1 month ago
ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan "The General" Haggerty had a ringside view of his brother Freddie Haggerty's toughest ****** ignment yet, and he could not have been happier with how it played out.
The younger Haggerty overcame Rungruanglek TN Muaythai via unanimous decision in their strawweight Muay Thai battle at The Inner Circle 30 in Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium this past Friday, September 11.
Freddie dropped Rungruanglek twice across the opening two rounds, first with a counter left hook off the ropes, then with a follow-up left hook to the temple off an exit from the clinch.
Rungruanglek tried to weather the storm with digging elbows and working Freddie's legs, but the 21-year-old Englishman stayed composed on the back foot, picking the Thai knockout artist apart with sharp counters until the final bell.
The unanimous decision snapped Rungruanglek's five-fight winning streak and pushed Freddie's record to 25-5 overall, marking his second straight victory of 2026 on the subscriber-exclusive Asia primetime card.
#unanimous #decision #hook #kickboxing
The younger Haggerty overcame Rungruanglek TN Muaythai via unanimous decision in their strawweight Muay Thai battle at The Inner Circle 30 in Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium this past Friday, September 11.
Freddie dropped Rungruanglek twice across the opening two rounds, first with a counter left hook off the ropes, then with a follow-up left hook to the temple off an exit from the clinch.
Rungruanglek tried to weather the storm with digging elbows and working Freddie's legs, but the 21-year-old Englishman stayed composed on the back foot, picking the Thai knockout artist apart with sharp counters until the final bell.
The unanimous decision snapped Rungruanglek's five-fight winning streak and pushed Freddie's record to 25-5 overall, marking his second straight victory of 2026 on the subscriber-exclusive Asia primetime card.
#unanimous #decision #hook #kickboxing
1 month ago
Amid the news that Macklemore has been dropped as an opener from Ed Sheeran's North American tour, the rapper has alleged that New England owner Robert Kraft intervened to get him removed.
In a lengthy statement posted on Instagram, Macklemore alleged that Kraft had called Sheeran ahead of the singer's concert at Gillette Stadium, which is owned by Kraft. In what Macklemore called a "f***ed up position" for Sheeran, Kraft allegedly barred Macklemore from performing in the stadium and had "rallied" other stadium owners to issue an "ultimatum."
"Last Monday, in the middle of all the media attention surrounding Pink and what I said at MetLife, Ed told me that Robert Kraft called him," Macklemore wrote. "Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues."
Macklemore opened for Sheeran on Sept. 4 and 5 at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. During his performance, Macklemore called for a "Free Palestine" in a speech before performing his song "Hind's Hall," which was written in support of pro-Palestine protests. The performance drew criticism from many, including singer P!nk, and received a significant amount of media attention.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, has been vocal about his support for Palestine in recent years, something that he said challenged Sheeran's "typical apolitical stance."
#stadium #called #told #robert
In a lengthy statement posted on Instagram, Macklemore alleged that Kraft had called Sheeran ahead of the singer's concert at Gillette Stadium, which is owned by Kraft. In what Macklemore called a "f***ed up position" for Sheeran, Kraft allegedly barred Macklemore from performing in the stadium and had "rallied" other stadium owners to issue an "ultimatum."
"Last Monday, in the middle of all the media attention surrounding Pink and what I said at MetLife, Ed told me that Robert Kraft called him," Macklemore wrote. "Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues."
Macklemore opened for Sheeran on Sept. 4 and 5 at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. During his performance, Macklemore called for a "Free Palestine" in a speech before performing his song "Hind's Hall," which was written in support of pro-Palestine protests. The performance drew criticism from many, including singer P!nk, and received a significant amount of media attention.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, has been vocal about his support for Palestine in recent years, something that he said challenged Sheeran's "typical apolitical stance."
#stadium #called #told #robert
2 months ago
Pop star Pink is under fire online for resharing an anti-Israel message and then following it up with a series of Instagram posts directed at her detractors.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, supported British musician Ed Sheeran on stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in a show called Loop Tour on September 4 and 5. Donning a keffiyeh in front of an 80,000-strong audience, the rapper shouted "Free Palestine" and addressed Gaza and the occupied West Bank, saying that they are not being forgotten.
"Every human being walking on this earth deserves exactly the same freedom," he added, as reported by Variety.
The rapper then performed his protest song "Hind's Hall," which featured flashes of Gaza on the stadium screens. Macklemore referenced Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, named after student demonstrators at Columbia University who renamed a campus building in her honor. The rapper then addressed Jewish concertgoers, saying that criticizing Israel and condemning their actions as genocide is not a condemnation of Jewish people and that his message is a message of peace and dignity for everyone.
