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Most expect Anthony Joshua will score a stoppage victory over short-notice replacement Robert Helenius this weekend, especially with the Deontay Wilder-sized carrot that may be lingering ringside in London on Saturday night. These are the same people who assumed he’d crush Jermaine Franklin in April too, so what happened that night in his first fight under new trainer Derrick James? Continue reading “Fight week rewind: Joshua’s blunt UD12 win over Jermaine Franklin, on April 1”
Championship winners Burnley kick off the new season against last year’s Premier League champions, as Clarets head coach Vincent Kompany braces himself for another reunion against a City side he called home for over a decade during his illustrious playing career. This time, unlike their FA Cup quarterfinal tie back in March, it’ll be at Turf Moor – so is a different result in store too? Continue reading “Burnley vs. Manchester City Preview: Kompany and co seek to start with style on top-flight return in season’s opener”
As the rebuild back to the top table at heavyweight continues with far from ideal circumstances, Anthony Joshua is in must-win territory this weekend against Robert Helenius. We all know that, but it can’t be like his UD12 Jermaine Franklin victory on April 1 either – it’s got to be an emphatic, confidence-boosting knockout. Isn’t always so simple though, really? Continue reading “Late-notice opponent or not, Joshua aware of stakes vs. Helenius in presser”
Three days after the rematch between former two-time heavyweight Anthony Joshua and long-time rival Dillian Whyte was cancelled after Whyte returned an ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test, an announcement today confirms Robert Helenius – one of Joshua’s previous sparring partners – will step up on less than a week’s notice to box him in Saturday’s headliner from London’s O2 Arena.
Continue reading “Robert Helenius steps into the breach, will face Anthony Joshua on Saturday night”
Attack the forehand as they might, Coco Gauff bounced back from her Wimbledon disappointment and produced an excellent week’s worth of tennis – not dropping a set – en route to her first WTA 500 title in Washington, after beating Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-3 on Sunday night. How does she build from here? Continue reading “Coco Gauff’s aggression key as she collects Washington title, her first at WTA 500 level”
Perennial bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen is now riding a three-fight win streak for the first time since 2019, but completed the achievement with an underwhelming albeit comfy decision win over short-notice replacement Rob Font in their catchweight clash at 140lbs. Should he be rewarded with a title shot next – depending on how UFC 292 unfolds – or does he need another scalp?
Continue reading “UFC Nashville: Sandhagen nullifies Font to dominant decision win in drab main event”
The heavily-anticipated rematch between former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and long-time rival Dillian Whyte, set for next weekend, has today been cancelled after news broke the latter returned an ‘adverse finding’ in a random VADA drugs test. Andy Ruiz Jr, who stunned Joshua in the summer of 2019, and respected Swedish contender Otto Wallin are among those who’ve expressed a willingness to step up on short-notice. Continue reading “Andy Ruiz, Otto Wallin open to late-notice Anthony Joshua fight as Whyte returns ‘adverse finding’ in random drugs test”
The recently-retired two-division UFC world champion spoke about being surprised by having a burning desire to rest and recover, after accruing damage aplenty across her body given the gruelling training camps and various fights over the years. Yet the Lioness didn’t close the door on a return, even aged 35… Continue reading “Amanda Nunes confirms she has nerve damage in her legs, doesn’t rule out return”
Set for a fresh start under Vincenzo Italiano in Tuscany, Juventus midfielder Arthur feels already settled in – pointing to already-formed friendships with some teammates – as well as an important buy-in from his new manager as reasons why the 2023-24 campaign should be a successful on his return to Italy. Continue reading “Fiorentina loan for the new campaign, Arthur optimistic before next fresh start”
12 months after his Curtis Blaydes matchup was cruelly cut short by a serious knee injury, Tom Aspinall again announced himself as a serious player in the heavyweight division after making short work of perennial contender Marcin Tybura in the UFC London card on July 22. Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is set for November, and the 30-year-old has his sights set on securing a title shot soon. Continue reading “UFC London: Rewind back to Aspinall’s rapid return, a R1 TKO win vs. Tybura”
After news of unified light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev’s serious jaw infection prompted an official postponement at the weekend, more information has since surfaced about when fans should expect his proposed mandatory title defence against Callum Smith to be rescheduled. Continue reading “Beterbiev-Smith pushed to November earliest, after champion’s jaw surgery”
Homecooking was in the air for Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, 2022 Indian Wells winner Taylor Fritz and four-time Major titlist Iga Swiatek as the trio all prevailed in their respective tournaments on Sunday, while Australia’s Alexei Popyrin was rewarded for his persistence – securing a second ATP tour-level title at Stan Wawrinka’s expense after a three-set battle in Umag. Continue reading “Zverev, Fritz and Swiatek all clinch titles on home soil, as Popyrin pips Wawrinka”
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