Daniel Dubois ready to do ‘whatever it takes’ to beat Anthony Joshua on ‘historic’ night for British boxing

who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
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who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
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who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
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who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
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who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
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who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital. (Supplied/GEA/Riyadh Season)
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Updated 20 September 2024
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Daniel Dubois ready to do ‘whatever it takes’ to beat Anthony Joshua on ‘historic’ night for British boxing

Daniel Dubois ready to do ‘whatever it takes’ to beat Anthony Joshua on ‘historic’ night for British boxing
  • Two fighters faced off for second time this week at press conference at Guildhall in London

LONDON: Reigning International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois said on Thursday he was ready to do “whatever it takes” to win his fight against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

The two fighters, who will headline the Riyadh Season Card Wembley Edition event in London, faced off for a second time this week at a press conference at Guildhall in the British capital.

Dubois, who has been guarded and careful with his words during the build-up week, did not mince his words when asked how he felt 48 hours from the bout.

“I’ve been preparing for this moment for months. This fight has been anticipated since the start of my professional career, and I’m here to solidify my place by winning,” he said. 

“I’m feeling in peak condition, physically and mentally, and I’m prepared for battle.

“Whether by knockout or decision, I’ll do whatever it takes to win. The method doesn’t matter — what matters is that I’m ready for any scenario,” he added.




 Anthony Joshua (L) and Daniel Dubois (R) during the press conference at Guildhall in London. (Action Images via Reuters)

Joshua, who could join an elite group of fighters to be crowned a three-time world champion, emphasized the respect between him and Dubois, adding that boxing was “at its core, a gentleman’s sport.”

However, he acknowledged the tension that often accompanies face-offs, recalling a recent encounter with Dubois: “During the face-off about a month ago, tensions flared, but it remained respectful. Dubois said, ‘Let’s go now,’ and for a moment, I wasn’t sure what he meant. But this is boxing, and these things happen. We’re ready for Saturday.”

He continued: “In this sport, you can’t give anyone an inch because they’ll take a mile. I’m going all out, and I want to thank my team for their efforts in preparing me for this battle.”




 Anthony Joshua (L) and Daniel Dubois (R) during the press conference at Guildhall in London. (Action Images via Reuters)

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, said the event on Saturday had the potential to be an “historic night for British boxing,” and not just for his fighter.

“I never imagined that Riyadh Season would reach this level, but here we are, hosting an extraordinary event at Wembley,” he said. 

“Joshua has always been an inspiration to a new generation of fighters, and ever since he won Olympic gold, he has set the standard for British boxing. Saturday offers him the chance to prove himself once again as a three-time heavyweight world champion, joining the ranks of legends like Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis.

“Anthony is fully prepared. I’ve never seen him this calm and confident. Saturday will be a night to remember, and it will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest in British sporting history,” he added.




 Anthony Joshua (L) and Daniel Dubois (R) during the press conference at Guildhall in London. (Action Images via Reuters)

Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren, who manages Dubois, agreed.

“This isn’t just any fight— we have two of Britain’s strongest heavyweight contenders going head-to-head. Both have faced challenges, but Dubois has shown throughout his career that he’s a fighter not to be underestimated,” he said.

“He’s surmounted numerous obstacles, and now he’s here to show the world what he’s capable of. Dubois packs a powerful punch, with speed and agility that make him a dangerous opponent.

“I advise everyone not to blink during this fight because it’s going to be extraordinary from start to finish. I truly believe this will be one of the greatest bouts in British boxing history.”


India sweep series against Bangladesh with 2nd highest T20I score powered by Samson’s ton

India sweep series against Bangladesh with 2nd highest T20I score powered by Samson’s ton
Updated 1 min 4 sec ago
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India sweep series against Bangladesh with 2nd highest T20I score powered by Samson’s ton

India sweep series against Bangladesh with 2nd highest T20I score powered by Samson’s ton
  • India hit the most runs in boundaries in a T20I game, that included 22 sixes, their highest total in a T20 game, and 25 fours
  • Samson put on 173 runs in 11 1/2 overs for the second wicket with Yadav that was India’s third highest partnership for any wicket in T20s

HYDERABAD, India: Sanju Samson smacked his first Twenty20 century off 40 balls as India beat Bangladesh in the third and final match by 133 runs to sweep the series 3-0 on Saturday.

Samson was out for 111 off 47 balls, including eight sixes and 11 fours.

He had help in Hyderabad from skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who hit a 35-ball 75. Hardik Pandya smacked 47 off only 18 as India finished at 297-6, the second highest total in T20 internationals and exceeded only by Nepal’s 314-3 against Mongolia in the 2023 Asia Cup.

