Confirmed: Arsenal Signs Elneny

Arsenal confirmed the signing of Mohamed Elneny

 Arsenal today announced the arrival of Egypt international, Elneny who joined the club from FC Basel, where he made over 90 league appearances and won the Super League in three consecutive seasons from 2013 to 2015.

	Elneny

Elneny featured regularly at Basel in the first half of the 2015/16 season, playing 28 times and scoring six goals.

He began his senior career with El Mokawloon in the Egyptian Premier League.

Elneny is no stranger to London - in fact he helped his country to the quarter-finals of the London Olympics in 2012.

Mohamed Elneny was Born on July 11, 1992 in El-Mahalla El-Kubra and plays from the midfield position. He will be wearing squad number 35.

Barca Beats Juve in Battle Of Treble-See Pics

Barca Beats Juve in Battle Of Treble-See Best Moments in  Pics

Barcelona sealed a historic treble on Saturday night, beating Juventus  to win the Champions League in Berlin.

Having tied up the Spanish title last month and beaten Athletic Bilbao to win the Copa del Rey, Luis Enrique knew that history beckoned on Saturday evening.

His side rose to the occasion, taking an early lead through Ivan Rakitic and withstanding a Juve fightback to put the game to bed in the closing stages.

It was an emotional farewell for Xavi, who played his final game for the club, while Luis Suarez admitted the win was a dream come true for him.

The win is the fifth Champion League title for the catalan Club and their Second Treble.

Barca Players Lift Trophy

Barca Top Scoring Trio

Serena Wins 3rd Roland Garros Crown

Serena Wins 3rd Roland Garros Crown

 

Serena Williams won her 20th Grand Slam title and third Roland Garros crown today, clawing her way back from a break down in the last set to defeat Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-2.

It what was a disjointed affair, the 33-year-old American was coasting to a straight-sets win, a set and 4-1 up against the Czech 13th seed, playing in her first Grand Slam final at the age of 28.

But a combination of serving woes for Williams and some top play from Safarova forced a third set, the fifth of the tournament for the American.

She fell 0-2 down in that, but recovered her composure in the nick of time to rattle off six games in a row for the title.

With 20 Grand Slam titles Williams is now second on the Open-era list, two shy of Steffi Graf. She is also now halfway to winning all four Grand Slam titles, in the same year, a feat previously achieved by just three other women, the last being Graf in 1988.

For Safarova, who reached the final without dropping a set, the consolation will be her debut in the world top 10, at No 7. And she has the women's doubles final to follow on Sunday, playing with American Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

Battle for Treble-Preview

Battle for Treble-Preview

Giorgio Chiellini, the man Suarez bit during last year’s World Cup, would not play in Saturday’s game due to a calf injury

With the treble up for grabs on Saturday, the Champions League final between La Liga winners Barcelona and Serie A victors Juventus will be historic. It’ll also be dramatic, as underdogs Juve try to slay the beast that is Barca’s front three.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, popularly called MSN by fan have scored a total of 120 goals, making them  European trio this year.

The reason behind their wild success is because of their selfless ways. If Messi is coming up and sees Suarez or Neymar is wide open at the net, instead of finishing it off himself, he’ll send the ball to his friends. (And, yes, the three get along off the pitch, as well.)

The forward-field talent will also likely be helped by a weakened Juve defense. On Tuesday, the Italian side announced key defender Giorgio Chiellini, the man Suarez bit during last year’s World Cup, would not play in Saturday’s game due to a calf injury. To make matters worse, his likely replacement, Andrea Barzagli, might still be recovering from a thigh muscle tear he sustained last month.

Meanwhile, Juve’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is already feeling the pressure. This week he compared Messi to an extraterrestrial being and called the Barca trident “the strongest in the world.”

Buffon said Juve, however, doesn’t plan to lay down and die.

In his words, “We will try to use our weapons, not to stop them but to limit their danger,” he said.

For that, Juventus will need to rely on its offence-capable midfielders Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal.

While Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata, the duo that outscored Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals, will take care of the front.

In short, while Juventus is facing a Sisyphean task, the team should not be counted out.

