Archive June 29, 2025

Eubank and Benn agree September rematch

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Chris Eubank Jr will fight fellow Briton Conor Benn in a rematch in London on 20 September.

Eubank beat Benn by unanimous decision after a thrilling bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, though the venue for their second meeting has yet to be confirmed.

“Spurs is contracted – it’s a fantastic stadium and it worked extremely well the first time,” Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn earn told Ring magazine.

“Obviously, it was sold out and this fight’s even bigger, so you could possibly look at Wembley to increase the capacity.”

The April fight took place 35 years after their legendary fathers – Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn – first fought, and garnered huge attention despite no title being on the line.

All three judges scored it 116-112 in favour of Eubank, who extended his record to 35 wins in 38 fights.

“Experience gained, lessons learned,” said Benn in a post on social media after September’s fight was confirmed.

There had been a controversial and at times chaotic build-up to their first fight, fuelled by the intense rivalry between their fathers.

The pair were scheduled to face each other in 2022 but the fight was cancelled because Benn failed a drugs test.

Benn denied intentional doping and was cleared to fight by anti-doping authorities two years later.

But at an extraordinary media conference in February, Eubank slapped Benn across the face with an egg during a head-to-head, with the pair exchanging foul-mouthed insults throughout.

The stunt was an apparent reference to an independent report that said the failed drugs test could have been caused by a “highly elevated consumption” of eggs. Eubank was fined £100,000 for the slap.

The day before the fight, Eubank was fined £375,000 for missing weight at the first weigh-in.

Eubank is the bigger of the two men and normally fights two weight classes above Benn, who is a natural welterweight.

The 35-year-old is to appear before the British Boxing Board of Control in July over reports he used a sauna to cut weight, which is against its rules.

On the day of the fight, Eubank arrived at the stadium with his father by his side, despite the pair having apparently been estranged for a number of years.

‘Serious questions despite excitement’ – Analysis

BBC boxing reporter Kal Sajad

With a two-fight deal in place, it felt inevitable that the storied Benn-Eubank family rivalry would continue for another chapter.

The money involved is massive – Eubank Jr reportedly earned £10m for the first fight with Benn pocketing £8m, and similar figures are expected again.

Their first bout was a cracking contest where Benn did better than many expected, but Eubank was the clear winner.

Away from the excitement, there are still serious questions, especially around weight. The image of a drained and gaunt-looking Eubank during fight week sparked real concern. It was a reminder that, in physical terms, these two are built very differently and maybe shouldn’t be meeting in the ring under such tight weight restrictions.

Eubank will be five months older this time, and cutting down in weight will not get any easier. But if they agree to fight at a heavier limit, then you would imagine Benn – the naturally smaller man – would be at a real disadvantage.

The first build-up had egg slaps, chaos and the last-minute appearance of Eubank Sr. Recreating that kind of hype with any real authenticity will be tough.

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  • Boxing

Henry wins gold as GB clinch World Rowing Cup title

EPA

Lauren Henry claimed another gold to help Great Britain clinch the World Rowing Cup title in Lucerne on Sunday.

The 23-year-old won the women’s single sculls final in Varese two weeks ago and followed that up in Switzerland as GB won two golds and a bronze.

The Olympic quadruple sculls champion recovered from a sluggish start to win by a tight margin over Ireland’s Fiona Murtagh in second.

Denmark’s Frida Sanggaard Nielsen was right behind in third in a repeat of the European Championships podium a month ago.

“It’s so special for us to win the World Cup,” said Henry. “I was told it was quite close earlier, so I’m really pleased that I managed to get the points we needed to win the trophy.”

GB’s other gold came in the men’s quadruple sculls final, with the team moving through from fourth to second, before catching Poland in the closing stages, with the USA third.

“We were down for most of the race, but we just had to trust that the Poles had put in the work and were going to be tired and we could really shift through,” said GB’s Matthew Haywood.

