Devin Haney to vacate undisputed lightweight titles ahead of Regis Prograis fight
Devin Haney has announced he is relinquishing his undisputed lightweight titles, as he prepares for a super-lightweight fight with WBC champion Regis Prograis. Haney, 25, won the WBC lightweight title by outpointing Jorge Linares in 2021, before taking the remaining major belts from George Kambosos Jr in 2022. Haney beat the Australian via decision in Melbourne last June, before repeating the result four months later to retain the gold – also in Melbourne. The unbeaten American then retained the titles with a narrow decision over former champion Vasiliy Lomachenko in May, before setting his sights on a new division. Haney will box compatriot Prograis, 34, in San Francisco on 9 December, as he bids to become a two-weight world champion. But Haney will not enter San Francisco as a reigning champion, having told ESPN on Wednesday (29 November) that he is vacating his lightweight belts. “I did everything at 135[lbs] that I could,” he said. “The biggest fight for me was making that Gervonta Davis fight, and his side showed no interest in making the fight. “I’ve outgrown the division, so now I make my quest to 140 to become a two-division champion. And after this fight, I look to become a three-division champion and move up to 147, God willing that I’m successful in this fight. “I made history in becoming undisputed, and that was a milestone for me, but now I’m at the point in my career where I want to make the biggest and the best fights happening in the world. I’m a pay-per-view fighter.” Haney has a professional record of 30-0 (15 knockouts), while Prograis’s pro record stands at 29-1 (24 KOs). Prograis suffered the sole defeat of his pro career in 2019, when he lost a majority decision to Josh Taylor. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Conor Benn seemingly confirms Chris Eubank Jr fight date Benn vs Eubank Jr will not take place in Britain as board intervenes Mikaela Mayer pushes for three-minute rounds in Natasha Jonas clash
2023-11-30 17:51
Hong Kong Oct retail sales up 5.6%, helped by inbound tourism
HONG KONG The continued revival of inbound tourism helped Hong Kong's retail sales notch up an 11th consecutive
2023-11-30 17:50
Football transfer rumours: Arsenal rival Liverpool for Mbappe; Man Utd plot £160m raid
Thursday's football transfer rumours, with updates on Kylian Mbappe, Joao Neves, Antonio Silva, Joao Cancelo, Anthony Martial & more.
2023-11-30 17:48
As news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's visit to the home of Patrick and Brittany Mahomes drops, Internet's reaction is unanimous
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce reportedly paid a visit to the lavish home of Patrick and Brittany Mahomes on the occasion of their son's first birthday
2023-11-30 17:29
Keira Walsh ‘feeling fresh’ before latest round of Women’s Nations League games
Keira Walsh says she is “feeling fresh” as she targets a fourth consecutive summer of international football. Barcelona midfielder Walsh played for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and then for England when they won Euro 2022 before finishing as runners-up at the summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The latter tournament saw the 26-year-old miss a game due to a knee injury, and a subsequent calf problem saw her sit out the Lionesses’ two September matches in the Women’s Nations League – a competition through which England can secure qualification for GB for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Walsh said: “After so many tournaments, and somebody actually sent me a thing the other day that I’d played the second-most games in Europe, I think naturally that’s going to take a toll on your body. I think obviously that’s potentially a factor of why I got injured at the start of the season. “But I did my rehab, the club and England have looked after me, we’ve had a camp since then and a lot of games in between. “I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fresh, and I think that was my little break for me to now go again and push on this season.” Walsh says another tournament next summer is something she is “definitely” up for, adding: “Honestly, the thought of pre-season is worse! “I’d rather go to a tournament. It’s special. People talk about the winning, but just the feeling of being part of a team for so long, and you spend every day with each other – I think then when you go home and you’re not with 50 people is also a bit weird. Even off the pitch it’s a special feeling to be part of a group at a tournament.” I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fresh, and I think that was my little break for me to now go again and push on Keira Walsh England need to finish first in Group A1 to have a chance of obtaining the Olympic qualification and head into their final two pool matches in danger of falling short of top spot. Sarina Wiegman’s side are currently third, three points behind the Netherlands, 2-1 victors against them in September, and one behind Belgium, who last month – with Walsh back in the side – they beat 1-0, then were defeated by 3-2. It leaves England needing to win to remain in contention when they host the Netherlands at Wembley on Friday, before they take on Scotland at Hampden Park four days later. Walsh said: “I think obviously we want to