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George Groves Reveals Why Boxing Legend is Right to Retire

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Oleksandr Usyk is no longer the heavyweight champion of the world. The brilliant Ukrainian took to social media on Friday to confirm that he would be vacating all of his titles, including the WBA ‘super’, Ring Magazine, WBC and IBF belts.

Explaining the motivation behind his decision, Usyk declared:

“I want to vacate all the belts that I currently hold to make them available for the guys next in line to fight for them.”

Oleksandr Usyk Set to Retire After ‘One Last Dance’

After making the announcement, Usyk revealed that he would be having one more fight, which he referred to as “my last dance.” No opponent has yet been announced, but it is clear that the undefeated 25-0 wizard will not be competing for much longer.

One person who will be pleased to learn of Usyk’s plans is former super middleweight world champion George Groves. Just hours prior to the shock announcement, GIVEMESPORT spoke exclusively to ‘The Saint’, in association with MrQ.

Groves praised Usyk for his “exceptional” career, before explaining why he was keen to see the two-weight undisputed world champion wind down the in-ring chapter of his life.


Oleksandr Usyk


The ‘Real Reason’ Oleksandr Usyk Vacated His World Heavyweight Titles Revealed

Usyk no longer holds any gold…

“I think Usyk has been exceptional his entire career and what I would hate to happen to him is to have his legacy tainted by a loss or a subpar performance at this stage of his career because he’s no longer motivated, or he’s no longer able to perform at the levels that he once had.”

Groves also expressed his lack of desire to see Usyk go back over old ground, including potential rematches with Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

“I think if Usyk retires tomorrow, I’d have no complaints about that,” stated Groves. “I think he’s had a fantastic career.

“He’s beaten everyone who’s been put in front of him, sometimes more than once. I don’t want to see him fight Fury again. I don’t really want to see him fight anyone he’s fought before again.”

At 39 years old, decline is almost inevitable, even for a fighter as accomplished as Usyk. The now-former champion was considered lucky by most to have avoided a loss to kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven last month, despite securing an 11th round stoppage.

Oleksandr Usyk Urged to Avoid One Fighter Before Retiring From Boxing

Oleksandr Usyk

Groves pointed out that he would be sad to see the Ukrainian lose his unbeaten record to an up-and-coming prospect, purely because age had taken its toll on him.

“If it is a Moses Itauma in a year or so’s time, then I think Usyk probably gets beat. So if that’s the case, he should probably retire before facing someone like that.

“Boxing is tough, because, you know, there’s no fixture list. Fights just have to get made. The level will drop when he goes, but the rest of them can battle it out for some vacant belts.”

No details have yet been made public over who will succeed Usyk as champion for any of the three governing bodies he held belts with. However, it is widely expected that top-ranked contender Agit Kabayel will be promoted to full champion status by the WBC.

Regardless of who takes over from him at the top of the division, they will have some legendary shoes to fill.


Oleksandr Usyk celebrates winning his fight against Daniel Dubois


Oleksandr Usyk Releases Statement as He Vacates All of His World Heavyweight Titles

Usyk has surrendered his gold…

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PSG Leading Race Ahead of Liverpool for Maghnes Akliouche

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Liverpool could be set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets, with PSG now leading the race, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds are preparing for a big summer window after a disappointing season in the Premier League.

Liverpool are also entering a new era after it was confirmed that Andoni Iraola would take over from Arne Slot ahead of the new season.

The Merseyside club will be looking to back the new manager with reinforcements, especially with the former Bournemouth boss having a unique style of play.

Iraola style is more high-pressing and energetic than Slot, which could require different profiles of players.

It looks set to be a busy summer transfer window for Liverpool, but they already appear to be missing out on targets.


Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca


Fabrizio Romano: Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race to Sign ‘Ridiculous’ Star

Man City are keen on the midfielder.

Liverpool Behind in Race for Star

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks on during Premier League match

According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Paris Saint-Germain are now leading the race ahead of two Premier League clubs for Monaco talent Maghnes Akliouche.

Reports claimed earlier this year that Liverpool were showing strong interest in signing the French star in a deal worth around £60 million.

Akliouche, described as ‘insane’, is expected to move this summer, with ‘talks and approaches intensifying’, according to Romano.

Monaco expect bids for Akliouche soon, and it remains to be seen where he will end up.

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Liverpool May Have Other Priorities Now

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande celebrates a goal REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Liverpool appear to have other priorities in the summer transfer window ahead of the likes of Akliouche.

The Reds are pushing to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who also has interest from PSG, and he has already agreed personal terms to join the club.

Liverpool have already seen an offer in the region of €100 million rejected for Diomande. The offer was €80 million plus €20 million in add-ons, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

The Reds are looking to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is leaving the club on a free transfer this summer. Diomande has been identified as the ideal option.

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Sweden’s Alexander Isak is Playing at the World Cup With Eritrea’s Flag on His Boots

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Alexander Isak is currently competing in his first-ever World Cup tournament this summer, but has another country’s flag on his boots. Liverpool’s British transfer fee record signing has looked much more like himself so far this tournament, with one goal and three assists in three appearances meaning he ranks among the best performers based on stats.