American pop diva, whose legal name is Alecia Beth Moore Hart, posted a video with the message "Awful" to her Instagram Story, claiming that Jewish fans who came to see Sheeran's performance are exposed to propaganda against Israel. According to Pink, Macklemore's speech and video presentation amount to a false accusation of genocide, and people who came to the concert are entitled to "apologies and refunds."
#Instagram #macklemore
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, supported British musician Ed Sheeran on stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in a show called Loop Tour on September 4 and 5. Donning a keffiyeh in front of an 80,000-strong audience, the rapper shouted "Free Palestine" and addressed Gaza and the occupied West Bank, saying that they are not being forgotten.
"Every human being walking on this earth deserves exactly the same freedom," he added, as reported by Variety.
The rapper then performed his protest song "Hind's Hall," which featured flashes of Gaza on the stadium screens. Macklemore referenced Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, named after student demonstrators at Columbia University who renamed a campus building in her honor. The rapper then addressed Jewish concertgoers, saying that criticizing Israel and condemning their actions as genocide is not a condemnation of Jewish people and that his message is a message of peace and dignity for everyone.
American pop diva, whose legal name is Alecia Beth Moore Hart, posted a video with the message "Awful" to her Instagram Story, claiming that Jewish fans who came to see Sheeran's performance are exposed to propaganda against Israel. According to Pink, Macklemore's speech and video presentation amount to a false accusation of genocide, and people who came to the concert are entitled to "apologies and refunds."
#Instagram #macklemore
2 months ago
Pink faced backlash after reposting a statement from an advocacy group calling for an apology from Macklemore for advocating for Palestinians during his opening act for Ed Sheeran in New Jersey.
Pink reposted the message from the group StopAntisemitism on her Instagram stories. The message started with the word "Awful," suggesting that Jewish fans had purchased their tickets to see Sheeran but instead experienced what it referred to as anti-Israel propaganda. According to the group, the Seattle rapper had accused Israel of falsely committing a genocide, and concertgoers were owed an apology and a refund. Pink did not comment and has not yet given a reason for posting the message.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, performed for Ed Sheeran in MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 as part of his Loop Tour. Dressed in a keffiyeh, the rapper told the crowd of more than 80,000 people that he wanted to stand in the stadium and say, "Free Palestine." He mentioned that he hoped people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank knew they had not been forgotten and that every human being deserved freedom.
Macklemore then sang "Hind's Hall," a protest song he released in 2024, as images of Gaza played on the stadium screens. Moreover, the rapper spoke directly to the Jewish audience, saying that criticizing Israel was not criticizing them.
His performance led the Israeli American Council to file a petition asking Sheeran and his management to remove the rapper from other tour dates. The petition referred to his show as a concert and not a rally for activists and politics. It also claimed that Macklemore used his global platform to promote a one-sided political agenda. The petition asked whether the speech and visuals were approved before the event.
#macklemore #sheeran #petition
Pink reposted the message from the group StopAntisemitism on her Instagram stories. The message started with the word "Awful," suggesting that Jewish fans had purchased their tickets to see Sheeran but instead experienced what it referred to as anti-Israel propaganda. According to the group, the Seattle rapper had accused Israel of falsely committing a genocide, and concertgoers were owed an apology and a refund. Pink did not comment and has not yet given a reason for posting the message.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, performed for Ed Sheeran in MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 as part of his Loop Tour. Dressed in a keffiyeh, the rapper told the crowd of more than 80,000 people that he wanted to stand in the stadium and say, "Free Palestine." He mentioned that he hoped people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank knew they had not been forgotten and that every human being deserved freedom.
Macklemore then sang "Hind's Hall," a protest song he released in 2024, as images of Gaza played on the stadium screens. Moreover, the rapper spoke directly to the Jewish audience, saying that criticizing Israel was not criticizing them.
His performance led the Israeli American Council to file a petition asking Sheeran and his management to remove the rapper from other tour dates. The petition referred to his show as a concert and not a rally for activists and politics. It also claimed that Macklemore used his global platform to promote a one-sided political agenda. The petition asked whether the speech and visuals were approved before the event.
#macklemore #sheeran #petition
2 months ago
Bradford Bulls have signed Widnes Vikings full-back Nathan Connell on a two-year deal from the start of the 2027 season.
