Aurelia Butler

More stories

  • 225 Shares159 Views

    in Boxing

    Naoya Inoue vs TJ Doheny LIVE RESULTS: World title fight gets underway NEXT in Tokyo – latest updates

    NAOYA INOUE will defend his undisputed super-bantamweight world title against TJ Doheny this afternoon.The Japanese superstar is a two-weight undisputed champ who holds the IBF, WBO, WBC and WBA straps at 122lbs.Monster is unbeaten in all of his 27 bouts and has knocked out his last eight opponents.The challenger, Doheny, is on a three-fight win streak, which secured the Irish southpaw the opportunity to fight for Inoue’s undisputed super-bantamweight world title this afternoon.Fight start time: 12.25pm BST (approx)TV channel: Sky Sports Main EventLive stream: NOW/Sky Sports appCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow our live blog below…Takei vs HigaJudges score the bout 115-112, 114-113 to your winner by unanimous decision… Yoshiki Takei! He retains his WBO bantamweight championship with the final round proving enough to have kept his title. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R12 Champion Takei starts on the front foot wading in with some heavy hooks and combinations, big uppercut has Higa hurt. Another hook snaps Higa’s head back, it’s a big finish from the champ. Fight goes the distance and this will be a really difficult bout to judge, especially with Higa scoring that knockdown. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R11 Both fighters are cut now in the championship rounds. It comes after Higa had Takei stunned with a big combination in the corner. Down goes Takei after what looked to be a coming together and slip but knockdown called regardless. Huge moment for Higa Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R10Higa still looking to press forward but you sense his time to really hurt Takei was in the first half of this fight. Takei looks fresher in there and stops Higa in his tracks with a brilliant left hand as Higa lazily throws out a left of his own. Higa does land a couple of strong jabs and goes down to the body while Takei is backed into the corner. He then lands a lovely right as Takei fails to end the round as well as he started it. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R9Some swelling starting to form over the left eye of Higa, who’s taken a fair few of those uppercuts from Takei. Takei goes back to boxing well in this round as he looks to discourage Higa from launching any more of those wild attacks. Higa does land a nice left hand again as he comes forward but misses wildly with his next one. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R8Takei controls the first minute of the eighth round nicely, boxing off the back foot once again. But Higa has more success in the middle of the round as he closes the gap once again, turning it into a scrap against the ropes. Both move closer to the centre of the ring and begin to trade shots, something which definitely favours Higa. Solid round for the challenger. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R7Higa lands a lovely left hand as he comes forward once again but Takei happily takes it. Very time he opens up he gets hit with that left and his chin is pretty high in the air…Takei lands a left of his own but it doesn’t stop Higa from trying to close the distance. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R6Takei is in a fight here. He looks like he’s in control at times but Higa is doing more than enough to unsettle him. There’s certainly more urgency from the challenger. Takei turns Higa around as the latter backs him into the corner and Takei lands a beautifully-times right hand soon after to end the round. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R5Higa flies out the traps again but Takei is more alert to this time, landing two uppercuts off the back foot to keep his man at bay. Takei does take a hard left hook a few seconds later but man ages to land one of those fierce uppercuts again straight afterwards. Takei with the slightly longer arms in there and seems to have control of this fight from his own range while Higa tries to rush in with momentary attacks. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R4Higa comes out for the fourth round and decides to throw caution to the wind early, backing Takei against the ropes. Higa lands hook after hook but Takei takes them and moves the fight back to the centre of the ring. A wild swing follows from Higa and he ends up on the canvas but the ref rules it a slip. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R3Takei lands a hard left hook to begin the round and Higa looks momentarily stunned. A right hook then follows and Higa looks a little unsteady once again. Higa tries to get in close but Takei looks pretty comfortable in the pocket and manages to fight his way off the ropes too. Hard lead uppercut lands from Takei to end the round. Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R2The champ is now starting to take control of the bout as we head into the fourth round.Takei has caught Higa with multiple strikes and has had success with the right uppercut in the last round.Higa doesn’t look to be slowing down, though, with the challenger still proving to be a difficult customer.Copy linkCopiedTakei vs Higa – R1The first round began with both fighters feeling each other out, with Higa looking particularly dangerous.In the final minute of the opening round, both boxers landed some powerful blows, with Higa catching the champ with a flurry of strikes.Copy linkCopiedTakei vs HigaRound one is about to get underway in Tokyo as the unbeaten Takei takes on Higa for the WBC bantamweight title.Copy linkCopiedUp next World title action as Yoshiki Takei defends his WBO bantamweight title against Daigo Higa. Takei won the belt in just his ninth fight against Jason Moloney. Credit: AlamyCopy linkCopiedWhat the ref Qamil Balla fell to a brutal knockout loss after the referee jumped in just one second too late.Sasaki came into the bout with a frightening record of 16 KOs in his 17 wins – and he notched one more against Balla.He stopped his opponent in brutal fashion after a barrage o punches forced Balla into the corner.Eventually, he collapsed to the ground amid the flurry of combinations with the ref just too late to step in.Copy linkCopiedBarroso vs HiraokaThe fight is over and rightfully so. Three knockdowns and Barroso is stopped inside nine rounds. Very dominating performance and a huge message to the 140lb division. Copy linkCopiedBarroso vs HiraokaRound nine and again Barroso is down. Big right hand drops the veteran in the corner but again Barroso makes it to his feet. Barroso down again after a combination and he again makes it to his feet but the writing could be on the wall. Copy linkCopiedBarroso vs HiraokaKnockdown in round six as Barroso is floored with a right hook from Hiraoka. It was a messy shot as Barroso flew into range and Hiraoka connected on the neck of the Venezuelan. But Barroso’s momentum took him to the canvas and he has it all to do to turn it around with half the fight left. Copy linkCopiedIn the ring now Venezuelan veteran Ismael Barroso, 41, is heading into the fourth round of his light-welterweight title eliminator against Andy Hiraoka. Barroso is coming off a January win over Brit Ohara Davies which came just months after his controversial loss to American Rolly Romero. He is now battling for a chance to challenge for the WBA title held by Pitbull Cruz – who this year beat Romero. Copy linkCopiedFight day Japan plays host to yet another Naoya Inoue title fight. Inoue defends his unified IBF, WBO and WBC super-bantamweight titles against TJ Doheny. He is 27-0 with 24 KOs compared to 26-4 Doheny. Credit: AlamyCopy linkCopied More

