It’s often difficult to live up to the high expectations that pro wrestling fans have.
The diehards want every match to be five stars, the storylines to make complete sense and the fans in the arena to yell and scream as if they’ve never been to a show before.
Sometimes, they have to remember just how good they have it in this era. Not everything is going to be “Monday Night Wars” level of entertainment. Pro wrestlers are dealing with injuries, fatigue and the added pressure that comes with trying to execute at every turn. Sometimes, it’s worth remembering just how much wrestling there is nowadays and just how good every fan has it.
Cody Rhodes enters the ring during Clash in Italy at Inalpi Arena in Torino di Sangro, Italy, on May 31, 2026.(Rich Freeda/WWE)
It brings us to June 1. The last 31 days of pro wrestling was a real treat for anyone who watches the sport.
Clash in Italy, Backlash, Saturday Night’s Main Event, Double or Nothing, Fairway to Hell, Wrestling Dontaku and Noche de Los Grandes were just some of the major pro wrestling events that occurred in May.
Is it safe to say that May was one of the best months of pro wrestling ever?
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WWE hosted solid premium live events that saw Roman Reigns defeat Jacob Fatu twice and Sol Ruca win the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage captured championships at All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) Double or Nothing while Will Ospreay’s storylines with United Empire and the Death Riders grew at Wrestling Dontaku.
AEW also hosted Fairway to Hell at the SoFi Center in Florida – a venue in which The Golf League matches are hosted. The event received praise and will host Brawl at the Ballpark in July at Target Field in Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide finished off one of the best feuds over the last year in El Grande Americano and Original El Grande Americano. El Grande Americano won the match and Chad Gable was revealed to be the Original El Grande Americano. It was widely praised as a match of the year contender and we’re only five months into the year.
MJF holds the AEW World Championship at AEW Double or Nothing in Queens, N.Y., on May 25, 2026.(Lee South/AEW)
Not to mention, Fox News Digital was in New York for Awesome Championship Wrestling that delivered on four-plus hours of wrestling fun.
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May afforded pro wrestling fans some of the best action of the year as the major companies build toward the summer in what should be a wild one.
So, here’s to May. There may not be another run like it this year.
Roman Reigns celebrates his win during Clash in Italy at Inalpi Arena in Torino di Sangro, Italy, on May 31, 2026.(Andrew Timms/WWE)
Roman Reigns held strong as he defeated Jacob Fatu in a Tribal Combat match at Clash in Italy on Sunday, retaining the World Heavyweight Championship in the process. It was the second time the two had squared off in a calendar month with Reigns winning both times.
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WWE seemed to have signaled that a new inning of The Bloodline storyline was about to unfold. As Reigns walked to the back with Fatu and Jey and Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa looked on with his MFT stablemates Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga. The group had split from Reigns after WrestleMania 40 where Sikoa declared himself the head of his own table.
Sikoa declared on Instagram that Fatu should have stuck with his faction instead of the “Samoan Werewolf” being so-called neutered by Reigns.
The “Tribal Chief” has remained untouchable going into the first “Monday Night Raw” of June. As the King of the Ring Tournament gets going, Reigns called out LA Knight and Royce Keys specifically as they’re looked at as favorites to win and get a shot at his title come SummerSlam.
Will Ospreay’s angel and devil
Will Ospreay defeated Samoa Joe in a wrestling match at AEW Double or Nothing in Queens, N.Y., on May 24, 2026.(Lee South/AEW)
The latest “Dynamite” began with a backstage segment from Double or Nothing in which Will Ospreay went to the medical room to get checked out. He met with Kenny Omega, who was also getting checked out.
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“My worry is that you can’t trust those guys,” Omega told Ospreay bluntly. “What they do is what they say they will do. They wanted to hurt me. They hurt me. … I will do anything for you, Will. For you to realize your dream of being champion, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do. It would’ve been so easy for me to help you.”
Ospreay, who has worked with the Death Riders to get back to full strength, agreed with Omega to a point but said Omega didn’t show up. He questioned Omega failing to be at AEW week in and week out.
