Anthony Joshua has made his first public appearance since the death of close friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, arriving at the O2 Arena to support Derek Chisora.
Joshua has kept a low profile in recent months after he attended the funeral of his close friends, and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has reiterated “AJ” needs time to heal.
Dressed in a white tracksuit, Joshua emerged with Hearn from a black people-carrier and cut a calm figure as he walked into the arena past a number of camera crews.
Advertisement
There was no friendly welcome from old rival Wilder, who was repeatedly linked with a world-title bout with Joshua during the peak of their powers, as the American went straight past the London heavyweight without any acknowledgement in a tight corridor inside the O2.
Joshua last fought before Christmas when he stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, but speculation continues over a potential bout with Tyson Fury.
Anthony Joshua, left, was ringside alongside promoter Eddie Hearn (Adam DAvy/PA) (PA)
During a short ringside interview with DAZN, Joshua backed fellow Finchley boxer Chisora to win, but “Delboy” lost a razor-close decision after 12 rounds.
“It amazing to be here. Boxing, especially British boxing, is booming,” Joshua said.
Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing
Advertisement
Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.
Sue Bird, a Basketball Hall of Famer and WNBA legend, dismissed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) assertion that its policy change was to protect women’s sports.
Bird agreed with American Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender nonbinary and wrote that the IOC was “not solving a problem that exists.” The former Seattle Storm star said the policy was just “fearmongering.”
Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird pose for a photo during the 2025 WNBA All Star Skills Challenge at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on July 18, 2025.(Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
“That kinda sums it up for me because what’s being presented as this huge issue that we have to protect women. It’s not,” Bird said speaking to Megan Rapinoe on their “A Touch More” podcast. “What it is is fearmongering, and you brought up the (Trump) administration, for them to get votes. That’s all this is. It’s all that it’s ever been in my opinion.
“I think the other part is a reminder. What we have always talked about and focused on is, if you open this door, if you crack this door open, it gets blown open and you’re not policing women’s bodies across the board. I feel very sad about this. So, to kind of circle back to how we started, just want to send so much love to the trans community.”
IOC President Kirsty Coventry speaks to volunteers, ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Daniele Mascolo/Pool Photo via AP)
The IOC said “eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening.”
The organization added that the policy was “evidence-based” and “expert-informed.” The testing can be conducted via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample.
A presentation at a World Athletics panel in Tokyo in September revealed that 50 to 60 athletes with male biological advantages have been finalists in the female category at global and continental championships since 2000.
Retired United States soccer player Megan Rapinoe looks on before a SheBelieves Cup match against Colombia at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 7, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
The panel was led by the head of the World Athletics Health and Science Department, Dr. Stéphane Bermon, who said sex tests were necessary because of an “over-representation” of DSD (differences of sex development) athletes among finalists, per multiple reports.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 16: Jannik Sinner of Italy speaks during a press conference ahead of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner gave fans a different side of himself in a recent vlog with coach Darren Cahill, mixing humor with honest reflections on his journey.
The light moment came when Cahill pressed him about his motorbike test:
Darren: “How many times have you failed your motorbike license?” Jannik: “Why do you bring this up?” Darren: “How many times?” Jannik: “We have to be specific” Darren: “How many times?” Jannik: “3 times”
Advertisement
Away from the jokes, Sinner also spoke about what his life could have looked like outside tennis.
“Realistically, I would maybe work in a kitchen with my dad. He’s a cook, he used to be a cook. I couldn’t see myself being a pro ski racer because of certain reasons. I believe something realistic could be working in the kitchen with my dad & having bigger ambitions there.”
He then reflected on the moments that have defined his career so far.
Advertisement
“For me there are two moments. One when I reached #1 in 2024. The other one was when I won Wimbledon. That for me, it was not even a dream. It was unrealistic when I was young to win such a big tournament. The more you go on, you believe in yourself, you try to do better. Winning that title with my parents there, my brother, great friends… it was for sure the happiest moment I’ve ever had on a tennis court.”
More drama at the London Stadium: Taty Castellanos has the ball in the back of the net after a howler from Lucas Perri, but the West Ham striker was just leaning offside in the build-up as he pursued a high hoist! My oh my.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:44
Advertisement
OFF TO EXTRA TIME! West Ham 2-2 Leeds
West Ham just can’t escape extra time in this competition – for the fourth straight round, they are off for some more football.
Leeds looked to have it done and dusted. Two stoppage-time goals, though, and you’d have the hosts now as slight favourites…
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:36
Leeds 2-2 West Ham
Remarkable. There’s a long VAR check to look at if Axel Disasi had been endangering an opponent with a high boot but the goal STANDS. Extra time beckons – unless…
Advertisement
(AFP via Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:31
West Ham level!
Would you believe it? West Ham are level! Axel Disasi scores the equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time!
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:29
Advertisement
West Ham get one back!
I may have been hasty…West Ham have narrowed the deficit! Jarrod Bowen rattles the woodwork from 20 yards and Mateus Fernandes is there to tap home the rebound.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:25
Leeds and West Ham into added time
ELEVEN minutes added on at the London Stadium, where it remains 2-0 to Leeds. Hope for West Ham? (Probably not).