History is on Juve’s side. In, 2002-03, the Italian side beat Barcelona in Champions League play, that was when Messi was just 15 and still playing on the team’s youth squad. Times have changed.

Kickoff of the Champions League final in Berlin is set for Saturday at 7:30pm.

Sepp Blatter resign as Fifa President amid corruption scandals

Sepp Blatter resigns as Fifa President amid Allegation of Corruption

 

In a shocking announcement, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said today he is resigning from his post amid allegations of corruption among several of his members.

Meanwhile the 79-year-old Swiss has called an extraordinary Fifa congress "as soon as possible" to elect a new president.

Blatter was re-elected last week, despite seven top Fifa officials being arrested two days before the vote.

But he said: "My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody."

Blatter, who has been Fifa president since 1998, said: "The next ordinary Fifa congress will take place on 13 May, 2016 in Mexico City.

"This would create unnecessary delay and I will urge the executive committee to organise an extraordinary congress for the election of my successor at the earliest opportunity.

"This will need to be done in line with Fifa's statutes and we must allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign."

The extraordinary congress is expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016.

Sepp Blatter beat Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan to earn a fifth term as Fifa president and his beaten opponent says he remains at the disposal of the national associations for the new Fifa election.

"I am always there to serve football and I think that's the most important thing and to do so much work to fix this organisation in a proper way," said Ali.

Arsenal Lift FA Cup for Record 12th Time

Arsenal Lift FA Cup for Record 12th Time

Goals from Theo Walcott, a stunning long range effort from Alexis Sanchez and strikes from Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud wrapped up a comfortable win for Arsenal.

The Gunners had been tied with Manchester United on 11 wins each, but now lead the way as the most successful club in the FA Cup's history.

MESSI INSPIRES TO COPA DEL REY WIN

MESSI INSPIRES TO COPA DEL REY WIN

Barcelona completed a domestic double in their own stadium on Saturday night as they beat Athletic Bilbao by a 3-1 scoreline in the Copa del Rey final.

Lionel Messi scored a magnificent solo goal to put Barcelona in control amid a dominant first half, with Neymar adding a second soon after. Messi bagged another to make sure of the game before Inaki Williams' consolation for Athletic, after he had also struck the woodwork in the first half.

The victory marked Barca’s 27th Cup success and thei sixth League and Cup double.

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa - The FA Cup final's four key battles

 

Saturday's FA Cup final will see Aston Villa's Tim Sherwood going toe-to-toe with Arsene Wenger from Arsenal for the final domestic trophy on offer. We look at four of the key battles that could determine the outcome.

1. Laurent Koscielny vs. Christian Benteke

The first port of call was always going to be how Arsenal's main centre-back would fare against Aston Villa's star striker. Christian Benteke has rediscovered his best form under Sherwood, with 11 of his 13 Premier League goals coming once the former Tottenham boss took over the reins at Villa Park.

In Benteke's last two FA Cup outings, the Belgian has directly contributed to two of Villa's four goals in wins over Leicester City and Liverpool, providing the assist for Scott Sinclair's winner in the former and netting in the latter.

2. Francis Coquelin vs. Jack Grealish

Two of the surprise packages this year go head-to-head on Saturday. Francis Coquelin was recalled from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic in December, much to the surprise of the Arsenal faithful.

However, following his return to the Emirates, the Frenchman all but made a starting spot his own, with his WhoScored.com rating (7.46) ranking 12th in the Premier League this season. An average of 3.2 tackles and 3.7 interceptions per games was also the best of all Arsenal players and he will need to keep his wits about him if he is to contain Villa's most exciting young player.

Much has been made of Jack Grealish's international future, but the teenager has gone about his business for Villa in impressive fashion nonetheless, much to the benefit of his team. Of all players to make at least 10 Premier League appearances this season, Grealish had the best pass success rate (92.7 percent), level with the metronomic Xavi, who unsurprisingly was La Liga's most accurate passer. The 19-year-old always had the potential to succeed and only needed a chance to shine, which Sherwood handed to him, and the faith has been repaid.

