Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Premier League leaders Liverpool rejected an approach to buy out the versatile fullback’s contract, currently expiring this coming summer, with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti refusing to engage questions about potential January signings as another potentially messy transfer saga brews behind-the-scenes. Continue reading “Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t bite as Real’s public Alexander-Arnold pursuit continues”
Sunny Edwards touched on a variety of topics, from the next best thing in heavyweight boxing to lobbying for a potential Anthony Yarde vs. Lyndon Arthur trilogy in 2025, as the recently-retired former world flyweight champion embraces his new role in a sport that made him a millionaire household name. Continue reading “Now-retired Edwards excited for British boxing’s future, argues for Yarde-Arthur 3”
Highly-rated forwards are in low supply but high demand. Lille’s Jonathan David – constantly linked with a Premier League move – continues to leave his future in France uncertain after pondering a two-year contract extension to stay with the Ligue 1 side, knowing club president Olivier Letang’s stance: the Canada striker, whose deal expires in June, will not leave this coming window. Continue reading “Lille forward Jonathan David mulls new deal as president certain on January stay”
Much like Alex Pereira and Alexandre Pantoja, Merab Dvalishvili is the latest UFC champion pledging to be active going forward as the bullish bantamweight titleholder heads into 2025 with an unbeaten contender – 18-0 pro Umar Nurmagomedov – expected to emerge in another passing-of-the-torch moment from their UFC 311 co-main event next month. Well, don’t tell the Georgian that. Continue reading “UFC 311: Dvalishvili, much like Pereira, plans an active 2025 schedule after Jan. 18”
Caleb Martin picked the right night to produce a season-high 23 points, including seven three-pointers, as Philadelphia earned a hard-fought road win on Christmas Day against the defending champion Boston Celtics. Given their injury woes this term, it’s a step in the right direction if able to get more consistent production from their supplementary pieces, like the 29-year-old.
Continue reading “Martin magic for 76ers during marquee Christmas Day win in Boston – any more?”
Olympic champion Belinda Bencic’s return after having her first child, daughter Bella, adds a new layer of intrigue before the 2025 campaign as the 27-year-old believes her best tennis could still be unlocked in future. Building back match sharpness is one thing, holding your own among top players again is another but chaining everything together with consistency? A different equation. Continue reading “New mum Bencic insists she’s not coming back to be average, eyes more success”
Joe Cordina lost his IBF super-featherweight world title in startling fashion on Saudi shores seven months ago and while he’s been raring to go in a new weight division after suffering a first professional defeat, the Welshman doesn’t have leverage nor seemingly a promotional deal with which to pursue the big fights he’s long been coveting. That won’t stop him searching for more in 2025. Continue reading “After rollercoaster 2024, Cordina can’t wait to get into lightweight mix in 2025”
Lawrence Okolie made fast work of overmatched former sparring partner Hussein Mohamed earlier this month with a first-round knockout win to produce a memorable Queensberry debut, though his trainer Joe Gallagher has told me they’re already eyeing a March or April return for a former two-weight world champion seeking greatness as the 32-year-old’s heavyweight foray ramps up. Continue reading “Okolie’s trainer Joe Gallagher: One more, then ready for the big heavyweight fights”
Joao Fonseca began 2024 ranked #730 and a year later, the Brazilian teenager finishes it inside the world’s top 150, with a freshly-earned $525k (£422k) in prize money after going unbeaten in the Next Gen Finals before declaring he’s got an ultimate goal to achieve: emulating four-time Major champ Carlos Alcaraz and current no. 1 Jannik Sinner by becoming the world’s best player. Continue reading “Joao Fonseca just getting started, after clinching Next Gen Finals title in Jeddah”
In an extravagant hotel lounge area putting mine to shame deep in Usyk-Fury 2 fight week, I picked the brains of esteemed boxing coach-and-analyst Teddy Atlas on a series of topics, most notably looking ahead to David Benavidez’s sophomore appearance at light-heavyweight vs. David Morrell after an underwhelming debut vs. his former charge Oleksandr Gvozdyk last summer. Continue reading “Atlas: Benavidez has the minerals to flourish at 175lbs, ahead of Morrell bout”
Frank Warren was left a nasty surprise ringside upon hearing the scorecards for Usyk-Fury 2, as the Queensberry chief has again had to console his man after Tyson Fury suffered a second consecutive defeat – this time a 12-round unanimous decision, compared to a split loss by the Ukrainian on May 18. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Warren anger at judges’ second-half scoring, Fury again falls short”
Oleksandr Usyk weighed in at a career-highest 221lbs on Friday – 55 pounds lighter than Tyson Fury – though while plenty was said in the build-up, whether it be judging replacements, rules meeting disputes and more drama besides, the Ukrainian did as he always does: win. Fury’s flashes of vigour and encouragement ultimately weren’t enough during their immediate rematch. Continue reading “Usyk weaves his magic to leave Fury flat, retains unified world heavyweight titles”
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