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DANIEL DUBOIS must be distraught that his boxing brothers added insult to his eye injury by branding him a quitter. When Dubois dropped down on one knee, allowing the ref to count him out, he not only lost his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles to Joe Joyce, but the respect of many fellow pros. Carl […] More
ANTHONY JOSHUA is happy going Bak-u to the future and boxing in front of 1000 hushed fans instead of 90,000 beer-soaked revellers.
AJ landed gold at the home 2012 Olympics – following low-profile tournaments in Baku, Azerbaijan and Hungary – which catapulted him into sold-out arena and stadium shows around the world.
Triple-belt world champ Anthony Joshua will make a drastic step down from huge to humble when it comes to crowd size at Wembley on December 12Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Anthony Joshua fought in front of limited audiences as an amateur, such as in Baku nine years against Azerbaijan’s Magomedrasul Medzhidov Credit: Reuters
Covid-19 floored an April homecoming defence against Kubrat Pulev and an £8million gate but the new Wembley Arena bout on December 12 will now let a few lucky fans in.
And the 31-year-old reckons the drastic change in scenery and atmosphere might be a nice switch from the rowdy festival feel he has generated all over the country.
“The last time I would have fought in front of a small crowd, I think it was Hungary in 2012. It was quite decent, you know. It is not bad. The pressure is off, you can get in your rhythm.
“And I think I need that sometimes – I am under a lot of pressure. I am physically good but mentally you have to stay strong.
“This year has been good to unload a lot of pressure and fighting in front of 1000 fans is not so bad. You have to take it as a positive and control what you can control.
“A thousand fans are allowed in and I can’t add to it or take from it.
“I am going to take it as a positive and say I am going to go in there and perform with no pressure and showcase the styles I have merged together, which is sticking and moving and aggression and knockout power.
“When else would anyone get to watch a heavyweight world title fight with just 1000 people in the room?”
Laughing over the Zoom call, he added: “It will be intimate and you won’t have to worry about your missus getting a pint of beer chucked over her head or 15 guys nearby getting into a fight.”
Britain’s world heavyweight king Anthony Joshua says he will turn having just a small crowd to his advantage, taking the pressure offCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Joshua also revealed he will accept a massive pay cut to get a showdown with Tyson Fury in the UK in 2021.
Both AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn and Fury’s matchmaker Frank Warren have admitted the best financial offers will come from the Middle East, America and China.
AJ, 31, reclaimed his titles from Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia last year, after the controversial nation stumped up around a £100m site fee and Fury has wrestled there with WWE.
The financial terms on a two-fight deal to battle the Gypsy King was agreed by the Watford hero back in March and he insists he will take another hit in the wallet to reward UK fans.
“Yeah, why not?” he said. “Now I’m fighting Kubrat Pulev for a massive pay cut.
“We have to keep the sport alive, Matchroom are taking pay cuts this year, we have to keep the sport alive.
“We are all doing our part at the minute, It’s all experience. We are doing it now so I wouldn’t mind doing it again.
“It’s not harming me, and it’s for a bigger cause as well, it’s a massive cause and a big fight but the main objective is how do we get Fury in the ring.”
Bob Arum says that Tyson Fury will fight Deontay Wilder next year if Anthony Joshua loses to Kubrat Pulev More
CAOIMHIN KELLEHER was the 30-goal-a-season striker tipped to become the next big thing in Irish football.
Instead, Jurgen Klopp may have the next Manuel Neuer on his hands after the rookie goalkeeper became an instant Champions League sensation.
Kelleher was terrific on his Liverpool debut in the 1-0 win over AjaxCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The 22-year-old made his debut in the 1-0 Anfield win over Ajax, coming in as a replacement for injured Liverpool No 1 Alisson.
And his first manager Eddie Harrington has insisted: “He’s the biggest thing to happen to Cork since Roy Keane.”
Harrington coached Kelleher for nine years as a striker at Ringmahon Rangers in the Irish city — he left for the Kop outfit aged 16.
Two years before his departure he was still his team’s star centre- forward and seemingly going places.
But Ringmahon’s Under-14 keeper quit and Kelleher’s dad Ray suggested his son could fill in.
They took a chance and a rise to stardom had begun — yet his success is no surprise to Harrington.
He said: “Almost from the first moment, we all realised Caoimhin was a complete natural in goal.
“When his dad suggested he go in goal I was against it, he’d get us 20, 30 goals a season no problem.
Roy Keane was born in Cork and became a world star at Man UtdCredit: Getty – Contributor
Klopp embraces Kelleher following his clean sheetCredit: PA:Press Association
“So I was loathe to give him a try and actually, in his first game, we lost 1–0 and he got chipped.
