Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has officially changed his residency from the United Kingdom to Dubai, according to newly filed business documents.
The heavyweight star submitted paperwork on Friday for his £150m business empire confirming his relocation to the United Arab Emirates.
Both Sparta Promotions Limited and 258 Investments Limited reflect the geographic shift for the Watford-born boxer.
This decision comes just months after the British fighter suffered the tragic loss of two close friends in a vehicle collision.
Financial benefits and business restructuring
Dubai has become an increasingly popular destination for elite athletes seeking to capitalise on its zero-tax policy on personal income.
The two-time world champion would have been liable for substantial UK tax bills on his dividend payments over the past two years.
His primary company, Sparta Promotions, reported profits of more than £20m in 2024 alone.
By establishing residency in the Middle East, the Olympic gold medallist stands to save millions in future domestic tax obligations.
Relocating amid regional tensions
The relocation proceeds despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and recent missile strikes involving the United States and Iran.
Dubai has been affected by retaliatory strikes in recent weeks, creating a volatile backdrop for the boxer’s arrival.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand recently detailed the unsettling environment his family experienced while residing in the desert city.
“It’s frightening when you hear missiles, planes and fighter jets going above us, and you’re hearing big bombs.”
Rio Ferdinand
Despite these security concerns, the 36-year-old athlete has chosen to push forward with his new chapter in the UAE.
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall hopes to return to the octagon by the end of the year following two operations to repair severe eye damage sustained against Ciryl Gane last October.
The 32-year-old has not competed since his title defence in Abu Dhabi ended in a first-round no-contest due to multiple eye pokes from his French opponent.
Following months of uncertainty surrounding his fighting future, the Wigan-born athlete has now shared an optimistic update regarding his physical recovery.
Speaking to The Ariel Helwani Show, the British fighter expressed clear optimism about a winter comeback.
They’re giving me the indication that everything’s going in the right direction and improving fast.
Tom Aspinall
There was a time when things were all up in the air, because we had some complications with it, but everything now is moving good, and I’m feeling a lot better.
Interim title clash creates new contender
Aspinall was widely expected to face a direct rematch against Gane upon his return to full fitness.
However, the divisional landscape shifted dramatically after the promotion announced an interim heavyweight title bout between Gane and Alex Pereira for an upcoming event on 14 June.
The winner of that high-profile contest is provisionally slated to face the recovering champion in a future unification bout.
Pereira recently vacated his light-heavyweight belt and is aiming to make history as the first-ever three-weight world champion in the history of the sport.
Outside ventures and heavyweight drama
Away from the octagon, the current titleholder surprised fans recently by signing with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn as part of a new talent agency.
This strategic partnership adds an intriguing layer of complexity given Hearn’s ongoing rivalry with UFC president Dana White over future boxing ventures.
Meanwhile, former champion Jon Jones remains absent from the active heavyweight picture following his sudden retirement last summer.
Despite recent online claims from the controversial American star regarding negotiations for a summer return, management has firmly denied that the veteran was ever scheduled to feature.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has awarded its men’s team a £12.2m bonus following their emphatic 96-run victory over New Zealand in Sunday’s T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
This 1.31 billion rupee windfall is more than six times the £1.8m official tournament prize money secured for lifting their third men’s title.
The additional reward from the world’s wealthiest cricket board also significantly exceeds the competition’s entire £8.8m overall prize pot.
Olympic ambitions follow historic dominance
Captain Suryakumar Yadav has already outlined his squad’s next major objective by targeting a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Cricket will return to the Olympic programme in California, where the current back-to-back T20 world champions are expected to enter as overwhelming favourites.
Their status as the premier international white-ball side is underlined by securing a third overall T20 crown to add to recent Champions Trophy and Asia Cup successes.
Governing body continues lucrative reward policy
The Indian cricket administration has established a clear precedent for heavily incentivising major international tournament triumphs.
Last year, the Champions Trophy-winning squad received a £5.1m cash bonus that effectively tripled their official tournament earnings.
“The Board congratulates the players, support staff and selectors once again on this historic achievement and wishes them continued success in the future.”
Board of Control for Cricket in India
Attention will soon turn to the 50-over World Cup scheduled for next year across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The Men in Blue will have an opportunity to complete a historic clean sweep of global limited-overs trophies on the African continent.
