Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Plenty was said, most of it negative, about WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith holding firm on his desire to return in November-December time rather than be rushed into a unification bout with IBF titleholder Jai Opetaia a month earlier on Saudi shores. Now, the Brit is close to agreeing a Stateside showdown with newly-crowned WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez. Continue reading “Nov. 16 the targeted date as Billam-Smith praises Zurdo before proposed unification”
Last year, WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith achieved his dream by winning a world title at the home of his beloved Bournemouth football club. Before he can think about unification plans though, he enters into the lion’s den as defending titleholder itching to avenge his one pro defeat against Richard Riakporhe, a month shy of five years since their first meeting. Continue reading “Chris Billam-Smith interview: Defending champ excited to silence decline doubters”
Oleksandr Usyk started well, adjusted after some shaky middle rounds and scored a ninth-round knockdown en route to earning a gruelling split decision victory over Tyson Fury in the battle of unbeaten heavyweight world champions to be crowned the division’s first undisputed champion since 1999 in Riyadh.
Continue reading “Usyk adapts, drops Fury during SD12 win to become undisputed heavyweight king”
Tomorrow night should see Jai Opetaia make the third defence of his IBF world cruiserweight title. Instead, it’s for a vacant belt in a rematch against the man who inflicted a double jaw break against him, less than two full years ago. Having made light work of two Brits in-between, the Aussie is on a mission to unify the cruiserweight division – and disrespect has fuelled that intensity. Continue reading “Disrespected, denied but stronger for the experience: Jai Opetaia is going nowhere”
Nine undercard fights on offer, three that could easily headline their own bill including two world championship bouts in contrasting divisions without a dominant name. A quartet of Brits in action, some early Queensberry vs. Matchroom bragging rights to be had and plenty elsewhere on offer before the fight we’ve waited 25 years to see takes centre stage in Riyadh this weekend. Continue reading “Lowkey final presser for Ring of Fire as intrigue over many undercard bouts build”
IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia makes his UK debut this weekend and in the build-up, has publicly insisted he’s preparing for a war against European champion Jordan Thompson. Before their Wembley Arena clash on Saturday night, let’s rewind back to the Australian southpaw’s last outing – a career-best result – stunning Mairis Breidis and seizing a version of the world title at 200lbs. Continue reading “Rewind: Jai Opetaia UD12 Maris Briedis last July, as IBF cruiserweight world champ faces Jordan Thompson this week”
Even after a 23-month layoff, Poland’s Krzysztof Glowacki – a two-time cruiserweight champion – was billed as Lawrence Okolie’s toughest test after 16 fights. Instead, it looked anything but as the 28-year-old Brit cruised to a sixth-round KO win, producing a masterful performance to achieve his world championship dream: before reaffirming his desire to unify the division soon. Continue reading “Lawrence Okolie dismantles Krzysztof Glowacki, becomes new WBO cruiserweight champion”
Mo and Sports 