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Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kelsey Leonard ready to make her mark in professional game
Ireland's newest female professional boxer makes her debut this weekend after a stellar amateur career. Kelsey Leonard has won eight Irish Titles, as well as medalled at both the European and World Championships, and will now aim to follow in her idol Katie Taylor's footsteps in the pro ranks. The Kildare Town native's ultimate goal is to become a world champion - but the featherweight fighter will take it one step at a time. The first of those comes at the Girdwood Community Hub in Belfast on Saturday night when Leonard faces Leeds' Kira Carter (0-19-1) in a bout scheduled for four rounds. "I've obviously been an amateur for so long and I've been thinking about turning pro for a while," Leonard told the Irish Mirror. "And then at the start of this year, I finally was able to get all the applications in and medicals and stuff like that. So it took a little bit of time. So finally, I'm just really excited that it's finally happening now." The 26-year-old watched Taylor dominate her trilogy fight with Amanda Serrano at a sold-out Madison Square Garden earlier this month using the silky skills she perfected as an amateur. And Leonard believes her amateur pedigree, as well as her experience of fighting all over the world in countries such as Taiwan, Canada and Bulgaria, will stand to her as a pro. "I know a lot of people say you need to have a pro style, which is a little bit different to that amateur style. But I think having that amateur experience and the technical ability, it will push you on a lot further being able to do that as well," said Leonard. Kelsey Leonard (Image: Babs Daly) "I've boxed all over the world and I've boxed, I'd say, nearly every style. So it's good to have that experience and to just be aware of what you're getting into." Leonard is coached and managed by Niall Barrett in UNIT 3 Health and Fitness in Naas and is advised by 18-2 pro Gary Cully, who has fought on both of Katie Taylor's 3Arena cards, as well as massive events in the UK and beyond in recent years. Both Cully and Taylor are huge inspirations for Leonard, who has seen up close the work the 6ft2in southpaw, who fights at 135lbs, puts in. "I think Gary, because I see him every day and I see how much work he puts in, he's taught me so much about being professional and then seeing him on the big stage and seeing what he's been able to do is such an inspiration to me," she explained. "But then, ever since I was a kid, I've always looked up to Katie and seeing what she's been able to do just makes, not only for me, but for every female boxer, see what is possible." Barrett is hoping Leonard can fight - and win - four times in the first few months of her career that should get her inside the top 30 fighters in the world rankings. Gary Cully (Image: Dave Thompson/Matchroom) The aim is to then win a European championship in her seventh fight and to challenge for a world title in her tenth. Barrett has seen the commitment Leonard has put into her boxing over the past three and a half years of them working together. "After about six months I saw a lot in her so I sat her down and I said 'look I don't know if you know this but you could be really, really good, you could be special', but not on two days a week. "So I said 'go home, have a think about it, talk it over with your family and if so I think it might be worth reducing your work hours so that you can train a bit more'. "The very next day she came in, saying 'I handed in my notice at work, I'm going full-time boxing' and I was like 'I didn't mean that'. "But it just shows her commitment that she'll sacrifice and for the last three years she's been living on absolutely nothing, all with this single-minded focus of this big dream." Leonard turns pro at an exciting time for both women's boxing and Irish boxing as a whole. Taylor and Serrano headlined a historic all-female card in New York earlier this month, with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions investing heavily in women's boxing. Meanwhile, big shows continue to take place in Ireland, with Michael Conlan headlining an event at the 3Arena in early September before Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan fight for the IBF world welterweight title at Windsor Park a week later. "There's so many shows now in Ireland and it's just like big time boxing's really coming back to Ireland now and there's so many big shows that will just help so much and just really help with that activity as well, which is great," added Leonard. "You had the full female card with MVP Promotions, that was huge for women's boxing. "That's only happened a couple of times before and for the amount of eyes that were on it, and it was on Netflix, it's huge. I think amateur boxing for females was always at a high level, especially in Ireland. But I think the pro is getting a lot more attention now. "Even in Ireland there's a couple more female pros turning over and a lot more big fights and title fights for women. So it's really, I think it's the perfect time for it." So what can people expect to see in the months and years ahead? "I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. I want to feel it out, but I'm a strong technical boxer, so I won't be losing that. But I am an entertaining boxer and I want to be an entertaining boxer. So just that when you're watching me fight, you will be entertained," said Leonard. "I'm not saying I'm not looking for knockouts or anything like that. If that type of stuff comes, it comes. But just entertainment." Leonard is very grateful to the continued support of her sponsors: UNIT 3: Health and Fitness Naas, Diva Coffee Co., Sli Beatha Floathouse Naas, The Unit Recovery Naas, Brendan Conlan Automobiles, The Curragh Racecourse, Fightstore Ireland, SDK Detailing. If any companies would like to help out with sponsorship, they can contact her manager and coach Niall Barrett at or on 087-2852774.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Leeds agree £17m deal for Germany midfielder Stach
