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Two more matches for WrestleMania 39

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Two more matches for WrestleMania 39

WWE top draw event gathers steam

 

 

WWE will at least announce two more matches to the WrestleMania 39 card. 

 

WrestleVotes reported today that the additional matches include Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy vs. Viking Raiders vs. Braun Strowman and Ricochet.

 

The tweet noted, “I’m told 2 additional matches are coming to the WrestleMania card. Both Men’s & Women’s four way tags. The men’s lineup is currently scheduled as: Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy vs.  Viking Raiders vs. Braun Strowman / Ricochet.”

 

Updated WWE WrestleMania 39 Card

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
  • WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley
  • WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair vs. Asuka
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Omos
  • John Cena vs. Austin Theory
  • Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
  • Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch & Lita vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY)
  • Edge vs. Finn Balor – Hell in a Cell
  • WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther vs. TBD

You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Joshua accused of ‘turning down’ fight

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Ahead of Jermaine Franklin comeback

 

Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua 2 - Rage on the Red Sea World Heavyweight Title Fight

Joe Joyce claims Anthony Joshua turned down a fight with Zhilei Zhang (Image: Getty)

 

Anthony Joshua returns to action on April 1 when he goes to war with Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena, Ryan Taylor reports for the UK Express.

 

Anthony Joshua has been accused of ‘turning down’ a heavyweight showdown with Zhilei Zhang by Joe Joyce as he prepares to return to action against Jermaine Franklin. It comes just months after the two-time world champion was called out by Joseph Parker for refusing to respond to a rematch offer with the Kiwi following his second successive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

 

Joshua is now aiming to take care of business against Franklin in London before moving onto a potential rematch with long-term rival Dillian Whyte seven years on from their iconic British title clash in December 2015.

 

Joyce, who makes no secret of the fact he does not like AJ, has now declared Joshua turned down a fight with his next opponent Zhang – suggesting he is an opponent rivals wish to avoid.

 

When asked if he’d heard anything about talks over the prospect of Joshua facing Zhang, Joyce told iFL: “Apparently he turned it down. So, take from that what you will.”

 

In December, Joshua’s former opponent Parker claimed his team reached out to Eddie Hearn to see if the Matchroom fighter had any interest in a rematch following their 2018 bout in Cardiff.

 

But to the surprise of the New Zealander, he did not even receive a response as Hearn was instead prioritizing

Anthony Joshua

the matchup with Franklin.

 

The Matchroom Boxing chief has frequently discussed the prospect of matching Joshua against Zhang, even indicating the fight could head to the Far East to Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium.

 

It’s a proposition he is yet to fully explore as Joshua is now prioritizing getting back to winning ways over boosting his profile across the globe, something that was previously on the agenda.

 

Zhang knows Joshua from his Olympic days and in 2021, he challenged his fellow medalist to a fight in China.

 

The 39-year-old told FightMag: “I would love to fight AJ in China because of our amateur backgrounds.

 

“The venue is there, the Bird’s Nest holds 100,000, so we have it all.

 

“Beijing and Shanghai are the biggest cities, very economically developed and boxing in China is growing.

 

“The sports fans there like boxing, they like AJ, so if we can make it happen it would be huge for boxing.”

 

Joshua’s stock has somewhat fallen following three career defeats in the space of just over three years and there is a sense the super-fights could now elude him.

 

Tyson Fury and Usyk are set to clash at Wembley in late April for the undisputed heavyweight world title before some of the belts could be freed up by governing bodies.

 

f Joshua positions himself well, there is a chance he could be summoned to fight for one of those titles as he remains highly ranked with the WBA, WBO and IBF.

 

There are still thousands of tickets available for Joshua’s April 1 showdown with Franklin at the O2 Arena, a venue he frequently used to sell out.

 

Prices have been slashed in recent days to try and fill the 14,000-capacity arena and DAZN have since announced that the fight will be aired on their brand new Sky channel – meaning fans may feel inclined to stay at home.

 

BARESI TELLS MILAN HOW TO STOP OSIMHEN

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BARESI TELLS MILAN HOW TO STOP OSIMHEN

AFTER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW

 

Franco Baresi named honorary Vice-President of AC Milan

 

Milan‘s honorary vice president Franco Baresi believes the Rossoneri must keep Victor Osimhen far from the box and if there’s a cross: ‘They must look at the player, not the ball,’ writes  Lorenzo Bettoni for Football Italia.

 

The Rossoneri have been paired with Serie A leaders Napoli in the Champions League quarter-finals.

 

“We are proud and happy to be here. Now we have an Italian derby and we are a bit sorry because one will be eliminated. We respect Napoli and will face them in the best way, knowing they are strong, but we can do well. We’ll see,” Milan legend Baresi told Sky Sport Italia.

