UK Boxing
Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett – substantial fight preview and predictions
Published
6 days agoon
By
J. HumzaOn Saturday, the James L. Knight Center in Miami Beach will host a world title fight as Teofimo Lopez looks to defend his WBO super lightweight title against Steve Claggett.
“The Takeover” responded by moving up to super lightweight, but after his first win at the weight he was dropped before scoring a dismal victory over Sandor Martin in December 2022. Few expected him to defeat Josh Taylor on that basis, but Lopez once again produced when it mattered, commanding the Scot and winning the WBO world title on the cards.
His first defense was another indigent affair, however, as he defeated Jamaine Ortiz in February and must wait for essential fights here against a disappointing opponent in Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KO).
The Canadian has suffered numerous defeats early in his career, but is undefeated for nine years since defeating Mathieu Germain in 2021. He built his ranking with a points victory over Miguel Madueno in November 2023 to capture the vacant WBO International title, and warmed up ahead with a second-round retirement win over Marcos Gonzalez Berraza.
Ramirez wants to get back on the winning track
Robeisy Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs) returns after losing his WBO featherweight title last time out, and the Cuban will face Brandon Leon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs) in a ten-round fight. Ramirez was defeated by Rafael Espinoza last December, getting knocked down in the final round and then losing by majority decision.
Benitez is on a seven-fight winning streak since a knockout loss to Saul Sanchez in 2019, and I think he will suffer the same fate here, with Ramirez coming back with an early victory.
Full subcard preview:
Also in the featherweight division, Yan Santana (11-0, 11 KOs) will advance to the ten-round level for the first time in his history, and the Dominican could once again win on schedule, this time against Brandon Valdes (15-4, 7 KOs). In the final ten rounds, potential super lightweight Elvis Rodriguez (15-1-1, 13 KOs) could follow up his impressive win over Vitor Postol by stopping Jino Rodrigo (12-3-2, 10 KOs).
In eight-round fights, welterweight hopeful Rohan Polanco (12-0, 7 KOs) could beat Luis Hernandez Ramos (23-4, 20 KOs), while middleweight hopeful Euri Cedeno (8-0-1, 7 KOs) could do the same in his fight against Dormedes Potes (14-6-1, 10 KOs).
Also in the middleweight division, Nico Ali Walsh (9-1, 5 KOs) gets a rematch with Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs), this time in eight rounds. The grandson of a legend could avenge that loss on the cards. Emiliano Vargas (10-0, 8 KOs) could pick up another early win, this time against Jose Zaragoza (9-8-2, 3 KOs) at super lightweight.
The only six-round heavyweight where Lorenzo Medina (10-0, 9 KOs) can stop Detrailous Webster (7-3, 3 KOs).
You may like
UK Boxing
Logan Paul gets water poured on him by his pregnant fiancée while he enjoys the celebration on a boat
Published
1 hour agoon
July 4, 2024By
J. HumzaLogan Paul is celebrating July 4th – America’s Independence Day – in style. To celebrate the holiday, the WWE star was spotted jumping off a boat with his fiancée, Nina Agdal, and taking time to shower each other after a swim.
When the pair weren’t diving into the water to frigid off, they were sitting in the shade and cuddling, enjoying each other’s company and taking in the view. At one point, a pregnant Agdal was spotted diving into the water before being washed by Paul.
The WWE Superstar also received a lot of love from Agdal, as the current United States Champion took time out of his busy schedule to spend time with his fiancée. It’s worth noting that the pair are expecting their first child — a girl — in the fall, with Paul, 29, taking to social media to write, “Another Paul is coming this fall.”
Paul and Agdal began dating in 2022 after meeting at an event in Modern York City. Shortly after their wedding anniversary, he proposed to the Danish model at Lake Como in Italy in July 2023.
The YouTuber-turned-wrestler made sure his fans knew just how special the moment was when he popped the question to his then-girlfriend. “Today is the day I ask the love of my life to marry me,” Paul said in the video.
“Fourteen months ago I fell in love with the most attractive human being I have ever seen in my life and I have been waiting for this day ever since. You are the love of my life. You are the girl of my dreams, I never thought I would find you and now I don’t want to let you go.”
