Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Perhaps the best part of Callum Simpson’s career-best display was, after 12 competitive-but-clear rounds on home soil, outmanoevuring and outboxing Zak Chelli to win unified titles at 168lbs, came during his post-fight interview with the adrenaline pumping. He declared a desire to win the British title outright, called out unbeaten contender Mark Jeffers and it’s a refreshing sign of intent. Continue reading “Simpson flashed his local starpower in Barnsley as new British champ crowned”
Not two full years removed from seizing the vacant Central Area divisional title, rising unbeaten super-middleweight talent Callum Simpson gets what he’s been calling for on home soil: headlining a BOXXER show at Barnsley’s Oakwell football stadium, a week before the new season gets underway with British honours at stake against champion Zak Chelli in the 26-year-old’s first defence. Continue reading “Simpson keeping a cool head before Barnsley battle vs. British champ Chelli”
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”
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-welterweight prospect Adam Azim improved to 8-0 and won his first professional title with a lopsided UD win over Santos Reyes. Beforehand, Viddal Riley passed his latest cruiserweight test and Zak Chelli outboxed a frustrating American over 10 rounds after Tyler Denny successfully defended his English middleweight title against a competitive Brad Pauls showing. Continue reading “BOXXER London: Azim outboxes durable Reyes, after Chelli and Denny earn comfortable decision wins”
Light-welterweight prospect Adam Azim prepares to headline his second card in eleven weeks this Saturday against an unknown quantity in fellow unbeaten boxer Santos Reyes, topping the bill from Wembley’s OVO Arena. Zak Chelli returns at super-middleweight against stern overseas opposition, Tyler Denny defends his English middleweight strap vs. a determined Brad Pauls while Caroline Dubois and Viddal Riley are among the notable names also set to feature. Continue reading “BOXXER London preview: Adam Azim relishes main event role, Denny-Pauls in a domestic duel and more”
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?”
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”
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