 

“As a footballer, I never played against an Italian club in Europe, but surely it’s different. We know each other, but the atmosphere will be different.”

 

Osimhen inspired Napoli’s 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday, scoring one with a giant leap. So, Sky Sport pundit Alessandro Costacurta, a former teammate of Baresi at Milan, asked his former captain how he would man-mark the Nigeria international.

 

“I think that, as you know, when there is a cross, a defender should not be attracted by the ball, but watch his opponent and stay close to him,” said Baresi.

 

“Many times, even a small touch is enough to affect the striker. Osimhen is very strong, he can score in any way, we must make all we can to keep him away from the box. Napoli have great awareness, it’s not just Osimhen, we must respect them.”

 

Baresi was also asked about comparisons made by the media between him and Napoli centre-back Kim.

 

“I don’t like comparisons, but Kim was an excellent signing, same for Kvara. They’ve been crucial for Napoli this season. They are very solid with Kim, something they had lacked before. They are having a great season.”

 

Milan lost their only meeting with Napoli this season, facing a 2-1 loss at San Siro in September. They will meet again at the Stadio Maradona in the first match after the March break.

 

Napoli are the current Serie A leaders, with an 18-point lead over second-placed Inter and 20 more than the Rossoneri.

 

Osimhen leaves door open for suitors

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Osimhen leaves door open for suitors

‘I don’t know what the future holds’ says the Nigerian bomber

 

Napoli's Victor Osimhen scores their second goal on March 15, 2023Victor Osimhen can’t just stop scoring

 

By Edwin Emeanua

 

According to Matt Law of the Sports Mole, Osimhen will meet with Napoli this summer to hash out his future and will not rule out a move to Old Trafford when questioned on the interest of the English Premier League side.

 

“I don’t know what the future holds. I think I’m on the right track. At the end of the season, I will sit down with my agents and discuss everything,” Osimhen told Sport1.

 

“I will also be in talks with the club. I am incredibly grateful to Napoli. We will find a good solution together.”

 

The 24-year-old Napoli forward has been in excellent form for his Italian club during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 23 goals and registering five assists in 28 appearances in all competitions.

 

Osimhen has scored four times in five Champions League games for Napoli this season, with the Italian side reaching the quarter-finals of the competition for the first, and will now take on AC Milan.

 

Presently, Manchester United are fragmented in the final third of the playing turf, with Anthony Martial battling with several injury problems this campaign.

 

Wout Weghorst has been influential since hitting the turf at Old Summer on loan from Burnley in January, but it is inevitable that the Netherlands international will go back to Turf Moor this summer.

 

The Red Devils are believed to be on the chase of Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, although former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been skeptical of a summer move to Old Trafford for the England forward.

 

Mohammed Kudus of Ajax and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez are other Old Trafford move prospects, but Osimhen and Kane are top considerations for the club’s striking options.

 

Osimhen transferred to Napoli from Lille in September of 2020, and has represented the Italian side 90 times in all competitions, with a 51 goals contributions, and 14 assists in the process.

 

Marcus Rashford is Manchester United’s most reliable and leading goalscorer this term with 27 goal conversions in all matches, with Bruno Fernandes on his heels with eight strikes.

UCL Draws: Graham Potter reacts

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UCL Draws: Graham Potter reacts

 Chelsea drawing Real Madrid in Champions League excites Blues’ boss

 

Chelsea will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals
Chelsea will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals (Picture: Sky Sports)

 

Chelsea boss Graham Potter insists he is ‘excited’ by the prospect of facing Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Louis Sealey writes for Metro UK.

 

The Blues, currently 10th in the Premier League, will need to overcome the Champions League holders to progress in the competition, having knocked out Borussia Dortmund in the previous round.

 

Chelsea beat Real Madrid on their way to winning the Champions League in 2021 but were knocked out by the same opposition last season.

 

Real Madrid secured a record-extending 14th Champions League title back in May and beat Liverpool in a rematch of last year’s final to reach the last-eight.

 

If Chelsea get through, they will meet Premier League champions Manchester City or Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

 

Asked whether there was a sinking feeling when Chelsea drew Real Madrid, Potter said: ‘The feeling is excitement.

 

‘I’ve said we will try to win the Champions League and that’s the same for the other seven clubs in the draw I’m sure.

 

We will focus on Real Madrid when we get there but at the moment our thoughts are on tomorrow and Everton. I’d rather focus on Everton because the other stuff is a long way away.’

 

While Potter was reluctant to speak in depth about Chelsea’s European clash with Real Madrid, he did heap praise on Bernabeu boss Carlo Ancelotti.

 

The legendary Italian became the first manager to win four Champions League titles when Real Madrid lifted the trophy last season.

