NFL sky judge concept gaining support of Competition Committee, ex-VP of officials says

The NFL’s Competition Committee is coming around on the idea of a so-called “sky judge” who could help keep on-field officials from missing calls, a former league vice president of officiating says.

Dean Blandino told the Toronto Sun on Wednesday that the committee, which was unanimous in its opposition to the concept last year, is studying two proposals this year that call for an adviser who would assist with game administration and point out officiating errors. The Chargers and Ravens jointly made the proposals, according to the Sun’s report.

“I do know both (proposals) had support,” Blandino told the Sun. “There are pros and cons to having two proposals. The pros are you have two options, and you’re not just married to one proposal.

“The cons are if you get two proposals and owners are kind of split — some clubs like one, and other clubs like the other — then it’s harder to drum up enough support for either.”

IYER: Pros and cons of the NFL’s playoff expansion 

It’s not known how many teams overall are agreeable to adding a sky judge. The Sun reported that team owners are scheduled to vote on all rules proposals at their spring meetings May 19 and 20 in California. Proposals need 24 of 32 “yes” votes to be approved.

The nine-man Competition Committee, made up of team owners, current and former team executives and active head coaches, reviewed the proposals this week in a conference call that replaced a session at the annual league meeting, which the NFL canceled because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. One of the proposals reported by the Sun was highly detailed. It calls for the addition of a “Senior Technology Advisor to the Referee (STAR),” an “officiating expert who has on-field experience as a game official,” per the Sun.

The Sun added:

Specifically, the STAR would advise on-field officials on everything from game administration, to possession, to out-of-bounds or goal-line rulings, to ball placement, to where ball carriers are ruled down, to facemask and roughness calls — plus “any other information requested by the referee.”

The past two spring football leagues, the Alliance of American Football and the XFL, employed a sky judge. The person was stationed in the press box, monitored game action with the aid of television feeds, conducted video reviews, alerted referees to errors and helped to resolve other officiating issues. The video reviews were televised live. Public reaction to the system was generally positive.

Source: Read Full Article

Man Utd stance on Kalidou Koulibaly transfer emerges amid Matthijs de Ligt pursuit

Manchester United have both Kalidou Koulibaly and Matthijs de Ligt on their list of summer transfer targets, reports say. The Napoli and Juventus defenders have both endured difficult campaigns but that hasn’t stopped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from pondering whether to bring them to Old Trafford come the end of the campaign.

Manchester United are monitoring De Ligt amid uncertainty over his Juventus future, with the 20-year-old yet to settle in Turin.

But ESPN say that the club also have Koulibaly on their list of transfer targets as well.

The Senegal international, like De Ligt, was linked with United last summer as Solskjaer frantically hunted for a centre-back.

And he’s endured a difficult campaign with Napoli in Serie A, clashing with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Koulibaly has reportedly confirmed to the 70-year-old that he wants to leave the club this summer, with United, PSG and Manchester City all linked.

Solskjaer rates him highly, deeming the Napoli star to be one of the best centre-backs in world football.

KEY STORY: Man Utd owners the Glazers set asking price and demands for club sale after ‘two meetings’

READ MORE

  • Man Utd boss Solskjaer convinced he’s found ideal Fernandes partner

And with United keen to sign a centre-back, only time will tell if they go for Koulibaly or De Ligt.

From a business perspective, De Ligt would make sense.

The Juventus star is still only 20 and has years ahead of him. He was considered a generational talent when the Serie A giants snapped him up nearly a year ago.

The report says the Red Devils believe he’d fit the profile of player Solskjaer wants at Old Trafford in terms of his age, versatility and character.

However, United still feel it will be tricky to bring the 20-year-old to Old Trafford.

They think Juventus are unlikely to sanction the exit of De Ligt, despite his struggles under Maurizio Sarri this season.

READ MORE

  • Man Utd owners the Glazers may sell up faster because of coronavirus

But, if they are, then United are ready to launch another bid in order to bring the Netherlands international to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, former France star Frank Leboeuf believes United should try and use Paul Pogba as bait in order to land De Ligt.

“I do, I do [think a potential swap deal would work],” he said.

“I think alongside Maguire it would be good to have De Ligt and see what he can do.

