Macklemore on Wednesday pledged to donate the "entire $1 million" of his net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to Palestinian relief organizations, days after he was dropped from the tour over his pro-Palestinian comments.
He also invited New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who said Macklemore wouldn't be welcome at Gillette Stadium for the tour's scheduled performances at the end of September, to match his donation. Within hours, Kraft released a statement saying Sheeran had already asked him to match his $2 million donation to humanitarian aid in the region.
Their statements come amid a growing controversy following Macklemore's removal that has seen all of Sheeran's supporting acts quit the tour. Sheeran is set to play in Philadelphia this weekend.
Sheeran broke his silence about Macklemore's removal from the tour on Tuesday, saying it wasn't his decision but the promoter's. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, Sheeran said.
Here's how the controversy began — and how it continues to unfold.

#million #saying

The fate of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour is suddenly uncertain after all of the British singer's remaining opening acts quit in solidarity with the rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from the remaining North American dates over pro-Palestinian comments.
Hours after Sheeran released a statement saying it was the promoter's decision to remove Macklemore from the tour and not his, the rest of his supporting acts — Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish pop band Lukas Graham and songwriter Finneas — as well as Sheeran's house band, Beoga, announced that they were pulling out in protest.
"Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed," Finneas, the brother of Billie Eilish, wrote in a note posted to Instagram. "I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people."
The Irish artists cited their country's history of oppression in their decisions to drop out.
"I don't take the decision lightly. Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this," Rowe wrote in his own Instagram post. "But as Irish people we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children."

#irish #Instagram

In May, longtime MMA promoter Scott ***** er announced his impending return to the sport. On Monday, it was revealed that his new venture will be known as Ki MMA.
Coker, alongside business partner Peter Levin and Ki MMA matchmaker Rich Chou, shared details of his new promotion at a press conference in New York. Ki MMA is expected to officially launch in the first quarter of 2027 and will hold fights in a ring rather than a cage.
To explain the origin of the new promotion's name, ***** er said:
"The name, to me, had to have a martial arts meaning to it. When I thought about Ki, 'Kiai' is the very first thing that you learn in martial arts — your inner yell. 'Ki' meaning 'inner,' 'Ai' meaning 'yell.' So, it had to be something 'martial arts energy.' The spirit of all life force revolves around Ki. That was the genesis of the name.
"We put it to the test and worked on it, and came out with some great imagery. I'm really happy with the name."

#coker #yell

In the before-the-bell undercard action supporting the Garcia vs. Benn fight card, Alexis Rocha and Vlad Panin led the way with solid victories.
Abel Gonzalez, and Sean Garcia also scored wins.
Fights took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the traditional Mexican Independence Day card.
It was a disservice to boxing fans and the fighters to schedule the contest between former world champion Jose Ramirez of Avenal, California (29-4, 18 KOs) and top-ten-ranked contender Alexis Rocha of Santa Ana (27-2-1, 16 KOs) so early. The Golden Boy welterweight contest seems to have been buried by ongoing friction between promoters.
This aside, Ramirez and Rocha delivered solid action for ten rounds, with Rocha prevailing by a wide unanimous decision. Scores were 98-91, 98-91, and 97-92.

#solid

DETROIT — Claressa Shields wants her next fight to be her biggest one.
And she wants it to be on the biggest stage yet.
Representatives for Shields, the undisputed "GWOAT" of boxing who remains undefeated as a professional, have had recent negotiations to stage her next bout at downtown Detroit's Ford Field. Shields would be the first female boxer ever to headline a stadium card in the United States. Promoters believe the fight could draw 50,000 fans.
"We just feel like it's the right time to make history again, to break another glass ceiling," Dmitriy Salita, of Salita Promotions, told The Detroit News on Thursday.
"We would love for this milestone to happen in Detroit, as well."

#next

This marks the first time an all-electric manufacturer will take part in the Australian Supercross series.
Begin press release:
Stark Future will race the full 2026 Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship, presented by Monster Energy. It is the company's first season in Australia, and the first time an electric motorcycle manufacturer takes the start gate in the series.
The Stark factory team will compete across all five rounds, starting in October, with riders in both the SX1 and SX2 classes.
The announcement coincides with a landmark development for Australian Supercross: Motorcycling Australia (MA) has approved eligible electric motorcycles to compete, opening the door for electric and combustion machines to race alongside each other within the appropriate competition classes. Subject to technical regulations and approval from Motorcycling Australia (MA), AUSX has permitted eligible machines to enter directly into the relevant established classes, mirroring a global shift in the sport. This initiative was made possible through close collaboration between Stark, the federation, and AUSX promoters.