India hit the most runs in boundaries in a T20I game. That included 22 sixes, their highest total in a T20 game, and 25 fours.

In reply, Bangladesh was restricted to 164-7. Towhid Hridoy was 63 not out off 42 deliveries, and Litton Das hit a 25-ball 42. Wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi took 3-30 in four overs.

Opting to bat first, India lost opener Abhishek Sharma (4) early once again. It didn’t deter Samson though, who got going for once.

Samson raced to 50 off 22 balls, hitting two sixes and eight fours. His next 50 came off 18 deliveries — including another six sixes and three fours — in the second quickest T20 hundred by an India batter after Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball ton against Sri Lanka in 2017.

Samson put on 173 runs in 11 1/2 overs for the second wicket with Yadav. It was India’s third highest partnership for any wicket in T20s.

“The team management has backed me. I could have done much better (in previous matches), and it can get frustrating,” Samson said. “When you are playing for the country, it comes with a lot of pressure. But with experience, I learnt how to deal with pressure.”

The Tigers’ brief respite came from a floodlight failure in the ninth over, but it wasn’t enough. On resumption, player-of-the-match Samson smacked five sixes — 30 runs – off the next over bowled by wrist spinner Rishad Hossain.

Samson was finally caught in the 14th over, while Yadav had reached 50 off 23 balls. Overall, the India captain hit eight fours and five sixes, before falling in the next over.

India was then at 206-3 in 14.3 overs and it accelerated further thanks to a rapid 70-stand between Riyan Parag and Pandya.

Parag scored 34 off 13 but it was in-form Pandya who stole the show hitting four sixes and four fours.

In reply, Bangladesh was down to 59-3 in 5.2 overs. The top three didn’t contribute much, while Das propelled the innings. He hit eight fours.

Bishnoi became the second quickest Indian bowler to 50 T20I wickets, when Najmul Hossain Shanto (14) was caught behind. He also had Das out caught in the 12th over.

Das and Hridoy added 53 off 38 balls for the fourth wicket.

India had already sealed the series win with an 86-run victory in the second T20 on Wednesday. India won the first T20 in Gwalior by seven wickets. India swept the two-match Test series against Bangladesh 2-0.


Pogacar emulates icon Coppi with fourth straight Il Lombardia triumph

Pogacar emulates icon Coppi with fourth straight Il Lombardia triumph
Updated 16 min 6 sec ago
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Pogacar emulates icon Coppi with fourth straight Il Lombardia triumph

Pogacar emulates icon Coppi with fourth straight Il Lombardia triumph
  • World champion Pogacar capped an astonishing year in which he claimed a Tour de France and Giro d’Italia double by matching Coppi
  • Saturday’s triumph, his 25th in 2024, gives the Slovenian star a good claim to have had the greatest ever season in the history of road cycling

COMO, Italy: Tadej Pogacar won Il Lombardia for the fourth time in as many years on Saturday to equal a record streak of victories set by cycling great Fausto Coppi over seven decades ago.

World champion Pogacar capped an astonishing year in which he claimed a Tour de France and Giro d’Italia double by matching Coppi, who won five times in total, including four victories between 1946 and 1949 at the last “Monument” of the season.

Pogacar made his widely predicted move on the decisive Colma di Sormano climb, 48.5 kilometers from the end of the 255km “Race of the Falling Leaves” whose course had been modified following heavy rain and landslides in northern Italy.

After being guided through the race by his strong UAE support team Pogacar surged to his second victory in as many races since donning the rainbow jersey in Zurich a fortnight ago with a trademark solo attack.

“We planned it like this... I knew that if I had a decent gap there, I can come to the finish,” Pogacar said.

Pogacar finished over three minutes ahead of double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel who returned to the site of his horror crash from four years ago which left him with a fractured hip when he plunged into a ravine.

Local fans were cheered by Lidl-Trek’s Giulio Ciccone completing the podium, 4:31 off the pace.

The 26-year-old held his bike aloft in delight on the finish line just as he did eight months ago when he began his near-perfect season with victory at another big Italian race, the Strade Bianche.

“Like I started the season, I also finished it. Yeah, the same celebration. It’s nice to lift the bike. I hope for a nice photo,” Pogacar told reporters.

Pogacar was already the first-ever cyclist to win the triple crown of the Tour, Giro and worlds with at least one Monument victory in the same season.

And Saturday’s triumph, his 25th in 2024, gives the Slovenian star a good claim to have had the greatest ever season in the history of road cycling.

