1 month ago
On August 29, at the O2 Arena in London, Filip Hrgovic inflicted a shock defeat on heavyweight rising star Moses Itaumato become the new IBF heavyweight champion. Fans, fighters, and boxing coaches have had their say on what went wrong for the Brit, and Ryan Garcia is the latest to have his say when speaking to the media ahead of his September 12 WBC welterweight world ******* le defence against Conor Benn.
Moses Itauma (14-1, 12 KOs) entered the ring at the O2 Arena as a huge odds-on favourite against the experienced Croatian, Filip Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs). Itauma took no time to settle, quickly showcasing his blistering hand speed and impressive accuracy.
Despite the constant onslaught from Itauma, Hrgovic stood tall and took everything, and as the fight progressed, the Brit looked to be tiring. The Croat's right hand began to land with more regularity. The ninth round saw Itauma enter a state of barely being able to stand up, and Hrgovic let his hands go, with the towel coming in from Ben Davison just as the referee stepped in to wave the fight off. The O2 fell into stunned silence as Hrgovic and his team celebrated wildly that he was the new IBF heavyweight world champion.
"It's a marathon. Don't look too much into this defeat. Look into what you need to fix, for sure. But don't let it get you down completely. You were obviously the better fighter. You just weren't conditioned, and you just don't have enough experience at this current time to take that.
"But I don't think he did bad. He was doing pretty good, but…I don't know what was going on with his head. If you watch his interviews before, he's saying that he's not the best physcially right now (not sparred 12 rounds), nor mentally, but it will still be enough to beat Hrgovic. That's a really bad mindset," said Garcia, reflecting on Itauma's defeat.
#brit
Moses Itauma (14-1, 12 KOs) entered the ring at the O2 Arena as a huge odds-on favourite against the experienced Croatian, Filip Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs). Itauma took no time to settle, quickly showcasing his blistering hand speed and impressive accuracy.
Despite the constant onslaught from Itauma, Hrgovic stood tall and took everything, and as the fight progressed, the Brit looked to be tiring. The Croat's right hand began to land with more regularity. The ninth round saw Itauma enter a state of barely being able to stand up, and Hrgovic let his hands go, with the towel coming in from Ben Davison just as the referee stepped in to wave the fight off. The O2 fell into stunned silence as Hrgovic and his team celebrated wildly that he was the new IBF heavyweight world champion.
"It's a marathon. Don't look too much into this defeat. Look into what you need to fix, for sure. But don't let it get you down completely. You were obviously the better fighter. You just weren't conditioned, and you just don't have enough experience at this current time to take that.
"But I don't think he did bad. He was doing pretty good, but…I don't know what was going on with his head. If you watch his interviews before, he's saying that he's not the best physcially right now (not sparred 12 rounds), nor mentally, but it will still be enough to beat Hrgovic. That's a really bad mindset," said Garcia, reflecting on Itauma's defeat.
#brit
1 month ago
Paddy Donovan insists he is not "underestimating" Tyrone McKenna before they meet at Croke Park on Saturday with a second crack at world honours on the horizon.
Donovan bounced back from his first ******* le defeat by Lewis Crocker with an impressive victory over Karen Chukhadzhian in May to return to the mandatory slot for the IBF welterweight ******* le held by Australia's Liam Paro.
The Limerick man is aware of the risks in taking a fight in the interim, but felt this was too good an opportunity to turn down and plans to put on a show to elevate his status.
He and McKenna have sparred countless rounds over the years and the 27-year-old, whose record is 15 wins with two defeats, feels he is a level above his fellow southpaw.
"It's risky to take the fight being number one with the IBF but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to fight in front of 80,000 Irish fans," Donovan said at Thursday's news conference.
#title #Opportunity #tyrone
Donovan bounced back from his first ******* le defeat by Lewis Crocker with an impressive victory over Karen Chukhadzhian in May to return to the mandatory slot for the IBF welterweight ******* le held by Australia's Liam Paro.
The Limerick man is aware of the risks in taking a fight in the interim, but felt this was too good an opportunity to turn down and plans to put on a show to elevate his status.
He and McKenna have sparred countless rounds over the years and the 27-year-old, whose record is 15 wins with two defeats, feels he is a level above his fellow southpaw.
"It's risky to take the fight being number one with the IBF but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to fight in front of 80,000 Irish fans," Donovan said at Thursday's news conference.
#title #Opportunity #tyrone
1 month ago
CHICAGO - From an early age, Markise "MJ" Wilson Jr. developed a reputation in the ring.
"My dad said that if you want to be good, you've got to go to other gyms and spar people. So, we went to another gym and sparred other people and I just ran through them. A lot of people started calling me 'The Terminator' and we stuck with it."
It's been "hasta la visa, baby" to every opponent that's tried to take down the Terminator since.