The 23-year-old started his career with Salford, where he worked under Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty, and has scored 20 tries in 26 appearances for the second-tier side this year.
"I'm buzzing to get back into Super League, which was obviously my goal," he told the club website.
"The year at Widnes has been great personally and collectively as a team but I want to get back into that full-time environment, really challenge myself and push myself out of my comfort zone to develop even more as a player."
#full #bradford
The 23-year-old started his career with Salford, where he worked under Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty, and has scored 20 tries in 26 appearances for the second-tier side this year.
"I'm buzzing to get back into Super League, which was obviously my goal," he told the club website.
"The year at Widnes has been great personally and collectively as a team but I want to get back into that full-time environment, really challenge myself and push myself out of my comfort zone to develop even more as a player."
#full #bradford
2 months ago
On the global stage of ONE Championship, Jonathan "The General" Haggerty has made a habit of putting on a show. Lately, he has started wondering if the red carpet might follow suit.
The reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion defends his gold against former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto at ONE SAMURAI 4 inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17.
That fight will come soon enough. Beyond the gym walls and the ring, though, Haggerty has become a familiar face at a couple of film premieres in the United Kingdom.
He attended the London premiere of From the World of John Wick: Ballerina last June, and more recently walked the carpet for Giant, the biopic charting the rise of boxing icon Naseem Hamed – better known to fans of the sweet science as Prince Naseem – when it hit British cinemas this past January.
Those appearances were not simply a passing novelty for the 29-year-old, either.
#haggerty #World #kickboxing
The reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion defends his gold against former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto at ONE SAMURAI 4 inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Saturday, October 17.
That fight will come soon enough. Beyond the gym walls and the ring, though, Haggerty has become a familiar face at a couple of film premieres in the United Kingdom.
He attended the London premiere of From the World of John Wick: Ballerina last June, and more recently walked the carpet for Giant, the biopic charting the rise of boxing icon Naseem Hamed – better known to fans of the sweet science as Prince Naseem – when it hit British cinemas this past January.
Those appearances were not simply a passing novelty for the 29-year-old, either.
#haggerty #World #kickboxing
2 months ago
After reports broke that Texas A&M basketball was the favorite to land a talented transfer guard from Texas, he officially announced his commitment to the Aggies on Monday evening.
Jordan Pope has spent the last two months in Austin healing from foot surgery, awaiting the 2022 eligibility ruling, which grants the class of 2022 an additional year in college. Texas did not leave a roster spot open for his potential return, which allowed Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan to add another talented shooter to an already stacked roster entering the 2026-27 season.
The 6-foot-1 California native averaged 13.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 ****** ists, including 15 games scoring 15 points or more for the Longhorns last year.
Pope earned All-PAC-12 honors during his time with Oregon State, before transferring to Texas as the No. 3-ranked guard in the nation. After not being utilized to his full potential in his junior season with the Longhorns, Pope exploded onto the scene this past year and played a key role in Texas' success in the NCAA Tournament.
While he will be competing for playing time alongside various talented transfers like Kansas State guard PJ Haggerty, who ranked as one of the top scorers in the country in 2025-26, Pope has the opportunity to be a massive star in McMillan's high-paced system that favors volume shooters.
#longhorns #state
Jordan Pope has spent the last two months in Austin healing from foot surgery, awaiting the 2022 eligibility ruling, which grants the class of 2022 an additional year in college. Texas did not leave a roster spot open for his potential return, which allowed Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan to add another talented shooter to an already stacked roster entering the 2026-27 season.
The 6-foot-1 California native averaged 13.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 ****** ists, including 15 games scoring 15 points or more for the Longhorns last year.
Pope earned All-PAC-12 honors during his time with Oregon State, before transferring to Texas as the No. 3-ranked guard in the nation. After not being utilized to his full potential in his junior season with the Longhorns, Pope exploded onto the scene this past year and played a key role in Texas' success in the NCAA Tournament.
While he will be competing for playing time alongside various talented transfers like Kansas State guard PJ Haggerty, who ranked as one of the top scorers in the country in 2025-26, Pope has the opportunity to be a massive star in McMillan's high-paced system that favors volume shooters.
#longhorns #state
3 months ago
ONE SAMURAI 4 arrives at the iconic Ariake Arena in Tokyo, ***** an, on Saturday, October 17, bringing a pair of World ***** le fights to what is already one of the most anticipated cards of the year.
Reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion "The Kicking Machine" Superlek will defend his 26 pounds of gold against reigning ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella in a blockbuster cross-division showdown. Also on the card, reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka puts his crown on the line against Malaysia's surging finishing specialist Rifdean "Magic Boy" Masdor.