“I get the appeal to the Death Riders. They’re serious. They mean business,” Omega continued. “They get the job done. So, I’m not saying don’t trust them. All I’m saying is, be careful, as a friend.”
Jon Moxley appeared and told Ospreay that was “good advice.”
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Ospreay is into the semifinals of the Owen Hart Men’s Tournament after beating Samoa Joe at Double or Nothing. Should he win the tournament, he will get a shot at the AEW World Championship in his home country at Double or Nothing.
As he inches closer to that dream, the Death Riders will either be there to help him see it through or try to demolish it at the last moment.
Blake Monroe eyes Rhea Ripley:
Kevin Owens misses wrestling:
‘MLW Fusion’ premieres
Major League Wrestling launched a new season of “Fusion” on Saturday evening. It was a jammed double episode that was newsworthy.
MLW world heavyweight champion Killer Kross signed an open contract for his next challenger to his title. Matt Riddle took the opportunity before an enraged Alex Hammerstone could make his mark.
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Elsewhere, an undefeated Shotzi challenged Shoko Nakajima for her MLW World Featherweight Championship. Shotzi defeated Priscilla Kelly and set her eyes on gold.
Meanwhile, Austin Aries and Trevor Lee put on a show while Zamaya made quick work of her opponent in her debut match. Aries also called out MLW openweight champion Blue Panther after he defeated Lee.
AAA revealed during Noche de Los Grandes that the first night of two-night TripleMania 34 will take place in Las Vegas on Sept. 11.
AEW announced that Redemption will take place on July 26 in Montreal. It will be a major tuneup before All In takes place the following month at Wembley Stadium in London.
Pro wrestlers Nikki Gross and Big Damo announced their purchases of Progress Wrestling and Defy Wrestling.
Bushiroad announced it had transferred all of its shares in New Japan Pro-Wrestling to TV Asahi and CyberAgent. The company said the move will help achieve sustainable growth for NJPW.
Former WWE star Joe Gacy booked one of his first appearances since departing the company. He will compete at Atomic Legacy Wrestling’s Star Spangled Slammer 10 on July 25 in Melbourne, Florida.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
NEW YORK — Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider will undergo imaging after he left Friday night against the New York Mets in the fourth inning because of right shoulder and elbow soreness.
“It’s never good when a guy walks off the field,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said after a late comeback bid by Atlanta fell short in a 7-5 loss. “We’ll get the images taken and we’ll see what they say. But it doesn’t look great as we stand here right now.”
Strider left one batter into the fourth and allowed six hits and a season-worst seven earned runs in three innings while taking the defeat. He struck out three. He allowed three homers, including a grand slam to Bo Bichette in the second inning.
Strider’s velocity was considerably lower as he issued a six-pitch walk to MJ Melendez. The three fastballs Strider threw during the at-bat were all at either 88 or 89 mph, down from the 92 to 96 mph pitches he threw in the first two innings.
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“The alarm bells went off when we started seeing the upper 80s with his fastball,” Weiss said.
Weiss and a trainer visited Strider, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2019 and had the UCL in his right elbow repaired with an internal brace in April 2024.
Weiss said Strider let them know of the elbow and shoulder discomfort and that he wasn’t aware of the reduced velocity. Strider walked off the mound after a short consultation.
Strider was making his eighth start of the season for the MLB-leading Braves after missing the first 34 games recovering from a strained left oblique. He is 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA this season and 11-16 with a 4.66 ERA since returning from the elbow surgery last year.
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Strider was 32-10 with a 3.47 ERA in his first 67 big league appearances prior to the internal brace procedure. He became baseball’s most recent 20-game winner in 2023, when he went 20-5 while reaching 200 strikeouts in 130 innings — the fastest any pitcher has ever gotten to 200 whiffs in season.
“He’s been through a lot in the last few years, trying to work his way back,” Weiss said.
JR Ritchie replaced Strider on Friday and threw the final five innings.
