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: Chris Kongo leaves you wanting more to close midweek show

John Henry Mosquera punches Chris Kongo during the International Super Welterweight fight between John Henry Mosquera and Chris Kongo during a media...

Nine months on from a defiant display on the Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke undercard, skilfully outpointing then-unbeaten contender Florian Marku, career welterweight Chris Kongo (17-2, 7 KOs) has returned on two Riyadh Season midweek shows against unheralded opposition and failed to kick on from a career-best win. 2025 must feature better matchmaking than this. Continue reading “Usyk-Fury 2: Chris Kongo leaves you wanting more to close midweek show”

Boxing

Murtazaliev mauling Tszyu to retain IBF world title serves as a cautionary tale

Bakhram Murtazaliev punches Tim Tszyu at Caribe Royale Orlando on October 19, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.

Most expected Tim Tszyu to reclaim the championship gold he never should’ve lost seven months ago, with considerably less fanfare and against an unheralded opponent in Orlando this weekend. Instead, the Aussie proved too brave for his own good once more and now has a serious rebuild job to do at the elite level after four knockdowns in two rounds against Bakhram Murtazaliev. Continue reading “Murtazaliev mauling Tszyu to retain IBF world title serves as a cautionary tale”

Boxing

Bohachuk’s promoter Tom Loeffler warns team Ortiz: stay focused before Saturday

Serhii Bohachuk smiles as he looks on during a press conference at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on August 08, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Terence Crawford’s weekend win in a fourth weight division means clamour around Vergil Ortiz Jr has cranked up a few notches before his main event matchup against WBC interim champion Serhii Bohachuk this Saturday night. The Ukrainian’s promoter, Tom Loeffler, has warned the 25-year-old’s team to stay sharp and not overlook his charge in a duel of world-level operators. Continue reading “Bohachuk’s promoter Tom Loeffler warns team Ortiz: stay focused before Saturday”

Boxing

Bohachuk-Ortiz on Aug. 10: Tszyu’s cut created this, but we’re richer regardless

Serhii Bohachuk faces off against Vergil Ortiz Jr at the Vergil Ortiz v Serhii Bohachuk kickoff presser at Golden Boy Building on July 11, 2024 in...

44 knockout wins in 46 combined bouts. Both look to make a splash on the world championship scene come Aug. 10 at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay, a week after now-former undisputed welterweight king Terence Crawford goes for more greatness in a fourth weight division vs. WBA titleholder Israil Madrimov. Tim Tszyu might now be a spectator, but who said the 154lb division was dead? Continue reading “Bohachuk-Ortiz on Aug. 10: Tszyu’s cut created this, but we’re richer regardless”

Specials

Exclusive: Manny Robles interview – 2024 plans, predictions after coaching Rafael Espinoza’s world featherweight title win

I spoke to world champion boxing coach Manny Robles last week after he was announced as the new coach of LA Elite in the Team Combat League about a variety of topics: ranging from why he decided to explore a new venture in an ever-changing sport, his corner work for Rafael Espinoza’s stunning world title win over Robeisy Ramirez to an overview of 2024 and much more besides. Continue reading “Exclusive: Manny Robles interview – 2024 plans, predictions after coaching Rafael Espinoza’s world featherweight title win”