#classes #australian #motorcycling #time

As promoter Eddie Hearn tries to quantify the impact Katie Taylor has made throughout her career, there is a smile and shake of the head as he says, "the whole story, you couldn't make it up."
On Saturday night, Taylor will make her final walk to the ring when she takes on Flora Pili at Croke Park, with the chance to become undisputed light-welterweight champion once again.
While Taylor entered professional boxing in 2016 with an Olympic gold medal, five world and seven European amateur ****** les to her name, there were no guarantees that star power could flourish in the paid code where women's boxing remained firmly in the shadows.
After agreeing to meet Taylor, her mother Bridget and manager Brian Peters, Hearn's interest was more than piqued.
"I went into that meeting, I would say 90% in my mind I wasn't going to do anything," said the Matchroom chairman.

#taylor #croke

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed regret over not bringing Katie Taylor to GAA headquarters earlier, following extraordinary ticket demand for the Irish fighter's farewell contest at Croke Park.
The 40-year-old will fulfil a lifelong dream when she takes to the ring in Dublin on Saturday night, seeking to become a three-time undisputed world champion against the undefeated Flora Pili.
A sell-out crowd of 80,000 is set to gather for the pioneering athlete's final bout prior to retirement, though Hearn remains confident that vast numbers of additional tickets could easily have been sold.
Previous concerns regarding financial viability, substantial security expenses, and complex logistics had dissuaded the promoter from organising a Croke Park show headlined by Taylor—a hesitation he now reflects on with disappointment.
Hearn said: "If Croker would have originally gone 'Yes, this is going to be massive', I would have gone 'Wow' and we would have done it.

#park #promoter #irish

Moses Itauma has a lot of changes to make if he's to become a boxing world champion in the future.
Itauma, 21, had the chance Saturday at London's O2 Arena to become the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson. All he had to do was beat veteran contender Filip Hrgovic and claim the vacant IBF heavyweight world ******* le.
Despite winning the first round, knocking Hrgovic down in the second, and dominating many of the subsequent rounds with his dazzling offense and fast hands, Itauma nonetheless showed his inexperience, according to his promoter Frank Warren. He fell in love with his power and abandoned his jab, the Queensberry Promotions founder said.
Itauma (14-1, 12 KOs) ultimately punched himself out and lost in the ninth round, when he could barely stand on his own accord. He threw slower, more sluggish shots, and he was there for the taking. Hrgovic, 34, simply needed only to survive in order to claim the win once it was given to him.
"Moses started the fight really well — controlling the fight with his jab, but it didn't work out for him," Warren, Itauma's longtime promoter, said post-fight.

#heavyweight

IndyCar president Doug Boles flew from Ontario to Washington, D.C., the evening of Aug. 16 with as much trepidation as he had optimism. Boles, who typically travels to the site of IndyCar's upcoming race mid-week, wasted no time getting to the nation's capital ahead of the series' second-biggest race of the year, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
After IndyCar and promoter Green Savoree Racing Promotions made a poor first impression – having to call off Friday's practice session – at their new street race in Markham, Ontario, it wasn't clear what awaited for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, although this race was promoted by Penske Entertainment with ****** istance from Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Harbinger.
"Honestly, I was worried just because how Canada had gone," Boles told IndyStar in an exclusive interview.
But after a dinner with Penske Corporation president Bud Denker and the chance to see the 7-turn, 1.7-mile track come to fruition, Boles realized that IndyCar was "in good shape" for Saturday and Sunday's on-track sessions.
Once President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing the IndyCar race – which was won by Kyle Kirkwood – to occur around the U.S. Capitol Building, the series had less than seven months to check every box for the new street course. (It typically takes a year, sometimes two, to set up new street circuits.)

#street

Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran EdsonBarboza has made it clear that his retirement is final and hehas no plans to reverse his decision.

