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      in Boxing

      Ukrainian boxer Denis Berinchyk wears full military uniform for ring walk on Tyson Fury vs Derek Chisora undercard

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      UKRAINIAN boxer Denys Berinchyk made a powerful statement by donning a full soldier’s outfit as he made his way to the ring.Berinchyk showed solidarity with his fellow Ukrainians fighting off a near year-long Russian invasion ahead of his clash with Yvan Mendy by coming out in military attire.
      Ukrainian Denys Berinchyk wore full military uniform for his ring walkCredit: BR
      The proud Ukrainian donned the attire to pay tribute to his countrymen fighting in the warCredit: GETTY
      A member of his team – which included Oleksandr Usyk – proudly donned the Ukrainian flagCredit: GETTY
      Berinchyk and Yvan Mendy went to war for 12 roundsCredit: Reuters
      His outfit included a helmet and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest – which had the flag of his homeland emblazoned across it.
      Boxing fans were quick to comment on the touching tribute, with one saying: “Now THAT’S a tribute.
      Another said: “Denys Berinchyk honours his home country.”
      And another said: “LEGEND.”
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      One remarked: “That’s tough AF.”
      Another chimed in: “Thousand dead and “250k wounded Ukrainians in 9 months.
      “I wouldn’t want to get in a ring with someone coming from that mess.
      “It makes every other conflict on earth look like child’s play.”
      Most read in Boxing
      Rising super-featherweight Royston Barney Smith kicked off the card with a stunning performance against Cruz Perez.

      Fury vs Chisora 3: Date, live stream and TV info for huge heavyweight bout
      The 18-year-old southpaw blew the veteran Nicaraguan out of the water in just over a minute to take his record to a perfect 4-0.
      Light-heavyweight prospect Karol Itauma was also in action on the card, scoring an eighth-round TKO victory over Vladimir Belujsky.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply) More

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      in Boxing

      Oleksandr Usyk ‘opens door to fight against Alexander Povetkin in a Ukraine vs Russia boxing battle’

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      OLEKSANDR USYK has reportedly opened the door to a Ukraine versus Russia boxing battle against Alexander Povetkin. The pound-for-pound star this year enlisted with the Kyiv Territorial Defence after Russia’s invasion.
      Oleksandr Usyk has reportedly opened the door to fighting Alexander PovetkinCredit: Reuters
      Russian Alexander Povetkin is retired from boxing
      But he left his homeland in the summer to train for his rematch with Anthony Joshua, 33, which he won on points in August.
      Usyk, 35, has since returned to his family in the war-torn country and shelved a unification bout with Tyson Fury, 34, after doing so.
      The heavyweight, who branded Vladimir Putin “very weak”, was quizzed on fighting Russians.
      In response, he told Polish site Interia: “What’s this for? I’ve beaten them so many times!”
      READ MORE in BOXING
      In his professional career, Usyk has only beaten two opponents from Russia but made a career out of it during his amateur reign.
      Povetkin, 43, retired from boxing in June 2021 after being knocked out in his rematch with Dillian Whyte, 34.
      Asked about a potential fight, Usyk said: “Well, I would have done that. I’d have no choice but to slap him hard.”
      Fury, 34, returns on December 3 in a trilogy bout against Derek Chisora, 38, who he beat one-sidedly in 2011 and 2014.
      Most read in Boxing
      But talks are already underway for the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt undisputed bout next year in Saudi Arabia.
      Usyk said: “We’ll have to come to terms with this. Sport is sport and business is business.
      “For me, boxing is just a sport, and for those who organize it, it’s big business. There are two boxers in the ring. Their job is to box.
      “Everything else is organizers, sponsors and many other factors to be considered.
      “As soon as we establish everything, we will come to an agreement, we will sign official documents – we will work.”
      Oleksandr Usyk, promoter Bob Arum and Tyson FuryCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Russia’s Churchill Pub where punters swill London Pride, eat fish & chips and will cheer on ENGLAND at World Cup

