Boxing

Liam Smith v Chris Eubank Jr: Rivals to fight again in Manchester on 17th June..

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Liverpudlian Smith, 34, beat Eubank in January via fourth-round stoppage in a bitterly-contested middleweight fight.

Eubank, 33, sought revenge and activated the rematch clause shortly after the third loss of his career.

In the co-main event, Briton Savannah Marshall will face undisputed super-middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn.

Marshall, 31, has not fought since she lost her own grudge match against Claressa Shields in October, but has a second chance to become undisputed champion.

American Crews-Dezurn holds all four world titles in the division and the only defeat on the 35-year-old's record is by Shields in 2016.

Smith and Eubank Jr resume hostilities
When the first bout between Eubank Jr and Smith was announced, few expected it to generate the attention it did.

But a bubbling rivalry exploded in fight week as both boxers hurled unsavoury jibes at each other in a bizarre Manchester news conference.

Eubank wore a rainbow armband at the weigh-in in response to homophobic taunts from Smith, sparking a conversation about boxing and its responsibility to create an inclusive sport.

Both men were fined by the British Boxing Board of Control for their behaviour.

The fight itself was explosive, as Smith produced a blistering performance to blow Eubank away in just four rounds. The display was another fantastic win for Smith, who has accumulated four stoppage wins in a row.

Eubank was at his preferred weight, while Smith had fought most of his career at light-middleweight.

The rematch seemed an obvious choice for both men after their profiles soared, but Conor Benn almost derailed plans.

Talks were held about rescheduling their abandoned fight in Abu Dhabi this summer, but the British Boxing Board of Control's insistence they would not back Eubank fighting Benn in another country ultimately forced discussions to be abandoned.

And so Eubank returns to the scene of his worst defeat, aiming to resurrect a career that could be permanently ended by another win for the resurgent Smith.

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Chantelle Cameron v Katie Taylor: Irish star vows to 'make history' in Dublin homecoming..By Coral Barry, BBC Sport at Dublin Castle.

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Katie Taylor vowed to produce the best performance of her career against Chantelle Cameron in her first fight in Ireland as a professional.

Taylor, 36, moves up to light-welterweight to challenge undisputed champion Cameron in Dublin on Saturday.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Taylor said her main aim when she turned pro was to fight at home.

"It's amazing to bring big-time boxing back to this nation where it belongs," the Irishwoman said.

"I have a chance to make history and nobody is going to take that away from me."

Cameron, Britain's first female undisputed champion, accepted a call-out from Taylor on Instagram when the Irish star's rematch with Amanda Serrano fell through.

The Northampton fighter said she had no reservations about accepting the fight.

"For me this fight is bigger than becoming undisputed champion," Cameron said.

"It will definitely be hostile. But it'll be tunnel vision. Focus on the job at hand and that's to win."

There have been no major boxing events in Ireland since the shooting at a weigh-in at Dublin's Regency Hotel in 2016.

Security concerns and associated costs have made it near impossible for a major boxing event to be held in the country ever since.

Taylor turned professional just nine months after the gangland shooting that claimed the life of David Byrne.

"We're turning a new leaf for Irish boxing," undisputed lightweight champion Taylor said.

"Hopefully this is the first of many nights in Ireland. Young girls are looking up to myself and Chantelle. It's absolutely fantastic.

"They're going to grow up with big dreams as well."

When Serrano pulled of their scheduled rematch on 20th May, Taylor said she felt like her long-anticipated homecoming was "slipping away" from her.

She could not have picked a tougher task as a replacement than Cameron, who is undefeated in 17 fights and a history-maker in her own right.

Taylor last fought in Ireland as an amateur and although she has been her usual reserved, calm self for much of the build-up her excitement to be back on home turf has shown at times.

It is clear the star attraction wants fight week to go by quickly.

Before the customary face-off at the end of the news conference, Taylor was waiting for Cameron in the centre of the stage when she realised she didn't have her belts with her.

Pioneer Cecilia Braekhus fights Terri Harper on Saturday night on the undercard and went through a similar process to Taylor to bring boxing back to Norway.

The former undisputed welterweight champion said she knew exactly how Taylor felt and could not envision anyone beating her on home soil, not even a fighter as skilled as Cameron.

The Briton has a mammoth task on her hand, and knows she has to produce her best against arguably the world's leading female fighter on a hugely emotional night for the hometown hero.

Taylor will hope a big win can heal the wounds boxing has suffered in Ireland in recent years and begin a new era of big fight nights in the country. But Cameron has vowed to spoil that party.

Dillian Whyte offered Anthony Joshua rematch - Eddie Hearn..By Kal Sajad, BBC Sport.

