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Rafael Nadal on Wednesday hailed longtime rival Novak Djokovic as the best player in the history of the sport.

“The numbers say yes, for me yes (he is the best in history),” Nadal said in an interview with El Objective de La Sexta when asked “who is the best?”

Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam titles having surpassed Nadal’s 22 when he captured last year’s French Open.

Despite that success, the controversial world number one from Serbia still struggles to translate his on-court triumphs into off-court popularity.

Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic head-to-head and best matches

“The image he projects is worse than he really is; I think he’s a good person,” added Nadal.

“There are moments of frustration. Novak breaks his racquet, but the next point he is ready to play at 100% again and it is the best I have ever seen.”

Nadal, 37, has been battling injury and missed virtually all of 2023. He was hurt again last month before sitting out the Australian Open.

With his career winding down, Nadal hailed compatriot and heir Carlos Alcaraz who is already a two-time major winner at the age of 20.

Tyson Fury has responded to the conspiracy theories that have circulating about his undisputed fight against Oleksandr Usyk.

WBC heavyweight champion Fury was originally scheduled to fight Usyk this weekend for all four belts in Saudi Arabia but stepped back after suffering an injury to his right eye during a training session. The fight has been rescheduled for May 18 and will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

Rumours suggested that Fury had struggled during his training camp ahead of the cancelled bout. However, both Fury and his manager Spencer Brown have rubished these claims.

READ MORE: Tyson Fury’s brother breaks silence on Jai Opetaia sparring rumours before Oleksandr Usyk fight

READ MORE: Tyson Fury’s five-fight plan torn apart as Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou doubts emerge

“It boggles belief, we were looking at some of it laughing our heads off. These conspiracy theories, it was actually very funny,” Brown told iFL TV. “Old Johnny Nelson, he’s got a ‘mole’ in our camp. We’ve been digging holes everywhere because there’s a mole here somewhere.”

“Look, whoever was grassing couldn’t have been a very good grass because he got it all wrong. Jai Opetaia knocking Tyson out? It’s like Mount Vesuvius falling down one afternoon,” Brown added.

“It didn’t happen, it didn’t get anywhere near happening. Tyson was on fire. Of course there’s somebody [talking about what was going on in camp], I don’t think it’s malicious, bit of pillow talk, few white lies going about, few misconceptions. I don’t think there’s any grass.”

While recovering from his injury, Fury has adressed claims that he is set to retire by detailing a potential plan for his next five fights, which would also include a rematch with Francis Ngannou.

The two phantoms of the lighter-weight divisions, Gervonta Davis and Naoya Inoue might never face each other in the ring. Such a matchup would be a dream come true for many boxing fans. However, the Japanese ‘Monster’ has declined such possibilities yet again. His reason for this refusal lies in a crucial point of debate in boxing circles.

GERVONTA DAVIS VS NAOYA INOUE? 'TANK' DOESN'T RULE IT OUT - YouTube

In December last year, Inoue made history by emerging 2x undisputed. It is a feat that only Terence Crawford and Claressa Shields have been able to achieve in the four-belt era. In the wake of such a historic win over Filipino southpaw, Marlon Tapales, fans rallied for the Yokohama-based fighter to compete against his power-punching contemporary in the lightweight division, Gervonta Davis. The proposition was thrashed immediately by Davis. Now, Inoue has concurred with ‘Tank’ on this front, arguing that no matter how lucrative the fight could prove to be, there remains a bigger responsibility he’d rather tend to.

For the 30-year-old fighter, who emerged undisputed in the Bantamweight division in 2022 and Super Bantamweight, last year, his stint in the ring is way beyond lucrative fights and notable wins. He remains loyal to his responsibility toward the sport, which is exactly why his moving beyond featherweight is out of the question, according to him.

Teofimo Lopez insists he’s still intent on making a fight against Terence Crawford, and all the noise coming from Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson is just a distraction because they don’t want him to fight what he calls ‘their mack daddy.’ Check out some of what Lopez had to say below.

“They don’t want to fight. Same thing with this kid Keyshawn Davis they talking about. He just wants an easy route to become famous. So big-headed, completely big-headed, hasn’t done anything in the sport of boxing, doesn’t even have a world title. Those little belts that he has, I got those the first year I turned pro…I became a world champion at 22 years young.

Teofimo Lopez: Terence Crawford blasted by Teofimo Lopez for facing  “handicapped” opponents in his career

“It’s all clout. They don’t want me to fight their big boy. They don’t want me to fight their mack daddy who is Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford. He’s the mack daddy of all those guys. And when I said I’ll fight (Crawford) at a catchweight, he knows what I meant by that because I been saying it to everybody prior…between 147 and 154 I’ll fight you. But he says ‘go back to the drawing board.’ That man don’t want no part of me, man.

