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Metro
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Matthew Stevens reflects on 'up and down' snooker life ahead of Seniors bow
Matthew Stevens looks back philosophically on an up and down career so far, but is clear that it is far from finished yet, both on the professional tour and now the Seniors circuit. The 47-year-old became an iconic player in the late 1990s and early 2000s as he routinely reached the latter stages of the sport's biggest tournaments. Winning the UK Championship and Masters were the highlights, but two Crucible final defeats left him agonisingly close to becoming world champion. It is 22 years since his one and only ranking title, but sees the Seniors as a good chance to lift trophies again, starting with the new British Seniors Open, starting on Boxing Day in Derby. The Welshman will play alongside Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Joe Perry, Dominic Dale, Alfie Burden and two as-yet-unannounced stars, who Stevens is hoping will be further past their peak than some candidates. 'I'm not getting any younger, so the more opportunities the better and it'll be a good opportunity,' Stevens told Metro of his Seniors debut. 'I don't know if Mark [Williams] or John [Higgins] are going to be in this tournament. With the change of the rules to all over-40s there could be some big names. You've got Bingham, Selby, Higgins, well, most of the top 16, to be honest. So I hope it's Tony Knowles and Neal Foulds!' SNOOKER IS COMING BACK TO DERBY! We're delighted to announce that the Seniors British Open 2025 will be held at Vaillant Live from 26th – 28th December 2025! 🎫 Tickets are available from just £15 and are on sale soon! — Vaillant Live (@vaillantlive) July 28, 2025 Stevens is not the force he once was but is still extremely capable and has started the new season well, unbeaten in eight matches. 'It's been a good start to the season,' he said. 'I felt like I was hitting the ball well. 'What you've seen with Joe Perry and Rob Milkins winning tournaments in the last few years, that does give you a boost, seeing them win. You feel you can do it yourself.' If Stevens were to triumph again it would be a very popular story as he has been viewed as an underachiever in the sport, partly due to tragic circumstances. His father Morrell unexpectedly died in 2001, which was a turning point in his life, while the loss of great friend Paul Hunter in 2006 was also an extremely difficult and impactful experience. Snooker has become less of a serious pursuit due to those tragedies and Stevens accepts that he has looked to enjoy himself more than really knuckle down to achieve success. Speaking last season, friend of the Welshman Stephen Maguire said both players could have won more tournaments with more focus. 'As me and Matthew Stevens say, we've got stories,' said Maguire. 'Not a lot of the boys have got stories, they've got titles but they've not got stories. Maybe it's a good thing, I don't know.' Asked if he sees it that way, Stevens said: 'Yeah, I suppose. I think we've had too much fun to be dominant in the game, but having said that, I wouldn't change anything. 'I've lived my life and that's the way it is, but I've had an up and down career off the table. So I don't really take the game too seriously. 'Maybe if things would have been slightly different off the table then my attitude would have been different, that's the way I look at it but I've enjoyed my career and hopefully I can still win one or two more things.' Explaining how much Morrell's death impacted his career, he said: 'Obviously my dad used to go everywhere with me and when he passed away, that really took the edge off. 'I still reached World finals and stuff after that, I won the UK after that. But I wasn't playing as much, I was just too inconsistent. 'When I did lose, it didn't really hurt it at all and that really hasn't changed. Obviously, you don't want to lose, and it does hurt for about 10 minutes afterwards, but that's about it. But that's the way life is, you know, things happen.' Stevens has tried to work with experts on improving his mentality for the game, but without much success. 'I did try it, but trying to talk sense into me, that's quite a hard thing to do,' he said. 'I do psychologists' heads in after 10 minutes and they just sack me off! You can't work out what's going on in my head.' It is far from doom and gloom, though, with a career to date that most players ever to pick up a cue would be absolutely thrilled with. More Trending Both on the professional tour and now in World Seniors action, Stevens is also clear to point out that he still believes he can lift trophies again. 'I've done all right,' he said of his career so far. 'A couple of World finals, won the UK, three UK finals, obviously won the Masters as well. I can't complain. I would have liked to have done more, but I'm not finished yet. 'I still love competing. Going up to Sheffield for the World Championship qualifiers especially. It's more of a challenge more than anything now. I enjoy playing the better players, youngsters coming through to show that I can still play. And that's when I think I do actually perform better.' It won't be youngsters he takes on at Vaillant Live in Derby on 26-28 December, but there will be a chance to become the British Seniors Open champion, live on Channel 5. MORE: 2025 Shanghai Masters Snooker schedule, how to watch, prize money and odds MORE: Championship League Snooker: 10 things we learned from a month at the Mattioli MORE: Resurgent Stephen Maguire tinkers his way to first title in five years
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Huge musician 'pepper-sprayed' after violent row breaks out at boxing event'
