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Anthony Joshua on brink of £500million two-fight mega deal with Tyson Fury – but must survive Daniel Dubois test first

ANTHONY JOSHUA is one win away from a potential HALF-A-BILLION-POUND Tyson Fury two-fight mega deal.

Victory for Watford’s 34-year-old Olympic legend, over Daniel Dubois tonight at a 96,000 sell-out Wembley, will make him the hottest ticket in boxing.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Anthony Joshua gestures to the crowd during a weigh-in as part of the Riyadh Season - Wembley Edition card at Trafalgar Square on September 20, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Anthony Joshua is a throw’s stone away from fighting Tyson Fury

And – as long as Fury isn’t violently knocked out and injured in the Oleksandr Usyk rematch on December 21 – the wheels are already in motion for FINALLY making the fight everyone in England wants to see.

Our AJ may dream of getting one back on the 37-year-old Ukraine icon who dominated him twice to snatch away his WBA, IBF and WBO belts.

And a win over 27-year-old Dubois – with bright young trainer Ben Davison – would rightly make him a confident boost about a shot of revenge

But outside of Team AJ and cheerleader Eddie Hearn – there is no clamour at all to see Joshua vs Usyk 3 – especially when the best he can do is drag it back to 2-1 against a man who would be pushing 40 with four kids indoors to worry about.

For all of AJ’s incredible success and downright decency – London 2012’s legacy, his singlehanded revolution of British boxing, and saving of hundreds of local gyms with personal donations in lockdown, when the Government left the sport to die – it is a stain on his record that he never faced a peak and and undefeated Fury or Deontay Wilder.

He has been the golden goose and the cash cow in a sport that is usually a bit of a pigsty – his status as a British sport legend is cemented for eternity.

But across the Pond in America – which will return as the boxing Mecca when Saudi get bored or achieve their goal with funding fights – he is seen as a dud.

The violent knockout loss on his one and only trip to the Big Apple, left a bitter taste over there and snatching a win back over Usyk will not help his reputation outside of his diehard fans.

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ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley

But taking on Fury – in what would most likely be a two-fight deal with the opener in Riyadh and the return leg in England – might charm any of his remaining critics and doubters.

The great men from previous eras – that AJ studies and admires – did all face their finest rivals, some – like George Foreman and Larry Holmes – even across generations.

But if he hangs up his gloves with the Gypsy King and Wilder on his record, then people will have the right to frown when his name is mentioned among the pantheon of greats.

But two great Fury fights – each likely to do around 2m pay-per-view sales at a guess of £30-a-pop – with one likely to sell out a 100,000 seater UK stadium at an average of maybe £500 a ticket – would be a spectacle right up there with the Fight of the Century, Thrilla in Manilla and Rumble in the Jungle.

The world will stop to watch the build-up – let alone the fight.

Imagine the antics John Fury would get up to, what Team Fury’s Brady Bunch of brothers and pals would say to AJ and his boardroom brotherhood.

The brilliant old stories will be dragged up.

The 2010 sparring session at Finchley where rising pro Fury offered his Rolex watch to any man who could floor him and an uppercut from the reformed bad-boy bricklayer almost clocked him.

The fight was almost made twice but collapsed over money and ego.

Joshua vs Dubois fight predictions

THIS weekend Wembley will witness one of the biggest all-British fights of all-time.

But who will emerge victorious under the famous arch? Some of the biggest names in boxing have been having their say…

Oleksandr Usyk: “My favourite is Anthony Joshua but I am very bad at predictions. But I will predict Anthony Joshua.”

Dillian Whyte: “I just think that it’s one of those fights where it is a genuine 50/50 fight in my opinion.”

Joe Joyce: “I was initially edging with Joshua but I don’t know, Dubois is coming on.”

Frazer Clarke: “As heavy-handed as Dubois is and as good a fighter as he’s becoming, I still have to go for Joshua.”

Francis Ngannou: “Even though Joshua lost against Usyk twice and Dubois fought Usyk and almost knocked him down and almost won, I would still give this to Joshua.”

Click here for more fight predictions for Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois

The bizarre time they bumped into each other in Marbella and – despite all his tirades and taunting – Fury was polite to his verbals victim.

Us hacks will definitely drag up the hilarious times Fury would video call Joshua totally unannounced and wind him up.

Carl Froch will back Fury and say Joshua is useless, John Fury will offer Froch a fight.

Wladimir Klitschko will land back on the scene and support Joshua.

It would be magnificent, hilarious, historic, slapstick, tense, dark and drenched in Saudi slush funds.

