Sport

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Marco Asensio’s mum told Florentino Perez he’d be Real Madrid star aged NINE before tragic death from cancer

      by

      IT was the mother of all predictions that still brings a tear to the eye of Marco Asensio two decades down the line.A bold-as-brass prophecy from his biggest fan, before he was even at the baby-steps stage of a career which took him to the European summit.Marco Asensio has been a revelation for Aston Villa since his loan move from PSGCredit: REXAsensio became a global name during his trophy-laden stint with Real MadridCredit: AFPThe Spain international joined Real from Mallorca in December 2014Credit: GETTYAsensio’s late mother, Maria, told Florentino Perez her son would be a Real star when he was nine years oldCredit: AlamyAnd ultimate proof that mums DO know best — as a trophy cabinet packed with football’s most glittering prizes testifies.If Aston Villa fans get their way, any more medals that the Spanish forward wins will be done in the claret and blue shirt of Unai Emery’s men.For it has taken Asensio, 29, just three months to become a cult hero to Villa supporters, 18 games and nine starts after arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.He has eight goals already, all celebrated with a look to the heavens, in memory of the mum who once told Real Madrid’s president that Marco would be a Bernabeu superstar.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAsensio was only nine, yet she knew her son had a gift — and was quick to tell Florentino Perez in their chance meeting at Puerto Portals in Mallorca.Maria and husband Gilberto had taken the family to see the luxury yachts in the marina and after spotting Perez on his boat, asked for a picture.Yet before heading off, she told the Real guv’nor to look at the pint-sized kid next to her, as one day he would pull on the most famous white shirt in football.While Perez simply smiled, Maria had no doubts. Neither did a man who was blown away from the day Asensio arrived at tiny Mallorcan club Platges de Calvia two years earlier.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJuan Pericas, a youth coach at the Spanish fifth-tier outfit, soon had the same conviction as Marco’s mum. He still chuckles at what she said to Perez.Marco Asensio scores a brilliant flicked goal in Real Madrid training Pericas revealed: “They asked Florentino for a photo and then his mother said, ‘You see this little boy? “‘He is my son Marco. One day he will play for Real Madrid and be very successful’.“That’s why, the day that Marco signed for Real, he cried like a child. He remembered his mother’s premonition.“He was seven when he joined us, an age when very few kids know what to do with the ball.“But he played with his head up and always made the right decision.“In his first season, he scored 64 goals and had 30 assists.“That was a huge thing for someone so young to have those stats.”Sadly, Maria never got to see her son at the Bernabeu, as she tragically passed away through cancer when he was just 15 and a youth player at Mallorca.Almost immediately, he was playing two categories above his age group, standing out against boys older and stronger.Before long, LaLiga’s big two were sniffing around — and when Real agreed to pay €4million in one hit for the 18-year-old, letting Mallorca keep him for the season, that swayed it.Marco has told me many times his mother is still his source of inspiration and he plays every match in her memory.”Juan Pericas on Marco Asensio’s late motherBarcelona missed out as they wanted the fee in four instalments — and Asensio was on the road to three Champions League wins in nearly a decade.And every golden moment was celebrated with a point to the heavens in tribute to the woman he says will always be his driving force.Just as they were when he left for Paris a couple of seasons ago — and since moving to the Midlands in February.Pericas added: “Marco has told me many times his mother is still his source of inspiration and he plays every match in her memory. “She left an indelible impact and lives on through Marco.“He has spoken many times of his desire to make her proud on every occasion.“That’s why, each time Marco scores, he celebrates by looking up at the sky. Every goal is dedicated to Maria.”Villa fans would love to see him bagging plenty more for them and they are urging Emery to pay the £12.5million or so that it would cost to make his move permanent this summer.Read More on The SunAnd Pericas is equally convinced that the two are a perfect fit.He added: “Marco is loving it in England. If everything can be worked out, it would be a great move for both of them.” More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Presenters steal show at Tommy Fury vs Kenan Hanjalic as fans baffled by random ‘pop star and trance music interludes’

