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      Tyson Fury had ‘bad distraction’ Anthony Joshua fight in his head before Usyk defeat – but it screams of WWE cash-grab

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      TYSON FURY went into the second Oleksandr Usyk defeat knowing he had a silly-money Anthony Joshua double act already banked – and he boxed like it.SunSport sat down with Lennox Lewis – the last undisputed heavyweight king – the week before the Riyadh rerun.Tyson Fury fell to a second consecutive defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk on SaturdayCredit: GettyLennox Lewis told SunSport that Fury had his mind on fighting Anthony Joshua anywayCredit: PAAnd the 59-year-old confirmed the clear direction Saudi Arabia was taking the two giant Brits would be a hindrance for Fury, ahead of his must-win revenge mission.“I think it is a bad distraction to have in your head”, Lewis told us, “My goal would just be to get the undisputed championship first, before thinking about anything else. “That would be my goal, especially if he is 1-0 down.”After another cautious performance – against a freakish talent – Fury is now 2-0 down to Ukraine’s generational genius, who holds the same score over AJ and beat Daniel Dubois into a 2023 surrender.READ MORE IN BOXINGHe can take his ancient sword, his London 2012 gold medal, his stuffed Eeyore toy, his undefeated record, his impish gap-tooth grin and his undisputed cruiserweight reign and vanish into the pantheon of boxing greats – of all weights and eras.He can leave behind our also rans – fine big men of their time but neither able to dominate the little maverick – to ham up a cash-grab, with the script and cheques are already written by Saudi Arabia.John Fury will return from the shadows, blame the corner for the loss and say his exile was the biggest problem, he will then attack AJ and his cheerleader Eddie Hearn, take his top off and headbutt some Riyadh Season sponsored scenery.Hearn and Frank Warren will go head to head with their cash cows and milk British boxing’s casual crowd with tall tales about how their star attractions are not really fading forces who should have boxed years ago.Most read in BoxingAnthony Joshua has been tipped to fight Tyson Fury nextCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDavid Haye bungled his attempt to push the product when he said: “I want to see Fury and Joshua now. They are both coming off losses and we have been waiting for it for some time now and there is no better time than right now. It is the biggest fight to be right now.”It is the biggest and best fight to make right now – because neither of them has anything better on the table.Tyson Fury reacts to Oleksandr Usyk loss with Gypsy King’s team left ‘dumbfounded’When they should have clashed in their primes, they both preferred their chances of beating a little leftie more suited to the 14st 4lbs division. They both come unstuck and now they need each other as a pension plan.Hearn’s sales pitch was even more fanciful: “It’s not just the biggest fight in British boxing but the biggest fight in the sport.”If he means by sheer tonnage he’s right. But after four clear points losses to Usyk, a violent knockout loss for AJ against Daniel Dubois and a dismal Fury showing against debutant Francis Ngannou where he nicked a split, it’s the heavyweight division’s version of the League Cup.IBF king Dubois is a hotter property, Moses Itauma – who scored a sensational first-round knockout on the undercard – is the scorching prospect, even Fabio Wardley is the younger feel-good story with the British title and the can-do attitude.Fury vs AJ is Hulk Hogan vs Mr Perfect when boxing’s Attitude Era of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock is ready and raring to rip through the old guard.It will be fun, there will be blood and all the usual faces will get richer.But there should be no belts and no phoney claims of the winner being back at No1.It’s a late windfall both men richly deserve and, because Turki Alalshikh is at the helm, all the old rows over purse cuts, rematch clauses, poster positions and broadcasters are in the bin with Usyk’s doubters.Hearn produced a splendid line when he claimed: “I will be pushing His Excellency (Alalshikh) to make the fight.”The Essex matchmaker will be pushing nobody for anything, he’ll be bending over and pleading for it, like most of the casual fans who understandably want to see a 15-year domestic rivalry settled once and for all.Truth be told, we are all up for it. We need to see the broken and outboxed versions of our heroes finally decide who is the best Brit behemoth since Lewis and Frank Bruno.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut please don’t waste your time trying to tell us it’s Ali v Frazier or Holyfield v Bowe.It’s Joshua vs Fury or Fury vs Joshua – it’s overdue, it’s silly-lucrative and it’s fun. But it isn’t a patch – or a punch – on Usyk.Eddie Hearn has vowed to ‘push’ to make AJ vs Fury happenCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Jose Mourinho confirms he has undergone minor surgery but won’t miss a single Fenerbahce training session