Leeds United have agreed a 20m euro (£17m) deal with German club Hoffenheim for midfielder Anton Stach. Stach will sign a four-year contract, with the transfer subject to a number of add-ons. Once it is confirmed, Stach will become Leeds' sixth signing of the summer. The Germany international is likely to be paired with Sean Longstaff, whose £12m move from Newcastle was confirmed on Friday. At 6ft 4in, Stach will bring an imposing physical presence to Leeds' midfield as manager Daniel Farke looks to make an immediate impact following their return to the Premier League. Leeds have also brought in defenders Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson as well as German forward Lukas Nmecha. Latest Leeds United news, analysis and fan views Follow Leeds United in the BBC Sport app Listen to the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Consummate professional' - why James' deal makes sense
Dan James' deal to remain at Leeds United for a further four years is a clever move by the club and deserved for the flying winger's popularity has grown with supporters since he returned from a loan spell at Fulham, a deal that felt like he did not want but was the wish of then head coach Jesse Marsch. His assists and goal contributions since returning to Elland Road in the summer of 2023 have been impressive but more so has his attitude. The Wales international has never moaned about being cast out from the club he now calls very much home. It is a home of course from which he had the keys snatched in 2019 when at the 11th hour Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins refused to sanction Leeds' attempt to sign him as the January transfer window is a player who immediately after being present for the birth of his son in Manchester flew by helicopter to play 90 minutes and score in a victorious penalty shootout for Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds side at Craven Cottage in a League Cup is a guy who also bears the scars of playing for United. His tousled fringe can barely hide the huge wound on his forehead incurred in a head clash with Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters in the 2024 Championship play-off final defeat at Wembley. Bloodied, bandaged but unbowed, James returned to the fray to almost take the game to extra time with a stunning volley that crashed off the almost rescued that first full season under Daniel Farke, James was essential to Leeds' Championship title victory and a return to the Premier League the following year. What is more, with the club having to skilfully navigate the choppy PSR waters, the amortisation of the remainder of his original £25m transfer fee over another four years makes shrewd financial sense, as does keeping a loyal and consummate to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Sachin Tendulkar highlights biggest change in Siraj during Jasprit Bumrah's absence: ‘His persistence has been rewarded'
Batting great Sachin Tendulkar lavished praise on Mohammed Siraj for his impressive outing against England in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test. The premier pacer led the charge of the Indian bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and flourished in the role with a six-wicket haul. Siraj raised his hand when everybody was talking about Bumrah not playing, and he ran riot with the ball to dismantle the English batting line-up. He was disciplined with the new ball and hit the right areas to trouble the English batters, who found it tough to tackle him on a flat track. Sachin Tendulkar reserves towering praise for Mohammed Siraj.(AFP and Reuters) Tendulkar also highlighted Siraj's accuracy and consistency at Edgbaston in towering praise after he claimed a six-fer. "The biggest change I've noticed in Siraj has been his accuracy and consistency in landing the ball in the right areas. His persistence has been rewarded with 6 wickets. Very ably supported by Akash Deep as well. Well done!" Tendulkar wrote on X. Siraj was under the scanner before the start of the match as a few critics even questioned his place in the XI after Leeds' underwhelming show, but the 31-year-old silenced his doubters at Edgbaston. Despite the monumental 303-run stand between Harry Brook (158) and Jamie Smith (184*), which had briefly tilted the balance towards England, Mohammed Siraj held his nerve and stuck to his task. With the second new ball in hand, the pacer showcased his skill and composure, quickly wrapping up the tail. He removed Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir in a decisive burst that halted England's charge and ensured India regained control at a crucial juncture in the match. Tendulkar praises 'special partnership' between Brook and Smith The Indian batting great also reserved praise for England's batting duo - Harry Brook and Jamie Smith for their big centuries, which put the hosts back in the game. "Special partnership between Brook and Smith who were under pressure and counterattacked beautifully to bring England much closer to India's total than one would've expected," he added. Meanwhile, under overcast skies, India closed Day 3 at 64 for 1, extending their lead to 244 runs and taking a firm grip on the match with a series-levelling win in sight. The only casualty in the final session was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who fell after a brisk 28. At stumps, KL Rahul remained steady on 28*, with Karun Nair giving him company on 7*. With two full days remaining, the visitors are well-placed to dictate terms and push for victory.
France 24
23-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Leeds sign Slovenia defender Bijol from Udinese
The 26-year-old, who reportedly cost £15 million ($20 million), becomes Leeds' second signing of the close season after the arrival of German striker Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer. Bijol arrives at Leeds with a wealth of experience for club and country. He has made 63 appearances for Slovenia and played a key role at Euro 2024, where they held England to a goalless draw in the group stage before losing on penalties to Portugal in the last 16. "Maybe the biggest (day) of my career so far, but I'm ready for it," Bijol told the club's website. "It's a big challenge for everyone. It's a big challenge for me, for the club, and we're getting ready for it together. "I think the club and myself are ready for the Premier League." Bijol has spent the last three seasons in Serie A with Udinese, making 95 appearances, having moved to Italy after a four-year spell at CSKA Moscow where he featured in both the Champions League and Europa League. Leeds sealed Premier League promotion in May after a two-year absence, winning the Championship title on goal difference after finishing level on 100 points with Burnley.