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Anthony Joshua earned a seventh-round win over Dillian Whyte in December 2015

Promoter Eddie Hearn says he has made an offer to Dillian Whyte for a rematch with Anthony Joshua this summer.

On Saturday Joshua, who beat Whyte in 2015, posted on social media to say he was unaware of any talks of a rematch.

But Hearn said both men want the fight, and Joshua is also closing in on a deal to face Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia in December.

"Our plan, which we've stressed, is for AJ to box on 12 August and in December again against Deontay," Hearn said.

Speaking to BBC Sport on Monday, Matchroom Boxing's Hearn added: "The offer was made to Dillian over the weekend. We are waiting for his response to that and we'll talk today."

In a heated affair, Joshua, 33, knocked out Whyte in the seventh round of their British title fight to avenge a loss to his rival from their amateur days.

Olympic gold medallist Joshua went on to become a two-time world champion, while Whyte, 36, lost his only world title challenge to Briton Tyson Fury in 2022.

"Dillian has a lot of value in the rematch," Hearn said. "This is not an opponent for Joshua, but a big fight between two world-class heavyweights and huge British names.

"The negotiations will be difficult but both AJ and Whyte want the fight."

'We're happy to proceed with Wilder in December'
According to reports, representatives in Saudi Arabia are looking to host Joshua-Wilder and Fury against Oleksandr Usyk in December, potentially on the same night.

Joshua has twice fought in Saudi Arabia. He beat Andy Ruiz Jr to reclaim his world titles in 2019 and lost to Ukraine's Usyk in August 2022.

American Wilder is considered one of the hardest punchers in heavyweight history, with 42 knockouts in his 43 wins.

Usyk, who is likely to defend his titles against WBA mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois in Poland on 26 August, signed a co-promotion deal with Saud Arabia's Skill Challenge Entertainment on Saturday, meaning his future fights are likely to take place in the Middle East.

"Usyk is locked in for his half of the deal to sign Tyson Fury in December," Hearn said.

"Fury is another story but, from our point of view, subject to final offers and contracts, we're happy to proceed with the Wilder fight in December."

'We'll see what Fury does'
Hearn said he "still very interested in a massive fight" between Joshua and Fury - one which has long been talked about - if other bouts fall through.

Fury, 34, has not fought since stopping Derek Chisora in the 10th round at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December.

Earlier this month Fury said he had sent Joshua a contract to fight in September. Hearn said the priority is for Joshua to fight in August and then against Wilder later in the year, but has not ruled out a contest with Fury.

"If we can't make the Whyte and Wilder fights, then we'll see what happens with Tyson Fury," Hearn said.

"AJ was very reluctant, as a lot of people are right now, to base his short-term future on the likelihood of Tyson Fury actually doing what he says is going to do."


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Steve Bunce column: Heavyweight boxing has become a 'relentlessly boring pantomime'..By Steve Bunce, BBC Radio 5 Live boxing analyst.

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Heavyweight world champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have not yet been able to negotiate terms for an undisputed fight

There has always been a degree of pantomime attached to heavyweight boxing, but over these past six months, it has been seemingly endless - and relentlessly boring.

This period may well come to be viewed as a black hole for championship heavyweight boxing. All we've had is more accusations, more bold claims, more broken promises and more planned fights scrapped.

I keep a very strict, detailed account of claims made by promoters and fighters.

For instance, at 4.20pm on 10th June 2020, Tyson Fury announced online that a bout with Anthony Joshua was on.

When Fury and Joshua fell out of bed on 11th May 2021, we heard a deal was done for them to fight in Saudi Arabia. Five days later, the Saudis said it was definitely on.

Just days after that, Eddie Hearn announced Oleksandr Usyk would fight Anthony Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - and that Fury and Deontay Wilder would get it on for the third time. Both happened.

I've got another 50 or 60 more dates and claims. It has gone on and on. But in the time that has passed since Fury beat his old mate Derek Chisora in December, it has got to the stage where even a detailed diarist like me no longer cares.

Fury and Usyk have not been able to negotiate terms for a fight. Usyk's people are calling Fury greedy. Fury is insulting Joshua, Wilder or particularly Usyk.

I almost can't be bothered to keep track of it.

Dublin pint did bigger numbers than Fury claim..

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WBC champion Tyson Fury has not fought since a 10th-round win over Derek Chisora in December at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Can you imagine if we had to wait three years for Manchester City to play Inter Milan in the Champions League final? How many fans would football retain if big matches were delayed that long?

Come on, boys, get your stuff together. Fans are bored with it all.

