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David Benavidez team rules out one opponent for now: “He’s not ready yet”

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David Benavidez’s father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr, has shelved a potential world title fight while his son targets other champions at light-heavyweight and cruiserweight.

The 29-year-old will face one such fighter on May 2, when he headlines a Premier Boxing Champions card against Gilberto Ramirez at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

Having never previously fought at 200lbs, Benavidez is entering uncharted waters when he attempts to dethrone the WBO and WBA world champion.

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But still, many believe the American’s blistering hands and tremendous engine will be too much for Ramirez, who claimed his titles by dethroning Arsen Goulamirian and Chris Billam-Smith in 2024.

Those two performances were then followed by another unanimous decision victory, this time against Yuniel Dorticos last June, with ‘Zurdo’ having now established himself as a top-flight cruiserweight.

But while Benavidez must remain focused on the task at hand, his father is already mentioning the likes of Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev as potential opponents.

It would therefore appear that, even with a win over Ramirez, the WBC world light-heavyweight champion is likely to move back down to 175lbs.

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One fight that has effectively been ruled out is against Jai Opetaia, whose status as IBF world cruiserweight champion remains uncertain after he claimed the inaugural Zuffa title against Brandon Glanton last week.

Speaking with Sean Zittel, Benavidez Sr insisted that a clash between his son and Opetaia is perhaps one for the future, but does not warrant their attention right now.

“I think [Opetaia] gets hurt every [time] he fights; he gets hurt [by] fighters that are not even known. I think he needs a little bit more experience.

“He doesn’t have the experience that David has. I think he is going to be better in about three or four years. I see Beterbiev, Bivol and ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez [as being] more dangerous than Opetaia.

“In the future, anything’s possible. [But] I don’t see ourselves fighting for the Zuffa belt right now. Right now, our mind is on Bivol, Beterbiev and ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.”

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If Benavidez moves back down to 175lbs after facing Ramirez, then an undisputed showdown with Bivol could become increasingly likely.

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“The Goal This IPL Season Is To Win Trophy For Rajasthan Royals”: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

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An U-19 World Cup winner at 14, batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi now has his eyes set on winning the Indian Premier League title for Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming season. Sooyavanshi took the IPL 2025 by storm by becoming the tournament’s youngest centurion, and earlier this year, his 80-ball 175-run knock in the final against England propelled India to a record-extending sixth U-19 World Cup title in Harare. He is now focussed on the IPL. “The goal this IPL season is to win the trophy for the team, as it is a very important thing. I want to do well, and my performance will help the whole team. This is my goal — to contribute to RR’s wins and win the trophy for the franchise,” Sooryavanshi told broadcaster Star Sports on the sidelines of the BCCI Naman Awards on Sunday.

Known for his explosive batting, Sooryavanshi met his World Cup-winning teammates at the awards function.

“(It) feels really nice. Won a trophy as well for India at the World Cup. Because of this award ceremony, feeling nice to meet my teammates and coaches again here,” the teen sensation said.

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Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to sign an IPL contract when Rajasthan Royals picked up the then 13-year-old in 2024 for Rs 1.1 crore.

The youngster from Bihar recalled his early days with the RR scouts.

“When I made my domestic debut, RR had been keeping an eye on me during my domestic and Under-19 games. Their scouting team had been keeping an eye on me for a long time. I felt that I could go to RR because my trial with them had gone very well,” he said.

“I am happy to be with RR, as I have improved a lot too in my life while playing for them.” Sooryavanshi said he has learned a lot from the legendary Rahul Dravid and other seniors in the team.

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“For any youngster, the first IPL camp is always interesting and it was the same for me too.

“Rahul (Dravid) sir was there at that time, so I got to learn a lot from him. There were a lot of senior players in the team, and I had a good learning experience from them during the first camp as well as the first IPL,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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‘Difficult to say’ – Michael Carrick responds to question on possible Casemiro U-turn by Man United

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Man Utd fans made their feelings over Casemiro clear as they chanted for the Brazilian to stay for another season during the 3-1 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick still expects Casemiro to leave Manchester United this summer, despite leaving open the possibility that an effort could be made to try and tempt the Brazilian to stay.

Both parties have come to the decision that the 34-year-old will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of this season, but his recent form has been exceptional and he was involved in all three goals as United beat Aston Villa 3-1.

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Casemiro headed in the opener and then played key passes in the build-up to goals for Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko that strengthened United’s grip on a Champions League place.

