Boxing

Zhang-Joyce 2: Ezra Taylor, Pierce O’Leary feature on an undercard you can’t forget

Two-time world title challenger Anthony Yarde returns, as does Zach Parker with both hoping to shake off ring rust after an eventful year for many reasons. Yet elsewhere on tonight’s undercard, Ezra Taylor faces his sternest test yet at light-heavyweight while Pierce O’Leary targets another quick night and teenage heavyweight Moses Itauma boxes for the fifth time in eight months.  Continue reading “Zhang-Joyce 2: Ezra Taylor, Pierce O’Leary feature on an undercard you can’t forget”

UFC

UFC Vegas 79: Fiziev feels he can handle Gamrot’s wrestling on Saturday night

Opponents Rafael Fiziev of Kazakstan and Mateusz Gamrot of Poland face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on September 22, 2023 in...

#6 ranked lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev believes he’s grown stronger for the experience after being outpointed by former interim champion Justin Gaethje six months ago, and enters tomorrow’s Fight Night headliner against Mateusz Gamrot [7] aware of the heavy grappling game his opponent presents. Can the 30-year-old successfully nullify those dangers over 25 minutes though? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 79: Fiziev feels he can handle Gamrot’s wrestling on Saturday night”

Match coverage

Brighton 2-3 AEK Athens: Ponce punctures Seagulls’ European debut in late drama

S Argentinian forward Ezequiel Ponce celebrates scoring his team third goal during the UEFA Europa League Group B football match between Brighton and...

It was a tempestuous night with 23 fouls, 11 yellow cards and shaky officiating on the south Coast, yet Premier League overachievers Brighton only had themselves to blame as their maiden European campaign got off to a sour start at home vs. Greek champions AEK Athens. Their summer signing and Argentine striker Ezequiel Ponce, came off the bench to sting them without warning. Continue reading “Brighton 2-3 AEK Athens: Ponce punctures Seagulls’ European debut in late drama”

Boxing

Zhang on motivation, making training developments and targeting Joyce’s eye

Zhang Zhilei of China celebrates after defeating Joe Joyce of Britain in their WBO heavyweight interim title boxing match in London, Britain, April...

Zhilei Zhang ripped up the script in April, making a fool of those who overlooked him and snatched the WBO interim world heavyweight title from Joe Joyce on enemy territory. Now, the 40-year-old needs to do it again in their rematch to set up a seismic 2024 as bigger fights await Saturday’s winner, something he has taken into consideration with an enhanced training camp this time around. Continue reading “Zhang on motivation, making training developments and targeting Joyce’s eye”

UFC

Tracy Cortez targets a title tilt, and given the women’s flyweight picture – why not?

Tracy Cortez battles Jasmine Jasudavicius of Canada in a flyweight fight during the Noche UFC event at T-Mobile Arena on September 16, 2023 in Las...

After ending a 16-month layoff, women’s flyweight contender Tracy Cortez improved to 5-0 in the Octagon with a UD3 win over Jasmine Jasudavicius but wasn’t satisfied being stashed on the Noche UFC card’s early prelims – headlined by a title fight in her division. With more activity, a steady step-up in opposition and more composure, she could soon make a title push of her own. Continue reading “Tracy Cortez targets a title tilt, and given the women’s flyweight picture – why not?”

Boxing

Joyce on fluctuating weight, desire to improve and more before Zhang rematch

Joe Joyce during a press conference at TalkSport Studios, London. Picture date: Thursday June 29, 2023.

Joe Joyce has had time to reflect on his first career defeat and as this weekend’s heavyweight rematch edges ever closer, the former WBO interim world champion is steadfast in wanting a return to the top table – but needs to right the wrongs from five months prior against Zhilei Zhang. Plenty was said about his weight for their maiden matchup, but what does the Juggernaut think?
Continue reading “Joyce on fluctuating weight, desire to improve and more before Zhang rematch”

NBA

Schroder had a summer to savour, but more responsibility awaits him in Toronto

Dennis Schroder of Germany celebrates with the Naismith Trophy after the FIBA Basketball World Cup Final victory over Serbia at Mall of Asia Arena on...

Fresh from securing world championship status and spearheading his nation halfway across the globe with Germany, new Toronto Raptors guard Dennis Schroder will look to continue in the same vein once the 2023-24 NBA season begins on October 24. Reunited again alongside old faces and with different expectations, the FIBA World Cup MVP’s trajectory is one to keep an eye on. Continue reading “Schroder had a summer to savour, but more responsibility awaits him in Toronto”

UFC

Noche UFC: Grasso-Shevchenko 2 ends in split draw after contentious scorecards

Alexa Grasso of Mexico and Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan react after fighting to a majority draw in the UFC flyweight championship fight during...

Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 was exactly as advertised: a much different fight than their first showdown just six months later, with both enjoying periods of success and throwing strikes aplenty across all angles trying to wrestle UFC gold from the other’s grasp. Instead though, after a thrilling contest over 25 minutes, we’re left to lament poor judging once again. Continue reading “Noche UFC: Grasso-Shevchenko 2 ends in split draw after contentious scorecards”

UFC

Noche UFC: So with doubts heightened, what does Valentina have in store?

Alexa Grasso of Mexico and Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan face off during the Noche UFC ceremonial weigh-in at Toshiba Plaza on September 15,...

Questions aplenty have been raised surrounding long-reigning flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko as she looks to reclaim gold six months after a surprise submission defeat by Alexa Grasso. Chief among them is this: will her return resemble Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena 2… or Ronda Rousey’s short-lived return against the recently-retired Brazilian champion seven years ago? 

Continue reading “Noche UFC: So with doubts heightened, what does Valentina have in store?”

News

Bayern target Walker: Repeating treble-winning success was key in City extension

Kyle Walker of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Fulham FC at Etihad Stadium on September 2, 2023...

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich were said to be flirting with the fullback all summer long, but Manchester City’s Kyle Walker says his desire to complete another treble-winning season – like their unprecedented 2022-23 campaign – is why he rejected their advances to extend his stay at Eastlands, until 2026.
Continue reading “Bayern target Walker: Repeating treble-winning success was key in City extension”

Boxing

Taylor insists he has plenty of options, simply had a bad night in Lopez defeat

Josh Taylor takes on Teofimo Lopez in a jr. Welterweight bout for Top Rank Boxing on June 10, 2023 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New...

Former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor believes he simply had a bad night when losing via decision against WBO champion Teofimo Lopez in June, and has expressed his desire to move towards big money fights as the Scotsman reaches the back nine of an illustrious pro career. Continue reading “Taylor insists he has plenty of options, simply had a bad night in Lopez defeat”

UFC

UFC 293 – The debrief: Strickland stuns, outboxes Adesanya to earn 185lb gold

Sean Strickland punches Israel Adesanya of Nigeria in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 293 event at Qudos Bank Arena on...

Well then, who saw that coming? Sean Strickland is now king of the UFC middleweights after a fantastic display of pressure and stern defence over 25 minutes bamboozled Israel Adesanya into submission at the weekend, on enemy soil no less, as fresh matchups galore have been cracked open after the American’s shock title victory in Australia. Click to read more, for the debrief.  Continue reading “UFC 293 – The debrief: Strickland stuns, outboxes Adesanya to earn 185lb gold”