Anthony Joshua squares up to teenage boxer tipped to be his heir as awestruck 18 year old told: ‘The world is yours'
Leo
Atang, 18, is being branded 'AJ's heir' after being snapped up by Eddie Hearn ahead of his pro debut this Saturday.
4
Anthony Joshua broke the ice with teenage boxer Leo Atang
Credit: Getty
4
Atang is making his professional debut on the Eubank vs Catterall undercard
Credit: Getty
4
Atang shared a picture from their shock meeting to his 17,000 Instagram followers
Awestruck Atang, who calls Joshua his idol, was taken aback when the two-time heavyweight world champion threw air punches within seconds of meeting.
AJ broke the ice with the gag as he gave the young fighter his seal of approval.
The former world champion told Atang: 'The world is yours.'
But the heavyweight isn't ready to bow out quite yet, despite his knock-out by
ERAD MORE BOXING NEWS
Speaking at the unveiling of Matchroom
Boxing
's rebranding, AJ said: "For the first time in about 12 to 13 years as a professional, not even including the amateur stuff, I took a year out to get my body right.
'I'm at a different stage in my career where I can look at time a bit differently.
"I've not got all these years in front of me like the main man here [Atang], so I've got to make really executive decisions about what I do
next
.
"So the minute I come back, you know I'll come back with a bang rather than just keep rolling.
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"I just thought, let me take some time out so when I do come back I come back fully active and ready to go and take the division by storm again."
Meanwhile Atang is preparing for his pro debut on the
Manchester
this Saturday.
Anthony Joshua vows to take heavyweight division 'by storm' in boxing return and reveals reason for YEAR long break
Sharing a picture of himself with AJ and Frank
Bruno
on
,
Leo
wrote: 'The past, present and the
future
.'
Atang - a former
rugby league
winger from York - is a five-time national champ.
He won the World
Boxing
Under-19 world championships last year - stopping Korean Lee Geon Hui inside the first round.
Soon after turning pro under Hearn, the promoter said: "He's the guy in my
opinion
to follow in the footsteps of Anthony Joshua.
"And ignite the heavyweight division to all kinds of fanbases across the country.
"Young man, plenty of work to do, we're going to box him all across the country, all over the world.
"Seven, eight fights a year but remember what I say, everybody in this arena, everyone tuning in on DAZN, follow this young man, remember the name.
"This is the
future
of British
boxing
and the
future
of the heavyweight division."
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The Irish Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
I work in brothel where husbands stop by for lunch quickies and the women make £40k fulfilling bizarre sexual fetishes
TUCKING into her cheese sandwich, Catherine de Noire keeps an eye on the clock. It's just gone midday and she's expecting the lunch time rush at any moment - with hoards of hungry men due to rush through the door. Advertisement 6 Catherine de Noire works as a manager in a legal brothel Credit: SUPPLIED 6 She says that she wants to dispel the taboos around sex workers Credit: Instagram/ catherine_de_noire 6 She says that aside from the red lights outside the interior looked 'surprisingly normal'. Pictured: Stock image of a brothel in the red light district of Amsterdam Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin But Catherine doesn't work in a deli or a local boozer - her office is a 'Surprisingly, the earliest 'rush hour' at the brothel is 12pm to 1pm, when men pop in on their lunch-breaks from work,' she tells Sun Club. Advertisement 'The next is between 3pm and 5pm, giving them time to get home without raising suspicion.' Catherine, 31, had been studying for an undergrad in 'While I loved it, I was getting frustrated with its attitude to 'Reading psychology books, so much of sex was described as 'deviant'. 'As a fan of Advertisement One day while researching an essay Catherine came across an article that grabbed her attention called Psychologist in a Whorehouse: They Call Me Pimp, but I Protect Women. 'I lived in a country in Europe outside the UK where sex work was legal,' Catherine says. 'The article was written by a manager at a brothel who had a background in psychology. Watch the moment Strictly champ Stacey Dooley sleeps at a BROTHEL in explicit new TV series - and admits she 'loves it' 'He emphasised the importance of respecting and protecting sex-workers. 'The girls were independent contractors, who rented space from the brothel in exchange for a flat rate. Advertisement 'It sounded like my dream job.' Catherine found an email address for the same brothel and got in touch to ask if they had any vacancies. To her delight she was called for an interview. 'Beforehand, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous,' she admits. 'Not only did I not have any experience in the adult industry, I also had no managerial experience. Advertisement 'I had no idea what to expect of the office, I was half expecting it to all be leather, velvet and fake fur.' 6 Catherine says that while some people confuse her for a pimp, her job is to protect the workers Credit: Supplied 6 It was during her psychology degree that she became disillusioned with the way sex was viewed Credit: Supplied 'But while the outside of the building was all done up with red lights, the interior was surprisingly normal.' The manager, who was the author of the article she'd read, gave Catherine a tour of the HR and IT department Advertisement 'We had a fascinating chat,' she explains. 