Sports
Wilder open to Joshua fight, says Finkel
The mega heavyweight boxing bout brewing between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder has lost some sizzle after the pair suffered a total of five losses since 2019.
The duo once had a stronghold on the sport’s glamour division by possessing all of the heavyweight titles between them.
In March 2019, streaming service DAZN offered Wilder $100 million for a three-fight package that would include two fights against Joshua. However, Wilder declined the deal with the streaming service, citing dishonesty.
Instead, Wilder chose to take on Tyson Fury, but suffered knockout losses in back-to-back fights. Joshua, meanwhile, has had back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, as well as a knockout defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr.
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Wilder and Joshua have to climb the ladder once again to position themselves back into the world title picture. One surefire way to get another shot at a championship fight is to first go toe-to-toe against each other to identify a bona fide contender.
Longtime Wilder manager, Shelly Finkel, is ready to reignite years long discussions to stage the fight. “If Joshua needs to take a break and take a fight as a comeback fight or if he feels the real redemption is with Deontay, we’re open to it, I’m not closed to it. I would never just walk away from it,” Finkel said.
“Joshua was gutsy to go right back into the fight, when he clearly lost the first one. But it really depends mentally on what Joshua feels he needs.”
The potential fight is gaining some traction in recent weeks, as Wilder and Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, have traded shots through the media.
But first, Wilder has business to take care of in the ring against Robert Helenius on October 15. “Right now, we have one fight on our mind, and nothing else, which is Helenius,” said Finkel. “Because, if he doesn’t do what he’s supposed to do with Helenius, the rest doesn’t matter.”
Guardian
Sports
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Manchester United enjoyed a dominant performance in the EFL Cup, securing their biggest victory under manager Erik ten Hag with a crushing win over League One side Barnsley.
United sailed into the last-16 of the competition, delivering an emphatic 7-0 win.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and veteran midfielder Christian Eriksen each scored twice, while Brazilian winger Antony converted a first-half penalty, contributing to the rout.
This win marked United’s most significant victory since their 9-0 demolition of Southampton in February 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions kept the stands empty.
For Ten Hag, this match was a milestone as it was the first time his team scored five or more goals since his appointment. Eriksen’s late brace further added to the celebratory mood, capping a night that the Dutch manager described as “perfect.”
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“For the team, this is the perfect night,” said Ten Hag. “We did everything we planned—winning to reach the next round, scoring some great goals, entertaining the fans, and working on our game model, so we are happy.”
Despite the vocal support from Barnsley’s traveling fans, Darrell Clarke’s side was thoroughly outmatched.
Their most notable moment came when Clarke himself showed a brilliant touch to control a ball that had gone out of play, earning applause from both sets of supporters.
United also handed a first start to their £50.5 million signing, Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan midfielder looked assured throughout the game, giving Ten Hag confidence that his team is nearing the complete squad he envisioned when he took over in 2022.
Despite the victory, Ten Hag remains grounded. “I wasn’t devastated after Liverpool, and I’m not celebrating now. We will see where we are in May because then we have to be good,” he said, emphasizing the long-term goals for the season.
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Sports
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
A 51-year-old Irish Liverpool fan tragically lost his life on Monday night while attempting to cross the A4 highway near Orio al Serio Airport in Bergamo, Italy.
Reports from multiple Italian media outlets indicate that the unnamed fan had just arrived in Italy from Manchester when he was struck by a vehicle.
Local authorities found the man’s body near the airport, with no sign of the two individuals who had accompanied him on the trip.
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According to the Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera, the deceased was a devoted Liverpool supporter and held a ticket for the highly anticipated Champions League match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the San Siro stadium.
The unfortunate incident occurred as he was trying to reach the NH Hotel, where he was set to stay before the big match.
Investigations are currently underway, and the tragic death of this Liverpool fan has cast a shadow over what was meant to be an exciting European adventure for supporters.
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
Sports
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Saudi Arabian outfit, Al Nassr on Tuesday sacked Luis Castro as coach of the club.
The Saudi Pro League club announced on Tuesday that Castro had been dismissed from his role following weeks of speculation over his future.
“Al Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the Club,” read a club statement, posted on X.
“Everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”
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Castro, 63, leaves Al Nassr seventh in the Saudi Pro League, three games into the new season.
Meanwhile, former AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is set to take charge of the Saudi club instead, with a deal “on the verge” of being agreed.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
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