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

Jamel Herring eager to go out on his own terms, as Cordina title shot carrot lingers

Mosope

Jamel Herring warms up before his lightweight fight with Jamaine Ortiz at Resorts World Las Vegas on May 21, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Former WBO super-featherweight world champion Jamel Herring isn’t satisfied with how his professional boxing journey looked to be ending, and after a 18-month layoff, will make his in-ring return on November 7 looking to finish the final chapter of his career on his terms. IBF champion Joe Cordina makes the first defence of his title three days earlier in Monaco, and an unlikely showdown with the Welshman is naturally a difficult challenge he has set for himself. Continue reading “Jamel Herring eager to go out on his own terms, as Cordina title shot carrot lingers” →

Tennis

Djokovic shows resiliency to clinch 24th Major title in straight-sets Medvedev win

Mosope

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia during their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2023 US...

Novak Djokovic started well, recovered from set point down in an exhausting 105-minute second set, and responded as you’d expect after suddenly being broken for the first time midway through the third during a tense final that easily could’ve gone the distance. Exacting revenge over 2021 titlist Daniil Medvedev, who pipped him to the trophy two years ago, the 36-year-old made more history on his New York return and is now a 24-time Major champion. Continue reading “Djokovic shows resiliency to clinch 24th Major title in straight-sets Medvedev win” →

Tennis

US Open 2023: Djokovic vs. Medvedev – live commentary of men’s singles final

Mosope

Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia pose for a photo prior to their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2023 US Open...

Two years after their US Open final, where Daniil Medvedev won his first Major, the pair go at it once more in the tournament’s showpiece event. Follow along for live ball-by-ball commentary as the Serb looks to secure a 24th Grand Slam title while Carlos Alcaraz’s semifinal conqueror hopes he can finish an unforgettable fortnight with another historic triumph too. Continue reading “US Open 2023: Djokovic vs. Medvedev – live commentary of men’s singles final” →

UFC

UFC 293: Adesanya insists Strickland is selling wolf tickets, so should you watch?

Mosope

Opponents Israel Adesanya of Nigeria and Sean Strickland face off during the UFC 293 ceremonial weigh-in at Qudos Bank Arena on September 08, 2023 in...

Israel Adesanya makes the first defence of his second UFC middleweight title reign against an unpredictable underdog in Sean Strickland – whose path to this opportunity was borne from activity at a time where fresh contenders were sparse. While a Dricus du Plessis showdown seems inevitable in future, Strickland’s best method of winning this championship clash is gruelling and difficult to achieve after all that has come before it. Can he execute it though? Continue reading “UFC 293: Adesanya insists Strickland is selling wolf tickets, so should you watch?” →

NBA

Nets’ Dinwiddie: Harden and Lillard’s unclear futures mean offseason isn’t over

Mosope

Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of Game Three of the Eastern...

During a recent podcast appearance, Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie conceded uncertainty remains around the franchise, and leaguewide, until the respective futures of All-Star duo Damian Lillard and James Harden are resolved. Both made trade requests public in July and with a few weeks before training camp begins, multiple ball clubs are involved in potential scenarios. Continue reading “Nets’ Dinwiddie: Harden and Lillard’s unclear futures mean offseason isn’t over” →

Tennis

US Open 2023: Ostapenko’s vulnerabilities return, as Gauff-Muchova rematch up next

Mosope

Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates defeating Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the quarter-final on Day 9 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King...

Jelena Ostapenko hit 36 unforced errors and recorded a lowly 38% first serve percentage, as the 2017 French Open champion couldn’t back up her Iga Swiatek scalp in the previous round with an in-form Coco Gauff holding firm during their baseline rally exchanges to sweep past her in straight-sets. Now, the teenage American faces Karolina Muchova in a rematch of their Cincinnati final from last month, as a first-time finalist berth awaits tonight’s victor. Continue reading “US Open 2023: Ostapenko’s vulnerabilities return, as Gauff-Muchova rematch up next” →

Analysis, feature pieces

Urging patience for Barca wonderkid Lamine Yamal is easier said than done

Mosope

Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona in action during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and FC Barcelona at Estadio El Sadar on September 03,...

