Latest news with #MetroSport
Metro
6 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Phil Taylor helps Luke Humphries beat Luke Littler to Premier League Darts title
Luke Humphries thanked Phil Taylor for his 'advice and support' after he beat rival Luke Littler 11-8 to become the 2025 Premier League Darts champion. In a repeat of last year's final – which Littler won – Humphries got revenge on The Nuke to secure his first Premier League Darts title at London's O2 Arena. The pair have shared better quality matches but Humphries recovered from a shaky start to power past the current world champion. Humphries, the 2024 world champion, beat Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals, while Littler saw off Gerwyn Price by the same scoreline. The Premier League was the only major trophy still alluding Humphries and he said lifting the trophy 'meant the world to him'. Humphries, 30, also revealed he beat 18-year-old Littler to the title with the help of 16-time world champion Taylor. 'This one means the world to me, that was the one I was missing,' Humphries told Sky Sports. 'It was the one I wanted, I have done it now. 'If I don't win another title, I am happy as I have done the three hardest ones to do. 'Phil Taylor has given me a lot of support over the last couple of weeks so, Phil, if you are watching, thank you. He have me a lot of advice and that extra support. 'The Premier League is the hardest one to win. The Worlds is prestigious but this is very close to winning the Worlds. 'You can't have four or five bad weeks, you have to be good for 16 weeks on the trot. You have to be at your best.' On Premier League runner-up Littler, Humphries added: 'I love Luke to bits. He is one of my best mates on tour and he is so good. 'He wasn't at his best tonight, neither was I. I thought the game was going to go away from me at 3-0 down. 'He is a great player, a great lad, and I will get in early before he trounces everyone.' Littler topped the Premier League Darts table with a record-breaking 27 victories but failed to hit his top form in the final. 'No one likes losing but I am fine,' he said. 'I am glad to say it's over as it has been a tough 17 weeks. 'I have set many records and I don't think they will be broken. I am going to try and break my own records next season. 'I will have a little break now. I will be back next year.' Reacting to Humphries' Premier League victory, former player and popular commentator Wayne Mardle said: 'Luke is an absolute champion on and off the oche. More Trending 'You will not meet a kinder soul in this game. He has done it the hard way tonight.' Ex-Premier League champion Glen Durrant added: 'Cool Hand was amazing there. 'The respect that Luke Littler gave him has to be commended. It was a slow burner from Luke Humphries but try to take that smile off his face now. 'There's great respect between the pair of them and I'm sure we will have many more finals.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Premier League Darts final 2025: Prize money, start time, format and schedule MORE: Gerwyn Price makes prediction ahead of Luke Littler Premier League Darts clash MORE: Luke Littler fires back at rival claiming he is heading for early retirement
Metro
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Mary Earps announces shock retirement from England Lionesses
Mary Earps has announced her retirement from international football just 36 days before the start of England's Women's European Championship campaign. 'I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally,' Earps said in a statement. 'It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players. 'I've spent a long time making this decision and it's not one I've made lightly. For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive. Winning the Euros in 2022 was the best day of my life, and I'm rooting for the girls to do it again this summer.' England manager, Sarina Wiegman, said she is 'disappointed' by Earps' decision. More Trending 'I had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer, so of course I am disappointed,' said Wiegman. 'Mary has been clear on her reasons why she has made the decision and it is something we need to accept. 'Mary has made a huge contribution to not only the team, but the whole of English football. We will cherish those memories and of course give Mary the tributes she deserves after the summer but for now the focus needs to be on the upcoming Uefa Women's Nations League fixtures and the Euros.' More to follow… For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Ian Wright aims dig at Arsenal men's team after Women's Champions League win MORE: Arsenal stun Barcelona to win Women's Champions League final MORE: Man Utd's Grace Clinton bullish ahead of FA Cup final: 'Chelsea aren't invincible'
Metro
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Pacquiao was spoon-fed by wife after last fight - at 46, he's back for another
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has announced a sensational and controversial return to the ring aged 46 almost four years after his last fight. The Filipino, widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, will face Mario Barrios for the WBC world welterweight title on July 19 in Las Vegas. Pacquiao is bidding to become boxing's oldest welterweight world champion and will return to the ring for the first time since August 2021, when he was beaten on points by Yordenis Ugas. 'I'm back,' Pacquiao said on social media. 