Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Primed for a welterweight world title shot, Vergil Ortiz Jr was searching for answers after a prolonged health scare saw him withdraw on multiple occasions from career-altering bouts. A rhabdomyolysis diagnosis wasn’t heeded but eventually, he came to the conclusion 147lbs wasn’t a sustainable weight cut any longer – so now it’s onwards to the light-middleweight division. Continue reading “After 17-month layoff, serious health concerns and more – Vergil Ortiz Jr is back”
Continue reading “A week on: Inevitable Inoue breaks down Tapales, becomes undisputed champ again”
Two big shows set for Saudi Arabia unveiled in less than 24 hours. Two unbeaten champions put their unblemished records on the line when unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk faces WBC titlist Tyson Fury on Feb. 17, 2024 rather than the hastily reported Dec. 23 date, and we’ll have our first undisputed divisional king since Lennox Lewis in 1999. It couldn’t come soon enough. Continue reading “Ring of Fire press conference: Fury-Usyk undisputed world title fight set for Feb. 17”
Well, we’re back here again. It’s not quite Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk as was the original plan for this date – but nonetheless the Saudis haven’t wasted time in delivering a festive extravaganza packed largely with heavyweights – and two title defences in the divisions directly below – as two Brits under different promotional banners get a world title shot neither anticipated this soon.
Continue reading “Day of Reckoning press conference: Joshua, Wilder in separate fights to headline busy card in Riyadh on Dec. 23”
IBO light-heavyweight world champion Lyndon Arthur has been shortlisted to face WBA titlist Dmitry Bivol in a voluntary defence, either next month or early January, according to the long-reigning champion’s manager Vadim Kornilov – who also touched on the difficulties involved with securing the 32-year-old’s next fight after an inactive year typified a frustratingly stagnant 175lb division. Continue reading “Lyndon Arthur on shortlist for Dmitry Bivol bout, per WBA champion’s manager”
It has been announced tonight the WBA ruled against Queensberry’s appeal, who sought to have the verdict overturned – after Daniel Dubois suffered a contentious ninth-round TKO loss by unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk on August 26. Usyk and WBC champion Tyson Fury have signed contracts for an undisputed heavyweight showdown, per a press release two weeks ago.
Continue reading “WBA upholds Usyk-Dubois result after Queensberry’s appeal, unified champ free to box Fury or IBF mandatory Hrgovic next”
There are weight classes for a reason, so the saying goes. Super-middleweight king Canelo Álvarez started aggressively and controlled the action throughout, scoring a seventh-round knockdown en route to a comfy UD12 victory vs. light-middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo in their Las Vegas main event overnight. David Benavidez or a Dmitry Bivol rematch next? He doesn’t care. Continue reading “Canelo cruises to one-sided decision win over Charlo, retains 168lb world titles”
Ahead of tonight’s battle of two undisputed world champions, super-middleweight king Canelo Álvarez knows he has nothing to prove and yet, says he’s motivated by silencing one of his critics in light-middleweight titlist Jermell Charlo – who he feels never believed in his skills – and now he’ll make up for those questioning just how far he’s slipped from such high standards. Continue reading “Canelo has nothing to prove but says he’s motivated to silence one Charlo overnight”
IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia makes his UK debut this weekend and in the build-up, has publicly insisted he’s preparing for a war against European champion Jordan Thompson. Before their Wembley Arena clash on Saturday night, let’s rewind back to the Australian southpaw’s last outing – a career-best result – stunning Mairis Breidis and seizing a version of the world title at 200lbs. Continue reading “Rewind: Jai Opetaia UD12 Maris Briedis last July, as IBF cruiserweight world champ faces Jordan Thompson this week”
Former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor believes he simply had a bad night when losing via decision against WBO champion Teofimo Lopez in June, and has expressed his desire to move towards big money fights as the Scotsman reaches the back nine of an illustrious pro career. Continue reading “Taylor insists he has plenty of options, simply had a bad night in Lopez defeat”
Oleksandr Usyk defended his unified world heavyweight titles and ended his three-fight streak without a KO. Yet four rounds earlier, it could’ve all come crashing down with the Ukrainian writhing on the canvas in agony after what the referee deemed a low blow – Daniel Dubois and many critics believed it was a legal body shot on the belt line – sparking him into action, dramatically changing the course of a bruising, gruelling battle over nine rounds.
Continue reading “Usyk stops Dubois in R9 to retain world HW titles – but not before surviving a controversial fifth-round body shot”
British and European light-heavyweight champion Dan Azeez has the momentum, having boxed three times in three different countries over the past nine months. Joshua Buatsi may have won the domestic strap four years ago, but the Olympic bronze medallist still hasn’t yet reached the world championship heights many tipped for him given such amateur pedigree. Now, one Londoner’s unbeaten streak will end on October 21. Who has the nerve? Continue reading “Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez presser: Both pledge to bring war on October 21 in WBA light-heavyweight world title eliminator”
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