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BOXING

GLOVES ARE OFF: I’m the greatest female boxer of all time… but now I want to be a world champion in a different sport

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American laid out her historic plan in exclusive chat to SunSport

CLARESSA SHIELDS is not shy of boasting about being the greatest women’s boxer of all time – but now she wants to go a step further.

Shields has an almost unmatched CV in the sport, with double Olympic gold medals, two undisputed titles and belts in three different divisions to her name.

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But the outspoken American looked to better her legacy even further by crossing over to MMA in 2021 with the Professional Fighters League.

Shields, unbeaten in boxing, is 1-1 in MMA but insisted she did not swap the boxing ring for the cage just to experiment.

Instead, she wants to become a two-sport world champion as she sets her sights on the PFL title and the history that comes with it.

She told SunSport: “That’s the ultimate goal. Manifestation is real, I believe in two or three years I will be fighting for the PFL world championship.

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“I’ll still be a boxing world champion and the same time. So the goal is to be boxing world champion and be PFL champion at the same time.

“And after that, I’d probably wash my hands with MMA but that’s the bigger goal.”

Shields won her MMA debut by beating Brittney Elkin but she then suffered defeat for the first time since her amateur boxing days against Abigail Montes.

She has not returned to the cage since, instead picking up a trio of boxing wins, including against arch rival Savannah Marshall.

But now Shields has her eyes on the PFL’s season, where stars fight in qualifying and knockout stages over four bouts to win the title and $1m cash prize.

But more than just the money, Shields believes actively holding titles in both sports – which would be a historic first – cements her place as the best to ever do it.

She said: “Well, I’m already the greatest woman of all time in boxing, we know that.

“But to be able to come over to a whole different sport in the prime of my career and win, when I’m able to win the PFL world championship, I think that ranks me as the greatest combat sports person ever.

“And not even woman. I don’t know any champion who can do what I’m doing right now.

“So I believe in three years when I actually get in the PFL tournament and I fight for the PFL world championship, when I win that rates me as the greatest combat sports person in history.”

Shields makes her MMA return on Saturday in Riyadh against Kelsey DeSantis on the PFL vs Bellator undercard.

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BOXING

NO JOSHING ‘I feel bad for Francis Ngannou’, says worried fans after Anthony Joshua shows off lean shape ahead of fight

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ANTHONY JOSHUA has fans already feeling sorry for Francis Ngannou after giving an inside look into his training camp.

Joshua returns on March 8 in Saudi Arabia against Ngannou, who only made his boxing debut in October against Tyson Fury.

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Anthony Joshua in training to fight Francis Ngannou

And he has been preparing for the crossover bout at new trainer Ben Davison’s gym in Harlow.

AJ uploaded a snap in all black with a menacing look on his face – leaving some fans fearing the worst for Ngannou.

One said: “I really feel bad for that Francis guy cause you’re ready.”

Another added: “I feel bad for Francis he will feel the heat.”

One agreed: “Those eyes say it all.”

Joshua, 34, stopped Otto Wallin, 32, in five rounds in his last fight in December, his first under coach Davison.

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AJ had fans fearing the worst for Ngannou

Meanwhile Ngannou, 35, dropped Fury, 37, on his boxing debut but lost a controversial split-decision.

It was still enough for him to earn the bout with AJ, filling in for Deontay Wilder, 38, after the American lost to Joseph Parker, 32.

Many were shocked by Ngannou’s performance and knockdown of Fury – but not Joshua.

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He said during a DAZN face to face: “I think if I box Tyson Fury a lot of similarities will happen in the fight so I am not surprised at all in terms of his style, who Fury is, it’s just a boxing match.

“Well done to both of them, they put on an entertaining fight but that’s in the past. That’s how boxing is, and we move forward now.”

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CELEB NEWS

Serena Williams Enters The Avatar State In ‘The Last Airbender’ Spot

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Tennis great Serena Williams is taking her game to the next level with the help of The Avatar. A 30-second spot touting Netflix‘s anticipated Avatar: The Last Airbender, which aired Sunday during the NBA All-Star Game, features Williams on fire (and water and earth and air) on the tennis court after she enters The Avatar State.

