Author: Rachel Maddow

Sydney Sweeney takes on the role of legendary boxer Christy Martin in the biopic Christy, directed by David Michôd. The film dramatizes the life of Martin, who rose from small-town West Virginia in the ’70s and ’80s to global fame. Martin became the first woman inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020. Christy premieres in theaters on November 7, arriving just in time for awards season. Story of a Trailblazer The film shows Christy Martin (Sweeney) discovering her natural ability for boxing while living in West Virginia. Guided by her trainer and husband Jim (Ben Foster), she…

Mike Tyson revealed he used fentanyl multiple times during his boxing career to manage pain. He said he first used it in the late 1990s to treat a toe injury. Tyson compared fentanyl to heroin, describing withdrawal symptoms when the effects wore off. A friend told him the drug was a narcotic and illegal if detected in his bloodstream. Boxing, Drugs, and Role Model Questions Tyson said he does not aim to be a role model despite his successes and controversies. He considers cannabis safer than alcohol, cocaine, or fentanyl for pain or recreation. Tyson acknowledged his public image includes…

Joey Essex’s boxing debut could face uncertainty after his opponent announced plans to challenge the result. Essex, 35, made his professional debut last month at the latest Misfits event in Manchester. He secured a points victory over Portuguese influencer Numeiro, overcoming standing counts in both the fourth and final rounds. Opponent Challenges Decision Numeiro, 27, whose real name is Joao Barbosa, revealed plans to appeal the fight’s outcome. Barbosa told IFL TV he repeatedly received professional feedback suggesting Essex should not have won. He described the result as unfair, claiming refereeing mistakes cost him the victory. Barbosa said he consulted…

Nikhat Zareen carried her aura of discipline, setbacks, and triumphs into the ring once again on Tuesday. The two-time world champion absorbed Yuma Nishinaka’s early aggression before dictating the fight with sharp counters and relentless pace. After three commanding rounds, judges handed Zareen a unanimous 5-0 verdict, securing her spot in the 51kg quarterfinals. Clash with Turkish Champion Looms The victory set up a quarterfinal against Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu, one of the division’s most decorated fighters. Cakiroglu, a two-time Olympic silver medallist and former world champion, poses a major challenge to Zareen’s third crown pursuit. Fans worldwide eagerly anticipate…

France’s parliament voted Monday to remove the prime minister, heightening a political crisis and leaving President Emmanuel Macron with the task of appointing his fifth premier in under two years. Francois Bayrou, 74, took office only nine months ago. Following the vote, he must resign, forcing Macron to navigate limited options as financial markets show concern over France’s political and fiscal instability. Bayrou called the vote unexpectedly to gain parliamentary backing for his plan to reduce a rising deficit. France’s deficit is nearly double the European Union’s 3% ceiling, while the national debt has climbed to 114% of GDP. The…

The latest US employment data shows a continued slowdown in job growth, signaling possible interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve later this month. Analysts warn that while job numbers are weak, other economic indicators remain strong. David Rees, Head of Global Economics at Schroders, said the August employment figures highlight a slowdown that could affect the Fed’s upcoming decisions. Despite the weak job growth, he cautioned against immediate reactions. “The Fed will need to move carefully,” Rees said, noting that other labor market indicators remain solid. He added that upcoming changes to immigration policies could limit the supply of…

Dana White and Zuffa Boxing officially enter boxing this week with the mega-fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford. White gained fame in combat sports by helping grow the UFC. Over the past decade, he criticized boxing promotion and promised improvements. He now partners with Turki Alalshikh through Zuffa Boxing to introduce a new promotional model to the sport. White’s Rise in Combat Sports White managed fighters Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell before urging Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta to buy the UFC. After becoming UFC president in 2001, White turned the nearly-bankrupt organization into a $1.1 billion business by…

IBF super featherweight champion Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez (29-1, 27 KOs) defeated Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (30-6, 19 KOs) by unanimous decision in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Nunez landed key combinations and dropped Diaz twice in the seventh round. Diaz pressured throughout, opening a cut on Nunez in the final round. Judges scored the bout 117-109, 117-109, and 116-110. Guevara and Molina Battle to Controversial Draw Former two-time world champion Pedro Guevara (43-5-2, 22 KOs) fought Alexis “Chapito” Molina (13-1-2, 5 KOs) to a 10-round draw. Molina joined on 24 hours’ notice. Both fighters traded punches, with Guevara scoring early, Molina landing strong…

Boxing fans reacted strongly after organizers confirmed the Mayweather-Tyson exhibition set for spring 2026. The announcement sparked excitement for some, but purists criticized the fight as more entertainment than competition. Jeff Mayweather, Floyd’s uncle, said these events prioritize showmanship over genuine athletic challenge. Tyson’s Family Feels the Impact Mike Tyson’s son reportedly lost interest in boxing after seeing his father return for spectacle-driven fights. Sources claim the young man doubts the sport’s authenticity, fearing pre-arranged outcomes undermine competitive value. The exhibition’s focus on drama over skill illustrates how boxing increasingly blurs the line between sport and entertainment. The Business Behind…

Five French boxers cannot compete at the World Championships in Liverpool because their gender test results did not arrive in time. The French Boxing Federation announced on Wednesday evening that it received this decision “with astonishment and outrage.” The tournament runs until 14 September in Liverpool. Federation Blames Failures on World Boxing French law prohibits gender tests, which made it impossible to carry them out in France before the event. World Boxing knew about this from the start and referred the athletes to a lab in Leeds, two hours from Liverpool. The French federation said World Boxing assured them that…