In a black-walled gym tucked away in a quiet corner of Las Vegas, Mike Tyson looks on approvingly as the unmistakable sound of violent, powerful punches fills the air.

Thirty-seven years after rewriting boxing’s record books by becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20, Tyson is plotting another ambush.

The 57-year-old has been hired to help train mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou ahead of the Cameroonian fighter’s money-spinning heavyweight boxing showdown with Britain’s Tyson Fury taking place in Saudi Arabia on October 28.

In the eyes of bookmakers at least, the odds are stacked against Ngannou, who will climb into the ring against the undefeated Fury next month having never boxed professionally. Ladbrokes have installed Fury as a 1/10 favorite; Ngannou a 6/1 underdog.

Yet as the 6ft 4in (1.93m), 264lb (120kg) Ngannou unleashes an array of punches on his heavily padded trainer, Dewey Cooper, the mood is anything but pessimistic.

Occasionally, Tyson, standing to one side, will intervene to correct a movement or suggest a subtle tweak. Ngannou, a long-time fan of the American boxing icon, relishes each suggestion.

“He comes from time to time to lend a hand, to give his expertise,” Ngannou told a group of reporters during a workout.

“I had specifically asked for him to train me four years ago, long before this fight was announced, the first time I met him.

“He has something inspiring, something motivating. If I could ever have just a tiny piece of what he has, boxing would be very easy for me.”

Ngannou, 37, has taken a long and unconventional road to his boxing debut.

He first took up boxing in his 20s in his native Cameroon, later moving to Paris hoping to forge a professional career.

But he would ultimately end up in the rough and tumble world of mixed martial arts, eventually becoming the UFC’s heavyweight champion and one of the circuit’s biggest stars, winning 17 of his 20 fights including 12 by knockout.

‘Nervous? He should be’

Whether Ngannou’s skills in the octagon will translate to the boxing ring remains to be seen. Tyson, however, says he has been impressed by what he has seen during Ngannou’s training camp.

“We’re in a good position over here,” the softly-spoken Tyson tells reporters.

“He’s very dedicated, he put forth the effort and I think people will be pretty much more surprised than they anticipated.

“This is the biggest fight in boxing right now, in all sports. In fact, there’s no doubt about it. It’ll be the biggest upset in the history of entertainment. I think I bring him confidence this could be accomplished.”

Should Fury feel nervous? “I don’t know if he’s nervous or not,” Tyson said. “But he should be.”

The size of the task facing Ngannou however is undeniably gargantuan.

At 6ft 9in, the skillful Fury (33-0-1, 24 knockouts) will take a sizeable height and reach advantage into the ring against Ngannou, where no titles will be at stake.

The British self-styled “Gypsy King” has repeatedly demonstrated his near-superhuman capacity to absorb punches as well as his ruthless instinct for dispatching opponents.

Those in Ngannou’s camp however are adamant that the Cameroonian has a puncher’s chance.

Carlos Takam, the 42-year-old Cameroon-born heavyweight who has been training alongside Ngannou in Nevada, says all bets will be off when the bell sounds for the first round in Riyadh.

“Anything can happen in the heavyweight division,” said Takam, who upset France’s 2016 Olympic superheavyweight champion Tony Yoka in March this year.

“We’re talking about behemoths who can hit you with the full force of 120 kilos,” said Takam. “When that happens, you fall, and you don’t get up, even if you’re stronger. Don’t be surprised if something happens during this fight.”

Source: AFP

Unbeaten since the start of his professional career, Tyson Fury will face Cameroonian Francis Ngannou in the ring on October 28. Ngannou believes that the Briton’s glove strategy is illegal.

With just one month to go before the unprecedented showdown between undefeated boxing champion Tyson Fury and former MMA heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, commentary is running high. Specialists give their predictions, and fans get in each other’s faces on social networks. The two fighters, who are in the home stretch of their preparations, are not to be outdone. Through the media, they don’t hesitate to take jabs at each other.

“Wilder and Chisora complained about Fury’s gloves”.

In mid-week, Tyson Fury, whose atypical physique for a top-level sportsman makes Ngannou fans hilarious, announced that his opponent’s muscles were no asset when it came to his moves. And this weekend, it’s the MMA champion’s turn to attack his future opponent. For the Cameroonian, the British boxer was using an illegal strategy with his gloves. “He’s very cunning with his gloves. I think he’s cheating. I’ve heard a lot of complaints about his gloves, that they have no protection. Even when he fought Deontay Wilder, he complained about that. Derek Chisora complained about it too,” says Francis Ngannou.

“All gloves must be checked”.

