Oleksandr Usyk defends his WBC world title against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday in Egypt.
The fight is unusual in location as in nature, with kickboxing world champion Verhoeven getting a title shot in just his second boxing fight – and first since 2014.
The 37-year-old Dutchman is aiming to pull off arguably the biggest upset in the sport’s history.
Ukrainian Usyk, 39, is aiming to continue his near 17-year winning streak.
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Will we see an underdog win for the ages or will Usyk’s dominance continue?
BBC Sport asks the boxing world for their predictions.
UTAS Stadium will play host to Thursday’s
Round 11 AFL game between Hawthorn Hawks and
Adelaide Crows. The game kicks off at 7:30 pm with Hawthorn Hawks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Hawthorn Hawks vs.
Adelaide Crows
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Adelaide gets another crack at the side that abruptly ended its 2025 finals campaign when it meets Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium on Thursday night. The Hawks famously knocked the Crows out in straight sets with a semi-final win at Adelaide Oval, but Adelaide arrives in far better form this time around after crushing North Melbourne by 68 points last week. Despite missing Riley Thilthorpe, the Crows showcased their forward depth with eight multiple goalkickers and a devastating 10-goal second quarter. Hawthorn, meanwhile, has hit a rough patch after a hot start to the season, suffering a third consecutive defeat with a heavy loss to Melbourne. The Hawks will still draw confidence from their remarkable record in Launceston, where they have won 11 straight matches, including a narrow victory over Adelaide last season.
Former Australian captain Aaron Finch reckons that Punjab Kings (PBKS) must recall bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen for the must-win IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). According to Finch, PBKS need to revert to what worked best for them at the start of the season, adding that Jansen’s inclusion will add versatility to the bowling and also strengthen the batting.
PBKS will face LSG in a must-win IPL 2026 contest at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday, May 23. Having lost six matches in a row, Shreyas Iyer and co. need to beat LSG to stay alive in the playoffs race.
During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo Timeout, Finch urged PBKS to return to the formula that brought them success at the start of the season. Backing Jansen to make a comeback, he commented:
“I think you have to go back to what was in your best planning at the start of the season. For me, that’s Marco Jansen, especially going to the Ekana Stadium, where it’s not a 200-plus scoring venue generally. I think what he provides is a bit more versatility in the attack. He’s got the left-arm that can swing it up front if they decide to go that way.
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“There are quite a few right-handers at the top – Inglis, Marsh and Markram. He can bowl cutters into the surface, going across the right-handers. He’s a more versatile bowler and adds a little bit of batting as well,” Finch added.
In 12 matches in IPL 2026, Jansen has claimed seven wickets at an economy rate of 10.38. With the bat, he has contributed 51 runs at a strike rate of 113.33.
“Best bet is asking bowlers to bowl full and straight” – Ambati Rayudu on PBKS’ bowling strategy
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu feels that PBKS’ bowling has gone off the boil because they are looking to be a bit too defensive. Rayudu suggested that the bowlers must look to bowl full and straight, without having the point fielder back. The former CSK star opined:
“I think the best bet is asking your bowlers to bowl full and straight, and not have the point fielder back. Punjab have been making a mistake at the start of the innings. If you look at Arshdeep, Jansen and Bartlett, they’re very good at swinging the ball and bowling it full. But once you give a cushion of a point that is back, they’re slightly bowling short. But that is actually taking out the attack option.”
A win against LSG on Saturday might not be enough for PBKS to secure a berth in the top four. RR will reach 16 points if they win their last match against MI, while PBKS cannot go past 15 points.
Gel Cayuna joins Nxled Chameleons in the PVL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Nxled fortified its stacked roster with the addition of star setter Gel Cayuna and middle blocker Jackie Acuña ahead of the new Premier Volleyball League season.
The Chameleons on Saturday welcomed their new players from All-Filipino Conference finalist Cignal, which took a leave of absence days after its runner-up finish.
Cayuna, a five-time Conference Best Setter, took her act to the Chameleons, joining forces with three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, and MJ Phillips.
It will be Cayuna’s third PVL team since Perlas in 2021, before spending the last five years with Cignal, where she blossomed into the league’s top playmakers.
The 27-year-old setter will be teaming up with Djanel Cheng, Jules Tolentino, and Joyme Caganda.
Acuña, a former league Best Middle Blocker, made the middle blocker rotation of Nxled deeper, joining Phillips, Ranya Musa, Aby Maraño, Krich Macaslang, Jaycel Delos Reyes, and Aduke Ogunsanya.
