FRANCIS NGANNOU is reeling from a blow outside the ring almost as big as his second-round KO of Anthony Joshua inside it.

The MMA legend has fallen from tenth to 25th in the WBC rankings.

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The French-Cameroonian, 37, stunned fight fans with his boxing debut – a controversial split decision defeat to Tyson Fury last October.

But his resulting high WBC ranking was ruined this month by a one-sided defeat to Joshua.

Ngannou then required oxygen and, even more worryingly, revealed he had no memory of falling unconscious.

It’s all put his boxing career in doubt, even leading to rumors of the former UFC heavyweight champion’s return to MMA.

Ngannou is now also being trolled on social media after belatedly coming up with an unusual excuse for his humiliation against AJ.

Some fans even compared him to Deontay Wilder, who came up with a bewildering array of reasons for losing to Fury.

Ngannou claimed he was the victim of a ‘trick’ as he was taken to the arena in Riyadh too early for his meeting with Joshua.

He told The MMA hour: “We got a schedule, an email, and for some reason I was there at least an hour in advance. But for the fight at least two hours in advance.

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“They do tricks like this to make you tired. I was cool, I was like, ‘Bro, it’s okay.’

“I didn’t know how important that was until fight day when I had to be there two hours early.”

JURGEN KLOPP debunked a journalist’s ‘stupid question’ before storming out of an interview following Liverpool’s departure to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

The Reds boss was left seething after Amad Diallo’s 121^st A minute strike ended his hopes of a Quadruple in his final season at Anfield.

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Liverpool led 3-2 with just eight minutes of extra time remaining before Marcus Rashford leveled things for United.

Diallo then hit the Merseysiders on the counter in the bitter end.

And United have been rewarded for their smash-and-grab with a semi-final draw against Championship side Coventry next month.

Klopp was clearly far from satisfied at the final whistle when he gave his post-match interview.

But he was left furious after a question from a Scandinavian reporter in the tunnel.

The journalist lit the fuse by asking: “Normally intensity is the name of your game, so how come it became so difficult in extra time?”

This series of questions infuriated Klopp, who burst out: ‘A bit of a stupid question, I must say, because you see us so often.

“If you’ve never seen us, you might ask, ‘How can they have more resources?’ We’ve been playing so many games lately.

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“I don’t know exactly how many games United have played. I’m very disappointed with that question, but you clearly thought it was a good question.”

However, the reporter was undeterred and continued: “So, too many games?”

But for Klopp it was the final straw.

He shouted: “Oh come on. You’re clearly not in great shape and I have no nerves for you.

Amazingly, Klopp then walked out of the interview, leaving the reporter stunned.

Fans responded online saying: “Completely reasonable questions.”

Another stated: “Great to report this.”

One added: “Sensational viewing.”

I was wiping down the kitchen surfaces and humming to myself when I felt a pair of hands on my waist. Normally, I would have turned to my husband with a smile and pressed myself against him in the promise of what was to come later. But now, strangely enough, all I felt was irritation.

The hands went higher. I felt anger – a bit like PMT, irrational and deep in my stomach.

“Don’t touch me,” I said. His face was shocked and hurt. I felt terrible, but distant at the same time.

My husband, Jim, and I have always had a passionate, playful and inventive sex life. From exciting role play to handcuffs and making out at any time of the day: sex has always been an intrinsic part of our 20-year relationship.

However, eight weeks ago I started using Ozempic injections. All the longing I normally feel for Jim is gone, along with the extra pounds. I feel better about my body than I have in years, but I don’t feel like having sex at all. The only emotion I feel when he comes near me is anger and a faint sense of disgust.

Understandably, Jim really wants me to get off the injections.

I’m a nurse in my local GP practice in a busy Dorset town, and I’m always in a hurry. When you work 11-hour days, you tend to eat when you can.

Patients bring cakes and cookies all the time, and it’s impossible to resist. I never feel full and I’m an emotional eater. Whether I’m happy, sad, grieving or overwhelmed, my go-to is the cookie tin, chips or bottle of wine. I knew I needed to make long-term changes, but I found it impossible to get started. I tried not to eat food during the day and if I managed, I would binge eat at night.

My weight gain really started during Covid and by January this year I had gained two stone. All my clothes were tight and I felt uncomfortable with the way I looked.

I’m in my 40s and I knew that much of the weight gain posed health risks for the future. We’re going on vacation in August and I don’t want to feel like the mother people whisper about because I let myself go.

Since I have a 15 year old daughter, I am extremely careful about dieting or restricting food, so I would never skip meals. We don’t have a scale at home – I weigh myself at work, so Ozempic seemed like a good solution. I would continue to eat with the family, but with smaller portions.

