Tag Archives: weight

Ricky Burns to face Mexican Miguel Vazquez in world title unification match in March

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Burns eyes Wembley glory! Champion set for world title unification fight with Vazquez

By
Martin Domin

PUBLISHED:

11:25 GMT, 14 January 2013

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UPDATED:

00:07 GMT, 15 January 2013

Ricky Burns will take on Mexican Miguel Vazquez in a mouthwatering lightweight world title unification clash at Wembley Arena on March 16.

The Scotsman has been out of action since brutally knocking out British rival Kevin Mitchell in Glasgow last September and turned down the chance to face American superstar and WBC champion Adrien Broner in Atlantic City next month.

But Burns, 29, will instead bid to add Vazquez's IBF belt to his own WBO strap in what will be the toughest fight of his career to date.

Fully focused: Ricky Burns will return to the ring in March against Miguel Vazquez

Fully focused: Ricky Burns will return to the ring in March against Miguel Vazquez

'The last time I boxed down at Wembley against Michael Katsidis, the crowd were excellent,' Burns said. 'I'm really looking forward to it.

'This is a dream come true for me. Any boxer would be happy winning two world titles at two weights and retire, but for me I want to continue winning more world titles, unifying them and stepping up the weight divisions. Vazquez is a top fighter and one that I’ve been after a long time so I’m over the moon that it’s happening.'

Burns also denied he was avoiding American superstar Adrien Broner after turning down the chance to fight the unbeaten 23-year-old in Atlantic City.

'Anybody that knows me, knows I'm a fighter,' he added. 'I want to fight the best. i didn't feel seven weeks was enough time to prepare [for Broner], I need 12 weeks.'

Having won the WBO
super-featherweight title with a shock victory over Roman Martinez in
2010, Burns became a two-weight world champion the following year, first
winning the interim WBO lightweight belt against Michael Katsidis
before being awarded the strap outright when Juan Manuel Marquez
relinquished the title.

Fight club: A Queen Elizabeth look-alike poses with Nathan Cleverly, George Groves, Dereck Chisora and Burns

Fight club: A Queen Elizabeth look-alike poses with Nathan Cleverly, George Groves, Dereck Chisora and Burns

Burns made a successful first defence
against Ghanian Paulus Moses last March before his stunning
fourth-round victory over Mitchell in front of 10,000 passionate home
fans.

He was due to face Liam Walsh at the
ExCeL Arena in London in December but his opponent pulled out after a
car accident. His replacement, Jose Ocampo, then withdrew just days
before the fight after his trainer died.

Vazquez, meanwhile, has lost three of
his 36 fights but only to the highest calibre of opponent. He suffered
defeat on his debut by compatriot Saul Alvarez in 2006 and was also
beaten in a rematch two years later.

Title showdown: Burns celebrates his victory over Kevin Mitchell in September

Title showdown: Burns celebrates his victory over Kevin Mitchell in September

Sandwiched in between came a unanimous
defeat by Timothy Bradley, who has gone on to become a two-weight world
champion with a controversial victory over Manny Pacquiao last year.

Also on the Wembley card will be
Nathan Cleverly's mandatory defence of his WBO light-heavyweight title
against Robin Krasniqi, George Groves' European super-middleweight clash
with Mohamed Ali Ndiaye and Dereck Chisora's return to the ring,
assuming he is granted a licence by the British Boxing Board of Control.

Amir Khan"s former trainer Freddie Roach reveals wrist injury

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Amir's chin is fine (…but his right hand is an issue): Former trainer Freddie Roach reveals Khan's wrist injury

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UPDATED:

19:56 GMT, 13 December 2012

The problem with Amir Khan is not his chin, it’s his right hand.

Freddie Roach, the world renowned trainer sacked by Khan after the knock-out which has put his career in jeopardy, has revealed the injury which has to be overcome on the climb back to the boxing summit.

As if regaining world titles is not tough enough, Roach spelled out the extra degree of difficulty confronting Khan as he goes into his rehabilitation fight against local hero Carlos Molina here tomorrow night.

