Author: Mosope

Mosope Ominiyi is a freelance sports journalist and sub-editor with over a decade's worth of experience, having graduated in 2020 with a BA Hons degree at Staffordshire University. His work has appeared in The Times, MailOnline and Sportskeeda, among other platforms.
Boxing

Fury-Ngannou: Oleksandr Usyk, Badou Jack among several interviewed the night before Saudi showdown in Riyadh

Mosope

With less than 24 hours until the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou card gets underway in Riyadh, multiple boxing personnel – from boxers on the card to promoters and invested spectators – spoke with me for exclusive interviews over the course of Friday’s festivities, from the afternoon weigh-in to an evening gala dinner hours later. Click below to see what they said, on multiple topics. Continue reading “Fury-Ngannou: Oleksandr Usyk, Badou Jack among several interviewed the night before Saudi showdown in Riyadh” →

Match coverage

As feelgood factor fizzes around Hotspur Way, Tottenham travel to Palace tonight

Mosope

James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his goal with Son Heung-min during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham FC at...

Ange Postecoglou is a miracle worker. James Maddison quickly proving himself the division’s best summer signing, Heung-Min Son flying and there’s no suggestion they’re missing Harry Kane. The emotional hangover from previous head coaches – Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte – has quickly disappeared, Spurs sit top of the table and packed with plaudits. How long will it last? Continue reading “As feelgood factor fizzes around Hotspur Way, Tottenham travel to Palace tonight” →

Tennis

While the Elite Trophy event is in full swing, Sabalenka unhappy at training conditions before next week’s WTA Finals

Mosope

Aryna Sabalenka reacts during practice ahead of the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun 2023 part of the Hologic WTA Tour on October 26, 2023 in Cancun,...

Aryna Sabalenka stressed finishing the year as world no. 1, rather than just having the title for a fleeting few weeks, was of paramount importance to her in the wake of a painful three-set US Open final defeat last month. If she’s to do so, the Belarusian will have been disadvantaged in the build-up after posting some rather unsatisfactory training conditions in Mexico on social media this week. Continue reading “While the Elite Trophy event is in full swing, Sabalenka unhappy at training conditions before next week’s WTA Finals” →

UFC

Tom Aspinall looking to succeed where others have fallen short with UFC 295 spot

Mosope

Tom Aspinall of England is interviewed after defeating Marcin Tybura of Poland in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night at The O2 Arena...

Thrust into the new co-main slot for UFC 295 next month after news of reigning champion Jon Jones’ serious injury surfaced overnight, the #4 ranked heavyweight will look to win interim gold vs. a dangerous opponent in Sergei Pavlovich on November 11. All things considered, taking the chance without ample preparation time is brave but hasn’t aged well for many of late… Continue reading “Tom Aspinall looking to succeed where others have fallen short with UFC 295 spot” →

NBA, Specials

Rewind: As the new NBA season tips off tonight, a look back – Denver ended last term on top in five-game Finals series

Mosope

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is awarded the Bill Russell MVP trophy after winning Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at Ball...

The defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets open play in the new 2023-24 regular season overnight against LeBron James and the Lakers, in one of two intriguing Western Conference matchups primed for television viewing. Before then, I rewind back and reflect upon some fond memories for Denver as they clinched their first NBA title on home soil four months ago beyond a Miami team who fell short after exceeding expectations en route to an unlikely Finals trip. Continue reading “Rewind: As the new NBA season tips off tonight, a look back – Denver ended last term on top in five-game Finals series” →

Analysis, feature pieces

Fury-Ngannou: However you feel about it all, their lucrative exhibition bout is here

Mosope

Francis Ngannou trains with coach Dewey Cooper at the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou open workout on September 26 at Ngannou's private gym in Las...

Why haven’t the WBC stripped him? Just another money grab, wasting his prime years. Those are some of the phrases used to describe Fury-Ngannou before their Riyadh showdown this weekend and as fight week begins, the outside noise will pale into insignificance once the two heavyweights from differing disciplines do battle after their loaded undercard on Saturday night. Continue reading “Fury-Ngannou: However you feel about it all, their lucrative exhibition bout is here” →

Match coverage

Aston Villa 4-1 West Ham: Douglas at the double as Emery’s men rise to fifth in style

Mosope

Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa celebrates scoring the opening goal with Moussa Diaby during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham...

