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Anthony Joshua’s Response to ‘Take it Easy’ Claims vs Jake Paul

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As he approaches the most crucial fight of his career against social media star Jake Paul, where if he loses his career is almost certainly over, Anthony Joshua has responded to claims that he will take it easy on the American.

Owing to the accusations that have followed Paul’s previous fights of his opponents being paid to lose, AJ delivered a chilling response that could have his opponent shaking in his boots when he laces them up on Friday night.

The former two-time unified WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion surprised everyone when he announced that The Problem Child would be his first fight after 14 months out of the ring following his bludgeoning at the hands of Daniel Dubois in five rounds in September 2024. The surprise factor was enhanced by the fact that Joshua was a late replacement for 135-pounder and WBA lightweight king, Gervonta Davis, after a civil lawsuit against Tank.

Legitimacy of Jake Paul’s Fight With Anthony Joshua

Jake Paul & Anthony Joshua

Like with Paul’s other fights, straight after the bout was announced to take place on the 19th of December in Miami, fans had the opinion that if the fight goes past even three rounds, either Joshua has received a substantial payoff to carry Paul, or there is a clause in the contract that protects him from serious damage.

It is an allegation that has plagued the American throughout his boxing career so far. At no time was this more obvious than his farcical win against a 58-year-old version of the youngest ever undisputed heavyweight champion, “Iron” Mike Tyson, where Tyson was clearly holding back. Even at his advanced age, the 44-knockout veteran could’ve easily made that column read 45 if he really wanted to.

However, Joshua has made it clear he doesn’t intend to take the easy way out to pad his bank balance, and intends to make a statement in the ring, as he’s already done so with the words.

Anthony Joshua’s Chilling Warning to Jake Paul

“I’m a very respectful guy, brought up by a good family, but if I can kill you, I will kill you.”

He may be respectful, as he’s never been one for seriously trash-talking an opponent, but fighting has been in his blood from the start. He used it on the streets of Watford, so much so that he got arrested in 2011, which nearly cost him a place on Team GB for the 2012 Olympics, where he won gold in the super heavyweight division.

Strange fights aren’t uncharted territory either for Joshua, as he dispatched former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, in next to no time. Although it’s frankly stupid to say Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou are on the same level, there was criticism aimed towards Joshua for taking a fight with someone who had limited boxing ability, with people having the assumption that he only took the fight to do better against Ngannou than his longtime rival Tyson Fury managed. Joshua did just that, and then some, by knocking Ngannou spark out in just two rounds.

Anthony Joshua floors Ngannou

By his own admission, Joshua knows the expectations that have been placed upon him, but says he doesn’t feel the pressure.

“I understand the expectation. I don’t carry it because the expectation I have of myself is already enough, but I understand it, I acknowledge it and I respect it.”

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Update Emerges on Tottenham Move to Sign Eli Junior Kroupi in “Astronomical’ Deal

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Tottenham Hotspur do have an interest in a move to sign Bournemouth sensation Eli Junior Kroupi this summer, according to Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge.

The Lilywhites have had an incredible summer transfer window already, bringing in all of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Mateus Fernandes, while a £100m deal to sign Sandro Tonali has also been agreed.

But after a second consecutive 17th-placed finish in the Premier League, Spurs are ready to go all-out to bolster Roberto De Zerbi’s squad for the new season, and a new forward is considered to be among the priorities for the window.

Update Emerges on Tottenham Move for Kroupi

AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates

Kroupi, who has been described as a ‘phenom’, had an incredible breakthrough season for Bournemouth in 2025/26, netting a record-breaking 13 goals in 35 appearances in the Premier League, more than any other teenager in a single campaign.

The Frenchman has attracted the interest of a number of clubs as a result of his performances, and Tottenham are understood to be one of the clubs who are also showing huge interest in his signature.

However, in an update shared by Sky Sports journalist Bridge, any deal is considered to be ‘highly unlikely’, as the Cherries have no interest in selling their prized asset ahead of the new campaign under a new manager.

Bournemouth have no need to sell and want to give Marco Rose the strongest squad possible to compete. It’s also stated that it would take an ‘astronomical offer’ for them to even consider a sale of the 20-year-old.

Bridge also stated that he spoke to a source about the deal who confirmed the interest in the player, although he also stated that everyone was keen on him, showing that there would be huge competition.

Tottenham Making Major Statements

eli kroupi

Tottenham know they have to make a statement this summer ahead of the new season, and that comes with bringing in top players into the club to help them climb up the table and begin to compete for silverware once again.

Deals for Tonali and Fernandes were major statements, with the club breaking their transfer window twice in one window. But bringing in someone like Kroupi would arguably be an even better statement considering it comes after spending big money elsewhere, and with the competition they will face.

It’s unlikely a deal happens, but many would have said the same about Fernandes and Tonali just a few weeks ago, so this is one to keep a close eye on.


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Croatia’s Igor Matanovic Praised For Interview After Goal v Portugal is Ruled Out

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Croatia bowed out of the 2026 World Cup in controversial fashion on Thursday evening as they had a last-minute equaliser against Portugal ruled out.

Croatia, who went into their last 32 match with Portugal at Toronto Stadium as the underdogs, took the lead shortly after half-time when Ivan Perisic broke the deadlock.

Portugal battled back and a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo and a goal from Goncalo Ramos turned the match on its head.

