Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
It’s often an overplayed phrase. Stick to the task at hand, avoid the danger that comes with underestimating opponents with more lucrative opportunities planned. WBA (Regular) lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis faces a tough task next Saturday, something his upcoming foe – WBA super-featherweight titlist – Hector Luis Garcia stressed to Spanish media. Continue reading “Hector Luis Garcia warns Gervonta Davis not to overlook him on Jan. 7 – as Garcia megafight lurks”
Today marks 75 days since Claressa Shields became undisputed world middleweight champion for a second time on a historic night for women’s boxing, avenging her defeat as an amateur against Savannah Marshall – 10 years after their meeting when the pair were youngsters. Elsewhere, Alycia Baumgardner ruined Mikaela Mayer’s night, so what’s next for the quartet?
Continue reading “75 days on from history in London: What’s next after a compelling Shields-Marshall showdown?”
His matchup against Liam Smith may be less than a month away now, but that hasn’t stopped former world title challenger Chris Eubank Jr from reiterating his desire to secure a Gennadiy Golovkin showdown in 2023 for the Kazakh’s middleweight world titles – while retaining an interest in rescheduling the Conor Benn matchup, despite the 26-year-old’s positive drugs test. Continue reading “Eubank Jr insists he wants once-cancelled Golovkin matchup in 2023, provided he beats Smith”
Having only fought once for three consecutive years, undisputed light-middleweight titlist Jermell Charlo’s proposed defence against Tim Tszyu for January 28 has been postponed indefinitely, after the 32-year-old sustained a broken hand in two places during a sparring session on Tuesday. Tszyu confirmed he’s ready to face the next mandatory challenger in the meanwhile, but how does this injury news impact an already weak division of contenders? Continue reading “Charlo’s broken hand throws up uncertainty, as Tszyu title defence on Jan. 28 postponed indefinitely”
After BOXXER’s final show of the year in Bournemouth at the weekend, I spoke to a number of people about what awaits them in 2023 – including their promoter Ben Shalom, world title hopeful Richard Riakporhe and Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke. Read on for more. Continue reading “Ben Shalom, Richard Riakporhe, Frazer Clarke and more: BOXXER comments, ahead of a busy 2023”
Chris Billam-Smith weathered an early storm, taking Armend Xhoxhaj’s best punches before ultimately landing a devastating KO punch at the end of an eight-shot combo to finish 2022 with aplomb – remaining on course for a cruiserweight world title shot in the new year. Prior, there were contrasting stoppage victories for Dan Azeez and Caroline Dubois among others. Continue reading “BOXXER Bournemouth: Billam-Smith weathers Xhoxhaj storm in style, Azeez overwhelms Fielding”
With a potential cruiserweight world title shot against IBF titlist Jai Opetaia in the offing for 2023, Chris Billam-Smith can’t afford to overlook tough opposition when welcoming Kosovo’s Armend Xhoxhaj to Bournemouth tonight. Elsewhere at 175lbs, Dan Azeez dares to be great as he entertains world-level opposition in Rocky Fielding and more besides happens in 2022. Continue reading “BOXXER Bournemouth preview: Big stakes await Billam-Smith, Azeez-Fielding and more to finish 2022”
Teofimo Lopez’s light-welterweight campaign took a stumble on Saturday night, despite eventually getting his hand raised via split decision after a ten-round tussle against Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin. Many have since called for the 25-year-old, who had big plans for 2023, to split from his father Lopez Sr and secure a new coaching team after a drab display. Continue reading “‘Do I still have it?’ Lopez’s vulnerability heightened after split decision win over Sandor Martin”
After a 13-month layoff, Terence Crawford shook off the ring rust against a competitive opponent in David Avanesyan – better than most expected – en route to a big KO finish. He discussed his free agency status afterwards and in 2023, the WBO welterweight champion must do all he can to secure the division’s most pressing fights before father time deems it too late. Continue reading “Crawford crunches Avanesyan with R6 KO on his career night, but now the big fights must be made”
Teofimo Lopez’s Takeback season continues against Spain’s Sandor Martin in the early hours on Sunday, as the 25-year-old former unified lightweight champion looks to continue his light-welterweight campaign with another standout showing. Judging by his bullish comments and a plan to shake up the landscape at 140lbs, will his latest challenge be all plain sailing? Continue reading “Teofimo Lopez vs. Sandor Martin: With big 2023 plans set, is Teo again overlooking his opponent?”
41 months after falling narrowly short in Russia, Anthony Yarde finds himself with a second chance to become a world champion at light-heavyweight in the new year. He came close against Sergey Kovalev, and now faces an even bigger task against a destructive puncher in Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), who has become more fearsome with age and title defences. Continue reading “Beterbiev vs. Yarde press conference: Regardless of the outcome, Jan. 28 will host a compelling watch”
During his post-fight press conference, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury answered a range of questions while vowing to give fight fans the big bouts “they really crave,” insisting a unification bout against Oleksandr Usyk can happen in the first quarter of 2023, before a domestic duel against Joe Joyce later on in the year – with Wembley a mooted destination.
Continue reading “Fury feels 2023 will be his biggest career year as he assesses contrasting matchups with Usyk, Joyce”
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