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    ‘Absolutely, dreadfully embarrassing’ – England BOOED off pitch at half-time of painful Andorra World Cup qualifier

    ENGLAND were booed off at half-time following their boring first-half display against Andorra.The Three Lions endured a toothless 45 minutes against a side ranked 153rd in the world, before labouring to a narrow 1-0 win.England were booed off at half-time following their boring first-half display against AndorraCredit: GettyJude Bellingham had three shots at goalInevitable boos rang out at the break with England failing to score in a near-empty stadium in Barcelona.Thomas Tuchel’s side couldn’t do much with their 73 per cent possession, 10 shots, eight corners and 17 crosses.Jude Bellingham, whose girlfriend was spotted in the stands, had three of England’s four shots on target.Fans were less than impressed with the display that they had witnessed after the whistle signalled the end of the first half.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe players were booed off the pitch by most of the 6,945 travelling supporters.As they made their way down the tunnel jeers from the stands could be heard.Captain Harry Kane went the closest and should’ve really put Tuchel’s men ahead before the interval after stabbing Noni Madueke’s low cross wide.Fans were just as unhappy on social media.Most read in FootballThe RDCE Stadium looked empty as England played AndorraCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne posted: “Terrible. Looking like a Sunday league team.”A second fumed: “Any small enthusiasm I had left for football this year has just been killed by 45 minutes by England being absolutely, dreadfully s***’.England squad plays the Traitors A third simply put: “Embarrassing.”Another said: “Appalling 45 mins from England there, shockingly awful. No imagination at all.”But England finally managed to get their noses in front by the same pair that had the best chance of putting them ahead earlier in the game.Kane found the breakthrough, and his 72nd goal for the Three Lions, with a low finish from Madueke’s superb low cross across the six yard box.Meanwhile, Tuchel’s team selection raised some eyebrows. The German started Jordan Henderson in midfield next to Bellingham and put Reece James in LEFT-BACK.And Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones was bizarrely thrown in at right-back. More

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    Deontay Wilder emerges as shock contender for Anthony Joshua’s return fight as Dillian Whyte rematch is ruled out

    DEONTAY WILDER has emerged as a shock contender to fight Anthony Joshua in a bid to settle their storied score. The two spent years in dragged out failed negotiations – leaving an undisputed blockbuster to fall by the wayside. Dentay Wilder has emerged as a shock contender to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunNow they are coming off defeats with Wilder stunned by Joseph Parker in December 2023 and then knocked out last June by Zhilei Zhang. Both times it cost the American a revived clash with Joshua – who is yet to return since being KO’d by Daniel Dubois in September.Wilder, 39, faces Tyrrell Herndon in Kansas on June 27 and Frank Smith – CEO of Matchroom Boxing who promote AJ – says a fight with Joshua is possible. He told Boxing News: “Do you know what fight I love? If he comes through his warm-up, Deontay Wilder. READ MORE IN boxing “This sport is about narrative. It’s about buying into fights that people have interest in and that’s a fight that everyone would still have interest in. “Regardless of whether it didn’t happen five years ago, people still want to see it now. So hopefully he can come through his fight.” Dillian Whyte was mentioned as another potential option for Joshua – who won their bout in 2015 by stoppage. They were due to rematch in 2023 but it was cancelled after Whyte, 37, returned an “adverse finding” in his drug testing. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe has since boxed in Gibraltar and Ireland after blaming the failed drug test on a contaminated supplement. Whyte was due to return on Fabio Wardley’s undercard in Ipswich but he pulled out to focus on a summer showdown with Lawrence Okolie and Moses Itauma linked. ‘We never know’ – Tyson Fury refuses to rule out comeback as Anthony Joshua nears new ‘amazing’ fight dealAnd Smith – alongside Whyte’s promoter – ruled out a fight with AJ as a result by telling iFL TV: “No Joshua.” Joshua, 35, recently underwent surgery on an elbow injury that has kept him sidelined since defeat to Dubois, 27. And with Tyson Fury, 36, still retired off the back of two losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 38, AJ has been left to look elsewhere for an opponent. Smith added: “There’s so many options out there. It just also depends on what he wants to do, if he wants to go for the world title again. “What does he want to chase? Tyson Fury is a name that obviously we’ve spoken about a million times but it gets boring after a while saying the same thing. “So let’s get him back in the gym, get him fit, get him active, get him ready and then we’ll go from there.” Joshua rematching Dillian Whyte has been ruled outCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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    Jude Bellingham’s stunning girlfriend Ashlyn Castro spotted in stands with England star’s mum Denise for Andorra clash

