Australian boxing: A review of 2020
Plenty of Aussie boxers were active in 2020 despite the COVID-19 restrictions both here and abroad. Here’s a look at the local fighters to keep an eye on in 2021.
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Plenty of Aussie boxers were active in 2020 despite the COVID-19 restrictions both here and abroad. Here’s a look at the local fighters to keep an eye on in 2021.
Tim Tszyu will start as a heavy favourite when he takes on New Zealander Bowyn Morgan tonight in the Sydney Super Fight over ten rounds at Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta, and Paul Gallen will also face off with Mark Hunt.
Former WBO world welterweight champ Jeff Horn takes on rising star Tim Tszyu in an Australian boxing blockbuster over ten rounds tonight in Townsville. Join The Roar from 8.30pm (AEST) for fight coverage and debate in our live blog.
The undoubted highlights for Australian tennis in 2019 were Ash Barty winning the French Open and going on to secure the world number one WTA ranking.
The year 2019 was lacklustre in terms of big international fights, but there were still some memorable boxing moments both in Australia and on the world stage.
Match result: John Wayne Parr and Anthony Mundine can both retire happy after putting on an entertaining fight at the Brisbane Convention Centre tonight.
The Australian super middleweight title is up for grabs when challenger Tim Tszyu takes on defending champion Joel Camilleri at Sydney’s Star Casino tonight. Join The Roar for a live blog of the action from around 8:45pm (AEST).
Former NRL star Justin Hodges takes on New Zealander Troy McMahon in his second professional fight tonight at Sydney’s Star Casino. Join The Roar for a live blog of the action from 8pm (AEST).
Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will enter the ring as a heavy favourite when he takes on America’s Danny Jacobs this afternoon in Las Vegas. Join The Roar at 1pm AEST for live round-by-round updates of the fight.
Fight result: Errol Spence Jr has retained his IBF world welterweight title by putting on a 12-round boxing clinic in Texas to beat fellow American Mikey Garcia.
With Jhye Richardson earning his baggy green cap for the Gabba Test, it’s an opportunity to look back on the best Test debuts by Australian bowlers.
2018 saw the older big names (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer) continue to dominate men’s tennis.
2018 saw several Aussie boxers give it everything against some of the world’s best, but ultimately come up short.
Fight result: The fight between two previously undefeated opponents in Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder was billed as one where “somebody’s ‘0’ has got to go”, but it turned to be anything but, ending in a controversial but fitting draw. » Click here to read the full fight report Fight preview: Somebody’s ‘0’ has got […]
Jeff Horn has finished 43-year-old Anthony Mundine’s boxing career with a first-round KO at Suncorp Stadium.
Fight result: Jeff Horn has finished 43-year-old Anthony Mundine’s boxing career with a first-round KO at Suncorp Stadium.
If you want to base your selection on the cold hard statistics of previous Melbourne Cup winners, here’s a guide.
Unbeaten bantamweight Jason Moloney (17-0) has the chance to join Australian boxing legends Lionel Rose and Jeff Fenech by becoming a world bantamweight champion this week in Orlando.
Surfers Paradise ironman Ali Day will attempt to win a record-breaking sixth Coolangatta Gold title when he competes in the iconic event on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
It’s the battle of two Olympic gold medallists with England’s unbeaten Anthony Joshua defending his heavyweight title belts against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium in London. Join The Roar for round-by-round updates and debate in our live blog from 7am (AEST).
I was focusing on the more mainstream Australian and international achievements in 2019 Tazz, and with Mundine, JWP and Sam all being in their 40s, they didn’t make the cut. They’ve all had plenty of coverage of their achievements during their prime years (which was a few years ago now).
In terms of Lauryn Eagle and Tayla Harris, I acknowledge that they’re doing well, but there’s not exactly a stack of female fighters around, which makes winning female Australian and international titles less of an “achievement” compared to the men’s ranks (in my opinion anyway).
Boxing: A review of 2019
Good preview Harry, I think all your tips are on the money.
