Amir Khan (Credit: Boxing AIBA/Flickr)

Boxing

Amir Khan and Kell Brook will finally settle their rivalry after signing up for their Battle of Britain.
The two former world title winners have come close to fighting each other for the best part of a decade, with Khan having reigned at light welterweight and Brook’s prime coming at welterweight.

They looked set to meet on December 4 but the fight was once again pushed back as talks broke down. The catchweight of 150lb has now been agreed with an official announcement due later this month. The fight will take place at the Manchester Arena. Brook revealed on November 10 that he had signed his contract while it is understood Khan signed his several weeks ago.

AIBA World Boxing Championships
Belgrade, Serbia: October 25 – November 6

Muslim medallists: Gold (1), Silver (2), Bronze (3)

Bantamweight – 2: Makhmud Sabyrkhan (KAZ)
Bantamweight – 3: Billal Bennama (FRA)
Flyweight – 3: Akhtem Zakirov (RUS)
Heavyweight – 3: Madiyar Saydrakhimov (UZB)
Light middleweight – 3: Sarkhan Aliyev (AZE)
Lightweight – 1: Sofiane Oumiha (FRA)
Lightweight – 2: Abdumalik Khalokov (UZB)
Lightweight – 3: Danial Shahbakhsh (IRI)
Middleweight – 2: Dzhambulat Bizhamov (RUS)
Minimumweight – 1: Temirtas Zhussupov (KAZ)
Super heavyweight – 3:Mahammad Abdullayev (AZE)
Welterweight -3: Ablaikhan Zhussupov (KAZ)

Football

The Scottish FA has been fined over £8,000 by FIFA after their fans booed the Israeli national anthem at Hampden Park before last month’s World Cup qualifier. In addition, FIFA criticized Scotland fans for flying an inappropriate flag (which was believed to be a Palestinian flag) during the match.

The SFA were fined under FIFA Disciplinary Code Article 16 for: Order and security at matches (disturbing national anthems, the use of a flag to convey a different message from a sports event). Pro-Palestine protesters had gathered outside Hampden Park in Glasgow on October 10, ahead of Scotland’s World Cup qualifier match against Israel. Demonstrators outside the ground held Palestinian flags and a banner reading ‘Zionism is racism’ and ‘Victory to the intifada.’ Scotland eventually won the match 3-2, effectively eliminating Israel from the World Cup. In 2018 the SFA itself banned fans from bringing any flags other than those of Scotland and Israel to a match between the two sides in the Nations League.

TRANSFER NEWS: PSG, Newcastle United and Barcelona are all reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema. Newcastle expressed an interest in signing the Real Madrid and France striker, who is also a target for Paris Saint-Germain, according to El Nacional. Since joining Real Madrid in 2009 from Olympique Lyon, Benzema has evolved into one of the finest strikers of this era. The 33-year-old has amassed 293 goals and 152 assists in 574 games, winning a number of titles and trophies during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Paul Pogba wants to renew his contract with Manchester United, but wants to overtake Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-paid player in the Premier League, according to reports in France. In January, Pogba will be free to negotiate with clubs outside of the Premier League as his contract with United expires. United have yet to reach an agreement over a new deal with the World Cup winner. It’s understood that the club’s hierarchy are ready to lose him on a free transfer next summer and are already looking to sign a replacement. According to L’Equipe, Pogba has been open about his desire to stay with United. However, Pogba is reported to be ‘clear’ about his demand to become the highest-paid player at the club and in the division. Former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo now earns the most after signing a £480,000-per-week contract at Old Trafford in the summer.

Mixed Martial Arts

Welterweight, Main event, Madison Square Garden, New York, US – November 7: Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman solidified his status as the UFC’s pound-for-pound king, but was challenged by Colby Covington. Usman had the fans on their feet in the second when he knocked down Covington twice but the controversial American clung on for dear life and survived to see the third.

It was an enthralling five rounds but the flashpoint came in the second when Usman landed a chopping left hook to drop Covington to the mat and then followed it up with a longer one with the same result.

The clock was Covington’s friend and he managed to evade much further damage as the seconds ticked away. Usman showed his composure by refusing to chase what would have been a hugely satisfying finish and stayed risk free to take straightforward decision.

Squash

Twenty-seven teams will contest this year’s WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championships, the most since 2013, after the team list was confirmed on November 9.
The biennial tournament, which sees four-man squads from each country battle it out in best-of-three-match clashes, will be played at the National Squash Centre in Kuala Lumpur (December 7-12), hosted by the Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM). Five-time winners Egypt are favourites to defend their crown for the third successive tournament, with the country boasting seven of the world’s top ten ranked players, including world number one Ali Farag. The most likely rivals for the crown are five-time winners England, who will be eager to recapture the title they last won in 2013, and France, who are seeking a first ever championship. Also hunting their maiden title are hosts, Malaysia.

