Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON — Karriss Artingstall and Jasmina Zapotoczna were crowned new champions at featherweight and flyweight respectively in contrasting 10-round contests, on the undercard of Lauren Price’s punch-perfect display against Natasha Jonas in their welterweight world title unification. Continue reading “Jonas-Price undercard: Artingstall claims British title, Zapotoczna stuns Watson”
Dustin Poirier could’ve easily retired last summer after falling short in another courageous, albeit unsuccessful world title attempt against Islam Makhachev. Instead, he’ll be back for another but would be wrong in thinking the promotion he’s proudly represented over the past 15 years wants a storybook ending. Continue reading “Din Thomas’ delivery was vulgar, but his Dustin Poirier sentiment is painfully true”
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”
Rafael Espinoza exceeded expectations as an unheralded underdog in the best way possible last December and two days shy of the one-year anniversary since his 12-round firefight with Robeisy Ramirez, the 30-year-old gets another opportunity centre stage to banish Olympic champion and former titleholder Robeisy Ramirez on a night headlined by two world championship rematches. Continue reading “Espinoza-Ramirez 2 fast approaching – the new champ’s saying all the right things”
In a duel between two unbeaten British super-bantamweights, Shabaz Masoud’s discipline saw him silence critics with a skilful 12-round split decision win over the much-fancied Liam Davies during their Birmingham headliner – history repeating itself between local foes dating back to their amateur days. Continue reading “Masoud tames Davies in Birmingham during repeat of their amateur rivalry”
Khamzat Chimaev has been inactive, endured health struggles but you just never know what you’re about to get: he praised former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman before warning Robert Whittaker that if a decorated wrestler couldn’t stuff his takedowns during their short-notice contest last October, the former middleweight titleholder wouldn’t have more success. Continue reading “Chimaev: If Usman couldn’t manage it, then Whittaker won’t stop my wrestling”
Queensberry’s new signing Fabio Wardley made good on his promise to produce a statement showing, blasting Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke in their rematch to retain British heavyweight honours. Elsewhere, IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia showed levels as he forced a merciful stoppage inside six rounds vs. European titleholder Jack Massey. Read on for more.
Continue reading “IV Crown undercard: Wardley ices Clarke in R1, Opetaia breezes past Massey and more”
WBA world featherweight champion Nick Ball scored knockdowns in round three and seven en route to a destructive tenth-round stoppage victory against savvy veteran challenger Ronny Rios on his Liverpool homecoming during the first of what he’ll hope proves to be multiple title defences at 126lbs, as the 27-year-old called for a rematch with WBC titleholder Rey Vargas afterwards. Continue reading “Ball batters Rios, defends WBA world featherweight title with R10 TKO win”
Alex Pereira sent Jiri Prochazka into another pressing phase of self-reflection after a definitive head kick knockout finish in their rematch, as the light-heavyweight champion made defence #2 of his 205lb title to headline a second UFC PPV in 11 weeks – after Las Vegas resident Dan Ige stepped up on four hours’ notice and produced a spirited effort vs. Diego Lopes in the co-main. Continue reading “UFC 303: Pereira’s switch kick sends Prochazka packing, Lopes-Ige saves card”
After contrasting victories over Billy Quarantillo and Sodiq Yusuff in 2023, long-standing contender Edson Barboza – both at feather and lightweight – prepares to defend his top-15 ranking at 145lbs against a surging unbeaten hopeful in Lerone Murphy to headline UFC Vegas 92 this weekend. Will he make it three in a row for the first time since 2017, or will the Brit pass his toughest career test? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 92: Barboza expects a war with Murphy as he again defends 145lb ranking”
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway competes at lightweight for the second time in his career this weekend, fighting #1 contender Justin Gaethje for the latter’s BMF title at UFC 300. Given the risk-reward and ever-changing landscape at 145lbs, Holloway could’ve chosen another option – but welcoming this risk is emblematic of the man many have loved through it all, win or lose. Continue reading “Max Holloway aware of the risks in Justin Gaethje clash, but that typifies who he is”
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