We’ve now seen enough stories, interviews and admittedly convincing speculation to start seriously wondering whether Bugzy Malone is going to fight Floyd Mayweather.
Yes, in case you haven’t been keeping an eye on this story which looks to be gradually building more and more momentum, UK rapper and actor Bugzy Malone is being linked with a possible boxing match with one of the most successful fighters to have ever lived, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
One of the biggest and most anticipated match-ups in years is just around the corner between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk (no, it’s actually happening this time, honest) but some fans now have their eye on an arguably more exciting exhibition that could take place right here in Manchester.
In fact, it’s now become such a genuine possibility that Bugzy himself, real name Aaron Daniel Davies, even addressed the rumours head-on in a recent interview with Eddie Hearn.
Bugzy Malone reveals to Eddie Hearn how rumours about him fighting Floyd Mayweather started 🥊👀
Floyd is said to even be willing to let him fight above his usual weight category. Bold.
As the local grime artist from Crumpsall reveals in his sit down with the boxing mogul, who said that people in the industry had been hearing talk of a fight for some time, Floyd himself is said to have asked someone to contact Bugzy about a potential fight by way of a ‘private jet’ enquiry, no less.
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Random one, for sure, but that’s just rich people things.
As detailed in the full episode of Hearn’s No Passion, No Point podcast for the BBC, it was actually Mayweather Senior who apparently saw a video of the Manc rapper training online and went on to suggest the fight to his son.
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Having seen his physique and admitting he “looks strong”, and Bugzy’s love of boxing well-documented – a discipline he turned to earlier in his career to try and ‘stay out of trouble’ – Mayweather Jr then had this call set up and quickly began a discussion surrounding potential fight papers.
The 33-year-old even addressed the contract being ‘on the table’ in a snippet from the song ‘Daily Duppy’ from his latest album, The Great British Dream, which dropped on Friday, 10 May.
This was the first public mention of Bugzy Malone vs Mayweather by either party, as far as we know.
Only ever having really plied his trade in the amateur arena, the prospective bout obviously wouldn’t be a full professional fight and with Mayweather having already taken on a number of exhibitions – most notably against influencer Logan Paul – his interest was already believable even before Hearn’s interview.
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As Bugzy confessed in the chat, he had already been offered multiple fights in the past but had turned them down due to the advent of “YouTube boxing“, insisting that he’s “not really interested in stepping into it”, but a credible offer for an actual fight against a legendary sportsman would turn anyone’s head.
Mayweather famously boasts a 50-0 unbeaten record, including 27 knockouts and 12 world championships in five different weight classes. Well, Bugzy won Best Grime Act at the MOBOs this year, so shove it.
Fellow boxing promoter Spencer Fearon also weighed in on how plausible the punch-up currently is, going on to corroborate details surrounding said offer made by the private jet company backed by millionaires and adding that Bugzy “can actually fight”, for those who were wondering about his ability.
As Fearon puts it, the fight is “one million per cent genuine”, it’s a case of both sides being willing to pull the trigger and decide on things like the fight purse etc.
As for when we could expect to see this fight, who knows? However, there are indications it could happen later this year and the Manchester native would obviously want to have it at the AO Arena where the likes of Fury, Ricky Hatton, Anthony Crolla and others from the region have fought before him.
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If you’ve seen even one picture of Bugzy Malone before you’ll know the man keeps himself in shape, but you only have to take a glance at the top of his Instagram page to see he’s been training pretty hard since last summer.
The question is, will the stars align and could, say, summer 2024 be the moment in sporting and entertainment crossover history that we get to see Bugzy Malone take on Floyd Mayweather in the ring?
Featured Images — Bugzy Malone (via IG)/No Passion, No Point (via BBC)/rcelis (via Pixabay)
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Manchester United to debut first ‘tifo’ banner before Lyon game
Danny Jones
Manchester United is set to debut its first-ever ‘tifo’ banner ahead of their big game against Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday night.
The Red Devils are staring down their biggest moment of the season – arguably one of their biggest in some time – as they must beat Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final to advance in the competition, which is their only chance of silverware this year.
It’s been a tough start for new manager Ruben Amorim since he arrived at Old Trafford, with Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS ownership group having been amidst turbulent times pretty much ever since they took up a minority stake in the club.
All that being said, and with Man United’s financial obstacles now well-publicised by the co-owner himself, winning the tournament and therefore securing a shot at Champions League football next season is crucial to how their ambitious rebuild and, notably, stadium redevelopment plans pan out.
A pleasure to have worked with @ManUtd on this. The whole display should be fantastic. Let's ensure all fans are in the stadium early to create an atmosphere.https://t.co/yBzo3kXWrx
With that in mind, the club are looking to be bolder than ever when it comes to creating an atmosphere for the crucial knockout fixture, announcing that a tifo banner will be unveiled inside the stadium for the first time in the club’s history.
