always happy to be snapped with his motor on Instagram,
      However, weeks before a title fight it was stolen by thieves as he trained for the world heavyweight title fight. Still, he had it replaced with a new model.
      Sun scorecard calls round 1: Joshua 9 Fury 10
      THE JEWELS
      Although he’s a bit more frugal than your average boxer when it comes to jewellery, Anthony does own a £350k watch. Custom-designed for the 6ft 6in superstar by Audemars Piguet, it’s made of gold and studded with diamonds.
      Anthony Joshua flashes his £350k watch from Audemars PiguetCredit: Instagram, @anthony_joshua
      Tyson Fury has put his Rolex on the line for anyone who knocks him outCredit: Twitter, @Tyson_Fury
      In the past, Joshua has spoken before about how it’s the most lavish thing he owns.
      As for Tyson, we’ve seen him show off his taste in bizarre high-end fashion but he doesn’t tend to overly accessorise at all. However, he does have a vintage Rolex wrapped around his wrist that he still wears.
      When Anthony and Tyson sparred against each other in their amateur days, AJ revealed that Tyson offered anyone who could knock him out that same watch.
      “I didn’t even know who he was because I wasn’t a boxing fan at all,” Anthony said back in 2015.
      Anthony Joshua shows off his stunning watch squaring up to Charles MartinCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Anthony Joshua would love to get Tyson Fury’s Rolex watchCredit: Twitter, @Tyson_Fury
      “I just heard this big guy from Manchester had said that anyone who knocks him out can have his Rolex. “He said it in the Boxing News. So my coach said ‘if you want that Rolex, take it to him’ – so I went to war.
      “It wasn’t technical – he was holding on with one hand and trying to hit with the other, low blowing me and all sorts.
      “I’ll remind him of that promise. If we fight down the line I want the watch on the line again. I’ve only got a rubber G-Shock now and I want that Rolly.” Sun scorecard calls round 2: Joshua 10 Fury 9
      HOMES
      He may be worth a mint, but Anthony doesn’t have a flash home. Instead, he bought his mum, Yeta Odusanya her council flat in north London for a mere £185,000 in 2013.
      AJ did spend a portion of his hard-earned winnings on a rented property in a north London mansion while he was training for the Wladimir Klitschko fight.
      Anthony Joshua rented this mansion when he was training for the Wladimir Klitschko fightCredit: The Mega Agency
      Anthony Joshua was able to relax after a hard day of training in this London homeCredit: The Mega Agency
      Anthony Joshua moved back in with his mum after defeating Wladimir KlitschkoCredit: The Mega Agency
      Anthony Joshua bought a council estate flat for his mumCredit: Instagram, @anthony_Joshua
      When AJ trained in Sheffield he lived in a tiny two bedroom flat
      According to a report, the mansion near Lord’s Cricket Ground was worth £27 million. It belonged to South African diamond trader Walter Hennig, and cost AJ around £20,000 per month.
      Needless to say, after the fight was done AJ reportedly moved back into his mum’s council flat once again. And when he trained in the UK, he retreated to a humble two-bedroom flat in Sheffield he once showed off on YouTube. Not one to forget his gypsy roots, Tyson restored his 1958 Westmorland Star caravan. But he upgraded his £550,000 Morecambe to a more stellar £1.7million mansion down the road.

