BOXING owes a massive debt of gratitude to Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, for giving us a fight in Riyadh last weekend that will live long in the memory.
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol put on a show that displayed just how good boxing can be at its bestCredit: Getty
They went into battle as unbeaten warriors and the prize to the winner was to be acclaimed the undisputed world light-heavyweight champion.
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It was the kind of even match-up that is made in heaven and every fan on the planet had been looking forward to it for months with expert opinion divided as to who would come out on top.
The week-long build-up was extremely low key — it was unmistakable the two Russians had enormous respect for each other and weren’t interested in getting involved in pretending there was a grudge.
It was amusing to see the various TV interviewers desperately trying — but failing miserably — to get Beterbiev and Bivol to trash-talk and bad-mouth each other.
Very often the anticipation of such a consummate contest ends up being a bitterly disappointing anti-climax — the long-awaited Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao clash nine years ago is a classic example.
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But within seconds of the opening bell such fears were knocked out as it became clear this would be extra special.
For 12 rounds the action ebbed and flowed non-stop between two proud, elite fighters calling on all their remarkable resources as they strived for supremacy.
There was hardly a clinch and I certainly didn’t see a single foul blow throughout the 36 minutes — in fact American referee Thomas Taylor didn’t need to be there as he had absolutely nothing to do.
It wasn’t the kind of brutal fight that had you gasping for breath — hardly a drop of blood was shed and there were no knockdowns.
Puzzled fans say ‘this is so random’ as snooker royalty spotted ringside for Beterbiev vs Bivol
But it was so tantalisingly close and absorbing and the skill levels were so high. It must have had most people purring.
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At the end nobody could be sure whose hand was going to be raised in triumph — there was bound to be controversy whoever got it.
From my armchair view I thought, because of his grandstand finish in the last two rounds, Beterbiev just about earned his majority decision.
But both men gave their fellow pros a lesson in how to conduct themselves in victory and defeat — no histrionics from either.
The punch stats didn’t tell the full story of a marvellous show
Hearn, at that time, didn’t know what Dmitry had said before he left the ring — when his disappointment must have been at its height.
There was no Bivol bellyaching, on the contrary, as he said of the decision: “It’s just the opinion of the judges. I just say congratulations to Artur and his team, he deserves it. No problem.”
How refreshing in this modern, money-mad world that boxing sportsmanship of the highest quality can still prevail.
MICHAEL CARRICK insists the pathway for English coaches isn’t broken and does not care if it’s a German or not in charge of the Three Lions as long as they “earned it”.
When asked what he thought the problem was regarding a so-called lack of English candidates for the role, Carrick said: “I don’t think that anything has gone wrong particularly.
“It’s not for me to really say. As an Englishman I fully support the team and the manager and I hope that he does really well.
“The FA have had a decision to make, they’ve made that and good luck to them.”
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Carrick continued: “It’s just like playing being a coach, whatever it is it comes down to what you are achieving really.
“What’s right or wrong? There’s not a duty really.
“It’s up to every club really to pick who they want as players and managers. In the end, you have to be good enough.
“It would be nice if there were more [English coaches] at the top level for sure and over time hopefully that will happen. But you’ve got to earn it.”
Carrick played under England’s first two foreign coaches, the late Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, and says having someone from overseas in charge made no difference.
The 43-year-old, who celebrates two years in charge of Boro next week, added: “I played under two. Sven gave me my debut and Fabio after that.
Five things you may not know about Thomas Tuchel from younger Brazilian girlfriend to former modelling career
“From a players point of view, when you play for your country and you are representing yourself, your family and your nation and you give what you can.
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“I think that there is a respect for the coach and staff but then you’ve got your own responsibility and duty to try and perform, and I don’t think that really changes [whoever is in charge].”
ANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love life
By Andy Dillon
THOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.
Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.
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English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.
Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.
Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.
Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.
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Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.
An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.
Grainger was appointed as Wales boss in March 2021, becoming the country’s first ever full-time manager solely dedicated to just the women’s senior team.
“I was approached by Norway and things happened very quickly,” added Grainger.
“It wasn’t expected for me, it was a surprise and sometimes the timing of how things are is not always perfect.
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“I don’t think there ever would have been a perfect time for me to leave Wales, I certainly didn’t plan to leave at the time that I did and also at the speed that I did as well.
“But I felt like the opportunity that had been put in front of me was the right one for me to take.
“I knew the players were upset, I knew they would be upset with me leaving at that time as well.
“I do believe in the journey, I do believe in the team, that’s still what I believe in.
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“I still follow the team closely, I’m still very close to the team but it was a decision that I had to make and my only hope was that the players would understand.
“Everyone in football gets opportunities at different times, them as players when they move to different clubs.
“It didn’t mean that what I said about believing in the journey and believing in the team wasn’t true, it was just something that I felt was the right thing to do for me.”
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says George Baldock “meant so much to everybody” as he pays tribute to the former Blades defender following his shock death last week.
CHELSEA travel to Anfield to take on league leaders Liverpool on Sunday in the biggest game of this weekend’s Premier League action.
And although the Blues may be going into the game as underdogs, they could shock their Merseyside opponents with their high-risk tactics.
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Enzo Maresca’s high-risk tactics could cause some issues for Liverpool this weekendCredit: Getty
Enzo Maresca has already whipped his side into shape since coming through the door in SW6 this summer.