A chart-topping musician found himself being dragged out of an event after a heated clash. Konan, one-half of Krept & Konan had been attending a boxing match over the weekend when he became embroiled in an altercation. The rapper had to be held back after the clash at a Misfits boxing event held in Derby on Friday. Konan, 35, was allegedly involved in the altercation, which is believed to have stemmed from a chain being snatched. Shocking new video footage appears to show the rapper being restrained by a member of the security staff. However, Konan is seen to be getting up before becoming involved in another argument with a man. He was believed to have been escorted out of the venue, Vaillant Live, where fans had purchased tickets to see a fight between former MMA fighters Darren Till and Darren Stewart. An onlooker said: "The rapper was in a headlock after it all. Somebody tried to snatch somebody's chain. It was four-on-four and it unfolded into a big fight." He went on to add that the altercation had started around 9pm, before the main fight of the night. "They booted him out," he said. "Someone from his group tried to take someone else's chain. Security swiftly tried to intervene." A spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary said: "We received reports of an altercation on Colyear Street, Derby, at just before 10.30pm on Friday 16 May. "Officers attended but the incident was dealt with by the on-site security team." Footage of the dramatic incident has since been shared on TikTok and viewed over 200,000 times. Misfits Boxing declined to comment when approached by the Mirror. The Mirror has also approached Konan's spokesperson for comment on the incident. Konan is yet to address the incident on social media but has recently shared video footage of him playing football on Monday night. Some took to social media to claim that this behaviour wasn't normal for the rapper and implied that somebody had aggravated him. The incident comes months after Konan and his rap partner Krept launched an inclusive supermarket, giving people from BAME backgrounds the chance to shop for items including halal meat, exotic fish, specific hair products and cosmetics in one store, rather than travelling around various stores. They opened Saveways in Croydon, south London, in February and promised to provide a "professional and modern retail experience" which promotes inclusivity and affordability. The store, which is a staggering 15,000 square meter space sells items including global produce, meat counters, essential goods and other items. The project saw the duo team up with Steakout owner, Kraysor Ali, to address the gap in the local grocery market.
Economic Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Darren Till outguns Darren Stewart in Misfits 21 thriller, calls out KSI and Mike Perry
Darren Till celebrates victory over Darren Stewart at Misfits 21 in Derby, staking his claim for a future bout with KSI or Mike Perry in the crossover boxing spotlight (Image: Misfits Boxing) The crowd at Vaillant Live in Derby witnessed a throwback battle on Friday night (May 16), as Darren Till outlasted Darren Stewart in a gritty eight-round scrap. Both men showed heart, but it was Till who stood taller at the final bell, leaving fans buzzing and fight night gossip swirling about what comes next. Till, making his second professional boxing appearance under the Misfits Boxing banner, dropped Stewart in the opening round and weathered a sustained pressure game to take home a unanimous decision. Judges scored it 77-74 twice and 77-73, confirming the former UFC welterweight title challenger's superior ring control. Also read: Darren Till takes on Darren Stewart, eyes potential fight with Jake Paul Precision and power: Darren Till's early dominance From the opening bell, Till (2-0, 1 KO) looked like a man on a mission. His footwork kept him elusive while his left hand found its mark with sniper-like precision. Stewart (0-1) came forward with aggression but was met with clean counters. The most significant moment of the fight came early, when Till landed a flush left hand that sent 'The Dentist' to the canvas. Even as Stewart pressed forward and made the fight dirty on the inside, Till adapted, targeting the body and varying his shots to keep the pace in his favor. Stewart's pressure was commendable, but Till's ring IQ and calm composure proved decisive. In the final round, Stewart overcommitted, nearly tumbling through the ropes, and was met with another brutal left hand right before the final bell. Darren Till calls out KSI, Mike Perry in post-fight message No sooner had the judges read the scores than Till shifted into call-out mode. With KSI seated ringside, the Liverpudlian used his post-fight interview to stir the pot and possibly set up one of Misfits Boxing's most marketable matchups.'No one wants to f***ing fight me mate,' Till exclaimed. Eyeing KSI, he added, 'Cmon KSI. Are we gonna fight? I can get down to the weight, cmon. Cmon mate... You beat Tommy. You know you can fight, cmon son.' Also read: Navajo Stirling shocked UFC 315; here's why everyone's talking about the unbeaten star He wasn't done. 'Otherwise, me and you are gonna have to tag team them pair of c***s, Logan and Jake (Paul). Make your mind up, mate, cmon. I respect you, mate and thank you for the opportunity.'Till also took shots at Tommy Fury, saying, 'Tommy's fighting somewhere in Europe for 20 grand with his Dad. They're a pair of muppets.' He rounded off with a final challenge, name-dropping more combat sports rivals: 'Mike Perry, Jorge Masvidal. Any of them c***s, that's it.' What's next for Darren Till after Misfits 21 victory? While no fight is confirmed yet, Darren Till's next bout is now one of the most anticipated announcements in the crossover boxing world. Whether it's a blockbuster clash with KSI, a blood feud with Mike Perry, or a long-awaited rematch with Jorge Masvidal, Till has made it clear, he's ready to fight victory at Misfits 21 keeps him undefeated in boxing and places him firmly at the heart of the promotion's chaotic, entertainment-first style. After a compelling performance and a wild post-fight mic drop, Misfits fans and MMA loyalists alike are watching closely to see which challenge the Gorilla accepts next.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Darren Till outguns Darren Stewart in Misfits 21 thriller, calls out KSI and Mike Perry
