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National NFL Analyst Attaches Vikings’ “Major Progress” to 1 Central Factor

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Minnesota Vikings fans watch the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Fans packed U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in a high-energy NFC matchup. The home crowd reacted to a tense first half defined by missed opportunities and questionable calls that shaped the game’s momentum. Excitement and frustration blended across the stands as fans anticipated a second-half turnaround. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Sometimes, different doctors offer different medical opinions. So, too, do national NFL analysts, but most would agree with the prescribed medicine.

Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Vikings aren’t looking too shabby. In fact, Fowler drops the 9-8 Vikings down into his “Few Moves Away” category for teams that missed the playoffs. Is that an accurate assessment of where Minnesota finds itself? Or, perhaps, is a more robust roster remodel needed?

NFL Analyst on Vikings’ Top Weakness

Currently, the Seahawks are the envy of the NFL. The reigning Super Bowl champions have the league’s best defense, a 28-year-old passer on a bargain of a deal, and more than $60 million in cap space.

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In the words of Shrek, that’ll do, donkey.

The Vikings aren’t in a world of hurt but they’re not travelling without any wounds. Coming off a 9-8 season, Minnesota fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah before then hiring Matt Thomas to help bridge the gap to a full-time GM replacement (formerly of the Seahawks). Best case involves one major free agent signing, some savvy, punch-above-their-weight-class deals for other veterans, and then a 2015-level draft haul. Maybe there will even be a slobberknocker of a trade that helps Minnesota.

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Fowler sees things in a glass-half-full manner.

Consider the initial assessment: “The hope for a quick turnaround: Kevin O’Connell’s 43-27 record through four seasons suggests the Vikings will be in the thick of the NFC North race yet again. The defense is among the league’s most physical and opportunistic. The offense is still full of playmakers, and the offensive line should be healthier.”

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Some further thoughts: “Why it might take longer than hoped: The quarterback position remaining a huge question entering the fifth season of this regime is concerning. It looks like Minnesota will add a veteran to compete with J.J. McCarthy. Several benched starters have resurrected their careers recently — including Sam Darnold with this franchise — and Minnesota offers a stable environment. But this is the one area holding the team back from major progress. That and an offensive line that couldn’t stay healthy.”

Fowler, to his credit, gives voice to both sides of the argument. What stands out, though, is a belief that Minnesota’s talented roster alongside Minnesota’s coaching staff will get things figured out. The key is competent play at quarterback.

Maybe that’s true.

Kevin O'Connell and J.J. McCarthy in Week 15 of 2025
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) slaps hands with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell after a made field goal against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.

DC Brian Flores has proven to be an exemplary strategist. Sp/T Coordinator Matt Daniels doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but he has coaxed excellence out of LS Andrew DePaola, PR/KR Myles Price, P Ryan Wright, and first-team All Pro K Will Reichard.

Coach O’Connell, meanwhile, is better than most. A good coach. Very good, even. He won’t remain in that category for much longer unless he begins winning in the playoffs. Nobody will be impressed by going 12-5 to claim the No. 5 spot in the NFC before getting eviscerated in the playoffs. The Vikings need to do far more.

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The Vikings, like every NFL team, would benefit from improved QB play. Banking on competition for J.J. McCarthy is essentially a foregone conclusion. All that remains is who will get added, why that person gets added, what it costs to add that person, and how that person will play in the Twin Cities.

Seeing the OL get (and stay) healthy will be massive, as Fowler notes. Likewise, the defensive line needs a bounce back. Last year, the Vikings had top corners Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers stay healthy all year; can that occur yet again?

Seeing the run game become respectable, Justin Jefferson return to elite, and Blake Cashman play a complete season would be similarly huge.

Kevin O’Connell reacts on Vikings sideline during game at Soldier Field.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell showed visible emotion Sep 8, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois, during second-half action at Soldier Field against the Bears. O’Connell’s reaction on the sideline reflected the intensity of the divisional contest as Minnesota worked to maintain composure and adjust strategy on the road in the NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images.

The Vikings are sitting on more than $40 million in cap debt. A path exists to clear out a huge amount of open cap space. After the frenzy that is free agency, the Vikings will look to use their nine draft picks wisely, especially the No. 18 selection.

A pivotal offseason awaits.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Southampton shock Arsenal to reach FA Cup semi-finals

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Arsenal are stung by a late goal from Southampton’s Shea Charles, as the Premier League leaders fall to defeat in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

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Lauren Price v Stephanie Pineiro: Price beats Pineiro & hints at Claressa Shields fight for end of 2026

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A bloodied Lauren Price dug deep to beat Stephanie Pineiro on points to retain her welterweight world titles in Cardiff before calling for a future fight with Claressa Shields.

