Oh, you thought I only covered football? Think again… Here’s a list of my boxing and UFC pieces in chronological order – with the most recent at the top.
Stay tuned for more across all divisions and disciplines at world level during an exciting time! Articles written pre-August 2022 have been archived so don’t feature in this list, to avoid clutter.
2023
January
Beterbiev-Yarde
Karol Itauma, his world champion amateur teen brother Moses speak before double-header
Beterbiev vs. Yarde presser: Regardless of the outcome, Jan. 28 will host a compelling watch
Beterbiev-Yarde confirmed for January 28 at Wembley Arena after latter’s KO win over Koykov
UFC 283
Hill batters Teixeira to become new LHW champ, Moreno ends Figueiredo series with stoppage
Before Jessica Andrade matchup, Lauren Murphy insists Shevchenko isn’t going to win forever
Jailton Almeida eyes top-15 HW rankings in rescheduled Shamil Abdurakhimov matchup
Gilbert Burns keen to leave judges out, wants emphatic finish vs. Neil Magny on Jan. 21
Eubank-Smith
Eubank Jr insists he wants once-cancelled Golovkin matchup in 2023, provided he beats Smith
Chris Eubank Jr vs. Liam Smith: Given world title ambitions, neither can afford loss on Jan. 21
Gervonta Davis returns, Jan. 7
Davis rocks, briefly blinds WBA super-featherweight titlist Hector Garcia in R9 TKO
Hector Garcia warns Gervonta Davis not to overlook him – as Ryan Garcia megafight lurks
Early year content
Leon Edwards: Khamzat Chimaev is not the untouchable monster UFC built him to be
2022’s FOTY: Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan – pulsating firefight with a dramatic finish
Errol Spence Jr rubbishes idea of tune-up fights, with April-June timeline for his next bout
2022
December
End of year content
75 days on from history in London: What’s next after a compelling Shields-Marshall showdown?
#1 contender Manon Fiorot aims to avoid Murphy, Santos misstep before Shevchenko title shot
Charlo’s broken hand throws up uncertainty, as Tszyu title defence on Jan. 28 postponed
BOXXER Bournemouth
Ben Shalom, Richard Riakporhe, Frazer Clarke and more: BOXXER comments, before a busy 2023
Billam-Smith weathers Xhoxhaj storm in style with R5 KO after Azeez overwhelms Fielding
Bournemouth preview: Big stakes await Billam-Smith, Azeez-Fielding and more to finish 2022
Dec. 10 a busy day of boxing
‘Do I still have it?’ Lopez’s vulnerability heightened after split decision win over Sandor Martin
Crawford crunches Avanesyan with R6 KO on career night, but now big fights must be made
UFC 282
Blachowicz-Ankalaev title fight, Pimblett-Gordon co-main both surrounded by controversy
Blachowicz juggles underdog tag and Ankalaev’s ascent, but will he claim gold again?
Fury-Chisora
Fury feels 2023 will be his biggest career year, assesses contrasting matchups with Usyk, Joyce
Fury retains WBC title with R10 TKO in Chisora trilogy, as Usyk and Joyce watch ringside
UFC Orlando
Wonderboy outworks Holland in crazy headliner – after RDA, Nicolau and Dolidze win big
Stephen Thompson refutes retirement talk before Kevin Holland main event matchup
november
BOXXER Sunday
Azim’s avalanche rains down on helpless Rylan Charlton, as Lawal and Gilley both win big
Camden Media Day: Adam Azim’s return, Lerrone Richards vs. Zak Chelli and more
Parker-Ryder
Ryder boxes clever before Parker retires with injury, is now WBO interim 168lb champion
John Ryder vs. Zach Parker media day: Who said what, ahead of Nov. 26 main event?
