More stories

  • in

    Jamie Carragher reveals his 2025 predictions including title winner and how long it will take Amorim to fix Man Utd

    JAMIE CARRAGHER believes only an injury crisis can stop Liverpool from winning the Premier League title. The Sky pundit has backed his former team to pip Arsenal to top spot in May. Jamie Carragher has given his predictions for 2025 across the world of footballCredit: AlamyArne Slot’s Liverpool are setting the pace in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyCarragher spent his entire 17-year career with Liverpool, appearing over 500 times for the club. The 46-year-old never lifted the Premier League trophy during his time at Anfield.But he believes Arne Slot’s juggernaut are all but unstoppable this season, fresh from another thumping win on the road against West Ham. Writing in The Telegraph, Carragher claims “Chelsea are not quite ready to become champions.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe goes on to predict that “Liverpool will pip Arsenal into second place.”Carragher adds: “My only worry for Liverpool is if they pick up injuries to their big players. “If they can avoid them, they will be difficult to catch.”The former England defender also believes Manchester City will put their recent dismal form behind them and finish fourth.Most read in FootballPep Guardiola’s men won just their second game in 14 matches against Leicester on Sunday. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOn the other side of Manchester, Carragher is not convinced Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd revolution is yet to get out of the planning stage.The Portuguese coach has seen his team win just four times in 10 games, along with five defeats. Gary Neville throws DRINK over Carragher after Liverpool blow Newcastle lead as fans say ‘he was gonna go for him there’Carragher said: “Ruben Amorim has a bigger job with a blank canvas.”He will need more time and patience, especially in getting underperforming players on big contracts out of the club. “What is happening at United right now is to be expected – a few good results mixed with reminders as to why they needed a new coach.”Despite United’s woes on and off the field, Carragher is convinced Amorim is the right man for the job.Carragher believes Ruben Amorim will come good at UnitedCredit: PAMan Utd ratings vs WolvesBy Ken LawrenceWOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United’s struggles continued.The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of.United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes’ red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner.Here is how SunSport rated the performances…ANDRE ONANA: 4He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal – his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected.LENY YORO: 5Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark.HARRY MAGUIRE: 6The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods – at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time.LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch – Cunha.MANUEL UGARTE: 5Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card.KOBBIE MAINOO: 5Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed.DIOGO DALOT: 6Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United – but he had no major influence on a poor team display.AMAD DIALLO: 5Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago.BRUNO FERNANDES: 3Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that.RASMUS HOJLUND: 5Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left.SUBSCasemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5He reckons the Red Devils will be a “better, more consistent team by December 2025, especially when Amorim has a full pre-season and new players to implement his ideas.”Carragher was also asked to name his Champions League winner – but hedged his bets.The 2005 winner believes either Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Liverpool or Real Madrid will lift Big Ears come May. He added: “No one wants to draw Real in the knockout phase because it does not matter how poorly they are playing, they always find a way to get through.”Bayern also look good and are always in contention by the latter stages. READ MORE SUN STORIES”And then, of course, there is Liverpool, who have a 100 per cent win record so far. “They are the four sides everyone else will want to avoid.” More

  • in

    Conor McGregor ‘CONFIRMS’ £400m Logan Paul boxing match in India with UFC star set to receive INSANE purse