      by

      TOMMY FURY made a winning return to the ring on Friday night – but fight fans were more blown away by the presenters of the show and the Ibiza-style trance party during the interludes.Fury, 26, recorded a dominant win over Bosnian Kenan Hanjalic in their six-round Budapest bust-up. Tommy Fury made a winning return to the ring on Friday nightCredit: DAZNBut the presenters of the Budapest fight card ended up stealing the showCredit: DAZNAs did the numerous musicians who performed between the fightsCredit: DAZNBoxing fans couldn’t help but comment on the concert, which had a sprinkling of fights, that they were treated toCredit: DAZNThe fight was preceded by several musical acts and a techno DJ set worthy of a dark and sweat-riddled Ibiza nightclub. Two Hungarian presenters oversaw proceedings at the MTK Arena.And the duo well and truly caught the eye of viewers back home. One boxing fan commented: “The presenters of the Tommy Fury Budapest card are absolutely worth tuning in for. “READ MORE ON TOMMY FURYAnother said with an image of the two presenters: “Worth it, init?” The musical interludes were also a major talking point for fight fans watching live on DAZN. One sarcastically said: “Can’t even begin to tell you how happy I was to get a popstar musical interlude just now on this Tommy Fury boxing show in Hungary.” Another said: “Some weird choices in the production and like 3 or 4 music acts, this event is so weird lol.” Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTommy Fury paid a heartfelt tribute to girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague after having his hand raisedCredit: DAZNAnd another said: “Loving the music.” Fury, 26, moved to a perfect 11-0 with a unanimous decision victory over Hanjalic, his first win since his victory over KSI in October 2023.Tommy Fury calls out ‘b****’ Jake Paul after making boxing comeback after 18 months And an emotional ‘TNT’ was quick to pay tribute to girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague and daughter Bambi in his post-fight interview.He said: “I just want to say thank you for this victory to the Lord Saviour Jesus Christ, without him, none of this would be possible.”I want to say hello to my beautiful baby girl, Bambi, at home. And my sweetheart, Molly. She’ll always be mine forever.”And I want to dedicate this to my mother and father because without them, I wouldn’t be breathing. I wouldn’t be here. “The reason I am here today is my mother and father. I will love them until the day I die and I owe them everything.”The fomer Love Island star then proceeded to open up on his battles with depression and alcohol.”I’ve been through a hell of a lot these last two years,” he said. “I’ve been through things that tear men down. Read More on The Sun”Drunk, an alcoholic; I lost my family for a little bit. “But I’ve turned things around, I’ve gone from being low to being on top of the world again.” More

    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      New footie regulator’s boss warned against ‘political bias’ after donating to Labour

      by

      THE new football regulator’s boss has been warned against “political bias” after donating to Labour.A formal complaint over David Kogan’s appointment was also lodged by the Tories.David Kogan’s appointment as the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator sparked immediate complaintsCredit: PAThe sports media exec donated to the leadership campaigns of Sir Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy, now the PM and Culture Secretary.Shadow Culture Secretary Stuart Andrew claimed that this was not properly declared ahead of his selection hearing.He also raised to the Cabinet Secretary a potential ministerial code breach, with a “perceived conflict of interest”.The Culture, Media and Sport Committee endorsed Mr Kogan as Independent Football Regulator chairman yesterday after a grilling on Wednesday. READ MORE ON POLITICSBut, in a rare caveat, it demanded he “takes concrete steps to reassure the football community he will act impartially and in a politically neutral way”.Tory Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage said: “While Mr Kogan’s background and experience make him well-suited for the role, his past donations to the Labour Party will inevitably leave him open to charges of political bias in a job where independence is paramount.”“We want to see the new Independent Football Regulator succeed, so it’s crucial that nothing undermines the regulator as it gets up and running.“Mr Kogan must give 110 per cent when it comes to reassuring everyone in the game that he is his own man. Most read in Football”The Committee looks forward to working with him constructively and holding him to account.”No 10 has insisted that all declarations were made in the proper way.Biggest shake up to football ownership in years announced in King’s Speech as new regulator’s powers confirmed More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Jens Lehmann’s wife of 25 years reveals they are DIVORCED after he attacked neighbour’s house with chainsaw

