Boxing

Stevenson swarms Yoshino in R6 TKO win, before insisting he has bigger fish to fry

Shuichiro Yoshino of Japan and Shakur Stevenson of the United States exchange punches during their WBC Lightweight Final Eliminator match at...

Two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson did what he said he would against a previously undefeated contender in Shuichiro Yoshino – on his lightweight debut at the weekend – and now has his sights set on the Haney-Lomachenko winner this autumn. Is he ready to back up his bold comments?
Continue reading “Stevenson swarms Yoshino in R6 TKO win, before insisting he has bigger fish to fry”

Tennis

Casper Ruud, Frances Tiafoe seal titles in Estoril and Houston, as Monte-Carlo gets underway

Frances Tiafoe

Having struggled with poor form so far this season, two-time Major finalist Casper Ruud finished an eventful week in Estoril as a champion at ATP 250 level against a good friend in Miomir Kecmanovic, while US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe did the same overnight: ending a five-year wait for an ATP title, outlasting surging Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in two tiebreak sets. Continue reading “Casper Ruud, Frances Tiafoe seal titles in Estoril and Houston, as Monte-Carlo gets underway”

NBA

As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel

Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coaches Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse against the Portland Trail Blazers during NBA...

As is often the case come playoff time, there are many storylines and prospective scenarios that can play out a variety of ways over the postseason – with subsequent front office decisions often riding on the success or failure of a franchise or specific players in certain areas. This year is no different. Continue reading “As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel”

UFC

UFC 287: Adesanya regains title with R2 KO in Pereira rematch, after Burns retires Masvidal

Israel Adesanya of Nigeria reacts after knocking out Alex Pereira of Brazil in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 287 event at...

With his back to the wall and in danger, Israel Adesanya produced a second-round KO win over long-time rival Alex Pereira to regain his UFC middleweight title, after Gilbert Burns beat Jorge Masvidal into submission over 15 minutes before the two-time welterweight title challenger retired in his hometown. Continue reading “UFC 287: Adesanya regains title with R2 KO in Pereira rematch, after Burns retires Masvidal”

UFC

UFC 287: It’s now or never for Israel Adesanya vs. arch-nemesis Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya face off for the press and the fans during a press conference for UFC 287, Pereira versus Adesanya 2, on April 6 at...

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya knows pressure rests on his shoulders with fierce rival Alex Pereira up next, one final time tonight. The stark truth is a 0-3 record stares at him across two disciplines – regardless of the circumstances – so will he get the last laugh to reclaim gold overnight? Continue reading “UFC 287: It’s now or never for Israel Adesanya vs. arch-nemesis Alex Pereira”

UFC

UFC 287: Adrian Yanez aware of the golden opportunity that lies ahead vs. Rob Font

Opponents Rob Font and Adrian Yanez face off during the UFC 287 press conference at Miami-Dade Arena on April 06, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

It feels like just yesterday, Adrian Yanez was merely the Contender Series graduate with a penchant for highlight reel finishes. Now, the 29-year-old has a fantastic chance to leapfrog a few in the top-15 and establish himself as a genuine player at 135lbs against perennial contender Rob Font this weekend. Continue reading “UFC 287: Adrian Yanez aware of the golden opportunity that lies ahead vs. Rob Font”

Tennis

Casper Ruud, Dan Evans return to winning ways on clay in Estoril, Marrakech

Casper Ruud of Norway celebrates against João Sousa of Portugal during the 2 nd round of the Millennium Estoril Open tournament at CTE- Clube de...

After the injury-laden withdrawals over the past 48 hours before next week’s Monte-Carlo Masters, there was some good tennis news to report: Casper Ruud returned to winning ways on clay in Estoril yesterday, before Britain’s no. 2 player Dan Evans snapped a six-match losing streak in Marrakech today. Continue reading “Casper Ruud, Dan Evans return to winning ways on clay in Estoril, Marrakech”

Analysis, feature pieces

Graham Potter was doomed at Chelsea from Day 1, but poisoned chalice moves on

Graham Potter, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on April 01, 2023 in...

Graham Potter was always going to find himself under intense scrutiny after succeeding Thomas Tuchel last September, and has barely lasted seven months in charge. The managerial merry-go-round has returned once more in west London, where club legend Frank Lampard will this week take interim charge while a host of free agent big names are linked for the summer months. Continue reading “Graham Potter was doomed at Chelsea from Day 1, but poisoned chalice moves on”

Analysis, feature pieces

Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith: World champion enters the lion’s den – against a friend – on May 27

10 days after he shook off the cobwebs in a drab-but-dominant world title defence against mandatory challenger David Light, WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie was surveying the scene in a Marylebone hotel. Why? A quick turnaround awaits in a tough ask on enemy soil down the south Coast, against friend Chris Billam-Smith and former trainer Shane McGuigan.
Continue reading “Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith: World champion enters the lion’s den – against a friend – on May 27”

NBA

Bucks lament voter fatigue in MVP race, after another big Giannis showing

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks stands on the sideline during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Fiserv Forum...

Two-time regular season MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo produced 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting, alongside 14 rebounds and six assists in a dominant display against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, taking them closer to securing the East’s #1 seed. Yet the franchise feel voter fatigue is stopping their star from getting the MVP recognition he deserves, yet again. Continue reading “Bucks lament voter fatigue in MVP race, after another big Giannis showing”

UFC

Belal Muhammad only looking upwards – wants Edwards, Usman or Covington next

Belal Muhammad prepares to fight Sean Brady in a welterweight fight during the UFC 280 event at Etihad Arena on October 22, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United...

#4 ranked welterweight Belal Muhammad has reaffirmed a desire to fight up, eager to finally earn a #1 contender spot with potential fights against former champion Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington or a rematch with current titlist Leon Edwards – rather than having to fight down the rankings once more against Shavkat Rakhmonov [6]. Whether that will materialise, is the question. Continue reading “Belal Muhammad only looking upwards – wants Edwards, Usman or Covington next”

Boxing

Harlem Eubank scores two knockdowns, improves to 17-0 with decision win over Miguel Antin

Harlem Eubank earned knockdowns in rounds six and seven en route to another wide decision victory, this time against short-notice opponent Miguel Antin in a scrappy, gruelling co-main event at York Hall overnight. Elsewhere on Wasserman’s card, there were R1 finishes for Jesse Brandon and Matty Harris before Harry Scarff’s enthralling battle with Jordan Dujon in the headliner. Continue reading “Harlem Eubank scores two knockdowns, improves to 17-0 with decision win over Miguel Antin”