Serena Williams Enters Avatar State in Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender Promo

The Netflix live-action series is an adaptation of the award-winning and beloved Nickelodeon animated series of the same name. It takes place in a world that is divided into four nations: the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads. “Benders” are people that have the ability to telekinetically manipulate and control the element corresponding to their nation, using gestures based on Chinese martial arts. The “Avatar” is the only individual with the ability to bend all four elements.

Gordon Cormier (Aang), Kiawentiio (Katara), Ian Ousley (Sokka) and Dallas Liu (Prince Zuko) lead the cast of the series which premieres February 22 on Netflix.

Albert Kim (Sleepy Hollow, Nikita) serves as showrunner, executive producer, and writer. Alongside Kim, Rideback’s Dan Lin (The Lego Movie, Aladdin) and Lindsey Liberatore (Walker) and Jabbar Raisani serve as executive producers as well as Michael Goi (Swamp Thing, American Horror Story). Goi, Roseanne Liang (also a co-executive producer), Raisani and Jet Wilkinson direct.

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GOLF

Paige Spiranac shows off power swing, destroys beer can in new video

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The golf influencer was promoting one of her many sponsors on Instagram

Paige Spiranac, the amateur golfer and social media sensation, recently took to her Instagram Stories to promote a beer brand with a trick shot that revealed a little more than she bargained for.

Spiranac, who was wearing a pink halter top and white golf skirt, is seen in the video taking a swing at a ball perched on top of a “Garage” beer can

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Paige Spiranac is a Patrick Mahomes fan
On Sunday, the influencer took to X to praise Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, as he led his team to a third Super Bowl ring in five years.

Spiranac, 30, seemed to enjoy the Super Bowl, including the halftime show, and was in disbelief with Mahomes as he finished the championship game as the MVP with 333 passing yards and two touchdowns.

“Patrick Mahomes is so clutch it’s ridiculous,” Spiranac posted on X.

Spiranac, who is known to be a major sports fan, is also in partnership with an online sportsbook.

Paige Spiranac posted a video of herself hitting a ball on top of a...

The blond bombshell also shared her admiration for Usher’s performance in the Apple Music Halftime Show where he featured pole dancers and rollerbladed around the stage.

Paige Spiranac continues to be a master at attracting the attention of her fans, excelling in her progression in and out of golf.

Her presence on social media and her connections with prominent golf figures underscore her influence in the sports marketing industry.

Despite being rumored to be in a relationship with LIV Golf’sBryson DeChambeau, the amateur athlete has remained tight-lipped about her dating life.

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GYMNASTICS

How Many Medals Has Simone Biles Won? Deep Dive Into the Achievements of the Most Decorated Gymnast

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Simone Biles is a formidable force in the gymnastics world, who has captivated fans worldwide with her extraordinary talent and record-breaking accomplishments. But how many medals does this renowned athlete have to her name, given her brilliant career? Examining Biles’ incredible path reveals a mosaic of victories and significant events that have left her mark on the annals of sports history.

Simone Biles, a 26-year-old all-around, has expanded the boundaries of gymnastics with every elegant flip and flawless landing. Notwithstanding her recent exit from the upcoming Winter Cup, she still boasts an immaculate tally of wins, via brand endorsement deals and professional overtures. The 7x Olympic medalist moonlights also as a doting wife and a par exemplary athlete. One question however lingers deep, and that is how many shiny talismans of victory does she have ensconced in her cabinet?

The Medal-lion Biles for the win
Simone Biles’ performance at her maiden Olympics in Rio 2016, made her the inexorable juggernaut she is, when she won individual gold medals in the all-around vault, and floor exercises, along with a bronze on the balance beam, marked the beginning of her journey to gymnastics stardom. With this stunning achievement, Biles entered an epochal league of her own and shot to the top of the discipline. We’d be remiss if we didn’t point out her 7 cumulative Olympic medals, out of which four are gold, one is a silver and the other’s a neat bronze, acquired during her trysts in Tokyo and Rio.

