G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: "Joe Frazier is so ugly that when he cries, the tears turn around and go down the back of his head." - Muhammad Ali.

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🥊 Wilder v Fury Super-fight preview

⚽️ Vote for Kerr

🤕 Federer out of the French Open

🏉 NRL

A heart wrenching video has been shared online of a young fella, Quaden Bayles, who was upset as a result of being bullied at school.

The NRL community and The Indigenous #NRLAllStars have invited him to lead them out on Saturday. 👏🏻

🇦🇺 AFL

Build your team around Martin

The Foxfooty experts were asked, if you were starting a team from scratch to play tomorrow, which three players would you select first? 

Of the AFL greats that were polled, seven of them said they’d take dual Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin and build their respective teams around him.

But Carlton star Patrick Cripps was just as popular as Martin, picking up seven votes as he prepares to help Carlton make a move up the AFL ladder.

Dual premiership Kangaroo David King was one of the seven experts that selected Martin, along with Cat Patrick Dangerfield and Docker Nat Fyfe.

“Load up in the midfield, great contested ball players that just create damage, they create scores,” King told (foxfooty.com.au)

🥊 Boxing

‘Strung out on coke … I brought you back’: Wilder snaps at Fury as things turn physical

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder kicked off their final press conference with a shoving match ahead of Sunday’s WBC heavyweight title rematch. 

As soon as the two men walked onto the stage, Fury got right in Wilder’s face, singing and taunting the American champion. (Fox)

The first super fight of 2020 takes place at the weekend (approx 4pm Sunday AEDT) with Tyson Fury (29-0-1) and Deontay Wilder (42-0-1) meeting at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. 

This is almost a true 50/50 bout, which is why fight fans across the world are so excited. Bookies have them both at around $2.0.

Fury's chance: Any Fury victory is most likely to come in the form of a unanimous decision; he may look to box more aggressively to dent Wilder’s power later on, but the chances are a Fury win comes in a similar fashion to the first fight.

Wilder's chance: Evidence of Wilder’s “Alabama country power”, as he’s termed it, can be plainly seen in a survey of his ledger, with all but two of the 43 professional victories ending inside the distance. He’s shown time and again that he is boxing’s most devastating puncher and is more than content to sit back and wait for an opening for his show-stopping right hand.

Verdict: What this boils down to is that Fury is a superior boxer to Wilder and all of Wilder’s previous opponents. It’s all well and good pointing to Wilder’s KO of Ortiz and suggesting that provides some blueprint, but Fury’s punching & awkwardness will make Wilder far more uncomfortable. However, for balance, if Wilder catches Fury with one of those bombs, all the skill and movement go out the window.

⚽️ Football

Barcelona sign Martin Braithwaite outside the transfer window

The La Liga team have completed the €18m signing of Danish attacker Martin Braithwaite from Leganes. Barcelona had special dispensation to sign a player outside the transfer window after injuries to players like Ousmane Dembélé.

A-League Previews

Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory: (match preview) Brisbane Roar’s sensational run of form in the League (1 defeat in 8) will get a stern examination.

Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory: (match preview) It’s basically win-or-bust stage for Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory.

Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC: (match preview) It’s top versus bottom as Sydney FC travel to play the Central Coast Mariners seeking to maintain their history-making form.

Wellington Phoenix v Western United: (match preview): Western United need Phoenix-killer Berisha more than ever.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United: (match preview) 2 wins a piece and a draw in their last 5 meetings. WSW just the one win in 5, while Adelaide have averaged 2.2 goals per game in their last 5.

Vote for Sam Kerr to win BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2020

Westfield Matildas and Chelsea star Sam Kerr has been nominated for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2020, so don't miss your chance to vote for the Australian skipper!

The 26-year-old Fremantle-born striker was nominated last week to win the prestigious prize, which is now in its sixth year. 

VOTE FOR KERR HERE

‘The referee’s a w**k*r’

Top ref Mike Dean admitted that he chants “the referee’s a w****r” when he watches his team.

The Premier League official, 51, said he was just like any other fan ­following Tranmere Rovers.

Dean has been involved in several memorable moments such as a cheeky stepover before Watford scored past Chelsea in 2018 and even in the stands supporting his beloved Tranmere Rovers.

But the official confesses to looking “stupid” when appearing to celebrate a Tottenham goal that resulted from his advantage.

“When it goes in the back of the net I’ve gone: ‘That’ll do for me, goal’ — but I pointed at the centre circle and didn’t realise as much as it was on the screen.

“I thought f****** hell I’m going to get a bit of a b********* tomorrow I think. That’s the most bizarre thing I’ve ever done.

