NBA

Bradley Beal traded to the Suns as Wizards’ rebuild phase finally begins

Waiving his no-trade clause to do so, the Washington Wizards are finally sending three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal to pastures new – the Phoenix Suns out in the West – for a package including Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, several second-round picks and a first-round pick swap, per ESPN tonight.
Continue reading “Bradley Beal traded to the Suns as Wizards’ rebuild phase finally begins”

Boxing

Clarke earns UD10 win over Wach, after decisive victories for Dubois and Riley

He started well and endured some messier moments late on, but heavyweight prospect Frazer Clarke improved to 7-0 and banked invaluable experience against former world title challenger Mariusz Wach in BOXXER’s main event from York Hall, after Caroline Dubois proved her world-level credentials at 135lbs while cruiserweight Viddal Riley left no doubt in an anticipated rematch. Continue reading “Clarke earns UD10 win over Wach, after decisive victories for Dubois and Riley”

Tennis

Casper Ruud’s Halle withdrawal, Kyrgios and Berrettini’s losing returns and more

Casper RUUD of Norway show his second place trophy during the Day 15 of Roland Garros at Roland Garros on June 11, 2023 in Paris, France.

French Open finalist Casper Ruud has withdrawn from next week’s ATP500 event in Halle, Nick Kyrgios and Matteo Berrettini – Wimbledon runner-ups over the previous two seasons – suffered frustrating defeats on their respective returns to grass, and more besides as the season’s cycle continues to turn… Continue reading “Casper Ruud’s Halle withdrawal, Kyrgios and Berrettini’s losing returns and more”

Specials

Exclusive: Frazer Clarke interview – Perspective, CBS-Okolie and headlining York Hall vs. Mariusz Wach on Friday

Adam Azim’s abrupt hand injury saw another of Sky’s prospects being promoted to top the bill on short-notice in BOXXER’s York Hall show this coming Friday. As such, I spoke to highly-rated rising heavyweight Frazer Clarke at Oxford Circus on a series of topics as he faces the toughest test of a professional career still in its infancy against former world title challenger Marius Wach this weekend. Continue reading “Exclusive: Frazer Clarke interview – Perspective, CBS-Okolie and headlining York Hall vs. Mariusz Wach on Friday”

News

Milan rivals, Leipzig, Monaco and Villarreal linked with Arsenal’s £34m-rated Balogun

Folarin Balogun of the United States shoots the ball during USMNT Training at Dignity Health Sports Park on June 8, 2023 in Carson, California. .

After six goal involvements in 21 appearances during half-a-season with Championship side Middlesbrough last term, Folarin Balogun notched seven in his first six Ligue 1 matches – four starts – as Stade Reims reaped the rewards of their Arsenal loanee’s ever-improving growth abroad. Now with uncertainty over his long-term future in north London, suitors across Europe are circling. Continue reading “Milan rivals, Leipzig, Monaco and Villarreal linked with Arsenal’s £34m-rated Balogun”

Analysis, feature pieces

As first England cap awaits, Eze shows value of patience after untimely setbacks

Eberechi Eze of England looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on June 13, 2023 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

His Crystal Palace teammates were said to be in tears after an abrupt training ground injury – rupturing his Achilles – left him sidelined for several months on the same day he was part of England’s Euro 2020 provisional squad. Two years on, he could make his senior debut this weekend, and it’s another timely reminder how important patience is as far as long-term goals are concerned. Continue reading “As first England cap awaits, Eze shows value of patience after untimely setbacks”

Tennis

French Open 2023: Djokovic overcomes slow start to beat Ruud, seals 23rd Major

Novak DJOKOVIC holds the winners trophy after victory against Casper RUUD on Philippe-CHATRIER court in the French Open Roland Garros 2013 Men's...

Novak Djokovic got off to a stressful start but, as we’ve come to expect from the 36-year-old, steadied himself late in set one and ultimately finished strongest during a far-from-straightforward three-set victory over three-time Major finalist Casper Ruud – clinching a record-breaking 23rd Major title by doing so. Continue reading “French Open 2023: Djokovic overcomes slow start to beat Ruud, seals 23rd Major”

UFC

UFC 289: Nunes retires with dominant Aldana win, after Oliveira blasts Dariush

Amanda Nunes of Brazil announces her retirement after her victory over Irene Aldana of Mexico in their women's bantamweight title fight during the...

Two-weight world champion Amanda Nunes made her sixth bantamweight title defence against Irene Aldana, then announced she would retire aged 35 after tying compatriot and impending Hall of Famer Anderson Silva’s record for championship wins (11). Prior, Charles Oliveira’s long-awaited return was electrifying – snapping Beneil Dariush’s eight-fight win streak in the co-main.
Continue reading “UFC 289: Nunes retires with dominant Aldana win, after Oliveira blasts Dariush”

Boxing

“Do I still got it?” Teofimo Lopez silences critics as he outboxes Josh Taylor in UD12, seizes WBO light-welterweight title

Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez exchange punches during their WBO junior welterweight championship fight at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden...

Teofimo Lopez is a world champion once more, this time at 140lbs, after embracing the outside noise – letting it fuel his fire in more ways than one – en route to an impressive unanimous decision win over former undisputed titlist Josh Taylor. The Scotsman started promisingly but was exposed defensively and had no answers, as the 25-year-old dazzled before threatening a late finish.
Continue reading ““Do I still got it?” Teofimo Lopez silences critics as he outboxes Josh Taylor in UD12, seizes WBO light-welterweight title”

Tennis

French Open 2023: Swiatek weathers Muchova storm to defend her title in three-set thriller

Iga SWIATEK celebrates her victory with the trophy during the Day 14 of Roland Garros at Roland Garros on June 10, 2023 in Paris, France.

Iga Swiatek became the first woman to successfully defend her French Open title since Justine Henin’s three-peat (2005-07) as the world no. 1 absorbed a storm of pressure from first-time finalist Karolina Muchova and emerged stronger, coming out on top in a gripping finale lasting almost three hours. 

Continue reading “French Open 2023: Swiatek weathers Muchova storm to defend her title in three-set thriller”

Match coverage

Manchester City 1-0 Inter: Rodri’s strike secures Champions League glory, at last

Rodri of Manchester City celebrates with the UEFA Champions League trophy after the team's victory during the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final...

Two seasons and 742 days after being an unused substitute, watching from the dugout in Porto as his teammates were sucker punched by a savvy Chelsea side in their maiden Champions League Final, Rodri secured their treble-winning season with a second-half winner as Manchester City at long last seized the one trophy that has eluded their grasp against a wasteful Inter showing in Istanbul. Continue reading “Manchester City 1-0 Inter: Rodri’s strike secures Champions League glory, at last”

Boxing

Adeleye seals first WBO European HW title defence as Ahmatovic retires after R5

Rising British heavyweight David Adeleye banked more rounds, securing his second stoppage win in four months overnight and improved to 12-0 as a pro, after European title challenger Emir Ahmatovic was withdrawn at the end of R5 during another York Hall main event for the 26-year-old. The visiting corner saved their charge from what seemed like an inevitably destructive knockout.
Continue reading “Adeleye seals first WBO European HW title defence as Ahmatovic retires after R5”