“Obviously Pogba wants to go, that could be a good bargain for Manchester United.”

DON’T MISS

Tottenham set price for Man Utd to sign Harry Kane

Man Utd chief Ed Woodward set to be given green light on huge transfer

What Man Utd owners the Glazers think about potential £200m Old Trafford upgrade

United’s centre-backs have done well this season.

Maguire has been solid throughout the campaign and improved drastically since replacing Ashley Young as club captain back in January.

Victor Lindelof finally looks like the player the Red Devils thought they were getting when they snapped him up in 2017.

And Eric Bailly has looked good upon returning from injury.

United are expected to sell Phil Jones at the end of the campaign, with Newcastle leading the race for the England international.

Source: Read Full Article

Former Tottenham coach Harry Redknapp criticises club for cutting wages of non-playing staff

Former Tottenham coach Harry Redknapp has criticised the north London club for cutting the pay of non-playing staff instead of players.

This week, Tottenham announced a 20 per cent wage cut for all 550 non-playing employees, with many people reacting negatively to the news that squad members are still being paid as normal.

Redknapp, who coached Spurs between 2008 and 2012, has now urged players at the club to sacrifice some of their pay to protect non-playing staff.

Download the new Independent Premium app

Sharing the full story, not just the headlines

“I can’t believe it,” Redknapp, who managed Tottenham from 2008 to 2012, told The Sun.

“Surely players should be taking a cut, this isn’t for big clubs like Tottenham. I thought the Government were going to pay ordinary people who are struggling and help small businesses who are struggling.

“But you are talking here about a club where their players earn £10-12 million a year.

“Tottenham are owned by Joe Lewis, one of the richest men in the world, and his club are cutting the wages of all their non-football staff by 20 per cent. I can’t believe it.

“Here is a club where the average player earns £80,000, £90,000, £100,000 a week. And that’s [on] average. Their top players earn £150,000 a week, maybe even £200,000 a week.

“I know their minds and they don’t want to be going it alone, but they will do it if all their team-mates do it.

“They can all afford to hand over 10 per cent and I’d like to see the captain of every Premier League club call a meeting and say: ‘Come on, guys, we are all in it together, let’s donate to help our staff.’”

The Professional Footballers’ Association met this week to discuss the possibility of implementing a means of cutting players’ wages.

Source: Read Full Article

Man Utd ‘enter Thomas Meunier race’ with PSG defender available on free transfer

Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign PSG defender Thomas Meunier.

The right-back is out of contract with the French champions in the summer and looks set to leave the Parc des Princes.

United already have the talented Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, but are still interested in landing Meunier as well, according to reports in France (via the Mail ).

Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan are the other leading contenders for his signature.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen for United to bring the 28-year-old to Old Trafford though, as he feels landing a player of Meunier's quality on a free would be a real coup.

It was only last summer that United splashed out £50m on Wan-Bissaka, and there is no indication that Solskjaer plans to drop the former Crystal Palace star.

Meunier is not likely to move to Old Trafford without some assurances over first-team football.

He has featured on 25 occasions in all competitions for PSG this season, but there is no indication of the offer of an extension on his current contract.

The Belgian international can also play further forward, having often been deployed as a right midfielder, which could suit United who have regularly used a 3-5-2 formation with wing-backs.

PSG are said to be targeting versatile Juventus full-back Mattia De Sciglio to replace Meunier, after failing to land him in January.

Meanwhile United have set a limit on the amount they will pay for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.

Source: Read Full Article

Man Utd agree on £70m transfer fee, Chelsea double agent talks underway, Arsenal £35m move

Thursday, April 2

  • Chelsea have entered talks to sign Alex Telles and Philippe Coutinho
  • Arsenal have identified a £35m replacement for Dani Ceballos
  • Man Utd are NOT prepared to pay Saul Niguez’s £132m release clause
  • They will, however, consider submitting an offer in the region of £70m

Nahuel Bustos dream

Nahuel Bustos dreams of playing in the Premier League with Chelsea.

The Talleres forward, 21, can operate on either flank and has recorded 14 goals and three assists in 37 Superliga appearances for the Argentine club.

