Latest news with #AJ
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
It's viral: The DJ who turned big fat Indian baraat at Wall Street into a dance floor
The viral videos of 400-person Indian baraat at Wall Street in New York have travelled the globe, sharing a piece of Indian tradition with millions. The disc jockey who played at the baraat, Mumbai-based DJ AJ says, 'Seeing it go viral means a lot. It's a reminder of how powerful and unifying cultural celebrations can be, no matter where you are in the world.' Rewinding it a bit, when DJ AJ first got the call to perform at a wedding in New York City, he was given the dates and the number of functions, standard fare for any wedding gig. But he didn't realise until much later that one of the events would be on none other than Wall Street itself. And just like that, what was supposed to be another night of music became a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 'I had no idea one of the venues was actually on Wall Street,' AJ laughs. 'When I found out, I thought, 'This is not just another wedding. This is something else entirely.'' A post shared by DJ AJ (@djajmumbai) He wasn't wrong. He says, 'Thanks to Jaideep Mehta and the True Events team, Urvashi Mishra from Radz Events, Harsh Tevar and the NSL Talent Dhol Team, Emcee Vig, and Smit, the whole thing came together seamlessly.' For AJ, all he had to do was show up and bring the music but what a show it was. While social media was quick to suggest that such scenes were 'common' at that spot, thanks to the hotel there, AJ insists it felt anything but ordinary. 'Seeing the baraat take over Wall Street felt like a first-of-its-kind moment. The excitement and energy were completely off the charts. It was absolutely unique.' And what about the onlookers? Imagine the usual corporate hustle of Wall Street replaced by a colourful, vibrant baraat. People stopped to watch, pulled out their phones, and even joined in on the dancing. 'It was incredible to see people who had nothing to do with the wedding get swept up in the celebration,' AJ says. 'It felt like a spontaneous cultural festival, he adds. As for the music, AJ stayed true to his signature style, blending Bollywood hits with English classics to keep everyone, wedding guests and passersby alike, on their feet. 'The dhol players were the real stars. Their live beats just took the energy to a whole new level.' It's not every day that Wall Street gets turned into a dance floor. But for one unforgettable day, DJ AJ and a jubilant baraat showed us all that music and joy know no borders.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Anthony Joshua faces off with ex-champ who survived assassination attempt as Eddie Hearn opens up on new two-fight deal
ANTHONY JOSHUA faced off with forgotten heavyweight Mahmoud Charr - as Eddie Hearn confirmed plans for a two-fight deal. AJ has been out of action since a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September while an elbow injury - which needed surgery - has sidelined him. Advertisement 5 Forgotten heavyweight Mahmoud Charr facing off with Anthony Joshua 5 It comes with AJ in talks for a new two-fight deal But promoter Hearn revealed talks with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season for a pair of bouts are underway. He told BoxingScene: 'We are actually discussing a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season. "We've been doing that, [Turki Alalshikh] said that on the night of Canelo-Scull, when we had our meeting, and that's the plan really. "We want to box sometime this year, October, November, December.' Advertisement READ MORE IN BOXING LO BLOW World champion boxer left unemployed aged 27 as he reveals he has been FIRED Dubois, 27, now rematches Oleksandr Usyk, 38, on July 19 at Wembley two years after his stoppage loss to the Ukrainian. Usyk is coming off two wins over Tyson Fury, 36, last year which led to the Gypsy King's surprise retirement in January. Hearn still hopes Fury will return to face Joshua, 35, while London's undisputed title clash will also factor into their next move. He said: 'We'll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk. We'll see what happens with Fury. Advertisement CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "If we don't fight those guys, maybe we'll fight one of those guys next year.' Another name hoping to put himself in the mix to fight Joshua is Lebanon-born German Charr - who changed his name from Manuel to Mahmoud. How Tyson Fury's second season of Netflix reality show can be key to finally securing Anthony Joshua fight Charr long held the WBA's secondary heavyweight title but lost it to Kubrat Pulev in December - not returning since. Advertisement He now resides in Dubai where AJ was recently on holiday before also travelling to Oman on a visit. Charr went face-to-face in a tense stare down with Joshua and said: 'There's only one giant in Syria." The 40-year-old has a 34–5 record, notably losing to Vitali Klitschko in 2012. But his career - and life - was almost ended in 2015 when he was targeted in a drive-by shooting in a kebab shop in Essen. Advertisement He miraculously survived and lived to see his shooter, Youssef Hassan, sentenced to five years in prison after also undergoing two hip operations. Charr was astonishingly back in the ring just nine months later - to cap off a truly incredible