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      WITH St George’s flags hanging on walls, paintings of Winston Churchill, London Pride on tap, and fish & chips on the menu – you could be fooled into thinking you are in a classic British boozer.But then you remember you are in the middle of Moscow and you aren’t in a Wetherspoons, you are actually in Churchill’s Pub – one of the home’s of English football in Russia.
      The Russian Lions will be supporting England from their beloved Churchill’s Pub in Moscow
      An England banner flies behind the bar in Churchill’s
      Millwall fans enjoy a pint of London Pride and a plate of fish and chips at Churchill’s Pub
      The pub’s World Cup display – featuring a St George’s flag
      Maxim and some of the punters enjoy a pint
      Pictures from inside the pub show a loving crafted tribute to English football and British culture – with portraits of monarchs such as King George V.
      There are piles of football scarves, hanging footie strips and other memorabilia plastered around the pub – most of which is for the punters’ club of choice, Millwall.
      And in the middle of the front window is a giant St George’s flag hanging around a mannequin clad in a Churchillian suit and bowler hat next to a sign for London Pride.
      Next to the dummy is a World Cup – as the patrons this year have vowed to back England despite tensions over the Ukraine war between the UK and Russia.

      And while the punters told The Sun Online they currently can’t get London Pride in Russia due to sanctions, they have plenty of other beers on the menu.
      You can get hold of Hobgoblin, Bishops Finger, Ghost Ship, Theakstons and plenty of others – along with various variants of Scotch.
      It even has its own Churchill’s Draught Ale – complete with a pump that resembles the World War 2 leader’s hat and dickie bow.
      The food menu is also brimming with plenty of classic pub grub – with options for pies, burgers and of course fish & chips.
      Most read in Football
      Churchill’s Pub also has a traditional red phone box outside – and makes sure to show English matches on TV.
      And it of course will be showing the World Cup.
      Maxim Prokhoroenko, one of the pub’s regulars and the head of the Millwall Supporters Club in Russia, told The Sun Online about his love for Churchill’s Pub.
      “It has that unique English pub’s atmosphere. That’s why we chose it as a home for Russian Lions,” explained Maxim.
      But he bemoaned the absence of his favourite beer London Pride.
      “Russia is under sanctions now, so we can’t get it now, either we still have good choice of ales, lagers and spirits,” he told The Sun Online.
      Russian fans who gather at Churchill’s Pub are unashamed Anglophiles – and they will be cheering on England in Qatar.
      The war has made things tough for the Russian Lions – and they have called for peace, urging Putin to stop the “madness” in Ukraine.
      But all the troubles won’t stop them backing the Three Lions.
      He added however they don’t hang their flags or carry them outside anymore due to the politics.
      “We will support England. My strong opinion is that the sport is above the politics,” Maxim told The Sun Online.
      “The political situation between our countries is not good, but it’s just football.”
      The pub is the home of Millwall supporters in Russia
      Piles of football scarves at Churchill’s Pub – with Millwall at the topCredit: Maxim Prokhorenko
      Millwall legends are honoured at the pubCredit: Maxim Prokhorenko
      English ale Bishop’s Finger is also a favourite of the Russian Millwall fans
      The World Cup ready for the start of the tournament on Monday
      It has a portrait of Winston Churchill hanging inside
      The fans gather every week to watch their beloved Millwall
      The pub is bedecked with footie memorabilia, pictures of Churchill and flags
      He went on: “I have many friends in UK, we keep on chatting, they are sending me pictures and videos from The Den, I hope I will be able to come to London to see my Millwall again.”
      Maxim said he believes England “deserves” to win the 2022 World Cup after the Three Lions heartbreakingly missed out at Euro 2020 in a gut-wrenching penalty shootout against Italy.
      He and his pals will be adding their cheers and chants for England some 2,000 miles from Doha, 1,600 miles from the UK.
      Maxim said: “England every tournament has a very strong team, but every time after 1966 something is going wrong. I can’t explain this magic.”
      He joked that England should replace Gareth Southgate with a manager like bumbling fictional coach Mike Bassett and play “four, four, f***ing two”.
      However, despite vowing the cheer on England – he said he didn’t know who will win the World Cup.
      “I don’t want to be like Pele saying rubbish predictions every time,” Maxim told The Sun Online, but added he thinks Serbia could have a chance to pull off a shock.
      Russia will not be competing the World Cup this year despite being the host nation in 2018.
      FIFA kicked the side out after numerous nations vowed to refuse to play against the final stages of qualification due to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
      Read More on The Sun
      The war has seen Russia become an pariah state – with strained relations at the UK, US and other Western nations at breaking point sparking fears of World War 3.
      However, Maxim and his friends have vowed rise above it all in the name of a shared international love of the beautiful game. More