With Khan no longer in attendance and Manny Pacquiao back in the Philippines licking his wounds after his shock KO by Juan Manuel Marquez, the fabled Wild Card gym in Hollywood was relatively quiet as Roach explained why Khan’s move up in weight divisions, to light-welter, is not the reason for his apparently reduced punching power of late.

Wounded: Roach believes Khan's right wrist injury could cause him problems

Wounded: Roach believes Khan's right wrist injury could cause him problems

Roach said: ‘Amir’s hitting as hard as ever in sparring because he knows that if something goes wrong its not as important in the gym as if it happens in a fight in the ring. The problem is that he’s a little wary throwing his right hand now.

‘He suffered some damage to the right wrist a while back and once any fighter gets hand trouble it’s with him for the rest of his life.

'That’s part of boxing and you have to live with it. He doesn’t want it to go again in a fight. It often stops him punching properly with the right as well.’

Amir Khan sparring

Amir Khan sparring

Must win: Khan knows he can't afford another loss after losing his last two contests to Garcia and Peterson

Roach talks about Khan with genuine concern, even though the young man from Bolton chose to move up the California coast to join rival trainer Virgil Hunter in the San Francisco bay area.

‘You get hired and you get fired in this game,’ says Roach. ‘It doesn’t bother me. Amir said he wanted me to make him my priority but as Manny Pacquiao’s trainer I couldn’t do that.

'What did surprise me was when he came out with that stuff about my Parkinson’s affecting me. If there was a problem with me as his trainer why ask me to put him before Manny

‘Was I disappointed Yeah. But I don’t care. I don’t wanna be angry with Amir. He’s a good boy. Works hard. I wish him well. We had three good years. He was never a problem.’

What Roach does not believe is Khan’s insistence that Hunter has already changed him into a more mature, better defensive, smarter boxer.

Khan was knocked off his world championship perch by Danny Garcia’s thunderbolt left hook earlier this year and Roach, who saw Pacquiao suffer an even more devastating shock from Marquez on Saturday, says: ‘Of course when Amir came back to the corner I told him to use his jab for a round or two and stay out of trouble. Then he could have gone back to beating up Garcia the way he was before he got caught by that strange punch to the neck.

‘But that’s not his instinct. He likes to exchange. He’s a fighter. When he gets hit and hurt his instinct is to hit back. No trainer in the world can change that. Amir will always fight that way and he can do it most of the time because I don’t believe he has an especially suspect chin.'

Khan was brutally punished by Danny Garcia in Las Vegas last time out

Khan was brutally punished by Danny Garcia in Las Vegas last time out

He added: ‘He made the same mistake as Manny, instead of continuing to dart in and out he stayed in the pocket too long when he sensed he was close to winning and got caught by a huge shot. That’s also boxing. But I will always be an offensive trainer because that’s the way to win fights.

‘I don’t know how good a trainer Virgil Hunter is. I know he’s got a great fighter in Andre Ward but however good he is Amir will box aggressive whenever he fights.’

Khan accepts he cannot afford a third successive defeat now but Roach says: ‘He should be okay, even though he should still be a little careful.’ He passes on that warning from his own unbeaten prospect Frankie Gomez, who fights on the undercard here.

Roach says: ‘Frankie fought Molina in the amateurs and tells me he punches harder than his record suggests. Still, Molina is small and Amir should win. You never know what psychological damage may have been done by a big knock-out until the fighter gets in the ring. But I don’t see Amir troubled. And I don’t see that in Manny either.’

Far from splitting from Roach, Pacquiao has invited his trainer to spend Christmas with him in the Philippines as they plot the return of the PacMan.

But if they do go ahead with a fifth Marquez fight Roach will insist on Olympic standard drugs testing. Eyebrows were raised at the muscular transformation of Marquez and his elevated punching power, not least because he recently hired as his physical conditioner one Angel Heredia, who confessed to supplying shamed American Olympic athletes Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery with steroids. Both he and Marquez deny any wrong-doing.

