Tag: welterweight

Boxing

Bam expresses love for Matchroom life before Guevara title defence on Nov. 9

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Two-division world champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez readies himself to box as the chief support on a busy Philadephia-based undercard next weekend, when IBF welterweight titleholder Jaron Ennis returns and looks for a more emphatic showing in his Karen Chukhadzhian rematch on November 9. Having just inked a contract extension with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable, the 24-year-old spoke about the importance of loyalty and more as Pedro Guevara awaits. Continue reading “Bam expresses love for Matchroom life before Guevara title defence on Nov. 9” →

UFC

Chimaev: If Usman couldn’t manage it, then Whittaker won’t stop my wrestling

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Opponents Robert Whittaker of New Zealand and Khamzat Chimaev of Russia face off during the UFC 308 press conference at Etihad Arena on October 24,...

Khamzat Chimaev has been inactive, endured health struggles but you just never know what you’re about to get: he praised former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman before warning Robert Whittaker that if a decorated wrestler couldn’t stuff his takedowns during their short-notice contest last October, the former middleweight titleholder wouldn’t have more success. Continue reading “Chimaev: If Usman couldn’t manage it, then Whittaker won’t stop my wrestling” →

UFC

UFC 310: Michael Chiesa, Alan Jouban have their say on Muhammad-Rakhmonov

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Belal Muhammad looks on in the UFC welterweight championship bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Belal Muhammad promised that, at age 36, he’d be an active champion after dethroning Leon Edwards on enemy soil in Manchester and now will finish a career-best calendar year with a maiden title defence against #3 ranked contender Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. Two familiar faces, both with their analyst hat on, had their say on a difficult matchup awaiting him on Dec. 7. Continue reading “UFC 310: Michael Chiesa, Alan Jouban have their say on Muhammad-Rakhmonov” →

Specials

Natasha Jonas clarifies stance on Mayer rematch, retirement and return timeline

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At the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday January 20, 2024.

IBF world welterweight champion Natasha Jonas intended to rematch Mikaela Mayer after their entertaining 10-round Liverpool headliner, but factors outside her control meant the American ventured elsewhere – beating a Brit in the process – to become a two-division world titleholder last month. Now, their paths may align next year as the Scouser eyes 2-3 more fights before retiring. Continue reading “Natasha Jonas clarifies stance on Mayer rematch, retirement and return timeline” →

UFC

UFC 307: Buckley eyes Wonderboy scalp at welterweight, Vieira critical of Harrison

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Joaquin Buckley warms up backstage during the UFC Fight Night event at Enterprise Center on May 11, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.

Joaquin Buckley looks to stay perfect at 170lbs against a two-time former title challenger in Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and edge closer towards serious championship contention, while the women’s bantamweight division features moving parts – Ketlen Vieira feels Kayla Harrison’s MMA resume is overstated before their title eliminator on a night where the title may again change hands. Continue reading “UFC 307: Buckley eyes Wonderboy scalp at welterweight, Vieira critical of Harrison” →

Boxing

Mayer ekes out MD10 win vs. Ryan, who returns to Derby feeling serious injustice

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Mikaela Mayer reacts after defeating Sandy Ryan of England by majority decision during their WBO Welterweight title bout at The Theater at Madison...

Sandy Ryan returned Stateside to defend her WBO world welterweight title, left empty-handed and with a burning sense of injustice after a series of events during an emotional fight week saw the 31-year-old narrowly lose a fiery 10-round majority decision against former amateur sparring partner Mikaela Mayer, who became a two-weight world champion at the second attempt. Continue reading “Mayer ekes out MD10 win vs. Ryan, who returns to Derby feeling serious injustice” →

UFC

UFC Vegas 97: Brady beckons Garry, Covington next after comfy UD5 Burns win

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Sean Brady punches Gilbert Burns of Brazil in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 07, 2024 in Las Vegas,...

After ticking some necessary boxes during a career-best win this weekend against one-time title challenger Gilbert Burns, rising welterweight contender Sean Brady called out Ian Machado Garry and former interim champion Colby Covington in the cage as the Philadelphia native looks to kickstart another winning streak ending with a title shot of his own in the not-too-distant future. 

Continue reading “UFC Vegas 97: Brady beckons Garry, Covington next after comfy UD5 Burns win” →

UFC

Gilbert Burns excited to silence critics in final title tilt, starting with Sean Brady

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Gilbert Burns of Brazil prepares to face Jack Della Maddalena of Australia in a welterweight fight during the UFC 299 event at Kaseya Center on March...

One-time UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns faces unfamiliar territory on Saturday, keen to snap a two-fight losing streak for the first time vs. #8 ranked contender Sean Brady in their UFC Vegas 97 main event. 38 and in the final stages of his fighting career, Durinho has some unfinished business. Continue reading “Gilbert Burns excited to silence critics in final title tilt, starting with Sean Brady” →

Boxing

Brian Norman vs. Jaron Ennis unification plans shelved after messy public discourse

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Brian Norman Jr. Poses with referee Tony Weeks after defeating Quinton Randall in a welterweight bout on November 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The risk vs. reward battle of their proposed IBF, WBO welterweight world title unification bout meant this was always an unlikely possibility given one boxer is aligned with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable, the other steadily built by ESPN and Bob Arum’s Top Rank machine – leverage, high asking prices, back-and-forth versions of transparency playing out in public is never a positive sign. Continue reading “Brian Norman vs. Jaron Ennis unification plans shelved after messy public discourse” →

Boxing

WBO orders Fundora-Crawford to unify titles, after latter’s UD12 Madrimov win

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Sebastian Fundora poses with his belts after competing against Tim Tszyu during their super welterweight world titles of the Premiere Boxing...

Terence Crawford is three-and-a-half weeks removed from beating Israil Madrimov to become a four-division world champion and per the WBO today, WBC and WBO champ Sebastian Fundora has been ordered to face the star in a unification bout ambitiously slated for this winter, should the two sides agree terms within a 30-day timeframe before purse bids are sent. Will they though? Continue reading “WBO orders Fundora-Crawford to unify titles, after latter’s UD12 Madrimov win” →

Boxing

Madrimov issues warning as Crawford dares to be great in a fourth weight class

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Israil Madrimov poses on July 30, 2024 in Santa Monica, California.

Preparing for his first world title defence this weekend against a pound-for-pound star in Terence Crawford, WBA light-middleweight champion Israil Madrimov warns the formerly-undisputed welterweight king – you’re entering a new division at championship level. At 36 and inactive, are you ready for this? Continue reading “Madrimov issues warning as Crawford dares to be great in a fourth weight class” →

UFC

UFC 304: Muhammad mauls Edwards to win gold, Aspinall avenges Blaydes blip

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Belal Muhammad reacts after his victory against Leon Edwards of Jamaica in the UFC welterweight championship bout during the UFC 304 event at Co-op...

Belal Muhammad boxed brilliantly, utilised suffocating pressure and recorded a new career-high takedown count to overwhelm Leon Edwards and snatch UFC welterweight gold from the Birmingham resident on an exceedingly late Manchester night to cap a busy PPV card. Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and rising lightweight Paddy Pimblett logged first-round finishes prior. Continue reading “UFC 304: Muhammad mauls Edwards to win gold, Aspinall avenges Blaydes blip” →