comeback. He was 32 bouts into his career when his life was almost taken from him, following a cowardly assault from a Facebook troll. The attacker had been provoking the fighter online, posing videos of his losses on social media. Advertisement But when Charr offered to face the man behind the screen in person, he was subject to an assassination attempt. Charr had two tune-ups fights afterwards but later needed a double replacement, undergoing surgery in 2017 at the age of just 32. He told SunSport in 2022: "I am not afraid of anyone. Fear is a feeling and feelings can be controlled. Fear exists only in your mind." 5 Charr was shot four times in 2015 Credit: Instagram Advertisement 5 He returned to boxing after surviving the shooting Credit: Instagram 5 Youssef Hassan was given five years in prison for shooting Charr Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Anthony Joshua faces off with ex-champ who survived assassination attempt as Eddie Hearn opens up on new two-fight deal
ANTHONY JOSHUA faced off with forgotten heavyweight Mahmoud Charr - as Eddie Hearn confirmed plans for a two-fight deal. AJ has been out of action since a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September while an elbow injury - Advertisement 5 Forgotten heavyweight Mahmoud Charr facing off with Anthony Joshua 5 It comes with AJ in talks for a new two-fight deal But promoter Hearn revealed talks with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season for a pair of bouts are underway. He told "We've been doing that, [Turki Alalshikh] said that on the night of Canelo-Scull, when we had our meeting, and that's the plan really. "We want to box sometime this year, October, November, December.' Advertisement READ MORE IN BOXING Dubois, 27, now rematches Oleksandr Usyk, 38, on July 19 at Wembley two years after his stoppage loss to the Ukrainian. Usyk is coming off two wins over Tyson Fury, 36, last year which led to the Gypsy King's surprise retirement in January. Hearn still hopes Fury will return to face Joshua, 35, while London's undisputed title clash will also factor into their next move. He said: 'We'll see what happens with Dubois-Usyk. We'll see what happens with Fury. Advertisement Most read in Boxing CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "If we don't fight those guys, maybe we'll fight one of those guys next year.' Another name hoping to put himself in the mix to fight Joshua is Lebanon-born German Charr - How Tyson Fury's second season of Netflix reality show can be key to finally securing Anthony Joshua fight Charr long held the WBA's secondary heavyweight title but lost it to Kubrat Pulev in December - not returning since. Advertisement He now resides in Dubai where AJ was recently on holiday before also travelling to Oman on a visit. Charr went face-to-face in a tense stare down with Joshua and said: 'There's only one giant in Syria." The 40-year-old has a 34–5 record, notably losing to Vitali Klitschko in 2012. But his career - and life - was almost ended in 2015 when he was targeted in a Advertisement He miraculously survived and lived to see his shooter, Youssef Hassan, sentenced to five years in prison after also undergoing two hip operations. Charr was astonishingly back in the ring just nine months later - to cap off a truly incredible comeback. He was 32 bouts into his career when his life was almost taken from him, following a cowardly assault from a Facebook troll. The attacker had been provoking the fighter online, posing videos of his losses on social media. Advertisement But when Charr offered to face the man behind the screen in person, he was subject to an assassination attempt. Charr had two tune-ups fights afterwards but later needed a double replacement, undergoing surgery in 2017 at the age of just 32. He told SunSport in 2022: "I am not afraid of anyone. Fear is a feeling and feelings can be controlled. Fear exists only in your mind." 5 Charr was shot four times in 2015 Credit: Instagram Advertisement 5 He returned to boxing after surviving the shooting Credit: Instagram 5 Youssef Hassan was given five years in prison for shooting Charr Credit: Alamy
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Eddie Hearn drops Anthony Joshua injury update and reveals return fight plans
The two-time heavyweight world champion is hoping to return to competitive action later this year after undergoing successful elbow surgery Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has shared that his top client, Anthony Joshua, is plotting his next steps after a successful elbow operation. The two-time heavyweight world champion has not stepped into the ring since his crushing knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September. Initially, it seemed 'AJ' was gearing up for an immediate rematch with 'Triple D', but minor injuries from their first bout meant the 35-year-old was not ready for a quick return. The British boxer had planned a summer comeback, but an elbow injury delayed his return to full training. Now, post-surgery, Joshua is eyeing a return to the ring towards the end of the year, according to his promoter. "He's had the operation, which went very well, and now he's just sort of rehabbing it," Hearn told BoxingScene. "I believe about six weeks till he can punch again properly, and that kind of lends itself to a September, October, November fight. That gives us a chance to see what happens with Dubois against Usyk. That gives us a chance to see if Mr. Fury will ever return, and maybe something else. But he's definitely fighting this year and looking forward to it." Tyson Fury retired for the fifth time in January following his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. However, Joshua hasn't given up on the prospect of a match with the former champion. 