    CONOR MCGREGOR has appeared to suggest a shock showdown with Logan Paul has been FINALISED.The Notorious revealed earlier this month that he was in preliminary talks over an exhibition boxing match with the YouTube sensation.Conor McGregor revealed earlier this month that he’s in talks to box Logan Paul next yearCredit: GettyMcGregor revealed his proposed clash with Paul would take place in India next yearCredit: GettyThe Notorious has seemingly confirmed that the fight has been finalisedPaul added more fuel to the fire on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM@HAPPYPUNCHAnd the 36-year-old has suggested the fight – which is set to be financed by Indian billionaire Anant Ambani – is on the brink of being announced.Veteran MMA journalist Emmett Glenn reported on Sunday that McGregor is now gearing up to face the social media sensation in a Mumbai melee next year.Glenn also revealed both men are set to earn a whopping £200MILLION ($250m) each for the South Asian slugfest.The crossover clash is said to be set to take place at the Wankhede Stadium and will be part of the country’s “Visit India’ tourism campaign.READ MORE ON MCGREGORAnd McGregor seemingly confirmed Glenn’s report by quoting his post on X with a Indian flag and a love-heart emoji.Casual and hardcore fight fans were quick to comment on the seemingly done deal, with one saying: “$250M each for an exhibition fight?”That’s more than most world title fights pay!”Another said: “Money talks, $250M is crazy for each.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd another said: “I’m tired of these gimick fights. Dude is scared to go back into the UFC.”One remarked: “Holy s**t that will be wild! $250 mil each??”Conor McGregor names his top five MMA fighters of all time including WWE legend and actor nicknamed ‘The Handsome One’ Another chimed in: “Lots of money for a boring fight.”YouTube phenom Paul added even more fuel to the fire by liking an Instagram post citing the report.It was revealed last week that neither the UFC nor the WWE, who McGregor and Paul are respectively contracted to, have been approached about the bout.Both entities, however, are under the TKO Group Banner – meaning the possible punch-up would be incredible easy to make.Former two-division champion McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.His next outing will be his first since being found civilly liable for assaulting Nikita Hand at a Dublin Hotel in December 2018.The Irishman – who was accused of “raping and battering” Ms Hand – has vowed to appeal the verdict of last month’s civil trial at Dublin’s High Court. More

  • in

    ‘He’s tired’ – Pep Guardiola lets slip Erling Haaland has become a DAD with partner Isabel Johansen after Man City win

    PEP GUARDIOLA let slip Erling Haaland has become a DAD in his Manchester City post-match interview.Haaland scored his first goal in five games as City secured a much-needed victory over Leicester on Sunday.Erling Haaland has been a shell of his usual self this seasonCredit: REXThe Norwegian ended his mini-drought in Man City’s 2-0 win over Leciester on SundayCredit: REUTERSManager Pep Gurdiola has leapt to the defence of the under-fire NorwegianCredit: RexGuardiola casually revealed Haaland has welcomed his first child into the world with girlfriend Isabel JohansenCredit: SPLASHAnd his boss revealed the strike came at the end of a memorable week for the Norwegian superstar and partner Isabel Johansen.Guardiola, who celebrated his 500th game in charge with his team’s first win since December 4, said: “Sometimes, Erling has been judged badly but it’s part of football.“He’s tired, he’s played a lot of minutes.“He’s become a father for the first time in the last few days, a lot of emotions and an exciting few days for him.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHaaland was so pumped that he turned the air blue after his second-half header sealed the points for the struggling champions.The Norwegian striker said: “S**t happens.“It’s always a relief when you score.“Leicester did a really good game, we knew it was going to be difficult.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSErling Haaland and Isabel Johansen have been dating since they were both at Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty“It’s been a difficult time. I’m just happy we’re winning.”Guardiola seconded that emotion after City had won just one and lost NINE of their previous 13 games in all competitions.Erling Haaland does pull ups on cliff edge and runs with wolves as Man City ace stars in insane Beats by Dre advert The City boss said: “The right word to use, more than happiness, is relief.“As a performance it hasn’t been the best, I couldn’t expect differently.“Against Everton, the performance was better by far but today we won and that’s what we need to clean our minds and souls and see we can win games.“I know the last 13-14 games have not really been good but comparing that to 500, we have to be so pleased and so happy with what we have done together.“We have done a lot of things that will be a memory forever.“Maybe that period, the month and a half to two months that feels like 500 months, will make you realise how nice it was.Erling Haaland and Isabel Johansen have yet to officially announce the birth of their first childCredit: GETTY“Hopefully we can come back. Maybe we will not be what we were but closer than now. “Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was left to rue captain Jamie Vardy missing a golden chance as his side failed to turn an encouraging display into points.The Dutchman said: “That’s why it hurts a bit that we didn’t take anything off the game, because of the performance.“We created these moments in a great way.READ MORE SUN STORIES“As a striker, you need a bit of luck in taking these moments.“But of course it’s where games are decided.” More

  • in

    West Ham 0 Liverpool 5: Salah scores 20th goal of season as Reds dismantle hapless Hammers to pile pressure on Lopetegui

