Sport shorts: Floyd Mayweather is ‘coming out of retirement’ and Euro 2020 play-offs could set up an all-Ireland clash

1. Mayweather set to come out of retirement

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is planning to come out of retirement after revealing he is in talks with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White to bring a “spectacular event” in 2020.

The American, a 50-0 unbeaten five-weight world champion, hung up his gloves after defeating UFC star Conor McGregor in a boxing bout in 2017.

He has since took part in an exhibition with Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in December 2018, but now looks ready to make another return.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Mayweather, 42, posted on Instagram: “Dana White and I are working together again to bring the world another spectacular event in 2020.”

In another post he added: “Coming out of retirement in 2020.”

6. Euro 2020 play-offs could see an all-Ireland clash

Scotland will host Israel in the semi-finals of the Euro 2020 play-offs at Hampden Park. The winners of the semi-final will then travel away to meet either Norway or Serbia.

If Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland both win their semi-finals they would face each other in Belfast for place at next summer’s European Championships.

The play-off semi-finals take place on 26 March 2020 and the finals will be played on 31 March. Winners of the four finals will then join the 20 teams that have already qualified for Euro 2020.

Euro 2020 play-off semi-final draw

• Path A: Iceland vs. Romania; Bulgaria vs. Hungary (winner of the Bulgaria vs. Hungary clash will be at home in the path A play-off final)
• Path B: Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Northern Ireland; Slovakia vs. Republic of Ireland (winner of the Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Northern Ireland will be at home in the path B play-off final)
• Path C: Scotland vs. Israel; Norway vs. Serbia (winner of Norway vs. Serbia will host the path C play-off final)
• Path D: Georgia vs. Belarus; North Macedonia vs. Kosovo (winner of Georgia vs. Belarus will host the path D play-off final)

7. Zlatan linked with Jose reunion

The Guardian reports that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is being linked with a move to Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham. Veteran Swedish striker Ibrahimovic has recently left MLS side LA Galaxy and previously played under Mourinho at Manchester United.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

8. Eddie Jones: ‘I’d love to coach Arsenal’

Could England rugby head coach Eddie Jones be the man to restore order at the “Mayhemirates”?

Speaking to talkSPORT, the Australian said: “I’d love to coach Arsenal. How good would that be! How much fun would that be!”

Lucas Torreira wanted by AC Milan and Napoli in January

9. Ferrari president ‘very angry’ with drivers

John Elkann, the president of Ferrari, admits he was “very angry” following the collision between Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc at last weekend’s Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix.

When asked about the incident Elkann warned the duo of their responsibility of driving for Ferrari. “I’m very angry about Sunday’s grand prix,” he said. “What happened made us understand how important Ferrari is.

“The drivers, however good they are, mustn’t forget they are Ferrari drivers. Team work counts, the only thing that counts is that Ferrari wins.”

F1: what next for outgoing Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg?

10. Mourinho’s first press conference

Eleven months after parting company with Manchester United, Jose Mourinho is back in the big time.

The new Tottenham boss held his first press conference yesterday and spoke about many topics, including his ambitions at Spurs, his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino and how he has learnt from past mistakes.

He said: “I always thought that these 11 months were not a waste of time. They were months to think, to analyse, to prepare. You never lose your DNA, you never lose your identity, but I have time to think about many things.

“During my career I have made mistakes… I realised I made mistakes. I’m not going to make the same mistakes. I’ll make new mistakes - but not the same.”

Today’s back pages

‘Spurs can win the Premier League next season’, says Jose Mourinho

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––