And every man, woman, child and dog and duck will want to be there – the trendies who reckons Oasis were never that good – might pretend they don’t care.

But the PPV sales and the ticket revenue and the sponsorship deals and the broadcast offers will not.

Joshua versus Fury in the Spring of 2025 will kickstart the filthiest richest fight of the modern era – AJ just has to survive Dynamite Dan to light the fuse.

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Eamonn Holmes slammed for singing ‘inappropriate song’ in video to fans with S Club star after Ruth Langsford split

EAMONN Holmes has been slammed by fans for singing an “inappropriate song” in a video to fans with an S Club star.

It comes just days after the TV presenter, 64, returned to the UK with his new girlfriend Katie Alexander, 42, following a romantic holiday.

a man and a woman are sitting in a chair holding two dogs .
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Eamonn Holmes was seen hanging out with Jo from S Club 7[/caption]
a man and a woman are sitting in front of a christmas tree .
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Fans have slammed him for the song he sang[/caption]
a man and woman are posing for a picture in front of a wall that says euronics
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The presenter split from Ruth Langsford earlier this year[/caption]
a man and a woman are posing for a picture together
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Eamonn was hanging out with Hollywood star Kate Beckinsale earlier this weekend[/caption]
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Andrew Styczynski
The TV star has a new girlfriend following his split[/caption]

The Sun revealed that Eamonn’s ex Ruth Langsford has hired a “fierce” divorce ­lawyer in their marital split.

But the Irish star seems to be in good spirits as he shared his latest video with S Club 7 Star Jo O’Meara.

The pair of them had teamed up for a promotional Christmas video.

However, it was Eamonn’s choice of song that riled up fans, when he started singing, Blue Christmas.

Some fans thought he was being insensitive to ex-wife Ruth.

One wrote: “Maybe he’s trying to say something, it will be a blue Christmas without Ruth.”

While another said: “That’s a bit weird.”

This one commented: “Very inappropriate song very hurtful have some respect.”

Jo is the second celebrity that Eamonn has hung out with this week.

He got everyone talking when he was pictured with Hollywood star Kate Beckinsale.

The telly host posted a photo of him beaming with his arm wrapped around the movie star.

The broadcaster wore a black suit and Kate dazzled in a white top with a huge floral detail, and a black skirt.

Eamonn said they’d been pals via social media for years but had finally met in real life.

He captioned the post: “After years of being SM friends an ambition fulfilled tonight with the wonderful actress Kate Beckinsale.”

But some fans were quick to take aim at Eamonn for moving on with his life amid his bitter split with Loose Women’s Ruth.

One wrote: “Putting this on social media 🙄 poor Ruth.”

A second hit out at the presenter and said: “We get it, you like younger women currently.”

A third commented: “He lost such a lady is the new lady his carer??”

This angry follower said: “You have destroyed Ruth and your beautiful son Jack, I don’t think you will find happiness.”

This person shared: “Publicity stunt! Nothing more! Grow up Eamomn. Trying make your wife jealous with a younger model! Cringe.”

While another added: “Ruth has shown so much dignity. Eammon is disrespectful flaunting his floozy!”

But some followers were quick to defend the star and said they should be happy that he appears in a positive place.

This person said: “Oh My Good God! These Comments!! He’s been struggling and Kate has been really really poorly and them meeting has put a smile on their faces. Be happy for them, you twisted people!”

A second echoed: “Good lord there are so many disgusting nasty comments about Eamonn. It’s his life no one knows what happened and quite frankly it’s no one’s business either.”

Another added: “So many nasty comments! If you can’t say anything nice say nothing at all….”

The TV star’s snap comes after he enjoyed a getaway with his new girlfriend Katie.

And earlier this week we revealed that Eamonn is set to move in with his girlfriend, just four months after announcing his shock split.

Meanwhile Eamonn’s ex Ruth Langsford has hired a “fierce” divorce ­lawyer in their marital split, as revealed by The Sun this weekend.

Eamonn will be up against Catherine Costley, a protegee of Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who was enlisted by Paul McCartney in his break-up.

Loose Women host Ruth turned to her several months ago as she seeks to end her 14-year marriage to Eamonn with a financial settlement.

Ruth is STILL wearing her wedding ring after she was pictured at a public outing over the weekend.

The telly star put on a brave face to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society – and Ruth is an ambassador for the charity.

The event took place in Painshill Park in Surrey, close to where Ruth lives in the marital home she once shared with Eamonn.

