James Mclean Sports

Tag: sports

  • The Fight Never Stops With Taylor Bevan 

    Those new to boxing may imagine the big paydays in the shining lights of the biggest arenas in the world are normal among all those in the fight game. However, in reality, it is only a select few at the top of the tree that revel in the big bucks.

    The most common story is a constant balancing act between your personal and professional life when your world revolves around training and fighting. This is especially difficult for those just beginning their pro career, having to decide their priorities, in some cases, activity or sanity.

    A good example is Southampton local, Taylor Bevan, who is soon to fight in his hometown at St Mary’s Stadium in his second fight of 2026. It’s more good news for him after his first full year as a pro saw him step between the ropes six times, but it came with sacrifices. 

    The 25-year-old clearly knows what he wants, and it could mean wonders for his career, in which he’s already been touted as a future world champion:

    “I wasn’t expecting to be as active as I have been, every two months.

    “It’s been the perfect first year.”

    However, Bevan revealed the relentlessness he’s had to deal with to get the results he was after:

    “Haven’t had too much time between fights. A six, seven-week camp, then a week or two off and then the next camp.” 

    Having six fights in one year is even more impressive given boxing often provides no stability, leaving fighters unable to settle into normal routines. Instead they have to spend countless hours in the gym, just in case the call for the next fight is just around the corner:

    “You never know when you’ll be boxing”

    Luckily, Taylor is hot property and could look back with a smile when he remembers that one of those six fights took place at the iconic York Hall:

    “Eddie [Hearn] seems to put on a few more shows there and my supporters enjoyed that venue the most, but that one was a special atmosphere.

     “Really enjoyed it”

    But such is a boxer’s life, he didn’t have long to rant and rave about it before the next step up called, but he was prepared:

    “It’s been difficult, but I’m used to the busy schedule from the amateurs.”

    The level of activity from his formative years has made the need for it at the higher level easier to deal with:

    “I’ve always been busy in my boxing career. I wouldn’t have done that any other way. 

    “I think it’s much better to be busy and get on with it.”

    Bevan carries power in abundance.

    He currently holds a 100% knockout percentage. However, that does bring the pressure of trying to keep it as long as possible, but he knows there’s going to be a time when it falls:

    “I’ve got a 100% knockout rate at the moment, but I don’t put any pressure on myself to keep that. If I get them out then that’s a bonus.  

    “As long as they get locked up, I’m more than happy.

    “I’m going to go the distance at some point in my career. 

    “Very rarely do people have a 100% knockout rate their whole career, it’s something I’m going to come across.”

    The Southampton native is keen to take what he has done so far in his career to turn 2027 into a very successful year for him:

    “Boxing for a little title or something, but I’ll leave that to the team who’ll decide how far we are going to step up the level of the opponent. 

    “I think this time next year, I’d think I probably wouldn’t have been as active as I have the

    first year because as the rounds start building, I can’t box as frequently.

    “I’d like to stay as active as I can and maybe start to look at a few little

    titles.”

    Some goals he won’t have to wait till next year for, and instead will realise them on June 20th. 

    “Maybe a little show or main event somewhere down south would be nice.”

    “I’d like Southampton. Obviously, most of my support at the moment is coming from Southampton. 

    “That’s where I’ve grown up and that’s where my mates are from.

    He’s about to realise his childhood dream that he’s predicted almost perfectly:

    “They’ve got St. Mary’s there, maybe in the summer time, a nice day.

    “That would be a nice idea, something I thought about growing up.”

    With the right skills and a strong mentality already present, June 20th will be the day Bevan’s hectic schedule rewards him by bringing him home. 

  • MAJESTIC MARTYRS ON BRINK OF TITLE

    Non League Paper

    MAJESTIC MARTYRS ON BRINK OF TITLE

    On a bank holiday Friday where the weather was anything but good, Sholing did all they could but Merthyr were at their best to claim a 3-0 win that all but secures the title.

    Sholing started the aggressors and forced the Merthyr keeper, Jaimie Cogman, to come out early to cut off Michael Folivi, who was looking to round off a great team move.