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The former Real Madrid midfielder has started all nine games under Carrick so far and is playing some of the best football of his four-year stay at Old Trafford, but he is on £350,000-a-week and a departure this summer will help reduce the wage bill.

But the Stretford End chanted ‘one more year, one more year Casemiro’ throughout Sunday’s win and Carrick was asked whether it was possible that a U-turn would be made before the end of the season.

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“I think in some ways it’s difficult to say, I think it’s when something’s decided and in some ways the fact that it was decided makes things a little bit easier and everyone understands the situation really,” he said.

“I think the impact he’s had has been terrific, certainly since I’ve been here and working with him and his influence within the team and big moments and goals.

“It was a nice moment at the end there with the supporters and having that connection, and the respect. That was a nice moment. I think you’ll enjoy that one.”

United might save more than £18million a year in wages when Casemiro departs, but replacing him will be a mammoth task. He has seven goals in the Premier League this season and has recovered his form to be one of the division’s standout holding midfielders.

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As a five-time Champions League winner for Real Madrid, he also brings bags of experience to the club, but Carrick played down the idea that replacing him would be an almost impossible task.

“I think this is totally no disrespect to Case, he’s been fantastic, he has been a big player for us and has been important in the dressing room and one that I have spoken to and connected with really well,” he said.

“But I think as a club and as a team, your players come and go, some may be bigger, some may be more important than others at different times.

“I don’t think it’s ever really about replacing them like for like, I think you can go with different directions, you understand what the balance of the squad will need, whether that’s on the pitch, off the pitch leadership, positionally, there’s all sorts of different things going into it.

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“Case’s done some really, really good things and certainly since I’ve been here he’s been an absolute pleasure to work with.”

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3 Offseason Decisions the Vikings Absolutely Got Right

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Kyler Murray speaks to reporters in Eagan after signing with the Minnesota Vikings during 2026 free agency.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray speaks with reporters after signing with the franchise during 2026 NFL free agency, addressing the media in Eagan on March 12, 2026 as the team introduced its new starting signal-caller. Murray discussed the transition, expectations, and his first impressions of Minnesota’s roster. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

The first mighty domino has fallen in the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason, as the main part of free agency is over. Of course, Minnesota didn’t do much in the first couple of days, until it netted its big-fish quarterback from the Arizona Cardinals.

Minnesota has made a few sharp moves already, with April still on deck.

The offseason still has a long way to go, but here are the best decisions to date, and they’re not too controversial.

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Three Early Calls Already Strengthened Minnesota’s Outlook

Next stop? The draft in less than six weeks.

Brian Flores watches from the sideline during a Vikings game against the Rams. Vikings offseason decisions 2026
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches the action from the sideline during first-half play against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on October 24, 2024, as Minnesota’s defense works through adjustments during the interconference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

1. Retaining Brian Flores

Had Flores walked — the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers interviewed for then-vacant head coaching jobs — the Vikings would’ve started from scratch on defense during the Kyler Murray seasons. Keeping him paved the way for Minnesota to contend for the Super Bowl in 2026.

Flores’s defense became the driving force behind Minnesota’s 2025 campaign, propelling them to nine wins after a rocky 4–8 start. This resurgence was largely due to Flores’s scheme, which consistently manufactured pressure, created confusion, and generated favorable field position.

The overall statistics underscore Flores’s impact. Over the past two seasons, Minnesota led the NFL in EPA per play allowed. In 2025 alone, Flores’ unit ranked third in EPA/Play, trailing only the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans.

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Flores’ coaching performance in Minnesota is impressive, as evidenced by the following rankings:

  • 1st in Pass Rush Win Rate
  • 2nd in Yards Allowed
  • 3rd in Defense DVOA
  • 3rd in EPA/Play
  • 4th in Defensive 3rd-Down Conversion Percentage
  • 7th in Points Allowed

The results speak volumes, and Minnesota rewarded Flores for the turnaround with a $6 million-per-year extension, signaling the team’s belief that his defense is crucial to their future success.

The newfound Murray-infused momentum would be tainted without Flores back in the saddle.

2. Firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

In four drafts, the Vikings only truly hit on about 5-6 rookies: Jordan Addison, Will Reichard, Dallas Turner, Jalen Nailor, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and perhaps Donovan Jackson.

