Boxing

Natasha Jonas on her relationship with ‘gentle giant’ Joe Gallagher

Business as usual': Joe Gallagher, Natasha Jonas, and the battle against  cancer

IBF/WBC welterweight champion Natasha Jonas embarks on a big fight week knowing there aren’t many left for her, though Olympic champion and unified titleholder Lauren Price could serve as a willing adversary further enhancing the 40-year-old’s legacy come Friday night.

Continue reading “Natasha Jonas on her relationship with ‘gentle giant’ Joe Gallagher”

Boxing

Ellie Scotney calls out Skye Nicolson after unifying 122lb titles – Hearn responds

Ellie Scotney celebrates victory with her belts following the Women's IBF, IBO and WBO World Super Bantamweight titles' fight between Ellie Scotney...

Ellie Scotney reaffirmed her desire to become undisputed super-bantamweight champion after skilfully outpointing Mea Motu in Nottingham, starting a promising 2025 campaign with another world title victory. However, another Matchroom-based titleholder in the division directly above is also of interest… Continue reading “Ellie Scotney calls out Skye Nicolson after unifying 122lb titles – Hearn responds”

Boxing

Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn: Two-fight deal set, rematch guaranteed by December

Chris Eubank Jr of the UK confronts Conor Benn of the UK in the boxing ring as Neymar smiles during the Riyadh Season - IV Crown Showdown at Kingdom...

Two-and-a-half years after their catchweight clash was set, then dramatically cancelled on fight week after news of a failed drug test, Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will now box in a two-fight series later this calendar year. Continue reading “Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn: Two-fight deal set, rematch guaranteed by December”

Boxing

Usyk weaves his magic to leave Fury flat, retains unified world heavyweight titles

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury during their bout as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi...

Oleksandr Usyk weighed in at a career-highest 221lbs on Friday – 55 pounds lighter than Tyson Fury – though while plenty was said in the build-up, whether it be judging replacements, rules meeting disputes and more drama besides, the Ukrainian did as he always does: win. Fury’s flashes of vigour and encouragement ultimately weren’t enough during their immediate rematch. Continue reading “Usyk weaves his magic to leave Fury flat, retains unified world heavyweight titles”

Boxing

Usyk-Fury 2 undercard: Itauma blasts McKean in a round, Bohachuk bullies Davis

Serhii Bohachuk knocks down Ishmael Davis during the Super Welterweight fight between Serhii Bohachuk and Ishmael Davis as part of Oleksandr Usyk v...

On an eight-fight undercard preceding the much-anticipated heavyweight rematch, it felt fitting Moses Itauma wasted no time with a career-best victory in the night’s co-feature just days before he turns 20 after Serhii Bohachuk capped an unforgettable 2024 campaign with another all-action showing against a brave short-notice opponent, showing the difference in levels. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2 undercard: Itauma blasts McKean in a round, Bohachuk bullies Davis”

Boxing

Usyk-Fury 2: Judge Barbosa falls ill, rival camps in dispute over replacement official

Illustration picture of a judge score sheet during the International Heavyheight Contest fight between Tony Yoka and Ryad Merhy at Roland Garros on...

Fernando Barbosa, one of the agreed upon judges for this weekend’s much-anticipated heavyweight rematch, has fallen ill and needs replacing. The problem? Both camps want separate replacements to take his place and two US-based judges have flown to Riyadh as they seek every possible advantage… Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Judge Barbosa falls ill, rival camps in dispute over replacement official”

Boxing

Usyk-Fury 2: Tyson blinks first in 11-minute staring contest to finish presser

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face off ahead of the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight Title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and...

Press conference delays and an 11-minute staredown wasn’t exactly on the bingo card for Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2, deep into the depths of an eagerly-anticipated fight week, but at this stage nothing should come as a surprise. Jostling for heavyweight gold this weekend, it was advantage Usyk. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Tyson blinks first in 11-minute staring contest to finish presser”

Boxing

Usyk-Fury 2: Warren believes rematch is about attrition, who lost more in May?

Tyson Fury speaks to the media during the Usyk v Fury 2 Press Conference ahead of the IBO, WBC and WBO World Heavyweight titles' fight between...

Having seen Tyson Fury narrowly miss out on undisputed heavyweight gold seven months ago today, Queensberry chief Frank Warren believes his man doesn’t have to make as many adjustments as some might think before his immediate rematch with Oleksandr Usyk this weekend. Instead, he told me, the outcome of their second Saudi showdown will come down to two factors. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Warren believes rematch is about attrition, who lost more in May?”

Analysis, feature pieces

Disrespected, denied but stronger for the experience: Jai Opetaia is going nowhere

Jai Opetaia during an open workout at the Boulevard City Music World, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight title fight between...

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”