Latest news with #Balogun
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Mike Balogun is the former NFL star who knocked out the son of a heavyweight legend and now faces Brit star Moses Itauma
Find out what huge teams the ex-linebacker played for DIFFERENT BAL GAME Mike Balogun is the former NFL star who knocked out the son of a heavyweight legend and now faces Brit star Moses Itauma MIKE BALOGUN is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxer daring to take out feared Brit Moses Itauma. Itauma is only 20 years old and 11 bouts into his professional career but has struck fear into the division with nine brutal knockouts. Advertisement 4 Mike Balogun is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxer Credit: Getty 4 Trey Lippe McKenzie, son of ex-champ Tommy, and Balogun Credit: Getty 4 Balogun faces Moses Itauma Credit: Getty He has even been dubbed the next Mike Tyson - who became the youngest heavyweight champion of all time aged 20. Finding willing opponents to put their reputation on the line against the youngster from London has proved to be Itauma's toughest fight so far. But stepping up this Saturday in Scotland on Josh Taylor's undercard is southpaw Balogun. The 6ft 1in American first made his name in the NFL, playing for the likes of the San Francisco 49ers, the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys. Advertisement READ MORE IN BOXING SYK IDEA Itauma lined up for sensational world title fight against Usyk this year But his career as a linebacker came to an end in 2012 - by that time he had already trained in boxing as part of his American football regime. It was only after being released by the Virginia Destroyers that Balogun decided to cross over to professional boxing. He made his debut in 2014 and his career transformation was underway. Balogun's biggest win to date came in 2021 when he knocked out Trey Lippe Morrison - son of the late former world champion Tommy. Advertisement CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The 41-year-old suffered his first and only defeat in 2023 to Murat Gassiev - who lost his cruiserweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk five years earlier. Balogun will come to the UK with nothing to lose meanwhile Itauma is tipped for greatness. Moses Itauma, 20, lined up for sensational world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk this year His promoter Frank Warren has already warned not to rule out a world title fight in the future with Usyk, 38. Advertisement Meanwhile Martin Bakole, 31, and Filip Hrgovic, 32, are two others on Itauma's radar. Warren told BoxNation: 'Billy Nelson (trainer of Bakole) sent me a text about him making the fight at the end of the year or next year. 'Moses is not sitting around waiting for him, is he? He's gonna get on with his business and who knows, I would expect by the end of this year for Moses to have at least another three fights. "I haven't got to drum up Bakole in my job, I'm in the Moses Itauma business and that's all I care about. Advertisement 'I think that's [Itauma and Hrgovic] also a good fight to make. I wouldn't have a problem doing that sometime this year.'
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Mike Balogun is the former NFL star who knocked out the son of a heavyweight legend and now faces Brit star Moses Itauma
MIKE BALOGUN is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxer daring to take out feared Brit Moses Itauma. Itauma is only 20 years old and 11 bouts into his professional career but has struck fear into the division 4 Mike Balogun is the former NFL star-turned-heavyweight boxer Credit: Getty 4 Trey Lippe McKenzie, son of ex-champ Tommy, and Balogun Credit: Getty 4 Balogun faces Moses Itauma Credit: Getty He has even been Finding willing opponents to put their reputation on the line against the youngster from London has proved to be Itauma's toughest fight so far. But stepping up this Saturday in Scotland on Josh Taylor's undercard is southpaw Balogun. The 6ft 1in American first made his name in the NFL, playing for the likes of the San Francisco 49ers, the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys. READ MORE IN BOXING But his career as a linebacker came to an end in 2012 - by that time he had already trained in boxing as part of his American football regime. It was only after being released by the Virginia Destroyers that Balogun decided to cross over to professional boxing. He made his debut in 2014 and his career transformation was underway. Balogun's biggest win to date came in 2021 when he knocked out Trey Lippe Morrison - son of the late former world champion Tommy. Most read in Boxing CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The 41-year-old suffered his first and only defeat in 2023 to Murat Gassiev - who lost his cruiserweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk five years earlier. Balogun will come to the UK with nothing to lose meanwhile Itauma is tipped for greatness. Moses Itauma, 20, lined up for sensational world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk this year His promoter Meanwhile Martin Bakole, 31, and Filip Hrgovic, 32, are two others on Itauma's radar. Warren told 'Moses is not sitting around waiting for him, is he? He's gonna get on with his business and who knows, I would expect by the end of this year for Moses to have at least another three fights. "I haven't got to drum up Bakole in my job, I'm in the Moses Itauma business and that's all I care about. 'I think that's [Itauma and Hrgovic] also a good fight to make. I wouldn't have a problem doing that sometime this year.' 4 Itauma is tipped for greatness in the heavyweight division Credit: PA