    Throughout the game, the travelling fans were in full voice and made the stand behind the goal that their men were attacking their own.

    As the ten minute mark approached, Cogman had every right to have some words with his defenders, as they reacted slow to many Sholing crosses.

    On 12 minutes, Cole Jarvis gave the visitors the lead, striking just below the bar. Even if the crowd couldn’t see what happened, the Merthyr fans’ reaction behind the goal would’ve revealed the outcome.

    In the aftermath, the Boatmen were not intimidated, they quickly stabilised and began challenging once more.

     The Martyr’s lead was doubled on 35 minutes, Tom Handley being first to react to a corner and headed home.

    The hosts started the second half in the same way they started the first and it was Folivi once more, using his trademark footwork to send several defenders to the floor.

    However, also like in the first half, it was the visitors who had the first cracks at goal, the best chance came from the foot of Cole Jarvis, who aimed to get his second.

    In spite of the constant threats, the Boatmen were rock solid, determined to not let a third in, leaving their number one, Pat Nash, with little to do.

    As the clock ticked over to 70 minutes, there were no clear-cut chances for either side and the midfield was where the action was.

    That was until the 83rd minute, when Kane Simpson got the third, turning in to Nash’s near left post, which settled matters.

    Sholing did their best, but Merthyr were on their A game to gain the victory but a draw from Totton means the Martyrs’ must wait another week to claim the title.

  • BOATMEN UNDONE BY FAST CARR’S SPOT-KICK

    Non League Paper version:

    BOATMEN UNDONE BY FAST CARR’S SPOT-KICK

    Despite a red card and numerous Sholing penalty calls, Hanwell claimed an away day victory but can thank their own dubious spot kick for the three points.

    With sunny but windy weather, added to the atmosphere created by both sets of supporters, the stage was set for what would become feisty mid table clash.

    It didn’t take long for Hanwell’s Harry Seabrook and Dwayne Duncan to see they were in for a long day, having to keep up with Michael Folivi.

    A very contentious penalty was awarded to the visitors in the seventh minute, after Reece Wylie pulled Alfie Pendlebury’s arm, even with a delayed response, Daniel Carr converted.

    Three of the Hanwell back line had to combine to knock Folivi off the ball in the box, after he managed to stay on his feet after previous challenges, the penalty claims were disregarded, despite the claims being as strong as the ones for the Hanwell spotkick.

    Pendlebury had been acting more like a prime Vinnie Jones rather than a lead striker, he eventually got his reward of a booking for going studs up on Pat Nash.

    There were more yellow cards handed to the Hanwell management than there were for their eleven players on the pitch, that along with the penalty was the only real action in the first period. HT 0-1

    The away side simultaneously tried to grab a second as well as hold onto to their lead, they had recognised Sholing were still dangerous, so much so their keeper came out and was lucky not to receive a caution as he looked to have caught Folivi.

    Alfie Pendlebury continued to bring doubt onto whether he was actually a striker as he managed to blunder an open goal, after a perfect set up from Taylor Miles.

    Spencer Spurway stood out for the Boatmen, his individual defensive performances playing a part in restricting the guests’ chances at goal.

    Sholing were up in arms, and rightly so, after the referee denied another penalty, despite Bradley Targett being dragged to the floor and this was even more clear than the one for Hanwell were awarded.

    Pendlebury had to say goodbye to this game, he was given a second yellow for swinging an elbow and he wont’ choose to remember this game. However, his side still manage to survive a late Sholing spree and win. FT 0-1

  • Havant & Waterlooville 4 – 1 Sholing

    Four-midable Hawks outclass valiant Boatmen

    A sending off for Michael Folivi and the absence of defensive dynamo Byron Mason, lead to a frustrating derby defeat for Sholing.

    In a sunny Havant, Before and throughout the game, the fact that this was pretty close to Southampton V Portsmouth was not lost on the fans or players with all trying to wind their opposing numbers up.

