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      ‘You don’t deserve anything if you’re being outrun every single week’ – Neville slams Man Utd after ‘shambles’ defeat

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      GARY NEVILLE has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United following their embarrassing defeat to Nottingham Forest.The Red Devils suffered a 3-2 defeat to Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday evening, their second straight loss under new gaffer Ruben Amorim.Manchester United suffered an embarrassing 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on SaturdayCredit: REUTERSThe defeat was the second of Ruben Amorim’s short spell in charge of the Red DevilsCredit: REXFormer Red Devil Neville launched a scathing attack on his former side after the matchCredit: PAIt came before United announced sporting director Dan Ashworth has left after just five months.Amorim made several changes to the side who lost 2-0 to Arsenal on Wednesday night, much to the annoyance of former United star Gary Neville.He told NBC Sports: “When you keep changing players and you keep changing your back three and you take five players off, you’re basically saying to all of them, because they’ve obviously been taken off at the start of the game, that you don’t trust them.”Ten Hag kept doing that a few weeks ago when he kept changing the back players, changing the midfield.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS”All of a sudden you’ve got a completely different system, a completely different set of players on the pitch at the end of the game. You can never get consistency.”It looked really scruffy. They looked a mess at the end United with no real shape. “In the first half they weren’t brilliant but at least they had a shape to them.”Pick an XI that you think are the best. Almost give that XI the faith and trust. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”[Enzo] Maresca’s doing it now at Chelsea – he’s playing an XI on a Sunday or a Saturday and then he’s playing a different XI in midweek.”He’s sending some messages to the players that there’s stability here and this is what we’re going to do.Man Utd pay emotional tribute to much-loved receptionist Kath Phipps after tragic passing aged 85″When you change players all the time you’re just spinning plates and there’s no consistency.”You need to build patterns together. You need to build that idea of what you are doing together.”Neville was equally as annoyed by United stars not putting the hard yards in on the pitch.The Sky Sports pundit continued: “No good team is ever a good team without hard work.”Manchester United are 13th in the league. Their running stats, their distance covered is 16th in the league.”You don’t deserve anything if you’re being outrun every single week.”Neville’s former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand offered a brutal one-word assessment of the result, writing on X: “Shambles.”Ruben Amorim lamented Manchester United’s starts to the each halfCredit: REXAmorim, 39, didn’t mince his words after the final whistle, telling Sky Sports: “It was a tough game. We started the two halves really bad.”It was hard to pass on some calm to the players and continue the game as we should do.”We had not a lot of quality but a lot of heart. Suffering two goals after half time in this context is really hard.”We need more time to put positionings in.”If you see the first goal it was good combination between the players and after the first goal we had good moments, creating chances but then we went forward without thinking.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s a tough context but we have to understand this is a long journey and that’s what our jobs are.”United will be back in action on Thursday, taking on Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. More

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      Meet Dan Ashworth: Ex-Man Utd sporting director who has left Red Devils after just five months following turbulent reign

