Boxer Refutes Rumours About Allowing Fury vs Usyk Fight to Proceed

Anthony Joshua has strongly denied reports suggesting he is set to accept a £15 million offer to step aside, clearing the path for a Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk heavyweight title clash.

The Telegraph recently reported that Joshua was close to finalising the deal, which would enable Usyk and Fury to fight for the undisputed heavyweight title in April, likely in the Middle East. Despite these claims, Joshua, who invoked a rematch clause after his loss to Usyk, has stated no such agreement exists.

In a video shared online, Joshua addressed the speculation: “It’s crazy the interviews I’m seeing. People are quoting me saying I’ve accepted £15 million to step aside. I haven’t signed any contract or seen one. Until you hear it from me, ignore the nonsense. I control my destiny and handle my business smartly.”

Joshua emphasised his focus on making calculated decisions and urged fans not to believe unofficial sources.

Complications with Dillian Whyte’s Agreement
If a deal were to be arranged, it would also require the cooperation of Dillian Whyte, the mandatory challenger for Fury’s WBC belt. Negotiations with Whyte have been challenging, especially after the WBC mandated an 80:20 purse split in Fury’s favour. Talks have already been extended three times, with the current deadline set for Wednesday.

It remains unclear whether a resolution will be reached or if efforts will shift towards convincing Whyte to step aside, adding another layer of complexity to this high-stakes scenario in the heavyweight division.

The Golfer Adopts a Targeted Strategy to Improve Consistency and Results

Rory McIlroy is adopting a new strategy for 2022, focusing on refined, measurable goals as he draws inspiration from Tiger Woods’ disciplined approach to the game. The Northern Irishman believes this change will enhance his performance after a challenging year.

The 32-year-old experienced a mixed season in 2021. He changed coaches, won the Wells Fargo Championship in May, and endured a heart-wrenching Ryder Cup that left him in tears. However, he rebounded with a strong performance at the CJ Cup in October, marking his 20th PGA Tour title. Heading into the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week, McIlroy is determined to start the season on a high, bolstered by his strong track record at the event.

Rather than setting broad objectives like winning multiple titles or claiming the FedExCup, McIlroy is concentrating on specific aspects of his game. “In the past, I’d list goals like winning five times or capturing a major,” he explained. “Now, I focus on areas I can control—like hitting over 60% of fairways or improving proximity to the hole within 150 yards.”

This shift in mindset includes resisting the temptation to prioritise power over precision. Reflecting on past efforts to match Bryson DeChambeau’s driving distance, McIlroy now embraces control, echoing Tiger Woods’ philosophy of selecting strategic moments to unleash the driver.

“The best player of the last 30 years, Tiger, didn’t always rely on distance,” McIlroy said. “He played a calculated, controlled game, picking spots to maximise his strengths. While my game is different, I aim to incorporate elements of his approach into my own.”

As McIlroy enters the new season, his renewed focus on discipline and precision sets a promising tone for the months ahead.

Seven-time Champion’s Silence Fuels Speculation Over His 2022 Return

Lewis Hamilton’s participation in the 2022 Formula One season remains uncertain, with McLaren CEO Zak Brown suggesting it wouldn’t be surprising if the seven-time world champion retired. The Mercedes driver has reportedly been deliberating his future following the contentious finale of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi.

The dramatic conclusion to the race, which denied Hamilton his record-breaking eighth title, has left him notably absent from social media, sparking speculation. An FIA inquiry into the events was initiated last week, though its findings are not expected to be released until just before the Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for March 20.

Michael Masi, the race director, has faced criticism for allegedly manipulating the rules to create a one-lap showdown that favoured Max Verstappen. Brown, who frequently communicates with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, acknowledged Hamilton’s frustration: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Lewis chose to walk away. No one should assume his return is guaranteed.”

Despite Hamilton’s silence, Mercedes plans to unveil their 2022 car at Silverstone on February 18, ahead of winter testing in Barcelona. Hamilton is anticipated to appear alongside his new teammate, George Russell.

Hamilton, now 37, is in the penultimate year of his lucrative £40 million-per-season contract with Mercedes. Brown remains optimistic about his return, stating: “I believe Lewis still has the passion to compete. He’s at his peak and has the drive to chase an eighth championship. While he’s understandably angry, racers have an innate desire to race. I think he’ll be back.”

The controversy surrounding Abu Dhabi has also led to calls for reform within F1 governance. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently met with Wolff, although the meeting’s details have not been disclosed.