  • 213 Shares189 Views

    in Boxing

    Agonising moment referee jumps in one second too late as boxer collapses to canvas after brutal KO

    BOXER Qamil Balla fell to a brutal knockout loss after the referee jumped in just one second too late. Aussie Balla faced Japanese knockout artist Jin Sasaki on Naoya Inoue’s undercard in Tokyo. Jin Sasaki brutally knocked out Qamil BallaThe referee was just a second off stopping the KOSasaki came into the bout with a frightening record of 16 KOs in his 17 wins – and he notched one more against Balla. He stopped his opponent in brutal fashion after a barrage of punches forced Balla into the corner. Eventually, he collapsed to the ground amid the flurry of combinations with the ref just too late to step in. Fans were quick to hail ruthless Sasaki, as one said: “Violent finish.”READ MORE IN BOXINGAnother added: Jin Sasaki with an incredible finishing sequence. “Amazing body work throughout the match and a thunderous leaping hook.One praised: “A lot of heavy strikes, a lot of violence.”Another said: “This man a beast.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSasaki won a trinket WBO title after his savage stoppage and now has future world championships in his sights. He said: “I want a title match.” Sickening moment fighter snaps ankle mid-fight before slipping it back into place as if nothing happened More

  • 250 Shares169 Views

    in Boxing

    Tyson Fury told how to beat Oleksandr Usyk ‘three times in one night with simple game plan’ in heavyweight rematch