Men’s World Team Squash Championships entries:

Argentina,
Australia,
Canada,
Colombia,
Czech Republic,
Egypt,
England,
France,
Germany,
Hong Kong,
India,
Iran,
Israel,
Japan,
Kuwait,
Malaysia,
New
Zealand,
Nigeria,
Pakistan,
Philippines,
Poland,
Russia,
Scotland,
South Africa,
Spain,
Switzerland 
US.

Tennis

World number 7 Ons Jabeur will not attend the WTA Finals in Guadalajara as an alternate. The 27-year-old Tunsian had a stellar season in 2021. Jabeur won her first WTA title in Birmingham and finished runner-up twice.
Jabeur reached the Indian Wells Masters semifinal and the Wimbledon quarterfinal. “I am sorry to announce that I won’t be able to go to Guadalajara as an alternate. I need more time to recover and prepare for next season,” she announced..

Muslim championship medallists

Gold (1), Silver (2), Bronze (3)

JUDO

European U23 Judo Championships
Budapest, Hungary: November 5–7

Women
48 kg – 2: Ramila Aliyeva (AZE)
+78 kg – 3: Hilal Ozturk (TUR)
+78 kg -3: Kubranur Esir (TUR)

Men
60 kg – 1: Malik Karmov (RUS)
60 kg – 3: Mihraç Akkuş (TUR)
66 kg – 3: Ismail Misirov (RUS)
73 kg – 3: Khamzat Akhmarov (RUS)
73 kg – 3: Adil Osmanov (MDA)
90 kg – 2: Mansur Lorsanov (RUS)
100 kg – 3: Mert Sismanlar (TUR)

WRESTLING

U23 World Wrestling Championships
Belgrade, Serbia: November 1–7

Men’s freestyle

57 kg – 1: Aliabbas Rzazade (AZE)
57 kg – 2: Bekbolot Uulu (KGZ)
57 kg – 3: Ahmad Mohammadnejad (IRI)
61 kg – 3: Assyl Aitakyn (KAZ)
65 kg – 2: Ibragim Abdurakh (RUS)
65 kg – 3: Cavit Acar (TUR)
65 kg – 3: Ziraddin Bayramov (AZE)
70 kg – 1: Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ)
70 kg – 3: Ali Akbar Fazli (IRI)
74 kg – 2: Mohammad Firouzpour (IRI)
79 kg – 1: Magomed Magomaev (RUS)
79 kg – 2: Ramazan Sarı (TUR)
79 kg – 3: Ali Savadkouhi (IRI)
86 kg – 1: Mukhammed Aliiev (UKR)
86 kg – 2: Sajjad Gholami (IRI)
92 kg – 1: Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE)
92 kg – 2: Azamat Zakuev (RUS)
92 kg – 3: Amir Firouzpour (IRI)
92 kg – 3: Erhan Yaylacı (TUR)
97 kg – 1: Amir Ali Azarpira (IRI)
125 kg – 3: Saipudin Magomedov (RUS)
125 kg – 3: Mehdi Hashemi (IRI)

Men’s Greco-Roman

55 kg – 1: Mavlud Rizmanov (RUS)
55 kg – 2: Pouya Dadmarz (IRI)
55 kg – 3: Adem Uzun (TUR)
55 kg – 3: Nihad Guluzade (AZE)
60 kg – 1: Anvar Allakhiarov (RUS)
60 kg – 2: Mehdi Mohsennejad (IRI)
60 kg – 3: Kerem Kamal (TUR)
63 kg – 2: Ahmet Uyar (TUR)
63 kg – 3: Alireza Nejati (IRI)
67 kg – 1: Hasrat Jafarov (AZE)
67 kg – 2: Mohammad Rezaei (IRI)
67 kg – 3: Kadir Kamal (TUR)
67 kg – 3: Miakhdi Iakhiaev (RUS)
72 kg – 1: Idris Ibaev (GER)
72 kg – 3: Ulvu Ganizade (AZE)
77 kg – 2: Amin Kaviyaninejad (IRI)
82 kg – 3: Shamil Ozhaev (RUS)
87 kg – 3: Naser Alizadeh (IRI)
130 kg – 1: Amin Mirzazadeh (IRI)

Women’s freestyle

53 kg – 3: Zeynep Yetgil (TUR)
55 kg – 3: Eda Tekin (TUR)
65 kg – 2: Dinara Salikhova (RUS)
65 kg – 3: Aslı Demir (TUR)
76 kg – 1: Aiperi Medet Kyzy (KYZ)