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Peng Shuai: Women’s tennis tour suspends China events over concerns – National

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Peng Shuai: Women’s tennis tour suspends China events over concerns – National

The head of the women’s professional tennis tour announced Wednesday that all WTA tournaments would be suspended in China because of concerns about the safety of Peng Shuai, a Grand Slam doubles champion who accused a former high-ranking government official in that country of sexual assault.

Peng dropped out of public view after raising the allegations about former vice premier Zhang Gaoli in a Nov. 2 social media posting that was quickly taken down by Chinese authorities.

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Member of China state media shares photos of missing tennis star Peng Shuai

“Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way,” WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon wrote in a statement distributed by the tour. “While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe, and not subject to censorship, coercion, and intimidation.”

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Simon repeated his call for a “full and transparent investigation — without censorship” into Peng’s accusations and took an unusually strong stand against China, which was supposed to be the site of several tennis tournaments next year, including the prestigious season-ending WTA Finals.

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Filmmaker’s doubts help clear man convicted of author Alice Sebold’s rape

“In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault,” Simon said. “Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022.”

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Missing Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai spotted at youth event in Beijing – Nov 21, 2021

Beijing is set to host the Winter Olympics beginning on Feb. 4, and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said late last month he spoke with Peng on a video call. The IOC did not release video or a transcript of the exchange and said only that Bach reported she said she was well.

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Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai’s video call with IOC draws criticism, raises questions

The IOC said in a statement that Peng appeared to be “doing fine” and said she had requested privacy. The IOC did not explain how the call was arranged, although it has worked closely with the Chinese Olympic Committee and government officials to organize the upcoming Olympics.

Critics have suggested that Peng would not have called the IOC if she was truly free to speak.

“If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded — equality for women — would suffer an immense setback,” Simon said. “I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players.”




© 2021 The Canadian Press

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups troubled by team’s effort in blowout loss to Spurs

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Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups troubled by team’s effort in blowout loss to Spurs

PORTLAND, Ore. — New Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups questioned his team’s effort after a 114-83 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

The Blazers were without All-Star guard Damian Lillard but still put up little fight against a Spurs team which came into the contest six games below .500.

“My biggest concern, I think, at the moment, is I want us to compete harder, man. I want us to compete harder,” Billups said. “I want us to be competitive in every game. And I don’t feel like every night we do that. We don’t. And it concerns me. And I’ve felt that way in a lot of our wins. This is not just after a loss, me saying this.”

The Blazers fell below .500 with the loss and will be without their superstar for the near future. Portland announced on Wednesday that Lillard will miss 10 days with lower abdominal tendinopathy before being reevaluated.

They could be missing third-year guard Anfernee Simons soon as well. Simons, who started in Lillard’s place on Thursday, suffered an ankle sprain in the first quarter and did not return.

The Blazers hired Billups this offseason with the hopes of improving the team’s defense, which has struggled again nonetheless this season. The Spurs, who have the fewest 3-pointers in the NBA, made 11 in the opening half — including the first three baskets of the game.

“We didn’t have enough personal pride defensively in the game tonight,” Billups said.

The loss is just Portland’s second at home this season. They are 1-10 on the road.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.

Frazer Clarke details Anthony Joshua phone call as Olympic star turns pro with BOXXER | Boxing | Sport

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Frazer Clarke details Anthony Joshua phone call as Olympic star turns pro with BOXXER | Boxing | Sport

The date of Clarke’s debut fight is yet to be officially announced, as is his first opponent, but it could be in February on the undercard of the Manchester grudge match between Kell Brook and Amir Khan.

Until then, he will be training hard with the help of Angel Fernandez, who has worked with Joshua in the past.

And AJ will be acting as a mentor for his fellow Brit – something which Clarke says he will not take for granted.

“Anthony Joshua is on the end of the phone and he’s one of those people that’s been there and done it,” the 30-year-old added.

Jeddah FP1: Advantage Hamilton and spicy Mercedes

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Jeddah FP1: Advantage Hamilton and spicy Mercedes

hamilton fp1 jeddah

Formula 1 action resumed for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after a two-week break at the sport’s newest venue, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with Lewis Hamilton having the early advantage.

Being the latest street circuit to join the F1 calendar, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, promises to be a proper challenge for the 20 best drivers in the world, with its high speed nature and lack of run-off areas, with walls – aplenty – ready to collect the car of any erring F1 driver.

