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The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Fighters raring to go after Wardley vs Huni weigh-ins
Fabio Wardley 's Ipswich homecoming became just a little bit more real this afternoon, with all the fighters involved in Saturday's card at Portman Road weighing in for their respective bouts. Wardley, 18-0-1 (17 KOs), came in at 234lb for his headlining bout against Justis Huni, who accepted the fight on six weeks' notice after Jarrell Miller dropped out. Huni has cut a cool figure in the build-up, with the Australian tipping the scales at 239lb. Speaking after being weighed, Huni, 12-0 (7), revealed how he was relishing his role as the away fighter, sharing: "I love it. I'm soaking it all up and embracing it, I can't wait for tomorrow night. Let's have some fun." The pressure is on for both fighters, with the WBA interim heavyweight championship up for grabs, but with most of the 25,000 in attendance expected to root for Wardley, the home fighter is arguably under bigger expectations. "It's getting there, this crowd here is giving me a taste of tomorrow night,' Wardley replied when asked if it was all starting to feel real. He added: 'No nerves, this is everything I asked for, and everything I've wanted the last few years. Tomorrow night is going to be huge. It's been a nice relaxed fight week. But don't worry, the switch will get flicked on the night." The chief support sees Liam Dillon, 15-2-1 (3), step up two weight classes to face favourite Pierce O'Leary,16-0 (9), for the WBC international silver and EBU European super lightweight titles. Dillon eased under the limit of his new weight class at 139.8lb, stating that he had coped well with the transition. He commented: "I feel a lot more comfortable,I've had the camp of my life. I'm used to being the underdog." WBC international silver champ O'Leary has one goal in mind – returning to his native Ireland with the European belt added to his collection. The Irishman, who weighed in at 139.5lb, shared: "The belt, it's always something that I wanted, and I'm finally getting the opposition now to fight for it. I want to bring back the belt to my homeland of Ireland." Another title fight sees 40-year-old Nelson Hysa, 22-0 (20), defend his WBO European heavyweight title against German challenger Patrick Korte, 22-4-1 (18). Hysa, who came in 16 pounds heavier than his opponent at 255lb, made clear his aims for the rest of his career. The Albanian began: "I waited too long for this time, and I've worked too much for this. I want to show why I am European champion, and I want to become the first world champion from Albanian. Patrick Korte is a good fighter, but I want to win with one beautiful knockout." Cruiserweights Mike Perez, 30-3-1 (21), and Steven Ward, 15-3 (5) go head-to-head for the WBA intercontinental strap. Both were well clear of the division's limit of 200lb, Perez at 198lb, Ward a 199-pounder. A bronze medallist at the last Olympic games, Lewis Richardson makes his debut on the undercard. Fighting at middleweight, Richardson weighed in at 159.15lb, with his first opponent Dmitri Protkunas, 8-20-1 (1), coming in at 159.21lb. Speaking about his debut, Richardson buzzed: "It's nearly go time baby. I'm really looking forward to it, and excited to get cracking. Just to be back in the ring. He said: 'I love what I do and I always prepare the best way possible. I feel both physically and mentally really strong. I'm ready to show what I'm about." Commonwealth middleweight champion Sam Gilley, 18-1 (9), weighed 160.8lb ahead of fight night. His opponent, Gideon Jonas, 7-5, came in at 159.10lb. Unbeaten Umar Khan, 11-0 (1), weighed in at 127.15lb ahead of a featherweight contest with Moises Garcia, 12-13-1 (6), who tipped the scales at 129.13lb. At super featherweight another bout sees an undefeated prospect take on a journeyman. Alexander Morales, 6-14-5 (2), came in at 132.9lb, with the Mexican's opponent, Billy Adams, 6-0, weighing 133.8lb. Jack Williams competes in his third fight as a pro, boasting a record of 2-0 (1). Weighing at 120.14lb, Williams is one half of a super bantamweight contest with Argentine Fernando Joaquin Valdez, 1-15, who came in at 126.1lb. Finally, the only women on the card, Lillie Winch, 4-0, and Katerina Dvorkakova, 3-6 (3), weighed in at 128.1lb and 127.1lb respectively.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
European crown up for grabs for Dublin boxer Pierce O'Leary
Pierce O'Leary is hoping to add an EBU European title to his resume, taking on Liam Dillon for the belt in Ipswich's Portman Road on Saturday. With an unbeaten record of 16 wins with nine knockouts, 'Big Bang' has been impressing so far in the professional ranks. O'Leary had probably the best year of his career so far in 2024, with three wins, including a wide points victory in a clash with fellow Dubliner Darragh Foley. Promoter Frank Warren had previously expressed support for the idea of a homecoming bout for his Irish fighter, but has since opted to take the EBU title fight in the UK instead. READ MORE The 25-year-old has stopped just over half of his opponents, but his record belies his punch power. His ninth-round knockout of undefeated Hovhannes Martirosyan last year was particularly impressive, after what had been a gruelling contest to that point. However, the momentum from the Foley and Martirosyan wins has been somewhat stayed, as O'Leary has only been in the ring once in nearly a year. That came back in December, where he took on a little-known fighter from Uruguay. Although the level of opposition may not have been spectacular, the finish was. O'Leary knocked out his opponent in the third round with a counter