'He told me that women are often at an advantage in brothel management because they don't try to control the workers.' The following week Catherine started working at the brothel as a manager. 'I'd be working nighttime shifts, from 7pm to 6am, but I quickly learned that the brothel wasn't just busy in the evenings,' she says. Catherine's main responsibilities involved answering emails, overseeing bartenders, IT and marketing as well as recruiting and onboarding the girls themselves and she quickly discovered that stereotypes did not apply. Advertisement 'In the media, sex workers were often represented as desperate or addicted, but this wasn't my experience,' she says. 'Some of the girls were earning up to £40,000 a month, and many planned on working for just a few years to set themselves up for the rest of their lives. 'Yet, plenty of them were from overseas, and needed local advice or help reading over rental contracts.' It was a few months into her job that Catherine decided to come clean about her work to her family. 'Dad's a nuclear physicist, and his response was typically calm, understanding and matter of fact,' she says. Advertisement 'But Mum was horrified, she thought that I was a pimp! 'But I explained I wasn't exploiting the girls but rather looking after them and the more I explained, the more she came to accept it. 'Dad even came into the office with me one day to see the set-up. 'From then on, I never lied when someone asked me what I did.' Protecting the workers was of the utmost importance to the brothel and was a large part of Catherine's job. Advertisement 'We had panic buttons in all the rooms and made sure they knew the workers had the right to say no to any request,' she explains. 'While some of the girls did just BDSM work, others exclusively worked with lesbians – it was entirely up to them to decide.' While clients were well behaved on the whole, Catherine says that they did have to remove them occasionally. On another occasion I recognised a familiar face in the corridor – my dentist Catherine de Noire 'Sometimes we'd have to call security to turf them out at 5am when they didn't want to make the journey home,' she says. Intriguingly, one of the most surprising things that Catherine discovered was that plenty of men weren't even looking for sex. Advertisement 'Sometimes they were only after companionship,' she explains. 'One guy paid one of the girls £4,500 just to drive to a graveyard with him and share a cigarette.' But it wasn't all quite so straight-laced. 'One man turned up in a head-to-toe polar bear suit for a role play session,' Catherine says. 'I had to explain to him that he would have to remove the head while he was in reception for security reasons. Advertisement 'Another man turned up dressed as a plumber and spent the whole booking fixing one of the blocked loos.' Working in the brothel required the utmost discretion from Catherine who came across some pretty awkward scenarios. 'One of our girls came in to work every Monday, while her husband visited as a client every Friday,,' she says. 'Neither of them knew about the other and it wasn't my place to tell them. 'On another occasion I recognised a familiar face in the corridor – my dentist. Advertisement 'I realised where he'd been while I had been trying to get an appointment, fortunately, he didn't recognise me. 'His office was filled with family portraits of him with his wife and kids, and I thought he might have been a bit embarrassed.' While the workers of the brothel were discreet, occasionally angry wives and girlfriends would get wind of their partners' hobbies. 'Plenty would buy a ticket and storm through looking for their boyfriend or husband,' Catherine explains. Are brothels legal in the UK? There has been a growing debate in the UK about whether brothels should be legalised, following the emergence of pop-up brothels across the country. These temporary establishments, often set up in residential areas, have sparked concerns among local communities and law enforcement agencies. The current legal framework in the UK criminalises the operation of brothels, but individual sex work is permitted. This has led to a complex and often problematic situation for those involved in the industry. Advocates for legalising brothels argue that regulation could improve safety and working conditions for sex workers. By bringing the industry out of the shadows, they believe that sex workers would have better access to health services and legal protection, reducing the risks of exploitation and violence. Furthermore, regulated brothels could be subject to health and safety standards, ensuring a safer environment for both workers and clients. On the other hand, opponents of legalisation worry that it could lead to an increase in human trafficking and exploitation. They argue that normalising the sex industry might encourage more people to become involved in it, both as workers and clients. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact on local communities, with fears that legalised brothels could lead to an increase in crime and antisocial behaviour in residential areas. As the debate continues, it is clear that there are no easy answers. Balancing the rights and safety of sex workers with the concerns of local communities and broader societal impacts remains a complex challenge. Policymakers will need to carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of legalising brothels in the UK, taking into account the experiences of other countries that have taken similar steps. 'When arguments did break out, we'd gently encourage them to take it outside or to a private room.' Advertisement While most expressed a healthy interest in her job, Catherine explains that her job could pose a problem when it came to dating. 'I noticed quite a few men seemed to be bothered by my job,' she says. 'One guy told me my job was fascinating but he'd never let his girlfriend do it. 'It wasn't a problem, I was happy to give him the boot.' Catherine says that working in the brothel definitely changed her view of marriage and monogamy. Advertisement 'I met plenty of men who'd tell me they loved their wives, they just weren't having sex anymore,' she adds. 'I've had men tell me that the brothel has saved their marriage.' Fascinated by everything she was learning, Catherine started posting about her experiences online. 'There was such stigma around the topic and I wanted to encourage a conversation and debunk stereotypes of the industry,' she says. 'People loved my videos and I soon amassed 400,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok. Advertisement I've had men tell me that the brothel has saved their marriage Catherine de Noire 'I even started an Only Fans account where I could tell my wildest stories.' But while she received plenty of positive attention, she also endured some backlash. 'My inbox and comment sections were filled with death and rape threats against me, my family, and my potential future children,' she says. 'It was shocking and I had to be careful with my mental health.' Eight years into her job, Catherine realised it was time to take a step back. Advertisement 'When I first started the job at 22, the night shifts didn't really bother me,' she says. 'But by the time I hit 30, the 3am to 6am stretch started getting much harder. 'Especially as I was simultaneously studying for a PHD in organisational psychology. 'Now, I've been working in this role for nine years, and I'm starting to think about my next steps. 'I definitely want to stay in the industry, but perhaps move across to a luxury swingers club or something similar. Advertisement 'Ultimately, my work in a brothel has taught me one important lesson. 'Sex work is only dangerous when it's illegal, legalising it keeps women safe.' 6 She wants sex work to be made legal globally in order to keep women safe Credit: Supplied
Dublin Live
42 minutes ago
- Dublin Live
Danny Dyer and Line of Duty star among host of stars spotted at Oasis reunion shows
The hottest ticket in town was undoubtedly at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday, July 4, where thousands of ecstatic fans witnessed Oasis' first gig in 16 years. Liam and Noel Gallagher made a united entrance, hand-in-hand, before delivering a two-hour set of their greatest hits. With over 70,000 people bagging tickets for the opening night of the Oasis Live 2025 tour, and more than 100,000 descending on Cardiff that day, it's no shocker that some well-known faces were seen in the throng, reports Wales Online. A host of celebs took to their socials to share their buzz about being in Cardiff and catching the Gallagher brothers' historic reunion after 16 years apart. Check out the roll call of stars who rocked up to the Oasis Live 2025 kick-off concert in Cardiff over the weekend. Cara Delevingne and Anya Taylor-Joy Model and actress Cara Delevingne, alongside fellow actress Anya Taylor-Joy, were spotted belting out 'Wonderwall'. Cara shared her gratitude to Noel Gallagher and Oasis on her Instagram story, saying "life made". Gary Kemp and Lauren Kemp (Image: Instagram) Spandau Ballet's frontman Gary Kemp and his wife Lauren Kemp were also in attendance on Friday evening. Gary posted a video from the concert with the caption: "Snarling, joyful and like a football match where everyone is winning." Holly Willoughby The audience at the star-studded event included ex-This Morning host Holly Willoughby, who took to social media to share a video of the brothers performing in Cardiff with the caption "Epic". Louis Tomlinson The massive Oasis fan, was also among the crowd on Friday. The former One Direction star posted a clip of Oasis belting out 'Little by Little' on stage. Danny Dyer EastEnders legend Danny Dyer was snapped making his way to the concert amidst a sea of Oasis enthusiasts. The 47-year-old actor was spotted rocking some stylish sunglasses as he strolled down Westgate Street in the city centre. Vernon Kay (Image: Instagram) TV favourite Vernon Kay kicked off his day in Wales after a night of dancing and singing with his daughter, Amber, at the Cardiff gig. The beloved presenter and radio DJ shared that "tears were shed" as he uploaded several videos from the evening to his online profiles. Dive into the full tale over here. Vicky McClure and Jonny Owen Screen star Vicky McClure and her other half Jonny Owen were seen at last night's show, even featuring in a singalong video posted by Gary Kemp. The Line of Duty actress expressed her awe on Instagram, saying: "Never known an atmosphere like it! ELECTRIC!". A whole host of famous faces appear in the video on her account, including ex-Swansea City and Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper, alongside former Everton manager Sean Dyche. Meg Mathews A familiar face popped up among the throng of fans as Noel Gallagher's ex-wife Meg Mathews was spotted cheering on her former partner. She shared a video from the gig with the caption: "5 stars loved every minute thank you Oasis ... you were brilliant @porthtowanbeachshop best gig buddy .... Great to see all the old faces ... it was worth the count Down." Callum Scott Howells Welsh actor Callum Scott Howells was seen at the concert alongside his significant other, Noel Gallagher's daughter Anais Gallagher, and their mates. 