Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
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”
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”
In his second championship reign, Regis Prograis makes the second defence of the WBC light-welterweight title overnight vs. Devin Haney – who relinquished undisputed status at lightweight to face a fellow titlist and one who declares he sees weakness standing across from him. While both are at different stages of their respective careers, neither have yet earned the respect such esteemed accomplishments deserve. Will that change with victory here? That depends. Continue reading “Prograis-Haney a battle of two champions searching for the respect they deserve”
Since being outpointed by Liam Walsh in November 2019, British lightweight Maxi Hughes has won seven straight – including clinching IBO world gold last time out at former featherweight titlist Kid Galahad’s expense. One-time unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr makes his Stateside return this weekend, though the 33-year-old is confident he’ll spoil it Saturday. Continue reading “Maxi Hughes saying the right things as Kambosos Jr awaits tomorrow night”
Teofimo Lopez’s light-welterweight campaign took a stumble on Saturday night, despite eventually getting his hand raised via split decision after a ten-round tussle against Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin. Many have since called for the 25-year-old, who had big plans for 2023, to split from his father Lopez Sr and secure a new coaching team after a drab display. Continue reading “‘Do I still have it?’ Lopez’s vulnerability heightened after split decision win over Sandor Martin”
Former three-weight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko ends his 10-month layoff against Jamel Herring’s final conqueror Jamaine Ortiz (16-0, 8 KOs) this weekend, knowing the unbeaten American prospect represents the only thing still left standing in his way before the wheels start turning on a potential undisputed title opportunity against Devin Haney in 2023. Continue reading “Lomachenko is the talk of the town at lightweight, but has business to complete this weekend”
He outclassed Kambosos Jr the first time this past summer with minimal trouble. The second time eventually became a bloody, bruising affair but had the same result. Devin Haney, 24 next month, has now defended his undisputed status at lightweight and appears set on one final challenge – perhaps Vasiliy Lomachenko in early 2023 – before moving to light-welterweight. Continue reading “Haney again too good, defends undisputed lightweight titles with UD win in Kambosos rematch”
As he prepares to make the first defence of his four lightweight titles against the man he comfortably beat just four months ago, undisputed world champion Devin Haney is both happy to stay active and has said the short spacing between title fights provides him a showcase for further improvements this weekend in Australia. George Kambosos Jr by contrast, quietly working away this time around, believes he’ll shock the world – this time on home soil. Continue reading “Haney feeling sharp, content with more activity before Kambosos Jr title rematch on Sunday”
Shakur Stevenson flashed brilliance and petulance before getting the job done, but pressingly posed more questions about how he’ll fare at lightweight after easing to a unanimous decision win over Olympic gold medallist Robson Conceicao as a record-breaking 10,107 watched at the Prudential Center in the two-division champion’s homecoming from Newark, New Jersey. Continue reading “Stevenson secures comfy UD12 win over Conceicao, calls for Haney and Lomachenko at 135lbs”
The Takeover was rebranded as the Takeback, and former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez did plenty to turn heads on his junior-welterweight debut against a gamely Pedro Campa overnight. The 25-year-old’s fast hands and vicious combos helped him secure a R7 stoppage before calling out all the champions and top contenders at 140lbs – eyeing a return on Dec. 10 at Madison Square Garden – rounding off the year with two fights in four months. Continue reading “The Takeback begins: Lopez overwhelms Campa, secures R7 TKO on junior-welterweight debut”
Ahead of his light-welterweight debut vs. Pedro Campa tomorrow night, former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez reaffirmed his desire to become a two-division titleholder in the near future. First, he must beat a relatively unknown 30-year-old Mexican, nine months after George Kambosos Jr stunned him and snatched his 135lb titles inflicting a first career defeat. Continue reading “Teofimo Lopez has light-welterweight titles in his sights ahead of 140lb debut vs. Pedro Campa”
Some said there were flashes of Floyd Mayweather on show, others were underwhelmed and unsurprised by the outcome. Nonetheless, WBC lightweight titlist Devin Haney travelled to enemy territory and will return having made history as the eighth male undisputed champion in the four-belt era after a UD win (116-112, 116-112, 118-110) over George Kambosos Jr. Continue reading “Haney outclasses, comfortably outpoints Kambosos Jr to unify all four lightweight titles”
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