Anthony Joshua set for unification title fight in Cardiff

Anthony Joshua set for unification title fight in Cardiff. Published, Mar 30, 2018.

Anthony Joshua set for unification title fight in Cardiff.

Published, Mar 30, 2018.

A leaner and lighter Anthony Joshua weighed in some six pounds heavier than Joseph Parker on Friday for the battle of the undefeated heavyweight world champions in Cardiff. The Briton tipped the scales at 17 stones four pounds and two ounces at the weigh-in, attended by a crowd of more than 4,000, compared to the New Zealander’s 16 stones 12 pounds and seven ounces. 

Joshua, the reigning WBA, IBF and IBO world champion, is also taller and with a six inch reach advantage over Parker, who will be bringing his WBO belt to the Principality Stadium for Saturday night’s unification fight. The Briton had stepped into the ring against Cameroonian-French opponent Carlos Takam in Cardiff last October, for a defence he won in 10 rounds, at a career-high 18 stones and two pounds. 

“I’ve been running well, training well,” said the 2012 Olympic champion, who has a 20-0 record with all his fights won by knockout. “Losing that little bit of extra weight has made things that little bit easier. “I feel better…if everything goes to plan, you’ll see I’ll be a lot sharper and my reactions and timing will be a lot better,” the Briton told the crowd. Joshua’s camp had made much of just how seriously the 28-year-old was taking training, his obsession with shedding the pounds and how that had been paying off in his ringcraft and training. 

Anthony Joshua Parker, 24-0, took it as a compliment ahead of what will be the biggest fight of his career, with an 80,000-strong crowd expected through the doors on Saturday. “It makes me think that he’s taking this fight really seriously, he’s trained very hard,” he said after standing face to face and staring into the eyes of his opponent for the last time before they meet in the ring. “He’s in good shape, I’m in good shape. 

There’s not much of a weight difference, which is good. we’re both going to be fast for tomorrow night, we’re both going to move well and throw some big bombs.” Parker said he saw confidence in Joshua’s eyes, and was ready for anything. “I’m here for a good fight, I’m here for war,” he declared. 

“You’re going to have to give me everything to beat me…he’s got a bigger crowd but that doesn’t matter, that doesn’t faze us.” Saturday’s fight will bring the heavyweight title a step closer to undisputed status and put the focus even more on American Deontay Wilder, who holds the WBC crown and is undefeated in 40.

Cristiano ronaldo wins Ballon d’Or for the fourth time

Christian Ronaldo capped a brilliant year by being crowned winner of the Ballon d’Or for a fourth time in Paris on Monday night.

The Portugal and Real Madrid forward topped the poll of 173 journalists worldwide to take home France Football magazine’s coveted award ahead.

In doing so he beat out the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and perennial rival Lionel Messi.

The 31-year-old, who was not there to coll

ect the award in person due to Real Madrid’s Club World Cup commitments, described his latest triumph as ‘a dream come true.’

“I never imagined winning this trophy four times,’ he added. ‘I’m really happy and fulfilled.

When it’s the first time, the emotion is always special. But I I feel today like I did in 2008.

I have the opportunity to thank all of my team-mates, the national team, Real Madrid, all of the people and players who helped me to win this individual award.

As you can imagine I feel so proud and happy to receive this amazing and beautiful ball, I am so happy.”

Super Falcons Face Life Bans

Authorities plan to ban several Super Falcons stars and some of the coaches could lose their jobs as fallout from the standoff over unpaid entitlements.

Falcons striker Francisca Ordega will among the stars to be axed after she said she regrets playing for the country.

The USA-based star was later blasted by NFF president Amaju Pinnick for her comments.

“I can categorically state here that the name Ordega will never be heard or seen in a Super Falcons team list again. This I was told by another top official of the football house,” a source informed.

“No less than 10 of these players could be banned for life for ridiculing their fatherland before the international media and henceforth, the NFF may draw up a code of conduct to guide against future occurrences.”

“The coaches and officials are not left out as they could lose their jobs for not standing firm in support of the federation when it matters most.”

Nigerian sports minister Solomon Dalung visited the team Thursday and pleaded with them for understanding before their outstanding allowances and bonuses.

But the girls have dug in, insisting they will only quit their hotel when they get their monies.

Kanu Nwankwo buries his mum (photos)

Nigerian Football Legend, Kanu Nwankwo, yesterday December 3rd buried his late mum, Susan Nwannediya Kanu at his hometown – Amannagwu village- Arochukwu in Abia State.

His mum died on the 7th of September and she was aged 82. Her remains arrived Arochukwu on Friday Dec. 3, 2016 for service of songs at her residence Amannagwu -Arochukwu.

