The Premier League football season is back after a long hiatus. We have a nice one to ease us in. Top of the table, title chasers, Arsenal... away.
Obviously, a very good side who do things differently to most teams in the Premier League with their set-piece approach. Is it a good time to play them as their morale might be low after losing the chance to do the quadruple and then losing the chance for the treble so close together? Or will they be more fired up than ever to finally get this long-awaited fourth Premier League title? Either way, Andoni and the staff will have our boys prepared to go to the Emirates and give their all to bring back three points like we did there last May.
Declan Rice and Justin Kluivert (Image: Richard Crease)
Sunday, we have football at our home stadium though. The women's team go up against Real Bedford in a crucial game as they chase down Watford and Plymouth who respectively occupy the number one and two spots. Look forward to being one of the thousands in attendance, cheering the ladies on. Up the Cherries in all departments.
(Image: Lamine Mersch)
Staying on women's sport, last weekend two of my stablemates, Caroline Dubois and Ellie Scotney co-headlined the Kensington Olympia, live on Sky Sports. Caroline was in against Terri Harper who was the reigning WBO champion, with Caroline holding the WBC belt. Caroline kept it simple dropping Terri Harper once on her way to a unanimous points decision to become unified champion of the world.
Ellie Scotney was boxing a Mexican world champion for all of the belts. Ellie already had three of the four sanctioning body titles as well as The Ring belt (which is given out only when The Ring recognise the person as the number one in the division).
(Image: Lamine Mersch)
This has been Ellie's dream since she turned pro. To become undisputed champion of the world. I had the absolute honour and privilege of holding two of Ellies four belts as her brother held the other two. I was emotional before, during and after. Ellie is like a little sister to me in the gym. She is kind hearted, wants the best for people and has a fantastic sense of humour. And boy, girl can she FIGHT! She put on the performance of her career against an opponent who would not stop coming forward, trying to knock Ellie out. Ellie was in tears and I was too. I have seen first-hand how hard she trains, always chasing improvements, how she carries herself as a person and the way she has been during adversity with calmness and assurance. She had a bad calf during camp and it went in the third round. After the fight she could barely walk. Me and her nutritionist had to carry her up the stairs back to the changing rooms.
Ellie Scotney is somebody who I want my children to look up to, like I look up to her.
Lastly, on the boxing front.
News incoming on my next move VERY soon.