On Saturday night Ruth thanked fans for their support as she enjoyed a takeaway with her son Jack, who she shares with Eamonn.

a woman in a blue lace dress stands next to a man in a tuxedo
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Some fans have said that Eamonn’s social media posts have not been tasteful[/caption]

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Gary Neville brutally warns Arsenal what they must do to avoid being ‘dismissed as nearly men’ and being forgotten about

GARY NEVILLE has handed Arsenal a brutal warning ahead of their trip to Manchester City.

The former Manchester United defender has told the Gunners what they must do to avoid being “dismissed as nearly men”.

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Gary Neville has warned Arsenal what they must do to avoid being ‘dismissed as nearly men’[/caption]
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Mikel Arteta’s side are at risk of being forgotten about, according to Neville[/caption]

Mikel Arteta’s side have established themselves as title challengers across the last two seasons.

His team have pushed City all the way in successive campaigns with back-to-back second place finishes.

However, Arsenal have not won a trophy since their FA Cup victory in 2020.

The Gunners face an early rest of their credentials this season away to the champions on Sunday.

Ahead of the match, Neville has explained what they must do to avoid being forgotten.

Writing in his Overlap newsletter, he said: “If this superb Arsenal team doesn’t win the Premier League or the Champions League then they can forget about going down in history.

“That’s harsh but the reality of elite sport. No-one will fondly recall the magnificence of William Saliba and Gabriel at the back, the brilliance of Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice, David Raya’s extraordinary saves or the incision of Bukayo Saka up front.

“There will be no Netflix documentaries. They will never be feted or admired. They will be dismissed as nearly men.

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“History is unforgiving of those who fall just short. And that’s why, for all the excellent work they’ve done in the past two years, there is still a step to take.

“We’re too early in the season to describe Sunday’s clash with Manchester City at the Etihad as a title decider.

a man in an arsenal jersey wipes his nose with his hand
AFP
The Gunners narrowly missed out on the title to Manchester City again last season[/caption]

“Yet Arsenal need a statement win because they need to damage Manchester City and to demonstrate to themselves that they are the team of the moment.”

Arsenal go into Sunday’s meeting unbeaten in three against City, a run which dates back to April 2023.

It also includes a home win and their Community Shield triumph last term.

Arteta will also be boosted by the return of Declan Rice to his side from suspension.

However, he remains without captain Martin Odegaard and summer signing Mikel Merino through injury.

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Sunday Times
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last three meetings with City across all competitions[/caption]

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Six of the best hybrids hitting showrooms in time to avoid 2030 ban…including ultra-affordable SUV

THESE are six of the best hybrids that will be available to buy in the UK in time to avoid the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel car sales.

Motors combining combustion and electric power are growing in demand, especially after the Government announced a loophole in Net Zero restrictions last week.

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Car experts have revealed six of the best hybrids to beat the 2030 combustion ban[/caption]

Confusion reigned in the automotive industry after PM Sir Keir Starmer announced he would follow through on his manifesto pledge to bring the ban forward to 2030.

This was the original deadline set by Boris Johnson before the last Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, delayed it to 2035 in line with the EU.

However, there was no word on whether the total ban on the internal combustion engine would mean that the nation would be forced to go EV-only from then.

Industry bodies desperately urged ministers to clarify whether partially-electric vehicles, i.e. hybrids, would be swept up in the prohibition.

Thankfully, officials finally confirmed last week that hybrid tech would be given a temporary exemption, with Brits able to buy new models until 2035.

With that in mind, experts from Carwow have compiled a list of some of the best options soon to hit showrooms that could last you past the date of the ban.

Audi RS5 Avant

a red car with a license plate that says vf 4794
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Audi RS5 Avant[/caption]

Set to come in as a replacement for the existing RS4 Avant, the RS5 version is expected to be based on a similar platform but carry some upgraded design.

The model has been spotted testing in Germany and is expected to base its hybrid system on a V6 engine.

Rivalling the BMW M3 Touring, buyers can expect prices for this premium option to be somewhere in the region of £80,000.

A full reveal is expected next year ahead of a release date a few months later.

Honda Prelude

a red honda car is sitting on a white surface
Honda Prelude

The Prelude has been revived after more than 20 years, with the original sports car model discontinued back in 2001.

A new concept unveiled in 2023 previewed the resurrected hybrid variant, designed as a replacement for the Civic and the Accord.

The car officially debuted at Goodwood this year and will go on sale in 2025.

It is predicted to cost between £40,000 and £50,000.

VW T-Roc

a yellow volkswagen t-roc is on display at a car show
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VW T-Roc[/caption]

Petrol and diesel versions of the T-Roc have been on sale since 2017, but VW is now branching out into a hybrid spec.

The new powertrain is accompanied by an overhauled exterior and infotainment system.