“But after that he just got better and better — and now look at him.”
Kelleher, who made just four domestic cup appearances last season, has now graced club football’s biggest stage.
It is hard to believe he conceded SEVEN for Liverpool U23s against Manchester City only on Saturday.
But that does not matter a bit to Harrington, who added: “We always stay in touch. I am expecting a text from him any time now.
“Everybody at Ringmahon is so proud of what he’s achieved — once he settled in goal we always believed he was destined for great things.”
Ringmahon coach Rob O’Leary admits he was gobsmacked when Harrington stuck his star frontman between the sticks.
He said: “Up front he was pure class and we all thought he’d make it as a pro.
When his dad suggested he go in goal I was against it, he’d get us 20, 30 goals a season
Eddie Harrington
“So when he went in goal I was saying, ‘What in the name of God is he going in goal for?’
“But I remember I went to see one of his games and, Jesus Christ, he was even better in goal than he was outfield.”
Now ambitious Kelleher has set German superstar Neuer as his benchmark.
And after his stunning display against Ajax on Tuesday, Kelleher said: “I’m over the moon. I’m working hard every day in training, preparing myself.
“I’m always thinking if a chance does come, I’ll have to be ready for it.
“That’s why I work every day and, thankfully, all that work did pay off.
“I like Manuel Neuer, the way he plays football.
“He is good with his feet, the same as me because I was outfield. I like coming off my line. I think you have to now. It’s become a part of the goalkeeper’s game.”
Indeed, boss Klopp revealed he was happy to take a gamble on Kelleher as opposed to veteran No 2 Adrian, 33, against Ajax: “We needed his natural football playing ability.
“And because he’s a really good shot-stopper as well, we made that decision. They are all calm in the moment when they get the information but there’s a difference to be that on the pitch.”
Kelleher’s demeanour was that of a hardened pro. No surprise, again, to Harrington who said: “He’s still got a baby face, calm and innocent.
“But there’s steel inside even if he may come across as being quiet.”
Kelleher is not the only sportsman in his family. Brother Fiacre plays centre-half for National League side Wrexham and another sibling, Tim, is a scratch golfer, while third brother Olan was atop hurling junior.
Yet it was the striker–turned-keeper who was truly destined for stardom.
He spent time at Blackburn and Aston Villa and, long before he forged his way into the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side, he might even have followed Keane from Cork to Old Trafford.
Not only were Manchester United interested, but also Arsenal.
Harrington added: “Once Liverpool came in that was it — decision made for him. And one day he’ll be No 1 at Anfield — I’m sure of it.”
Referee Anderson Daronco works out pumping iron for bigger muscles More
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY was one of the most lethal finishers this country has ever seen.
Now he is developing English goalscoring talent.
Noni Madueke followed in fellow Londoner Jadon Sancho’s footsteps and left England for the continent as a teenagerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ruud van Nistelrooy is back at his former club PSV Eindhoven coaching the Under-19sCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The former Manchester United striker works as PSV Eindhoven’s Under-19s coach and has been teaching teenager Noni Madueke his secret to scoring goals.
Inspired by Jadon Sancho at Dortmund, London-born Madueke ditched Tottenham for Holland in 2018 and it is paying off.
The 18-year-old was renowned for eye-catching goals at Spurs but learning from Van Nistelrooy has honed his finishing. The gamble seems to have paid off.
Madueke told SunSport: “Ruud helped me a lot last year, taking my game to the next level and now I am just trying to get better every day.
“I have always scored nice goals but I know I needed to score easier ones — being in the right place at the right time — striker-type finishes.
“Ruud has been teaching me how to get into those positions more and, being a Manchester United fan, I know he is the master of that.”
It is already making a difference as whizkid Madueke has four league goals and three assists from only three starts in ten Eredivisie appearances.
He also spearheaded a Europa League comeback with a goal and an assist in PSV’s 3-2 win against PAOK last week and is in line to feature at Granada tonight.
Born in Barnet, north London, Madueke got picked up by Spurs age 12 and within three years was U16s captain and featuring for the U18s.
But with Sancho beginning to flourish at Dortmund, Madueke saw another route into first team football which appealed to him.
He turned down an extension at Spurs plus United offer and packed his bags, aged just 16.
He added: “Jadon left to go to Dortmund and started making waves, literally within a year after joining as a 17-year-old.
“It was an inspiration, I started to think — there are other routes I can take.