Croatia thought they had netted a last-gasp equaliser to take the game to extra-time when Josko Gvardiol found the back of the net from close range.

However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out. It was deemed that Igor Matanovic made the slightest of touches on a cross that fell to Mario Pasalic in the build-up, who was in an offside position, meaning the goal was chalked off.

Igor Matanovic Speaks Out After Disallowed Goal

Igor Matanovic during Croatia vs Portugal as the 2026 World Cup REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

The decision to rule out the goal sparked outrage, with FIFA feeling the need to release a statement explaining exactly why it was chalked off.

Matanovic gave a very honest interview after the match, confessing that he thought he made contact with the ball and that the goal was rightly disallowed. He said, per Abola:

“Honestly, I think I felt a slight contact with my hair. I asked the referee, I wasn’t 100 percent sure if I had touched him. He told me that they have a chip in the ball, that there was a slight contact and that, therefore, it was offside.”

He added: “It’s difficult to find the right words after the game. We played very well in the second half and deserved more. I haven’t seen the penalty yet, but if this is given… Three goals, offside, a post… I have no words, we were very unlucky today.

“When I came on, I had a good feeling on the pitch. We played a very good game, but this is going to hurt. We have to move on, keep attacking and think about the European Championship.”

Matanovic, who plays for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg, is being praised by football fans on Reddit for his honesty.

“Damn, rare to see honesty from players like this,” one fan said, while another commented: “A stand up guy. No ego here, just pure love of the sport.”

A third wrote: “Honesty in the big moments is rare, all respect to him,” while a fourth said: “Class act. Respect.”

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Luka Modric Rages at VAR After Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Luka Modric during Portugal vs Croatia at the 2026 World Cup REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Croatia captain Luka Modric unleashed a stunning rant about VAR following the match. He said, via Sportske Novosti:

“Some things didn’t go our way. That penalty… If it were the other way around, VAR would never have been involved.

“I said about VAR in the beginning, when it was first introduced, that I didn’t like it. Later, over time, it’s good for some things, but they use it incorrectly or use it selectively, or depending on the size of the team.

“VAR should intervene if it’s 200 per cent a mistake, but if it’s not, if it’s in the grey zone, you have no say in it. There’s no point in calling VAR.

“This is no penalty. Both teams are replaying, pushing, Vlašić didn’t pull it, he held it, and both of them fell. That’s why you can’t judge a penalty like that in a game like this.

“That’s why I say, it has to be used if the mistake is 200 per cent. If you can treat something this way or that, you have no say in it.

“That annoys me and always works to our detriment. What is, it is, let’s move on, we won’t complain about it, but of course, some things bother me because fate decides.

“They decide the mood for everything you do, what you give up, you tear yourself apart, you fight. There are young players who come here, and then you do something like this to them… You are to blame for that, and it is always to our detriment.”

Portugal will play Spain in a mouthwatering last 16 clash. The match will take place at Dallas Stadium on Monday, July 6.

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Mikel Arteta Personally Pushing Arsenal Move for Bruno Guimaraes

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Arsenal are ready to strengthen their midfield this summer to bolster their title-winning squad, and Mikel Arteta has personally identified a top target that he wants.

The Gunners claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years by finishing seven points above Man City, while they also reached the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals, where they suffered defeat to City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Now Arteta is ready to push his side forward to another level, and Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has emerged as the man he wants at the Emirates Stadium above any other.

Romano: Arteta Pushing for Guimaraes Deal

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes smiles as he walks into St James' Park via Reuters

Guimaraes, who has been described as ‘world-class’, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Magpies this summer, and is currently shining with Brazil at the World Cup, registering four assists to help them into the Last 16 of the tournament.

Arsenal have already had an initial bid worth around £55m rejected by Newcastle for the Brazilian star, and reports suggest that the north London club are preparing a new £60m move to try and tempt them into a sale.

But speaking in his latest YouTube video, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that it’s Arteta who is the driving force behind the deal, and he expects it to be very difficult to complete.

“Obviously, Newcastle sold Sandro Tonali, Newcastle sold Anthony Gordon, so now Newcastle don’t have any intention to let Bruno Guimarães go,” he said.

“At the same time, Arsenal had been rejected, £55m. Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the player, so what I can tell you, in addition to all of this, is that he really, really likes the player. Mikel Arteta was driving this interest for Bruno Guimaraes internally.

“It’s not the first time Arsenal go for him. Even in the past, they were considering the possibility to go for Bruno Guimaraes, [he has] always been a player appreciated by Arteta. But now with Newcastle, it’s not going to be an easy one at all, because Newcastle again made money with Gordon, made money with Tonali, and they already told Bruno Guimaraes, and they told people close to him that they want to keep the player, so it’s not going to be easy at all for Arsenal to get it done.”

Guimaraes to Arsenal Would Be Game-Changer

Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes celebrates vs Crystal Palace via Reuters

In the 2025/26 season, Arsenal’s midfield of Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice was run into the ground by Arteta, to the point where he opted to use Myles Lewis-Skelly during the run-in.

Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino also provided other options during the season, but the addition of a new top-level midfield star would be a game-changing signing for the Gunners, and would help to take them to the next level.

Newcastle, obviously, don’t want to lose yet another star, but cash is king in football these days, and Arsenal have the resources to get a deal over the line if they stump up a fee that is big enough.


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