Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Although calling out welterweight pair Conor Benn and Florian Marku attracted all the attention in the immediate aftermath of the 26-year-old’s win earlier this month, The Hitman’s confidence stems from years of California-based training – something most of his contemporaries haven’t experienced. He wants more. Continue reading “Ambition and activity: Stephen McKenna eyes bigger challenges after passing Brandon Denes test”
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”
After his Oct. 8 showdown with Conor Benn was cancelled, Chris Eubank Jr’s world title pursuit resumes against former super-welterweight world champion Liam Smith. Both are in the back half of their respective careers and after contrasting routes back to top contention, they collide in Manchester on January 21. So, who said what at the first official press conference yesterday?
Continue reading “Chris Eubank Jr vs. Liam Smith: Given their world title ambitions, neither can afford to lose on Jan. 21”
After the Daily Mail’s Riath Al-Samarrai broke an exclusive story Wednesday morning uncovering Conor Benn’s positive drugs test for clomifene – something both sides reportedly knew for a few weeks – tonight’s heavily anticipated fight card was eventually cancelled altogether Thursday after a manic 30-hour sequence which again has undermined the sport.
Continue reading “Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn cancelled: Common sense prevails in dark week for British boxing”
After pulling out of his scheduled fight against Zach Parker in May with a shoulder injury, WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade still wants a UK appearance this year – against Parker’s compatriot and a bigger name in Chris Eubank Jr, but currently isn’t getting his way. Continue reading “Andrade urges Eubank Jr to agree fight terms, but domestic duel with Benn nears completion”
After dethroning Radzhab Butaev on the Spence-Ugas undercard last month, Lithuania’s unbeaten WBA (Regular) welterweight world champion responded to Eddie Hearn’s comments on a prospective Conor Benn matchup while targeting three-belt titlist Errol Spence Jr next. Continue reading “Eimantas Stanionis refutes Hearn’s claim on prospective Benn fight, eyes Errol Spence next”
An emotional, angry fighter? More like calculated with spiteful bite. Chris van Heerden experienced that first-hand as Conor Benn started aggressively and made the south African pay with some blistering punch combinations, scoring a second-round knockout in Manchester’s main event tonight to make the seventh defence of his WBA Continental welterweight belt. Continue reading “Demolition job: Conor Benn batters Chris van Heerden with startling second-round TKO”
Ahead of their welterweight bout on Saturday, Chris van Heerden has dismissed Conor Benn’s boxing ability by describing the 25-year-old unbeaten prospect as an emotional, angry fighter who he doesn’t rate very highly – insisting a reliance on power will not do him any good this weekend in a matchup many aren’t exactly excited to see given Benn’s lofty title aspirations.
Continue reading “He’s angry, emotional power puncher: Van Heerden dismisses Benn ahead of Saturday’s bout”
Referee Victor Loughlin compassionately saved Amir Khan from further punishment 40 days ago today, in a long overdue grudge match between two of the country’s best boxers since 2000. While Khan is reportedly plotting a bold comeback, there’s speculation aplenty but no clarity over who Kell Brook’s next opponent will be – after confirming he won’t retire last month. Continue reading “40 days on: After his Amir Khan KO win, what’s next for Kell Brook still remains unclear”
Eddie Hearn, Conor Benn’s promoter, has named Adrien Broner and Robert Guerrero as potential opponents to face his unbeaten welterweight next in 2022 – while declaring his interest in an unlikely return for recently-retired former two-time champion Shawn Porter too.
Continue reading “Eddie Hearn names Adrien Broner, Robert Guerrero as possible Conor Benn opponents”
Adrien Broner? Khan-Brook winner next? Stateside debut? The possibilities are limitless. Rising welterweight contender Conor Benn made good on his promise to deliver big in a headline spot, delivering a furious R4 finish to knock out former welterweight champion Chris Algieri before vowing for big things to come in 2022 after an eventful night’s work from Liverpool.
Continue reading “Conor Benn produces career-best display, flattens Chris Algieri in four rounds”
Fresh from his ten-round decision win over Adrian Granados, unbeaten welterweight Conor Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) has agreed a new multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing. Elsewhere, there’s praise for Oleksandr Usyk ahead of his heavyweight title fight against Anthony Joshua next weekend while Joseph Parker vs. Derek Chisora II has been confirmed for December 19. Continue reading “Boxing round-up: Benn’s new deal, Usyk confident, Parker-Chisora 2 booked”
Mo and Sports 