      by

      JENS LEHMANN’S wife of 25 years, Conny, has confirmed the couple have divorced.Lehmann, 55, has long lived separated from his former partner, with Conny, 52, moving out of their villa in Starnberg before they called it quits.Jens Lehmann’s ex-wife Conny has confirmed they have divorced, ending a 25-year marriageCredit: GettyIt comes after the ex-Arsenal goalkeeper was caught up in a string of controversiesCredit: GettyOne of them saw Lehmann accused of failing a breathalyser after being pulled over by cops following Oktoberfest celebrationsCredit: GettySpeaking to Bild, Conny was reluctant to go into detail about her split with Lehmann, but said: “I’m single. I’m a happy single.”The pair had met in 1995 before officially getting together in 1999 and marrying in October of that year.Conny has two children with Lehmann, 24-year-old Mats and 18-year-old Lieselotta.Lehmann also adopted Conny’s child from a previous relationship with ex-Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder, Knut Reinhardt.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey have had an on-and-off relationship for some time now, although they went on a family holiday last year which was said to be more for the children than any sort of romantic getaway.Conny had found a new partner while Lehmann remained in their family home before it was put up for sale.Lehmann was caught up in controversy last year when he was fined £112,000 by a Munich court for a chainsaw attack on a neighbour’s garage in September.He had been accused of using a chainsaw to hack through the roof beams on his neighbour’s garage by Lake Starnberg, which is in the Bavaria region of Germany.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesThe alleged incident was said to have taken place during the summer of 2022.He was initially found guilty in December 2023, being slapped with a 10-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay a fine worth more than £350,000.These WILD Liverpool stats spell Arsenal disaster | Experts’ best betsThe former Gunner subsequently launched an appeal, as did Munich prosecutors.According to local reports in Germany, a deal was reached between prosecutors and Lehmann’s lawyers prior to the trial’s resumption.Lehmann’s legal representative Florian Ufer gave an update – with his client having also been on trial for alleged unpaid parking fees.He said: “Mr Lehmann accepts responsibility. He has come to an agreement with his neighbour. The parking fees have been paid.”Lehmann’s initial £350,000 fine was reduced to around £112,000.He is also claimed to have paid his neighbour around £50,000 in order to close the matter, which then saw criminal charges against him dropped.Then, during Oktoberfest celebrations, it is claimed the former Germany No.1 vomited twice and failed a breathalyser after being pulled over by police.Lehmann is alleged to have been drink driving at the time of the stop, which happened at 1:30am. Police could reportedly smell alcohol from his breath through the open window of the car.Reports in Germany claimed he got out of the car and vomited twice by the roadside before he struggled to produce his driver’s license and failed with his first few attempts to do so.He was unable to show his warning triangle and first-aid kit, and had to hold onto the car to stay upright when opening his boot.Breath tests had to be abandoned because the 61-Cap Germany star was “no longer able to blow” so he was instead taken to a police station for further tests.Lehmann later went to the Munich Institute of Forensic Medicine for blood tests.The German was ordered to appear in court with the prosecutor’s office requesting a fine of £60,000 with a trial set for Thursday April 3. His driver’s license was also confiscated.He was hit with a €1,000 (£846) fine for driving under the influence of alcohol.Read More on The SunThe judge said Lehmann had displayed “bad behaviour” in court and to police when arrested in September last year.Lehmann said: “I misjudged myself and thought I could drive.” More

    • 150 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Over-excited Wrexham players endured sobering hour-long ordeal during £500,000 Vegas promotion party

