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      in Boxing

      Boxing’s new super-cruiserweight division is ‘sensible’ move that will allow mouthwatering fights like Usyk vs Wilder

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      BECAUSE Tyson Fury and the rest of today’s leading heavyweights are built the size of articulated trucks, boxing is about to create a new weight class.
      The idea is that it’s going to be above the cruiserweight 14st 4lb limit and the fighters who will be involved won’t be allowed to be heavier than 16st.

      Wilder could be one of the superstars set to compete in this new divisionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      With 17 weight divisions already, you would think the Noble Art needs another as about as much as Manchester needs a goodwill visit from Boris Johnson.
      But talks between WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman and British Boxing Board of Control chairman Charlie Giles are at an advanced stage.
      It is a sensible move and will protect men like Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk — who clashes with Derek Chisora tomorrow week in London — from being at an unacceptable weight disadvantage.
      Usyk, the unbeaten former undisputed world cruiserweight champion ran out of opposition, which forced him to move up among the big boys.

      Yet when he had his first heavyweight fight a year ago he was 15st 5lb, which means he will probably be at least three stone lighter than Chisora next week.
      Tony Bellew, the former world cruiserweight champ knocked out by Usyk in his last fight, has been asked by the WBC to be an ambassador for the plan.
      Bellew said: “I’m very enthusiastic about this because it will allow the small heavyweights and big cruiserweights to have a level playing field.
      “Speaking from experience Usyk is technically the best in the heavyweight division. He’s a genius.

      “But the one thing that will hold him back is sheer size. He will not be able to beat the real big boys for that reason.
      “Heavyweights are getting bigger and bigger. Look at Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. They are huge. The new division is inevitable and the need for it is going to get more apparent.”
      Glenn McCrory, Britain’s first world cruiserweight champion, is 100 per cent behind Bellew. He said: “When I lost my cruiserweight title I moved up to heavyweight and fought Lennox Lewis.
      “He was only a couple of stone heavier but he was throwing me around like I was a rag doll. Imagine what it would be like facing someone three or four stone heavier.”

      Fans may be surprised to learn last century’s legendary world champions would never be considered heavyweights in this era of Goliaths.
      This what they weighed when they won the title. Jack Johnson (13st 4lb), Jack Dempsey (13st 5lb), Joe Louis (14st 1lb) and Rocky Marciano a mere 13st 2lb.
      Can you imagine matching Marciano — 11 inches shorter and six stone lighter — with Fury? He’d be arrested under the Trades Description Act.
      The only negative argument I’ve heard is a new super-cruiserweight division will be unfashionable and therefore unattractive to the TV companies’ networks.
      But if it was launched with a Usyk-Deontay Wilder — an under 16st man — world championship battle, I doubt if that would be too difficult to sell.

      Watch Tyson Fury star in short film on addiction called You’re Not My Best Friend to mark World Mental Health Day More

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      in Soccer

      Solskjaer sick of Mason Greenwood’s attitude with Man Utd striker late for training TWICE before recent axe

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      MASON GREENWOOD has left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fuming after twice turning up late for training.
      The Manchester United manager had already warned him about his conduct following his expulsion from the England squad last month.

      Mason Greenwood needs to buck his ideas up if he is to get in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s good booksCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the teenage star has now been axed from the last two United squads for the 4-1 win at Newcastle and midweek triumph over PSG.
      Solskjaer has also grown sick of the striker’s general attitude so far this season.
      His performance level has dropped significantly too not least in the 6-1 drubbing by Tottenham in United’s last home game at Old Trafford.

      Solskjaer claimed ahead of the PSG game that it was not a disciplinary issue and that he was out the squad because he had a ‘niggle’.

      The manager, however, refused to say what that ‘niggle’ was or when he got it.
      Greenwood, 19, was also pictured swerving between posts during full training before the team flew out to Paris.
      He now has some work to do to get back into Solskjaer’s good books.
      It is unlikely he will start in the weekend’s home game against Chelsea given that United have produced two impressive performances without him.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been left unimpressed with Greenwood’s timekeepingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It was the start of last month that Greenwood was expelled from the England camp after his debut against Iceland.
      He and Phil Foden invited two girls back to the team hotel after the game in Reykjavik breaking strict team and Covid protocols.
      Southgate was understood to be furious and left both players out of the Three Lions squads the three most recent internationals.
      Solskjaer tried to defend Greenwood at the time claiming that the player had needed a physical and mental rest and should not have been called up for international duty.

      Mason Greenwood says, ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ to play for Man Utd More

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      in Soccer

      Solskjaer sick of Greenwood’s attitude with Man Utd starlet late for training TWICE before recent axe

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      MASON GREENWOOD has infuriated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after twice turning up late for training.
      The Manchester United manager had already warned him about his conduct following his expulsion from the England squad last month.