“Crawford is the only reason I came back, anyways. I get that triple crown…we probably gonna fight next year or the end of this year, but he gonna have to take it.”

Phil Mickelson will delay retirement for as long as possible as the six-time major champion still harbours hopes of clinching the U.S. Open.

Mickelson’s dream is to win the U.S. Open and complete the career slam. He’s finished second at the event on six occasions while winning three Masters titles, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship.

Although he’s no longer qualifying via the rankings as LIV Golf stars don’t earn ranking points, Mickelson should still receive invites from Augusta, USPGA and The Open as a former winner. He should also get an invite to the U.S. Open after winning the USPGA at Kiawah Island in 2021, where he became the oldest major championship winner in history at the age of 50 years, 11 months, and 7 days.

Phil Mickelson | Biography, Majors, LIV, & Facts | Britannica

The victory was crucial in terms of securing invites to the next few U.S. Open events too as winning a major gets Mickelson an invite to all four majors for the next five years. Amid rumours of his retirement once his current LIV Golf deal expires, Mickelson won’t walk away from golf just yet as he is still eyeing U.S. Open glory – and his heroics in 2021 prove he cannot be dismissed due to age.

After receiving a special exemption to play at the U.S. Open in 2021, Mickelson – who will also receive a special exemption for The Masters and PGA Championship for life as a former champion – said: “Winning the U.S. Open has been a lifelong and elusive dream, and I’ve come close so many times.

“You can’t win if you don’t play. I’m honored and appreciative of the USGA for the opportunity and look forward to playing in my hometown on a golf course I grew up on.”

Mike Tyson is the youngest heavyweight champion in history, but his life was not without its challenges.

He was born in the tough Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, the youngest of three children, and his father walked out on his family after a heart condition stopped him working.

Mike’s violent Brooklyn upbringing, systemic poverty, no father to speak of, the rejection of his mother, and his juvenile life of crime are depicted in “Mike,” but not to the extent of what came out in.

He was already a seasoned criminal by the age of 12, robbing whatever, whenever, and whomever he could.

Mike has two siblings, Rodney and Denise, and a step-brother named Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick.

His first talking tour lasted for seven nights, and the boxer walked out in front of more than 3,000 people in five different cities.

What happened to boxing legend Mike Tyson and where is he now? | The Sun

Rodney Tyson

Rodney is the younger brother of the boxing legend Mike Tyson. He was born on April 12, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York.

Rodney is a highly skilled surgical physician assistant based in Los Angeles, California, with an exceptional career in the medical field.

He is married to Tammy Tyson, and they have a child.

Rodney’s net worth is estimated at $900,000, reflecting his hard work, dedication and commitment to patient care. He has remained relatively private, focusing on his family and his medical career.

Despite not achieving the same level of fame as his brother, Rodney’s life is a testament to the power of determination, entrepreneurship and giving back.

He has also been involved in philanthropic endeavors, including establishing a charitable foundation aimed at providing support and setting up boxing programs in inner-city schools.

Rodney’s story is an inspiring example of overcoming adversity and making a positive impact on the world, both inside and outside the medical field.

Denise Tyson

Denise was the older sister of the boxing legend Mike Tyson. She tragically passed away at the young age of 24 in February 1990, shortly after Mike’s upset loss to Buster Douglas.

She died of an apparent heart attack at her residence in Queens, New York. Denise was found unconscious by her husband and was pronounced dead on arrival.

Denise, who struggled with obesity, diabetes, and asthma, was reported to have weighed around 400 pounds, and these health conditions were said to have contributed to her untimely death.

Her passing was a devastating blow to the Tyson family, and Mike was profoundly affected by the loss of his sister.

Denise’s death added to the significant losses that Mike had experienced in his life, including the absence of his father, the death of his mother when he was 16, and the tragic passing of his daughter in 2009.

The impact of these losses has been a recurring theme in Mike’s life, and he has openly shared the challenges he has faced in coping with these tragedies.

Denise’s memory remains a part of Mike’s personal history, and her passing has contributed to the complex tapestry of the boxing icon’s life.

  •  Mayweather’s self-promoted career has been successful financially, but his promotional company, Mayweather Promotions, has failed to produce notable boxers.
  •  Mayweather’s controversial win over Victor Ortiz in 2011 included a knockout blow after a headbutt and a heated argument with commentator Larry Merchant.
  •  Mayweather’s use of a banned IV and his racially-charged comments against Manny Pacquiao have been controversial moments in his career
  • Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather is retired these days but is still considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. Throughout his historic career, he won titles in five different weight classes and defeated fellow legends such as Manny Pacquiao and more. Having retired in 2017, Mayweather’s 50-0 record will never be blemished.
  • How Floyd Mayweather Makes and Spends Millions
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Anthony Joshua’s fight with Deontay Wilder evaporated little more than an hour before he thought he was going to get it. But if AJ defeats Francis Ngannou next month, he could set himself on a path that leads once again towards a possible showdown with British heavyweight rival Tyson Fury

It has been much discussed. Talks have started up and failed multiple times. But still, could Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua actually happen?