'AJ' remains sceptical about Fury's retirement being permanent and seems confident that their bout could still happen. The 35-year-old recently shared a snap of himself watching Fury's fight on his private Snapchat, hinted at a future showdown with the 'Gypsy King', stating: "One of these days I'll be standing in the opposite corner. Ready and fully charged spiritually." However, Fury dealt another blow to his long-time rival by asserting he had nothing left to prove in the boxing ring. Speaking from Lake Como, he said: "I hear a lot of talk about the Gypsy King returning to boxing and I ask this question: for what? What would I return for? More belts? I've won 22 of them. "I've been used, that's it, fair play to them, they got their use out of me. But I'm happy, I am happy, content with what I have achieved and accomplished. I've been around the world and back again. And this is what retirement looks like for the Gypsy King, not too shabby." Fury added: 'I'm in no rush at all, to come back to boxing and get my face punched in. For what? What would I return for? I ask that question. I am retired and I am staying retired. I have nothing to prove to anybody and nothing to return for." The video was shared just days after he teased an imminent announcement hinting at a potential comeback. In an Instagram video alongside his father John Fury, the Gypsy King said: "Business meeting today, dad. En-route. Incoming, incoming." Before dropping a hint to his fans, Fury treated them to a sneak peek inside the gym with his coach SugarHill Steward. "Just in the gym, happened to bump into somebody you might know," the Gypsy King teased in the video he shared. As the camera swivelled to capture his trainer's beaming face, SugarHill made no secret of the excitement in the air, declaring: "You know what time it is!" Closing out his social media share, the heavyweight champ dangled a tantalising teaser, saying simply but suggestively: "You know what's coming."
Press and Journal
5 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen daft AJ, 10, lands gloves goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov used to win Scottish Cup for Dons
A Kincorth youngster has got his hands on two very special keepsakes from Aberdeen's historic Scottish Cup triumph – the goalie gloves Dimitar Mitov had on when he saved the pivotal penalty. Dons goalkeeper Mitov was the Dons' Hampden hero, not only denying Celtic's star-man Daizen Maeda late in normal time, but saving TWO of the Hoops' five penalty shoot-out efforts to secure a 4-3 spot-kicks victory for Jimmy Thelin's men. The Bulgarian denied Celtic captain Callum McGregor from 12 yards when he dived to his right, going the same way again to keep out Alistair Johnston and end Aberdeen's 35-year wait to lift the Scottish Cup. Having watched their side end an 11-year silverware drought, the Red Army were in raptures at the national stadium as they celebrated with their team. But 10-year-old AJ Plunkett got a special memento when Mitov came over and gifted him his gloves from the game. The shot-stopper had seen the Kirkhill Primary School pupil's banner dedicated to his top Don and rewarded him for his support. AJ – who was at the cup final with mum Sandie Sim and dad Brian Plunkett – said: 'I made a banner, because he's my hero – it was his face when we beat Ross County 1-0, when he was cheering. 'I was holding it up, and then he just came over, took off his gloves and pointed to me. 'He then gave them to the security guard, and then the security guard passed them to me.' AJ said he never stopped believing Aberdeen would claw back a one-goal deficit in the cup showpiece – with another of his favourite players, wideman Shayden Morris, at the root of the Dons' late equaliser in normal time. He added: 'The players just showed me everything's possible. 'I was nervous for the penalties, but I knew that we were gonna win. 'I was screaming my head off (when Mitov saved Johnston's penalty).' AJ, who saw his heroes again at Sunday's bus parade in the city centre, is a goalkeeper himself with Kincorth Youth Football Club Eagles 2014s. He now plans to get the gloves framed – though he is hoping Reds custodian Mitov can sign them for him first. AJ and his family have been season ticket-holders in Pittodrie's Main Stand since the start of the season. Not previously followers of football, Brian and Sandie started going to watch the Dons with AJ due to his passion for the game. Over the course of the season, they have not only been to home matches, but made multiple away trips as well. They have watched Aberdeen take on Ross County and Dundee United in the Premiership, as well as also going to Hampden for the League Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic and Scottish Cup semi win against Hearts. Sandie said: 'AJ just loves football, so we do it for him. 'I wasn't really a football person until AJ started playing himself. It was the same with his dad. 'Now we're just supporters as well!'
