Latest news with #FightoftheYear
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Josh Kelly slams Conor Benn as boxing star calls for all-British showdown
The British star returns to the ring this week, but hopes a win over Flavius Biea will set him up with a future showdown with the 'Destroyer' Josh Kelly believes Conor Benn is 'not up for it' after calling for a showdown with the British boxing star. Benn faced off against his arch-rival Chris Eubank Jr at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, where after a thrilling clash, Eubank Jr secured a unanimous decision win in what has been described as a 'Fight of the Year' contender. Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has since indicated that a rematch is in the works for September 27. While many are eagerly anticipating the potential sequel, 'Pretty Boy' Kelly, who tuned into the mouthwatering middleweight dust-up, has expressed his own keen interest in stepping into the ring with Benn. However, the Sunderland native suggests the 'Destroyer' may not be quite so enthusiastic about facing him. Speaking exclusively to All Out Fighting, Kelly stated: "Yeah, for sure. But I do not know if he is up for it. "He is up for those circus fights though, I do not know if he wants those real fights. He wants all these rehydration clauses and all these circus names. I just want to get past this guy (Biea) and it will open up all of those things." In an honest review of the clash back in April, 'Pretty Boy' did not hold back his assessment on Benn's performance, admitting: "He was good, he dug in," he said. "I think a lot of pressure was on both of them. I think Benn was jumping in, he was a bit wild. But, I think the weight affected Eubank Jr, he started to go inside and bite down on his gum shield because his legs stopped working and that made out for a great fight for Conor... he was trade and do what he does best and it made it a lot better. You cannot take any credit away from both of them, it was a great performance. They both dug in and gave the public exactly what they wanted - that dog fight." Staying on the topic of Benn, Kelly insist that he has seen holes in the 'Destroyer's' games for a number of years and believes the British boxing star is not going to get any better. "I have seen holes in his game for years, but I think he is now plateaued," he brutally said. "He is at that level now where this is where he is. He is not going to get much better. I feel like he did a lot of improving for a few years and now he is sort of settled." With his eyes set on bigger challenges, Kelly is eager for high-profile clashes within the boxing world, stating his readiness for the top contenders. However, before he can chase fights with boxing elites, Kelly's immediate future sees him squaring off against Flavius Biea in a highly anticipated return after almost 12 months outside the ring. 'Pretty Boy' is eyeing the big fights in the near future, and Friday night presents the perfect chance to demonstrate his readiness. "He's a decent fighter. He's strong, he's big. He's going to come forward and throw punches and will want to try and get busy. But, I think he will bring the best out of me. I have really got to go in there and put on a good performance," he stated. The 31-year-old is keen to maintain momentum with a victory on Friday night and is eagerly anticipating what the rest of the year has in store for him. "Whatever comes. I am just looking to go in there and enjoy myself," he expressed. "When I am enjoying it, I am at my best, so whatever comes, I am just going to go in there and enjoy myself and forget about everything else. It is another fight, I have had 150 odd at amateur at the top level, now it is going to be my 19th fight as a pro, so it is all good... I cannot wait!"