Expect to see these in dealerships from the back end of next year, with a price tag around £30,000.

Dacia Bigster

a dacia car is on display at a car show
Alamy
Dacia Bigster[/caption]

The Bigster is being positioned as the hybrid cousin of the Dacia Duster – one of the cheapest new cars currently on the market.

While it might not match the Duster’s £17,830 base price, it is still believed to be in the sub-£20,000 market, undercutting most of its hybrid rivals.

It’s also one of the closest to its debut, with sales beginning in October this year.

And as an added bonus, it may also be available in a seven-seat configuration shortly.

Mazda RX9

a man stands in front of a blue mazda car
Mazda RX9
Rex

Just as the MX-5 Miata carried a revered name badge into the modern day, the RX9 is expected to do the same for the beloved RX7 and RX8.

This, though, is a hybrid with a twist as Mazda have turned the concept on its head.

Instead of a small battery supporting a petrol engine, this is effectively an EV with its dominant battery pack.

It falls under the hybrid category thanks to a titchy rotary engine (which is always guaranteed to set hardcore petrolheads’ pulses racing) working in tandem with the electric motor.

Very little is known about the production run as the RX9 is still technically in the concept phase, but it could roll off production lines as soon as 2026.

VW Tayron

a faw-vw tianjin car is being assembled in a factory
Getty
VW Tayron[/caption]

Another great seven-seater option is the VW Tayron.

And thanks to a celebratory Instagram post from VW big wigs we know that it will be unveiled on October 10.

Replacing the Allspace SUV, very little has been revealed about what lurks under the bonnet.

The Tayron is likely to crop up on the road next year at around £40,000 a pop.

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Common money-saving Wi-Fi trick that everyone uses can do more harm than good, Virgin Media boss warns

HOUSEHOLDS are breaking their broadband’s ‘golden rule’ with a money-saving trick that drastically slows down their speeds, a Virgin Media boss has warned.

And it can even make you miss important calls, or unable to capture crucial security camera footage.

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Fortunately, even if your router is switched off at night, it will receive important software updates that protect it against hacking as soon as it’s turned back on[/caption]

Roughly 1 in 5 Virgin Media customers switch off their Hub overnight, according to new research.

It’s intended to save money on energy overnight.

But it forces your Wi-Fi to run at a snail’s pace when the router is rebooted.

It stops any software updates that typically occur overnight, which can lead to even more broadband lags when you switch it back on in the morning.

“Customers can minimise any possible disruption by keeping their hub on – allowing updates to take place automatically overnight – so their broadband and any connected devices are ready when they need them,” Virgin Media O2’s Director of Connectivity, Gareth Lister, told The Sun.

“We continuously monitor customers’ broadband performance and may identify issues overnight which can be fixed remotely.

“We’re unable to do this if the router is off which is why we recommend customers leave them on.”

Fortunately, even if your router is switched off at night, it will receive important software updates that protect it against hacking as soon as it’s turned back on.

But this bad broadband habit can also make you miss important phone calls, according to Lister.

“Many customers also have home phones and smart devices like speakers, TVs, doorbells and cameras that are connected to their home broadband,” he explained.

“If the hub is switched off, customers could find themselves unable to use their landline and these devices could stop working.”

Gadgets like Ring doorbell cameras rely on Wi-Fi to send alerts when someone is at your door.

Without Wi-Fi, you also cannot save or review previous recordings captured on most Ring devices.

So it’s best to keep your router on overnight in case it does more harm than good.

Wi-Fi tips from Virgin Media

Gareth Lister has previously revealed some pro tips for Wi-Fi boosters to The Sun.

“Similar to a mobile phone or a hub, avoid putting your pod in direct sunlight,” says Lister.

This means avoiding window sills, especially during the warmer months.

Leaving any bit of tech in the sun puts it at risk of overheating.

But it’s particularly bad for Wi-Fi routers and boosters because they are always switched on.

You should also deter any pets – namely cats – who fancy using the booster as a cosy seat.

Overheating can slow down the efficiency of the device, reduce the speed of Wi-Fi and in the worst cases, stop extending your connection altogether.

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One Piece: What is Loki’s Devil Fruit Ability? – Eiichiro Oda Might Have Hinted it Way Back in Dressrosa Arc

Eiichiro Oda has a tendency to foreshadow events long before they actually occur in the premise of One Piece. Similarly, one such mystery surrounds Prince Loki of Elbaf, the famed land of giants. Though his name was dropped during the Whole Cake Island arc in relation to his arranged marriage with Lola, Loki’s devil fruit […]

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

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