The two are titans in British boxing with Fury the reigning WBC champion and Joshua, a former unified heavyweight champion, currently working his way back to the top.

Both have significant bouts coming up. On March 8 Joshua will box Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion who gave Fury an expectedly difficult 10-round bout last year.

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua bout unlikely to happen, says promoter Warren  | CNN

Then, on May 18, Fury meets Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight titlist, in their rescheduled undisputed championship fight.

Should the two British heavyweights prevail in their respective contests, a natural question will be whether they could finally fight each other in 2024.

Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is advocating for precisely that. “If there’s a chance to jump in late summer or early autumn and make AJ vs Fury, it can be done and there’s ways to make it happen. I think there’s every chance that could happen,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“[With] contracts, everyone’s got to be respected in that sense. But the pressure will be on to make that fight.”

Tennis commentator Craig Shapiro recently revealed that Rafael Nadal’s academy has benefitted from the Spaniard’s ambassadorship deal with the Saudi Tennis Federation.

The state-owned tennis body of Saudi Arabia appointed Nadal as its ambassador in a bid to strengthen its presence in the sport. The announcement was made on January 15, 2024, just days after the 22-time Grand Slam champion announced his withdrawal from the Australian Open.

Notably, the Spaniard’s ownership of a team in the E1 World Championships has grabbed eyeballs following the announcement. The first grand prix of the E1 World Championships, which is an all-electric water boat racing competition, was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from February 2-3.

The Spaniard’s team, called Team Rafa, finished third in the standings after the conclusion of the first leg. Shapiro recently came across a fan question regarding the tennis icon’s probable motivation for being involved in the Jeddah racing event.

Carlos Alcaraz weighs in on controversial Rafael Nadal Saudi deal after  joining £6m event | Tennis | Sport | Express.co.uk

In response, Shapiro didn’t comment on the Spaniard’s association with the series but revealed that the financial gains he made from the Saudi Tennis Federation deal helped his academy get rid of ‘huge debt’

Apart from the 22-time Grand Slam champion, Tom Brady, Virat Kohli, and Didier Drogba are among the other notable sporting personalities who own an E1 team. The subsequent races will be held in Venice, Marbella, Monaco, Geneva, Rotterdam, and Hong Kong.

Rafael Nadal preparing for Doha return | ATP Tour | Tennis

As an ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF), Rafael Nadal would be responsible for mentoring budding champions of the Gulf nation. He is also set to establish a branch of Rafa Nadal Academy in the country. Currently, his academies are situated in Kuwait, Greece, Mexico, and his hometown of Manacor in Mallorca, Spain.

After taking over as the top representative of STF, the Spaniard expressed his excitement over the new role, saying:

 halftime show brought together iconic performers, dazzling displays, and unexpected moments that left viewers raving about it. Amidst the spectacle, R&B sensation Usher stole the spotlight with his electrifying performance, but it was a interaction with Alicia Keys that ignited a flurry of discussion, fueled by boxing champ Gervonta Davis and his commentary.

Decked in all-white attire, Usher commanded the stage with his signature moves, treating viewers to a load of hits that had the stadium rocking.

In a spontaneous move, Usher went off script, drawing Alicia Keys into a brief embrace during their duet performance. The display of hug between the two music titans was intended to convey the spirit of collaboration and mutual admiration, but it was not without its critics.

Gervonta Davis, known for his outspoken nature, took to social media to share his perspective on the incident. In a now-deleted tweet, Davis questioned the appropriateness of Usher’s actions, expressing concern over the speculated intimacy of the moment, particularly given Alicia Keys’ marital status.

Gervonta Davis vs. Conor Benn - Former world champion makes prediction for  potential clash | DAZN News US

Davis echoed the remarks of many people who saw the show

Davis‘ remarks sparked a wave of discussion online, with spectators weighing in on the nature of Usher and Alicia Keys

‘ onstage interaction. Some defended the performers, interpreting the embrace as a harmless display of professional chemistry. Others echoed Davis‘ sentiments, suggesting that such displays could be misconstrued.

Despite the controversy, both Usher and Alicia Keys remained focused on delivering an unforgettable performance, showcasing their undeniable talent. The duo’s collaboration was met with widespread acclaim, with fans celebrating their on-stage chemistry and the magic of their duet.

Meanwhile, Gervonta Davis stood by his comments, showing the importance of respect and boundaries, particularly in the public eye. While opinions may differ on the matter, one thing is certain – Usher and Alicia Keys’ gave the world a Super Bowl halftime show to remember.