 

Potter said: ‘I don’t know Carlo personally but I played against him when he was at Everton and he’s a gentleman.

 

‘I have so much respect for him and his career. The Champions League wins, the longevity… it’s amazing, incredible.’

 

The two-legged Champions League quarter-finals will be played on April 11-12 and April 18-19, while the semi-finals are on May 9-10 and May 16-17.

 

The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, will host the 2023 Champions League final on June 10.

 

Following a dismal run under Potter, Chelsea have won their last three games and will look to continue their revival against relegation-battlers Everton on Saturday.

 

On the challenge of facing a Sean Dyche side, Potter added: ‘Wherever they are, it’s difficult. He’s a fantastic coach and his record is impressive.

 

‘To do what he did at Burnley is a fantastic achievement. Everton are motivated and have clarity in all the phases. We know how difficult the game is. We’ll have to play well.’

 

Emmanuel Dennis scores once, Isak twice

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Emmanuel Dennis scores once, Isak twice

Newcastle comes from behind to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at home

 

 

By Ed Emeanua

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak erased Emmanuel Dennis’ first half opener for Nottingham Forest before scoring an outstanding injury-time winner from the penalty spot at Forest, enlivening hopes of a top-four finish for the Toon Army Friday.

Isak calmly planted his penalty-kick into the right corner of the goalposts after Moussa Niakhate was disciplined for ball-handling in the box in a frenzied game.

Substitute Elliot Anderson felt he had pushed the scores to 2-1 when he jumped high to head-in at the back post, only to be denied by VAR for straying offside in the foreplay.

Newcastle dominated for large periods and twice in the first half alone, crashed shots against the crossbar, both times, Joe Willock spurned glorious opportunities from close range.

The home side endured pressure from the visitors, but eventually succumbed when Willock freed Isak for a timed volley into the far corner seconds to half-time.

Afterwards, the Sweden international secured the victory, thereby kick-starting joyous clips in the visitor’s zone of the Forest arena.

The result left Newcastle in sixth place on the table with only a point behind fifth placed Tottenham – with the advantage of a game to spare – while Forest straddles the relegation gulf with the leverage of a couple of points.

Edwards, Usman answer to McGregor’s challenge

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Edwards, Usman answer to McGregor’s challenge

Could the ‘Notorious’ one get a title shot at 170 pounds next? 

 

 

Leon Edwards at the UFC 286 press conference. Leon Edwards at the UFC 286 press conference. Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

 

If he gets a win against Michael Chandler after their TUF coaching stint, Conor McGregor wants to challenge for the UFC welterweight championship, Kristen King reports for SB Nation.

 

During a special edition of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, the ‘Notorious’ one shared that he has set his sights on the winner of Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman III, which goes down at UFC 286 on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London.

 

“I’d like [a welterweight title shot],” said McGregor. “I would like that, for sure.

 

“I may be present for the card,” continued McGregor. “I have the Black Forge — we are making moves at the Black Forge in London and I’m scheduled to go out there, so after this, Gunni [Gunnar Nelson] is also on the card, so it would be good to see him live. And it would be good to watch that welterweight title [fight], for sure.”

 

Since suffering a broken leg at UFC 264, in his most recent appearance, McGregor has said that he would move from lightweight to welterweight long term—as the latter was more of his ‘natural state’ as a fighter. The former UFC champion has shown off a bulkier physique in photos and videos in recent months.

 

Though adding ‘Iron’ to his résumé would hold more weight at 155, it could get him far at 170, too. Ahead of their trilogy fight, Edwards and Usman expressed interest in facing McGregor.

 

“Yeah, sure,” said Edwards at the UFC 286 pre-fight press conference. “Like I said, I welcome all comers. Him, whoever comes next. Now, I’m focused on Kamaru Usman. I believe he’s the toughest challenge right now in the division, so I’m focused on that. Whoever comes next, that’s what it is.”

 

“I’ve always said I welcome it, so if it happens, it happens,” said Usman.

 

For now, though, McGregor has Chandler in his crosshairs. Now that they have finished filming The Ultimate Fighter, both men are expected to share the Octagon near the end of the year.

 

ECL draw: Chelsea confronts Real Madrid

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ECL draw: Chelsea confronts Real Madrid

 Manchester City pitted against Bayern Munich

 

 

Presented by Ed Emeanua

 

The UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals draws were conducted this morning in Nyon district in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, unfurling some interesting match-ups that makes an all-England semi final clash likely.

 

Chelsea travels to high octane Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final play, with Man City laying in waiting at the Ethihad in their first leg tie against Bayern Munich. AC Milan face Napoli in an all-Italian ECL quarter final clash while Benfica tackles Football Club Internazionale Milano.

