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Efe Ajagba: I’ll Beat Bakole, Then Bring Me Usyk, Dubois

Our Reporters17 hours ago17 hours ago03 mins

Efe Ajagba is confident that his ‘power’ and ‘skills’ can topple Oleksandr Usyk or Daniel Dubois. The Nigerian hopes to stake his claim for a world heavyweight title fight when he takes on Martin Bakole on the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs William Scull undercard in Saudi Arabia on May 4. Ajagba goes into the Bakole fight in good form, having won his last five fights since being defeated by Frank Sanchez in October 2021, and admits his long-term goal is a title challenge against unified champion Usyk or IBF title holder Dubois. “I’m not overstepping. I’m just focused on Martin Bakole first,” Ajagba told Sky Sports. “After that, when I get the victory, that’s when I’m going to step up to fight who I want to fight next. Whether it’s Usyk or Dubois. “I have the abilities, I have the skills, I have the power, everything to become a heavyweight champion.” Bakole’s last fight came when he stepped in at two days’ notice to fight Joseph Parker after Dubois withdrew due to illness, but the Congolese contender suffered a second round knockout loss. Despite the manner of Bakole’s crushing defeat, Ajagba insists he is still wary of the threat posed by his opponent, who has beaten the likes of Jared Anderson, Tony Yoka and Carlos Takam. When asked about whether the defeat to Parker would have dented Bakole’s confidence, Ajagba said: “To me, in my opinion, I don’t think so. “I’m not going to take that knockout that he has [against Parker] to myself. I’m going to have more confidence to fight Martin Bakole. “I’m preparing for [the best of] him.”

Nigerian Boxer Collapses and Dies in Ghana Pro League Match.

How Nigerian Boxer Segun Olanrewaju Died in Ghana

Our Reporters2 days ago2 days ago03 mins

Facts have begin to emerge on the real reasons behind the death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju popularly known as Success. The late boxer slumped and died in Round Three, according to the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Secretary General Remi Aboderin was on his way back to Nigeria but chose to return for the bout that claimed his life. “Segun (Olanrewaju) got our approval to fight in Ghana, a fight that was proposed to take place on a Friday. Unfortunately, they did weigh-in on Thursday and he was found to be overweight and they told him the person he was to fight was not his weight. “They said to do this, they would increase his purse with another $500, which he said was too small, and due to that, there was no agreement. “Saturday morning, they (Nigerian contigents) were on their way back to Lagos, they had even left Accra and were at Aflao border when Segun said to the coach that followed him, that’s Diran Alamu, that it was not going to be easy returning home; he left Nigeria with no money and he had debts to pay and needed money. “He called the Ghanaians and see if another fight was coming up and told them he was now ready to collect the additional $500 as discussed because he felt it would not pay him if he returned home without money. “So, they called the matchmaker, who informed him that there was a fight on Saturday night and that they could put the fight for that Saturday, but we didn’t give him the approval for that, and this is where the Ghana Boxing Association (GBA) erred. “So, he turned back and went back to Ghana because he needed the money; he owed a lot of people money,” the NBBofC secretary explained.

Bukayo Saka Returns From Injury for Arsenal

Our Reporters3 days ago3 days ago01 mins

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is set to make his return from a lengthy injury layoff when the Gunners host Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Monday that “Bukayo is ready to go” and could even start the game. Saka has not played since December after needing surgery on a hamstring tear. In his absence, second-place Arsenal has fallen 12 points behind leader Liverpool in the league. But Saka’s return comes as Arteta’s team is preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals, with the first leg at home next week.