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Nxled, which absorbed the core of champion team Petro Gazz, missed the semifinals in the All-Filipino Conference after losing to Farm Fresh in the final stage of Play-In.
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Another player who has done little for weeks but if you are talking about final-day gambles who are capable of getting you 20 points, Palmer tops the bill.
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Remember his hat-trick earlier in the season at Wolves?
Chelsea are also chasing Europe, which means they will play at full pelt.
And, if you like your underlying stats, over the past six gameweeks – Palmer only played in five – his xG is 1.75, which is nearly a goal better than any other Chelsea player.
Even taking off the 0.75 for a missed penalty, he still tops the charts and has had 16 shots too, four more than any Chelsea player.
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He is due and will be playing with fire after his England snub.
Brentford need a win to secure a European spot, Liverpool are looking over their shoulders and need a result to completely guarantee a Champions League spot.
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Szoboszlai has been Liverpool‘s best midfielder this season and has five returns in his past five games.
Don Rea, embroiled in controversy following events at last year’s Ryder Cup, has been replaced as president of the PGA of America.
In a statement late Friday afternoon, the governing body said that the move “followed a series of issues over time that, taken together, were determined to be detrimental to the Association.” The PGA said Nathan Charnes would be moved from vice president to acting president until November, when Rea’s two-year term was to have ended.
Rea had caught heat at last September’s Ryder Cup, which was run by the PGA of America, over a series of actions, including:
– His comments to the BBC on the Sunday of the event. A day earlier, spectators at Bethpage Black on Long Island had turned unruly turned toward the European team, and Rea, after being asked about that, started his answer this way:
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“Well, you got 50,000 people here that are really excited, and, heck, you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things. We tell the fans booing at somebody doesn’t make them play worse. Typically it makes them play better. And when our American players have to control the crowds, that distracts from playing.”
Rea was then asked specifically about fan comments toward Rory McIlroy, who was playing for Europe.
“I haven’t heard some of that,” he said. “I’m sure it’s happened. You know, it happens when we’re over in Rome on the other side. And Rory understands. I thought he handled the press conference yesterday amazingly. But yeah, things like that are going to happen. I don’t know what was said. But all I know is golf is the engine of good.”
One day later, Rea sent a letter to PGA of America members condemning the fan behavior, and he apologized. “While it wasn’t my intention,” Rea wrote, “some of my comments were seen in a negative light which reflects poorly on not only myself but also on the PGA of America and for that I truly apologize.” McIlroy also said in November that Rea had reached out to apologize.
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– His karaoke performance on the Saturday night of the event. Following the unruly play that afternoon, Rea was recorded singing “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, and video of that was found and circulated by The Fried Egg golf website.
– A comment on Sunday during the trophy ceremony. After Europe won the event 15-13, Rea said the Europeans retained the cup, instead of winning it outright.
In February, Golfweek’s Adam Schupak reported that Rea had been reassigned to handle “member-first priorities.” At last week’s PGA Championship, another PGA of America event, Rea was not publicly seen. At a press conference on the day before the tournament, PGA of America CEO Terry Clark was asked about PGA of America governance and why Rea wasn’t at the media session, and he said that Rea had been focused on “how we think about our membership.”
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the first half of Game 2 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The San Antonio star — as expected, given how the DPOY voting went — appeared on all 100 first-team ballots and made first-team All-Defense for the second time in his three NBA seasons. The team was announced Friday night.
Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert and Boston’s Derrick White rounded out the first team. Gobert is now a nine-time All-Defensive team pick, while Holmgren, Thompson and White were all first-time selections to the first team.
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The second team was Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace, Miami’s Bam Adebayo, New York’s OG Anunoby and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels.
Gobert and Daniels are the only players that have made the All-Defensive team in each of the last two seasons.
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Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby delivered a hopeful message about the future of his longtime teammate Evgeni Malkin, saying recent contract discussions between the organization and the veteran center have reached a promising stage.
Speaking from the World Championship in Switzerland, Crosby indicated that the end-of-season conversations left him feeling encouraged about Malkin’s chances of staying in Pittsburgh.
Evgeni Malkin will turn 40 this summer and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
“I’ve just always expected to be playing with him,” Crosby said via NY Times. “After talking with everyone at the end of the year, it felt like it was in a good place in terms of getting something done.