Bentley’s stock rises while Yarde returns
Denzel Bentley vs. Hamzah Sheeraz: Both boxers open to possible future showdown
Beterbiev-Yarde confirmed for January 28 at Wembley Arena after latter’s KO win over Koykov
A week on: Denzel Bentley’s stock rises after spirited title fight showing vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly
Jonas-Dicaire
Jonas outpoints Dicaire in competitive clash, adds IBF belt to 154lb world title collection
Preview: Natasha Jonas looks to cap an unforgettable 2022 against Marie Eve Dicaire
UFC 281
Unpacking an unforgettable UFC 281 as Pereira, Weili emerge the evening’s biggest winners
Esparza keen to extinguish lingering criticisms vs. confident Weili in first title defence
Rewind to UFC 276 – Adesanya outpoints Cannonier, Pereira R1 KO ends Strickland’s streak
Bivol-Zurdo
Unification next? Bivol dismantles Zurdo to defend WBA LHW strap, then calls for Beterbiev clash
Rewind: Before LHW title shot vs. Bivol Saturday, a look back at two of Zurdo’s recent TKO wins
Remember this? Bivol’s brilliant boxing display against Canelo to retain WBA title, back on May 7
oCTOBER
Kattar-Allen
Rewind: Before Arnold Allen main event, a look back at Kattar’s SD loss vs. Emmett on Jun. 18
Lomachenko-Ortiz
Loma finishes strong to outlast Ortiz, keeping Haney undisputed title fight intact for 2023
Lomachenko is the talk of the town at 135lbs, but has business to complete on Oct. 29
UFC 280
Makhachev claims lightweight gold, after Sterling defends 135lb strap and O’Malley stuns Yan
Makhachev-Oliveira, Sterling-Dillashaw and Yan-O’Malley feature on a packed PPV card
May – UFC 274: Key observations, five things we learned from PPV card, feat. Oliveira-Gaethje
Rewind to February: Out of his control, Islam Makhachev’s title aspirations muddied once more
Haney-Kambosos 2
Haney again too good, defends undisputed lightweight titles with UD win in Kambosos rematch
Haney feeling sharp, content with more activity before Kambosos Jr title rematch on Sunday
Rewind: Haney outclasses, comfortably outpoints Kambosos Jr to unify all four 135lb titles
Wilder-Helenius
Wilder calls out Usyk, Ruiz after sending Helenius to sleep with another blistering R1 KO
Deontay Wilder talks up Robert Helenius challenge before his long-awaited comeback on Oct. 15
Benn’s failed drug test
Eubank Jr vs. Benn cancelled: Common sense prevails in dark week for British boxing
SEPTEMBER
Sandhagen-Yadong
Cory Sandhagen’s R4 TKO – doctor stoppage – vs. Song Yadong at UFC Vegas 60 on Sept. 17
Joyce-Parker
Juggernaut rolls on: Joyce’s R11 KO weekend win over Parker sets up intriguing 2023 title shot
Joyce-Parker set for Sept. 24, with nowhere to run an apt tagline for upcoming PPV bout
Stevenson-Conceicao
Stevenson secures comfy UD12 win over Conceicao, calls for Haney and Lomachenko at 135lbs
Stevenson 1.6lbs overweight, loses 130lb world titles before Friday night’s Conceciao clash
Canelo-GGG 3
Canelo ends Golovkin trilogy with UD win to retain his 168lb titles as expected, but underwhelms
History revisited: Canelo’s R12 MD win over Golovkin, in previewing this weekend’s trilogy bout
Bentley-Morrison
Bentley batters Morrison, Zorro passes Spelman gutcheck and more
Friday Fight Night – British middleweight title: Bentley vs. Morrison tops bill from York Hall show
UFC 279
Wacky, weird and wild: Unpacking UFC 279 as Nate Diaz and villain Khamzat Chimaev win big
Rewind – UFC 273: Chimaev challenged by Burns, earns razor-thin win after memorable clash
Ruiz-Ortiz