MTN Champs Continental Relays to Kick Off with Flag Run Event in Lagos

Our Reporters3 days ago3 days ago04 mins

MTN Champs Season 3 continues with Continental Relays in Lagos. These events will kick off with a Flag Run on April 8, ahead of the main competition scheduled for April 9 to 12 at the Yabatech and UNILAG sports complexes. The Flag Run will see young athletes participate in an experiential relay across Lagos, showcasing both their skills and the vibrancy of the city. The race will begin in Alausa and end at the MTN Plaza in Ikoyi, with athletes covering 5KM to 10KM distances in relay teams. The event is designed to highlight the fusion of sports, culture, and tourism, allowing athletes to engage with the city and its people while putting their talents on display. The runners will pass through key locations that reflect Lagos’ rich heritage and urban energy, reinforcing MTN’s sub-campaign, ‘See Naija’. A security team, traffic management officers, medics, and a team bus will accompany the athletes to ensure a smooth and safe race. Organised in partnership with Making of Champions, the MTN Champs Continental Relays will bring together top young athletes from across Africa to compete in various track and field events. The competition is aimed at developing emerging talent and positioning Nigeria as a hub for athletics on the continent. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria emphasised the importance of the Flag Run. “This is more than just a relay. It’s an opportunity to celebrate Lagos, its people, and its culture while showcasing the next generation of champions. The athletes won’t just be running; they’ll be bringing the city to life through sports.” The MTN Champs Continental Relays, taking place from April 9 to 12, will be open to the public and will feature track and field events, special guest appearances, music, and prizes for early attendees. Lagos residents are encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes as they compete for top honours. The flag run will provide a unique opportunity for athletes to immerse themselves in the city’s culture while demonstrating their abilities on the road. This symbolic start to the MTN Champs Continental Relays will set the tone for a competitive athletics showcase.

Teenager Mensik Denies Djokovic 100th Title in Miami

Our Reporters3 days ago3 days ago05 mins

Czech teenager Jakub Mensik beat childhood idol Novak Djokovic to win the Miami Open, having come close to withdrawing with a knee injury hours before his first-round match. Mensik, 19, went to the referee’s room to announce his withdrawal before his opener against Roberto Bautista Agut on 20 March, but the official was out for lunch. He then went to the physiotherapist to ask them to fill in paperwork confirming his withdrawal, but was persuaded to stay on. “I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t run,” he said. “I started to treat it, started to take painkillers. Nothing was helping. “I was visiting the referee’s office to say ‘guys, I’m pulling out’, but he was having lunch.” Mensik went to a physiotherapist, who deemed the injury not to be serious and began treatment to enable him to compete. “After a few minutes I started to feel a little relief,” said Mensik, who has risen to a career-high 24th in the world rankings. “I took different painkillers, which helped a little bit. I was like, ‘OK, let’s try it. It’s like 30 minutes before the match. I can walk. I can run. Let’s see’. “Somehow I won the first round and then I had one day off, which of course, for my knee was much better. Day by day the knee was getting better and with that also my game.” Mensik dropped just two sets on his run to the final, which included victories over British number one Jack Draper and fourth seed Taylor Fritz. He clinched a first ATP Tour title with a 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4) win over Serbia’s Djokovic on a sticky, humid night in Florida. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, had been bidding to become just the third man in the Open era to win 100 singles titles. However, the 37-year-old’s wait will go on after his loss to Mensik, who was just 10 months old when Djokovic won his first title in 2006. Mensik is the ninth-youngest Masters 1000 champion and the third-youngest in Miami after Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal. He is another rising star in the men’s game, possessing a huge serve and a thumping backhand that has taken him inside the world’s top 50. Djokovic invited Mensik to practice with him after the 2022 Australian Open when he was still a junior, and Mensik said in his winner’s speech that Djokovic was “the reason I am here”. He said: “It’s just crazy and unbelievable what he’s achieving in this sport during long period of the time. “Imagine me in 20 years from now, when I will be 39, playing the finals? I hope so, but it’s crazy to think about it like this.” Fourth seed Djokovic warmly congratulated Mensik at the end of the match and said afterwards: “It hurts me to admit it but you were better. “I wish you the best of luck. Maybe you’ll let me win one of the next times we play.”