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      DAN Ashworth is a true footballing man who has progressed through the beautiful game’s ranks all the way from player to club director.He was most recently Manchester United’s sporting director but has now left his role at the club following their 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest. Dan Ashworth is the sporting director at Manchester UnitedCredit: PAWho is Dan Ashworth?Born on March 6, 1971, in Norfolk, England, Dan Ashworth began his footballing journey in Norwich City’s youth academy.Though he didn’t make it as a professional player at the highest level, he had stints with non-league clubs including Eastbourne Town and St Leonards.Ashworth also spent time training in the US with West Florida Fury before returning to England.Transition to football adminAfter retiring as a player, Ashworth quickly moved into football administration.read more on dan ashworthIn 2000, he was appointed as the academy director at Peterborough United.He then moved to Cambridge United to work as the director of their Centre of Excellence in 2001.West Bromwich AlbionAshworth’s big break came at West Bromwich Albion, where he started out as a youth team assistant in 2004.He progressed through the ranks, eventually becoming the club’s sporting and technical director in December 2007.Most read in FootballAshworth gained a reputation for his scouting abilities and player recruitment during his time at the club.FA and England’s DNAIn September 2012, Ashworth was appointed as the FA’s director of elite development — a role he took up in March 2013.He was instrumental in creating the ‘England DNA’ — a comprehensive plan aimed at developing elite players for both the men’s and women’s national teams.Brighton and Hove AlbionIn 2018, Ashworth joined Brighton and Hove Albion as technical director.His tenure at the Seagulls was marked by the club’s establishment as one of the Premier League’s best-run teams, known for their shrewd recruitment and player development.Newcastle UnitedAshworth’s success at Brighton caught the attention of Newcastle United, who appointed him as Sporting Director in February 2022.Dan Ashworth pictured at St. James ParkCredit: GettyHe played a crucial role in Newcastle’s rapid ascent, helping the club secure Champions League qualification in the 2022-23 season.A statement from the club read: “Newcastle United are delighted to announce that Dan Ashworth will become the club’s sporting director after an agreement was reached with Brighton & Hove Albion to release him from his current contractual obligations with immediate effect.”The terms of this agreement will remain confidential between the clubs and are subject to Premier League approval.”Newcastle United will issue further information following the relevant approval process.”A Brighton statement read: “Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United have reached an agreement for the immediate release of Dan Ashworth from his contractual obligations at Brighton.Dan Ashworth resigned from his position as Brighton’s technical director to take up a similar role at NewcastleCredit: PA”The terms of this agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval, will remain confidential between the clubs.”We would like to thank Dan for his services and wish him well for the future.”Move to Manchester UnitedIn February 2024, Manchester United made an official approach for Ashworth.This led to a period of gardening leave imposed by Newcastle, as negotiations between the clubs began.On July 1, 2024, The Red Devils confirmed Ashworth’s appointment as their new sporting director, following an agreement with Newcastle.The two clubs released a joint statement reading: “Newcastle United and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the immediate release of Dan Ashworth from his contractual obligations at Newcastle United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford were pictured leaving Ineos HQ following the meeting“The terms of this agreement remain confidential between the clubs. Newcastle United thanks Dan for his services and wishes him well for the future.”Ashworth threw himself into the job quickly, playing a major part in the signings of Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs De Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui. But the season didn’t start well and by November manager Erik Ten Hag was sacked, having left the club languishing in 14th place. Ruben Amorim was hired to take over after an impressive four years managing Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. Amorim has managed five games so far but has only won one game in the Premier League, drawing with Ipswich and losing to Arsenal and Forest. Following showdown talks with CEO Omar Berrada after the 3-2 defeat to Forest last night, Ashworth has quit by mutual consent.READ MORE SUN STORIESSir Jim Ratcliffe is said to have been pivotal in the call to part ways.This follows SunSport’s exclusive story from three weeks ago which revealed that United’s new hierarchy were locked in a blame game over their summer business. More

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      Dan Ashworth leaves Man Utd after just five months with Sir Jim Ratcliffe ordering shock boardroom shake-up

