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December 4, 2019

December 4, 2019December 4, 2019 IFMSPORTS

Joshua to get £46m, Ruiz £10m for rematch

Anthony Joshua will earn a British fight purse record of £46m for his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr, reports say.

The former unified heavyweight champion is aiming to regain the titles he lost to Ruiz Jr in their last bout on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia massively outbid rival venues in New York and Las Vegas, and the Daily Star claim Joshua will pocket the biggest payday in British boxing history.

Ricky Hatton’s £20m fight purse against Floyd Mayweather in 2007 stands as the largest pay day for a British boxer, but Joshua will eclipse that figure.

While Joshua earns just under £50m for his appearance in Saudi Arabia, Ruiz Jr will receive just over £10m for the second fight.

Joshua’s previous best payday was the £18m he earned in his first showdown against Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden last June.

With Sky Sports charging £24.95 for the pay-per-view, Joshua’s earnings are set to go even further than £46m. Joshua is the favourite going into the second fight, just as he was for the first bout.

December 4, 2019

December 4, 2019December 4, 2019 IFMSPORTS

Athletics body risks IAAF ban – Ogba

Former President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Ogba, has warned that the ongoing crisis in the federation may force the IAAF to suspend its activities.

He told journalists at the congress of the AFN in Awka, Anambra State that IAAF frowns at “undue interference.”

Ogba reportedly spoke in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Confederation of African Athletics, Bawah Fuseini.

Fuseini, was sent by the international body to observe the AFN congress.

According to the ex-president of the AFN, the letter written by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development was enough evidence for the IAAF to suspend Nigeria.

He gave an illustration of how the Gabon Athletics Federation was still facing IAAF suspension for undue interference.

Ogba, who recently resigned his membership of the AFN board, said, “The decision to hold the AFN 2019 Congress in Awka, Anambra State was taken even before the appointment of the new AFN secretary-general, Adisa Beyioku. The real AFN Congress is in Awka and not Abuja as some members who fail to form a quorum are gathered in Abuja.

“The gathering in Abuja is not the AFN congress as it was unlawfully called by Adisa without taking directive from the AFN president (Ibrahim Gusau); Nigerian athletics risks international suspension.”

December 3, 2019

December 3, 2019December 3, 2019 IFMSPORTS

West Ham, Everton, four others battle for Ighalo

West Ham and Everton are among the six Premier League clubs vying to bring former Super Eagles player, Odion Ighalo, back to England.

Ighalo, who currently plays for Shenhua in the Chinese Super League, has been previously linked with a move to his former club, Watford, but British tabloid Liverpoolecho and Hammersnews on Monday both wrote that the fight for the Nigerian is on the rise.

Watford are one of those interested in the 30-year-old with Everton, Newcastle United, Southampton and Crystal Palace completing the sextet.

The 35-cap Nigeria international scored 20 goals to get Watford promoted in 2015 and then backed that up with 17 goals in 42 games the following season.

However, in the 2016/17 season, he only managed one Premier League goal in 18 matches before moving to China, joining Changchun Yatai before his February 2019 switch to Shenhua.

The 30-year-old has scored 10 goals for the Chinese club from 17 league appearances this season.

December 3, 2019

December 3, 2019December 3, 2019 IFMSPORTS

2030 W’Cup: Britain, Ireland plot strong joint hosting bid

Plans are in the offing by Britain and Republic of Ireland to present a joint bid to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

This was revealed by Noel Mooney, General Manager Football Association of Ireland.

The optimism of a successful joint bid was as a result of an encouraging outcome of an English-led feasibility study.

In their proposal, Wembley will host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final, while matches will take place in Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow and various cities in England.

There is ample time for further logistical assessments as FIFA has outlined plans to select the winning bid in 2024.

Speaking to The Times, Mooney said, “The feasibility study is positive and there’s a sense that the right thing to do is go forward.

“This bid is out on the front foot and very well led by the guys from the English FA who gave a very strong presentation.

“It’s a chance to get a really credible bid and hopefully win it.

“I’d be very surprised if there’s not a very credible bid from Great Britain and Ireland.”

The England’s FA mounted failed attempts to host the tournament in 2006 and 2018, which went to Germany and Russia respectively.

Also multiple joint bids are expected from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, while Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay will also bid to co-host it in South America.

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