NEWS & OPINIONS

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Boxing And Mental Health: Are We Talking About It Enough?

In boxing, fighters are celebrated for their toughness, resilience, and the grit to withstand anything thrown their way. But what happens when the battles extend beyond the ring, into their minds and hearts? Boxing is one of the loneliest sports, and its pressures are staggering. Fighters don’t just face their opponents in the ring; they face themselves. The question is: are we doing enough to support these warriors beyond the ropes, or are they left to fight their demons alone?

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sports, mental health, boxing, Tyson Fury George Ripton sports, mental health, boxing, Tyson Fury George Ripton

What Have We Learnt from Netflix’s Entry into Live Boxing?

Netflix’s foray into live boxing with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson exhibition fight has sparked debate across the sport. With 60 million reported streams, it was undeniably a massive event, but does it signal the start of a new era for boxing, or has it exposed critical flaws in the streaming model? From the PPV dilemma to piracy, technical reliability, and the sustainability of multimillion-dollar fight purses, Netflix’s big night has raised more questions than it answered.

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FROM MASSIVE UPSETS TO MASSIVE KNOCKOUTS: A WEEKEND THAT HAD IT ALL

It was a weekend of shocks, surprises, rapid knockouts, and new champions being crowned as an action-packed few days of fight action well and truly delivered. It all kicked off on Friday night in Liverpool, where Cuban Dayan Gonzalez solidified his claims as one of the biggest contenders in the featherweight division.

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sports, mental health, boxing, Tyson Fury George Ripton sports, mental health, boxing, Tyson Fury George Ripton

Time for Retirement or One Last Shot? How Long Should Fighters Keep Going?

In boxing, the decision to retire is as much about the heart as it is about the head. Fighters are wired differently—unwavering in their belief that there’s always one more fight, one more shot at glory. But as careers stretch into their twilight years, the question becomes: are boxers holding on too long, risking their health and legacy for dreams that might never materialise? And who, if anyone, has the right to tell a fighter when to hang up their gloves?

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EDWARDS BOWS OUT AS YAFAI COMES OF AGE

Former IBF World Flyweight champion Sunny Edwards announced his retirement from boxing on Saturday night after suffering the second defeat of his professional career to former amateur foe Galal Yafai.

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sports, mental health, boxing, Tyson Fury George Ripton sports, mental health, boxing, Tyson Fury George Ripton

The Role of Superstitions in Boxing: Do Rituals Really Matter?

Boxing is a sport defined by discipline, grit, and meticulous preparation. But look closer, and you’ll see another side to it—a world of quirky superstitions, pre-fight rituals, and deeply held beliefs that shape a fighter’s mindset long before they step into the ring. Are these rituals essential psychological armour, or are they simply comforting habits in a chaotic sport? For some fighters, superstitions and routines have become as indispensable as their gloves.

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SUNNY EDWARDS VS GALAL YAFAI: THE NEXT CHAPTER

This weekend marks the first installment of what could potentially become one of the greatest domestic rivalries in British boxing history as former world champion Sunny Edwards faces Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Galal Yafai in Birmingham.

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The Art of Trash Talk: Building Hype or Crossing the Line?

In today’s boxing world, it seems a fighter can’t step into the ring without first running their mouth. Trash talk has become as central to the fight game as the punches themselves—maybe even more so. But here’s the big question: Is this banter building excitement and giving fans a reason to tune in, or is it just cheapening the sport with cheap shots?

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Fighters’ Families: The Hidden Cost of a Life in Boxing

When we think of boxing, our minds are filled with images of sweat, grit, and glory. We see fighters in the ring, battling it out, driven by ambition and the desire to claim titles. But while we applaud the spectacle, there’s a side of the sport that remains hidden from the spotlight. Behind every punch thrown, every bruise, and every training camp lies a network of loved ones who feel the pain and bear the weight of their fighter’s journey. The question is: How much does a career in boxing cost the families who are left waiting, watching, and worrying?