put the things right that weren’t so good in the Belgium game, and it’s going to be a difficult game for us. We know it’s a must-win. “But I’m hoping we can show the resilient side to us and the character, and put in a good performance. “I think (in the second match against Belgium) it was maybe just a slight lack of concentration at times. But let’s not catastrophise it, it wasn’t the worst game in the world for us.” Regarding next week’s contest, Walsh said the fact England are in a group with Scotland players holding hopes of making the GB squad is “a little bit strange”, but said: “If I’m putting myself in their shoes, it’s a big game against England. They’re going to want to win – and so do we.” As well as regular captain Leah Williamson still being out injured, England also have Millie Bright, who has been skipper in her absence, sidelined at the moment. Walsh, holder of 67 England caps, believes there are “a lot of natural leaders in the team”. On her personal role, she added: “That’s something that Sarina has also asked of me, to take on a little bit more responsibility in that aspect, especially in the midfield, to try to vocalise and communicate a little bit more, and hopefully that is something that I can work on and improve on.” Read More He’s amazing – Martin Odegaard hails ‘brilliant’ Declan Rice impact at Arsenal On This Day in 2004 – Sir Matthew Pinsent announces retirement from rowing Arsenal through to last 16 as Manchester United squander lead again Erik ten Hag says Manchester United ‘have to learn’ from Galatasaray draw Man Utd set to face Galatasaray in Champions League despite bad weather Luke Donald humbled by players’ support for his return as Ryder Cup captain
2023-11-30 17:28
He’s amazing – Martin Odegaard hails ‘brilliant’ Declan Rice impact at Arsenal
Martin Odegaard believes his “amazing” midfield partner Declan Rice is already proving his worth after Arsenal eased into the Champions League knockout stages. England international Rice, a £105million summer signing from West Ham, was among a host of standout performers as the Gunners secured top spot in Group B with a 6-0 demolition of French club Lens. Arsenal captain Odegaard has been impressed with the instant impact and consistency of his 24-year-old team-mate, who has been ever-present in the Premier League and Europe this term. “It’s brilliant – I think he’s been amazing since he came here,” the Norway international said of Rice. “Every game he’s showing his qualities. He’s a great player, a great guy, so a great addition to the squad.” Rice was afforded a rest for the final 15 minutes on Wednesday evening as in-form Arsenal won their pool with a fixture to spare, four days after going top of the Premier League. Odegaard volleyed home the last of the rampant hosts’ five first-half goals against last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up before Rice’s replacement Jorginho converted a late penalty to complete the rout. The former Real Madrid playmaker says the Gunners are constantly striving to produce statement performances. “Every time we play we want to send a message,” said Odegaard. “Of course, we want to win every time we play and we want to put on performances like this. “The way we started the game was brilliant. We had complete control of the game with the ball. We played with a really high rhythm and intensity and we were effective in front of goal. “The last few games we’ve been really good defensively and we wanted to show even more on the ball and to get some more goals as well. “We did that and we knew what we were playing for and we saw the motivation and the hunger out there.” Read More Keira Walsh ‘feeling fresh’ before latest round of Women’s Nations League games On This Day in 2004 – Sir Matthew Pinsent announces retirement from rowing Arsenal through to last 16 as Manchester United squander lead again Erik ten Hag says Manchester United ‘have to learn’ from Galatasaray draw Man Utd set to face Galatasaray in Champions League despite bad weather Luke Donald humbled by players’ support for his return as Ryder Cup captain
2023-11-30 17:28
Sebastian Stan to star as a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice biopic
Sebastian Stan has been cast as a young Donald Trump in Ali Abbasi's biopic 'The Apprentice'.
2023-11-30 17:27
A friendship forged over 7 weeks of captivity lives on as freed women are reunited
In the depths of captivity in Gaza, they formed an unlikely but prized friendship
2023-11-30 17:27
Dollar edges up from three-month low, French inflation data dents euro
By Samuel Indyk and Ankur Banerjee LONDON (Reuters) -The dollar edged up from a three-month low on Thursday but was
2023-11-30 17:25
Mideast Broadcaster’s $222 Million Saudi IPO Sells in 1 Hour
MBC Group, the Middle East’s biggest broadcaster, received more orders than shares available for its initial public offering
2023-11-30 17:24
'It's a family program': Viewers fume over Chloe Bailey's sexy red outfit for Rockefeller tree lighting
Sporting her Santa-inspired attire, Chloe Bailey performed a breathy rendition of the Wham holiday song 'Last Christmas' at the Rockefeller tree lighting event
2023-11-30 17:22
Tristan Tate quotes Elon Musk in viral tweet, Internet says 'weak men bow to money'
Tristan Tate's tweet quoting Elon Musk went viral, amassing 390k views and 10k likes within 24 hours
2023-11-30 17:21