Manny Pacquiao and Justin Fortune. Source: Supplied
MEET the Australian heavyweight boxer who went toe-to-toe with Lennox Lewis and is now fighting cancer from inside Manny Pacquiao's Los Angeles training camp in the lead-up to the Floyd Mayweather superfight.
Justin Fortune, 49, is the hard-as-coffin-nails boxing conditioner who moved to Los Angeles in 2002 and has spent the best part of nine years working alongside legendary fight trainer Freddie Roach.
Aside from working with Pacquaio at Roach's famous Wild Card gym, the ex-heavyweight boxer is fighting throat and neck cancer.
Manny Pacquiao and Justin Fortune. Source: Supplied
Fortune recently had a bone graft from his forearm to replace some of the nodules the doctors had to remove from his throat as part of his chemotherapy and radiation.
Since being diagnosed, the thick-set brawler has lost 35kg.
"They say it's the worst cancer treatment, throat cancer. I didn't believe them, but they were spot on," Fortune said.
"The only way to treat cancer is to cut, burn and poison. You lose your taste buds, your saliva glands, it's horrible.
"It's all about your mindset. If you want to roll over and die, you will. But if you want to fight it, then fight. I've stood toe-to-toe my whole life, so that's what I'm still doing.
"I totally understand people switching off, it devastates you in mind and body. But it is what it is. I've been through the worst part of the fight and now it's a healing process."
Justin Fortune with Manny Pacquiao and Freddy Roach Source: Supplied
Pacquaio's LA training camp is strictly a closed workshop, with no cameras allowed inside the gym and all mobile phones left at the door.
"We don't want anything about what we do inside the gym appearing anywhere, but the preparation so far has been perfect," Fortune said.
"Everyone knows styles makes fights. Floyd's a great fighter but he's got holes in his defence and holes in his offence. Manny has also got a power advantage. We'll be ready to go come May 2."
FAULKNER TO LEAD CHARGE FOR AUSSIES
THE cricket World Cup will start to sizzle as of Friday with Australia to take on Pakistan in a quarter-final in Adelaide.
Big-hitting all-rounder James Faulkner (pictured) will anchor the Australia innings in the middle order, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood fighting for the final place in the starting XI.
Cricketer James Faulkner. Source: Supplied
Still in cricket circles, Australian captain heir apparent Steve Smith and opener David Warner are both signed up as fully fledged Sydney Roosters members for the year ahead.
The Roosters have even been trying to sign up Warner's daughter Ivy, but with mum Candice Falzon a one-eyed South Sydney supporter it could still be a point of contention.
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DUAL international Israel Folau has wished his little brother John all the best for his NRL debut against the Warriors in New Zealand tomorrow, with the NSW Waratah urging his sibling to enjoy the opportunity.
"He is excited to get a run there against the Warriors. I am very proud of him. I just want him to enjoy the occasion," Folau said.
John Folau will make his NRL debut for the Eels. Source: DailyTelegraph
LIVE SUNDAY FOOTY A BIG TURN-ON
THE implementation of live Sunday afternoon football has proven a ratings smash hit for Channel 9, with the Rabbitohs-Roosters blockbuster peaking at over 900,000 viewers.
The NRL match was the most-watched club game on a Sunday since 2012, underlining how Ray Warren live into lounge rooms on a Sunday afternoon is a guaranteed ratings winner.
Channel 9's executive producer of NRL Matt Callander told us so far live Sunday afternoon football was up 10 per cent on last season. "Footy fans asked us for live Sunday afternoon football and the great news from our perspective is they've given it a resounding thumbs up," Callander said.
The challenge for the NRL now is attendances. There's no sugar-coating the fact the ANZ Stadium crowd of 27,289 was a major disappointment.
Roosters Dylan Napa scores a try against the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
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SO exactly how much was Daly Cherry-Evans' contract offer with the Manly Sea Eagles reduced by under the club's new ownership and management structure?
Try to the tune of $800,000 over the course of three seasons. When the Sea Eagles then pulled the DCE offer earlier this month, the halfback had no alternative but to sign with Gold Coast.
Under the Sea Eagles' previous part-owners and management, DCE was the top priority signature for ex-COO Dave Perry and the Quantam Energy group. But when Rick and Scott Penn purchased full control of the club and installed new CEO Joe Kelly, the club shifted tact to trying to retain Kieran Foran.