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      JOSE MOURINHO has confirmed he has undergone “minor surgery” but will not miss a single training session.It had been reported the 61-year-old had to undergo surgery outside of Turkey due to a health problem.Jose Mourinho has confirmed he has undergone minor surgeryHowever, he insisted he will not be missing a training session with FenerbahceCredit: GettyHowever, the Fenerbahce boss has insisted the procedure is nothing to worry about.The Portuguese tactician took to his Instagram page to post an update on his health.In a short video message, he said: “Merry Christmas. And thank you so much for so many messages.”He added a caption to the post saying: “Wishing everyone a happy holiday season. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”May this time be full of love and happiness for you and your families.”For those of you who have shown concern, I can confirm reports of my surgery have been greatly exaggerated, it’s just a quick and minor procedure. “I will resume training on the first day back from the holidays, as always. “I’ve never missed a session in 25 years, and I don’t intend to start now. JM.”Most read in FootballHe was in the dugout for Fenerbahce’s 1-1 draw with Eyupspor in the league on Friday.The Turkish giants are now not back in action until January 5, when they host Hatayspor.Fans call for Jose Mourinho to stick to his word with Millwall hunting for new manager Mourinho’s side currently sit eight points behind league leaders Galatasaray, who remain unbeaten this season.He has previously managed Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham and Roma before arriving in Turkey. More

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      ‘Performance of the day’: BBC pundit’s genius Alexis Mac Allister gag leaves fans in stitches on Match of the Day

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      FESTIVE cheers was apparent for many during the final Premier League weekend before Christmas.And it was certainly a given in the Match of the Day studio as well, as one witty joke left fans in stitches.Shay Given was in top form on Match of the DayCredit: Match of the DayHe quipped that Alexis Mac Allister was not the only McCallister to be left alone at ChristmasThe joke was a reference to Christmas classic film Home AloneCredit: AlamyLiverpool’s 6-3 thriller against Tottenham was the headline act of the programme.And while analysing the goals from the game, Shay Given was in top form with a clever Christmas gag.The joke came while talking Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister after he was allowed to ghost into the box unmarked before netting the Reds’ second of the game.Seeing Spurs defenders fail to pick up the Argentine, the former goalkeeper quipped: “Not the first Mac Allister to be left alone at Christmas.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReacting on social media, one fan said: “What a line hahaha.”A second said: “Haha!! Brilliant!”A third added: “This is A+ commentary and creativity.”Another said: “Oh that is superb stuff.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFor the uninitiated, the gag was a reference to Christmas classic film Home Alone.In the film, an eight-year-old boy by the name of Kevin McCallister – played by Macaulay Culkin – is left behind when his family leaves from France, and things take a twist when thieves try to break into the family home.Tottenham boss Postecoglou REFUSES to answer questions after his team ship another hatful of goals in Liverpool lossIn an ironic twist that makes the joke even better, Mac Allister has an older brother called Kevin who currently plays for Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.The nine-goal thriller left Liverpool four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand after Chelsea had been held to a goalless draw with Everton earlier in the day.Meanwhile, Spurs were left in the bottom half of the table, eight points adrift of the top four. More

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      in Soccer

      Mo Salah provides huge update on Liverpool contract situation as he breaks Premier League record in Tottenham thrashing

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      MO SALAH made history in Liverpool’s thrashing at Tottenham – and provided an update on his contract situation. The Premier League leaders ran out 6-3 winners at Spurs with Salah scoring twice. Mo Salah gives an update on his Liverpool futureLuis Diaz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister also got in on the goals as Liverpool extended their lead at the top. And Salah became the first player in Prem history to reach ten goals and ten assists before Christmas. He told Sky Sports: “I didn’t think about it before the game to be fair but I’m glad I done it, a few times. “Something made me happy and proud just keep working hard.” READ MORE IN footballSalah, 32, is approaching the final six months on his contract but is yet to strike an agreement to extend it. The Anfield legend has publicly revealed his desire to stay at the club but continues to admit no deal has been reached. Asked if there is an update, Salah replied: “No.” Salah is now Liverpool’s fourth highest scorer of all time on 229 goals – with Ian Rush leading on 346. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAsked if he can beat Rush’s record, Salah responded: I don’t know how he scored that many goals, to be fair.”I think the football in that time was quite seven versus seven and not really 11 versus 11. “He’s a great legend for the club and we have a good contact. Whatever I’m going to end my career with I’m happy about it, so let’s see.”Tottenham boss Postecoglou REFUSES to answer questions after his team ship another hatful of goals in Liverpool loss More

