News

Joshua ready to ‘overcome’ career setbacks against Dillian Whyte

Anthony Joshua has insisted he is getting his career on the right track ahead of his huge domestic showdown with Dillian Whyte next month.

The 33-year-old is looking to rebuild after successive losses against Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022. He returned to winning ways by outpointing Jermaine Franklin in April, but delivered a lacklustre performance that drew criticism from fans and pundits.

That fight was his first under new trainer Derrick James after Joshua decided to move away from home comforts to team up with the American in Texas.

Having failed to shine against Franklin, questions have been raised about whether the change in environment has benefitted Joshua.

The two-time world champion is happy with his current set-up, though, and feels he is doing everything right to get back to the top of the heavyweight division.

‘What’s beautiful about sports is there’s always a next opportunity to prove yourself, so no matter what happens, there’s a process that I’m following and I just know that if we look at history, everything will work out for me,’ he said.

‘I’ve just got to ride the wave, stay consistent, stay focused and when the opportunity presents itself… everyone can write you off, but if you believe in yourself and you continue on your journey, 100 per cent you will overcome.

‘Only you can defeat yourself. Not anyone else.’

Joshua claimed he would retire if he lost to Franklin, but he now appears to have no plans to hang his gloves up any time soon.

After making a name for himself as a knockout artist in the early stages of his professional career, Joshua has now gone almost three years without a stoppage win.

There are doubts about whether Joshua still has the spitefulness in him that saw him dominate boxing’s blue-riband division, but he believes he should not be written off just yet.

‘If I give up and I’m like, “Yeah, I haven’t got it anymore”, then you can say I’m not the same fighter. But I just know this is going to work,’ he continued.

‘People look at you like you’re crazy, which people probably think now, (asking) “why is he not being aggressive?” I just know what I’m doing is going to work at the right time.’

Joshua’s next test will come against fellow Brit Whyte at a sold-out O2 Arena on August 12.

Their first meeting in the professional ranks came eight years ago, with Joshua knocking Whyte out with a vicious uppercut in the seventh round.

Joshua is unsure whether Whyte has improved since, and has questioned why his rival has changed trainers so regularly in recent years, but admits it will not be an easy night’s work in the capital.

‘What Dillian lacks in certain areas, he makes up for in others. Has he improved? I don’t think he’s improved massively but he’s maintained his standard,’ Joshua concluded.

‘Look how many times he’s moved trainers. He’s moved trainers so many times. Maybe he’s not developing at the rate he needs to, or people aren’t teaching him the things he needs to learn and it’s not good enough. He probably knows it himself.

‘That’s probably why he’s moved trainers so much. I was thinking about this the other day. He was with Okoh, Tibbs, Xavier, Buddy McGirt, Johnathon Banks, but one thing that he has got is the fight and in America they call it the dog. He’s got the dog in him.’

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Local News

Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania

David Beckham Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold posing with the gunmetal adidas Predator Mania boots

Beckham Links Up With The New Generation

Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.

The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.

How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon

In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.

Thanks to players like:

David Beckham
Zinedine Zidane
Steven Gerrard

…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.

Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.

And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.

A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns

The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.

Adidas describes it as:

“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold

Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”

Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.

Engineered For Today’s Game

While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.

The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.

Key enhancements include:

Upgraded comfort
Subtle structural refinement
Increased responsiveness
Modern fit for today’s style of play

In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.

Back On The Bernabéu Grass

The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.

From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.

Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.

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News

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor: Can Cimbom Break Samsunspor’s Unbeaten Run In A Heated Super Lig Clash?

Galatasaray players celebrating a goal ahead of their match against Samsunspor.

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor Match Preview

The Turkish Super Lig title race is heating up, and Friday’s clash between Galatasaray and Samsunspor carries huge implications for both ends of the table. Cimbom remain top, but their recent dip in form has opened the door for rivals — and Samsunspor are arriving in Istanbul with confidence and a 14-game unbeaten streak.

This matchup promises intensity, tactics, and a battle of resilience versus home dominance.

