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      in Boxing

      Josh Taylor buzzing for Manny Pacquiao clash after getting tattoo of beloved late dog PacMan

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      JOSH TAYLOR cannot stop th-INKING about his dream Manny Pacquiao fight – after having a touching tattoo tribute to his late dog ‘PacMan’.Scotland’s IBF and WBA super-lightweight king named his childhood Staffordshire Bull Terrier after his fellow southpaw and boxing idol.
      Josh Taylor, 30, was forced to say bye to his beloved dog last year
      The light-welterweight champ recently got his late pooch inked on his thigh
      And, when his beloved dog passed away last year, he had an inking of him etched on a thigh.
      Now, in a brilliant twist of fate, if he can become the undisputed 10st king by beating Jose Ramirez on Saturday night then a battle with a 42-year-old Filipino legend could become a reality.
      Ahead of his Las Vegas showdown, Taylor spoke of his sadness at losing his dog and why he named him after one of his heroes, known as PacMan.
      He said: “He was my wee best pal so to lose him the way we did was gutting so I had the tattoo done.
      “People say ‘dogs are man’s best friend’ I think that is definitely true.
      “What I really loved doing when I was home was taking the dog out for long walks.
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      “We would do miles and miles, sometimes five hours of just walking and chilling out together.
      “Manny is a hero of mine so when we named the dog it came about naturally, I could never have dreamed back then of fighting him but I would still love to now, 100 per cent.
      “As soon as that bell rang it would be down to business, even though he is an idol of mine and he isn’t as young as he used to be, he is still a dangerous top-level fighter so I would have to be ruthless.”
      Modest Taylor crept quietly on to the respected Ring magazine’s list of top-ten best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet after his 17th pro win last year.
      Victory over the 26-0 WBC and WBO American champ Ramirez will catapult him even higher.
      The Scot is yet to lose a professional boutCredit: The Sun

      The Scot said: “It is good but I am not bothered about being touted as the greatest this or that. I am not bothered about being recognised.
      “But I do see it as a little sense of achievement that a little guy from Prestonpans can force his way into that list.
      “I try not to but I do sometimes look at those lists and think ‘wow’ just because of how far I have come in a short space of time.
      “One day when I am safely retired I can say ‘Jesus Christ, I was one of the top-ten best fighters on the planet’.
      “But right now I’m just in the zone, I’m going to become the undisputed super-lightweight champion and then I’m going to go up in weight and win a world title there.”
      Tyson Fury takes barrage of body shots from world champ Josh Taylor as he prepares for Anthony Joshua More

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      in Soccer

      Spurs star Dele Alli spotted snogging Man City manager Pep Guardiola’s daughter

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      DELE ALLI has been spotted snogging the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.The Spurs and England midfielder — who has not scored in the Premier League all season — cosied up with Maria, 20, at a rooftop bar.
      Dele Alli was spotted snogging Maria Guardiola
      Maria and Dele enjoyed a cosy night together at a rooftop bar in London
      The Spurs star recently became single after splitting with his long-term girlfriendCredit: Getty
      Dele, 25, was closely marking her as dozens of other drinkers looked on in London.
      Fittingly for a player who has spent most of the season as a sub, he made his move on Maria as they sat together on a bench.
      It appeared that he had put his bitter split from model Ruby Mae, 23, behind him.
      He leaned in for a smooch after he and Maria chatted for hours at the capital’s trendy Cloud 9 bar.
      Dele, in a white T-shirt and green baseball cap over his newly dreadlocked hair, hugged and kissed Maria, who was wearing a white hoodie.
      It is understood that Dele first met Maria last month.
      An onlooker told The Sun: “Dele and Maria didn’t seem to have a care in the world.
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      Maria, 20, is the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
      It’s understood Dele first met Maria last monthCredit: Getty
      “They didn’t mind who saw them as they smooched in front of the DJ booth.
      “It was packed with hundreds of revellers watching on. All the tables had been booked and were completely full.
      “Strangers were wandering past and Dele and Maria didn’t blink an eye.
      “They were in a group together and it was very cosy. They looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.”
      Dele and Maria’s public smooch came last Sunday — a day after Tottenham’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Leeds United.
      It was very cosy. Dele and Maria looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.
      Maria’s Spanish dad’s Man City side had also suffered a defeat a day earlier against Chelsea — but went on to be declared this season’s Premier League champions.
      A friend told The Sun: “Dele looked smitten and finally over being dumped by his long-term lover Ruby Mae.
      “Dele and Maria are young, free and single. Who knows where it will go from here?”
      Maria has become something of a style icon thanks to her impressive online following
      The student is the eldest of Pep’s three children with Cristine Serra
      Pep and his children have repeatedly posed together at his end-of-season trophy celebrationsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Maria has told pals about the rooftop encounter with Dele but says they are “just friends”.
      The Sun told how Ruby ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of his behaviour — including spending hours playing online game Fortnite.
      She has shared repeated public posts with her followers alluding to her joy at finally being free from the footballer.
      Dele has struggled for form this season — prompting speculation that he could be sold to a rival team, possibly Manchester City.
      Meanwhile student Maria, who lives in London, has won an army of online fans. She is a Spanish style icon with snaps of her jetset lifestyle shared on social media.
      She is the eldest of Pep’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra.
      The couple met in a shop and dated for 20 years before marrying in 2014 in Matadepera — after their children were born.
      Model Ruby Mae ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of him spending so much time on FortniteCredit: Getty