Team USA | Simone Biles

However, even though she faced obstacles that tried her fortitude, Biles continued to dominate and added medals to her collection at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Biles managed to secure a bronze on the balancing beam and helped Team USA win the silver medal, demonstrating her resilience in the face of the odds. She made her debut in the 2013 Championships in Antwerp, where she won gold in the floor exercises and all-around, as well as silver in the vault and bronze in the beam. That’s not all this phenom embellishes to her credit though.

Mere mortals can’t fathom the medals galore that Biles possesses
Outside of the Olympic stage, Simone Biles has left a lasting mark at the World Championships, where over her illustrious career, she has earned an astounding thirty medals. With 23 gold medals under her belt and the record for most World Championship wins ever, Biles is the most decorated gymnast in the history of the sport.

Simone Biles: Olympic champion responds to viral video of black girl not given medal - BBC Sport

Throughout her career, Simone Biles has accumulated a staggering number of medals in both team and individual competitions. She won an Olympic gold medal in the team competition in Rio 2016. She won two golds in the often overlooked Pacific Rim Championships too, in Everett for the Team and All-around, respectively.

By taking home numerous titles at the US Championships and US Classic events, she has further solidified her reputation as a gymnastics powerhouse. She won gold in the vault, bars, beam, floor, and all-around exercises in multiple tournaments, including the 2016 and 2018 events. With each competition, Biles pushes the boundaries even further. Despite her absence from the upcoming Winter Cup, her indelible mark will be left at Paris 2024, a place where she can add additional medals to her ever-burgeoning repertoire.

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GOLF

Charlie Woods Updates: Is He Playing Golf in February Amid Tiger Woods’s Tragic Exit?

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The last year was a huge success for Charlie Woods! Tiger Woods’s son played the most number of events in the 2023 season and may start to replicate the success he achieved then in the 2024 season too. For now, the junior golfer has not competed in any of the matches. The 14-year-old started school in January and is probably waiting to make the official start soon.

Looking at his past season’s schedule, the 14-year-old may play in March and attempt to qualify for one of the biggest junior championships that usually happens near the end of the season in November.

Charlie Woods’s probable step toward the national championship
Last year in September, Woods Jr. won the Last Chance Regional event by hitting an 8-foot birdie at the par-4 18th hole to qualify for the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship. This was the second biggest moment of his amateur career as his team also captured the FHSAA Class A state championship in November. Interestingly, he might be on to something bigger in the 2024 season.

The qualifying event for the 2024 Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship will be held in March at the Mission Inn Resort & Club. The event will start on June 26 and end on the 27th. Charlie Woods may participate in the event as it is the Florida Regional Final, his home state.

The event still has a deadline of Friday, June 21 (midnight). Although Woods’s name is not on the participating list yet, he may soon apply for it. In 2023, Woods Jr. was 14 strokes away from winning the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship and tied for fourteenth spot concluding the 54 holes with a final score of 2 over 215.

Dec 17, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Charlie Woods plays his shot from the first tee during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY SportsMoreover, the Palm Beach resident might choose another qualifying event for the final championship eligibility. Last year, it was the last event before the Final Championship in Coushatta; this year as well, Charlie Woods may follow a similar schedule.

In the past season, Woods Jr. had his father caddie for him in all the events, which broke the news that Woods was healthy enough to return to golf. However, will Woods caddie for his son this year?

Can Tiger Woods caddie for his son with health issues?
t was at Riviera that Tiger Woods had his official start on the PGA Tour after his surgery in April 2023. However, the anticipated rounds of Woods were cut short as he withdrew from the event, citing the flu. By the time Charlie competes, Woods will be healthy again to caddy for his son since his influenza will probably recover. The ending of the GOAT’s first appearance was not good, but the start was also somewhat less attractive.

In round one of the Genesis Invitational, Woods shanked the last hole. After playing 18 holes, Woods experienced back spasms again. It should be noted that the 15-time major champion has had six back surgeries in his life. It highlighted that Woods cannot take as much pressure as he previously used.

However, he might caddie using a motorized golf cart since he loves to spend time with his son on the course. As for the regional finals, the NBIII committee asks for prior approval for the caddies to use the golf cart. Once that is acquired and his health is available, the golfer may caddie for Charlie, just like last year.

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TENNIS

“My dad has made me more aware; I wish I could go back to not knowing ” – Coco Gauff opens up on a disturbing fact

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Coco Gauff recently opened up about paying taxes to the government of the United States of America ever since turning pro at the age of 14.