Darren Till extended his perfect boxing record to 2–0 with a commanding win over Darren Stewart at Misfits 21 in Derby. After the fight, Till wasted no time calling out KSI, Mike Perry, and Jorge Masvidal. The Gorilla now stands as one of Misfits Boxing's most unpredictable and dangerous contenders Darren Till celebrates victory over Darren Stewart at Misfits 21 in Derby, staking his claim for a future bout with KSI or Mike Perry in the crossover boxing spotlight (Image: Misfits Boxing) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The crowd at Vaillant Live in Derby witnessed a throwback battle on Friday night (May 16), as Darren Till outlasted Darren Stewart in a gritty eight-round scrap. Both men showed heart, but it was Till who stood taller at the final bell, leaving fans buzzing and fight night gossip swirling about what comes making his second professional boxing appearance under the Misfits Boxing banner, dropped Stewart in the opening round and weathered a sustained pressure game to take home a unanimous decision. Judges scored it 77-74 twice and 77-73, confirming the former UFC welterweight title challenger's superior ring read: Darren Till takes on Darren Stewart, eyes potential fight with Jake Paul From the opening bell, Till (2-0, 1 KO) looked like a man on a mission. His footwork kept him elusive while his left hand found its mark with sniper-like precision. Stewart (0-1) came forward with aggression but was met with clean counters. The most significant moment of the fight came early, when Till landed a flush left hand that sent 'The Dentist' to the as Stewart pressed forward and made the fight dirty on the inside, Till adapted, targeting the body and varying his shots to keep the pace in his favor. Stewart's pressure was commendable, but Till's ring IQ and calm composure proved decisive. In the final round, Stewart overcommitted, nearly tumbling through the ropes, and was met with another brutal left hand right before the final sooner had the judges read the scores than Till shifted into call-out mode. With KSI seated ringside, the Liverpudlian used his post-fight interview to stir the pot and possibly set up one of Misfits Boxing's most marketable matchups.'No one wants to f***ing fight me mate,' Till exclaimed. Eyeing KSI, he added, 'Cmon KSI. Are we gonna fight? I can get down to the weight, cmon. Cmon mate... You beat Tommy. You know you can fight, cmon son.'Also read: Navajo Stirling shocked UFC 315; here's why everyone's talking about the unbeaten star He wasn't done. 'Otherwise, me and you are gonna have to tag team them pair of c***s, Logan and Jake (Paul). Make your mind up, mate, cmon. I respect you, mate and thank you for the opportunity.'Till also took shots at Tommy Fury, saying, 'Tommy's fighting somewhere in Europe for 20 grand with his Dad. They're a pair of muppets.' He rounded off with a final challenge, name-dropping more combat sports rivals: 'Mike Perry, Jorge Masvidal. Any of them c***s, that's it.'While no fight is confirmed yet, Darren Till's next bout is now one of the most anticipated announcements in the crossover boxing world. Whether it's a blockbuster clash with KSI, a blood feud with Mike Perry, or a long-awaited rematch with Jorge Masvidal, Till has made it clear, he's ready to fight victory at Misfits 21 keeps him undefeated in boxing and places him firmly at the heart of the promotion's chaotic, entertainment-first style. After a compelling performance and a wild post-fight mic drop, Misfits fans and MMA loyalists alike are watching closely to see which challenge the Gorilla accepts next.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Darren Till beats Darren Stewart in boxing clash of former UFC Brits
Darren Till beats Darren Stewart in boxing clash of former UFC Brits The last seconds of Darren Till vs. Darren Stewart 😱😱😱#XSeries21 | Live NOW on DAZN — MF & DAZN X Series (@MF_DAZNXSeries) May 16, 2025 Former UFC title challenger Darren Till was back in the boxing ring Friday as he defeated fellow promotional alum Darren Stewart in an eight-round exhibition bout. The bout headlined Misfits & DAZN X Series 21 at Vaillant Live in Derby, Derbyshire, England. Till defeated Stewart by unanimous decision (77-74, 77-74, 77-73). The match almost never made it to the judges' scorecards, however. Till rocked Stewart badly late in Round 8 with a perfectly-targeted straight left. The blow left "The Dentist" seemingly out of his wits as the final bell rang. The final knockdown further solidified the win for Till, who was on his way to a victorious outing regardless. Till, 32, moves to 3-0 in exhibition boxing since his UFC departure. Wins prior to Friday's fight included Mohammad Mutie and Anthony Taylor. Till also had bout vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Tommy Fury fall through. Till asked for his promotional release in early 2023 to pursue other ventures and the UFC obliged. Till currently has a 6-5-1 UFC record. It's unclear if he plans to ever return to the promotion, but has indicated he left the company on good terms.
