List of All Articles with Tag 'box'

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

Leigh Wood will try to regain his world title from Mauricio Lara this weekend, just three months after losing the WBA featherweight belt to the Mexican. Wood, fighting in his hometown of Nottingham, was stopped by Lara late in Round 7 in February, in what proved to be a controversial finish. The Briton was ahead on the scorecards before being dropped by Lara, 25, and Wood’s coach Ben Davison threw in the towel after his fighter had beaten the referee’s count. Most observers believed that Wood, 34, would have made it to the end of the round, and some believed that he should have been given time to recover. Others, however, defended 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 How to watch Wood vs Lara online and on TV 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

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

Vasiliy Lomachenko’s team plan to appeal his decision loss to Devin Haney, according to the Ukrainian’s manager. Lomachenko suffered a unanimous points defeat by the American in Las Vegas on Saturday, as Haney remained unbeaten and retained the undisputed lightweight titles. Many fans, boxers and pundits felt that Lomachenko had done enough to win, however, and the 35-year-old’s team plan to appeal the decision, which had “Loma” losing 116-112, 115-113, 115-113. “The biggest robbery in the daylight,” said Lomachenko’s manager Egis Klimas, via Sky Sports. “Haney’s team got Christmas in the summer. “We’re going to appeal this decision. Those judges, they do not understand how the boxers are working hard. “I guarantee we’re not going to let that go. We want to show there has to be justice.” The result marked a third professional defeat for Lomachenko, a former multiple-weight world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist. Lomachenko, who was filmed crying backstage after his loss on Saturday, also said he felt he had beaten Haney. “I win this fight,” he said in the ring. “Twelve rounds end, I was sure I won this fight. I feel I controlled this fight.” Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Devin Haney edges past Vasiliy Lomachenko to remain unbeaten and undisputed Katie Taylor chases rematch after decision loss to Chantelle Cameron Katie Taylor’s long reign as boxing queen over despite heroic last stand

The long reign of the boxing queen, Katie Taylor, ended late on Saturday night in Dublin. At the end of ten truly heroic rounds, Taylor dropped her head when Chantelle Cameroon had her hand raised in front of nearly 10,000 people at the 3Arena. On the night and in the fight, Cameron was just a bit bigger, stronger and busier and she left the ring with her four world title belts. And a face full of bruises. It was one of the finest victories by a British boxer in a world title defence overseas. Cameron, the champion, had been the underdog all week, selected by Taylor personally to lose. Taylor had dared to dream, moved up in weight, challenged an unbeaten woman and on the night that was meant to be her crowning glory, she fell just short. One judge scored it a draw, the other two returned identical scores of 96-94; Cameron, they believe, had won six of the ten rounds. I agree, by the way. On a night of raw emotion, Taylor had taken in every second of her ring walk, prowling the stage at the back of the arena and lifting her devoted flock to a howling frenzy. In the ring, Cameron had bounced on her toes during the expected delay, laughing and joking with her trainers, Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis. They had been a solid unit all week here in Dublin, seemingly immune to the media attention and most definitely not phased by the crowd. At ringside, Conor McGregor led the chorus of approval as Taylor finally stepped through the ropes. It was an unbelievable noise, an unforgettable scene of devotion and respect for Taylor. And then the boxing started and Cameron moved her feet to cut Taylor down and let her hands go. In the opening rounds, Taylor was trapped repeatedly on the ropes and caught with body shots. I think that Taylor finished the first five rounds trapped in a corner at the bell, her hair free of the braids and covering her face as Cameron landed to body and head. The crowd did their bit, but they are a boxing-wise flock and they knew what was happening. Cameron was on fire. Taylor tried to create a bit of distance by stepping back and letting her own hands go with her trademark combinations; Cameron just eased forward, jabbed, let the right go and then switched to the body. Cameron had a great plan and was slowly dominating a hard fight. At the end of five rounds, Taylor was trailing heavily. “We never came this far to be out-hustled by this girl,” Ross Enamait, Taylor’s trainer, told his fighter before the start of the sixth. There was a sense of shock in Taylor’s corner. In previous tight fights, Taylor has simply had the desire and ability to dig her feet into the canvas and fight her way from the ropes to the centre of the ring. It was Taylor’s 17th consecutive world title fight. In the Dublin ring, Cameron was smart enough to adjust when Taylor started the inevitable comeback from round six. It was desperate stuff, a heroic stand and Taylor’s homecoming army added to the drama. McGregor was still pounding the canvas with his palms and screaming. Taylor was back in the fight, losing but still swinging. This is what the faithful had been waiting for; Katie was back. There was no panic at any point from Cameron, no drastic changes in her plans and she stuck to her tactics. Cameron’s right cheek was starting to swell and Taylor was starting to read her. Cameron was still landing with rights, then switching to the body, but in rounds six and seven Taylor was countering and leading the crowd in song. It was a brutal fight, a savage struggle by Taylor to remain unbeaten. Taylor was, finally, starting to put her fast combinations together. At the final bell, Sparkle Lee, the referee, had to jump between them. It was the only possible ending to the fight. Cameron and Taylor knew they had each played a special part; they had both been unbeaten before the first bell and at the end, it was Cameron who acted like the winner. However, it was Katie Taylor’s homecoming, her night, her coronation and boxing is scarred by unjust decisions. The correct verdict was returned, Taylor picked up her head and congratulated Cameron. It was expected and classy. “Let’s do it again,” Taylor said. There is a rematch clause for Taylor and she will inevitably invoke it. Taylor hates to lose; Cameron will not refuse. Read More Katie Taylor chases rematch after decision loss to Chantelle Cameron Devin Haney edges past Vasiliy Lomachenko to remain unbeaten and undisputed Katie Taylor chases rematch after decision loss to Chantelle Cameron Chantelle Cameron outlasts Katie Taylor in Dublin Katie Taylor beaten by Chantelle Cameron on Irish homecoming