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He also expressed a preference for resolving the situation sooner rather than later, referencing past negotiations that dragged into the summer and created unnecessary uncertainty.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have been central to the Penguins’ success for nearly two decades, arriving as young phenoms in the mid-2000s and anchoring three Stanley Cup championship teams.
Crosby has made no secret of his desire to continue their on-ice partnership, describing their connection as one that goes far beyond hockey. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has previously voiced the organization’s interest in retaining Malkin.
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With the team coming off another early playoff exit, a short-term deal for the veteran forward appears to be the most likely path to take as Pittsburgh tries to blend its veteran leadership with younger players moving up the roster.
Sidney Crosby clears the air around retirement speculation
Sidney Crosby made it clear he has no immediate thoughts of hanging up his skates. The 38-year-old superstar addressed ongoing speculation about his future:
“Not at all… I said year to year because of where the team is at,” he said. “It just makes sense, whether it’s our cap, who we have coming in and out, just to have that flexibility. It’s important,” Crosby said via NY Times.
He added:
“Yeah, I’m saying year to year based on contracts,” he explained. “It just seems to make sense. I mean, it could change. We’ll see. Kyle (Dubas) and I haven’t even talked about it. But I’ll talk with Pat (Brisson) and Kyle later this summer. We’ll talk about it and do what makes sense. If it does make sense to sign for a couple of years, then we’ll do that.”
Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby and Team Canada are atop the Group B standings with 14 points at the World Championship. Their next game is against Slovakia on Sunday.
Through the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has produced numbers not seen at this stage of the postseason in roughly 50 years.
As the series shifted to San Antonio for Game 3 on Friday, the French basketball phenom once again led the Spurs in scoring. But his 26-point performance was not enough to give San Antonio a 2-1 series lead over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of game three of the Western Conference finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on May 22, 2026.(Daniel Dunn/Imagn Images)
Shortly after Game 2 on Wednesday, Spurs guard Stephon Castle acknowledged that his team is “probably most comfortable playing in front of our fans.” San Antonio quickly backed up that sentiment in Game 3, jumping out to a 15-0 lead in its first home game of the series.
Just five minutes into the contest, the Spurs held a commanding 19-4 advantage as the home crowd created a raucous atmosphere.
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Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on May 22, 2026.(Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
But Oklahoma City’s bench played a pivotal role in the comeback that ultimately gave the Thunder a critical series lead. Alex Caruso, Jaylin Williams, Jared McCain and Cason Wallace were widely credited with helping swing the game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket past Julian Champagnie of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter in Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on May 22, 2026.(Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
The Spurs took Game 1 behind 41 points and 24 rebounds from Wembanyama, and the defending champion Thunder got 30 points from Gilgeous-Alexander on the way to getting a victory in Game 2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 23, 2023, during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Addison continued his impressive rookie campaign with another explosive scoring play as the Vikings secured a primetime victory over San Francisco at home. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings will get training camp underway in less than 10 weeks, and fans now know the full schedule, which kicks off in Minneapolis on September 13th against the Green Bay Packers. In the backdrop, VikingsTerritory is here for a peek at the current rumor mill.
Minnesota’s rumor mill has fresh angles involving a wide receiver, a safety, and a former draft pick.
Every weekend, we post two batches of rumors, and this is the first edition, with June right around the corner.
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Three Vikings Angles Surface before Summer Camp
The Purple Rumor Mill for May 23rd, 2026.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) participates in pregame warmups before facing the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 5, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Addison prepared alongside teammates as Minnesota finalized offensive plans ahead of an important NFC matchup during his productive rookie season with the Vikings’ passing attack continuing to expand weekly. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Rumor: Jordan Addison makes sense as a trade candidate for the Indianapolis Colts.
FanSided‘s Jake Beckman identified one player per team to target via trade, and for Indianapolis, Addison evidently moved the needle.
He explained, “The Colts are in a very tough spot right now. IF (and that’s a big IF) Daniel Jones is healthy enough to play at the beginning of the season, he’s going to need his receivers to get open early and often. The problem is that right now, his wide receivers are Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.”
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“That’s not remotely close to the caliber of a receiver room that they’re going to need… and there isn’t really anyone out there who is going to give that wide receiver room a shot of adrenaline. However, the Vikings did just sign Jauan Jennings.”
Any Addison trade fodder this offseason has been fan- or media-driven. There’s no credible intel to suggest a deal is in play.
Beckman added, “If they wanted to move on from Addison, who has had a litany of legal issues, they absolutely could. It’s unprecedented for a team to trade a player right after they exercise his fifth-year option, but this is a pretty unique situation that both teams are in.”