Alejandro Balde’s public comments this week, demanding patience for his teenage teammate at both club level and the international scene, are predictably well-intentioned by a fellow youngster who wants the best for a friend in Barcelona’s latest wonderkid forward Lamine Yamal. That sentiment doesn’t make it any less likely scrutiny doesn’t follow him around, though. Continue reading “Urging patience for Barca wonderkid Lamine Yamal is easier said than done” →

Boxing

Joe Joyce’s trainer Ismael Salas admits he too overlooked Zhang, ahead of rematch

Mosope

Joe Joyce during a Media Workout ahead of his fight with Zhilei Zhang at Bronx Boxing Gym on April 12, 2023 in London, England.

Zhilei Zhang utilised his laser-like left hand to sting Joe Joyce into submission on away soil five months ago, and after inflicting the Juggernaut’s first professional loss earlier this year, looks to prove it was no fluke in just over two weeks’ time. The Brit’s trainer, Ismael Salas, admitted he also overlooked the Chinese contender – but insisted that won’t be the case second time around. Continue reading “Joe Joyce’s trainer Ismael Salas admits he too overlooked Zhang, ahead of rematch” →

Tennis

US Open 2023: Draper down in four to Rublev, but can be heartened by his run

Mosope

Jack Draper of Great Britain reacts after losing against Andrey Rublev of Russia during their Men's Singles Fourth Round match on Day Eight of the...

If there’s anyone on tour who knows and respects Jack Draper’s game, it’s Andrey Rublev – having played him twice in three months last year – openly expecting the 21-year-old Brit to succeed before another injury-plagued 2023 season. That’s why it felt symbolic the tournament’s eighth seed withstood his best efforts to prevail in a four-set tussle yesterday, setting up another meeting with childhood friend and 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev in the process. Continue reading “US Open 2023: Draper down in four to Rublev, but can be heartened by his run” →

UFC

UFC Paris 2: Five big takeaways, as Gane gets what he ordered in Spivac stoppage

Mosope

Ciryl Gane of France punches Serghei Spivac of Moldova in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The Accor Arena on September 02,...

Former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane picked his strikes well and showed improved takedown defence in an assertive R2 TKO win over Serghei Spivac, a year after successfully headlining a similarly raucous Accor Arena. What about Rose Namajunas’ flyweight debut, or the resurgence of Volkan Oezdemir? Read on, for five thoughts from Saturday’s Fight Night card. Continue reading “UFC Paris 2: Five big takeaways, as Gane gets what he ordered in Spivac stoppage” →

Tennis

US Open 2023: Murray now has more to mull over, after Dimitrov’s slice showcase

Mosope

Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts during the match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria during their Men's Singles Second Round match on Day Four of...

Three-time Major champion and former world no. 1 Andy Murray conceded for the first time that perhaps he needs to accept, internally, that deep runs at Major tournaments are no longer possible after being soundly beaten in straight-sets (6-3, 6-4, 6-1) by a familiar face in Grigor Dimitrov on Thursday. The 36-year-old hasn’t reached the second week at a Grand Slam for six years. Continue reading “US Open 2023: Murray now has more to mull over, after Dimitrov’s slice showcase” →

Boxing

Eubank Jr drops, stops Smith to score R10 finish with career-best display in rematch

Mosope

Chris Eubank Jr celebrates after beating Liam Smith in a 10th round stoppage during the Chris Eubank Jr v Liam Smith II Middleweight Title fight at...

Chris Eubank Jr started well, didn’t get overzealous as many have come to expect, and was sharp with punch output en route to a tenth-round finish of a sluggish Liam Smith avenging his first career stoppage loss. Seven months later in the same venue, he silenced critics – at least for now – before calling out Conor Benn and two-time middleweight world champion Gennadiy Golovkin. Continue reading “Eubank Jr drops, stops Smith to score R10 finish with career-best display in rematch” →