Boxing

Harlem Eubank scores two knockdowns, improves to 17-0 with decision win over Miguel Antin

Harlem Eubank earned knockdowns in rounds six and seven en route to another wide decision victory, this time against short-notice opponent Miguel Antin in a scrappy, gruelling co-main event at York Hall overnight. Elsewhere on Wasserman’s card, there were R1 finishes for Jesse Brandon and Matty Harris before Harry Scarff’s enthralling battle with Jordan Dujon in the headliner. Continue reading “Harlem Eubank scores two knockdowns, improves to 17-0 with decision win over Miguel Antin”

Tennis

Wimbledon 2023: AELTC, LTA reverse ban on Russian, Belarusian players competing

Elise Mertens of Belguim and Shuai Zhang of China and Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova both of the Czech Republic in action during the...

It felt inevitable as the threat of expulsion and further fines were surfacing over recent months. Now it’s been confirmed: Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to compete at Britain’s grass-court tennis tournaments – including Wimbledon – this summer if they sign neutrality agreements after the All England Club and Lawn Tennis Association reversed their controversial ban. Continue reading “Wimbledon 2023: AELTC, LTA reverse ban on Russian, Belarusian players competing”

Boxing

Task remains the same for Harlem Eubank, after another late change for Wasserman

Two Wasserman shows live on Channel 5 in consecutive weeks, and last-minute replacements for main event boxers in both. The situation is far from ideal, but nonetheless one that unbeaten light-welterweight Harlem Eubank can’t pay much attention to – he’s busy plotting 2023 as the year where he truly establishes his pedigree on the domestic scene. Continue reading “Task remains the same for Harlem Eubank, after another late change for Wasserman”

UFC

UFC’s 135lb division shuffles once more, after Cory Sandhagen punishes lethargic Marlon Vera

Cory Sandhagen reacts after his bantamweight fight against Marlon Vera of Ecuador during the UFC Fight Night event at AT&T Center on March 25, 2023...

He apologised to the fans, aware they would’ve been underwhelmed by what they saw: but it wasn’t his fault. Cory Sandhagen scored a decision win over Marlon Vera – split scorecards notwithstanding – before calling out Merab Dvalishvili after the Georgian’s impressive win over former champion Petr Yan two weeks prior. The bantamweight division is bubbling up nicely again… Continue reading “UFC’s 135lb division shuffles once more, after Cory Sandhagen punishes lethargic Marlon Vera”

NBA

Mikal Bridges exceeding expectations in Brooklyn is refreshing, as Nets plot rebuild

Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets arrives to the arena before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 23, 2023 at Barclays Center in...

Absorbing knowledge from Chris Paul and Devin Booker in Phoenix, a stunning trade has offered Mikal Bridges the opportunity to show what he’s learned offensively – accompanying his brilliant defensive skills – and he’s flourished thus far among new teammates in Brooklyn. Given recent uncertainty surrounding the franchise, that bodes well for the Nets’ long-term future. Continue reading “Mikal Bridges exceeding expectations in Brooklyn is refreshing, as Nets plot rebuild”

Tennis

Casper Ruud’s alarming slump continues, after painful Miami defeat overnight

Casper Ruud of Norway reacts during a match against Ilya Ivashka during the Miami Open held at Hard Rock Stadium on March 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens,...

The world no. 4, twice a Major finalist over the last twelve months, has slipped to a 5-6 win-loss record on what has quickly proven an arduous start to the season following a rough three-set defeat by Botic van de Zandschulp overnight in Miami – dropping over 500 ranking points as his struggles with form persist. Continue reading “Casper Ruud’s alarming slump continues, after painful Miami defeat overnight”

Boxing

Benavidez’s barrage of punishment decisive vs. spirited Plant display, as he calls for Canelo clash

David Benavidez walks away from Caleb Plant after a 12-round WBC super middleweight fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 25, 2023 in Las Vegas,...

David Benavidez got what he wanted, a world-class opponent in former IBF world champion Caleb Plant – who posed questions aplenty for the 26-year-old. It required patience, especially with a trigger-happy referee, but he finished viciously in a commanding decision win before calling out undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez, who returns on May 6 vs. John Ryder. Continue reading “Benavidez’s barrage of punishment decisive vs. spirited Plant display, as he calls for Canelo clash”

Boxing

Okolie defends WBO cruiserweight title with comfy but drab decision win vs. Light

Lawrence Okolie punches David Light during their 12x3 WBO World Cruiserweight Title fight at AO Arena on March 25, 2023 in Manchester, England.

He threatened a furious finish in rounds ten and eleven but David Light’s durability saw him survive, as WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie shook off ring rust and made the third defence of his title during a solid debut under new trainer SugarHill Steward in BOXXER’s Manchester main event.
Continue reading “Okolie defends WBO cruiserweight title with comfy but drab decision win vs. Light”

Boxing

Lyndon Arthur involved in competitive clash, outpoints short-notice opponent Boris Crighton

Boris Crighton punches Lyndon Arthur during the Light Heavyweight fight between Lyndon Arthur and Boris Crighton at University of Bolton Stadium on...

It wasn’t all plain sailing against a determined short-notice opponent, but light-heavyweight contender Lyndon Arthur finished stronger and scored a fantastic right-hand knockdown in the final seconds en route to a decision win over Boris Crighton in Bolton on Friday night. Continue reading “Lyndon Arthur involved in competitive clash, outpoints short-notice opponent Boris Crighton”

NBA

Karl-Anthony Towns relishes big impact on his return as Timberwolves beat Hawks

Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 22, 2023 at Target Center in...

After a 52-game absence through injury, Minnesota Timberwolves star big man Karl-Anthony Towns marked his return with a storybook ending: scoring 22 points, including the go-ahead free throws in the final seconds, helping them overwhelm the Atlanta Hawks with a 125-124 victory last night. Continue reading “Karl-Anthony Towns relishes big impact on his return as Timberwolves beat Hawks”

Boxing

Jermell Charlo rehabbing broken hand, targets July-August for title defence vs. Tszyu

Jermell Charlo answers questions during a press conference for his upcoming super welterweight fight against Brian Castano II at The Westin Los...

Having watched Tim Tszyu’s career-best win against former champion Tony Harrison on the Showtime broadcast earlier this month, undisputed light-middleweight titlist Jermell Charlo has provided an injury update and given a two-month summer timeline for the first defence of his 154lb titles. Continue reading “Jermell Charlo rehabbing broken hand, targets July-August for title defence vs. Tszyu”

Tennis

Indian Wells: Rybakina pips Sabalenka to title, before Alcaraz ends Medvedev’s 19-match win streak

They say revenge is a dish best served cold and it certainly was for this year’s Indian Wells champions: Elena Rybakina bested Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in straight-sets, before Carlos Alcaraz ended Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak with aplomb in the men’s final. Continue reading “Indian Wells: Rybakina pips Sabalenka to title, before Alcaraz ends Medvedev’s 19-match win streak”