Jarrod Bowen’s deflected strike gave West Ham an unlikely lifeline ten minutes after half-time, having watched teammate Edson Álvarez gift-wrap the hosts a two-goal cushion five minutes earlier. Yet it was the hosts who reigned supreme on their return from the latest international break with a 4-1 win – courtesy of Douglas Luiz’s brace and strikes from Ollie Watkins and substitute Leon Bailey. Continue reading “Aston Villa 4-1 West Ham: Douglas at the double as Emery’s men rise to fifth in style” →

Tennis

Holger Rune needs more than a returning Boris Becker to arrest his alarming slump

Mosope

Holger Rune of Denmark reacts during his match against Brandon Nakashima of the U.S. On Day 5 of 2023 Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis...

Six-time Major champion Boris Becker announced Thursday he’ll return to the tennis circuit as Holger Rune’s new coach, having served an eight-month prison sentence last year for failing to hand over assets and trophies, repaying debt after being declared bankrupt five years earlier. While the headlines will surround the German right now, the talented Dane needs more than new voices in his ear hopeful he can stop stuttering form as the season draws to a close. Continue reading “Holger Rune needs more than a returning Boris Becker to arrest his alarming slump” →

UFC

UFC 294: Bad knees – pop or otherwise – Usman’s back is against the wall as Chimaev challenge awaits at 185lbs

Mosope

Kamaru Usman of Nigeria holds an open training session for fans and media during the UFC 294 open workouts at Yas Mall on October 18, 2023 in Yas...

After praise for accepting an unenviable task on short-notice last week, it’s fair to say fight week hasn’t been particularly kind to former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. He makes his middleweight debut this weekend at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi against the man many tipped to dethrone him at 170lbs – unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev. After Wednesday’s open workout, the noise has instead centred around the state of his long-standing knee issues. Continue reading “UFC 294: Bad knees – pop or otherwise – Usman’s back is against the wall as Chimaev challenge awaits at 185lbs” →

Specials

Isaac Chamberlain interview: Mikael Lawal main event on Saturday, world title ambitions and evolving with experience

Mosope

Isaac Chamberlain finds himself in a must-win fight this weekend. Mikael Lawal, two years younger and far less battle-tested by comparison, can rebuild should his first British title defence prove unsuccessful Saturday night. Strip away the bad blood between them and it’s quite simple: Chamberlain, who harbours world-level ambitions in 2024, cannot afford to suffer his third pro defeat against a former sparring partner. You don’t need to tell him that. Continue reading “Isaac Chamberlain interview: Mikael Lawal main event on Saturday, world title ambitions and evolving with experience” →

Tennis

Osaka and Kerber set to return at United Cup over the new year, entry list reveals

Mosope

Angelique Kerber of Germany and Naomi Osaka of Japan shake hands at the net after their second round match on day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock...

Two champions, with seven Major titles between them at different stages of their respective careers, are poised to return at the United Cup (Dec. 29 – Jan. 7) after a year-long absence as both were pregnant with their first children – Kerber giving birth to daughter Liana in February, while Osaka welcomed baby girl Shai five months later. Now, they’ll ramp up training over the coming weeks before travelling down under in December to kick off an intriguing 2024 season. Continue reading “Osaka and Kerber set to return at United Cup over the new year, entry list reveals” →

Match coverage

England 3-1 Italy: Kane’s brace seals Euro 2024 qualification with comeback win

Mosope

Harry Kane celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between England and Italy at Wembley...

Gareth Southgate shuffled the pack and watched as his England side recovered from an early goal down to seal their place at next summer’s European Championships in Germany with a 3-1 win over Euro 2020 winners Italy. Harry Kane’s brace – sandwiched between Marcus Rashford’s mazy second-half finish – secured their passage early, as two Group C games still await next month.
Continue reading “England 3-1 Italy: Kane’s brace seals Euro 2024 qualification with comeback win” →