Since then, the two have been seen enjoying each other as they prepare for the birth of their first child. When they are not spending time together, Paul continues his highly successful venture as a WWE star.
Since his debut in April 2021, Paul’s in-ring talent has been undeniable, quickly becoming one of the most popular wrestlers on Smackdown. Paul quickly rose to fame with his skills, eventually earning a shot at winning his first WWE title, the United States Championship.
In 2023, Paul faced off against WWE legend Rey Mysterio and ultimately defeated him at Crown Jewel in November to secure his first title shot. Since then, Paul has been one of many stars on the WrestleMania XL card, showing just how quickly he has been able to climb the WWE ranks.
On the second night of the event, Paul defended his championship against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, another WWE wrestler. The star then attempted to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship, but was defeated by Cody Rhodes.
Because of his exploits, ESPN rated him The 10 (of 30) best pro wrestlers under the age of 30 in 2023 Aside from his in-ring presence, Paul’s ability to stay on top of popular culture has helped endear him to wrestling fans of all ages.
On a recent episode of “Friday Night Smackdown” at Madison Square Garden, Paul pantomimed by leaning back and spitting at opponents, referencing the famed “Hawk Tuah” meme that captured the world’s attention. Before that game, Paul also walked Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, much to the chagrin of the Modern York crowd, adding the latest chapter in the rivalry between the NBA organizations.
At one point, Haliburton got into an argument with Modern York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, glaring at each other and almost fighting as referees rushed in to separate them. Brunson even brought a steel chair into the ring and threatened to utilize it before Paul wisely escorted Haliburton out of the ring.
UK Boxing
Chris Eubank Jr prepares for blockbuster fight with Canelo Alvarez as deal nears
Published
5 hours agoon
July 4, 2024By
J. HumzaChris Eubank Jr is currently considered the favorite to fight Canelo Alvarez, with the Mexican’s next opponent expected to be announced in the coming days. ESPN reported that Eubank Jr could even be confirmed, as his next fight this week is said to be “close to an agreement.”
Eubank Jr. has been dreaming of fighting Alvarez since his victory over Liam Smith in September, when he looked to avenge a defeat he suffered with an impressive 10th-round knockout in his last appearance in the ring.
Now 34, Eubank appears to be approaching the business end of his career with an impressive 33-3 record and the former middleweight world champion states why the Mexican should face him. Alvarez has faced a number of British boxers in recent years, defeating the likes of Smith, Rocky Fielding, Billy Joe Saunders, John Ryder and Amir Khan.
Speaking to Sky SportsEubank Jr said: “Canelo goes where the money is and I can’t imagine any bigger money fights than me versus Canelo. I know he wants to fight in the UK. It’s a massive market. There aren’t many guys there that people would like to see more than me and Canelo Alvarez.”
Eubank added: “He’s difficult to pin down. You can’t pin down Canelo Alvarez, whenever he wants to come and fight, he’ll fight. He’ll weigh up his options and do whatever he wants.
“He makes the rules. He does whatever he wants. He moves up in weight. He moves down in weight. He holds belts in different divisions and does all these things that other fighters just couldn’t do.”
If the fight had been officially announced, the British star would have been a decided underdog, given that Alvarez has only lost twice in his career – once to Dmitry Boviol, to whom he moved up in weight, and the other time to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
UK Boxing
Johnny Fisher vs. Alen Babic – Preview and Predictions for the Large Fight
Published
9 hours agoon
July 4, 2024By
J. HumzaThis Saturday, London’s Copper Box Arena will host an old-school heavyweight clash as Johnny Fisher and Alen Babic go head-to-head over a scheduled ten rounds.
Eddie HearnMatchroom promotes Fisher vs. Babica and DAZN broadcast live around the world.
Babić (12-1, 11 KOs) was drafted by Hearn and manager Dillian Whyte as an inexperienced fighter, with the Croatian earning his place in the competition with a series of early victories that eventually led to a WBC featherlight heavyweight title fight in April last year.
However, the leap in class proved too much for “Dzikus”, who was stopped during the round by Łukasz Różański in Poland.
The 33-year-old returned in March, scoring a sixth-round knockout victory over Steve Robinson in a thrilling fight.
