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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — Highly-esteemed coach Virgil Hunter’s conservative approach makes him a divisive figure among some. Carefully guiding a contender to where they’re not just world title shot ready but can be a mainstay among the elite level is a tricky task, though unbeaten middleweight prospect Amari Jones has nothing but good words to say about his new trainer. Continue reading “Amari Jones on his steady rise, Virgil Hunter and what makes Buatsi special”
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — In the Mandarin Hotel’s lounge area, a fan spots Hamzah Sheeraz and asks for a picture. He’s not the only one. Soon enough one turns to three and before long, the 25-year-old’s engaging in conversation as he gears up for his maiden world title shot against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames, some 11 miles from here, on February 22. Continue reading “Hamzah Sheeraz and embracing the weight of expectation”
George Liddard believes he’s matured exponentially, both physically and mentally over the past year-and-a-half as the Billericay man seeks to prove why he’s Britain’s best at 160lbs. The 22-year-old must first get past Derrick Osaze this weekend in his first main event matchup on Matchroom’s NXTGN bill. Continue reading “George Liddard embracing pressure before Derrick Osaze step-up in O2 headliner”
Denzel Bentley will get a second crack at world championship gold in 2025 after outboxing Brad Pauls to defend his #1 WBO world ranking, snatching the British middleweight strap – as well as two other titles – after a tense 12-round affair, headlining a busy night’s action as Queensberry took their fruitful Magnificent Seven concept down to the nation’s capital three weeks before Christmas. Continue reading “Three-time! Bentley drops Pauls in UD12 win, reclaims British middleweight gold”
Brad Pauls will make the first defence of his British middleweight championship against former two-time titleholder Denzel Bentley on Dec. 7 as Frank Warren’s Queensberry showcases more talent in the run-up to Christmas with significant stakes for many set to feature – including Solomon Dacres vs. David Adeleye for English heavyweight honours and cruiserweight talent Aloys Junior’s return. Continue reading “Magnificent Seven London: Pauls-Bentley headlines Dec. 7 show at Wembley Arena”
Unified middleweight world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly voiced his displeasure at having to travel for a mandatory defence, but after being hospitalised for dehydration deep into fight week before the original July 13 date, couldn’t afford to be picky against Andrei Mikhailovich on Friday night. Now, the unbeaten Kazakh’s doubled down on his undisputed ambitions. Continue reading “Deja vu? Janibek urges fellow middleweight world champions Adames, Lara for bouts after R9 Mikhailovich KO”
Fresh after a fantastic knockout win over Derrick Osaze and armed with a proud support team celebrating his latest highlight reel finish to close another York Hall show, I spoke with Denzel Bentley as he surveys the middleweight scene. Beforehand, there were several boxers ringside sharing updates about their respective return timelines, fight dates and what they would like next. Continue reading “Exclusive: Bentley open to Sheeraz-Denny winner as six boxers give return updates”
98 days after dismantling Danny Dignum to kickstart his 2024, two-time British middleweight champion Denzel Bentley produced another devastating stoppage – this time a perfectly-placed uppercut froze Derrick Osaze stiff as the world-level contender banked another quick night’s work at York Hall. Prior, Aloys Junior outboxed Oronzo Birardi over ten rounds to win his first pro titles. Continue reading “York Hall: Bentley blasts beyond Osaze in two rounds as Junior passes stern test”
Two-time British middleweight champion Denzel Bentley is knocking on the door for a second world title shot, but must stay active and continue winning to achieve that aspiration as Derrick Osaze now stands in his way. Cruiserweight prospect Aloys Junior meanwhile, targets his first professional title this weekend against unbeaten foe Oronzo Birardi – their first 10-round contest. Continue reading “Cordial the buzzword before Denzel Bentley and Aloys Junior return Saturday”
Cornwall’s Brad Pauls was deemed merely a plucky challenger first time around six months earlier when the Birmingham bill was announced as Nathan Heaney’s first British middleweight title defence. English champion at the time but having fallen short against Tyler Denny on a big TV spot with Sky Sports a year prior, history would likely repeat itself. Brad refused to let that happen. Continue reading “Brad Pauls became British champion the hard way, and now can reap the rewards”
Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz faces the toughest test of his pro career tonight, as he captains Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions in their heavily-anticipated 5v5 duel with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He’ll face unbeaten American southpaw Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, with big things tipped for the victor given the existing landscape at middleweight. Continue reading “Hamzah Sheeraz interview: Queensberry captain before tonight’s 5v5 promotional show in Riyadh vs. Ammo Williams”
Six months removed from his surprise defeat by Nathan Heaney, former British middleweight champion Denzel Bentley exercised patience and punishment in equal measure to stop former sparring partner Danny Dignum after a trio of knockdowns inside two rounds as the 29-year-old marked his return in style. Continue reading “Too sharp! Denzel dices Dignum in two rounds, wipes slate clean on 160lb return”
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