Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Canelo Alvarez marked Cinco de Mayo weekend with his best showing for a while – vulnerabilities still lingering – logging an impressive decision win over unbeaten contender Jaime Munguia to make the fourth defence of his undisputed super-middleweight world titles, before insisting he remains the sport’s top dog as questions over a decline have persisted after recent displays.
Continue reading “Canelo drops Munguia, retains undisputed 168lb world titles again with UD12 victory”
Primed for a welterweight world title shot, Vergil Ortiz Jr was searching for answers after a prolonged health scare saw him withdraw on multiple occasions from career-altering bouts. A rhabdomyolysis diagnosis wasn’t heeded but eventually, he came to the conclusion 147lbs wasn’t a sustainable weight cut any longer – so now it’s onwards to the light-middleweight division. Continue reading “After 17-month layoff, serious health concerns and more – Vergil Ortiz Jr is back”
Callum Walsh’s Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach declared his belief that the rising Irish southpaw, still only 22, will become a world champion at some stage over the next year. Judging by his latest display, a gutcheck over ten rounds as he headlined the Madison Square Garden Theatre overnight, the light-middleweight prospect still has work to do before reaching that ambitious goal. Continue reading “154lbs prospect Callum Walsh withstands Ismael Villarreal firefight to stay unbeaten”
Janibek Alimkhanuly was patient, hurt Vincenzo Gualtieri repeatedly en route to a sixth-round stoppage win over the now-former IBF middleweight champion as the hard-hitting Kazakh scored a second KO in five months and successfully unified two titles at 160lbs overnight. Naturally, it’s only intensified his thirst to become undisputed but the division’s future at the top remains uncertain. Continue reading “Janibek Alimkhanuly unifies WBO, IBF middleweight world titles after logging R6 KO vs. gun-shy Vincenzo Gualtieri”
There are weight classes for a reason, so the saying goes. Super-middleweight king Canelo Álvarez started aggressively and controlled the action throughout, scoring a seventh-round knockdown en route to a comfy UD12 victory vs. light-middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo in their Las Vegas main event overnight. David Benavidez or a Dmitry Bivol rematch next? He doesn’t care. Continue reading “Canelo cruises to one-sided decision win over Charlo, retains 168lb world titles”
After undisputed super-middleweight world champion Canelo Álvarez recently signed a three-fight deal with PBC, kicking off against unbeaten middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo in September, WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has been left in the lurch as far as his next plans are concerned. Continue reading “WBA light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol eyes October return, after Canelo rematch talks collapse”
He told everyone that would listen. Yet you had to see to believe: Liam Smith becoming the first man to drop, and stop Chris Eubank Jr with a rather emphatic fourth-round TKO win during their PPV main event on January 21. Talk immediately turned to the latter’s rematch clause, a potential illegal elbow, weight complications and much more besides earlier this month. Continue reading “Rip up the script: Rewind to Liam Smith’s stunning R4 TKO win vs. Chris Eubank Jr, what’s next?”
After a 13-month layoff, Terence Crawford shook off the ring rust against a competitive opponent in David Avanesyan – better than most expected – en route to a big KO finish. He discussed his free agency status afterwards and in 2023, the WBO welterweight champion must do all he can to secure the division’s most pressing fights before father time deems it too late. Continue reading “Crawford crunches Avanesyan with R6 KO on his career night, but now the big fights must be made”
After his Oct. 8 showdown with Conor Benn was cancelled, Chris Eubank Jr’s world title pursuit resumes against former super-welterweight world champion Liam Smith. Both are in the back half of their respective careers and after contrasting routes back to top contention, they collide in Manchester on January 21. So, who said what at the first official press conference yesterday?
Continue reading “Chris Eubank Jr vs. Liam Smith: Given their world title ambitions, neither can afford to lose on Jan. 21”
He was underestimated pre-fight, a significant underdog and didn’t do himself many favours through four rounds last Saturday night in Las Vegas. But after an encouraging R5, Battersea’s Denzel Bentley steadied the ship and battled through a series of hard-hitting exchanges that would’ve demoralised most, to frustrate WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, during a second-half sequence which has many critics suggesting the Kazakh is overrated.
Continue reading “A week on: Denzel Bentley’s stock rises after spirited title fight showing vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly”
After an impressive start, it was an underwhelming finish as world title hopeful Chris Eubank Jr scored three knockdowns in the first four rounds, en route to retaining his #1 WBA middleweight ranking with a comfortable decision win (116-109, 116-109, 116-108) against Liam Williams. Continue reading “Eubank Jr scores four knockdowns, eases past Williams with wide decision victory”
After two delays forced this domestic duel back a few months, #1 WBA middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr prepares to make his third appearance under a promotional deal that believes he can clean out the 160lb division. Next up? A credible challenge on enemy shores who last year managed to do something he is longing for: challenging for a version of the world title. Continue reading “Bad blood and egos aside, Eubank Jr must shine on enemy territory in Cardiff this weekend”
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