Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
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Jaron Ennis acknowledges that trash talk isn’t his style, but the 25-year-old welterweight contender instead feels patience and persistence will aid him in a long-running effort to finally get a shot at the world titles. He faces Ukraine’s Karen Chukhadzhian in the co-main event of this weekend’s Gervonta Davis card, with the victor being rewarded the IBF’s interim belt.
Continue reading ““I do my talking in the ring,” Jaron Ennis insists before weekend’s bout against Karen Chukhadzhian”
Although it will have been at least a year since his last bout once the three-belt welterweight champion returns, Errol Spence Jr pushed back the idea of tune-up fights and said he wouldn’t be as motivated in training as he would if the opponent was a more known quantity who posed more danger. The 32-year-old, rumoured to defend his titles against PBC stablemate Keith Thurman next, is expected to finally face WBO champion Terence Crawford sometime this year.
Continue reading “Errol Spence Jr rubbishes idea of tune-up fights, with April-June timeline for his next bout”
After a 13-month layoff, Terence Crawford shook off the ring rust against a competitive opponent in David Avanesyan – better than most expected – en route to a big KO finish. He discussed his free agency status afterwards and in 2023, the WBO welterweight champion must do all he can to secure the division’s most pressing fights before father time deems it too late. Continue reading “Crawford crunches Avanesyan with R6 KO on his career night, but now the big fights must be made”
The dust has settled and with a rare weekend lacking big boxing or UFC fights, I reflect in detail on Vergil Ortiz Jr’s R9 TKO win over crafty British southpaw Michael McKinson three weeks ago. Ortiz Jr ended his long-awaited return while maintaining his stoppage streak (19-0, 19 KOs), but what’s next for him and McKinson – who feels this display shows he belongs at world level? Continue reading “Rewind: Vergil Ortiz Jr’s R9 TKO win vs. Michael McKinson, a look at what’s perhaps next for both”
Vergil Ortiz Jr ends a 53-week layoff later tonight (Sunday, 4am BST) as he faces fellow unbeaten boxer Michael McKinson in their WBA welterweight world title eliminator. Will the 24-year-old rising star have it all his own way, against a hard-working Brit, or is a surprise in store? Continue reading “Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Michael McKinson tonight: Time to shine bright, or a step too far?”
Ahead of his heavily-anticipated return to the ring against Custio Clayton tonight, 24-year-old welterweight rising star Jaron Ennis has doubled down on his desire to make 2022 the best year yet: believing he will dominate and eventually stop an unbeaten Canadian (19-0-1, 12 KOs) who at 34, has a golden opportunity to skip the line, proving himself against the best at 147lbs. Continue reading “Jaron Ennis predicts dominant, eventual KO win over Custio Clayton overnight”
An untimely diagnosis, mid-fight week, means the highly-ranked welterweight prospect will have to wait indefinitely before rebooking what was to be his first in-ring appearance of 2022 against a bullish Brit making his US debut as two of the WBO’s top-5 at 147lbs were set to duel. Continue reading “Scary rhabdomylosis diagnosis forces Ortiz Jr out of weekend McKinson fight”
Eddie Hearn, Conor Benn’s promoter, has named Adrien Broner and Robert Guerrero as potential opponents to face his unbeaten welterweight next in 2022 – while declaring his interest in an unlikely return for recently-retired former two-time champion Shawn Porter too.
Continue reading “Eddie Hearn names Adrien Broner, Robert Guerrero as possible Conor Benn opponents”
Having made the fourth defence of his European welterweight title on Saturday, the 33-year-old Russian (28-3-1, 16 KOs) wants a return to world level after defeats by Lamont Peterson and Egidijus Kavaliauskas on his last two US visits in big bouts. His trainer Carl Greaves and manager Neil Marsh emphasised that belief, after his emphatic showing this past weekend. Continue reading “After decimating Liam Taylor, David Avanesyan eyes Yordenis Ugas title fight”
Ahead of his latest world title attempt on November 20, two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter (31-3-1, 17 KOs) described Terence Crawford as the pinnacle of opposition. Can he end a run of close yet losing decisions against the division’s elite, or will it be more of the same?
It’ll be 371 days since WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford’s last in-ring appearance by the time he steps into the Michelob Ultra Arena on November 20, but while mandatory challenger Shawn Porter represents Bud’s biggest test yet – it’s something he’s used to hearing. Continue reading “Terence Crawford excited to silence his doubters vs. Shawn Porter on Nov. 20”
Last weekend, #1 WBO welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr’s star rose another notch as he passed the toughest assignment of his blossoming career with aplomb, all but ending Egidijus Kavaliauskas’ pursuit to get back to the top table and challenge for world gold at 147lbs again.
Continue reading “Vergil Ortiz Jr’s star rises further after disciplined, gritty R8 Kavaliauskas KO”
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