Usyk targeting 2026 return but rules out Itauma

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Oleksandr Usyk says he will continue to fight for two more years and plans to return to the ring in 2026, but has ruled out a bout with British heavyweight Moses Itauma.

Usyk, 38, stopped Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.

The Ukrainian, who also previously held all four recognised world titles at cruiserweight, had previously hinted that he would fight only once more before retiring.

However, the pound-for-pound star appears to have reversed that decision.

“I’ll fight until I’m 41,” Usyk told the Ready to Fight website. “Then I’ll build a sports academy – I’ll train there and train others.”

Usyk said he is back in training after being sidelined by a back injury which forced the postponement of a fight with WBO mandatory challenger Joseph Parker.

He added that, “God willing”, he will return next year but dismissed 20-year-old Chatham fighter Itauma as a potential opponent.

“No, I won’t fight Itauma,” Usyk said. “He’s young – always teasing me. And he said himself he doesn’t hit grandpas.

“I can’t say who exactly [I’ll fight next] because negotiations are ongoing. I’d be lying if I gave you a name.”

Itauma extended his unbeaten record to 13 wins, with 11 knockouts, by stopping former world title challenger Dillian Whyte inside two minutes in August.

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‘Some look at the weeds but I look at what’s growing’ – Postecoglou defiant

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Under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou delivered a passionate defence of his legacy as he vowed to win silverware at Nottingham Forest if given time.

The 60-year-old is under pressure after failing to win any of his opening seven games since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo last month.

Forest have been assessing their options during the international break, with ex-Burnley boss Sean Dyche among the names considered as a potential replacement despite Postecoglou having been in charge for just 38 days.

They host Chelsea on Saturday and Postecoglou gave a five-minute monologue at his pre-match news conference, with Forest 17th in the Premier League.

“Some look at the weeds but I look at what is growing. I am really excited as I have a group of young players willing to change,” he said, while also confirming he did not speak to owner Evangelos Marinakis during the international break.

“I am not wasting my time on what people think.

“I just don’t fit, not here, just in general. If you look at it through the prism of ‘I’m a failed manager who’s lucky to get this job’ then of course this first five weeks looks like ‘this guy’s under pressure’. There is an alternative story that you could look at it.

“I took over Tottenham and was told by the chairman at the time ‘this club has to win a trophy’.

“He said ‘we’ve tried to bring winners in, Jose [Mourinho] and Antonio [Conte] and it hasn’t worked, we need something different’. I was slightly offended by that because I see myself as a winner.

“We finished fifth my first year. Every time Harry Kane scored a goal I’d wish he’d just stayed one more year because it would have been handy to have him after finishing fifth.

    • 4 hours ago
    • 5 days ago

‘The story always ends the same’

Postecoglou won the Europa League in May – Tottenham’s first trophy for 17 years and their first European silverware for 41 – and he outlined why he felt the perception of him was wrong.

The ex-Celtic boss also promised, if given time, he would continue his record of winning trophies everywhere he has managed.

He continued: “I was in meetings and people who are still at that club were in those meetings, where I was told winning a trophy is everything for this football club. That’s fine.

“We win a trophy. We shed the tag of being ‘Spursy’ [promising but always failing to deliver in the end] but all I’ve heard since I’ve finished at Tottenham is that we finished 17th last year.

“So if you look at it from that prism of we finished 17th, then, yeah, I’m a failed manager who’s lucky to get another opportunity.

“But again, if I have to explain why we finished 17th, it doesn’t have to be too in-depth. Just look at the last five or six team-sheets in the league last year and see what I prioritised – who was on the bench and who was playing.

“Before the last game, against Brighton, the players were out partying for two days, which I sanctioned because I felt they deserved to.

“So yes, we finished 17th. If people think that’s a reflection of me and my coaching, then, again, I think they’re looking at it through the prism of ‘I just don’t fit’.

“So, we get to the current space where there’s a different story to tell, that maybe I’m not a failed manager who was lucky to get this job, but maybe I’m a manager that if you give them time, the story always ends the same.

