List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

Ben Shalom knows what you’re thinking. “Where’s this guy come from? Where the f*** has he come from?” It is the same question that arises when fans come across the 29-year-old’s company, Boxxer, which has emerged as one of the sport’s leading promotions since its inception as Ultimate Boxxer in 2018. Back then, Shalom was just 23, the youngest licensed promoter in Britain. So, where did this guy come from? Where the f*** did he come from? The Mancunian recalls Amir Khan’s outings at the 2004 Athens Olympics as having generated his first memories of boxing, before the “ITV nights” that followed for Khan deepened Shalom’s intrigue in the sport. They were bouts that drew “seven or eight million viewers”, and though Shalom, the 11-year-old boxing fan, could probably not recount those figures at the time, it is telling that Shalom, at 28, does so now. Ricky Hatton vs Floyd Mayweather in 2007 and David Haye vs Nikolai Valuev in 2009 were also impactful for Shalom, the latter fight leaving him “obsessed” with the sport. The entrepreneurial spirit that would give life to Boxxer first shone at university, where Shalom studied law but was “always trying to find a way not to do law”. He would organise club nights and concerts and sell fast food, and that proclivity for business later combined with boxing in part due to Shalom’s friendships back in Manchester. There, a number of his friends boxed – some professionally. Shalom tells The Independent that his desire to step into the business side of the sport came from “really seeing how much the fighters put into it, but how little there was for them in terms of reward. It became obvious to me that the sport was so difficult, so cruel. It’s not like tennis where the best play the best and the rise to the top is meritocratic, it’s not like there’s any sort of infrastructure unless you’re in the top 1 per cent. “Seeing the way events were put on, how sponsors and broadcasters didn’t really want to get involved... I could never really understand it, because for me it was the most admirable profession or sport that you could ever go into. But it had this sort of ‘dirty’ tag, and events felt intimidating. I wanted to get into the business so it was more reflective of the fighters.” Shalom borrowed £10,000 to obtain his boxing promoter’s licence, but money will only get you so far in a business that also deals in respect. With the task of having to win over the relevant authorities and personalities at 23, Shalom credits his “work ethic” and “being genuine, consistent and committed” for his success. “When you look back at it,” he says, “the naivete was good, because if I knew what I knew now, maybe it would have been more difficult to embark on that journey. But I was incredibly passionate, and I think a lot of the boxing fraternity were glad at that point that young people were coming into the sport; there’s not many that actually want to work in boxing. It’s been the same promoters for 40, 50 years – the same families. If you’re brave enough and are coming in with good intentions and a different way of looking at things... Luckily the board recognised that and licensed me – maybe prematurely, I don’t know.” It is one thing to want to effect change, however, and another to actually do it. “I think you do it by putting on events that anyone will enjoy coming to – men, women, anyone,” Shalom suggests. “Making sure that it’s accessible, the pricing’s at a point where people can afford to go, the way it’s presented and the way you run your operation is transparent, so brands and broadcasters want to come into the sport. Also, it’s important to try to break down barriers like these long-winded undercards, the belt system, judging, regulation. If we can achieve that bit by bit, that’s when we’ll create a much better environment.” Boxxer would host tournaments because it was not in a position to sign fighters, its shows just about breaking even thanks to ticket sales and sponsor funding. The promotion’s first TV deal was with Channel 5’s 5Spike, before Boxxer landed a huge deal with Sky Sports in June 2021, drastically improving its funding, ability to sign fighters and put on events. Now Boxxer’s roster boasts the likes of women’s stars Claressa Shields, Savannah Marshall and Natasha Jonas, as well as Liam Smith, Lawrence Okolie and 2020 Olympians Frazer Clarke and Ben Whittaker. The promotion is focused on “diverse signings”, with Shalom playing a key role due to the advantage of being a similar age to the fighters. In 2022, a leaked clip surfaced on Twitter, showing Shalom telling an interviewer – before the interview had officially begun – not to ask questions about Matchroom. The 28-year-old received criticism and support in equal measure after the clip had circulated, but says now: “I don’t think I need to slag off other promoters. In what other sport would you have business owners just going at each other all the time? “I do think it’s funny, and I actually enjoy it, but we’ve got such a job on our hands. Sometimes it’s just a soap opera. To be a great promoter... Look, a lot of attention comes with it, but I don’t think there’s a prerequisite that I need to be famous or a celebrity; I think we need to do the best job by our fighters.” It is a cause to which Shalom is committed with singular focus. “There was massive sacrifice,” he stresses. “I sacrificed all my twenties – not going out, not doing things that a normal person would at my age. If you want to do great things and believe in what you’re doing, you’ll sacrifice everything; I sacrificed absolutely everything, but I don’t see it like that, because I’m doing what I love. This is a dream come true. “I’m young, the other promoters are a lot older than me, I have more energy than ever. Working in boxing is amazing, because when you’re working with boxers, it doesn’t matter how stressed you are or how tough it is for you; it’s always harder for them, so you get so much energy off that. We have a massive responsibility to the sport. I’m not thinking anywhere near about the end; we’re very much at the start of our journey.” Read More How to watch Okolie vs Billam-Smith online and on TV this weekend What time does Okolie vs Billam-Smith start in UK and US this weekend? Conor McGregor reveals how he scored Katie Taylor fight from ringside How to watch Okolie vs Billam-Smith online and on TV this weekend What time does Okolie vs Billam-Smith start in UK and US this weekend? Conor McGregor reveals how he scored Katie Taylor fight from ringside