I was in a Dublin for the brilliant Chantelle Cameron-Katie Taylor fight. I bought a pint in this old, rundown pub where The Dubliners, arguably the most famous ever Irish folk band, were formed.

I took a picture of my pint and posted it on Twitter, alongside the caption "pint in the house where the Dubliners formed".

At about the exact time Fury, in his eighth rant of that day, was calling out great UFC fighter Jon Jones, probably the 10th person he has challenged this year.

After about four hours, more people had looked at a photo of a pint sat on a table in a Dublin bar than Fury's latest claims.

That would not have happened a year ago.

Will Saudi super-card happen ?..

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Anthony Joshua bounced back from consecutive defeats by Oleksandr Usyk by beating Jermaine Franklin at in London in April


Four weeks ago, I was reliably told by people flown out to Saudi by one of the consortiums that there is a $400m pot for both Usyk-Fury and Wilder-Joshua to take place at the end of this year.

Then you hear a zillion other stories. It's hard to keep emotionally attached to it.

Although I would love to say 100% we will see those four men fighting each other on the same night in Saudi, I just can't see it. I hope we get one of those two fights, but the idea we get both of them is a dream.

In the meantime, Usyk's unified title defence against Britain's own Daniel Dubois looks set in stone to take place on 26 August in Poland.

Dubois has been brilliantly guided to a world title shot. And he will give a good go. You will not outbox Usyk, and I think Dubois is willing to take risks.

Dillian Whyte has been offered a rematch with Anthony Joshua for 12th August. I expect Whyte to negotiate and ask for more money. It is a risky fight for Joshua before a potential payday with Wilder later this year.

Ratings are like cattle trading
Then that leaves Fury and who he might face next. He sold 60,000 tickets in arctic conditions at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Chisora last December. He can take his pick of opponent, really.

Outside of the top heavyweights - Fury, Usyk, Wilder and Joshua - I wouldn't read too much into where a fighter is ranked and whether he is deserving of a shot. There is no science attached to it.

Who is to say Martin Bakole is in front of Zhilei Zhang or Joe Joyce is in front of Frankie Sanchez? Ratings are not based on anything other than cattle trading.

The four main sanctioning bodies - IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO - hold conventions each year which are full of people from promotional companies. Then, perhaps over a pina colada in Hawaii, they lobby for their fighter to be highly ranked.

Sorry to expose the way the business works.

Boxing is still thriving..

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American welterweight world champions Terence Crawford (left) and Errol Spence Jr are both unbeaten

What is happening at the top of the heavyweight division is filtering down to all weights and levels. We get people pulling out of fights - even at domestic level - because there's not enough money.

But I have to stress boxing is in a good place, and the business is doing well and thriving. And we have had some huge fights this year.

Mexican Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez returning home to Guadalajara to beat John Ryder in front of 55,000 fans was a massive event. Over in Las Vegas, Gervonta 'Tank' Davis sensationally stopped Ryan Garcia.

And finally, on 29th July, we get to find out who is the best welterweight in the world, as Terence Crawford faces Errol Spence Jr.

We just need Usyk v Fury and Wilder v Joshua to be made and we could be looking back at 2023 as the most incredible of years for our sport.

Maybe the Saudis can prove me wrong.

Steve Bunce was speaking to BBC Sport's Kal Sajad.

Conor Benn: UK Anti-Doping confirms fighter 'no longer suspended'..By Kal Sajad, BBC Sport.

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Conor Benn last fought in April 2022 when he stopped Chris van Heerden in two rounds

Conor Benn says he is free to fight in the United Kingdom again after a provisional UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) suspension was lifted.

Benn, 26, failed two voluntary tests for female fertility drug clomifene before his cancelled October bout with fellow Briton Chris Eubank Jr.

Ukad provisionally suspended Benn in March as it conducted its investigation.

"The Ukad process has now firmly ended and I remain free to fight," Benn said.

The body later issued a statement which read: "Ukad can confirm Mr Benn is no longer provisionally suspended under the UK Anti-Doping Rules."

But it added that it had 21 days to assess whether it wanted to appeal against the decision, which was taken by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC), which licenses fighters in the UK, said it was "aware" of Benn's statement.

General secretary Robert Smith said the organisation would "provide a further statement if and when able to do so", and directed enquiries to Ukad.

However, promoter Eddie Hearn said Benn's "nightmare is over" and that he could have a smaller fight in September before a bigger one in December.

In a statement issued on Friday, Benn added: "Today marks the end of the of a gruelling 10-month process, during which the WBC had already decided that I was innocent of any wrongdoing.

"After a hearing with the National Anti-Doping Panel and Ukad, I have now been vindicated for the second time.

