They’ve never seen lions in Chelyabinsk. Their ice cold, hostile surroundings, adopted in demeanour by the reigning champion and native Russian, wouldn’t seem to suit the warm weather beasts, at first touch… However, in order to upset the balance of nature, Anthony Yarde, the inexperienced, unbeaten challenger from East London finds himself touring the city, […]
A few days ago, I’d been scrolling aimlessly through Twitter, when stumbling across an article bemoaning the death of boxing… It claimed the sport had killed itself, in an almost reckless, kamikaze attempt at splitting its participant’s pockets, spilling golden coins across the blood-soaked canvas, bereft of soul and meaning. The writer, who shall remain […]
“I wonder if Janet Jackson is playing?”, I pondered when hearing of Anthony Joshua’s slated quest for vengeance, staged in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on December 7th. For all of the Mexican champion’s recent posturing and Instagram spam, we must currently presume the pair will reach an agreement. Following a week of tricky questions and contradictions, Matchroom […]
The dictionary definition of the word ‘tough’ [adj: able to endure hardship or pain] couldn’t be more apt, when assessing the troubled journey of unbeaten cruiserweight, Mikael Lawal (12-0, 7KOs). Before learning to cuff his hands around his face, tightly in self-defence, he’d been slipping heavy punches, both literally and metaphorically. Entering the boxing gym […]
Tales of boxing from those most acquainted have prompted transatlantic phonecalls or warbled translation. However, on this occasion, it was a matter of walking only seven hundred metres on a humid, Glasgow afternoon. Whatever happens next, Britain’s premier ring announcer, Craig Stephen, has voiced some fights that frame our generation in a career spanning over […]
The introduction of social media has allowed fans of boxing unprecedented, unfiltered access to many of its premier attractions. Whether it’s stunning back-and-forths between champions and would-be challengers or the unrelenting growth of the ‘troll’ culture, we’ve now become the flies that used to live rent-free on walls of gyms up and down the country. […]
The walls of the family residence were bare. Once occupied with scattered, happy memories captured in fancy frames, they now seemed barely standing and ominously empty. The floors presented only the markings of the heavy furniture that had once made this house a home, but the tables and television stands had to go. It all […]
“I’d rather them be mad at me, for a day or two, than be mad at me for the rest of their life”, explained an impassioned, yet crestfallen Buddy McGirt following Friday’s contest between his charge, Maxim Dadashev and challenger, Subriel Matias. There would tragically be no difference between both options presented by the Hall […]
This Saturday, the heavyweight division showcases three interesting fights at London’s O2 Arena. Of the three, one seems to have captured the majority of the British public’s attention: Dave Allen (17-4-2, 14KOs) versus David Price (24-6, 19KOs). Both men have losses on their records, multiple rebuilding projects under their belts but most importantly, a devout […]
Somewhere between the striking poverty of Kibawe, Philippines and the posturing of modern day Hollywood, a group of young teens sat bleary-eyed awaiting the opening bell of a bout between two very different fighting men. The contest started at around 5am, the boys had soaked up plenty of alcohol and of the six in attendance […]
Boxing is a game of snakes and ladders. As soon as they start making tangible progress, climbing the rankings or opening emails offering sought after bouts, fighters can often find themselves kicked back to square one, left in the cold and waiting for the phone to ring – especially in Scotland. One man determined to […]
The stinging winter wind slices the face of young Dmitriy Salita as he finds his way, walking sheepishly through Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn. The weather reminds him of home, in Odessa, Ukraine. Perilously cold. It was the only thing he had to cling to, shipped to America at nine-years old with his immediate family in tow. […]