“Not just the ready-made common route going from U18s, then to the U23s, then maybe a loan, then getting into the first team at Premier League clubs.
“I thought to myself, ‘I do not have to take that route’ and obviously it has played out well for me.
“Tottenham produce players but there are a lot of players who are very talented who get lost in that pathway.
“PSV and Ajax are known to give youngsters a chance and are top European clubs. It just made sense for me.”
As well as working with Van Nistelrooy, PSV summer signing and 2014 World Cup-winning goalscorer Mario Gotze has also been having an impact on him.
Madueke added: “Mario is a top player and top players rub off on other good players. He has been great with me since signing.
“Him being around, training with us and playing with us is definitely going to improve me.”
Madueke has starred regularly for England’s youth teams, notably netting four in only six games for the U18s But he is also eligible for Nigeria through his parents.
Nigeria have proved successful in prizing talent away from the Three Lions in the past with Joe Aribo and Alex Iwobi opting to play for the African nation.
And Madueke is open to swapping, he said: “I am only 18 so I have got to be open to everything. If I had a closed mindset I would not be where I am now so for sure I am open to both.
“We just have to see in the future what is best.”
Van Nistelrooy was a clinical finisher and is passing on his bags of wisdom to the next generationCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Madueke is also learning off World Cup-winning goalscorer Mario Gotze at PSVCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Borussia Dortmund legend Mario Gotze joins PSV on free transfer as World Cup winner signs two-year contract More
MIKEL ARTETA says that Arsenal’s miserable form this season has been like “a stab to the chest”.
The Premier League’s youngest boss is under growing pressure to stop the Emirates rot after his team slipped to 14th place in the table.
Emirates boss Mikel Arteta says it’s agonising to see Arsenal’s results and performances so dire, with leaders Spurs next up in the PremCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
And he admits that recent results have come as a shock to the system ahead of Sunday’s crunch North London derby away to top-of-the=table Spurs.
“When you lose three games in a row at home like we have done it’s like having a stab in your chest,” Arteta admitted.
“It’s not acceptable and we have to change it and not look for any excuses because I hate to do that.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
“I am really worried with the results and with the margins that we are losing games by.
“Sometimes it’s down to a lack of confidence in certain moments but we also need to concede that we’ve probably not hit our standards or scored the goals we need to win matches more consistently.”
But Arteta, 39, warns impatient fans that there will be no quick fix the mounting problems following the team’s worst ever start to a Premier League season.
Almost a year after taking over from Unai Emery, he says: “I expected us to be a bit higher up the table than we are, but this is our reality and we have to face up to that challenge.
“Even when we were winning trophies earlier in the year, we were still a long, long way from what I wanted.
“But now we’re losing and obviously we are even further away and I’m sorry but it’s going to take time.
“With the love that I have for this club, the dream is to build a project, but it is not something you can achieve in one month or three months.
It’s unfair that striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has ‘80% of the responsibility’ for scoring Arsenal’s goals, manager Mikel Arteta saysCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“We have spent a lot of energy and made some massive decisions. A lot of changes had to be made to overhaul the club while trying to remain competitive and all the while going through the pandemic.
“It’s painful for everyone to lose games but the mood within the club remains very strong.
“It’s easy when things are going well and everybody wants to be on the TV and on the back pages celebrating.
“But unfortunately at the moment we’re not that good and we’ll see who responds to this difficult period and who doesn’t.”
Arsenal have scored just ten Premier League goals all season and top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not netted from open play since the first game of the season.
But Arteta insists: “To put almost 80 per cent of the scoring responsibility on one man is not fair.
“The way the goals have been shared at this club has been quite limited and that’s an issue that has been happening for years.
“We haven’t had any goals from midfield and that’s something that has to be addressed but it’s very difficult to change the qualities and characteristics of the players.
“But if you lose those margins you start to lose points and you become further from the top. It’s not rocket science.”
With qualification for the next stage of the Europa League already assured, Arteta is likely to rest his senior players tonight ahead of Sunday’s crucial game.
Yet he is hoping that the return of 2,000 fans for tonight’s home game against Rapid Vienna will prove a turning point for the team.
He said: “I’ve really missed the supporters. The good moments we have had over the past nine months would have been even more special if they were there with us.
“They would have generated a connection with the team and we haven’t had an opportunity to do that.
“So I can see only positives having them back in the stadium and I expect them to be very supportive because no team has stability and wins trophies when the fans go against them.”
Jose Mourinho says that Harry Kane an injury doubt for Tottenham clash against Arsenal More
FOOTBALL fans will pack out football stadiums by the end of the season even if the vaccine programme hasn’t been fully rolled out.
