Late last night Tyson Fury threatened to eat a thousand Easter eggs if Anthony Joshua doesn't take a fight which has been hyped, delayed, postponed, cancelled and hyped again more times than many of us care to remember.  Boxing? Yep, as surreal as ever... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/a...

A preview of Fury v Makhmudov. Fury’s last dance might have a few laps to run but it could be more of a farewell tour for a great fighter who, without boxing, still can’t fill the gaping hole left inside him. It also feels like the looming end of an era... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/a...

I interviewed Arslanbek Makhmudov as he looked ahead to fighting Tyson Fury, whom he calls "the professor." He also spoke about Dagestan, moving to Canada, dealing with defeat and why he found it so "terrible" to fight a bear... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/a...

Thanks Lauren Price for explaining that boxing is never simple or easy. A year on from a brilliant performance against Natasha Jonas she finally fights again on Saturday. We spoke about boxing politics, her wedding & her hopes of facing the great Claressa Shields www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/a...

I interviewed Derek Chisora and we spoke about his 50th and last fight against Deontay Wilder, the dangers of boxing, brain damage, buying burgers after his fights, racism and Reform and his friendship with Nigel Farage who then briefly, bizarrely, joined us... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/m...

This week I watched squash. I saw one of the openings rounds of the Optasia Squash Championships, which reaches its conclusion today. The screech of trainers and the knockings of the rubber ball whizzing around the glass walls have echoed in my head all week. jackimmcrae.com/2026/03/29/t...

Moses Itauma doesn't like interviews but he gave one to me. He's a potentially great heavyweight and he's got a real story...Slovakia, Nigeria, Chatham, identity, racism, poverty, fragility, sparring world champions as a 15-year-old and avoiding nicknames www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/m...

The paperback of The Last Bell: Life, Death & Boxing has just been published. Thanks to @amandakelley.bsky.social for the brilliant cover painting and to Simon & Schuster for publishing the book. Here's how it looks

I was at the Emirates for that Reiss Nelson goal and for those Declan Rice free-kicks – special moments that ultimately led to nothing. I was there again on Saturday when Max Dowman scored another magic goal, but maybe this time it is different. #AFC jackimmcrae.com/2026/03/17/n...

Tony Powell was a secretly gay footballer for Norwich City in the 1970s. He was team-mates with Justin Fashanu, the first English footballer to come out, but Tony had to abandon his family for 35 years. I interviewed Tony & Robbie Rogers about his incredible story www.theguardian.com/football/202...

The extraordinary story of Tony Powell. By @donmcrae.bsky.social

Thanks Sean Bowen, the champion jockey, for talking so openly about his hopes for the Cheltenham Festival, past disappointments, why he loves winning so much and yet remains relaxed, his similarities and differences to AP McCoy and being allergic to horses www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/m...

Thanks to Jennifer Shahade, the former US chess champion, for her powerful story about how life has changed since her allegations of sexual assault...in a brave decision which allowed so many other women to share their stories about abuse and prejudice in chess. www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/m...

James Vowles is one of the most interesting men in F1 and I really enjoyed interviewing him about his work as team principal of Williams, how he got into the sport, overcoming adversity, winning multiple world titles and his challenges and hopes in a new season www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/m...

This week I watched hurling. South Ruislip was transformed as Westmeath travelled to take on London. Other sports have seen money and fame warp its sense of purpose, lost in a greedy pursuit of revenues. Hurling makes a nice change. jackimmcrae.com/2026/02/25/t...

It's almost 20 years since I took my son @jackimmcrae.bsky.social to see his first Arsenal game. He has just rewatched it and written about it as the familiar old nervy Arsenal tremors are endured again before today's #NLD. But so much has changed since 2006 and Wenger's 10th anniversary...

Keith Wood was special, again, as we spoke about life, death, sons and fathers, the Six Nations and the lessons of the last thirty years and more... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...

This week I watched American Football. It is almost a decade since Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the US national anthem and his words still ring true. With the FIFA World Cup around the corner, Superbowl LX gave a glimpse into what could happen. jackimmcrae.com/2026/02/10/t...

I was really impressed by Hollie Davidson when we met in Edinburgh. This week she makes history by becoming the first woman to referee a Six Nations game and she reflected with powerful honesty about the kind of abuse she has had to overcome to reach this point www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...

Thanks Matt Weston for talking about being the favourite to win the skeleton at the Winter Olympics next week. Matt also spoke about what it's like to race down a thick sheet of ice on a high-tech version of a sled at 90mph – headfirst and with no brakes... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...

This week I watched ice hockey. The Haringey Huskies won 6-5 against the Chelmsford Warriors. The hosts had former #AFC and #CFC goalkeeper Petr Cech to thank for his efforts in goal as a strong home crowd cheered the Huskies on to victory. jackimmcrae.com/2026/01/27/t...

After injuring her ACL, Laura Holden says she was neglected by Aberdeen. She tells me her mental health was ‘destroyed’ and worries that others in women’s football may be facing similar. For @sport.theguardian.com, Holden reflects on a difficult two years. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

It was great to interview Belinda Bencic about her remarkable comeback after giving birth. Fifteen months ago she was down to No1,213 in the world. Last Sunday she moved back into the world Top Ten. She explained how she did it & why she's playing better than ever www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...

It was good to interview João Fonseca who, at 19, has a simple list of goals: "My dream is to become world No 1, win grand slam titles and make history for Brazil.” A generational talent who seems grounded and, potentially, the world's next great tennis player. www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...