      by

      WREXHAM AFC players got stuck in a lift for an hour during their wild promotion bash in Las Vegas.Insiders said the club’s Hollywood star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney splashed £500,000 on celebrations after the team clinched a place in the Championship.Wrexham AFC players got stuck in a lift for an hour during their wild promotion bash in Las VegasHollywood star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney splashed £500,000 on celebrations after the team clinched a place in the ChampionshipCredit: RexThe players flew by private jet to Vegas on Thursday and kicked off the fun at a pool party.A source said: “After leaving there, the players went back to the Bellagio Hotel to get ready before heading to Hakkasan Nightclub.They’d been drinking all day and were a bit over-excited when they got in the lift to go up to the entrance of the club on the fourth floor.“They started messing around by jumping up and down.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“Next thing they knew, the lift came to an abrupt stop and would no longer move.“They ended up having a sobering hour-long wait for firefighters to help get them out.”When they were finally released, bosses Ryan and Rob had paid for them to have the best table in the house.Onlookers said those on the Owners Table of the venue on Las Vegas Boulevard tipped their waitress £3,000.Most read in FootballDeadpool star Ryan and fellow actor Rob bought Wrexham in 2020 for £2million when it was a non-league club.It is now worth more than £100million.Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham mercilessly trolled by Peterborough stars after Cup heartache The Hollywood pair’s exploits have been documented in their TV series Welcome to Wrexham.It has seen the North Wales club win their third promotion in a row under manager Phil Parkinson.Wrexham’s visit to Vegas is now a promotion traditionPlayers enjoyed pool parties as they soaked up the sunThe stars hung out with bikini-clad womenWrexham are now in the Championship, England’s second tierCredit: Rex More

    • 275 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Mikel Arteta does a Benitez as he rants about xG and tells Luis Enrique ‘look at the stats’ after bold Arsenal claim