The latest episode of WWE SmackDown was a heartbreaking show for LA Knight fans. The Megastar competed in a Fatal Four-Way first-round match for King of the Ring 2026.
Despite all attempts and fans’ support, the former United States Champion failed to win. Instead, Jey Uso pinned Knight and secured the victory. Many are surprised by this outcome, particularly when WWE teased LA Knight vs Roman Reigns multiple times on Monday Night RAW.
Thanks for the submission!
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In this article, we will discuss three reasons why the Megastar is out of the 2026 King of the Ring tournament.
#4. Triple H has given up on him
It’s over for LA Knight… Now I don’t see him winning world title in WWE. They just don’t value him… #SmackDown
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One of the major reasons why LA Knight lost the King of the Ring first-round match could be due to Triple H giving up on him. The Game is WWE’s present Chief Content Officer and makes all the significant decisions.
So, this makes sense to say that Triple H might have given up on the former US Champion. As a result, he lost the KOTR match and didn’t advance to the semi-finals.
LA Knight winning the King of the Ring tournament and facing Roman Reigns at SummerSlam 2026 for the World Heavyweight Championship was a perfect match. This is especially true when both stars had a heated history in the company, and the Megastar still has issues with the Bloodline.
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Despite all the efforts, Triple H decided not to give LA Knight a victory, which implies something serious is wrong with his booking. Also, Knight got pinned in the match by Jey Uso. With all these factors, it’s evident that the CCO has no interest in pushing the 43-year-old star.
#3. WWE is not running back LA Knight vs. Roman Reigns
LA Knight locked horns with Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel 2023 for the Universal Championship. The Megastar lost the match and failed to dethrone the Original Tribal Chief.
With Knight losing the King of the Ring tournament first-round match, it seems that the Triple H-led creative regime doesn’t want to run Knight vs Reigns again in the company.
This contributes to another possible explanation why LA Knight is out of the King of the Ring tournament.
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#2. To set up his heel turn
Over the past few months, LA Knight has failed to secure any big victories in WWE. It’s been a long time since the Megastar won any Championship in World Wrestling Entertainment.
His failure to advance in the King of the Ring tournament could be a strategic move by WWE to set up his heel turn. Knight could be frustrated with his losses and may decide to switch characters.
A villainous version of the beloved WWE star could be more ruthless and help him to emerge victorious in significant matches. So, turning LA Knight into a heel might be a probable reason why he failed to win the King of the Ring tournament first-round match on SmackDown.
#1. Triple H might have different plans for LA Knight at SummerSlam 2026
I HATE TRIPLE H AS MUCH AS TRIPLE H HATES LA KNIGHT
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There is also a chance that the company might be saving Roman Reigns vs LA Knight rematch for later and has different plans for this year’s Biggest Party of the Summer.
Though Knight got pinned on SmackDown, he is still likely to be part of SummerSlam 2026. If Knight had qualified for the semi-finals and won the tournament, he would have faced Roman Reigns.
However, Triple H might have intentionally booked him to lose on WWE SmackDown to execute the planned direction for the 43-year-old star.
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A nation’s football shirt is a chance for the world’s nations to loudly and proudly showcase their heritage, traditions and and culture
Mexico’s winning start, numerous water breaks and three red cards. It was a colorful start to the 2026 World Cup. Over 80,000 fans packed out the Estadio Azteca, as the first of 104 games spanning 16 cities across three countries got underway.
Despite the violent clashes outside the stadium, most of the focus was on the beautiful game as Mexico kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa. Global superstar Shakira also got a look in, along with J Balvin, Burna Boy and Danny Ocean.
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Over the next five weeks, Mexico, along with the United States and Canada will be on hosting duties as 48 teams battle for global bragging rights, a sense of national pride and some shiny new silverware.
Click here for the latest on Manchester’s food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter
But there’s actually a competition to be won that doesn’t require the teams to lace up their boots or kick a ball at all. A team’s kit is cultural artifact, a series of garments that can unify and elevate.