    JURGEN KLOPP shocked English football and caused total panic on Merseyside in the first month of this year by announcing his departure from Liverpool.Yet we leave 2024 with Klopp’s old team in unbelievable shape, better than any of us could have imagined once Klopp dropped the bombshell that he had run out of steam.Liverpool thrashed West Ham at the London StadiumCredit: PALuis Diaz broke the deadlock after 30 minutesCredit: GettyCody Gakpo doubled Liverpool’s leadCredit: GettyMo Salah added a third goal before the breakCredit: GettyLiverpool dominated large periods of the gameSalah racked up three more goal contributions following an impressive displayLiverpool now enter 2025 with a proper swagger. They are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, and threatening to run riot in the second half of the season.Yes, the big problem for Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and even second-placed Nottingham Forest, is that this team under Arne Slot is only just starting to go through the gears and they are getting better and more menacing by the week.Liverpool took apart a feeble West Ham at the London Stadium and could have got seven or eight if they really wanted to.Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and substitute Diogo Jota chipped in with the goals against Julen Lopetegui’s awful team.After a run of four games without defeat, Lopetegui has a bit of credit and you cannot judge any side against this current Liverpool team who are currently the best in the country by some distance.Two of Liverpool’s scorers were playing their last games before they are free to talk to clubs overseas from January 1.Salah struck for the 17th time in the Premier League this season while he also delivered a couple of assists bringing that tally to 13.Alexander-Arnold grabbed his first goal of the season while completing the out-of-contract trio is Virgil van Dijk and he will not have many easier games than this at the back this season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt was another dismal 90 minutes for West HamCredit: ReutersTrent Alexander-Arnold fired in a fourthCredit: GettyLiverpool move eight points clear at the top of the tableCredit: RexDue to Lukasz Fabianski’s injury, keeper Alphonese Areola was making his first start since being dropped in October and was threatening to deliver a one-man supershow to defy the leaders.But after finally being beaten by in-form Diaz, who seems to enjoy playing in his more central wrong, it went horribly wrong for Areola and the rest of his team who could desperately do with a new central striker arriving next month as second half sub Niclas Fullkrug does not look the answer.’Spending my night watching fog on Prime Video’ – Fans slam ‘unwatchable’ Liverpool vs Leicester matchLiverpool, who lost the injured Joe Gomez before the break, now face Manchester United on Sunday and that is certainly a fixture which will not scare them.Yet no-one frightens Slot’s team, not in England, not in Europe, as they also lead the Champions League table.At first today, Liverpool missed a few chances. You would have put a fair amount of money on Salah to score from close range but he fired a shot too close to Areola although it was still a decent save.The Egyptian then delivered a brilliant pass to create an opportunity for Curtis Jones but he, too, could find no way past Areola who then delivered his best save of the half was to push over an effort from Luis DiazYet finally, Diaz got the goal that Liverpool had been threatening and it all became a bit straightforward after that.The Colombian was trying to thread the ball towards Jones but the pass came off Vladimir Coufal and bounced back into Diaz’s path.Diogo Jota added a fifth with an accomplished finishCredit: APAreola was not getting anywhere near a drilled first-time shot into the corner.Liverpool’ keeper Alisson, barely troubled all game, was saved by his left post as Mohammed Kudus came agonisingly close to grabbing a leveller and after that, it was downhill all the way for West Ham.Diaz delivered a sublime first touch to Salah, he skilfully got past Dinos Mavropanos but lost control of the ball and it bobbled towards Gakpo who had a simple tap-in.Before half-time, it just got worse for the locals, some of whom decided to head home once Areola failed to keep out a shot by Salah.It all started when Carlos Soler had been robbed of the ball by Alexis Mac Allister.READ MORE SUN STORIESAlexander-Arnold, whose previous goal came away to Fulham in April, chipped in with a strike, Ryan Gravenberch delivering the assist, although the 25-yard drive took a heavy deflection off Max Kilman.With six minutes left, Salah led a counter attack and West Ham’s defence could not get near him before he rolled the ball to Jota, who had replaced the impressive Gakpo, and Areola could only get a hand to the shot. More

  • in

    West Ham 0-5 Liverpool LIVE RESULT: Reds cruise to victory as Slot’s side extend lead at top of Premier League table