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      DAN ASHWORTH has left Manchester United following showdown talks last night.The sporting director’s shock exit comes after just five months at Old Trafford. Dan Ashworth has left Man Utd after just five monthsCredit: PASir Jim Ratcliffe has played a huge role in the boardroom shake-upCredit: AlamyAshworth was involved in the club’s summer transfer business and the decision to keep – and then sack – Erik ten HagCredit: GettySunSport exclusively revealed three weeks ago how United’s new hierarchy were locked in a blame game over their summer business.Ashworth joined the club in July following a lengthy gardening leave period after he quit Newcastle.The 53-year-old was appointed by Man Utd to oversee “performance, recruitment and operations”, with the Red Devils agreeing to pay £3million in compensation to the Toon.But following showdown talks with CEO Omar Berrada after the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest last night, Ashworth quit by mutual consent.READ MORE ON MAN UTDA club statement read: “Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement.”We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”The Athletic claims Sir Jim Ratcliffe was pivotal in the call to part ways.Ashworth played a huge role in United’s £183million summer spending spree during the first transfer window under Ineos leadership.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe club signed Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui. Ashworth was also involved in the decision to initially keep Erik ten Hag and hand him a new contract, only to for him to be sacked just 14 games later.Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to replace Old Trafford with a ‘Wembley of the North’The former FA chief, who was credited with creating the “England DNA”, was quoted in the statements confirming every signing.But we did not hear from him on Ten Hag’s axing or on the appointment of Ruben Amorim. Ashworth’s departure comes as a huge shock to many, with one fan saying: “Man Utd waited longer to get Ashworth out of Newcastle than he has lasted in the job. Mad.”Another added: “Utterly embarrassing and the amount of time and money to secure him. The direction of the club is meant to be based on the structure and at this moment that feels insecure. Shambles.”But others defended the decision, commenting: “If someone isn’t working, then get rid. No point keeping someone if its not working.”Ratcliffe previously hailed Ashworth as “clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world”.But he was apparently not a good “fit”, according to the Mail. But yesterday he suggested United are still miles behind where they need to be when it comes to transfers.United chiefs have been at war over their summer spending spreeCredit: GettyRatcliffe said: “We’ve not been good enough at recruitment, you probably agree with that. Everybody would agree with that.”And until we’re as good as anyone in the world, then it’s not good enough for Manchester United.”We must have the best recruitment in the world. Data analysis comes alongside recruitment. It doesn’t really exist here. We’re still in the last century on data analysis here.“There’s an immense amount of useful data that we can get from data analysis and we’re in the ‘very poor’ bracket with data analysis here.”These things don’t happen overnight. You can’t just flick a light switch and sort out recruitment. It’s all about people and we need to find the right people.”Who is Dan Ashworth?DAN ASHWORTH is a true footballing man who has progressed through the game’s ranks all the way from player to club director.He never made it to the top as a player, instead featuring for a number of non-league sides and in the US.After hanging up his boots he quickly moved into the backroom, landing his first job at Peterborough.His big break came at West Brom, before he moved on to the Three Lions job where he was instrumental in creating ‘England’s DNA’.Two roles with Premier League clubs followed before Man Utd swooped in the summer.So what’s next for Ashworth?READ HIS FULL STORY HERE:As for Amorim, he said in his first press conference after joining last month that he wants the final say on transfers.He explained: “Everybody has to work together and for that we have to improve the process of recruitment, the data, the profile of players we want.”But I have to have a strong position on that because I am the coach. I know how to play, so I think it’s all together but the final word should be the manager.”Not just because it’s your right but your responsibility. Because, in the end, the result is to me, so I think it’s all together to improve the process of recruitment.”I have a great responsibility when we choose players because this is something that should be done this way. I’m the manager, the head coach, so I have to choose the players.”When Ashworth’s Newcastle exit and United arrival was finally secured, he said: “This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success; the focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch. “It won’t happen overnight, but, together with Omar and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it.“Although I grew up in Norfolk, I’ve always had a strong attachment with Manchester because my mum and dad were born in Middleton and my grandparents lived their whole lives there.READ MORE SUN STORIES“When I visited as a boy, my dad would take me to games across Greater Manchester and I remember the thrill of my first visit to Old Trafford in the late 1970s, watching the likes of Lou Macari, Jimmy Nicholl and Arthur Albiston.“I can’t claim to have been a partisan United fan – my dad enjoyed watching all the local teams – but I remember the special buzz that always seemed to surround games at Old Trafford, and it’s something I have experienced many times since during my career in football.”United’s summer transfer signingsArrivals:Leny Yoro (Lille) – £52mManuel Ugarte (PSG) – £50mMatthijs De Ligt (Bayern) – £43mJoshua Zirkzee (Bologna) – £36.5mNoussair Mazraoui (Bayern) – £16mSekou Kone (Guidars) – £1m More

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      Beleaguered Man City boss Pep Guardiola involved in bizarre interview when discussing Rico Lewis red card