Just days after announcing the end of his 17-year professionalmixed martial arts career, the Brazilian has a message for managersand promoters who might try to entice him back intocompetition.
Barboza announced his retirement after suffering a fourthconsecutive defeat, getting finished by EstebanRibovics at UFC330 in Philadelphia. The 39-year-old then removed his glovesinside the Octagon as the crowd gave him a standing ovation andchanted his name.

For Barboza, having his children beside him made the momentparticularly emotional.

"The entire arena spontaneously chanting 'Barboza,' with my kids bymy side inside the Octagon — they had never been to one of myfights before," Barboza told Sherdog. "Definitely, that was themost emotional moment of my career."

Barboza said age wasn't the primary factor behind his decision.Instead, a severe left-eye injury suffered against LeroneMurphy proved to be the turning point. He emphasized that hecan still beat many fighters but acknowledged that competing at thehighest level is no longer realistic for him. Barboza then made hismessage to potential suitors clear.

"Managers, event promoters, please leave me alone. Don't offer meany fights," he said.

After dedicating his life to combat sports since childhood, Barbozaknows walking away will be an adjustment. However, retirement doesnot mean leaving the sport behind.

"Over these 32 years, I've had the opportunity to train with dozensof coaches from all over the world, and they taught me so much,"Barboza added. "Keeping all that knowledge to myself would beunfair, so I definitely want to pass it on."

#barboza

Tyson Fury has claimed his mega-fight with Anthony Joshua "doesn't look like it's going to happen" - as boxing finds new ways to torment its fans and test their patience over and over again.
The two defining fighters of a generation in British boxing were expected to finally meet in November but the two sides have so far failed to agree on where the bout would take place.
Despite both Joshua and Fury building their legacies in the UK, the most powerful figures at the fight's broadcasting partner Netflix appear to be adamant that the fight is staged in the US.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn appears resigned to this eventuality, despite reiterating his desire for it to take place in the UK, with Fury responding by calling both men "money-thirsty".
"Doesn't look like they're going to sign the fight and it doesn't look like it's going to happen all because Eddie Hearn and that want more money," Fury said in a video on Instagram on Friday.

#fury #going #joshua #hearn

Dana White and Eddie Hearn continue to be at odds with one another.
For much of 2026, White and Hearn have been engaged in a public feud, with the two even briefly discussing boxing each other. The primary friction between the two stems from White's move into boxing promotion with Zuffa Boxing — taking some of Hearn's fighters — and Hearn's move to take on a few high-profile MMA fighters to manage. But lately, their biggest issue has been the planned heavyweight superfight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Fury and Joshua are supposed to fight in their long-awaited matchup before the end of the year, and earlier this year, White claimed to be the promoter of the fight. Hearn disputes this claim, and when rumors began circulating on Tuesday that an announcement was imminent for the fight to take place in November at Madison Square Garden, Hearn shot that down.
"Actually, I should be suing Dana White, because what he's doing is, he's actually purporting to have the ability to stage the fight there, and he's using my client to do a venue deal that he has no rights to," Hearn told About Boxing. …
"The reality is, now, TKO are coming on, asking me if they can be involved. So Dana White's gone from being the promoter of the event to asking if he can be involved. And rather than going, 'Fuck off!' I'm saying, why? Why should I let you be involved in this event? Break it down for me. Tell me how it benefits Anthony Joshua. Tell me how it benefits Matchroom. Tell me how it benefits my fighters. What do you want to do? Do you want to do Matchroom vs. Zuffa 5 v. 5 on the undercard? OK, if it gives my fighters an opportunity.

#fighters #joshua #fight #tell

IndyCar's Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham was seen by 913,000 viewers on Fox. The inaugural street race, which saw Andretti Global's Marcus Ericsson capture his first win in three years, outdid last year's Toronto race – which was viewed by 734,000.
The race peaked with 1.081 million viewers from 2:15 to 2:30 p.m. before Ericsson passed Romain Grosjean for the lead on Lap 86 of the 90-lap race. It was IndyCar's most-viewed Toronto-area race since 2012, when 1.129 million watched Dario Franchitti win in the Exhibition Place neighborhood.
IndyCar's first weekend at Markham faced a lot of scrutiny after the race's promoter, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, didn't have the new street course prepared for IndyCar and support series practice sessions Friday. The race moved to Markham after spending 37 of the last 40 seasons in Exhibition Place. With World Cup matches taking place at BMO Field this year and the downtown Toronto race being a rolling one-year contract, IndyCar moved to a suburb 20 miles out, where the series is set to race for another four years.
Fox is averaging 1.731 million viewers, which is up 16% from last year through 14 races (1.486 million). Aug. 9's Grand Prix of Portland received only 677,000 viewers – a 5% decrease from 2025.
IndyCar is in its second year of having all its races broadcast on Fox's network channel. Last summer, Fox acquired a one-third stake in Penske Entertainment, IndyCar's parent company. Markham marked the third straight race below 1 million viewers after eight of the first 11 races of the season surpassed 1 million (and only one was below 900,000). The Music City Grand Prix on July 20 had 775,000 viewers, although rain delay coverage following the men's FIFA World Cup final reached 2.878 million viewers.