Beyond of course the millions of pounds – or perhaps dollars in this case – to be made in global revenues when selling football shirts and the like – it’s a chance for the world’s nations to loudly and proudly showcase their heritage, traditions and and culture.
By modern standards, the crossover between elite sports and high fashion has never been so topical. But above all else, when done right, it’s a wearable symbol of where you come from and what you represent.
Someone who understands the importance of the jersey and the story it tells is Gary Bierton. For several years he’s worked for Classic Football Shirts, the Manchester-born retailer founded by his brother Doug and his university course mate Matthew Dale.
Now twenty years on, Classic Football Shirts (CFS) is the leading seller when it comes to vintage shirts, official reissues and the latest season’s kits, selling to customers in 130 countries. As well as shops in Manchester and London, the brand has even cracked America, which is where Gary finds himself at this very moment.
Based out of New York for the foreseeable, we caught up with Gary earlier in the week as he helps CFS prep the the tournament and all those football shirt sale. The Empire State Building Observation Deck – the number one attraction in the United States – is also currently hosting an exhibition of the world’s most famous shirts from Classic Football Shirts’ vault, so that’s keeping him busy.
In terms of the kits, Gary and the team have noticed an uptick in interest over the last few weeks, with certain country’s shirts becoming particularly covetable.
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“England is obviously a big one because of the club season ending and the World Cup starting,” he noted.
“But Scotland too, and interestingly we’re selling a lot of Haiti shirts too. We’re really in the golden age of kit design, and adidas kits have been very popular.
“Football shirts have taken on a life of their own at this point. They’re culturally significant and a statement piece for people.”
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We couldn’t agree more, which is why we asked Gary about which team’s shirts have been most popular for 2026. And while many people are seeking out vintage shirts from tournaments past – especially in the case of England – here we take a look at some of the one’s grabbing people’s attention right now.
Scotland
The Scots have been waiting 28 years to see their team back in the World Cup so it’s only right that their kit gets its moment in the floodlights too.
The Tartan Army have descended on North America under the tutelage of Steve Clarke. They take on Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in the group stages as they look to reach knockouts for the first time in their history.
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They also have fresh kits to rally behind. The home kit, unveiled by adidas and Scottish FA in November leans heavily into their sense of national pride with a deep blue base and Saltire motifs – a nod to their famed flag.
Their away kit meanwhile is wonderfully retro and uses a scarlet red last used in the 1980s. It draws on the rich history of Scotland’s past away kits and is elevated by vertical pinstripes. See if you can spot the national flower of Scotland on there too.
Brazil
The demand for retro Brazil shirts continues to boom with shops like Classic Football Shirts noting the status of the legendary football brand as a major driver. Global football royalty, to be seen in the yellow, green and blue kit has become a major fashion statement.
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Football’s most iconic colours have been blended by Nike for the home kit with the canary yellow base paired with green accents and blue shorts. Look a bit closer and a Brazilian flag runs through the fabric and the specific colour palette is said to draw inspiration from the team’s 1970 side.
In a historic link up, The Brazilian National Team and Jordan Brand have been brought together for the away kit, and features the Jumpman for the first time on a national team uniform. Blue base, jagged graphics and tonal striping make it rather appealing and there’s also nods to nature and Brazil’s “dangerous” attacking identity.
Curaçao
Asked if there’s a shirt that has captured people’s imagination for this World Cup, and Gary doesn’t pause – Curacao. The tiny island nation has made global football history by becoming the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup finals.
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Arriving in immaculate style for their first-ever tournament, The Adidas Curacao 2026 home shirt takes inspiration from the waves surrounding the Caribbean island. The sleeves of the shirt feature a distinct graphic pattern consisting of lighter blue, wavy circular lines in a nod to the sea and it’s central part in the life of Curaçaoans.
Meanwhile, their highly-desirable away kit, which Gary says is one of the most requested in store, features a pastel-yellow base punctuated with bold and vibrant pink, turquoise, and orange stripes. It was designed as visual tribute to the sunlit architecture of the Caribbean island’s capital Willemstad and colourful painted buildings along waterways in the Punda and Otrobanda districts.
