Dazn hits back at MP plans to close free-to-air sport loophole September 25, 2023 Calls from politicians to stop streaming platforms from bidding to show major sporting events have been slammed as “very narrow-minded and anti-competitive”. Sports streaming giant Dazn, best known for showing high-profile boxing matches, has hit out at recent recommendations by a group of MPs to stop streaming platforms from bidding for “crown jewel” sporting events. Crown jewel [...]
Benn to fight tomorrow in first bout since suspension lift September 21, 2023 Conor Benn will fight for the first time since his provisional doping suspension was lifted. The 26-year-old Brit will take on Rodolfo Orozco in Florida tomorrow having failed two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association tests in the lead-up to his fight against Chris Eubank Jr last year. He was suspended in March but a National Anti-Doping Panel [...]
Frank Smith, Matchroom Boxing CEO, interview: ‘I’m living the dream’ September 4, 2023 Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith on rising the ranks from Leyton Orient mascot to running the world-leading promotion.
Anthony Joshua calls for Deontay Wilder to ‘play ball’ in talks over 2024 fight August 13, 2023 Anthony Joshua has set his sights on a heavyweight showdown with big-hitting Deontay Wilder early next year after displaying his own explosive punching against Robert Helenius. Joshua stopped last-minute opponent Helenius with a fearsome right hand in the seventh round at London’s O2 on Saturday, achieving his first knockout since 2020. That victory rubber-stamped the [...]
Helenius steps in to fight Joshua despite having bout just last week August 8, 2023 Robert Helenius will step in and fight Anthony Joshua this weekend at the O2 Arena after the British heavyweight’s original opponent Dillian Whyte had “adverse analytical findings” detected in a drugs test. The organisers of the fight, Matchroom, found a new opponent for Joshua within 72 hours of the fight’s initial cancellation but the new [...]
Enhanced Games president likens doping to ‘being gay 50 years ago’ July 3, 2023 Ever thought about watching a 100m race where you knew everyone was using substances to artificially enhance themselves, rather than finding out a couple of years later when a ban is issued? Well the Enhanced Games may be for you. The idea pits competitive sport alongside the world of performance enhancing drugs in an Olympics-style [...]
Ed Warner: Rugby, boxing, netball, Para sport – what should Saudi Arabia buy next? June 22, 2023 Challenge accepted! A reader last week asked what the most investable sports worldwide are from the perspective of a sovereign wealth fund such as Saudi Arabia’s PIF. He had rugby union in mind, but wanted a long train journey to dredge up others. A return trip on Avanti West Coast to the first Ashes Test [...]
London brawling: Why the city has become a combat sports capital again May 15, 2023 Wrestling and MMA have followed boxing in staging huge shows in London this summer, cementing the city’s reputation as a leading destination for combat sports’ biggest events. An earthquake hit the world of professional wrestling earlier this month and its epicentre was London. All Elite Wrestling, formed to compete with the all-conquering World Wrestling Entertainment, [...]
Boxer Amir Khan banned from ALL SPORT for two years after accepting doping charge April 4, 2023 British boxer Amir Khan has received a two-year ban for doping around the time of his farewell fight against Kell Brook last year. Khan, 36, tested positive for the banned steroid ostarine following his defeat against domestic rival Brook in Manchester 14 months ago. The former light-welterweight world champion accepted that he had committed a [...]
Dan Azeez interview: Britain’s next boxing superstar on swapping financial services for the fight game March 7, 2023 Dan Azeez was planning for a career in the City when an encounter with Anthony Joshua in 2011 changed his life. The south Londoner’s parents, first generation Nigerian immigrants, impressed upon him the importance of education and a profession, so Azeez took a degree in accounting and finance at Essex University and set his sights [...]