Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
ANB ARENA, SAUDI ARABIA — They say revenge is a dish best served cold. Dmitry Bivol weathered a storm en route to a gutsy majority decision victory over Beterbiev, tying their series at one win apiece and claiming undisputed light-heavyweight gold, setting up a trilogy after yet another razor-thin duel going the full championship distance. Continue reading “Dmitry Bivol claims undisputed light-heavyweight titles after another razor-cloze Artur Beterbiev duel”
Many believe Carlos Adames is being served up as a showcase opportunity for Hamzah Sheeraz to be crowned a world middleweight champion later this month, from the unfavourable treatment he’s received in trying to arrive early to the relative inactivity endured in recent years. One man who isn’t of that opinion: Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn – who has watched Sheeraz’s progress. Continue reading “Eddie Hearn: Hamzah Sheeraz is quality, but a serious underdog vs. Carlos Adames”
In an extravagant hotel lounge area putting mine to shame deep in Usyk-Fury 2 fight week, I picked the brains of esteemed boxing coach-and-analyst Teddy Atlas on a series of topics, most notably looking ahead to David Benavidez’s sophomore appearance at light-heavyweight vs. David Morrell after an underwhelming debut vs. his former charge Oleksandr Gvozdyk last summer. Continue reading “Atlas: Benavidez has the minerals to flourish at 175lbs, ahead of Morrell bout”
Hours after contrasting victories for Joshua Buatsi and Hamzah Sheeraz on the Joshua-Dubois undercard at a sellout Wembley show on September 21, I spoke to former WBO super-featherweight world champion-turned-analyst Barry Jones for his thoughts on both unbeaten boxers as well as previewing this weekend’s undisputed light-heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia. Continue reading “Barry Jones interview: Where next for Buatsi and Sheeraz? Beterbiev-Bivol pick”
Nathan Heaney speculation in the rearview mirror, Carlos Adames prepares to make the first defence of his newly-elevated WBC middleweight championship this weekend against former light-middleweight title challenger Terrell Gausha on a stacked Las Vegas bill, but insisted fans want to see him in a unification bout against WBO and IBF titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly before long. Continue reading “As Nathan Heaney rumours fade, Carlos Adames now targets Janibek unification”
Canelo Alvarez marked Cinco de Mayo weekend with his best showing for a while – vulnerabilities still lingering – logging an impressive decision win over unbeaten contender Jaime Munguia to make the fourth defence of his undisputed super-middleweight world titles, before insisting he remains the sport’s top dog as questions over a decline have persisted after recent displays.
Continue reading “Canelo drops Munguia, retains undisputed 168lb world titles again with UD12 victory”
Super-middleweight contender Zach Parker has been saying all of the right things lately, but needs to lure prospective opposition into the ring with him. While an unfortunately-timed broken right hand stifled his momentum and saw John Ryder snatch the shine he’d worked steadily to build himself, the 29-year-old still has a big platform he can benefit from, with more assertive displays. Continue reading “Ambitious Zach Parker must make up for lost time in a big way, starting on Saturday”
In the absence of a Canelo Alvarez showdown at 168lbs, two-time world champion David Benavidez will instead move up a weight division to test himself against former titlist Oleksandr Gvozdyk, who returned after a three-year retirement. While a compelling duel, it shouldn’t be for interim champion status in a class where the two kings will unify in little over three months’ time. Continue reading “Benavidez-Gvodzyk for interim LHW title deemed disrespectful, and it’s clear why”
David Benavidez got what he wanted, a world-class opponent in former IBF world champion Caleb Plant – who posed questions aplenty for the 26-year-old. It required patience, especially with a trigger-happy referee, but he finished viciously in a commanding decision win before calling out undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez, who returns on May 6 vs. John Ryder. Continue reading “Benavidez’s barrage of punishment decisive vs. spirited Plant display, as he calls for Canelo clash”
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As far as activity and potential opponents are concerned, time is of the essence for two-time WBC super-middleweight champion David Benavidez, after he ended a seven-month layoff with a TKO win over Ronald Ellis at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday night. The 24-year-old, who namechecked Canelo Álvarez and Jermall Charlo among others, is willing to take on anybody. Continue reading “David Benavidez itching for more activity, having eased past durable Ronald Ellis”
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