Latest news with #BlackBallFinal
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Zhao Xintong, 28, tipped to become richest snooker player in history and dwarf Ronnie O'Sullivan's earnings
ZHAO XINTONG has been tipped to become the richest snooker player in history. Yet Asia's first world champion has been warned by his manager that he is not allowed to splash too much cash despite his £500,000 title winnings. Advertisement 3 Zhao Xintong is tipped to become the richest snooker player in history 3 Xintong could make more than snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan 3 Ronnie O'Sullivan has earned close to £15million in career prize money The Chinese cueist flies home on Wednesday and if the reception he received outside the Crucible is any gauge, he will be mobbed on his return. Hordes of fans waited patiently for him outside the Stage Door to the Sheffield theatre following his 18-12 win over Mark Williams – and they were back again on Tuesday morning for selfies and autographs. Sheffield-based Advertisement Read More on Snooker WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: 'Xintong has the potential to become the richest earning snooker player in the history of the sport. 'That's quite a bold statement when you think about the titles that 'But the size of the market is huge and when you see the association of the brands who want to partner with snooker, it has endless potential. 'Let's sing the praises of this young boy. He's an amazing talent. To go all the way in this is nothing short of a miracle. Advertisement Most read in Snooker CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'This is one of the biggest occasions snooker has ever seen. 'We've seen the growth in the China market and we've seen the size and scale of grass-roots development underneath that. Emotional Zhao Xintong shares touching moment with rarely-seen girlfriend after World Snooker Championship triumph 'To see a world champion returning to China a national hero is really going to send the sport to another level.' Advertisement So much of this year's tournament had been framed by the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Black Ball Final, one of the significant moments in the sport's history and enduring popularity. Xintong's victory, albeit tainted by his past involvement in a match-fixing scandal, could have a similar impact in the Far East. There are more than 300,000 official snooker and billiards clubs in China and it is played by hundreds of millions of people. Ferguson reckons opening up this key Far Eastern market might open doors at IOC level and help their chances of being part of a future Olympic Games, maybe as soon as Brisbane 2032. Advertisement He said: 'We're talking to all the multi-sport bodies. There's a lot of politics involved and these bids are about multi-cue sports. 'Probably the best potter' 'It's quite complicated. But at the end of the day, the size of snooker now, how important China is to the IOC, someone has to look at this today and say this is now snooker's time. 'It's a game-changer for us if we get in somewhere like the Olympics. The Paralympics may be another route.' Williams – who downed shots at the after-party while Xintong left after just an hour – called his opponent ' probably the best potter I've ever seen'. Advertisement The Welshman, 50, said: 'Good luck to him. I'm sure he's going to earn a few quid out of this. 'He could dominate or at least give Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson a run for their money. We've got a new superstar. 'I'm sure there are Chinese companies ready to throw zillions at him already. Ronnie O'Sullivan comparisons 'It's great for our sport to have someone attacking and young. He's 28. Not a Luke Littler but similar. Advertisement 'He's as close and as good to watch as O'Sullivan when he was younger. 'He just walks round the table as if he's going to the toilet, strolling, and pots from anywhere and walks around without a care in the world. 'Two minutes later he's on 65, and you have no idea how he's got 60 just like that.' Xintong's manager Victoria Shi – who runs an academy in Sheffield – will make sure he does not get too big for his boots as the money floods in. Advertisement She said: 'Let him enjoy it, but if he enjoys it too much, I'll tell him off. I will. He practises for six or seven hours a day. He works hard. 'He's the first Asian world champion. That's huge. Its like if Tottenham won the Premier League and Son [Heung-min] was the first Asian footballer to win. It's the same.'
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Dennis Taylor's divorce from first wife, BBC U-turn, Alex Higgins threat
Dennis Taylor remains a hugely popular figure in snooker circles (Image: Getty Images/Visual China Group) The soothing voice of Dennis Taylor will again be gracing this weekend's World Snooker Championship final. The ex-Crucible champion, now 76, continues to be a beloved figure in the sport. In addition to his victory over Steve Davis in the iconic 'Black Ball Final' of 1985, Taylor is famous for his distinctive upside-down glasses, which played a crucial role in that win. Four decades on from his crowning moment, Taylor continues to tour the country with Davis and fellow legend John Virgo, discussing the most memorable match in snooker history and his overall career. Meanwhile, he continues to share his humour and insights from the BBC commentary box during Triple Crown events, including the current World Championship. Here's a rundown on Taylor, covering his career earnings, a BBC U-turn and his notorious encounter with fellow Northern Irishman Alex Higgins.... Taylor raked in around £1.5million in prize money during his professional career from 1972 to 2000. His 1985 world title netted him £60,000, equivalent to £183,000 in today's money, according to the Bank of England currency calculator. This year's champion will pocket £500,000. Taylor also clinched the Masters in 1987, staging an impressive comeback to defeat Higgins and bag £51,000. Taylor celebrates becoming world snooker champion (Image: Getty Images) It's 40 years since Taylor lifted the famous trophy (Image: Getty Images) Taylor's days in the commentary box looked numbered in 2022 when Virgo announced that the BBC planned to drop the pair, only for the corporation to have a change of heart after a public backlash from snooker fans. The pair were backed by veteran pro-turned-commentator Joe Perry, who has worked alongside both. "What they know, doesn't come cheaply, that's years and years of experience," he told the Metro. "They might miss a few tricks with some shots that some boys play today but they do know their stuff and they're excellent at their job." Taylor continues to commentate with John Virgo after a BBC U-turn (Image: Getty Images) Lancashire-based Taylor has three children with first wife Patricia. The couple later divorced, with Taylor partly putting the marriage breakdown down to the demands on him after winning the world title. He remarried in 2001 to Louise, with the couple having a son and a daughter. Taylor found had an, at times, volatile relationship with the game's notorious maverick, 'Hurricane' Higgins. Things took a dark turn during the 1990 World Cup when they represented Northern Ireland together, with Higgins threatening to have Taylor shot. The flashpoint occurred when Higgins, after losing a frame, insisted on taking Taylor's turn, which was against the event's rules. A fuming Higgins confronted Taylor with the chilling words: "The next time you go back home I'm going to have you shot." Alex Higgins and Taylor at the height of their rivalry (Image: Independent News) This alarming confrontation was witnessed by reporters and quickly became a major story. Reflecting on the row and their overall rapport in 2004 with the Belfast Telegraph, as Higgins fought cancer before his death in 2010, Taylor said: "There was some nastiness between us then, I can't deny that. "But I've got nothing but good feelings for Alex now - and I wish him all the best in his battle against cancer. The ill-feeling we once had has long gone."
