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)
Sport
Roger Espinoza, part of Wigan Athletic’s famous 2013 FA Cup-winning side, has officially retired
Danny Jones
Another member of Wigan’s FA Cup-winning side has decided to hang up their boots as Roger Espinoza has confirmed his retirement at the age of 37.
Espinoza’s most recent club was Sporting Kansas City, who he played for nearly 400 times across two different spells, but in between those two stints, he was part of the famous Wigan team that managed to beat a then resurgent Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup final.
Now 11 years on, the former Honduran international has revealed that he is calling time on his storied career following the conclusion of the 2023 American season.
As confirmed in an official club announcement, the number 11 will be honoured with a special pre-match ceremony at the home ground of Children’s Mercy Park before their game against Austin FC, along with a fireworks show immediately following the game.
Widely considered not just a footballing veteran but a legend of the league, he goes down as the player with the second-most appearances in Sporting KC history, winning three US Open Cup titles and helping carry them to 10 Audi MLS Cup Playoff appearances.
His time in Greater Manchester, however, was relatively fleeting; the midfielder went on to become somewhat of a utility player throughout his career after joining the Latics halfway through the season but was quickly thrown into the first team through necessity.
Following injuries to Maynor Figueroa and Jean Beausejour, Espinoza was deployed as a left wing-back under Roberto Martínez in that FA Cup final over a decade ago which proved to be a big shock and remains Wigan‘s only major trophy. He played for 42 games before leaving in December 2014.
Having racked up a total of 455 appearances all told – not including his caps for Honduras (52), who represented at two World Cups and even at the Olympics – scoring 17 goals and notching 49 assists, his playing career spans two decades and has already begun the transition into coaching.
👏 Wishing all the best in retirement to Roger Espinoza!
An FA Cup winner with Latics in 2013, thank you for your efforts during your time with us & best of luck for the future! 🙌 #wafc 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/IKhzepyadP
Paying tribute to his long-standing teammate and mate nicknamed ‘Lucky Lefty’, fellow Kansas City legend Graham Zusi was one of countless who paid tribute to Espinoza on social media, writing: “What a human. Ultimate teammate, leader, competitor and friend. Congrats, hermano!”
Roger Espinoza’s retirement also means that there are now just four surviving members of that 2013 FA Cup-winning side: James McCarthy, Callum McManaman, Jordi Gómez and goalkeeper Joel Robles.
Meanwhile, then-manager Martínez is in charge of the Portuguese national team competing at Euro 2024 as we speak, and ex-Wigan talisman Shaun Maloney is still at the club only now as the head coach himself, and has been in post since January 2023.
Featured Images — Andy Witchger (via Flickr)/Wigan Athletic (via X)
Sport
The Chester Zoo 10k returns for a crucial fundraising cause
Danny Jones
Runners, listen up because the much-loved Chester Zoo 10k is back for 2024 and this year’s run aligns with an important national day in the world of animal conservation.
Just the second time the charity event has taken place, Chester Zoo‘s ‘Run For Nature’ proved a success in its inaugural year and is now set to welcome 2,500 racers to the world-renowned and award-winning wildlife park for one of the coolest routes to jog around you could ever ask for.
In case you were in any doubt, yes, those taking part will stomp through the 128-acre zoo, racing past Asian elephants, the rare Rothschild’s giraffes, camels, giant otters and more – all before continuing out into the wider Cheshire countryside and circling back to the finish line at the zoo.
Say no more, sign us up.
RUN 10K AT THE ZOO AND HELP SAVE RHINOS🦏
Join us on Sunday 22 September 2024 for our Run For Nature 10K event!
YOU will stomp past elephants, giant otters and giraffes before we open our gates to the public. Then, pick up your sustainable medal and enjoy a FREE day at the zoo… pic.twitter.com/LqrCK9s2DQ
Most importantly, this year’s Chester Zoo 10k lands on World Rhino Day, a global moment of observance and recognition of the majestic creatures which are still sadly threatened with potential extinction.
People from all over the globe gather together every try to raise awareness and money for this important cause on 22 September every year, and now both you and the zoo can do your bit lacing up your running shoes and simply going for a jog.
There were once more than 500,000 rhinos roaming across Africa, Asia and parts of Europe; now there are just 25,000 on the entire planet, including those kept in conservation facilities like Chester’s, but the hope is that with the money generated through initiatives like this, the population can rise once again.
Runners of all abilities are being invited to take part in the main 10K and there’s even a special one-mile ‘Zoom’ fun run for kids aged 4-15, so pretty much everyone can get involved.
All participants will receive a sustainable medal on completion of the run, as well as free entry to the zoo on the day. Top fundraisers will also have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, such as annual zoo memberships, animal adoptions and experiences, as well as bundles of other vouchers.
All proceeds from the 2024 Run For Nature will go towards the zoo’s efforts to protect rhinos from extinction, which include developing innovative scientific techniques – which they have been pioneering for 15+ years – such as using hormone monitoring to provide crucial insights into the health of rhinos.
For instance, just a few months ago, this technology helped 21 critically endangered black rhinos (with a baby female being born at Chester Zoo back in November 2023) be returned to an area in northern Kenya where they had previously been extinct for 50 years.
Lorraine Jubb, Fundraising Lead at Chester Zoo, said: “We’re really excited to be bringing back our 10k Run For Nature event… it’s a relatively flat route and an excellent opportunity to break your PB!…
“All you have to do is sign up online and we’ll send you a registration pack in the post, which includes all of the fundraising details and your numbered bib, so you can just turn up on the day and start warming up. It’s going to be a fun-filled day that the whole family can enjoy and make a real difference for wildlife.”
So, if you want to get involved and make a contribution to animal conservation this World Rhino Day, you can sign up for Chester Zoo’s 10k Run For Nature on Sunday, 22 September HERE and we’ll see you at the finish line.
Danny Jones -
10th May 2024 