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And he can really lay down a marker on Sunday by luring Liverpool into the ultimate game of chicken with his favoured “tension-ball” tactics.
While Liverpool’s high press tactics under Arne Slot could either play right into Chelsea‘s hands or expose the Blues’ plans.
Inverted full-backs
Maresca has completely changed the way Chelsea play since arriving from Leicester and one his biggest tactical tweaks is playing with an inverted full-back.
In the current system it tends to be Malo Gusto who drifts away from his traditional full-back position and into midfield to offer more numbers in the middle of the park.
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That decision is ultimately to allow the Blues to have an overload in midfield – meaning they should almost always outnumber their opponents in central areas.
Gusto playing more central allows him to play alongside Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo to create a box-like four in midfield.
That would allow Chelsea one more central player than Liverpool, with Slot usually opting for a three of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.
However, it can also expose Chelsea on the wings, with Gusto leaving his flank and leaving Maresca’s side with gaps in wide areas.
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Chelsea play with Malo Gusto as an inverted full-back allowing for more options in midfield
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Their overload allows them to outnumber Liverpool in midfield
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Malo Gusto is regularly receiving the ball in central areas
That swings-and-roundabouts approach of leaving yourself vulnerable in wide areas to win the midfield battle is exactly what could create a game of chicken at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool always aim to press high and did so with a four-man press during their thrashing of Man Utd earlier in the season.
How to cure England’s Bellingham, Foden and Palmer headache
That intense press is where the game of chicken begins, with Liverpool hoping to gamble on Chelsea being unable to play out from the back without Gusto as an extra option in defence.
If Chelsea can bypass that press then they will be able make use of their midfield overload and get the better of Liverpool.
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If they can’t do that, then they’ll likely run themselves into all kinds of trouble against one of the best pressing teams in the league.
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Liverpool are one of the best pressing teams in the league and often push on with four players
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Their four-man press could create a game of chicken as they look to stop Chelsea from playing out from the back
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If Chelsea bypass their press then the Blues could have a huge overload in midfield
Tension-ball
Chelsea’s overloading plans aren’t just for playing out of the back, Maresca wants it to happen all over the pitch.
The Italian regularly talks about having “tension” across the pitch as a way to help his players “jump” into space.
In short, that means he wants his technically gifted players to invite pressure onto themselves so that they can ping the ball away to players in space in other parts of the overload.
Maresca wants his players to effectively drag the opposition out of position and then occupy those spaces themselves, moving fast to take advantage of the spaces they’re vacating.
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It’s a high-risk high-reward way of playing and one that will certainly be tested to its limits against a very strong Liverpool team.
In fact, Chelsea fans can expect multiple moments on Sunday where they will want to watch through their fingers as their side plays with fire in the midfield.
However, if they can get it right – as they have done on most occasions this season – they could well spring a surprise on Slot’s men.
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Maresca’s tactics will try draw players onto the man with the ball
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Once that player moves it frees up another man for the pass
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Arne Slot’s press will certainly be a tough test for Maresca’s tension-ballCredit: Getty
Allowing fans to drink alcohol will be trialled at two Women’s Championship clubs this season, says Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) chief executive Nikki Doucet.
The newly launched WPLL, which governs the Women’s Super League and second-tier Championship, is discussing measures with their key stakeholders as part of a pilot that could lead to wider adoption across the women’s game.
Discussions by the WPLL are at an early stage and the trial clubs have yet to be chosen but it is part of wider measures to capitalise on the growth of the sport.
Laws have been in place since 1985 banning the drinking of alcohol in view of the pitch in men’s football, but the ban in the women’s game has, until now, been self-imposed by football’s authorities.
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Speaking at the Leaders Week London event, Doucet said: “We are going to test it in a couple of teams in the Championship this season and we will see what we will learn from that.
“I think the behaviour of our fan base is different. It is about giving our fans choices while maintaining safety and being responsible.”
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday’s official PFL: Battle of the Giants (DAZN/ESPN+) fighter weigh-ins at the host hotel in Saudi Arabia, which kick off at 2 a.m. ET (11 a.m. PT).
Among those weighing in are former UFC champion Francis Ngannou (17-3) and reigning PFL season winner Renan Ferreira (13-3), who meet in the main event for the heavyweight superfights title. The same happens between incoming Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (27-2) and reigning PFL winner Larissa Pacheco (23-4), who fight for the women’s 145-pound superfights belt.
Plus, Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen (15-0) has his title on the line in a rematch against Fabian Edwards (13-3) and former Bellator featherweight champ A.J. McKee (22-1) continues his surge at lightweight against Paul Hughes (12-1).
The full PFL: Battle of the Giants weigh-in results include:
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MAIN CARD (DAZN pay-per-view, 4 p.m. ET)
Francis Ngannou () vs. Renan Ferreira () – for heavyweight superfights title
Cris Cyborg () vs. Larissa Pacheco () – for women’s featherweight superfights title
Champ Johnny Eblen () vs. Fabian Edwards () – for Bellator middleweight title
Husein Kadimagomaev () vs. Zafar Mohsen ()
A.J. McKee () vs. Paul Hughes ()
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 1:30 p.m. ET)
Marcos Breno () vs. Raufeon Stots ()
Dedrek Sanders () vs. Makkasharip Zaynukov ()
Nacho Campos () vs. Ibragim Ibragimov ()
Taha Bendaoud () vs. Tariq Ismail ()
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
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