3. Alexis Sanchez vs. Leandro Bacuna

Alexis Sanchez was one of signings of the summer last year, if not the top one. The Chilean adjusted to the rigours of English football with consummate ease following his big-money switch from Barcelona, with his WhoScored.com rating (7.81) bettered only by Eden Hazard (7.96) in England's top tier this term.

Alexis scored more league goals (16) than any Arsenal player, while only Santi Cazorla (11) registered more assists than the tenacious attacker (eight). The Chile international played a vital role in Arsenal's progression to the final, netting both goals in the 2-1 win over Reading last month.

The matchup between Alexis Sanchez, left, and Leandro Bacuna could be pivotal in the FA Cup final. 

4. Mesut Ozil vs Ashley Westwood

Sherwood has a decision to make in the middle of the park over whether he opts to start Ashley Westwood or the more destructive -- sometimes to his team's detriment -- Carlos Sanchez.

The Colombian, though, was thoroughly underwhelming when these two teams met at the Emirates stadium earlier this season, earning a WhoScored.com rating of just 6.06. The Villa boss has opted for Westwood in a more defensive role of late, and despite recent defeats to Southampton and Burnley, could start the 25-year-old over Sanchez once more. Westwood has an important role to play alongside Fabian Delph and Tom Cleverley in what is Sherwood's established midfield trio.

That being said, he needs to improve on his form of late if he is to stop Mesut Ozil in the final. The German was instrumental in Arsenal's third place finish this season, averaging more key passes per game (3.1) than any other player. Arsenal's most expensive signing at £42.5 million also provided the assists for Alexis' brace in the 2-1 win over Reading at the semifinal stage in April. Despite missing a substantial chunk of the campaign through injury, Ozil gained an impressive rating of 7.57, which ranked sixth in the Premier League this season.

Source:ESPN

Xavi has tarnished his name forever by selling his soul to Qatar

The Spaniard has made the baffling decision to become an ambassador for the much-maligned Qatar World Cup bid, besmirching his previously glorious image.

 

 

‘Mes Que Un Club’ it says across the seats at Barcelona’s magnificent Camp Nou stadium. For a long time, the Catalans’ claim to being ‘more than a club’ had a certain amount of justification. And if it was true, then Xavi Hernandez could just as easily have been labelled ‘Mes Que Un Jugador’.

The metronomic midfielder has been more than just a player for the greatest version of Barcelona ever to take to the field. While Lionel Messi may be the poster boy for a team which is close to securing a fourth Champions League title in nine years, it is the club captain who has been the true face of the Blaugrana.
Xavi has spent 24 years of his life on Barcelona’s books having first arrived at La Masia as an 11-year-old, and he has provided the heartbeat for everything that has been achieved over the past decade. There are few superlatives that haven’t been used to describe his effect on the club, and every single positive review has been entirely justified.

But now, after Barcelona’s image has been muddied by a string of questionable actions, Xavi has scored a major own goal of his own. The club has been subjected to a transfer ban for illegally signing youngsters from across the world, faces a court battle over tens of millions of missing euros related to the signing of Neymar, and courted controversy by breaking its holier-than-thou anti-sponsorship stance to promote the state of Qatar on its shirts.

Fifa and Qatar  An alliance which has troubled the watching world

And it is with regards to the Arabic nation that the midfielder has scrubbed away the sheen of infallibility around himself. On Thursday, he announced that he will spend the next three years playing for Qatari side Al Sadd, working with the country’s Aspire Academy, and acting as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

This is the same hugely-controversial World Cup which has already led to the deaths of countless migrant workers in the appalling conditions laid before them during the construction of stadia. The same World Cup which, per extensive evidence presented by a Sunday Times investigation, was won by Qatar on the back of numerous back-handers to Fifa Executive Committee members from Qatari nationals. The same Qatar in which a news crew was recently followed and jailed for two days for having the temerity to investigate the living standards of construction workers.

Fifa has responded to Qatar’s obvious unsuitability as a host nation by digging in its heels. It has moved the tournament to the winter. It has insisted there is no hope of a re-vote. It has ignored much of a detailed anti-corruption report in favour of a points-scoring summary targeting the governing body’s biggest critics while gliding over all concerns relating to Qatar. It has done everything short of sticking its middle finger up to the entire football world.