“I’d like to go outside,” he said during an interview on Instagram via Mundo D. “If I stay in Argentina, I stay at Talleres. I always said so. If they call me from Boca or River, I stay in Talleres. I’m not going to lie to you.

“I’d like to play in Europe. Do you know where I’d like to play? At Chelsea in England. It’s my dream.”

Wanted: Thomas Meunier

Manchester United are interested in Paris Saint-Germain defender Thomas Meunier.

That’s according to French publication Le Quotidien du Foot, who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are monitoring his contract situation at the Parc des Princes.

Meunier’s £53,000-a-week deal expires this summer and he will become a free agent.

Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan have all been tipped to launch offers – but United could well decide to make their presence known.

Chelsea double swoop

Chelsea have entered talks to sign Porto defender Alex Telles and Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho, according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira.

Telles, who is valued at £35million, recently hired super-agent Pini Zahavi having previously being represented by his family.

It’s believed Zahavi’s long-standing relationship with Blues owner Roman Abramovich could prove hugely beneficial for the Stamford Bridge club.

Schira continues to say that talks to bring Barcelona flop Coutinho, 27, back to the Premier League are also underway with Tottenham also interested.

“Chelsea are in talks to sign Alex Telles (Porto want €40M) and Coutinho (also Tottenham are interested in him),” Schira tweeted. “The good relationship with their agents Pini Zahavi and Kia Joorabchian could help Blues to finalise the deal.”

READ MORE

  • Man Utd news LIVE: Ed Woodward plans £70m transfer, Pogba replacement

Dani Ceballos replacement

Arsenal have identified a £35million replacement for the on-loan Dani Ceballos.

Mikel Arteta is said to be an admirer of Espanyol’s Marc Roca, who is likely to be sold this summer.

The 23-year-old is only under contract until 2022 and with La Liga relegation likely if the campaign resumes and the club expected to feel the financial hit of the coronavirus crisis regardless of whether or not it is concluded, Roca is set to be sold so Espanyol can extract maximum value for the midfielder.

According to Sport, Arsenal have been admirers of the player for almost a year and looked at Roca before bringing in Ceballos.

Bayern Munich were said to have been put off signing Roca last summer, with Espanyol having also rebuffed Inter Milan, due to the player’s £35m (€40m) release clause.

But Arsenal are waiting until the season ends before submitting a bid because they believe the player’s price could drop in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19.

READ MORE

  • Chelsea handed Alex Telles boost as Blues keep tabs on £35m left-back

Saul Niguez valuation

Manchester United are NOT prepared to pay Saul Niguez’s £132m release clause, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

They will, however, consider submitting an offer in the region of £70m for the Atletico Madrid midfielder.

The Red Devils have identified the 19-capped Spain International to replace Paul Pogba, who has been frequently linked with Real Madrid and Juventus.

AS suggest that United chiefs believe Saul’s £132m release clause is ‘disproportionate’ but DO think the 25-year-old midfielder is at the ‘ideal age’ and would ‘fit perfectly’ into Premier League football.

Antoine Griezmann decision

Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann has been linked with a move away from the Catalan giants after just one season, with Manchester United and Arsenal both interested.

However, according to Sky Sports, the 29-year-old believes he still has a future at the Catalan club.

It claims France international Griezmann is said to be taking part in promoting the new Barcelona kit for next season, which is due to take place soon.

The player has already revealed he could like to reclaim his No.7 shirt currently occupied by Philippe Coutinho who is expected to be sold. “I would like to recover the seven,” he told fans on Twitch.

No Ballon d’Or contenders

Manchester United supremo Ed Woodward doesn’t want a squad full of Ballon d’Or contenders because of how disastrous Angel Di Maria’s transfer turned out to be, reports say.

The Argentina international cost the club £59million after arriving from Real Madrid, making him Britain’s record-singing at the time.

But Di Maria, a bright start aside, looked lost throughout his time in the Premier League.

And the Manchester Evening News say the specific struggles of the PSG star is why Woodward no longer wants a team full of big-names.