Cyril Gane’s MMA faller is putting the pressure on the organizing committee to carry out a thorough check. “We’re going to make it and we need all the gloves to be checked. The commission must check. All gloves need to be checked. If you want us to fight barehanded, let’s do it, but don’t give me 10-ounce gloves, while he’s wearing 8- or 6-ounce gloves because he has no protection.”

Source: Sports News Africa

Neymar has surpassed Pele as Brazil’s male all-time top scorer with two goals in a 5-1 win over Bolivia.

The forward, 31, who went into the World Cup qualifying match tied with legend Pele on 77 goals, missed a penalty before scoring twice in the second half on his 125th appearance.

“I never imagined reaching this record. I’m no better than Pele or any other player for the national team,” he said.

Marta has scored a record 122 goals in 189 matches for Brazil’s women’s team.

Pele, who died in December aged 82, scored 77 goals in 92 appearances between 1957 and 1971. He was widely regarded to be one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game.

His official account on social media platform X paid tribute to Neymar’s achievement.

“Congratulations Neymar for surpassing the King in goals for Brazil. Surely Pele is applauding you today!” it said.

Brazil coach Fernando Diniz said: “He came to do what he did: have fun, score two goals and break the record.”

Neymar became the world’s most expensive player when he joined Paris St-Germain from Barcelona for £200m in 2017.

He left the French side in the summer to join Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal.

“He is a very big idol, people must recognise him and accept him,” Diniz added.

Source: BBC

Second-half goals from Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala gave Nigeria a stunning 3-2 win over Australia at the Women’s World Cup on Thursday to leave the co-hosts in danger of an early exit.

In front of 49,156 screaming and chanting Australian fans in Brisbane, the Matildas missed a golden chance to reach the last 16 and instead now face a must-win final group game against Canada.

Nigeria top Group B and play Ireland, who are out of contention for the knockout stages, in their last group match.

After the two teams went into the break locked at 1-1 thanks to two stoppage-time goals, Ohale put Nigeria in front in the 65th minute when she headed home after Australian keeper Mackenzie Arnold could only parry a shot into her path.

Oshoala, who came on as a replacement after half-time, then took advantage of a mix-up between Arnold and defender Alanna Kennedy to get between them and fire home from an acute angle.

Australia got one back through Kennedy in the 10th minute of stoppage time but the Nigerians held on for a famous victory.

A Nigeria win seemed highly improbable after a first period which Australia dominated.

The Matildas spent much of the first half in complete control, although they struggled to break down the Nigerian defence.

Nigeria frustrated Olympic champions Canada in their opening 0-0 draw and did the same to the Matildas, who lacked the penetration that an injured Sam Kerr would have given them.

Australia finally got a reward for their dominance in the first minute of stoppage time when a poor goal kick from Nigerian keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was picked off and Caitlin Foord’s low cross was met by Emily van Egmond, who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

But any hopes of taking a 1-0 lead into the break were dashed in the last play of the half, Rasheedat Ajibade cutting inside and shooting for goal, with the ball deflecting into the path of Uchenna Kanu, who beat Arnold’s despairing dive.

The second half was more even but Australia were unable to break through and once Nigeria took a two-goal lead the home side never looked like coming back, despite the 11 minutes of stoppage time and Kennedy’s late goal.

Culled from AFP with additional reporting by Ewang Miriam Metchane

Cameroonian-French professional mixed martial artist Francis Zavier Ngannou is back on social media trends.

The 36-year-old is trending after teaming up with Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid.

Francis Ngannou and Real Madrid

 On the third day of Real Madrid’s training in Los Angeles, Francis Ngannou was there. 

When the team was on the UCLA campus, the mixed martial artist stopped by and posed for pictures with some of the athletes.

Among the Real Madrid stars to pose with Ngannou are Brazil star Vinicius Junior, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Éder Militão.

Ngannou and Mbappe

Ngannou teamed up with the Real Madrid stars after meeting France football captain Kylian Mbappe in Cameroon.

In Yaoundé, the two men shared a meal together, and the PSG striker captured the occasion with a photo that was later shared in an Instagram story. 

The MMA star and the Parisian striker appear to be savoring ndolé, a regional dish in Cameroon.

Ngannou and Fury

Ngannou takes on British WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a mega-crossover fight.

On October 28, the fight will take place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has signed a contract through the 2025 season with Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer team announced on Saturday.

The 36-year-old striker, who sparked Argentina to a World Cup title last year in Qatar, is set to be unveiled by the team in a Sunday ceremony and expected to join Inter Miami on the pitch by Friday.

“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” Messi said in a statement.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s arrival in Miami from Paris Saint-Germain has already caused a sensation and is expected to spark greater interest in the game and MLS across the United States.

