Category: Specials

Specials

WATCH: Chris Billam-Smith, Adam Azim and Caroline Dubois in media workout before upcoming fights

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Chris Billam-Smith gets what he always envisioned: a world title shot on home soil at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium later this month. Adam Azim headlines a York Hall bill in mid-June, while women’s lightweight prospect Caroline Dubois faces the biggest test of her career on the same card vs. former title challenger Yanina del Carmen Lescano. Click for more, to watch their individual videos… Continue reading “WATCH: Chris Billam-Smith, Adam Azim and Caroline Dubois in media workout before upcoming fights” →

Specials

Erling Haaland breaks Premier League’s single-season scoring record in 3-0 win

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Erling Haaland of Manchester City is given a guard of honour by teammates after scoring a Premier League record-breaking 35th goal of the season...

They say records are there to be broken, and an in-form Erling Haaland reeled off another one on Wednesday: his 35th goal in 31 Premier League appearances, as defending champions Manchester City won 3-0 at home vs. West Ham, means the 22-year-old striker has made more history during a memorable debut campaign in England’s top-flight – 19 years after the last time it happened. Continue reading “Erling Haaland breaks Premier League’s single-season scoring record in 3-0 win” →

Specials

Exclusive: Chris Billam-Smith interview – A month away from his first world title shot

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Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith during a press conference at the Landmark Hotel, London. Lawrence Okolie will aim for a fourth successful...

Bournemouth have won three straight away games to boost their chances of Premier League survival, and in a month’s time today their fans hope one of their own can make it a summer to savour when Chris Billam-Smith challenges for his first world title at the Vitality Stadium. I spoke to him about that, and much more, as WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie awaits him next. Continue reading “Exclusive: Chris Billam-Smith interview – A month away from his first world title shot” →

Specials

Exclusive: Anthony Yarde interview – Plotting his way back into contention

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Anthony Yarde before the WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight contest at the OVO Arena Wembley, London. Picture date: Saturday January 28, 2023.

Having had a few months to recuperate and reflect after exceeding expectations in a spirited defeat by long-reigning world champion Artur Beterbiev on January 28, two-time world title challenger Anthony Yarde tells me of his desire to have two fights before 2023 ends and maintain momentum, aware the light-heavyweight division is in a fantastic place right now. Continue reading “Exclusive: Anthony Yarde interview – Plotting his way back into contention” →

Specials

WATCH: Joe Joyce, Zhilei Zhang, Mikaela Mayer and more in media workout before Saturday’s show

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WBO interim heavyweight champion Joe Joyce faces another seismic test in his career this Saturday, headlining on BT Sport against China’s Zhilei Zhang. Elsewhere, Mikaela Mayer returns to action while Denzel Bentley defends his British middleweight title – all featured in Wednesday’s media workout. Click for more, to watch their individual videos at the Bronx Boxing Gym. Continue reading “WATCH: Joe Joyce, Zhilei Zhang, Mikaela Mayer and more in media workout before Saturday’s show” →

Specials

UFC 275 Virtual Presser: Santos keen to wrestle, Joanna targeting revenge and more

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UFC 275: Teixeira vs Prochazka - A Stacked Card in Singapore | Official Trailer | June 11 - YouTube

Ahead of next month’s PPV event in Singapore, with two championship fights and a highly-anticipated title eliminator at strawweight, the six headline fighters spoke on a virtual press conference with a variety of answers – from what’s to come for them respectively in June and potentially beyond, like double-champ status and one fighter eyeing another title rematch. Continue reading “UFC 275 Virtual Presser: Santos keen to wrestle, Joanna targeting revenge and more” →

Specials

Katie Taylor withstands fiery Amanda Serrano storm to edge split decision win

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Katie Taylor of Ireland trades punches with Amanda Serrano of Puerto Rico for the World Lightweight Title fight at Madison Square Garden on April 30,...

Billed as the most heavily-anticipated women’s boxing bout of all-time, this thrilling encounter didn’t disappoint but questions will linger and a rematch is poised after undisputed lightweight titlist Katie Taylor retained her belts with a split decision victory over unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano in-front of a sold out 19,187 crowd at Madison Square Garden.
Continue reading “Katie Taylor withstands fiery Amanda Serrano storm to edge split decision win” →

Archives, Specials

Australian Open 2022: Nadal recovers to beat Medvedev in five-hour marathon, seals 21st Major

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Spain's Rafael Nadal holds the trophy after winning against Russia's Daniil Medvedev in their men's singles final match on day fourteen of the...

Six months out injured, unsure if he would even be playing this tournament. Down two sets to love, seemingly out and physically drained. Rafael Nadal refused to lose faith, fighting his way back to produce a remarkable comeback and beat US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in an epic Grand Slam Final lasting more than five hours. Not a bad way to clinch a 21st Major title. Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Nadal recovers to beat Medvedev in five-hour marathon, seals 21st Major” →

Archives, Specials

Australian Open 2022: Barty secures third Major, first home champion in 44 years

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Australia's Ashleigh Barty poses with the trophy after victory in her womens singles final match against Danielle Collins of the US on day thirteen...

This wasn’t vintage tennis but didn’t need to be. World no. 1 Ashleigh Barty recovered from a 5-1 second set deficit to overcome Danielle Collins in straight-sets (6-3, 7-6), clinching a heavily-anticipated home Major for Australia and doing so without dropping a set all tournament long. Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Barty secures third Major, first home champion in 44 years” →

Archives, Specials

2021’s Sleeper Fight of the Year: Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castano – an action-packed duel

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Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano exchange punches during their Super Welterweight fight at AT&T Center on July 17, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. The...

As almost all media outlets and respected journalists have completed their end-of-year awards for combat sports in 2021, a pulsating title unification bout surprisingly not getting a lot of love in the Fight of the Year category is Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano – which easily exceeded expectations, had a surprising result and a rematch is already slated for February 26, 2022. Continue reading “2021’s Sleeper Fight of the Year: Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castano – an action-packed duel” →

Archives, Specials

2022 must be about less talk and more action for returning Keith Thurman

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Keith Thurman works out for members of the media ahead of his fight against Manny Pacquiao on July 20th at St Pete Boxing Club on July 10, 2019 in St...

Former unified welterweight world champion Keith Thurman has already outlined his ambitious plans for a big 2022, three bouts in the new year – starting on PPV against Mario Barrios in early February. However, after his previous comments on a planned comeback proved premature, how much stock should we truly buy ahead of his long-awaited return? Continue reading “2022 must be about less talk and more action for returning Keith Thurman” →

Archives, Specials

Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider

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Tyrese Haliburton of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with teammates Terence Davis and Maurice Harkless after a play in the second quarter against the...

Tyrese Haliburton has now recorded six games with 20+ points this season — five have come since December 17, with franchise guard De’Aaron Fox missing four outings during that stretch after entering the league’s health and safety protocols. Given the startling statistics with and without his backcourt partner, do Sacramento have a potential long-term issue on their hands? Continue reading “Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider” →