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      in Soccer

      Russia’s secret invasion of Qatar’s World Cup with big tech deals and sexy performers

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      RUSSIA has invaded the World Cup by clinching big business mega deals worth millions – and sending sexy performers to star in Qatar’s glitzy fan zone shows.Vladimir Putin’s bloodbath in Ukraine has earned his nation pariah status – including a total ban from football by Fifa.
      Russian singer and actress Maria Rutsoba will be performing in QatarCredit: Dan Charity
      Maria is one of around a thousand Russians believed to be in QatarCredit: Dan Charity
      But hosts Qatar have stuck to deals with Putin’s oligarch cronies cut before the war guaranteeing the Russian economy millions, despite economic sanctions.
      A Sun probe has revealed Russian phone and tech companies, caterers and VIP chauffeur services are all in use in Doha.
      A World Cup insider in Doha said: “There are already hundreds – if not thousands – of Russians working here on the World Cup.”
      It is not just bigwigs who are in Qatar.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP
      Singer and actress Maria Rubtsova, 24, is starring in a show on Doha’s corniche fan zone.
      Maria, from Moscow, is distraught though, thinking of her father Alexandr, 54, who is fighting in the Ukraine.
      She said: “I don’t support Putin and have no idea why he started this war – but my dad said it was his duty to fight and volunteered.”
      She added: “I can’t stop thinking about what my dad is going through and whether I’ll ever see him again.”
      Most read in The Sun
      Qatar’s World Cup Supreme Committee declined to comment on The Sun’s findings last night.
      Maria says she worries she may not see her dad again, who is part of Putin’s armyCredit: Dan Charity
      Vladimir Putin struck deals with Qatar which have been honouredCredit: Reuters More

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      in Boxing

      7ft boxing legend Nikolai Valuev, 49, rushed to hospital in Moscow after being drafted to fight for Putin in Ukraine

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      FORMER boxing World Champion and pro-Putin politician Nikolai Valuev has been mysteriously rushed to hospital weeks after he was drafted to fight in Ukraine.Russian state media reports that the 7-foot colossus, who once fought David Haye, was sped to a Moscow hospital on Thursday night.
      Former boxing world champion Nikolai Valuev has been hospitalised in RussiaCredit: Getty
      Valuev once fought Brit David Haye before turning to politicsCredit: Getty
      He is now an MP for the pro-Putin United Russia partyCredit: AFP
      Valuev announced he had received a draft notice in SeptemberCredit: Getty
      A picture of Valuev was shared online claiming that he was now wellCredit: Telegram
      Reports in the Russian magazine Life claim he was hospitalised after complaining about leg problems.
      However, his spokesperson has issued a bizarre denial, claiming: “No one broke his legs.”
      Valery Kuzenkov told the publication: “Nikolai Sergeevich jumps, dances. Yesterday he was in the State Duma until late.
      “No one broke his legs, and no one put him in the hospital. He is alive and well, smiling and walking on two legs. Now he is at home.”
      READ MORE ON RUSSIA
      Valuev has now given a cryptic statement thanking his fans for their concern, but not confirming or denying that he was hospitalised.
      “Thank you all for your concern and well wishes,” he wrote in his channel on the messaging app Telegram. “Everything is fine. We are working.”
      He also said that he was continuing to work, and would be commenting on upcoming boxing matches this weekend.
      “Tomorrow there will be fights on Channel One,” he said. “As usual, I will comment on what is happening in the ring. See you on the First.”
      It comes less than two months after Valuev was called up to fight in Ukraine.
      Most read in Boxing
      On September 29, he published photos on social media of a summons letter to report to his nearest draft office, and wrote: “If the Motherland calls, I will go.”
      But since then, he has given no indication of when he might go to Ukraine, and said he wouldn’t invite the media to go with him so they “did not do PR on this”.
      Valuev made his professional boxing debut in October 1993, retiring in 2010 after 52 fights.
      He won 50, including 34 by knockout, and became Russia’s first World Heavyweight Boxing Champion in 2005.
      Valuev held the WBA title between 2005 and 2007 and reclaimed it in 2009 shortly before hanging up his gloves for good.
      He was forced to retire in 2010 due to a benign brain tumour.
      Read More on The Sun
      After retiring in 2009, Valuev went into politics and joined the Russian parliament or Duma in 2011 as a member of the Putin-backing United Russia party.
      He is also a Bigfoot obsessive, who has spent many years trying to track down the elusive creature in the wilds of Siberia.
      Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine FundPICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
      Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund.
      Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
      Donate here to help The Sun’s fund
      Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
      £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10
      Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile
      The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis.
      In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world.
      For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund More