Sweden drew 1-1 with Japan in their final match to set up an unenviable Round of 32 tie with France, who are among the favourites for glory come July 19. In that crunch fixture, Isak is likely to come up against Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but there’s no reason for him not to believe he can go toe-to-toe with them alongside Viktor Gyokeres.

Eagle-eyed supporters watching Tuesday night’s action might be keen to spot which flag Isak wears on his boots ahead of the iconic blue and yellow Swedish emblem. There’s a reason behind it.

Which Flag Alexander Isak Wears on his Boots – And Why

Alexander Isak TT News Agency via Reuters

Isak is proud of his heritage and has the Eritrean flag on his boots. The flag has been seen on Isak’s right Adidas boot in both World Cup games. Though he was born in Solna, just north of capital Stockholm, Isak’s parents are from Eritrea in Horn of Africa and moved to Sweden. Speaking in an interview with Alan Shearer, he said:

“Even though I grew up in Sweden, there is a big Eritrean community. I was always around, and raised, in that type of environment. I haven’t been there many times lately, but last time I was there, it was a really good experience. I don’t think there are too many idols they have within the sports world.”

He visited a football school during a trip to Eritrea, where he was mobbed by young children who look up to him. The country marked its 35th Independence Day in May after decades of struggle, and Isak wore an Eritrea shirt to send a celebratory message.

Located on the Red Sea coast, Eritrea borders Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The country gained independence in 1993 after a long war of liberation.

Isak represented Sweden at youth level before making his senior debut in 2017, ultimately committing his international future to the Scandinavian nation. Although he was also eligible to play for Eritrea, the national team had endured a long absence from major continental competition, going close to two decades without an Africa Cup of Nations appearance.

Their return to competitive action in March this year marked a rare bright moment, as they beat Eswatini 2-0 in a qualifier staged in Morocco due to a lack of suitable infrastructure in Eritrea. They followed that up with a 2-1 win in the return leg, results that finally earned the nation an official FIFA world ranking after years of inactivity.


FIFA World Rankings


FIFA Men’s World Rankings List

The latest international rankings have been revealed – Spain have been dethroned ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Before those victories, Eritrea had been the only unranked side in the system. Their earlier absence from qualifiers, including withdrawals from 2026 World Cup qualifying, left them in a unique position within the rankings. Reporting has previously suggested that repeated pullouts were linked in part to concerns over players seeking asylum while travelling abroad for international fixtures.

Since 2007, it is estimated that dozens of players and coaching staff have left the national setup during overseas trips, according to UN figures. More recently, Eritrea sit around 184th in the FIFA rankings, though that position could improve if they maintain consistent participation and results moving forward.

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Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race for Ayyoub Bouaddi

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Manchester City have now entered the race to beat Liverpool and Arsenal to a signing in the summer transfer window.

It’s already looking like a summer transfer window where the top clubs in the Premier League are all competing for similar targets.

The midfield market is going crazy at the moment, and it seems every top-six side in the Premier League is pushing to add another body in the middle of the park.

Clubs will always be fearful when a side like Manchester City enters the race, as they certainly aren’t afraid to splash the cash in the market.

Man City are already pushing to bring in a new midfielder, with reports confirming that they have now agreed a deal to sign Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.

City are preparing for life under a new manager, with GIVEMESPORT sources confirming that Enzo Maresca will replace Pep Guardiola, although his appointment is yet to be confirmed.


Mikel Arteta


Man City Make Enquiry for Star Who’s Already Agreed to Join Arsenal

They could be ready to hijack the transfer for the Premier League champions

Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race

Enzo Maresca

Enzo Maresca

According to Fabrizio Romano on YouTube, Manchester City have entered the race to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

“Manchester City have a genuine interest in Bouaddi. He’s one of the players being considered by Manchester City, eventually for summer 2027. The starting idea, then lets see how conversations develop, could be to go for the player in 2027.”

The Premier League side want to sign the Moroccan international in 2027 rather than now, and they face competition from both Arsenal and Liverpool.

“Arsenal and Liverpool had meetings before the World Cup for this boy. Both clubs were already tracking him. Manchester City are in the conversation for 2027.”

Whether Manchester City not being keen until 2027 impacts Bouaddi’s future remains to be seen, as Arsenal or Liverpool could make a move in the summer of 2026.

Another season playing regularly in Ligue 1 might not be bad for Bouaddi’s development before making the move to Man City next summer.

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Man City Could Miss Out on Bouaddi

Bouaddi via Reuters

Manchester City could miss out on the signing of Bouaddi, described as a ridiculous talent, in the summer of 2027, as there’s a strong chance that Arsenal or Liverpool make a move this year.

If Liverpool and Arsenal know that Man City have an interest, they might want to make a move quickly in order to get ahead in the race.

Bouaddi is already enjoying a strong World Cup for Morocco, so there is every chance that another club enters the race to secure his signature.

This could make it difficult for City to beat the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for his signature, especially if he is keen on making a move in the coming weeks and months.

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