The incident spotlighted communications between Red Bull’s Christian Horner, Wolff, and Masi, which were broadcast live during the final laps. Brown commented on the pressure Masi faced: “With five laps remaining and everyone trying to influence him, the situation became chaotic. The open-mic format is great for viewers but contributed to questionable decisions under immense pressure.”

As fans await Hamilton’s decision, the sport faces growing scrutiny over its rule enforcement and governance, with many hoping for reforms to prevent similar controversies in the future.

Video of England Players and Police at Hobart Hotel Sparks Inquiry After Public Leak

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has initiated an investigation following the leak of a video showing England captain Joe Root, bowler James Anderson, and other players involved in a police visit after a post-Ashes celebration in Hobart. The footage, which appears to have been filmed by assistant coach Graham Thorpe, has raised concerns within the ECB regarding the handling of the incident and its subsequent public release.

The video, released by Australian media, shows Root, Anderson, and Australian players Nathan Lyon, Travis Head, and Alex Carey drinking together in the early hours of Monday morning at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Hobart, following the conclusion of the Ashes series. While some players had already returned to their rooms, the group remained after a long day-night Test match, which led to the players gathering for drinks in the team hotel rather than the usual post-match location at the ground.

Local police were called to the scene after a noise complaint from a nearby resident. Tasmanian police attended the terrace of the hotel where the players were drinking but confirmed no further action would be taken, as the group complied with the officers’ instructions and returned to their rooms without incident. The ECB and Cricket Australia have stated that they do not object to the players’ behaviour but are concerned with how the incident was filmed and leaked to the media.

The investigation will focus on the leak, as it appears Thorpe, who had temporarily assumed leadership of the team during Chris Silverwood’s Covid isolation, was the one who filmed the incident. Although his face is not visible, his voice can be heard in the video instructing: “Just video this, just for the lawyers,” before the camera pans across the players.

Tasmania Police issued a statement confirming they attended the scene due to “intoxicated individuals” but assured there would be no further action. The ECB has also issued a statement, confirming that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday after a noise complaint was lodged. The players complied with requests from the hotel management and the police to disperse, and the England team has apologised for any inconvenience caused.

This video leak comes at a particularly difficult time for the ECB, following England’s 4-0 loss in the Ashes series and ongoing concerns about maintaining professional standards within the team and coaching staff. The incident further complicates the ECB’s efforts to clean up the image of English cricket, following other recent controversies such as Ben Stokes’s court case and racism allegations within the game.

There is increasing pressure on head coach Chris Silverwood, whose position is under scrutiny, as well as on Thorpe, whose role in developing England’s batting line-up has been questioned, particularly after the team’s failure to exceed 300 runs in any of their 10 innings in Australia.

Both Cricket Australia (CA) and the ECB are angry about the way the footage was leaked, and tensions remain high as investigations continue into both the incident and the broader issues surrounding England’s performance and internal operations.

England’s World Cup Captain Reiterates Test Cricket as the Core of National Priorities

Eoin Morgan has rejected claims that The Hundred is responsible for England’s poor performance in the Ashes, calling such accusations “laughable.” The England captain, who led the team to a World Cup victory, insists that Test cricket remains the nation’s top priority despite recent struggles.

England’s 4-0 defeat to Australia has sparked widespread criticism, with Test captain Joe Root asserting that players are succeeding “in spite of” rather than “because of” the domestic structure. Root has advocated for changes to ensure more red-ball cricket is played during the peak summer months.

First-class cricket in England has increasingly been sidelined, with its season now compressed, while The Hundred took centre stage last summer in July and August. However, Morgan believes it is unfair to link England’s Test struggles to the success of shorter formats.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Morgan stated: “Blaming The Hundred is absurd. Test cricket has always been prioritised as the platform for elite players. Times have been challenging in Australia, but they’ve historically been tough in the Ashes. Our last two series there ended 4-0.”

He continued: “The Hundred is a tremendous achievement and mirrors Australia’s structure for domestic cricket. People are searching for something to blame, but the reality is simpler. Preparation hasn’t been ideal, and performances didn’t meet expectations.”

Morgan reflected on his career, noting the shift in focus from neglecting white-ball cricket to becoming a global powerhouse. “For most of my time, white-ball cricket was an afterthought, with 95% of energy devoted to Tests. Now, we’re seen as one of the best in the world in white-ball formats. I’d rather have that respect than return to being an afterthought.”

While Root’s call for structural reform continues to resonate, Morgan’s remarks underline the complexity of balancing formats in modern cricket. Both leaders agree on the significance of preparation and skill development to compete at the highest levels across all formats.