Nelson: Norton was so tough

Sky Sports' boxing expert Johnny Nelson says the late Ken Norton was a hugely popular and respected figure throughout the boxing world.

The former world heavyweight champion passed away at a care facility in Arizona on Wednesday at the age of 70, having suffered congestive heart failure.

The American great was involved in a string of memorable bouts, and was considered something of a bogeyman for the great Muhammad Ali.

The pair were involved in three epic fights, Norton winning the first on a split decision after breaking Ali's jaw, before Ali won the second, also on a split decision, and the third, when he was given a very controversial verdict.

Nelson described Norton as "tough, through and through, and very well-respected in the boxing world".

He added: "He was a bogeyman for a lot of fighters. He was very tough to dissect and get through so, unless you were an outstanding fighter, you struggled against him.

"He boxed the best, Larry Holmes, Earnie Shavers, Jimmy Young and, of course Ali and George Foreman. This guy was tough, an ex-marine.

"If you look on Twitter and the Internet, there are not many, if any, people who had a bad word to say about him.

"Ken Norton was the gatekeeper to the heavyweight division. If he boxed in today's era, he'd be a champion, without a doubt."

Norton utilised quite an unusual style and Nelson added: "It was sort of a cross-block style, very unconventional in regards to boxing so, if you had somebody like that in front of you, you thought 'this isn't what I've trained to try and get through'.

"Norton came in with that style, and he was very athletic with it as well, and very physical as well, so he could make it very hard for an opponent to figure him out and get the timing.

"Ali was one of the greatest fighters we've ever seen but he still struggled with this man and his speed, his jab, his style, his fitness.

"All of a sudden, Ali had to depend on his skill more than anything else.

"You kind of felt sorry for Norton because you thought 'you know what, you boxed Ali three times and they should have given you the mark on every occasion, because you made life hard for him'. It was close and they gave the nod to Ali."

Norton was also involved in a classic fight with Larry Holmes in 1978, losing his title on a split decision after an enthralling contest.

"One of the greatest heavyweight fights you could ever see," said Nelson. "15 rounds of an immense, class fight, and it was the passing of the baton. That fight had everything, it was second to none."

Jose confident of progress

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho remains confident that his side will qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, despite their loss at home to Basel.
The Swiss side came from a goal behind to win 2-1 on Wednesday night, ending the Blues' 29-match unbeaten home run in Champions League group-stage matches.
Mourinho's men had been seen as hot favourites to qualify from a group which also includes Steaua Bucharest and Schalke but they now have work to do after the unexpected setback.
However, Mourinho said: "The objective of finishing in the top two in the group phase and to go to the next stage of the Champions League is an objective that is not lost - far from it.
"It's an objective we're going to fight for and it's an objective that I believe very, very much that we're going to achieve.
"We lost three points that we must get somewhere. We must get them, (from) Basel, or Schalke, or Bucharest, or all of them, or some of them.
"Normally you have to win the matches at home and get a few points away.
"Now we must win six points at home, Schalke and Steaua, but we have also to win points away. Probably we have to go to win at Basel to compensate for the defeat."
Mourinho insists he is happy with his striking options and says he is expecting improvement from new-boy Samuel Eto'o, who has arrived from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.
"The sharpness, that click to score, we have to wait," said Mourinho. "But he's a great player and he will score goals."

Sisters competitive Nora Istrefit

Crisis and division that we talked a little while ago through a source for one of the most beautiful couples former show-Albanian BIZI there is silence. Even by artists Nora and Robert has not denials, or any exit along public perceive us to think that it's true to qenka. But the sexy singer has apparently not much time to think about her former boyfriend and you put the work on a new hit. This time we learn that Nora will bring her sister on stage along with Wind and famous rapper Mc Kresha will bring a beautiful song after a few days. Even in its social network itself Istrefi Wind wrote that soon will come this COOPERATION, while it is considered as a very sexy woman who will probably compete and her sister in Albanian music scene.