Eleanor Brinkhoff and Megan Slabbert added a bronze in the women’s pair final behind the Czech Republic, while Romania’s European champions Maria Magdalena Rusu and Simona Radis raced clear for the win.

GB did not top the medal table on Sunday or in Varese two weeks ago, but the five golds they won across the two events was enough to secure this year’s overall World Rowing Cup title.

This year’s World Championships take place in Shanghai from 21-28 September.

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  • Rowing

Who have been the breakout stars at U21 Euros?

Images courtesy of Getty
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Over the years, many future stars have been a result of the Under-21 European Championships.

The likes of Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Rayan Cherki, who all currently play prominent roles for their respective senior sides, were competing for the first title under manager Lee Carsley in 2023.

Looking back, Laurent Blanc, Andrea Pirlo, and Luis Figo also saw their names emerge from the tournament.

What about the current generation, then? Who among the participants in Slovakia’s past month has designated themselves as a must-see?

Nick Woltemade

You will be just as likely to be if you weren’t aware of Nick Woltemade before the U21 European Championship.

The German forward had six goals and three assists overall, ranking him as the top scorer in Slovakia.

He has repeatedly demonstrated his potential to be a class above Under-21 during the tournament and explained why he already holds two senior national caps.

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The 23-year-old scored a breakthrough goal for Stuttgart in a February interview and was even given the nickname “two metre Messi-Musiala” by the Bundesliga side’s club captain Atakan Karazor.

Charlie Cresswell

Former Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell, who is currently a member of Ligue 1 side Toulouse, deserves his flowers, despite the fact that attackers will always be in the spotlight.

One might argue that having a regular job in the French top division has already led to his “break out,” but his near-faultless performances in Slovakia only add to that fact.

As England kept their trophy, the 22-year-old played every game of the tournament for them.

More than any other player, he averaged a sizable 8.67 ball recoveries per 90 minutes and totaled 52 overall.

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In the Czech Republic’s opening game of the tournament, Cresswell also scored on the other end of the field.

Geovany Quenda

Geovany Quenda, a midfielder who will pique Chelsea fans, kicked off a promising new year at Sporting with an equally impressive international debut.

The teenager signed for Chelsea for up to £44 million in March, and they’ll stay there until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Portuguese football journalist and pundit Mariana Fernandes claimed he will be “worth double” in two years, despite the fact that the fee seemed high for a player who was only 17 at the time.

And while the now 18-year-old was competing in the European Championship, he revealed why Enzo Maresca wanted to spend the money to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

He was the team’s top scorer with three goals and two assists, and he also contributed two assists to Portugal’s four matches, which they were eliminated from in the quarter-finals by the Netherlands.

Djaoui Cisse

A France team that reached this year’s championships’ semi-finals was a key cog in the wheel of Djaoui Cisse.

In the second half of the 2024-2019 season, the 21-year-old made his first appearance for French Ligue 1 side Rennes and hasn’t looked back.

His central midfield performances contributed greatly to Gerald Baticle’s team’s success this summer, where he continued to excel in the summer.

Cisse was not present in the first game, but he was replaced in the second group game, and from that point on she became uncontrollable.

The Rennes man was a true box-to-box midfielder who excelled for his ability to pick up the ball deep, carry it forward, and cross the lines.

He had a 91.75% passing accuracy throughout the tournament and three goals for him. He also had one assist.

Luka Kharatishvili

Although it’s said that being a goalkeeper can be lonely, Georgia’s Luka Kharatishvili was never so lonely at the European Championship, which he was constantly kept very busy.

The 22-year-old, who collaborates with Dinamo Batumi in the Georgian first tier, performed exceptionally well for his nation at the tournament.

Georgia could have had a lot worse situation if it hadn’t been for some outstanding saves from their number one, despite conceding eight goals in three games.

In addition to the one that will put him in contention for the tournament save, he also produced six stops in France’s lopsided 3-2 defeat.

