Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
After dismantling Stefani Koykov with body shots and vicious hooks en route to a R3 TKO win in Telford overnight, #1 WBO light-heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde has emerged unscathed from his stay-busy fight and will take on unified world champion Artur Beterbiev in late January – three-and-a-half years after coming close against Beterbiev’s compatriot Sergey Kovalev.
Continue reading “Beterbiev-Yarde confirmed for January 28 at Wembley Arena after latter’s KO win over Koykov”
He was underestimated pre-fight, a significant underdog and didn’t do himself many favours through four rounds last Saturday night in Las Vegas. But after an encouraging R5, Battersea’s Denzel Bentley steadied the ship and battled through a series of hard-hitting exchanges that would’ve demoralised most, to frustrate WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, during a second-half sequence which has many critics suggesting the Kazakh is overrated.
Continue reading “A week on: Denzel Bentley’s stock rises after spirited title fight showing vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly”
Alex Pereira and Zhang Weili reigned supreme as two new champions were crowned at UFC 281 during a memorable PPV card that exceeded expectations last weekend, with seven first-round finishes and surprise results galore – as well as a Fight of the Year contender at lightweight.
Continue reading “Unpacking last weekend’s unforgettable UFC 281 as Pereira, Weili emerge the evening’s biggest winners”
After surprising many to reach the Stuttgart final back in mid-June, more injuries proved Andy Murray’s bane as the former world no. 1 struggled for consistency before eventually finishing his season with a frustrating loss by the departing Gilles Simon at the Paris Masters on October 31. He’s fully focused for 2023 and amid fitness concerns, is targeting a more active schedule.
Continue reading “After returning to world’s top 50 and with wife’s blessing, Andy Murray plots busy 2023 schedule”
Although he’s struggled for regular minutes and consistency at club level with Chelsea, Christian Pulisic still represents the US’ big hope – alongside Gio Reyna and Brenden Aaronson – to surprise their critics and exceed expectations in Qatar, having failed to qualify altogether four years ago. Will they progress from a tough Group B which features England and Wales? Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Pulisic excited, determined to change the way the world sees US soccer”
The 22-year-old, capped by Belgium from under-17 to under-21 level, has settled quickly to life under compatriot Vincent Kompany in Lancashire – six goals and two assists since his August transfer – and French reports today suggest he’ll be the man tasked with replacing Amine Harit in Morocco’s World Cup squad after the Marseille midfielder’s nasty knee injury on Sunday. Continue reading “Anass Zaroury: Who is Burnley winger replacing Amine Harit in Morocco’s World Cup squad?”
Luka Doncic continued his excellent start to the campaign with a 42-point triple-double helping Dallas eventually overwhelm Portland with a 117-112 victory on Saturday night. With one of the highest usage rates in NBA history, and considering the conundrum which his Mavericks team still haven’t yet solved surrounding the supporting cast, Jason Kidd’s public concerns make sense for a 23-year-old they don’t want to burnout before it matters most in the postseason. Continue reading “Given historical trends, Jason Kidd’s concerns about the Luka Doncic usage rate are natural”
2023 promises to be compelling for Natasha Jonas as she now holds three super-welterweight world titles, after proving too much for Marie Eve Dicaire in their competitive main event at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday night. Elsewhere, there were contrasting wins for cruiserweight prospect Viddal Riley and Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke, while two domestic title fights delivered as promised: an entertaining evening’s action in the North West.
Riding the crest of a wave featuring marquee victories for Alycia Baumgardner and Claressa Shields over the past month, Natasha Jonas faces Canada’s Marie Eve Dicaire in a world super-welterweight title unification headliner at Manchester’s AO Arena. Aware big bouts remain in the pipeline with a main event victory tonight, can the Scouser deliver in her final act of 2022? Continue reading “Preview: Natasha Jonas looks to cap an unforgettable 2022 against Marie Eve Dicaire”
After recording an encouraging 4-2 start to the season, the newlook Minnesota Timberwolves have lost five of their last six games and face a tricky road schedule – starting in Memphis against Ja Morant and co on Friday night. So, are critics overreacting to their worrying tendencies, or will things worsen for a side in transition after a blockbuster offseason trade?
Continue reading “Stuttering start: How worried should neutrals about the Timberwolves’ growing pains?”
A decision machine. Far from entertaining. Part of the worst title fight in UFC history. The list goes on for Carla Esparza, a two-time strawweight champion not getting the respect her achievements deserve. The first title defence of her second reign against Zhang Weili on Saturday night is one many expect she’ll lose, handily at that, but the 35-year-old is excited. Continue reading “UFC 281: Esparza keen to extinguish lingering criticisms vs. confident Weili in first title defence”
Holger Rune, who saved three match points in the tournament’s first round, had nerves of steel under immense pressure to secure a recovery three-set victory over 21-time Major champion Novak Djokovic to cap a whirlwind week at the Paris Masters. Meanwhile overnight, Caroline Garcia pipped Iga Swiatek’s conqueror Aryna Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals in Texas.
Continue reading “Record-breaker Rune stuns Djokovic in Paris; Garcia bests Swiatek slayer Sabalenka to win WTA Finals”
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