Fourth time lucky: Marquez finally got the better of Khan's former gym-mate Pacquiao

Fourth time lucky: Marquez finally got the better of Khan's former gym-mate Pacquiao

Juan Manuel Marquez celebrates after defeating Manny Pacquiao by a sixth round knockout in their welterweight bout

Roach reveals that he asked for random blood testing prior to Saturday’s shock, adding: ‘The Marquez people refused. I went to the (Nevada) commission but it is their practice not to do that unless both sides agree. If not, they just take a urine test on fight night. But that can be too late.

‘I’m not saying anything specific about Marquez but its not good for boxing if cheats win. There is too much stuff going on now about drugs. We had it with Lamont Peterson being on steroids before he was adjudged to have beaten Amir. It’s not right.’

Pacquiao’s chin is not his problem, either. Roach explains: ‘That punch from Marquez would have knocked out anyone. The issue with Manny will be that even if we don’t get agreement on drugs testing in our training camps, Manny will fight him again, anyway.’

Roach would still prefer that fourth re-match – and, yes, then the big one against Floyd Mayweather – to having Pacquiao start taking on ‘the young guns like Brandon Rios.’

Mayweather After that KO

‘Floyd has got the perfect excuse not to fight Manny now,’ says Roach. ‘But I say why not do the fight. Mayweather is talking about having two fights next year. The first looks like being against Tim Bradley (the beneficiary of a scandalous decision over Pacquiao). Then they are talking about Canelo Alvarez. But that’s too early in Canelo’s career. He needs to continue developing.

‘Canelo is already a bigger star than Floyd in many places so it makes financial sense, also, to let that build towards a mega-fight in 2014. So why not fight Manny after Bradley’

Roach remains convinced of this: ‘I still believe that there are only two men who can beat Mayweather. And they are Pacquiao and Khan.’

Wrap those wrists tight! Roach warns Khan to wrap his hands properly to prevent any further damage

Wrap those wrists tight! Roach warns Khan to wrap his hands properly to prevent any further damage

If Khan is to get that opportunity in the future, he must win in the historic Los Angeles Arena here and now.

To help ensure that victory, his immediate past trainer gives him one reminder, for free: ‘I hope he doesn’t forget to wrap his hands properly. I always wrapped them really stiff because he needs that to protect that right wrist.’

Andrew Flintoff: My battle against bulimia

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My battle to beat bulimia, reveals Flintoff as cricket hero sheds the pounds for start of his boxing career

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UPDATED:

08:57 GMT, 15 November 2012

England cricketing hero Andrew Flintoff has revealed how he battled with bulimia in the early stages of his career.

The 34-year-old told how he began throwing up in cricket grounds and restaurants after he piled on the pounds.

Flintoff, who has embarked on a sporting comeback as a heavyweight boxer and is set to fight on November 30, revealed his eating disorder in a documentary to be screened later this month.

England cricket star Freddie Flintoff, leaving the Punch Bowl pub in Mayfair with his wife Rachael Wools

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff tucks into a curry in Durban

Honest: Former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff, left with wife Rachael, and right tucking into a curry during his playing days, has revealed how he suffered from Bulimia

He said: ‘I used to be a really skinny kid, I used to be tall and skinny and I didn’t drink, I didn’t do much.

‘Then I started putting weight on. My lifestyle was great, granted, when I started living on my own. I got to about 19 and a half to 20 stone.

‘It was all a bit deeper than that because to lose the weight, I wasn’t really sure how to go about it. I started being sick, I was sick a lot. I would eat and I would be sick.

‘I would be doing it myself. I would put my fingers down my throat and everyone within the team hierarchy thought it was great because I was losing weight.’

Flintoff, who was instrumental in two Ashes victories against Australia, said he was often called ‘fat lad’ and faced jibes such as ‘who ate all our pies’ He added: ‘I’ve thrown up in cricket grounds around the world, in restaurants, all sorts, and I lost about 15kg by doing that.

‘It’s not the right way to go, which I am very aware of. You start off doing it if you have a bad meal, you eat something you don’t think you should have eaten or you have drunk too much.

‘Then before you know it, even good meals you are getting rid of. It becomes a real habit. The only way really to lose weight is to train more and eat less, eat the right things.’