Scotsman
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers confirm big-name departures as betting suspended on next manager appointment
Six players exit Ibrox as club nears manager appointment Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rangers confirmed the departure of six first-team players on Tuesday as one bookmaker suspended betting on Steven Gerrad becoming the club's next manager. Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence and Leon Balogun have been released following the expiry of their contracts while loan players Vaclav Cerny, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Rafael Fernandes have returned to their parent clubs; Wolfsburg, Feyenoord and Lille respectively. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Romania international Hagi made 130 appearances for Rangers in more than five years, although he spent a season on loan with Alaves and found himself out of favour earlier this season because of an apparent trigger in his contract. The situation was eventually settled to allow the 26-year-old to return to the first team. Ianis Hagi has departed Rangers after five years with the club. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group A club statement read: 'After various conversations, both the club and Ianis have decided to part ways and mutually agreed to bring their time together to an end, after years full of great achievements and tough moments, always driven by the same ambition and commitment to the team.' Wales international Lawrence, 31, scored 12 goals in 69 appearances but injury affected his contribution during three years at Ibrox. Balogun earlier confirmed his departure from Rangers with a feeling of 'sadness' that he did not get to say goodbye to the Gers fans. The 36-year-old centre-half recently expressed his desire to extend his time at the Ibrox club who, in the midst of a takeover by a US consortium, are on the hunt for a new manager following Barry Ferguson's interim spell as boss. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Balogun's emotional farewell Balogun, in his second stint at Rangers, made 30 appearances this season, the last of which was against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday, where he came off in the first half with an injury. In his Instagram post, he wrote: 'If I would have known that the last 2 games of the season were my last for the club I would have made sure to say goodbye to all of you accordingly. Unfortunately I wasn't afforded that opportunity which saddens me as I would have liked to have walked round Ibrox one last time and returned all the love and support you've given me during my 2 stints. 'I don't know when I'll be back, but I promise I won't be a stranger. Thank you for making me feel at home and appreciated wherever we met. You've become more than just my club, you've become family. And for that I will be forever grateful. All the best my people.' Leon Balogun goes off injured, in what turns out to be his last match for Rangers, during the 2-2 draw with Hibs at Easter Road. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group The Berlin-born Nigeria international initially joined Rangers after leaving Wigan in 2020 and he won the William Hill Premiership title under Steven Gerrard in 2021. Balogun left for QPR in 2022 but returned to Govan after a year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said: 'So many memories, good ones as well as a few tough ones. But it's the latter especially that made my love for the club grow even stronger. The moments when we all stuck together and went again – no matter the disappointment or frustration. In these moments the club revealed what makes it most special: YOU. The people supporting us week in week out, near and far, demanding, expecting, pushing us to do better and go for glory. 'The people working for the club behind the scenes, meeting us with a smile everyday, doing their absolute best to contribute to the success of the club in their own way. You're the heartbeat of the club and it's been an honour to represent you!' The man who brought home the 55th title for the club and an invincible season sneaks into the top four after winning 125 of his 193 games in charge. | Getty Images Gerrard return on cards? Meanwhile, rumours of Gerrard's potential return to Ibrox have intensified after online bookmaker Betfair suspended betting on him becoming Rangers manager for a second time. Gerrard is odds-on favourite with other betting firms to become Philippe Clement's long-term successor after interim head coach Barry Ferguson left the club on Sunday. The former Liverpool captain left Glasgow for Aston Villa in November 2021 after more than three years in charge. He only won one trophy but it was an unbeaten league title triumph that prevented Celtic clinching a record 10 in a row. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