    JUDE BELLINGHAM’S stunning girlfriend has been spotted at her first England game.Ashlyn Castro, 27, beamed next to Bellingham’s mum Denise as Thomas Tuchel’s side struggled to break down Andorra in Spain.Ashlyn Castro was spotted watching boyfriend Jude Bellingham play for England for the first timeCredit: PACastro looked sun-kissed before England faced AndorraCredit: PACastro fixed her hair before kick-offCredit: PABellingham started in the middle for England’s narrow 1-0 win over Andorra in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.The Real Madrid star had three of England’s four shots on target in the first-half, before Harry Kane found a breakthrough from six yards in the 50th minute.And Instagram model and influencer Castro was among the few supporters in the near empty RCDE stadium in Barcelona as England were BOOED on Saturday.The beauty looked sun-kissed in a casually chic red Adidas dress, with white stripes down the side and denim jacket.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSCastro, who went public with Bellingham in January, also wore understated make-up and hooped earrings.She is continuing to build her relationship with Bellingham’s mum Denise, after the pair were spotted watching Madrid in February. Castro has been understandably taking time away from the spotlight after a series of vile rumours about her dating history.She has just returned from a four-month break from Instagram, with her first picture being captioned: “Long time no see” last Saturday.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBellingham started for England against AndorraCredit: GettyAshlyn, originally from Los Angeles, has more than 533,000 followers on the platform.The stunning brunette has previously been romantically linked to US basketball star Terance Mann, actor Michael B. Jordan and LaMelo Ball.Andorra v England match played in near empty stadiumBut in March, she was forced to release a video debunking rumours about her dating life.In the statement, she claimed that she has only had three boyfriends and that people have “made up” a lot of things about her.Ashlyn also shot down false claims she was in another country with a potential partner and one that suggested she was on a boat when it was not even her.Stunning Ashlyn has amassed a huge following on social mediaAshyln and Bellingham started dating earlier this year More

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    ‘We never know’ – Tyson Fury’s manager refuses to rule out comeback as Anthony Joshua nears new ‘amazing’ fight deal

    TYSON FURY’S manager has refused to rule out a comeback with Anthony Joshua nearing a bumper new fight deal.Fury announced his shock retirement in January – a month after losing to Oleksandr Usyk for the second time in 2024. Spencer Brown is the manager of Tyson FuryAnthony Joshua is set for a new multi-fight dealCredit: GettyIt has dashed any chance of a huge Battle of Britain bout against AJ – who was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September. Joshua has since had elbow surgery amid talks with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh over a new multiple fight deal. And Spencer Brown – Fury’s manager and associate of Alalshikh told Boxing News: “First of all, I think they’ve got to sign the deal first. “That’s the most important part. What they’re very good at, the Saudi Arabians, is a course. A road, and they want to know what road it is. READ MORE IN boxing “And if they can get the road in the right place, then they’ll sign whatever deal you want as long as you’re happy and they’re happy with it. But they think forward“So, it’s a great move for Anthony Joshua, isn’t it? A three-fight deal. Amazing. Amazing. Tyson’s retired. Like I say, we never know though, do we? “But he’s very busy at the moment. He’s actually in the best place I’ve ever seen him. He’s 12lbs above his fighting weight as well. “He looks really well. He’s happy. He’s got his kids with him constantly. Will he fight again? He’s the Gypsy King, who knows?”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSJoshua, 35, snubbed the chance to rematch Dubois, 27, after his brutal KO loss at Wembley. And now Dubois rematches Usyk, 38, on July 19 two years after his stoppage loss to the Ukrainian. Tyson Fury pushes his son around in a shopping trolley as he struggles to keep up with boxerAJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn is still holding out that Fury will return to fight Joshua. But the Gypsy King warned in May: “I hear a lot of talk about the Gypsy King returning to boxing and I ask this question: for what?“What would I return for? More belts? I’ve won 22 of them. I’ve been rumped, that’s it, fair play to them, they got their use out of me.“But I’m happy, I am happy, content with what I have achieved and accomplished. I’ve been around the world and back again.”And this is what retirement looks like for the Gypsy King, not too shabby.”Fury insists he is happily retiredCredit: Getty More