There were many points to look out for in Jeddah, the penultimate round of this year’s F1 season, with the two title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton separated by eight points in the standings to the former’s advantage, with Mercedes “theoretically” considered to thrive around the brand new street circuit, not to mention the “spicy” Merc engine Hamilton will have bolted to his W12.

But with predictions being pointless this season, who’s to say that Verstappen and Red Bull won’t be the prevailing in Saudi Arabia.

Hamilton immediately finds his rhythm

Despite Verstappen starting off well, and hogging the top of the time sheets while on the Hard tyres, the advantage swung towards Hamilton once both cars bolted on the red-banded Soft tyres, the Briton finishing the first practice session in Saudi Arabia fastest of all with a time of 1:29.786.

Second went to the Dutchman who was only 0.056s off the pace of his title rival. Too close to call between the two.

Third went to Valtteri Bottas, the wingman 0.223s slower than his teammate, and was followed by AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly 0.255s off the Finn’s pace.

Antonio Giovinazzi was a surprise fifth for Alfa Romeo but over half a second off the pace, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz a further 0.246s behind the Italian in sixth.

Seventh was Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc, the Monegasque 0.036s slower than the Spaniard.

Daniel Ricciardo was eighth for McLaren and 0.822s off the top time, whilst his teammate Lando Norris was 13th over four tenths slower than the Aussie.

Fernando Alonso, who was on the podium in Qatar last time out, was ninth in the first practice session in Jeddah over one second down on Hamilton’s benchmark time.

Sebastian Vettel rounded off the top ten for Aston Martin 0.044s slower than Alonso.

Outside the top ten

First to miss out on the top ten was Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, who never seemed comfortable between the walls of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, finishing 11th and 1.174s off the pace.

Esteban Ocon was 12th in the other Alpine, almost two tenths slower than his veteran teammate Alonso.

Norris as aforementioned was 13th ahead of Lance Stroll in 14th, the Canadian 1.258s off the top time.

Yuki Tsunoda who has an embarrassing moment exiting the pits was 15th, ahead of soon-to-be-retiring Kimi Raikkonen in 16th.

The Williams pair, George Russell and Nicholas Latifi, who where sporting tributes to the late team founder Sir Frank Williams on their cars, were 17th and 19th respectively, as they were split by the Haas of Mick Schumacher in 18th.

Nikita Mazepin was 2oth.

Saudi Arabia FP1 Results:

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Premier League top three set for titanic title battle | The Guardian Nigeria News

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Premier League top three set for titanic title battle | The Guardian Nigeria News

Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have set a fearsome pace in the Premier League that no other team can live with as a thrilling three-way title race takes shape.

Thomas Tuchel, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are in charge of three of Europe’s hottest sides, with Liverpool, in third place, already seven points clear of fourth-placed West Ham after 14 matches.

AFP Sport looks at how the contenders are shaping up heading into a hectic few weeks of action.

Chelsea – 33 points
The European champions hold a slender one-point advantage over City at the top of the table.

Tuchel admitted his side were lucky to escape with a 2-1 win at Watford on Wednesday but felt Chelsea were due some good fortune after dropping points despite dominating games against Burnley and Manchester United.

The Blues have coped impressively without club-record signing Romelu Lukaku, who has not started a league match since mid-October.

Without the Belgian, goals have had to be shared around — wing-back Reece James is the club’s top scorer so far this season, with five.

The bedrock of Tuchel’s first year in charge at Stamford Bridge has been a rock-solid defence. Chelsea boast the best record in the league, with a miserly six goals conceded in 14 games.

But they have yet to hit the heights shown by City and Liverpool in spells this season and have benefited from a gentle run of fixtures in recent weeks.

Back-to-back clashes with Liverpool and City in January will be the iron test of their title credentials, while the impact of the Club World Cup in February will leave them playing catch-up in games later in the season.

Man City – 32 points
Only unexpected dropped points at home to Southampton and Crystal Palace have kept the champions from establishing a comfortable lead at the top of the table.

Despite the lack of a recognised striker, City still look like the side to beat as they aim to win a fourth title in five years.

Guardiola’s men have so far saved their best for the big occasion. They dominated in their away trips to Stamford Bridge and Anfield, inflicting Chelsea’s only defeat of the season and feeling they deserved more from a 2-2 draw at Liverpool.