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Defiant Postecoglou gives five-minute monologue at news conference

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Ange Postecoglou, the under-fire boss, vehemently defended his legacy by promising to eventually win silverware at Nottingham Forest.

Since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo last month, the 60-year-old has struggled to win any of his first seven games.

Despite Postecoglou having only been in charge for 38 days, Forest have been considering their options over the international break, with Sean Dyche one of the names being considered a potential replacement.

On Saturday, they host Chelsea, and Postecoglou, who is 17th in the Premier League, delivered a five-minute monologue at his pre-game press conference.

Some people look at the weeds, but I focus on what is growing. He said, “I’m really excited because I have a group of young players ready to change,” as well as confirming that he had not spoken with owner Evangelos Marinakis during the international break.

I don’t waste my time analyzing what other people think.

“I just don’t fit, not here, just in general,” I said. This guy must be under pressure, right? If you look at it through the lens of “I’m a failed manager who’s lucky to get this job.” You could examine the alternative story.

The chairman at the time said that this club must win a trophy when I took over Tottenham.

He said, “We’ve tried to bring winners in, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte], but it hasn’t worked; we need something different.” Because I consider myself to be successful, I was slightly offended by that.

“My first year, we finished fifth. I wish Harry Kane had just stayed one more year because having him if he had scored after finishing fifth would have been handy.

    • last 7 hours
    • 6 days ago

The ending of the story is always the same.

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Postecoglou explained why he felt the perception of him was flawed after winning the Europa League in May, which was Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years and their first European silverware in 41 years.

The former Celtic boss added that he had promised to keep winning trophies wherever he went, if given the chance.

He continued, “I attended meetings, and people who are still there are at those meetings, where I was told that winning a trophy is important for this football club.” That is acceptable.

A trophy is won by us. We officially dropped the label of “Spursy” [promising but never coming off as a winner], but since I’ve only been at Tottenham, we finished 17th last year.

So, yes, I’m a failed manager who is fortunate to have another opportunity if you look at it from the perspective of we finished 17th.

“But again, it doesn’t need to be overly in-depth if I have to explain why we finished 17th.” Just take a look at the league’s final five or six team sheets from last year to determine which ones I placed first, both on the bench and in the action.

The players were out partying for two days before the final game, which I sanctioned because I felt they deserved it.

“Yes, we came in 17th place. I believe people are viewing it through the lens of “I just don’t fit” if they believe that is a reflection of me and my coaching.

So we enter the present moment, where there is a different story to tell, such as that if you give a manager time, the story always ends.

related subjects

  • Nottingham Forest
  • Premier League
  • Football

Defiant Postecoglou gives five-minute monologue at news conference

JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.

  • 1068 Comments

Ange Postecoglou, the under-fire boss, vehemently defended his legacy by promising to eventually win silverware at Nottingham Forest.

Since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo last month, the 60-year-old has struggled to win any of his first seven games.

Despite Postecoglou having only been in charge for 38 days, Forest have been considering their options over the international break, with Sean Dyche one of the names being considered a potential replacement.

On Saturday, they host Chelsea, and Postecoglou, who is 17th in the Premier League, delivered a five-minute monologue at his pre-game press conference.

Some people look at the weeds, but I focus on what is growing. He said, “I’m really excited because I have a group of young players ready to change,” as well as confirming that he had not spoken with owner Evangelos Marinakis during the international break.

I don’t waste my time analyzing what other people think.

“I just don’t fit, not here, just in general,” I said. This guy must be under pressure, right? If you look at it through the lens of “I’m a failed manager who’s lucky to get this job.” You could examine the alternative story.

The chairman at the time said that this club must win a trophy when I took over Tottenham.

He said, “We’ve tried to bring winners in, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte], but it hasn’t worked; we need something different.” Because I consider myself to be successful, I was slightly offended by that.

“My first year, we finished fifth. I wish Harry Kane had just stayed one more year because having him if he had scored after finishing fifth would have been handy.