The next Rangers manager clue hiding in plain sight as Balogun exit sparks convincing conclusion
"The process is ongoing." That's the official, stock answer from Rangers on their search for a new manager. And of course, that's true as the club try to identify the right man to be be Philippe Clement's long-term successor. But when Leon Balogun revealed on Tuesday morning he hasn't been offered a contract extension at Ibrox, the big defender might also have posted a clue as to how far down the line Rangers actually are to getting their man. After all, you have to ask - who has made the decision not to keep Balogun for another year? The easy answer is new sporting director Kevin Thelwell, who is already heavily involved despite not officially arriving from Everton until next month. But surely Thelwell can't be making huge decisions on players' futures without consulting the new gaffer first? That would be crazy given that a boss coming in might be desperate to keep Balogun's experience, for example, within the building. So if Thelwell is already working in conjunction with someone to shape the squad for next season, that tells you Rangers are deep into the process of announcing their next manager - and an unveiling has to be imminent. Along with the Balogun's departure, you can throw the the Barry Ferguson situation into it as well. The club's interim boss felt last week he had a genuine chance of getting the job permanently after talks with Thelwell and CEO Patrick Stewart. But all of a sudden, as soon as Saturday's last Premiership fixture against Hibs was complete, they couldn't wait to get it out there that Ferguson's services were no longer required. Again, that quick, decisive action would suggest they're all but there on deciding who'll be in the dug-out for the start of pre-season. Steven Gerrard 's name is being heavily linked again and Davide Ancelotti's has never gone away. The likes of Russell Martin, Gary O'Neil and Rob Edwards were mentioned from the start, along with Thelwell's old Everton sidekick Sean Dyche. But if it was any of the above, would they not already be in situ at Ibrox? They're all out of work so what would be the hold up? Or has the club quietly been working away in the background with someone who's yet to be mentioned - and who is already making big decisions like allowing Balogun to leave?
STV News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Leon Balogun reveals Rangers exit in emotional social media post
Rangers defender Leon Balogun has revealed his time at the club is over in an emotional goodbye posted on social media. The 36-year-old made 30 appearances for the Ibrox side across all competitions during a turbulent campaign that ended at the weekend. He helped them reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League and League Cup final, but they trailed Celtic all season, eventually finishing 17 points behind in the Premiership, and were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Queen's Park. Balogun has made over 100 appearances across two spells at Rangers and as he confirmed his departure on Tuesday, he said it has been 'a pleasure, an honour and a great privilege' to represent the club. In a statement released to his X account, he paid tribute to the supporters, vowed not to be a 'stranger', and revealed his disappointment at not being afforded the opportunity to say goodbye in person. He said: 'It's that time again. 'No caption could summarise all that is going through my mind as I'm writing these lines. It's been nothing short of an honour, a pleasure and a great, great privilege to represent this massive club – twice! 'So many memories, good ones as well as a few tough ones. 'But it's the latter especially that made my love for the club grow even stronger. The moments when we all stuck together and went again – no matter the disappointment or frustration. 'In these moments the club revealed what makes it most special: YOU. 'The people supporting us week in week out, near and far, demanding, expecting, pushing us to do better and go for glory. The people working for the club behind the scenes, meeting us with a smile everyday, doing their absolute best to contribute to the success of the club in their own way. You're the heartbeat of the club and it's been an honour to represent you! 'If I would have known that the last two games of the season were my last for the club I would have made sure to say goodbye to all of you accordingly. 'Unfortunately, I wasn't afforded that opportunity, which saddens me as I would have liked to have walked round Ibrox one last time and returned all the love and support you've given me during my 2 stints. 'I don't know when I'll be back, but I promise I won't be a stranger. 'Thank you for making me feel at home and appreciated wherever we met. 'You've become more than just my club, you've become family. 'And for that I will be forever grateful. 'All the best my people.' The German-born Nigeria international initially signed for Rangers in 2020 and helped the club to a Premiership title, Scottish Cup and Europa League final before departing for QPR in 2022. He returned to Ibrox a year later and was part of the side that won the League Cup under Philippe Clement in 2023. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