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      in Soccer

      Boy, 12, signs for Dundee Utd after fleeing war-torn Ukraine and not being able to play football for months

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      DUNDEE UNITED have signed a boy whose family had to flee from Ukraine after the country was invaded by Russia.Stanislav Drbych, 12, settled with his family in Monifieth, Scotland and his skills with the ball were quickly noticed by his school.
      Stanislav Drbych has been signed by Scottish side DundeeCredit: Twitter/@BBCSportScot
      He admitted he had forgotten how to play footballCredit: Twitter/@BBCSportScot
      “Before the war I didn’t worry that bombs could kill my friends.”Stanislav Drabych, a 12-year-old boy who fled the war in Ukraine with his family to Scotland, says signing for Dundee United is “like Christmas Day”.#BBCFootball— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 8, 2022

      His head teacher sent a message to Dundee about Stas, and the club responded by offering him a trial which he completed in September.
      After joining the club, the youngster revealed that he is very happy to be able to play football again.
      He told the BBC: “It’s like Christmas Day, I can play football again.
      “Before I moved from Ukraine, I didn’t play for three months. I forgot what football means and how to play football – now I’m happy.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      “If we stay in Scotland I’ll play for Dundee United – because they helped me I’ll help them to win the Scottish league.”
      Dundee’s head of player care, education and safeguarding, Niall Nicolson added: “We take player care very seriously at Dundee United and have done all we can to help Stas and his family.
      “His dad was also out of work initially, so we helped with transport to training and also used Google Translate on the phone to communicate.
      “Stas also got the chance, as other academy players do, to be the ball boy at a game. He loved the experience and we’ll do all we can to help him – and all players under our care – feel at home at Dundee United.”
      Most read in FOOTBALL
      Stas used to play for Lviv academy Rukh while he was in Ukraine, which was a residential school that also provided training.
      After fleeing Ukraine with his father, mother, and siblings, Stas admitted that he is still worried about his friends back in his home country.
      He said: “I’m scared. Before the war, the life was happy.
      “I wasn’t very worried about anything but now I’m worried about my friends, worried about shelling and worried they might be killed.” More

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      in Soccer

      Ukraine appeal for England opponents Iran to be KICKED OUT of World Cup for ‘supplying weapons to Russia’

