CELEB NEWS Archives - Page 8 of 72

Novak Djokovic says he felt hampered by the after-effects of being hit on the head by a bottle as he fell to a shock Italian Open defeat by Alejandro Tabilo.

The world number one was accidentally struck by the water bottle as he signed autographs following his second-round win over Corentin Moutet on Friday.

He struggled to find any rhythm against Tabilo on Sunday, with the Chilean needing just 67 minutes to win the third-round match 6-2 6-3.

“That has really impacted me a lot. After that I got medical care, [and went] through half-an-hour [to] an hour of nausea, dizziness and blood,” said Djokovic.

JUST IN :Novak Djokovic hoping to hit peak form for French Open, Wimbledon, Olympics and US Open stretch this summer

“It’s incredible. I came on court just looking around and soaking it all in, trying to process everything. I’m trying to wake up right now,” said Tabilo.

“I was just trying to keep my nerves and keep swinging. Every time you feel like you are close to the end your arms get a little tighter.

“I was just trying not to think about it and take it point by point. It’s crazy, I can’t believe what’s happened.”

Tabilo is the first Chilean to beat a world number one since Fernando Gonzalez beat Roger Federer at the ATP Finals in 2007.

He will play Karen Khachanov in the next round after the Russian 16th seed beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-2 6-4

RELATED :Novak Djokovic Decides to Truly Fly Solo As He Drops Bombshell by Splitting with Long-Time Teammate

It means six-time champion Djokovic will fail to reach at least the quarter-finals in Rome for the first time since 2006.

The 36-year-old, who is yet to reach a final in 2024, has played just six matches on clay this year as he prepares for the defence of his French Open title.

The tournament at Roland Garros begins on 26 May.

Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka eased through to the last 16 in Rome with a comfortable straight-set win over Dayana Yastremska.

The Belarusian Australian Open champion did not drop a single service game as she beat Ukrainian Yastremska 6-4 6-2 in one hour 28 minutes.

UPDATE :Tennis legend praises Novak Djokovic’s ‘remarkable achievement’ after latest world No 1 record

She will play Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the next round after the two-time winner breezed past Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-3 6-3.

CELEB NEWS

Tiger Woods shows sign of intent as return at PGA Championship looms

Tiger Woods will return to action at next week’s PGA Championship, and the 15-time major champion has already arrived at Valhalla as he bids to win an 83rd PGA Tour title

Tiger Woods has already taken to the range at Valhalla Golf Club, starting his preparation for next week’s U.S. PGA Championship in Kentucky. Woods has been forced to play a part-time schedule in recent years, after suffering career-threatening injuries in a car accident in February 2021.

The 48-year-old – who has a record-equalling 82 PGA Tour titles to his name – has played in just eight competitive events in two years, completing all 72 holes on four occasions. His next start will come at the U.S. PGA Championship next week, an event he has won four times, including at this year’s venue back in 2000.

JUST IN :Is Tiger Woods playing at the 2024 PGA Championship? Icon set to play at Valhalla as one event per month plan continues

Having completed his opening 18 holes on day one at Riviera, the tournament host’s week came to an end prematurely on day two after he was forced to withdraw just six holes into round two. His decision to pull out was not down to injury, but through illness, having suffered with influenza.

After two months away Woods’ return came at April’s Masters, where the five-time winner once again wrote himself into the Augusta National history books. The American made a record-breaking 24th consecutive cut at the Masters, passing fellow greats Fred Couples and Gary Player on 23.

CELEB NEWS

Fresh Challenge For Simone Biles As Gymnastics Community Handpicks 17-Year-Old Rival For Paris Olympics 2024

If you thought Simone Biles had no one to one up her, think again. Turns out, the newest kid on the block is Italian teenage phenom Manila Esposito who has etched her name in the annals of history. Esposito’s performance is invoking comparisons to the legendary Simone Biles, Svetlana Khorkina, and Lilia Podkopayeva.

