5 days agoNews TopicsComments Off on I’m breaking boxing’s rule of secrecy… Daniel Dubois DID KO Anthony Joshua in sparring, with AJ out cold for 5 minutes
IT will be a surprise to most if Daniel Dubois should KO Anthony Joshua at Wembley on Saturday — but it would be the second time he has flattened him.
Among boxing’s many unwritten codes of conduct is whatever goes on in the gym stays in the gym.
Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois are set to face off at WembleyGettyJoshua was knocked out by Dubois 10 years ago during a sparring sessionGettyDubois’ punch knocked Joshua out for five whole minutesGetty
But I’ve decided to break boxing’s rule of omerta and reveal what happened between Joshua and Dubois behind the closed doors of a Sheffield gym a decade ago.
Dubois, then a teenage amateur, was sent to Yorkshire to work with the far more experienced Joshua as part of his learning process and they sparred dozens of rounds together.
One day they were supposed to have a gentle sparring session and when they started there was no hint of the drama that was about to come.
Whether it was youthful exuberance or he meant to do it only Daniel knows, but out of nowhere he crashed a mighty left hook on Joshua’s chin and he was out cold.
Such was the power of the punch my informant, who must remain anonymous, assures me it took Joshua five minutes to recover from that stunning blow.
The horrified Joshua camp insisted those who had filmed the incident on their phones wiped them clean.
Though the story quickly circulated on the grapevine it was vehemently denied and put down to a malicious rumour.
It’s possible that memory will give Dubois, 27, an extra psychological boost when he defends his IBF world heavyweight title against Joshua in London.
I feel I have a vested interest in both men — SunSport readers were first made aware of their potential in this column.
It was 14 years ago when I sat on the ring apron with impressive 20-year-old Joshua at Finchley ABC shortly after he had won the ABA title.
Joshua told me he had turned down a £50,000 offer to turn pro as he wanted to compete at the London Olympics.
Dubois took a completely different course, forgoing the chance of Olympic gold in Tokyo and turning pro at 20 despite having just a few senior amateur contests.
AJ and Dubois are explosive punchers and likely to have what Nigel Benn would call “a tear-up”.
The horrified Joshua camp insisted those who had filmed the incident on their phones wiped them clean
It could come down to the first one to land a blockbuster and that means Dubois has every chance of toppling the 3/10 favourite.
But Joshua has far more experience of the big occasion in giant stadiums — this will be his seventh open air fight in Britain.
Unless AJ gets careless and leaves his chin exposed, I expect he’s going to be much too powerful for Dubois.
And I will be surprised if he hasn’t finished the job by the fourth round.
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.”
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu will not attend this year’s 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York as he has appointed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation. This information was provided in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. The statement indicated that after returning from his recent […]
[mc4wp_form id=33047] Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the local government polls on Saturday in the state in a free and fair contest. The governor said this on Thursday at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Owerri during the grand finale rally of the APC […]
5 days agoNews TopicsComments Off on I tried crazy food mash-ups like tuna/Marmite & popcorn & chilli sauce… a mad combo tasted vile – so would you try them?
NEVER let it be said we Brits aren’t adventurous with our food – because one of our favourite culinary combos is Marmite and tuna.
If that doesn’t sound disgusting enough, how about popcorn dipped in a hot chilli sauce?
The PlayStation 30th anniversary is here and to celebrate the big milestone, Sony is releasing a handful of limited edition PS5 consoles and accessories that will delight anyone who grew up with the original PlayStation console. There are several products being released, but some of them will only be available as part of very limited […]
THE Presidential Committee on Livestock Sector Reforms Implementation has today presented its initial report to President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. After the meeting, the Committee Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, who is also a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), informed journalists that the report outlines ways the Nigerian […]
5 days agoNews TopicsComments Off on Fury as Labour politician caught ‘covered in lipstick’ in back street brothel voted in as council LEADER
A LABOUR council leader was once caught covered in lipstick at a brothel.
When Brent Carter, 52, was found by police there was also a packet of condoms on the floor and lubricating gel.
