Latest news with #JoeFrazier
The Advertiser
13-08-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
High-flying Boomers through to Asian Cup semi-finals
Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother. Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother. Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother. Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother.
Perth Now
13-08-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
High-flying Boomers through to Asian Cup semi-finals
Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother.
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Needle between England and India sets up Lord's classic'
Personal issues draw Ali and Joe Frazier, Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United and Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, Max Verstappen and Lewis tension between England and India has not quite tipped over into bad blood - yet - but there is no doubt the needle between the two teams has sparked a Lord's on the third evening fuelled a pulsating fourth day. Much of the third Test had meandered and drifted, only for a super Sunday to set up a potentially manic need six wickets, India require 135 runs. The prize is a 2-1 lead with two Tests to venue - part cricket ground, part museum - can be as raucous as any. Ask Alex Carey. All 30,000 tickets are sold out for what will probably only be a few hours of action."Having that competitive edge definitely helps the situation," said England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick. "It helps the atmosphere and the presence of the series."Cricket has got a bit more friendly over the past few years because the players are together in franchise tournaments all over the world."Sometimes it's good to create something in the game." As Sunday afternoon ticked into a balmy evening, England had little to cling on home side were bowled out - most of them literally - by the brilliance of the Indians, who used the assistance of the awakened pitch to devastating effect. The tourists moved to 41-1 in pursuit of their target of Carse bowled better than his first-innings figures of 1-88 suggested. As stumps on the fourth day drew near, he finally got his a chaotic last half hour, Carse charged down the Lord's slope like a thoroughbred that had unseated its rider. Karun Nair was befuddled into kicking one off his stumps, captain Shubman Gill also pinned after overturning being given caught Woakes demanded more from the home fans, Joe Root conducted the orchestra from first slip. India were outraged when Zak Crawley tried to waste time on Saturday, yet that did not stop nightwatchman Akash Deep doing the same on Sunday. No matter, his off stump was removed by Ben Stokes. Pandemonium."The last hour of viewing, our guys running in really well, there was an edge out there and it creates a great spectacle," said former England opener Trescothick."We were fairly relaxed in the dressing room, controlling the emotions of what's going on. We all enjoy every wicket but we are still very controlled in what we are trying to do."How much control exists on Monday morning remains to be seen. Woakes dropped KL Rahul on five and the unflappable opener is unbeaten on Pant, apparently fit enough to bat but not keep wicket, is due in next. His chaos theory could win this in the blink of an eye."Rahul holds the key for the stability of India's side," former England captain Sir Alastair Cook told Test Match Special. "While he is there the dressing room will feel relaxed."It is about who handles pressure better. It should be England, considering they are the home side and slightly more experienced. If Pant gets going, then none of these things matter. If he doesn't then the pressure on India is turned up even more." England have their own clutch champion in captain Stokes, a man with almost unmatched pedigree when the stakes are highest, especially on this has been outstanding in this match. Contributions of 44 and 33 with the bat, a vital direct-hit run out of Pant in the first skipper has been England's most consistently threatening bowler, touching 90mph. On Saturday evening, when Stokes was bent double with exhaustion and his shirt translucent with sweat, head coach Brendon McCullum had to send orders to tell Stokes to stop bowling, in order to protect his fragile McCullum might not wrestle the ball out of Stokes' hand on the final morning."Ben holds a massive key because he has been England's best bowler all summer," said ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan. "The Stokes-Carse combination that bowled in the last half an hour should be the one to start day five."There is so much at stake. If England are 2-1 down with two to play, and an Ashes series to come, the wheels start to get loose. I am not saying they will fall off, but preparing for an Ashes series you want to be winning your series at home. There is so much to play for."For India, there is a slice of Lord's history at this ground, only one team has conceded more than 387 fielding in the first innings of the match, then gone on to India pull off a repeat, they will match Australia's achievement from 95 years ago, when Donald Bradman was wearing baggy they have such a golden opportunity is partly down to off-spinner Washington Sundar, who claimed 4-22 in England's second innings."The position we're in we'd have differently taken," he said. "India will win, probably just after lunch."Sundar's Sunday. Whose Monday?
