Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — It was an unforgettable week for manager Vadim Kornilov, overseeing redemption as Dmitry Bivol avenged his first career defeat by Artur Beterbiev to become the undisputed light-heavyweight king. Later this year, a super-bantamweight stablemate could join him in rarefied air if recent positive discussions are to be believed. Continue reading “Kornilov: Inoue-Akhmadaliev being discussed for September 14 in Japan”
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — Highly-esteemed coach Virgil Hunter’s conservative approach makes him a divisive figure among some. Carefully guiding a contender to where they’re not just world title shot ready but can be a mainstay among the elite level is a tricky task, though unbeaten middleweight prospect Amari Jones has nothing but good words to say about his new trainer. Continue reading “Amari Jones on his steady rise, Virgil Hunter and what makes Buatsi special”
ANB ARENA, SAUDI ARABIA — They had to wait four months longer than expected, though Saturday night proved one of sweet vindication for newly-crowned undisputed light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol’s team, headed by manager Vadim Kornilov as Artur Beterbiev was dethroned. Continue reading “Kornilov uneasy about 114-114 scorecard before Bivol details his lingering injuries”
ANB ARENA, SAUDI ARABIA — They say revenge is a dish best served cold. Dmitry Bivol weathered a storm en route to a gutsy majority decision victory over Beterbiev, tying their series at one win apiece and claiming undisputed light-heavyweight gold, setting up a trilogy after yet another razor-thin duel going the full championship distance. Continue reading “Dmitry Bivol claims undisputed light-heavyweight titles after another razor-cloze Artur Beterbiev duel”
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — There’s nothing quite like the night before a big fight, or in this case, a supercharged bill stacked with world championship bouts galore and stakes aplenty. Continue reading “After a boisterous weigh-in day, Bakole’s late arrival keeps intrigue hanging”
Continue reading “Eddie Hearn expects Pacheco to headline May show, Christian Mbilli among options”
Continue reading “Joseph Parker stays cool in the chaos as Last Crescendo show must go on”
LIVERPOOL STREET, CENTRAL LONDON — Anthony Cacace can’t help but smile. This time last year, unexpected fight delays saw his proposed IBO/IBF super-featherweight unification with Joe Cordina postponed three months. He’s pitched a career-best campaign since then and this week, fields questions from yours truly in preparation of his Leigh Wood assignment in a May 10 headliner.
Continue reading “Anthony Cacace content to continue upsetting the big guns, one at a time”
CO-OP LIVE ARENA, MANCHESTER — Arnold Barboza maintained discipline and composure, even when things threatened to go against him, edging a split decision win over Jack Catterall to claim the vacant WBO interim world junior-welterweight title on Saturday night. His father, Barboza Sr, told me how. Continue reading “Barboza hails flawless display, Sr. lifts lid on ‘crazy’ gameplan in Manchester upset”
CO-OP LIVE ARENA, MANCHESTER — Arnold Barboza relished the pre-fight boos and made sure to thank the crowd afterwards, having produced a career-best display in beating Jack Catterall via split decision, claiming the WBO interim junior-welterweight world title after an exhausting 12-round chess match.
Continue reading “Barboza savvy in draining chess match, stuns Catterall for WBO interim title”
CO-OP LIVE ARENA, MANCHESTER — Four months removed from the contentious last-minute cancellation, Reece Bellotti wasted no punches and produced a bruising beatdown of Michael Gomez Jr to defend his British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles with a tenth-round stoppage. Continue reading “Catterall-Barboza results: Bellotti bullies Gomez Jr, Dickens stuns Barrett and more”
GLAZIERS HALL, CENTRAL LONDON — Liam Cameron looks jaded and tells anyone in earshot he’s only had two hours’ sleep. This won’t stop him refusing to break eye contact with Ben Whittaker during their tense face-off, the day their much-anticipated rematch has been announced for April 20, nor doing a cluster of one-to-one interviews with the assembled media. Continue reading “Whittaker insists he’ll leave no doubt against bullish Cameron in April 20 rematch”
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