Kelly calls out Benn after first-round stoppage win
Sunderland fighter Josh Kelly called out Conor Benn after making light work of Flavius Biea at Newcastle Arena.Kelly, 31, bulldozed Biea in one round of their light-middleweight bout, dropping the Romanian with a left hook.With just over a minute of the round left, 35-year-old Biea was slow to rise to beat the referee's count, prompting the official to wave off the contest.Asked about who he wanted to fight next, Kelly called out domestic rival Benn."If it's a big domestic fight, [I want] Benn," Kelly replied."If it's not Benn, if he doesn't want to take that fight, then it'll be a big world-title fight."In every governing body I'm ranked number four or number three, two in some governing bodies."I'm there. I've been knocking on the door for some time. I'm in my prime now. Let me run, let me run."Benn is still considering his next move after suffering the first defeat of his career by Chris Eubank Jr in April.The Englishman usually fights at welterweight, but moved up to middleweight to face Eubank.Kelly improved his record to 17 wins, one loss and one draw, collecting just the ninth stoppage victory.After a derailing loss to David Avanesyan in 2021, Kelly has rebuilt his career with seven wins in a row.
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BBC News
29 minutes ago
- BBC News
Has Cup win tipped Hull KR closer to greatness?
From losing to Leigh in golden point extra time in the 2023 Challenge Cup being edged out by Wigan, one of the greatest sides the modern game has ever seen, in last season's Super League Grand KR have not fared well in their pursuit of silverware in the past couple of years, let alone since 1980 when they most recently won the Challenge that near-half century drought ended on Saturday, when Mikey Lewis sailed his kick through the posts to help the Robins beat Warrington at what makes their recent successes even more remarkable is that they dropped out of Super League less than a decade Sport takes a look at what the victory means to a side that might finally just be knocking on the door of greatness. It is worth giving some perspective as to Hull KR's position when Willie Peters was announced as their head Australian joined in early 2023 off the back of a campaign which had seen former boss Tony Smith leave midway through the previous season and Danny McGuire take the helm on a temporary was little suggest that KR were on the precipice of Super League in his maiden season, he guided them to the Challenge Cup final, albeit a losing Robins licked their wounds and stormed their way to last season's Super League Grand even went toe-to-toe with Wigan for the League Leaders' Shield in the lead up - something that might have seemed impossible when KR lost their Super League status in than a decade later, they are Challenge Cup winners and now look in pole position to tee up a league and cup double."It's a weird feeling. It's a crazy feeling, it's unbelievable," Peters told BBC Sport of his side's Challenge Cup win."They were awesome, Warrington, but I'm so proud of my players. They played remarkable, we didn't win pretty but we found a way." All great sides, no matter the sport, need a clutch Hull KR, Mikey Lewis fits that reigning Man of Steel dazzled in 2024 with the young half-back roaring his side to victory with some stellar performances across the season, leading to him winning the top individual he has been through it all with his side over the past two years. And falling short proved to be extra motivation."The heartbreak two or three years ago, it really sums it up," he told BBC Sport."These are finals I want to play for the rest of my career at this club, I love it, and hopefully we can go again."It speaks volumes that Lewis was able to compose himself for his Cup-winning the Ashes series coming up at the end of the season, his ability to stay calm in a big game situation will surely mean he will be England boss Shaun Wane's starting half-back come October."I thought I just had to go through my process and trust it and that's what I did," Lewis added."We're tough. It wasn't our best performance but that's what tough teams do." Whereas Hull KR have put in some stunning performances on their way to victory this season, it is fair to say the Challenge Cup final might not have set the world alight for the was edgy and attritional for much of the 80 minutes with neither side wanting to give anything was the quality of the game, captain Elliot Minchella was just happy for his side to get over the line."I'm lost for words. I thought we'd blown it, to be honest," Minchella told BBC Sport."That's what we pride ourselves on, never giving in. It was the ugliest performance all year but it doesn't matter, does it?"If Hull KR are to undo Wigan's dominance it is likely to come by grinding out wins and putting the work in again from early next week as the season for Peters, he sees the bigger picture and understands just how seismic a win it was for more than just his squad. "I was a little more vocal than usual. When Mikey was going to kick the goal, players like that, they come up with special plays. That was a moment for him, a moment he'll have forever. I felt calm then," he added."This is for so many people who aren't here today. People who are not with us, people have worked hard to get us to this."Hopefully, this gives them the belief that they can do it. We did it today. It wasn't our best performance but it was gritty."