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One of the first acts new CEO Kelly engaged in was telling the Sea Eagles players they were no longer to associate with porn king Con Ange, a figure the club's previous administration had allowed into the inner sanctum.
The Sea Eagles are now armed with the biggest cheque book in the NRL for next season and will be targeting high quality off-contract players.
PANTHERS LEAP INTO NEW HEIGHTS
THE Penrith Panthers continue to grow into an NRL super power, with the club boasting one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the competition.
No question the majority of the kudos goes to the intelligent management of Phil Gould and Ivan Cleary, who up until obtaining the signature of Trent Merrin were even in talks with NSW State of Origin enforcer Beau Scott about joining the club next season.
Underlining the depth of talent at the foot of the mountains, young gun Waqa Blake scored two tries in the NSW Cup last weekend and is on a fast track to NRL stardom.
James Segeyaro in the gym at Panthers training. pic Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia
Blake is the rookie who was signed sight-unseen by Gould, with the club fighting off rival suitors by extending his contract until the end of 2017 earlier this month.
Provided he remains fit and focused, Blake should be the latest success story out of Sydney's golden west. Still on the Panthers, star players James Segeyaro, Josh Mansour and Jamie Soward will be joined by injured Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds for the opening of Amart Sports in Wetherill Park tomorrow from 10am.
RIPPER SLIPPER FOR RACING ENTHUSIASTS
THE Australian Turf Club has assembled one of the best cards of all time for the Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow, with five Group 1 races boasting some of the world's best horses.
Channel 7 will have all the action trackside live, with the glamorous Francesca Cumani (pictured) to headline the network's coverage alongside broadcaster Bruce McAvaney.
Francesca Cumani with "Binalong Road". Source: News Corp Australia
Aside from the $3.5 million on offer in the world's richest race for two-year-olds, there's Contributer racing in the Ranvet Stakes, Hallowed Crown v Sweynesse in the Rosehill Gunieas and the likes of Rubick, Deep Field, Sweet Idea and Miracles Of Life lining up in the Galaxy. Giddy up.
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CRICKET royalty Brian Lara and a host of retired NRL stars are all set to appear in a one-off match for the University of Western Sydney in Parramatta on April 2.
The prince of calypso cool will take part in the community game, with an All Stars side featuring Braith Anasta, Ryan Girdler, Anthony Minichiello and Andrew Ryan to do battle against a UWS outfit.
The match will be played at Old Kings Oval with fans welcome to attend. Admission is free with the first delivery to be bowled at 10am.
AB GETS PIECE OF HISTORY
SOUTH African captain AB de Villiers will be taking home a unique memento of his World Cup success at the SCG.
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The champion batsman's stunning century against the West Indies — 162 from 66 balls — was the first World Cup ton at the SCG by any player. To mark the occasion, the SCG Trust presented de Villiers with a framed plaque, photo and piece of the SCG's famous pitch — the rarest of honours.
The patch of turf will be enclosed in a specially made glass case to ensure the South African can safely steer it through customs on the way out of the country.
WINNING
GIVEN he's the NSW Origin legend who spawned the famous "Cattledog" call, it should come as no surprise that Tommy Raudonikis is putting up the bravest of fights in his recovery from throat cancer.
Raudonikis and mate John Singleton were this week spotted trekking along Victoria's Great Ocean Road, the site of the famous Twelve Apostles.
The duo have walked more than 100km over the last week.
Go Tommy, "cattledog".
Trevor Gillmeister and Tom Raudonikis. Picture Mike Batterham Source: News Corp Australia
DUNCE CAP
THE sooner Newcastle Jets owner Nathan Tinkler does the honourable thing and relinquishes his A-League licence the better.
Tinkler's greatest shortcoming is his people skills. Whether it was horse racing, the Newcastle Knights or more recently his ailing A-League football club, Tinkler's shenanigans around failing to pay players on time have become Groundhog Day. The big unit will never be in danger of winning a popularity contest.
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SPOTTED
SYDNEY Roosters heavy hitter James Dack showed Ian Healy-esque hands at ANZ Stadium last Sunday, catching a Steeden flying full tilt into the Tricolours dugout in front of Brad Fittler, Brett Finch and Andrew Johns.
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IT was a who's who of glamour at the Sydney FC 10-year anniversary on Monday, with Mel McLaughlin and Tara Rushton glitzing up the event hosted on the Allianz Stadium pitch.
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