In 2022, the boxer who stood out with the most knockouts was Jermall Charlo. He delivered an impressive total of 4 knockouts in 4 fights throughout the year. Charlo showcased his formidable punching power and skill in victories against Juan Macias Montiel, Juan Pablo Romero, Bakhram Murtazaliev, and Maciej Sulecki, leaving no doubt about his dominance inside the ring.
While Charlo led the pack in terms of knockouts, there were other notable boxers who also displayed their knockout prowess in 2022. Here are the top 5 boxers, following Charlo, with the most knockouts in the same year:
Edgar Berlanga: Berlanga secured an impressive 3 knockouts in his fights during 2022, demonstrating his formidable punching ability and his potential as an up-and-coming force in the boxing world.
Luis Ortiz: Ortiz, known for his powerful punches, also recorded 3 knockouts in 2022. Finishing fights is what he does well, and his wins clearly showed this. This has now placed him as one of the top contenders in his division which means that an exciting future is on the cards.
Joseph Parker: Parker, a skilled heavyweight boxer, also notched 3 knockouts in his fights throughout the year. From rapid fists to a top technique, he can command the ring and get on the front foot, and this can be seen in the results in 2022.
Oscar Valdez: Valdez, a skilled featherweight fighter, rounded out the top 5 with 3 knockouts in 2022. His performances demonstrated his ability to generate explosive power and deliver devastating finishes.
These boxers showcased their knockout prowess in 2022, thrilling fans with their power, precision, and ability to end fights decisively. Their knockout victories solidified their positions as formidable forces in the world of boxing and added to the excitement and anticipation surrounding their future bouts.
Golden Sixty emerged as the frontrunner in terms of prize money won on the racetrack in 2023. With an impressive total of HK$147,926,000 (approximately $18.2 million USD) in winnings as of June 28, 2023, this 6-year-old gelding has galloped his way to the top. Trained by John Size and ridden by Vincent Ho, Golden Sixty has showcased his exceptional skills by triumphing in 17 out of his 19 races, including a remarkable three victories in the FWD Champions Mile. This remarkable success has solidified his status as a formidable force in the racing world.
Coming in as the second-highest earner for the year is Tapit Trice, a promising 3-year-old colt. Having accumulated HK$883,650 (around $110,000 USD) in prize money, Tapit Trice has proven his potential on the track. Under the guidance of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., this talented colt, owned by Whisper Hill Farm, has displayed remarkable speed and skill.
Securing the third spot among the top earners is Derma Sotogake, a 4-year-old colt. Having amassed HK$875,000 (approximately $109,000 USD) in prize money, Derma Sotogake has showcased his prowess under the training of Yoshito Yahagi and the guidance of jockey Christophe Lemaire. Owned by Northern Farm, this impressive colt has demonstrated a combination of speed, agility, and determination on the racetrack.
It is a testament to the trainers when it comes to seeing these horses perform. Of course, their owners play a role but collectively, they all add to the excitement that unfolds on the track. So, it is clear to see that 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year when it comes to earnings, meaning that there is much more to come.
Picture this: a whirlwind of intensity, a clash of titans on the grandest stage of all. It was during the 1986 World Cup held in Mexico, amidst the fervour and anticipation, that the record for the fastest red card was etched into the annals of football history.
In a mere 56 seconds, the course of a match was irrevocably altered, thanks to the impulsive actions of one player. José Batista, a spirited Uruguayan footballer, found himself at the epicentre of a moment that would forever be ingrained in the memories of fans worldwide.
It was a group stage encounter between Uruguay and Scotland, a clash that promised excitement and spectacle. Little did anyone anticipate the lightning-fast turn of events that was about to unfold. In the blink of an eye, Batista’s rash challenge on Scotland’s Gordon Strachan earned him an immediate and decisive red card.
The stadium erupted in disbelief as Batista’s fate was sealed within seconds of the opening whistle. The consequences of his actions reverberated through the match, leaving both teams to navigate the remainder of the game with altered dynamics and a sense of astonishment.
This record-breaking red card serves as a testament to the fine margins of the beautiful game, where split-second decisions can shape destinies and alter narratives. It is a vivid reminder that even on the grandest stage, composure can falter, and the consequences can be swift and unforgiving.
World cup history evolves with every passing tournament but José Batista’s 56-second red card remains a dazzling spectacle, a testament to the passion, unpredictability, and sheer drama that define this beloved sport. It stands as a captivating chapter in the tournament’s history, forever etching Batista’s name in the pantheon of football legends.
The ‘Ashes’ is, of course, a biannual Test cricket series between England and Australia, which epitomises the rivalry between the two nations and, as such, is the most celebrated bilateral Test series in history. Although not recognised as such at the time, the first Test series between England and Australia was played in March and April 1887 and resulted in a 1-1 draw. However, the term ‘Ashes’ was not used until after a one-off Test match at The Oval in August, 1882.
On that occasion, Australia were bowled out for 122 in their second innings, setting England a target of just 85 to win. At 51/3, with W.G. Grace at the crease, England looked certain to win, but Grace was caught by Alec Bannerman off the bowling of Harry Boyle for 32 to reduce the hosts to 53/4. Thereafter, fast bowler Fred Spofforth, a.k.a. ‘The Demon Bowler’, made short work of the remaining England batsmen, taking 7/44 to give Australia its first Test victory over England on English soil.
A spoof epitaph, written by English journalist Reginald Shirley Brooks, subsequently appeared in the ‘Sporting Times’. It began, ‘In affectionate remembrance of English cricket…’ and ended, ‘The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia.’ Three weeks later, the England team, led by the Hon. Ivo Bligh, embarked on a tour of Australia. England lost the first Test by nine wickets, but won the second by an innings and 27 runs and the third by 69 runs, thereby completing their quest to ‘recover the Ashes’. Indeed, the ‘Ashes’ ceased to be just a metaphor when Bligh was presented with a small, terracotta urn – nowadays kept permanently at Lord’s Cricket Ground in St. John’s Wood, London – containing the ashes of a burnt cricket bail.
Professional golf is blessed with an abundance of highly memorable, instantly recognisable short holes, some shorter than others, but all utterly terrifying to mere mortals. Those that immediately spring to mind include the devilish 12th hole at Augusta National, a.k.a. ‘Golden Bell’ – described by Jack Nicklaus as the ‘toughest hole in tournament golf’ – and the equally iconic 17th hole on the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, with its signature island green. However, the former plays at 155 yards from the back tees and the latter at 137 yards, so neither is close to being the littlest of the little gems on any of the professional tours.
The 8th hole on the Old Course at Royal Troon, a.k.a. ‘Postage Stamp’ – since dual Open champion William Park Jnr. used the phrase to describe the size of the putting surface in 1922 – is the shortest hole on Open Championship rota and, as such, is definitely one for the shortlist. However, while fraught with danger, including the infamous Coffin Bunker, the ‘Wee Beastie’ still plays a relatively ‘generous’ 123 yards from the back tee.
By contrast, the shortest hole on the PGA Tour, the 7th hole on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, a.k.a. ‘Land’s End’ because of its position on Arrowhead Point, which is surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean, plays at a 106 yards from the back tee. Indeed, Pebble Beach has hosted the US Open six times, most recently in 2019, and during the 2010 tournament the hole played as short as 92 yards. From the tee, the hole drops 40 feet to a small green – which has become increasingly smaller down the years – and is often, but not always, played into an onshore breeze. Club selection is key, as is the ability to play a ‘knockdown’ shot, with a low, boring flight, to migitate the effects of the wind.