The 31-year-old picked up a terrible cut in the fifth round against the previously unbeaten Puerto Rican.

Price rallied to fight to the final bell and was rewarded with a unanimous decision on the scorecards.

After the fight, American Shields – who has held 15 world title belts across five weight divisions – stepped into the ring to face off with Price.

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“This girl stood in front of me is one of the best in the game,” said Price.

“We all need dance partners, we’ve both got Olympic gold medals, let’s do it.

“This is why I’m in the game, I want to fight the best. Credit to Sheilds – I respect her – but I back myself!”

Shields said the location of any fight would have to be discussed but hinted at a meeting between the two stars at the end of 2026 and said the bout would be at middleweight.

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“When you are an Olympic champion you are a special fighter,” said Sheilds.

“Me and you have talked online and me and you can make it happen, you did great tonight .

“No disrespect to you, you’ve got a little bit of time. I’ve got one more fight and then we can fight at the end of the year.”

Price has spoken often about staging a future fight at either the 33,000-seat Cardiff City Stadium or Principality Stadium, which can hold almost 80,000 fans.

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In Shields, Price could face the calibre of opponent who would merit such a step up in venue.

Shields, also 31, currently holds the IBF, WBC, WBF and WBO heavyweight world titles and has a professional fighting record of 18-0.

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Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder live scorecard and fight result

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Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder meet tonight in London for a heavyweight clash that carries real intrigue despite both men being deep into their careers.

With this being the 50th fight for both men, fans are expecting at least one retirement when all is said and done. Chisora, 42, has said he will hang up the gloves win, lose or draw, but if he beats Wilder in style many feel it will be hard for him to resist one more. He steps through the ropes enjoying something of an Indian summer in his long career, having beaten Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin in his last two.

Wilder, who years ago would have been considered a heavy favourite in this match-up, has looked well past his best in his last high-level fights, losing to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang while, crucially, seeming unable to fire his famous right hand which has given him 43 knockouts from 44 wins. With no thought of losing entering his mind, he has said he will fight on, however a loss to Chisora, particularly if it comes inside the distance, will convince fans he no longer belongs at the top of the heavyweight division.

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Stay with Boxing News for a live scorecard as the action unfolds and full fight results.

Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder live scorecard

This is a Boxing News live scorecard and not the official score from the judges.

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total
Chisora 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wilder 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder fight result

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UConn coach’s wife blasts St John’s fans

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team is one win away from reaching their third national championship in the last four years.

The Huskies got to the Final Four after a stunning Elite Eight win over the Duke Blue Devils when Braylon Mullins nailed a long 3-pointer to give them the lead right before the final buzzer. Duke reached the game with a victory over the St. John’s Red Storm.

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Andrea Hurley watching a college basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena

Andrea Hurley, wife of UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley, watches the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame exhibition game between the UConn Huskies and Boston College Eagles at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Oct. 13, 2025. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire)

Dan Hurley’s wife, Andrea, weighed in on St. John’s fans seemingly rooting against the Huskies as they took on the Michigan State Spartans in the other Sweet 16 matchup on that side of the bracket. It appeared the rivalry between the two schools is alive and well.

“OK, I’m gonna say it. St. John’s fans … When we went to the game, all those St. John’s fans were rooting against us,” Andrea Hurley said on “The Field of 68: After Dark.” “And that just broke my heart. … It’s really sad. … That’s crappy … That was crappy.”

2026 NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT: LAST TIME FINAL FOUR TEAMS MADE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

UConn head coach Dan Hurley talking with a referee during a basketball game.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley talks with a referee during the first half of the Elite Eight NCAA tournament game against Duke in Washington on March 29, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)

Hurley said she was talking to Rick Pitino’s wife during the Big East Championship and asked her how she did it, seemingly forming a bond with the family over the rival school.She added that she may not have wanted to see the Red Storm in the tournament, but didn’t necessarily want to face the Blue Devils either.

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Dan Hurley had praise for his wife earlier in the week after he said she was able to keep players from storming the court after Mullins’ shot went in against Duke. UConn may have received a technical foul for going on the court too early, which may have presented a different conversation from the media going into Final Four.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley speaking at a news conference

UConn head coach Dan Hurley speaks during a news conference ahead of the national semifinal NCAA college basketball tournament game against Illinois at the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 2, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)

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UConn will take on Illinois in their Final Four matchup. The winner will either play Arizona or Michigan.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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India men’s 4x400m and mixed 4x100m relay teams register big progress | Other Sports News

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India’s men’s 4x400m and mixed 4x100m relay teams took a major step toward qualification to the World Athletics Relays in Botswana in May, delivering standout performances at the International Invitation Relay Competition here on Saturday.