#viewers #indycar

IndyCar's Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham was seen by 913,000 viewers on Fox. The inaugural street race, which saw Andretti Global's Marcus Ericsson capture his first win in three years, outdid last year's Toronto race – which was viewed by 734,000.
The race peaked with 1.081 million viewers from 2:15 to 2:30 p.m. before Ericsson passed Romain Grosjean for the lead on Lap 86 of the 90-lap race. It was IndyCar's most-viewed Toronto-area race since 2012, when 1.129 million watched Dario Franchitti win in the Exhibition Place neighborhood.
IndyCar's first weekend at Markham faced a lot of scrutiny after the race's promoter, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, didn't have the new street course prepared for IndyCar and support series practice sessions Friday. The race moved to Markham after spending 37 of the last 40 seasons in Exhibition Place. With World Cup matches taking place at BMO Field this year and the downtown Toronto race being a rolling one-year contract, IndyCar moved to a suburb 20 miles out, where the series is set to race for another four years.
Fox is averaging 1.731 million viewers, which is up 16% from last year through 14 races (1.486 million). Aug. 9's Grand Prix of Portland received only 677,000 viewers – a 5% decrease from 2025.
IndyCar is in its second year of having all its races broadcast on Fox's network channel. Last summer, Fox acquired a one-third stake in Penske Entertainment, IndyCar's parent company. Markham marked the third straight race below 1 million viewers after eight of the first 11 races of the season surpassed 1 million (and only one was below 900,000). The Music City Grand Prix on July 20 had 775,000 viewers, although rain delay coverage following the men's FIFA World Cup final reached 2.878 million viewers.

#last #first

MARKHAM, Ontario – After IndyCar had to call off Friday's practice session for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, cars have made it on track for the rescheduled session Saturday morning.
With the race's promoter, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, being behind on preparation for the new street course in Markham, all on-track activities were placed on hold Friday before being eventually postponed to Saturday. This is the first year that the series is racing at the 12-turn, 2.19-mile street course after racing at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto for 37 of the last 40 years.
"IndyCar is incredibly disappointed that our promoter was not able to complete the track build on time, despite significant support from our team on site," IndyCar president Doug Boles said in a news release. "Ontario has always been a magnificent market for our sport and the number of spectators that attended today is a shining example of that. New events can always pose logistical challenges and we join in the frustration of our loyal fans and apologize.
"Once we hit the track, we believe the circuit will be spectacular. We would like to thank the city of Markham for the major support it has made to provide IndyCar a layout, which is fast, technical and will put on a terrific show on Sunday."
Green Savoree Racing Promotions needed to receive and install the necessary tire packs for the tire barriers in runoff areas. The three support series in attendance – USF 2000, USF Pro 2000 and NASCAR Canada – completed their practice sessions Saturday morning before Indy cars got on track. IndyCar has another practice at 2:30 before qualifying at 6:30. The race begins at noon on Sunday.

