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The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Oleksandr Usyk offers cryptic warning and Daniel Dubois reacts to huge Canelo bet at press conference
'Don't push the horses,' was Oleksandr Usyk 's cryptic warning to Daniel Dubois 's team on Thursday, whenever things got tetchy at the final press conference for their heavyweight rematch on Saturday. For what it's worth, Usyk rarely seemed aggravated by Dubois himself, and even expressed his respect for the Briton at Wembley Stadium, where they will duel this weekend. 'I respect this guy, this young guy,' said the Ukrainian in one of their final verbal exchanges on stage, before their first pugilistic exchange on Saturday (19 July). 'He's motivated, but I am, too. I'm not an old guy; 38 is not old.' The issue for Dubois's coach, Don Charles, was that he did not feel this respect was necessarily mutual. Addressing an apparent idea from Usyk's manager, that Dubois is the same fighter who Usyk stopped in 2023, Charles said of Egis Klimas: 'We know what we've been witnessing [since then], he must've been sleeping for the last three fights. He must've been fast asleep. Can somebody wake him up?' Charles was referencing Dubois's stoppages of Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and most recently Anthony Joshua (at Wembley, no less), but Klimas had a counter so quick that Usyk would be proud of it: 'While I was sleeping, Oleksandr beat Tyson Fury two times.' Dubois, meanwhile, spoke in mission statements, as he has so often over the last year. 'I've got to write my own script now,' said the IBF champion, 27. 'They've got a script, I've got to write my own. 'I've been getting a lot of... just confidence from my training, the shots I've been landing on the people I've been sparring. All of that's just been building up, and I'm ready to let it out now. Right now, I just want to get it on [...] I've prepared right, I'm just on a different level now. I'm ready to come through whatever I need to on Saturday. I'm chasing glory, and I'm chasing greatness.' What is more important to him: gaining revenge on Usyk for their first clash, when the Ukrainian climbed off the canvas after a low blow that Dubois's team still insist was a legal shot, or gaining undisputed status? 'All of it, the whole thing,' Dubois said. 'This is history-making, and I've just got to do a real demolition job. I'm hungry, I'm ready for it.' Dubois's manager, Riz Khan, said for his part: 'I think they are rattled, solely because they are using the same line: 'Daniel's not changed.'' And Dubois has changed. He has shown sporting maturity in recent outings, as well as greater mental sturdiness. Every pundit will tell you that. His timing is better, too, and as far as Charles is concerned, timing may be the most important factor on Saturday. 'I'm a very spiritual man, in the sense that I believe in the universe,' said the trainer. 'In my opinion, he's been destined to be here today, and on Saturday to do what has almost been deemed impossible. 'I've normally got a lot to say,' he added, in an admirable example of self-awareness, 'but I'm gonna keep it short.' There was also time for a few words from a member of Usyk's team, dubbed the 'Crazy Professor', who said: 'I know he [Usyk] is ageing, but don't worry. He's more than ready.' Meanwhile, Dubois's promoter, Frank Warren, graciously agreed with Klimas's evaluation of Usyk's generational talent, saying: 'I agree with everything you've said, he is different. He's a fabulous and great champion.' But? 'But [Dubois] is the new kid on the block. He's got the power, but everybody underestimates his boxing ability. He has one of the best jabs in boxing.' Warren also made an astute observation that Usyk, as technically and tactically sharp as he is, is not afraid to take risks and exchange at close range. With that in mind, Warren guaranteed an explosive contest under the arch. It is a contest that Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, arguably the face of boxing, believes will go Usyk's way again. So confident is the undisputed super-middleweight champion, he has placed a $500,000 bet on the southpaw. 'It doesn't mean nothing to me, it don't mean s*** to me,' said Dubois. 'He's gonna lose his money.'
BBC News
14 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Oh my word!' - Fitzpatrick slam dunks for a birdie
Matt Fitzpatrick chips off the flag to bag himself a brilliant birdie at the 16th hole on day one at the Open.
