Sports
Mike Tyson confirms return to ring in 2025
Boxing legend Mike Tyson has confirmed his return to the ring in 2025, but this time it’s not in the way fans might expect, Marca reports Monday.
Tyson, whose last fight ended in a loss to Jake Paul on November 15, 2023, has been teasing a major comeback, much to the curiosity of the boxing world.
The 58-year-old’s last appearance in the ring was against Paul at the AT&T Stadium, a fight that raised eyebrows due to the 29-year age gap between the two competitors.
Despite the scrutiny, Tyson expressed gratitude for the opportunity and even admitted he couldn’t remember the fight.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” Tyson said in an interview with Netflix after the final bell. “I’m grateful for last night. To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”
The fight, which ended in an unconvincing defeat for Tyson, may have marked the end of his boxing career, but fans are still holding on to the hope of one more iconic appearance from the former undisputed heavyweight champion.
Should Tyson officially retire, he will bow out of a career that spanned over four decades, leaving behind a remarkable 50-7-0 record, 44 knockouts, and a legacy as the youngest boxing champion in history.
However, Tyson’s potential return to the ring is now being overshadowed by an unlikely new challenger: Joe Gatto of Impractical Jokers fame. Gatto, known for his comedic antics, has thrown his hat into the ring, joking that he will be facing off against Tyson in 2025.
The announcement was made with a mock poster of the two fighters promoting the “bout” as part of a marketing stunt.
“Exciting news,” Gatto wrote on Instagram on Saturday. “In 2025, I will enter the ring with the legendary @MikeTyson. Training starts 1/1/25 and you can watch it all on @hulu.”
“My new show #FightingWeight will document my transformation from fat to fit as I push myself to the limit. I appreciate the support of my team to make this happen and of course to @bellagio for hosting the event this summer. New year. New me.”
While this may seem like an outlandish idea, Gatto’s playful announcement is actually a clever marketing move for his upcoming health and fitness television show, FightingWeight.
The show will document Gatto’s transformation as he strives to lose weight and improve his physical fitness, pushing his body to the limit in a way fans have never seen before.
“My new show #FightingWeight will document my transformation from fat to fit as I push myself to the limit,” Gatto continued in his post. “I appreciate the support of all who made this happen & to @Bellagio for hosting the event this summer. New year. New me.”
As the boxing world eagerly awaits Tyson’s next move, it’s clear that while the legend himself may be stepping back from professional fighting, the excitement surrounding his potential return will continue to captivate fans for years to come.
Whether it’s a final farewell or the beginning of an unexpected chapter, the sport media noted that Tyson’s legacy remains undeniably intact—one that forever changed the world of boxing.
Sports
Haaland signs new 10-year deal with City — longest contract extension in EPL
Erling Haaland has agreed to a new 10-year deal as a Manchester City player.
The club announced the deal in a statement on its website on Friday.
“Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year Manchester City contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2034,” the statement reads.
The length of the 24-year-old’s new deal is the longest contract extension in the English Premier League (EPL), surpassing Cole Palmer’s nine-year agreement with Chelsea.
Haaland moved to the Etihad in 2022 from Borussia Dortmund. The Norwegian scored 52 goals in all competitions in his debut season, including 36 in the EPL to win the league’s Golden Boot prize. He also broke the league record of goals scored by a player in a single season.
His goals led Man City to an impressive treble of trophies: EPL, FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
The striker has scored 111 goals in 126 games in his two-and-a-half season at the club.
Sports
Benue audits Lobi’s finances, asks three former vice-chairmen to refund N2.4bn
The Benue state government has asked three former Lobi Stars vice-chairmen to return N2.4 billion into the club’s coffer.
In a statement on Friday, Tersoo Kula, the press secretary to Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, said the revelation was included in a white paper report of a forensic audit investigation into Lobi’s finances inaugurated by the state government.
Alia launched a probe into the club’s funds in October 2024. The investigative committee studied the handover notes submitted by the outgoing board of the club and Lobi’s income.
The investigation report covers Lobi’s financial details from January 2020 to September 2024.
Kula said the audit report, released to the state government in November 2024, revealed that Lobi Stars generated N3,759,820,269 during the period under review.
However, he added that only N1,314,807,672 of the generated sum could be accounted for.
The statement then demanded the three immediate past vice-chairmen of Lobi Stars refund the deficit to the club’s account.
“The breakdown indicates that Mr Mike Idoko and others who worked with him are to refund the sum of two hundred and forty-three million, nine hundred and fifty-five thousand, and eighty-one naira, forty-four kobo (₦243,955,081.44) for the period of 2020-2021,” the statement reads.
“Mr. Emmanuel Taman and others who worked under him are to refund four hundred and thirty-four million, three hundred and eighteen thousand, nine hundred and sixty-four naira, twelve kobo (₦434,318,964.12) for 2021-2022.
“Mr. Dominic Iorfa and others are to refund the sum of six hundred and ninety-two million, four hundred and fifty-three thousand, nine hundred and twenty-seven naira, sixty kobo (₦692,453,927.60) for 2022-2023, and seven hundred and two million, eight hundred and seventy-five thousand naira (₦702,875,000) for 2023-2024, as well as three hundred and seventy-one million, four hundred and nine thousand, six hundred and twenty-three naira, seventy-six kobo (₦371,409,623.76) for 2024-2025.”
The committee also recommended that Lobi Stars be registered as a revenue-generating company and that funds from the club’s sponsors be deposited directly into the club’s account.
The panel also advocated for the club’s independence, stating that Benue’s sports ministry should no longer control or interfere in its day-to-day operations.
Sports
Everton sack Sean Dyche, name club captain as interim player-manager
Everton have sacked Sean Dyche as the club’s manager.
The Merseyside club announced the dismissal of the 53-year-old English manager in a statement on Thursday.
Everton also dismissed Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer — members of Dyche’s crew.
The club said Seamus Coleman, the team’s captain, will temporarily take charge of first-team affairs alongside Leighton Baines, Everton’s U-18 head coach.
“The process to appoint a new manager is under way and an update will be provided in due course,” the statement reads.
Dyche leaves his post a few hours before Everton played Peterborough in the third round of the FA Cup.
On Saturday, Everton suffered their eighth league defeat of the season following a 1-0 league loss to Bournemouth. The result left the Toffees in 16th position, just one point from relegation places as Everton fights against the drop in consecutive seasons.
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