Sports

Ngannou accuses Joshua of employing dirty tactics in their fight in Saudi Arabia

Published

4 months ago

July 26, 2024

Former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, has accused British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, and his promotion team of employing unfair and dirty tactics during their recent bout in Saudi Arabia where Joshua defeated the Cameroonian.

Ngannou who spoke on ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast on Friday, gave details of a series of incidents he believes were designed by the Joshua team to give the former world heavyweight champion an edge in their fight.

The Cameroonian fighter, who made his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in 2023, claimed that British boxing promoters deliberately disrupted his preparation schedule to give Joshua the edge in the fight.

“We get into fight week, and every time we’re going to do media, they’re going to pick me up, and then I get there and have to wait an hour and a half before media arrives,” Ngannou narrated.

He stated that his striking coach, Dewey Cooper, became suspicious of the deliberate delays which he interpreted to be a tactic to make fighters get tired quickly.

Ngannou also recounted issues on the day of the fight, describing how he arrived at the arena hours before the scheduled fight time, only to be informed of a significant delay.

“A producer comes into the locker room and says, ‘Oh, guy, we are running late on the broadcast. Now we’re going to go around 1:45.’ I’m like, okay, 1:45. It’s 10:45. Three hours. Okay.”

Ngannou who refused to blame Joshua directly for these incidents, however, pointed accusing fingers at the organising bodies.

“This is definitely not on him – Joshua, because he wasn’t the guy that was sending all those emails, organizing. So I’m not blaming him for anything. But the organisation did quite some stuff that wasn’t fair,” Ngannou stated.

Despite the allegations, Ngannou acknowledged Joshua as a skillful fighter.

“Not to say Anthony Joshua couldn’t beat me. I think if there’s somebody that you can lose against, he’s the guy; he’s one of the best doing it,” Ngannou concluded.

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

5 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”