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    Andorra vs England LIVE SCORE: Three Lions look to continue winning run in World Cup qualifier – latest updates

    ENGLAND’S World Cup qualifier against Andorra is now UNDERWAY as Tuchel’s side look to build on their winning run.The Three Lions sit top of Group K after beating Albania and Latvia 2-0 and 3-0 respectively, back in March.Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the first time on foreign soil, but the clash won’t take place in Andorra.The World Cup qualifier will be staged at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, as Andorra’s national stadium is unavailable after the Games of the Small States of Europe.Tuchel’s men are looking to keep up their 100 per cent record as they face the lowest-ranked side in their group.TV channel: ITV1FREE live stream: ITVXAndorra team: Alvarez, Borra, San Nicolas, Llovera, Olivera, Garcia, Rodrigo, Guillen, Babot, Cervos, Fernandez.England team: Pickford, James, Konsa, Burn, Henderson, Bellingham, Jones, Rogers, Madueke, Palmer, Kane.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…Andorra vs England4 – From midfield, Bellingham advances and attempts a pass to Madueke, but it is intercepted at the cost of a corner.First of the game. Copy linkCopiedAndorra vs England2 – After England kicked off, the whole Andorra team fell back to the outside of their own box. The defensive approach presented Bellingham the chance to have the game’s first chance, which he obliged, 20 yards out, straight at the home keeper. Copy linkCopiedKICKOFF – Andorra vs EnglandAnd we’re underway. England kicks us off from right to left in their traditional white kit. Copy linkCopiedAndorra vs EnglandThe teams are out of the tunnel, and the substitutes are on the bench. National anthems are all done. Scattered supporters across the Barcelona stadium join in for both team’s formalities. It’s almost time for kickoff! Copy linkCopiedWhy are England playing Andorra in Spain?Following the recent Games of the Small States of Europe, Andorra’s national stadium is not accessible.Rather, the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, Spain will host England’s World Cup qualifying match versus Andorra on Saturday, June 7.The European regulatory body of football, Uefa, stated that there were no available stadiums in Andorra.Although the Andorran Football Federation constructed a new stadium in the Encamp neighbourhood, it was not ready to host this game before the Uefa deadline.More England supporters can go since Espanyol’s home stadium, the RCDE Stadium, can accommodate 40,000 spectators, more than ten times the 3,306 that can attend games at Andorra’s national stadium. Copy linkCopiedPre-match reading Includes Dave Kidd’s column on the state of international football for England and everyone else involvedCopy linkCopiedHow to watch the game for FREEOf course, we recommend you stay with SunSport’s coverage of the game tonight.But the clash will be available for free in the UK.The game will be shown live on ITV1, with a stream available on ITVX.Copy linkCopiedFast approachingThanks for the early take-off, Josh; I’ll drive us into our main spate of action now! England, two for two under Thomas Tuchel, will play minnows Andorra at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona tonight as they return to World Cup 2026 qualifying.The Three Lions have already taken the lead in Group K, while their “hosts,” who have lost both of their first games, are at the bottom of the standings.A portion of the offensive duty will go to Fernandez, given five-goal striker Albert Rosas Ubach’s absence. Given the significance of the three points, Tuchel’s team selection sparks question ahead of the friendly against Senegal on Tuesday. Ollie Watkins withdrew on Friday afternoon, hence his lack of involvement. For many of the England players, it is their last match of the season, and they hope to end it on a high note.Copy linkCopiedWhat the boss had to sayThomas Tuchel spoke on the importance of this game, saying: “It is a World Cup qualifier and we will not devalue it to an exhibition game.