Andrew Flintoff poses during his boxing training

Back in the day, a larger Flintoff

Lean and keen: Flintoff, left, poses for a shot during his boxing training, and right, sporting a 'fuller figure' during his playing days

All change: As he embarks on his new sports career as a boxer, Flintoff has revealed he used to have serious issues with food

All change: As he embarks on his new sports career as a boxer, Flintoff has revealed he used to have serious issues with food

He hopes that speaking about his battle will raise awareness about bulimia.

A spokesman for the National Centre for Eating Disorders said: ‘It is well known that men get eating disorders, too – look at John Prescott (Mr Prescott revealed he had suffered from bulimia during his time as Deputy Prime Minister). This is a condition more likely to occur in someone who has poor body image or shaky self-esteem.’

The documentary Flintoff: From Lords to the Ring, to be screened on Sky1, details the sportsman’s career change from cricket to boxing. Flintoff also uses the programme to criticise former England team-mates who have since taken up careers in cricket commentating. He said: ‘I could have taken the easy option, saying ‘‘Coming into bat for England at No 3’’. But no, I go and get my head kicked in instead.’

Flintoff has been criticised for entering the sport of boxing as a ‘publicity stunt’.

Andrew Flintoff revealed he has struggled with his weight

Flintoff has yo-yo'd with his weight

Out in the open: Flintoff often received criticism from rival supporters over his weight as a professional cricketer – and now he has revealed how deep the problems went

But the cricketer, who lost 45lbs during a gruelling four-month training camp filmed for a three-part series to be screened on Sky1HD, insists his motives are honourable. ‘You couldn’t go through this for a TV stunt,’ he said. ‘I’m hoping this is something where boxing is celebrated.’

Flintoff was born Andrew but nicknamed ‘Freddy’ after Fred Flintstone. He married Rachael Woods in 2005 and has three children – Holly, eight, Corey, six, and Rocky, four. He announced his retirement from cricket in September 2010.

He is not the only sportsman to suffer from bulimia.

Footballer Paul Gascoigne detailed his battle with the condition in his 2006 autobiography ‘Being Gazza: Tackling My Demons’.

Andrew Flintoff gets boxing licence

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Freddie licensed to fight: Flintoff to get nod from BBBC for November boxing bow

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UPDATED:

07:14 GMT, 19 October 2012

Andrew Flintoff will be granted a licence in the next 24 hours to reinvent himself as a professional heavyweight boxer.

Sportsmail can reveal that the British Boxing Board of Control are on the verge of giving the former England cricket captain formal permission to fight.

Lean and mean: Flintoff poses in the boxing ring

Lean and mean: Flintoff poses in the boxing ring

Lean and mean: Andrew Flintoff poses in the boxing ring ahead of his first bout

The 34-year-old, who had not fought at
any level before an impromptu sparring session with Barry McGuigan last
year, was put through stringent tests by the Board, which included a
medical examination, an interview and a demonstration bout at his gym.

It is understood that Flintoff, who has given up alcohol and lost more than two stones in weight after 10 weeks of full-time training under boxing legend McGuigan and his son Shane, impressed in the bout and interview.

Training: Flintoff has given up drinking and has shed more than two stones

Training: Flintoff has given up drinking and has shed more than two stones

Training: Flintoff has given up drinking and has shed more than two stones

The Board are just waiting on elements of the medical before they sanction his professional debut.

A November 30 date at Manchester Arena has been mooted, although an opponent has not yet been decided.

Flintoff
has stayed active since quitting cricket in 2010 because of injuries —
cycling from Athens to London and rowing the channel among a host of
charity challenges.

His current weight is understood to be
under 16 stone, with a desired fighting weight in the region of
15-and-a-half stone, which would leave him on the lean side for a 6ft
4in heavyweight.

His
decision to enter the ring has drawn a mixed response in the boxing
community, with promoter Frank Warren suggesting Flintoff is too old to
start life as a pro fighter.

Justifying his decision, Flintoff said: ‘It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I played my last game of cricket at the age of 31 and I’m only 34 now. I’ve always loved boxing and I’m going to have a go at it and see where it takes us. When you put yourself out there you put yourself up for a bit of criticism, but I’m not bothered. The people who criticise, what are they are doing Criticising is easy to do.’