MJ just turned nine on August 31st and is already 10-0 and ranked number one in the country in his age division.
He took home the National Silver Gloves in February and the gold medal at the Junior Olympics in June.
#wilson #august #national #february
"My dad said that if you want to be good, you've got to go to other gyms and spar people. So, we went to another gym and sparred other people and I just ran through them. A lot of people started calling me 'The Terminator' and we stuck with it."
It's been "hasta la visa, baby" to every opponent that's tried to take down the Terminator since.
MJ just turned nine on August 31st and is already 10-0 and ranked number one in the country in his age division.
He took home the National Silver Gloves in February and the gold medal at the Junior Olympics in June.
#wilson #august #national #february
2 months ago
Umar Nurmagomedov thinks his brother, Usman Nurmagomedov, can compete with the UFC's best.
Usman (22-0), who became a free agent after knocking out Archie Colgan at PFL New York last month, could be UFC bound if he opts not to re-sign with PFL. His older brother Umar raved about his work ethic, and thinks he's ready for the elite of the UFC's lightweight division – including champion Justin Gaethje.
"He's an amazing fighter, and I'm a huge fan of his," Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie of Usman. "I like how he spars, how he works, how he does everything as a professional. And even in the cage, he shows he's a high-level fighter. I think he can be competitive with anybody in the world.
"Sometimes people think in other promotions, (they're) bad fighters, but it's not like that. For example, Shabliy is one of the toughest guys, Alexandr Shabliy. Even Arman (Tsarukyan) knows that because he sparred with him a lot. He knows how he's tough, and I think Usman can compete with anybody in the world. Gaethje, Ilia (Topuria), Arman, (Mauricio) Ruffy, anybody."
Their teammate, UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, has openly said he wants to see Usman in the UFC. Nurmagomedov on the other hand, wasn't as direct with his opinion.
#arman
Usman (22-0), who became a free agent after knocking out Archie Colgan at PFL New York last month, could be UFC bound if he opts not to re-sign with PFL. His older brother Umar raved about his work ethic, and thinks he's ready for the elite of the UFC's lightweight division – including champion Justin Gaethje.
"He's an amazing fighter, and I'm a huge fan of his," Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie of Usman. "I like how he spars, how he works, how he does everything as a professional. And even in the cage, he shows he's a high-level fighter. I think he can be competitive with anybody in the world.
"Sometimes people think in other promotions, (they're) bad fighters, but it's not like that. For example, Shabliy is one of the toughest guys, Alexandr Shabliy. Even Arman (Tsarukyan) knows that because he sparred with him a lot. He knows how he's tough, and I think Usman can compete with anybody in the world. Gaethje, Ilia (Topuria), Arman, (Mauricio) Ruffy, anybody."
Their teammate, UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, has openly said he wants to see Usman in the UFC. Nurmagomedov on the other hand, wasn't as direct with his opinion.
#arman
2 months ago
If there's one thing the Houston Texans don't need to teach Keylan Rutledge, it's physicality.
Playing after the whistle? That could be up for debate.
The fiery first-round pick out of Georgia Tech has been the talk of training camp for all the right reasons. A former guard, Rutledge has transformed into a solid center prospect, winning the starting job as Houston prepares for its first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But Rutledge hasn't been afraid to throw it back at the defense after reps, including some of Houston's top players. On the first day of padded practice, he and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair sparred for a second once the whistle blew. He fired back at Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Rutledge got into it once more, this time sparring with All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. And unlike Al-Shaair, this continued for several seconds and needed multiple players to break the two up.
#houston #shaair #defensive #texans
Playing after the whistle? That could be up for debate.
The fiery first-round pick out of Georgia Tech has been the talk of training camp for all the right reasons. A former guard, Rutledge has transformed into a solid center prospect, winning the starting job as Houston prepares for its first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But Rutledge hasn't been afraid to throw it back at the defense after reps, including some of Houston's top players. On the first day of padded practice, he and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair sparred for a second once the whistle blew. He fired back at Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Rutledge got into it once more, this time sparring with All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. And unlike Al-Shaair, this continued for several seconds and needed multiple players to break the two up.
#houston #shaair #defensive #texans
2 months ago
Mark Zuckerberg is a die-hard mixed martial arts fan.
Zuckerberg recently sparred with MerabDvalishvili on a floating platform in the middle of a lake. TheMeta CEO has been training for a few years now, evidenced by hislight sparring session with the former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight king, wherein helanded some jabs, body kicks and even a takedown.
Zuckerberg has developed strong friendships with several MMAfighters, training with the likes of AlexPereira, AlexanderVolkanovski and IsraelAdesanya, in addition to Dvalishvili. During their recentmid-lake sparring session, Zuckerberg even kicked Dvalishvili offthe barge, before the Georgian returned the favor by throwing theAmerican billionaire into the lake.