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      PEP GUARDIOLA was involved in a bizarre moment with a reporter when asked about Rico Lewis’ red card.Manchester City drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace yesterday to leave them with just one win won in their last nine games.Pep Guardiola bizarrely responded to question about Rico Lewis’ red cardLewis was given a second yellow for a tackle on Trevoh ChalobahCredit: RexGuardiola confronted ref Robert Jones at full-timeCredit: AlamyBeleaguered Guardiola was left fuming when Lewis was sent for an early bath after 84 minutes.The England star picked up a first booking for dissent and then got another following a lunge on Trevoh Chalobah.Replays showed he seemingly did not catch the defender and was in fact caught by the Palace man.Guardiola angrily approached referee Robert Jones on the pitch after the final whistle.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAsked about the incident by the BBC, the City manager said: “It is because it is Rico.”Match of the Day reporter Mark Scott replied: “Sorry?”Guardiola repeated: “It is Rico.”The interviewer was left perplexed, saying: “Sorry, I could not understand.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut the boss doubled down: “It is because he is Rico.”Like most viewers, Scott remained confused: “Because it is Rico Lewis you think he got a yellow card?”Pep Guardiola does a Jose Mourinho with gesture to Liverpool crowd as fans convinced Man City boss has ‘lost his mind’Guardiola then turned the questioning on him, asking: “You think it is a yellow card?”The reporter then said: “No, no. I am asking you do you think it was a yellow card?”But we were going around in circles as Guardiola then replied: “It is Rico Lewis.”Lewis, who scored City’s second goal of the game, will now miss next Sunday’s derby against Manchester United.Fans think it has tipped Guardiola over the edge, with one saying: “He has completely lost it.”And it is not the first bizarre moment from the Spaniard in recent weeks, having hit back at chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” by lifting six fingers to represent how many Premier League titles he has won. A clip also emerged on Friday of him being held back from confronting a fan in the street. More

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      Arsenal planning shock £20m transfer swoop for Premier League rival’s striker who’s scored just TWO goals this season

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      EVERTON will cash in on Dominic Calvert-Lewin next month if the right offer comes in — and £20million could get him.The 27-year-old striker is preparing to end his eight-year stay at Goodison Park.Dominic Calvert-Lewin is ready to leave EvertonCredit: RexArsenal could be tempted into a shock swoopCredit: GettyHis contract expires next June and he has no intention of signing another.Everton remain in dire financial straits with Dan Friedkin yet to complete his £600m takeover.They are determined not to lose Calvert-Lewin for nothing and are ready to listen to bids.Calvert-Lewin can speak to foreign clubs in the January transfer window with a view to signing a pre-contract. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAC Milan fancy the front man, who signed for £1.5m from Sheffield United in 2016.But West Ham and Newcastle — who were linked in the summer — also have him on their radar.Mikel Arteta could also be tempted to boost Arsenal’s title push with Calvert-Lewin.The 11-time capped England international has scored twice in 14 games this season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe has not struck over ten goals in a Premier League term since the 2020/21 season when he hit the back of the net 16 times.And his last Three Lions cap came off the bench in a 4-0 Euro 2020 quarter-final win over Ukraine.Mikel Arteta goes full Arsene Wenger as he struggles to do up his coat after Arsenal’s win over Man Utd More

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      in Boxing

      Denzel Bentley dethrones champ Brad Pauls and leaves him with horror eye injury in boxing masterclass