It’s also hoped the long-time Barcelona talisman can revive the fortunes of a Miami squad at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference at 5-13 with three drawn.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project,” Messi said. “The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.”

Messi’s debut match is planned for Friday when Inter Miami will host Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, a revamped competition between MLS and Mexican league squads.

It’s the biggest boost for MLS since English star David Beckham, now a co-owner of Inter Miami, joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. He launched the MLS Miami squad in 2020 after years of trying to find a stadium site.

“Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city, players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much,” Beckham said in a statement.

“Today that dream came true.

“I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club… The next phase of our adventure starts here and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch.”

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino has managed Messi in two separate prior stints –- with FC Barcelona in the 2013-14 campaign, winning the 2013 Spanish SuperCup, and from 2014-2016 with the Argentine national team.

Maestro Messi captained the Albiceleste to victory at the 2021 Copa America as well as the Qatar World Cup and has records of 103 goals and 175 appearances for Argentina.

“We’re overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami and Major League Soccer,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said.

“His decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our league and our sport in North America.”

Messi is set for a glitzy arrival ceremony on Sunday at “The Unveil” with 18,000 expected to watch his first public event with his new club, followed by his first training session on Tuesday.

“We made a promise to build an ambitious club that would attract the world’s elite players,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said.

“A heartfelt thank you to our fans that never stopped believing. Together we will continue to turn dreams into reality.”

With iconic Messi expected to be joined by Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, the hope is Inter Miami can rise from a doormat to a champion.

“Lionel Messi is an incomparable talent,” said Inter Miami sporting director Chris Henderson. “What he brings on and off the field will elevate everyone around him.”

Messi is a two-time World Cup Golden Ball winner, a three-time UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award winner who also has six La Liga Best Player titles.

Messi is a four-time UEFA Champions League winner, an Olympic gold medal winner, has played on 10 La Liga champions, two Ligue 1 champions and taken seven Copa del Rey titles.

He played for Barcelona from 2004-2021 before joining Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons, making 75 appearances across all competitions, tallying 32 goals and 35 assists.

Source: AFP

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will fight Mixed Martial Arts star Francis Ngannou in a boxing contest to decide “the baddest man on the planet” in Saudi Arabia on October 28.

Fury’s team said the fight in Riyadh will “take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with three judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system”.

The British boxer’s WBC title will not be on the line in the “exhibition” bout against former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou.

Fury’s last fight was in December when he stopped compatriot Derek Chisora inside 10 rounds, but talks over an undisputed world title showdown against Oleksandr Usyk broke down earlier this year.

“As soon as that bell goes, it’ll be bombs away. This guy is supposed to be the hardest puncher in the world, but let’s see how he reacts when he gets hit by the Big GK,” Fury, nicknamed the Gypsy King, said.

“I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights. I’m looking forward to showing the world that the Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation in an epic battle with another master of his craft.”

There will be three ringside judges and they will follow the scoring criteria used in all official boxing bouts, although it is unclear how many rounds are scheduled.

Ngannou has no professional record in boxing but the 36-year-old Cameroonian-French fighter insisted it was a dream to step into the ring with Fury.

“I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years. My dream was always to box, and to box the best,” he said.

“After becoming the undisputed MMA Heavyweight Champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet.”

While Usyk defends his WBA, IBF and WBO crowns against Fury’s promotional stablemate Daniel Dubois next month, his fellow world champion is embarking on a fascinating cross-code clash.

The WBC said it would not be involved in the fight, with Fury given “special permission” for a non-title bout as he has no mandatory challenger.

Ngannou built a reputation as a formidable puncher on his way to becoming UFC heavyweight champion, a title he held until leaving in January after an acrimonious relationship with the organisation’s president Dana White.

He has won 17 of his 20 professional UFC fights, with 12 knockouts.

MMA stars including Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley have struggled to make the transition to the boxing ring in the past.

Source: AFP

FIFA revealed eight different armbands highlighting social causes that sides will be able to wear at the women’s World Cup as world football’s governing body seeks to avoid a row that erupted at last year’s men’s World Cup.

Captains from a number of European countries, including England and Germany, planned to wear a “OneLove” armband in rainbow colours in Qatar in support of LGBTQ rights.

However, they abandoned that stance after being threatened with sporting sanctions just days before the tournament kicked off.

The armband had widely been viewed as a symbolic protest against laws in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.

The “unite for inclusion” armband for the women’s World Cup is similar in style to the one outlawed with the words alongside a heart shape in rainbow colours.

Other causes highlighted include gender equality, ending violence against women, hunger and the rights of indigenous people.

Captains will be able to wear a different armband for each match corresponding to the cause being promoted or support one cause for the entire tournament.