The men’s 4x400m squad, featuring Manu TS, Amoj Jacob, D Chaudhary, and Rajesh Ramesh, secured gold with a time of 3:01.43 seconds. The performance significantly bolsters their standing as they push for a spot in the World Athletics Relays, scheduled for May 23 in Gaborone, Botswana.


In the mixed 4x100m relay, the National B team stole the show by shattering the national record. The quartet clocked 42.30 seconds, erasing the previous mark of 43.44 seconds set by Tamil Nadu in 2025.

 

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The India A team followed closely in second at 42.34 seconds, while the Maldives took third.


Chief athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair praised the depth of the field, noting that both Indian entries performed “exceedingly well.


However, the day was marked by “heartbreak” for the men’s 4x100m relay team. A disqualification in the heats ended their hopes of qualifying for the World Relays. National record holder Animesh Kujur expressed his disappointment, noting that the Chandigarh meet was the final opportunity to improve their ranking before the April 5 deadline.


The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) fielded two teams in the mixed 4x100m relay, and members of both teams did exceedingly well, chief athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair said..

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However, India’s international sprinter and national record holder, Animesh Kujur was disappointed at missing a golden chance to board the flight to Botswana.


“The competition in Chandigarh was the last chance for the 4x100m relay squad to improve their world ranking before the deadline of April 5, but we missed,’ Kujur, a member of the national 4x100m relay team, said.


The national mixed 4x400m relay and women’s 4x100m relay teams are also strong contenders to win tickets to the World Athletics Relays.


The national women’s 4x100m relay clocked 43.86 seconds at the 2025 Gumi Asian Athletics Championships. The current world ranking is 23.

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The national 4x400m mixed relay team’s current world ranking of 22 is based on the 3:14.81 performance at the World Relays in China.

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Charles scores late winner as Southampton beat Arsenal

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Southampton secure a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals thanks to Shea Charles’s goal in the 85th minute.

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Tigers place RHP Justin Verlander (hip) on 15-day IL

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MLB: Detroit Tigers at Arizona DiamondbacksMar 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Justin Verlander’s first start back at Comerica Park will have to wait a bit more time.

The Detroit Tigers on Saturday placed the three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2011 American League MVP on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation. The move is retroactive to Wednesday.

Verlander had been slated Sunday to make his first start at Detroit, as a member of the Tigers, since 2017.

Fellow right-hander Keider Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to replace Verlander, who signed to a one-year, $13 million contract on Feb. 10 to return to the Tigers.

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Verlander, 43, took the loss in his first start of the season. He allowed five runs on six hits — including one homer — in 3 2/3 innings of a 9-6 setback to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For his career, Verlander is 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA, 1,006 walks and 3,554 strikeouts in 3571 1/3 innings over 556 regular-season games (all starts) for the Tigers (2005-17), Houston Astros (2017-20, 2022, 2023-24), New York Mets (2023) and San Francisco Giants (2025). He missed the 2021 season after having Tommy John surgery in September 2020.

Verlander was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2006 and swept AL MVP and Cy Young honors in 2011. He also won the Cy Young 2019 and 2022 with Houston.

Detroit selected Verlander with the second overall pick of the 2004 MLB Draft out of Old Dominion University.

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Montero, 25, posted a 5-3 record with a 4.37 ERA in 20 appearances (12 starts) last season with the Tigers.

–Field Level Media

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Terence Crawford rates the chances of Naoya Inoue suffering first loss against Nakatani

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In four weeks’ time, Tokyo will host the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history, as Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani collide for the undisputed super-bantamweight title. Now, Inoue’s former pound-for-pound rival Terence Crawford has offered his thoughts on the fight.

After becoming the undisputed bantamweight ruler, Inoue conquered the super-bantamweight scene in just two fights, halting both Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales to claim all four belts in the 122lb division.

‘The Monster’ has since defended those belts on six occasions and will soon put them, and his undefeated record, on the line against fellow unbeaten Japanese star Nakatani in an enthralling battle at the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome.

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Should Inoue come out on top, there is every chance that could become recognised globally as the pound-for-pound number one, due to Crawford’s retirement and Usyk’s underwhelming upcoming showdown with Rico Verhoeven.

On X, Crawford revealed that he believes Inoue-Nakatani is a ’50/50’ affair, simultaneously confirming that he plans to be in attendance for the event, where someone’s ‘0’ has to go.

“That’s 50/50 to me. I wanna go to see tho.”

The fight takes place on Saturday, May 2, and will be broadcasted on Lemino in Japan and on DAZN around the rest of the world.

On the undercard, Inoue’s brother and reigning WBC bantamweight champion Takuma will face four-division world champion Kazuto Ioka in the co-main event of the blockbuster bill.