Source: Read Full Article

Barcelona 'want to sign BOTH Neymar and Lautaro Martinez this summer'

Barcelona ‘want to sign BOTH Neymar and Lautaro Martinez this summer’ to form dream forward line alongside Lionel Messi as Nou Camp chiefs say money will be available for new players despite coronavirus crisis

  • Reports in Spain say Barcelona are still planning spending spree this summer
  • It comes despite the squad taking 70 per cent pay cut amid coronavirus crisis
  • Mundo Deportivo report they want to buy both Neymar and Lautaro Martinez
  • Barca hope PSG’s asking price of £160m for Neymar will be pushed down
  • Inter Milan’s Argentine striker Martinez has a release clause of just under £100m
  • Barca reportedly want to see Messi, Neymar and Martinez in dream front three 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Barcelona ‘believe they can sign both Neymar and Lautaro Martinez this summer’ to form a dream forward line alongside Lionel Messi.

Despite the Barcelona squad being forced to take a 70 per cent salary cut amid the coronavirus crisis, the club’s hierarchy remain confident they can still finance two big money signings.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barca intend to press ahead with their pursuit of Inter Milan forward Martinez and efforts to bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp.

Thursday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo says Barcelona want to sign both Neymar and Lautaro Martinez this summer to form a devastating forward line alongside Lionel Messi


Martinez has a £98m release clause in his Inter deal while Neymar would cost around £160m

Reports in Spain on Wednesday said Barcelona had opened negotiations with both Neymar and Martinez in case one fails to materialise, but Mundo say they wish to buy both.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu is confident Barcelona will have the financial muscle to sign all their transfer targets when the summer window finally opens following the coronavirus shutdown.

The Barcelona squad will take a 70 per cent pay reduction during the pandemic to ensure non-sporting staff receive full wages. 

Brazil star Neymar, 28, who played for Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, is regarded as the player who can return them to Champions League challengers.

Neymar could link back up with Luis Suarez (centre) and Lionel Messi (right) at Barcelona

Barcelona hope the coronavirus crisis will persuade PSG to sell Neymar for less than £160m

Barcelona hope the contraction of market values caused by the coronavirus crisis could lead to PSG lowering their asking price of around £160million.

Martinez, who has scored 16 goals for Inter this season, is also a priority for Barca, who were left short of attacking options when Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele picked up injuries earlier this year. He has a £98m release clause.

That led them to apply for special dispensation from La Liga to sign Martin Brathwaite from Leganes.

Argentine striker Martinez would relish the chance to play alongside Messi at Barcelona

Barca want to see Messi (pictured) line up alongside Neymar and Lautaro Martinez in attack

Martinez, 22, is reportedly sold on the idea of playing alongside his Argentina colleague Messi at the Nou Camp next season. Midfielder Arturo Vidal could move the other way to the San Siro as part of the deal.

Spanish clubs are only permitted to register three non-EU players and given that both Neymar and Martinez are South American, a current player, such as Chilean Vidal, would have to depart. Brazilian Arthur Melo is their other non-EU player.

 


Source: Read Full Article

What Man Utd chief Ed Woodward has privately said about Harry Kane amid transfer talk

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has praised Harry Kane in private, reports say. The Tottenham star has been linked with the Red Devils ahead of the summer transfer window but any deal is unlikely to come cheap, with Spurs pricing their star asset at close to £200million. That would make him the join world’s most-expensive player alongside PSG’s Neymar.

Manchester United have admired Kane for a number of years, with the England international regarded as one of the best strikers on the planet.

Louis van Gaal thought about signing the 26-year-old during his time at Old Trafford but, knowing Spurs would be stubborn negotiators, ultimately focused on trying to sign Robert Lewandowski instead.

United have remained keen on Kane ever since, though, with the Tottenham striker scoring 181 times for the north London giants.

And the Manchester Evening News say that, in private, Woodward has hailed the Spurs striker.

It’s said he’s ‘spoken effusively’ about possibly bringing the Tottenham star to the Theatre of Dreams.

But United’s reluctance to deal with Daniel Levy could deter them from making a move for him come the summer.

KEY STORY: Man Utd owners the Glazers set asking price and demands for club sale after ‘two meetings’

READ MORE

  • Man Utd boss Solskjaer convinced he’s found ideal Fernandes partner

Levy, in 2008, vowed to never sell another player to United.

He was furious having been forced into letting Dimitar Berbatov move to Old Trafford, despite Manchester City actually launching a higher bid.