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      DENZEL BENTLEY grabbed back his British middleweight title after cracking Brad Pauls’ eye in a brilliant fight.The 29-year-old Battersea ace dropped the 31-year-old Newquay Bomb in the tenth round and a swelling exploded above his left cheek.Denzel Bentley lands on Brad Pauls on his way to an impressive points victoryCredit: PAPauls was knocked down by Bentley in the 10th roundCredit: GettyBentley poses with the the British, EBU European, WBA Continental and WBO International Middleweight beltsCredit: GettyThat moment changed the course of a close and thrilling fight, leaving the judges to call it 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112.It earned Bentley his old Lonsdale belt back but Pauls deserves immense credit for being one half of perfect battle.Both men tested the water with smart and safe jabs but things livened up just before the bell.Bentley’s scary right hand grazed the champ a couple of times and then clipped him causing him to cover up.Read more boxing newsBut then Pauls detonated his own combination of power punches that clipped Bentley around the whiskers, right on the bell.Pauls got greedy at the start of the second and over committed on two right hands. The first was punished with a check left-hook and the second earned him an uppercut on the nose.But the defending champ improved and scored with a couple of his own digs before the bell.The Cornish and Battersea rival crowds were backing their men with booming chants.Most read in BoxingPauls was struggling to see out of his left eye by the end of the fightCredit: GettyBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBentley couldn’t miss with his jab in the third but Pauls defended against his power punches with skill and composure.Pauls had grown in confidence by the time the fourth round started, peppering Bentley’s ripped torso with jabs and landing a left hook to his head.Oleksandr Usyk shows off incredible ‘reflexes of a cat’ and ripped physique just 17 days before Tyson Fury rematch Round five was brilliant for Pauls, he drove crisp shots into Bentley’s gut and, when he lowered his guard to block them, he switched his attack upstairs and whacked him around the chops.Bentley never looked hurt, his Peacock gym breeds tough boys, but the judges should have seen a clear round for the champ.Bentley tightened up in the sixth but it was still Pauls on the front foot, setting the pace and piling on pressure.Round seven was superb as both men showed skill and courage in their attacks and defence,One side of Wembley arena boomed “Newquay Bomb” while the other side barked back their hero’s nickname “Too Sharp” over and over again.The eighth and ninth sessions were even and hard to split, gruelling and of brilliant quality.Pauls was buzzed in the tenth and Bentley swarmed him looking for the ruthless finish. But Pauls was brave and clever and stopped the onslaught.He then whacked his back into control, landing a handful of right hands.Pauls gave his all in a fight that swung in round 10Credit: GettyChamp Pauls was brave as he lost his titlesCredit: GettyBut then Bentley landed a couple of innocuous looking blows and Paul had to take a knee and a count. When he rose it was clear his left eye was damaged and Bentley threw a barrage at him until the bell.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe instant swelling looked like a broken eye socket but Pauls came out again for the eleventh and gave it his all in another magnificent round of British boxing but Bentley was now in the driving seat and on course to reclaim his old belt.And the two absolute heroes gave us another brilliant instalment in the last round, throwing everything they had, and more, until the final bell.Bentley grabbed back his British middleweight titleCredit: Getty More

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      Brad Pauls vs Denzel Bentley LIVE RESULTS: Main event ON NOW after Lawrence Okolie’s brutal first-round KO – updates