    • last 7 hours
    • 6 days ago

The ending of the story is always the same.

Getty Images

Postecoglou explained why he felt the perception of him was flawed after winning the Europa League in May, which was Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years and their first European silverware in 41 years.

The former Celtic boss added that he had promised to keep winning trophies wherever he went, if given the chance.

He continued, “I attended meetings, and people who are still there are at those meetings, where I was told that winning a trophy is important for this football club.” That is acceptable.

A trophy is won by us. We officially dropped the label of “Spursy” [promising but never coming off as a winner], but since I’ve only been at Tottenham, we finished 17th last year.

So, yes, I’m a failed manager who is fortunate to have another opportunity if you look at it from the perspective of we finished 17th.

“But again, it doesn’t need to be overly in-depth if I have to explain why we finished 17th.” Just take a look at the league’s final five or six team sheets from last year to determine which ones I placed first, both on the bench and in the action.

The players were out partying for two days before the final game, which I sanctioned because I felt they deserved it.

“Yes, we came in 17th place. I believe people are viewing it through the lens of “I just don’t fit” if they believe that is a reflection of me and my coaching.

So we enter the present moment, where there is a different story to tell, such as that if you give a manager time, the story always ends.

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Mayer abandons FIA presidency campaign

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American Tim Mayer has abandoned his campaign for the presidency of motorsport’s governing body, accusing the FIA of “lacking transparency” and “the illusion of democracy”.

The 59-year-old said he was unable to stand in the election because the FIA’s election rules prevented him from putting together a presidential team.

Mayer said the FIA presidential election was “no longer a democratic process”.

He added: “When elections are decided before ballots are cast, that’s not democracy – that’s theatre. And when member clubs are left with no real choice, they become spectators, not participants.”

Mayer is barred from standing by a quirk of the FIA’s election rules which means that no other candidate is able to challenge incumbent Mohammed ben Sulayem.

But the world council list contains only one candidate from South America, Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone – wife of former F1 boss Bernie and she is already a member of Ben Sulayem’s team.

That prevents any other candidate from naming a potential vice-president for sport from South America, which means no-one else can enter the election.

Mayer questioned the process by which only one South American candidate and two from Africa could be on the world council list, and why the loss of eligible members had reduced from 40 at the last election in 2021 to 29 this year.

Mayer said Ben Sulayem was exercising “power without brakes”.

He added: “There is absolutely no transparency.

“This is not an overnight process. This has happened over two decades. Mohammed is not the first person to think of ways to restrict the ballot but we have got to the point where only one person can go on the ballot.”

    • 5 hours ago
    • 12 June
    • 13 May

Mayer, the son of former McLaren team principal Teddy Mayer and a long-time steward for the FIA before being fired by Ben Sulayem last year, said he had submitted a number of ethics complaints to the governing body about the election process.

“We strongly believe a series of ethics violations have been committed in this election process,” he said. “And we have now submitted numerous ethics complaints.

“Assuming the Ethics Committee finds validity to our complaints, who does this go to for action? The President of the FIA or the Senate President – both conflicted parties. The statutes don’t provide for any other method or for any appeal. Where is the accountability? This is how institutions fail.

“I am not a revolutionary. I do want to evolve the FIA to a better place so I intend to use the processes of the FIA as much as is don’t believe they are independent or free and open.”

He also questioned the appointment of Daniel Coen as a representative for the world council from Costa Rica when the country has no motorsport events listed, which is a requirement of membership.

Mayer quoted from a report into the FIA produced by the Utrecht School of Governance, which studies public organisations in their interaction with the developments in politics and society.

Its report said the FIA score on the sports governance observer index was 45% which places it “among federations that have adopted the formal trappings of modern governance but lack robust institutional policies and safeguards.

“The FIA’s governance structurally concentrates power in the office of the president, and accountability remains confined within a system over which the president exercises decisive control.”

