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Rankings go up Mondays. There WILL be an update next week! Back-to-back weeks with updates for the first time in a bit! It likely won’t become regular.

Ranked fights the next three weeks:

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Notes: I am not an Anthony Joshua Hater, I’ve just never been in that camp and am not going to start. But I have been more impressed by Zhilei Zhang in his last three fights — the very debatable loss to Hrgovic and the two wins over Joyce — than I have been with Joshua since, what, 2018? We’re talking five years here. So Zhang is up to No. 4 and Joshua is down to No. 5, they trade spots. These rankings are an ever-changing snapshot of moments in time, as all rankings really are. Right now, I think Zhang looks like the better fighter.

After the top five, let’s be real, it’s a hodgepodge. Ruiz can fight, but he isn’t fighting. Has had two fights in coming up on four years. The AJ rematch was four years ago in December. Hrgovic is waiting around to officially get the Usyk order and either fight Usyk next, or fight for the vacant IBF next, or if Fury vs Usyk does get done, he might just be sitting around waiting another year or so.

Bakole and Parker will fight on the Fury undercard, at least, and Frank Sanchez takes Joe Joyce’s spot. I think Sanchez is a pretty good boxer, but not some king waiting to inevitably be crowned like the FOX guys made out over the years, and you’d REALLY wish for him to finally fight better competition. Instead, he faces Scott Alexander this weekend. At 31, his year is going to be

Upcoming Fights: (10) Frank Sanchez vs Scott Alexander, Sept. 30 … (1) Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou, Oct. 28 … (8) Martin Bakole vs Carlos Takam, Oct. 28 … (9) Joseph Parker vs Simon Kean, Oct. 28

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Upcoming Fights: (1) Jai Opetaia vs Jordan Thompson, Sept. 30 … (9) Ilunga Junior Makabu vs Noel Mikaelian, Nov. 4

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Notes: I think my favorite thing about Anthony Yarde’s nothing return over the weekend was the ESPN Ringside account clearly not watching the fight, posting the highlight on Instagram, and saying he’d knocked out Ricky Summers, his originally scheduled opponent who was definitely not his actual opponent.

I’m not saying I’ve never gotten anything wrong, shit happens in this crazy internet world, but it stayed up even after they were relentlessly corrected/laughed at.

Upcoming Fights: (9) Oleksandr Gzodyk vs Isaac Rodrigues, Sept. 30 … (5) Joshua Buatsi vs (9) Dan Azeez, Oct. 21 … (2) Artur Beterbiev vs (3) Callum Smith, Jan. 13

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Upcoming Fights: (5) Christian Mbilli vs Demond Nicholson, Sept. 8 … (1) Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo, Sept. 30 … (2) David Benavidez vs Demetrius Andrade, TBA

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Upcoming Fights: (2) Janibek Alimkhanuly vs (6) Vincenzo Gualtieri, Oct. 14

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Upcoming Fights: (5) Erickson Lubin vs (7) Jesus Ramos Jr, Sept. 30 … (2) Tim Tszyu vs (3) Brian Mendoza, Oct. 14

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Upcoming Fights: (4) Yordenis Ugas vs Mario Barrios, Sept. 30 … (10) Alexis Rocha vs Giovani Santillan, Oct. 21

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Upcoming Fights: (7) Jose Zepeda vs Richardson Hitchins, Sept. 23 … (3) Jack Catterall vs Jorge Linares, Oct. 21 … (1) Regis Prograis vs Devin Haney, Dec. 9

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Notes: Alright, start with the big thing: Devin Haney is absolutely moving up to 140 and there’s no reason to expect he’s coming back to this weight. If he does, great, we’ll put him back in. Otherwise, he is just taking up a spot here, so he’s out. The difference between this and Jermell Charlo’s current situation is we have no idea what Charlo will do after Saturday right now. We may be clearer on that next week. But the Haney thing is clear enough that the WBC have already scheduled Shakur for a vacant title fight.

Upcoming Fights: (10) Raymond Muratalla vs Diego Torres, Nov. 4 … (3) Shakur Stevenson vs Edwin De Los Santos, Nov. 16

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Upcoming Fights: (2) Joe Cordina vs Edward Vazquez, Nov. 4 … (1) Emanuel Navarrete vs (7) Robson Conceicao, Nov. 16

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Notes: We have been trying to shake this division out in the top three for a good while now. Luis Alberto Lopez made another fine statement on Sept. 15, beating Joet Gonzalez. Leigh Wood gets Josh Warrington on Oct. 7. Robeisy fights Rafael Espinoza in early November. Wood-Warrington is a decent fight, all things considered, while Ramirez-Espinoza isn’t. And yet Ramirez really might be the best of the lot.

Nos. 1 and 2 will be figured after Wood-Warrington, I’ll have a firmer opinion then. And as much as I love Robeisy’s talent, I don’t think he gets a chance at the top slot just yet.

Upcoming Fights: (1) Leigh Wood vs (9) Josh Warrington, Oct. 7 … (3) Robeisy Ramirez vs Rafael Espinoza, Nov. 4

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Upcoming Fights: (6) Sam Goodman vs Miguel Flores, Oct. 14

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Upcoming Fights: (5) Takuma Inoue vs Jerwin Ancajas, Nov. 15

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Upcoming Fights: TBA

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Upcoming Fights: (4) Artem Dalakian vs (8) Seigo Yuri Akui, Nov. 15 … (1) Sunny Edwards vs (2) Jesse Rodriguez, Dec. 16

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Notes: Kenshiro Teraji reestablished his hold on No. 1. I saw nothing in that fight that made me think any less of Hekkie Budler than I did coming in. He was competitive, just second-best.

