Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
LONDON, England — Liam Cameron looks jaded and tells anyone in earshot he’s only had two hours’ sleep. This won’t stop him refusing to break eye contact with Ben Whittaker during their tense face-off, the day their much-anticipated rematch has been announced for April 20, nor doing a cluster of one-to-one interviews with the assembled media. Continue reading “Ben Whittaker: I’ll leave no doubt against bullish Liam Cameron in April 20 rematch”
NINE months to the day of a surprisingly wide 12-round decision defeat by Willy Hutchinson in Riyadh, British light-heavyweight contender Craig Richards will find himself navigating choppy waters on away soil once again – this time knowing another loss could spell the end of his decade-long professional career.
Continue reading “McCrory matchup is career-defining for Craig Richards, Hearn and Sims agree”
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — Highly-esteemed coach Virgil Hunter’s conservative approach makes him a divisive figure among some. Carefully guiding a contender to where they’re not just world title shot ready but can be a mainstay among the elite level is a tricky task, though unbeaten middleweight prospect Amari Jones has nothing but good words to say about his new trainer. Continue reading “Amari Jones on his steady rise, Virgil Hunter and what makes Buatsi special”
Sunny Edwards touched on a variety of topics, from the next best thing in heavyweight boxing to lobbying for a potential Anthony Yarde vs. Lyndon Arthur trilogy in 2025, as the recently-retired former world flyweight champion embraces his new role in a sport that made him a millionaire household name. Continue reading “Now-retired Edwards excited for British boxing’s future, argues for Yarde-Arthur 3”
Many expected this to be tactical and tense over twelve rounds. Instead, Olympic champion Galal Yafai wasted no time with a clinical showing en route to the seventh stoppage win of his career, clinching the WBC’s interim world flyweight title after a dominant display to banish Sunny Edwards’ revival ambitions. His ex-amateur rival announced an immediate retirement post-fight. Continue reading “Yafai stops Edwards in six to win WBC interim flyweight world title, rival retires”
Two-time world light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Yarde makes his return this weekend after an eight-month layoff against another unknown opponent in Latvia’s 17-1 pro Ralfs Vilcans, aware that his contractual situation and existing future at world level remain unclear at a time where the divsional landscape is starting to become clearer after last weekend’s undisputed bout. Continue reading “Anthony Yarde clears air before Oct. 19 return, after signing one-fight Boxxer deal”
Hours after contrasting victories for Joshua Buatsi and Hamzah Sheeraz on the Joshua-Dubois undercard at a sellout Wembley show on September 21, I spoke to former WBO super-featherweight world champion-turned-analyst Barry Jones for his thoughts on both unbeaten boxers as well as previewing this weekend’s undisputed light-heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia. Continue reading “Barry Jones interview: Where next for Buatsi and Sheeraz? Beterbiev-Bivol pick”
Are you not entertained? Daniel Dubois started sharply, reeled off a series of knockdowns before a thunderous counter right-hand flattened two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in their thrilling firefight – successfully defending the IBF world title in-front of a record 98,128 attendance at Wembley. Continue reading “Dubois drops, dismantles Joshua in five rounds to retain IBF heavyweight title”
Sure, it was against someone with only one bout in six years, but Zach Parker displayed brief flashes of the world-ranked contender a fight away from boxing Canelo Álvarez at 168lbs. Instead, a badly broken hand saw the recently-retired John Ryder seize the WBO interim title and a career-high payday in Mexico last May, and now the Derby man prepares to linger between two weight classes. Continue reading “A step in the right direction for Zach Parker, as he floats between two divisions”
In the absence of a Canelo Alvarez showdown at 168lbs, two-time world champion David Benavidez will instead move up a weight division to test himself against former titlist Oleksandr Gvozdyk, who returned after a three-year retirement. While a compelling duel, it shouldn’t be for interim champion status in a class where the two kings will unify in little over three months’ time. Continue reading “Benavidez-Gvodzyk for interim LHW title deemed disrespectful, and it’s clear why”
Billed as a crossroads clash, this quickly proved anything but. Rising middleweight contender Hamzah Sheeraz wasted no time scoring a marquee maiden main event win and let his boxing talk for him, needing less than a full round to complete a stunning demolition job against former world title challenger Liam Williams as a shocked Copper Box Arena crowd watched on. Continue reading “Sheeraz swarms Williams, scores two knockdowns en route to fantastic R1 finish”
Much has been placed on Hamzah Sheeraz’s shoulders as the rising middleweight faces his toughest test to headline the Copperbox Arena this weekend, but Frank Warren has a clear plan of action involving him and a highly motivated Anthony Yarde. So, will all go to plan? Continue reading “Frank Warren eyes Heaney-Sheeraz, Buatsi-Yarde if his plans prove successful”
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