left hook, which is perhaps his signature blow. His opponent this weekend, Liam Dillon, has a less impressive resume on paper than the Dubliner, with 15 wins to two defeats and only three knockouts in his career. The Londoner won the British super featherweight title in 2023, but the fight took place two weight classes and 10 pounds below Saturday's super lightweight (140lbs) contest. The European title fight features on the undercard of heavyweight contender Fabio Wardley's homecoming in Ipswich. Despite boasting a record of 17 knockouts in 19 fights, Wardley faces a tough night's work against New Zealander Justis Huni (12 wins, no losses). Belfast cruiserweight Steven Ward is also on the bill after his career highlight knockout of city rival Tommy McCarthy. The 35-year-old takes on Cork-based Cuban Mike Perez, who has scored six knockout victories in a row. Ward and Perez each have three losses on their records and are in the twilight of their careers, making this weekend's bout a must-win for both.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Pierce O'Leary will miss birth of his child as he chases world title dream
Pierce O'Leary will miss the birth of his second child later this year as he chases his world title dream. The 16-0 fighter (9 KOs) promises to deliver a "demolition job" when he faces Liam Dillon this weekend as he aims to become the first Dubliner since Bernard Dunne to win a European title. But there won't be much time to celebrate as O'Leary plans to get straight back to work between his Liverpool base and America shortly after Saturday's fight, with a Dublin homecoming in the works for later this year. "My little girl, she's finished school next week so I'll be home for that. I'll be back to camp then and I'll be missing the birth of my second child," explained 'Big Bang', who faces Dilllon on the Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni card. "That's the sacrifice that needs to be made and that's what we plan on doing. We're going out there and setting the future up." He added: "I'm here to collect belts and that's what I'm doing. If I'm sacrificing the birth of my child or my daughter, I need it to pay dividends so that's what we're going to do." O'Leary will get his first experience of fighting outside on Saturday night when he faces the 15-2-1 Dillon in the co-main event at Ipswich Town FC's Portman Road as he looks to add the EBU European Super Lightweight title to his WBC International belt. And he has dreams of fighting outdoors at home. As a Northsider, the likes of Dalymount Park and Fairview Park are both options, while his brother-in-law is Shamrock Rovers forward Graham Burke and Tallaght Stadium is another possibility. But Dillon is the man O'Leary has to get through first after a number of potential opponents turned down the opportunity to fight time. "Fair play to Liam Dillon stepped up to the plate. He's now a challenger like myself for the belt and I'm looking forward to coming out on top and becoming a European champion," stated O'Leary. "I don't know much about him to be honest. I know he's been in there with the likes of Ryan Garner etc. I never looked too much into detail of him. "I just know for a fact that if I pick up where I left off in sparring and training camp, no one will touch me and that's going to the world level as well. I'm just going out there prepared. I'm bringing the best 'Big Bang' version of myself. "Once I get that done, no one will ever lay a glove on me." It will be O'Leary's first time fighting at 12 rounds and that is something he is relishing after the 'best training camp' of his career so far. "We've done an old school training camp and you see the definition that I'm in from it," he explained. "We sparred 15 rounds one time and I could have gone on and done another 20. That's how fit I am and I'm ready to rock and I'm looking forward to it. I don't think 12 rounds will be an issue at all. "If anything, I'm going to pace myself a little bit more and do more damage." The Sheriff Street native is promoted by Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren, who has publicly backed him to become a world champion and that is O'Leary's ultimate aim. In his quest to achieve that, O'Leary will spend time in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Canada and possibly Miami for his next training camp, having struggled to get sparring partners at his weight class in England. "If he can back me being a world champion, that's where I want to go. I want to be a world champion. By March next year I want to be fighting for a world title and I want that to be in Dublin as well," stated O'Leary. "I really and truly believe that's going to happen. I want to be in a mix of all the big names out there." "Then after that, we're going to unify it," he continued. "That's the plan, going to unify the whole division. I truly believe that. "I'm in the mix with the likes of Teofimo Lopez and all the other 140 champions out there. There's also the WBA, Gary Russell Jr., the WBC, Alberto Puello, whatever his name is, and the IBF, which is Richardson Hitchins, who's fighting George Kambosos Jr. "Mix me in with all of them and I guarantee you I'll come out on top. It's only a matter of time." He added: "It's going to be this and main events going forward. That's where I visualise myself and that's what Frank told me to my face personally. He shook on it. "Really big things are going to be happening quite soon. That's what drives me every day and that's what I want. It's been a long time coming but we're now eventually getting the situation that we want. "It's about going out there now and grabbing it with both arms and not letting anyone take that away from me."