Haiti
Saturday night, or Sunday morning (2am) if we’re being precise will see Haiti take on Scotland in Group C at Boston Stadium, Foxborough. The Caribbean country will then face five-time winners Brazil and Morocco in the group stage.
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It’s been 52 years since Haiti were in the World Cup – let that just sink in. Interestingly, their kit hit the headlines in the days leading up the the tournament with the team forced to change their design after their shirt, depicting a war scene did not comply with FIFA rules.
An illustration of the Battle of Vertieres in 1803, which secured Haiti’s independence, with the country’s flag had been embedded onto the shirts. However, regulations set out by the governing body prohibits the use of any “political, religious, or personal messages or slogans” on kit.
In a statement, Colombian manufacturer Saeta said its original design “was a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future” and “was not intended as a political statement”.
England
And last, but not least, England. Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection might have caused a few raised eyebrows and plenty of online remarks, but it’s testament to doing whatever the hell you like and not feeling the need to explain yourself.
While the players withstanding the heat this time round might be ‘sweaty and frustrated’, the inside collar of the home kit – manufactured by Nike – bears the words ‘happy and glorious’, which shows the power of a positive mental attitude – and can be called upon if they forget the words to the national anthem.
I don’t know about you but I prefer the away kit. Bold, retro and just a lovely shade of ‘Speed Red”, it’s like a statement of intent. Unlike the home shirt it features a centralised badge – the first time England has employed this on an away shirt since 2008 – and sits beneath a metallic gold star honouring the 1996 World Cup Victory.
When I visited The Foundry, Mizuno Golf’s R&D and Fitting headquarters just outside of Atlanta, I picked up one of their new Pro Fli-Hi utility irons.
It was already built in the fitting bay with a Ventus Black HB shaft. I essentially fell (back) in love with the club.
There’s just something about the Fli-Hi that makes it one of my favorite utility irons on the market, if not my No. 1 favorite. I spent some time on the course with the Mizuno team hitting it into a tricky par-5, and it certainly showed off its abilities.
Let’s talk about why I think this one’s special.
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The Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi has been at the top of the list for me for quite a while. Even four or five years ago, when I was working at a national club fitter, the Fli-Hi was very popular in the bays; but it’s always been for a more specific customer.
The Fli-Hi is probably the best option for the better player who wants more heat out of a driving iron but doesn’t want to sacrifice the look. There are a lot of really good driving irons in the market, but not all of them handle the visual very well.
The newest iteration of the Fli-Hi has gone even further to make sure that it looks good behind the ball. Not only have they given the shape some very nice nips and tucks around the edges, along with a very nice transition from the hosel into the leading edge that protects the visual offset, but they’ve also changed the finish.
They’ve typically had darker finishes on the Fli-Hi in hopes of creating a more compact-looking visual, but this latest iteration just looks… cleaner. The new Black Ion finish reminds you of the Mizuno Pro irons lineup; Nice and clean, with a little bit of sheen for a more premium player’s look, and by going dark over silver or chrome, it appears even smaller.
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They’ve also done a really cool internal design trick with the top line of the club to reduce its size. They are using what’s called an ‘Offset Face Weld’ that allows them to put the weld on the inside of the upper face-gauge. On the bottom side, the weld is back away from the face, which allows for the face to flex more and create more ball speed.
Make no mistake, the iron is still a big utility-style design, but Mizuno’s time and care in carving the shape into something that any player can put in the bag is noticeable.
The Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi in-hand
Jack Hirsh / GOLF
The thing I love most about the Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi is how workable and versatile the club is. It’s also very hot. I remember when I got the stock build in for testing early on, I was hitting the 4-iron marked loft close to 240 yards. I actually sent my friend at Mizuno a text that said “What am I supposed to do with a 240-yard 4-iron?” to which he laughed and replied, “I’ve never heard anybody complain a driving iron goes too far.” Fair point.