#ontario

MARKHAM, Ontario – After IndyCar had to call off Friday's practice session for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, cars have made it on track for the rescheduled session Saturday morning.
With the race's promoter, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, being behind on preparation for the new street course in Markham, all on-track activities were placed on hold Friday before being eventually postponed to Saturday. This is the first year that the series is racing at the 12-turn, 2.19-mile street course after racing at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto for 37 of the last 40 years.
"IndyCar is incredibly disappointed that our promoter was not able to complete the track build on time, despite significant support from our team on site," IndyCar president Doug Boles said in a news release. "Ontario has always been a magnificent market for our sport and the number of spectators that attended today is a shining example of that. New events can always pose logistical challenges and we join in the frustration of our loyal fans and apologize.
"Once we hit the track, we believe the circuit will be spectacular. We would like to thank the city of Markham for the major support it has made to provide IndyCar a layout, which is fast, technical and will put on a terrific show on Sunday."
Green Savoree Racing Promotions needed to receive and install the necessary tire packs for the tire barriers in runoff areas. The three support series in attendance – USF 2000, USF Pro 2000 and NASCAR Canada – completed their practice sessions Saturday morning before Indy cars got on track. IndyCar has another practice at 2:30 before qualifying at 6:30. The race begins at noon on Sunday.

#track #racing #ontario

IndyCar and IMS President Doug Boles during the public drivers' meeting prior to the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael L. Levitt/Lumen via Getty Images)
In what could have been a great opening day for IndyCar on the streets of Markham, Ontario turned into bitter disappointment for the huge throng of fans in the grandstands and for IndyCar President Doug Boles.
Instead of racing action, the only wheels turned on the 2.19-mile, 12-turn road course was construction machinery still trying to complete the track build. Without enough key tire packs in place to make for a safe impact area, IndyCar officials cancelled all track activity on Friday and issued a revised schedule for Saturday.
That left Boles furious that the track was not ready in time by the promoter of this weekend's event, and a key, longtime IndyCar ally, Green Savoree Promotions.
"IndyCar is incredibly disappointed that our promoter was not able to complete the track build on time, despite significant support from our team on site," Boles said. "Ontario has always been a magnificent market for our sport and the number of spectators that attended today is a shining example of that. New events can always pose logistical challenges and we join in the frustration of our loyal fans and apologize.

#indycar #boles #president #doug

NASCAR is once again leaving Rockingham Speedway.
"The Rock," the iconic 0.940-mile oval track in North Carolina's Richmond County, has hosted races for the Craftsman Truck Series and the second-tier O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in each of the last two seasons after a 12-year absence.
But Rockingham's promoter — Track Enterprises — announced on Friday, Aug. 14 that NASCAR racing will not be held at the track in 2027. In a statement, Track Enterprises says the decision comes "amid overall uncertainty at the facility."
The owner of the speedway is Darryl Cuttell, and he is currently grappling with a financial strain as he battles liens and lawsuits totaling more than half-a-billion dollars. Elon Musk's ****** eXAI alleges it has overpaid between $500 to $800 million for services from Darana Hybrid, an international electro-mechanical contractor company that Cuttell owns.
Cuttell also owns the International Hot Rod ****** ociation (IHRA). Amid Cuttell's financial troubles, IHRA has laid off employees and canceled some of its racing series.

#speedway

MARKHAM, Ontario – IndyCar's first weekend on the streets of Markham has gotten off to a disastrous start, with the series having to call off its Friday practice session for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham.
On Thursday, it became clear to those in the paddock that the race's promoter, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, was well behind on its preparation for the new street race on the 12-turn, 2.19-mile track. Despite the series reiterating its intentions to race Thursday evening and throughout the day Friday, Green Savoree Racing Promotions never got the track to a place that met the regulations of the FIA and IndyCar's competition team.
IndyCar's first open gate day in Markham collapsed as each hour passed, and no race cars made it on track. Throughout the day, spectators – who had free admission to Friday's (lack of) activities – were left mainly in the dark about postponements and eventual cancellations that took place. Green Savoree Racing Promotions failed to give consistent public address updates on changes to the schedule, even to the point of having teams pack cars back into transporters and drivers leaving the track before IndyCar made the postponement public.
Mishaps at new street circuits are bound to happen. The most recent example being in 2021, when grandstands were still being built the morning of the inaugural Music City Grand Prix in downtown Nashville. But Green Savoree Racing Promotions – which also manages the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Grand Prix of Portland – was unprepared for Friday to a level that is somewhat embarrassing for the promoter and the series that partners with it for multiple events per year.
"IndyCar is incredibly disappointed that our promoter was not able to complete the track build on time, despite significant support from our team on site," IndyCar president Doug Boles said in a news release. "Ontario has always been a magnificent market for our sport and the number of spectators that attended today is a shining example of that. New events can always pose logistical challenges and we join in the frustration of our loyal fans and apologize.