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      WEMBLEY ARENA is currently being treated to a thrilling fight as British rivals Brad Pauls and Denzel Bentley are facing off RIGHT NOW with the middleweight title up for grabs!The Newquay Bomb knocked out Nathan Heaney in his last bout and wrote his name in the history books by becoming the first boxer from Cornwall to win a Lonsdale Belt since 1939.However, Pauls’s opponent Bentley is a man on a mission to reclaim the title that he lost to Heaney a little over a year ago.But before the main event, Lawrence Okolie marked his heavyweight debut with a win by brutally stopping Hussein Muhamed in the first round.Live stream: discovery+TV channel: TNT Sports 2CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow ALL the action from Wembley Arena with our live blog below…Pauls Bentley R8Bentley’s nickname is 2Sharp but he looks frustratingly blunt right now, circling around the ring and not offering enough to dismiss Pauls from applying pressure in a bout he was once leading. Pauls is sternly warned for rabbit punching in the clinch during another competitive round, punctuated by the champion unloading a six-punch combo in centre ring. Bentley is being beaten to the punch and in a fight where he’s battling vociferous support, he needs some urgency. Copy linkCopiedPauls Bentley R8Pauls needs to step on the accelerator and seize this lull from Bentley as long as it lasts because, well, you never quite know what to expect.Pauls has found a home for the jab and Bentley doesn’t look too convincing, almost a little gun shy to throw his bigger punches now.Linus Udofia, who lost a split decision over twelve rounds against Bentley three years ago, is one of Pauls’ closest friends and was very pleased with that last stanza. I make it 5-3 in favour of the champion by that token, maybe 4-4 through eight rounds. Copy linkCopiedPauls Bentley R7Into the second-half of this contest they go, punches in bunches is the cry from Pauls’ support team as the crowd surge in favour of a champion who needs some encouragement right about now. Why? He’s begun this round getting his head pinged back, repeatedly, for the first minute and Bentley is doing a better job of making him miss with wild forward forays failing to find its mark.Bentley threatens with a double uppercut, Pauls responds with more powerful advances and this is definitely a swing round. Bentley won the first-half, Pauls the second… 4-3 either way. Copy linkCopiedPauls Bentley R6Bentley content to box off the back foot in sequences and now Pauls is the aggressor, his support team urging him not to wait and punch whenever the distance between them closes. Three stiff jabs to finish the stanza for Denzel, but he’s not as active as before and Pauls can sense a momentum shift. It genuinely feels like the tide is starting to turn… 3-3 through 18 minutes from me. Copy linkCopiedPauls Bentley R5That was probably Pauls’ best round and by that assessment, it’s 3-1 to the challenger. Almost as if he can read my writing, he’s starting to find his mojo and being more active – punching with Bentley – inviting danger but by the same token having sustained success. When they’re boxing up close, that sorta scrappy style suits the champion far more than having Bentley piece him up at distance.Dare I say… 3-2? This is getting interesting. Copy linkCopiedPauls Bentley R4Bentley starts the fourth with a short left hand that lands flush, he’s starting to find his rhythm and Pauls needs to offset this with more of the counterpunching brilliance that saw Heaney unseat Bentley twelve months ago. Easier said than done when you don’t move as smoothly as the Stoke man did that night, but doubling up behind his jab would help – right on cue he does – then lands two more lefts.It’s a nip-and-tuck stanza, Battersea’s Bentley investing downstairs and the Wembley crowd throwing every punch with a defending champion 250 miles down south.Copy linkCopiedPauls Bentley R3Into the third they go, Bentley catches the champion clean with a disguised looping left and it’s a timely reminder Pauls can’t afford to just press forward at will – he’s got to pick his moments better.Both swing wildly and while it looks good on TV, nothing landed to unsettle either man as Bentley flicks out the jab and unloads one-twos. Even if they’re not all landing, he’s far more active and in a 12-round contest, this early tempo suits the challenger far more. Copy linkCopiedPauls Bentley R2Newquay Bomb chants aren’t too far away but neither is Bentley’s piercing jab or his right hand from a champion standing exactly where he wants him. An overhand right catches the challenger’s attention in the final half-minute but Pauls’ activity isn’t enough to deter this pressure now.Copy linkCopiedPauls Bentley R1They waste no time with their respective ringwalks, meaning business as both stride into position raring to go. We’ll soon see if Pauls has progressed even more after snatching British honours away from Nathan Heaney in July, against a two-time former champ finding form again and is the better boxer on paper.It’ll be interesting to see whether the atmosphere, in favour of the champion, influences the judges during their cagier rounds like this opening stanza – Bentley trying to close the distance against Pauls, who hasn’t fully got his legs under him yet and is wary of the jab.Pauls partially lands a whizzing right, both connect on crowd-pleasing shots to finish a competitive stanza but Bentley edges that for me. Copy linkCopiedWith that… main event time!Denzel Bentley making his ringwalk now… you ready? Copy linkCopiedNoakes: We knew Walsh wouldn’t quit!Refreshingly candid as ever in his post-fight interview, Sam Noakes concedes there aren’t going to be “any easy fights anymore” as he steps up towards world level in a deadly lightweight division.”Just gotta keep growing and hats off to him [Walsh], he’s got a very hard head as you saw! We knew the corner wouldn’t pull him out, fought until the last minute and deserved to see the final bell with some of the shots he was taking.”His head coach Al Smith: “We exercised patience in the corner, maturity, he could’ve gone for the finish with a bit more pressure but we’ve got a way to go … if there’s an opportunity for a big fight though, we’ll take it.”Copy linkCopiedNoakes eases to UD12 win!119-109, 120-108, 120-108: Sam Noakes bt. Ryan Walsh via UD, retains British, Commonwealth and WBO International lightweight titlesBoxed like a seasoned pro, didn’t get carried away and continued chipping away at