JUST IN :‘Twisties’ Persuaded Simone Biles for Paris Olympics? Gymnastics World Unearths Retirement Truth: “Wanted To Be Done”

Comparing all these stats, it’s pretty clear that Manila Esposito is already a shining name in the history of the European Championships. But there are also several grounds which make the Italian 17-year-old eligible to be compared to American gymnastics queen Simone Biles.

Simone Biles who is considered the queen of gymnastics participated in the Rio Olympics in 2016 when she was just 19. 19-year-old Biles clinched gold in three individual events, including the all-around, vault, and floor exercise in the 2016 Rio Olympics. While Biles was just 17 she participated in the 2014 World Gymnastics Championships and bagged four gold. Two for individual events including floor and balance beam and another one for all-around individuals besides team all-around. Esposito too at just 17 grabbed four gold in the 35th Rimini European Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Previously in Antalya, she won two silver in 2023.

RELATED :“Blindsided” Simone Biles Stunned Over How Her Comeback Season Played Out

The sudden rise of the Italian teenage star might pose a threat to the Paris Olympics competitors. With the curtains closed on the 2024 European Championships, Esposito’s triumph may drive a spanner in the works of Simone Biles plan. Like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, Paris may very well be her defining year.

BOXING

Mike Tyson puts interviewer on the ropes for asking dumb question about Jake Paul fight

Mike Tyson is eagerly training and counting down the days until his fight against Jake Paul. During his press run, a podcast host completely erased the excitement by hitting Mike with the wrong question, and this was his response that sucked the air out of the room.

Tyson asked to predict Jake Paul fight

Tyson teased the clip from the Damon Elliott Show on his Instagram account, where his 29 million followers were not shy about voicing their opinions.

JUST IN :Deontay Wilder declares nobody gives a f**k about Iron Mike Tyson as he prepares to fight Jake Paul

“Sober Tyson seems so much more uneasy like dynamite ready to blow,” wrote one fan.

Cardio is a clear priority for the “Baddest Man on the Planet,” who recently gave up smoking marijuana to prepare his lungs the fight taking place at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, on July 20th.

RELATED :Mike Tyson undergoes drastic diet change ahead of Jake Paul fight

The Netflix boxing event will be a full circle moment for Paul, who knocked out Nate Robinson on the undercard of Tyson’s fight with Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.

BOXING

‘He’s next’ – Gervonta Davis reveals plan to finally fight Vasyl Lomachenko after Frank Martin clash and Shakur Stevenson reacts angrily

Gervonta Davis called out Vasyl Lomachenko during his win over George Kambosos on Saturday night.

The Ukrainian lightweight legend was dominant as he finally made his return a year on from his defeat to Devin Haney.

Lomachenko has often been criticised for starting slow but against Kambosos he got off to a quick start before his 11th-round finish.

The 36-year-old let his hands go early with several fast flurries that snapped back Kambosos’ head as he advanced.

JUST IN :Gervonta Davis Claims He’s Richer Than Floyd Mayweather At The Age Of 29 (WATCH)

This vow from Davis has excited many boxing fans, but infuriated Shakur Stevenson, who has himself been calling for a fight with Tank but been denied by the fact they are represented by different promoters/advisers.

As Lomachenko has also spent his career with the same promoter as him, Stevenson replied to Davis by saying: “He’s on the other side tho.”

Davis responded by suggesting Loma is actually now a free agent.

RELATED NEWS :Claressa Shields Ropes In Gervonta Davis’ Mother to Prove a Point Against His Offensive Remarks

In the end though, Stevenson tweeted: “They [are] trying to freeze me out. F*** all them, Floyd [Mayweather] told me bout all these n***as.”

BOXING

The many faces of Oleksandr Usyk | The man to beat Tyson Fury and take all the heavyweight belts?

One of the most anticipated bouts in recent years is just a week away, when two giants of the ring meet face-to-face.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will battle for the undisputed heavyweight champion next Saturday, May 18 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after a three-month delay from the original February 17 fight date.

