Mark Butcher attends the Beterbiev vs Bivol and Matchroom vs Queensberry 5 vs 5 press launch and witnesses boxing finally marketing itself as an elite sport. Boxing’s greatest opponent has always been boxing. The sport has a tendency to self-harm rather than sell itself. You know the drill well enough by now, the best swerving … Read more
John Scully, assistant trainer to Artur Beterbiev, sheds light on what sets the light-heavyweight champion apart as he gears up for a clash with Dmitry Bivol – and reveals a surprising side to him outside the ring… BN: Are preparations underway for the June 1 fight against Dmitry Bivol? JS: Artur always maintains his fitness … Read more
AFTER a strenuous week in the friendship between Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez both men appeared to be back on amicable terms after battling one another last night at The OVO Arena, Wembley. Their British light-heavyweight title bout which doubled up as a final eliminator for a shot at Dmitry Bivol’s WBA belt was engrossing … Read more
By Elliot Worsell IT is often true of school bullies that they were once victims of bullies themselves, meaning they are aware of both the tactics used and the prime targets. This knowledge helps them to not only ascend but redirect, with the boy bullied for having the embarrassing shoes or rucksack eager to find … Read more
By Elliot Worsell IN what can only be described as a jarring break from tradition, on Boxing Day my parents and presumably many others with access to Sky Sports spent their morning watching Naoya Inoue beat seven shades out of a game but ultimately overwhelmed Marlon Tapales. Needless to say, it was not the way … Read more
By George Gigney Websites TERENCE CRAWFORD – widely regarded as one of, if not the best fighter on the planet – spent many years of his career struggling to break through into the mainstream. Despite his dominance in the ring, across numerous weight classes, he just couldn’t cross over and become a legitimate star. Part … Read more
Anthony Yarde (Light-heavyweight contender) I believe that eventually, Beterbiev will figure Smith out and his calculated pressure will corner him and land the shots he needs. He mentioned that our fight was the toughest of his career, and at 38 years old, we don’t know what Beterbiev’s capabilities will be in the future. Smith is … Read more
By Elliot Worsell ALTHOUGH it would be a stretch to call light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev a jovial fellow, or even a man with a sense of humour, there can be no denying that he is having fun, both in the ring punching and whenever asked by someone for his opinion. When, for example, he called … Read more
THE RESULT: Artur Beterbiev retains his trio of world light-heavyweight belts in Quebec City dropping Callum Smith twice in round seven. Smith’s trainer Buddy McGirt signalled to referee Michael Griffin he had seen enough after the second knockdown. KEY MOMENTS: The 20-second burst of shots from Beterbiev in the opening round. It was a signal … Read more
By Elliot Worsell THE one good thing about the delay Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith have had to endure recently is that in the end it benefits neither of them. It is no good for Smith, who has fought just twice in three years (registering shy of six rounds at that) and it is no … Read more