Upcoming Fights: (2) Jonathan Gonzalez vs Leyman Benavides, Oct. 27 … (4) Sivenathi Nontshinga vs Adrian Curiel, Nov. 4

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Upcoming Fights: (1) Panya Pradabsri vs (4) Yudai Shigeoka, Oct. 7 … (3) Ginjiro Shigeoka vs (9) Daniel Valladares, Oct. 7

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Upcoming Fights: (4) Amanda Serrano vs Danila Ramos, Oct. 27 … (2) Chantelle Cameron vs (3) Katie Taylor, Nov. 25

Find a coach and get 1 on 1 lessons.

I don’t know how to do it in Malaysia, but in England the Badminton England website has a “find a coach” webpage.

Without seeing you play, I can’t suggest much but remember the key points for good drop shots and backhands.

Drop shots;
Same overhead preparation (how your body looks from above the waist) as the smash or clear.
Relaxed forehand grip
Get behind the shuttle using a split step (mini squat) and chassé steps ending on your racquet leg.
Have a high point of contact. Hold your racquet above your head straight, then move your arm about 15 degrees forward. That is about where you want to make contact with it.
You want the shuttle to land tight with the net and infront of the service line. If it’s beyond the service line it isn’t as effective as it could be.

Don’t overuse the drop shot. It’s best used when the opponents are defending deep and expecting a smash.

Backhand shots;
Every forehand shot you can imagine could also be played as a backhand (clear, smash, kill, drive, net shot etc). So be specific about what backhand shot(s) you are struggling with.

Have a loose grip when approaching the shot. Tighten as you hit the shuttle if required (backhand clear).

If you are struggling with the backhand clear, practice the timing and footwork. And remember that you need to adjust your grip the further behind your body the shuttle is. If the shuttle is infront of your body, backhand grip. But if it is in line with your body, adjust to a bevel grip and if it is behind your body, you need a panhandle grip.

The reason you have to adjust the grip is to ensure the strings are pointing in the direction you want the shuttle to travel.

Good luck, it’s never too late to learn badminton things

 

James Maddison has jokingly responded to Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal forward copied the Tottenham midfielder’s darts celebration in Sunday’s north London derby.

Saka mimicked Maddison’s arrows celebration after taking the shot which deflected off Cristian Romero for Arsenal’s 26th-minute opener in the 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

But 16 minutes later Maddison cleverly beat Saka on the left to set up Heung-Min Son for Tottenham’s equaliser.

Asked about his England team-mate copying his celebration, Maddison told SPURSPLAY: “Me and Bukayo had a bit of banter and a bit of trash talking on international duty.

“And I got told he did the darts celebration – he must have still been doing it when I turned him for the first goal I think, so I’ll have a little word with him in there!”

Maddison continued to poke fun at Saka when questioned by Sky Sports News after the game.

Asked by reporter Michael Bridge: “A quick 501 at Ally Pally against Bukayo Saka, do you reckon?”

A laughing Maddison then responded: “His action was terrible though, wasn’t it?!”

The 26-year-old also had the last laugh on the pitch as he helped to cancel out Saka’s second-half penalty which had put Arsenal 2-1 up in the 56th minute.

But just 90 seconds later, Maddison nicked the ball off Jorginho to then slip in Son for his second of the game and ensure Tottenham remain unbeaten in the Premier League under new boss Ange Postecoglou.

What’s next?

Maddison will be hoping to perform his darts celebration in Tottenham’s next game at home against unbeaten Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, with kick-off at 5.30pm.

Arsenal, meanwhile, go to Brentford in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday at 7.45pm, before Mikel Arteta’s side return to Premier League action at Bournemouth on Saturday at 3pm.

Multiple champion jockey Oisin Murphy is off to Wolverhampton on Monday night and rides a potentially smart novice for the Godolphin outfit, live on Sky Sports Racing.

4.55 Wolverhampton – Trio of course winners clash

It’s an intriguing renewal of the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap (4:55) with three course and distance winners clashing at Dunstall Park.

Mudlahim won at this venue back in July and while he’s struggled off the higher mark for Scott Dixon, it would not shock if he improves now back at this venue.

Another with good form is Touchwood – he’s not won for almost two years but has improved of late while Beauzon has moved from David O’Meara to Ian Williams and is a potential improver.

6.00 Wolverhampton – Nezeeh bids to remain unbeaten

Despite being gelded, Nezeeh remains with plenty of potential and looks to win a second straight race in the Free Tips Daily On Attheraces.com Novice Stakes (6:00) for Saeed bin Suroor.

He won at Thirsk on debut last month and could well defy a penalty if improving on that run but does face a couple of intriguing rivals.

Shane Gray rides another debut winner in East Bank back in April, although he has not been seen since disappointing under a penalty later that month.

Giorgio M goes for Middleham Park and George Boughey – he cost £78,000 from the Breeze Up Sales and it would be no surprise to see this debutant show a lot of speed on his first racecourse appearance.

7.30 Wolverhampton – Clouds goes in hat-trick bid

There’s 13 runners for the At The Races App Expert Tips Handicap (7:30) but surely Send In The Clouds is the one to beat for Mollie Phillips on the hat-trick bid.

Phillips’ charge has won three of his last four and manages to escape a penalty for winning at Brighton a week ago so rates an obvious contender.

Of the others, Chinese Whisperer will be aiming for a second career win, having enjoyed his only success at this venue in 2019 whilst Joseph Parr’s Global Tycoon should run his race.

Watch every race from Wolverhampton on Sky Sports Racing on Monday September 25.