      Tyson and Paris Fury live in a mansion in Morecambe

      The elaborate property cost the boxer a reported £1.7m

      He’s the celebrity of the area, regularly spotted running along the sea front, and he even threatened to run as an MP for Morecambe in 2015. During lockdown, Fury and his wife Paris staged their own workouts for fans live on Instagram. Tyson once said: “Whatever happens I won’t end up one of those boxers whose 20-room mansion gets repossessed and suddenly discovers his friends were just hangers-on who were sucking him dry.” Sun scorecard calls round 3: Joshua 8 Fury 10 
      CLOTHES
      Often seen modelling their gear on his Instagram, AJ has a huge sponsorship deal with Under Armour, who are second only to Nike when it comes to shifting sportswear.
      He was first seen wearing the brand in the ring before fighting Eric Molina in 2016, alongside footballer Memphis Depay.
      Anthony Joshua always looks sharp when he attends private eventsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Anthony Joshua stays cool thanks to his sponsor Lynx
      AJ said: “It is a partnership that has been incredibly successful to date, the brand has helped me increase performance with custom products and new technologies.” Out of the ring, Anthony can often be seen looking suited and booted at award ceremonies, but given his focus on training he isn’t out much. He’s also sponsored by Lynx, so he’ll always stay fresh in the ring. This is why the British heavyweight champ is tipped to become the first billionaire boxer. Tyson, on the other hand, went full out when he became heavyweight champion. Before he was stripped of his belt after testing positive for drugs, Tyson flaunted his new-found wealth in some choice gear.
      Tyson Fury fashion has always been out thereCredit: Reuters
      Tyson Fury models his £9,000 chinchilla fur coatCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Tyson Fury shows his love for his expensive designer man-bag from Louis VuittonCredit: Instagram
      Tyson Fury’s suits are designed by tailor Nav SalimianCredit: Splash News
      One particular chinchilla fur coat looked straight off the set of Boogie Nights, and it set Fury back a cool £9,000. He’s possibly the only man who could pull it off, and we’re not going to argue with him either. The gentle giant also tried out a Louis Vuitton man-bag, and again who are we to argue that he didn’t pull it off. While ahead of a big fight, Fury always make sure he looks spot-on for a press conference. He’s taken to wearing elaborate bespoke suits by tailor Nav Salimian – some that even feature his own image. Sun scorecard calls round 4: Joshua 10 Fury 9
      WAGS
      Being the consummate professional is important to AJ. That’s why he regularly says he doesn’t have time for girlfriends and is currently single. Although that didn’t stop him getting a lot of attention from the ladies at Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas one time in 2016.
      Handsome Anthony Joshua has many female admirersCredit: Splash News
      Despite being a hit with the ladies Anthony Joshua says he wants to remain singleCredit: Fame Flynet
      His ex was pole dancer, Nicole Osbourne and they have one son together called Joshua. In an interview in 2017, Joshua outlined his relationship plans. “My time training means there is not much time for girlfriends,” he revealed. “If people can ride with me for the next 10 to 12 years I would really appreciate it, but if they can’t foresee the future I’d rather they jump off the boat because I can’t stop for no one right now.” As for Tyson, he’s been with his childhood sweetheart Paris since they were both 15-years-old when they met at a mutual friend’s wedding. They have six children and Tyson has revealed he would love to have 10 kids. Sun scorecard card calls round 5: Joshua 9 Fury 10
      Tyson Fury and his wife Paris Fury have been together since they were 15Credit: Instagram, @parisfury1
      Paris and Tyson have become household namesCredit: Rex Features
      CHARITY
      Both Joshua and Fury do their bit for charity. Alongside StubHub, Joshua helped raise £10,000 for the Key4Life in 2019. And in 2018, he began working with anti-knife charity Steel Warriors to help tackle knife crime in London. “I like to give, for sure, to help people. That’s important. I want to invest because I like business,” he once revealed. In 2018, it was reported that Tyson donated his entire purse (£7million) to a charity helping the homeless and needy. He is an ambassador for the Frank Bruno Foundation, an organisation that exists to provide a safe environment with the aim to improve the mental wellbeing of participants who are facing or recovering from mental ill health. Fury also sold Gypsy King branded coronavirus masks for £12.99, donating the profits to the NHS.
      Anthony Joshua educates youths about knife crimeCredit: PA:Press Association
      Tyson Fury flogged face masks and donated money to the NHSCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101 More

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      How Nice can line up this season with SEVEN ex-Premier League stars after free transfer for former Chelsea ace Barkley

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      NICE could field a whopping SEVEN former Premier League players on their starting XI this season. That is after Ross Barkley arrived on a free transfer following his release by Chelsea in the summer.

      Ross Barkley was paraded in front of the Nice fans last nightCredit: https://twitter.com/ogcnice
      The former England man was unveiled to fans ahead of Sunday’s defeat against Monaco – after checking himself out in the mirror in a cringe-worthy announcement video.
      Barkley followed Aaron Ramsey in joining the South France side as a free agent this summer.
      The Welshman, 31, made his switch earlier this summer after he agreed to terminate his Juventus contract.
      He was swiftly followed to the Allianz Riviera Stadium by Leicester stalwart Kasper Schmeichel.
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      Aaron Ramsey has signed for Nice on a free transferCredit: Instagram @AaronRamsey
      Kasper Schmeichel followed Ramsey to the South of FranceCredit: Getty
      Nice then added Arsenal’s £72million flop Nicolas Pepe on a season-long loan.
      And Fulham left-back Joe Bryan also headed to Nice on loan.
      The Ligue 1 side were linked with an ambitious move for Edinson Cavani.
      The Uruguayan, 35, had been a free agent since leaving Manchester United at the end of last season but instead signed for Valencia.
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      But it is possible Nice manager Lucien Favre could still line up with seven former Prem players in his team this season.
      That is because former Southampton midfielders Mario Lemina and Morgan Schneiderlin also play for Nice.
      Fans may be familiar with defender Dante, who spent three years at Bayern Munich earlier in his career.
      While he has partnered ex-Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo so far this season.
      Nice’s team is brimming with young French talent, with Under-21 internationals Khephren Thuram, Amine Gouiri and Melvin Bard all players to watch.
      Algerian right-back Youcef Atal appears to be the first-choice on that flank while Andy Delort and Gaetan Laborde will battle it out up front after the latter was snapped up from Rennes.
      Nicolas Pepe signed on a season-long loan from ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Joe Bryan secured a loan switch from Fulham despite their promotionCredit: AFP More

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      Man Utd pulled out of ‘clusterf***’ Moises Caicedo transfer allowing Brighton to poach 20-year-old Ecuador star