Fury, who has an impressive record of 34-0-1 and 24 KOs, had to postpone the fight due to a cut on the eyebrow he suffered after a blow from one of his sparring partners. While it delayed the fight, it also increased the anticipation for the fight between two great giants of world boxing today.

JUST IN :Tyson Fury: How WBC heavyweight champion rose to fighting Oleksandr Usyk for undisputed status

The contract for the fight includes a clause with the possibility of a rematch, something that makes the fight even more interesting.

BOXING

Deontay Wilder fires clear Anthony Joshua demand and makes Tyson Fury vow

Deontay Wilder is set to face Zhilei Zhang on the Matchroom vs Queensberry card in Riyadh on June 1

Deontay Wilder has expressed his eagerness for a fight against Anthony Joshua in London, describing it as “a long time coming”. The American heavyweight contender is looking to rebuild his career after a disappointing performance against Joseph Parker in December.

Originally scheduled to face Joshua in Saudi Arabia in March, Wilder’s lacklustre showing against Parker cost him the opportunity, reports the Express. However, the 38 year old is hopeful of making a comeback when he takes on Zhilei Zhang at the Matchroom vs Queensberry event in Riyadh on June 1.

JUST IN :EXCLUSIVE :Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury date announced but fight depends on three conditions

“It’s easy for them to talk about it right now because I already have a task I need to accomplish, but we’ll see what type of talk they have when I accomplish my task, then there will be no more hiding, no will be able to hide, no one will be able to be outspoken without any weight behind it. When I do what I’ve got to do, then you’ve got to be a man of your word and do what you said you’re going to do.”

Joshua is riding a four-fight winning streak, capped with a sensational knockout victory over MMA star Francis Ngannou in March. Wilder has been left impressed by the Englishman’s return to form, but he insists he has no fear of stepping into the ring with the former two-time unified heavyweight king.

“I want it. I’ve never ran from a fight, I never shied away from the fight, no matter what you’ve heard over the years,” he said. “I’ve never run from anyone, I’ve never dodged anyone, I’ve taken the short end of the sticks just to make fights happen, that’s the god’s honest truth. I’m here, and when I’ve done what I’m supposed to, let’s get this fight on.

“I want the biggest fights possible that can be made, but it all relies on June 1.”

Wilder also has his heart set on a fourth fight with Tyson Fury. The pair first met in 2018 with the bout ending in a draw before Fury won the rematch and the trilogy fight by stoppage in 2020 and 2021 respectively, with Fury set to face Oleksandr Usyk in a week.

RELATED NEWS :Jake Paul bulking up to same weight as Anthony Joshua ahead of Mike Tyson clash

“”I want to make Tyson Fury pay so bad, so bad,” he said. “I don’t think that chapter is over with. I could see a fourth fight. I could see a fourth in the making, created by the creators. The Saudis have the source and the power to make it all happen. I want to get it back so bad.”

BOXING

Mike Tyson’s fastest knockouts: Will he be able to do the same with Jake Paul?

Mike Tyson is one of the hardest-hitting heavyweights in boxing history and his record of rapid knockouts does little to disprove it.

Jake Paul will be wary of facing the former champion, even at the age of 58, as he managed to end 44 of his wins inside the distance.

He will be hoping to add the 27-year-old to his impressive highlights reel of knockouts over the years when they face each other on July 20 in Texas.

Mike Tyson’s best knockouts

Clifford Etienne – 49 Seconds (2003)

Like Tyson, Etienne was a big puncher, who had built an impressive 24-1-1 record up to that point including 17 KOs. While Etienne came out swinging, he was almost immediately knocked down by Tyson‘s powerful right hand.

Michael Johnson – 39 seconds (1985)

Remarkably, this bout could have been over even quicker had Johnson not got himself back to his feet after the first 20 seconds. The American got himself back to his feet, only to be dealt a brutal overhand right seconds later to finish him off.

