Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
For the first time in history, the Australian Open have this week announced their Grand Slam tournament will be extended to 15 days – much like Roland Garris in Paris – a decision prompted after increasing backlash as five-time finalist Andy Murray finished one of his thrilling wins at 4am local time this season. Continue reading “Australian Open joins Roland Garros as second Major extending to 15-day event”
Not six months ago at a press conference in London, I asked light-welterweight contender Harlem Eubank how it would feel to headline his own show on the Brighton seaside after watching Joe Cordina do the same to reclaim world champion status in Cardiff. Much different situations but on November 10, Harlem does exactly that to finish a busy 2023 with bigger steps on the horizon. Continue reading “Harlem Eubank headlines at home in Brighton, as the tests intensify – starting with Timo Schwarzkopf on Nov. 10”
Sean O’Malley scored a second-round knockout win over Aljamain Sterling in the UFC 292 main event to capture bantamweight gold, before calling for a Marlon Vera rematch in his first title defence to finish an unforgettable year this December. The promotion have since announced Edwards vs. Covington will headline UFC 296 on Dec. 16, so Suga must wait until 2024 to satisfy that itch. Continue reading “New bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley confirms early 2024 return, says UFC want him to headline his own show”
With newly-appointed captain Reece James and vice Ben Chilwell both sidelined, England midfielder Conor Gallagher again captained the side to a 2-0 away win over their west London rivals Fulham earlier tonight – producing precisely the sort of individual showing convincing other clubs to test Chelsea’s resolve for an overly criticised player keen to breakthrough at his boyhood club. Continue reading “After rejecting summer interest aplenty, Chelsea captain tag looks good on Conor”
There are weight classes for a reason, so the saying goes. Super-middleweight king Canelo Álvarez started aggressively and controlled the action throughout, scoring a seventh-round knockdown en route to a comfy UD12 victory vs. light-middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo in their Las Vegas main event overnight. David Benavidez or a Dmitry Bivol rematch next? He doesn’t care. Continue reading “Canelo cruises to one-sided decision win over Charlo, retains 168lb world titles”
Ahead of tonight’s battle of two undisputed world champions, super-middleweight king Canelo Álvarez knows he has nothing to prove and yet, says he’s motivated by silencing one of his critics in light-middleweight titlist Jermell Charlo – who he feels never believed in his skills – and now he’ll make up for those questioning just how far he’s slipped from such high standards. Continue reading “Canelo has nothing to prove but says he’s motivated to silence one Charlo overnight”
Currently serving an eight-month ban for breaching the FA’s betting regulations, Brentford’s talismanic forward Ivan Toney will see his suspension end in the middle of January. That’s opportune timing for a mid-season switch to a London rival, with both reportedly open to making bids in excess of £50m for a 27-year-old English striker undoubtedly itching to make up for lost time. Continue reading “Chelsea and Arsenal linked with January move, as Toney exit talk intensifies again”
Having sustained a stress fracture in his back en route to the French Open quarterfinals, the two-time Major semifinalist secured a first ATP title since 2018 after enduring a forgettable few months rehabbing from an issue that saw him miss Wimbledon and ice his aspirations for another deep US Open run. Continue reading “After nagging back injury wiped out his summer, Karen Khachanov riding high”
Under-the-radar teams often swoop in with a surprise, and that was the case last week when news emerged announcing the Philadelphia 76ers had agreed a one-year deal with free agent forward Kelly Oubre Jr. The deal was made official yesterday, and the championship contenders will hope the 27-year-old can produce more efficiently than a commendable year in Charlotte last term. Continue reading “Kelly Oubre Jr’s one-year 76ers deal now made official – a shrewd move for both”
An intriguing matchup between two top-10 lightweights ended in disaster for Rafael Fiziev, who lost his #6 ranking and any momentum he could’ve earned with victory at the weekend after sustaining a nasty ACL injury during round two of his competitive clash with Mateusz Gamrot [7]. It means a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while the Pole will look to build off an unfortunate ending. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 79: Gamrot gets anticlimactic victory, as Fiziev sidelined with torn ACL”
IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia makes his UK debut this weekend and in the build-up, has publicly insisted he’s preparing for a war against European champion Jordan Thompson. Before their Wembley Arena clash on Saturday night, let’s rewind back to the Australian southpaw’s last outing – a career-best result – stunning Mairis Breidis and seizing a version of the world title at 200lbs. Continue reading “Rewind: Jai Opetaia UD12 Maris Briedis last July, as IBF cruiserweight world champ faces Jordan Thompson this week”
Zhilei Zhang had Joe Joyce’s number the first time, and stepped through the gears early on before producing an even quicker stoppage – this time more brutal – five months later in their heavyweight rematch to defend his WBO interim heavyweight championship against the Brit. It sets up lucrative bouts with the division’s elite names as he called out WBC titlist Tyson Fury post-fight. Continue reading “Zhang defends WBO interim world HW title with destructive R3 KO in Joyce rematch”
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