AthenaBrent Carter, 52, was voted in as Labour council leader after once being caught covered in lipstick at a brothel[/caption]
But the politician avoided prosecution and held on to his seat for Labour in the 2022 local elections.
He was made leader of Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council on Wednesday night.
But some residents have criticised his appointment.
Simon Ryan, 57, said: “How will people respect the town when its leader has acted in this way?
“He was caught red-handed in a brothel — people can’t have faith in a man like that. It’s highly embarrassing for him and for Merthyr Tydfil.”
Police raided the brothel in Merthyr Tydfil in 2015.
The town’s magistrates heard Mr Carter was in the property at the time.
He avoided criminal charges but was reported to the Public Services Ombudsman — which later ruled there was no evidence he had brought his office or authority into disrepute.
Mr Carter said: “I have learned from my past experiences and have worked hard to grow and evolve as a person.
“I am more than willing to address any concerns or misconceptions about my past.”
5 days agoNews TopicsComments Off on How to get 8 Autumn/Winter looks out of one £40 trench coat – and why it’s the only jacket you’ll need until April
A CLASSIC trench can see you through to spring and beyond.
Here, Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale reveals why it’s the only coat you’ll ever need…
TuTrench coat, £40, TU at Sainsbury’s[/caption]
SEPTEMBER
Dan WilliamsWear your trench with a midi dress, such as this floral one from Bonmarché[/caption]
This month, the weather is frustratingly unpredictable. From rain one minute to glorious sunshine the next, it’s hard to keep up.
And when it comes to what to wear, it makes dressing tricky.
Luckily, a trench is perfect for this. Nice and light, it can simply be folded away into your bag if you suddenly feel too hot.
Wear it with a midi dress, such as this floral one from Bonmarché.
Your coat will be light enough for those sunny days, but still warm enough to keep you cosy when the autumn chill sets in.
Dress, £26, Bonmarché; shoes, £85, John Lewis; bag, £29.99, New Look
OCTOBER
Dan WilliamsA trench is great for layering, begin with a long sleeve top and add a sweater vest on top[/caption]
As we move into autumn, it’s time to start layering.
Begin with a long sleeve top, such as this one from Peacocks.
A sweater vest is perfect for adding warmth to your body while keeping your arms cooler – useful at this time of year when it’s not always super chilly.
Boot season is also upon us and this slouchy pair from TU at Sainsbury’s works well with midi skirts and dresses.
Finish the look off with your trench for the ultimate in autumnal style.
Leopard print top, £12, Peacocks; sweater vest, £14, George at Asda; skirt, £29.99, Reserved; boots, £65, TU at Sainsbury’s; bag, £75, Next
NOVEMBER
Dan WilliamsWear this jumper dress underneath your coat to stay toasty[/caption]
November brings the chill, so bigger, thicker knits are a must.
This is the time of year you’d normally ditch your trench in favour of something thicker, but that need not be the case.
Wearing something warm, like a jumper dress, underneath your coat will ensure you stay toasty.
This dress from George at Asda even has a scarf attached, meaning you won’t need to splash out on a separate one.
Wear thick tights and long boots and I promise you won’t miss your big winter coat.
Dan WilliamsA trench is the perfect option to wear over your party frock during the festivities[/caption]
Now, you may be thinking: “Why is she wearing fewer clothes than with the November outfit?”
Well, December is all about festivities and a trench is the perfect option to wear over your party frock to take you from A to B.
Being beige, it will go with almost everything in your wardrobe and works just as well for both smart and casual occasions.
Dress it up with a clutch, sparkly jewellery and a dress to impress.
Dress, £89, M&S; bag, £16, George at Asda; necklace, £18, River Island; earrings, £2.50, Peacocks; shoes, £27.99, New Look
JANUARY
Dan WilliamsOpt for a thermal under an all-in-one, paired with a scarf[/caption]
Thermals are a really great option if you want to wear your thinner coats during the winter months.
Using special technology to keep you insulated, Uniqlo has a great range of thermal pieces, such as this long sleeve blue top that can be worn underneath your clothes to keep you warm.