    TYSON FURY could beat Oleksandr Usyk “three times in one night” – so long as he uses a simple game plan laid out by Billy Joe Saunders. The Gypsy King was defeated for the first time in May as Usyk was crowned heavyweight boxing’s first four-belt undisputed champion. Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury in MayCredit: PANow he looks ahead to his December 21 rematch and has been given pointers by good friend and former champ Saunders. BJS told talkSPORT: “I don’t think there’s anyone out there than can outbox Usyk. “Tyson Fury, he can beat Usyk three times in one night with one simple game plan.“It’s very, very simple how to beat him. You have to use your size. You have to use your physical advantages. READ MORE IN BOXING”Every attribute you have you need to use to full effect with this man.” Fury, 36, raced to an early lead before Usyk, 37, came on strong down the stretch to snatch the historic win. But the British superstar claimed in the aftermath that the fight was “TOO EASY” which forced him to switch off – and Saunders agreed. He said: “The first five rounds was like a sparring session for him.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Actually, I’ve seen him have harder spars for the first five rounds than that fight. If he’s getting his own way early on, he tends to switch off. “If he gets knocked out cold on the floor and people don’t think he’s getting up and he gets up, that’s when he switches his gears up.My man would make an epic Gypsy King impersonator – he’s always stopped for pics, but people say he’s ‘more Dyson Fury’“You’ve got to give him credit. I know there’s a lot of speculation about the ninth round, but he didn’t go down and he was still on his feet fighting.“I’m not making any excuses for him, but I know what went on in camp and what didn’t go on in camp.“I know that, even when it came to sparring and other bits and bobs, there was stuff missing out of it that needs to be rectified this time.“He’s asked me to go away [for] training camp with him, so I’m delighted to say I will be going away with him.”Saunders, 35, has not boxed since a crushing 2021 defeat to Canelo Alvarez, 34, but he is training for a comeback bout. Meanwhile he backed Fury to avenge his only ever loss against Usyk. Saunders predicted: “I believe Tyson will win the next fight. And I believe that he will win by knockout as well.”Fury pictured with friend Billy Joe SaundersCredit: Stevenage FC More

  • 213 Shares159 Views

    in Boxing

    Awkward moment Daniel Dubois tells Eddie Hearn to ‘calm down’ before Anthony Joshua threatens rival with chair

    EDDIE HEARN was told to “calm down” by Daniel Dubois in an awkward sitdown exchange with the Brit bruiser.”Triple D” is gearing up to make the first defence of his IBF heavyweight title against Hearn’s long-time fighter Anthony Joshua at Wembley later this month.Anthony Joshua faces Daniel Dubois in a Wembley war later this monthCredit: PAAJ promoter Eddie Hearn took part in a sitdown interview with the pairCredit: DAZNIBF heavyweight champ Dubois told Hearn to “calm down” after he poked holes in his win over Filip HrgovicCredit: DAZNDubois and Joshua, 26 and 34 respectively, took part in a heated sitdown interview with their promoters in the shadows of the Wembley arch.And Dubois eventually turned his attention to Hearn after the Matchroom Boxing supremo poked holes in his June stoppage of the previously undefeated Filip Hrgovic.Hearn, 45, said: “He [Hrgovic] was [on the way out], but he also took the kitchen sink from him.”And you took the kitchen sink off him, which was very impressive. And I give you incredible respect for that.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”But you don’t have to take the kitchen sink from him, you just have to take a cocktail stick.”Dubois took exception to Hearn’s critique, chiming in: “All right, I’m not fighting you, Eddie.”Hearn quickly replied: “Well thank God for that. “And with a wry smile on his face, Dubois then said: “Calm down.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHearn replied by revealing his delight at Dubois fulfilling his dream of becoming a world champion.”Listen, you deserve your shot,” he said. “You’re world heavyweight champ.Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois nearly come to blows as AJ tells rival ‘don’t disrespect me'”And I love that you’re world heavyweight champion.”I love it because I hate whenever AJ wins a belt [it’s], ‘He won a vacant title’ and this and that.”He gets to dethrone you. That’s the beautiful thing about it. Great, you dethrone a champion.”You’ve got my attention, our [attention and] the world’s attention. Well done, well done. Now we’ll see.”The exchange between Dubois and Hearn came moments before AJ threatened to hit the IBF champ with a CHAIR for disrespecting him.After Dubois refused to back down to him in a fiery exchange, AJ stood up and said: “Daniel, don’t disrespect me because I’ll put this chair around your f***ing face.”Security quickly stepped in with Dubois being restrained as Joshua added: “I don’t take disrespect lightly, Dan.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Dan, I don’t take disrespect lightly you know. “Don’t sit on the table telling me we can go now and do all of this and that and try call me out.” More

  • 225 Shares179 Views

    in Boxing

    Naoya Inoue vs TJ Doheny: UK start time, live stream, TV channel and undercard for Tokyo title fight