Government insiders are confident of giving the all clear to packed terraces once the most vulnerable and elderly have been vaccinated against coronavirus.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Football fans will be back in stadiums by the end of the season even without a Covid vaccineCredit: Getty – Contributor
A Whitehall source told The Sun that fans will be allowed back after the initial vaccination phase, as long as hospital admissions and deaths fall.
That could mean fans back in for the last few months of the season – with fans staggered back into grounds before then.
The insider said: “It would hope to have a few more fans back in stadiums in the new year, so that people see fans back in the stands and that it is safe.
“But when the figures show hospitalisations and deaths are down, fans will be back in pretty quick, even if not everyone has been vaccinated.” It comes as Lords – the home of Cricket – wrote to members last week telling them they expect July Test matches to be full houses.
The Sun understands the Premier League is ready to hold pilot events with around 10,000 fans attending, to test technology, equipment and social distancing measures.
But Ministers are so far holding off from increasing the current limits of 4,000 fans in Tier 1 and 2,000 in Tier 2 areas.
West Ham’s clash against Manchester United on Saturday at the London Stadium will be the first to hold fans since the start of the pandemic.
Last week, the Premier League said it welcomed the return of fans but was hopeful of getting more supporters on to terraces as soon as possible.
In a statement they said: “Fans have been greatly missed at Premier League matches and therefore we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding the return of supporters for the first time since March, albeit at small numbers.
“Our ambition remains to work with the Government to increase attendance to more substantial levels.”
Football fans give their opinions on supporting their teams from the terraces again as they speak to Sun Sport outside the Emirates stadium
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More
DEAN SMITH blasted those who call Jack Grealish a diver — saying: Focus on his talent instead.
The Aston Villa captain was called a ‘cheat’ by a member of the West Ham staff during the 2-1 loss on Monday.
Dean Smith defended Jack Grealish after he was criticised for going down too easily against West HamCredit: Rex Features
🗣️ “He was having a go at Jack calling him a diver and cheat”Dean Smith and David Moyes react to some touchline antics after incidents involving Jack Grealish on #MNF pic.twitter.com/fbuuWu4Ma4
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 1, 2020
England’s new star Grealish has been fouled 40 times this season — the highest in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old has played 810 minutes — being the subject of a foul every 20 minutes.
And last season, the Villa ace topped the charts with a whopping 167 fouls against him in 36 league games.
Some on social media have highlighted the exaggerated way he goes down.
But Smith reckons he is being unfairly treated.
The Villa boss said: “If referees are giving fouls, the reputation is unfair.
“Does he go down easily? You tell me some of the top forwards who don’t go down easy.
“He was again fouled a number of times against West Ham.”
Grealish was blasted by opposition staff, players and fans for his fall on MondayCredit: Sky Sports
Ollie Watkins missed his fourth penalty in six attempts in the defeat in East LondonCredit: AP:Associated Press
Villa’s £33million striker Ollie Watkins saw his penalty crash against the crossbar — the fourth time the former Brentford star has failed to score in six attempts.
Asked if he would consider changing his spot-kick taker, Smith said: “We will have a chat about it.”
The Villa boss said there will be a conversation about who takes the next spot kickCredit: PA:Press Association
Shaun Custis says it’s not over the top to compare Jack Grealish to Gazza More
ANTHONY JOSHUA says he will fight Tyson Fury to lift the spirits of a sports-mad nation after lockdown.
The two British world heavyweight champions have agreed to meet in a 2021 blockbuster after years of anticipation.
Anthony Joshua says he will fight Tyson Fury to lift the spirits of the nationCredit: Getty
It promises to be the biggest fight in the nation’s boxing history.
Joshua first defends his WBA, IBF and WBO belts against Kubrat Pulev at Wembley on December 12.
Then he will switch focus on trying to secure a date to face the Gypsy King.
On the potential unification showdown, AJ said: “Yes, the Fury fight is the one everyone wants and it will happen, 100 per cent.
“It will be huge for the nation.
“I am a risk taker, I have always taken risks and never dodged fights with anyone.
“I want to be remembered as a fighter who gave the fans what they want.
“But I don’t just want to be part of a great event — I want to win another great fight.
“Everyone has been through some tough s**t this year with the virus.
People have been suffering with their health and financially.
“So it will lift every boxing fan, every sports fan, when this fight happens.”
Tyson Fury is the WBC heavyweight champion of the worldCredit: Rex Features
Tyson Fury believes Anthony Joshua took his defeat to Ruiz with class and respect More