In the final group game, he also saved a magnificent save in the last second to give Georgia a 2-1 victory over Poland.

Unfortunately, those three points did not help the side advance, but it was a significant moment for a country that was competing in their second European Championship.

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  • Football

Will Iran double down on its nuclear programme after the war?

Trita Parsi, an expert on the effects of Israel’s unprovoked 12-day war against Iran and its effects on Gaza, speaks with Iran expert Trita Parsi.

According to Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, US President Donald Trump can compel Israel to put an end to the war in Gaza if he exhibits the same vigor as he did with Iran.

With host Steve Clemons, Parsi discusses the wider repercussions of the 12-day war against Iran, including:

  • Iran’s nuclear program will it increase?
  • Will improved US-Iranian relations result in sanctions relief?
  • Instead of calling for the “rules-based order” as they do in Ukraine, why did European leaders legitimize the unprovoked attacks by the US and Israel?
  • Has Iran ever allied itself?

Was the Iran war to establish Israel’s control over the Middle East?

Vali Nasr, a political scientist, warns that Iran’s “no regime change option” is available to the US.

According to Vali Nasr, a professor of international affairs and Middle Eastern history at Johns Hopkins University, direct US involvement in Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran was a risky choice.

Nasr told host Steve Clemons that the US should be wary of humiliating Tehran, which would have long-term effects, hours before a ceasefire was announced between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Norris wins Austrian GP; reduces Piastri’s F1 title lead

Lando Norris has held off a race-long challenge from his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to win the Austrian Grand Prix and lift his Formula 1 title hopes.

Norris and Piastri battled for the lead in the early stages of the race on Sunday with the Australian briefly in the lead before Norris took the position back. A rash lunge by Piastri nearly caused a collision soon after.

Piastri lost ground at the pit stops and was run wide onto the grass by Alpine’s Franco Colapinto while cutting through traffic. He soon made up ground on Norris but wasn’t quite close enough to try overtaking.

Over the radio, Norris called it a “beautiful one-two” finish for the team.

“We had a great battle, that’s for sure,” he added later. “A lot of stress but a lot of fun. A nice battle, so well done to Oscar.”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, second from left, crashes out after a first lap collision with Mercedes’s Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli [Gintare Karpaviciute/Reuters]

A two-horse race at the top

More than ever this season, the title fight focuses on the two McLarens after defending champion Max Verstappen was hit by Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap, ending his race. Antonelli was later handed a three-place grid penalty for the next race.

Overall leader Piastri leads second-placed Norris by 15 points with Verstappen still third but now 61 off the lead.

Piastri apologised to McLaren for the near-collision between the two, which came one race after Norris collided with him in Canada. The Australian said he regretted not making more of his few seconds in the lead earlier in the race.

“I hope it was good watching because it was pretty hard work from the car,” Piastri said. “I tried my absolute best and probably could have done a better job when I just got ahead momentarily. It was a good battle, a bit on the edge at times.”

Lando Norris and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in action.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, left, and teammate Lando Norris in action during the early stages of the race [Gintare Karpaviciute/Reuters]

Ferrari strong with third and fourth

Charles Leclerc was third for his third podium finish in four races, and his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton was fourth.

George Russell, who won the last race in Canada, was fifth for Mercedes and Liam Lawson sixth for Racing Bulls in his best result of the season.

Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin held off Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto for seventh. The second Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg was ninth, and Esteban Ocon finished 10th for Haas.

McLaren are 207 points clear of Ferrari – who moved back up to second in the absence of team boss Fred Vasseur, who had to return home for personal reasons – in the constructors championship.

Round 12 of the F1 World Championship takes place next weekend at the British Grand Prix.

Lando Norris crosses finish line.
McLaren’s Lando Norris passes the chequered flag to win the Austrian Grand Prix [Leonhard Foeger/Reuters]