Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
JANIBEK Alimkhanuly is three weeks away from his latest world title defence, a unified middleweight champion on a seemingly never-ending pursuit of undisputed status at 160lbs, but as this interview begins, there’s something he wants to get off his chest. Continue reading “Janibek confirms coaching change, open to super-middleweight move”
LONDON, England — Liam Cameron looks jaded and tells anyone in earshot he’s only had two hours’ sleep. This won’t stop him refusing to break eye contact with Ben Whittaker during their tense face-off, the day their much-anticipated rematch has been announced for April 20, nor doing a cluster of one-to-one interviews with the assembled media. Continue reading “Ben Whittaker: I’ll leave no doubt against bullish Liam Cameron in April 20 rematch”
Continue reading “Eddie Hearn expects Pacheco to headline May show, Christian Mbilli among options”
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — In the Mandarin Hotel’s lounge area, a fan spots Hamzah Sheeraz and asks for a picture. He’s not the only one. Soon enough one turns to three and before long, the 25-year-old’s engaging in conversation as he gears up for his maiden world title shot against WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames, some 11 miles from here, on February 22. Continue reading “Hamzah Sheeraz and embracing the weight of expectation”
In an extravagant hotel lounge area putting mine to shame deep in Usyk-Fury 2 fight week, I picked the brains of esteemed boxing coach-and-analyst Teddy Atlas on a series of topics, most notably looking ahead to David Benavidez’s sophomore appearance at light-heavyweight vs. David Morrell after an underwhelming debut vs. his former charge Oleksandr Gvozdyk last summer. Continue reading “Atlas: Benavidez has the minerals to flourish at 175lbs, ahead of Morrell bout”
Canelo Alvarez did as most expected he would, a third-round knockdown the catalyst as he humbled unbeaten challenger Edgar Berlanga during an arduous 12-round affair to defend his unified super-middleweight world titles before again insisting he was the best once more. Terence Crawford watched ringside while Dmitry Bivol returns in an undisputed bout on Oct. 12, so what’s next? Continue reading “Canelo adds Berlanga to list of hungry lions tamed with UD12 win – what’s next?”
Many questioned whether the hype was premature after a blunt display over ten rounds during a showcase co-main event opportunity four months ago. In response, #1 WBO world ranked super-middleweight contender Diego Pacheco delivered another highlight reel moment in passing the toughest test of his career thus far overnight against Maciej Sulecki with bigger plans on the way. Continue reading “Pacheco’s plaudits return with career-best win over Sulecki as 168lb options emerge”
Perhaps the best part of Callum Simpson’s career-best display was, after 12 competitive-but-clear rounds on home soil, outmanoevuring and outboxing Zak Chelli to win unified titles at 168lbs, came during his post-fight interview with the adrenaline pumping. He declared a desire to win the British title outright, called out unbeaten contender Mark Jeffers and it’s a refreshing sign of intent. Continue reading “Simpson flashed his local starpower in Barnsley as new British champ crowned”
Not two full years removed from seizing the vacant Central Area divisional title, rising unbeaten super-middleweight talent Callum Simpson gets what he’s been calling for on home soil: headlining a BOXXER show at Barnsley’s Oakwell football stadium, a week before the new season gets underway with British honours at stake against champion Zak Chelli in the 26-year-old’s first defence. Continue reading “Simpson keeping a cool head before Barnsley battle vs. British champ Chelli”
Sure, it was against someone with only one bout in six years, but Zach Parker displayed brief flashes of the world-ranked contender a fight away from boxing Canelo Álvarez at 168lbs. Instead, a badly broken hand saw the recently-retired John Ryder seize the WBO interim title and a career-high payday in Mexico last May, and now the Derby man prepares to linger between two weight classes. Continue reading “A step in the right direction for Zach Parker, as he floats between two divisions”
Claressa Shields is a three-weight boxing world champion, two-time Olympic gold medallist and juggling two combat sports as she hopes to conquer MMA as she has done boxing over the past decade. Yet the 29-year-old knows lapping the field isn’t an exciting prospect for fans to watch, so new and unknown challenges like Canada’s Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse are her next port of call. Continue reading “Claressa Shields accepts she must find new challenges, with fresh heavyweight move”
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