Also in Pogacar’s long list of wins this year were a second Liege-Bastogne-Liege, six stages in each of his victories at the Tour and Giro, the Tour of Catalonia, the Montreal Grand Prix and last weekend’s Giro dell’Emilia.

Those triumphs have made him the heir not just to seven-time Grand Tour champion Coppi but also Eddy Merckx, the greatest to ever sit on a bike.

No one since Merckx’s heyday of the 1970s has anyone expressed the sort of dominance Pogacar has over the rest of the field this year.

Pogacar has only been beaten twice this year, at Milan-San Remo where he finished third, while his seventh place at the Quebec Grand Prix was his worst finish of the season.

But he refused to put himself on the same level as Merckx, saying when asked if he realized the magnitude of his achievements: “Let’s see where we will be after the career.”

Pogacar’s task was made easier on Friday night by Ineos dropping Tom Pidcock who had finished second behind Pogacar at the Giro dell’Emilia.

Sensing an opportunity to maybe hold off Pogacar, an early breakaway group of 21 riders extended their lead to over four minutes heading toward the long Sella di Osigo and Madonna del Ghisallo climbs after the halfway point.

But UAE began pushing to get Pogacar in position to make his move, with less than two minutes separating the two groups come the descent back down toward the world-famous lake.

And 6.5km before the summit Pogacar charged off on his own with a timid response from his rivals, although Evenepoel desperately tried to follow him up the road.

Belgian Evenepoel went out on his own in pursuit of Pogacar on the descent but with over a minute separating the pair at the bottom the gap was too big.

Pogacar somehow looked fresher than his chasers and added even more time on Evenepoel, breezing through the final kilometers and going on a victory parade through the streets of Como.


Ronaldo scores in Portugal’s Nations League win as Spain sink Denmark

Ronaldo scores in Portugal’s Nations League win as Spain sink Denmark
Updated 13 October 2024
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Ronaldo scores in Portugal’s Nations League win as Spain sink Denmark

Ronaldo scores in Portugal’s Nations League win as Spain sink Denmark
  • The 39-year-old Ronaldo has now struck in all three games of this Nations League campaign for Portugal, taking his record men’s international goals tally to 133

PARIS: Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Portugal beat Poland 3-1 for their third straight Nations League win on Saturday, while European champions Spain put an end to Denmark’s perfect start in the competition.
Bernardo Silva volleyed Portugal ahead in the 26th minute in Warsaw as Bruno Fernandes cleverly nodded a cross from Ruben Neves back toward the Manchester City midfielder.
Ronaldo then found himself in the right place at the right time to turn in the rebound for Portugal’s second after Rafael Leao’s shot came back off the post following a brilliant surging run by the AC Milan winger.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo has now struck in all three games of this Nations League campaign for Portugal, taking his record men’s international goals tally to 133.
Piotr Zielinski cut the deficit for Poland but Jan Bednarek’s own goal sealed victory for Portugal, the lone remaining team in League A with a 100 percent record, and they could secure a place in the quarter-finals next week.
Roberto Martinez’s side have a maximum nine points in Group A1, three ahead of Croatia who beat Scotland 2-1 to condemn them to a third successive defeat in the section.
Ryan Christie’s first half-goal gave Scotland a shock lead in Zagreb, but Igor Matanovic equalized before the interval and Andrej Kramaric bagged the winner midway through the second half.
Che Adams thought he had salvaged a stoppage-time equalizer but VAR disallowed his effort for offside, with Scotland winless in nine competitive outings — the longest run in their history.
Spain needed a 79th-minute effort from Martin Zubimendi to shrug off Denmark 1-0 in Murcia and replace their opponents at the top of Group A4.
The hosts were without Rodri and Dani Carvajal, both sidelined by long-term injuries, with first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon still recovering from wrist surgery, and Dani Olmo and Robin Le Normand also ruled out.
But Luis de la Fuente’s team grabbed the only goal when Zubimendi’s low drive from just outside the edge squirmed past Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who had earlier denied Lamine Yamal and Alvaro Morata.
Spain moved up to seven points, one above Denmark, with Serbia picking up their first win after beating Switzerland 2-0 in Leskovac.
Serbia led through Nico Elvedi’s own goal in first-half stoppage time and Aleksandar Mitrovic doubled the advantage before Predrag Rajkovic saved a penalty from Swiss striker Breel Embolo.
Both games in Group C3 finished goalless as Bulgaria were held at home by Luxembourg and Northern Ireland drew against Belarus on neutral ground in Hungary.
Romania eased to a 3-0 win away to Cyprus in Group C2, while Kosovo beat Lithuania 2-1.