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That ball speed and the forgiveness of the larger C.O.R. area make for a fantastic tee option, particularly if you can handle the 2-iron lofted version of the Fli-Hi. It’s not just a stinger toy, either, which is my beef with other utility irons on the market. The Fli-Hi off of a tee can be hit high, it can be hit low, and it’s very easy to produce a big swinging draw with the club that helps promote roll-out when you need it to.
My favorite part, though, is how good it is off the ground. I like to hit hybrids and irons; I’m not a big fairway wood player, so having something that I trust off the ground is massive. If a driving or utility iron is going to end up in the bag, it has to prove that it’s not a one-trick pony.
You can see in the video that the Fli-Hi does everything I want it to do. I was able to hit a low stinger into the same hole that I hit a towering draw over a very tall tree. Both shots were on command, back-to-back. If that doesn’t showcase the usability of the Fli-Hi, I’m just not quite sure what would.
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Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi 2026 Custom Utility Iron
The Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi has become a fixture with the majority of Mizuno’s tour players. An easy launching, powerful long iron replacement that flows seamlessly into either the Mizuno Pro M13, M15 or full iron set. With a chassis now fully upgraded to 4335+ Nickel Chromoly for elevated ball speeds.
INTERNAL TUNGSTEN WEIGHTING: 26 grams of weight low in the head for elevated launch compared to traditional long irons.
HARMONIC IMPACT TECHNOLOGY: Applied to best match the vibration patterns Mizuno’s tour players identified with a soft muscle-back feel.
INCREASED BOUNCE ANGLE: Increased by a degree for improved turf interaction.
The World Cup officially kicked off this week – but alongside the football, there are questions around heat, cost, the environmental impact and travel restrictions.
The BBC Analysis Editor Ros Atkins takes a look at the challenges facing this year’s tournament.
Despite Tszyu pushing for a super-welterweight contest, his opponent clearly felt an extra 4lbs was appropriate following his three-year layoff.
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This lengthy hiatus came after Spence suffered a ninth-round stoppage defeat to Terence Crawford, who became the undisputed king at 147lbs in surprisingly one-sided fashion.
Prior to that, Spence had claimed his WBC, IBF and WBA titles with respective victories over Shawn Porter, Kell Brook and Yordenis Ugas, though a move up in weight has always seemed inevitable.
Now, the 36-year-old looks to reignite his career against Tszyu, who comes off two points victories following his stoppage defeat to Sebastian Fundora last July.
While their rematch ended in round seven, Tszyu had shown tremendous grit against Fundora in 2024, only to lose his WBO title by split decision.
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The Australian would then suffer a third-round stoppage defeat to Bakhram Murtazaliev later that year, with four-division world champion Stevenson telling All The Smoke Fight that he feels Spence is a level above.
“I think [Spence] gonna do good. I wish Errol the best; I hope Errol goes in there and beats Tim Tszyu up.
“I’m an Errol Spence fan; I was cool with Errol Spence before that [Crawford] fight. I know Errol is mentally tough – Errol is a dog when it comes to fighting, so I don’t think Tim Tszyu can beat him.”
File Pic: Manu Bhaker with Jaspal Rana (Pic credit: Bhaker’s X post)
NEW DELHI: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker on Saturday paid an emotional tribute to her former coach Jaspal Rana, describing his death as an “irreparable loss” and remembering the man she said understood her better than most people.Bhaker shared a series of photographs with the decorated shooter-turned-coach on X, accompanying them with a brief but poignant message: “Irreparable loss.”Rana, one of India’s most successful shooters and an influential coach, passed away at the age of 49. He had recently undergone a stent procedure after experiencing chest discomfort in late May and was admitted to hospital, where he died despite medical intervention.
Bhaker remembers mentor and friend
The 24-year-old, who scripted history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian after Independence to win two medals at a single edition of the Games, credited Rana for helping her rediscover confidence during one of the most challenging phases of her career.“I still can’t believe it. It is unbelievable news. I am struggling to process it,” Bhaker told Olympics.com on Friday. “He was not just my coach, mentor or guide, but also a friend who understood me better than most people.”Their association, which had witnessed both highs and lows, eventually evolved into one of the most remarkable comeback stories in Indian sport. Bhaker and Rana reunited ahead of the Paris Olympics, and the partnership yielded historic results.
