Dmitry Bivol’s next world title defence is heading to purse bids after talks with former super-middleweight champion Callum Smith failed to produce an agreement.

The WBO ordered Bivol to defend his light-heavyweight title against interim champion Smith, giving the two sides a 20-day negotiation period before later granting extensions. With no deal reached, the sanctioning body has now confirmed that a purse bid will take place on August 27 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“Please be advised that, as the parties [Bivol and Smith] were unable to reach terms within the negotiation period established by the WBO, the matter will now proceed to Purse Bid proceedings, as previously advised. The Purse Bid will be conducted on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the WBO Main Offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and will be live-streamed through the WBO’s official digital platforms.

“All applicable terms and conditions, including the respective purse split, will be formally announced through the WBO’s official Purse Bid Notice to be issued later today.”

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Smith earned his position by defeating Joshua Buatsi last year to claim the interim WBO belt, handing his fellow Brit the first defeat of his professional career in a fight of the year contender. The former super-middleweight world champion has since remained next in line for a shot at the full title.

Bivol, meanwhile, returned from a lengthy spell of inactivity in May to comfortably outpoint IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert. Most felt that he would then pursue a trilogy against Artur Beterbiev, with the pair currently level at one win apiece following their two meetings, even if it did mean dropping the WBO belt.

Those plans have not materialised, and the Russian technician will look to keep hold of all three of his belts against Liverpool’s Smith. Both men are represented by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

GIO Stadium will play host to Friday’s
Round 25 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and
Brisbane Broncos. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with Canberra Raiders heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs.
Brisbane Broncos
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday August 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm

Where: GIO Stadium

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Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos Preview

Canberra kept its slim finals prospects alive with a spirited 24-20 win over Cronulla and now returns home for Josh Papali’i’s final appearance at GIO Stadium. The Raiders have won five times across their past seven matches and regain Simi Sasagi, while Ata Mariota starts at lock and Corey Horsburgh returns on the bench. Brisbane arrives after a 40-6 defeat to the Warriors, its 12th loss in 13 games, and must replace the injured Reece Walsh with Hayze Perham. Ben Hunt also returns at halfback. Brisbane has won three of the past four meetings, including last year’s golden-point thriller in Canberra, but its recent defensive decline gives the Raiders a clear opportunity to control the middle and finish their home campaign strongly.

Serie A is finally back! The 2026-2027 Serie A season will kick off this weekend in Italy, with Inter, the 2025-2026 Scudetto winners, looking to defend the title in the new season. AC Milan, their cross-city rivals, made some key signings in the summer after replacing the coach and the whole club hierarchy after the disappointing end of the last campaign, and appointed former Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim to lead the new cycle. Six teams replaced their coaches, including Napoli, which saw Antonio Conte leave the Azzurri after two seasons and appointed former AC Milan and Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri. Let’s take a look at our power rankings ahead of the upcoming season: 

1. Inter 

The 2025-2026 Serie A champions are still the favorites to replicate the success of the past season. They lost a key player in Denzel Dumfries, who joined Real Madrid, but replaced him with Djed Spence and signed other players like John Stones and Curtis Jones who can help Cristian Chivu win another Scudetto. Overall, they have a stronger squad compared to the one that won the most recent Serie A title. 

2. AC Milan 

The Rossoneri spent big money in the summer to support American Christian Pulisic and signed striker Goncalo Ramos from PSG who became the highest paid player in the history of the club, after Gerry Cardinale’s side spent over $70 million to sign the Portuguese striker. On top of him, they also signed Mario Gila from Lazio for around $20 million and Diego Moreira from Strasbourg for more than $60 million. However, the biggest decision was to appoint Ruben Amorim to replace Massimiliano Allegri, who failed to bring the Rossoneri back to Champions League soccer. 

3. Napoli

It didn’t take long time for Allegri to find a new club as Napoli decided to hire him after Antonio Conte’s decision to leave the Azzurri ahead of the summer. Allegri, who has signed a three-year deal with the Italian club, will be expected to improve Napoli’s performances, particularly in the Champions League, as demanded by club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis. Napoli have a strong squad, but last season their campaign was severely affected by injuries.