Los Angeles Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
LA Times Today: Modular housing may finally have its day — as solution to wildfire rebuilding
Many Angelenos are familiar with modular construction for backyard ADUs. You might have seen one of those granny flats hoisted on a crane in your own neighborhood. But what about larger single family homes?As thousands of wildfire victims look to rebuild, the speed of prefabricated construction is enticing some people to give it a closer look. L.A. Times housing reporter Liam Dillon wrote about how modular housing may be a solution to wildfire rebuilding.
Los Angeles Times
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
A poll offers clues into what L.A. voters want after the Palisades and Eaton fires
Good morning. Here's what you need to know to start your day. The devastating wildfires that left entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles County in ash-covered ruins has sparked an avalanche of online punditry about what steps should be taken to prevent another deadly tragedy. But what do everyday residents think about the region's future? This morning we're going to look at a new poll that give us an idea about how registered voters are feeling in the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton fires and what they would like to see happen as the area recovers. The poll comes from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and is co-sponsored by The Times. It was conducted online in English and Spanish from Feb. 17 to Feb. 26, more than a month after the fires broke out. Here are some takeaways. There is overwhelming support for stronger building codes and restrictions in high-risk areas Eighty percent of voters polled backed tougher building codes that would make homes more fire resistant — even if it jacks up costs, my colleague Liam Dillon reports. And 70% of those surveyed said they wanted more regulations to curb home construction in areas vulnerable to fires. Both moves would directly affect homeowners in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods, but voters polled in those communities also backed the tougher measures by wide margins. Support for stronger building codes clocked in at 85% from people polled in the Palisades fire zone and 82% in the Eaton fire zone. For homebuilding limits in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones, 65% and 61% were respectively in favor. To compensate for stronger rules on fire-prone areas, county voters favored building more homes in higher-density urban areas, with 55% in support and 30% opposed. Residents want to boost fire protection funding, even it if increases taxes Nearly two-thirds of voters polled wanted to provide greater funding for city and county fire departments even if that meant raising taxes. But voters were more divided about the idea of creating a tax structure that would require people living in high-risk areas to pay more for public services, with 46% in support and 43% opposed. 'Right now, the priority for Los Angeles residents is fire protection,' said Mark DiCamillo, poll director at UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. 'If they're going to support tax hikes, that's the area.' Many Los Angeles residents have little confidence in Mayor Karen Bass' handling of recovery efforts Just over half of city residents polled said they had 'not much' or only 'a little' confidence in Bass' ability to guide Los Angeles through its recovery, my colleague Julia Wick reports. And about 40% said they thought Bass did a poor or very poor job in responding to the fires, which erupted while she was on a diplomatic mission to Ghana. The image of Bass in another country while flames engulfed homes resulted in a swift and severe backlash. In defending her decision to leave the country, the mayor accused former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley of failing to warn her of the potential danger. But the city's Emergency Management Department sent weather advisories to the mayor's staff before Bass boarded a plane for Africa, according to emails obtained by my colleagues Dakota Smith and David Zahniser. Deputy Mayor Zach Seidl told my colleagues that none of the staffers informed Bass of a weather advisory sent on Jan. 3, just days before the Palisades fire broke out. Most Los Angeles County residents don't plan to move Less than 1 in 4 Los Angeles County residents is considering moving out of the area because of the fires, my colleague Laura J. Nelson reports. And less than 1 in 10 residents is seriously weighing whether to relocate. The poll found a majority of residents are satisfied with their quality of life (57%). But the survey found some residents faced wide-ranging and long-lasting effects on their physical and mental health. Nearly 4 in 10 county residents said their health, or the health of a family member, had been harmed by wildfire smoke. And when it comes to mental health, 3 in 10 residents said they'd experienced high levels of additional stress because of the fires. Water officials knew that opening dams to meet Trump's wishes was ill-advised California joins 19 Democratic states in a lawsuit to stop massive Education Department layoffs What else is going on Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. As baby great whites cruise among California surfers, science finds (almost) nothing to fear. Researchers have learned that these groups of young great whites use the beaches of Southern California and northern Baja California as nurseries, moving up and down the coastline with the seasons, in search of warm water. They feed on the abundant stingrays — the true wildlife threat for beachgoers in the Southland — but otherwise mind their own business. Other must reads How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in Maria Borbon writes: ''Lovely One' by Ketanji Brown Jackson.' Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. Show us your favorite place in California! Send us photos you have taken of spots in California that are special — natural or human-made — and tell us why they're important to you. Today's photo is from Times contributor Ringo Chiu at Glencannon Drive in Pico Rivera after a tornado touched down in the area Thursday morning. Have a great day, from the Essential California team Ryan Fonseca, reporterDefne Karabatur, fellowAndrew J. Campa, Sunday reporterKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorHunter Clauss, multiplatform editorChristian Orozco, assistant editorStephanie Chavez, deputy metro editorKarim Doumar, head of newsletters Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