#promotions

MARKHAM, Ontario (AP) — IndyCar officials called off the first day of practice and qualifying Friday at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham after the race promoter failed to complete the track.
The event is in its first year in Markham after leaving Toronto's Exhibition Place, the race site since its inaugural running in 1986.
Once the track is completed, IndyCar will inspect the circuit to ensure it's safe. Officials hoped to squeeze all the activities scheduled for Friday into the Saturday schedule ahead of the race Sunday.
The temporary circuit, built for the first time this week, runs between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, the Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407.
Some of the incomplete features included a pedestrian bridge over Enterprise Boulevard that would connect parking to the main spectator compound as well as ports cut into safety fencing for marshals to wave hazard flags through.

#first #ontario #track

MARKHAM, Ontario (AP) — IndyCar officials called off the first day of practice and qualifying Friday at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham after the race promoter failed to complete the track.
The event is in its first year in Markham after leaving Toronto's Exhibition Place, the race site since its inaugural running in 1986.
Once the track is completed, IndyCar will inspect the circuit to ensure it's safe. Officials hoped to squeeze all the activities scheduled for Friday into the Saturday schedule ahead of the race Sunday.
The temporary circuit, built for the first time this week, runs between Kennedy Road, Enterprise Boulevard, the Unionville GO tracks and Highway 407.
Some of the incomplete features included a pedestrian bridge over Enterprise Boulevard that would connect parking to the main spectator compound as well as ports cut into safety fencing for marshals to wave hazard flags through.

#indycar

Daniel Cormier wants Ali Abdelaziz to pump the brakes on PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov's chances against top UFC lightweights.
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is a free agent after knocking out Archie Colgan in the first-round of the PFL New York main event earlier this month. If Nurmagomedov does end up signing with the UFC, his manager, Abdelaziz, claimed on the "Pound 4 Pound" podcast that he would have his way with Ilia Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway – which Cormier thinks is an absurd statement to make.
"I get it, that's your guy, you're a promoter, but you're speaking about the absolute best guys in the world," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "Now, to have faith and think Usman Nurmagomedov can fight these guys, absolutely. ... I think Usman Nurmagomedov is special. I think Usman Nurmagomedov, if he comes to the UFC, immediately becomes one of the top contenders in the organization. I have seen this young man train. I have seen him work. I know that he has championship-level experience."
While Nurmagomedov got some of that championship-level experience through two tough outings against Paul Hughes, Cormier said the UFC would be a step up in competition.
"As good as the Irish kid is, the UFC guys are better," Cormier said. "So you would imagine that these fights would be ultra competitive, but that's the beauty in having a guy separate himself from the world in a different organization. That's the beauty because while what Ali says is very out there, when he looks at that group of fighters, he would expect that because that's all they've really done. Umar has done very well. Khabib dominated; Islam has dominated.

#cormier #think #pound

Claressa Shields knows how to draw a crowd. Now the boxing star is adding extra glitz and glam.
High-profile rappers will be part of the show and famous boxers are expected to be in attendance when Shields fights Kaye Scott for the women's WBC and WBA world middleweight ****** les Saturday, Aug. 15 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Shields, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, will be accompanied on her ring walk by Lotta, the Grammy-award nominated rapper. YG and Diamond the Body, two other notable rappers, will accompany two other fighters on their ring walks.
Also, Shields' team is saving VIP seats for retired boxer star Floyd Mayweather Jr., fellow retired boxing star Terrence Crawford and current boxing sensation Shakur Stevenson, and reserving VIP spots for two more rappers, Kevin Gates and Shields' boyfriend, Papoose.
"Claressa is a real bona fide star,'' Dmitriy Salita, Shields' promoter, told USA TODAY Sports. "And I think she's the biggest selling star.''

#rappers #ring #retired

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Queensberry promoter Frank Warren has said that Irish boxer Lee Reeves is "making progress" after being hospitalised following his fight in Dublin on Saturday night.
The 31-year-old's condition was described as "critical but stable" after he was admitted for treatment following his defeat to Gary Cully.
Reeves was fighting for the vacant BUI Celtic super-lightweight ******* le but was knocked out in the 10th round at the 3Arena.
The Limerick southpaw was stretchered out of the ring after the fight.
An update provided by Warren on Thursday struck a positive note.