And, in the years since, he’s blocked moves to United for Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld.

United want a new striker regardless this summer, despite having Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Odion Ighalo in their ranks.

Moussa Dembele, Timo Werner and Erling Haaland have all been linked amid their fine form for Lyon, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

DON’T MISS

Tottenham set price for Man Utd to sign Harry Kane

Man Utd chief Ed Woodward set to be given green light on huge transfer

What Man Utd owners the Glazers think about potential £200m Old Trafford upgrade

READ MORE

  • When Man Utd boss Solskjaer criticised Martial in dressing room

Meanwhile, Berbatov recently opened up on the prospect of Kane moving to United.

And the Bulgarian admitted it was a transfer deal he couldn’t see happening anytime soon.

He told Betfair: “I can see that he has been linked to a move to United for a long time, and that makes you think that it might happen at some point.

“But to be honest I can’t see it happening any time soon.

“With the current situation, I can’t see teams spending incredible amounts of money and Daniel Levy is not going to let his main guy go for less than what he thinks he is worth, which is a lot of money.”

Berbatov also doubts whether United could afford both Kane and Jadon Sancho, their top target, in the same window.

“The situation at Manchester United is this, they have: Rashford, Martial, James, Greenwood, and at the moment Ighalo,” he said.

“If they buy Sancho then there are potentially six forwards at the club, so imagine buying Harry Kane, what the f*** do you do with seven forwards?

“The way I see it, only about three of them can play at once and possible only two sometimes.

“Also, if you buy Sancho and Harry Kane that’s an extraordinary amount of money that it will cost them, if you spend that level of money they have to play.

“But, then you have other proven goal scorers there like Rashford and Martial, then you have a young players in Greenwood and James that are making their way through the ranks, so if they sign Kane it will complicate the situation even more.”

Source: Read Full Article

Daniel Levy urged to sell Harry Kane and use Jose Mourinho to sign Tottenham’s replacement

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy should “get as much money as possible” for Harry Kane, according to football agent Bernie Mandic. Kane sparked speculation over his Tottenham future at the weekend as he refused to say he would stay with Spurs for the remainder of his career.

In an Instagram Live session with former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp, the England captain suggested he would leave the north Londoners if he could not see progression at the club.

Kane’s current contract at Tottenham expires at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Mandic believes the coronavirus pandemic will mean that players will be available for cheaper prices over the next few transfer windows.

The Australian, whose list of clients used to include former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, says Levy can use the expertise of Spurs boss Jose Mourinho in the transfer market to buy a replacement for Kane at a bargain price.

JUST IN: Man Utd can sign both Jadon Sancho and Harry Kane on one condition

And that is why Mandic thinks Tottenham should look to move Kane on for as much as they can.

Mandic told the Transfer Window podcast: “Well, I think that if I was Mr Levy I’d get as much money as possible for Mr Kane and wish him all the best because he will be able to, or his people will be able to, well and truly, and Mourinho will be the best in the business, pick up incredible bargains because there will be a huge overhang over quality players because clubs simply not being able to meet the contractual obligations.

“So I think the scenario for next season could be very interesting and a smart, cunning, whatever the power of a club like a Manchester City or Liverpool for the moment is not necessarily going to last because someone who is very clever in this market place picks up bargains could have themselves a hell of a competitive team and for a greatly reduced cost.

DON’T MISS
Jadon Sancho sent Man Utd message, Paul Pogba transfer plan, Philippe Coutinho to Chelsea [BLOG]
Premier League and EFL release statement discussing return after coronavirus outbreak [NEWS]
What Jude Bellingham thought of Man Utd when he visited the training ground [REPORT]

READ MORE

  • Real Madrid offer Tottenham Marcelo or two other options in Kane plan

“That’s my prediction, you will see some very unexpected rises in power with coaches who basically can get players instead of playing £20m or £30m, they can pick them up for £10m.

“There are, I’m sure there are, coaches out there who are the new Mourinhos and new Guardiolas and the only reason they haven’t been able to rise to that level is because they have not had the resources able to compete. Guess what, now they have, by virtue of this disaster.”

Speaking on Sunday, Kane said he wants to become one of the best players in the world and would be prepared to leave Spurs to do so.