Oleksandr Usyk has confirmed his final three fights before retiring from professional boxing, starting with a bout against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Egypt this May and concluding with a trilogy fight against Tyson Fury.
The Ukrainian will defend his WBC world title against the Dutchman in front of the Pyramids on 23 May.
Verhoeven, a 12-year undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion, has only one professional boxing match on his record.
Following that unique crossover encounter, the two-time undisputed heavyweight ruler plans to target the winner of the upcoming domestic clash between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois.
Targeting a third undisputed crown
Usyk recently vacated one of his four world titles rather than face Wardley, who was subsequently elevated to champion status.
Wardley is scheduled to defend his newly acquired belt against Dubois just two weeks before the high-profile event in Egypt.
Securing a victory in his penultimate career bout against either Briton would allow the celebrated southpaw to reclaim his undisputed status.
That scenario would perfectly set the stage for a spectacular farewell against his greatest modern rival.
A final showdown with Fury
Usyk intends to offer Fury a third opportunity to defeat him after securing two historic victories over the British fighter in 2024.
“Rico is first, second is whoever wins between Wardley and Dubois and the third fight is my friend ‘Greedy Belly’, Tyson Fury.”
The unified heavyweight king was full of praise for his immediate opponent, despite the unprecedented nature of the May contest.
“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport, and Rico is one of them,” Usyk explained. “He is a powerful athlete and a great champion.”
Verhoeven seeks the ultimate challenge
Usyk was quick to remind his kickboxing counterpart that the squared circle presents an entirely different set of demands.
“But this is boxing – a different game, with its own rules and its own kings,” he said. “I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring.”
Verhoeven insists he is not looking for a comfortable transition into a new combat sport.
“Usyk is undisputed in boxing and that’s the kind of challenge that motivates me,” Verhoeven stated. “Undisputed versus undisputed, the best facing the best.”
Maro Itoje was seen shouting at team-mate Fin Smith during England’s historic 23-18 Six Nations defeat against Italy in Rome as mounting pressure within Steve Borthwick’s squad was laid bare.
The Azzurri claimed their first-ever victory over the visitors at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, overturning an eight-point deficit to plunge their opponents into a state of crisis.
Tension within the touring camp was highlighted when the captain was captured aggressively ordering his fly-half to kick a penalty for three points.
Footage from the tight contest shows the experienced lock shouting “don’t argue with me, take the three” after the playmaker appeared to suggest kicking for the corner.
Pundits question indecision in England camp
Former Wasps winger Ugo Monye questioned whether the visible disagreement on the pitch highlights deeper, fundamental issues within the national setup.
“That level of indecision, is it indicative of where England are?” asked the former international on BBC’s Rugby Special.
Former Scotland forward John Barclay echoed those sentiments, noting that the sudden eruption of frustration illustrates the intense scrutiny currently surrounding the squad.
“There’s so much pressure, and there’s a bit of an explosion there,” Barclay stated.
Six Nations campaign on brink of collapse
Ex-Wales captain Sam Warburton defended the tactical decision to take the points but admitted the heated exchange revealed a group feeling the strain.
“Maro knew it was going to be three, but I think pressure does funny things to you,” Warburton explained.
The shock weekend result leaves Borthwick’s side languishing in fifth place in the tournament standings with just one victory and six points from four matches.
The struggling squad must now travel to Paris for a daunting finale against France, where another defeat would condemn them to their first four-loss campaign since 1976.
Charles Oliveira secured the BMF title by smothering Max Holloway in a grappling-heavy main event that ultimately disappointed fans at UFC 326 in Las Vegas.
The highly anticipated matchup was widely expected to be a breathless contender for fight of the year.
Instead, the Brazilian submission specialist utilised his superior ground game to constantly stifle the Hawaiian striker.
Spectators were treated to a methodical wrestling clinic rather than the chaotic entertainment usually associated with the symbolic championship.
Undercard provides explosive finishes
Fortunately, the supporting bouts delivered several moments of genuine excitement to salvage an otherwise frustrating evening.
Drew Dober extended his own remarkable record for the most knockouts in lightweight division history.
The veteran southpaw crushed Michael Johnson with a devastating straight left hand in the second round to register his 11th career stoppage.
Earlier in the night, Gregory Rodrigues secured spectacular revenge against Brunno Ferreira.