Manchester United were also swept aside with ease at the beginning of a four-game winning streak in the league that looks ominous for the other contenders.

This time last year City turned a slow start into a 21-game winning run in all competitions to storm clear at the top of the table.

Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are returning to full fitness and City could even address their striker shortage in January, adding more firepower to their already impressive arsenal.

Liverpool – 31 points
Liverpool have the outstanding player in the league in Mohamed Salah, who took his tally for the season to 19 goals in as many games in all competitions in a 4-1 hammering of Everton on Wednesday.

It was the third consecutive Premier League game in which Liverpool have scored four goals and they have racked up 43 in the competition.

After a series of injuries to key players ruined their title defence last season, the Reds are matching their best form of the Klopp era, which yielded a Champions League triumph in 2019 and a first league title in 30 years in 2020.

However, they are not blessed with the same strength in depth as City and Chelsea and that could show when Salah and Sadio Mane head off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Anthony Joshua will consider step-aside offer to let Usyk fight Tyson Fury – EXCLUSIVE | Boxing | Sport

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Anthony Joshua will consider step-aside offer to let Usyk fight Tyson Fury – EXCLUSIVE | Boxing | Sport

Britain’s former unified champion activated the rematch clause after surrendering his titles to Usyk back in September.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is currently targeting a spring showdown between the pair next year, but doubts over the fight have emerged after Usyk’s camp expressed an interest in fighting Fury for all the heavyweight marbles.

Fury, who holds the WBC and Ring Magazine belts, is expected to face his mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte next, though a fight for the undisputed championship could take precedence if an agreement can be made.

Talks are not even in their infancy yet for that fight to happen with Express Sport learning that no step-aside offer has been made to Joshua.

However, Joshua’s camp have made it clear that they would consider an offer if one was put forth to them.

A source in Joshua’s camp told Express Sport: “AJ is a boxer who does smart business, but it’s not dependant on finances.

“It is more dependant on how things could pan out for us. But we’ve not received any offers yet.

“Yes we would consider one, we’re not a closed book and we’ll never be a closed book, but right now we’re planning for the rematch.

“Tell Usyk’s promoter to focus on the rematch.

“We’ll listen to the offer if one is made and we will put our recommendations and suggestions to Joshua – as will Eddie Hearn – and then make the best decision for Anthony.”

AJ’s camp have stressed that their decision to potentially step aside would not be influenced by money and that it would have to make sense for Joshua’s future plans.

It is likely that Joshua would command a right to face the winner of Usyk and Fury’s prospective fight for a deal to be possible. 

Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk revealed the unified champion is open to fighting Fury next instead ‘if the offer is right’ and is confident they can satisfy Joshua’s financial demands.

The undefeated pound-for-pound star produced a boxing masterclass to wrench away Joshua’s titles earlier this year and could get the opportunity to become the first man since Lennox Lewis in the early 2000s to be crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion if he defeats Fury next.

Fury’s promoter Bob Arum insisted this week that Whyte was the Gypsy King’s ‘logical’ next fight, but previously admitted his preference would be a showdown with Usyk. 

Speaking last month, the legendary promoter said: “If Joshua decides not to exercise his rematch against Usyk and decides to step aside, the fight we would like to make is between Usyk and Fury.

“Then Joshua can fight the winner of the undisputed fight. 

“That’s what Tyson would like. And I represent Tyson. That is his preference.”

Fantasy basketball daily notes for Friday

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Fantasy basketball daily notes for Friday

On a Thursday slate without a marquee matchup, the Memphis Grizzlies provided the buzz in producing the largest win in NBA history, downing the Oklahoma City Thunder by 73 points. Memphis has now won three straight games since losing Ja Morant to a knee injury, with Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way as he takes his fantasy profile to a new level.

Jackson impressively paced the Grizzlies with 27 points in just 20 minutes of run in the blowout victory and has averaged 20.8 points, 2.3 blocks and 2.8 3-pointers the last six games. In his last two games, Jackson has made an absurd 71% of his 3-pointers while averaging 26 PPG. As I mentioned in our recent fantasy hoops roundtable, Jackson has seen his usage jump a team-high 6.8% with Morant off the floor this season, leading to league-winning per 36 rates of 26.1 points, 8.4 boards and 4.0 blocks in such scenarios.