Once you’ve got the base down, layer it up with the likes of an all-in-one, with a scarf over the top.
Finish off with a pair of winter boots for a comfortable, stylish look that will keep you snug in even the coldest of months.
Dan WilliamsTrench coats work really well over the top of wide leg trousers, a half-zip knit and some loafers[/caption]
Trench coats are ultra-versatile and really do work with pretty much everything in your wardrobe.
They can instantly make an outfit look smarter, but also look effortlessly cool when thrown over a casual outfit.
Here, our trusty trench works well over the top of wide leg trousers, a half-zip knit and some loafers. It’s an outfit that would work brilliantly for the office, or on the weekend.
Dan WilliamsThe trench is also a core staple for spring time[/caption]
Moving away from winter and with the first signs of spring approaching, the trench is a core staple at this time of year.
Go for thinner knits, like this pink knit t-shirt from Next – but as the weather can still be temperamental, an extra layer, like this green TU at Sainsbury’s jumper, can come in handy.
Pairing the look with a midi skirt and some sophisticated slip-on shoes will ensure that you’re ready for spring.
5 days agoNews TopicsComments Off on I’ve been homeless, stabbed & shot at – as Chief Scout I’m using my experience to help kids respect life as they should
HAVING spent months rebuilding a scrap moped before it was stolen, Dwayne Fields was not about to let the thieves keep it.
Marching on to their estate in East London, he grabbed hold of the bike and got into a scuffle with one of the youths.
From the violence of his past, Dwayne Field sees the Scouts as a ‘wholesome’ place in the community, offering youngsters experiences that will keep them from knife crimePAPADwayne on a trek across Antarctica with Ben Fogle in Channel 5’s Endurance: Race To The Pole, last year[/caption]
Dan CharityChief Scout Dwayne on a visit to the Kingsbury Scout and Cub Group in North London to award badges[/caption]
The next thing the then 21-year-old Dwayne knew, the barrel of a gun was pointing at him from 15ft away and he heard it click. Twice.
Both times he saw the bullet shoot out from the side of the misfiring weapon rather than at him.
Dwayne recalls: “As he was wrestling to reload it, some of the boys grabbed him and said, ‘Don’t waste the bullets.’ ”
It was the first time I got to feel I had something to offer because I could take part in what was happening and give advice.
Dwayne Fields
It’s fair to say that the new face of the 114-year-old youth organisation has experienced even more life-and-death situations than his daredevil predecessor Bear Grylls.
Dwayne has been stabbed above the heart and in the abdomen.
As an explorer, he’s also been hunted by a polar bear and faced a deadly viper.
His background could not be more different from Old Etonian Bear: he barely knows his father, is estranged from his mum and spent time homeless.
This week, The Sun joined married father-of-four Dwayne as he gave out his first badges to young Cubs in his new role.
He sees the Scouts as a “wholesome” place in the community, which offers youngsters experiences that will keep them away from knife crime.
Dwayne explains: “I’ve been stabbed on the streets of London.
“To me, that’s an extreme survival experience.
“There are so many young people who pick up knives and don’t respect life.
“The Scouts teaches us respect for your teammate, respect for your peers, respect for your community — which I think is lacking in a lot of places.”
Dwayne, 41, had been “an unexpected pregnancy from a short relationship” and has had almost no contact with his dad.
Born in Jamaica, the youth leader arrived in North London just before his seventh birthday, and shortly afterwards a friend introduced him to the Scouts.
He recalls: “I was anxious and nervous, I was shy.
I hadn’t had any arguments. I had not stepped on anyone’s shoes. I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I lost a lot of blood.
Dwayne Fields
“But before I knew it, we were doing all the things that I was used to doing in Jamaica.
“I was using ropes and logs and planks of wood to make bridges between two benches.
“It was the first time I got to feel I had something to offer because I could take part in what was happening and give advice.”
A few months later, though, his family moved to Stoke Newington in East London and he was unable to continue as a Cub Scout.