In a previous statement to BBC Sport in response to a story last week saying that Ben Sulayem would stand unopposed as a consequence of this process, an FIA spokesperson said: “The FIA presidential election is a structured and democratic process, to ensure fairness and integrity at every stage.

“The requirements for the 2025 FIA elections, including the relevant deadlines and eligibility criteria for the presidential list and world councils, are defined in the FIA statutes and internal regulations, which are publicly available on the FIA’s website.

“Detailed information regarding these elections has also been made available on a dedicated page on the FIA’s website since 13 June, 2025 and communicated to all FIA Members.

“The requirements related to the regional representation of the vice-presidents for sport, and to select them from the world motorsport council in order to draw up a presidential list, are not new. This criteria applied to previous elections.

“As to be expected, preparing a candidature for a presidential list or the world councils requires certain steps to be taken.

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UK police under pressure to end ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans

Pressure is mounting on police authorities in the English city of Birmingham to reverse a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans attending a Europa League game at Aston Villa next month over security concerns.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the police recommendation to bar the visiting team’s fans from the November 6 game was “the wrong decision” and that “the role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”

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Starmer’s spokesperson Geraint Ellis said on Friday that “the prime minister has been angered by the decision” and the government was working urgently to overturn it.

The decision also drew condemnation from other politicians, sport organisations and Jewish groups.

Simon Foster, the elected official in Birmingham responsible for overseeing the local police force and holding it to account, also urged an “immediate review”, while local mayor Richard Parker urged authorities to find “a workable solution” that may involve the government covering some policing costs.

Security worries over game

Premier League team Aston Villa said on Thursday that police had informed the club that “they have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night.”

West Midlands Police said it had deemed the match to be high risk “based on current intelligence and previous incidents”, including violence and hate crimes that took place when Maccabi Tel Aviv played Ajax in Amsterdam last season.

Fan bans are not unheard of in European football, but they are a rarity and typically based on a history of violence between fans of rival clubs. There is no history of violence between Aston Villa and Maccabi fans.

However, Maccabi fans have been increasingly in the spotlight over the past year or so, partly linked to Israel’s war in Gaza. Most notably, Maccabi fans clashed violently with city residents in Amsterdam last season when the team visited for a Europa League game against Ajax. Dozens were arrested, and five people were treated in hospital following a night of violence.

In Italy this week, there was a heavy police presence, including snipers on the roof of the stadium, for a World Cup qualifier between the Italian and Israeli national teams after authorities placed the game in the highest risk category. About 10,000 people attended a pro-Palestinian march earlier in the day. Later, approximately 50 people – with their faces covered – clashed with police, who used water cannon and tear gas to try to disperse them.

The game at Villa Park will be Maccabi’s first away match in the Europa League, European football’s second-tier competition, since pro-Palestinian protests took place at the stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece when the club played PAOK on September 24. About 120 Maccabi fans travelled to Greece for that game and were held behind a police cordon before entering the venue.

European football’s governing body UEFA was weighing a vote to suspend Israeli teams from its competitions before that was overtaken this month by the ceasefire in Gaza. Though Israel is not in Europe, its national team and its clubs play in UEFA competitions.

UEFA says Maccabi fans should be able to attend Villa Park

Following Thursday’s ban, UEFA urged British authorities to ensure the Israeli team’s fans could go to the match.

“UEFA wants fans to be able to travel and support their team in a safe, secure and welcoming environment, and encourages both teams and the competent authorities to agree on the implementation of appropriate measures necessary to allow this to happen,” it said in a statement.

Maccabi Tel Aviv chief executive Jack Angelides expressed “dismay about what this potentially is signalling”.

Meanwhile Emily Damari, a British Israeli dual national who was held captive by Hamas for more than a year before being released in January, and who supports Maccabi, as well as English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur, also condemned the ban.

“Football is a way of bringing people together irrespective of their faith, colour or religion, and this disgusting decision does the exact opposite,” she said. “Shame on you. I hope you come to your senses and reconsider.”