Fury vs Usyk wide of marq

IN a fortnight’s time, one of THE sporting events in decades will take place – a fight that will decide the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

The last time one of those happened was in 1999 when Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield on points in a rematch in Las Vegas.

Fury-Usyk should not only be billed as a fight for the ages, it should be billed as a happening for the ages.

But two weeks away from the contest, only committed boxing fans seem to have any interest in it (the rivals, above).

That will change on the night but to the wider sporting public, FuryUsyk is just another trophy-buy for the Saudis, another garish night in the so-called Riyadh Season.

It should be an epic fight – let’s hope so – but it should be in one of boxing’s marquee venues.

And if it was taking place in Madison Square Garden, at Wembley, or in Vegas, people would not need reminding that one of THE sporting events is actually happening.

EVERTON fans would have needed a double-take when Neal Maupay was boasting about how his goal record compares favourably with James Maddison’s.

This is the same Neal Maupay who managed one goal in 32 appearances for Everton.

And if my maths are correct, this is the same Neal Maupay (left) who, in the Premier League, has averaged a goal every five hours and 12 minutes (compared with Maddison’s one every four hours and 54 minutes). And the same Neal Maupay who makes an assist once every 16 hours (compared with Maddison’s once every five hours and 36 minutes). In a way, you have to admire Maupay’s cockiness… and if he had the same self-assurance with the ball at his feet, you could actually take him seriously.