Ricardo Spain – 39 seconds (1985)

Tyson made his television debut by dispatching of Spain in exactly the same time as Johnson. In spookily similar fashion, he fell to the canvas after a similar time in the fight and got back up, but a vicious right hand did the job for Tyson.

Lou Savarese – 38 seconds (2000)

Perhaps one of his more controversial fights, ‘Iron Mike’ dropped his opponent in 15 seconds and Savarese‘s knees gave way as he tried to get up.

JUST IN :Stephen A. Smith disgusted by Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson being sanctioned as a professional boxing bout

Referee John Coyle tried to stop the fight at that point, but Tyson continued aiming punches and as he tried to catch Savarese again, he caught Coyle with a powerful blow. To his credit, he leapt to his feet to wave off the contest.

Robert Colay – 37 seconds (1985)

In his 10th professional fight, Tyson laid out Colay with a massive left hook that knocked him opponent down. The fast nature of the defeat was humiliating enough for Colay to take a five-year absence from boxing before returning in 1990.

BOXING

Deontay Wilder declares “nobody gives a fk” about Iron Mike Tyson as he prepares to fight Jake Paul

Deontay Wilder has ridiculed the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight by declaring that, “nobody gives a f**k” about one of the fighters.

No, it’s not Paul. That’s right, the words are for Iron Mike as he prepares to return to the ring.

The event will see the 27-year-old Paul step in to fight the 58-year-old Tyson, who has been out of the pro game since 2005, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 20 in a professional fight that will be streamed by Netflix.

It’s highly controversial as people believe Tyson is too old and he risks serious damage to his health, despite possessing a greater talent volume than Paul. As Tyson Fury once said, “the mind wants but the body will not.”

JUST IN :EXCLUSIVE: Boxing in danger of becoming a circusafter Mike Tyson fight with Jake Paul sanctioned

But the interesting details are found in the length of rounds, total of rounds and the gloves used. It gives an indication of just how keen the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is to protect the iconic Iron Mike.

The rounds will only be two-minutes long and there will only be eight of them. The fighters will also use softer gloves with 14oz gloves to be used as the pair go to town, instead of the standard 10oz.

RELATED :Jake Paul reiterates respect for Mike Tyson but says he has to end him during July fight

“The safety of the contestants competing in the ring,” the TDLR said. “Or the octagon, is always the primary concern.”

BOXING

Gervonta Davis claims he is richer than Floyd Mayweather at 29 after signing mega PBC deal

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis claims he is financially better off than Floyd Mayweather Jr. was at the same age after signing a 6-7 fight deal.

WBA ‘regular’ lightweight champion Tank Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) says the contract he signed with PBC – which includes a fight against Shakur Stevenson – is more lucrative than the six-fight deal Mayweather signed with Showtime in 2013.

Davis hasn’t disclosed exactly how much he stands to earn, but it estimated to be worth $250million.

According to reports at the time, Mayweather‘s 2013 deal was worth $200m, which he had when he was 29. But Davis claims he has eclipsed the retired boxing icon.

Will Gervonta Davis have a better legacy than Floyd Mayweather?

When Mayweather was 29, he was fighting the likes of Emanuel Augustus and Gregorio Vargas and refused to duck any opponent that he was faced against. Davis, meanwhile, has faced claims that he has cherry-picked opponents he has a better chance of beating.

JUST IN :Shakur Stevenson predicts a rude awakening for Gervonta Davis when they meet

It doesn’t look like Tank Davis‘ career will be anywhere close to Mayweather‘s in terms of legacy after choosing not to fight the likes of Vasily Lomachenko and Devin Haney in his 11-year professional career.

That is where the two fighters differ, as Mayweather was keen to take on the top opponents such as Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. As a result, his paychecks would be bigger than Tank‘s.

RELATED :When is Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin? Ticket info, fight card, how to watch and stream

It’s fair to say Mayweather also had the ability to drawn in huge TV audiences for his fights, which resulted in the undefeated champion taking a bigger slice of the pie.