West Australian
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
JUSTIN LANGER: Muhammad Ali's death may not have been caused by Parkinson's Disease
Muhamad Ali is iconic. Few wear that tag. But there are two clear images of the greatest ever fighter. One is of an athlete so supreme, his white shorts dancing around the ring like a matador's cape. His black boots moving so fast that they blur in the swirl of speed; back, forward, side to side, circling around an opponent like a shark weighing up its prey. His gloved hands and arms moving like a hose in a swimming pool, picking off his rival with a pinpoint accuracy often displayed by master archers or dart champions. 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see.' Could there ever have been a more succinct description? Then there is the second image of the king of the ring. That of an older man whose hands, that once danced like lightning through the air, now trembled with their own quiet rhythm, as they succumbed to Parkinson's disease. Although his eyes still held the fire of a champion, the body that would once float like a butterfly, now trembled and slowed through the effects of the cruel degenerative disease called Parkinson's. The statesman, who transformed from the young man that once cussed his opponents with his legendary 'boxing poetry', finished his precious life spreading messages of hope and optimism, despite his crippling disease. In Coldplay's beautiful song Everglow, Ali says in his own recorded voice: 'God is watching me — God is. God don't praise me because I beat Joe Frazier, God don't give nothin' about Joe Frazier. God don't care nothin' about England or America as far as real wealth . . . it's all His, He wants to know how do we treat each other? How do we help each other? So, I'm going to dedicate my life to using my name and popularity to helping charities, helping people, uniting people. People bombing each other because of religious beliefs. We need somebody in the world to help us all make peace. So, when I die — if there's a heaven — I'm gonna see it.' If only our world listened to these words today. Boxing has been a lifelong passion to me. From Muhammad Ali to Rocky Balboa, I would hit the punching bag and speed ball, skip rope and do push-ups and sit-ups in mum and dad's garage. The art of boxing was the closest way I could replicate the art of batting. When I wasn't in the cricket nets I would be in my friend, mentor and trainer, Steve Smith's gym banging the focus mitts and bags, and training like a boxer. Not only did this get me very fit, but it helped me maintain focus on my goals. In batting and boxing, you need a strong technique of attack and defence, sharp concentration, confidence, fluid foot work and fast hands. You must understand your opponent, face your own fears, as there is nowhere to hide in the ring or on a cricket field. When I first entered coaching, one of my first appointments at the WACA was another great friend and lifelong martial artist, Justin Boylan, who would train our players in the art of boxing, for all the reasons mentioned above. In 2008, I met former Australian boxing champion Ray Fazio. That year, Ray directed the autobiographical drama film Two Fists One Heart, a movie depicting his boxing journey and heritage growing up in Western Australia. When I was invited to watch the filming at Challenge Stadium, I was taken by Ray's athletic prowess, passion and energy, which later converted to his entrepreneurial and inventor spirit. Through his vision I purchased one of his inventions — the Boxmaster (now Fightmaster) machine — that sits in my gym at home. Unbeknown to me, the Fightmaster is not only helping people like me stay fit and mobile, but it is also helping fight Parkinson's disease. Businessman and philanthropist Denis McInerney, a friend of Ray and I, was talking me through this incredible success story earlier in the week. Through Ray and Denis, I spoke with the inspirational Professor David Blacker, a neurologist living with Parkinson's, who is still able to play golf and practice yoga. I then met Steve Arnott, the CEO of the Perron Institute here in Perth this week. Listening to the four of them talk through the serious topic of Parkinson' disease is both hilarious and inspiring. Denis affectionately calls Ray, the 'Northbridge (an inner city Perth suburb) Identity come good', Ray refers to Denis as 