Before using Ozempic, I did a lot of research. I knew the most common side effects; especially headache and nausea. And I discussed it with Jim, who said if I felt I should do it, he was right behind me. I’d say he now regrets that decision.

I found an online pharmacy that sold it for £170, which would last four weeks. I had to fill out a long questionnaire. Then they asked for a photo of me, which I sent, and then the prescription had to be approved by a GP, which happened the next day.

Within 24 hours of my first injection I lost my appetite. It was extraordinary. It was lunchtime at work and normally I would try to convince myself to eat a salad instead of a mayonnaise sandwich or a patty, but I realized I didn’t feel like eating. Normally medicine takes some time to work, but this was less than a day. It was an exciting feeling.

That afternoon I was surprised at how different I felt. At that point I was going to go straight to the cookie jar, but I didn’t feel like doing that. I was excited. It was clear that the weight would melt away and I would feel good about myself in no time.

Over the course of that week, I felt more and more satisfied with my decision. I wondered if I might feel less energetic because I ate less, but I increased my water intake significantly and woke up every morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. It was fantastic.

I didn’t see much of Jim that week. He is a technical engineer and we had opposite shifts. But then we both had a weekend off and we thought: we’re going to do something fun. For us, that would always end in sex. That’s when he went in for a cuddle in the kitchen and I realized I just couldn’t stand him touching me. I wasn’t even remotely interested.

Things did not get better in the following weeks. I don’t want to deprive him of sex – why should he have to suffer too? But I was very honest with him and said that I don’t get anything from it. God help me, but when he started kissing me, I even used the words, “Just keep going.”

I respond physically – I kiss him back and I touch him – but I feel nothing. He’s tried everything. And I mean everything. He put so much effort into massages and tried different ways to arouse me. But I’m just not interested. There’s no way I can get excited. Normally I come easily, but now there is nothing.

Not only has all the pleasure from eating disappeared – I have to force myself to eat – but I also no longer feel like drinking alcohol. I no longer make plans to go out with friends – or to go out to dinner with my husband. And what’s the point of me and Jim dating or going away if I don’t want to have sex?

I feel like I’ve lost the joys that make life so rich. There’s nothing like a delicious, fresh glass of white wine, a creamy curry or the pure sweaty pleasure of great sex. but I don’t enjoy it anymore? I’m thinner, but I’m miserable. It’s Hobson’s choice.

Since this happened, I’ve googled “Ozempic and lost libido,” and I see others have reported it as a side effect.

Now Jim asks how long I plan to stay on the Ozempic. I said: for now I will continue. I have lost ten kilos and have enough for four more weeks. But I imagine that more than a month like this could damage our marriage. And it’s too expensive to risk that.

So in April I will stop the weekly injections and hope that everything will return to normal. I’m eager to put on nice underwear, feel sexy again with my slimmer figure, and seduce my man the way he deserves!

As told to Alice Smellie. Naam has changed

Chikoo is a delicious and nutritious fruit that is often overlooked when it comes to weight loss. Here are 5 ways this delicious treat can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Are you struggling to lose those stubborn extra pounds? Well, maybe the solution lies in your fruit bowl! Forget apples and oranges for a moment, let’s put the spotlight on the often overlooked herochikoo. Also known as Sapota, it is a delicious and nutritious fruit that is often considered underrated when it comes to weight loss. Despite its sweet taste and creamy texture, chikoo can be a powerful ally on your journey to lose those stubborn extra pounds. This delicious treat is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and can be a perfect addition to your weight-loss diet.

CHIKOO FOR WEIGHT LOSS

1. High in Fiber: Chikoo is packed with dietary fiber, which can help you feel full for longer. Including chikoo in your diet can help curb cravings and prevent overeating, which ultimately leads to reduced calorie intake and weight loss.
2. Beneficial for the digestive system: Chikoo contains a lot of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants that help us say goodbye to digestive problems. It fights inflammation, eases digestion and prevents constipation, improving overall intestinal health.
3. Increases metabolism: Chikoo contains natural sugars that provide a quick energy boost without causing spikes in blood sugar levels. Additionally, the vitamins and minerals present in chikoo help support a healthy metabolism, allowing your body to burn calories more efficiently.
4. Low in calories: despite its sweet taste, chikoo contains relatively few calories compared to other fruits. This means you can enjoy the delicious taste without worrying too much about calorie consumption, making it a perfect snack option for people looking to lose weight.
5. Rich in Nutrients: As mentioned above, chikoo is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and folic acid. These nutrients not only support overall health, but also play an essential role in promoting weight loss by boosting metabolism and improving fat burning processes.

