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Nigeria Premier League

Usyk says Fury vs Ngannou is a nothing fight, demands four-belt unification bout

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk 20-0 (13) has called out WBC counterpart Tyson Fury 33-0-1 (24) for what he sees as a money grab in his next fight.

The 35-year-old Brit is set to face boxing debutant and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a 10-round non-title bout in Saudi Arabia on October 28.

Ukrainian southpaw Usyk, 36, was in negotiations early this year for a two-fight series with Fury before talks fell apart over the purse split for the rematch.

Usyk conceded a 70-30 split in Fury’s favour for the first fight, but wanted a 50-50 split for the rematch should he come through the bout victorious.

Fury turned down the offer.

In the week leading up to his title defence against mandatory contender Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois 19-1 (18) at Stadion Wroclaw in Wroclaw, Poland on Saturday night, Usyk let his thoughts be known on Fury’s next matchup.

“I think it’s easy money for Tyson Fury,” WBA, WBO and IBF champion Usyk said to BBC Sport. “I think for me it looks a little bit strange, to me, too strange.

“A guy who is WBC heavyweight champion instead of fighting a guy from the top 10, suddenly chooses the guy as his opponent coming from the UFC. For Ngannou, this is cool. But for Tyson Fury, it isn’t. Your perception and my perception are different. You treat it like show, I treat it as an athlete. If he chooses this way, okay, I respect his choice.”

Alexander Krassyuk, who promotes the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, is adamant that Usyk vs Fury must happen not just for the boxers themselves, but for the good of the sport.

“It’s our obligation to deliver this fight,” Krassyuk said to BBC Sport. “The whole world wants to see this fight. Not just ourselves or people involved in boxing, but the whole world.

“People who know nothing about boxing would love to see the heavyweight undisputed fight for the four belts for the first time in the four-belt era. I can promise you and promise all the fans around the world that I will do everything that can depend on me to make this fight happen.”

But Fury’s British co-promoter Frank Warren, who works longside American Bob Arum, scoffed at the notion of Fury facing Usyk.

He is convinced that his boxer Dubois, 25, will defeat Usyk, leading to an all-British showdown with Fury.

“How’s it going to happen when Daniel wins?” Warren said.

“I think our man beats him. Our man beats him and if he beats him then Usyk is out of the picture. Then we’ll see where we go from there.”

Now pushing 37, Usyk knows he does not have time on his side to add to his legacy in the sport. But he disputed suggestions he was on the home straight of his career.

“No, it is not the final point,” Usyk said. “I am 36, but this is just the beginning. I started boxing at the age of 15. It’s just the beginning now.

“I do realise there are not many years left for me in boxing and I don’t want to spend much time in boxing. I want to take my kids to school and whatever.”

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Nigeria Premier League

Rangers’ Coach Rues Defeat At El-Kanemi, Says My Boys Lost Concentration When It Mattered

 

Rangers International FC’s coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, attributed his team’s 2-1 defeat to El-Kanemi Warriors FC in Maiduguri on Wednesday to lapses in concentration within his defence.

The NPFL matchday 21 clash saw El-Kanemi secured the win at the El-Kanemi Stadium, Maiduguri.

Ilechukwu, who also serves as an assistant coach for the Nigerian national team, acknowledged his players’ overall performance but highlighted two critical moments of defensive inattentiveness that allowed El-Kanemi to score.

He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on future achievements.

He described the current situation as a temporary setback and reassured fans that Rangers would soon return to winning form while urging his players to remain confident as they prepare for their next game against the high-scoring Ikorodu City.

El-Kanemi’s goals came from Nasiru Salihu, who scored in the 18th and 73rd minutes. Isaac Saviour scored the lone goal for Rangers in the 63rd minute.

Despite Rangers’ efforts to equalize, including the introduction of former World Cup star Michael Uchebo, El-Kanemi’s goalkeeper, Abine George, made crucial saves in extra time to secure the victory.

The win moved El-Kanemi Warriors into 4th place on the league table, while Rangers dropped to 6th.

Rangers will face Ikorodu City, who are currently 5th with the same number of points, at home on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 4:00 pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

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Nigeria Premier League

Ogunmodede reflects on Emo Stars’ win over Abia Warriors

Ogunmodede

Emo Stars technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede admitted his side was fortunate to secure a 3-2 victory over Abia Warriors in Ikenne on Wednesday.

Abia Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Ayodele Eziekel and Anthony Ijoma. However, Emo Stars responded with three goals from Olamilekan Adebayo, Jabbar Malik, and Franck Mawuena to clinch the win.

Ogunmodede acknowledged that his team had underestimated their opponents but managed to turn things around. “The game was tense and shocking in the first half on our home ground. Not every time you will be lucky against a great team we played against,” he said in the post-match interview.

“We underestimated the qualities of our opponent, and we were punished for it. But luckily, we identified the problem and readjusted to get the victory.”

Emo Stars will now aim to build on this win as they continue their campaign

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Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars eye maximum points in midweek showdown with Ikorodu City

Kano Pillars

Kano Pillars are determined to secure all three points in their upcoming fixture against Ikorodu City in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Sai Masu Gida will face Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday.

Usman Abdallah’s side is upbeat and focused ahead of the match, with the players in high spirits.

“Done and dusted with the shake-ups ahead of our NPFL25 Matchday 21 clash against Ikorodu City this Wednesday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos,” Kano Pillars wrote on X.

“The boys are in high spirits and determined to secure maximum points as we aim to continue our impressive run this season.”

Kano Pillars currently sit in eighth place on the league table with 28 points.

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