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Downgraded from main event to co-main event, the story still remains the same at light-heavyweight this weekend when perennial contenders Anthony Smith [5] and Johnny Walker [7] collide. Can the former title challenger return to form after sustaining a freak injury last July, or is now finally Johnny’s time to shine? Continue reading “UFC Charlotte: Must-win stakes at 205lbs for different reasons in Saturday’s co-main”
Light-heavyweight world contender Joshua Buatsi ended a 50-week layoff as he cruised to a decision victory over ten rounds against Poland’s Pawel Stepien, ending the 32-year-old’s unbeaten streak in Birmingham overnight. Given the fanfare surrounding his exclusive BOXXER deal, many were left short-changed.
Continue reading “Buatsi measured in wide UD win vs. Stepien, but leaves you wanting more”
His decision win over London rival Craig Richards long forgotten, light-heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi turned 30 in March and celebrated by signing an exclusive multi-year agreement with BOXXER. Two months later, he headlines against a fellow unbeaten hopeful: Poland’s Pawel Stepien, hungry to seize credentials the Olympic bronze medallist has steadily built at pro level.
Continue reading “Joshua Buatsi ends a year-long layoff vs. Pawel Stepien, and must keep winning”
Having had a few months to recuperate and reflect after exceeding expectations in a spirited defeat by long-reigning world champion Artur Beterbiev on January 28, two-time world title challenger Anthony Yarde tells me of his desire to have two fights before 2023 ends and maintain momentum, aware the light-heavyweight division is in a fantastic place right now. Continue reading “Exclusive: Anthony Yarde interview – Plotting his way back into contention”
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya knows pressure rests on his shoulders with fierce rival Alex Pereira up next, one final time tonight. The stark truth is a 0-3 record stares at him across two disciplines – regardless of the circumstances – so will he get the last laugh to reclaim gold overnight? Continue reading “UFC 287: It’s now or never for Israel Adesanya vs. arch-nemesis Alex Pereira”
It wasn’t all plain sailing against a determined short-notice opponent, but light-heavyweight contender Lyndon Arthur finished stronger and scored a fantastic right-hand knockdown in the final seconds en route to a decision win over Boris Crighton in Bolton on Friday night. Continue reading “Lyndon Arthur involved in competitive clash, outpoints short-notice opponent Boris Crighton”
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All things considered, Zurdo Ramirez’s massive weight miss – cancelling a matchup against friend and former sparring partner Gabe Rosado last Saturday night – was a blessing in disguise for the former super-middleweight world champion. After suffering a decisive world light-heavyweight title defeat by WBA champion Dmitry Bivol last November, he’s had some decisions to make. Continue reading “Yes, Zurdo Ramirez’s big weight miss at the weekend was a blessing in disguise”
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”
For the best part of eight rounds, Anthony Yarde made everyone inside the OVO Arena believe. The unthinkable looked likely at times, especially in R5. Tunde Ajayi saw the writing on the wall though, watching his charge absorb a knockdown in the eighth, and a back-and-forth battle was ended abruptly – Artur Beterbiev retaining his WBO, IBF and WBC light-heavyweight titles. Continue reading “Beterbiev retains unified light-heavyweight titles with R8 stoppage win despite spirited Yarde display”
Jamahal Hill became the first Dana White’s Contender Series graduate to earn UFC gold after a dominant, exhausting five-round decision win over former champion Glover Teixeira, who announced his retirement post-fight. Elsewhere, Brandon Moreno ended his Deiveson Figueiredo series with a third-round TKO before his rival confirmed he’ll be moving up to bantamweight – while there were emphatic victories for Gilbert Burns and Jessica Andrade. Continue reading “UFC 283: Hill batters Teixeira to become new LHW champ, Moreno ends Figueiredo series with stoppage”
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”
Chris Billam-Smith weathered an early storm, taking Armend Xhoxhaj’s best punches before ultimately landing a devastating KO punch at the end of an eight-shot combo to finish 2022 with aplomb – remaining on course for a cruiserweight world title shot in the new year. Prior, there were contrasting stoppage victories for Dan Azeez and Caroline Dubois among others. Continue reading “BOXXER Bournemouth: Billam-Smith weathers Xhoxhaj storm in style, Azeez overwhelms Fielding”
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