Sports

Usyk beats Fury to become undisputed world heavyweight champion

Published

11 months ago

May 19, 2024

Oleksandr Usyk on Sunday beat Tyson Fury by split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion.

The Mirror noted that Usyk toppled Fury with a stirring second-half comeback to be crowned the undisputed heavyweight world champion.

Fury dominated the first half of the fight, belying the magnitude of the night by clowning around at every opportunity.

But Usyk made a stirring comeback in the desert, forcing the referee to issue a count when only the ropes held his rival up in the ninth round.

Accordingly, Fury struggled to regain the momentum and would have been the happier of the two men to hear the final bell.

But his relief was short-lived as Usyk was announced the winner – and the division’s first undisputed ruler for 25 years – by split-decision.

The Brit, who was making the fourth defence of his world title, had weighed in 40lb heavier than bid rival and also enjoyed a six-inch height advantage.

He towered over Usyk as they touched gloves, telling the smaller man he was “going to school”.

Despite the occasion, Fury was in a playful mood from the first bell, taunting Usyk by lying back on the ropes. He then repeatedly punched himself in the head, beckoning his rival on.

Usyk landed a one-two at the start of the second round as Fury began to target the body – before punctuating the three minutes with an uppercut.

Fury was content to box on the back foot but began to use his size to lean on Usyk.

He switched to southpaw in the fourth round and prematurely raised his hands in victory after landing a back hand.

Such was Fury’s reach advantage that Usyk was at times struggling to close the distance.

Fury whipped in hooks to either side of the Ukrainian’s midriff as the former cruiserweight champion showed the first signs of struggle.

By the sixth round Fury looked to be in complete control as Usyk began to tire. Now the Brit was on the front foot as his rival backtracked and he reached the halfway mark with his hands behind his back.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Joshua had the best seats in the house alongside boxing’s new power broker Turki Alalshikh.

Steven Gerrard paid a visit to Fury’s dressing room before the first bell while Brazilian superstar Neymar also made an appearance.

And they would have enjoyed Fury’s performance in front of 28,000 fans, including a travelling contingent of Fury’s loyalists.

But Usyk was never going to lie down easily and returned fire in the seventh round with two left-hand reminders.

Fury was alive to the threat however and immediately answered back.

Usyk increased his urgency in the eighth round as he chased down his fellow champion, appearing to demand he meet him for a fire-fight.

It was Usyk’s best round of the fight as he roared back into contention, landing a left-hand flush.

And he put his foot on the gas in the next round when a left hand against the ropes left Fury stunned.

Fury staggered around the ring as Usyk rushed after him and with only the ropes holding him up, the referee issued him a count.

The bell sounded to ensure Fury could fight on but Usyk smelled blood.

Fury had been down seven times before in his career and recovered each time but he looked vulnerable.

But that didn’t stop him showboating in the corner in an attempt to prove he wasn’t still stunned.

Fury had regained his composure by the penultimate round but the momentum was with Usyk as he flashed in a right hand.

A left hand against the ropes worried Fury again as Usyk looked to close the show.

The result was up in the air as the bell sounded for the final round but neither man was prepared to go for broke.

Fury landed the final telling blow but the result was left in the judges’ hands, The Mirror noted.

Sports

Teams that have qualified for the 2025-2026 Champions League

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Today we dive into some of the clubs that have already qualified for the 2025-26 Champions League group stage based on the current standings in some of the top European leagues and teams that have mathematically secured a top finish as of today, April 22, 2025:

Liverpool: They have mathematically secured a top-five finish in the Premier League, guaranteeing their Champions League spot due to England’s strong UEFA coefficient ranking.

Arsenal: They are highly likely to qualify, holding a significant point advantage over sixth place.

Bayer Leverkusen: They have secured a top-four finish in the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich: They have also secured a top-four finish in the Bundesliga.

Barcelona: They are currently in a position to qualify through their league standing.

Real Madrid: They are also in a strong position to qualify through their league standing.

Paris Saint-Germain: They are in a qualifying position in Ligue 1.