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      Mason Greenwood needs to buck his ideas up if he is to get in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s good booksCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the teenage star has now been axed from the last two United squads for the 4-1 win at Newcastle and midweek triumph over PSG.
      Solskjaer has also grown sick of the striker’s general attitude so far this season.
      His performance level has dropped significantly too not least in the 6-1 drubbing by Tottenham in United’s last home game at Old Trafford.

      Solskjaer claimed ahead of the PSG game that it was not a disciplinary issue and that he was out the squad because he had a ‘niggle’.

      The manager, however, refused to say what that ‘niggle’ was or when he got it.
      Greenwood, 19, was also pictured swerving between posts during full training before the team flew out to Paris.
      He now has some work to do to get back into Solskjaer’s good books.
      It is unlikely he will start in the weekend’s home game against Chelsea given that United have produced two impressive performances without him.

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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been left unimpressed with Greenwood’s timekeepingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It was the start of last month that Greenwood was expelled from the England camp after his debut against Iceland.
      He and Phil Foden invited two girls back to the team hotel after the game in Reykjavik breaking strict team and Covid protocols.
      Southgate was understood to be furious and left both players out of the Three Lions squads the three most recent internationals.
      Solskjaer tried to defend Greenwood at the time claiming that the player had needed a physical and mental rest and should not have been called up for international duty.

      Mason Greenwood says, ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ to play for Man Utd More

    • 238 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Jorginho moonlighting as Thiago Silva’s English teacher in bid to KO Chelsea’s defensive woes with ‘man on’ and ‘drop’

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      JORGINHO has taken on extra work as Thiago Silva’s English teacher to help the Brazilian superstar settle in at Chelsea.
      Brazil-born Italian Jorginho also acts as unofficial translator in the dressing room — and it is helping the team iron out defensive woes.

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      Jorginho is acting as the unofficial translator in a multi-cultural Chelsea dressing room Credit: EPA

      Thiago, 36, was signed on a free in the summer from Paris Saint-Germain and is seen as a key figure in the back line even though his knowledge of English is minimal.
      Midfielder Jorginho, 28, said: “When he has some questions or some doubts he asks me and I try to help him if I can, because my English is not that great.
      “I have taught him ‘man on’, ‘turn’ or if he is on the other side ‘switch play’. Things that you need on the pitch. ‘Man on’, ‘drop’ or ‘up’.
      “We try to help each other. That’s what you do on and off the pitch.

      “He is happy here. He is a big personality, a big player with lots of experience.
      “He is helping all of us as a group, the younger players, everyone.
      “He finds a way to communicate, whether it is with his hands or he speaks to me and I give the information to the other guys.  We find a way.”
      Chelsea boss Frank ­Lampard revealed this week he communicates with Portuguese-speaker Thiago via an interpreter but that the pair already have a solid working relationship.

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      Thiago Silva was brought in to help patch up Chelsea’s awkward defenceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He will have to be managed carefully due to his age but he played a huge role in Tuesday’s stalemate in the Champions League against Sevilla. It was the first goalless draw of Lampard’s 64-game reign.
      Chelsea go to Manchester United on Saturday to avenge a 4-0 pummeling in Lamps’ first Premier League match as manager.
      Jorginho said: “We are trying to be a solid team, not conceding so many goals. We need to work on that but it is difficult.
      “Goals and small details can make the difference at the end.
      “We have to work on other things to get better but we are on the right way I think.
      “We must focus on defending inside the box, how to press and don’t switch off on set-plays.

      “These details make a big difference. We need to be aware all the time. We are trying to do that.
      “Thiago helped a lot, talking a lot. Defensively he has massive experience and he knows about football tactically so he is helping all of us so much.
      “He has played at a high level for a long time. I think it is easy to see he is a great player on the pitch.”

      Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says that Thiago Silva will be a great player after West Brom horror show More

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      in Soccer

      Bruno Fernandes looks a natural leader as he passes Man Utd captaincy test with flying colours in Maguire’s absence

      by

      BRUNO FERNANDES looked surprised when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer announced he would captain Manchester United in Paris.
      Yet it would not be a shock to see the Portuguese take the Red Devils armband on a more permanent basis going forward.

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      Bruno Fernandes, as he has done since he joined United, stepped up once again when it matteredCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Leadership is something that comes naturally to the £67million midfielder – even though he is only 26.
      Back in February 2019, he took over as skipper of Sporting Lisbon from ex-United winger Nani and kept it for the final year of his stay.
      And he showed in the French capital he could take on the responsibility – either for good or at least for the foreseeable future while Harry Maguire focuses on clearing his name.