'Doctor Who' alum Matt Smith was also caught getting his groove on next to the couple during Oasis's performance. The event was a magnet for celebs, with plenty of famous faces either spotted in the crowd or expressing their excitement over witnessing Oasis's first show in 16 years. Among them were Rob Brydon, Serge Pizzorno, Andy Goldstein, and Jonathan Davies (Jiffy). Hoping to grab last-minute tickets? Tickets for the Oasis reunion sold out across all venues due to huge demand when they went online earlier in the year. However, there are still several options available for fans trying to snag a last-minute spot. Limited last-minute tickets can be bought from the official Ticketmaster resale site, where fans who can no longer go sell their seats, although these tend to go into and out of stock quickly. Elsewhere, resale sites like Viagogo, Vivid Seats, StubHub and Twickets are selling tickets for various dates, although fans should always bear in mind that many official sites, such as Ticketmaster and Live Nation, discourage the purchase of resale tickets. Meanwhile Seat Unique has some VIP tickets available offering a host of additional perks alongside access to the gig. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Our once-deprived seaside town has become UK's ‘Shoreditch-on-Sea' filled with influencers… it's a blessing & a curse
LOCALS claim their once deprived seaside town is becoming an influencer hot spot. Residents say the sudden influx of 5 Margate is home to a huge community of relocated Londoners Credit: Getty 5 The seaside town has been dubbed 'Shoreditch-on-sea' Credit: Getty Cliftonville West, an area of The town has earned a new nickname amidst the growing relocation of middle class, big city workers, now branded "Shoreditch-on-sea." According to Cliftonville West is now reportedly the place in England that has been most gentrified over the past ten years. Read more in News Following the Second World War the town didn't build any new hotels, a new theatre, conference centre or other attractions to keep up its seasonal trade. Relying almost exclusively on this seasonal holiday trade, Margate began to decline and became on of the most deprived areas in England. Following the slide into deprivation the town's hotels have been left neglected and ill suited to Most read in The Sun Dan Thompson, an artists and historian, was left homeless for six months after struggling to find an affordable rental property. He said Margate has always been a bit rough and added that bids to make it a more attractive neighbourhood made it a town built to attract DFLs. We live in UK's trendiest seaside town that's home to 'national treasure' beach lido - but NOBODY can swim in it In the 2000s hospital admissions for drugs and alcohol were five times the average for Kent and by 2010 it was the 33rd most deprived area in England. Since then the town has turned things around with new attractions bringing in The opening of a gallery on the seafront in 2011 contributed more than £110 million to the local economy and by the end of the decade things began to turn around. Rock band, The Libertines converted a dilapidated B&B into a boutique hotel and the neighbourhood was set to be named the coolest in the country by Time Out. 5 Locals say DFLs price them out of homes Credit: Alamy 5 DFLs have brought a new wave of tourism to the area Credit: Alamy After the pandemic Dan Thompson moved to the area before the Thompson told The Telegraph: "The wave that came down during and post-Covid were coming down seeing the town as finished. "It had coffee shops, it had wine bars, it had galleries, it had all of that. They were coming down as consumers.' New residents who moved after the pandemic claim that old timers hate the DFLs. Sophie Brown, 34, moved from south London eight years ago, she now runs a queer bar and She said: 'There are a lot of old-time Margate people who absolutely hate DFLs like us. "They think that we're coming in to gentrify the place and really destroy it. "We think we're making it better and also trying to make things better for The influx of wealthy Londoners has caused house prices to skyrocket and left locals without the means to afford their own town anymore. Sophie continued: 'People that were born and bred here, they're pretty angry at us. We are part of the problem, there's no sugar-coating it.' While New businesses, fine dining and street food has seen the tourism industry slowly pick up again. Dan Thompson added: 'If you'd have come here in 2004 and spoken to 'Now even the most grumpy of locals, who are moaning about the dog s*** and the bins not being emptied, they'll also tell you that the beaches and the sunsets are beautiful.' 5