Partnership that brought Olympic glory
Bhaker recalled how Rana’s approach went beyond technical guidance and helped her navigate difficult moments.“There were times when he was strict, and there were times when he simply listened,” she said. “He always wanted the best from me, even when I did not understand it at the time. Looking back now, every lesson he taught me had a purpose.”Reflecting on their reunion, Bhaker said it felt like “coming home”.“He knew when I was confident, when I was nervous and when I needed support. He always found a way to bring out the best in me,” she said.Rana’s passing has left the Indian sporting fraternity mourning the loss of one of its finest marksmen and coaches, while Bhaker’s heartfelt tribute underlined the deep bond they shared both inside and outside the shooting range.
Every four years, the FIFA World Cup serves as the platform for young players to showcase their talent to the world. Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande, who has already made a name among the top forwards in European football thanks to some exemplary performances for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, is keen to take the next leap in his development as he fulfils his World Cup dream. As Ivory Coast prepare for their opening match of the campaign against Ecuador, Diomande is keen to redefine the definition of a ‘star player’, saying he is yet to reach his true potential.
“I think everyone somehow sees me as a star, but I do not see myself as a star,” Diomande said when asked about his growing profile. “For me, I am still the same person as before, since the first day I arrived here.”
The comment offers an insight into the mentality that has helped the young Ivorian emerge as one of his country’s most exciting talents. Despite becoming a key figure for the national team and attracting increasing recognition, Diomande remains focused on self-improvement rather than status.
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“That is why I try to fight every day to improve myself in everything, on and off the pitch,” he added.
The grounded approach has been shaped by a journey that began with a dream shared by countless children across Africa. Growing up in Ivory Coast, Diomande always envisioned himself playing on football’s biggest stage.
“As a little boy, when I started playing football in my home country, it was my dream to play in the World Cup, and now that dream is coming true,” he said. “I am happy and proud of myself because this was one of my biggest dreams since I was a child.”
Representing Ivory Coast remains his greatest source of pride. While many players speak about international football in professional terms, Diomande’s words reveal a deeply personal connection to the national team.
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“Today, playing for my country is something very special to me,” he said. “I give everything for my country – it is my country.”
Want To Play Against The Best: Yan Diomande
The 23-year-old believes the current Ivorian squad has every reason to approach the tournament with confidence. Rather than being intimidated by the world’s elite nations, he is eager for the challenge.
“I want to play against the best teams in the world: France, Brazil, Argentina,” he said. “We have great self-confidence and want to go as far as possible.”
Even as he dreams of testing himself against football’s superpowers, Diomande remains conscious of the work still ahead.
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“In football, it is not about age, but about mentality and talent,” he explained. “I am even more motivated to work hard because I can see what I am capable of and I can see my potential.”
That balance between ambition and humility also appears in the way he discusses African football legends. While many young Ivorians grew up idolising Didier Drogba, Diomande is careful to distinguish admiration from imitation.
“Drogba is a great player, but he is not the player I model myself on because we have different styles of play,” he said.
Yet his respect for the generation that paved the way is unmistakable.
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“Drogba, Yaya Toure and Samuel Eto’o are role models not only for me, but for everyone,” he said. “I believe they are role models for this generation of Africans and young players.”
Featured Video Of The Day
Tushar Deshpande’s Brilliant Final Act Ensures Thrilling Win For RR Over Gujarat Titans
The rules are simple. Each day there’s a new footballer and the challenge is to guess who they are in as few attempts as possible.
After each wrong guess you unlock a new clue. But, if you get your answer in as few guesses as possible, you get more points.
Three is a good score, four or five points is exceptional.
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So, take part in quiz number one and return for more tomorrow.
Today’s player and clues are set by BBC Sport’s Flora Snelson.
After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.
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