Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, who is the career-long promoter of Anthony Joshua, has commented on the mounting speculation that the former two-time heavyweight boxing champion will square-off with Jake Paul for a bout tentatively planned for December on Netflix.
The American, a former influencer who has emerged as an improbable face for the sport, if not crossover boxing at least, was scheduled to take part in an exhibition alongside Gervonta Davis on the 14th of November. However, the event at the Kaseya Center in Miami was nixed at the eleventh hour due to Tank’s apparent legal issues. With the cancelation so close to the event itself, Most Valuable Promotions chose to cancel the entire thing rather than bring in a late replacement. After getting rebuffed in their efforts to lure Francis Ngannou back to the ring, the focus now, it seems, is Joshua.
And, speaking to Boxing News, Hearn has had his say on whether the fight will go down as planned.
Hearn said:
“We’ve spoken to Nakisa [Bidarian] and we’ve talked through the fight. For us, it’s a fight we’d be interested in. If AJ is going to come back for a tune-up, or a warm-up, why not do it against Jake Paul for a load of money? Jake Paul would have to be mad to take this fight, but he is a little bid mad. I can’t rule it out, I can’t tell you, it’s close, or it’s on the verge. But there have been discussionsand we’ll see what happens.”
FIFA seem to have sided with Ralf Rangnick and will not be investigating claims that Austria and Algeria’s thrilling 3-3 draw at the World Cup was fixed.
With both sides advancing through to the Round of 32, there have been allegations made about the circumstances of their result. Some critics have suggested that the teams agreed on a draw to ensure both nations progressed to the knockout rounds.
Austria scored a 96th-minute equaliser courtesy of Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sasa Kalajdzic. Tempers flared after Algeria’s third goal when Marko Arnautovic rowed with the Algerian bench before the last-gasp equaliser came.
FIFA Decide Not To Investigate Austria 3-3 Algeria
REUTERS/Mandel Ngan
Austria finished second in Group J, level on points with Algeria but with a superior goal difference. Rangnick’s side nearly suffered defeat when Riyad Mahrez scored his side’s third in the 90+3rd minute.
Mahrez added fuel to the flames by calling the game’s finish ‘awkward.’ His goal to make it 3-2 came during a five-minute build-up and 110 consecutive passes, threatening to send the Austrians home.
Since then, claims have been made that Algeria allowed the European nation to score the equaliser with one of the final kicks of the game. Those accusations haven’t convinced FIFA to conduct an investigation.
Mirror reports that FIFA “are not expected” to investigate the match and have no concerns about the result, which some are comparing to the ‘Disgrace of Gijon.’ That game saw West Germany beat Austria 1-0 at the 1982 World Cup, and Algeria were sent packing in controversial fashion due to the relaxed approach from both teams.
Austria may well have preferred a third-place finish in their group as they have been handed a nightmare clash against European champions Spain in the next round. Algeria will take on Switzerland, and should they beat the Swiss, they could face world champions Argentina in the last eight.
‘Completely Mad’ – Rangnick on Match-Fixing Claims
Rangnick strongly refuted claims that match-fixing had occurred between Austria and Algeria. The former Manchester United interim manager pointed out the drama that ensued late on:
“Three minutes to play, if somebody had said this would happen, you would have told them they were mad. I’ve been a coach for about 40 years and I don’t even remember a match that had such a dramatic course and such an unexpected trajectory.”
Rangnick added: “Most anticipated 0-0 or 1-1, and now it’s 3-3. It’s incredible. The locker-room is madness. If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a drama, I probably would have said he was completely mad.”
Arnautovic gave Austria the lead in the 28th minute before Rafik Belghali equalised for Algeria in the 45th minute. Marcel Sabitzer put the European nation back in front in the 55th minute before the African country levelled again through Mahrez.
The former Manchester City winger looked to have won the game late on with his second, much to Arnautovic’s anger. Rangnick had to calm the former Stoke City striker down before frustration turned to elation when Kalajdzic drew his side level three minutes later.
Liverpool have made contact over a deal to sign a winger this summer, according to Sky Sports, as the club are looking to strengthen their forward areas.
