Sport shorts: Tyson Fury taunts ‘big dosser’ Deontay Wilder and Takumi Minamino completes ‘dream’ move to Liverpool
1. Fury to Wilder: everyone knows I won
British boxer Tyson Fury has taunted WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder ahead of their possible rematch on 22 February.
The duo are expected to go head-to-head again after their first bout in December 2018 was declared a controversial split draw.
Despite being knocked down twice in Los Angeles, Fury produced a magnificent performance and he insists that he won the first fight.
Speaking in a video message to Wilder on Instagram, Fury said: “The big dosser says he fights all the best heavyweights but Dominic Breazeale isn’t the best, and neither is Luis Ortiz.
“Breazeale is average at best and Ortiz is 145 years old, and somebody you had already knocked out.
“You fight the best, do you? You’ve only fought one good man in your career. That’s me, and I beat you. Everybody in the world knows you lost to The Gypsy King.
“A Gypsy King that had been out of the ring for three years. I still beat you, on 50%. I will beat you, dosser. I ain’t afraid. I wasn’t bothered about you back then, and I’m definitely not bothered now.
“You know you lost, your trainer, your manager, promoter, wife, kids, they all know The Gypsy King bettered you.”
Message to @bronzebomber AKA THE BIG DOSSER, can%u2019t wait feb 22, #VEGAS
A post shared by Tyson Fury (@gypsyking101) on Dec 18, 2019 at 4:00pm PST
2. England win T20 series against Pakistan
England women’s cricket team have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 international series against Pakistan. In their 20 overs England scored 185-5 with opener Amy Jones hitting 89 from 52 balls. Pakistan could only score 101-9 from 20 overs and lost the match by 84 runs.
3. Curran signs for Chennai in IPL
England all-rounder Sam Curran will play for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL). At £590,000, Curran was the most expensive England player in the IPL draw. Kolkata Knight Riders paid £560,000 for England one-day captain Eoin Morgan.
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4. Leeds legend Burrow diagnosed with MND
Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow has announced that he has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The 37-year-old retired from playing rugby league at the end of the 2017 season and is now Leeds’s reserve team head coach.
Burrow said: “I would like to thank everyone for the support I have received already since being given my diagnosis. I know I have a big challenge in front of me but knowing that I have the love and support of so many people will give me inspiration and strength. I am very positive about the situation and intend to battle the condition as I still feel fit and well.
“I would like to ask for privacy at this time so I can adjust to the battle I have ahead and so that I can spend time with those closest to me ahead of Christmas and New Year.”
5. Minamino signs for Liverpool
Takumi Minamino will become a Liverpool player on 1 January after the Japanese attacking midfielder completed a £7.25m move from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. The 24-year-old said: “It has been a dream, my dream to become a Liverpool player. And I’m so excited that the moment has come true. I never thought I would be able to play in this team and I’m really happy about it.”
6. Ronaldo takes flight
Cristiano Ronaldo’s magnificent header gave Juventus a 2-1 victory over Sampdoria in Serie A last night. The Portuguese striker defied gravity to jump more than 2.5m and score with the “NBA style” header. He later tweeted: “CR7 Air Jordan!”
Messi vs. Ronaldo: all-time goals, stats and trophies
7. Laidlaw retires from international rugby
Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw has announced his retirement from international rugby union. The 34-year-old scrum-half, who plays for Clermont in France, scored 714 points in 76 games for his country. He said: “It’s probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make. I feel it’s the right time, for me as a player and a person and us for a family, and for the Scotland team as well.”
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8. Man Utd vs. Man City in Carabao Cup
Manchester rivals United and City will go head-to-head in the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-finals after the draw was made last night.
Holders Manchester City secured their last-four spot after beating Oxford United 3-1, while neighbours Manchester United also progressed thanks to a 3-0 defeat of Colchester at Old Trafford.
Aston Villa will face Leicester City in the other semi-final. First legs will be played in the week commencing 6 January and the second leg three weeks later.
Carabao Cup semi-final draw: prepare for two battles of Manchester
9. Arteta on his way
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Mikel Arteta gave an emotional speech to staff and players at Manchester City’s training ground this morning. Spaniard Arteta is set to leave City to become the new manager at Arsenal. The Gunners are expected to present their new boss tomorrow.
Arteta’s first job as Arsenal boss: restore order at the Mayhemirates
10. Liverpool face Flamengo in final
Roberto Firmino scored a stoppage-time winner to send Champions League holders Liverpool into the final of the Fifa Club World Cup. Jurgen Klopp’s men will now take on Brazilian side Flamengo in Saturday’s final. Kick-off is at 5.30pm and the match is live on BBC One.
Today’s back pages
Firmino to the rescue as Liverpool reach Club World Cup final
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