Galatasaray Searching For Lost Spark

Galatasaray head into this fixture frustrated after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser in the derby against Fenerbahce — a result that denied them a chance to go four points clear.

Their early-season sharpness has faded:

9 wins in their first 10 games
Only 1 win in their last 4
Three matches without scoring during Victor Osimhen’s absence

The Nigerian striker’s return instantly improves their attack, but Okan Buruk’s side still need to rediscover the fluid, cohesive football that put them top of the table.

Samsunspor’s Incredible Unbeaten Run

Samsunspor enter the match in fantastic form:

Unbeaten in 14 across all competitions (7W, 7D)
10 straight games unbeaten in the league
A habit of rising to big games — drawing against Besiktas, Fenerbahce, and Trabzonspor

However, three consecutive draws — including a late 1-1 against Alanyaspor — show they sometimes struggle to finish opponents off.

Thomas Reis’s men sit 5th with 25 points, but defeat could drop them down the table. Still, their discipline and structure make them one of the most difficult teams to break down this season.

Head-to-Head: A Fixture Dominated By Galatasaray

History heavily favours the hosts:

Galatasaray have won the last eight meetings
Samsunspor’s last victory over Cimbom feels like a lifetime ago
Recent games have been high scoring and entertaining

With form and past meetings combined, Galatasaray remain favourites — but Samsunspor’s current resilience cannot be ignored.

Team News

Galatasaray

Out injured:

Ismail Jakobs
Wilfried Singo

Suspended (betting scandal):

Eren Elmali
Metehan Baltaci

Osimhen is fit but still regaining full sharpness.

Samsunspor

Long-term absentees:

Olivier Ntcham
Ebrima Ceesay
Bedirhan Cetin
Tanguy Coulibaly
Afonso Sousa

Also missing:

Lubomir Satka (injured)
Celil Yuksel (betting scandal)
Joe Mendes (red card suspension)

Probable Lineups

Galatasaray:

Cakir; Sanchez, Bardakci, Lemina, Karatas; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen

Samsunspor:

Kocuk; Yavru, Borevkovic, Van Drongelen, Tomasson; Makoumbou; Musaba, Aydin, Holse, Kilinic; Ndiaye

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AFCON 2025

Ben Iroha Says Super Eagles Squad Has Depth And Quality Ahead Of AFCON 2025

Nigeria’s Super Eagles players training ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Gabon

Former Super Eagles star Ben Iroha believes Nigeria has the depth, quality, and experience needed to compete for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title — as long as the right decisions are made.

Speaking from his base in Texas, the 1994 AFCON champion reacted to the 54-man provisional squad released by Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle, describing it as a strong foundation for a title-winning team.

“The Talent And Quality Are There” — Iroha

Although he emphasized that the real test comes when the list is trimmed to 23 players, Iroha said the current roster reflects Nigeria’s impressive global football presence.

“Nigeria is very rich in talent production. Apart from one or two NPFL players, the rest are in top leagues across Europe. The talent, quality and experience are there,”
Iroha told Completesports.com.

He noted that the squad’s strength lies not just in big names, but in the blend of competition, versatility, and international exposure among the players.

Hard Work And Proper Planning Will Decide Everything

According to Iroha, Nigeria’s path to a fourth AFCON crown depends on more than raw ability.

He stressed the importance of:

Hard work
Organisation
Tactical discipline
Proper preparation

“With proper preparation and the right selection, this team has what it takes to deliver the AFCON title in Morocco.”

Iroha also acknowledged that Nigerian fans will accept nothing less than the trophy, especially after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He believes the renewed energy shown late in the qualifiers is a sign of what the team can achieve if they maintain — or surpass — that level at AFCON.

Nigeria Chasing A Fourth AFCON Title

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on 21 December 2025 in Morocco, with the final set for 18 January 2026.

Nigeria’s three previous AFCON triumphs came in:

1980
1994
2013

With expectations sky-high and a hungry squad available, Coach Eric Chelle will be aiming to write his name in history by guiding the Super Eagles to AFCON glory once again.

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