Now he meets another raw, tough fighter in Fisher (11-0, 10 KOs), who will bring his usual army of Romford fans with him.
Romford Bull has only covered the distance once and has since won six races on the schedule, including the Southern Area title.
The 25-year-old last stepped into the ring in February, when he defeated Dmytro Bezus in a fight in Las Vegas.
Bellotti fights Giles
The preliminary card promises a fascinating super featherweight clash as the resurgent Reece Bellotti defends his British and Commonwealth titles against Levi Giles.
Bellotti’s career was in tatters when he lost five of his seven fights between 2018 and 2021, but he has now bounced back impressively, winning the vacant Commonwealth title with a surprising eighth-round victory over Aqib Fiaz and then replacing Liam Dillon, who lost his British belt with a decision win in February.
Giles (15-1, 4 KOs) has only lost once – in March of last year, when he defeated Michael Gomez Jr. by split decision. He has won twice since then, although this time the Grimsby fighter took a step forward.
(18-5, 14 KOs)
Returns on collateral
There are two more 10-round fights on the schedule, the first of which will be a cruiserweight bout in which John Hedges could secure the vacant Southern Area title with a points win over Lewis Oakford.
Hedges (9-0, 3 KOs) didn’t fight longer than eight rounds, while Oakford (5-0) didn’t fight longer than six.
Courtney argues with Zapotoczna
Flyweight Maisey Rose Courtney (6-0) has a chance to go 10 rounds for the first time and win on points against Jasmina Zapotoczna (7-1), who gave Shannon Ryan a good workout before losing on points in February.
Remaining subcard
In six-round fights, Giorgio Visioli (3-0, 3 KOs) can maintain his perfect record with an early victory in the super featherweight division over Tampela Maharusi (10-6-4, 5 KOs), while in the middleweight division, Jimmy Sains (5-0, 5 KOs), who secured a knockout victory on Saturday, can repeat that feat in his fight against Damien Lacoudray (3-1-1, 1 KO).
Popular super welterweight contender Emmanuel Buttigieg (4-0, 1 KO) could win on points in his fight against Oliver Chudzik (3-0, 1 KO).
The only fight to go over four rounds will be in the heavyweight division, where Lewie Pochetty (2-0, 2 KOs) could hear the final bell for the first time in a points win over Amin Boucetta (8-13).
Erika Cruz stripped of WBA title; Nazarena Romero-Mayerlin Rivas rematch ordered
ANDY RUIZ – Replay or Ricochet? – FULL PUBLIC WORKOUT in Saudi Arabia | Ruiz v Joshua II
Eddie Hearn Reacts To Gervonta Davis Revealing Ryan Garcia Offer, Joshua & Fury
I fell in love with boxing again
JON JONES LAUGHS AT TYSON FURY & RESPONDS TO “BEAT ME UP” CALLOUT
Nate Diaz: Rematch with Jorge Masvidal will be ‘much more arduous’ than with Jake Paul
ANDY RUIZ – Replay or Ricochet? – FULL PUBLIC WORKOUT in Saudi Arabia | Ruiz v Joshua II
Eddie Hearn Reacts To Gervonta Davis Revealing Ryan Garcia Offer, Joshua & Fury
ANDRE WARD MASTER CLASS ON THE ART OF COUNTERPUNCHING: “DISCOURAGE OPPONENT FROM THROWING PUNCHES”
Trending
-
Interviews2 months ago
I fell in love with boxing again
-
Video2 months ago
JON JONES LAUGHS AT TYSON FURY & RESPONDS TO “BEAT ME UP” CALLOUT
-
Analysis2 months ago
Nate Diaz: Rematch with Jorge Masvidal will be ‘much more arduous’ than with Jake Paul
-
UK Boxing2 months ago
Leonard Ellerbe ends Eddie Hearn’s feud: I have to agree with him
-
Video2 months ago
FRANK MARTIN NEW MESSAGE TO GERVONTA DAVIS; WARNS HE’LL FRUSTRATE & BOX HIS HEAD OFF
-
MMA2 months ago
True to her name, Heather Hardy is rebuilding
-
Results2 months ago
Chantelle Cameron vs. Katie Taylor 2
-
MMA2 months ago
The Irish showed up in droves at the Mayweather-McGregor weigh-in