      Maria is close to her brother Marius, 18, and sister Valentina, 13, and the family have repeatedly posed together publicly at Pep’s end-of-season trophy celebrations.
      The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has proudly beamed in front of cameras with his arm around Maria.
      Last night, a spokesman for Dele declined to comment.
      Dele Alli has split from model girlfriend Ruby Mae ‘because he spent too long playing Fortnite’ More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury quits booze for good after admitting drinking up to 12 pints a DAY

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      TYSON Fury has gone teetotal as he bids to keep his mental health demons at bay.The boxing champ, 32 — who confessed to drinking 12 pints a day — has vowed to family and friends he will stay off booze.
      Boxer Tyson Fury has gone teetotal in a bid to keep his mental health demons at bayCredit: Getty
      Champ Tyson confessed to drinking 12 pints a day but has vowed to family and friends he will stay off boozeCredit: Xposure
      “Gypsy King” Fury has spoken openly about his drink, drugs, and mental health issues in the past.
      He was spotted this week with his boxer half-brother Tommy, 22, relaxing by a pool in Miami — with Fury sipping from a bottle of alcohol-free lager.
      A source said: “Tyson has kicked the booze on the head for good.
      “It is not because of the boxing, because he can always get in shape for fights and obviously doesn’t drink during training camps.
      “Tyson is doing this for himself and his family — especially his wife Paris.
      “And he reckons it is the best way to be a great dad and stay in shape physically and mentally.”
      Undefeated heavyweight Fury said in March he was drinking up to a dozen beers a day and had quit training as he was fed up with fights collapsing.
      The 6ft 9in star said: “I have stopped training at the moment, I am on holiday.
      “I am drinking between eight, ten, 12 pints of lager a day.”
      Sources said he could have been joking in a bid to speed up big-fight negotiations.
      And he is set to fight Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia, in August, in a unification bout worth up to £100million each.
      ‘Gypsy King’ Fury has spoken openly about his drink, drugs, and mental health issues in the pastCredit: Getty
      A source said: ‘Tyson has kicked the booze on the head for good’Credit: Getty

      Paris, 31, is pregnant with the couple’s sixth child.
      She sparked fears by posing without her wedding ring on Instagram.
      But our source insisted: “They are rock-solid.”
      Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua likely to start at 9pm UK time More

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      in Soccer

      Brendan Rodgers says Leicester are the ‘people’s club’ in FA Cup final against Big Six money-grabbers Chelsea

