JAI OPETAIA aims to compensate for lost time and take advantage of a pivotal phase in his career. After enduring a jaw injury in his triumph against Mairis Briedis in July 2022, the 28-year-old athlete spent more than a year as an onlooker on the sidelines. Delays were further compounded by extraneous matters unrelated to …
HE was a legendary fighter, born in Senegal and willing to brawl anywhere in the world. A world champion who competed with the likes of Mike McTigue and legendary Frenchman Georges Carpentier. Yet his name remains a mystery to many outside of the most devoted boxing circles. A documentary on the man known as Battling …
Read more “Africa’s first world champion: Remembering Battling Siki”
Just last week, Jack Massey, the CRUISERWEIGHT, had modest hopes of simply getting a fight date, venue, and opponent’s name. To his surprise, he received much more than that while sitting comfortably on his sofa at home. In addition to the fight details, he was presented with a pathway towards success, a precious reward for …
Read more “Jack Massey feels like he has hit the jackpot – twice”
By Eric Armit HIGHLIGHTS from the past week of action Oscar Collazo retains his WBO minimumweight belt with a unanimous verdict over Gerardo Zapata. Blair Cobbs floors and outpoints Adrien Broner and there are wins for Michael Hunter and Yuniel Dorticos. Xander Zayas goes ten rounds for the first time, impressively winning over Patrick Teixeira, …
Read more “Zayas steps up, classy Collazo and Broner beaten”
JARON Ennis will face a new opponent on July 13. Southpaw David Avanesyan (30-4-1, 18 KOs) has stepped in to replace Cody Crowley, who withdrew due to persistent eye damage. Avanesyan, a former European champion, inflicted Josh Kelly’s first professional loss in 2021. The Newark-based upsetter previously snapped the 27-0 record of Spanish banger Kerman …
Read more “Avanesyan steps in to face Jaron Ennis on July 13”
After achieving the title of undisputed champion in two weight classes, where does Oleksandr Usyk currently stand in the imaginary pound-for-pound rankings? The act of compiling a list of the world’s top 10 fighters sparks conflicting opinions within the boxing community. While some argue that it is a futile endeavor, others relish the opportunity to …
Read more “George Groves debates whether Oleksandr Usyk is pound-for-pound number one”
Matthew Macklin, an analyst for SKY SPORTS BOXING, is in agreement that Tyson Fury should have been given the opportunity to continue after the intense events of round nine on Saturday night. The highly anticipated showdown between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh was a monumental heavyweight clash that witnessed momentum swings between the two …
Read more “Matt Macklin backs referee’s controversial call during Usyk-Fury”
PERHAPS over the years, even in the toughest of sports and most brutal of industries, you mellow a little with age. Glaring at adversaries across the trenches becomes a thing of the past. You understand them, admire them, maybe even appreciate them. Right now, life is looking rosy for Frank Warren, who is no doubt …
Read more “Frank Warren: ‘5 vs. 5 win was one of my highlights’”
MAURICE CULLEN Born: 30 December 1937 in Wheatley Hill, England Died: 29 November 2001 at the age of 63 Record: 55 fights, 45 wins (10 by KO/TKO), eight losses (two by KO/TKO), two Draws. Division: Lightweight Titles: British lightweight champion. Won the title in April 1965 and defended it three times before losing it to …
Read more “Maurice Cullen: The lightweight with boxing in his blood”
The aspiration of being the main event in Las Vegas or a renowned venue such as Madison Square Garden is a cherished item on the bucket list of EACH British world champion. Another memorable night for Welsh boxing was when Joe Cordina won the IBF super-featherweight world title in April of last year against Shavkatdzhon …
Read more “Joe Cordina continues to crave big fights but knows Cacace is no “walkover””
