The experienced Brazilian, stripped of his lightweight title after missing championship weight on Friday, can redeem himself by adding another elite name to his ever-growing resume by prevailing against #1 contender Justin Gaethje tonight (main card: 3am BST). Will he though? Continue reading
Tag: lightweight
Katie Taylor withstands fiery Amanda Serrano storm to edge split decision win
Billed as the most heavily-anticipated women’s boxing bout of all-time, this thrilling encounter didn’t disappoint but questions will linger and a rematch is poised after undisputed lightweight titlist Katie Taylor retained her belts with a split decision victory over unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano in-front of a sold out 19,187 crowd at Madison Square Garden.
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UFC Vegas 49: Makhachev’s mauling streak continues with R1 TKO win vs. Green
Makhachev Mania, Michael Chiesa called it last summer. But now, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege Islam has put together successive first-round finishes for the second time in his seven-year UFC career after swarming short-notice replacement Bobby Green to devastating effect. As such, it seems only a matter of time before the 30-year-old will fight for UFC gold at 155lbs.
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UFC Vegas 49: Out of his control, Islam Makhachev’s title aspirations muddied once more
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege, Islam Makhachev, has long been tipped to capture UFC lightweight gold. Yet this weekend while preparing for his second main event, it’ll be another instance where he’s fighting down to the level of short-notice competition in a bullish Bobby Green after the eighth withdrawal or cancellation since signing with the promotion in 2015. Continue reading
After bumpy 2021, Ryan Garcia’s coaching change could make-or-break career trajectory
After departing Eddy Reynoso’s tutelage last week citing a desire for independence and an opportunity to build his brand, lightweight contender Ryan Garcia is now with new coach Joe Goossen. Ahead of his return vs. Emmanuel Tagoe on Apr. 9, Goossen has this week claimed nobody will ever beat Garcia at his best. We’ll wait to see whether he can inspire that next level. Continue reading
Vasiliy Lomachenko’s Commey clinic elevates him in Kambosos Jr sweepstakes
In a sport-packed weekend filled with thrills and spills, it was business as usual in New York for one of boxing’s pound-for-pound stars Vasiliy Lomachenko in the early hours on Sunday (BST), as he eased to a dominant UD win over gamely former IBF lightweight titlist Richard Commey. Unsurprisingly afterwards, he put his hat in the George Kambosos Jr title bout conversation. Continue reading
UFC 269: Pena dethrones Nunes, before Oliveira submits Poirier on crazy night
The final UFC PPV event of 2021 certainly lived up to the billing, as Charles Oliveira rallied from a frenetic first-round to make the first defence of his lightweight strap against Dustin Poirier. Prior, his compatriot Amanda Nunes was stunned by a fierce Julianna Pena display – who similarly recovered from a slow start to shock the world with a round two rear-naked choke. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 44: Aldo rolls back the years with commanding decision win vs. Font
It feels like just yesterday, critics were starting to get worried about Jose Aldo’s career trajectory after suffering three contrasting defeats for the first time in his 17-year pro stint. Now, he’s flipped the script: three consecutive UD wins against hopeful contenders – a first since 2014 – and his potential has risen again, in a bantamweight division packed with uncertainty.
Gervonta Davis withstands Isaac Cruz challenge, defends WBA lightweight strap
Gervonta Davis improved to 26-0 and retained his WBA (Regular) lightweight belt via UD (116-112, 115-113, 115-113), but the judges’ scorecards show Sunday night’s PPV headliner from Staples Center wasn’t without difficulty against the commendable resolve of Isaac Cruz – living up to his Pitbull nickname while snapping Tank’s 16-fight stoppage streak in the process. Continue reading
Haney retains his WBC lightweight strap with comfy decision win over Diaz Jr
Banana skin avoided: Devin Haney absorbed some tricky moments, invested heavily to the body and wore on a bullish Joseph Diaz Jr as the WBC lightweight titlist improved to 27-0, before reaffirming his desire to fight new unified champion George Kambosos Jr next in 2022.
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Kambosos Jr: Here to fight the best, but now? I’m the shot caller
Energised by the disrespect, new three-belt lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr has already confirmed he’ll stay in the States this week to scope out his next possible opponent as WBC titlist Devin Haney faces Joseph Diaz on Saturday night. Having beaten Mickey Bey, Lee Selby and now Teofimo Lopez in enemy territory, the 28-year-old wants a homecoming. Continue reading
George Kambosos Jr stings Teofimo Lopez, crowned new unified lightweight champion
They all overlooked him. Fans booed him entering enemy territory for the biggest night of his career. An easy night’s work was expected for the champion’s mandatory defence. Instead, George Kambosos Jr made good on his promise to shake the world by outboxing Teofimo Lopez to win three lightweight titles via split decision – though the Australian prevailed quite clearly. Continue reading
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