Zuckerberg has become increasingly involved with MMA, especiallythe UFC, over the past few years. He initially started training jiujitsu during the pandemic and even won a gold and a silver at BJJTour Silicon Valley in 2023. Zuckerberg's coach at the time, DaveCamarillo, who once trained elites like CainVelasquez, called the tech mogul one of his best students.
Meanwhile, Dvalishvili looked to defend his UFC bantamweight ******* lefor the fourth time in a year when he put it on the line in arematch against Petr Yan lastDecember. Yan outclassed Dvalishvili on the night, taking theirrivalry to 1-1. While there's no official confirmation from the UFCas yet, both fighters have indicated that they're gearing up for atrilogy bout next.
#dvalishvili #training #years
Zuckerberg recently sparred with MerabDvalishvili on a floating platform in the middle of a lake. TheMeta CEO has been training for a few years now, evidenced by hislight sparring session with the former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight king, wherein helanded some jabs, body kicks and even a takedown.
Zuckerberg has developed strong friendships with several MMAfighters, training with the likes of AlexPereira, AlexanderVolkanovski and IsraelAdesanya, in addition to Dvalishvili. During their recentmid-lake sparring session, Zuckerberg even kicked Dvalishvili offthe barge, before the Georgian returned the favor by throwing theAmerican billionaire into the lake.
Zuckerberg has become increasingly involved with MMA, especiallythe UFC, over the past few years. He initially started training jiujitsu during the pandemic and even won a gold and a silver at BJJTour Silicon Valley in 2023. Zuckerberg's coach at the time, DaveCamarillo, who once trained elites like CainVelasquez, called the tech mogul one of his best students.
Meanwhile, Dvalishvili looked to defend his UFC bantamweight ******* lefor the fourth time in a year when he put it on the line in arematch against Petr Yan lastDecember. Yan outclassed Dvalishvili on the night, taking theirrivalry to 1-1. While there's no official confirmation from the UFCas yet, both fighters have indicated that they're gearing up for atrilogy bout next.
#dvalishvili #training #years
2 months ago
Willie Mack III extended his Advocates Professional Golf ***** ociation career win total to 20 on Wednesday after holding off Marcus Byrd in a playoff near Philadelphia.
Mack birdied the 17th hole and parred the 18th to get into the playoff in the APGA at the 1912 Club in Plymouth Meeting, Philadelphia. Mack then parred the 18th twice in the extra session to claim the ***** le, his third in 2026.
"Any time you win anywhere, it's a good feat," Mack said. "I'm just happy that I can keep playing golf and keep pursuing my dreams. The APGA has definitely played a big part in that, and I thank them a lot for that. I just hope I can continue to play well and get through (PGA Tour) Q School this year."
Mack earned a $21,700 first-place check from the $70,000 prize fund. He also won a $10,000 sponsorship from The 1912 Club. He shot 67-69-67—202 to finish 8 under in the three-day, 54-hole event. His victory included a late rally, coming back from three shots down late in the final round.
"I have been having trouble with my driver, but I knew that if I could somehow keep it in play and give myself a look at a second shot, I felt like I had a good chance," Mack said. "Luckily it stayed up, and luckily I was able to make some big par putts."
#golf #parred
Mack birdied the 17th hole and parred the 18th to get into the playoff in the APGA at the 1912 Club in Plymouth Meeting, Philadelphia. Mack then parred the 18th twice in the extra session to claim the ***** le, his third in 2026.
"Any time you win anywhere, it's a good feat," Mack said. "I'm just happy that I can keep playing golf and keep pursuing my dreams. The APGA has definitely played a big part in that, and I thank them a lot for that. I just hope I can continue to play well and get through (PGA Tour) Q School this year."
Mack earned a $21,700 first-place check from the $70,000 prize fund. He also won a $10,000 sponsorship from The 1912 Club. He shot 67-69-67—202 to finish 8 under in the three-day, 54-hole event. His victory included a late rally, coming back from three shots down late in the final round.
"I have been having trouble with my driver, but I knew that if I could somehow keep it in play and give myself a look at a second shot, I felt like I had a good chance," Mack said. "Luckily it stayed up, and luckily I was able to make some big par putts."
#golf #parred
3 months ago
Steven Fisk rolled in a short par putt at the third playoff hole to top Taylor Pendrith and capture his second US PGA Tour ****** le at the ISCO Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday.
Fisk got up and down for par from greenside bunkers at each of the first two playoff holes and sealed the win with a two-putt par as Canada's Pendrith made a bogey after finding a fairway bunker off the tee.
"It's what we play for," Fisk said. "I could give a ****** about finishing 60th in a golf tournament. This is what I want to do."
Pendrith matched the low round of the day with a five-under par 65 that put him first in the clubhouse on 16-under 264.
Fisk nabbed four birdies in a three-under 67 to join him and both parred the first playoff hole, where Fisk salvaged par from a greenside bunker as Pendrith two-putted from nine feet.