Flintoff retired from Test cricket in July 2009 following an 11-year England career blighted by injuries, mainly to an ankle and both shoulders.

Bowing out: Flintoff in action at the Oval in 2009

Bowing out: Flintoff in action at the Oval in 2009

Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff will get boxing licence

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Freddie licensed to fight: Flintoff to get nod from BBBC for November boxing bow

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UPDATED:

22:47 GMT, 18 October 2012

Andrew Flintoff will be granted a licence in the next 24 hours to reinvent himself as a professional heavyweight boxer.

Sportsmail can reveal that the British Boxing Board of Control are on the verge of giving the former England cricket captain formal permission to fight.

The 34-year-old, who had not fought at any level before an impromptu sparring session with Barry McGuigan last year, was put through stringent tests by the Board, which included a medical examination, an interview and a demonstration bout at his gym.

Lean and mean: Flintoff poses in the boxing ring

Lean and mean: Flintoff poses in the boxing ring

Lean and mean: Andrew Flintoff poses in the boxing ring ahead of his first bout

It is understood that Flintoff, who has given up alcohol and lost more than two stones in weight after 10 weeks of full-time training under boxing legend McGuigan and his son Shane, impressed in the bout and interview.

The Board are just waiting on elements of the medical before they sanction his professional debut.

A November 30 date at Manchester Arena has been mooted, although an opponent has not yet been decided.

Flintoff has stayed active since quitting cricket in 2010 because of injuries — cycling from Athens to London and rowing the channel among a host of charity challenges.

Training: Flintoff has given up drinking and has shed more than two stones

Training: Flintoff has given up drinking and has shed more than two stones

His current weight is understood to be under 16 stone, with a desired fighting weight in the region of 15-and-a-half stone, which would leave him on the lean side for a 6ft 4in heavyweight.

His decision to enter the ring has drawn a mixed response in the boxing community, with promoter Frank Warren suggesting Flintoff is too old to start life as a pro fighter.

Justifying his decision, Flintoff said: ‘It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I played my last game of cricket at the age of 31 and I’m only 34 now. I’ve always loved boxing and I’m going to have a go at it and see where it takes us. When you put yourself out there you put yourself up for a bit of criticism, but I’m not bothered. The people who criticise, what are they are doing Criticising is easy to do.’

Flintoff retired from Test cricket in July 2009 following an 11-year England career blighted by injuries, mainly to an ankle and both shoulders.

Bowing out: Flintoff in action at the Oval in 2009

Bowing out: Flintoff in action at the Oval in 2009

Nicklas Bendtner has dig at Arsenal training

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Arsenal training is nothing compared to Juventus! Bendtner takes dig at Gunners

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UPDATED:

09:57 GMT, 15 October 2012

Nicklas Bendtner has taken a swipe at Arsenal by claiming the training programme at Juventus is the best he has been involved in.

Bendtner joined the Italians on loan for the season just before the summer transfer window closed.

The Denmark striker had arrived at Arsenal in 2004 but failed to establish himself in the team and had loan spells at Birmingham and Sunderland before moving to Serie A.

Fighting fit: Nicklas Bendtner (No 11) is loving life at Juventus

Fighting fit: Nicklas Bendtner (No 11) is loving life at Juventus

'At Juventus, the training has been
different to – and much harder than – anything I've done before,' he
said in Ekstra Bladet. 'Because of that, my form is at a peak. I'm
much sharper.

'Without playing, I'm down to fighting weight and that's never happened before.'

Bendtner, 24, has made just one league appearance for Juve but added: 'I think Juventus are aware of what I can do.

'When you come to a new club, you have to learn about things. In seven games, they have won six and drawn one, so it's fine.'

After scoring for his country in a
draw against Bulgaria on Friday, Bendtner is set to meet a few familiar
faces when the Danes face Italy on Tuesday night.

He said: 'Of course, it will be
enjoyable to play against Italy, who have eight Juventus players in
their squad. They know me and I know them, so I don't know if anyone
has an advantage.

'For me, it's a battle that Denmark
must win rather than a battle that Nicklas must win. I think we need to
win as a team – it's not something I have to win as an individual.'

