British legend McManus dies aged 93

Culled from Sun.UK

BACK IN THE DAY … Mick McManus

WRESTLING legend Mick McManus has died at the age of 93.

One of the biggest names in the history of the sport in Britain and long-term star of ITV’s World of Sport, McManus truly was the man who fans loved to hate.

Frank Rimer, who runs the British Wrestlers Reunion, said: “I am deeply saddened to announce the death of the legend that was Mick McManus, who passed away at 1am.

“Mick never recovered from the loss of his beloved wife Barbara and lost the will to live, despite the loving care of the nurses at the celebrity home for retired actors Brishing House where he lived out his final days.

“Even the arrival of his old friend Lord Richard Attenborough recently failed to lift his spirits, refusing all food and drink until he quietly slipped into a coma three days ago.

“Mick was without doubt, through his own efforts, the greatest wrestling name that the UK has ever seen or will see again, and even 25 years after his retirement, he retained his aura of stardom until the end. He was 93.”

Tributes have been pouring in throughout today from wrestlers and fans on both sides of the Atlantic and from all generations.

WWE star William Regal tweeted: “Very sorry to hear of the passing of one of my childhood heroes, Mick McManus.

“I only got to see him wrestle live once. It was on my 9th birthday and I remember him giving me an autograph. Got to know him in the 1980s and he was always nice. A great man.”

Nick Aldis, better known as Magnus in TNA wrestling, said: “Woke up to the sad news of the passing of one of British Wrestling’s true legends: Rest in Peace Mick McManus.”

Nick also posted a picture of himself as an 18-year-old training at the Dropkixx Academy on a day when McManus paid a visit to inspire the students.

‘Superstar’ Mal Sanders, the first man to beat McManus in a televised match, wrote on Facebook: “I wrestled Mick a hundred times or more when I first came into the business and he looked after me every time.

“The wrestling game never has or never will see his like again. God bless Mick.”

TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp star Marty Scurll said: “RIP Mick McManus, the greatest British wrestling villain in history. I was fortunate enough to meet Mick a few times. True gent. Sad day.”

British wrestling personality Dean Ayass has written an obituary of Mick McManus for SunSport, you can read it here.

Doink the Clown wrestler Matt Osborne dies

culled from The Sun.UK

DOINK THE CLOWN … on-ring persona of late Matt Osborne

FORMER WWE superstar Matt Osborne — best known as the original Doink the Clown — has died, aged 55.

His body was found by his girlfriend at their home in Texas.

At present there are no more details on his death, although it is said to be accidental.

No weapons were found on the scene and an autopsy is pending.

Osborne was an above average mat wrestler and grappler, who used his size and skills well in early runs with Mid-South Championship Wrestling, WCW and the WWE (then known as the WWF) under the names Matt Bourne and Big Josh.

His hard-hitting style and aggressive mannerisms won over old school wrestling fans and he held a number of championships.

His most notable early career match was a loss to Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat at WrestleMania I.

However, it was by donning the wig and face paint of the cartoon-like Doink the Clown in 1992 that the star achieved the most success.

The over-the-top gimmick did come under fire from many fans, but it still saw Matt receive a major company push and get some juicy storylines.

There may have been other wrestlers under the clown mask over the years, but Borne was the original and definitive Doink.

Unfortunately drug problems led to Matt leaving WWE — with Doink taken over by Ray Apollo — and after a short run in ECW.

He went into semi-retirement making occasional appearances on indie shows and at Raw’s 15th Anniversary in 2007.

WWE posted a statement saying: “WWE is saddened by the news that Matt Osborne, aka the original Doink the Clown, has passed away.

“A rugged brawler in promotions like Mid-South Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling.

“Osborne made a major impact in WWE under the greasepaint of a prankster named Doink — one of the most enduring personas of the early ’90s.

“Our deepest condolences go out to Osborne’s family, friends and fans.”

DAVID Beckham shows he’s still got a turn of pace — winning the dads’ race at son Cruz’s school sports day.

Footie legend Becks in school dads’ race

Fame Flynet / WENN.com

Exclusive

By RICHARD WHITE

Published: 6 hrs ago

The footie legend, 38, left other parents gasping in the 100m sprint watched by delighted wife Victoria and pal Stella McCartney.