#following #frank

Promoter Frank Warren has refused to say if the 'Battle of Britain' between former world heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will take place in the United Kingdom or the United States.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, insisted last month the bout must take place in the UK under the terms of the fight deal signed by both camps, with London's Wembley Stadium seemingly the most likely venue.
But Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh reportedly wants to stage the contest at a time that would attract the largest global audience.
But were the fight to be held at Wembley, any plans to stage the bout with a 2:00 am (0200 GMT) start would require an exemption to the stadium's curfew restrictions.
There would be no such issues should the long-awaited contest be held instead at New York's Madison Square Garden.

#bout #contest

Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore has revealed that he once joined forces with Donald Trump to explore the possibility of bringing a Formula 1 race to New York, with the proposed venue ultimately located in New Jersey. Despite the ambition behind the project, the plan ultimately failed to materialise.
Today, Formula 1 can count the United States among its strongest and fastest-growing markets, with three Grands Prix on the calendar: Austin, Miami and Las Vegas, the latter returning to the championship in 2023. The sport has also enjoyed a significant surge in popularity across the country in recent years, with growing fan interest and an expanding commercial presence.
Donald Trump's rise to mainstream fame accelerated through The Apprentice, the reality TV show that turned him from a businessman into a household name across the United States. Years later, Briatore took on the same role in the Italian version of The Apprentice, becoming the face of the programme in Italy.
Speaking to The Race, the Italian revealed that he enlisted Donald Trump's help because of his experience as a promoter, despite the future US president knowing very little about Formula 1 at the time. Briatore explained that he brought Trump and Bernie Ecclestone together to explore potential locations for a race in the New York area.
"Donald had no idea as well about Formula 1 - but he's a great promoter. At the time, he promoted boxing, he promoted everything in Vegas, etc... I made Donald talk with Bernie (Ecclestone). I was in the office of Donald. We put in (a) video with Bernie to (find) what was the best place in New York to do the race.

#race

Despite a standing order to defend his WBC cruiserweight ***** le against David Benavidez, Noel Mikaelian will meet Jai Opetaia in the co-feature of Zuffa Boxing's Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"This is a huge card, and I look forward to showing the world once again why I'm the best cruiserweight on the planet," Opetaia said. "Credit to Noel for stepping up to the plate while others — yes, David Benavidez, I'm talking about you — continue to run and hide."
"This is a massive fight for Jai, and it's refreshing to see a top-tier cruiserweight step forward when so many continue to avoid the challenge," said Mick Francis, Opetaia's longtime manager. "He's proud to defend the Zuffa Boxing and Ring ***** les on the biggest stage."
"When I step into the ring on September 12 against Jai Opetaia in Las Vegas, I intend to defend my world championship. This is the fight I've wanted since becoming a two-time world champion, and I'm ready to deliver," Mikaelian said. "I haven't fought since December 2025 because of circumstances outside of my control. I refused to stay inactive. Champions are meant to defend their ***** les, and that's exactly what I'm prepared to do."
It's certainly a better matchup than the Glanton fight that kicked off this whole debacle in the first place. but I personally would not put any stake in this happening. Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KO) is under contract with Don King, who remains as vexatiously litigant as ever and has a long history of quashing any attempt by his fighters to compete outside of his purview. Dan Rafael reports that King, who'd reached a deal with Benavidez promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, will follow his usual M.O. and "likely" file suit.

#opetaia

Sky Sports's new documentary is stacked with sobering soundbites. In one scene, boxing coach Joe Gallagher recalls hearing a mother ask her son: "Are all the lows worth that one high?" The answer, of course, was "yes". As Gallagher puts it: "Everyone wants their own Rocky story."
But as Sky explores, that doesn't always mean a rousing underdog story. Rocky's sequels showed Sylvester Stallone's character struggling with retirement, and this is the premise of The Final Round.
Releasing on Friday, the film features interviews with former world champions like Johnny Nelson and Josh Warrington, while Gallagher and Dominic Ingle are among the coaches to speak, promoter Eddie Hearn features, and commentator Andy Clarke weaves together themes of "addiction", sacrifice, and ego.
Former world champion Johnny Nelson (Getty)
The documentary even includes one of the final interviews with the late, great Ricky Hatton, whose internal fights after retiring matched any that he had in the ring.

#johnny #nelson #story #interviews