The problem? The Vikings probably aren’t trading Addison. They would’ve done that already this offseason.
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Rumor: Theo Jackson could be released later this summer.
Bleacher Report‘s Moe Moton outlined a surprise cut candidate for each NFL team last week, and for the Vikings, Jackson got the treatment.
He explained, “Last season, Theo Jackson moved up on the Minnesota Vikings’ safety depth chart, playing 60 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. After a step forward in his development, Jackson may be less productive as the Vikings’ No. 3 safety.”
“He could lose his roster spot if rookie third-rounder Jakobe Thomas shows promising signs in the next phases of the Vikings’ offseason program.”
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell greets safety Theo Jackson (25) before a matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 13, 2022, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Jackson later developed into a meaningful defensive contributor for Minnesota after initially joining the organization in a reserve role and special teams capacity. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
After Camryn Bynum departed for the Indianapolis Colts last offseason, the Vikings quickly designated Jackson as his replacement. Jackson played in 14 games, starting eight, where he accumulated 47 tackles, a forced fumble, and two quarterback hits. However, he also allowed a high passer rating of 131.5.
While Jackson finished the season with a 68.4 Pro Football Focus grade, Ward’s grade was slightly higher at 70.4. Furthermore, Brian Flores began relying more on Ward as the season concluded, indicating that Minnesota’s safety strategy could shift significantly in the upcoming season.
It’s worth noting that Jackson’s job could be in further jeopardy if Harrison Smith decides to return for Year No. 15.
Rumor: Janarius Robinson has a shot at becoming the newest New England Patriot.
Robinson could fire up his fifth NFL team in five years. NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Tuesday morning, “The Patriots will be checking out a potential addition to their defense on Tuesday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that defensive end Janarius Robinson will be working out for the team.”
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“Robinson spent last season with the Chiefs, but he did not appear in any games after fracturing his foot in the offseason. Robinson was a Vikings fourth-round pick in 2021 and moved on to the Eagles in 2022, but spent most of both seasons on injured reserve.”
Through three months of free agency, Robinson has no known intrigue from EDGE-needy teams. That could change any day.
Florida State running back Jacques Patrick (9) and defensive end Janarius Robinson (11) walk off the field after facing the Florida Gators on Nov. 24, 2018, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles closed the regular season rivalry matchup with both players contributing to Florida State’s effort against its in-state rival. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Gralton-FSView
Do the Patriots need more EDGE assistance? From a role player and fringe roster bubble commodity like Robinson — likely not. Nevertheless, here’s a glance at Mike Vrabel’s outside linebackers at the moment.
Harold Landry III
Dre’Mont Jones
Gaba Jacas
Namdi Obiazor
Bradyn Swinson
Quintayvious Hutchins
Jesse Luketa
Xavier Holmes
If signed, Robinson would probably slide onto the depth chart behind Jacas, a 2nd-Round rookie, and above Obiazor, a 6th-Round rookie.
Tim Bradley has assessed the nuances of a clash between Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis, believing one man to be the clear favourite in their potential welterweight encounter.
Following his comprehensive performance against Brian Norman Jr last November, many would regard WBO champion Haney as the top dog at 147lbs.
‘The Dream’ was able to outpoint and dethrone Norman with minimal difficulty, scoring an early knockdown before becoming a three-division world champion.
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Previous points victories over the likes of Vasyl Lomachenko and Regis Prograis, too, have only cemented Haney as one of the finest active fighters in the sport.
Davis, meanwhile, is yet to fully establish himself as a pound-for-pound star, despite having previously dethroned Denys Berinchyk – with a fourth-round stoppage, no less – to become the WBO lightweight champion in February 2025.
A ring return last January then saw ‘The Businessman’ defeat Jermaine Ortiz at 140lbs, scoring a 12th-round finish after dismantling his opponent with body shots.
Based on their last respective performances, though, Bradley has said on his YouTube channel that he would make Davis a sizable underdog.
“I’m telling you right now: I don’t care to see the fight. I think it’s an ugly fight. But who would be the favourite?
“[Based on] their last performances, Devin Haney would be the favourite. Haney has more experience; Haney’s been fighting [professionally] since he was 17 years old. Fighting grown men out there in Mexico.
“He’s won [an undisputed championship and has] been in there with legends [like Lomachenko].”
Along with his experience, Bradley highlights the mentality of Haney as a key factor against Davis, who narrowly missed weight in his first encounter with the scales ahead of the Albright fight.
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