'The Connector', while Steve describes Ray and David as the 'Odd Couple'. As Steve says: 'People with different backgrounds often make the best partners because they come up with the best ideas because of their different experiences, perspectives and skill sets.' Odd as the coupling may be, and through all the banter, I pick up on the optimism and hope for those living with Parkinson's. What started as a 15-week trial program designed by Ray and David — and with the help of Edith Cowan University exercise physiologist Travis Cruickshank — the training package has helped transform the lives of those suffering from Parkinson's. Using the Fightmaster machines and a series of non-contact boxing exercises and warm-ups, the results have been physically and psychologically brilliant. Initial studies showed improved safety, tolerability, balance, fitness, sleep quality and Parkinson's severity scores, both in pilot trials and through the results of nearly 100 community participants. The increase in participants suggests it is working. People tend to vote with their feet. On Thursday, Professor Blacker told me: 'Exercise is medicine, and in fact, it's more than medicine, it is a lifestyle. Exercise has significantly helped to reduce my symptoms. I have learnt first-hand, and through the community working with Fight-PD, that a Parkinson's diagnosis is not the end, there is optimism and hope if you have the courage to move forward and challenge your body like an athlete does every day. 'Boxing movements, footwork and balance are excellent for PD because the postures and movements required are almost the exact opposite of what occurs in this disease. Add yoga to this and the benefits of brain, body and mind are heartening.' When you read about health and longevity in books like Outlive by Dr Peter Attia, the concepts of community, diet, exercise and health are paramount. Dr Attia talks of 'lifespan' as a measure of quantity, while 'healthspan' is a measure of quality. He describes this by saying: 'You want to skate smoothly to the very end of your life, not hobble to the finish line.' Essentially, it's not just about living longer, it's about living better. When Ray Fazio describes seeing Parkinson's patients and the benefits of the FightPD program he says it's 'the best feeling I've ever had in my life'. Helping others often has this effect. Another revelation through my conversations this week is that I always believed Ali's Parkinson's curse was the result of his boxing life. This isn't the case. Ali was diagnosed with young-onset, idiopathic Parkinson's disease, confirmed through decades of clinical observation and imaging. In other words, he is likely to have contracted PD regardless of his career. After he died, Ali's family gave permission for the release of his medical records to a leading PD researcher in the US who published some surprising findings in a leading neurology journal. While repeated head trauma from boxing may have been a contributing risk factor, the evidence does not support boxing as the direct cause. His condition showed classic features of Parkinson's, not post-traumatic Parkinsonism. This being the case, I was uplifted to hear that boxing training can have a positive effect on health rather than the other way around. Few want to get into the ring and punch on with an opponent, unless of course you are a professional or amateur fighter. I understand and respect that and wouldn't advocate for it. But I would recommend to any person, regardless of your gender or age, the benefits of training and moving like a boxer. It's a fun, confidence-building method of looking after your health and fitness. It has been proven, that irrespective of our opinions on certain contact/combat sports, the physical skills, mental stimulus, decision-making, and movement techniques required to compete in this environment are often very beneficial. Not only will they prove valuable in regular life, but in the case of Fight PD they can also have major health and medical applications. Throughout history, boxing has been described as a noble art, a science of timing and geometry, and a brutal ballet. Ali famously said: 'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.' Maybe there is something in this for all of us.
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
CARVILL'S NOTES: Trash Talk, a Circus Tent, and a Another Golden Generation?
