Eubank fined after missing weight limit before Benn showdown

After reaching the weight limit of 14g (0. 5 oz) over the weight limit for Saturday’s long-awaited fight with fellow Briton Conor Benn at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Chris Eubank Jr will be fined 375, 000 pounds ($500, 000).

Benn, who weighs 71 kg (146. 4 lbs.), was lighter than expected for the 12-round Ring Magazine middleweight bout, which was set at 72. 57 kg (160 lbs.).

In a hotel in London, Eubank was weighed in behind closed doors for the second time, coming in at a weight of 72. 597 kg (160.05 lb).

A rehydration agreement between the boxers prevents them from putting on more than 4.54 kg (10 lbs) between Friday’s weigh-in and a second check on Saturday morning.

Later on Friday, the pair will face-to-face for a ceremonial weigh-in.

Benn, 28, who has won only 23 fights with 14 knockouts, has been mostly a welterweight, two classes down, while Eubank, 35, has previously fought at super-middle.

The British Boxing Board of Control has already fined Eubank $100,000 for slapping Benn with an egg at a press conference in February, making her the IBO middleweight champion.

When Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn’s sons tested positive for trace amounts of the fertility drug clomifene, the fight between the sons of former world champions was called off in 2022.

In 2023, the World Boxing Council found that Benn had intentionally done doping, blaming “highly elevated consumption of eggs” as a justification for the test failures.

At a press conference on Thursday, Eubank spoke of his brother Sebastian’s suffering and his difficult relationship with his father.

He said, “These things are what pain is to me.” The rehydration clause, the weight loss cap, and other factors are not significant.

Cup final ref in tears over critical Real Madrid TV video

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The referee for the Copa del Rey final on Saturday revealed the level of pressure officials have been receiving from Real Madrid’s TV channel this season.

The “Clasico final” between Los Blancos and rivals Barcelona in Seville will be led by Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea on Saturday (21:00 BST kick-off).

He is the most recent referee to be attacked on Real Madrid TV this season, though.

Real Madrid claimed that Spanish refereeing was “rigged” and “completely discredited” in a letter of complaint to the Spanish FA (RFEF) and Spain’s High Council for Sports in February.

It’s completely wrong when a child of yours goes to school and is told by other students that his father is a “thief” and then comes home crying, according to De Burgos Bengoetxea, an emotional De Burgos.

What I do is instruct my son in the way that, like any sportsperson, his father is honest and above all, who is also honest.

Many of our colleagues, “It’s not right what we are going through, both at the grassroots level and in professional football.”

Everyone should consider where we want to go, what we want from football and sport, and what we want.

De Burgos Bengoetxea, who also serves on the Uefa club and international competitions, is formerly in charge of Clasico encounters.

Officials may take action over Real Madrid TV’s broadcasts, according to Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, who will serve as the video assistant referee (VAR) for the final.

Have no doubt that we will need to begin implementing much stricter measures than we currently do, he continued.

What is happening, we will not allow it to continue. You’ll hear from us soon.

Because we won’t continue to put up with what we are putting up, we are going to make history.

La Liga president Javier Tebas claimed Real Madrid had “lost their head” following the letter of complaint from February that came after Espanyol lost 1-0.

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Primark’s ‘stylish’ £6 strappy sandals look ‘just like’ £128 version

Although the shoes have a striking design, there is a significant price difference.

Primark’s Flat Strappy Sandals(Image: Primark)

A pair of shoes from Primark are on sale that resemble a more expensive alternative. The high street retailer is known for its affordable fashion and home goods, but it may have just introduced a new crowd-pleaser.

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The retailer’s Flat Strappy Sandals look similar to a style by brand Reformation but at a fraction of the cost. Shoppers can snag the Primark version for £6, while the designer version is priced at £128 online.

The minimalist designs and slim, asymmetric straps that match the shoes are very similar. The more expensive version uses only 80% leather, whereas Primark’s uses entirely synthetic materials.

The high-street footwear is described as “a pair of flat sandals with a strappy design and stylish toe loop.” Sizes three to eight are available.

The full Primark product description reads: “Make every step as stylish as the next with these must-have strappy mule sandals. A staple in your new season shoe collection, they feature a flat sole that’s perfect for everyday comfort and stylish loop design to the toe.

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Primark's Flat Strappy Sandals
Primark’s Flat Strappy Sandals(Image: Primark)

The faux leather is practical and versatile, while the strappy style is ideal for hot summer days. Wear them frequently and anticipate a season full of chic moments!