Rooted in the honor and discipline of the Bushido spirit, these high-stakes World Championship showdowns join the previously announced ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World ***** le defense featuring reigning king Jonathan "The General" Haggerty against former ***** leholder Hiroki Akimoto.
The occasion is further elevated by the prestigious ONE Championship Hall of Fame induction of Interim ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Takeru "Natural Born Krusher" Segawa.
After spending the past two years competing in the bantamweight ranks, "The Kicking Machine" is finally coming home. Once he settles unfinished business against Abdulla "Smash Boy" Dayakaev at The Inner Circle 25 on Friday, August 7, Superlek will shift his full focus back to the division he has long ruled.
#kickboxing #champion #flyweight
Reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion "The Kicking Machine" Superlek will defend his 26 pounds of gold against reigning ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella in a blockbuster cross-division showdown. Also on the card, reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka puts his crown on the line against Malaysia's surging finishing specialist Rifdean "Magic Boy" Masdor.
Rooted in the honor and discipline of the Bushido spirit, these high-stakes World Championship showdowns join the previously announced ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World ***** le defense featuring reigning king Jonathan "The General" Haggerty against former ***** leholder Hiroki Akimoto.
The occasion is further elevated by the prestigious ONE Championship Hall of Fame induction of Interim ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Takeru "Natural Born Krusher" Segawa.
After spending the past two years competing in the bantamweight ranks, "The Kicking Machine" is finally coming home. Once he settles unfinished business against Abdulla "Smash Boy" Dayakaev at The Inner Circle 25 on Friday, August 7, Superlek will shift his full focus back to the division he has long ruled.
#kickboxing #champion #flyweight
4 months ago
ONE Championship has locked in a blockbuster showdown for ONE SAMURAI 4, as Jonathan “The General” Haggerty prepares to defend his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World **** le against Hiroki Akimoto, the man who once sat on the very throne the Englishman now occupies.
These two world-class strikers collide on Saturday, October 17, live from the iconic Ariake Arena in Tokyo, **** an.
Haggerty is widely regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound strikers on the planet. The London native, who trains under Team Underground and Knowlesy Academy, carries a career record of 24-5 and sits at 10-3 in the promotion.
He remains undefeated in kickboxing competition under the ONE banner. A former ONE Flyweight and Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, “The General” added a third belt to his collection in November 2023.
The 29-year-old challenged ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade for the division’s vacant kickboxing belt at ONE Fight Night 16. Haggerty flatlined the Brazilian in the second round to become a two-sport ONE World Champion.
These two world-class strikers collide on Saturday, October 17, live from the iconic Ariake Arena in Tokyo, **** an.
Haggerty is widely regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound strikers on the planet. The London native, who trains under Team Underground and Knowlesy Academy, carries a career record of 24-5 and sits at 10-3 in the promotion.
He remains undefeated in kickboxing competition under the ONE banner. A former ONE Flyweight and Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion, “The General” added a third belt to his collection in November 2023.
The 29-year-old challenged ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade for the division’s vacant kickboxing belt at ONE Fight Night 16. Haggerty flatlined the Brazilian in the second round to become a two-sport ONE World Champion.
4 months ago
LONDON (AP) — The International Tennis Federation is changing its name to World Tennis.
The organization oversees the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team competitions, as well as tennis at the Olympics and Paralympics.
“Today is an opportunity to redefine our role at the heart of world tennis and pledge our commitment to ensuring a strong, sustainable future for this brilliant sport,” World Tennis president David Haggerty said Thursday. “World Tennis reflects who we are, our global footprint and unique mandate.”
Other international sport federations have made similar name changes in recent years, such as World Athletics, World Aquatics, World Gymnastics and World Rugby.
The name switch was ratified last October by member national tennis ******* ociations voting at the governing body’s annual general meeting.
The organization oversees the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team competitions, as well as tennis at the Olympics and Paralympics.
“Today is an opportunity to redefine our role at the heart of world tennis and pledge our commitment to ensuring a strong, sustainable future for this brilliant sport,” World Tennis president David Haggerty said Thursday. “World Tennis reflects who we are, our global footprint and unique mandate.”
Other international sport federations have made similar name changes in recent years, such as World Athletics, World Aquatics, World Gymnastics and World Rugby.
The name switch was ratified last October by member national tennis ******* ociations voting at the governing body’s annual general meeting.
