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IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Liverpool legend Michael Owen mourns loss of Diogo Jota
Liverpool star Diogo Jota was killed in a car crash in Spain on Thursday morning. Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP Image: Paul Ellis/AFP Former Liverpool striker and Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen has expressed deep sorrow after the tragic deaths of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André in a car accident on Thursday. Jota, aged 28, and his brother tragically lost their lives in the crash, a devastating event that sent shockwaves through the football community. Michael Owen, currently serving as a Sunbet Ambassador, shared his heartfelt remarks during a media briefing at Sibaya Casino in Durban, just ahead of the highly anticipated Durban July horse racing event. "I think I heard the news yesterday while I was up in the sky flying over to Durban. It's just the most tragic, most awful bit of news that you can have really. My first thoughts are with the family," Owen said. "Diogo's mum has lost her two sons. Diogo himself was only married about two weeks. He leaves behind a wife and three young children. It just doesn't bear thinking about how sad it is and how much pain and grief people are going through at the moment. "First and foremost, that's my initial reaction being a father myself. I can't imagine. Of course, football side in many ways is irrelevant when you have so much grief from family members like that. So, yeah, tragic. You can't find the words to explain how you feel". Jota was an integral part of Liverpool's recent successes. Since joining the club in 2020, he has played a pivotal role in their Premier League title triumph last season. The Portuguese forward was also part of the squad that lifted the FA Cup in the 2021/22 campaign and reached the UEFA Champions League final that same season. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp also paid tribute to Jota on his Instagram account on Thursday, expressing his heartbreak over the loss. "This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it! I'm heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother André. "Diogo was a not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much! "All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace - LoveJ." IOL
IOL News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
High-riding Michael Owen: Football Legend turned horseracing ambassador
MICHAEL Owen, the legendary former England and Liverpool striker, and now SunBet brand ambassador is in the country and will be experiencing the Durban July for the first time on Saturday. Image: Supplied FAMED footballer and analyst Michael Owen airing his authoritative views on the possible Hollywoodbets Durban July outcome on Saturday will not be something that drops horseracing people and punters out of their saddles. Owen is very familiar with all things horseracing. He's a respected UK-based horsebreeder, owner and his large stable has produced many champion runners that have won some of the biggest races around the world. Owen is a Sunbet ambassador who has been lined-up for a few engagements before and after Saturday's big racing event at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, which will be his maiden experience. Legendary English footballer Michael Owens will experience the pace and setting of the Hollywoodbets Durban July weekend. Image: Instagram Some of Owen's Sunbet appointments include a panel discussion about the big race with leading local personalities on Thursday, media and fan engagements and he's also excited about a planned visit to the Summerveld Training Centre, one of the country's leading horse yards. But the big drawcard for him is the outing on Saturday. 'It's a race renowned all over the world and I can't wait to experience it in person. I have followed South African racing for some time and they have always produced very good horses. 'It's great the restrictions have been lifted and hopefully we will see more of the South African horses on the world stage too.' His affinity for all things horsey kicked in around age 10, by then his football goalscoring ability had already taken its stride. 'It was my dad who caused it. If I scored a couple of goals on a Saturday we would stop outside the bookies (bookmakers), he'd give me a pound and I'd be able to buy some sweets while he went in to place bets. 'We'd go home and put the TV on – horseracing was the only sport on at the time on a Saturday afternoon. 'When I got to around 13 I used to read up in the newspapers about which jockeys were winning the races and who their trainers were and started to pick the horses out for dad and that's where my love for horses began.' Owen remembered returning from a FIFA World Cup Tournament (France 1998), he was 18 then, when his England teammate, David Platt, talked to him about owning a horse. 'I just assumed it was just for the Queen and the sheikhs of the world, not the man on the street like me. 'He (Platt) introduced me to his trainer, John Gosden. I subsequently had all my horses with John, the numbers kept swelling and by the time I got to my early twenties I was thinking, I may be a footballer now, but I won't be one forever.' He responded by building his own yard at age 22, by then he already owned horses. This led to the establishment of Manor House in Cheshire, which grew appreciably over the years and now stands as one of the biggest yards in an area that is well-known for horse rearing and training. Owen said he and his team kept pushing boundaries at Manor House and have been the pacesetters when it came to the use of science and technology at his yard that is home to a string of more than 130 horses. Hugo Palmer is the current trainer at Manor House. Some of his Manor House charges have competed around the globe in prestigious events like the Melbourne Cup and Breeders Cup. 'I'm really pleased with how the stables have grown and improved. 'I am probably most proud of Brown Panther - I bred him and co-owned him and he went on to win the Dubai Gold Cup and the Irish St Ledger.' On how he straddles between football analysis and running a flourishing stable, Owen said: 'Football still takes priority - working on football is my day job and I love it. Alongside my work on the TV, I have a few commercial sponsors that I work with, but whenever I'm not working I'm at Manor House.' DAILY NEWS
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Bridgerweight champion eyes victory on South African soil
South African boxing will witness a moment of historic significance on May 1 as Kevin 'KO King' Lerena steps into the ring at SunBet Arena to become the first South African to defend a WBC world title on home soil. The headline bout of 'The Reckoning', presented by Sunbet in partnership with Legacy Boxing Promotions, marks a milestone for both Lerena and the nation's boxing legacy. For Lerena, this title defence against Ukraine's Serhiy Radchenko in the WBC Bridgerweight division is more than just another fight, it is a dream realised and a legacy in the making. Also read: Boxer's journey to WBC title fight 'It is an absolute honour,' he said. 'I am all for making history, and this is another opportunity to write it. To do it in front of my Lerena Army, I am so grateful for the opportunity.' Lerena's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From dominating the cruiserweight division with seven successful world title defences to challenging heavyweight Daniel Dubois, his path has been one of relentless ambition and calculated evolution. 'It is been meteoric. From defending a cruiserweight world title seven times, fighting Dubois for the world title, and then challenging for this new belt in a new weight division, surreal. 'I leave no stone unturned. I have that champion mindset. The hard graft is put in daily gym sessions, sparring, and recovery. It is a skilled programme that we adapt and follow.' Also read: The Storm brews historic night of boxing in Sandton Radchenko, riding a strong win streak, brings technical finesse to the fight, but Lerena is not fazed. 'He is a good boxer. Technically sound. But I am not worried about what he has done or is doing, I focus on what I am doing to get better and be better prepared come fight night.' Though known for his explosive knockout power, earning him the moniker 'KO King,' Lerena insists victory, in any form, is the primary goal. 'By being patient and landing the mark, I just want a victory. A knockout is a bonus.' More than a personal milestone, he sees this event as a turning point for South African boxing. Read more: Thrilling boxing tournament in Alexandra highlights athletic excellence 'Yeah, I respect the greats who paved the way for fighters like me. But it is my time now to cement my legacy. To be the third ever South African to hold a world title, and to be in the company of Dingaan Thobela and Sugarboy Malinga, gives me great pride.' Looking beyond May 1, he has his sights set on even bigger challenges. 'I have one goal in mind: to get another shot at the heavyweight world title. But for now, we focus, align and get ready for fight night.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