Ruiz scores three knockdowns during UD win vs. Ortiz, Wilder ringside is open to possible bout
Here we go again: Ruiz ends 16-month layoff vs. Ortiz this weekend, needing continuity
UFC Paris
UFC Paris: Five things we learned from a memorable Fight Night card in new surroundings
UFC FN Paris: Whittaker ponders 205lbs move, before co-main event matchup with Vettori
August
UFC 278
Usman at peace with shock KO defeat, welcomes trilogy clash in England next year
Leon Edwards dethrones Kamaru Usman with R5 head kick KO, new welterweight champion
AJ-Usyk 2
Usyk weathers spirited Joshua display to retain world HW titles, calls for Fury unification
Same result or three-time champ? Usyk-Joshua 2 poses questions before tonight’s title rematch
Rewind to Sept. 2021: Usyk outboxes Joshua to points win, new world heavyweight champion
Lopez-Campa
The Takeback begins: Lopez overwhelms Campa, secures R7 TKO on junior-welterweight debut
Teofimo Lopez has 140lb titles in his sights before light-welterweight debut vs. Pedro Campa
Vera-Cruz
UFC San Diego: Vera’s violent run extends with R4 head kick win vs. Cruz – 135lb division beware
Rewind: Ahead of Dominick Cruz main event, a look back at Marlon Vera UD5 Rob Font on Apr. 30
Ortiz Jr vs. McKinson
Rewind: Ortiz Jr’s R9 TKO win vs. McKinson, a look at what’s perhaps next for both
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Michael McKinson tonight: Time to shine bright, or a step too far?
Hill’s showcase continues
UFC Vegas 59: Jamahal Hill overwhelms Thiago Santos in back-and-forth LHW duel
Rewind – UFC Vegas 48: Hill’s highlight-reel R1 KO win over Walker puts 205lb division on notice
Joyce-Parker
Joyce-Parker set for Sept. 24, with nowhere to run an apt tagline for upcoming PPV bout
Frank Warren interested in exploring Wilder-Joyce, with opponent for Sept. 24 still TBC
timeless archives – fight reviews, throwbacks and more
Canelo Álvarez
Gennadiy Golovkin 2 — GGG 3
Dmitry Bivol
Caleb Plant
Billy Joe Saunders
Callum Smith
Tyson Fury
Derek Chisora 3
Dillian Whyte
Deontay Wilder 1 — 2, the rematch — 3, trilogy
Otto Wallin
Tom Schwarz
Terence Crawford
David Avanesyan
Shawn Porter
Kell Brook
Egidijus Kavaliauskas
Amir Khan
Errol Spence Jr
Yordenis Ugas
Danny Garcia
Shawn Porter
Devin Haney
George Kambosos Jr 1 — 2, contractual rematch
Joseph Diaz
Jorge Linares
Gervonta Davis
Hector Luis Garcia
Rolando Romero
Isaac Cruz
Mario Barrios
Leo Santa Cruz
Anthony Joshua
Jermaine Franklin – Apr. 1
Oleksandr Usyk 1 — and 2
Kubrat Pulev
Andy Ruiz 2
Joseph Parker
Shakur Stevenson
Shuichiro Yoshino – Apr. 8
Robson Conceicao
Oscar Valdez
Jemel Herring
Felix Caraballo
Deontay Wilder
Robert Helenius
Reviews from Fury fight 1, 2 and 3 above
Extended fallout from Tyson Fury 2 result
Luis Ortiz 1 — and 2
Dominic Breazeale
Joe Joyce
Zhang Zhilei – Apr. 15
Joseph Parker
Christian Hammer
Carlos Takam
Daniel Dubois
Teofimo Lopez
Sandor Martin
Pedro Campa
George Kambosos Jr
Vasiliy Lomachenko
April 30th 2022, a memorable night of boxing
Katie Taylor withstands fiery Amanda Serrano storm to edge split decision win
Stevenson outclasses Valdez en route to wide decision win, now unified 130lb titlist
brit watch, specials and older content
Upcoming fights involving British boxers
Jan. 28: Artur Beterbiev vs. Anthony Yarde for Beterbiev’s IBF, WBC, WBO light-heavy world titles
Feb. 11: Adam Azim returns, Tyler Denny vs. Brad Pauls for Denny’s English middleweight title
Feb. 17: Rising heavyweight prospect David Adeleye returns vs. 10-0 pro in York Hall headliner