a grizzled veteran who didn’t offer much by round three and the 27-year-old goes the 12-round distance a second time in eight months – never a bad thing! Copy linkCopiedNoakes vs Walsh R12So they enter the final round, Walsh looks worse for wear and his nose tells the story of a one-sided beatdown – patient, methodical and perhaps even more damaging than the explosive knockout trio that preceded this. Noakes presses forward, connects on a few big shots but every time Ryan senses danger, he holds or finds a way to survive the onslaught.Admittedly an anticlimactic ending given how easily Noakes was in control but he didn’t lose a round nor leave third gear for large spells.Copy linkCopiedNoakes vs Walsh R11More on that previous post… Noakes is #3 with the WBO, behind Keyshawn Davis (#1) and Raymond Muratalla (#2). Both above him have boxed in the last month and scored second-round stoppage wins over Gustavo Lemos and Jesus Perez Campos respectively.Sam continues to sting and probe a wily veteran firing far less back in response and now I’m really interested for this post-fight interview.Copy linkCopiedBerinchyk-Noakes next?Meanwhile, I’ve just seen an official fight poster with WBO world lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk vs. Sam Noakes on the Usyk-Fury 2 undercard, in some 14 days’ time, circulating on social media. Everyone’s ignored that and instead focusing on the fact that Ishmael Davis will step into the breach again… facing Serhii Bohachuk on December 21 in Riyadh, after former WBA light-middleweight world titlist Israil Madrimov withdrew with a bout of acute bronchitis.Wonder what we’ll hear in the post-fight interview… was that meant to be released? Could they reschedule for the Feb. 22 card, where Madrimov will box Vergil Ortiz on a stacked Saudi show next year?Copy linkCopiedNoakes vs Walsh R9Dig deep is being consistently barked ringside but it’s falling on deaf ears now as Walsh is purely in survival mode now, little more than that. The ringside doctor’s taking a long look in the corner after watching the cumulative damage pile up… somehow they’re still going and the final quarter of this 12-rounder begins.Copy linkCopiedNoakes vs Walsh R8Straight jab pierces through the guard lands flush for Noakes, taking his time and going up the gears as Walsh’s intermittent resistance continues. “Give him everything you’ve got,” is being repeatedly barked at a challenger who looks on his last legs now and cooked.Looked moments away from a stoppage sequence at the end of this round just now… but again the bell comes to his aid. Copy linkCopiedNoakes vs Walsh R7Walsh winces as he eats a straight in the first minute of another one-sided round and well, if not for the referee’s intervention as they tie up, he could’ve easily been needing to climb off the canvas there.Noakes staying composed behind the jab, connects on a three-punch combination before more of the same – holding gives Walsh reprieve.Copy linkCopiedNoakes vs Walsh R6You can’t help but feel a bit for Ryan Walsh’s corner, willing their man on as best they can though he can’t match that intensity against a younger, fresher boxer beating him to the punch and versatile enough to pepper him a myriad of different ways. Noakes narrowly misses with a haymaker in the final half-minute, then has the 38-year-old pinned against the corner frantically dodging flurries in the final seconds of another dominant round. How much longer can this persist? Into the second-half of this 12-round contest, we’ll soon find out. Copy linkCopiedNoakes vs Walsh R5Intermittent punches thrown by a weary challenger but Noakes’ body punching is starting to take a toll, he can’t mask it much longer and that has only enthused the champion – use that method of attack further. These rounds are becoming gruelling for Ryan now. Copy linkCopiedNoakes vs Walsh R4Into the fourth they go and Noakes is cranking up the uppercuts as Walsh wades further back… a disguised body shot hurt the grizzled veteran in the final half-minute and after absorbing two to the head, the bell sounds at just the right moment for him to recover.”Use your double jab” is the latest, a louder plea ringside but something tells me Walsh can’t exactly execute the way his support team would like… into the fifth they go. Copy linkCopiedNoakes vs Walsh R3Noakes meets air as he whizzes a few cuffing hooks in Walsh’s direction, but the intent is there for one man and the champion’s dictating pace in an ominous manner – almost as if he’s waiting for the right moment to strike. Stiff right hand lands flush, then a deft body punch and Walsh gets caught standing static in the pocket. This feels like a fight Noakes can finish whenever he wants to, truthfully. Uppercuts are flowing, he’s found his range and Walsh has a bloodied nose too, never a good sign against a power puncher.Copy linkCopiedNoakes Walsh R2Noakes tees off with a four-punch combo a minute into the round, just as I was about to say… Walsh needs to get his respect and quickly here, otherwise this will resemble target practice for the champion.”Go first and break him down Ryan,” is the cry ringside from one of the challenger’s team, but it’s easier to say and harder to do against someone with the punch power Noakes possesses. Heaney had an interesting anecdote I’ll share with you later, so stay tuned for that.Anyway, “get your jab popping,” is the latest instruction for Walsh but he’s increasingly on the defensive and gets his head pinged back to finish another solid stanza for a patient favourite right now. Copy linkCopiedNoakes Walsh R1Sam Noakes looks a million dollars as he soaks up the reception, older brother Sean proudly holding his British crown before fight #4 of the year for an active, ambitious hopeful looking to bridge that gap to world championship level in the not-too-distant future. Noakes paws out the right hand, then patiently picks punches downstairs against a twitchy opponent yet to really land anything of note through 90 seconds. Instead, it’s the champion applying pressure and a looping right hand causes damage to finish a good round worth of work. Copy linkCopiedCrotty cruises to debut winDylan Courtney did well to hear the final bell in truth, against a motivated debutant who chained attacks nicely… and left his opponent bloodied and bruised over four rounds. 40-36 the final score, no surprises there, a decent float bout with two bouts left.Unbeaten lightweight contender Sam Noakes faces a deceptively difficult challenge in Ryan Walsh, making his way to the ring now.Copy linkCopied More