Tim Tszyu vs Jack Brubaker preview
Unbelievable, one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history! Thought the stoppage was premature though, Joshua looked like he could have continued and it would have been interesting to see how Ruiz’s “fitness” would have held up if the bout had have gone another 5 rounds.
New heavyweight champion emerges as Anthony Joshua defeated in stunning upset
Great performance by Hogan to lose a close majority decision. It could very easily have gone the other way. Hard to win as the challenger overseas, but he exceeded all expectations and couldn’t have fought any better than he did.
Hogan to become first Aussie to appear on DAZN
Let’s hope they get it on this year Eddy, it would be a great fight between two guys with great boxing skills and brilliant hand speed. Hard to tip a winner with confidence if/when it happens.
Spence Jr must conquer Crawford for No.1 claim
I hope I’m wrong, but I think Hogan will fall short against Munguia, who is a very impressive fighter. Hogan is also trained by Glenn Rushton (Jeff Horn’s trainer), so while a fight between them would be great, that’s another obstacle in the way of it. I agree Amir Khan would be a great test for Jeff.
Should Horn move up or return to welterweight?
Thanks Jamie,
You’re right about Thurman too, it was the WBC belt that he vacated, not the WBA. I got the alphabet soup mixed up. I’m not a fan of the super and regular WBA titles, there are enough belts as it is.
Boxing: A review of 2018
I thought the same too Drew re Hurd until I saw his last title defence on the Wilder/Fury undercard. He was fighting a ‘come forward’ fighter from England (Jason Welborn) with a moderate record (24-6), and Welborn really took the fight to him. He made Hurd look quite uncomfortable at times. I could imagine Jeff doing that to him as well. But that said, Hurd did pull out a body shot to finish Welborn in the 4th, so on paper it looks like a decisive victory. Horn is tough though, I couldn’t see him getting dropped as easily.
In terms of the young Aussies, I agree that the Moloney twins aren’t far off, it’s just a matter of getting the right title shot. Akkaway is highly rated by Johnny Lewis too, so that’s a big wrap. Like Kambosos, he’s also testing himself by fighting overseas at a young age, which shows that they both have big ambitions.
It’s hard to see boxing recapturing the mainstream Australian interest as much without an Anthony Mundine on the scene, but there are plenty of good fighters both locally and internationally to watch for genuine (rather than casual) boxing fans.
Boxing: A review of 2018
Thanks Drew, in 2019 I tip Joshua to emerge as the undisputed heavyweight champ. He can box if he needs to, and he also has the KO power.
I also tip Canelo to win a likely third fight with GGG (because age is on his side), and Spence to beat Garcia in a thriller (I think Garcia is great, but stepping up two divisions could be too much).
I wouldn’t rule out a Horn/Pacquiao rematch if Pacquiao beats Broner in January (that would be the biggest potential payday for him), otherwise I think Horn will start campaigning at light middleweight where he’ll find it easier to make the weight. If he does that, he’ll need a fight or two to test himself in that strong division. Jarrett Hurd is one of the champs there that could suit Jeff’s style, so I would target the light middleweight WBA/IBF belts if I were him.
Boxing: A review of 2018
Great fight, Moloney did Australia proud in a gutsy display, losing a very close split decision 115-113, 113-115, 113-115.
Moloney’s chance to join Fenech and Rose
Update: It looks like Fox will be showing it now from 10am on Sunday for free on Main Event (Channel 521). So pubs should have it on as well.
Moloney’s chance to join Fenech and Rose
Just goes to show how hard it is for Aussies to succeed at the top level Brendan, there are some great fighters out there on the world stage. I agree re Tommy Browne’s titles, but it’s still good to see him rebound after his loss to Mundine earlier this year. Hopefully Moloney can do the job this weekend, and lightweight George Kambosos (15-0) is a young fighter to keep an eye on for a potential future world title I think (but he is in Lomachenko and Mikey Garcia’s division, so he may have to wait a while).
