Latest news with #grudgematch
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn rematch on brink of collapse with Eddie Hearn ready to negotiate alternative fight
CHRIS EUBANK JR'S rematch with Conor Benn is on the brink of collapse. Eubank beat Benn in their April second generation grudge match and a second bout was already signed as part of the original contract. 1 And Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh announced on social media that the rematch would take place on September 20 in London. That reveal came to the surprise of both camps - including Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn. Eubank spent two days in hospital due to severe dehydration as a result of making the 160lb middleweight limit. He and Benn were also restricted to rehydrating more than 10lb on the morning of the bout at Tottenham's stadium. After 12 gruelling rounds and the 48 hours spent in hospital - a five month turnaround for the rematch appeared quick. And after a period of radio silence from Eubank's camp, Hearn and Benn began openly discussing alternative options. Now Ring Magazine - owned by Alalshikh - announced the Saudi chief along with financial backers SELA have pulled their involvement in the rematch. That is the biggest indicator yet that the sequel is dead in the water.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The two stupid mistakes that doomed Sonny Bill Williams to a loss against Paul Gallen in their controversial fight
Paul Gallen claimed a narrow win over bitter rival Sonny Bill Williams in their long-awaited grudge match on Wednesday night, leaving fight fans debating who really won the bout - but the result would have been very different if it weren't for two shocking errors by the former All Black. The Cronulla Sharks icon took the verdict with two judges awarding him the eight-round bout on scores of 77-74 and 76-75, with the third giving Williams the edge, 77-74. The heavyweight clash, fuelled by more than a decade of animosity, saw Williams make a couple of critical errors that cost him dearly. The first issue was the Kiwi's persistent holding throughout the bout, which Williams relied upon heavily to neutralise the pressure from Gallen. The tactic backfired in the seventh round when referee Les Fear penalised Williams with a point deduction after repeated warnings. Had that point not been deducted, the 39-year-old would have walked away with a draw. Williams continued to hold after the penalty and was threatened with disqualification in the final round, which saw him booed heavily by the crowd. The former Bulldogs and Roosters star's other mistake was his pre-fight insistence on two-minute rounds instead of the three minutes that is customary in professional boxing. The former All Black came into the bout in tremendous shape and had Gallen badly hurt in the second round after landing a series of punishing shots that left his rival in deep trouble. If Williams had another minute to keep blasting Gallen, he had a great chance of winning the bout then and there. Before the bout, MMA legend Mark Hunt - who fought both men - predicted that the shorter rounds could favour Gallen's sprint-like approach, and he was right. After he had his hand raised in victory, Gallen voiced his disbelief at the scoring, insisting he had only lost the second round. 'I definitely lost one round, I think the second round, and there was one other pretty close one and he got a point taken off, so how the hell is he winning [on one judge's card]?' a visibly angry Gallen said. 'I got the win. That's all that matters and it will be there forever,' he continued. 'I'm 44 years old in less than a month's time. 'Sonny just came up to me and said he wants to have a coffee man-to-man and I'm on for that. 'I've finished my fights, I'm getting on with my life. 'I'm not going to gloat, it's been a long time coming. I got the job done and that's all that matters,' added Gallen, while also revealing he had come down with COVID two weeks before the fight. Williams sought Gallen out to shake his hand before the scorecards were read out, but got a frosty reception as his rival argued and pointed his finger at him. Williams' camp was furious with the result, with his manager Khoder Nasser calling the decision 'criminal'. 'Only in Australia. No other [boxing] commission in the world would have a referee like that,' he told Stuff. '...the last judge lives in Cronulla [Gallen's home town]. A judge from Cronulla. Can you believe these authorities? To have a bloke from the same neck of the woods as the other guy. It's criminal.' Other boxing experts watching on, including Danny Green, believed Williams had done enough on the night to edge the decision. The result leaves Gallen with a pro boxing record of 15-3-1 with eight wins by knockout, while Williams sits at 9-2, with four wins by KO.
Daily Telegraph
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams boxing live updates
Welcome to live coverage of the fight between retired footy greats, Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams. After years of trash talk and taunting, Cronulla Sharks legend Gallen and two-code great Williams are finally meeting in a boxing ring at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Despite the fact neither 43-year-old Gallen nor 39-year-old SBW have fought anyone since November 2022, there has still been strong interest in this long-awaited grudge match, particularly among rugby league fans. There appears to be a healthy dislike between the two fighters, who have traded insults and barbs ever since the fight was confirmed back in April. Sonny Bill Williams (left) and Paul Gallen (right) are finally meeting in the ring. (Photo by) They even took over the coverage of Game 3 of the State of Origin series, taking part in a live interview after the game when they did their best to shout each other down and increase interest in the bout. Gallen has the more accomplished record in the ring, while Kiwi Sonny Bill is the younger man and the favourite among the bookies. The heavyweight showdown will be held over eight, two-minute rounds. We'll have all the big moments, including the undercard, for you right here. Originally published as Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams boxing live updates: Fans split by grudge match
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams boxing live updates: Fans split by grudge match
Welcome to live coverage of the fight between retired footy greats, Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams. After years of trash talk and taunting, Cronulla Sharks legend Gallen and two-code great Williams are finally meeting in a boxing ring at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Despite the fact neither 43-year-old Gallen nor 39-year-old SBW have fought anyone since November 2022, there has still been strong interest in this long-awaited grudge match, particularly among rugby league fans. There appears to be a healthy dislike between the two fighters, who have traded insults and barbs ever since the fight was confirmed back in April. They even took over the coverage of Game 3 of the State of Origin series, taking part in a live interview after the game when they did their best to shout each other down and increase interest in the bout. Gallen has the more accomplished record in the ring, while Kiwi Sonny Bill is the younger man and the favourite among the bookies. The heavyweight showdown will be held over eight, two-minute rounds. We'll have all the big moments, including the undercard, for you right here.