The designer’s product description declares that “Reformation’s Ludo” slides are a dream come true for minimalists. They have a comfortable toe loop, slim asymmetric straps, and are made of black leather. “Style yours with anything from dresses to jeans.

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The Primark shoes retail for £6, while theReformation Ludo Toe Ring Strappy Flat Sandal come in at £128. This means shoppers could save around £122 by opting for the bargain version.

IPL-style Premiership revamp suggested by Bath owner

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According to Bath owner Bruce Craig, reviving the Premiership as a collection of centrally licensed franchises, similar to cricket’s Indian Premier League, would bring investment and stability to the competition.

After Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish’s bankruptcies ruined confidence and finances for elite clubs, English rugby’s powerbrokers are considering major changes to the top flight.

Craig believes that the prospect of moving into the second tier, which has much smaller budgets and income, discourages new investment and conneers current owners into unsustainable spending.

According to Craig, “The instability it breeds has resulted in short-term decision-making, investor uncertainty, and, in some cases, financial ruin.”

It is no longer possible to persist in a system that restricts investment and prevents long-term growth.

Clubs will no longer have to risk their futures in order to survive in the wake of a new franchise system. Instead, they can concentrate on creating a strong, sustainable, and attractive sport that draws fans from all over the nation.

The Rugby Football Union Council’s 62 members represent the sport’s entire game, but the organization’s leadership is open to creative ideas to advance the sport. To do so, they would need to be approved for a radical change.

However, it’s unlikely that any changes to the franchise model will be made right away.

A route to gradually increasing the number of teams competing may be by means of a revamped Premiership licensing process that could be time-limited, reviewed, and possibly revoked.

Before Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish stopped operating, the division had plans to grow to 14 teams out of 10.

Due to the uncertainty brought on by the Covid pandemic, promotion and relegation between the Premiership and Championship were suspended in February 2021.

Saracens celebrate winning the ChampionshipImages courtesy of Getty

However, Doncaster is currently sixth and in danger of capturing the Championship.

In an independent audit, it was determined that the leaders of the other two clubs, which had to apply to be assessed, lacked sufficient solid plans for expanding their home turf.

Coventry’s CEO, Jon Sharp, expressed concern that the franchise model might shut out other teams with ambitions to compete at the highest level, while stating that his club would be interested in the franchise model.

Worcester, which have undergone a new ownership, will now have an expanded Championship next season, while Wasps and London Irish both hope to do so after being removed from power.

Although multi-millionaire Craig purchased Bath in 2010, his significant investment has only recently proven to pay off in a grueling fight for the top of the table.

In their first Premiership final appearance in nine years, Bath defeated Northampton last year. They are 15 points clear of reaching the European Challenge Cup semi-finals and are currently 15 points clear at the top of the standings this year.

He continued, “This is not about self-interest.”

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Car bomb kills senior Russian general near Moscow

According to the Investigative Committee, which investigates serious crimes in the nation, a home-made explosive device tore through a parked car in the town of Balashikha, east of Moscow.

Authorities identified Lieutenant-General Yaroslav Moskalik as the victim of Friday’s attack, which appeared to be consistent with previous assaults on Russians in connection with Moscow’s military offensive in Ukraine.

The Investigative Committee stated in a statement on Friday that “the explosion occurred as a result of the detonation of a homemade explosive device filled with destructive elements.”

A Volkswagen Golf blew up outside a block of apartments in Balashikha, prompting investigators to launch an investigation into the deadly attack. Who might be responsible for the incident was not disclosed in the statement.

Second victim was identified.

A second person was also killed, according to Russian media Kommersant.

A car was gutted by a blaze that was captured on social media.

Moskalik lived in Balashikha, but the Volkswagen he owned wasn’t registered with him, according to the Agentstvo investigative news site, which cited leaked information.

A massive explosion, which was captured on security camera, caused fragments to fly into the air, according to footage from the Izvestia newspaper. When someone is seen approaching the car, the explosion occurs.

Moskalik participated in the “Normandy Format” discussions on Ukraine in 2015, amidst the conflict between Kyiv and separatists supported by Russia, according to the Kremlin website.

In 2021, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, appointed him lieutenant-general.

In addition to the fatal attacks on Russians during the Ukrainian War, there have been fatal attacks on Russians in the past, including the fatal explosion in a Saint Petersburg cafe in April 2023 that resulted in the death of prominent military correspondent Vladlen Tatarsky.

The most outrageous assassination claimed by Kyiv since the start of the conflict was Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian military’s chemical weapons unit.