Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
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”
In town for the Ring Magazine awards, WBC light-welterweight world champion Devin Haney made an appearance at the famed Peacock Gym where he met old friends, including Anthony Yarde’s trainer Tunde Ajayi, as news over the 26-year-old’s return continues to rumble on after a mentally draining 2024 campaign. Continue reading “Yarde’s trainer Tunde Ajayi on Haney’s comeback: “Great things are coming!””
Joe Cordina lost his IBF super-featherweight world title in startling fashion on Saudi shores seven months ago and while he’s been raring to go in a new weight division after suffering a first professional defeat, the Welshman doesn’t have leverage nor seemingly a promotional deal with which to pursue the big fights he’s long been coveting. That won’t stop him searching for more in 2025. Continue reading “After rollercoaster 2024, Cordina can’t wait to get into lightweight mix in 2025”
Not for the first time, WBA lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis has revealed a readiness to step away from the sport at the peak of his powers. 30 this year, a young father and aware of the sport’s tolls on his mental health – not to mention the physical sacrifices – this show of maturation has been long overdue. It doesn’t mean anyone’s ready to see him retire just yet, though. Continue reading “Gervonta Davis’ maturation feels long overdue – retiring in 2025 feels premature”
Richardson Hitchins declared he was on another level to Liam Paro, but needed to go prove it. That’s exactly what he did, earning a deceptively comfy SD12 (116-112 x 2, 111-117) victory over the now-former light-welterweight champion to seize the IBF world title and realise his championship aspirations three weeks before Christmas. Now though, comes the hard part heading into 2025. Continue reading “Hitchins humbles Paro in Puerto Rico to clinch IBF light-welterweight world gold”
He closed the Josh Taylor chapter and has now headlined in three UK cities within a year, as Chorley’s Jack Catterall looks set for a long-awaited second chance at light-welterweight world honours after recovering from a fifth-round scare to score two knockdowns and outbox two-time world champion Regis Prograis in the first boxing event at Manchester’s new Co-op Live Arena. Continue reading “World champions only for Catterall next after gutsy UD12 win in Prograis headliner”
Two months on from the day of his surprise MD12 win over WBC light-welterweight world champion Devin Haney, NYSAC announced Ryan Garcia has been suspended for a year, that victory now changed to a no contest and fined his guaranteed purse money – as the fallout continues – after submitting two positive tests for the banned performance-enhancing substance ostarine. Continue reading “Ryan Garcia ban: 1-year suspension, fined $1.2m and more after positive drug tests”
Many expected Ryan Garcia would get outclassed in a surprise world title shot at 140lbs before the 25-year-old missed weight, leading to more controversy and a financial penalty as the ugly build-up intensified before his duel against amateur foe Devin Haney last weekend. He dropped the two-division champion three times en route to a stunning upset win though, so what’s next for both? Continue reading “A week on: Ryan Garcia’s stunning MD12 upset win over Devin Haney, what’s next?”
Three-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson retired, then quickly circled back faster than Teofimo Lopez, left agitated by the politics of a sport he’s known his entire life. Now 26 and settled as one of the four titlists at 135lbs, the Olympic silver medallist must look inwardly if he’s to live up to the sky-high greatness many have long tipped him for. Will his last display prompt that? Continue reading “Addressing the Shakur Stevenson-shaped problem at lightweight, and well, beyond”
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I spoke to world champion boxing coach Manny Robles last week after he was announced as the new coach of LA Elite in the Team Combat League about a variety of topics: ranging from why he decided to explore a new venture in an ever-changing sport, his corner work for Rafael Espinoza’s stunning world title win over Robeisy Ramirez to an overview of 2024 and much more besides. Continue reading “Exclusive: Manny Robles interview – 2024 plans, predictions after coaching Rafael Espinoza’s world featherweight title win”
On what was supposed to be a showcase night for Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions kicking off 2024, we saw one new signee flattened inside a round in the co-main event before veteran referee Tony Weeks produced another controversial early main event stoppage – this time souring Vergil Ortiz Jr’s long-awaited return against overmatched opponent Frederick Lawson.
Continue reading “Ortiz calls out WBO light-middleweight champion Tszyu after anticlimactic R1 KO”
This week has revolved around what’s next for Devin Haney – Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia and more outlandish names besides – after logging a dominant decision win over defending champion Regis Prograis. Whether it’s been about his 165lb in-ring weight or the fight purse he should expect going forward, it’s easy to forget the individual showing itself. A week on, here is exactly that. Continue reading “A week on: Haney humbles Prograis to earn WBC light-welterweight world title”
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