Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
His matchup against Liam Smith may be less than a month away now, but that hasn’t stopped former world title challenger Chris Eubank Jr from reiterating his desire to secure a Gennadiy Golovkin showdown in 2023 for the Kazakh’s middleweight world titles – while retaining an interest in rescheduling the Conor Benn matchup, despite the 26-year-old’s positive drugs test. Continue reading “Eubank Jr insists he wants once-cancelled Golovkin matchup in 2023, provided he beats Smith”
Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson danced with some first-round danger before rolling back the years en route to a R4 TKO victory during a fun battle against Kevin Holland in last weekend’s UFC Orlando main event, while there were big main card stoppage wins for Rafael dos Anjos, Matheus Nicolau and Roman Dolidze – a newcomer in the middleweight rankings this week. Continue reading “UFC Orlando: Wonderboy outworks Holland in crazy headliner – after RDA, Nicolau and Dolidze win big”
After his Oct. 8 showdown with Conor Benn was cancelled, Chris Eubank Jr’s world title pursuit resumes against former super-welterweight world champion Liam Smith. Both are in the back half of their respective careers and after contrasting routes back to top contention, they collide in Manchester on January 21. So, who said what at the first official press conference yesterday?
Continue reading “Chris Eubank Jr vs. Liam Smith: Given their world title ambitions, neither can afford to lose on Jan. 21”
After Hamzah Sheeraz made the first defence of his WBC Silver middleweight title with an overwhelming R2 KO win over River Wilson-Bent on Saturday, calls for a domestic clash against recent world title challenger Denzel Bentley have intensified. While both have publicly revealed they’re open to the idea, Sheeraz is predictably more forthcoming than the British titlist.
Continue reading “Denzel Bentley vs. Hamzah Sheeraz: Both boxers open to possible future showdown”
He was underestimated pre-fight, a significant underdog and didn’t do himself many favours through four rounds last Saturday night in Las Vegas. But after an encouraging R5, Battersea’s Denzel Bentley steadied the ship and battled through a series of hard-hitting exchanges that would’ve demoralised most, to frustrate WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, during a second-half sequence which has many critics suggesting the Kazakh is overrated.
Continue reading “A week on: Denzel Bentley’s stock rises after spirited title fight showing vs. Janibek Alimkhanuly”
Alex Pereira and Zhang Weili reigned supreme as two new champions were crowned at UFC 281 during a memorable PPV card that exceeded expectations last weekend, with seven first-round finishes and surprise results galore – as well as a Fight of the Year contender at lightweight.
Continue reading “Unpacking last weekend’s unforgettable UFC 281 as Pereira, Weili emerge the evening’s biggest winners”
After all that talking, bold predictions and a five-fight stoppage streak, WBA mandatory challenger Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez finally has his chance tomorrow night to inflict Dmitry Bivol’s first career defeat and seize the WBA light-heavyweight strap in Abu Dhabi. Before then though, here’s a look back at two of the 31-year-old’s recent victories – against Sullivan Barrera last summer and Dominic Boesel in May – as he gears up for the biggest fight of his career. Continue reading “Rewind: Before LHW title shot vs. Bivol Saturday, a look back at two of Zurdo Ramirez’s recent TKO wins”
After the Daily Mail’s Riath Al-Samarrai broke an exclusive story Wednesday morning uncovering Conor Benn’s positive drugs test for clomifene – something both sides reportedly knew for a few weeks – tonight’s heavily anticipated fight card was eventually cancelled altogether Thursday after a manic 30-hour sequence which again has undermined the sport.
Continue reading “Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn cancelled: Common sense prevails in dark week for British boxing”
Roy Jones Jr didn’t bother watching. Shawn Porter declared Canelo’s stock has now fallen. Oscar de la Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions firm was responsible for the first two instalments, used much stronger language altogether. ESPN said GGG’s legacy was secured – despite another chastening defeat – while Bleacher Report called the undisputed 168lb champion the sport’s king once again. So after Saturday night, which is closest to the truth? Continue reading “Canelo ends Golovkin trilogy with UD win to retain his 168lb titles as expected, but underwhelms”
Denzel Bentley retained his British middleweight title with a fourth-round TKO win over Marcus Morrison to cap Frank Warren’s latest Queensberry card, one featuring multiple finishes. Super-featherweight prospect Royston Barney Smith was among them, after Brayan Mairena inflicted Frank Arnold’s first career defeat. Dec Spelman put unbeaten cruiserweight Ellis Zorro through a firefight, while there was an aftershow update on the state of play atop light-heavyweight.
Continue reading “Friday Fight Night: Bentley batters Morrison in title defence, Zorro passes Spelman gutcheck and more”
Two-time British middleweight champion Denzel Bentley (16-1-1) puts his strap on the line against Marcus Morrison (25-5) later tonight – a battle between two boxers who can’t afford to lose. Elsewhere, teenage super-featherweight talent Royston Barney Smith returns again, while unbeaten cruiserweight Ellis Zorro hopes he’ll be the latest to dismiss Dec Spelman and more.
Continue reading “Friday Fight Night – British middleweight title: Bentley vs. Morrison tops bill from York Hall show”
As the legendary pair finish their preparations before doing battle in their long-awaited trilogy clash for Canelo Álvarez’s undisputed super-middleweight titles on Saturday night, I take a look back at their rematch four years ago this month (Sept. 15th) – with controversy aplenty about the decision for the second time in twelve months… How will things be different a third time? Continue reading “History revisited: Canelo’s R12 MD win over Golovkin, in previewing this weekend’s trilogy bout”
Mo and Sports 