分类： sports

Amir Khan, the British boxing legend who retired in 2022 after a storied career, is now embarking on a new chapter as a boxing promoter. Known for his Olympic silver medal at 17, unified world titles, and unforgettable bouts with fighters like Marcos Maidana and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Khan is shifting his focus from the ring to the boardroom. His latest venture, ‘Chaos in the Ring,’ marks the first time top-tier professional boxing will be held in Nigeria, coinciding with the country’s Independence Day celebrations in Lagos. The event, promoted by Khan’s AK Promotions in partnership with Balmoral Group Promotions, aims to bring the excitement of boxing to an untapped market in Africa. The main event features a cruiserweight clash between Brandon Glanton and Marcus Browne, while British light-heavyweight Dan Azeez fulfills a personal dream by fighting on Nigerian soil. Khan, who has previously organized a successful event in Ghana, believes Lagos will be an even bigger success. ‘I’m still new to the game, but I want to learn quick and move quick,’ Khan told BBC Sport from his home in Dubai. ‘Why Africa? I think it’s an untouched market.’ Khan’s promotion strategy also emphasizes reconnecting fighters with their roots, as seen with Londoner Ohara Davies boxing in Ghana earlier this year. While Khan never had the chance to fight in Pakistan, his heritage has always been a source of pride and connection with fans in South Asia. Transitioning into promotion has been a learning curve for Khan, who likens the negotiation process to a game of chess. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic, drawing on his own experiences as a fighter to build trust with athletes. ‘I’m not expecting to make anything in the next couple of years as a promoter,’ Khan said. ‘I’m happy to roll the dice because I want to learn the trade as I go.’ Khan’s long-term vision includes expanding the sport in Africa and the Middle East before re-entering the UK market. He also dreams of staging fights in Saudi Arabia as part of the lucrative Riyadh Season. However, he acknowledges the need for support from broadcasters, co-promoters, and former allies. ‘I made them millions, let’s see if they do the same for me now,’ he added. While Khan officially retired after his defeat to Kell Brook in 2022, he admits that a comeback could be tempting if a fight with Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather materializes. ‘The only fight I’d come back for is a Manny Pacquiao or a Floyd Mayweather fight,’ Khan said. ‘If it happens, it happens. I’d love to take it.’ Though a return to the ring seems unlikely, Khan is determined to create a legacy outside of it, proving that his impact on boxing extends far beyond his days as a champion.

South Africa’s aspirations to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been severely compromised following a ruling by FIFA’s disciplinary committee. The committee found that the South African national team violated competition regulations by fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March. Mokoena, a 28-year-old midfielder, was supposed to serve a suspension after accumulating two yellow cards in previous matches. As a consequence, FIFA has imposed a 3-0 forfeit on South Africa, fined the South African Football Association (Safa) 10,000 Swiss Francs ($12,500), and issued a warning to Mokoena. This decision has dramatically reshaped the standings in Group C of the African World Cup qualifiers. South Africa, previously leading the group, has now dropped to second place, trailing Benin on goal difference. The outcome has also reignited the hopes of Nigeria and Rwanda, who are now just three points behind the top two teams. With the final rounds of qualifiers scheduled for October 10-14, Benin will face Rwanda and Nigeria, while South Africa will play Zimbabwe and host Rwanda. Safa has a 10-day window to appeal FIFA’s decision, but the road to the World Cup has undoubtedly become more challenging for Bafana Bafana.

Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast football legend Didier Drogba has embarked on a new venture in the world of electric powerboat racing as a team owner in the E1 Series, the first all-electric international powerboat competition. Alongside global icons like Tom Brady, LeBron James, Virat Kohli, Rafael Nadal, and actor Will Smith, Drogba is part of an elite group of investors driving this innovative sport. The E1 Series, which debuted last year, is set to make its first African stop in Lagos, Nigeria, on 4-5 October. Drogba emphasized the importance of showcasing African culture and history through this event, describing Lagos as a vibrant and fitting host city. Gabrielle Lemaire, Drogba’s partner and co-investor, highlighted the opportunity to advocate for sustainability and inspire young people, particularly women, to engage in sports and environmental awareness. The E1 Series aims to promote gender equality, with each team comprising one male and one female pilot. The competition has already visited prestigious locations such as Venice, Monaco, and Lake Como, with Miami scheduled to conclude the season. Drogba’s team includes British powerboat champion Oban Duncan and Olympic sailing bronze medalist Micah Wilkinson. Despite his illustrious football career, Drogba has chosen not to pursue coaching, instead applying the leadership skills he learned from former managers and teammates to his new role in E1. The rivalry among the star-studded team owners extends beyond the water, with Drogba humorously noting the competitive banter in their WhatsApp group. The E1 Series aspires to rival motorsport giants like Formula 1 and Formula E, with organizers targeting a valuation of £500 million ($675 million) within five years. Drogba also expressed his desire to bring the race to his home country, Ivory Coast, with Abidjan as a potential venue, citing its suitability and the success of hosting the Africa Cup of Nations.

KIGALI, Rwanda — In a remarkable display of endurance and skill, Tadej Pogacar claimed his second consecutive world road cycling championship on Sunday. The Slovenian cyclist, already a four-time Tour de France winner, showcased his dominance in the men’s elite road race, finishing comfortably ahead of Remco Evenepoel, the reigning time-trial champion. This victory adds to Pogacar’s growing legacy in the sport, following his triumph in Switzerland last year. The event also celebrated significant achievements in women’s cycling, with Magdeleine Vallieres Mill of Canada securing the women’s road race title on Saturday, and Marlen Reusser taking home the women’s time-trial victory. This year’s championships in Rwanda marked a historic milestone as the first time the event was held in Africa in its 104-year history, underscoring the global expansion and inclusivity of the sport.

In a historic performance, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu led South Africa to a resounding 67-30 victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship, setting a new national record for points scored in a Test match. The 23-year-old fly-half amassed an impressive 37 points, surpassing Percy Montgomery’s previous record of 35 points set in 2007. Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s stellar performance included three tries, eight conversions, and two penalties, cementing his place as a rising star in South African rugby. The match, held in Durban, saw the Springboks take a one-point lead at the top of the Rugby Championship table, following New Zealand’s earlier win over Australia. The first half was tightly contested, with South Africa leading by just two points at halftime. However, the Springboks surged ahead in the second half, with tries from Cheslin Kolbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Morne van den Berg, and Manie Libbok, thrilling the 45,000-strong crowd. South Africa now looks ahead to their final match against Argentina at Twickenham on October 4, where a bonus-point win could secure their third Rugby Championship title in its current format. However, the Springboks will also claim the championship if Australia defeats New Zealand in their upcoming clash. ‘This was a vibe. I am very happy,’ Feinberg-Mngomezulu remarked after the game, reflecting on his record-breaking performance and the team’s collective effort.

The Ghanaian government has imposed an immediate nationwide suspension on all boxing activities following the tragic death of super-middleweight boxer Ernest Akushey, popularly known as Bahubali. The 32-year-old fighter passed away on Tuesday, just 11 days after his bout against Jacob Dickson at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on September 12. While the exact cause of death remains under investigation, preliminary reports suggest it may be linked to internal injuries sustained during the match. This incident marks the second fatality in Ghana’s boxing scene within six months, raising urgent concerns about safety standards in the sport. In March, Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed during a fight against Ghanaian opponent Jon Mbanugu in Accra and died shortly after being hospitalized. In response to these tragedies, the National Sports Authority has described the suspension as a ‘necessary step’ to ‘protect lives, uphold the integrity of the sport, and ensure its future.’ Authorities have also unveiled a five-year strategy aimed at implementing safer, more professional, and globally-aligned standards for boxing. Ghana has a rich boxing heritage, having produced world-renowned champions such as Azumah Nelson, and the sport enjoys widespread popularity across the nation. However, these recent deaths have reignited critical discussions about the need for enhanced safety measures and regulatory reforms.