      The England defender – who was absent on Tuesday night due to a hamstring injury – has looked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders this season.

      The £80 million man has a Greek jail sentence hanging over his head and knows if that is not overturned then the United captaincy is not all he would lose.
      His horror show against Tottenham and then that red card for the Three Lions against Denmark were proof how hard he is finding it at the moment.
      At least Solskjaer knows he has the ideal man to stand in if he does need to take Maguire out of the spotlight at any stage.
      To think that not long ago Paul Pogba had hopes of taking over as skipper at United – the record signing is not even getting in the starting line-up right now.

      Fernandes has been a talisman ever since he first set foot in Old Trafford at the end of January.
      His influence has been clear right from the off and he has not been afraid to tell team-mates when they need a word in their ear.
      He also has high standards and despite a quiet start to the season, he has started to look much more like his old self in the last two games.
      And his unflappable temperament was evident here too.

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      Bruno Fernandes has become irreplaceable for UnitedCredit: EPA
      It would have been easy for him to pass on the responsibility after seeing Keylor Navas save his penalty – on the back of his miss at Newcastle on Saturday.
      But he was ice cool when the ref ordered it to be retaken – scoring for the 11th time from 12 spot-kicks.
      It is that sort of character that makes him an obvious choice as a future United captain. The only question is when.

      Bruno Fernandes is honoured to be made captain of Man Utd for Champions League match More

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      in Soccer

      Liverpool star Wijnaldum slams ‘stupid’ Pickford and ‘over the top’ Everton in astonishing attack after Van Dijk injury

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      GINI WIJNALDUM has launched an astonishing attack on Everton and branded Jordan Pickford ‘stupid’.
      The furious Liverpool midfielder could not hide his anger with the news that team-mate Virgil van Dijk could miss the rest of the season after his collision with keeper Pickford in Saturday’s 2-2 draw.

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      Jordan Pickford has been heavily criticised for his flying challenge on Virgi van Dijk Credit: PA:Press Association

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      Gini Wijnaldum did not mince his words when he spoke about Pickford’s tackleCredit: Rex Features

      Wijnaldum, preparing for tonight’s Champions League opener at Ajax, also accused Everton of taking things ‘way too far’ during their hotly-contested clashes.
      The Dutchman said: “We are still devastated about Virgil. The way it happened is really hard for us and I think everyone really had a bad feeling about it.
      “After Saturday, none of the players slept. It was hard to take. Of course we are upset.
      “The way Pickford went in on the challenge was, in my opinion, completely stupid.

      “I believe he did not want to injure Virgil, but he did not care about what happened after the tackle.
      “I think we have had this in a lot of games against Everton, in my opinion.
      “They take it way too far in the games we play against them.
      “We know it is a derby and everyone wants to win that derby. Sometimes you go a little bit over the top but this was too much.”

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      Van Dijk could be out for the rest of the season according to some reportsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Everton were also reduced to 10 men at the end after Richarlison’s challenge on Thiago Alcantara, who will also miss tonight’s clash  with a knee injury.
      Wijnaldum added: “It was not just Pickford’s mistake.
      “We talk about the tackle from Richarlison on Thiago, which was also a nasty one.
      “You can be unlucky with tackles and injuries but what they were doing was completely unacceptable.

      “It makes it harder that they have not all got punished. Pickford does not get punished after people have seen the videos.”
      The former PSV star admits Liverpool will miss Van Dijk, while fellow central midfielder Joel Matip is also crocked.
      Wijnaldum added: “I think everyone can see what kind of impact Virgil has made since he came to the club. He is such a leader.”

      Sam Allardyce feels Jordan Pickford should’ve been sent off in Everton v Liverpool match More

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      in Soccer

      Arrogance of ‘Big Six’ beggars belief as Man Utd and Liverpool push for European Premier League

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       FIRST they proposed Project Big Picture, now they are contemplating a revamped European Premier League.
      But amid the land-grab of opportunism from the Premier League giants there lies a huge opportunity for football after the carnage caused by Covid.

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      The fact Americans, such as the Glazers at Man Utd, are behind the power-play explains why the Big Six want a new European Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association

      The arrogance and cultural ignorance of the Big Six beggars belief but the fact that American owners are behind the power-plays perhaps explains it.
      From the Glazers at Manchester United to Liverpool’s John Henry and Arsenal’s owner Stan Kroenke, they all share a certain attitude towards sport.
      Robert Kraft, one of the most successful sports owners in American history with the NFL team New England Patriots and MLS side New England Revolution, was once asked: “Would you buy a Premier League side?”
      His response couldn’t have been clearer: “I would never buy a team where relegation forms part of the arrangement.”