Daily Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
BRAVE CF 95 delivers action-packed night in Tenerife
BRAVE Combat Federation returned to the Canary Islands with BRAVE CF 95 in collaboration with regional promotion Fight 2 One, a thrilling fight night that delivered finishes, upsets, and statement-making performances from rising stars and seasoned veterans alike. The energy was electric in Tenerife as fans witnessed eight exciting bouts filled with drama, heart, and world-class martial arts. In the main event, hometown hero Acoidan Duque defended his turf in a razor-close battle against France's Jason Ponet. Known for his ability to win in enemy territory, Ponet gave Duque everything he had, but it was Duque who edged out a split decision win, putting an end to Ponet's impressive away-day streak. The co-main event saw a major upset as Kazakhstan's Dias off a dominant performance and solidified Zoud as a name to watch in the division. The night also featured a potential Fight of the Year contender as Theo Bashford and Eduard Evdokimov went to war in a back-and-forth battle. Bashford survived an early knockdown and roared back to score a dramatic third-round TKO with a stunning head kick. Yerengaipov stunned former BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Champion Jose 'Shorty' Torres in a close fight. Yerengaipov's sharp striking and relentless pace proved enough for the judges to sway his way on Torres' long-awaited return to Flyweight. Earlier on the card, Christian Mach delivered one of the night's most memorable performances with a second-round TKO over Spanish veteran Enrique Marín. Mach's explosive head kick followed by a barrage of strikes marked a major moment in his career. Another standout showing came from Abdelkrim Zoud, who displayed both power and technique in his submission victory over Muslim Danaev via D'arce choke. The finish capped TKO with a stunning head kick. Other results included Jakub Drozdowski earning a unanimous decision win over Juan Izquierdo, Ilia Qarukhnishvili outpointing Daan Duijs, and Reda Abdellaoui starting the night with a slick rear-naked choke win over Morau Gheorghe. With BRAVE CF 95 in the books, the promotion once again proved why it is home to some of the best talent in the world. From shocking upsets to breakout performances, Tenerife witnessed a night to remember.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Eubank Jr rival makes Conor Benn rematch prediction - "His balance has gone"
Eubank Jr's former foe has weighed in on how a potential rematch with Benn will play out amid talks of the British boxing stars clashing again later this year Boxer Liam Smith is backing Chris Eubank Jr to defeat rival Conor Benn for a second time amid talks of a potential rematch. Eubank Jr and Benn met in London last month and put on a 'Fight of the Year' contender at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After an epic back-and-forth encounter, Eubank Jr would go on to get his hand raised via unanimous decision. Both men signed contracts for a two-fight deal - and it seems likely a sequel could come sooner than expected. Eddie Hearn spoke to Sky Sports about the prospects of the next fight, revealing: "I know September 27, back at Spurs, is a date that he [Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh] has put forward and proposed. We're ready, really. We signed the contract for two fights. Conor's just desperate to run it back. He feels like he's going to improve a lot going into that fight. [It was] his first fight in 14, 15 months, at 160lbs. Look, they provided us with just a night we'll never forget in so many ways. And both fighters deserve so much credit. We'd love to run it back." Smith - the last fighter to beat Eubank Jr - has offered his verdict on how the rematch will play out. Reflecting on the first encounter, he told Seconds Out: 'The two of them showed a lot of balls. They were f***ed but still slugged it out and it ended up a good fight.' Smith insisted that Eubank was hurt by Benn's power during the fight, but also pointed out that 'The Destroyer' felt the impact too. "I think he looked hurt a few times in the fight. I think his balance looked questionable. But I think Conor was hurt a couple of times, he might tell you he wasn't, but I think he was hurt," Smith said. "They were both out on their feet at stages through tiredness. It was a gruelling fight for the two of them. A better fight to watch than I thought it was gonna be." While some are hesitant about a rematch, Smith is eager to see Eubank and Benn go head-to-head once more. "Yeah I would like to see the rematch. I think if Chris has a fight with Conor it'll end up a good fight [again.] But I think Conor's got even more of a chance next time around, cause like I said I think Chris is one or two fights from being done. His balance has gone a little bit." When pressed for a prediction, Smith leaned towards Eubank: "Probably Chris, size-wise he's too big for him, wasn't he? When he wanted to be I think he was too big for him." After suffering the first defeat of his professional career against Eubank Jr, Benn is eager to go straight into an immedoate rematch and insists he won the fight by at least a point. "I am ready to train now. I've got the heating on in the gym, I have got my sauna ready for the recovery after," he said on Good Morning Britain. "As soon as this interview is done, I am straight in the gym. I live for this, it's what I do, it's who I am There is a rematch clause. We will see. We have got plenty of options but obviously we have both agreed to the rematch... It is a bitter one to swallow this. Out of all people, losing to a Eubank. It's hard! Personally I thought I nicked the fight by a round. It could have gone either way... What a great fighter, what a great dancing partner. So credit to Chris for him and his win, but I want that revenge."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. undercard gets slew of new fights
Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions is loading the deck for its June 28 undercard. () Most Valuable Promotions, in association with Golden Boy Promotions, confirmed four new fights on Friday afternoon for the Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. DAZN pay-per-view undercard on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. In the biggest news, fast-rising lightweight contender Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs) will make the biggest step-up of his career when he faces former champion Tevin Farmer (33-8-1, 8 KOs). Advertisement Schofield was scheduled to challenge Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight championship in February but was forced out of the bout after being hospitalized during fight week. As one of Uncrowned's inaugural Top 25 Under 25 combat sports athletes, Schofield was last in action this past November, where he rose off the floor to win a one-sided decision over Rene Tellez Giron. Farmer, who held the IBF super featherweight crown from 2018 to 2020, is coming off three consecutive defeats. The Philadelphia-based southpaw lost a unanimous decision to the current IBF interim lightweight titlist Raymond Muratalla this past July. He then dropped split and majority decisions in back-to-back fights with the WBC interim lightweight titleholder William Zepeda. Elsewhere on the show, Most Valuable Promotions' latest signing, undefeated Avious Griffin (17-0, 16 KOs), will debut for the company against Julian Rodriguez (23-1, 14 KOs) in a welterweight matchup. Griffin, 31, was last in action in February when he stopped Jose Luis Sanchez in the eighth round. Rodriguez has rebounded with two victories since his lone career defeat, when he retired on the stool after eight rounds with veteran Jose Pedraza in 2021. Advertisement In a battle of unbeaten welterweights, Mexico's Raul Curiel (15-0-1, 13 KOs) battles Uruguay's Victor Ezequiel Rodríguez (16-0-1, 9 KOs). Curiel drew with Alexis Rocha in a brutal Fight of the Year candidate this past December. Rodriguez halted Alberto Moseuera in three rounds in March. Rounding out the card, Costa Rica's Naomy Valle (14-0, 9 KOs), the sister of three-division world champion Yokasta Valle, makes her debut for Paul's MVP against Mexico's Ashley Felix (7-3, 1 KO) in a six-round super strawweight bout. The four fights join Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez's unified cruiserweight title defense against Yuniel Dorticos and former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm's first professional boxing match in 12 years against Yolanda Guadalupe Vega Ochoa, which were previously announced for the card.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vicente Luque seeks UFC 316 finish Kevin Holland to prove he's 'hungry for that title'
Vicente Luque seeks UFC 316 finish Kevin Holland to prove he's 'hungry for that title' Vicente Luque thinks he's now well past the brain bleed that threatened his career and is ready to show he's back to full form against Kevin Holland at UFC 316. After a more than yearlong hiatus from competition that end in mid-2023, Luque (23-10-1 MMA, 16-6 UFC) has won two of three fights since his comeback. His most recent performance saw him choke out Themba Gorimbo in 52 seconds at UFC 310 in December, setting him up for the June 7 showdown with fan favorite Holland at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Although neither men occupy a top 15 spot in the UFC welterweight rankings, Luque knows the value Holland carries with his name, and he sees this matchup as a key stepping stone in where he needs to be. "It's one of the fights to get me back to the top," Luque told MMA Junkie Radio. "That's what I'm looking for. I want to get back into that mix in the top five. That's the goal for this year, and I think a fight against Holland – it's not easy to get a ranked opponent right now, and I don't want to wait. I've been waiting for a long time and I think that Holland is that kind of name who has been in the rankings in middleweight and welterweight. "He's a guy that everyone is backing and supporting and I think it's a fight that brings the hype, and it's win, if I go out there and pick up a good win against him, I think that sets me up for a great fight after that and moves me up the rankings. That's my goal to get back to that top five and get back to the title picture." Luque thinks the matchup with Holland is one that will bring out his most violent side. He already has the second-most finishes in UFC welterweight history with 14, and can tie Matt Brown's all-time record of 15 if he puts Holland away inside the distance. That is something Luque will be pushing hard for, and when it happen, he thinks he will be back in the rankings and start to gain traction as a title contender that he had earlier in his career. "He's not trying to stall, he's not trying to have a safe fight. That's what I like. That's what brings the best out of me. … My own game is I can knock you out, I can submit you. I'm a complete MMA fighter and more than anything, I'm always going for that finish. It's a style that really matches well." "We have all the ingredients to make a Fight of the Night, a Fight of the Year. To go out there and do what I do and show the UFC and everybody that I'm still hungry for that title. I'm climbing up. I'm just 33 years old. I feel like I'm still just getting better. That's what I'm going to show that night."