BAL: Rivers Hoopers Hit Lagos to Intensify Preparation

Our Reporters3 days ago3 days ago02 mins

Rivers Hoopers are in Lagos to continue their preparation for the fifth season of the Basketball Africa League. Hoopers will utilize the upcoming days by playing some friendly games. The team will depart Lagos for Rabat on Wednesday, 2 April. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Sports, Kelvin Nweke, hosted the team for lunch just before their departure to Lagos on Sunday. Nweke reassured the team that they would receive continuous support from the Rivers State Government. He encouraged the team to surpass their third place finish in last season’s BAL. “On behalf of the ministry and the state government. We are promising you the best of support. “We are expecting you to go a step forward from last year’s result. Success is not easy. It is easy to get to the top but staying at the top is more difficult.” Rivers Hoopers will open their campaign this season against Stade Malien on Saturday, 5 April at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex Rabat, Morocco.

Sylvester Stallone: I Was Almost Beaten to Death by Heavyweight

Our Reporters3 days ago3 days ago04 mins

Sylvester Stallone has been in more boxing scrapes than most actors due to his Rocky Balboa days. A sparring session with a heavyweight boxer was no different. Stallone starkly revealed that hard-hitting Earnie Shavers gave him a beatdown when the pair sparred in the 1970s. Shavers, who died in September 2022 after an illness, had one of the biggest punches in the entire sport. George Foreman famously rated Shavers as the hardest-hitting top-division operator of all time. The slugger shared the ring with multiple heavyweight champions, including a loss to Muhammad Ali in 1977. The Ali defeat came a year after Stallone played the title character in the United States smash hit Rocky. Larry Holmes was another of the world champions who beat Shavers. However, Shavers proved his power when he took out Ken Norton in the first round in a career-best victory. During a chat show appearance in New York, Hollywood legend Stallone spoke to UK journalist Jonathan Ross and guests via Zoom. He spoke of sparring with boxing legends in several preparations for his Rocky movie franchise. Those sessions often led to an injury. “I sparred with [Muhammad] Ali, and Joe Fraser gave me eleven stitches. That was in about two seconds,” Stallone told Ross. “I was thinking about using him [Frazier] instead of Mr. T in Rocky III. I said, ‘Let me use a real fighter.’ That’s not a good idea.” On sharing the ring with some of the most dangerous heavyweights that ever laced up gloves, Stallone added: “They don’t know how to stop pulling their punches. That’s the whole point. They think I’ll follow through. “Earnie Shavers literally almost beat me to death without trying. [He was] wearing 20-ounce gloves. Imagine if he was angry!” It’s a well-known fact that Stallone walked away from the latest instalment of the Rocky spin-off franchise “Creed.” – Michael B. Jordan directed for the first time, and Stallone wanted the actor to be the sole focus of production. Fans of the beloved series may never see Rocky Balboa on the silver screen again, as Stallone has sworn the character off the screen.

Middlesbrough boss Carrick backs Iheanacho to keep scoring

Our Reporters3 days ago3 days ago03 mins

Michael Carrick has backed Kelechi Iheanacho to build on his first goal for Middlesbrough and boost the push for a Sky Bet Championship play-off place. Boro moved level on points with sixth-placed West Brom and two points shy of Coventry in fifth after coming from behind to beat Oxford 2-1. Iheanacho’s strike in the 48th minute, when he powered in Samuel Illing-Junior’s cross, cancelled out Michal Helik’s opener for Oxford seven minutes before the break. But Iling-Junior, who was a menace throughout on the left for Middlesbrough, delivered another low cross into the area with 10 minutes left for defender Neto Borges to flick a brilliant finish into the net. That proved enough to earn an important win with just seven matches remaining, turning around a game which had seen Boro booed off at the end of the first half. And former Leicester forward Iheanacho is up and running, having scored for the first time since moving from Sevilla in January on loan. Boro boss Carrick said: “He is happy. We are trying to keep the smile off Neto’s face as much as anything! He was delighted too. “But Kel knows it. He has played at a level, and goals make you feel a bit better, naturally. “I wasn’t concerned, I knew he would score and hopefully he has got more in him, I am sure he has. It was a massive goal for us. “I thought it was a bit slow, a bit sticky first half. Credit to them, they started well. They put us under pressure with long balls, long throws, counter attacks, and we were slow. “I liked how we responded and we spoke about being positive. There is going to be a hell of a lot more ups and downs before the end of the season. We can’t let it affect us. We have to stay positive with it.”