Ricky Burns ready for Kevin Mitchell fight in Glasgow

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Quiet man Ricky not reluctant to talk of treble ahead of Mitchell showdown

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UPDATED:

23:48 GMT, 18 September 2012

He has watched the glorious home-comings of this summer’s sporting heroes with a mixture of admiration and, truth be told, horror.

A double world champion who has spent his two-year reign actively avoiding public shows of adulation, Ricky Burns would rather face a barrage of body shots with his arms tied behind his back than board an open-top bus for a victory parade.

His natural shyness should never be mistaken for a lack of ambition, of course. Having moved up last year to add the WBO lightweight title to the WBO super-featherweight crown he had clinched on a frenzied night in September 2010, Burns cannot discount another giant leap — and a chance to become the first Scot to win world belts in three different weight divisions.

Focused: Ricky Burns can't wait to get in the ring against Kevin Mitchell

Focused: Ricky Burns can't wait to get in the ring against Kevin Mitchell

For now, he is focused entirely on Saturday’s hugely testing defence against Kevin Mitchell, in front of an anticipated 10,000 fans at the SECC; the vast majority will be there to hail Coatbridge’s most feted sporting son.

Ask this most retiring of global greats about enjoying the kind of organised hoopla arranged for the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and Andy Murray in recent days, though, Burns looks positively mortified.

‘I am the total opposite — everybody knows I like to keep myself to myself,’ he said. ‘The training and the fighting is what I do, the fighting is the bit I enjoy.

‘After that, I like to return to normal. Would I like all that (the parades) Not at all.

‘It’s just not a big thing that appeals to me. Boxing is all I’ve ever wanted to do but, apart from the fighting, I’ve always said the publicity, all the attention I get, isn’t something I’m fussed about.’

Champ: Burns is a two-weight world champion and could be tempted by a third

Champ: Burns is a two-weight world champion and could be tempted by a third

The hype will only increase should he beat Mitchell in what could be one
of the fights of the year, with Burns conceding he might yet move on in
search of fresh challenges. Addressing the possibility of a unique
Scottish treble on the world stage, he said: ‘Now I’ve moved up to
lightweight, I can see I’m physically bigger.

‘We have spoken about it (moving up). Maybe I’ll get another year or two at this weight, a few more fights at lightweight.

‘But, if the big opportunity came at light welterweight, never say never. The bigger I get, the harder my punches are.

‘When I’m sparring, a couple of the guys are welterweights — a lot
heavier than me. But the size difference isn’t that much. If a big
fight came up at light welterweight, I’d be more than happy to take it.'

Eyes on the prize: Burns defends his title for the second time in Glasgow on Saturday

Eyes on the prize: Burns defends his title for the second time in Glasgow on Saturday

Wherever his career takes him, Burns is guaranteed to take thousands of fans with him. In a sport where a big mouth is often as important as a big right hand when it comes to selling tickets, his low-key approach to self- publicity has not done too much box-office damage.

Aware that Saturday’s bout is heading for a sell-out, he insists talk of the crowd becoming the equivalent of football’s 12th man for a home fighter is a little over the top, saying: ‘It’s only me in that ring — I’m the one taking the punches.

‘I try to block out the crowd, although I am grateful for the support I get — so I want to say a big thanks to everybody. Hopefully, I’ll do the business for them.

‘You tend to notice the crowd before and after the fight. Once that bell goes, it’s just a big blur. But it’s good to walk out in front of your own crowd, aye.

‘The crowd come into it in the later rounds, though. You can always hear certain things, even if most of it is just a blur.

Tough job: Burns is expecting a difficult 12 rounds against Mitchell in Glasgow

Tough job: Burns is expecting a difficult 12 rounds against Mitchell in Glasgow

‘If you look at it that way, it can put added pressure on you, make you feel as if you’re out there to look good. I always say, I need to win.

‘This is going to be a tough, tough fight. Kevin is a big puncher, a good fighter.

‘Since he lost to Michael Katsidis, he’s come back to beat John Murray and Felix Lora. I think his training has gone well, so the fans are in for a good fight.