“It will be a very serious approach. It will be an offensive line-up and an attacking line-up.“We anticipate a match where we have the majority of the ball.“We are huge favourites. “We want to be fully committed to a World Cup qualifier.”Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedAbsentees We have already shared the team news but there were a few names who had previously withdrawn from the squad ahead of the clash.Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka and Conor Gallagher will all be absent.Tuchel has already confirmed he is not replacing Watkins in the squad, instead deciding to stick with Ivan Toney and Harry Kane as striker options.The German manager also said he will pick an “attacking line-up” and take a “very serious approach.”Credit: GettyCredit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedA double away dayTonight marks England’s first away trip under Thomas Tuchel… But it will also be an away day for Andorra with the match taking place at Espanyol’s home ground across the border in Barcelona, Spain.Tuchel is two from two at Wembley and will be confident of maintainig his perfect record tonight.Copy linkCopiedHow the group looksEngland currently top their qualifying group, while Andorra sit bottom with two losses from two games.Serbia are yet to play with zero points, so Andorra’s -4 goal difference sees them bottom of thegroup.England…6ptsAlbania…3ptsLatvia…3ptsSerbia…0ptsAndorra…0ptsCopy linkCopiedEngland’s road to the World CupIt has been so far so good for Thomas Tuchel and the Three Lions in regard to their World Cup qualifiers.The Tuchel era kicked off at Wembley with a qualification clash, a 2-0 victory over Albania thanks to Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane goals.The Three Lions then followed that up with another comfortable evening at Wembley.Reece James, Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze were the scorers as England won 3-0 against Latvia.After two games, they top the group with six points, and are the only side to have won all their matches in the group, although Serbia are yet to play any qualifiers.Copy linkCopiedEngland team confirmedAnd there we have it.The Engand starting XI is in… with starts for Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Morgan Rogers.England: Pickford, Jones, Konsa, Burn, James, Henderson, Jones, Rogers, Bellingham, Palmer, Kane, MaduekeCredit: X @EnglandCopy linkCopiedHendo for starters?Jordan Henderson could be handed his first England start since November 2023 against Andorra.The former Liverpool captain, now at Ajax, is set to be named in the starting XI for the World Cup qualifier at Espanyol’s stadium.Henderson,  34, has 83 caps, could start while Declan Rice is expected to be rested.Reece James could play out of position at left-back with midfielder Curtis Jones at right-back.Chelsea’s Noni Madueke may well start up front with Harry Kane and Cole Palmer.Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher has been left out of the matchday squad but could face Senegal in Nottingham on Tuesday. Ollie Watkins is injured and has returned home. Bukayo Saka has a thigh problem but could also face Senegal.Credit: GettyCredit: PACredit: GettyCopy linkCopiedHello and welcomeThe club season may be over… or about to start again, who knows.But one thing we do know if that it is international week.And England have two fixtures.The first of those is a World Cup qualifier against Andorra, with kick-off in Barcelona at 5pm.Copy linkCopied More

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    Man Utd gave Zinedine Zidane a blank cheque to take over as manager.. he’s not in it for money, says Premier League icon