What is needed for a sane and balanced argument regarding the 2022 tournament and lasting change in the region is for world football’s biggest names to demand recourse. It needs the greatest personalities – the star players whose every word is digested, repeated and analysed by football fanatics across the globe – to stand up for those who fear for the plight of migrant workers, to demand detailed inquiries into the apparent corruption.
Instead we have Xavi, who has looked at the extensive evidence of Qatar’s and Fifa’s ills in one hand and a contract worth €30 million in the other, and chosen personal gain over moral obligation. The Spaniard has shown a scandalous lack of principals by jumping into bed with those at the heart of one of the greatest issues ever to grace football.



The next time Fifa or the local organising committee in Qatar is questioned regarding one of the many problems related to 2022, they can send out their glamorous ambassador. They will call on a man with 133 caps for his country and 26 winners' medals of various shapes and sizes to attempt to woo the hecklers. Wheeling out one of the greatest players in recent history will be a lot more convincing to the floating voters and those in denial than just another rebuttal from Sepp Blatter.

In making this move, Xavi is justifying everything that shouldn’t have happened in Qatar but already has. He may think he can have some sort of positive effect, but he is kidding himself if he does. He cannot stop the death of construction workers at a rate of one every two days. He cannot order further probes into just how Qatar was awarded the World Cup in the first place. All he can do is smile in front of posters promoting the event that should never be but which we are now stuck with.

Is €30m really worth the moral bankruptcy? As part of the greatest Barcelona side there has ever been, Xavi has gained untold riches. He doesn’t need one cent of the money. This season alone he has raked in a salary of more than €9m. At this point, one could move the decimal point in his bank account and he would hardly notice.

If it is about extending his career, there are thousands of more worthy clubs across the world that would jump at the chance to employ him. Why Qatar? Why promote this World Cup? It is a frankly baffling decision.
Xavi should have exited Barcelona in the most memorable of fashions, being hailed as one of the greatest players of his time and an icon of which the football world could be proud. Instead, he heads off on the kind of self-serving mission it is impossible to justify.

Just as the great name of Barcelona has become tarnished, so now is Xavi’s. His defection is a crying shame.

Source: Goal.com

Manny Pacquiao Under Went a Successful Surgrey After Maywheather Beating

Manny Pacquiao 1st Post-Surgery Picture

 

Manny Pacquiao says his shoulder surgery was a rousing success -- and just posted his first post-op selfie to prove it. 

Pacman went under the knife in L.A. Wednesday night to repair a torn rotator cuff  in his right shoulder -- an injury that he didn't properly disclose to officials before the big Mayweather fight. 

Of course, Manny thanked God for the procedure ... and his wife ... and his world famous doctor ... saying, "Thank you to my Dr. Neal Ellatrache and his group for taking care of me. God is great!"

Wishing him a Quick covering.

Floyd Mayweather Says No Rematch With 'Sore Loser' Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather described Manny Pacquiao as a "sore loser" and "coward," and said he has no interest in a rematch.

In an interview set to air on Showtime this weekend, the middleweight champ ripped Pacquiao for blaming his loss at Saturday's title fight on a shoulder injury -- one he failed to disclose beforehand.

"Excuses, excuses, excuses," Mayweather told sportscaster Jim Gray in excerpts released in advance and cited by The Associated Press.

"I'm not going to buy into the bullshit, and I don't want the public to buy into the bullshit," Mayweather said, according to CBS Sports. "He lost. He knows he lost. I lost a lot of respect for him after all of this."

Mayweather also said he could "absolutely not" detect any sign of Pacquiao's injury.

"He was fast," Mayweather said in quotes Showtime released on Twitter. "His left hand was fast. His right hand was fast and he was throwing them both fast and strong."

Pacquiao is facing possible disciplinary action for failing to disclose the injury, which led to a surgery that could keep him out of the ring for up to a year.