'Let's make history.' Speculation over Pacquiao's return has intensified in recent weeks and the WBC controversially reinstated the boxing great into their rankings at number five despite his inaction. Defending the decision, WBC president Mauricio Suliman said: 'Manny Pacquiao has been licensed by Nevada and passed all medicals and as legendary WBC champion has been approved to fight by our organisation.' Pacquiao established himself as one of the greats of the sports in the 2000s, winning 62 of his 72 fights and becoming a four-time welterweight champion. His upcoming opponent, Mexican-American 30-year-old Barrios, has won 29 of his 32 bouts, with 18 of those victories coming by way of knockout. Barrios last fought on the undercard of Mike Tyson's controversial comeback fight against Jake Paul in November of last year, sharing a draw with Abel Ramos. Fans have expressed concern over Pacquiao's boxing return after he was left with horrific injuries following his last fight in August 2012. Footage emerged of the Filipino struggling to open his eyes in the days after the bout and being spoon-fed by his wife. Pacquiao was well-beaten by Ugas over 12 rounds after the Cuban boxer was drafted in as a late replacement for Errol Spence Jr, who pulled out due to an eye injury. Following that defeat, Pacquiao indicated he would be hanging up his boxing gloves for good but is now set to return at the age of 46. 'In the future, you might not see Manny Pacquiao again to fight in the ring,' Pacquiao said in his post-fight press conference. 'I don't know. But for how many decades, I'm so happy with what I've done in boxing. 'I contributed a record and brought boxing to the top, and especially, brought honour to my country, the Filipino people.' More Trending Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is among those to express concern over Pacquiao's boxing return and does not expect a competitive fight in Vegas. 'He will never beat Barrios in a million years, and I don't even rate Barrios,' Hearn said in an interview with iFL TV. 'If Manny Pacquiao went and had a big win in boxing, then of course I'd put him in with our guys, and he was WBC world champion. 'But he won't, and he shouldn't be fighting. And he certainly shouldn't be fighting for the world title.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Metro
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Rory McIlroy sends blunt message to Bryson DeChambeau as Masters drama returns
Rory McIlroy admitted he was left confused by Bryson DeChambeau's comments about his demeanour during the final round of the Masters last month. Paired together in the final round at Augusta National, McIlroy would go on to end his long-running major drought and complete the career Grand Slam with a gripping playoff victory over Justin Rose. The American, by contrast, faded away from contention and later admitted he was taken aback by McIlroy's decision not to speak to him throughout the final round. 'Didn't talk to me once all day,' DeChambeau said at the time. 'He wouldn't talk to me. He was just like – just being focused, I guess. It's not me, though.' With the two set to renew their rivalry at this week's PGA Championship, DeChambeau's comments have been revisited, although McIlroy is still not sure why the American took issue with his approach. 'I don't know what he was expecting,' the world No.2 said ahead of his first round at Quail Hollow. 'We're trying to win the Masters. I'm not going to try to be his best mate out there. 'Look, everyone approaches the game in different ways. Yeah, like I was focused on myself and what I needed to do. That's really all that it was. 'It wasn't anything against him – it's just I felt that's what I needed to do to try to get the best out of myself that day.' A long and damp Quail Hollow course should provide an additional advantage to both McIlroy and DeChambeau, who are two of the game's premier drivers of the ball. More Trending And DeChambeau is hopeful that the pair will get a chance for another final-round dust this week. 'I do believe you have to have a lot of distance out here, the two-time US Open Champion noted. 'Rory is a great driver of the golf ball and his iron play is great, too. 'I think it's a golf course that sets up for his shot shapes pretty well, and I think it sets up well for mine, too. We'll see. Maybe I do well, maybe I don't. 'But I'm certainly going to give it my all, and I know Rory is. Hopefully we can have another go at it again like The Masters.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: US PGA Championship 2025: Tee times, TV schedule, start time, odds and how to watch in UK MORE: Red-hot Rory McIlroy will feel right at home as US PGA Championship visits Quail Hollow MORE: Rory McIlroy sends ominous warning to rivals ahead of US PGA Championship
Metro
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Tommy Fury calls out 'scared' Jake Paul after comeback fight in Budapest
Tommy Fury has called out Jake Paul for a rematch following his return to the ring on Friday night. Fury had not boxed since his victory over KSI at the Manchester Arena in October 2023 but staged a successful comeback in Budapest, Hungary, on Friday evening as he beat Kenan Hanjalic in six rounds. The 26-year-old, who has admitted he struggled with alcohol addiction following his well-publicised split from Molly-Mae Hague last year, beat Jake Paul via split decision in a lucrative fight in Saudi Arabia in February 2023. Paul has since beat both MMA fighter Nate Diaz and legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson, while he is due to fight the former WBC middleweight champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, in California on June 28. Fury's absence from the ring was forced due to recovery from hand surgery in January last year, but he is now targeting a second fight with Paul. 'Jake Paul's a bitch and he's running scared,' Fury said after his comeback win against Hanjalic on Friday. More Trending 'Hey, Jake, hand's fixed now, baby, the hand's fixed. 'I fought a guy in here tonight who has had over 100 amateur fights, he's experienced and he's as tough as teak. 'If Jake Paul wants to step inside this ring, I guarantee you next time I will knock him spark out. 'I've had two years out of the ring, this is after two years. I will knock that bum out wherever he wants it.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Molly-Mae Hague breaks silence on her New Years kiss with Tommy Fury: 'I was shaking' MORE: Joseph Parker drops huge Tyson Fury return hint and reacts to Usyk vs Dubois decision MORE: Molly-Mae Hague is chucked off horse in shocking new trailer for Amazon Prime series