4. AS Roma  

The side coached by Gian Piero Gasperini clinched a Champions League spot at the end of a successful campaign, but it will now be much more complicated to replicate the same success. They have a chance to make a deep run, and the roster is also strong enough to achieve the targets requested by the fan base and the ownership. Winning a trophy, maybe the Coppa Italia, could be a major milestone for the new project, now entering its second year, led by the former Atalanta manager. 

5. Como 

Como were one of the biggest surprises of the 2025–26 season but maybe not entirely unexpectedly. Their fourth-place finish and historic qualification for the Champions League were remarkable, but the team led by Cesc Fabregas wants more. They re-signed Nico Paz from Real Madrid for $60 million, arguably the most important Serie A signing of the summer. The only doubt about them is how they will deal with the two major competitions at the same time, but watch out for them, once again. 

6. Juventus

Despite confirming head coach Luciano Spalletti for at least another season, everything has changed again at the club with a new CEO in Giovanni Carnevali, an experienced Italian director who can lead the new cycle. Some of the signings were interesting, such as the one of Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen or the one of Randal Kolo Muani from PSG. Others, like the one of Guglielmo Vicario on loan from Tottenham as the new starting goalkeeper, are not what we expected. 

7. Fiorentina

I strongly believe they will be the surprise of the season, after risking relegation last year. Former Tottenham and Juventus director Fabio Paratici is leading the sporting project and has signed multiple talents, starting with Franco Mastantuono on loan from Real Madrid, and appointed a young talented coach like Fabio Grosso, who previously coached Sassuolo in the Italian first division. Fiorentina might finally be back. 

8. Atalanta

Nothing against the club and the job they’ve done over the past years, but when you sign a coach like Maurizio Sarri you can expect your team to perform more on the long term, missing out some key points in the first part of the season. This is why I think they can aim for European soccer, but it won’t be that easy. 

9. Genoa

Another team I think will do well. Under Daniele De Rossi’s management, Genoa were a surprising side in the second part of the season, and in his full campaign in charge I think there’s a big chance to see them as one of the surprises of the Serie A season. 

10. Bologna

It will be difficult for them after Vincenzo Italiano decided to leave the Italian side to join Besiktas. They hired a coach like Domenico Tedesco, who will make his Serie A debut this weekend: A risky choice. 

11. Udinese

One of those teams that always seem to find themselves in the same position at the start of the season: unlikely to face a relegation battle, but equally unlikely to challenge for a European spot.

12. Torino 

I’m curious to see the impact of Ignazio Abate in Serie A after bringing Juve Stabia, a team that was placed under judicial administration as prosecutors stated the Serie B club was used as a tool by the local Camorra mafia clan, to the playoffs last season; now he has his first big chance in the Italian top flight. 

13. Sassuolo

Giovanni Carnevali, the former club CEO and the mastermind behind the success of the Neroverdi in the past years, has left his position and joined Juventus this summer. While Fabio Grosso left the club to take over at Fiorentina and most of the key players stayed, the club appointed Alberto Aquilani as his successor. Aquilani, who led Catanzaro to the Serie B playoff final in June, is widely regarded as one of the most talented young managers in Italy.

14. Parma

The Crociati survived the Italian first division under Carlos Cuesta last season, the youngest coach in the league and aim to do the same this year despite selling some key players, such as Zion Suzuki and Gabriel Strefezza. 

15. Cagliari

The first season under Vincenzo Pisacane was a success overall as the team managed to avoid relegation, and this season we can expect more from them, but it won’t be easier. 

16. Lazio

There are not many hopes around Lazio this season after hiring Gennaro Gattuso as the new head coach. The Biancocelesti had another disappointing summer transfer window, as they saw some key players leaving such as Mario Gila who joined AC Milan and had to face a net-zero transfer window for the summer 2026 session. In this worrying financial environment, a tumble down the table is a real possibility

17. Venezia

Their plans for a new stadium are already underway, but if you get the chance to go and watch a match at the current Penzo Stadium, do it. It’s an unforgettable experience.

18. Monza

The club made some signings in the summer, but none of them are capable of keeping the team in the first division. Am I too drastic? Probably not. 