Croatia extend Scotland’s losing streak

Croatia extend Scotland’s losing streak
Updated 12 October 2024
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Croatia extend Scotland’s losing streak

Croatia extend Scotland’s losing streak
  • Steve Clarke’s side took a shock lead through Ryan Christie’s first half goal at the Stadion Maksimir
  • Igor Matanovic equalized before the interval and Kramaric bagged the winner midway through the second half

ZAGREB: Croatia’s Andrej Kramaric condemned Scotland to their worst losing streak in five years as the striker sealed a 2-1 win in the Nations League on Saturday.
Steve Clarke’s side took a shock lead through Ryan Christie’s first half goal at the Stadion Maksimir.
But Igor Matanovic equalized before the interval and Kramaric bagged the winner midway through the second half.
Scotland have lost four successive games for the first time since 2019.
They arrived in Zagreb winless in their last eight competitive matches, the longest streak in their history, and that dismal run has now reached nine.
Scotland have mustered just one win in their last 15 matches, a 2-0 victory over minnows Gibraltar in June.
Having crashed out of Euro 2024 at the group stage, the Scots sit bottom of Nations League Group A1 after defeats against Poland, Portugal and Croatia.
In Clarke’s defense, he is dealing a debilitating injury list that denied him the services of James Forrest, Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry, Tommy Conway, Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Lewis Ferguson.
Even so, another loss when Portugal visit Hampden Park on Tuesday would add to the pressure on the Scotland boss.
Lyndon Dykes’ audacious effort from the halfway line was a bold statement of intent from Scotland.
Christie fired just wide after Andrew Robertson’s cross wasn’t cleared, while Billy Gilmour tested Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic with a 25-yard blast.
Craig Gordon, Scotland’s 41-year-old stand-in keeper, made a fine save to keep out Kramaric, with Borna Sosa heading just wide from the rebound.
Ben Doak, 18, was the youngest player to start a competitive match for Scotland since Willie Johnston in 1965.
And the Liverpool winger, currently on loan at second tier Middlesbrough, made his landmark occasion even more memorable with the cross that produced Scotland’s 32nd minute opener.
Josip Sutalo made a hash of clearing and Christie gleefully pounced to slot home from an acute angle.
Croatia were behind for just four minutes as Matanovic met Ivan Perisic’s clever cutback with a powerful strike that flashed past Gordon.
Matanovic nearly scored again immediately after the interval but this time Gordon was equal to his shot from the edge of the area.
Gordon made another good save to repel a curler from Luka Modric, who deftly nutmegged Scott McTominay before bending his shot narrowly wide in another threatening raid from the evergreen Real Madrid midfielder.
Croatia were well on top and Kramaric completed their comeback in the 70th minute.
Sosa met Perisic’s cross with a stinging strike that was parried by Gordon, with Kramaric perfectly placed to head in the rebound.
In a dramatic finale, Che Adams thought he had salvaged a stoppage-time equalizer but VAR disallowed his effort for offside.


Egypt captain Salah released from international duty

Egypt captain Salah released from international duty
Updated 12 October 2024
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Egypt captain Salah released from international duty

Egypt captain Salah released from international duty
  • The 32-year-old has “been released early from international duty amid the ongoing October break,” Liverpool said
  • Egypt need a single point in the next match to qualify as they sit six points ahead of rivals

LIVERPOOL: Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will not play in next week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Mauritania, club side Liverpool confirmed on Saturday.
The 32-year-old has “been released early from international duty amid the ongoing October break,” Liverpool said.
On Friday, Salah scored for Egypt in a 2-0 victory over Mauritania and had been due to play a second fixture against the same opponents on Tuesday.
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan had told journalists in Cairo on Friday that there were concerns over playing on Mauritania’s artificial turf and injury fears.

Record seven-time African champions Egypt faced stubborn resistance from Mauritania until Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan netted 69 minutes into the Group C clash.
Prolific Liverpool scorer Salah put the outcome beyond doubt with a second goal 10 minutes later to maintain the perfect record of the Pharaohs after three rounds.
Egypt need a single point in the next match to qualify as they sit six points ahead of rivals Cape Verde, Botswana and Mauritania.
Liverpool also confirmed that Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk had been also released early from international duty.
Van Dijk was dismissed for the Netherlands after picking up two yellow cards during a 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw with Hungary.
“The pair will take no further part for their respective nations this month after the decision was made to relieve them both early from their international commitments.”