Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
They did battle in Riyadh five months ago to widespread acclaim and rightly so, as an undisputed world heavyweight champion was crowned for the first time since Lennox Lewis 25 years prior. While a strict sanctioning body means not all the marbles – just unified titles – will be on the line a second time, that doesn’t detract from another compelling clash. Will we get a definitive ending here? Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2 presser: A tantalising heavyweight rematch needing few words”
Houston locked up the futures of two rising stars in Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green before the rookie-scale extension deadline elapsed, heading into the new campaign with cautious optimism they can improve upon last season’s encouraging strides taken under Ime Udoka should everyone be fortunate with injuries. Elsewhere, Jalen Suggs and Trey Murphy also inked deals elsewhere. Continue reading “Getting paid: Sengun and Suggs among lucrative rookie-scale contract extensions”
They trailed early for the second time in consecutive weeks and fourth already this campaign, yet Pep Guardiola’s defending champion Manchester City found a way to break Wolves’ hearts with a John Stones stoppage-time winner hours before Liverpool doused Chelsea’s encouraging start despite suffering more injury woes as the Premier League’s pacesetters intensified this weekend. Continue reading “Gutsy 2-1 victories for leaders Liverpool, champs City say it all in early title race”
Most expected Tim Tszyu to reclaim the championship gold he never should’ve lost seven months ago, with considerably less fanfare and against an unheralded opponent in Orlando this weekend. Instead, the Aussie proved too brave for his own good once more and now has a serious rebuild job to do at the elite level after four knockdowns in two rounds against Bakhram Murtazaliev. Continue reading “Murtazaliev mauling Tszyu to retain IBF world title serves as a cautionary tale”
Reputable sources suggest Newcastle will resume their attempts to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi this coming winter, having had three bids rejected for the Euro 2024 standout before the season began – the last £65m including add-ons. They wanted £80-85m and that stance hasn’t changed, especially aware early pacesetters Liverpool may surface at the end of this campaign. Continue reading “Report: Newcastle ready to reignite their Guehi pursuit in January transfer window”
Against a short-notice challenger, Sam Gilley retained Commonwealth light-middleweight honours with a fourth-round stoppage win over Jack McGann in their York Hall headliner to cap a night featuring contrasting displays from Royston Barney-Smith and Tommy Fletcher on an eventful undercard.
Continue reading “Gilley drops, stops McGann in four to keep Commonwealth light-middleweight title”
Belal Muhammad promised that, at age 36, he’d be an active champion after dethroning Leon Edwards on enemy soil in Manchester and now will finish a career-best calendar year with a maiden title defence against #3 ranked contender Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. Two familiar faces, both with their analyst hat on, had their say on a difficult matchup awaiting him on Dec. 7. Continue reading “UFC 310: Michael Chiesa, Alan Jouban have their say on Muhammad-Rakhmonov”
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was complimentary of the rookie big man, who finished with 23 points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes as Memphis narrowly prevailed against his side – who rested their All-Star duo – during the preseason matchup. Judging by this, the new campaign can’t start soon enough…
Continue reading “Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle praises Edey, after his 23-point preseason outing”
Having spent two years playing in west London, where he won the FA Cup and Premier League over a decade ago, it should come as no surprise Barcelona sporting director Deco is venturing back to English shores as he’s been linked with approaches for two Chelsea midfield reinforcements this coming summer – even if head coach Hansi Flick is reportedly content with his existing options.
Continue reading “Report: Deco targets former side Chelsea, Barca want midfield bolstered in January”
Two-time world light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Yarde makes his return this weekend after an eight-month layoff against another unknown opponent in Latvia’s 17-1 pro Ralfs Vilcans, aware that his contractual situation and existing future at world level remain unclear at a time where the divsional landscape is starting to become clearer after last weekend’s undisputed bout. Continue reading “Anthony Yarde clears air before Oct. 19 return, after signing one-fight Boxxer deal”
A characteristically slow start was importantly overshadowed by a strong finish in the championship rounds as Artur Beterbiev’s aggressive pressure and never-ending jeopardy behind his punching power saw the 39-year-old edge past Dmitry Bivol to win undisputed light-heavyweight honours after a 12-round technical battle between two unbeaten champions that didn’t disappoint. Continue reading “Beterbiev crowned undisputed king after razor-thin majority decision win vs. Bivol”
Queensberry’s new signing Fabio Wardley made good on his promise to produce a statement showing, blasting Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke in their rematch to retain British heavyweight honours. Elsewhere, IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia showed levels as he forced a merciful stoppage inside six rounds vs. European titleholder Jack Massey. Read on for more.
Continue reading “IV Crown undercard: Wardley ices Clarke in R1, Opetaia breezes past Massey and more”
Mo and Sports 