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Women’s Boxing: Is It Finally Getting the Respect It Deserves?

Women’s boxing has been on a relentless journey, from near invisibility to a global force in combat sports. Today, with trailblazers like Katie Taylor, Claressa Shields, Natasha Jonas, and Chantelle Cameron leading the charge, the sport is gaining recognition, headlines, and fan excitement. But the question remains: Is women’s boxing truly getting the respect it deserves, or are female fighters still fighting for relevance in a sport long dominated by men?

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RAMIREZ VS BILLAM-SMITH: WHO WILL PREVAIL IN THIS EPIC MIDDLE EASTERN SHOWDOWN?

Mexico heads 8,500 miles east to Saudi Arabia this weekend, as Riyadh Season hosts its first-ever “Latino Night” in partnership with Golden Boy. The main event promises fireworks as Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez puts his WBA World Cruiserweight Title on the line in what could be a thrilling unification bout with reigning WBO World Champion Chris Billam-Smith.

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The Role of Amateur Gyms in the Community: A Lifeline or a Liability?

In the heart of countless towns and cities across the UK, amateur boxing gyms provide more than just a place to train—they act as pillars of support, discipline, and community. With more than 1,500 amateur boxing clubs scattered throughout the UK, these gyms offer spaces where young people can learn discipline, respect, and resilience. Yet, despite the enormous value they bring, these gyms often struggle to stay afloat, and Chris Webb MP recently raised the issue in the House of Commons, calling for greater government support. 

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CLASH OF TITANS: YOUTUBER VS. ICON AS JAKE PAUL FACES MIKE TYSON

A 27-year-old social media sensation and former Disney Channel star faces off against a man who, let’s be honest, became a legend as “the baddest man on the planet.” No, you haven’t stumbled into a parallel universe. This fight is actually happening—this Friday night in Texas.

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Influencer Boxing: A Circus or the Future of the Sport?

Let’s face it, boxing purists are having a hard time swallowing the rise of influencer boxing. It's the elephant in the room, the big-money spectacle that's dragged the sport into a whole new world. You’ve got YouTubers and TikTokers stepping through the ropes, making more cash in one night than some pros make in a career. The question is, are these influencers bringing new life to the sport, or are they turning boxing into a circus?

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BAM SHINES AS BOOTS COASTS PAST CHUKHADZHIAN

On a weekend filled with boxing highs and lows, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez stole the show, becoming the first to stop Pedro Guevara with an explosive performance that saw him retain his WBC World Super-Flyweight Title.

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P4P STARS SET TO PUT ON A SHOW IN PHILLY

World championship boxing returns to Philadelphia this weekend as IBF World Welterweight Champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis defends his title in a rematch against Ukrainian contender Karen Chukhadzhian. Meanwhile, WBC Super-Flyweight Champion Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez will aim to become the first man to stop Pedro Guevara in the co-main event.

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Are Promoters Building Stars or Wrapping Them in Bubble Wrap? Time to Put Up or Shut Up.

Let’s cut the noise for a minute. In today’s boxing world, everyone’s shouting about “building stars.” Promoters love to parade around, telling us they’ve got the next pay-per-view king, the new 'face of boxing,' or the second coming of Ali. But here’s the real question: how many of these promoters are actually building legends? And how many are just packaging fighters in bubble wrap, feeding them soft touches, and selling hype like it’s gold dust?

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The Weight Cut: A Necessary Evil or a Dangerous Tradition?

In combat sports, the real fight often starts long before the athletes step into the ring or octagon. Before the first punch is thrown, many fighters engage in a dangerous game of brinkmanship, pushing their bodies to extreme limits just to hit a weight they won’t maintain for more than a few hours. Weight cuts—widely accepted as part of the sport—are an unrelenting, physically punishing process involving strict diets, dehydration, and hours spent sweating in saunas and baths. But are these practices necessary for fair competition, or is the tradition one that puts fighters in unnecessary danger?

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