    ZINEDINE Zidane rejected a blank cheque to join Manchester United as manager, according to his old team-mate. Former Chelsea centre-back Marcel Desailly also revealed that Zidane is NOT driven by cash – which is something the ex-Ballon d’Or winner proved this week.Zinedine Zidane has not worked as a manager since his time at Real MadridCredit: GettyMarcel Desailly revealed that Zidane turned down a ‘blank cheque’ from Man UtdZidane and Desailly won the 1998 World Cup with France, with Laurent Blanc also picturedZidane has been approached by some of the biggest clubs in the world since quitting Real Madrid after failing to win a trophy in 2021.The World Cup icon, 52, was heavily linked with a move to Man Utd before, during and after Erik ten Hag’s rollercoaster two years.One of the reasons the French tactician supposedly turned Old Trafford chiefs down was because he didn’t feel confident speaking English.A few years on, and ahead of the upcoming 32-team Club World Cup, Zizou was offered an eye-watering £84million to commit to a one-year contract at Saudi Pro League runners-up Al-Hilal.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd Desailiy, who won the 1998 World Cup with Zidane, has explained how difficult it is for club’s to persuade him to join, and where he’s likely to go next.Desailly, 56, said:”Will Zinedine Zidane be tempted by Saudi Arabia? “Well he had a blank cheque on the table from Chelsea and a blank cheque from Manchester United and turned them down.”He isn’t in it for the money. I don’t see why money will change anything, I know privately that he won’t change his lifestyle. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”He likes to travel and always keeps an eye on the France national team. He’s ready because Didier Deschamps has started the transition. “France will be one of the favourites for the World Cup and win or lose it’s not the end of this era for France.”Zinedine Zidane suffers embarrassing wardrobe malfunction as he brings out Champions League trophy at WembleyZidane is the only manager in the world to have won a staggering three Champions League titles in a row during his first spell with Real.And he followed that up by lifting two LaLiga titles during his second stint, having only managed the Spanish giants.Desailiy believes that Zidane is most attracted to the France job because they have a new generation of superstars, including Champions League hero Desire Doue. He added: Since 2016, France have been growing and growing. New players have come into the team constantly and now they have the right guys.”Rayan Cherki is one of them alongside Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe is still there and on top of his game.”There is a real dynamic. William Saliba is in defence with Ibrahima Konate, Bayern have Dayot Upamecano.Read More on The Sun”There is a squad and a philosophy and Zidane will know how to take that on to rebuild his own team. For another eight years at least France will be at the top level in Europe.”Zidane made a £4MILLION investment into a new sport project in February, which turned out to be a new padel centre in France.Zidane won three Champions League titlesZidane’s managerial careerZizou spent 18 months in charge of Real Madrid Castilla before being given his shot at the big time following the sacking of Rafael Benitez.Zidane, 51, took charge of the first team in January 2016 and guided them to a second-place finish in his maiden season at the Bernabeu helm.But he went one better in the Champions League, sealing Real’s 11th European Cup triumph with a shootout victory over Atletico Madrid.The former Los Blancos star went one better in the league in the 2016-17 season, in which they also won the Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.A second successive Champions League triumph also followed, with Real beating Italian giants Juventus at the Principality Stadium.He would create history the following season by becoming the first manager to win the tournament three times on the bounce.A 3-1 win over Liverpool saw Real become the first team to win Europe’s elite club competition three times in a row.Zidane announced his resignation five days after the final, insisting the club needed a “change” of direction.He would return to the Bernabeu in March 2019 following Santiago Solari and Julen Lopetegui’s short reigns.A return to the summit of Spanish football would follow in the 2019-20 season, in which Real also scooped the Spanish Super Cup.Zidane would leave the Bernabeu again in June 2021 after overseeing Real’s first trophyless season in 11 years.Zinedine Zidane’s Honours:- La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20- Supercopa de España: 2017, 2019–20- UEFA Champions League: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18- UEFA Super Cup: 2016, 2017- FIFA Club World Cup: 2016, 2017 More