Mayweather's remarks stand in sharp contrast to the generous praise he heaped on his rival after their long-awaited showdown in Las Vegas.

“Manny Pacquiao is still a champion,” Mayweather said during an in-ring interview. “He still has a lot left. I was the better man tonight -- more calculated fighter, took my time, had patience.”

Mayweather also told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith via text message that he'd be up for a rematch.

However, Mayweather told Gray that he had since changed his mind.

"At this particular time, no, because he's a sore loser and he's a coward," Mayweather said. "If you lost, accept the loss and say, 'Mayweather, you were the better fighter."

The interview airs at 9 p.m. on Saturday night on Showtime.

African Business Magnate-Dangote Keen on Buying Arsenal FC

Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote, is reportedly keen to buy Arsenal.

The Nigerian has been keen to take control of the Gunners for a number of years and was linked with a stake in the club when former director Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith was selling her shares in 2010.

Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke remains committed to Arsenal for the long-term while Uzbek magnate Alisher Usmanov, who controls around 30 per cent of the club, has also expressed no desire in selling any of his stock.

But Dangote, whose business interests include sugar, flour and oil, is refusing to rule out taking charge of the Londoners in the future.

Speaking to Bloomberg, he said: "I still hope, one day at the right price, that I will buy the team. I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won't want to resist. I know my strategy."

However, the 58-year-old was quick to point out that, despite the interest, no bid for the Premier League side 'is in the pipeline'.

"We have 16 billion dollars-worth of investments in the next few years," he added. "Right now I want to take my own business to a certain level. Once I finish on that trajectory, then maybe."

Arsenal, who beat Hull 3-1 on Monday to give themselves a good chance of finishing second to Chelsea, will face Aston Villa in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 30.

Dangote, however, suggested Emirates boss Arsene Wenger's side should be achieving more.

"Wenger needs to change his style a bit," he said. "They need new direction."

Chelsea-FC wins English Premier League title

CHELSEA secured a first Premier League title in five years with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho’s side needed three points to claim the trophy with three games to spare and Eden Hazard headed in the rebound after missing a first-half penalty.

Mourinho’s 21st trophy of his prolific career was the Capital One Cup win at Wembley in March – the first of his second spell at Stamford Bridge – and now the Portuguese has a third Premier League title and Chelsea’s fourth in 11 seasons.

The self-proclaimed Special One delivered the first title 10 years ago – the 2004-05 win was Chelsea’s first championship in 50 years – but domestic league success has eluded the Blues since Carlo Ancelotti led them to the 2009-10 title. Chelsea entered yesterday’s fixtures 13 points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal, the only team who could overhaul them as they have a game in hand.

 

It was a nervous opening for the champions-elect, with Palace determined to prolong Chelsea’s wait for the title, roared on by a raucous visiting support which only served to remind Mourinho of his unhappiness at the home faithful this term.

Mayweather Beats Pacquiao in Boxing Richest Match Ever

It was the bout of the century and one that kept millions of people awake in the middle of the night

Mayweather declared Winner

Mayweather Celebrates his Unanimous Victory

 

Mayweather vs Pacquiao in Action

 

 

Manny Pacquiao throw a Right against Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather maintained his unbeaten record with a near-flawless performance against a subdued Manny Pacquiao.

The Filipino never came close to the knockout he needed to win in the final few rounds - and Mayweather boxed his way to a unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

Floyd proved himself to be the best fighter of his era with 48 unbeaten bouts.

Mayweather vs Pacquiao, Odds and Predictions ahead of Saturday's fight

Mayweather vs Pacquiao, All you need to Know about  'The Fight of the Century'

 

One of the most hotly-anticipated boxing bouts of all time, the match-up between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao was six years in the making. The date was finally confirmed early in 2015, with the pair due to do battle on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight which already been billed as The Fight of the Century by many promises to life up to it's billing.

The waiting is almost over - this weekend the biggest fight in a generation will finally happen.

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are undergoing their final preparations ahead of going toe-to-toe at the MGM Grand on Saturday evening.

The American goes in with a perfect 47-fight record, but Pacquiao is confident of ending it in style in the fight capital.