The first time he saw a knife was at the age of ten — and nine years later one was plunged into his chest when yobs gatecrashed a friend’s social event.
He recalls: “I hadn’t had any arguments.
“I had not stepped on anyone’s shoes.
“I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“I lost a lot of blood.
“And I remember just pointing the knife out to one of the friends to kind of, you know, come to my rescue. And I remember him shouting, ‘He’s passing out.’”
The blade had hit the second rib down.
Any lower, the doctor who saved him at the Whittington Hospital in Islington told him, and it could have punctured his lungs.
His friends urged Dwayne to get revenge on his assailant — but he says: “I don’t harbour ill will towards anyone, even people who have done me harm.
“I decided I was going to use this as a catalyst for me to change my direction and do something positive.”
By the age of 20, his mum, from whom Dwayne is estranged, told him to find his own place to live.
Without the money for a hotel room or rent, he ended up walking more than ten miles from Stoke Newington to Streatham in South London every night, fearing being attacked if he slept on the capital’s streets.
After receiving some kindly advice from a Tube driver after sleeping in an Underground carriage one night, he found himself a place to stay.
Dwayne, whose jobs have included working for the High Street chemist Boots, in a bank and as an apprentice engineer, got his life together after the shooting incident.
‘Fired shots in the air’
He became involved again with outdoor pursuits, taking part in a half-marathon and the Three Peaks Challenge, which sees enthusiasts climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales.
Then, in 2008, he saw Ben Fogle and Olympic rower James Cracknell on TV asking viewers to apply to be the third person on their expedition to the South Pole.
He missed out on the deadline because “it took a good few weeks to pluck up the courage to send an email” but was asked if he’d like to join a trek to the North Pole instead.
After knocking on doors, saving half his wages and using his student loan, the University of East London graduate pulled together the £23,000 he needed for the trip in 2010.
While tackling the frozen Arctic landscape, the team spotted they were being tracked by a polar bear.
Dwayne recalls: “It kept coming closer, to the point where we thought, right, let’s put into action everything that we’ve done in training.
“Let’s make ourselves look big.
“Open your jackets, flap, bang your skis, bang your poles — anything you can do to make noise. And it just didn’t seem to work.
“Eventually, we fired off some of the flares to try to scare it off.
“It slowed it down, but it didn’t stop it.
“As it kept advancing, my teammate took the shotgun and fired a couple of times in the air to scare it off.
“That’s exactly what it did.”
But adventure really starts at the green space at the end of your road or in your local park, if you’re lucky enough to have access to it.
Now he fronts his own adventure programme, 7 Toughest Days, on the National Geographic channel, visiting far-flung places such as Gabon in Africa and Kyrgyzstan in Asia.
This month, Dwayne will fly to Uganda, Zambia and Tanzania to film a new TV series about the source of the river Nile.
He also founded the #WeToo Foundation, which plans to take ten underprivileged young people to the Galapagos Islands this year.
He says: “I’m really fortunate that I get to go on these big expeditions.
“But adventure really starts at the green space at the end of your road or in your local park, if you’re lucky enough to have access to it.”
Plenty of youngsters are searching for real-world adventures, with 107,000 on a waiting list to join the UK’s half a million active Scouts.
X.comThe Prince and Princess of Wales congratulated Dwayne on his new role[/caption]
His mission as the new Chief Scout is to encourage enough adults to volunteer to work with the association so that all those kids can find a group local to them.
As he hands out badges to Cubs and Beavers at Kingsbury Scouts in Brent, North London, it is clear that children are inspired.
Dwayne, who was an ambassador for the Scouts for seven years prior to taking over from Bear, says: “Every single one of those badges, to me, is a lesson learned.
“It’s setting yourself a goal and taking the steps to reach it.
“The badge represents dedication, perseverance, resilience, determination.”
And few people represent those traits better than Dwayne.
Dwayne living the island life in Jamaica with his sister, before he came to the UKInstagram/dwaynefieldsPA:Press AssociationDwayne has taken over the Chief Scout role from Bear Grylls[/caption]
Kano State Governor, Abba
