THIS week, an ageing veteran threw his final flurry on British shores. A transplanted Russian showed there’s another banging beast on the beat, plus some dodgy commentary in Manchester. All part of another week of ups and downs in our sport.
Boxing winners of the week
Movladdin ‘Arthur’ Biyarslanov –
A heavy-handed Russian boxing out of Canada, you say? It’s not Artur Beterbiev this time but “Arthur” Biyarslanov, who’s turning heads, in different directions, on the end of his punches.
Improving to 18-0 with knockout number 15 last Thursday, Biyarslanov is part of the Eye of the Tiger crowd enjoying life in Montreal. Opponent Mohamed Mimoune lost for the seventh time, but this was the first time he’d been stopped.
‘The Problem’ was returning from a revenge knockout win over Tyrone McKenna in Belfast, making the result all the more impressive for the ‘Chechen Wolf’.
Derek Chisora –
One of the biggest wins in the career of two-time world title challenger Chisora, who revelled in the atmosphere and adoration of the Manchester crowd, packed into the Co-op Live Arena to celebrate ‘The Last Dance’.
There were moments of magic, moments of fatigue, cuts, drama and even a moment of madness at the end when he brought his pals into the ring along with his former amateur coach and some pre-printed portraits of future foes.
Boxing losers of the week
Jake Paul –
Currently leaking contracts and trolling with Mariachi bands, Jake Paul isn’t used to being a loser. A bout with Canelo seemed unrealistic until the moment it was all but agreed. The feud is set to continue as Riyadh Season, Canelo and Turki Alalshikh have the last laugh over the crown prince of boxing foolery.
Nathan Heaney –
The Stoke man’s win over Denzel Bentley in late 2023 seems many moons ago, as Heaney’s form has stalled and dipped ever since. Low hands and a badly bleeding nose became a dangerous combination as France’s Sofiane Khati found the jab and left hook to overpower Heaney, whose career is on the brink.
Canelo Alvarez –
Who knows where this sorry saga will end after a week of big fight rumblings? Jake Paul has been leaking signed contracts. Now it appears William Scull will be the May opponent, with Canelo seeking to win back a title he has already given up.
Then on to a fight with Terence Crawford, currently campaigning at super-welterweight. Throughout it all, David Benavidez waits in the wings as a legitimate foe, being suitably ignored.
Zach Parker –
The Derby man has been rebuilding neatly since a 2022 retirement loss to John Ryder. Now up at light-heavyweight, Parker got the win over replacement opponent Mickael Diallo, but a bad cut and some last-round hold and stumble tactics made it a dire watch. Parker needs a big fight and big performance to turn around a career that is fast becoming must-turn-off TV.
Otto Wallin –
While there’s no doubt he pitched hard for the full 12 rounds, Wallin produced a tepid performance when on the verge of the big time. Same old story for the supine southpaw, who is more Sultan Ibragimov than Robert Helenius. The Swede’s tentative display was a huge own goal as he threw away his chance to spoil the party. At least he got his burger afterwards.
TNT Sports –
There is nothing wrong with the ongoing Chisora retirement narrative, but the contrived celebration took some bizarre turns as the night progressed. The treacle was laid on thick. This was Derek Chisora’s final flurry, his last outing…until after the final bell, the scores were read out and a host of future possibilities turned the last dance into a faux fumble.
From masterful boxing to “scenes never before witnessed in a boxing ring”, according to Paul and Richie, who turned into Laurel and Hardy. Chisora was likened to Earnie Shavers, or the second coming of George Foreman, as he winged away mercilessly across the final rounds. The cringe factor became unbearable.
