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Yuki Tsunoda: RB driver fined for using offensive slur about rival during Austrian GP qualifying | F1 News

On: June 30, 2024 By: admin

Yuki Tsunoda has been fined €40,000 after making an offensive comment about a fellow Formula 1 driver during Austrian Grand Prix qualifying.

Tsunoda, who competes for Red Bull’s junior team, RB, took aim at Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu over the radio after he believed he was obstructed in the pit-lane.

The 24-year-old Japanese driver used an expletive and a slur against disabled people.

Tsunoda faced the stewards who slapped him with a €40,000 (£33,901) fine – with half of the sanction suspended for the remainder of the season.

A statement from Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, read: “During the hearing the driver was very apologetic and explained that because English is not his first language he was unaware until after the session what the meaning of the words used is in the English language.

“He said that he was horrified when he learned this.

“He contended that his understanding of the words was different, but acknowledged that this should not be considered as an excuse for what he did.

“The stewards appreciate the honesty of the driver, but reinforce the fact the words used are offensive and wholly inappropriate.

“The stewards determine that a severe fine is required, but also take into account the genuine remorse of the driver and his offer to issue a public apology and for these reasons decide to suspend part of the fine imposed.”

Tsunoda, now in his fourth F1 season, posted his own message of apology on social media later on Saturday.

“I wanted to say big apologies what I said in the radio today,” he wrote. “Obviously I didn’t use it intentionally and was completely misunderstanding from myself that exact meaning of it.

“I now have better understanding for what the word means and am very apologetic for what I said. This type of language has no place and is not tolerated and for that I am sorry.”

Tsunoda will start Sunday’s race from 14th on the grid at the Red Bull Ring.

F1’s triple-header continues with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s big race at 2pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

Rafael Espinoza can star against ‘hellacious’ rival Sergio Chirino Sanchez live on Sky Sports | Boxing News

On: June 21, 2024 By: admin

Rafael Espinoza captured the WBO featherweight world title in dramatic circumstances when he upset brilliant Cuban Robeisy Ramirez.

In their 12-round thriller Mexico’s Espinoza rose from the canvas in the fifth round to put Ramirez down in the last to edge a close majority decision win.

He makes his first defence of the title against Mexican rival Sergio Chirino Sanchez in Las Vegas, live on Sky Sports Action at 2am on Saturday morning.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum expects their world title fight to be all action.

“First of all, [Espinoza] had a great record in Mexico. He was known as a knockout guy and a very crowd-pleasing fighter and then we brought him to fight Robeisy Ramirez, assuming it would be a good test for Ramirez and lo and behold Espinoza won the fight,” Arum told Sky Sports.

“It may very well be that he is one of these fighters that’s a jewel, that’s going to be very hard for anybody to beat.”

Arum suspects he could have a new star on his hands.

“That’s what we’ll see on Saturday. He’s fighting a very tough Mexican guy. I understand that they sparred together at one point and had hellacious sessions,” he revealed.

“That kind of fighter and those kind of fights is what builds stars.”

Ramirez returns to action the following weekend on the Teofimo Lopez undercard, also live on Sky Sports next Saturday.

The first Ramirez-Espinoza fight was so good, Arum expects to make a second before the winner then moves on to featherweight title unifications.

“I would want to run back the Robeisy Ramirez fight because that was such an upset and if he does it again – Robeisy was one of the best amateurs ever, two Olympic gold medals – then we know we really have something big on our hands,” he said.

“We have so many of the really good featherweights that we can make some interesting fights for him.”

On the undercard at Fontainebleau Las Vegas unbeaten prospects Andres Cortes and Troy Isley are both taking significant challenges.

Cortes goes in with former world title challenger Abraham Nova, while Isley meets fellow unbeaten middleweight Javier Martinez.

“They’re in tough. No more fooling around building up their records. They’re in very, very competitive fights and that’s the way it should be and that’s why they’ve moved from the bottom of the bill to the top of the bill,” Arum said.

“Cortes, who’s a local kid from Vegas, will be fighting Nova who’s been in many main events and this is a big, big, big step up for Cortes. And Isley is going to fight another one of our fighters Javier Martinez, also in a terrific, terrific battle. I understand they were rivals in the amateurs.

“So it’s going to be a very, very fun good card.”

Watch Espinoza vs Sanchez live on Sky Sports Action from 2am on Saturday morning

Chris Billam-Smith set to unify world titles soon? Rival champions welcome Las Vegas showdown | Boxing News

On: June 20, 2024 By: admin

Chris Billam-Smith completed a second successful defence of his WBO cruiserweight title on Saturday when he beat Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park.

Now he is ready for unification fights with the rival champions.

Noel Mikaelian, who won the WBC title last year when he knocked out Ilunga Makabu, has to make a mandatory defence of the belt. But he is eager to take on Billam-Smith and is willing to travel to make it happen.

“Let’s get it on,” Mikaelian declared.

“He’s a great guy, he has a lot of fans in Britain and I would look forward to unifying against him in Britain, because boxing in Britain is the biggest right now. British fans are great and I would love to fight in Britain,” he told Sky Sports.

He warned: “I’m fast, I have good footwork, I have a tremendous punch which many people don’t know about.

“I’m practically an undefeated fighter. I beat Mairis Briedis and [Krzysztof] Wlodarczyk on their turf I just didn’t get the decision and finally I beat Makabu, who was a tremendous puncher, a heavy hitter in just three rounds, he didn’t get a single punch [in],” he added.

“I can adjust to any style… Any location, any style.

“It would be a pleasure to share the ring with Billam-Smith on his turf as well.

“It would be great for the sport and I would love to fight in Britain.”

But Chris Billam-Smith has an away day of his own potentially in the works.

He revealed that he is in conversation with Gilberto Ramirez about meeting the Mexican in a clash to unify the WBA and WBO titles.

“He messaged me congratulations and said when you’re ready let’s unify. I said the same thing to him after his fight with [Arsen] Goulamirian and I think Golden Boy have been in touch with BOXXER already,” Billam-Smith told Sky Sports News.

“I think November, December time would make sense [for it]. There’s so much at stake but I think it will happen this year.

“[Fighting] ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez excites me so much because of it being most likely in America because he fights over there,” he added.

“That whole thing of going to America that’s the stuff of dreams. I grew up watching Ricky Hatton and what he did over here, then going to America and doing his thing over there. It’s crazy to think that’s the position that I’m in now. More than likely my next fight’s going to be abroad and hopefully get the ‘Zurdo’ fight.

“If we can do it in Vegas it would be a great unification fight. And then fight Jai Opetaia [the IBF champion] after, that would be phenomenal.

“Especially if Jai could go get the other belt and we could do it for an undisputed cruiserweight title. It would be perfect.”

‘It has to be unifications next’

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom said: “It was an incredible night at Selhurst Park. A fantastic atmosphere and a phenomenal performance from Chris Billam-Smith. Richard Riakporhe will be disappointed, he didn’t get going, but Chris was levels above. He fought to a game plan and executed it perfectly.

“It has to be unifications for him next. That was his third world title fight, and he has proven he is an elite champion.

“It has always been Chris’ dream to fight in Las Vegas. A unification against ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in Las Vegas could happen. Chris is in a good position. He can have his pick of opponents. It is our job to access the options and deliver the best fight for him.

“From where he has come from to what he has achieved, I wouldn’t bet against him against any of the other cruiserweight champions.”