Exercise helps increase metabolism, which in turn helps get rid of belly fat and lose weight. Here’s a 20-minute routine to help burn calories.

The weight loss journey is an amalgamation of a good diet, lifestyle and exercise routine. Going to the gym is not always a compulsion. Having a standard weight loss routine is good enough if you do it with dedication. For some people, getting rid of that stubborn belly fat, arm fat or thigh fat is the priority. Therefore, the set of exercises should also be chosen that relate to this.

Here’s a general workout routine that includes a little bit of cardio and a little bit of other exercise.

WEIGHT LOSS EXERCISE: BASIC FAT MELTING ROUTINE

1. Heat up: It is imperative to start with a warm-up. The muscles and body need to lose some weight and be ready for some physical activity. Start with 3-5 minutes of light cardio exercise to warm up your body. You can walk briskly, jog in place or do jumping jacks. It helps reduce the risk of injuries, muscle cramps, etc.
2. Mountain climbers: Stand in a high plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line. Alternately bring your knees to your chest as if you were running in place. Do this exercise for 1 minute to increase your heart rate and activate your core muscles.
3. Russian twists: Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lean back slightly while keeping your back straight. Hold your hands together in front of your chest and rotate your torso from side to side, touching the floor on each side. Perform this exercise for 1 minute to work your oblique muscles.
4. Bicycle crunches: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your hands behind your head. Lift your shoulders off the ground and bring your left elbow toward your right knee as you straighten your left leg. Repeat on the other side, bringing your right elbow toward your left knee. Continue switching sides for 1 minute to tighten your abdominal muscles.
5. Plank with hip dips: Get into a forearm plank position with your elbows directly under your shoulders. Lower your hips back and forth, lightly touching the floor on each side. Keep your core engaged and maintain a straight line from your head to your heels. Do this exercise for 1 minute to work your core and oblique muscles.
6. Jumping rope: Grab a skipping rope and jump continuously for 1 minute. If you don’t have a rope, you can mimic the jumping motion without a rope. Jumping rope is an effective cardio exercise that helps burn calories and fat.
7. Reverse crunches: Lie on your back with your legs bent and lifted off the ground, knees above your hips. Place your hands at your sides or under your glutes for support. Use your abdominal muscles to lift your hips from the floor to your chest and then lower them back down. Repeat this move for 1 minute to target your lower abs.
8. Burpees: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Squat down, place your hands on the floor and jump your feet back into a high plank position. Perform a push-up, then jump your feet back to your hands and explosively jump up with your arms above your head. Repeat this exercise for 1 minute to work your entire body and increase your heart rate.
9. Cooling down: End the routine with 3-5 minutes of light stretching to cool your muscles and promote flexibility.

Remember to listen to your body and adjust the exercises as necessary. Consistency is key when it comes to losing belly fat, so try to perform this routine regularly in combination with a healthy diet for the best results.

FRANCIS NGANNOU woke up the morning of his showdown with Anthony Joshua with a sneaking suspicion he was going to lose the fight.

The former UFC heavyweight champion aligned himself with AJ in a lucrative Saudi showdown early Saturday morning.

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Ngannou, 37, shocked the world in his professional boxing debut last October with a stunning performance against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

But he was brutally brought back down soil by AJ, who knocked him out in the second round of their Saudi showdown

He told Seconds off: “I’m not going to take anything away from Anthony Joshua, he’s done a great job.

“I think even if I was different, things might still have been the same.

‘But this wasn’t my day. I woke up this morning and it felt like this wasn’t my day.”

Despite suffering the first knockdowns and knockout of his eleven-year martial arts career, Ngannou has no plans to leave boxing.

When asked if he plans to return to the ring, the Cameroonian clubber said: “Absolutely.

“Right now I feel like I have an obligation to keep going because I’m owed something now.

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“I think boxing owes me now and I really intend to collect.”

Former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua believes Ngannou still has a lot to offer in boxing.

In his post-fight interview he said: “On the way to the championship you always had to stay focused and I had to distance myself from the mission.

“I thought it was just a gimmick for the broadcasters.

“When I saw the Tyson Fury fight I thought, damn, this guy can fight, I want a piece of that.

“I wanted to welcome him and this doesn’t take anything away from him, he can come again.

“I’m still learning and pushing, I don’t know if I’ll reach my peak. If I was down there, you’d say, ‘Anthony Joshua needs to retire.’

