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

Chris Eubank Jr vs. Liam Smith: Given their world title ambitions, neither can afford to lose on Jan. 21

Mosope

After his Oct. 8 showdown with Conor Benn was cancelled, Chris Eubank Jr’s world title pursuit resumes against former super-welterweight world champion Liam Smith. Both are in the back half of their respective careers and after contrasting routes back to top contention, they collide in Manchester on January 21. So, who said what at the first official press conference yesterday?
Continue reading “Chris Eubank Jr vs. Liam Smith: Given their world title ambitions, neither can afford to lose on Jan. 21” →

Tennis

Australian Open 2023: Zverev, Norrie eager to ramp up their preparations in Saudi Arabia event

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Zverev Alexander tennis player during the 2022/2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 10 match between AS Monaco and FC Bayern Munich...

Olympic champion Alexander Zverev’s long-awaited comeback from ankle surgery, after an unexpected setback, is less than a fortnight away now. He’s looking forward to returning against a competitive field for Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Tennis Cup, which includes 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and Cameron Norrie, hoping the three-day event serves him well as the British no. 1 looks to banish his historical Australian Open struggles come early 2023. Continue reading “Australian Open 2023: Zverev, Norrie eager to ramp up their preparations in Saudi Arabia event” →

Boxing

Denzel Bentley vs. Hamzah Sheeraz: Both boxers open to possible future showdown

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Hamzah Sheeraz of Great Britain celebrates victory after beating River Wilson Bent of Great Britain during their Commonwealth Middleweight fight at...

After Hamzah Sheeraz made the first defence of his WBC Silver middleweight title with an overwhelming R2 KO win over River Wilson-Bent on Saturday, calls for a domestic clash against recent world title challenger Denzel Bentley have intensified. While both have publicly revealed they’re open to the idea, Sheeraz is predictably more forthcoming than the British titlist.
Continue reading “Denzel Bentley vs. Hamzah Sheeraz: Both boxers open to possible future showdown” →

Boxing

Adam Azim’s avalanche rains down on helpless Rylan Charlton, as Lawal and Gilley both win big

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27/11/2022 ALEXANDRA PALACE PIC LAWRENCE LUSTIG SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CONTEST ADAM AZIM v RYLAN CHARLTON

Adam Azim improved to 7-0 with a destructive display to dismiss Rylan Charlton, considered the first true acid test of his super-lightweight abilities. Elsewhere, Sam Gilley defended his English super-welterweight title and called for the Troy Williamson vs. Josh Kelly winner, before Mikael Lawal dug deep against familiar opposition to earn British cruiserweight gold in the co-main. Continue reading “Adam Azim’s avalanche rains down on helpless Rylan Charlton, as Lawal and Gilley both win big” →

Boxing

Ryder boxes clever before Parker’s injury-enforced retirement, is now WBO interim 168lb champion

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Zach Parker of Great Britain exchanges punches with John Ryder of Great Britain during the WBO International Super-Middleweight Title fight between...

John Ryder probed, picked his punches perfectly and is the WBO interim super-middleweight world champion – mandatory challenger for one of Canelo Alvarez’s undisputed titles – after Zach Parker retired before the start of R5 with a broken right-hand in their headliner. Prior, there were impressive KO wins for Hamzah Sheeraz and Dennis McCann among others. Continue reading “Ryder boxes clever before Parker’s injury-enforced retirement, is now WBO interim 168lb champion” →

NBA

Indiana Pacers’ big man Myles Turner changes agents, as trade speculation intensifies

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Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers looks on in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 23, 2022 in...

Per Marc Stein, Indiana Pacers’ center Myles Turner is leaving BDA Sports after a two-year stint with the agency and mooted to join CAA Sports for representation. Players changing agents isn’t always noteworthy news, but in this case for the 26-year-old on an expiring deal who always finds himself in trade speculation, this change suggests bigger dominos will soon fall. Continue reading “Indiana Pacers’ big man Myles Turner changes agents, as trade speculation intensifies” →

Boxing

Super-lightweights beware: Harlem Eubank improves to 16-0 with UD main event win over Tom Farrell

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Harlem Eubank and Tom Farrell in action during their super lightweight match at York Hall on November 25, 2022 in London, England.