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA doubled down as he insisted KO’d Arsenal WERE the Champions League’s best team —  and told Luis Enrique to ‘look at the stats’.Arteta was mocked by Paris Saint-Germain boss Enrique for claiming his men were better than the Munich-bound side — despite losing their semi 3-1 on aggregate.Mikel Arteta reckons the Gunners were unlucky in ParisArteta is basing his Arsenal verdict on figures like expected goals – and told everyone to look at the statsCredit: PARafa Benitez hit Alex Ferguson with his ‘facts’ in his infamous 2009 rantThe Arsenal chief — stopping just short of Rafa Benitez’s infamous ‘facts’ rant —  reiterated: “I stand by what I said, 100 per cent. I’ve watched it back, seen all the stats.“When you look at all the important stats, the ones that give you the best platform to win football matches, it’s crystal clear who was better.“With an expected goals of five against three, which we had over the two legs, normally you’re in the final.”Arteta’s statistical claims echoed then-Liverpool boss Benitez’s 2009 rant about Alex Ferguson, when the Spaniard blasted the Manchester United chief with a list of ‘facts’.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSArteta said: “If you face PSG and they blow you away, you shake hands and say, ‘We’re not ready still’.“When you look them in the eye, suffocate them in the way we did there, you were the better team.“But it’s not about the winning probability, it’s actually making it count.”But the Gunners chief did accept Liverpool “deserve” to be crowned Prem winners  because his side have taken a “step backwards”. Most read in Champions LeagueMartin Odegaard and Co were shattered by their semi-final KOCredit: RexBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKArteta had been under fire for claiming Liverpool’s title-winning tally — they can still reach 91 points — was less than the 89 his men racked up last term or 84 in 2022-23, when they were again runners-up to Manchester City.He said: “It’s true. With the amount of points we had, we could have been champions twice.This week’s title: How ‘brave’ Arsenal were denied by PSG in Champions League semi-final“But we were not. In the Premier League we’ve gone a step backwards. Liverpool deserve to be champions.”While the thought of telling his team to line up on the Anfield pitch and give Liverpool their guard of honour on Sunday will be hard to swallow, the Spaniard knows it is something his players MUST do.To realise how close they came. To dig deeper to make sure the boot is on the other foot next term.Another campaign of near-misses has left Arteta wounded, no question.It is now five years and counting since the Basque watched his players parade round an empty Wembley with the FA Cup, the “Covid Final” win over Chelsea something from another age.I stand by what I said, 100 per cent. I’ve watched it back, seen all the stats.Mikel ArtetaSince then, while Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all won trophies, Arsenal have not, falling short at the moment of truth.Being the unwitting walk-on extras at an Anfield party tomorrow will rub home that point, as Arteta knows.He said: “Paris was a very emotional moment.“It was one of the saddest but one of the proudest moments that I have had as an Arsenal manager.“We put a lot of hope and energy and work into that and we didn’t get the outcome. You need to go through that to become stronger and better and that’s what we do.“We are providing the numbers that win you titles. We have to be a little bit luckier or still do better.“Again, with what we did in the Champions League, with those  numbers, you have a big probability of winning it. That’s why a lot of people were thinking that we could go all the way.Last-eight hero Declan Rice couldn’t quite help Arsenal past PSGCredit: Shutterstock EditorialArteta consoled Jurrien Timber as the Gunners missed out on the finalCredit: Reuters“Those two words, ‘success’ and ‘failure’, they are not part of my vocabulary.“But not winning trophies bothers me a lot because I love winning and absolutely hate losing.“If it doesn’t hurt then it means you don’t love winning as much as I do, that’s for sure.”The fear of some Gunners fans is that Arteta might end up as another North London “nearly man”, the sort of jibe they loved to throw at Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs when their most bitter rivals were in the local ascendancy but could not get over the winning line.Arteta and his “trust the process” mantra retain the backing of most of the Emirates faithful but the manager wants his players to feel as bad as the travelling fans shortly before 4.30pm on Sunday.He added: “Liverpool have been the best team, the most consistent team. When somebody is better you have to applaud and accept and try to reach that level.I have no doubts about these players and their attitude. I know how much they are still hurting — now we have to show the fight.Mikel Arteta“Something that has to drive you, motivate you, and pain probably is a good one to use.“When you don’t really want to do something but it’s the right thing to do, usually it is a motivation for next season.“We cannot win the Premier League, that is clear. But over the last 16 days, with three games to go, we must make sure that we do ourselves proud and compete to the end in the manner we deserve.”For many Arsenal fans — and  outside critics — it was the failure to address the elephant in the room in January, the club’s lack of an  out-and-out striker, that ended up being exactly as costly as was widely predicted. Pressed on that and the fact that Mo Salah’s goals for Liverpool have been one of the key differences in the campaign, Arteta did bristle.He asked: “Did I have to make it more clear in January? Was it clear or not?“If you score over 90 goals you have a high probability of winning the Premier League.“It doesn’t guarantee you, but you have a high probability if your defensive record is very good and very dependable.Arsenal ratings v PSG ARSENAL’S Champions League dream ended in tears as they failed to revolt against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.The Gunners came flying out of the blocks and tested Gianluigi Donnarumma early, but it seemed it was going to be one of those nights from the get go. And so it proved.Despite early pressure, Arsenal found themselves behind following a Fabian Ruiz volley.Achraf Hakimi then added a brutal second mere moments after David Raya had kept Arsenal in the tie by denying Vitinha from the penalty spot.But Bukayo Saka, who had been denied all night by old nemesis Donnarumma, finally bested the Italian in the 76th minute when he made the most of a deflected cross to round him and fire into the net.With the deficit on the night halved, Saka then had the chance to level the score as he was found free in the middle with an open goal at his mercy.But the winger was unable to keep the ball down once he made contact and saw his effort sail miles over the bar.PSG then saw out the result without further worry to book their spot in the Munich final against Inter Milan.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners in Paris.“Of course, there’s not that many who can put up those numbers in the Premier League, so I must improve and love the ones we have right now.“This is not the moment to judge players.”That is on Arteta himself as well. He said: “I have so much to achieve and do. That is what drives me every day.“The only way to achieve what you want is to have really high standards and demands.“We are very, very close to achieving it. I understand the disappointment, and the criticism. That is all part of it.“At the end there is one winner and the rest of them aren’t going to win, so they need to reinvent themselves and do better.“But I have no doubts about these players and their attitude.Read More on The Sun“I know how much they are still hurting — now we have to show the fight and how much we care about what is happening.“And what we still have to achieve, which is a big thing because we haven’t done it yet.”Thomas Partey gave his all in vain in the return leg at PSGCredit: Alamy More