Beyond Jackson, Memphis has leaned on its unique depth and balance while Morant heals, recording 93 bench points in last night’s historic win, the second most in a game since starters were first tracked in 1970. I’d love to be able to endorse De’Anthony Melton and his awesome defensive and rebounding rates, but the team continues to start Tyus Jones as the lead distributor, curbing hopes of a rewarding new role for Melton. Desmond Bane was cold last night and yet the team still cruised, further evidence this might just be the “JJJ” show until Morant is back in action.

Thursday recap

Highlights

Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs: 15 points (6-16 FG), 7 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals

Julius Randle, New York Knicks: 30 points (14-21 FG), 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks

Lowlights

Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls: 8 points (3-14 FG), 5 rebounds, 6 assists

Gary Trent Jr., Toronto Raptors: 8 points (3-16 FG), 8 rebounds, 3 assists

Thursday takeaways

  • San Antonio’s Murray has now compiled five games this season with at least 10 dimes and multiple steals, trailing only Chris Paul in that regard. Last night, he fittingly became just the second Spurs player under Gregg Popovich to produce at least 10 points and 10 assists in the first half, joining franchise icon Tony Parker. Murray, who paces all guards in rebounding this season, currently sits 32nd on the Player Rater amid a breakout fantasy campaign.

  • Speaking of career seasons, Toronto’s Fred VanVleet has been tasked with even more scoring responsibilities with OG Anunoby sidelined, as the dynamic combo guard is up to career-high 20.3 PPG this season after last night’s 29-point performance in a win over the Bucks. He’s making a bid for his first All-Star selection.

  • A less encouraging statistical story from Toronto has been Chris Boucher, who played just 12 minutes last night and can be let go into a free agency in nearly every format. Last season saw Boucher produce an elite block rate and respectable shooting and rebounding results in a busy bench role, but he’s been pushed to the fringes of the rotation this season.

Injuries of note

  • Portland’s backcourt injury issues continued on Thursday, with Anfernee Simons leaving the team’s loss to the Spurs in a walking boot.

  • The Timberwolves list Karl-Anthony Towns as questionable to play this evening due to a tailbone contusion suffered in the team’s last game. Anthony Edwards is probable and would serve as a DFS building block if Towns sits this one out.

  • In a swing of good news for the Rockets, Christian Wood is listed as probable to play against the Magic after suffering an ankle injury earlier this week. Kevin Porter Jr. is questionable due to a thigh injury. Jae’Sean Tate makes for a solid streaming play after he posted one of the best overall fantasy lines of the season in a win over the Thunder on Wednesday (32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 5 blocks).

  • The Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown due to a hamstring injury. Josh Richardson has seen a sizable leap in fantasy points per minute with Brown off the floor this season.

Analytics advantage for Friday

The Heat will be without Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Markieff Morris for tonight’s matchup against the visiting Pacers. With Butler and Adebayo off the floor this season, Dewayne Dedmon has posted 13 points and 14 boards per 36 minutes for Miami, making him an ideal streaming option at a shallow center position.

DFS discussion

Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic: Facing a smaller Houston lineup could help both Carter and Mo Bamba deliver surplus fantasy value on Friday. Carter has posted between 26 and 48 DraftKings points in six straight, aiding a solid projection in a plus matchup.

Daniel Gafford, Washington Wizards: It’s safe to assume Gafford will play a sizable role for the Wizards this evening given his size, as Washington faces a large Cleveland frontcourt that does damage in and around the paint. Gafford has topped 30 DraftKings points in four straight games and yet is found nearly at punt pricing for tonight’s game.

Raptors hold on to beat Bucks 97-93

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Raptors hold on to beat Bucks 97-93

TORONTO – When Fred VanVleet muscled his way through two defenders to score with about three minutes to play, and with a rare win at Scotiabank Arena within sight, the guard raised both hands in the air encouraging the fans to cheer.

They obliged.

“It was one of those moments: playing so hard, working so hard, obviously given the circumstances, I think we really deserved that win,” VanVleet said. “I just wanted us to give us some energy and some momentum going into those last two or three minutes.”

VanVleet finished with 29 points to lead the short-handed Raptors to a 97-93 victory over Milwaukee on Thursday, snapping the Bucks’ eight game winning streak.

In just their third victory at home this season, the Raptors (10-13) ended a four-game losing skid with just their second win in their last six games.

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The absence of Bucks star and NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t hurt. The Raptors learned of his absence about 30 minutes before tipoff.