A day after the announcement that his older cousin Chris had booked a compelling domestic duel to kick off 2023, super-lightweight prospect Harlem Eubank fought through a few nervy moments – one in R4 and another in the ninth – before producing his career-best win in his first main event booking at London’s York Hall against a competitive and dangerous Tom Farrell. Continue reading “Super-lightweights beware: Harlem Eubank improves to 16-0 with UD main event win over Tom Farrell” →

Match coverage

World Cup 2022 – England 0-0 USA: Berhalter’s boys expose Three Lions in anti-climactic stalemate

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AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Mason Mount of England and Tyler Adams of USA and Jude Bellingham of England during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Getty Images)

Gareth Southgate insisted afterwards that he’s not unhappy and expected a tight game given the strength of their American opponents. His players were frustrated post-match, but can only blame themselves for a ponderous and unsettling display as they – like the Netherlands three hours earlier – failed to secure the World Cup’s first last-16 berth with a group game to spare.
Continue reading “World Cup 2022 – England 0-0 USA: Berhalter’s boys expose Three Lions in anti-climactic stalemate” →

Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz aware a difficult 2023 season awaits him with newfound favourite tag

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Carlos Alcaraz of Spain Carlos Alcaraz of Spain receives the trophy as best ATP player of 2022 during day four of the Nitto ATP Finals at Pala...

There’s going to be a lot of pressure and expectation on Carlos Alcaraz’s shoulders in the new year, something the Spanish teenager is aware of, but how will he handle it after his meteoric rise continued with two Masters 1000 titles and the US Open crown in an unforgettable 2022? Continue reading “Carlos Alcaraz aware a difficult 2023 season awaits him with newfound favourite tag” →

Boxing

Camden Media Day: BOXXER Super Sunday, featuring Adam Azim and Lerrone Richards vs. Zak Chelli

Mosope

Sunday’s BOXXER Breakthrough event at Alexandra Palace will feature multiple talents this weekend. They include Mikael Lawal looking to seize the British cruiserweight title, unbeaten super-middleweight Lerrone Richards defending his 16-0 record against a determined Zak Chelli while super-lightweight prospect Adam Azim prepares for the toughest test yet against Rylan Charlton. So, who said what at last week’s media day at the Camden Boxing Club?
Continue reading “Camden Media Day: BOXXER Super Sunday, featuring Adam Azim and Lerrone Richards vs. Zak Chelli” →

Match coverage

France 4-1 Australia: World champions rally from early scare to earn big win in World Cup opener

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Adrien RABIOT and Olivier GIROUD of France during the FIFA World Cup 2022, Group D match between France and Australia on November 22, 2022 in Al...]

Four of the last five World Cup winners have gone on to crash out in the group stages at the subsequent tournament, a statistic beginning with France themselves back in 2002. For a 20-minute spell in their Group D opener against Australia, you could be forgiven for thinking history would repeat itself. Now though, they’ll be expecting to build on a display highlighting some strengths while lluminating weaknesses with tougher challenges in the days to come.
Continue reading “France 4-1 Australia: World champions rally from early scare to earn big win in World Cup opener” →

Tennis

ATP Finals: Djokovic outlasts Ruud to seal record-equalling sixth title, ending a memorable 2022

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning the match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Casper Ruud of Norway during day eight of the Nitto...

2022 started with the now-former world no. 1 being embarrassed in Australia, deported as he prepared to defend his Grand Slam title – an easy target for vilification worldwide given his vaccination stance. It ends with Novak Djokovic clinching a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title despite Casper Ruud’s best efforts, another result during an eventful week in Turin setting up the new season perfectly with plenty of compelling questions now bubbling to the surface. Continue reading “ATP Finals: Djokovic outlasts Ruud to seal record-equalling sixth title, ending a memorable 2022” →