Now, those are the usual suspects. There are several other teams that have qualified as league champions in their respective countries, though their entry point, i.e., group stage or qualifying rounds, depends on their league’s UEFA coefficient ranking. Some are familiar; others, not so familiar. They are:

Qarabag (Azerbaijan)

Differdange 03 (Luxembourg)

Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)

Malmö FF (Sweden)

Kairat (Kazakhstan)

KuPS (Finland)

Shelbourne (Ireland)

RFS (Latvia)

Víkingur (Faroe Islands)

Breiðablik (Iceland)

Linfield (Northern Ireland)

The New Saints (Wales)

Virtus (San Marino)

Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)

Galatasaray (Türkiye)

Ajax (Netherlands)

Sporting CP (Portugal)

Genk (Belgium)

As the current season winds down, the number of qualified teams will increase. Follow the league standings in the major European leagues and the results of the current Champions League and Europa League to stay updated.

Sports

Burnley, Leeds United seal Premier League return

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2025

Admin

Burnley beat Sheffield United 2-1 to seal automatic promotion to the Premier League on Saturday, with the result also sending Championship leaders Leeds United up alongside them.

Leeds had earlier thrashed Stoke City 6-0 to go top of the Championship on 94 points with two matches remaining and needed Burnley to then not lose to third-placed Sheffield United to make sure they would finish in the top two.

Burnley duly obliged with Josh Brownhill scoring twice at Turf Moor, either side of Tom Cannon’s equaliser.

Scott Parker’s side, who were relegated last season, joined Leeds on 94 points to leave Sheffield United on 86, and now face the prospect of trying to join them via the playoffs.

Joel Piroe scored a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes for Leeds at a raucous Elland Road and added another before halftime as the hosts stormed 5-0 ahead by the interval.

Leeds are heading back to the top flight after being relegated in 2023 after three seasons in the Premier League.

Fourth-placed Sunderland are guaranteed a playoff place despite a 1-0 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers, who kept alive their slim hopes of a top-six finish.

Fifth-placed Bristol City went down 3-1 at relegation battlers Luton Town, but remained above Coventry City who also lost 3-1 to bottom club Plymouth Argyle.

Seventh-placed Middlesbrough will be kicking themselves as they failed to capitalise on the defeats for Bristol and Coventry as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday despite taking an early lead.

With two games remaining, Bristol City have 67 points, Coventry have 66, and Middlesbrough have 63.

Millwall and Blackburn, with 63 and 62 points respectively, are also still involved in the playoff picture.

AFP

Sports

EPL Results: Chelsea Boost UCL Hopes, Arsenal Win Big, Man United Lost

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2025

Austin Ojomah

The English Premier League matchday 33 delivered high drama and significant movements in the table as Chelsea pulled off a last-gasp comeback, Wolves completed a historic double over Manchester United, and Arsenal cruised to a dominant away victory.
Over at Craven Cottage, Fulham suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. Enzo Maresca’s side clawed back from a goal down to snatch all three points dramatically.

Chelsea claimed a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon to strengthen their push for UEFA Champions League qualification. Goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto in the final 15 minutes turned the tide after Alex Iwobi’s first-half strike had given the hosts the lead.

Chelsea struggled to create clear chances despite dominating possession for large stretches. The Blues lacked composure in the final third, with Pedro Neto seeing a powerful effort blocked by Bernd Leno and Cole Palmer dragging a promising opportunity wide after a clever run into the area.

Alex Iwobi had put Fulham ahead in the 20th minute, but Chelsea responded late. Tyrique George equalized in the 83rd minute before Pedro Neto fired home a stoppage-time winner (90’+3). The victory lifts Chelsea back to fifth, now just two points behind third-placed Newcastle.

At Portman Road, Ipswich Town suffered a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hands of Arsenal. The Gunners dismantled the Premier League newcomers with a clinical performance.

Leandro Trossard netted twice (14’, 69’), while Gabriel Martinelli (28’) and teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri (88’) also got on the scoresheet. The win keeps Arsenal firmly in the title race and adds to Ipswich’s struggles near the bottom of the table.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Wolves in the Premier League matchday 33. Pablo Sarabia stunned the home crowd with a sublime free-kick in the 77th minute, sealing a second win of the season over United for Wolves.

Note that this is the first time the Midlands club has done the league double over United since the 1979-1980 season. The win puts Wolves level on points with the Red Devils, tightening the race for European spots.