Wales Online
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Dennis Taylor's earnings, BBC U-turn and backlash, snooker rival who said he'd have him shot
Dennis Taylor's earnings, BBC U-turn and backlash, snooker rival who said he'd have him shot The lowdown on snooker legend Dennis Taylor's life on and off the table as he prepares to commentate on another World Championship final at the Crucible Dennis Taylor remains a hugely popular figure in snooker circles (Image: Getty Images ) Dennis Taylor's dulcet tones will be heard during this weekend's World Snooker Championship final. The former Crucible champion remains one of the most popular figures in the sport and is still going strong at the age of 76. Along with beating Steve Davis in the 'Black Ball Final' of 1985, Taylor is best known for his unique upside-down glasses, which played a vital part in that triumph. A massive 40 years on from his greatest moment on the baize, Taylor is still touring the country with Davis and fellow legend John Virgo, talking about snooker's most famous match and his career in general. Meanwhile, he imparts his wit and wisdom from the BBC commentary box during Triple Crown events, including the current World Championship. Here's the lowdown on Taylor, including his career earnings, being the centre of a BBC U-turn and his infamous run-in with fellow Northern Irishman Alex Higgins… Career earnings According to CueTracker, Taylor earned just shy of £1.5million during a professional career that began in 1972 and concluded in 2000. His 1985 world title saw him bank £60,000, the equivalent of £183,000 in today's money, per the Bank of England currency calculator. This year's winner will collect £500,000. Taylor also won the Masters in 1987, staging a dramatic fightback to beat Higgins to net £51,000. The 1985 world final between Steve Davis and Taylor remains the most-watched match in snooker history (Image: SSPL/Getty Images ) Article continues below BBC backlash and U-turn Taylor's days in the commentary box looked numbered in 2022 when Virgo announced that the BBC planned to drop the pair, only for the corporation to have a change of heart after a public backlash from snooker fans. The pair were backed by veteran pro-turned-commentator Joe Perry, who has worked alongside both. 'I've worked with Virgo and Dennis and what they know, doesn't come cheaply, that's years and years of experience,' he told the Metro. 'They might miss a few tricks with some shots that some boys play today but they do know their stuff and they're excellent at their job. 'Commentary isn't just what's going on on the table, there's introducing the frames, closing the frames out, creating the drama and they're excellent at that. We might understand the modern game a bit better, but we've got a lot to learn from them on that part of the job.' Taylor continues to commentate with John Virgo after a BBC U-turn (Image:) Family life Lancashire-based Taylor has three children with first wife Patricia, a daughter called Denise and two sons, Damian and Brendan. The couple divorced, with Taylor partly putting the breakdown of the marriage down to the demands on him after winning the world title. He remarried in 2001 to Louise, with the couple having a son, Cameron, and a daughter, Amber. Shooting threat Like most top players in the 1980s, Taylor had a stormy relationship with the sport's biggest hellraiser, Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins. However, their relationship took a particularly threatening twist when Higgins threatened to have Taylor shot following a dispute at the 1990 World Cup, where they played together for Northern Ireland. After losing a frame, Higgins wanted to go back to the table and take Taylor's turn, which was against tournament rules. The Hurricane was left furious and took his anger out on Taylor, saying: "The next time you go back home I'm going to have you shot." Alex Higgins and Taylor at the height of their rivalry (Image: Independent News) Article continues below The exchange was overheard by journalists and became a major news story. Addressing the incident and their general relationship, Taylor told the Belfast Telegraph in 2004 as Higgins, who died in 2010, battled cancer: 'There was some nastiness between us then, I can't deny that. "But I've got nothing but good feelings for Alex now - and I wish him all the best in his battle against cancer. The ill-feeling we once had has long gone."