‘Throughout the 12-week training camp, all I’ve been thinking about is this fight. When it’s been hard in sparring, I’ve been thinking: “Well, what am I going to do on the night”.

Battle of Britain: Burns and Kevin Mitchell are heading towards an explosive showdown

Battle of Britain: Burns and Kevin Mitchell are heading towards an explosive showdown

‘I’ve spent a lot of time in the ring thinking about the different scenarios that could happen.

‘This is the worst time, three days before the weigh-in, but I’ve still got a smile on my face just now.
‘Once the weigh-in is over, you can concentrate on the good bit.’

If that ‘good bit’ goes right on the night, Burns will be afforded a raucous reception to rival the loudest roars of this Olympic summer.

Just don’t expect to see him waving his belt from the top of a bus, float or specially chartered charabanc any time soon.

Carlton Cole tries out the Bod Pod at West Ham

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Ready for lift off! Just what is Carlton Cole doing in this space-age capsule

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UPDATED:

11:48 GMT, 17 September 2012

Is this NASA's first recruit on a manned mission to Mars Or a prototype of public transport in the not-so-distant future The must have toy for Christmas, perhaps

Sorry to disappoint, but it's West Ham star Carlton Cole having the make up of his body examined by a high-tech Bod Pod.

The striker tweeted a picture on Monday morning of himself sat in the weird contraption, asking: 'What's @Monte_the_bear got my doing'

Sitting pretty: Carlton Cole tweeted this picture of himself sat inside a Bod Pod on Monday morning

Sitting pretty: Carlton Cole tweeted this picture of himself sat inside a Bod Pod on Monday morning

It's a key part of the fitness regimen favoured by West Ham's strength and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo to measure body fat – though the lean 6ft 3in frontman is unlikely to be too flabby.

The Bod Pod is used by a number of professional sports teams – and, according to its makers, sumo wrestlers – and has replaced traditional, and more unpleasant, methods of underwater weighing 'dunk tanks' or a simple pair of callipers.

It uses air displacement to work out the athlete's mass (weight) using very accurate electronic scales, and volume. From these calculations, body density and fat levels can be worked out.

Lean machine: Cole in action for West Ham against Norwich City at the weekend

Lean machine: Cole in action for West Ham against Norwich City at the weekend

Behind the Pod's seat is a moving
'diaphragm' which varies the volume inside the front chamber. This is
measured before and after the subject gets in, with their body volume
therefore worked out by subtraction.

For example, if the interior air
volume of the empty chamber is 400 litres, and the volume of the chamber
is reduced to 350 litres with the subject inside, the body volume of
the subject would be 50 litres.

Cole was in action at the weekend, but couldn't find the net in West Ham's 0-0 draw at Norwich City. He was replaced by Modibo Maiga after 57 minutes.

Jez Green on Andy Murray

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The making of Murray: Speed of a sprinter and the strength of a rugby player

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UPDATED:

21:45 GMT, 11 September 2012

Jez Green, Andy Murray's fitness coach, talks Sportsmail through the body of the US Open champion.

One of the things that stand out is his total dedication. He came to me six years ago when he realised this was an area he needed to work on and from the first day he was prepared to do anything I asked.

Basically he has got the stamina of a middle distance runner, 800-1500metres, and the speed of a sprinter.

Champion: Andy Murray's training regime is tough, but the results are clear to see

Champion: Andy Murray's training regime is tough, but the results are clear to see

His 100m time would be around 11sec, which does not stand out that much but it is his speed over 20m that is exceptional. He is able to take incredibly quick steps.

His 400m would be around 55sec; we used to do a lot of repetitions of those but have stopped now.

He is also prodigiously strong, with the capability close to that of a rugby player in the gym even though he is a tennis player and cannot be that bulky.

He is a ridiculously natural athlete and, when you combine that with the work ethic he has, you come up with something very special.

Jez Green (right), Murray's fitness coach, tells Sportsmail about the US Open champion's build and schedule

Jez Green (right), Murray's fitness coach, tells Sportsmail about the US Open champion's build and schedule

I've been doing this for 18 years and I have never come across anyone like him.

I've always found him great fun away from the tennis court or the gym, but then absolutely committed to the business of winning and competing.