Moloney’s chance to join Fenech and Rose
It doesn’t look like Fox is showing it unfortunately, online streaming looks like it will be the only option. I’ll keep an eye out for any sites later in the week and let you know.
Moloney’s chance to join Fenech and Rose
Should be a cracker Ben, I’m looking forward to it! I think it will be a split decision either way.
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin 2 - the battle for middleweight supremacy
Match report
Canberra 24
Souths 12
The Raiders have claimed their second consecutive top 4 scalp with a 24-12 win over Souths at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
Canberra scored 18 unanswered second half points to win the match after heading into the sheds trailing 12-4 at half-time.
The Rabbitohs scored the first try of the match in the 10th minute. Damien Cook darted out of dummy half close to the line before offloading and five-eighth Cody Walker stepped through the Canberra defence to score.
The Bunnies were in again eight minutes later when Greg Inglis beat Joey Leilua close to the line to barge his way over. Today was Inglis’ first game back after being out with a broken thumb for the past six weeks and he generally played strongly.
The Raiders hit back nine minutes before half-time when centre Michael Oldfield grounded a Josh Hodgson grubber kick just before the dead ball line.
They scored their first second half try in the 53rd minute just after Souths interchange forward Jason Clark was sin binned for a ruck infringement. Oldfield ran strongly onto a Josh Hodgson cut out ball close to the line to score his second try.
That made the score 12-10 to Souths, but the Raiders hit the front for the first time in the match in the 64th minute when five-eighth Blake Austin threw a great ball to charging backrower Sia Soliola and he scored near the posts.
Winger Nic Cotric then capped off a great performance with a determined try in the 71st minute. He burst onto the ball from dummy half and used his strength and footwork to get the ball down.
The loss is Souths third on the trot after they were also beaten by the Broncos and the Roosters in the last few weeks.
Raiders’ supporters will be wondering what might have been if they had been able to string a few more wins together this year.
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
Full-time
The hooter sounds and it’s victory for CANBERRA!
CANBERRA 24
SOUTHS 12
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
79’ Williams slots the penalty.
CANBERRA 24
SOUTHS 12
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
78’ Penalty to the Raiders, they’ll take a shot at goal to wind the clock down.
CANBERRA 22
SOUTHS 12
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
77’ Canberra are caught on the last, Souths back in possession 10 metres out from their own line but now get driven back into the in goal! Repeat set for the Raiders.
CANBERRA 22
SOUTHS 12
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
76’ Scrum feed for the Raiders 20 metres out after Inglis knocks a pass down.
CANBERRA 22
SOUTHS 12
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
75’ Penalty to Canberra, they’ll take the tap near halfway.
CANBERRA 22
SOUTHS 12
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
74’ The Raiders defence hangs on with Hunt caught two metres short on the last tackle! Great tackle from Whitehead on Inglis in that set too!
CANBERRA 22
SOUTHS 12
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
73’ Short kick off from Souths and they get the ball back!
CANBERRA 22
SOUTHS 12
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
72’ Nick Cotric charging onto the ball from dummy half 10 metres out to score a determined try. He’s had a great game today. Williams converts!
CANBERRA 22
SOUTHS 12
Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: NRL live scores, blog
It sure is Golden Eye.
AIBA (the world governing body for amateur boxing) changed their stance a few years ago and now allow pros to come back to the amateur ranks, but they can only do it once, you can’t chop and change as often as you feel like it. So Justis could turn pro and still go back and have a crack at the Tokyo Olympics.
Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne actually won the WBA heavyweight title in 2016 by stopping Ruslan Chagaev in Russia, but he was stripped of the belt after failing a drug test.
Aussie Joe did win a version of the world title (WBF) when he was well past his prime, but that organisation isn’t really recognised anywhere around the world.
I didn’t see the Ryan/O’Meley fight, but I note that it was a split decision so it must have been close. They’re always good fights to watch and I’m sure that Ryan having a knockdown of Tszyu on his record (and taking him the distance) will look even more impressive as time goes on.
Australian boxing: A review of 2020