    • 250 Shares149 Views

      in Boxing

      Tommy Fury vs Kenan Hanjalic LIVE RESULTS: TNT calls out Jake Paul after scrappy win while Roman delivers brutal KO

      by

      TOMMY FURY’S return to the ring after 18 months has been a success as the former Love Island star beat Kenan Hanjalic in Budapest!It was a scrappy contest to say the least but TNT won on points before dedicating the victory to ‘sweetheart’ Molly Mae and calling out bitter rival Jake Paul.And Tommy’s half-brother Roman also came out on top tonight with a dominant KO victory.The ref was forced to call an end to what was a heavily dominated fight after just round four.Full card scores Tommy Fury UD beats Kenan Hanjalic Roman Fury KOs Josip PeharShokhjakhon Abdullaev vs Irakli Alanidze – N/AVaradi Sandor UD beats Nikolas PanicValentin Koloszar UD beats Alexandru IonitaCopy linkCopiedNight of Fury Here’s how the two main fights played out with the Fury bros claiming important wins:Copy linkCopiedFury entices Paul rematch Fury’s post-match touched on all the agony of the past year. All the sacrifices, tribulations and hurt suffered in his long-waited return to the ring and what next. When questioned about a possible rematch with Jake Paul, he refers to him as a terrified b***h and maintains that there is no question that he will knock him out the second time.A rematch will certainly entice many. Copy linkCopiedFury reacts to victoryFury is lapping up his return back in the winning column. “I just want to say thank you for this victory to the Lord Savior Jesus Christ, without him none of this would be possible,” he says buoyantly”I want to say hello to my beautifuyl baby girl Bambi at home, my sweetheart Molly, she’ll always be mine forever. “And I want to dedicate this to my mother and father because without them I wouldn’t be breathing, I wouldn’t be here. The reason I am here today is my mother and father. I will love them until the day I die and i owe them everything.”I’ve been through a hell of a lot these last two year. I’ve been though things that tear men down, drunk, alcoholic; I lost my family for a little bit. But I’ve turned things around, I’ve gone from being low to being on top of the world again.”Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury beats Kenan Hanjalic UD 6Fury’s first ring action in 18 months comes away with a bitty win on points. Shades of quality were present but nothing note-worthy enough that will have make headlines. TNT moves to an 11-0 record with more needing to come. Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury vs Kenan Hanjalic – Round 6Fury lands a tidy set of hooks on the upper but Hanjalic shows a commendable steel to take them and embrace them. An incredible amount of engaging, whether that be forced or not, from the two. Final round ends in the scrappy tempo this dust-up undertook. Result to come. Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury vs Kenan Hanjalic – Round 5Fury continues his semi-calculated approach in this. Hanjalic takes a momentarily knee with that low blow still having an uncomfortable impact on his already lax movement. A minute from time, Fury managed to let off some nice combos to the body but nothing Hanjalic couldn’t eat up. Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury vs Kenan Hanjalic – Round 4There’s little doubt that when Fury dose start to box hes the cleaner fighter but those moments are little between as he founds himself engaging in a scrap of belief rather than a fight of technique. Hanjalic pleads to the referee about the potential Fury head blows, but that dosen’t stop his charge to make this a messy fight even after a points deduction. Both are leaking, especially Hanjalic. Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury vs Kenan Hanjalic – Round 3A lot of jab-and-retreat work from Fury in the first two rounds but has now presented a more proactive challnege in the ring with his hands. In the closing stages lets his hands go and catches Hanjalic with a low blow and the face as the referee seeks clarification on whether he is able to continue, which he dose. Father John suggests that Tommy continues to control this encounter with the jab. Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury vs Kenan Hanjalic – Round 2Not much combination or technique from the two as the brute approach remains bare. Hanjalic stumbled on his feet early on before picking himself up and reneging with intention. A taunt or two from the Bosnian to assure he’s not going anywhere. Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury vs Kenan Hanjalic – Round 1 After an opening 30 seconds of assessing, Fury is on the immediate engage with a few jabs to the body. Not to the fear of Hanjalic, who carries the power that will cause undoubtedly cause hesitancy within Fury with the pair ending with a flurry of hooks and words. Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury vs Kenan HanjalicHanjalic enters the MTK Arena with a band of entourage in a black behind him in very business-like mode. Remember he came to Budapest with one mission – “to win.”Fury, the show-stopper that the Hungarian faithful have showed out for, is draped in a white-gold combo as he prances his way to the ring. Showtime. Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury vs Kenan HanjalicAfter a hellish break that one of the presenters calls “short” which lasted longer than the 10-minute intended break we took before the Roman Fury fight, main event action is upon us. Anyway, Tommy Fury is being welcomed to the ring finally. Copy linkCopiedElsewhereIf techno filler isn’t your thing, we’ve got the latest action on the World Seniors Snooker Championship and UK Open Pool Championship below: Copy linkCopiedThe wait goes onIt’s been a relatively quick and elaborate-planned night so far but at least the fans in Budapest have been treated to quite the event.From the stage performances to club-like vibes, the crowd has been tonight’s main feature as we await Tommy. Copy linkCopiedTommy Fury up nextWhat we expect to be the final musical performance of the event has come to an end as all focus now shifts towards Tommy Fury and his six-round cruiserweight fight with unknown Bosnian Kenan Hanjalic. Not before a bit more techno, of course. Copy linkCopiedRoman speaks on winFury record goes to 5-0 and will certainly endure a sterner test following this. “It was a great comeback. I’ve been out for 14 months so it was a good performance,” he said in his ring interview. “I want to dedicate this fight to my mother, she’s been in bad health and I love her to death, mother that’s for you.”Copy linkCopiedRoman Fury beats Josip Pehar via KOFury, who is donning a Hungary cap, gave the crowd the highlight moment to feast on despite its convoluted nature. Pehar was overmathced from the offset and once the first of three knockdowns occurred the onus was all Fury who claimed his stoppage in the fourth. Time for brother Tommy. Copy linkCopiedRoman Fury vs Josip Pehar – Round 4Fury knocks Pehar down again in Pehar’s attempts to scramble back into this contest. The Croatian meets the canvas again and the referee calls ends to this. Copy linkCopiedRoman Fury vs Josip Pehar – Round 3As you would expect, Fury goes all-out for the stoppage. The referee deems Pehar’s second fall of the night as a knocdown despite the bundled-down nature of it. Fury actions a sequence with multiple left hand Pehar’s main highlight has been holding, which deducted him a point and the wait to get his gumshield back in his mouth. Copy linkCopiedRoman Fury vs Josip Pehar – Round 2Fury, in Tyson-like fashion, jinks and faints his way around the ring probing for a look to get his right hand involved. Pehar escapes from some promsiing Fury combainations before engaing in grappling. Seconds before the end of this round, Fury DROPS Pehar with a planted left hand to the body. The bell saves him. If the size didn’t show it, his strategy does: there’s no stoppage coming from the Croatian despite his winning record. Copy linkCopiedRoman Fury vs Josip Pehar – Round 1Fury imposes the heavy right hand early on with John barking our advice in his corner. He tagged Pehar with a left hook but nothing that made the Croat retreat from battle. Copy linkCopiedFirst Fury up Roman will face Josip Pehar, who has won seven of his twelve professional bouts.Pehar had some issues with his walkout music as the audio just cut out with no resumption. As for Fury, he is draped out in white silk with gold lining, of course the famous name in capital gold at the back and importantly his walkout goes more swimmingly than Pehar. Copy linkCopiedInterlude doneBreak finished, half-time show wrapped up and all the shots of a semi-interactive crowd – all accompanied by the techno music and lights that this Hungary arena has to offer – now time for the meat and potatoes. The Fury brothers are set to enter the ring. As for the scheduled bout of Shokhjakhon Abdullaev vs Irakli Alanidze, there’s serious uncertainty on whether we will see that fight but that has yet to be clarified by anyone involved. Copy linkCopiedRoman Fury outlines intentionsRoman tends to fade into the irrelevancy when the Fury name is brought up, and for good reason. He has limted resume with even less credibility experience, but tonight presents a chance to craft out a proper name for himself. One that resonates beyond “Tommy’s older brother.”He is set to be the penultimate fight before our main event. Copy linkCopied More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      Tommy Fury dedicates win to ‘my sweetheart’ Molly-Mae after making emotional boxing return following 18-month layoff