Jose: Champions title a dream

Jose Mourinho insisted he was not obsessed with winning the Champions League with Chelsea ahead of kicking off this season's group stages at home to Basel tonight. Mourinho won the European Cup as boss with Porto and Internazionale but failed to reach the continent's holy grail in his previous stint at Stamford Bridge as well as in his three years in charge of Real Madrid. However, the Portuguese claimed it was more of a dream now, than an obsession, to win it again with the Londoners. "Let's see what happens. I have to focus not on the past but on the future. "There's no obsession for me with this competition. No obsession for Chelsea. But I want to win it for a third time, and I want Chelsea to win it for a second time. "This is the beginning of a process with us and the Champions League. "We made history by winning it two seasons ago. Last year we made history by being the only champions eliminated from the group stage after six matches, and we ended up in a competition we didn't want to play in. "This season we have some players with different experience, but the potential to win it. "We have to build a team full of talented players without the experience and the football philosophy born of having worked together for a long time. "Basel are a very difficult opponent, they've beaten Manchester United and Tottenham in the last two years. Chelsea had a dream and that came true by winning the Champions League. If you win it once you dream about winning it twice. "The first objective of this team has to be a process which ends with an identity, a philosophy and a style of play. "I had a fantastic time here before and most of the people I worked with are still here. The fans have given me everything." Mourinho appears to be tempering expectations six years on from the end to his first spell as boss, by speaking of the need to nurture young talent. Ahead of the Rosenberg clash which precipitated his sacking in 2007, Mourinho delivered a cryptic message about eggs - interpreted as a parting shot at Roman Abramovich and the owner's recruitment policy. Asked what his eggs are like now, Mourinho said: "Beautiful young eggs, eggs that need a mum, in this case a dad, to take care of them. "And one day we'll arrive in a moment when the weather changes, the sun rises, we break the eggs and the eggs are ready to go for life at the top level." Basel boss Murat Yakin says his side are underdogs, despite having a good record against English clubs, helping to knock out Manchester United from the 2011/12 Champions League and eliminating Tottenham from the Europa League last term.

United reveal record revenue

Manchester United have announced record annual revenue, rising by 13.4% to £363.2million for the year to June 30, 2013.

With new deals being announced on almost a weekly basis, it is no surprise that commercial revenues have risen a huge 29.7% to £152.5m for the year ended June 30, 2013.

It is the most significant rise in the 13.4% overall increase in turnover to a club record of £363.2m. The club's debt has fallen by 10.9% to £389.2million.

The adjusted profit for the period is £17.2m.

Wages have risen 11.6% to £180.5m, partly as a result of the club taking on more staff to work on its new digital operation, but also an increase in player salaries.

United have reported a rise in sponsorship revenue alone of 44.1% to £90.9m.

However, broadcast revenue dipped 2.3% to £101.6m as United gained only a 25% share of Champions League revenue paid to England's four competing clubs last season, due to a second-place finish behind Manchester City in the previous campaign.

An increase in matchday revenues of 10.5% to £109.1m was mainly due to Old Trafford being a host Olympic venue, while the club confirmed "exceptional items" costs of £6.2m were partly due to costs incurred with the flotation in New York, but also contracts of coaching staff - Mike Phelan, Rene Meulensteen and Eric Steele - being paid up following the summer departure of manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was also stated in the results that net finance increased £21.3m to £70.8m, primarily due to a £22m premium paid to buy back some of its bonds, which will save interest payments in future years.

The impressive commercial results come as United are explaining their troublesome transfer window to supporters, with communications director Phil Townsend insisting funds were available to Moyes, even though he only ended up signing Marouane Fellaini from Everton.

"The club has always backed the manager in the transfer market, as Sir Alex (Ferguson) has said on many occasions and it will continue to do so," said Townsend in a letter to fans who wrote to United for an explanation of what appeared an underperforming transfer window.

"The club has demonstrated its belief in, and commitment to, David Moyes through the award of a six-year contract.

"Allowing him to shape the future Manchester United team is a long term project not an eight-week panic.

"He must be given time to assess his new squad and come to his own decisions on which players he feels will strengthen it.

"Additional resources were there to add to that but it was not possible to agree with other clubs for the right players to leave.

"The key point there is that the players we buy have to be the right ones for Manchester United; not just any player."

Nora ignores rumors

It seems that there was very much impressed by the recent rumors spread in the media according to which Kosovo is charming couple split. Perhaps accustomed to rumors, but also with the thought that sooner or later they will fall prey to them, the couple Kosovo, once this has taken sportivitet news about their separation, and in response, Nora has posted two photos of their fired during the holidays that are currently going through together, after a season with events.

Ronaldo magic, does not recognize the protection of Galatasaray

Cristiano Ronaldo had a perfect night tonight, scoring three goals in the 6-1 victory depth of Real Madrid against Galatasaray, within the group stage of the Champions League. One of the goals of the Portuguese was truly extraordinary. CR7 The Turkish defense spending exploded three defense to score after the left, in a fantastic solo action. It seems well made Ronaldo a new contract. Of course, after scoring three goals, as the will and adeti order, he took the ball away.