    LIVERPOOL have thrashed West Ham 5-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points.Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota fired the Reds to a third straight top-flight triumph on a routine night for Arne Slot’s men.Earlier, Manchester City finally stopped the rot with a 2-0 win over Leicester in the early kick-off.Elsewhere, Tottenham had to settle for a point after Wolves scored late on to secure a 2-2 draw.Nottingham Forest continued their good run with a 2-0 win away at Everton.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…Fans want clarity on contract rebelsWith January fast-approaching, the trio of Liverpool players who are out of contract in the summer would be able to speak to foreign clubs.As a result, the supporters just want to know who is planning to stay at Anfield.Not that the ongoing talks seem to be bothering the players, all three put in world-class performances today.Credit: ReutersCredit: APCredit: GettyCopy linkCopiedTough fixtures ahead for RedsLiverpool will need to keep putting in the performances as we head into 2025.They have some tricky away trips in their next five games and will be hoping for more performances like today.Not many teams in the Premier League will be relishing facing Arne Slot’s side right now.Copy linkCopiedBoss gives his thoughts on matchAfter their emphatic win in the capital, Liverpool’s Dutch manager gave Sky Sports his view on the performance:Today we kept control of the whole game. We spoke about giving the chances to teams. If you look at his numbers, Mo is in a very good place. The way we played with the ball, the amount of chances we created pleased me. I don’t think we give the West Ham fans a lot to cheer about, that was important.Arne SlotLiverpoolCopy linkCopiedSalah stars as contract talks continueMohamed Salah put in another vintage display this evening.The Egyptian King was rightly awarded the man of the match award for his performance against The Hammers.Reds’ fans will be hoping that the club can tie down Salah to a new contract as he is currently playing some of the best football of his career.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool send message to rivalsArne Slot’s side sent a warning to the rest of the Premier League today against West Ham.Week by week they seem to be getting better under their new manager.Next up, rivals Man Utd travel to Anfield.Ruben Amorim will be having some sleepless nights between now and then.Copy linkCopiedFT: West Ham 0-5 LiverpoolThis was the definition of the word demolition.Liverpool are just scoring goals for fun this season.As the stats show, it could have been so many more.West Ham can count themselves lucky that it was only five-nil.Copy linkCopiedFT: West Ham 0-5 LiverpoolCopy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-5 Liverpool90+2. We are into the second minute of the four added.Not that most of the West Ham fans would know, judging by all the empty seats, they are all back sat in their front rooms.For the Liverpool fans, this has been an enjoyable trip to the capital.Credit: APCopy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-5 Liverpool88. This is some way for West Ham to end their unbeaten run.They need to count their blessings though, had their keeper not had such a good game, this would have been double figures.Liverpool have been irresistible once again.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-5 Liverpool84. This Liverpool team will take some stopping this season.Salah dribbles the ball from the halfway line, dancing past The Hammers’ challenges.He lays it off to Jota, who slots it in the top corner.Copy linkCopiedGoal – Diogo Jota (Liverpool)Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-4 Liverpool80. The London Stadium is emptying out like the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics has ended.West Ham’s fans will be disgruntled with the display today but they have to be more realistic and on this occasion admit they met a team who are just too good for them.Arne Slot’s side have well and truly burst some bubbles here today.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-4 Liverpool76. Liverpool bring on Elliott and Tsimikas.They replace Jones and Robertson.Chance for the league leaders to rotate their team with plenty of fixtures coming up.The Hammers look like they have been run ragged tonight.Credit: PACopy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-4 Liverpool72. If it wasn’t for Areola, this would look like a rugby score.As The Reds pile forward once again, Jota brings a ball down in the box brilliantly before getting a well-struck shot away.The Hammers keeper reacts well to keep it out.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-4 Liverpool68. The West Ham players are going down like they are made of glass.Any contact, mainly where the ball has been won fairly, and they are rolling around on the floor like they have been kneecapped by the mafia.There are more goals in this game, sadly for the hosts, they seem they will all come from Liverpool.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-4 Liverpool64. West Ham are taking the damage limitation approach now.Five defenders and everyone behind the ball when The Reds have it.As a result, Slot’s side have so much time on the ball the game is just turning into one-way traffic.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-4 Liverpool60. Arne Slot’s side are just fearless this season.Home or away, they take the game to whoever they are playing.You could rename this stadium to the ‘London Library’ now.Bowen comes off, struggling to shake off an injury.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-4 Liverpool56. This is men against boys in the capital.Lopetegui’s side are not even in the same league as the visitors.The ball is played to Alexander-Arnold some way out, he shifts it in front of him and lets fly from distance.It takes a deflection off Kilman, wrong-footing Areola, and heads straight into the back of the net.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedGoal – Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-3 Liverpool52. As it seems technology is here to stay in the game, maybe we need to go full tilt and have fully automated officiating.Bowen looks the run away from Mac Allister, who slides in and wins the ball before looking to go forward.Anthony Taylor blows up for a free-kick, what even are the rules of football now?The Liverpool man clearly won the ball there.Copy linkCopiedWest Ham 0-3 Liverpool48. We are back underway at the London Stadium.A threaded ball finds Salah but as he looks to bend one in the far corner, Areola tips it around the post for a corner.The Hammers have brought on Fullkrug and Todibo at the interval.To be fair, unless this was a FIFA game and they were bringing on a peak Bobby Moore, Paulo Di Canio and Carlos Tevez they are unlikely to worry The Reds too much.Copy linkCopiedHT: West Ham 0-3 LiverpoolBig test for The Hammers in their own backyard now.They need to try and get the next goal or they could be on the end of the same sort of hiding The Reds gave Tottenham.For the league leaders, it is all about keeping the levels up and not taking their foot off the gas.Copy linkCopiedHT: West Ham 0-3 LiverpoolIt is a footballing masterclass from Arne Slot’s side in the capital.They are so much better than this West Ham team that the hosts look a punch-drunk boxer each time they attack.The important thing for the league leaders now is not to take their foot off the gas and put The Hammers to the sword.Copy linkCopiedHT: West Ham 0-3 LiverpoolCopy linkCopiedView from SunSport’s Charlie Wyett in LondonLiverpool are good value for a three-goal lead and this could now get really messy for West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui in the second half.West Ham fell to pieces once Mohammed Kudus saw his shot hit the post with the team trailing at 1-0. Lots of boos at half-time although some fans have already gone home.Copy linkCopied More