Fisk got up and down for par from greenside bunkers at each of the first two playoff holes and sealed the win with a two-putt par as Canada's Pendrith made a bogey after finding a fairway bunker off the tee.
"It's what we play for," Fisk said. "I could give a ****** about finishing 60th in a golf tournament. This is what I want to do."
Pendrith matched the low round of the day with a five-under par 65 that put him first in the clubhouse on 16-under 264.
Fisk nabbed four birdies in a three-under 67 to join him and both parred the first playoff hole, where Fisk salvaged par from a greenside bunker as Pendrith two-putted from nine feet.
3 months ago
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished strong in the second round of the American Century Championship, a celebrity golf tournament at the Edgewood Tahoe South Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., on July 11.
Lawrence overcame five double bogeys among his first 12 holes and parred his last five to record minus-2 points under a Stableford format. He has shot a net zero for the first two rounds.
Lawrence shot 87 gross. Under the format, players don't take anything worse than a double bogey.
Lawrence was tied for 43rd in the 90-player field, ironically enough, with Tennessee ******* ans coach Robert Saleh, who shot 84, with a plus-4 points.
Lawrence also easily beat playing partner Baker Mayfield, the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Bucs, for the second day in a row when playing in the same group. Mayfield shot 93 for minus-8 points, after a first-round 96, for minus-17 points. He has a total of minus-25 and is tied for 79th.
Lawrence overcame five double bogeys among his first 12 holes and parred his last five to record minus-2 points under a Stableford format. He has shot a net zero for the first two rounds.
Lawrence shot 87 gross. Under the format, players don't take anything worse than a double bogey.
Lawrence was tied for 43rd in the 90-player field, ironically enough, with Tennessee ******* ans coach Robert Saleh, who shot 84, with a plus-4 points.
Lawrence also easily beat playing partner Baker Mayfield, the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Bucs, for the second day in a row when playing in the same group. Mayfield shot 93 for minus-8 points, after a first-round 96, for minus-17 points. He has a total of minus-25 and is tied for 79th.
4 months ago
Knicks owner James Dolan seemingly took shots at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani while the two spoke at the end of the team’s ticker-tape parade at City Hall on Thursday—possibly reigniting a feud with the democratic socialist mayor as the Madison Square Garden chairman continues cozying up to President Donald Trump.
The Knicks owner previously sparred with the mayor and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch over a cancelled watch party at Madison Square Garden.
"I don't need your vote,” Dolan said at the rally following the Knicks parade on Thursday, adding, “I don't need to quote to you what happened. If you're real Knick fans you know it already."
Moments earlier, Mamdani spent minutes praising the team’s history, shouting out former players like Charles Oakley—a fan-favorite former Knick who has been involved in a legal dispute with Dolan since a fight over his courtside seats in 2017.
Dolan also appeared to avoid getting too close to Mamdani when the mayor handed him a key to the city, accepting the key and shaking his hand from across a table and avoiding a photo op.
The Knicks owner previously sparred with the mayor and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch over a cancelled watch party at Madison Square Garden.
"I don't need your vote,” Dolan said at the rally following the Knicks parade on Thursday, adding, “I don't need to quote to you what happened. If you're real Knick fans you know it already."
Moments earlier, Mamdani spent minutes praising the team’s history, shouting out former players like Charles Oakley—a fan-favorite former Knick who has been involved in a legal dispute with Dolan since a fight over his courtside seats in 2017.
Dolan also appeared to avoid getting too close to Mamdani when the mayor handed him a key to the city, accepting the key and shaking his hand from across a table and avoiding a photo op.
4 months ago
Rory McIlroy birdied two of his first three holes on Thursday to seize the early lead of the fog-hit US Open, while top-ranked Scottie Scheffler parred to began his bid for a career Grand Slam.
Both stars eventually made morning starts at Shinnecock after the first round was halted for two hours due to heavy fog, meaning that it is unlikely that it will be completed by sunset.
World number two McIlroy sank a tap-in par putt at the 10th hole, made an 11-foot (3.3m) birdie putt at the par-three 11th, and added a 25-foot birdie putt at the 12th to seize the lead on two-under.
Scheffler sank a three-footer for par at the first.
A field of 156 chased a record top prize of $4.5 million from a record $22.5 million purse.
Both stars eventually made morning starts at Shinnecock after the first round was halted for two hours due to heavy fog, meaning that it is unlikely that it will be completed by sunset.
World number two McIlroy sank a tap-in par putt at the 10th hole, made an 11-foot (3.3m) birdie putt at the par-three 11th, and added a 25-foot birdie putt at the 12th to seize the lead on two-under.
Scheffler sank a three-footer for par at the first.
A field of 156 chased a record top prize of $4.5 million from a record $22.5 million purse.
