Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
In what is widely expected to be the 14-time champion’s final farewell in Paris this coming fortnight as retirement beckons, Rafael Nadal begins his French Open campaign against Rome champion Alexander Zverev after today’s singles draws were unveiled. The pair were engrossed in a thrilling Major semifinal battle here two years ago, before the latter suffered torn ankle ligaments. Continue reading “French Open 2024: Nadal’s nightmare draw starts with Rome champ Zverev in R1”
Jayson Tatum led the way with 36 points – including 10 in overtime alone – as the Boston Celtics clawed back from the brink of an early defeat. Indiana’s late-game mistakes painfully saw Boston snatch victory in the first of a possible seven-game series during their intriguing Eastern Conference Final matchup. Continue reading “East Finals: Tatum sinks immature Indiana to snatch hard-fought Game 1 in overtime”
Jurgen Klopp got Anfield to join him in an Arne Slot chant after their 2-0 weekend win over Wolves on Sunday, during an emotional farewell for the German manager as the Reds prepare for life under a new man – nine years after his highly-anticipated arrival. Slot said the Liverpool job was too difficult to ignore, so how will he fare when work in England begins next weekend? Continue reading “Liverpool confirm Klopp’s successor Slot will begin his three-year HC deal on June 1”
Although he got tagged more than many expected from his latest step-up in opposition, New Zealand’s unbeaten cruiserweight talent David Nyika improved to 9-0 and passed the latest test with a fourth-round stoppage win over Germany’s Michael Seitz. Afterwards we spoke about what’s next, things to take from his showing and being inspired by a former world champion compatriot.
Continue reading “Exclusive: David Nyika wants activity, spot on Joseph Parker undercard in Q3 of 2024”
Oleksandr Usyk started well, adjusted after some shaky middle rounds and scored a ninth-round knockdown en route to earning a gruelling split decision victory over Tyson Fury in the battle of unbeaten heavyweight world champions to be crowned the division’s first undisputed champion since 1999 in Riyadh.
Continue reading “Usyk adapts, drops Fury during SD12 win to become undisputed heavyweight king”
After contrasting victories over Billy Quarantillo and Sodiq Yusuff in 2023, long-standing contender Edson Barboza – both at feather and lightweight – prepares to defend his top-15 ranking at 145lbs against a surging unbeaten hopeful in Lerone Murphy to headline UFC Vegas 92 this weekend. Will he make it three in a row for the first time since 2017, or will the Brit pass his toughest career test? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 92: Barboza expects a war with Murphy as he again defends 145lb ranking”
Just shy of 50 days since his thrilling domestic duel against Fabio Wardley for British honours resulted in a split draw, British heavyweight contender Frazer Clarke finds himself on a business trip in Riyadh this week. Fury-Usyk might divide opinion, but a second instalment of Wardley-Clarke certainly doesn’t. Read more about that, his thoughts on British hopefuls elsewhere and more. Continue reading “Frazer Clarke interview: Wardley rematch, next steps and assessing domestic scene”
Tomorrow night should see Jai Opetaia make the third defence of his IBF world cruiserweight title. Instead, it’s for a vacant belt in a rematch against the man who inflicted a double jaw break against him, less than two full years ago. Having made light work of two Brits in-between, the Aussie is on a mission to unify the cruiserweight division – and disrespect has fuelled that intensity. Continue reading “Disrespected, denied but stronger for the experience: Jai Opetaia is going nowhere”
Nine undercard fights on offer, three that could easily headline their own bill including two world championship bouts in contrasting divisions without a dominant name. A quartet of Brits in action, some early Queensberry vs. Matchroom bragging rights to be had and plenty elsewhere on offer before the fight we’ve waited 25 years to see takes centre stage in Riyadh this weekend. Continue reading “Lowkey final presser for Ring of Fire as intrigue over many undercard bouts build”
After a disappointing two-game home stint, Dallas Mavericks’ superstar Luka Doncic rebounded with a big Game 5 showing in Oklahoma – a 31-point triple-double – as Jason Kidd’s side regained a slender series lead and can now clinch a WCF berth this weekend among home comforts vs. the West’s #1-ranked team. Continue reading “Luka Doncic’s sharpened focus sees Dallas regain series lead in Oklahoma, now 3-2 up”
On the night he received his third MVP award from league commissioner Adam Silver, Nikola Jokic again showed why he’s the NBA’s best player – slicing through the Minnesota Timberwolves’ various defensive schemes to slow him down, producing an inspiring masterclass as the defending champion Denver Nuggets now stand on the brink of a return to the Western Conference Finals. Continue reading “After collecting his third MVP, Jokic does it all as Denver skilfully erase series deficit”
Former heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis scored a record-extending 15th knockout win at the weekend, while Joaquin Buckley shone – without a stoppage – on home soil at the weekend to defend his #12 ranking at 170lbs… Continue reading “UFC St. Louis: Derrick Lewis’ R3 KO sleeps Nascimento, as Buckley’s star rises again”
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