  • in

    Erling Haaland swears in live TV interview after Man City win as Sky Sports reporter laughs nervously

    ERLING HAALAND swore live on Sky Sports following Manchester City’s win over Leicester.The Norwegian, 24, scored for the first time in four Premier League games as Pep Guardiola’s side ended a run of five games without a win.Erling Haaland swore during his post-match interview on Sky SportsThe result moves the champions up to fifth in the table despite a dismal couple of months.But Haaland surprised the Sky Sports reporter after the game with his shock remark.When asked about moving forward after a poor run, Haaland could be heard saying “s*** happens”.The interviewer then nervously laughs before the pair move on.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd fans on social media were quick to highlight Haaland’s X-rated comment.One said: “Did Haaland just swear on live TV then.”Another added: “Swear Haaland just swore on live TV 😂.”A third replied: “FINE HIM😤.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile a fourth responded: “Did Haaland just say s*** happens on the interview 😭😭.”Haaland now has 19 goals in 26 games in all competitions this season.Ligue 1 in savage six-word response to Cristiano Ronaldo after his brutal comments about French leagueHe has 14 in the Premier League, although 10 of those came in the opening five matches.He has netted just four times in Man City’s last 14 league games. More

  • in

    ‘Things went wrong’ – Anthony Joshua’s troubled training camp before brutal KO loss to Daniel Dubois revealed

