Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Jai Opetaia is two weeks removed from his latest assignment – another stoppage win – dismissing former sparring partner David Nyika in four rounds to retain his IBF/Ring Magazine titles after original opponent Huseyin Cinkara withdrew through injury. There was to be no fairytale story, though Opetaia still fancies unifying a cruiserweight division with movement aplenty at the top. Continue reading “Opetaia: Whether boxing or navigating politics, you’ve always got to adapt”
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””
Chris Billam-Smith’s second pro career defeat in Riyadh this past weekend wasn’t one to be ashamed of, fighting through injury and a bad cut over twelve rounds against now-unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight world champion Gilberto Ramirez, who appears set for a Jai Opetaia unification in 2025. Billam-Smith’s trainer Shane McGuigan spoke well on social media about his charge. Continue reading “McGuigan: CBS boxed with a broken hand, rib injury and cut in Zurdo unification loss”
The night Chris Billam-Smith claimed world cruiserweight gold in Bournemouth was Shane McGuigan’s proudest moment as a coach to date. Yet the trainer knows his hard-working champion needs more than just willpower and desire to dethrone newly-crowned WBA titleholder Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez during their much-anticipated WBO, WBA unification in Riyadh this weekend. Continue reading “McGuigan: CBS needs a mixture of Bivol, Goulamirian gameplan for Zurdo success”
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”
Continue reading “CBS-Zurdo unification set for Nov. 16 in Riyadh as cruiserweight moving again”
Plenty was said, most of it negative, about WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith holding firm on his desire to return in November-December time rather than be rushed into a unification bout with IBF titleholder Jai Opetaia a month earlier on Saudi shores. Now, the Brit is close to agreeing a Stateside showdown with newly-crowned WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez. Continue reading “Nov. 16 the targeted date as Billam-Smith praises Zurdo before proposed unification”
Composure was key for Chris Billam-Smith as he boxed smartly to blunt Richard Riakporhe on enemy soil at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium, retaining his WBO cruiserweight world title against an old foe. Elsewhere, Jack Massey stifled Isaac Chamberlain to win European honours at 200lbs while Ben Whittaker’s critics will persist after a puzzling 10-round shutout in the co-main.
Continue reading “Billam-Smith avenges Riakporhe defeat with UD12 win to retain WBO world cruiserweight title”
Last year, WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith achieved his dream by winning a world title at the home of his beloved Bournemouth football club. Before he can think about unification plans though, he enters into the lion’s den as defending titleholder itching to avenge his one pro defeat against Richard Riakporhe, a month shy of five years since their first meeting. Continue reading “Chris Billam-Smith interview: Defending champ excited to silence decline doubters”
Although he got tagged more than many expected from his latest step-up in opposition, New Zealand’s unbeaten cruiserweight talent David Nyika improved to 9-0 and passed the latest test with a fourth-round stoppage win over Germany’s Michael Seitz. Afterwards we spoke about what’s next, things to take from his showing and being inspired by a former world champion compatriot.
Continue reading “Exclusive: David Nyika wants activity, spot on Joseph Parker undercard in Q3 of 2024”
Oleksandr Usyk started well, adjusted after some shaky middle rounds and scored a ninth-round knockdown en route to earning a gruelling split decision victory over Tyson Fury in the battle of unbeaten heavyweight world champions to be crowned the division’s first undisputed champion since 1999 in Riyadh.
Continue reading “Usyk adapts, drops Fury during SD12 win to become undisputed heavyweight king”
Tomorrow night should see Jai Opetaia make the third defence of his IBF world cruiserweight title. Instead, it’s for a vacant belt in a rematch against the man who inflicted a double jaw break against him, less than two full years ago. Having made light work of two Brits in-between, the Aussie is on a mission to unify the cruiserweight division – and disrespect has fuelled that intensity. Continue reading “Disrespected, denied but stronger for the experience: Jai Opetaia is going nowhere”
Mo and Sports 