 

Chelsea could clash with Manchester City in a semi final Champions league affront should both Premier League teams advance against their quarter-final opponents.

 

Today’s draws also pits the winner of the Chelsea match against Real Madrid against the victorious side in the Manchester City versus Bayern Munich game in a semi final battle, making a two legged game involving the Premiership sides in the ECL probable.

The possibilities are also rather endless as an all-Italian semi-final could be in the offing in this year’s most glamorous club competition in Europe with three Italian sides in contention on the other side of the bracket.

 

The first leg of the quarter-finals are slated for the 11th and 12th of April and the second leg, scheduled the next week on the 18th and 19th of April.

The first leg of the semi finals is fixed for the the 9th and 10th of May with the second leg coming up the following on May 16th and 17th.

The Champions League final will then take center stage at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul  on Saturday, June 10.

AFCON 2023 Race: Osimhen, Lookman, In

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AFCON 2023 Race: Osimhen, Lookman, In

 Peseiro calls up captain Musa, 20 others for Guinea Bissau

 

Sporting CP v Boavista FC - Liga Portugal Bwin

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Nigeria head Coach José Santos Peseiro has rolled-out his fearsome footballing armada in team captain Ahmed Musa, in-form forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, as well as 20 other players to the Super Eagles’ camp, ahead of this month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau.

 

Nigeria and Guinea Bissau clash at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja from 5pm on Friday, 24th March, then faceoff against each other again at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday, 27th March, also starting from 5pm.

 

Spain-based defender Kenneth Omeruo returns, as midfield enforcers Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and Portugal-based defender Bruno Onyemaechi gets an opportunity to vie for shirts against Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kevin Akpoguma and Calvin Bassey.

 

Portugal-based left back Zaidu Sanusi is also back, and usual suspects Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu are also called.

 

Captain of the Nigeria U-20 side that finished in third place at the recently-concluded Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, Daniel Bameyi is called alongside team goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso. In-form goalkeeper Victor Sochima, one of the reasons Rivers United FC have inched close to a CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final ticket, will contend for the number one shirt with Francis Uzoho.

 

Players are expected to start arriving at the team camp in Abuja on Sunday, 19th March. Table-toppers Nigeria are on maximum six points from their defeats of Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe, with the Djurtus in second place on four points from their defeat of Sao Tome and Principe and draw with the Leone Stars.

 

Italy-based Osimhen, with 23 goals in 28 matches this season (including four goals that has helped his club reach the last eight of the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever), netted four when the Eagles slammed Sao Tome and Principe 10-0 in a record international scoreline in Agadir, Morocco nine months ago.

 

Egyptian referee Mahmoud Elbana will be at the center, with his compatriots Youssef Elbosaty, Sami Halhal and Ahmed El-Ghandour to function as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

 

Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana will be the match commissioner and his compatriot Kotey Alexander will be the referee assessor.

 

CAF has also appointed Moroccan referees for the return leg in Bissau. Samir Guezzaz, son of the retired Mohamed Guezzaz, will superintend, with compatriots Zakaria Brinsi, Hamza Naciri and Noureddine El Jaafari in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

 

Massa Diarra from Mauritania will be the match commissioner and Waldabet Koissoual from Chad will function as the referee assessor.

 

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

 

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Kingsley Aniagboso (Giant Brillars).

 

Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Calvin Bassey (FC Ajax, The Netherlands); Daniel Bameyi (YumYum FC); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal).

 

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Joe Aribo (Southampton, England).

 

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal CF, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England).  

Amusan reveals her magic for success

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Amusan reveals her magic for success

‘Mental alertness is key in my preparations’, says Amusan

 

Tobi Amusan breaks Commonwealth Games record to claim Gold at Birmingham 2022

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Women’s 100m hurdles World Athletics champion, Tobiloba Amusan (12:12secs) has revealed how she prepares for every race.

 

The Nigeria track prodigy is currently the World and Olympic champion in Women’s 100-meters hurdles and disclosed this while speaking on a short video chat posted online.

 

“Most times when I train, I do my little talking in my head to prepare myself mentally. What I do in training is what I do on the tracks,” she says.

 

“So, when you see me out there, I am not crazy, I do this every day, especially when I have lots of hurdle practices.

 

“We put our bodies through six hours of training every day for six days a week. And you can be the fittest person in a race and mentally you just get distracted by the other runners on the tracks.

“A few moments of that could ruin everything. And with my kind of event, you need 100 per cent focus. So, the mental part is just as important, if not more, because you have done the work by training hard and now you show up at the track. Sometimes, it’s not about who is the toughest.

 

“I have been in every championship finals and it’s not about the toughest, but who wants it and can relax and execute in most of the race scenarios.”

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