“In the back of your head, you thank the man upstairs and try to get a win,” VanVleet laughed. “Me being in this league for so long, that’s something you don’t really show the young guys. They need to understand it doesn’t matter who is playing.”

Milwaukee was coming off a win the previous night in Charlotte.

“I watched their game (Wednesday night),” VanVleet said. “I knew those guys were going to be gassed and tired tonight. It was important for us to push the pace and be the aggressors and see how much they had in the tank. That championship pedigree, they fought to the last point-seven (on the clock), for sure.”

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In a game that came down the dying seconds, Pascal Siakam had 20 points and eight rebounds, while rookie Scottie Barnes had 13. Back after missing two games with a deep calf bruise, Gary Trent Jr. had eight points and eight rebounds.

Jrue Holiday scored 26 points to lead a Bucks team (14-9).

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The Raptors were coming off an ugly 98-91 loss to Memphis, dropping five straight at home for the first time since January 2011. Siakam said after the loss to the Grizzlies that “the fans deserve better.”

They were solid out of the gate Thursday, holding the Bucks to a three-point lead then assembling an 11-point lead of their own. They led 73-68 to start the fourth.

The Bucks pulled to within two early in the final frame, but VanVleet led the Raptors on a 7-0 run to put them up by nine.

The guard’s gesture to the crowd, said Precious Achiuwa, was “Just intensity, get everybody in the game, stay locked in and trying to get the crowd involved. We need that energy and you can play off that and feel good.”

Bobby Portis Jr., connected on a three-pointer with 33 seconds to play to slice the difference to just three points. The final seconds saw a parade to the free-throw line by both teams, VanVleet draining a pair to give the Raptors five points of breathing room. Back-to-back fouls with 14 seconds to play sent the Bucks to the line for five shots. They missed two.

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Achiuwa missed a pair of free throws with 3.6 seconds to play, but Barnes grabbed the offensive rebound that all but sealed the victory.

Barnes did an excellent job of guarding veteran Khris Middleton, who finished with 22 points.

“When we found out Giannis was not playing, we were deciding what our game plan on Middleton would be, and Scottie stepped up and said ‘I’m gonna guard him, I’m gonna guard him hard,’ so let’s start with that,” said Raptors coach Nick Nurse. “So he did and I thought he did a good job on him, made him work.”:

Toronto has been hit hard by injuries. OG Anunoby sat out his eighth straight game with a hip injury, and there’s no timeline for his return, while Khem Birch remains out with knee swelling.

The Bucks were also short-handed, also missing Brook Lopez and DeMarcus Cousins.

Trent Jr., who wore one white shoe and one black, made his presence felt immediately, connecting on a three-pointer for the first points of the game. Toronto made six of the 10 shots from long-distance in a solid first quarter, and led 26-23 to start the second.

The Raptors kept up the momentum and when Achiuwa scored on a running dunk, swinging from the rim like a gymnast on the high bar, Toronto went up by eight. The home team went into the locker-room at halftime with a 48-40 lead.

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While Anunoby still isn’t practising after his recovery recently stalled, Nurse sounded more hopeful about Birch.

“I think it’s getting better,” Nurse said. “He’s not in practice or anything but I see him in the gym and it seems like he’s working fairly hard so I think it’s improving, hopefully he’ll be back soon.”

The Raptors’ season-long seven-game homestand continues on Sunday against Washington. Toronto is at home for 10 of its 13 games in December.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2021.




© 2021 The Canadian Press

Oleksandr Usyk’s camp respond to Anthony Joshua’s step-aside talks for Tyson Fury fight | Boxing | Sport

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Oleksandr Usyk’s camp respond to Anthony Joshua’s step-aside talks for Tyson Fury fight | Boxing | Sport

Oleksandr Usyk is willing to fight Tyson Fury next if the Gypsy King’s camp agree a step-aside fee with Anthony Joshua. The Brit – who lost his straps to the Ukrainian southpaw in late September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – has already admitted he’d be willing to consider moving out of the way for Fury to fight Usyk for all the marbles, permitting the offer was right.

Joshua has been touring the United States and testing out multiple trainers ahead of a potential corner shake-up.

AJ is reluctant to predominantly move away from his old Team GB coach Rob McCracken but has had to answer some uncomfortable questions in the aftermath of the one-sided defeat to Usyk.

