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Nigerian-born heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua bounces back, claims vital win over Jermaine Franklin

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Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, on Sunday morning, bounced back from two consecutive defeats in the hands of Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk to beat American Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena in London.

After a painful loss in his rematch with Usyk last year, former champion Joshua had to make a strong comeback statement and he did just that in the win against the tough American with a unanimous decision of 118-111, 117-111, and 117-111 on all three judges’ cards.

The win has once again put Joshua in the frame for a bout with undisputed champion, Tyson Fury while propelling him towards his more accustomed place at the upper end of the heavyweight division.

In his reaction after the fight, Joshua said he was aiming for a knockout but had to take the win however it came.

He also threw a challenge the way of Fury, calling on the boastful Brit to get ready for a bout.

“I try and provide for the fans. I know who they want. They said Tyson Fury; the ball is in his court. I would be honoured to fight for the WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World.

“If he’s listening, he knows my promoter; we’ve had dialogue before, so let’s continue this. We ain’t getting any younger.”

Joshua’s promoter of 10 years, Eddie Hearn, who was also in bullish mode, said:

“We want the Fury fight. We believe it can be made. The nature of the victory was always going to be important, but he has the right to call out Fury or Deontay Wilder.”

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Tragedy as coach killed, players injured in Sierra Leone club bus crash

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One of the coaches of Sierra Leonean club, Port Authority FC, Lamine Bangoura, a former international, has been confirmed killed while several players sustained different degrees of injuries after the team bus was involved in an accident on Tuesday night when going for a football game.

According to a statement from the club management, the players and officials of the top flight clubside are still reeling from the effect of the accident.

A local media which reported on the devastating accident on Wednesday said:

“The Sierra Leonean football is in mourning. On Tuesday evening, the Port Authority FC bus was involved in an accident. Several first team players are injured and in critical condition after this tragedy.

“The worst was the death of the Port Authority FC coach, Lamine Bangoura, who did not survive after receiving a serious blow during the accident.

“The team was en route to Kenema for a crucial match against Kahunla Rangers when tragedy struck, leaving several members in critical condition.

“The accident, which occurred at Konta Line, has claimed the life of the former Sierra Leone international and team coach, Lamine Bangura.

“Lamine Bangura was a highly revered figure in Sierra Leonean football and leaves behind a legacy that transcends the sport.

“Despite the best efforts of medical personnel at Masiaka Hospital, Bangura succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a void in Sierra Leonean football.”

The Sierra Leone Premier League Board, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed deep regret and sent condolences to the team.

“While details of the incident are still emerging, it has been confirmed that there were injuries sustained by individuals involved in the accident.

“Our immediate priority is the well-being and recovery of those affected by this unfortunate event,” the statement said.

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‘I stood up for my teammates’, Super Eagles’ Bright Osayi defends beating up pitch invader

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Super Eagles and Fernabache of Turkey defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has opened up on why he had to beat up a pitch invader in the wake of a brawl with some fans of Tranzonspor during a match in a Turkish Superlig.

The right-back had come under the spotlight when he was seen beating up a fan of Tranzonspor who had attempted to attack Fernabache players during the match last Sunday.

While many fans of the club had applauded Osayi-Samuel’s action, even going ahead to make a graffiti of the scene, others have condemned him and even went as far as demanding sanctions for him.

But while speaking to sports journalists on Monday in Morocco where the Eagles are currently preparing for a friendly match against Mali, the 25-year-old defender said he had to stand up for his teammates in self defence.

“The fans attacked the team, some had weapons on them, I had to defend my team, it was self defence, that’s what happened,” he said.

“My teammates suffered cuts and bruises, some were really scared, several others also joined me to try to defend the team.

“We found a way to win and avenge our only loss in the league to the same team after they beat us at our home in the first round,” he added.

Fans of Trabzonspor had invaded the pitch after title-chasing Fenerbache recorded a 3-2 win at away to keep up the pressure on league leaders Galatasaray, a defeat which angered the home fans and led to them invading the pitch.

But they met their match in the Super Eagles player who chased some and pounced on them heavily.

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