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    ‘What a mess’ – England fans fume at Tuchel for bizarre experimental XI with Henderson picked over Rice vs Andorra

    ENGLAND fans have been left less than impressed by Thomas Tuchel’s experimental starting lineup for the Three Lions clash with Andorra today.England take on Andorra in a World Cup qualifier at 5pm and Tuchel has decided to shake things up with an unusual XI.Thomas Tuchel has chosen to start Jordan Henderson against AndorraCredit: GettyHenderson will make his first start for England since November 2023Credit: GettyThe England boss has rested star midfielder Declan Rice in favour of Jordan Henderson from the off.Henderson, 34, makes his first start for the national team since November 2023.It’s thought that Rice is being rested with a view to starting against Senegal on Tuesday evening instead.Other unusual choices appear to include Reece James starting at left-back and Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones being deployed as a make-shift right-back.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAlthough, some have speculated that Jones could be playing in midfield with Tuchel opting to play a back three.Big names like Jordan Pickford, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer all start from the off too.While there’s starts of Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke as well.Fans aren’t keen on the unusual lineup and took to social media to vent their frustrations.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne wrote: “What a mess of an XI”.While another added: “It’s 2025 and Jordan Henderson is starting for England”.Roy Keane leaves Ian Wright laughing after ITV pundit’s joke about Thomas Tuchel following England’s win over Latvia A third fumed: “That is horrific”.And a fourth joked: “Can someone tell me the formation we’re playing? I’m confused. Who is playing in defence?”There’s no place in the starting lineup for Ivan Toney, who Tuchel has recalled to the England setup despite his controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.While Bukayo Saka misses out on a place in the matchday squad entirely after struggling with an injury he suffered while with Arsenal.Saka is yet to feature under Tuchel after he withdrew from the German’s first camp with injury too.Speaking on Friday, Tuchel said of Saka: “He came into camp with a little bit of discomfort from the last match against Southampton, so we took care of him and treated him individually until today basically.“It was the first training session that he started and finished with the group. Yesterday, he started with the group but did not finish with the group, so let’s see.”I’m not sure if we take the risk for tomorrow’s game.Read More on The Sun”The decision has not been taken, but he will be available for the Senegal match, and he plays a major role in our thoughts how to build a competitive team.“I think just that he grew in his personality with every season that he played so consistently for his club, and the club grew with him and became so competitive.”Ivan Toney starts on the bench for EnglandCredit: PABukayo Saka is unavailable against Andorra through injuryCredit: Getty More

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    Frank Warren leads tributes as iconic boxing trainer James Cook dies just months after tragic cancer diagnosis aged 66

    FRANK WARREN has led the tributes to boxing trainer and former champion James Cook who has passed away at 66.Cook – who won the British and European super-middleweight titles during his career – was diagnosed with bladder cancer this year. Ex-boxing champion James Cook has passed away aged 66Credit: Rex FeaturesMBE Cook passed away after a short cancer battleCredit: Rex FeaturesAnd after a short battle, he has sadly passed away as boxing mourned the respected coach and former fighter. Promoter Warren posted: “Incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of James Cook MBE. “A true gentleman of our sport who achieved incredible things inside and outside of the ring. “The work he has done for youths in East London will live on forever and he will be hugely missed. READ MORE IN boxing “Our condolences to his family and loved ones for their sad loss RIP.”Eddie Hearn added: “Rest in peace a wonderful man and one of the most selfless you could ever find.” Cook turned professional in 1982 after a successful amateur career and fought British greats in Michael Watson and Herol Graham.He won the British and European titles in the space of a year and retired after losing to Cornelius Carr in 1994. Most read in BoxingCook later became a coach and was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to youth justice in Hackney.At Buckingham Palace he received the honour directly from Queen Elizabeth II. In later years, Cook joined Anthony Yarde’s camp before the light-heavyweight’s rematch win over Lyndon Arthur in 2021. Anthony Yarde with trainer CookCredit: queensberry promotions More