Offers were made to land the 19-year-old, but he has since made it clear that he wishes to join Paris Saint-Germain, ruling out a possible switch to Anfield.
With the tough task of replacing Mohamed Salah on the cards, Liverpool will now need to switch their focus to other possible arrivals on the market, and have lined up a move for one star.
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According to Sky Sports reporter Sach Tavolieri, Liverpool have been in contact with PSG over a potential deal to sign Bradley Barcola this summer.
It’s claimed that the French club’s move for Diomande has opened up an exit for the winger, who has entered the final two years under contract with the European champions.
Liverpool aren’t the only team who have discussed a move, as the reporter claims that “several clubs” have been contacted over a possible deal for the 23-year-old.
It remains to be seen whether the Reds will get a transfer over the line in the coming weeks, while it’s unclear how much PSG could value the star at.
However, if they do seal a move, it would be an ideal transfer for Andoni Iraola to get sealed for next season.
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Barcola Would Be Ideal For Liverpool
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Barcola’s possible move to Liverpool would be an ideal switch for the Reds, as they need to add some quality in the forward areas after the difficulties of last season.
While Diomande may have been a decent addition, especially for the future, he is still young and his rapid ascent may not guarantee that he will be a success at Anfield.
In Barcola, there is more of a guarantee. The French winger has shown plenty of quality on the biggest of stages, particularly during his spells in the Champions League.
Lille are ready to sell the talented teenager this summer amid Premier League interest
At 23-years-old, he still has plenty of potential and a long-term future that will protect Liverpool against losing his ability quickly, while he is already performing at a level that has been described as “elite”.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get a move over the line, but he could improve the team drastically moving forward.
Tottenham Hotspur have been in contact over a deal to sign Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche this summer, with the player already deciding his next club, according to TEAMtalk.
Tottenham have been the busiest Premier League club in the summer transfer window to date, with four new arrivals through the door before July 1.
Paul O’Keefe had reported that Spurs were looking to make seven signings this summer earlier this month, but it appears as though it could be more if rumours are to be believed.
The North London outfit are already trying to sign both Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes from Newcastle United and West Ham United respectively to bolster their midfield, and if they got both it would take their total to six additions.
O’Keefe himself said that he expected new signings across the front three at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which would then take the total up to nine if they pulled it off.
Of course, signing a striker could depend on either Dominic Solanke or Richarlison leaving the club, with new signings on the wing looking the more likely right now following the exit of Randal Kolo Muani after his unsuccessful loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain.
via Reuters
According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are one of many Premier League clubs who have had intermediaries in contact with Akliouche’s agents during the summer transfer window.
Spurs, along with English rivals Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle, were all scouting the 24-year-old extensively last season, with intermediaries of those clubs maintaining regular contact over whether a move for the ‘insane’ French attacker was possible.
However, talks have since been progressing between Monaco and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain over a deal, with the player himself deciding he wants to stay in France with the Ligue 1 champions – something he has told his other potential suitors.
Akliouche looks set to cost in the region of £60m, which could prove to be a bargain in the long-term given the versatility he has shown by playing on either wing and through the middle too.
His primary position by far last term was playing from the right flank however, which is interesting given one of Spurs’ other main targets this summer has been the left-sided Savinho.
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Tottenham In Talks Over Savinho Deal
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Having tried to sign him last summer, it was no surprise that Savinho was one of the first players heavily linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium now, even though a different manager is in charge.
Spurs look to need another addition on the left wing to boost their squad, and the Brazilian fits the bill given he was seen as good enough for City to sign him in the first place.
According to Fabrizio Romano earlier this month, Tottenham are in talks over a deal to bring the attacker in.
The 22-year-old found first-team minutes harder to come by last season, but Tottenham have still been unable to come to a club-to-club agreement with City to bring him to the capital.
City did only confirm Enzo Maresca as their new manager on Monday, so perhaps that has been one of the hold-ups and now a move can move quickly, or be called off altogether if the Italian decides he wants to keep the South American at the Etihad.