Five years of failed negotiations have finally come to an end, and the world's eyes will switch to Vegas come Saturday.

However, Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, fears the showdown may not even take place as Mayweather could be a last-minute no-show at the Nevada venue.

 He said: "I really am wondering if he's going to turn up on the night.
"I don't think any fighter is afraid, but I don't think he wanted this fight. He was forced into a fight he didn't want to take.
"I just don't know why Floyd has gone quiet for this fight. His speech is very subdued.”

The duo will finally face off at the MGM Grand this weekend after years of negotiations and are set to share a combined $300million from the bout.

Undefeated Mayweather will enter the ring as firm favourite to claim the win against Pacquiao who has tasted defeat five times during his own glittering career.

 

Mainwhile Manny Pacquiao claims he has rediscovered his 'killer instinct' in time to fight Floyd Mayweather on Saturday night.

Pacquiao's coach Freddie Roach had admitted his concern that his fighter had stopped wanting to hurt opponents and the Filipino has not inflicted a stoppage since defeating Miguel Cotto in 2009.

But Pacquiao, 36, claims he has rediscovered the appetite for a KO which earned him his fame a decade ago, in time for the world welterweight unification bout dubbed 'fight of the century'.

He said: “I am so happy because that feeling of the killer instinct – that focus I had from 10 or 11 years ago - it is back.

“In previous fights, a couple of fights, I never felt like this, it's different. I am 100 per cent relaxed and confident of winning.

“I don't have a prediction. I am excited and confident. I have peace of mind.”

Floyd and Pacquiao

From Floyd corner 

Here’s some pugilists who believe Mayweather will win the bout

Nigel Benn: "This fight is going to make Mayweather who he is. I believe that he has not got the recognition."

Amir Khan: Mayweather will be smart and keep moving, and I think he will get a good unanimous win. The fight will be a competition for four or five rounds and then Floyd will take the lead and start pulling away, creating the distance and finishing off with a win."

Kell Brook: "I'm leaning towards Floyd Mayweather. He's never lost before, he knows how to win and it's in Vegas. I think Mayweather is going to control the pace and I think he's too clever for Manny Pacquiao."

Ricky Hatton: "I have always thought Mayweather and although I think Manny has the style to beat him, I'm still going to go with Mayweather."

While from the Pacquiao the following  legends of the sport favors the Phillipines’ finest to emerge victorious come Saturday;

Mike Tyson: " Floyd doesn't throw anywhere near 100 punches a round. He is more of a scientific fighter, he really plots a lot, he poses whereas Pacquiao is feinting and moving around. That's just my opinion, Pacquiao has perpetual motion he's all over the God damn place."

Miguel Cotto: " I'm rooting for Manny Pacquiao. I think the quickness of Manny is going to have a big impact on Floyd's performance."

George Foreman: "I think Pacquiao. He's smart, he's the underdog, and there's nothing like an underdog in a boxing match [and] trying to find a way to win. You get the crowd cheering for you, you feel their strength and they can pull you through. I got a feeling he can win it by one round, on points."

Oscar De La Hoya: "If he can start well in the first two rounds, then the fight can go in his direction."

Sugar Ray Leonard: "All fighters have one last fight in them, if you look at [Muhammad] Ali against George Foreman and Ali won despite being expected to lose. With me it was Hagler, I knew I had one last fight in me. I believe that all applies to Manny Pacquiao."

 

Floyd Mayweather overcame a turbulent home life to become the world's highest-paid athlete and unbeaten fighter.  

He is a professional boxer who is currently undefeated and has won ten world titles. In 2014 he was announced as the highest paid athlete in the world. He will fight Manny Pacquiao on May 2nd 2015.

Typically, one of the fighters is characterised as the 'face', who plays the part of the crowd favourite, while his opponent is cast as the 'heel', who strives to attract the ire of fight fans and interest among casual observers.

Applying this time-honoured template to the long-overdue bout between the two biggest names in boxing, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao, there is no doubt as to which fighter has been cast in which role.

Manny Pacquiao's back story is quite something.

