Boxing

Dan Azeez isn’t just the defending champ – he’s a dangerous, determined underdog

Dan Azeez trains during a Media Workout ahead of the BBoC British Light Heavyweight and Commonwealth Boxing Council Light Heavyweight Title fight...

105 days after the original date, the light-heavyweight division duel between domestic rivals Dan Azeez and Joshua Buatsi will finally take place on Saturday night. One man’s unbeaten record has to go and with it, so does their world championship ambitions. Azeez has gone the scenic route to this point but been increasingly bullish about what’s at stake for him too aged 34, underdog or not. Continue reading “Dan Azeez isn’t just the defending champ – he’s a dangerous, determined underdog”

Boxing

John Ryder endured an arduous road to a Canelo title shot, at the best possible time

Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez and English boxer John Ryder pose for a picture during a press conference to present their fight on May 6, in Zapopan,...

WBO interim super-middleweight champion John Ryder has insisted he hasn’t gone to Guadalajara, nor brought multiple team members with him, for a holiday before this weekend’s Mexico showdown. The 34-year-old has experienced an exhausting road to reach this point, but the timing couldn’t be any better to face the 168lb undisputed king Canelo Álvarez. Will it matter? Continue reading “John Ryder endured an arduous road to a Canelo title shot, at the best possible time”

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”