Debutants make an immediate impact
Rodrigues needed only a single thunderous right hand to knock out his middleweight rival in the opening round.
The brutal finish perfectly avenged a previous knockout defeat the imposing fighter suffered against his compatriot in 2023.
In the featherweight division, highly touted prospect Alberto Montes made a flawless introduction to the premier mixed martial arts promotion.
The newcomer battered Ricky Turcios aggressively before securing a brilliant second-round victory via his signature anaconda choke.
Light heavyweight Rodolfo Bellato also added to the evening’s highlight reel by securing a rapid first-round technical knockout over Luke Fernandez.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will return to mixed martial arts to face Philipe Lins on 16 May as part of Most Valuable Promotions’ inaugural MMA card on Netflix.
The five-round heavyweight bout serves as the co-main event to the headline clash between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.
It marks the Cameroonian fighter’s first appearance in the cage since he stopped Renan Ferreira in the first round to claim the PFL Super Fights title last October.
This latest announcement arrives just days after the renowned knockout artist confirmed his departure from the Professional Fighters League.
A new chapter on a global stage
He initially joined the PFL in 2023 on a unique contract that allowed him to pursue high-profile boxing matches alongside his mixed martial arts commitments.
During that brief stint, the 38-year-old nearly upset Tyson Fury before suffering a devastating stoppage loss to Anthony Joshua earlier this year.
“Stepping back into the cage isn’t just a return; it’s a reclamation.”
The former Parisian added that his return demanded a stage matching his ambition, noting that partnering with MVP and streaming giant Netflix ensures worldwide visibility.
Familiar heavyweight pedigree
Ngannou famously departed the Ultimate Fighting Championship in early 2023 following a bitter contract dispute, vacating the heavyweight championship he won by dismantling Stipe Miocic in 2021.
His upcoming Brazilian opponent boasts vast combat experience across the UFC, Bellator, and PFL promotions.
Lins recently enjoyed a four-fight winning streak as a light-heavyweight in the UFC before being released from his contract in March 2024.
“Francis is one of the most feared knockout artists the sport has ever seen, and his return to MMA instantly makes this a historic night.”
MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian promised that adding arguably the best heavyweight in the world creates unprecedented star power for their debut mixed martial arts event.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says Saturday’s Six Nations Triple Crown decider against Scotland in Dublin provides the perfect high-stakes preparation for the next World Cup.
The men in green are aiming to secure a trio of victories over their Celtic and English rivals for the second successive year.
Meanwhile, the visiting side will attempt to achieve that exact same feat for the first time since 1990.
High stakes at the Aviva Stadium
A championship title remains a distinct possibility for whichever nation emerges victorious from this weekend’s highly anticipated clash.
That wider tournament outcome depends entirely on England defeating France in Paris later on Saturday evening.
“You should never underestimate going for a Triple Crown, it’s huge and it means a lot to us, but it’s also going to mean a lot to them as well.”
The English-born tactician is eager to evaluate his squad under the intense scrutiny of a must-win scenario.
“What’s coming down the line in the next 18 months, coming into the last week with the Triple Crown on the line, it’s going to be the type of pressure that we want to be able to deal with.”
Historical records become irrelevant
The Scottish outfit have failed to defeat their opponents since a memorable triumph at Murrayfield during the 2017 tournament.
However, the national team manager insists that recent dominance counts for absolutely nothing when the opening whistle blows.
“The record becomes irrelevant when next week comes around, because they’re a great side, a talented side, they’re well coached, they’ve had some big wins.”
“We’re expecting a massive game next week and the record doesn’t come into it because it’s a proper Test match and a good week to get excited about.”
Praise for versatile O’Toole
Beyond the collective team goals, the former rugby league star singled out Ulster prop Tom O’Toole for his impressive adaptability.
The forward performed admirably at loose-head against Wales during Friday’s 27-17 victory, despite traditionally operating on the tight-head side.
“It’s amazing what he’s done, it’s a lot more difficult than what people would think.”
The coaching staff were particularly thrilled by the player’s mental resilience and strict refusal to search for convenient excuses in an unfamiliar role.
“Everyone knows how difficult it is to switch but he committed to it and we’ve seen that type of scrummaging performance in training, and he got us a few penalties on the back of that.”
Such positional flexibility offers invaluable tactical options as the squad navigates potential injury crises ahead of the global showcase.