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      Former Man Utd star Ashley Young, 39, ‘ripped his NECK’ against Chelsea, claims Everton boss Sean Dyche

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      SEAN DYCHE claimed Ashley Young “ripped his neck” against Chelsea.The veteran full-back, 39, will miss the Boxing Day trip to Man City through suspension.Ashley Young suffered an injury during Everton’s 0-0 draw with ChelseaCredit: GettyToffees manager Sean Dyche claimed that Young ‘ripped his neck’Credit: PAThe former England star picked up his fifth booking of the serve in the draw with the Blues and must now serve a one-match ban.He was subbed off with 15 minutes to go and replaced by club captain Seamus Coleman.However, his manager revealed afterwards that he would have been a doubt for the Etihad anyway as the change was partially down to injury.Dyche said: “Youngy is suspended anyway but he ripped his neck then he did a brilliant header at the far stick.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“We had to take him off for both reasons – to make sure he was OK physically and was on a yellow card.”Both the experienced Young and his 18-year-old son Tyler, who plays for Peterborough United, will both be praying it is nothing serious.That is because Everton face the League One club in the FA Cup on January 9 in what could see dad take on lad in a dream family showdown.Young is still performing for Everton despite his age and has managed 14 Premier League appearances for the Toffees already this season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSElsewhere at Everton, The Friedkin Group (TFG) finalised its majority takeover of the club in a deal which is believed to be worth in excess of £400m.Roundhouse Capital Holdings Limited, which is an entity within The Friedkin Group, have bought Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in the club.The group reached an agreement with Moshiri on 23 September and were awaiting regulatory approval, with the Premier League having the final say on the deal, which has now been granted.Former Man Utd star reveals there were only TWO players who didn’t get Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous ‘hairdryer treatment’ More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League stadium unrecognisable with pitch used for star’s epic gender reveal as fans demand ‘lifetime contract’

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      A PREMIER LEAGUE stadium looked unrecognisable this weekend as it went from staging the world’s best players to hosting a star’s gender reveal party.Nottingham Forest’s City Ground was used to host the friends and family of star centre-back Murillo, as he announced the gender of his first child with wife Mabili.Nottingham Forest star Murillo hosted his gender reveal party at the City GroundCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/The reveal took place on the City Ground pitchCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/Murillo and partner Mabili celebrated as smoke bombs revealed that they were having a girlCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/The pair wore all-white for their celebrationsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/Murillo gave a kiss to Mabili’s bumpCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/Family and friends posed for photos with the happy couple on their incredible displayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/murillosantiago40/Murillo, 22, gathered with his loved ones on the pitch at the historic stadium and announced that he would be having a girl.The incredible gender reveal was fit with pyrotechnics, balloons, streamers and a whole stage for the happy couple to stand on during the moment it was announced.Forest fans loved that their star centre-half was using the stadium for his announcement, taking to social media to suggest it shows just how much he loves playing for the Tricky Trees.On X, one fan wrote: “Murillo loves this club. Gender reveal at the WFCG. Lifetime contract.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile another added: “Nobody decides to have a baby if they have intentions of moving across Europe in 6 months time…”And if he had any thoughts of actually moving, surely he wouldn’t have done this at the CG? Just saying…”Other fans flooded the comments section on Murillo’s Instagram post about the reveal, congratulating the Brazilian.One posted: “Congratulations my defender!” Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd a second wrote: “Congratulations Murillo! Best gender reveal ever”.Murillo was joined, not only by friends and family, but also by Nottingham Forest teammate Jota at the City Ground for the announcement.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsIt’s been a great weekend for Murillo, who helped Forest keep a clean sheet on Saturday as they beat Brentford 2-0 away from home.While the season as a whole has been superb for the Midlands club.Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are currently flying high in the fourth spot in the Premier League.Forest are just four points off second place Chelsea and only two points behind Arsenal in third.While their impressive form sees them sit a comfortable four points ahead of Man City, eight ahead of Spurs and nine ahead of Manchester United.Murillo is having a superb season for Nottingham ForestForest continued their success on the pitch this season with a 2-0 win over Brentford on SaturdayCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Tottenham boss Postecoglou REFUSES to answer questions after his team ship another hatful of goals in Liverpool loss

