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On an eight-fight undercard preceding the much-anticipated heavyweight rematch, it felt fitting Moses Itauma wasted no time with a career-best victory in the night’s co-feature just days before he turns 20 after Serhii Bohachuk capped an unforgettable 2024 campaign with another all-action showing against a brave short-notice opponent, showing the difference in levels. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2 undercard: Itauma blasts McKean in a round, Bohachuk bullies Davis”
Fernando Barbosa, one of the agreed upon judges for this weekend’s much-anticipated heavyweight rematch, has fallen ill and needs replacing. The problem? Both camps want separate replacements to take his place and two US-based judges have flown to Riyadh as they seek every possible advantage… Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Judge Barbosa falls ill, rival camps in dispute over replacement official”
Press conference delays and an 11-minute staredown wasn’t exactly on the bingo card for Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2, deep into the depths of an eagerly-anticipated fight week, but at this stage nothing should come as a surprise. Jostling for heavyweight gold this weekend, it was advantage Usyk. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Tyson blinks first in 11-minute staring contest to finish presser”
Nine months on from a defiant display on the Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke undercard, skilfully outpointing then-unbeaten contender Florian Marku, career welterweight Chris Kongo (17-2, 7 KOs) has returned on two Riyadh Season midweek shows against unheralded opposition and failed to kick on from a career-best win. 2025 must feature better matchmaking than this. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Chris Kongo leaves you wanting more to close midweek show”
Much has been said about the inclusion of a rematch clause if, in the event of a disastrous outcome, they want to run it back. Frank Warren is hopeful that they aren’t making a mistake, thrusting his prodigious teenage heavyweight into the evening’s co-feature against a world-level operator who boxed in an IBF final eliminator for world championship honours last August. Time will tell… Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Warren hopeful they haven’t pulled the trigger too early with Itauma”
Having seen Tyson Fury narrowly miss out on undisputed heavyweight gold seven months ago today, Queensberry chief Frank Warren believes his man doesn’t have to make as many adjustments as some might think before his immediate rematch with Oleksandr Usyk this weekend. Instead, he told me, the outcome of their second Saudi showdown will come down to two factors. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Warren believes rematch is about attrition, who lost more in May?”
Two-time WBC interim heavyweight world champion Dillian Whyte had a rugged evening’s work, but got the job done after seven exhausting rounds against former Daniel Dubois opponent Ebenezer Tetteh, finishing his 2024 campaign with a second successive stoppage victory – though signs of physical decline leave the 36-year-old with difficult matchmaking decisions coming. Continue reading “Dillian Whyte closes 2024 with R7 TKO win vs. Ebenezer Tetteh in Gibraltar headliner”
Two days shy of a year since his lacklustre third attempt at championship gold, former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington’s 2024 was ended rather abruptly by a disciplined Joaquin Buckley display – the streaking 30-year-old’s power and precision too much to handle, as an inevitable doctor stoppage saved Chaos from more punishment after three gruelling rounds.
Continue reading “Doctor stoppage saves Covington after three-round Buckley beatdown in Tampa”
Eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool and counting, Premier League defending champions Manchester City have been off-the-pace across all competitions this season and their slump in form has been worsened by the long-term absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. As such, they’re open to acquiring midfield acquisitions next month and beyond, with several lucrative names being linked. Continue reading “Missing Rodri and out-of-sorts, City linked with Wirtz, Guimaraes and Zubimendi”
A month out before the year’s first Major begins in Melbourne, the first round of main draw wildcard entries have been announced as the 2025 Australian Open will feature a handful of home hopefuls and notable names – perhaps none bigger than 2014 champion and three-time Major titleholder Stan Wawrinka. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 25: Wildcard entries unveiled as 2014 champion Wawrinka, Tomljanovic in”
Alexandre Pantoja made quick work of a promotional newcomer and former Rizin champion Kai Asakura last weekend in his third successful UFC flyweight title defence. While a Demetrious Johnson callout felt inevitable and the incoming Hall of Famer refused to oblige, there’s something to be said about how the Brazilian is full steam ahead enhancing his legacy, fight-by-fight. Continue reading “UFC 310: Pantoja punishes Asakura in style but Demetrious Johnson callout rebuffed”
Per reports in Brazil, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have identified Joao Pedro as one of their priorities for attacking reinforcements next season. The Premier League leaders are seemingly prepared to start the process next month before a big-money move for the Brazilian forward, eager to break into the national team given his intermittent top-flight success on the south Coast in recent seasons. Continue reading “Reports: Liverpool targeting Brighton talisman Joao Pedro in summer swoop”
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