“In five years I will be done with fighting and sitting, and all this will be a distant memory.

“I’ll go back and lock myself in my cage and they can let me out if they want me to fight. I just want to fight.”

EXHAUSTED shoppers shouted “what a loss” as a “brilliant” and much-loved bookshop pulled down its shutters for good.

The high street favorite, in St Martin’s, Leicester, announced the “sad news” that they would be saying goodbye to customers permanently.

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Independent Fox Books regretfully shared their announcement, saying the store was “no longer sustainable”.

Disappointed owner Ieuan Cox, wrote further Facebook: “I know this will be sad news for many of you.

“Over the past three years I have enjoyed serving customers, organizing events and talking about everything related to books.

“Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, a physical bookstore is no longer sustainable.

“Fox Books will continue online and at events, which will hopefully include a series of regular pop-ups. Watch this space for more details.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped Fox Books get this far.

“I hope you will continue to support Leicester’s independent bookshop as it develops.”

Shocked fans greeted the bookstore, with a flood of supportive messages filling the comments section.

One said: “Sad news. You and your little shop were brilliant.’

Another wrote: “I’m really sorry to hear this, Ieuan. What a loss.”

“Sorry to hear this, Ieuan. Thank you for all you have done to support authors. I’m glad to hear you’re moving on in other ways,” a third chimed in.

Someone else wrote: “I’m sorry, it’s a beautiful store.”

“Great little shop. My wife and I only discovered you a few weeks ago when we stopped by and bought a book on witchcraft. We had a really good chat with you,” wrote another customer.

“Your bookstore was such a beautiful retreat and had the best books, for adults and children,” said one loyal fan.

Customers now have until April 6 to get their last books from the store.

There is now a closing sale, where shoppers receive significant discounts.

It comes as an independent homewares store in the same area suffered a similar fate last year.

Harriman & Co closed down after almost a decade on the high street, but still sells products online.

Meanwhile, a popular restaurant, The Chase, also recently turned away customers after having to close.

And it’s not just independent and small businesses that are suffering from the current climate.

Even industry giants are falling victim to rising bills and customers with less spending money amid the steep cost of living.

Several brands have gone bankrupt and disappeared from our shopping streets forever, such as Wilko and Paperchase.

The latest blow has left six major chains, including Next, The Entertainer, Iceland, Clarks and WHSmith, shutting down.

Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) this summer showed that Britain had lost 6,000 stores in a five-year period.

Shoppers recently cried at the “very sad news” that a popular discount chain with more than 500 stores would close for good.

Bookworms and bargain hunters were disappointed to hear that an Oxfam bookshop in Bishop’s Stortford, East Hertfordshire, was waving goodbye to customers.

The organization has attributed the closure to the area no longer being a popular shopping destination.

And Oxfam already pulled the plug on many of its branches last year.

Body Shop bosses have also called in administrators with a “significant number” of jobs and stores at risk as the brand looks set to enter an insolvency process.

Meanwhile, popular beauty retailer Boots has also sadly announced it will close 300 stores this year, following several closures in 2023.

And a fellow cosmetics retailer with 66 branches has closed one of its branches.

Beauty giant L’Occitane En Provence pulled down the shutters on Hereford’s old market.

Moreover, bargain hunters were devastated to hear that discount retailer B&M had closed another store.

A MANCHESTER UNITED transfer target was embroiled in an ugly row with his own fans after a home defeat.

Beautiful star Jean-Claire Todibo has attracted a lot of transfer attention due to his performances this season.

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He has helped his side into the top four, but Nice’s form has dipped in recent weeks.

Nice, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has gone five games in Ligue 1 without a win after losing 2-1 at home to Montpellier.

Todibo scored an own goal in the tenth minute before his teammate Jeremy Boga equalized two minutes later.

But when Téji Tedy Savanier put the visitors ahead again from the penalty spot shortly before halftime, Nice faced a difficult task.

They failed to turn the game around and at the final whistle the home faithful made their feelings known.

Todibo decided to confront the ultras behind the goal and appeared irritated as fans hurled their objections at him.

The centre-back had to be restrained by his teammates as they tried to force him away from the fans and towards the tunnel.

Meanwhile, the Nice fans came down from the stands shouting and trying to get onto the pitch; they had to be stopped by security barriers.

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According to reports, fans told Todibo to “leave” following speculation that the Frenchman would want to leave.

Todibo, 24, has admitted he would be willing to make a move amid United’s interest.

He said: “I’m in Nice and we’re having a great season. I don’t have my mind on anything else. If I did that it would be difficult for me personally and also for the group.”

