#title-defense

#title-defense

The first legs of the playoffs to reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women's Champions League did not disappoint, with 16 goals scored across four matches this week. Defending champions Arsenal appear to have one foot in the last eight after their 4-0 win at Oud-Heverlee Leuven, as do their fellow Women's Super League side Manchester United following their 3-0 victory at Atlético Madrid. Things are much tighter in the other two ties, however: Real Madrid won 3-2 at Paris FC but conceded late to give their French opponents hope of overturning the deficit, while two-time European champions VfL Wolfsburg and Juventus battled to a 2-2 draw in Germany.

Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) has won six straight fights since his upset loss to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021. A former unified lightweight champion, he is making his fourth defense of the 140-pound belt he captured with a unanimous decision win over Josh Taylor in June 2023. Lopez also owns notable victories over Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 and Arnold Barboza Jr. last May.

Over the past several weeks, I have made the difficult decision to temporarily step away from defending my title. This was not a decision I took lightly. However, when circumstances arise that threaten your personal integrity, your family, and your reputation, there comes a point when you must address them directly, Topuria said in a statement posted to Instagram on Monday.

It's like a dream come true, but every time I reach a goal, I always make a new one,

Slumping to consecutive 2-0 losses against St. Truiden and Anderlecht last month, Dender have lost all of their previous four straight Pro League appearances by an aggregate score of 8-1. Yet to record a single top-flight victory since opening up the new campaign, Saturday's hosts should also be concerned by their most recent showdown against the defending champions. Hit with a 4-1 drumming when they last met Les Unionistes back on March 1st, it should also be noted that Dender have failed to notch a single strike in Denderleeuw so far this season.

The main reason that it is so difficult is because there are so many competitors who can win the league. It's unbelievable if you are able to do it in this league. This year will be even harder than before.

Lewis (6-0) brings his undefeated record into the title defense after winning the belt last June. The fight against Miranda brings a challenge he's excited to accept with the belt on the line.