Gauff has set foot inside the United Arab Emirates to compete at the Dubai Tennis Championships. She made it to the draw as the third seed and received a bye in the opening round. She will take on Italian qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the second round on Tuesday, February 20.

Ahead of the match, Gauff appeared for an interview with The National to answer various questions. One of the things she touched upon was her finances. She has made nearly $13 million in prize money so far.

Gauff turns 20 on March 13, 2024, but has been paying taxes like an adult for the last five years.

I’ve always been aware that I had to pay taxes even when I was a minor,” Gauff said.

The reigning US Open champion’s father Corey Gauff has helped her understand the pros and cons of the financial world. She, however, suggested that knowing the amount that gets deducted from her purse is not very exciting and she wants to unlearn everything.

I’ve been paying taxes since I’ve been making money,” Gauff continued. “But just now, when I turned 19, my dad has made me more aware of how much I’m paying and how everything works with that world. I wish I could go back to not knowing how much is going away.”

Coco Gauff: “My father is helping me with every moment, he still gives me advice on the court”

Coco Gauff's father Corey

Coco Gauff started her tennis journey under her father Corey’s wings when she was just eight years old. However, Corey has stepped back from the primary role and has opted to act more as a mentor than a full-time coach.

Gauff claimed in the interview with The National that she never anticipated such a shift but thankfully has Corey’s support in important things.

I feel like for me there was never a plan on when he [Corey] would take a step back. Like you said, he’s always involved and he’s helping me with every moment, making sure I have the right people in the team and he still gives me advice on the court,” Coco Gauff said.

She further revealed that Corey had already decided to step back once he helped her win her first Grand Slam title.

But for him, he always said like, ‘If I could help her, get to her first one [Grand Slam], that would be my time to step back’,” Coco Gauff added.

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TENNIS

Father of 2 Novak Djokovic Sets Priorities Clear as He Lays Bare His Sacrifices for ‘Bigger Than Anything’ Reward

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Novak Djokovic knows his priorities. Even though he has spent most of his time on the court, he has also turned out to be a family man. Spending time with his kids is something that the 24-time Grand Slam champion has grown to love this year. Recently, the world number one just before the Paris Masters talked about modeling his schedule in a totally different way. This year, the Serbian tennis star stressed spending time with his familiar ties as a husband and father to his wife instead of competing nonstop. In addition, he made his choice clear between being a family guy and playing on the court.

Novak Djokovic on spending time with his kids

The 2023 tennis season turned out to be one of the best years for the Serbian tennis player, as he won three out of four Grand Slam titles and is now in a position to finish the year as the number one tennis player. Even after grabbing achievements on the court, he recently set his priorities clear as he laid bare his sacrifices for the reward he has received as a family man.

As the 24-time Grand Slam champion is ready to participate in the Paris Masters, speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, he admitted that he has been adjusting his schedule to ensure he spends more time with his family.

All About Novak Djokovic's 2 Children

He said, “You know, just spending as much as possible quality time with my children. And because I have been, I would say, modeling my schedule, so to say, this year to my likings where I want to play, and I haven’t played many tournaments at all. I’ve got to spend more time with my family, and that was a beautiful thing. You know, because the rewards that you get in the relationship is something that is bigger than anything.”

He also mentioned that, in order to spend more quality time with his family, he had opted to skip a few tournaments this year. He went on to say that the rewards he had received from his close relationships outweighed any accomplishments he had made on the court.

Nevertheless, earlier, when he won the US Open title, during the final match he also displayed an amazing father-daughter bond, making his priorities quite clear.

All You Need to Know About Novak Djokovic's Young Children Tara and Stefan - EssentiallySports

When Novak Djokovic revealed how his daughter is his little stress buster
After winning the US Open final match against Daniil Medvedev, there was a moment when the Serbian tennis player celebrated his victory with his six-year-old daughter. It was quite an emotional moment for him, and after the match, in an interview with Eurosport, he talked about how she was his little stress buster throughout the game.

