Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
CO-OP LIVE ARENA, MANCHESTER — Arnold Barboza maintained discipline and composure, even when things threatened to go against him, edging a split decision win over Jack Catterall to claim the vacant WBO interim world junior-welterweight title on Saturday night. His father, Barboza Sr, told me how. Continue reading “Barboza hails flawless display, Sr. lifts lid on ‘crazy’ gameplan in Manchester upset”
CO-OP LIVE ARENA, MANCHESTER — Arnold Barboza relished the pre-fight boos and made sure to thank the crowd afterwards, having produced a career-best display in beating Jack Catterall via split decision, claiming the WBO interim junior-welterweight world title after an exhausting 12-round chess match.
Continue reading “Barboza savvy in draining chess match, stuns Catterall for WBO interim title”
CO-OP LIVE ARENA, MANCHESTER — Four months removed from the contentious last-minute cancellation, Reece Bellotti wasted no punches and produced a bruising beatdown of Michael Gomez Jr to defend his British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles with a tenth-round stoppage. Continue reading “Catterall-Barboza results: Bellotti bullies Gomez Jr, Dickens stuns Barrett and more”
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”
Keyshawn Davis is a week away from his first world championship contest against WBO lightweight titleholder Denys Berinchyk and while widely expected to pass that Valentine’s Day test with flying colours, there’s one particular name he’ll inevitably be linked to from their amateur days. Continue reading “Hearn: If he beats Berinchyk, what’s Keyshawn Davis’ biggest fight? Andy Cruz”
Dalton Smith’s growing legion of fans includes an unlikely former world champion across the transatlantic pond, one two years younger and three weight divisions lighter but nonetheless eager to maximise his talents and retire before the sport’s relentlessness diminishes his quality of life.
Continue reading “Hearn: Raymond Ford-Edward Vazquez 2 likely option on Ennis-Stanionis undercard”
George Liddard didn’t have it all his own way but got the job done in a career-best challenge against Derrick Osaze, while Junaid Bostan had to settle for a split draw with an inspired Bilal Fawaz during the evening’s chief support bout.
Continue reading “George Liddard extends unbeaten record, outpoints Derrick Osaze in DAZN headliner”
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”
Junaid Bostan is unbeaten and on a mission to establish himself as Britain’s best junior-middleweight. Well no, the 22-year-old’s aspirations are far loftier and the Rotherham man wants to announce himself on the world scene, having already tasted sparring stateside. The first step is conquering English-level opposition, starting with a deceptively tricky Bilal Fawaz test this weekend. Continue reading “Junaid Bostan bullish but hungry to make leaps in 2025 – Bilal Fawaz the first hurdle”
Dalton Smith ended a 10-month layoff in style this weekend, dropping Walid Ouizza twice in a one-sided opening round en route to securing European honours at 140-pounds. Yet the Yorkshireman wants more on the world stage and after his Jose Zepeda scalp in 2024, may have to venture stateside to get it. Continue reading “Hearn on Dalton Smith’s options, as Walid Ouizza KO earns him European honours”
Ellie Scotney reaffirmed her desire to become undisputed super-bantamweight champion after skilfully outpointing Mea Motu in Nottingham, starting a promising 2025 campaign with another world title victory. However, another Matchroom-based titleholder in the division directly above is also of interest… Continue reading “Ellie Scotney calls out Skye Nicolson after unifying 122lb titles – Hearn responds”
Australian heavyweight contender Justis Huni (12-0, 7 KOs) kicked off his 2025 with a second-round TKO win over Shaun Potgieter in the co-feature as Jai Opetaia made another successful IBF cruiserweight world title defence, blasting past David Nyika on the Gold Coast, January 8. His manager, Mick Francis, tells me why a Moses Itauma matchup could happen this year after elbow surgery. Continue reading “Mick Francis: Huni set for elbow surgery, would take Itauma bout “in a heartbeat””
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