A word of warning: I tend to use stars (*) to replace profanity when I write. Some paragraphs of this particular column will, as a result, resemble the pages of an astronomy textbook. Of all the gruesome, unnecessary things that happen when you spend your life writing and covering boxing – the late nights, bad arena food, the blood-infused sweat or spittle drop that occasionally flies out of the ring to land on your notes – perhaps the most-tiresome aspect of it all is the name-calling and trash-talking that seemingly precedes every major contest. Catch all the latest boxing action on DAZN Trash talking has been part of boxing for decades and when it is not exasperating, it can be genuinely hurtful. By 1975, four years into their rivalry, Muhammad Ali had broken the soul of Joe Frazier apart by calling him a 'gorilla' and an 'Uncle Tom'. Frazier, for his part, never got past it. It is apparently not enough that two men will fight; they should also, for the purposes of putting bums on seats or drawing eyeballs to a screen, hate each other. I was reminded of that last week when reading about the pre-fight press conference (along with a pre-fight fight) between Richardson Hitchins and George Kambosos Jr. The pair had been sparring verbally for some days. On top of the Empire State Building during a face off and a photo opportunity, Kambosos pointed at Hitchins and said, 'Your breath stinks, bro. Your breath stinks. Your breath stinks.' 'I can't talk with this guy. This guy's breath stinks,' Kambosos said a few moments later. A few seconds after that, Kambosos pointed to his crotch and, referring to a proposed $50,000 bet, said, 'You can shake on that, too.' Hitchins was not one to be outdone. After stating that he had never been down in boxing, he said, 'You ****ing pussy. You ****ing *****. I'm going to show that. I'm going to show you, *****.' It was much the same last month when Darren Till called out Carl Froch following the former's win over Darren Stewart. Responding to repeated barbs, Froch said of Till's knockout by Masvidal: 'He's been absolutely ****ing ironed out by Jorge Masvidal with half a punch that's clipped him on the chin.' Froch went on, fantasising what would happen if the pair were to meet. 'It would be an absolute ****ing wipeout, game over,' he said. 'The problem is for Darren Till is that I've been retired for eleven years. I'm not interested. I don't want to fight any more. Don't call my name out to give yourself credence. Listen, if the money was there and it was big enough, I'd certainly take a look at it. But for now, Darren, one—you'd get ****ing demolished, and two—there's no real bunce in it. Just pipe down about the Cobra's name.' Till went on to offer his reply, also through Twitter. He wrote, 'Can't wait to snap that fat big ****ing disgusting nose soon.' It is now understood that fight terms for Froch-Till will soon be finalised, although they stipulate that any bout will take place behind the bins, but not the one by where the teachers' room is. There will also be a rematch clause, but one that states that the loser gets to have his dad beat up the other one's dad. Fighters engage in trash talk because it is not rocket science that animosity sells fights. But it is also lazy to throw cheap venom at your opponent. Ultimately, it cheapens everybody. But does it not get tiresome after a while? How much can the public be expected to believe that so many people hate each other so much? That is the other thing that such talk is: cheap and unbelievable. Because what will happen is that the fighters will trash talk, the fight will take place, and afterwards they will stand next to each other, admit that each always admired the other, and that the bad blood was merely there to hype a fight. It will all be as tiresome and predictable as a Marvel movie. So here is an idea – the next time a fight looms into action, the pleasantries should not be saved for after, but for before. The fighters should be nice to each other before the bell rings, talking about how much they respect the other's skills and their will to win. Then they should fight. And, only after that, should they then move to hate each other. If it only does one thing, it will set up the rematch quite nicely. And on that note: A few weekends ago, I was in Hamburg to commentate the European heavyweight championship between Labinot Xhoxhaj and Mourad Aliev. My commentary gigs are fun and I do it for my love of the sport, saying, 'Hey, I'm just glad to be part of the circus.' Except that the match, which was shown on DAZN, was literally held within a circus tent. Next time, I'm going to wish I was part of a party on a beach somewhere, sipping a non-alcoholic cocktail. The UK boxer James Cook died recently, aged 66. By all accounts, he was not just a good fighter, but also the most decent of men. Cook, 25-10 (14), held the British and European super-middleweight titles in a career that went from 1982 to 1994. He defeated along the way the likes of Michael Watson, Errol Christie, and Mark Kaylor. He also took on Herol Graham and Graciano Rocchigiani. After his retirement from the ring, Cook turned his ship towards working with his local community in Hackney, London, and was eventually awarded an MBE in 2007 for these services. His memory, certainly, will be a blessing to all who knew him. As the current generation of heavyweight champions and contenders – Usyk, Fury, Dubois, Wilder, Whyte – gets older, the next few years will see more and more of them retire, with another generation – Dubois, Wardley, Itauma, Torres, Hrgovic, Kabayel – beginning to come through. Does this mean that we could end up with not one golden generation of heavyweights, but two successive ones? Interesting. Watch the very best boxing with a DAZN subscription DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