"Hopefully the public and various members of the media can now understand why I have maintained my innocence so strongly all the way through."

Benn and Eubank were scheduled to meet on 8 October at a catchweight of 157lb, 30 years after their fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr fought.

Having failed the two voluntary drug tests, Benn gave up his licence with the the BBBoC in the weeks after his planned contest with Eubank was cancelled.

The board refused to let him compete in the UK until he co-operated with Ukad, although Benn did comply with a World Boxing Council (WBC) investigation.

The WBC is a sanctioning body and not an anti-doping watchdog.

After a short investigation into one of the failed drug tests, the WBC said it did not believe Benn was guilty of "intentional doping" and added a "highly elevated consumption of eggs" could have caused the positive test in July.

Benn provided a 270-page document to the WBC outlining his defence, but insisted eggs were never offered as an excuse. He also said he does not accept the banned substance was ever in his system.

Promoter Hearn, speaking on Matchroom Boxing's YouTube channel, says he expects Benn to reapply for his licence with the BBBoC and be cleared to fight in the UK.

"It's been a brutal, painful year of work and belief," Hearn said.

"The nightmare is over and he can get back to his career. Now we sit down with Conor and we look at the plan.

"Maybe he has a slightly smaller fight first. He's been out of the ring for a year and a half, but he wants the big fights ASAP.

"We'll decide what's right for him. I like him coming back and having a fight maybe in September, and then going into a huge fight in December."

In Benn's Friday statement, he continued: "Naturally I am pleased that I can now put this behind me once and for all.

"As you can imagine the last 10 months have weighed heavily on me and I am anxious that if this happened to me it could potentially happen to any honest, dedicated and clean athlete like me.

"I now intend to put this matter behind me and look forward. Which begins with fighting as soon as possible so I can remind everyone who I am."

Anthony Joshua v Robert Helenius: Fired-up Briton in London weigh-in exchange..By Kal Sajad, BBC Sport at Westfield London.

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Joshua and Helenius have sparred together before

A fired-up Anthony Joshua exchanged words with opponent Robert Helenius during a long, intense stare-down as the heavyweights weighed in for Saturday's bout at London's O2 Arena.

Briton Joshua, 33, weighed 17st 12lbs, a pound heavier than Helenius.

The 39-year-old Finn took the fight at a week's notice after Dillian Whyte failed a voluntary drugs test.

"You got a problem with me?" Joshua asked Helenius.

In a swift retort, Helenius told Joshua: "I don't got a problem with you."

Having just weighed in at Westfield London shopping centre on Friday, Joshua told his opponent: "We're going to fight now or we're going to fight tomorrow. Either way we're going to fight."

He instructed Helenius to "stop acting up", adding: "Let's stay calm, let's stay cool."

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The exchange was a stark contrast to Wednesday's respectful news conference, where both men shared pleasantries and shook hands.

Promoter Eddie Hearn described the weigh-in as a "spicy" appetiser, having seen Joshua act uncharacteristically in a confrontational manner.

Fans lined the balconies overseeing the atrium of the shopping centre in White City, eager to catch a glimpse of two-time world champion Joshua.

With the undercard weigh-in done, a relaxed Joshua took his time in coming to the stage. The London 2012 gold medallist handed out hats and took photos with fans, as Helenius was made to wait.

As the two men came face to face, Joshua - who has won 25 fights and lost three since turning pro - locked eyes with his opponent and refused to avert his gaze.

Joshua says a change of opponent is "not a problem at all". He added: "A little blip in my day didn't change the whole trajectory of how my training camp went.

"Stay focused. I'm happy I still get my day in the ring tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. This is my job. This is what I love doing."

Conor Benn: UK Anti-Doping appeals against decision to lift doping suspension..

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Conor Benn last fought in April 2022

UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control have appealed against a decision to lift Conor Benn's suspension from boxing.

Benn, 26, failed two voluntary tests for female fertility drug clomifene before his cancelled October bout with Chris Eubank Jr.

UK Anti-Doping issued a suspension in March; the independent National Anti-Doping Panel lifted it after a hearing.

Benn reacted by saying he was "disappointed" to learn of the appeal.

"I'm disappointed at the news of an appeal being made, having already been cleared by both the WBC and National Anti-Doping Panel to continue my career without restriction," the boxer said.

"I am innocent. Nothing has changed and I remain confident in my position."

A UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) statement read: "UK Anti-Doping can today confirm that it has filed an appeal in respect of a decision handed down by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel regarding anti-doping proceedings brought by Ukad against Mr Conor Benn.