👊🏻 UFC

Unseen Cheap-shot from McGregor

Never-before-seen footage of Conor McGregor hitting Khabib’s team-mate in brutal post-fight brawl.

Unbeaten Russian Nurmagomedov, 31, beat arch nemesis McGregor by submission in round four of their lightweight title fight in October 2018.

Nurmagomedov hopped from the Octagon and attacked McGregor’s training team and brawled with fighter Dillon Danis.

McGregor, 31, meanwhile swung a punch at Nurmagomedov’s team-mate and featherweight contender Zubaira Tukhugov before being ambushed by two others from behind.

Footage has emerged of The Notorious landing a hook to Tukhugov and appearing to shake the Russian’s legs but he stayed up!

🏎 F1

$100m...for what?

Daniel Ricciardo is off-contract at the end of the F1 season, and yet he won’t be feeling the most pressure at Renault this year. 

By the end of the year, the French manufacturer will have reportedly paid the Australian $98 million for his two seasons in black and yellow.

It could be all for naught if Renault doesn’t convince him to stay.

Podiums will again be tough to achieve and wins are almost out of the equation.

That should be of little concern to Renault, providing it continues to take the right steps towards 2021 when F1 wipes its slate clean with its biggest rules shake-up in history.

New rules from 2021 will drastically impact bodywork and place a higher demand on car durability and resourcefulness, while the introduction of a salary cap will, in theory, close the gap between teams. Power units, however, will remain the same.

🎾 Tennis

Federer to miss French Open after right knee surgery

Swiss Maestro Roger Federer has sent shockwaves through the tennis world by announcing that he will miss the French Open due to knee surgery...and could be out for up to 4 months.

"I hoped it would go away, but after an examination and discussion with my team, I decided to have arthroscopic surgery in Switzerland yesterday.

"My right knee has been bothering me for a little while," he said in a statement.

The arthroscopic surgery following the Australian Open is eerily similar to what the veteran experienced back in 2016, a year in which he failed to win a tournament for the first time since 2000.

"After the procedure, the doctors confirmed that it was the right thing to have done and are very confident of a full recovery."

Djokovic’s father launches stunning attack against ‘jealous’ Federer, says he lacks ‘humanity’

The father of Novak Djokovic has reportedly launched an extraordinary attack against Roger Federer (before the Federer news broke, I should add), describing the Swiss star as “jealous” of his son and someone who lacks “humanity”. (Fox)

🏉 Rugby

Super Rugby Round 4

Rebels v Sharks (Won: Rebels 1, Sharks 5, draw 1) Last match: Sharks 28 Rebels 14.

The Sharks have a good record over the Rebels in recent times, having won five of their previous seven games.

Chiefs v Brumbies (Won: Chiefs 11, Brumbies 14, draw 1) Last match: Brumbies 54 Chiefs 17.

Coach Dan McKellar is confident the Brumbies are over the worst of their mumps outbreak even though the virus has ruled up to four players out of their Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs. (nine)

Reds v Sunwolves (Won: Reds 4, Sunwolves 1) Last match: Reds 32 Sunwolves 26.

The Reds are still searching for their first win of the season, after losing their opening three games to the Brumbies, Lions and Jaguares. Meanwhile, the Sunwolves will be hunting for back-to-back wins against Australian opponents for the first time, after securing a 36-27 win over the Rebels in their last intra-conference encounter.

📺 Live sport

Friday

⚽️ 04:55 - UEFA Europa League R32 matches, including Club Brugge v Manchester United (Optus Sport 2)

🎯 06:00 - Premier League Darts (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Europa League R32 matches, including Olympiacos FC v Arsenal (Optus Sport 1)

🏏 09:30 - Test Match - New Zealand v India (Fox Cricket)

🏀 11:30 - NBA - Atlanta Hawks v Miami Heat (Sky Sports 2)

⚽️ 11:30 - Copa Sudamericana - Atletico Mineiro v Club Atletico Union (BeIN Sports 3)

 🚘 11:40 - Carrera Cup Adelaide Qualifying, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🏀 12:00 - NBA - Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets (ESPN 1)

🚘 12:50 - Adelaide Dunlop Super2 Qualifying (Fox Sports)

🏀 14:00 - NBA - Sacramento Kings v Memphis Grizzlies (Sky Sports 2)

🏀 14:30 - NBA - Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets (ESPN 1)

🏉 17:05 - Super Rugby - Crusaders v Highlanders (Fox Sports More)

🚘 17:10 - Dunlop Super2 Adelaide Race 1, Round 1 (10 Bold or Fox Sports)

⚽️ 17:15 - A-League - Wellington Phoenix v Western United FC (Fox Sports)

