Sport
David Haye gets absolutely shredded as he drops to 10% body fat
He looks like he could step back in the ring tomorrow.
Ex-British fighter David Haye has been getting back in shape post-retirement and is looking absolutely shredded after dropping some serious weight.
The former boxer and unified cruiserweight world champion put down his gloves back in 2018 after losing to Tony Bellew in their blockbuster rematch and despite returning for a successful comeback fight against Joe Fournier in 2021, it seems like his fighting days are finally behind him.
With that in mind, the once-leading British heavyweight has been doing what most other sports personalities do after they call it quits: relaxing and enjoying all the food and drink they’ve denied themselves for most of their careers.
However, after cultivating a bit of a belly in with his time off, the 42-year-old decided to whip himself back into shape, setting himself the challenge of getting himself back down to 10% body fat for 2023.
Showing his before photo on 7 November alongside images of his typical physique before tacking on the mass, the goal was to shed 12.5% body fat by the New Year.
Moreover, he encouraged his followers to join him on his fitness journey by going to his website and setting their own fitness/weight loss challenges.
While he may have just missed his 1 January target, he still managed to get it done in only nine weeks — quite the achievement.
Here’s the result:
From 22.5% body fat to just 10 in a couple of months. Impressive stuff.
As he explains in the caption, he managed his rate of roughly 1.5% fat loss per week by “lowering carbs to between 30g-50g daily, very light training (2-4 times a week), intermittent fasting, nutrient loading” and, obviously, lots of water.
No stranger to keeping fit and making the weight before a bout, Haye said it wasn’t hard, “it just took a little discipline and structure with times and volumes of food tracked.”
Read more:
He went on to thank his “amazing ‘Accountability Team’ who crunched the numbers/calories keeping [him] updated on everything from nutrition, training, sleep, etc.”
From here on out, the plan is to keep building lean muscle, as well as “assisting people who want to make a change to their health and wellness, putting a sustainable customised structure in place, to guide them all the way through, until their health goals are met, and beyond.”
Haye, we’ll cheers (a healthy glass of water, of course) to that — well in, Dave.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — Manchester City
Sport
Greater Manchester cleans up at first-ever Festival of Women’s Football Awards
Danny Jones
This week marked the inaugural Festival of Women’s Football Awards (FWFA), which not only saw a whole host of female talent from up and down the English pyramid celebrated, but Greater Manchester in particular picked up a number of accolades.
Of course, we all know that 0161 is the true home of football, with Manchester’s rich sporting heritage known worldwide, but it’s always nice to see our region recognised for its continued contribution to the beautiful game.
That reputation goes double for the women’s game too, as the 2025 FWFA saw a trio of local clubs and a trio of different players winning across multiple categories.
Starting with the blue side of Manchester, Manchester City Women star Yui Hasegawa picked up Player of the Year from a strong shortlist of midfielders.
The 28-year-old Japanese international had been a key cog in Gareth Taylor’s side prior to his departure last month and under returning interim coach Nick Cushing.
Joining the club back in the summer of 2022, Hasegawa famously scored on her debut and was named in the PFA Team of the Year that season.
Playing in 92 of the 96 games since her arrival, she is widely considered not just one of the best midfielders in the Women’s Super League (WSL) but the world.
As for the red half of the city, not only did Phallon Tullis-Joyce – who has shone since filling the very big boots of Mary Earps – pick up the award for the best shotstopper, but centre-back Maya Le Tissier was named both Defender and Young Player of the Year.
We suppose you could call it a treble of sorts.
Still just 23 and already having represented the Lionesses too, she’s looking like one of Manchester United Women’s team’s most promising prospects.
As for club-wide awards, Wigan Athletic Women’s Team picked up the trophy for ‘Best Fan Experience’, with Greater Manchester and Wigan, specifically, already being noted as one of the trailblazing regions for growing regular attendances and nurturing future female footballers.
Latics Women only launched their squad this season but have already amassed a passionate following, hence the award, and also won the Lancashire Women’s County League Championship at the first time of asking.
Congratulations to all the Greater Mancunian footballing organisations and sports personalities recognised at this year’s Festival of Women’s Football Awards – here’s hoping for even more in 2026!
Read more:
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Taylor Vincent (via X)/FWFA (supplied)/Shimura19 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Sport
Bury FC announce partnership with big-name local brand after ‘milestone’ season
Danny Jones
Following their landmark North West Counties Football League title, Bury FC are toasting their trophy success with a significant new partnership, as multinational franchise JD Sports will be sponsoring the side moving forward.
The Premier Division champions sealed what they have dubbed a “milestone” first piece of silverware and first promotion for some time with a 4-0 win over Burscough FC last weekend: a moment which feels like a far cry away from the uncertainty of recent years.
A NWCFL Division One North title did come during the Bury AFC era.
It was only back in 2019 that Bury were dismissed from the EFL entirely, splintering into two teams after 125 years; fast forward to 2025 and now the Greater Manchester club are looking to reconsolidate their position in the football pyramid with efforts such as this latest commercial move.
Also founded in Bury back in 1981, JD Sports is the latest and most established local organisation to sponsor The Shakers to date, marking a big step forward for those around Gigg Lane.
While the exact nature of their collaboration (i.e. featuring logo on kits, around the stadium and so on) is yet to be detailed, nor has the initial length of the partnership deal been confirmed, getting the brand on board is still a big coup.
Not only is the retailer a well-known name in sports apparel and high-street fashion, with their own line of more than 90 JD Gyms across the UK too, but as a fellow local turned nationwide business from the same borough, their success story is also one that Bury FC can take plenty of inspiration from.
With a league record-breaking 8,719 fans filing into their historic home ground for the final game of the season, demonstrating an extraordinary level of support and loyalty throughout the community, teaming up with JD is an extension of “reignited pride” and brings football back to the heart of the local area.
As for JD – which also boasts a glowing global presence in over 36 countries – sports partnership manager Abi Haywood went on to add: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Bury FC, a club that sits at the heart of our community. As a company founded in Bury, this partnership means a lot to us.
“It’s about more than football – it’s about giving back to the town that helped shape who we are. We’re proud to support Bury FC and to play a part in the club’s future, both on and off the pitch.”
The Shakers signed off the announcement by stating: “As Bury FC continues its mission to climb back up the football pyramid, the Club remains deeply committed to regaining its place at the heart of the community.
“With the support of local businesses, lifelong fans, and a town full of pride, Bury FC is building a future worthy of its historic name.”
Here’s hoping this is just the start of an already brilliant comeback and that Bury never need come back from so close to the brink again.
Up The Shakers.
Read more:
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — @ftchris/Leo Reynolds (via Flickr)