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      BRENDAN RODGERS claims Leicester have the backing of every neutral in the land for Saturday’s FA Cup final with Chelsea.The Foxes boss believes he is in charge of the ‘people’s club’, as the Foxes aim to lift the trophy for the first time in their 137-year history.
      Rodgers feels neutral fans will be cheering his side on to lift the FA CupCredit: PA
      Leicester are looking to lift the FA Cup for the first time in their historyCredit: Getty
      Chelsea are members of the Big Six whose failed money-grabbing Super League project last month saw more supporters turn on the plotters.
      Rodgers, whose club also won the nation’s hearts and captured the imagination worldwide with their 2015-16 Prem title triumph, said: “We would love to continue growing and be the people’s club.
      “We want to be the club other supporters around the country look at and hope that their club can ‘do a Leicester.’
      “People will look at Chelsea versus Leicester and they will see us as the underdog and, in most walks of life, everyone likes to see the underdog to do well.
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      “It has been pretty clear with the talk around the Super League and Super Clubs and how they have been defined.
      “The story here since winning the title has been one that has gone round the world. What we have tried to do here is build our own map and make the club sustainable.
      “I sense there is a lot of good will for a club like us challenging the elite of the game. We are the pioneers for the clubs outside the top six, as such.”
      Leicester are playing in their first FA Cup final since 1969, having lost all four of their previous finals.
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      Chelsea beat Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finalsCredit: PA
      Claudio Ranieri was manager when they lifted the Prem title five years ago and Rodgers has taken them back into the top four of the Prem again this season.
      And he believes the whole city is riding high.
      Rodgers, 48, added: “I’m looking at Leicester as a city this year and you’ve got the Leicester Riders basketball team who are in the play-offs and have won their first play-off game.
      “Then you’ve got Mark Selby winning the World Snooker Championship and he’s a Leicester boy.
      “We’ve also got the Leicester City women’s team who have got promoted to the first level.
      “Hopefully we can match all of their achievements at Wembley and go on to achieve something special for the city as well.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Take a look at the key numbers ahead Chelsea v Leicester’s FA Cup final More

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      in Soccer

      Footballer Charlie Austin’s wife snubs Wag lifestyle to become children’s nurse

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      FOOTIE star Charlie Austin’s wife is snubbing the Wag lifestyle by training to become a children’s nurse.Bianca, 31, has been offered a University of West London place.
      Charlie Austin’s wife is snubbing the Wag lifestyle by training to become a children’s nurseCredit: Social Media refer to Source
      Striker Charlie, 31, on loan at QPR from West Brom, tweeted a heart and “Well done Mrs”.
      Bianca tweeted: “Working my absolute ass off all year, struggling to work whilst home schooling and studying from home has finally paid off!
      “Offer officially accepted — UWL — Paediatric Nursing.”

      She will start her course in September.
      Bianca spoke four years ago about the “extremely traumatic” loss of their unborn baby Tayton-Grace in 2010 after she suffered brain damage in the womb.
      They have since had two other children.
      21-year-old student fulfils her dream of becoming a nurse as strangers raise nearly 40k after her plea went viral More

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      in Soccer

      Southampton want Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan transfer with midfielder failing to earn Chelsea chance in Fulham spell

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      RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK has emerged as a loan target for Southampton this summer.Saints were keen on the England midfielder a year ago but lost out when Fulham borrowed him from Chelsea.
      Fulham loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek is fancied by Premier League rivals Southampton for another temporary spell away from ChelseaCredit: PA
      Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has remained a big admirer of Ruben Loftus-Cheek despite the midfielder’s modest season for relegated FulhamCredit: Getty
      Loftus-Cheek, 25, has struggled for form with the Cottagers, scoring just once and registering no assists as Scott Parker’s side were relegated.
      Yet Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl remains a fan and is confident he can bring the best out of RLC should he land him in the close season.
      The Austrian even namechecked Loftus-Cheek ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Fulham when discussing the talent at Parker’s disposal.
      Just last month Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel had seemingly offered Loftus-Cheek hope of a long-term future at Stamford Bridge – with a glowing tribute.
      And he even compared the ten-cap star to all-time great Germany hero Michael Ballack.
      Tuchel said of RLC: “I was quite a fan of him when he was younger.
      “He reminded me of Michael Ballack. There were links with him moving to Germany. We are well aware of his talent.
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      “I don’t know why things have not worked out as he wished but now he is doing good.
      “I cannot judge him from TV and hearsay. I love to work with players then to give my opinion.”
      But as well as big-money Blues’ buys, fellow academy products like Mason Mount, 22, and 19-year-old Billy Gilmour are now well ahead of Loftus-Cheek in a congested battle for midfield spots.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel to be given massive £150M transfer war chest More

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      in Soccer

      Casey Stoney shocked the WSL by quitting Man Utd but she is a top boss and has a HUGE future ahead

