Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Chris Billam-Smith produced a spirited display but absorbed too much damage and that proved the precursor to an unsuccessful attempt at unifying the cruiserweight division, as newly-crowned WBA world titleholder Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez boxed clever en route to a 12-round unanimous decision win in their Riyadh main event on Latino Night, wrestling WBO championship gold his way. Continue reading “Zurdo outboxes Billam-Smith to unify WBO, WBA world cruiserweight titles”
2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios confirmed he’ll make his long-awaited return to competitive tennis at this year’s Brisbane International tournament starting December 29 on the eve of an intriguing 2025 campaign. The electric Australian talent has suffered through career-threatening wrist and knee injuries, seeing him only play one ATP tour-level match in two years. Continue reading “Kyrgios poised for return, declares he’s feeling amazing after rough two-year spell”
The night Chris Billam-Smith claimed world cruiserweight gold in Bournemouth was Shane McGuigan’s proudest moment as a coach to date. Yet the trainer knows his hard-working champion needs more than just willpower and desire to dethrone newly-crowned WBA titleholder Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez during their much-anticipated WBO, WBA unification in Riyadh this weekend. Continue reading “McGuigan: CBS needs a mixture of Bivol, Goulamirian gameplan for Zurdo success”
England captain and Bayern forward Harry Kane has publicly criticised his teammates who withdrew from Lee Carsley’s latest squad before their must-win Nations League fixture against Greece, accusing them of “taking advantage” as they round out the year without a permanent manager after long-time boss Gareth Southgate’s departure. Thomas Tuchel succeeds him on New Year’s Day. Continue reading “Kane criticises England teammates over withdrawals as Tuchel’s arrival beckons”
Almost a year to the day since their original matchup was scheduled and shelved after a pectoral muscle tear, UFC heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones finally faces two-time former titleholder Stipe Miocic in an encounter no-one asked for – yet we’re getting it nonetheless – while interim champion Tom Aspinall will watch cageside after defending his status against Curtis Blaydes in late July. Continue reading “UFC 309: Oh yeah, Jon Jones returns again this weekend… but Stipe’s an easy target”
Critics will quickly opine the Thunder are a regular season team, exciting and easy to root for when it’s going well, but if adversity arrives then their supplementary players start to hide or falter under the brightest lights. Nights like this, where their franchise star reached new heights, suggests otherwise. Continue reading “Gilgeous-Alexander produces career-high 45 and against who else but the Clippers?”
IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis dropped and outpointed Karen Chukhadzhian, leaving his hometown Philadelphia craving more. The Ukrainian’s improved fight and vigour after their previous meeting last April leaves Ennis questions to answer as defensive frailties leaked against a game opponent never expected to hear the final bell over 24 rounds – doing so twice. Continue reading “Bam blasts past Guevara, Boots leaves you wanting more in Chukhadzhian rematch”
Keyshawn Davis’ Norfolk homecoming went smoothly, as the world-level lightweight contender scored three knockdowns and delivered a vicious second-round stoppage win over an overweight Gustavo Lemos to boost genuine championship credentials in his first headline bout at the Scope Arena. Continue reading “Davis dices overweight Lemos in two, stakes claim for world title shot at 135lbs”
Having split their two previous H2H meetings in Lyon and Paris, it felt fitting that Cameron Norrie would show his steely resolve on the road back from niggling injuries and outlast Corentin Moutet to reach his first ATP tour-level final for almost two years as the arduous 2024 calendar grinds to a close. Continue reading “Metz: Norrie beats Moutet to reach first ATP final for 21 months after injury woes”
Having returned to Manchester over the summer to work as an assistant coach under the recently-dismissed Erik ten Hag, legendary Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy took interim charge of United as his compatriot was sacked on October 28. Incoming head coach Ruben Amorim will have control on the 11th after his Sporting farewell, but RvN is ambitious for more in the long-term.
Continue reading “After taking interim charge, van Nistelrooy enthused to become United boss someday”
Callum Hudson-Odoi has been at Nottingham Forest little over a year and already, the Chelsea academy graduate is attracting attention from other Premier League suitors keen to explore their wide options at a time where the division’s surprise package so far this term are purring across all positions. Continue reading “Reports: Tottenham mull move for Forest’s Hudson-Odoi after longstanding interest”
Heavy scrutiny has continued to follow Kylian Mbappe since his long-awaited Real Madrid move over the summer. The 25-year-old French star must learn to play as a central striker because he will not be able to displace Vinicius Junior on the left flank, according to the club’s long-serving former forward Karim Benzema, who made 14 international appearances alongside him for Les Bleus.
Continue reading “Benzema: People ask plenty of under-fire Mbappe but he must adapt, Real isn’t PSG”
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