Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Ashley Lane displayed the value of persistence at bantamweight, capping Friday night’s action packed with finishes by overwhelming Chris Bourke to secure a rare stoppage, winning more domestic honours. Willy Hutchinson ended his layoff emphatically while heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma wasted no time after 2020 Olympian Luke McCormack’s long-awaited debut. Continue reading “York Hall: Lane leaves Bourke battered, claims British bantamweight gold in upset”
Much has been placed on Hamzah Sheeraz’s shoulders as the rising middleweight faces his toughest test to headline the Copperbox Arena this weekend, but Frank Warren has a clear plan of action involving him and a highly motivated Anthony Yarde. So, will all go to plan? Continue reading “Frank Warren eyes Heaney-Sheeraz, Buatsi-Yarde if his plans prove successful”
Newly-crowned British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney is eyeing a world title shot against unified world titlist Janibek Alimkhanuly this time next year, after detailing his three-fight plan for 2024 – including headlining Stoke’s football stadium in the summer after making a defence of the Londsale belt. Continue reading “British middleweight champion Heaney eyes Janibek in three-fight plan for 2024”
It was an unforgettable night for the travelling Stoke faithful, as their hometown hero Nathan Heaney did the unthinkable at Manchester’s AO Arena: outboxing, outsmarting and absorbing world title challenger Denzel Bentley’s best punches en route to a majority decision win to crown a new British middleweight champion after big wins for Nick Ball and Liam Davies prior. Continue reading “Heaney outboxes, dethrones Bentley to cap a night of frantic upsets in Manchester”
Janibek Alimkhanuly was patient, hurt Vincenzo Gualtieri repeatedly en route to a sixth-round stoppage win over the now-former IBF middleweight champion as the hard-hitting Kazakh scored a second KO in five months and successfully unified two titles at 160lbs overnight. Naturally, it’s only intensified his thirst to become undisputed but the division’s future at the top remains uncertain. Continue reading “Janibek Alimkhanuly unifies WBO, IBF middleweight world titles after logging R6 KO vs. gun-shy Vincenzo Gualtieri”
British and European light-heavyweight champion Dan Azeez has the momentum, having boxed three times in three different countries over the past nine months. Joshua Buatsi may have won the domestic strap four years ago, but the Olympic bronze medallist still hasn’t yet reached the world championship heights many tipped for him given such amateur pedigree. Now, one Londoner’s unbeaten streak will end on October 21. Who has the nerve? Continue reading “Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez presser: Both pledge to bring war on October 21 in WBA light-heavyweight world title eliminator”
Zhilei Zhang took Joe Joyce’s best punches, beckoned him forward, and repeatedly stung the 37-year-old with a steady diet of left hands in what proved a commanding victory on away soil. Joyce’s right eye was closing, the fight stopped midway through R6, and a new WBO interim heavyweight champion has been sealed as the valiant Brit experienced his first professional defeat.
Continue reading “Zhang stuns Joyce with R6 TKO, crowned new WBO interim heavyweight champion”
Joe Joyce makes the first defence of his WBO interim heavyweight title tonight at the Copper Box Arena, against a similarly seasoned Chinese contender in Zhilei Zhang who has insisted he’ll leave London this weekend with some new hardware. It’s a high-risk matchup between two Olympic silver medallists, but Joyce wouldn’t have it any other way as he pursues the division’s top guns. Continue reading “Joyce welcomes jeopardy against Zhang as his world title pursuit continues tonight”
WBO interim heavyweight champion Joe Joyce faces another seismic test in his career this Saturday, headlining on BT Sport against China’s Zhilei Zhang. Elsewhere, Mikaela Mayer returns to action while Denzel Bentley defends his British middleweight title – all featured in Wednesday’s media workout. Click for more, to watch their individual videos at the Bronx Boxing Gym. Continue reading “WATCH: Joe Joyce, Zhilei Zhang, Mikaela Mayer and more in media workout before Saturday’s show”
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 Hamzah Sheeraz made the first defence of his WBC Silver middleweight title with an overwhelming R2 KO win over River Wilson-Bent on Saturday, calls for a domestic clash against recent world title challenger Denzel Bentley have intensified. While both have publicly revealed they’re open to the idea, Sheeraz is predictably more forthcoming than the British titlist.
Continue reading “Denzel Bentley vs. Hamzah Sheeraz: Both boxers open to possible future showdown”
He was underestimated pre-fight, a significant underdog and didn’t do himself many favours through four rounds last Saturday night in Las Vegas. But after an encouraging R5, Battersea’s Denzel Bentley steadied the ship and battled through a series of hard-hitting exchanges that would’ve demoralised most, to frustrate WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, during a second-half sequence which has many critics suggesting the Kazakh is overrated.
Continue reading “A week on: Denzel Bentley’s stock rises after spirited title fight showing vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly”
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