Spanish soccer is again embroiled in a racism debate and the support for Vinícius Júnior is growing rapidly after yet another case of abuse against the Brazil forward this weekend

Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to provide an insight into their lives on social media. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best examples from May 22. Football Manchester City were still celebrating. Manchester also remembered the victims of the Arena bombing. Vinicius Junior received support. Another award for Declan Rice. Ryan Reynolds caved in to public pressure. Golf What a shot! Tyrrell Hatton looked back on his recovery from a bad start at the US PGA Championship. Justin Rose was happy with his week at Oak Hill. So too was Min Woo Lee. Shane Lowry congratulated Brooks Koepka on his win. Cricket Jimmy marked an anniversary. Ben Stokes made Anderson feel old! Stuart Broad enjoyed his week. KP went up in the world. Boxing Katie Taylor received Conor McGregor’s praise. Formula One A Monaco flashback. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Geraint Thomas has no plans to follow Mark Cavendish into retirement Lizzie Deignan: Professional cycling now harder than ever – which is great! Brighton’s top talents may move on before European challenge – Roberto De Zerbi

Michael Block is not the little-known club pro from Southern California anymore

Following Graeme Souness' Sky Sports exit, the ex-footballer appeared emotional appearing on BBC Breakfast to reveal his next move would be a charitable one. The 70-year-old shared that he would be swimming the English Channel to raise money for the charity, Debra, which supports young people living with a rare skin condition otherwise known as 'butterfly skin'. "If you were affected by it you’d wake up every morning and think ‘why me’,” he said, next to Isla, a 14-year-old currently battling with the disease. “This is a very special young lady and she gets me in tears every time.” Click here to sign up for our newsletters