“Football unites the world and our global events, such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, have a unique power to bring people together and provide joy, excitement and passion,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino

“After some very open talks with stakeholders, including member associations and players, we have decided to highlight a series of social causes – from inclusion to gender equality, from peace to ending hunger, from education to tackling domestic violence – during all 64 matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

The women’s World Cup, which will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, begins on July 20.

Source: AFP

Saudi Arabian soccer champion Al-Ittihad has another high-profile French player to accompany Karim Benzema at the team next season.

N’Golo Kante completed his move on a three-year deal on Wednesday after leaving Chelsea, with Al-Ittihad welcoming the 32-year-old midfielder with a series of tweets containing the hashtag “WelcomeBox2Box” — referring to his hard-running style of play.

He will reportedly earn more than $100 million across the length of the deal at a club based in Jeddah and coached by former Tottenham and Wolverhampton manager Nuno Espirito Santo. It recently won the Saudi league ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Kante, who won the World Cup with France in 2018, the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and has been one of the best players in the Premier League in recent years as a back-to-back champion with Leicester and Chelsea, has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons.

That hasn’t put off Al-Ittihad from apparently spending big on Kante, a few weeks after bringing in Benzema after the expiry of the reigning world player of the year’s contract at Real Madrid.

“It is part of the club’s efforts to establish itself as a top choice for world-class players in the Saudi Professional League,” Al-Ittihad said.

The big names — albeit players nearing the end of their careers — are being enticed to the Saudi league, where spending is being fueled by a move by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund to take a majority ownership stake in four of the country’s top clubs, including Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr. The move is part of a nationalization project that encourages public sector organizations to invest in sports, with soccer teams a priority under the initiative backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Another of those four teams, Al-Hilal, tried to buy Lionel Messi but Argentina’s World Cup winner decided to join Inter Miami in the United States.

A slew of leading players are being linked with moves to Saudi Arabia in this European offseason, including Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Wolverhampton midfielder Ruben Neves.

Source: AP

Messi mania gripped a sweltering Beijing ahead of a sell-out friendly on Thursday evening between world champions Argentina and Australia in the Chinese capital.

All eyes were on Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest footballer of all time, who lifted the World Cup for the Albiceleste in December.

Thousands of Chinese fans braved temperatures of nearly 40 degrees Celsius, gathering at Beijing’s newly renovated Workers’ Stadium several hours before the 8 pm (1200 GMT) kick-off.

Many came clad in replica Argentina shirts emblazoned with Messi’s name and number 10, while others had daubed their faces with sky-blue and white paint or were excitedly clasping flags.

Security guards corralled hundreds of fans behind barriers outside the western gate to the ground, where the Argentina team coach was due to enter.

Forty-year-old lawyer Zhong Xiaoqing from eastern China’s Zhejiang province told AFP that Messi was his “perfect idol”.

“Messi is the greatest player of all time,” he said. “I was completely enamoured the first time I saw him play in 2005.

“He’s a model for me -– my perfect idol.”

For 29-year-old HR worker Sun Bingxin from northern Shanxi province, the excitement had been overwhelming.

“I’ve been so pent up about it that I feel like I could cry with joy,” she told AFP before kick-off.

“Every football fan in China has wanted to be here tonight, so it’ll be a spectacular occasion.”

Liu Rui, a 24-year-old student from Nanjing in eastern Jiangsu province, said being at the match was “really a dream come true”.

“In 40 years’ time, I can tell my grandchildren about this,” he told AFP.

Low profile

Hundreds of flag-waving fans had been camped outside the team’s luxury hotel ever since they touched down on Saturday.

Crowds have lined heavily guarded streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the 35-year-old each time the team goes for training.

The man himself has kept a low profile, but that has done little to dampen enthusiasm.

One daring fan recounted his tale of spending the night inside the Four Seasons hotel in a bid to get a close encounter with Messi and his teammates.

“I first hid in the janitor’s closet, then went up to the team’s floor through the fire escape staircase,” the man, surnamed Lin, told AFP.

He was questioned by hotel security before being released.

Another fan, Li Weihua, said he had flown from his home city of Shenzhen in southern China, heading straight to the hotel.

He does not even have a ticket for the match at the 68,000-capacity Workers’ Stadium, which had quickly sold out.

“I just want to feel the environment,” said the 29-year-old, who had never been to Beijing before.

Huang Yongming, 17, from the northeastern city of Changchun, was more successful in getting a highly coveted ticket.

“I spent around 3,000 yuan ($419) for a ticket,” Huang told AFP. “I know it’s expensive, but I thought that if I didn’t take the opportunity, I would regret it.”

Messi is set to join Inter Miami this summer, after two years at Paris Saint-Germain.

Source: AFP