Scottish Sun
14 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Sky reveals ‘deeply concerning' change to popular kids TV channel
Sky Kids currently has around 150 original titles Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SKY has scrapped plans to make original kids' TV shows — sparking 'deep concern' from experts. UK-based watchdog the Children's Media Foundation (CMF) slammed the move, after Sky confirmed it will stop creating its own content and instead buy in shows from other providers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Pip and Posy was co-commissioned with Channel 5's Milkshake Recent original titles from Sky include Pip & Posy — co-commissioned with Channel 5's Milkshake! — as well as BooSnoo! and The Brilliant World of Tom Gates. Sky Kids, led by Lucy Murphy, currently has around 150 original titles in its catalogue. Although it will honour content still in production, Sky confirmed it has no plans to greenlight any new original children's programming. The broadcaster also warned that some job losses may follow as a result of the strategy change. Jamie Morris, Sky's executive director of content strategy and performance, said: 'With a strong pipeline of new original shows still to come, we now have a rich slate of content that allows us to evolve our strategy. 'In the future, Sky Kids will focus on acquiring third-party content. "While this means reviewing the number of roles required to deliver the next phase of our offer, we remain committed to bringing the very best in children's entertainment to families across the UK.' The decision comes just over two years after Sky made headlines by launching its own children's linear TV channel — a bold move at a time when many other broadcasters were moving away from traditional channels in favour of digital platforms. But the CMF said the change was 'a depressing and short-sighted decision, which will leave UK children less well-served.' Highlighting that only the BBC and Milkshake! remain as major commissioners of factual and entertainment content for children, the organisation said Sky's exit removes 'healthy competition' in the market and urged the broadcaster to think again. Sky TV remotes have hidden trick that saves you so much time Greg Childs, director of the CMF, said: 'This is not the time to give up on great UK content for UK kids. "Just as we are working with government and platforms like YouTube to help children and young people find more personally and socially valuable content on video-sharing platforms. "Sky is walking away from its kids' needed is fresh thinking about deals and partnerships that take their content to where kids are watching, not a knee-jerk cost-cutting spree which will damage their relationship with their customers and certainly diminish the prospects of quality viewing time for children in their country.' Animation UK also hit out at the decision, calling it a 'significant blow' to the animation sector and those behind Sky's well-received original content. Will more kids TV channels vanish? Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun These latest closures don't come as much of a shock with children largely shifting to digital platforms for entertainment thanks to apps like TikTok and YouTube. Some of the POP's other channels have gone digital-only already. And in September 2023 the CITV channel closed down, switching to a new digital-only streamed channel ITVX Kids on the ITVX app. The BBC have been mulling the closure of CBBC's linear channel and making it digital only via iPlayer too. But it's been granted a temporary reprieve for now. Children's TV boss Patricia Hidalgo told the i paper at the end of 2024 that "currently the numbers don't tell us you have to close it yet", adding: "It's really important to us as public service broadcasters that if children still need us on a linear network, we're going to be there for them." It warned that losing a major commissioner like Sky limits creative opportunity and reduces access to culturally relevant UK storytelling. Kate O'Connor, chair of Animation UK, said: 'Sky has played a valuable role in backing original UK animation and children's programming. "Its decision to step away from commissioning is another signal that the children's content sector needs urgent attention. 'Without intervention, we risk losing the UK's ability to tell its own stories to its youngest citizens and to support our world class content creation sector.' The change to Sky Kids follows a wider shake-up across the broadcaster. Earlier this year, Sky shut down its standalone Sky Mix channel and moved some content to its streaming platform NOW, while also cutting several back-office roles as part of a cost-saving restructure. The group has been gradually shifting its focus toward digital-first content and streamlining services under pressure from increased competition and changing viewer habits. The Sun has reached out to Sky for further comment.