    NAOYA INOUE is back in action this week as he looks to defend his world titles once again. Inoue is coming off a huge win against Luis Nery earlier this year, a bout which he was knocked down in himself. Naoya Inoue is defending his super-bantamweight titles against TJ DohenyThe Japanese superstar hit the deck in the first round but recovered to score an emphatic KO win in the middle of the fight. Before that, Inoue beat Marlon Tapales to retain his super-featherweight titles. Up next is Doheny, who is a former world champion himself with a record of 26-4. At 37 years old, however, his best years are behind him, and Inoue will be licking his lips at the thought of extending his unbeaten record with another stoppage.When is Inoue vs Doheny?Inoue’s world title clash with Doheny will take place on Tuesday, September 4. The undercard will get going from around 7.30am BST, with the main event likely to get underway from midday. The Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan will play host. What channel is Inoue vs Doheny?Inoue vs Doheny will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. You can live stream the action on the Sky Go or NOW TV app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.Coverage gets underway from 7.30am BST.Inoue vs Doheny full cardNaoya Inoue vs TJ DohenyYoshiki Takei vs Daigo HigaJin Sasaki vs Qamil BallaIsmael Barroso vs Andy HiraokaToshiki Shimomachi vs Ryuya Tsugawa More

  • 188 Shares159 Views

    in Boxing

    Fans say ‘this is gonna save boxing’ as new price for PPV fights is proposed

    SAUDI supremo Turki Alalshikh wants to overhaul boxing’s pay-per-view structure and LOWER prices – and fight fans are over the moon.Prices for the premier fights in the sport have shot up in recent years, much to the frustration of fans worldwide.Pay-per-view prices for big boxing fights have shot up in recent yearsCredit: GETTYSaudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh wants to LOWER the prices fight fans payCredit: GettyBoxing fans in the UK once paid a cool £19.95 to watch fights from the comfort of their homes, but broadcasters bumped up the price to £24.95 in December 2019 for Anthony Joshua rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.American fans have it even worse, regularly paying between $69.99 (£53.31) and $84.99 (£64.72) to watch the elite throw down, fees which have led to an increase in illegal streaming.But Alalshikh plans to combat the rise in dodgy streaming by working with broadcasters to lower their prices to a less than £20 in the UK and $20 in the USA.During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “You mention the PPV, I think this is my next big fight and I want your advice also.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”I dream of a PPV with a good price to make the fans happy and subscribe and get them to watch it legally.”Usually when I see a high PPV, a lot of people go and watch the fight illegally and this is not healthy for boxing and the platform.”What I will try to push is to have our Riyadh Season shows at less than £20 in England and less than $20 around the world…”I would prefer to have one million fans subscribe and buy the PPV for £20 than less than 500,000 [for £40].Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The people go around it illegally because the price is high. In the future, this will not build boxing.”If I give the fans good fights at a good price then I will increase the fanbase.”Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois on track to break Tyson Fury’s stunning record at world title fight Alalshikh’s plans were well received by fight fans, one of whom said: “Salute!!”Another said: “Man of the people.”And another said: “This man might be the saviour.”One remarked: “This is gonna save boxing.”Another chimed in: “There goes my hero!”Brit boxing fans had to pay £24.99 in May to watch the historic undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, while Americans forked out $69.99.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey will, however, pay considerably less for this month’s IBF heavyweight title fight between defending champion Daniel Dubois and former titleholder Anthony Joshua.TNT Sports have slapped a £19.95 price tag on the domestic dust-up, which will take place in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. More

  • 200 Shares149 Views

    in Boxing

    Sickening moment fighter snaps ankle mid-fight before slipping it back into place as if nothing happened

    A BAREKNUCKLE boxer suffered a horrific broken ankle just seconds into their latest fight.Trevor Bozniak locked horns with Kayden Giroux at the latest BKFC Prospect Series event in Edmonton, Canada last Saturday.Trevor Bozniak locked horns with Kayden Giroux at last weekend’s BKFC Prospect Series eventCredit: BKFCThe cruiserweight contender was floored by a thunderous right hookCredit: BKFCBozniak snapped his right ankle on his way to the canvasCredit: BKFCThe fight was stopped after just ten seconds, but not because of the brutal and bloody knockouts we’re used to seeing in the promotion.The referee waved off the contest after seeing Bozniak’s ankle snap as he got dropped by a thunderous right hand inside the pocket.Bozniak’s right ankle was nearly at a right angle after bearing the brunt of his weight as he was sent hurtling to the canvas.But miraculously, he shrugged off the injury by popping the ankle back into place before rising to his feet.READ MORE BOXING NEWSBut referee Dan Miragliotta had already seen enough and waved off the contest, much to Bozniak’s frustration.The horror clip spread like wildfire on social media and baffled fight fans across the globe.One wrote on X: “That dude didn’t even wince. I have no clue how he just put it back and was like, ‘I’m good.'”Another said: “Bro just stood up.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSReferee Dan Miragliotta was quick to wave off the contestCredit: BKFCAnd another said: “How did he stand back up after that?”One remarked: “Bro feels no pain.”Watch stunning six second knockout in brutal bare-knuckle boxing fight leaving UFC legend Conor McGregor in aweAnother chimed in: “Walked it off.”One stunned fan asked: “How did he just snap his foot back like nothing happened.”Victory over Bozniak was cruiserweight up-and-comer Giroux’s first under the BKFC banner. More