Feb. 18: Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara for Wood’s WBA world featherweight title
Cheavon Clarke vs. Dec Spelman in English cruiserweight title eliminator
Mar. 4: Josh Taylor vs. Jack Caterall for Taylor’s WBO light-welterweight title
Mar. 11: Lawrence Okolie vs. David Light for Okolie’s WBO world cruiserweight title
Heavyweight
Joe Joyce
Daniel Dubois
Frazer Clarke
Cruiserweight
Lawrence Okolie
Chris Billam-Smith
Richard Riakporhe
Light-heavyweight
Joshua Buatsi
Anthony Yarde
Dan Azeez
Lyndon Arthur
Super-middleweight
John Ryder
Zach Parker
Zak Chelli
Middleweight
Chris Eubank Jr
Felix Cash
Denzel Bentley
Liam Williams
Hamzah Sheeraz
Welterweight
Conor Benn
Michael McKinson
Light-welterweight
Josh Taylor
Jack Catterall
Dalton Smith
Harlem Eubank
Adam Azim
Super-featherweight
Joe Cordina
Specials
2022
Fortuna flattened, Davis next? Saturday’s showing has Garcia gunning for 140lb showdown
Beterbiev blasts past Smith Jr inside two rounds – sorry Yarde, there’s bigger fish to fry
After his R4 blasting win over Bryan, Dubois must now step up the gears again
Joe Cordina’s stunning R2 KO opens up possibilities in super-featherweight division
Buatsi stays unbeaten at 16-0 with impressive UD win over domestic rival Richards
Charlo chops Castano with R10 KO in back-and-forth rematch, now undisputed at 154lbs
Brilliant Bivol breaks down Canelo en route to UD win, retains WBA LHW title
Spence Jr unifies WBA, WBC, IBF welterweight titles with R10 TKO win vs. Ugas
Golovkin earns R9 TKO win vs. Murata, but some serious questions remain unanswered
Stevenson-Valdez: It’s been a long time coming, but Shakur’s showcase awaits on Apr. 30
40 days on: After his Amir Khan KO win, what’s next for Kell Brook still remains unclear
Bad blood and egos aside, Eubank Jr must shine on enemy territory in Cardiff this weekend
2021
2021’s Sleeper Fight of the Year: Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castano – an action-packed duel
2022 must be about less talk and more action for returning Keith Thurman
Joseph Parker’s improved display vs. Derek Chisora sets up encouraging 2022
Anthony Yarde blasts Lyndon Arthur in rematch with R4 KO, reinforces world title bid
Finally, Lopez-Kambosos Jr lightweight title fight looms large this weekend
If Bud is the division’s pinnacle, will Showtime Shawn P finally rise to the occasion?
September 25 title fight date, but don’t dare overlook the unbeaten Ukrainian
Even after patchy Carlos Takam win, time is of the essence for Joe Joyce
Rematch Yordenis Ugas or retire? Assessing the Manny Pacquiao predicament
After gutcheck win vs. Jorge Linares, Devin Haney suits the lightweight division nicely
Vergil Ortiz Jr’s justified confidence needs to be championed, not rubbished
Chris Eubank Jr’s latest promotional deal an opportunity to finally prove himself
2020
2020 Knockout of the Year: Gervonta Davis vs Leo Santa Cruz
Back like I never left: Errol Spence Jr retains WBC, IBF welterweight titles vs. Danny Garcia
Worth the wait? Finally, Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce is just a week away now
Star in the making? Lopez beats Lomachenko, new undisputed lightweight champion
—
2020 post-lockdown – boxing’s return
Keith Thurman plotting boxing return, eyeing Kell Brook as potential UK fight
Matchroom Fight Camp begins on August 1, Whyte-Povetkin slated for Aug. 22
Bantamweight Michael Plania earns big upset win vs WBO #1 contender Josh Greer Jr.
Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury agree two-fight deal in principle
—
Throwback to…
History revisited: Groves beats Eubank Jr on points after thrilling finish
100 days on from his nightmare in Saudi Arabia: What’s next for Andy Ruiz Jr?
2019 Fight of the Year: Errol Spence Jr vs Shawn Porter
Daniel Dubois flattens Nathan Gorman, becomes British HW champion
Chris Eubank Jr impressive during commanding points win, retires James DeGale
Floyd Mayweather cements his legacy, beats Manny Pacquiao in Fight of the Century
UFC: Champion’s corner — plus timeless features
Islam Makhachev
Alexander Volkanovski – Feb. 12, 2023
Charles Oliveira
Bobby Green
Dan Hooker
Thiago Moises
Drew Dober
Valentina Shevchenko
Taila Santos
Lauren Murphy
Jessica Andrade
Jennifer Maia
Katlyn Chookagian
Amanda Nunes
Julianna Pena 1 — and 2
Megan Anderson
Felicia Spencer
Germaine de Randamie
Cris Cyborg
Alex Pereira
Israel Adesanya
Sean Strickland
Bruno Silva
Andreas Michailidis
Alexander Volkanovski
Islam Makhachev – Feb. 12
What’s next after ending the trilogy?
Max Holloway 1 — and 2 — and 3
Korean Zombie
Brian Ortega
Deiveson Figueiredo
Brandon Moreno 1 — rematch — trilogy — tetralogy on Jan. 21, 2023
Alex Perez
Joseph Benavidez 2
Aljamain Sterling
TJ Dillashaw
Petr Yan 1 — and 2
Cory Sandhagen
Zhang Weili
Carla Esparza
Joanna Jedrzejczyk 1 — and 2
Rose Namajunas 1 — and 2
Francis Ngannou
Ciryl Gane
Stipe Miocic 2
Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Leon Edwards
Kamaru Usman 2
Nate Diaz
Belal Muhammad
Jiri Prochazka
Glover Teixeira
Dominick Reyes
Volkan Oezdemir
Historical PPV card reviews
2022
Fight of the year? UFC 275: Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
Silencing the noise – UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. The Korean Zombie
2021
Fitting end to a chaotic year – UFC 269: Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier
One for the ages – UFC 266: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega
Blink and you’ll miss it – UFC 261: Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
Sweet redemption – UFC 260: Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2
2020
A final farewell – UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje
Lesson in humility – UFC 253: Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa
Valuable closure – UFC 252: Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier 3
Brutal beating – UFC 249: Justin Gaethje vs. Tony Ferguson
Pre-pandemic
History made – UFC 247: Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes
Fierce but a decisive finish – UFC 214: Jones-Cormier 2
Specials, timeless features
After a productive 2021, Belal Muhammad seizing his chance in flimsy 170lb division
Casey O’Neill’s patient progression stance is one more UFC prospects should follow
2021 FOTY: Alexander Volkanovski vs Brian Ortega, UFC 266
Caution up ahead: Why Jan Blachowicz presents Israel Adesanya’s biggest test yet
Crazy or not, Derrick Lewis has chance to justify unlikely title ambitions
Forget the pre-fight pleasantries, Dustin Poirier must now seize the moment
Dana’s determination was admirable, but this was inevitable from first bell
2020 FOTY Zhang Weili vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk, UFC 248
2019 Fight of the Year: Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington 1, UFC 245
Changing of the guard – UFC 243: Adesanya-Whittaker 1
Is Conor McGregor in danger of turning into the next Ronda Rousey?
UFC 193: Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm
Mo and Sports 