“I feel very good at Nice. We will see what happens in the summer, but we are not there yet. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

‘I don’t want to give false hope. For now I’m here in Nice.’

Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama has died at the age of 68 due to a hemorrhage near his brain, his studio said Thursday.

Toriyama died on March 1 due to the medical condition known as acute subdural hematoma, the Dragon Ball studio said in a statement on social media.

The Dragon Ball studio said it was their “deep regret” that Toriyama “still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm,” as “he would have many more things to achieve.”

“However, he left many manga titles and works of art to this world. We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation will remain loved by all for a long time to come.”

The Dragon Ball comic was released in 1984 and became a huge success, with spin-off films, games and cartoons.

The statement continued: “Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for more than 45 years.

“We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation will remain loved by everyone for a long time to come.”

The studio said that “a funeral service was held with his family and very few relatives,” asking for privacy for his family and for fans to refrain from visiting, sending flowers, gifts or other offers.

No decision has yet been made on a “memorial event” in Toriyama’s memory, the studio said, adding that it will provide further information as it becomes available.

“We sincerely thank you for your understanding and support, as always,” the studio said in closing the statement.

Dragon Ball centers on Son Goku, a boy who searches for a collection of magical dragon balls during a battle to protect the planet from the Saiyans, a group of alien humanoids.

The martial arts-influenced franchise also features popular characters such as Piccolo, Bulma and Krillin.

In the late 1980s, it was adapted into an anime show by Toei Animation, which he said achieved enormous success on an international scale. The Hollywood Reporter.

Toriyama had also been busy working on video games in the anime genre, including Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest, according to the outlet IGN.

Toriyama was rumored to be working on a Dragon Ball Z spin-off called Dragon Ball Daima, focusing on the characters Goku and Vegeta.

At New York Comic Con 2023 last fall, Dragon Ball Daima executive producer Akio Iyoku said on a panel that Toriyama had been “very involved beyond his normal capabilities” in working on the details of the high-profile project.

Iyoku said Toriyama had planned “all new episodes for the storyline, so look forward to the start of the series,” which will be released this fall.

Toriyama was born on April 5, 1955 in Nagoya, Japan and began his career by submitting his work to Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine, according to THR.

He was first published in 1978 with a comic called Wonder Island, based on an ex-World War II kamikaze pilot who was stranded on a place called Wonder Island. The following year he released a sequel titled Wonder Island 2.

Toriyama enjoyed early success with the manga Dr. Slump, which would serialize Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1980-1984.

Dr. Slump was set in a location called Penguin Village, which according to THR focused on a female robot and her creator.

The breakout success sold more than 35 million copies and would be adapted into an animated TV series from Toei Animation between 1981 and 1986.

A number of fans took to social media on Thursday evening to express their emotional condolences for Toriyama and respect for the contributions he has made in his field.

‘Wow. This man was a legend, a unique talent that impacted so many lives,” said a tweet from the account @DotoDoya. “Shocked and sad, but his legacy will live on for thousands of years, I’m sure.”

A tweet from @zentreya read: Incredibly saddening. I also recently watched DB. Many memorable characters and worlds were created. Thank you for helping spark the imagination of others and giving strength to others. Rest in peace.’

One user posted a Dragon Ball-related GIF of a character crying, saying, “I’m literally crying. Rest in peace to the goat of all goats.”

One user said: ‘Legends never die, RIP Akira, you created one of the best shows ever and touched so many of our hearts growing up. Thanks for everything.’

Another user said, “Rest in peace Akira Toriyama, you will be forever missed,” accompanied by a Dragon Ball-related image of a character with a halo.

Another fan described Toriyama as “a legend,” adding, “Thank you Akira Toriyama for entertaining and inspiring so many of us. Rest in peace.’

One fan said, “Thank you Akira Toriyama. You have touched so many lives and inspired millions around the world. May you rest in peace, you will NEVER be forgotten.”

One user noted the enormous reach and impact of Toriyama and the Dragon Ball franchise, saying: ‘This is so heartbreaking, he and his work have played a huge role in the lives of me and many others.

‘Rest in peace and thank you for all the wonderful memories.’

One fan said: ‘Worst news this year. He was everyone’s hero. Thank you Akira Toriyama. This hurts. What a legend.’

One fan called the news of Toriyama’s death “incredibly heartbreaking to read,” and marveled at the widespread impact he made on his field.

“He was a generational genius who influenced my youth and so many others in such a meaningful way,” the user said. ‘His legacy will never fade and he will continue to inspire generations to come.’

Toriyama is survived by his wife Yoshimi Kato and two children.