Funeral Service held 10am at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Amannagwu. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

See The Photos Below:

Mikel: I wouldn't swap my Olympic medal for a place in the Chelsea team

Mikel: I wouldn't swap my Olympic medal for a place in the Chelsea team

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Antonio Conte is punishing him for his decision to play at the Olympics but says he would not swap his bronze medal for a place in the team.

Nigeria's technical adviser Gernot Rohr claimed that Conte has deliberately kept Mikel out of his plans as a result of his decision to forgo their pre-season plans in favour of playing at the Olympics.

"I have not one single regret in going to the Olympics. And I will not trade my medal for anything," said Mikel.

Revealed: Why Nigerian Soldiers are Being Killed Easily by Boko Haram

Nigerian soldiers in their numbers have fallen to the dreaded terrorist group, Boko Haram owing to the reasons as revealed by a reliable source.

A journalist who is also the State Coordinator of Social Welfare Network Initiative, Jack Vince who champions the cause for the freedom of most northern states held under siege by Boko Haram terrorists, has brought to fore the shocking condition Nigerian soldiers fighting in the region face.

This it is believed is why the country is losing more soldiers to the war against terrorism.

According to the Vince, for “Nigerian troops in northern Borno, ordinary pure water is a luxury. They resort to drinking the potash (kanwa) filled water from wells or ‘rivers’.”

Vince was forced to speak out about the sorry condition of the soldiers following the death of Lt Col. Muhammadu Abu Ali who was killed by Boko Haram terrorists during an ambush on Friday in Borno state.

While writing on the need for the government to adequately provide for the soldiers, he revealed some shocking details and hardship the troops are facing in the north east.

“Now that it is quite incontrovertible that terrorism has become an integral part of the system, seven uninterrupted years of arms confrontation between the state and the outlaws is enough time for security operatives to have had the requisite experience. Experience in terms of the right weapons, strategy, technology, intelligence and all it takes to significantly decimate the terrorists in truth and not through propaganda and press releases.

“I have said this before; for the umpteenth time, I’ll say it again. All units across military formations in Nigeria need to have at least 20 personnel trained abroad and effectively kitted as special forces to bring Boko Haram to its knees. The last set of special forces were trained by the last administration. The present administration must do the same or even more, if we genuinely desire to combat terrorism.

“Also, soldiers need to have their morale boosted by adequate provision of welfare packages, they need to be sensitized and made to feel like lions conquering the jungles of terrorism, they deserve to be adequately and effectively provided with ammunitions, new or functional assault weapons (AKs) with bayonets, personal pistols, combat knives, several pairs of uniforms, boots and helmets, military bulletproof jackets, night vision goggles, general purpose machine guns (GPMGs), rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), anti aircraft (AA) weapons, armoured personnel carriers (APCs), mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) military vehicles, artillery, and combat aircraft.

“Government can not continue to send our soldiers to battle fronts with infinitesimally little or absolutely inadequate fighting equipment.”Vince wrote.

He added: “American soldiers once refused to advance in battle because they noticed that chocolate was missing in their rations. To the Nigerian troops in northern Borno, ordinary pure water is a luxury. They resort to drinking the potash (kanwa) filled water from wells or ‘rivers’.”

FINALLY: Mesut Ozil reveals what he said to David Luiz after Germany beat Brazil 7-1

The 2014 World Cup will always be remembered for what happened during the semi-final between Brazil and Germany. Brazil were hosting the tournament and they were tipped to win their sixth World Cup trophy.

However, their dream of winning the trophy on home soil turned into a nightmare of epic proportions when they met Germany in the last-four on July 8.

What happened next was simply incredible.

Brazil crumbled during the first half, conceding five goals in the space of 18 minutes to find themselves 5-0 down at the interval. Not only had their aspirations of winning the World Cup gone, they were being humiliated in front of the world.

Germany went on to score a further two goals in the second-half, before Chelsea’s Oscar made in 7-1 in the 90th minute.

Watching the match was crazy enough, but playing in it must have been a surreal experience. The Brazilian players were That’s certainly how Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil felt. The playmaker has reminisced about that fateful day and has also revealed what he said to David Luiz at the end of the match.

close to tears during the match, while the Germans must have felt a little bit awkward to destroy the hopes of an entire nation.

“All the players, as well as me on the pitch was a little bit surprised. But after 20 minutes, 4-0, you can realise ‘what happened here?’, he told Arsenal Player.

“If you lose a big game like that in your country and you see the fans outside crying, the players crying, you feel with them.

“So what I did, I went to David Luiz and said: ‘I really apologise, you have a nice country, nice people’”.

It was a great touch for Ozil to immediately go over and apologise to Luiz after one the greatest 90 minutes in his career.

After beating Brazil, Ozil and Germany went on to win the World Cup after Mario Gotze’s extra-time strike against Argentina in the final.

Ozil also spoke about his proudness after winning football’s greatest prize but admitted he couldn’t believe it had happened despite lifting the trophy.