It was very good to talk to Naseem Hamed again. He made some startling revelations while reflecting on his complicated relationship with Brendan Ingle, a lost reconciliation, the art of boxing, changing the sport, racism, why he retired at 28 and his one regret www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...

This week I watched darts. Gian van Veen has grown from boy to man to reach the world championship final. Few sports can have such transformative impact in such a short space of time as darts. And GvV’s opponent Luke Littler knows that more than most. jackimmcrae.com/2026/01/03/t...

John Robertson has died. He was a brilliant footballer, a European Cup winner and a lovely guy. He gave me a memorable and moving interview ten years ago. What a man... www.theguardian.com/football/201...

Anthony Joshua was unimpressive while Jake Paul learnt a blunt truth amid his blood-flecked bullshit. It was a dire night but, despite Paul's broken jaw and the referee's warning that "the fans didn’t pay to see this crap", we'll get more of this pitiful stuff. www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...

This week I watched Baller League, where the fun never stops. Even when it should. After six hours of forced entertainment, shoddy football and countless adverts, the thousands of empty seats do little to suggest this is truly a 'new era of football'. jackimmcrae.com/2025/12/20/t...

'It's not normal to walk into the tornado.' To fans, there was only one Ricky Hatton. To those who loved him, there were many. Powerful and poignant piece by @donmcrae.bsky.social

I went to Manchester to remember Ricky Hatton who died three weeks ago this weekend. Thanks to Billy 'The Preacher' Graham, Jane Couch Mbe, Matthew Hatton, Jack & Lola Hatton for talking so openly and capturing the many sides of the fighter and man they all loved www.theguardian.com/sport/ng-int...

Thanks Michael van Gerwen for talking so openly about his painful year in which he dealt with divorce from his wife, his father's ravaging cancer, intense scrutiny from the Dutch media & loss of form. He still believes he can win the world championships next month www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...

I really liked this @jackimmcrae.bsky.social

I went to Liverpool to interview the mighty Molly McCann. “I’m a scouse female gay athlete who supports Everton – it’s like my cards are marked already" she joked while showing me all the heart and grit that defines her as she returns to boxing... www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

Thanks Declan Ryan for making The Last Bell one of the Daily Telegraph's Sports Books of The Year...[1/2]

Thanks Boris Becker for such an open interview about the lessons he learned in prison, as well as the terrifying moments, how studying Stoicism helped him, coaching Novak Djokovic, his powerful new book with Tom Fordyce and becoming a dad again at the age of 58 www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

This week I watched golf. The ANNIKA at Pelican is trying to be more than just an LPGA event & this year, invited the 461st best US junior and President Donald Trump's granddaughter to make her pro debut. Unsurprisingly, Kai Trump was not good enough. jackimmcrae.com/2025/11/18/t...

Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are really doing this Judgment Day shtick.... www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

In the early hours of this morning Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn spoke to some of us. There was a complicated kind of joy for Benn, and a pretty dignified pain for Eubank Jr. There was relief, too, in the fact that they were both all out of animosity... www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

The usual blur of a live report....even if this one was easier to write as Conor Benn dominated and almost stopped a diminished Chris Eubank Jr. Benn said the saga with the Eubanks is over. I hope so. Time for Junior to find a life away from the ring www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

The usual blur of a live report....even if this one was easier to write as Conor Benn dominated and almost stopped a diminished Chris Eubank Jr. Benn said the saga with the Eubanks is over. I hope so. Time for Junior to find a life away from the ring www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

I know life is a circle, and all that, but this feels ridiculous. Tonight, 15 November 2025, I'm at Benn-Eubank II. On 15 November 2024, I was in Texas for this shitshow: Jake Paul v 58 year-old Mike Tyson. These must be the glory days they keep telling us about www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/n...

Thirty-five years ago this month Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank lit a fire in me which led to Dark Trade. Tonight is the rematch between their sons and boxing is shunted further to the margins with Saudi control, Dazn p-p-v, forced feuds and a desperate last dance... www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

I know it will make a lot of money for the promoters and fighters but it's hard to get excited about Benn v Eubank Jr II. The main point of intrigue seems to be whether a weight-cut and the erosion of time will cost Chris Eubank Jr - who won clearly last time.... www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

Thanks to Susie Wolff for talking so openly about her long, hard struggle from kart racing to F1 testing, overcoming prejudice and inequality, to become one of the most influential voices in motorsport - whether heading the F1 Academy or taking on the FIA. www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

Of course I am biased...but I think this is very good

I owe so much to @amandakelley.bsky.social for her incredible painting of Tyson Fury & to Craig Fraser & his design team for the cover of The Last Bell. There is a public vote for sports book cover of the year. If you have a minute, please vote for Amanda & Craig news.williamhill.com/judge-a-book...

I really enjoyed talking to Joe Cole about his identity, fame, money, being a prodigy, Max Dowman, Mikel Arteta, his own surprise dream to become England manager, changes in football, his excellent book with Sam Wallace, Sunday League football and gardening. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

It was a treat to interview Mark Wood about the Ashes - from intense games in the garden with his dad being Australia and little Woody being England to the real thing starting this month. We also spoke about his past experiences in Australia and injuries www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

I liked working on such an uplifting feature on Grenfell Athletic and how, after the fire which took the lives of 72 people, Rupert Taylor formed a football club to help Paul Menacer, Joseph John and other survivors. They found a way out of grief and loss... www.theguardian.com/football/202...