🚘 18:30 - Adelaide 500 Practice 3, Round 1 (10 Bold or Fox Sports)

🏏 19:00 - Women's T20 World Cup - Australia v India (Fox Cricket)

🇦🇺 19:10 - AFLW - St Kilda Saints Women v Melbourne Demons Women (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 19:10 - Marsh Community Series - Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne Kangaroos (Fox Footy)

⚽️ 19:30 - A-League - Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United (Fox Sports)

🐴 21:04 - Harness Racing, Open Pacers, Newcastle Mile (Sky Racing 1) 

Saturday

🏉 06:45 - English P'ship - Wasps v Saracens (Fox Sports More) 

⚽️ 06:45 - Italian Serie A - Brescia Calcio v Napoli (BeIN Sports 3)

🏉 06:45 - Super League - Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity (Fox League)

🏉 07:00 - English P'ship - Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers (Fox Sports)

🏏 09:30 - Test Match - New Zealand v India (Fox Cricket)

🏀 11:00 - NBA - Orlando Magic v Dallas Mavericks (Sky Sports 2)

🏀 11:30 - NBA - New York Knicks v Indiana Pacers (SBS Viceland)

🏀 12:00 - NBA - Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Nuggets (ESPN 1)

🏉 12:15 - Super W - Rebels Women v Brumbies Women (Fox Sports More)

🚘 12:25 - Adelaide 500 Qualifying Race 1, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🚘 13:00 - Adelaide 500 Top 10 Shootout, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🐴 13:10 (TBC) Group 2, Caulfield Autumn Classic, 1,800m - SW, 3YO (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1) 

🚘 14:00 - Carrera Cup Adelaide Race 2, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🐴 14:05 (TBC) Group 2, Silver Slipper Stakes, 1,100m - SW, 2YO (7 or Sky Racing 1)

🏀 14:30 - NBA - Los Angeles Lakers v Memphis Grizzlies (Sky Sports 2)

🏀 14:30 - NBA - Portland Trail Blazers v New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN 1)

🚘 14:35 - Adelaide Dunlop Super2, Race 2, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🐴 14:40 (TBC) - Group 2, Millie Fox Stakes, 1,300m - SW+P, 3YO & Up F&M (7 or Sky Racing 1)

🏉 14:45 - Super Rugby - Rebels v Sharks (Fox Sports More)

🐴 14:55 (TBC) Group 2, Angus Armanasco Stakes, 1,400m - SW+P, 3YO Fillies (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🏉 15:00 - Rugby League Trial Match - Warriors v Melbourne Storm (Fox League)

🇦🇺15:10 - AFLW - Western Bulldogs Women v Carlton Blues Women (Fox Sports)

🐴 15:15 (TBC) - Group 2, Hobartville Stakes, 1,400m - SW, 3YO (7 or Sky Racing 1)

🐴 15:30 (TBC) - Group 1, Futurity Stakes, 1,400m - WFA (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1) 

🐴 16:10 (TBC) - Group 1, Blue Diamond Stakes, 1,200m - SW, 2YO (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🇦🇺 16:40 - Australian Rules, Marsh Community Series - Melbourne Demons v Adelaide Crows (Fox Footy) 

🐴 16:50 (TBC) - Group 1, Oakleigh Plate, 1,100m - HCP (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1) 

🚘 16:50 - Adelaide 500 Race 1, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 17:00 - A-League - Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory (ABC or Fox Sports) 

🏉 17:05 - Super Rugby - Chiefs v Brumbies (Fox Sports More) 

🇦🇺 17:10 - AFLW - Gold Coast Suns Women v Brisbane Lions Women (Fox Sports) 

🏉 17:10 - Women's All Stars Game (Fox League)

🐴 17:30 (TBC) - Group 2, Peter Young Stakes, 1,800m - WFA (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🏏 18:00 - Women's T20 World Cup - West Indies v Thailand (Fox Cricket)

🇦🇺 19:10 - AFLW - Fremantle Dockers Women v Collingwood Women (Fox Sports)

🏉 19:15 - Super Rugby - Reds v Sunwolves (Fox Sports More) 

🏀19:30 - WNBL Semi-Final Series - Adelaide Lightning v Southside Flyers (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 19:30 - A-League - Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory (Fox Sports) 

🇦🇺 19:40 - Marsh Community Series - Gold Coast Suns v Geelong Cats (Fox Footy)

🏉 20:10 - Rugby League All Stars, NRL Indigenous All Stars v Maori All Stars (Fox League) 

🐴 20:50 (TBC) - Harness Racing, 4YO Pacers, 4YO Chariots of Fire, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1) 

