More fighting action is heading Manchester’s way as a night of bare-knuckle boxingis coming to the AO Arena.
The city’s iconic arena has seen plenty of entertainment and combat sports over the decades, including plenty of famous boxing bouts in those years, and now the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is bringing its latest event to its doors.
It’s not the first time the BKFC has landed at the AO Arena, but with a extra tasty fight card booked for the upcoming night in Manchester, it’s tipped to be one of the best yet.
Wrists wrapped, guards up and fists at the ready, this is sure to be one of the feistiest nights on the Manc sporting calendar, hands-down.
Set to be headlined by two-time world boxing champion James DeGale vs Matt Floyd in a light heavyweight showdown, not to mention a co-main event crossover clash between Aaron Chalmers and former Love Island star turned fighter Jack Fincham, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
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There’s also a UK Lightweight Title is on the line, with Jonny Graham facing off against Navid Mansouri, as well as fan favourite and Bolton‘s very own Jack Cullen returning to take on the experienced Moldovan mauler, Stanislav Grosu.
It’s fair to say even prior the closers, this is a stacked undercard of British and international contenders, so its no wonder there’s already plenty of eyes on this particular edition of BKFC.
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Speaking ahead of the fight night, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship President, David Feldman, said: “BKFC 81 is a statement night for our UK expansion, Manchester is a fight city and this is one of our most explosive UK cards yet.
“James DeGale is a proven champion and a massive attraction. Pairing him with a live threat like Matt Floyd at the AO Arena is everything fans love about BKFC, elite talent, high stakes, and action from first bell to last, this is an unmissable event.”
Turning to the two headliners themselves, DeGale says “fans can expect skill, spite, and a KO”, while Floyd added that while he respects what his opponent has achieved in his career thus far, “[he’s] coming to shock the world in Manchester.”
As you can see, the promotion has a number of dates to play out before BKFC 81 gets underway at the AO Arena next month, but you won’t get many with the same kind of energy Northern crowds guarantee.
Kicking off on Saturday, 27 September, the venues pre-sale window is already open and general admission tickets go live at 10am this Sunday (24 Aug).
Radcliffe FC shake off interest in coaching duo as they reject official approach for their managers
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester team Radcliffe FC have shooed off suitors for their first team coaches after receiving and rejecting an offer for their pair of managers.
In a word, it was a big, fat, definitive NO.
Joint Radcliffe bosses, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, have lifted the National League North side into seventh after 19 games, currently outperforming virtually all of their nearby rivals and other regional sides in the division.
With the likes of fellow local outfit Curzon Ashton sat in ninth, their former employers Chester FC in 11th, not to mention Chorley, Buxton, Macclesfield FC and Southport sliding into the bottom half, it’s clear that other clubs are hoping they can have a similarly positive effect on their position in the table.
Nevertheless, it’s clear that Boro’s board have no intention of letting their gaffers go, and it looks as though the duo have no interest either.
Sharing a short but emphatic statement online, the club wrote: “We can confirm that an approach has been made regarding Managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, and wish to make clear that this approach has been formally rejected.
“Both Managers remain fully committed to their current roles, and we hold Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley in the highest regard, valuing the incredible ongoing work they continue to deliver.
“As such, no discussions or negotiations will be entered into, and no further comment will be made at this time.”
To put it simply, they’ve told the as-yet-undisclosed would-be poachers to ‘do one’, and the fans certainly seemed to enjoy it.
Wasn’t too hard to resist if they rejected it so quickly 🤣
As you can see, besides some speculation that the call might have come from the aforementioned Chester in hopes of them returning home, even Shakers fans themselves are apparently insisting that the club in question is Bury FC, who are currently in the West Division of the Northern Premier League.
The fact that Johnson is said to be a Bury fan himself has certainly added some fuel to the fire, but it appears as though they’ll be staying put – at least for now.
Nevertheless, there’s clearly plenty of admiration for the work they’re doing at Stainton Park; one user commented: “Keep Johnno and Morley. They are top guys. We have [Bobby] Grant at Marine, who is doing fine. Shows what a good job these guys are doing.”
Speaking of ‘The Seals’ over in Cheshire, you can see the highlights from the away victory against Radcliffe FC down below.
Special mention for that goal by Michael Afuye at 3:14.
Featured Images — Ingy The Wingy (via Flickr/Wikimedia Commons)
Sport
The Rest Is Football to host new Netflix show during the 2026 World Cup
Danny Jones
If you’re wondering what the 2026 FIFA World Cup coverage is going to look like, one particular group of punditry regulars will be broadcasting remotely, as The Rest Is Football has signed a huge deal with Netflix.
Led by Gary Lineker and co-hosted by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, the smash-hit sports podcast is taking its already visualised format into a new corner of streaming, signing on as Netflix’s official programming partner throughout the tournament.
Co-founded by Lineker himself, the show is owned and produced by Goalhanger Podcasts (who also oversee the equally popular The Rest Is History and Rest Is Politics series), and will be the brand’s first foray into TV.
Announcing the seasonal Rest Is Football spin-off this week, the trio of former footballers turned presenters shared a short trailer on social media, giving an overview of what fans can expect come World Cup 2026.
Obviously, as seasoned pros both on the pitch and on the box through their work on Match of the Day (MotD), BT/TNT Sports, CBS Sports and more, this will be familiar ground for all three of them.
Lineker was expected to anchor the BBC’s World Cup coverage as usual, but after leaving the company earlier this year, he has decided to go it alone – or rather with his close friends and long-time collaborators, with The Rest Is Football starting back in 2023.
As explained in the clip, this format will also mirror their coverage of the Euros last year, only this time, the former MotD poster boy will be doing his hosting duties over in the States, where the bulk of the now 48-team competition tournament is taking place.
Circling back, the 65-year-old has confirmed that he’ll be working from a studio in New York and will be accompanied not only by his co-hosts virtually but with several special guests scheduled to join in, too.
Multiple reporters are expected to remote in from the England camp and various fan zones, with the fixtures set to take place across North America and Mexico.
Will you be tuning into The Rest Is Football on Netflix next summer?
Danny Jones -
22nd August 2025 