"As confirmed previously in Ukad's statement on 28th July 2023, Mr Benn is no longer subject to a provisional suspension."

The tests were conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada), which until this case had operated independent to the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

The board employs Ukad to do its testing, but elite fighters such as Anthony Joshua hire Vada to add an extra layer of testing.

Benn and Eubank were scheduled to meet on 8th October at a catchweight of 157lb, 30 years after their fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr fought.

Having failed the two voluntary drug tests, Benn gave up his licence with the BBBofC in the weeks after his planned contest with Eubank was cancelled.

The board refused to let him compete in the UK until he co-operated with Ukad, although Benn did comply with a World Boxing Council (WBC) investigation.

The WBC is a sanctioning body and not an anti-doping watchdog.

After a short investigation into one of the failed drug tests, the WBC said it did not believe Benn was guilty of "intentional doping" and added a "highly elevated consumption of eggs" could have caused the positive test in July.

Benn provided a 270-page document to the WBC outlining his defence, but insisted eggs were never offered as an excuse. He also said he does not accept the banned substance was ever in his system.

Chris Eubank Jr promises 'exquisite and supernatural' victory over Liam Smith in rematch..By Coral Barry, BBC Sport.

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Liam Smith is on a four-fight winning streak while Chris Eubank is coming off the first stoppage loss of his career

Chris Eubank Jr described Liam Smith's victory against him as a "miracle" as he vowed to take revenge in their rematch on Saturday in Manchester.

Smith won in four rounds seven months ago in the first knockout defeat of Eubank's career.

Eubank, 33, now faces new "pressure and risk" in a fight that marks the first time he has faced an opponent twice.

"The performance will be exquisite, supernatural, a beautiful artistic display of savage boxing," Eubank said.

"Even to Liam, he may not admit it, he was not expecting the [first] fight to go how it finished. Nobody did. I have to prove that I am the better fighter.

"Me saying it, me believing it, is not enough. If he pulls it off again, I can't argue with anybody. I can't argue with him.

"I can't argue with the boxing public. He will be the better fighter and that will be it."

Liverpool's Smith, 35, was amused by Eubank's description of his January win, saying: "Which one's the miracle? What shot was the miracle?"

Eubank replied: "The miracle was you walking away with a win over me. You shouldn't have won the fight and I am going to rectify that."

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, the fighters and their teams argued back and forth, with Eubank's trainer labelling Smith's victory as a "punch from the gods".

Seven months ago, the pre-fight news conference was marred by homophobic taunts and taunts about social class, but there were no such flashpoints this time, with both men sticking to fighting talk.

Smith tried to irk his opponent and his new trainer Brian 'Bomac' McIntyre, but Eubank remained calm.

"Chris is a sponge. He soaks it up and executes it. He already knows what he has to do," McIntyre said of the new partnership. He is Eubank's third head trainer in four years after spells with Roy Jones Jr and Nate Vazquez.

Smith warned the American trainer he would be blamed should Eubank lose again.

"Brian and the rest of the team, be prepared for the backlash because he'll blame you," Smith said.

"He blames everyone bar himself. You make the mistakes. Take it on the chin yourself.

"The miracle was how easy it was [in the first fight]. The fight never got going. I [only] touched you."

Cast your mind back to January and we were preparing for the first meeting between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr at Manchester's AO Arena.

Smith defied his underdog tag to stop Eubank in four rounds, But the bitter rivalry didn't end that night and the duo run it back tonight at the same venue.

Can Smith earn a repeat result? Or will Eubank avenge that loss?

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Smith and Eubank Jr

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Where the action will take place

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Smith and Eubank Jr

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Chris Eubank Jr

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Liam Smith

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A resting Liam Smith

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Liam Smith

Chris Eubank Jr is first to make his walk to the ring. He was heavily booed when the pair met in January and, on a night when we're asking whether it's repeat or revenge, it's definitely a repeat welcome from the Manchester crowd.

After a long stroll through the back corridors of the arena he eventually emerges wearing a Louis Vuitton co-ord to the musical accompaniment of Still D.R.E.

Not a shred of emotion on his face until he cups his ears to the crowd after jumping over the top rope into the ring.


And here is Liam Smith. He's also got to meander his way through the corridors - it all looks a bit awkward really.

Initially it's fellow Liverpudlian Jamie Webster with 'This Place' that gets Smith in the mood before his favoured 'This Girl' by The Kungs hits and raises the tempo.

Fists are pumping in the crowd and after a short moment to take it all in at the top of the ramp Smith, wearing blue with gold trim, sprints to the ring.


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The time for talking is over, Final instructions are handed over by the referee and we're under way in this rematch.