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      UKRAINE have appealed for Fifa to ban Iran from the World Cup for allegedly supplying weapons to Russia. Iran are scheduled to be in Group B with England, Wales and United States – with their first match against the Three Lions three weeks today.
      Iran, managed by Carlos Queiroz, are at risk of being booted out of the World CupCredit: Getty
      However, Sky Sports state the executive committee of the Ukrainian FA want to see the country booted out of the tournament before a ball is kicked – and have sent a formal request to Fifa.
      The war-ravaged nation has already accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia to aid their illegal invasion of Ukraine.
      And now the national association are joining with Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin in demanding Iran’s elimination.
      There are also growing calls for Fifa to banish Iran from Qatar 2022 due to their oppressive regime and human rights record – which the Ukrainian FA state is a violation of Articles 3 and 4 of Fifa’s laws.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      Ukraine cited “systematic manifestations of human right violations in Iran and the “alleged involvement of Iran in the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” as part of their appeal to have the Middle Eastern national excluded from the World Cup.
      Should Iran be disqualified, Fifa would need to find a late replacement in Group B.
      Ukraine lost to Wales in their qualifying play-off for a place at the tournament and would be many people’s choice given the ongoing war, which has already led to Russia’s suspension.
      However, there is no precedent for this and the slot would more likely be filled by going back through the qualification steps.
      Most read in Football
      Iran topped AFC qualifying Group A ahead of South Korea in second – with both sides advancing to the tournament automatically and third-placed UAE going into a play-off.
      There, they lost to Australia who then beat Peru to secure their place.
      Fifa has a limit of two European nations per World Cup group so Ukraine would likely be overlooked meaning Iran or possibly Peru step in should Iran be booted out 21 days before they start their campaign.
      Former Iran captain Ali Karimi was the target of an attempted kidnapping in the UAE.
      The 127-cap hero went public with comments following the shocking arrest and death in custody three days later of Mahsa Amini, 22, in September for wearing her hijab incorrectly.
      As reported by The Times, that resulted in an arrest warrant, accusing Karimi of “collusion with the intention of acting against national security”.
      Mehdi Rostampour has detailed how an elaborate social media plan to capture the former Bayern Munich playmaker was devised.

      Wales beat Ukraine to secure their spot at Qatar 2022Credit: The Times More

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      Calls to kick Iran out of World Cup grow after sending military experts to help Russian troops in Ukraine

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      CALLS to kick Iran out of the World Cup are growing after it deployed military experts to Ukraine to help Russian troops.The strict Islamic state sent personnel to Crimea to assist with the deadly bombardment of Ukraine’s towns and cities with kamikaze drones.
      Calls to kick Iran out of the World Cup are growing after it deployed military experts to Ukraine to help Russian troopsCredit: AFP
      Iran sent personnel to Crimea to assist with the deadly bombardment of Ukraine’s towns and cities with kamikaze drones, aboveCredit: AP
      Protests are also raging after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, arrested for not wearing a headscarf correctly, died in custodyCredit: Newsflash
      The country is already under fire for killing more than 200 protesters including 23 children. They rose up over the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, arrested for not wearing a headscarf correctly.
      Campaigners also urged Fifa to act because of its ban on women attending football matches, imposed in 1979 by clerics who said that letting them watch men play in shorts “promotes promiscuity”.
      Iran are due to face England on November 21 but a petition urging Fifa to kick them out has more than 22,000 signatures.
      One campaigner said: “Iranians believe the team is not representing them but a regime which is hurting its own people and violating their rights.
      READ MORE ON IRAN
      “Fifa claims to ‘Strive to promote the protection of human rights’ — so start striving Fifa and protect us and our rights.
      “Many countries have been banned from the World Cup before for the violation of human rights.
      “It’s time the Iranian regime pays the price.”
      This week it emerged Iranian IT experts were deployed to Crimea to help Russia operate the Shahed-136 drones which have blitzed power plants and residential areas.
      Most read in Football
      The Iranian-made weapons destroyed almost a third of the country’s power stations and killed at least four people.
      White House national security spokesman John Kirby said: “We assess that Iranian military personnel were on the ground in Crimea and assisted Russia in these operations.
      “Tehran is now directly engaged on the ground, and through the provision of weapons that are impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The US will pursue all means to expose, deter and confront Iran’s provision of these munitions against the Ukrainian people.”
      The Iranian regime is facing its biggest threat since the 1979 revolution after weeks of violence since student Mahsa died.
      Read More on The Sun
      Fifa kicked Russia out of their World Cup semi-final play-off in February after Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
      Fifa has been contacted for comment. More