      by

      AN emotional Tommy Fury dedicated his win in his boxing return to Molly-Mae Hague in a heartfelt and honest post-fight speech.The former Love Island star made his ring return in a shock Budapest bust-up with Kenan Hanjalic on Friday night.Tommy Fury made his ring return on Friday nightHe locked horns with Kenan Hanjalic in a Budapest bust-upFury cruised to a unanimous decision victoryCredit: DAZNVictory in Budapest moved Fury to a perfect 11-0Fury paid tribute to girlfriend Molly-Mae-Hague in his post-fight interviewCredit: DAZNThe former Love Islanders recently reunited following a separationCredit: INSTAGRAMNerves would’ve been jangling for Fury before he made his ring walk due to his 18-month hiatus.But he outboxed his Bosnian bruiser of an opponent to pick up a unanimous decision victory, his first win since beating KSI in October 2023, and move to a perfect 11-0.Fury, 26, was overcome with emotion after having his hand raised and paid tribute to girlfriend Molly-Mae – who recently confirmed they’re BACK TOGETHER – in his post-fight speech.He said: “I just want to say thank you for this victory to the Lord Saviour Jesus Christ, without him, none of this would be possible.READ MORE ON TOMMY FURY”I want to say hello to my beautiful baby girl, Bambi, at home. And my sweetheart, Molly. She’ll always be mine forever.”And I want to dedicate this to my mother and father because without them, I wouldn’t be breathing. I wouldn’t be here. “The reason I am here today is my mother and father. I will love them until the day I die and I owe them everything.”Fury then bravely opened up about his battles with depression and alcohol.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTommy Fury was a step ahead of Kenan Hanjalic in every aspect of the fightCredit: DAZNBut he was hesitant to throw punches in bunches”I’ve been through a hell of a lot these last two years,” he said. “I’ve been through things that tear men down. “Drunk, an alcoholic; I lost my family for a little bit. Tommy Fury SHOVED by opponent Kenan Hanjalic as face-off for comeback fight turns tense”But I’ve turned things around, I’ve gone from being low to being on top of the world again.”Fury opted for a cautious approach in the opening stanza, throwing several probing jabs behind feints.Hanjalic was all too happy to operate on the back foot and strategically blitz Fury.Fury’s speed advantage was apparent in the second, with his in-and-out movement frustrating Hanjalic.The jab continued to be Fury’s best weapon as Hanjalic struggled with the speed at which it came, although he easily got out of the way of several telegraphed right hands.Fury allowed Hanjalic back into the fight by taking his foot off the gas later in the round.And the Bosnian was all too happy to close the distance and work in the clinch.Fury looked to let his hands go in the third but found himself engaged in yet more energy-sapping clinches.An accidental low blow from Fury brought about a pause in the action, much to the frustration of dad John.A bloodied Hanjalic recovered from the foul but looked like he wanted out after the restart.Fury had his dome rattled midway through the fourth by a hellacious right hand.But Hanjalic’s good work was undone seconds later when he had a point deducted.I want to say hello to my beautiful baby girl, Bambi, at home. And my sweetheart, Molly. She’ll always be mine forever.Tommy FuryFury’s best shot of the fight came moments later in the form of a rasping left hook.But he failed to capitalise with a follow-up shot, much to the frustration of his corner.Dad John urged his son to “relax with his shots moments before the fifth.And his Tommy obliged in the few moments he wasn’t caught up in a Hanjalic clinch.Rather than look to put an exclamation on the fight in the final round, Fury opted to operate on the back foot counter-strike.That invited yet more pressure from Hanjalic, who was shaken to his core by a big right hand seconds after eating a right hook to the body.But he stayed elusive enough to avoid a Hanjalic Hail Mary and move to 11-0.Fury had some choice words for rival Jake Paul before he left the ring, saying: “Jake Paul’s a b***h and he’s running scared. “Jake, the hand’s fixed now, baby. The hand’s fixed. Read More on The Sun”I fought a guy in here tonight who’s had over 100 amateur fights and is experienced as hell and he’s as tough as teeth. “If Jake Paul wants to step inside this ring, I guarantee you next time I’ll knock you spark out.” More