Devin Haney remained unbeaten and undisputed with a narrow points win over Vasiliy Lomachenko on Saturday. The American, 24, entered Las Vegas with an undefeated record of 29-0, and he improved that tally by edging out Lomachenko 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 on the judges’ scorecards, retaining his lightweight titles in the process. For Lomachenko, who was the smaller, older fighter at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the only adjective that mattered was ‘undisputed’ – a status that has eluded the Ukrainian throughout a storied career. Lomachenko, 35, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and has held world titles at featherweight, super-featherweight, and unified gold at lightweight. Yet he has never been undisputed, and Haney denied the veteran that accolade on Saturday (20 May), narrowly outpointing “Loma”. A highly-competitive fight featured numerous rounds that were almost too close to call, though Haney was favouring an effective right hook to the body in the first half of the bout. Meanwhile, Lomachenko could not muster the same power but was intermittently stinging the “Dream” with flurries of short, straight punches, with his jab also piercing Haney’s defence. Lomachenko seemed to secure the clearest rounds – the 10th and 11th – but could not quite take the final frame, which all three judges scored in favour of Haney, preventing a majority draw. For Haney, it was a second straight successful defence of the undisputed gold. The American outpointed George Kambosos Jr in the Australian’s home country in June to unify all the belts, before repeating the result in October – in Melbourne once again. Meanwhile, Saturday’s main event marked a third professional defeat for Lomachenko, who last suffered a loss in 2020 when he was surprisingly outpointed by Teofimo Lopez. Lomachenko responded to that result with three straight wins, the third coming in December after the 35-year-old spent much of 2022 in Ukraine, aiding his country’s defence against the Russian invasion. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Katie Taylor beaten by Chantelle Cameron on Irish homecoming Joe Rogan is right: Tyson Fury has ‘no chance in hell’ against Jon Jones McGregor Forever: The problem with the new Conor McGregor documentary

Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko will meet in a huge main event in Las Vegas this evening, as the American defends the undisputed lightweight titles against the Ukrainian. FOLLOW LIVE: Haney vs Lomachenko - latest fight updates The unbeaten Haney, 24, unified the belts against George Kambosos Jr last June, outpointing the Australian in his own backyard before doing so again in October to retain the titles. Prior to those bouts, Kambosos Jr was unbeaten and had taken three of the belts from Teofimo Lopez in 2021. In turn, Lopez had stunned Lomachenko with a decision win in 2020 to become unified champion. At 35, Lomachenko, who has held world titles in multiple weight classes, could be running out of time to recapture gold. As impressive as the two-time Olympic gold medalist’s career has been, he faces a stiff test in Haney. Here’s all you need to know as two pound-for-pound stars go head to head. When is it? The fight will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday 20 May. The main card is due to begin at 1am BST on Sunday 21 May (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET), with ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 4am BST (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET). How can I watch it? In the UK, the event will air live on Sky Sports as well as the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the fights live on pay-per-view. Odds Haney – 2/5 Lomachenko – 21/10 Draw – 12/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Devin Haney (C) vs Vasiliy Lomachenko (IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO lightweight titles) Juno Nakatani vs Andrew Maloney (vacant WBO super-flyweight title) Raymond Muratalla vs Jeremia Nakathila (lightweight) Oscar Valdez vs Adam Lopez (super-featherweight) Floyd Diaz vs Luis Saavedra (super-bantamweight) Nico Ali Walsh vs Danny Rosenberger (middleweight) Abdullah Mason vs Desmond Lyons (lightweight) Amari Jones vs Pachino Hill (middleweight) Emiliano Vargas vs Rafael Jasso (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More The Devin Haney trap that Vasiliy Lomachenko must avoid to extend glittering career Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron are shaming their male counterparts Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV How to watch Haney vs Lomachenko online and on TV tonight Haney vs Lomachenko LIVE: Latest boxing fight updates and results The Haney trap that Lomachenko must avoid to extend glittering career

Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney defends his titles against Vasiliy Lomachenko in a blockbuster bout this evening. FOLLOW LIVE: Haney vs Lomachenko - latest fight updates American Haney unified the belts against George Kambosos Jr last June in the Australian’s home country, before returning to Kambosos’ backyard to retain the titles in a rematch in October. On both occasions, the unbeaten Haney – who is still just 24 – clinically outboxed his opponent, who was previously undefeated and had taken three of the belts from Teofimo Lopez in 2021. Prior to that, Lopez handed Lomachenko a surprising points defeat in 2020 to become unified champion, but the Ukrainian has responded with three straight wins to set up this fight with Haney in Las Vegas. At 35, Lomachenko, who has held world titles in multiple weight classes, could be running out of time to recapture gold. As impressive as the two-time Olympic gold medalist’s career has been, he faces a stiff test in Haney. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The fight will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday 20 May. The main card is due to begin at 1am BST on Sunday 21 May (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET), with ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 4am BST (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET). How can I watch it? In the UK, the event will air live on Sky Sports as well as the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the fights live on pay-per-view. Odds Haney – 2/5 Lomachenko – 21/10 Draw – 12/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Devin Haney (C) vs Vasiliy Lomachenko (IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO lightweight titles) Juno Nakatani vs Andrew Maloney (vacant WBO super-flyweight title) Raymond Muratalla vs Jeremia Nakathila (lightweight) Oscar Valdez vs Adam Lopez (super-featherweight) Floyd Diaz vs Luis Saavedra (super-bantamweight) Nico Ali Walsh vs Danny Rosenberger (middleweight) Abdullah Mason vs Desmond Lyons (lightweight) Amari Jones vs Pachino Hill (middleweight) Emiliano Vargas vs Rafael Jasso (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More The Devin Haney trap that Vasiliy Lomachenko must avoid to extend glittering career Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron are shaming their male counterparts Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV What time does Haney vs Lomachenko start in UK and US tonight? Haney vs Lomachenko LIVE: Latest boxing fight updates and results The Haney trap that Lomachenko must avoid to extend glittering career

Devin Haney defends his undisputed lightweight titles against Vasiliy Lomachenko tonight, in a blockbuster bout in Las Vegas. Haney, 24, enters the main event unbeaten, having achieved undisputed status with a points win over George Kambosos Jr in the Australian’s backyard in June, before repeating the result in October – once again in Melbourne – to retain the belts. Now, the American (29-0, 15 knockouts) defends the gold against Lomachenko, one of the finest fighters of this generation. The Ukrainian (17-0, 11 KOs) is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a former multiple-weight world champion. But, at 35, is Lomachenko making his last stand? Is the southpaw a fading force or is he capable of another world title run? Find out as we provide live updates from the fight, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More The Devin Haney trap that Vasiliy Lomachenko must avoid to extend glittering career Joe Rogan is right: Tyson Fury has ‘no chance in hell’ against Jon Jones The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings

Katie Taylor will take on Chantelle Cameron in Dublin tonight, in a meeting of two unbeaten, undisputed champions. Remarkably, Taylor is fighting in her home country of Ireland for the first time in her professional career, as the lightweight champion challenges Cameron for the super-lightweight titles. Taylor is not only aiming to add more belts to her collection; she also wants to keep alive a rematch with Amanda Serrano, whom she narrowly outpointed last year in the biggest women’s fight in boxing history. Meanwhile, Cameron is looking to boost her own legacy at Taylor’s expense, and the Briton should represent a stern test for the home fighter here. Taylor, 36, enters the main event undefeated at 22-0 (6 knockouts), while Cameron, 32, has a pro record of 17-0 (8 KOs). Follow live updates from the fight, below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron are shaming their male counterparts Conor McGregor cheers on Irish boxers from ringside before Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron Haney vs Lomachenko time: When does fight start in UK and US?

Conor McGregor could be seen cheering on Irish boxers from ringside on Saturday, as he attended an event built around Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron in Dublin. Taylor, who holds the undisputed lightweight titles, will challenge her British opponent for the undisputed super-lightweight belts at the 3Arena later tonight, with McGregor present to support his compatriot. FOLLOW LIVE: Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron – latest fight updates REVIEW: The problem with the new Conor McGregor documentary The Irishman has publicly supported Taylor for some time, and the former UFC champion helped to sponsor the event build around her bout with Cameron on Saturday (20 May). He was seen sitting next to boxing promoter Eddie Hearn at the 3Arena – where he competed early in his UFC career – and cheering on Irish fighters on the undercard, including Gary Cully and Dennis Hogan. McGregor has not competed since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg during his second straight loss to Dustin Poirier. The 34-year-old is set to return to the Octagon this year to face Michael Chandler, though no date, location or weight class has been confirmed for that fight. McGregor Forever, the second documentary on McGregor’s career, was released on Netflix this week. Read The Independent’s review of the four-part series here. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More The problem with the new Conor McGregor documentary, McGregor Forever UFC schedule 2023: Every fight happening this year Conor McGregor shoves Michael Chandler in trailer for The Ultimate Fighter

Katie Taylor is one of women's boxing's 'Mount Rushmore' figures.