Additionally, he said that he was quite determined to give it his all, especially in the second set, before things took a turn for the worse after realizing that his daughter was seated in the first row. He also disclosed that at one point Tara gave him a fist bump so they could both enjoy the little intermission between the contest. Nevertheless, Djokovic hugged his daughter as soon as he could after winning, sharing a touching moment.

However, what do you think about the 37-year-old tennis star prioritizing his family over everything? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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BOXING

Gervonta Davis makes a shocking move amid Conor Benn’s fight

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Promoter Eddie Hearn says Gervonta Davis rejected an offer of over $10 million that could been as high as $25 million from the PPV and gate money for a fight against welterweight Conor Benn.

Hearn didn’t say he could have gotten as much as $25 million for the fight if he had told Tank Davis. If Tank wanted that amount guaranteed, that would be a problem because the fight may not have done well enough on the U.S. side for Hearn to break even.

American boxing fans probably wouldn’t be interested in paying to watch Tank fight Benn, seeing that he’s not well known in the States, and the fans who do know of him recognize that he’s a limited fighter with an inflated record.

What also may have factored in Tank Davis’ decision not to agree to the offer was the reports of Benn rehydrating to 171 lbs for his last fight against Peter Dobson on February 3rd. If Tank took the fight, he’d likely be outweighed by 20+ lbs.

Benn isn’t a great fighter, but Tank still wouldn’t want to face a guy weighing over 20 lbs more than on fight night.

Misunderstanding the Offer?

“We made him an offer, which he felt he didn’t want to discuss further,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to iFL TV about an offer he made to lightweight Gervonta Davis to fight welterweight contender Conor Benn.

“It was over the $10 [million guaranteed], but it also had PPV bonuses beyond that, gate bonuses beyond that. So it could’ve been $20 million, could’ve been $25 million. But he didn’t really want to discuss it,” Hearn continued about Gervonta Davis.

“I made him an offer that I felt was an offer that was quite powerful for the fight and could also lead to a lot more than that beyond the basic but, you know…I think he probably don’t really understand the dynamic of the deal, the numbers. I might go back,” said Hearn.

If Tank Davis didn’t understand the amount that he could make from the fight, it’s not too late for Hearn to speak to him to let him know he could make a massive amount of money.

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TENNIS

Roger Federer illustrious tennis career to be unveiled in an intimate documentary

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The emotional conclusion of Roger Federer’s illustrious tennis career is set to be unveiled in an intimate documentary, initially intended solely for personal recollection but now slated for release on Prime Video.

Directed by Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia, the film delves into the final 12 days of Federer’s journey, capturing his most vulnerable moments as he bids farewell to the sport that has shaped his life for over two decades.

Federer’s retirement, a poignant moment marked by his participation in the Laver Cup 2022, witnessed his closest rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray standing by his side as he took his final bow on the court.

The documentary promises an insider’s view into Federer’s emotional state during this period, offering unprecedented access to his relationships with his fellow tennis icons.

Originally conceived as a personal keepsake, the project evolved into a profound exploration of Federer’s farewell, providing viewers with an intimate glimpse into his world.

Reflecting on the transition from private memoir to public documentary, Federer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share his story with a global audience, citing Prime Video’s expansive reach and influence in the film industry.

Federer’s retirement marked the end of a remarkable career marred by a prolonged struggle with a knee injury.

Despite his determination to overcome physical setbacks, the former world No. 1 ultimately made the difficult decision to heed his body’s signals and bid farewell to professional tennis.

Here is what Federer said of the documentary: “Initially, the idea was to capture the final moments of my professional tennis career so that I could have it later on to show my family and friends,” Federer explained. “During my career, I tended to shy away from having cameras around me and my family, especially during important moments. But I didn’t see the harm in shooting this as it was never intended for the public.”

Explaining his decision to turn it into a documentary for Prime Video, he added: “However, we captured so many powerful moments, and it transformed into a deeply personal journey. I am happy to be partnering with Prime Video because of their vast global reach and significant presence in the film industry. This ensures that the story of my final days in tennis will resonate with both tennis enthusiasts and broader audiences worldwide.”

His final appearance at the Laver Cup, surrounded by his esteemed colleagues, serves as a fitting conclusion to a legendary chapter in the sport’s history.

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