Meanwhile, WBC and Ring Magazine champion Fury has made it clear that he would love to get to work with former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk.

But for that to happen, Joshua would have to step aside and Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has already confirmed talks are underway.

However, the prospect of facing the Gypsy King does not bother Usyk in the slightest.

In fact, he would be quite happy to fight Fury next if a deal can be struck between the two British heavyweights, according to his promoter Alex Krassyuk.

“The talks on AJ’s step aside have been around since Fury KO’d Wilder,” Krassyuk said.

“I heard that Joshua could consider stepping aside if the money is right as he feels respect to the division and is willing to let the undisputed heavyweight championship happen.

“Usyk says that he can fight Fury next if the offer is right and if AJ allows to do so.”

While Joshua initially downplayed the idea during an interview with iFL TV, he refused to rule it out on the grounds of business.

“Step aside in terms of, I don’t know if that goes in line with what I morally stand for. But let me be real, I want to be known as one of the smartest businessmen as well,” Joshua said.

“I used to watch Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe, we all know the stories of NFL players, basketball players, they make bad decisions.

“I wanted to make sure I make the smart moves when it comes to this business. If the money is right, you have to look at it.

“You have to look at it. But respect to me has a lot more value than money. Respect first, what I’m known for when I leave this division, then being the smartest businessman in my career.

“That step aside thing, it may not go with what I stand for in terms of bringing me respect, fighting the best, but it may make sense for business.”

The WBC were expected to order Fury to defend his green strap against fellow Brit Dillian Whyte.

But in yet another twist, the WBC confirmed that there is an undisclosed arbitration going on between the fighter and organisation that is preventing the bout from happening, as things stand.

Either way, Fury is looking to get out and fight in February or May.

Hill: Wolff and Horner like watching Britain’s Got Talent

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Hill: Wolff and Horner like watching Britain’s Got Talent

wolff horner

Damon Hill has likened the off-track feud between Red Bull boss Christian Horner and his title rival Toto Wolff, at Mercedes, to watching Britain’s Got Talent, putting it down to the pressure of the epic 2021 Formula 1 World Championship.

Horner and Wolff have engaged in a war of words throughout the campaign, ramping up as the season reaches a climax. We even dubbed them #SpiceBoy and #CryWolff!

The pair were interviewed last weekend before the Qatar Grand Prix, during a press conference that will go down as one of the classics.

Set with the backdrop of countless barbs directed at one another, they only agree on one thing: there will be no exchanging of Christmas cards this festive season.

Ahead of this weekend’s inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the 21st round of a gruelling 22-round season, 1996 world champion Hill weighed in on the headline-grabbing verbal sparring between title-contending team principals.

With Horner in Max Verstappen’s corner, the Dutch ace seeking his first F1 title, Wolff is doing the same for Lewis Hamilton. The British knight hunting an unprecedented eighth F1 World Champion crown.

He lies eight points adrift of Max in top spot, with only unknown Jeddah and familiar Abu Dhabi to go.

Asked about the root of the squabble, Hill told PA news agency: “There’s definitely pressure and anxiety. It is getting so close and so tight.

“All that hard work and there must have been times this season where [Red Bull] thought ‘this is doable’ and when you see the gap closing, I wouldn’t say it creates panic in the ranks but it must be exhausting. So the stresses are starting to show and the tension between the two team bosses was something I’ve not seen before.

“It usually took place, probably on phone calls and in Bernie’s office years ago or something. But to actually put it on display like that in the press conference was a new thing where it was a little bit like watching Britain’s Got Talent, wasn’t it?

“It’s publicly probing for the weak-point and the weak spots in people’s persona and that was slightly uncomfortable to watch, but then I suppose it’s understandable,” reckoned Hill.

Like all F1 fans, he too is relishing the title fight between the two teams, at the end of an era totally dominated by Mercedes as well as the no-holds-barred contest between the two best drivers of this era, if not all time.

Weighing in on the Real Deal Duel, Hill said: “This is boom time really for F1. After the new management moved in there were some doubts as to whether or not they completely understood F1, but I think they’ve shown they understand something.

“This has been a great season, we haven’t had a season like this for a very long time in the points difference between teams over going back over the last 10 years.

“This is really close and I can’t remember a season where the title contenders have led and then been behind and they led again and then been behind so often – is there another season where it’s swapped lead so many times? I can’t think of one.

“Maybe there is one more swap to go!” added Hill.

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