He rose from the streets of Kibawe in the Philippines to becoming the boxer, singer, actor, politician and national icon he is today.

when Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao turned professional in January 1995,(bearly 2 years after running from home at age 14)  he was just 16 years old, stood at 4'11'' and weighed 98 pounds. He was paid a pitiful sum of money - which he used to feed his family - and fought in front of similarly meagre crowd.

As he steps out Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, he will be carrying the hopes of a nation and his fans from across the world on his increasingly-broad shoulders and will also pocket a cheque worth more than $100 million.

The dynamic southpaw, now 36, is among the most popular athletes on the plant, but his in-the-ring achievements only tell part of an extraordinary story which has seen him rise from the poverty-stricken streets of Kibawe in the Philippines to the country's political office.

The former pound-for-pound champion – who’s also an evangelical protestant – has used his notoriety as a fighter to launch a political career in his homeland, where Manny was elected as congressman of the lone district of Sarangani in May 2010. In the last 12 months alone, the Pacman has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Barack Obama and Prince Harry.

 And if you still don't want him to win Saturday's fight, then you have a cold heart.

Also in a related development, Rapper 50 Cent has already promised to bet $1.6million (£1,036,860) on Floyd Mayweather to beat Manny Pacquiao in Sunday's fight, but he's set to make even more money that weekend.

The 38-year-old will reportedly pocket $500,000 (£323,990) for performing at Drai's club in Las Vegas on the Friday before the fight.

It seems 50, real name Curtis James Jackson III, may be hedging his bets considering his lavish backing of Mayweather, who is currently 8/15 favourite.

If Jackson's recent quotes are anything to go by though, the rapper and boxing promoter is certain he'll see a return on his money.

He said: He said: "Champ (is) gonna smoke him. It's gonna look like it was pumped up for no reason."

Palace Triumph to Dent Man city Title Hopes

Crystal Palace put a huge dent in Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Barclays Premier League title with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park on Monday night.

 

Goals either side of half-time from Glenn Murray - his fifth in as many matches - and Jason Puncheon sealed all three points for Palace, with Yaya Toure's thumping late drive proving scant consolation for the champions.

Manuel Pellegrini's side now sit nine points adrift of Chelsea having played a match more, and they head into Sunday's derby with Manchester United in fourth and a point behind their rivals having lost three of their last five league fixtures.

Martin Kelly for Pape Souare was the hosts' only change from their 2-1 win at Stoke City last time out, and it was the former Liverpool defender's dangerous cross in the second minute that Wilfried Zaha hit over from close range.

City responded strongly to that early scare and pinned Palace back with a period of constant pressure. David Silva twice brought smart saves out of Julian Speroni, while Sergio Aguero struck the base of the left-hand post.

Aguero stabbed over as City continued to dominate but then, against the run of play, Palace took the lead in the 34th minute.

Dann got on the end of Joe Ledley's flick and, after his effort was saved by Hart, the ball ran kindly for Murray to tap home from two yards.

Palace doubled their lead three minutes after the restart when Puncheon sent a superb 20-yard free-kick over the wall and into the bottom-right corner, leaving Hart with no chance.

James McArthur did brilliantly to clear another Fernandinho effort over the bar as the visitors piled on the pressure, and Toure's superb left-footed strike from 20 yards raised hopes of a comeback.

City substitute Samir Nasri and Toure both went close with deflected efforts late on but they could not find the equaliser as Palace's resurgence under Alan Pardew continued.

 

Source: Premier League.com

LAGOS PDP CANDIDATE SET FOR ELECTION TRIBUNAL

Lagos - Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos West Senatorial Candidate Segun Adewale has said that he will contest his loss during the March 28 election.

Segun Adewale took to his Twitter to advise his supporters to stay calm, and promised, that he will fight and reclaim his mandate through due process.

He lost the senatorial seat to  All Progressives Congress(APC) candidate Solomon Adeola.

He claimed after winning in eight, local government areas, that he was denied his mandate by inflated figures from Mushin, Ifako Ijaiye, Ikeja  and  Agege.

He alleged that the  fake results reduced his winning margin in six local government areas and winning with high margin in four local government areas.