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      MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly dropped out of the running for Moises Caicedo in 2021 after negotiations became a ‘clusterf***’.The Manchester Evening News claims Brighton’s deadline day signing in January last year was on the shopping list of former Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Man Utd withdrew an offer for Moises Caicedo due to ‘clusterf***’ talks
      United opened talks with Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle over a £4.5million deal.
      But the Red Devils later dropped out of the race for the 20-year-old after negotiations became problematic.
      United also forced to walk away from a potential move for Kieran Trippier in the same window after the now-Newcastle man was unsuccessful in his appeal against a ten-week betting ban.
      It meant Atalanta’s Amad Diallo was the only arrival in January that year.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Caicedo has since been a revelation for the Seagulls, and scored his first goal of the new campaign in yesterday’s 5-2 win over Leicester.
      At the time of his signing, Brighton’s former technical director Dan Ashworth offered some insight into the complicated negotiations for Caicedo.
      He explained: “Moises has had a lot of interest from clubs across Europe, which is understandable given how well he has done.
      “He’s been one the recruitment team has been aware of for some time and we are confident he is a player with a very exciting future ahead.
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      “It has been a complicated transfer, due to the current restrictions, and there has been a lot of hard work across several of the club’s departments to get the transfer completed.
      “Moises is still a young player, moving away from his country for the first time, so we allow him the time he needs to adjust and adapt.”
      Despite that, Brighton are confident United’s loss is their gain.
      Boss Graham Potter beamed: “It’s no secret we have been working to bring Moises to the club, and we are very please he is finally here.
      Read More on The Sun
      “He will need time to settle in with the group, for us to get to know him and vice versa, as well as get up to speed and ready for the demands of the Premier League.
      “He has done very well in Ecuador and made his debut for his country at just 18. He’s an exciting signing, but it is important we give him time to adjust.” More

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      Jose Mourinho snubs Cristiano Ronaldo AND Lionel Messi in GOAT debate and picks Brazilian Ronaldo as best of all time

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi come second-best to Ronaldo Nazario in Jose Mourinho’s ranking of the best-ever footballers.The Roma boss worked with Ronaldo during his single season at Barcelona, helping Sir Bobby Robson’s side win the Copa del Rey, Cup Winners’ Cup and Supercopa de Espana.
      Mourinho (left) helped coach Ronaldo in his year at BarcelonaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Spurs boss has also worked with Cristiano Ronaldo, but not MessiCredit: AFP – Getty
      Only 19 when he joined from PSV Eindhoven, the Brazilian forward wowed Mourinho as he hit 47 goals in 49 games for the Catalans – earning him the Ballon d’Or with a season tally he would never better.
      Mourinho told LiveScore, via Corriere dello Sport, that Nazario was: “The best football player that I have ever seen on a pitch.
      “I think injuries killed a career that could have been even more incredible.
      “But that talent this guy had at 19 years old was something incredible.”
      Injuries took their toll on Ronaldo while he was also known for a lavish party lifestyle.
      Knee problems first sprung up in the Netherlands before two consecutive world record transfer deals brought him to Inter Milan.
      In his third season with the Italian club, he severely ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee and he was ruled out for effectively three years.
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      Bouncing back to fire Brazil to the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldo turned from a speedy dribbler to a deadly poacher and signed for Real Madrid, where he won his second Ballon d’Or.
      Mourinho recognises that the striker lacked the longevity of both Ronaldo and Messi, but believes he was the better natural talent.
      The 59-year-old added: “Not with a career like Cristiano or Messi, 15 years at the top – every day.
      “But a natural talent, incredible.” More

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      Anthony Joshua claimed he sparred against rival Tyson Fury for a Rolex watch over 10 years ago

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has called time on his big rival Tyson Fury – and revealed they once sparred for a brand new Rolex watch.The former British world heavyweight champ was just an amateur when he first fought the Gypsy King.
      Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury sparred for a Rolex in 2010 when the Watford star was just an amateur
      AJ revealed that he read in boxing bible Boxing News that Fury was in London looking for sparring partners – and if anyone knocked him down they would get his expensive Rolex watch.
      Joshua told Sky Sports: “This was early on when I was an amateur and I didn’t know who Tyson was.
      “I was reading in Boxing News he was going around London gyms asking if anyone knocks him out they get to keep his Rolex.
      “Me and him had a straight war. We both have heart.
      “I didn’t get to knock him out. He said afterwards ‘Watch out for this kid, he will be champion of the world one day’.
      “And he got his prediction right.”
      AJ posted pictures before he hit the big time and this one was taken around 2010, when he would have sparred with FuryCredit: Instagram / @anthony_joshua

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      Any talk of a possible fight between AJ and Tyson Fury appears seemingly over, after Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk for a second time last month.
      Fury disposed of British rival Dillian Whyte back in April and revealed he was planning on retiring from the sport.
      However, he has since called out the Ukrainian for a blockbuster fight in December, which Usyk has said he can’t do because he’s nursing injuries and wants to spend time with his children. More