19. Lecce

Eusebio Di Francesco finally managed to keep Lecce in the top flight after suffering relegation twice in two years with Frosinone and Venezia. However, I think keeping them up this time will be an even bigger challenge.

20. Frosinone

This is what Massimiliano Alvini, the head coach, said about the transfer window. “I wasn’t involved. As the coach, you have to understand the characteristics of the new signings. It will take time, months, to fully integrate them.” I don’t see them avoiding relegation, do you? 

Luciano Spalletti is making last-minute changes to his Juventus squad as the manager looks to ensure his team is in top shape when the transfer window closes.

The Bianconeri have been one of the top teams in the country in recent months, and they surprised most fans and neutrals when they missed out on Champions League qualification. Juve remain one of the top teams in Italian football, and their fans hope they can compete for the Scudetto this campaign.

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That is why the club have backed Spalletti as strongly as they have in recent weeks. The manager wants more players, even though he is happy and grateful for those he has been allowed to sign so far. He also wants the squad’s deadwood to be offloaded before the window closes.

Spalletti wants squad depth

Calciomercato says that, in an ideal world, Spalletti hopes to have at least two quality players in each position in the squad when the transfer window ends, and Juve are currently working towards that objective.

The manager wants Juventus to have enough quality and depth to compete throughout the campaign. Strengthening every area of the squad would give him greater flexibility when selecting his team and allow the Bianconeri to cope with the demands of the season.

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Juve have already made several additions, but Spalletti believes further changes are required. The club must therefore balance incoming transfers with departures as they work to create the squad the manager wants.

Juventus ready for more business

The Bianconeri want to support their manager as much as possible, and they are prepared to allow him to build his ideal squad. That means supporters can expect to see more activity before the transfer window closes.

Spalletti will hope the club can complete the necessary deals and provide him with at least two quality options in every position. At the same time, Juventus need to move on players who are no longer part of the manager’s plans.

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The final days of the window could therefore be busy for the Bianconeri. Juventus have already shown their willingness to strengthen the squad, and they now appear ready to make further changes in an effort to give Spalletti the depth and quality he believes are necessary to compete for the Scudetto.

Manchester’s reputation as a footballing hotbed would likely be central to any bid

Andy Burnham is looking into a bid to bring the men’s football World Cup to British soil for the first time since 1966, it has emerged.

During a meeting at Number 10 North in Manchester on Friday, the Prime Minister reportedly told colleagues he is looking into how the UK could host the prestigious tournament, with talks said to be underway with the country’s football associations.

It is said to form part of a growing push by former Greater Manchester mayor Mr Burnham, a big football fan and Everton season ticket holder, to use major sporting events to drive investment, tourism and regeneration beyond London.

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The World Cup plan is being considered alongside the previously reported ambition to bring the Olympics to the north, according to The i.

It would be the first time it has been hosted on these shores since the 1966 tournament, which is also the Three Lions’ only ever men’s World Cup triumph.

The next edition of the tournament, which concluded in the US, Mexico, and Canada this summer, is being held in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal in 2030, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay also hosting matches to mark the tournament’s centenary.

Whilst Saudi Arabia have been chosen as hosts for the 2034 tournament, meaning 2038 or 2042 are the next available editions which the UK and other countries could bid for.

Manchester’s reputation as a global football hotbed would likely make it central to any bid proposal.

Manchester United have said they hope their proposed new 100,000 seater stadium on land just 350 metres away from their current home, would be ready in time for the 2035 Women’s World Cup, which is being held in the UK for the first time.

The UK and Republic of Ireland are hosting the men’s European Championships in 2028 with the newly-expanded Etihad Stadium one of the stadiums, however the current trafford>Old Trafford was overlooked. Both United and City bosses would likely be extremely keen to part of any World Cup bid.

A funny moment unfolded during the England vs Pakistan first Test at Headingley, Leeds. A fan was spotted on camera carrying four glasses of beer. He was walking carefully down the stairs before losing his grip and spilling them. Within seconds, the alcoholic beverage was poured all over the stairs. Huge laughter erupted in the commentary box as soon as the fan made the mistake. Meanwhile, the crowd came up with some funny reactions after the replays were shown on the big screen.