🏏 22:00 - T20 World Cup - New Zealand v Sri Lanka (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 23:00 - La Liga - Celta Vigo v Leganes (BeIN Sports 1) 

⚽️ 23:30 - Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham (Optus Sport 1) 

Sunday

🏉 00:05 - Super Rugby - Stormers v Jaguares (Fox Sports More) 

🏑 00:30 - Men's Pro League - India v Australia (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 01:00 - Indian Super League - Bengaluru FC v ATK (Fox Sports)

🏉 01:15 - Six Nations - Italy v Scotland (BeIN Sports 3) 

⚽️ 02:00 - La Liga - Barcelona v Eibar (BeIN Sports 1) 

🏉 02:00 - English P'ship - Bath Rugby v Harlequins (Fox Sports) 

🎾 02:00 - WTA Dubai Championships, Final, Day 6 (BeIN Sports 2) 

🏉 02:15 - Super Rugby - Bulls v Blues (Fox Sports More) 

🏉 03:45 - Six Nations - Wales v France (BeIN Sports 3) 

⚽️ 04:00 - Serie A - SPAL v Juventus (BeIN Sports 1) 

⚽️ 04:30 - Premier League, Leicester City v Manchester City (Optus Sport 1) 

⚽️ 04:30 - La Liga, Real Sociedad v Valencia (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 06:00 - Ligue 1, Lille OSC v Toulouse FC (BeIN Sports 3) 

⚽️ 06:30 - PGA Tour, Puerto Rico Open, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 06:45 - Serie A, Fiorentina v Milan (BeIN Sports 2) 

🏉 06:45 - Rugby League, World Club Challenge - St Helens v Sydney Roosters (Fox League)

⚽️ 07:00 - La Liga, Levante v Real Madrid (BeIN Sports 1) 

🎾 07:00 - ATP Rio Open, Semi-Final 1, Day 6 (ESPN 2) 

🏏 09:30 - Test Match, New Zealand v India (Fox Cricket) 

🏌🏼‍♀️ 10:00 - ALPG Tour, Australian Ladies Classic, Round 4 (SBS)

🏀 11:00 - NBA - Charlotte Hornets v Brooklyn Nets (SBS Viceland)

👊🏻 11:00 - UFC Fight Night, Paul Felder v Dan Hooker (ESPN 1)

🚘 11:40 - Carrera Cup, Adelaide Race 3, Round 1 (Fox Sports) 

🚘 12:20 - Adelaide 500, Qualifying Race 2, Round 1 (Fox Sports) 

🏀 12:30 - NBA - Milwaukee Bucks v Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN 2) 

🚘 12:55 - Adelaide 500, Top 10 Shootout, Round 1 (Fox Sports) 

🥊13:00 - Heavyweight Title, Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury (Main Event) 

🇦🇺13:10 - AFLW - GWS Giants Women v West Coast Eagles Women (Fox Footy) 

🏀 13:40 - Men's Asia Cup Qualifiers - Australia v Hong Kong (Fox Sports More)

🚘 13:55 - Adelaide, Dunlop Super2, Race 3, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 15:00 - J1 League - Shimizu S-Pulse v FC Tokyo (Optus Sport 2) 

🇦🇺15:10 - AFLW - Richmond Tigers Women v North Melbourne Kangaroos Women (Fox Sports)

🚘 15:50 - Adelaide 500, Race 2, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 16:00 - W-League - Newcastle Jets Women v Melbourne Victory Women (ABC or Fox Sports More) 

⚽️ 16:00 - J1 League - Yokohama F. Marinos v Gamba Osaka (Optus Sport 1) 

🇦🇺16:10 - Australian Rules, Marsh Community Series, Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide Power (Fox Footy) 

🇦🇺17:10 - AFLW - Geelong Cats Women v Adelaide Crows Women (Fox Sports)

🏀18:00 - WNBL Semi-Final Series - Melbourne Boomers v UC Capitals (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 18:00 - A-League - Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC (Fox Sports)

⚽️18:00 - J1 League - Vissel Kobe v Yokohama FC (Optus Sport 1) 

🐴 18:35 (TBC) Group 1, February Stakes, 1,600m (Sky Racing 2) 

🐴 19:05 (TBC) Group 1, Hong Kong Classic Cup, 1,800m - 4YO (SeriesRacing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🏏 22:00 - Women's T20 World Cup - England v South Africa (Fox Cricket)

🎾 22:00 - WTA Qatar Open, Round 1, Day 1 (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 22:30 - Serie A - Genoa v Lazio (BeIN Sports 1) 

🏏 23:30 - Twenty20 Series - South Africa v Australia (Fox Cricket)