“There’s only a few guys that I fight who can actually do anything. I can tell that they’re rubbish and even when I lose, it’s only because I’m totally shot. Most of these guys couldn’t have been my sparring partner back in the day. They’re so rubbish – but still they beat me.” Perched awkwardly […]
This weekend in London, two vastly different cultures collide, as the ‘Rougarou’, Regis Prograis, once again battles the elements, facing the ‘Tartan Tornado’, Josh Taylor. Both from parts of the world where legends stem from old wives’ tales, it’s the opportunity that both unbeaten boxers have craved – one champion, one name. The tremendous talents […]
Photo credit: Valentin Romero The rolling hills of Donegal were a far cry from ‘Hatton’s Gym’ in Hyde, Manchester. The sound of the waves that crashed off the rocks surrounding Fanad Head Lighthouse had now been replaced by the thudding of fists on battered leather. Brett McGinty’s new home is perfect though, as he embarks […]
Sweden hasn’t typically been a country known for its boxing, of late. Of course, former heavy-handed champion Ingemar Johansson of Gothenburg, shocked Floyd Patterson, stopping the American heavyweight sixty years ago. However, the country placed a thirty-six year ban on boxing, only lifting it partially in 2006. More recently, Badou Jack has spilled plenty of […]
With eyes that could pierce holes in sheets of steel, the heavyweights’ newest threat strikes an unusual balance between haunting predator and abstract comedian. Peering over a barrier with those glaring pupils, he seemed part-manic, though only days ago was filmed performing a flowing, improvised dance routine. Boxing’s Tommy DeVito. For Oleksandr Usyk (16-0, 12KOs), […]
We’ve all done it… Set up the board, dished out the money and tried to employ our own brand of twisted logic, attempting to dominate London’s property market, armed with a small metal top hat and a bit of ‘free parking’ (other player pieces are available). Monopoly, the king of board games, forms an integral […]
I can remember it as though it was yesterday. I’d spent all year behaving myself, making sure I’d focused on my education and stayed out of trouble, all in the hope of securing a mammoth Christmas present. It was a games console, fresh from the factory and the talk of the town – amongst sixteen-year […]
It’s been almost a decade since Wayne Lawrence Jr, more popularly known as ‘Pretty Boy Bam Bam’, broke the internet. The tiny, aspiring boxer threw lightening fast punches, captivating viewers across the globe who suddenly became fascinated, certain they’d stumbled upon a child prodigy. Just out of shot, however, one of Pretty Boy’s close friends, […]
Emerging from the darkened suburbs of Roesalare, the muscle bound champion on the other end of the phone had overcome the discriminatory obstacles often faced by Belgian-based African families. His English was impeccable, and when speaking to reigning European cruiserweight champion, Yves Ngabu (20-0, 14KOs), he appeared thrilled at the prospect of defending his title […]
In recent years, the soaring success of young men from the traveller community, pursuing a career between the ropes, has continued to dominate boxing’s media. Our obsession with their culture, caravans and charisma has proven boundless, with Tyson Fury and Billy Joe Saunders capturing headlines for all of the right, and often wrong, reasons. One […]
Tucked away from the rabble of London’s O2 Arena, the champion’s dressing room that particular Saturday evening felt flat, post fight. The sweat was palpable, the belt remained intact – just – but the crazed battle cries that were heard during the ring walk had softened to discussions of what comes next. Those beady eyes […]
Darts flew dangerously up ahead as we perched on the edge of the sofa on the upper mezzanine of McGuigan’s Gym, Wandsworth, South West London. The men engaging with haphazard mini-spears? Soon-to-be IBF junior-welterweight champion, Josh Taylor and then-undefeated cruiserweight, Chris Billam-Smith. It was a warm summer’s afternoon and the pounding of the gym’s newest […]