Watch it here:

“Oh no, no”

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The reaction from the crowd after this fan spilt his drinks pic.twitter.com/djYNRPPJGr

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 20, 2026

England strengthened their grip on the first Test against Pakistan on Thursday, with Joe Root and Harry Brook among four batters to make half-centuries in a score of 366-8 that gave the hosts a first-innings lead of 195 runs after Day 2.

Brook, the world’s top-ranked Test batter, came closest to reaching a hundred on his home ground of Headingley but fell for 91, one of those dismissed by Ali Usman (5-92) in the left-arm spinner’s first five-wicket haul.

Root (66) and Jordan Cox (73) shared a 150-run partnership after England resumed on 112-2 four hours into the day, with rain causing a long delay to the start of play.

Dan Lawrence, playing his first Test in two years, hit 51 at No. 6 and was another England batter likely ruing a missed opportunity to go big against some substandard bowling and erratic fielding.

In general, it has been a poor showing by Pakistan, who were bowled out for 171 in barely two sessions on Wednesday.

England rattled along at 4.46 runs per over, a rate that wouldn’t look out of place in the Bazball era that ended with the retirement of captain Ben Stokes and the firing of Brendon McCullum as Test coach.

What was different was the way the batters went about scoring runs, with Brook in particular less flamboyant but still as punishing, with 13 fours. Aside from being dropped on 1 by stand-in captain Salman Agha at second slip, Brook hardly gave up a chance until Usman snuck one through onto the stumps via Brook’s back leg.

It would have been Brook’s first century since his 111 against India at The Oval in July last year.

Cox and Root picked up where they left off Wednesday, almost matching each other run for run after play finally resumed.

Cox reached his first half-century in just his second Test appearance minutes before Root got to the milestone for the 109th time in a Test career that has seen him score more than 14,000 runs, second only to India great Sachin Tendulkar.

Dropped on 57 by Khurram Shahzad off a presentable caught-and-bowled chance, Cox eventually departed when he edged behind Usman. The batter appealed the decision, perhaps thinking he had struck his own pad, but the nick was clear.

The very next over, Root also departed when he inexplicably missed a straight one from Khurram and was trapped lbw, then wasted a review that showed the ball was hitting middle stump. It was a great chance for England’s new captain to score his national record-extending 42nd century.

England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was in the middle at stumps on 16 not out, playing with caution in gloomy light in the final few overs. Jofra Archer was alongside him, unbeaten on 0.

(With AP Inputs)

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For Root, the innings victory sealed inside three days against Pakistan was the ideal start to his second spell as captain.

It also extended England’s run of wins at Headingley, which began in 2018. Their longest winning streak at another ground is six at Chester-le-Street.

The decision for Headingley and Old Trafford to miss out on the 2027 Ashes roster was announced in 2023.

But the match allocation has once again come into focus after the schedule for next year’s series was confirmed in July.

Nottingham’s Trent Bridge will be the most northerly ground to host a men’s Ashes Test, with Southampton given an England-Australia Test for the first time. Headingley will instead play host to a women’s Ashes Test.

Headingley staged a men’s Ashes Test in 2019 and 2023, both matches England won. The 2019 win, inspired by Ben Stokes, was one of the most legendary contests in Ashes history, ranking alongside Ian Botham’s heroics of 1981 on the same ground.

Overall, England’s record of nine home Ashes wins in Leeds is bettered only by their 17 at The Oval, and The Oval has hosted 36 Ashes Tests compared to Headingley’s 26.

“I would love to play as many games as possible here,” said Root. “It’s a great Test-match venue, a surface that provides brilliant Test cricket, and one we’ve had quite a lot of success on recently.

“It’s a shame we don’t get to play here next year, but I’m sure we will see many, many more brilliant Test matches here.”

Headingley will next host a men’s Ashes Test in 2031, from when the England and Wales Cricket has said it will keep at least one Test in Leeds or Manchester in the allocation for every home Ashes series. Southampton will get a Test in alternate men’s home Ashes.