I think what people miss about him is the day-to-day discipline and sacrifice, always eating the right thing, sleeping for the right amount of time.

I suppose as an athlete you could call him the complete package.

So what is Murray made of

Chest and Shoulders

Murray's strength-to-weight ratio means that, despite having almost no bulk on his frame – so he can survive five-hour marathon matches – he can still bench press like a rugby player.

He has put on 9lb of muscle since working with Jez Green. One of his favourite (or hated) routines is weighted chin-ups, where he completes sets of chin-ups with a 20kg weight strapped around his waist.

It not only builds his chest and shoulders but works his abdominals, too.

Lungs

Lung-burning work is the key to Murray's stamina.

One of the most significant drills introduced by Green is a routine that includes 20 sprints over 100metres – with one run every minute.

When he started working with Murray he used to make him run 10 consecutive 400m with only 85 seconds rest.

'This improves lactic acid removal, so you can run faster for longer,' says Green. It is exhausting work. (He runs a mile just to warm down!)

Lung-busting: Murray's regime has assisted his development under Green's supervision

Lung-busting: Murray's regime has assisted his development under Green's supervision

Legs

According to Green, Murray's 100m time is approximately 11sec and his 400m around 55sec, but it is his speed over short distances around the court that is exceptional – which is why his ability to reach shots and recover in rallies is such a weapon.

His footwork is so good because he is able to take incredibly quick steps. Green is also responsible for the transformation in Laura Robson's fitness and footwork that has seen her excel this summer.

Nutrition

Murray always eats within 30 minutes of coming off court to help his body recover.

He will eat six meals a day, usually starting with a protein shake, yoghurt and bagel with peanut butter.

He eats a lot of sushi – famously consuming 42 pieces in a single sitting – as it's rich in protein and low in fat.

Alcohol is banned, as are processed foods and sugar, but Murray is teetotal anyway.

He does, however, consume about six litres of water a day.

Nutritious: Murray eats six times a day to keep his body in top condition and to assist with its recovery time

Nutritious: Murray eats six times a day to keep his body in top condition and to assist with its recovery time

The Schedule

Out of season, Murray spends a month at a boot camp, training for six hours a day, often running the long beaches of Miami as well as sprinting and upper-body work.

During the long season his training schedule will be split into two – during tournaments and in-between competitions.

Blowing hot and cold…

After every session he will endure 10 minutes in an ice bath with water set to 10C.

Some days he will also do bikram yoga, with exercises carried out in a sauna-like room set at 43C.

Murray says: 'It's insane how hot it is in there and you've got to hold your position. You sweat so much and you feel you're going to faint.'

Emphatic Vitali Klitschko ends Charr"s perfect record in what could be last fight

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Emphatic Klitschko ends Charr's perfect record in what could be last fight

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UPDATED:

23:28 GMT, 8 September 2012

Vitali Klitschko ended Manuel Charr's perfect record with a clinical defence of his WBC heavyweight title in Moscow.

In what could prove to be the Ukrainian's last-ever bout before embarking on a career in politics, a cut over Charr's right eye brought proceedings to an end with 56 seconds remaining in the fourth round.

Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine punshes Manuel Charr of Germany during the WBC-heavy weight title fight between Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine and Manuel Charr of Germany at Olimpiyskiy Arena

Going out with a bang: Klitschko lands one of many jabs on Charr's chin before the fight was stopped

Manuel Charr of Germany reacts after referee Guido Cavalleri of Italy finished the WBC-heavy weight title fight

Angry reaction: A bloodied Charr protests after the referee brought the WBC-heavy weight title fight to an end

It was a one-sided contest from the off, with Klitschko stalking the ring behind his jab and landing a couple of early shorts.

He put the former kickboxer down in the second round, landing a left hook which saw Charr counted to eight. And, when a similar shot wounded Charr in the fourth, the referee stepped in.

Vitali Klitschko of the Ukraine celebrates after winning the WBC-heavy weight title fight

Party time: Ukranian Klitschko celebrates with fans

Charr was disgruntled with the call, kicking the ropes, but the amount of blood he was shedding meant it was impossible for him to carry on.