“It’s a good question [whether I’d stay at Spurs],” Kane said.

READ MORE

  • Tottenham urged to learn from Gareth Bale mistake amid Kane talks

“Obviously I get asked this question a lot. It’s one of them things. I couldn’t say yes, I couldn’t say no.

“I love Spurs, I’d always love Spurs, but it’s one of them things, I’ve always said if I don’t feel progression in the team or it’s going the right direction then I’m not someone to just stay there for the sake of it.

“I’m an ambitious player, I want to improve, I want to get better. I want to become one of the top, top players.

“It all depends what happens with the team and how we progress as a team.

“So it’s not a definite I’m going to stay there forever but it’s not a no either.”

Source: Read Full Article

Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk lost Olympic fights to Clemente Russo who ‘didn’t hit hard’

Clemente Russo handed Olympic heartbreak to Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk but British amateurs would wonder about him: ‘How does this guy get wins?’

Italian police offer Russo, 37, never became a professional boxer but won two Olympic silver medals, the 2007 and 2013 world amateur championships and the 2012 World Series of Boxing tournament.

He remains an enigma because a former British opponent insists Russo was “not technically great” and “didn’t hit hard”.

Mettiamoci #determinazione e #agonismo in tutto ciò che facciamo,ma specie crediamoci e… VINCEREMO NOI!!! #coronavirus #black #stallion #amazing #quarterhorse #clementerusso #strongman

A post shared by Clemente Russo (@clementerussoofficial) on

But Russo was a successful Olympian?

He competed at four Olympics (and still has time to make it five), winning two silvers.

Russo lost in 2004 to Andre Ward, the future pound-for-pound great.

Beijing 2008 was his career highlight – he outpointed the USA’s Wilder and Ukraine’s Usyk in the heavyweight category (equivalent to cruiserweight in the pro game) but lost in the final to Rakhim Chakhkiev of Russia. Wilder took bronze.

Wilder previously told Sky Sports: “My heart was broken in the Olympics. You can train for four years but when you get to the big dance, your fate doesn’t lie in your hands.”

In 2012 Usyk had his revenge and beat Russo in the gold medal match. Usyk also beat Artur Beterbiev, by the way, en route.

At Rio 2016 Russo lost in the quarter-final to Evgeny Tishchenko of Russia.



“What was he good at? You can’t put your finger on anything…”

Russo defeated Britain’s Danny Price in 2007 in Chicago in the first round of the world amateur championships, which he eventually won.

“He was never technically great or good to watch, he’s just effective at what he does,” Price told Sky Sports.

“He’s difficult to hit. He is a lot smaller which is difficult and he ducks even lower so you’re always punching down. But he had quick reflexes, jumped in with big hooks, and held a lot.

“He didn’t hit hard. He was just awkward and threw shots from different angles. In the amateurs, everyone is quite similarly well-schooled but he wasn’t, he was unorthodox.

“Every time I got a bit of success he would just grab hold.

“You could never get into a rhythm against him because he would always mess the fight up. It was difficult.

“I sat around with James DeGale, Stephen Smith and Frankie Gavin and we’d say: ‘How does this guy get wins?’

“What was he good at? You can’t put your finger on anything. But in the ring with him he was elusive and had quick reflexes.”

Price beat Tony Bellew in the amateurs and says: “Bellew was a well-schooled technically correct amateur. Chalk and cheese to Russo who threw overhand rights and looping hooks that hit you on the back of the head.”

So was Price surprised to see his old rival Russo go on to outpoint Wilder and Usyk?

“Not really – Wilder was never a good boxer, he was just a banger. Usyk was a miles better boxer but if you can’t hit something it’s difficult.

“I can see why Russo beat Wilder. Russo would have beaten him 10 times out of 10 as an amateur.”

Would Russo have been a successful pro boxer?

“He’d get so far before being found out,” Price said. “Because he doesn’t hit too hard.

“But it’s unfair to say because a lot of good amateurs don’t make it as a pro. They are totally different games so it depends how he would have adapted. Russo had Olympic pedigree.”

What does the future hold for Russo?

He is still trying to qualify for his fifth Olympics, which has been rescheduled for 2021.

Source: Read Full Article