For any of those still unclear on what a tifo is, they are large, colourful, choreographed displays typically organised by the supporters themselves, which spotlight things like club badges, legendary players, insignias, messages and more.
Popular in various other parts of the continent and beyond, especially in the likes of Italy (where the trend first started) and Germany, as well as southern and eastern Europe, this particular part of global football fan culture hasn’t really made it over to the Premier League just yet.
Not too far away from the kinds of big banners that are commonplace throughout most football, only even more massive and usually much intricate in shape, design and detail, the club has confirmed their inaugural attempt at a United tifo will be shown in front of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.
As for what it’s going to look like, the specifics are being kept under wraps for now, but the club are said to have worked with fan representatives closely on the project before being shared with captain Bruno Fernandes to get his seal of approval.
The flag shown during this year’s Munich Disaster memorial observation. (Credit: The Manc Group)
For now, the only details revealed are that “the ‘tifo’ will be raised from the ground to the roof, in front of the halfway line, creating a spectacular moment ahead of kick-off in M16.”
There have been plenty of big banner moments – both in protest and to mark important memorials – already this season, but this promises to be a whole different kettle of fish for the club.
During their most recent Europa League fixture, those up in the stands even got to witness Old Trafford putting on pyrotechnics for the first time, though it’s safe to say they didn’t quite nail the concept.
In fact, it looks like the club itself would be the first to admit it, as they also confirmed that the pre-match pageantry will include “red-and-white pyrotechnics will also appear adjacent to the banner, in a larger display than the one seen before the win over Real Sociedad in the previous round.”
Tifos are all well and good, but they need backing up with results, and it goes without saying that this match could define not just Man United‘s season but work wonders for Amorim’s future moving forward. This is the sort of standard they’re up against…
Ultras do not mess about when it comes to this kind of stuff.
Bury FC legend Nicky Adams confirms retirement after more than two decades
Danny Jones
Bury FC is saying goodbye to a veteran of Greater Manchester football as local legend Nicky Adams has announced he will be retiring at the end of the season.
The Bolton-born midfielder has enjoyed a 22-year career, playing for 10 different clubs in that time, most notably Bury, where he began as an academy product and earned his first senior minutes back in 2005.
Having been with the club across four different stints and by far the largest chunk of his playing days, making more than 200 appearances for the North West Counties side, he’s practically part of the furniture at this point.
But the time has finally come, as Adams revealed he will be retiring from professional football at the age of 38 – his longevity being an incredible achievement in itself.
⚪🔵 Nicky Adams has announced his retirement from football.
Adams has had a 22-year football career and will hang up his boots at the end of the season to take up a full-time coaching role.
Confirmed via a club statement on Tuesday, 15 April, the Shakers informed fans that Adams, who returned to his home club back in December, will be able to toast hanging up his boots with a promotion party if they avoid defeat against Burscough.
Adams has represented several other Greater Manchester teams in the past too, playing 85 games for Rochdale and 59 for Oldham Athletic, as well as 88 for Radcliffe FC.
Having scored 14 goals during his time with Bury, as well as serving as club captain, he told the club: “I think it’s perfect timing for me, I’m learning the coaching side of it. I’ve been doing that for the last few years, and I’ve got a big opportunity to go and do that full-time now.
“I came here at 16 years old; I’ve come back a few times now, I’ve played over 200 games for the football club, I don’t need to tell anyone what it means to me.
“I’ve had some unbelievable times here, and I’ll be forever grateful to this football club, which gave me the opportunity to go and be a professional footballer and go on the journey that I’ve been on. I’m forever grateful for that.”
Speaking on his return late last year, it’s plain to see how big an impression Gigg Lane has left on him.
He may be calling time on his playing days, but he’s not going anywhere.
Manager Dave McNabb went on to say: “I’m not really sure how to put into words the impact that Nicky has had on me and this group since he walked back through the door in December.
“His legendary status at this football club is well-known and documented. I had heard a lot of good things about his character and his personality through mutual friends and people within the game, so I knew he was going to be a good lad and have a positive impact in the dressing room.
Even with this knowledge, never did I expect to meet such an honest and caring man with enormous levels of integrity and with such high standards and principles. He’s a leader amongst men. When he talks, people listen. He gets the best out of others.
He is trusted and respected by everyone. He drives positive relationships within the group. He is the glue that holds things together. I’m proud to have brought him back to HIS football club, I’m proud to have played a very small part in his illustrious career but most of all, I’m proud to be able to call him a friend.
Signing off with a sentiment, McNabb added: “Good luck Nicky, you’re a legend.”
Danny Jones -
10th May 2024 