    ANTHONY JOSHUA’s preparations for his domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois were less than ideal, it’s been revealed.AJ was stunned as he was knocked down FOUR TIMES on his way to a brutal fifth-round defeat in his September showdown with his former sparring partner for the IBF heavyweight title.Anthony Joshua went to war with Daniel Dubois in their September showdownCredit: GettyAJ suffered a stunning fifth-round KO loss to his former sparring partnerCredit: GETTYAJ trainer Ben Davison has revealed several things went “wrong” in preparation for the fightCredit: REUTERSThe Watford warrior offered no excuses for his crushing defeat, immediately giving Dubois his flowers.But head coach Ben Davison told talkSPORT: “I know that among ourselves we know where some things went wrong.”Davison – who was criticised for not throwing in the towel – is adamant Joshua’s less-than-ideal training camp takes nothing away from Dubois’ career-best performance.He said: “It’s important for us that we don’t look like we are making excuses.READ MORE ON AJ”But there are things that went wrong that we could have done a better job within and around. And closer to, the fight.”You can’t point the blame, we’ve got to own it. We’ve got to wear it. And that’s what we’ve done.”Joshua was on course to renew his rivalry with Dubois in a Riyadh rematch on February 22 before his team convinced him to recover from niggling injuries.Promoter Eddie Hearn was adamant they wouldn’t plot the former unified heavyweight champion’s next move until after Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd the Matchroom Boxing chief is hellbent on AJ fighting the Gypsy King in a Battle of Britain next year following Usyk’s retaining of the unified belts earlier this month.He told DAZN after Usyk’s second win over Fury: “I don’t think it’s time to start screaming, this night is Usyk vs Fury.Eddie Hearn reveals real reason Anthony Joshua’s February rematch with Daniel Dubois was KO’d amid ‘major injury’ claim”But the reality is there’s only one fight for Tyson Fury and that’s Anthony Joshua.”It’s the biggest fight probably in the history of British boxing, everyone will always want to see it.’And by the way, that wasn’t a Tyson Fury that looked finished, it wasn’t a flat performance, it wasn’t a poor performance.”He didn’t look gun-shy, he didn’t look like his punch resistance was in question like we talked about earlier.”I think Tyson Fury is still potentially at the peak of his powers, just not good enough to be Oleksandr Usyk tonight.Eddie Hearn believes now is the time for Anthony Joshua to face Tyson FuryCredit: GETTY”But for me, AJ against Fury is the one, it’s the one at Wembley.”I’m going to be pushing His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] to make the fight.”But that’s maybe one for another day, tonight belongs to Oleksandr Usyk.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But Fury will struggle with this, I think.”All fighters do, AJ struggled with the Dubois defeat as well, you’re a winner and when you get beat it hurts and this will hurt Fury.” More

  • in

    West Ham legend Ludek Miklosko makes emotional return to club before Liverpool clash after revealing tragic cancer fight

    WEST HAM legend Ludek Miklosko received a hero’s welcome from fans at the London Stadium after opening up on his heartbreaking battle with cancer.The former Hammers keeper, 63, was cheered onto the side of the pitch in emotional scenes ahead of his old club’s clash with Liverpool on Saturday evening.Ludek Miklosko walked out in front of the West Ham fans on Saturday eveningCredit: West HamHe wore a Hammers scarf in an emotional return to the clubCredit: ReutersMiklosko recently revealed the cancer diagnosis he received several years agoCredit: PAMiklosko revealed on Sunday that he was diagnosed three years ago after finding a small lump on his hip.Unfortunately despite the initial treatment going well, doctors subsequently discovered other tumours.And the Czech star has now decided against chemotherapy to ensure he has the best quality of life in his final days.West Ham faithful gave Miklosko a superb reception as he was seen for the first time since the news.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMiklosko wore a West Ham scarf, before the club tweeted: “We are all with you, Ludo.”Explaining his decision not to have treatment, he told West Ham’s official website: “I was thinking about this, and had another conversation with the doctor in Ostrava.”And it was made clear to me that there could be no guarantees that it would work.”Maybe it would help to slow it down a little bit, but it would not stop it and there would be other issues to deal with.Most read in Football”I decided not to take the chemotherapy, because I want to live a normal life.Ludek Miklosko spent eight years as a keeper at West HamCredit: PAHe returned to the London Stadium on Saturday eveningCredit: Getty”I have very good people around me, and I have my work and my football, which is my life, all I have known. I want to keep doing that for as long as I can.”Miklosko upped sticks from his native Czech Republic with his wife and son in February 1990 to join the Hammers.He went on to make 318 appearances for the East Londoners during an eight-year stint.Miklosko and his family enjoyed their time in England, so much that his son asked him to move back to London after they returned to the Czech Republic.Miklosko was also in attendance for West Ham’s Europa Conference League final triumph against Fiorentina last summer.Miklosko played more than 300 games for West HamCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More