He’s still got it … Beckham wins race

Fame Flynet / WENN.com

Becks got a gold medal which he proudly wore around his neck later while carrying daughter Harper, who’s two next week.

 

No1 fan … Victoria cheers on husband David

Fame Flynet / WENN.com

Posh, 39, ran in the mums’ race and smiled as she was beaten by Stella at the school in London.

 

Becks and call … David with his medal, Victoria and tot Harper

Fame Flynet / WENN.com

The Beckhams have moved home from LA after ex-England skipper David hung up his boots in May.

 

School event … Beckham’s son Cruz

One parent said: “They were like just any other mum and dad. But Becks easily won the race. He beat the other dads by miles. He sprinted to the end in no time at all and left the other less fit dads way behind.”

 

Now she is Sporty Spice … Victoria Beckham joins in sports day

Culled from the sun U.K

Serena exit leaves Wimbledon in twilight zone

Serena Williams
Culled from Punch

Wimbledon entered the twilight zone on Monday as Serena Williams became the latest high-profile champion to fade into oblivion at a tournament where reputations and star status are counting for nothing.

Just when it seemed that this year’s grasscourt major had exhausted its quota of shocks with grand slam champions Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka all blotted out of the draw by the second round, along came Sabine Lisicki.

The German, playing a brand of fearless tennis that many dream of but only the brave produce, jettisoned the American holder 6-2 1-6 6-4 to leave Wimbledon gasping in disbelief once again.

Lisicki also struggled to catch her breath.

“I’m still shaking, I’m so happy,” gulped a tearful Lisicki, who fell flat on her stomach in her moment of triumph. “It’s amazing; I love this court so much. It’s unbelievable!”

It certainly was unbelievable because even before the first-week exodus of big names, Williams had been the overwhelming favourite to win a sixth title having triumphed at three of the last four majors.

She walked on court armed with the knowledge that she was on a 34-match winning streak and had suffered only two losses all year.

That record failed to salvage her Wimbledon dreams and her exit left world number four Agnieszka Radwanska as the highest seed and Czech Petra Kvitova as the only former champion still alive in the women’s draw.

Eighth seed Kvitova dispatched Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro 7-6(5)6-3 to set up a last-eight meeting Belgian Kirsten Flipkens.

William’s downfall also meant that Sloane Stephens was the only American, man or woman, to reach the quarter-finals.

The 20-year-old lived up to her billing as the next generation of American tennis by beating Puerto Rican teenager Monica Puig 4-6 7-5 6-1.

At the other end of the age spectrum, Li Na proved that 31-year-olds can still do damage on grass as she narrowly missed out on dishing out the dreaded double bagel during a 6-2 6-0 thrashing of Italian 11th seed Roberta Vinci.

Day seven at Wimbledon is unique as it is the only one of the four grand slams to schedule 16 fourth-round showdowns – both in men and women’s singles – on the same day.

But after a week of seismic shocks decimated the draw and left it shorn of house-hold names, it was a case of guess who for the fans who wandered around the outside courts.

Lukasz Kubot v Adrian Mannarino on Court 14?

“Oh it’s a couple of nobodies!,” quipped one spectator as he craned his neck to see the names on the on court scoreboard.

Had the fan stuck around to see the match to its conclusion, he would have caught sight of Kubot doing his bizarre can-can victory jig along the service line following his absorbing 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 win over Frenchman Mannarino.

Kubot and Mannarino were among four players outside the top 100 who had made it to the second Monday at Wimbledon.

Ghanaian footballer Michael Essien secretly weds his publicist

There have been speculations for months now that Ghanaian footballer and Chelsea star Michael Essien is married to his publicist, Akosua Puni, a report they both never denied or confirmed. The report was regarded as mere speculation until last week Friday when Akosua introduced herself as Mrs Akosua Puni Essien at a cocktail charity event – Game Of Hope – organized by Michael Essien.

Akosua was in charge of the event and everyone who worked with her referred to her as Mrs Essien. The Ghanaian showbiz personality and socialite is also the head of the Michael Essien Foundation.

Michael and Akosua had a child together shortly after his relationship with Nadia Buari ended a few years back, though the football star has never acknowledged being married and does not wear a ring.

He has three kids from two different women.