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Jon Jones needed less than three minutes to clinch UFC heavyweight gold as he ended a three-year layoff in style, submitting Ciryl Gane on his long-awaited return. That finish came after Alexa Grasso’s stunning submission win over long-reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko, crowning her the new women’s flyweight queen after big wins for Shavkat Rakmonov and more in Las Vegas. Continue reading “UFC 285: Jon Jones dismantles Ciryl Gane in R1, Alexa Grasso submits Valentina Shevchenko in stunner”
Regardless of the result from this weekend’s UFC 285 main event between former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane and a returning Jon Jones for the vacant title, Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick will still consider his charge Francis Ngannou the promotion’s undisputed champion. All things considered, it’s another defiant nudge during the biggest fight week for a while. Continue reading “Eric Nicksick’s reminder a sobering one before Jones-Gane at UFC 285 this weekend”
Jailton Almeida’s heavyweight ascent continues, and not long after his UFC 283 stoppage victory over the recently-released Shamil Abdurakhimov… the heavy-handed Brazilian will soon be in training camp again before facing a stern test in the form of another power puncher: Jairzinho Rozenstruik next – after news today confirmed the matchup is slated for mid-May. Continue reading “Moving on up: Jailton Almeida vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik heavyweight clash booked for May 13”
In a main event tussle of two 10-0 unbeaten heavyweights, David Adeleye reigned supreme with a second-round TKO finish against Ukraine’s Dmytro Bezus on Friday night, topping the York Hall bill after well-earned title victories for Mark Chamberlain, Henry Turner and more besides. Continue reading “Friday night at York Hall: David Adeleye claims WBO European HW title after R2 TKO vs. Dmytro Bezus”
Karol Itauma faces a stern challenge for the vacant WBC International light-heavyweight title, after his younger brother – highly-rated Moses – makes his pro debut on the Yarde-Beterbiev undercard. Here’s what both said, at Tuesday’s press conference to announce Moses’ maiden matchup after a glittering 22-0 amateur career where he won European and World Youth gold. Continue reading “Jan. 28: Karol Itauma, his world champion amateur teen brother Moses speak before double-header”
Third time lucky? Heavyweight prospect Jailton Almeida hopes his patience will be rewarded on home soil come January 21, as his matchup against Shamil Abdurakhimov – twice scratched – has been tentatively scheduled for the UFC 283 prelims as part of a 15-fight card this month.
Continue reading “UFC 283: Jailton Almeida eyes top-15 HW rankings in rescheduled Shamil Abdurakhimov matchup”
After BOXXER’s final show of the year in Bournemouth at the weekend, I spoke to a number of people about what awaits them in 2023 – including their promoter Ben Shalom, world title hopeful Richard Riakporhe and Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke. Read on for more. Continue reading “Ben Shalom, Richard Riakporhe, Frazer Clarke and more: BOXXER comments, ahead of a busy 2023”
During his post-fight press conference, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury answered a range of questions while vowing to give fight fans the big bouts “they really crave,” insisting a unification bout against Oleksandr Usyk can happen in the first quarter of 2023, before a domestic duel against Joe Joyce later on in the year – with Wembley a mooted destination.
Continue reading “Fury feels 2023 will be his biggest career year as he assesses contrasting matchups with Usyk, Joyce”
Tyson Fury made the third defence of his WBC heavyweight title with a predictably one-sided tenth-round stoppage win against domestic rival Derek Chisora during their trilogy bout – eight years on from their second bout. Beforehand, there was a courageous comeback win for Daniel Dubois while Karol Itauma and Denys Berinchyk were among the victors on the undercard. Continue reading “Tyson Fury retains WBC title with R10 TKO in Derek Chisora trilogy, as Usyk and Joyce watch ringside”
The former WBC heavyweight champion knocked former sparring partner Robert Helenius unconscious in Saturday night’s blisteringly brief main event from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn: landing clean with a short sharp counter right-hand late in the first round of his comeback bout – 53 weeks on from his frenetic trilogy bout against current titlist Tyson Fury.
Continue reading “Wilder calls out Usyk, Ruiz after sending Helenius to sleep with another blistering R1 KO”
After hinting at potentially retiring, former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is back this weekend against a familiar face in his long-time sparring partner Robert Helenius. Gone are the aggressive soundbites and violent sentiments heading into fight week but the most important question given his comeback is, how will he fare against an in-form opponent? Continue reading “Deontay Wilder talks up Robert Helenius challenge before his long-awaited comeback on Oct. 15”
Joe Joyce remains unbeaten at 15-0 with 14 KOs, the latest a thunderous one after softening up a gamely Joseph Parker effort in Manchester last weekend with overwhelming pressure and body shots. Now the WBO interim champion, again calling for Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury, the 37-year-old is finally starting to gain the respect his heavyweight work has long warranted. Continue reading “Juggernaut rolls on: Joyce’s R11 KO weekend win over Parker sets up intriguing 2023 title shot”
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