Roberto De Zerbi accepts that some of Brighton’s top talents may not be part of his Seagulls set-up when they take on Europe for the first time next season. Albion guaranteed themselves at least the Europa Conference League with Sunday’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Southampton, though sixth place and the Europa League are also all-but assured. What remains less certain are the futures of multiple men who helped make history at the Amex, with Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo among the names linked with summer transfers. De Zerbi said: “Now we have to organise, we have to build a new squad. We have to organise the new season. We have to finish before, OK, but then we have to organise and we have to build a new squad. “I think we don’t need too many players but we have to compete in the Europa League. We have to compete in the Premier League because it will be tougher for sure for us. “I think we will lose some big players, but it’s right, no? Because they deserve to play for other targets in another team, but we have to be ready to bring in other big players with the policy of the club. “We have to arrive ready to compete in four competitions.” According to some reports, World Cup winner Mac Allister, who joined Albion in January 2019 on a four-and-a-half-year deal, has already principally agreed a move to Liverpool. Brighton CEO Paul Barber, however, was quick to dismiss those rumours, telling talkSPORT: “If I lost sleep over every report that I read about one of our players doing that, then I wouldn’t be sleeping very much at all. “At the moment he’s focused on doing what he can for us in our final two games of the season. We’ve got a massive game here against Manchester City on Wednesday and then we go to Villa Park on Sunday to complete what has been a fantastic season for us. “I saw him down on the pitch looking very happy and obviously we’d love him to be here next season. “We know that there are going to be a lot of clubs, not just in this country but around Europe, around the world that are going to be wanting Alexis to play for them. “But at the moment he is wearing blue and white stripes and I’m delighted about that.” Southampton boss Ruben Selles was also looking ahead to his club’s future, though what happens to him after the conclusion of the campaign is unclear. Selles’ agreement also expires at the end of the season, with Swansea boss Russell Martin rumoured to replace him. The Spaniard handed academy prospects Kamari Doyle and Dom Ballard their league debuts in the relegated Saints’ penultimate Premier League contest, with just Liverpool at St Mary’s left to play. He said: “I’m looking ahead to what can I do if I’m here or not. And that’s why I can give our players that are coming from the academy all the way into the first team. “I can get players that are ready to go and perform for the first team and even if it’s some minutes today or against Liverpool, that is a big step for their careers and they just keep the door open for them.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Brooks Koepka makes Ryder Cup statement with US PGA Championship success Bad decisions and poor signings – where has it gone wrong for Leeds? What next for treble-chasing Man City after sealing Premier League title?

FIFA has extended a rule that lets players and coaches continue to suspend their contracts with clubs in Ukraine and Russia for another season

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard backed two more 2023 interest-rate increases and his Minneapolis

Carmelo Anthony, the star forward who led Syracuse to an NCAA championship in his lone college season and went on to spend 19 years in the NBA, announced his retirement on Monday

Carmelo Anthony, one of the greatest scorers the NBA has ever seen, has announced his retirement from basketball at the age of 38.

Szymon Marciniak has been picked to referee the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan

Leigh Wood will look to exact revenge on Mauricio Lara on Saturday, as the featherweights clash in Manchester. The rematch comes just three months after Lara stopped Wood to win the WBA title, beating the Briton in his hometown of Nottingham. Mexican Lara was trailing on the scorecards but dropped “Leigh-thal” in Round 7. Wood beat the referee’s count but sustained more punishment, and his corner threw in the towel with seconds left in the round. It proved to be a controversial finish, with most observers believing that Wood would have made it to the end of the round, and some believing that he should have been given time to recover. Others, however, defended Wood’s coach Ben Davison over his decision to protect his fighter. Here’s all you need to know about the rematch. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is it? The fight will take place at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 27 May. The main card is set to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET), with ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 10pm BST (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET). How can I watch it? The event will be streamed live on Dazn, a subscription to which is available at three different price points: Monthly Saver (£9.99 per month, with a 12-month commitment), Flexible (£19.99 per month, and can be cancelled at any time), and Annual Super Saver (£99.99 as a one-off payment). Odds Lara – 4/11 Wood – 11/5 Draw – 14/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Mauricio Lara (C) vs Leigh Wood 2 (WBA featherweight title) Jack Catterall vs Darragh Foley (super-lightweight) Terri Harper (C) vs Ivana Habazin (WBA women’s super-welterweight title) Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson for (vacant English welterweight title) Aqib Fiaz vs Costin Ion (super-featherweight) Campbell Hatton vs Michal Bulak (super-lightweight) William Crolla vs TBA Aaron Bowen vs TBA Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More ‘Daylight robbery’: Vasiliy Lomachenko’s team plan to appeal Devin Haney defeat Katie Taylor’s long reign as boxing queen over despite heroic last stand Joe Rogan is right: Tyson Fury has ‘no chance in hell’ against Jon Jones What time does Wood vs Lara start in UK and US this weekend? Devin Haney edges past Vasiliy Lomachenko to remain unbeaten and undisputed ‘Daylight robbery’: Vasiliy Lomachenko’s team plan to appeal Devin Haney defeat