The verdict is still out on these men (or the verdict is just plain bad):

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  • Brian Asamoah
  • Gavin Bartholomew
  • Mekhi Blackmon
  • Andrew Booth
  • Ty Chandler
  • Lewis Cine
  • Akayleb Evans
  • Tai Felton
  • Jaren Hall
  • Ed Ingram
  • Kobe King
  • Vederian Lowe
  • DeWayne McBride
  • J.J. McCarthy
  • Nick Muse
  • Esezi Otomewo
  • Jaquelin Roy

That’s about roughly a 20% success rate if the person counting is in a generous mood, calling Jackson and Drake Rodriguez hits.

The success rate was not conducive to Super Bowl team-building. And when Adofo-Mensah swung and missed on expensive free agents like Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen last offseason, well, the roster aged rather quickly and became less formidable.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches warmups from the sideline at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings offseason decisions 2026
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on from the sideline during pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 14, 2025, as Minnesota prepares for kickoff during an early-season matchup on its home field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

What’s more, that’s all on top of letting Sam Darnold leave in free agency for a Lombardi trophy in Seattle. Adofo-Mensah had too many curiously bad decisions, on top of a dreadful draft record, to keep his job.

Minnesota needed a change, if only to give someone more competent a chance to draft players. The draft is the only place in sports for teams to get players for free.

3. Signing Kyler Murray for $1.3 Million

Across a 17-game sample, Murray averages about 4,000 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, and 30 total touchdowns, along with the fifth-most accurate completion percentage in NFL history.

Yeah, the Vikings got that guy for cheaper than a long snapper’s contract.

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Murray grew up as a Vikings fan, so it wasn’t difficult to woo him. Ultimately, though, Minnesota landed the perfect guy to partner with J.J. McCarthy this season, and a two-time Pro Bowler at that. The NFL considered Murray the single-hottest quarterback prospect in the world seven years ago; now that guy plays for the Vikings.

Kyler Murray scrambles with the ball during a Cardinals game against the Rams. Vikings offseason decisions 2026
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray escapes pressure and accelerates into open space during second-half action against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on December 28, 2024, extending the play with his trademark mobility as Arizona’s offense searches for a spark late in the divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.

ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss on Murray to Minnesota: “Murray has a ton to prove. His time in Arizona was unfulfilled from both production and win standpoints. He has heard all the criticism over the years that he’s too small or runs too much or doesn’t run enough or can’t win the big games ÿ and he’s ready to show the rest of the NFL that he can, indeed, be a productive quarterback.”

“Losing as much as he has — 38-48-1 in seven NFL seasons — hasn’t been easy on Murray. Although he has become accustomed to the fact that losing is part of the NFL, he never got used to the act of losing. Murray wants to play for a team where he can win quickly and believe he has the infrastructure — on the field and organizationally — to do that, according to a source.”

Minnesota pulled off an offseason masterclass by getting Murray for the league’s version of free. It’s actually unbelievable that cosmos allowed Murray to shimmy to Kevin O’Connell’s team.


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Angel fires back at disrespectful fan asking why he re-signed with WWE

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WWE Superstar Angel recently interacted with several fans on social media. In one of those interactions, the Los Garza member responded to a fan asking why he re-signed with the Stamford-based wrestling promotion.

Following his recent in-ring appearance on the latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Angel took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a picture of himself and Garza inside the squared circle. The former NXT Cruiserweight Champion noted that Los Garza keep on fighting for their legacy.

Several users responded to the tweet, leading to back-and-forth between Angel and the fans. As the SmackDown star noted that Los Garza needed more TV time to establish a connection with the fans, a fan asked why they re-signed with the company instead of returning to a Mexican promotion.

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Angel noted that had they done so, he would have been earning one-tenth of the money he was making in World Wrestling Entertainment. The former WWE 24/7 Champion noted that life was not just about pro wrestling and he had to take care of his family.

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“But making 1/10 of the money… because life isn’t just about wrestling. I’m a man, a father, and I’ll fight for my family’s future no matter what. 👊,” Angel wrote.

You can check out his tweet below:

Angel and Berto have yet to win a WWE match in 2026

Los Garza wrestled their first match of the year on Friday Night SmackDown on the March 6 episode of the show. The two contested in a Tag Team Turmoil Match to determine the number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship. They eliminated Fraxiom and The Wyatt Sicks’ Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis but were ousted by the eventual winners, Damian Priest and R-Truth.

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In their second match of the year, Angel and Berto locked horns against Damian Priest and R-Truth in a traditional tag team match the following week. The two put forth an impressive performance but once again fell short against the newly formed tag team.

Los Garza returned to WWE programming after an absence of 5 months. It will be interesting to see what plans the company has for the duo heading into WrestleMania 42.