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      CASEY STONEY’S decision to quit Manchester United at the end of the season came as a shock to me.She has done an incredible job during her three seasons with the club, leading them to promotion into the WSL from the Championship and then consecutive fourth-place finishes.
      Stoney announced her shock departure earlier this weekCredit: Getty
      Scott and Stoney were team-mates at international level but often rivals at club levelCredit: Getty
      But she deemed it a “personal failure” when the Red Devils missed out by a point on a spot in Europe for the first time in the club’s history this term.
      Stoney, 39, has done a remarkable job considering Man Utd only reformed their women’s side in 2018 after a 13-year hiatus.
      She had just ten days to create a whole squad and recruit her backroom staff when she took over.
      The former England and Arsenal icon resigned from the top job following frustration over a lack of resources and the budget for the women’s side.
      Time and time again we saw her fighting for more in the battle for women’s football to be treated fairly.
      Stoney was also left gutted when her side’s first ever game at Old Trafford was not broadcast on television or even the club’s own MUTV channel.
      She said: “We’ve missed a massive opportunity. We’re so short-sighted in the women’s game.”
      I said this before but I feel like in the women’s game you’re always expected to feel grateful for everything.
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      Stoney and Scott lined up alongside one another for EnglandCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Stoney is expected to embark on a new managerial challenge in the USCredit: Reuters
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      I’ve felt it at times, that you should just be grateful because everyone’s going out of their way to go above and beyond for you.
      Everyone is hailing the women’s top flight for how far it has come, which it has.
      But there are still leaps and bounds to be made and often Stoney was a lone voice in the fight for change.
      She called out the cancellation of the Women’s FA Cup while the men played on amid the coronavirus crisis.
      And she also spoke out about the closure of girls’ academies while the boys continued to train.
      I’m proud that she stood up for the darker side of women’s football that still needs to be worked on.
      Stoney has now been linked with USA women’s team San Diego.
      She bids farewell to the United dugout as her side take on Leicester City in the FA Cup fifth round tomorrow in her final game in charge.
      And I know my old team-mate has got a HUGE future ahead.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      WSL champs Chelsea sign PSV Eindhoven star Aniek Nouwen More

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      in Soccer

      Gary Lineker admits he fears crying live on BBC TV if Leicester beat Chelsea to win first FA Cup

