Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Chris Eubank Jr started well, didn’t get overzealous as many have come to expect, and was sharp with punch output en route to a tenth-round finish of a sluggish Liam Smith avenging his first career stoppage loss. Seven months later in the same venue, he silenced critics – at least for now – before calling out Conor Benn and two-time middleweight world champion Gennadiy Golovkin. Continue reading “Eubank Jr drops, stops Smith to score R10 finish with career-best display in rematch”
British and European light-heavyweight champion Dan Azeez has the momentum, having boxed three times in three different countries over the past nine months. Joshua Buatsi may have won the domestic strap four years ago, but the Olympic bronze medallist still hasn’t yet reached the world championship heights many tipped for him given such amateur pedigree. Now, one Londoner’s unbeaten streak will end on October 21. Who has the nerve? Continue reading “Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez presser: Both pledge to bring war on October 21 in WBA light-heavyweight world title eliminator”
Savannah Marshall did exactly what she said she would, overcoming a gruelling 20-minute battle over ten rounds against Franchon Crews-Dezurn – snatching the American’s undisputed super-middleweight world titles – as former foe Claressa Shields watched ringside. On the basis of this showing though, it’s difficult to see anything besides a repeat result in a prospective rematch. Continue reading “Marshall outduels Crews-Dezurn to become undisputed world champion, but Shields rematch? The same result”
As a pro rematch vs. undisputed middleweight world champion Claressa Shields potentially awaits the winner, current 168lb queen Franchon Crews-Dezurn ventures to enemy soil tonight looking to avenge a painful amateur defeat twelve years later against former titlist Savannah Marshall. Sound familiar?
Continue reading “Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Savannah Marshall: Must-win territory for both in Manchester headliner”
He started well and endured some messier moments late on, but heavyweight prospect Frazer Clarke improved to 7-0 and banked invaluable experience against former world title challenger Mariusz Wach in BOXXER’s main event from York Hall, after Caroline Dubois proved her world-level credentials at 135lbs while cruiserweight Viddal Riley left no doubt in an anticipated rematch. Continue reading “Clarke earns UD10 win over Wach, after decisive victories for Dubois and Riley”
Adam Azim’s abrupt hand injury saw another of Sky’s prospects being promoted to top the bill on short-notice in BOXXER’s York Hall show this coming Friday. As such, I spoke to highly-rated rising heavyweight Frazer Clarke at Oxford Circus on a series of topics as he faces the toughest test of a professional career still in its infancy against former world title challenger Marius Wach this weekend. Continue reading “Exclusive: Frazer Clarke interview – Perspective, CBS-Okolie and headlining York Hall vs. Mariusz Wach on Friday”
It was a slow start, very messy for sustained periods and physically gruelling as expected. Yet that all paled into insignificance for Chris Billam-Smith, who scored three knockdowns en route to a stunning world championship win over twelve rounds against now-former titlist Lawrence Okolie – his former stablemate – as 15,000 cheered their local hero on at the Vitality Stadium.
Continue reading “Billam-Smith beats Okolie via MD12, is new WBO world cruiserweight champion”
So, we’re here now. The wait is over, a jam-packed Saturday schedule with three UK boxing shows featuring world title fights, but only one in a stadium. Chris Billam-Smith on home soil at Bournemouth’s Vitality in-front of 15,000, looking to dethrone unbeaten WBO cruiserweight champion and former stablemate Lawrence Okolie, achieving a dream many wouldn’t have thought possible.
Continue reading “Chris Billam-Smith interview: Riakporhe, visualisation, retirement plans and more before tonight’s world title fight”
Two weeks shy of 12 years since their first meeting as amateurs, undisputed light-welterweight champion Chantelle Cameron looks to play spoiler as Katie Taylor makes her long-awaited Irish homecoming tonight. Over the course of a month in the build-up to this bout, I spoke to a series of boxing folk – current and former champions among them – with some contrasting opinions to share. Continue reading “Pros pick: Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron – Intrigue surrounds Dublin headliner, as it should”
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”
Light-heavyweight world contender Joshua Buatsi ended a 50-week layoff as he cruised to a decision victory over ten rounds against Poland’s Pawel Stepien, ending the 32-year-old’s unbeaten streak in Birmingham overnight. Given the fanfare surrounding his exclusive BOXXER deal, many were left short-changed.
Continue reading “Buatsi measured in wide UD win vs. Stepien, but leaves you wanting more”
His decision win over London rival Craig Richards long forgotten, light-heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi turned 30 in March and celebrated by signing an exclusive multi-year agreement with BOXXER. Two months later, he headlines against a fellow unbeaten hopeful: Poland’s Pawel Stepien, hungry to seize credentials the Olympic bronze medallist has steadily built at pro level.
Continue reading “Joshua Buatsi ends a year-long layoff vs. Pawel Stepien, and must keep winning”
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