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      Lawrence Okolie secures brutal first-round stoppage win in first heavyweight fight after bulking on FOUR STONE

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      LAWRENCE OKOLIE piled on the pounds to announce himself to the heavyweight division with a brutal first-round knockout.The former WBO cruiserweight champ cleaned out woeful Hussein Muhamed with a trademark right hand.Lawrence Okolie quickly dispatched Hussein MuhamedCredit: GettyOkolie made a blasting impression on MuhamedCredit: GettyThe Sauce reckons he’s more ‘explosive’ nowCredit: PASix months on from his dismal title defeat to Chris Billam-Smith down at the 14st 4lbs division, The Sauce beefed right up to light up Wembley arena at his curvy NEW 18st 8lbs stature.”I felt good,” he beamed. “That’s my second first-round KO in a row.”Now that I’ve been putting on the weight, enjoying training camp, I can be a lot more explosive.”It’s showing in the fights, as soon as I start hitting these guys, they start going. I’m ready for the best in the world at any weight.READ MORE TOP STORIES”I felt super robust, super strong. I think people might have thought, ‘he weighed 200lbs last year, why’s he 260lbs now’?”But I feel happier and natural and a lot more solid.“You know when I was making cruiserweight because of what I had to do to make that weight I felt tired.”But now, I just know every round I can go explosive, recover, explosive, recover. So it feels good.”Most read in BoxingHere’s how a smaller Okolie looked in losing to Chris Billam-SmithCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHussein arrived with a decent looking record but it was padded in Germany and he looked way out of his depth from the opening bell.The 2016 Team GB Olympian poked and probed with his long jabs, while Muhamed did very little.Reality TV star, 37, and former world champion offer to replace Tommy Fury after pulling out of Darren Till fight”Toward the end of the opener the visitor did decide to finally throw a shot and it was to be his undoing.Okolie telegraphed Muhamed’s first crack at a punch and landed his own giant right hand.Muhamed’s body folded down on itself left him in a heap.To his credit, the 18-1 plodder did climb back up to his feet and plead to be allowed to continue.But the referee rightly waved off the contest to let Okolie start calling out far more credible opponents.Muhamed was completely outclassedCredit: Getty More