The Independent
30 minutes ago
- The Independent
England jeered after unimpressive win over minnows Andorra
England were booed after limping to a lifeless 1-0 win against Andorra as Thomas Tuchel's first away match in charge ended in forgettable and frustrating fashion. The German coach called for relentlessness and patience against the side 173rd in FIFA's world rankings but got neither as the stuttering Euro 2024 runners-up were jeered at the end of both halves. This was the third time England have failed to score a first-half goal against Andorra in Barcelona, where the minnows kept out Steve McClaren's side in 2007 and Fabio Capello's team the following year. There was a breakthrough shortly after the break in both of those matches, just as there was in Saturday's World Cup qualifier when Harry Kane finally gave the 6,950 travelling fans something to cheer about. England's captain turned in lively Noni Madueke's cross in the 50th minute, yet the goals did not flow from that point and slow play brought further grumbles. Some fans made an early exit and there were more boos at the end of Tuchel's third win in charge. The England boss had named an attack-minded line-up at the RCDE Stadium – where the match was held as Andorra's new ground was not quite ready – and saw his side boss 83 per cent of first-half possession. But the Group K leaders were unable to turn dominance into a first-half opener as well-drilled, defence-minded Andorra held firm on a warm evening in Spain. Jude Bellingham saw a shot saved inside the opening minute and Curtis Jones soon saw an attempt blocked, with Ezri Konsa then denied a penalty despite being wrestled to the ground. Andorra goalkeeper Iker Alvarez looked uncertain at some set-pieces but produced some important stops, with his 14th-minute save from Madueke the most impressive. Kane struck wide from close range and Bellingham saw an attempt through a crowd saved but England's play was lacking incision. Andorra's support whistled for half-time as Bellingham saw a flicked header held in stoppage time, which ended with boos from unimpressed England fans. It was not only the performance that some supporters expressed anger with as Prime Minister Keir Starmer copped some flak at points during the first half. Ricard Fernandez's attempt to score Andorra's first goal against England went well wide early in the second half and the visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Jones slipped a ball through for stretching Kane to prod goalwards, with Madueke reacting quickest to Alvarez's save and sending a low ball back across for the skipper to stab home. Madueke was denied before Tuchel turned to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Eberechi Eze. The latter saw a header tipped over by Alvarez, increasing Andorran anticipation when substitute Guillaume Lopez skipped past Dan Burn to see a shot blocked by Konsa. Play petered out as some England fans made an early exit, understandably preferring to get their Saturday night started in Barcelona rather than see through a dreary conclusion. There was a chance at the death but Andorra escaped, England fans letting their annoyance known but later applauding the players.
Telegraph
31 minutes ago
- Telegraph
England player ratings: Madueke the pick of a bad bunch against Andorra
England remain unbeaten in World Cup qualifying following a 1-0 victory against Andorra who are bottom of Group K. Captain Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game, thanks to a Noni Madueke assist. The Chelsea winger was England's best player on the night, but who else impressed? Jordan Pickford Had nothing to do apart from keep his concentration. No saves to make in the end for the England No1, who has Dean Henderson pushing for starts. 6 Curtis Jones Started at right-back but was 'inverted', playing in central midfield when England won possession. Had a shot blocked in the first half. 5 Ezri Konsa Part of a back-three when England had the ball and only had to keep position as Andorra were not interested in attacking. 6 Dan Burn Guilty of giving the ball away trying to bring the ball out of defence. Was not troubled by Andorra's attack, obviously, but could have shown more. 4 Reece James Found himself as a third centre-back for much of the time, rather than raiding down the flank. Is an option for Tuchel at left-back now. 5 Jude Bellingham 'Home' game for the Spanish-based midfielder but he could not impose himself on the game. With the Club World Cup coming up, this game was not really needed in his schedule. 5 Jordan Henderson Making his first start for England since Nov 2023, he was the only holding midfielder and had a disciplined role. Tried to carry the ball forward. 5 Morgan Rogers Looked to carry the ball forward but found his paths blocked off as he cut in from the right flank. Tuchel clearly likes him from opening three games. 5 Morgan Rogers 🔥 @England | @AVFCOfficial — ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 7, 2025 Cole Palmer Deployed as one of Tuchel's No10s but struggled to create chances for team-mates or himself as space was so tight in the areas he likes to operate in. 4 Noni Madueke Set up Kane's opener with a scuffed cross across the face of the goal. Earlier had shot from edge of the area saved. 6 England goal number 7️⃣2️⃣ for @HKane ⚽️🏴 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 Harry Kane Scored from close range for his 72nd international goal, breaking the deadlock to the relief of England fans. Missed from six yards earlier. 5 Substitutes Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Jones 61) Eberichi Eze (for Palmer 65) Declan Rice (for Jones 81) Anthony Gordon (for Rogers 81) Morgan Gibbs-White (Bellingham 90) Subs not used Henderson (g), Trafford (g), Walker, Colwill, Toney, Lewis-Skelly, Chalobah.
