UFC

UFC 287: It’s now or never for Israel Adesanya vs. arch-nemesis Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya face off for the press and the fans during a press conference for UFC 287, Pereira versus Adesanya 2, on April 6 at...

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”

Boxing

Lyndon Arthur involved in competitive clash, outpoints short-notice opponent Boris Crighton

Boris Crighton punches Lyndon Arthur during the Light Heavyweight fight between Lyndon Arthur and Boris Crighton at University of Bolton Stadium on...

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”

Analysis, feature pieces

Yes, Zurdo Ramirez’s big weight miss at the weekend was a blessing in disguise

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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”

UFC

Eric Nicksick’s reminder a sobering one before Jones-Gane at UFC 285 this weekend

Francis Ngannou of Cameroon poses for a portrait after his victory during the UFC 270 event at Honda Center on January 22, 2022 in Anaheim,...

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”

Boxing

Beterbiev retains unified light-heavyweight titles with R8 stoppage win despite spirited Yarde display

Anthony Yarde and Artur Beterbiev exchange punches during their WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight Championship fight at OVO Arena Wembley on January...

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”

UFC

UFC 283: Hill batters Teixeira to become new LHW champ, Moreno ends Figueiredo series with stoppage

Brazilian Glover Teixera competes against US Jamahal Hill during their light heavyweight title bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship event at...

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”

Boxing

Jan. 28: Karol Itauma, his world champion amateur teen brother Moses speak before double-header

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”

Boxing

BOXXER Bournemouth: Billam-Smith weathers Xhoxhaj storm in style, Azeez overwhelms Fielding

BEN SHALOM’S BOXXER FIGHT NIGHT 17/12/22 BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE PIC LAWRENCE LUSTIG/BOXXER CRUISERWEIGHT CONTEST CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH v ARMEND XHOXHAJ

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”

Boxing

BOXXER Bournemouth preview: Big stakes await Billam-Smith, Azeez-Fielding and more to finish 2022

Local 'hero" Boxer Chris Billam-Smith, Commonwealth Cruiserweight holder with his belts before the Sky Bet Championship match between AFC Bournemouth...

With a potential cruiserweight world title shot against IBF titlist Jai Opetaia in the offing for 2023, Chris Billam-Smith can’t afford to overlook tough opposition when welcoming Kosovo’s Armend Xhoxhaj to Bournemouth tonight. Elsewhere at 175lbs, Dan Azeez dares to be great as he entertains world-level opposition in Rocky Fielding and more besides happens in 2022. Continue reading “BOXXER Bournemouth preview: Big stakes await Billam-Smith, Azeez-Fielding and more to finish 2022”

UFC

UFC 282: Blachowicz-Ankalaev title fight, Pimblett-Gordon co-main both surrounded by controversy

Jan Blachowicz of Poland and Magomed Ankalaev of Russia react after their UFC light heavyweight championship fight resulted in a split draw during...

Magomed Ankalaev thought he was the new light-heavyweight champion. Jared Gordon felt he did enough to derail Paddy Pimblett’s hype train in the co-main event. Yet both left empty-handed, albeit in contrasting circumstances, as the UFC’s final PPV of 2022 ended with drama and anger after dubious judging scorecards soured an excellent night at the T-Mobile Arena. Continue reading “UFC 282: Blachowicz-Ankalaev title fight, Pimblett-Gordon co-main both surrounded by controversy”

UFC

UFC 282: Blachowicz juggles underdog tag and Ankalaev’s ascent, but will he claim gold again?

Jan Blachowicz speaks at the UFC 282 pre-fight press conference on December 8 at the MGM Garden Grand Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

Jiri Prochazka’s serious shoulder injury saw the Czech vacate his 205lb title, keen not to hold the division up in his absence. While unfortunate, Jan Blachowicz called the news an early Christmas gift, and now the former light-heavyweight champion suddenly has an opportunity to regain the strap he lost against Glover Teixeira 14 months ago. Up against a clearly favoured Magomed Ankalaev though, which man will have the last laugh in the early hours on Sunday? Continue reading “UFC 282: Blachowicz juggles underdog tag and Ankalaev’s ascent, but will he claim gold again?”

Boxing

Beterbiev vs. Yarde press conference: Regardless of the outcome, Jan. 28 will host a compelling watch

41 months after falling narrowly short in Russia, Anthony Yarde finds himself with a second chance to become a world champion at light-heavyweight in the new year. He came close against Sergey Kovalev, and now faces an even bigger task against a destructive puncher in Artur Beterbiev (18-0, 18 KOs), who has become more fearsome with age and title defences. Continue reading “Beterbiev vs. Yarde press conference: Regardless of the outcome, Jan. 28 will host a compelling watch”