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU hit back at fresh scrutiny over his attacking style — as Tottenham shipped six to Prem leaders Liverpool.The fed-up Spurs boss argued with a TV reporter and was close to blowing his top following repeated questioning over tactics.Ange Postecoglou refused to answer questions after Spurs lost 6-3 to LiverpoolCredit: Sky SportsSpiky Postecoglou, whose dodgy defence has conceded 13 goals in the last three home games, snapped: “I’m just going to stop answering these questions.”Postecoglou pointed to the injuries to keeper Guglielmo Vicario as well as centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.Tottenham’s first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie also started on the bench as Arne Slot’s pace-setters ran riot in North London.The Aussie added: “If people can’t see the obvious, I’m not going to point it out. Make of it what you want, yes, we’re conceding goals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“If you want to discount the fact we’re missing a goalkeeper, two centre-backs and left-back . . . “I don’t know what to say any more.”Postecoglou was pushed over whether Spurs will benefit from his commitment to attacking football in the long term.He said: “I have been really patient the last 18 months sitting up here answering the same questions over and over again.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“If people want me to change my approach, it’s not going to change.“We are doing it for a reason, we are doing it because we think it will help us to be successful.”Tottenham fans protest ‘Levy out’ with black balloons as Spurs chairman akwardly watches on during Liverpool lossPostecoglou described this thumping defeat as “painful” which leaves Spurs 11th and eight points off the top four.Yet they have scored more goals than anyone else in the top flight with 39 and are in a Carabao Cup semi-final.Supporters even sang Postecoglou’s name at 5-2.Asked about the fans’ reception, the Tottenham chief replied: “I thought the fans were good today, very good, given it was a difficult day.“Maybe some of them understand the situation we’re in right now. It seems many don’t.“I hope they see what we’re trying to build here as I really believe it’s going to be something that gives the club and fans what they want.”Postecoglou said last month if his side were still tenth at Christmas then he would expect  people not to be “happy”.That was  pre-injury crisis but this defeat left his side in the bottom half.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “All I can do is navigate us through a difficult period.“If you’re saying tenth means I’m not doing a good job and I should be uncomfortable, well that’s for others to judge.” More

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      Hard-up Prem fans ‘priced out of buying club shirts’ fuelling boom in fake kit for Christmas gifts

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      CASH-strapped Premier League fans are fuelling a boom in fake team shirts for Christmas gifts.Data shows supporters have made 48,510 online searches for counterfeit top-flight club clobber from September to the beginning of December.Premier League fans are fuelling a boom in fake team shirts for Christmas giftsCredit: GettyIn comparison, there were just 4,230 searches from January to August, before the festive shopping season began.Fake Manchester Utd shirts topped the table, with 17,730 searches.The team’s official adult home shirt costs £80, and £55 for children, while both go for £12 on knock-off websites.Betting site Footy Accumulators, which analysed the search data, said: “It is sad to see that clubs have priced many loyal fans out of being able to afford a shirt which is leading them to use websites selling fakes to buy gifts for loved ones this Christmas.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Rising prices mean that a family of four who want new shirts will have to fork out around £370 from club shops whereas if they go to knock off sites the price will be more like £50.“We hope that clubs across the UK take note of these alarming figures and try to make merchandise more affordable in the future to help supporters not have to turn to counterfeit merchandise.”Demand for Arsenal fake shirts soared by 191 per cent over the beginning of the year from just 680 to 5,940 in the run up to Christmas making fake Gooners tops the second most in demand.Newcastle knock offs were third highest in demand with 4,830 searches compared to just earlier in the year – an incredible 419 per cent rise.Most read in FootballTottenham Hotspurs came fourth with demand up from 440 to 3,750 – a 184 per cent rise.Liverpool came fifth on a 169 per cent increase from 460 to 3,720.In sixth place came Manchester City on 3,150 knock off searches – up from 420 and a 150 per cent increase.Non-league club labelled ‘absolute class’ as they rock up to FA Cup tie in bizarre pina colada kit More