  • 150 Shares99 Views

    in Athletics

    Transgender parent-of-two Valentina Petrillo, 50, qualifies for Paralympics 2024 women’s 400m semi-final

    AN ITALIAN runner who was born male has become the second transgender athlete to compete in the 64-year history of the Paralympics.Valentina Petrillo, 50, has a visual impairment and competed in the heats of the women’s T12 400m class on day five of the Paris Games.Valentina Petrillo of Team Italy made history during the Women’s 400m T12 Round 1 Heats on day five of the ParalympicsCredit: GETTYThe 50-year-old became the second transgender athlete to compete in the Games in its 64-year historyCredit: GETTYPetrillo was born a male and underwent hormone therapy in 2019Credit: GETTYPetrillo, who does not require a guide, qualified for tonight’s semi-finals at the Stade de France with a time of 58.35 seconds as she finished behind Alejandra Paola Perez Lopez of Venezuela in heat four but ahead of China’s Shen Yaqin.Without requiring the use of a guide runner, parent-of-two Petrillo qualified sixth overall and will be in contention for the podium spots at the Paras.She said: Petrillo said: “The atmosphere in the stadium is great, it’s just a dream come true. We are here finally, it’s September 2, 2024, let’s sign this historical date (in our diary).“From today I don’t want to hear anything more about discrimination, prejudices against transgender people.READ MORE PARALYMPICS NEWS“There are lots of people dying only for being trans, people are killed because they are trans, people commit suicide because they are trans and lose their jobs, or (they are) are not included in sport.“But I made it. If I can make it, everyone can make it. I thought about Paris from the day I knew I was not making it to Tokyo. I am here now. Finally, I made it.”In 2017, the disabled star shocked her wife, the mother of their two children, when she revealed she wanted to become a transgender woman – and within two years, she was undergoing hormone therapy.Running as a male, Petrillo won 11 Italian para-athletics titles but has started to win medals on the international stage since switching to female-only events.Most read in AthleticsIn March 2023, World Athletics – the governing body of able-bodied track-and-field – took a firm stance on this controversial topic.Officials decided to exclude male-to-female transgender athletes who had gone through male puberty from competing in international events for women.Imane Khelif wins Olympic gold in women’s welterweight final after huge gender row that has grabbed worldwide attentionSeb Coe, the president of the governing body, said “decisive action” was taken “to protect the female category in our sport”.While some might feel that Petrillo has a considerable physical advantage, despite being in her sixth decade on the planet, the International Paralympic Committee refused to implement any ban, saying they do not have any “framework” of rules.Channel 4’s Paralympics Line-UpChannel 4 have a star-studded line-up of hosts and pundits for their coverage of the 2024 ParalympicsA IPC spokesperson said: “We have had one previous transgender athlete at the Paralympic Games. “This was a Rio 2016 Paralympian who represented the Netherlands.“Our framework is very clear. The IPC have no specific rules on transgender.“It’s the responsibility of the international federations, which is a very similar approach to the IOC (International Olympic Committee).”Not everybody is convinced and some want a suspension to come into force.Germany’s Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who competes in the women’s long jump, said: “Basically, everyone should live in everyday life the way they feel comfortable, but I find it difficult in competitive sports.“Petrillo has lived and trained as a man for a long time, so there is a possibility that the physical requirements are different to those of someone who was born as a woman.Valentina Petrillo wants to be a role model for other transgender peopleCredit: GETTY”This could give an advantage.”Petrillo said: “I’m happy as a woman and running as a woman is all I want. I couldn’t ask for more.“I dream of a future where no one has to hear stories like mine anymore.“For 44 years I had no tools, I thought I was the only one in the world experiencing this situation.”I was born in Naples in the Seventies, where the ‘femminielli’ were considered the ‘scum’ of society.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I had an older relative who declared that she was trans and she was kicked out of the house by her father. I was scared and hid.“I dream of a future in which there are no longer children, girls, teenagers, forced to hide, to be afraid, to not be able to express themselves for who they are: in the family, in society, in everyday activities.” More