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      THE last time Leicester City played in the FA Cup final, an eight-year-old Gary Lineker sobbed on the train journey home.This time, Lineker has warned the millions who will watch him host Saturday’s live BBC coverage, that he is likely to break down in tears again — but only if Leicester beat Chelsea to lift the trophy for the first time.
      Gary Lineker will be emotionally drained after Saturday’s FA Cup final, whether or not his beloved Leicester beat ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The best Gary Lineker achieved in the FA Cup as a player with Leicester was reaching the semi-finals in 1982, losing 2-0 to TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Gary Lineker lifted the FA Cup once in his career, when Spurs beat Nottingham Forest in the 1991 finalCredit: Rex Features
      Back in 1969, weeks before man first landed on the moon, Lineker travelled to Wembley with dad Barry and grandad Harold to see their beloved Foxes lose 1-0 to Manchester City — in what was the club’s fourth FA Cup final defeat.
      Lineker has since reached the semi-final with Leicester, the final with Everton, and finally lifted the Cup with Tottenham.
      Peter Shilton, who conceded Neil Young’s winner 52 years ago, would become a team-mate of Lineker on England’s run to the 1990 World Cup semi-final.
      But the life-long Leicester fan insists that he will be more nervous today than for any of those matches he experienced as a player.
      Lineker said: “I don’t normally get nervous when I broadcast and I didn’t get nervous as a player but I do get nervous when I watch — and definitely will for this final.
      “It will be really hard after the game because they come to me straight after the final whistle. I’ll either have to hide my incredible disappointment at us losing a fifth final — which I shall do — but the most difficult thing will be if we win.
      “I’ll struggle to hold it together and hold back the tears.
      “In my old age, I’ve gone a bit soft and I get emotional at times, as I did when Leicester won the league in 2016 — although I wasn’t broadcasting live that night. I just hope I do have that problem.
      Foxes’ frontman Jamie Vardy and manager Brendan Rodgers celebrate reaching this year’s final with a 1-0 win over SouthamptonCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
      Kelechi Iheanacho slots home to put Leicester in the final for the fifth timeCredit: AFP
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      “In 1969, I went with my dad and grandad, on the train. I don’t think I’d ever been on a train to London. That in itself was an excitement.
      “Leicester had one or two chances and I remember the goal past Shilton, who was my hero.
      “My most vivid memory was  crying on the train home and I didn’t think we’d have to wait 52 years to get back there.”
      Three of Lineker’s four sons — Harry, Angus and Tobias — will be at Wembley roaring on the Foxes today, although he insists it would have been “unfair” to get a ticket for his eldest, the Manchester United-supporting George.
      Lineker has experienced the full range of Cup experiences — losing to non-league Harlow Town with Leicester in 1980 and winning the trophy with Spurs against Nottingham Forest in 1991.
      As one of the many high-profile figures who voiced opposition to the breakaway European Super League, he insists the Cup is the “epitome” of English football’s pyramid system, which was threatened last month.
      Lineker said: “When the news broke about the ESL plan, I thought it was a preposterous idea.
      “I thought it couldn’t happen, then I thought, ‘Could it?’
      Gary Lineker and Everton were squeezed out by Liverpool in the 1986 final, losing 3-1 despite the England hitman putting the Toffees in frontCredit: Empics
      Harlow celebrate their shock FA Cup third-round replay win over Gary Lineker and Co in 1980, one of Leicester’s lowest pointsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Gary Lineker was brought down by Forest keeper Mark Crossley in the FA Cup final but missed the resulting penalty, Spurs still winning 2-1Credit: PA
      “It felt like a rush job, that they hadn’t thought it through — and for once the small people won over the big men, the billionaires. Everybody from journalists, TV pundits to fans universally loathed the idea and united to defeat it.
      “The Cup is the epitome of the pyramid system, it goes way beyond the Football League, starting with the preliminary rounds in August.
      “And there’s always a possibility of small clubs playing the biggest teams, which would never have  happened under that ESL plan.
      “Clubs like Leicester can’t compete with Liverpool, United, City and Chelsea financially but they have proved what’s possible.
      “We all know those supposed Big Six clubs are unlikely to ever get relegated but it has happened in the past and we get different teams being successful over time — in fact, you can make a case for Leicester being one of the Big Six now, in sporting terms not financially.
      “I think there will be a lot of  neutral support for Leicester because they weren’t one of the clubs  threatening to break away — just as there was when they won the league, which was the miracle everyone wanted.”
      Lineker is adamant he would rather see Leicester win the Cup than qualify for the Champions League — as another crucial match with Chelsea looms on Tuesday in the Premier League.
      The midfield energy of ex-Leicester title-winning hero N’Golo Kante worries Gary Lineker for the FA Cup final with ChelseaCredit: PA
      Centre-back Jonny Evans being fit enough to play would be a huge boost for the Foxes, according to club legend Gary LinekerCredit: Getty
      He said: “If you gave me a choice, definitely the FA Cup over the Champions League.
      “It’s a trophy and the chances of us actually winning the Champions League are so remote for a relatively small club.
      “Financially the league game is bigger but any fan will tell you we want the FA Cup. If we’d won it before we might weigh it up differently.
      “It’s a massive week for Brendan Rodgers and the club. We’re the only team who’ve been in the top four all season and it would be too much to see us drop out on the final day.”
      Lineker expects a tight, even final — although he worries about Chelsea’s former Fox N’Golo Kante.
      He added: “He’s an extraordinary footballer, he is bloody everywhere. Why can’t he have a day off out of respect to his old club?”
      Lineker is enjoying his team’s  “old-fashioned front two” of Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho. But he fears the “occasional high-line madness” in   Leicester’s defending, hoping that experienced centre-back Jonny Evans will be fit for the final.
      And Lineker is glowing about manager Rodgers’ achievements.
      He said: “Brendan took over when Claude Puel’s football had been dull.
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      “It felt a good appointment and, from day one, he made sure the experienced players were on board — he is canny, calm, tactically astute, a very good coach who has fostered a real togetherness.
      “People rightly talk about Liverpool’s injuries but pretty much every Leicester player has been out for a spell this season, so to achieve what they have is incredible.
      “If we finish in the Europa League and don’t win the FA Cup the  disappointment will be massive but even then it still wouldn’t be a dreadful season — just a dreadful end to a very good one.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea boss Tuchel says Kovacic will return for FA Cup final against Leicester More