      American ownership, driven by capitalism and financial meritocracy, is about monopolies and runs against the very nature of a unique pyramid that spawned the Premier League.
      With respect to greater business brains than mine and more financially successful individuals than I… they just don’t get it.
      Over the past few years I’ve  wittered on and on about my ‘Netflix of Football’ idea.
      Football could deliver its own content to a worldwide audience of easily 100million people at a tenner a month. That would create income of £12billion a year rather than £8.1bn every three years.

      What the Americans don’t get is that it doesn’t have to be a monopoly.
      It should involve all clubs, with every game in English football being broadcast.
      Look at Netflix’s market cap of £230bn. Then think what football could be worth.
      Netflix doesn’t simply house its own content, it carries that of others as well to increase its opportunity.
      At a tenner a month there is no price resistance, little churn and they get huge subscriber numbers.
      ‘Football a televisual powerhouse’
      Despite football being decimated by Covid-19, the level of viewership on TV is phenomenal.
      Talking heads like me get listening figures of more than one million  on a radio show because football engages and enthuses people.
      While certain epidemiologists are saying Covid could be a three-to-five year problem, football will be a televisual powerhouse.
      Real smart moves aren’t p***- balling around with power-grabs in the Premier League. It should be building media platforms to house the future of sport.

      TPG, one of the world’s biggest private equity firms, bid £375million for 20 per cent of the rights of the Football League.
      They did this because they know that a sports media play that takes £50m out of the EFL’s annual £250m revenue can be leveraged via a flotation into a business worth in excess of  £1BILLION.
      Football’s opportunity is huge despite being an industry potentially challenged for years to come on revenue generation via spectator absences.
      While the sport may try to sue the Government for the havoc being reeked on it, perhaps it should focus on lobbying it to build models that will sustain the game beyond its wildest dreams.
      Listen to Simon Jordan and Jim White on talkSPORT at 10am Monday to Thursday.

      Shaun Custis wants VAR to be scrapped, after yet more controversy in the Premier League More

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      in Soccer

      Joe Gomez can fill Virgil van Dijk’s role at Liverpool… but Jurgen Klopp must adapt to more defensive style

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      FIRST and foremost, any club on the planet would miss the presence of Virgil van Dijk in their back line.
      The one thing which sets Van Dijk – who could miss the rest of the season after knee surgery – apart from the rest and makes him one of the best in the world is that he can do both roles.

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      Joe Gomez can be the man to plug the hole left by Virgil van Dijk after his horror injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He can be dominant on the front foot or the sweeper. That in itself is a special skill and trait to have.
      But when alongside either Joe Gomez, Joel Matip or Fabinho he has predominantly been the centre half who has stepped up out of defence and maintained the high line which has allowed Liverpool to carry out their press.
      Now without him, the problem Jurgen Klopp will have is that he now has centre halves who have all become used to sweeping up and will now have to step up.
      Whoever he decides to pair, one will now not be able to carry out their usual role, as if they both drop back there will be a massive gap between the defence and midfield during the press.

      With Van Dijk’s style of play and leadership he makes sure that does not happen.
      So, they are not just losing one of the best centre backs in the world, they are losing a key cog in their style of play which will inevitably affect the dynamics of the way they play.
      And we have already seen when a key piece of the machine is taken away – like Mane against Aston Villa – the whole team is unbalanced and not in tandem with each other.
      In order to supplement that fact we may see Liverpool now use Gomez in that role because he is quick and has the ability to carry out recovery runs.

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      Van Dijk needs knee surgery after this lunge by Jordan PickfordCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He is the most like-for-like swap as the other two in Matip and Fabinho don’t quite have that pace to recover.
      But another way around it is Klopp may opt for a deeper defensive midfielder in their 4-3-3.
      So when they are in possession of the ball they are more or less like a back three which stops teams from exploiting that gap between the two lines on the break.
      Having that player in there will also keep Liverpool’s ability to turn defence into attack so quickly – which Van Dijk has been vital in with his range of passing.

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      Jurgen Klopp may have to mix up Liverpool’s style to make up for no Van DijkCredit: Reuters

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      How Liverpool have fared with and without Van Dijk
      They now have a player who can do that perfectly in Thiago.
      He is able to offload that pressure on the centre backs to ping balls across by taking the ball off them and doing it himself.
      Liverpool will score enough goals but now it is about which players take on the mantra to step up and do his jobs.
      It will be a problem for the foreseeable future but Ajax are the perfect first test.
      They are a team who love to get in those spaces between the defence and midfield so it will be a big challenge for Liverpool in those grey areas.

      Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s hammering at Aston Villa is a result that ‘should not happen’ More