    Havant utilised having the kick off and began knocking early on the Sholing door, culminating in an attempt by their main man, Ryan Seager. He only found the keys to Pat Nash’s gloves

    Nash had to be off his marks quickly to get a finger to and turn a curling header from Havant’s Alfy Wittingham past the post. Havant were persevering with crosses from the right wing, trying to capitalise on the brief space when it opened.

    Almost every time the ball came to the Havant keeper, it was quickly back up the other end, with Ben Dudzinski electing not to take on Folivi. The Boatmen were keeping Seager at bay, limiting the service that came the way of the former Saints striker. Most deliveries were closer to hitting the spectators as opposed to the net.

    The frustration from the home side, trying to put on a show for the faithful behind the net, was obvious as none of them could keep their shots down, which led to a lot of car windows fearing for their life.

    The home side were forced to resort to a set piece to take the lead, a free kick from Olly Pendlebury, the change of direction of which, once the ball was struck, allowed a hole to open to Nash’s left, which provided a home for the first goal of the game and neither side could add to it in the first half. HT 1-0

    ____________________________

    The second period began with Havant seemingly content with preserving rather than increasing their lead and would attempt to do so by any means necessary, even if it meant angering the referee a few times.

    Wittingham took exception to Reece Wylie and dragged him to the ground, being lucky not to receive a booking.Seager couldn’t be kept out forever and doubled the Hawks’ lead, converting into the left corner.

    Benny Read wasn’t afraid to give some back and wrestled the ball Into Sholing’s possession, he put through Hesketh and the skipper was only cut out by a diving Havant full back on the rougher part of the pitch.

    But the advantage went to three, this one bouncing in off the post from the foot of Callum Kealey. Given the gap already established, Leon Maloney took an audacious shot from

    outside the box and it went beyond Nash to add insult to injury, it seemed everything Havant touched went to gold.

    Havant didn’t have everything their own way, Romeo Akinola got involved to strip the locals off their clean sheet, giving Sholing something to push forward with and to make the scoreline more respectable. Folivi’s involvement was abruptly ended, receiving a second yellow for simulation, adding to his first which came for dissent in the first period and that was that. FT 4-1

  • Sholing suffer penalty heartbreak which leaves away side stoked.

    A 70th minute penalty rescued a point for Basingstoke as both sides give away winning positions.

    Early on, Basingstoke’s Robbie Gallagher pounced on a poor Reece Wylie touch and allowed George Reid to force a corner.

    A resulting lucky bounce allowed Jack Ball to open the scoring for the visitors within two minutes.

    Sholing keeper, Pat Nash wasn’t short of confidence, out skilling Liam Ferdinand, within six yards.

    Boatmen skipper, Jake Hesketh, eager to get his men back in the game, led by example, tenaciously wrestling the ball back into Sholing possession multiple times.

    The home side were creating plenty of movement in midfield and Dan Mason ran his socks off to try and make something of them.

    Sholing’s work rate paid off, finding the equaliser as Harry Taylor appeared to get something to a Hesketh free kick which confused Mack Allen as it bounced past him, although there were a few people who thought Mason got the final touch and there were that many bodies, it could’ve been either. HT:1-1

    In the infancy of the second half, The Stokes almost had a chance to restore their lead, the exact same way they opened it, and Jack Ball would’ve turned provider, having beaten Romeo Akinola to a loose ball.

    Akinola won his own free kick, brought down after doing very well to stay on his feet under pressure from two closing away defenders, Mason failed to convert.

    Full back Bradley Targett popped up on the right wing and went toe to toe with his opposite number, causing the keeper to come out along with a Sholing corner.

    An altercation between Wylie and Gallagher and the subsequent decision by the referee, caused outrage amongst both sets of players, swarming the official.

    Sholing took the lead through another scramble and this one was definitely Taylor’s as he got his body ahead of the reaching hand of Mack Allen to turn the game around.

    The lead lasted seconds, with Nash committing a foul outside his area and James Clark converted the ensuing penalty and made the scores level once more. Neither side could find a late winner and it ended even. FT 2-2