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Additionally, 5-0 Sora Tanaka squares off with Jin Sasaki in an intriguing welterweight scrap for the OPBF title.

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Tiger Woods to undergo treatment after not guilty plea in DUI case | Other Sports News

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Tiger Woods said he is stepping away to seek treatment, four days after his vehicle crashed in Florida and he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He will miss the Masters for the second straight year.


“This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery,” Woods said in social media posts.


Woods pleaded not guilty in his driving under the influence case in Florida on Tuesday, hours after a sheriff’s report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and he showed signs of impairment after his SUV clipped a trailer and rolled over on its side.

 

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The online court docket for Martin County showed Woods entered a written plea of not guilty and planned to waive his April 23 arraignment hearing.


It’s the second time Woods has taken a leave following a car crash. In 2009, after his SUV plowed into a fire hydrant and tree outside his home near Orlando, he took a leave of absence to work on being a better person. That lasted four months and he returned at the Masters.


Woods showed signs of impairmentWoods’ eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his pupils dilated and he had opioid pills – identified as hydrocodone – on him when interviewed at the scene of the crash, according to the arrest report released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.


Woods’ movements were slow and lethargic, he was sweating as he talked to deputies in the back seat of an air-conditioned car and he told them he had taken prescription medication earlier in the morning, according to the report.

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Woods told deputies he had been looking at his phone and fiddling with the radio moments before he hit the trailer, the report said.


Woods has not played an official event since the 2024 British Open. He was recovering from a seventh back surgery in October and was trying to return at the Masters, where he is a five-time champion.


“I’m committed to take the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally,” Woods said in his statement.


He is taking a break from the PGA Tour boardThat means a break from more than just golf. He serves a key role on the PGA Tour board by leading its Future Competition Committee reshaping the schedule. A tour spokesman said Woods did not take part in Tuesday’s meeting, and the work would continue in his absence.

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“Over the last year, I have come to deeply appreciate Tiger not only for his impact on the game, but for his friendship and the perspective he has shared with me as I joined the golf industry,” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, who started last summer. “My thoughts are with him and his family as he takes this step, for which he has my full respect and support.” 
Woods’ defense attorney, Douglas Duncan, didn’t respond to an email and phone call after the plea was entered Tuesday.


Woods was traveling at high speeds on a beachside, residential road on Jupiter Island with a 30 mph (nearly 50 kph) when the accident occurred. The truck had $5,000 in damage, according to the report.


The truck driver and another person helped Woods out of his vehicle through the passenger window. Neither Woods nor the truck driver were injured.


The failed sobriety test 
During a field sobriety test, deputies noticed Woods limping and that he had a compression sock over his right knee. Woods explained he had undergone seven back surgeries and over 20 surgeries on his right leg, and that his ankle seizes up while walking.

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Woods, who was hiccupping during questioning, continuously moved his head during one of the sobriety tests and deputies had to tell him several times to keep his head straight, the report said.


“Based on my observations of Woods, how he performed the exercises and based on my training, knowledge, and experience, I believed that Woods normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle,” the deputy wrote after the tests.


Woods, 50, is the most influential figure in golf and has become as recognizable as any athlete in the world. The first person of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997, he has captivated golf fans with records likely never to be broken.


But his injuries have kept him from accomplishing more, including those suffered in the 2021 car crash in Los Angeles that damaged his right leg so badly he said doctors considered amputation.

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At this latest crash, Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol, but he refused a urine test, authorities said. He was arrested and released on bail eight hours later.


Woods, who has been involved in four crashes over the years, is charged with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.


Under a change to Florida law last year, refusing a law enforcement officer’s request to take a breath, blood or urine test became a misdemeanor, even for a first offense. 



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Anthony Joshua makes appearance in London at Derek Chisora’s farewell fight

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Anthony Joshua has made his first public appearance since the death of close friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele as he arrived at O2 Arena to support Derek Chisora.

Two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria on December 29, which killed Ghami and Ayodele.

Joshua has kept a low profile in recent months after he attended the funeral of his close friends and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has reiterated ‘AJ’ needs time to heal, but the duo were together on Saturday for Chisora’s 50th and final fight of his career as he took on Deontay Wilder in London.

Dressed in a white tracksuit, Joshua emerged with Hearn from a black people carrier and cut a calm figure as he walked into the arena past a number of camera crews.

There was no friendly welcome from old rival Wilder, who was repeatedly linked with a world title bout with Joshua during the peak of their powers, but the American went straight past the London heavyweight without any acknowledgement in a tight corridor inside O2.

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Joshua last fought before Christmas when he stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, but speculation continues over a potential bout with Tyson Fury.

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