Advertisement
(REUTERS)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:23
Leeds edging closer
Full credit to Daniel Farke, by the way – it looked earlier in the season as if he’d struggle to survive with Leeds languishing in the table, but he now appears to have got them into an FA Cup semi-final and fighting hard in the Premier League.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin sent Alphonse Areola the wrong way (Action Images via Reuters)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:18
Leeds on their way through?
Over at the London Stadium, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has doubled the Leeds lead from the penalty spot after a foul from Max Kilman. It’s 2-0 with 14 minutes to go – a first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 is within reach.
Advertisement
(Action Images via Reuters)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:08
Chelsea swat Port Vale aside as Liam Rosenior provides Enzo Fernandez update
Liam Rosenior said things are “not what people think” between him and Enzo Fernandez after the midfielder watched from the stands as Chelsea beat Port Vale 7-0 to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
The agent of the World Cup winner, Javier Pastore, on Friday described as “completely unfair” Rosenior’s decision to remove Fernandez from the team for two matches following comments made during the international break in which he appeared to court Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old will also miss next Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester City, which could prove to be a warm-up for a cup meeting between the teams at Wembley later in April.
Advertisement
Harry Latham-Coyle5 April 2026 18:05
Christian Norgaard says Arsenal will not dwell on shock FA Cup exit
Christian Norgaard says Arsenal cannot afford to overthink their shock FA Cup exit at Southampton as the Premier League leaders look to bounce back in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s men suffered an almighty shock at St Mary’s on Saturday evening as the Championship play-off hopefuls’ intensity and courage paid dividends in a famous 2-1 quarter-final triumph.
Advertisement
Substitute Shea Charles’ late strike sent Southampton to the semi-finals and left Arsenal with some soul searching as the shock defeat compounded their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City a fortnight ago.
Chris Waller proclaimed Joliestar a perfected athlete after her win in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) during Saturday’s Royal Randwick meeting, bringing her Group 1 count to five.
Performing at peak level, the durable mare withstood Giga Kick’s late surge to cap an unblemished three-race Sydney autumn slate, incorporating prior wins in the Expressway Stakes and Canterbury Stakes.
“Joliestar just showed the difference between her this year compared to last year,” Waller said.
“Last year she could pull out a belter of a run but wide draws and luck in running could get her beaten, too.
Advertisement
“But she is a more complete racehorse now and is at the very peak of her form.”
The $3.90 favourite Joliestar furnished Waller and premier jockey James McDonald with back-to-back Group 1 scores, holding Giga Kick ($4.60) at bay by half a length, Skybird ($41) third by a neck.
Waller reached 15 Group 1 winners for 2025-26, with stable earnings hitting $61.06 million – a record still growing with time left in the season.
His career Group 1 ledger shows 195 successes, inching toward 200, a mark held solely by Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings.
Advertisement
Waller and McDonald claimed their fourth TJ Smith Stakes, extending the legacy of Nature Strip’s three-peat from 2020-2022.
Inspired by Nature Strip’s Royal Ascot feat, Joliestar’s handlers are gearing up for abroad action.
“The dream of Royal Ascot is very exciting, and no doubt she’ll be a force to be reckoned with,” McDonald said.
“She has had her doubters before, but they have no leg to stand on now, she is a Grand Final winner.”
Advertisement
This season, McDonald has piloted 12 Aussie Group 1s and three major overseas wins on Romantic Warrior.
Four men entered the ring at Stand & Deliver but only one left as the NXT champion on Saturday night.
Joe Hendry had one of his biggest challenges yet. He had to defend the NXT Championship in a fatal four-way match against Tony D’Angelo, Ricky Saints and Ethan Page. Hendry came into the match as the fan favorite as the crowd in St. Louis, Missouri, was singing his entrance music. But he faced three other hungry challengers.
Tony D’Angelo celebrates in the ring during NXT: Stand and Deliver at The Factory in St. Louis, Mo., on April 4, 2026.(Bradlee Rutledge/WWE)
D’Angelo, who came into the match with a chip on his shoulder after being betrayed by a friend at last year’s event, walked out of Stand & Deliver as the new NXT champion.
Saints and Page came into the match aligned and tried to weaken Hendry as best as they could to start. They delivered suplexes and shots to the chest to take him out. But the duo’s rift would grow as Page hit a splash on Saints. But Saints got his revenge shot later in the match.
D’Angelo spent the first few minutes on the outside of the ring. Once he regained his composure, D’Angelo hit a spear and focused himself on Hendry before he was thrown to the outside of the ring. Page and Saints turned their attention to the former “Don of NXT.”
The teamwork would last a few moments before Hendry hopped over the ropes and took them both out. For a split second, Hendry was in control. But the numbers game got the better of him again about midway through the match.
Advertisement
Joe Hendry enters the arena during NXT: Stand and Deliver at The Factory in St. Louis, Mo., on April 4, 2026.(Bradlee Rutledge/WWE)
D’Angelo stepped back into the ring to face off against Hendry. He began to power up. Multiple German suplexes were doled out and it looked like D’Angelo was taking control of the match. He broke up a Standing Ovation to hit Hendry with a spear. He then speared Saints out of the ring and hit a second spear on Hendry.
With frustration mounting, Saints wiped out D’Angelo with a chair shot. He hit Hendry with a Revolution DDT onto the chair, too. Saints was going to hit Page with a chair as well, but Page took exception. Their own rivalry turned up a notch.
As Page carried Saints up to the stairs, he wanted to put him through the table. Out of nowhere, D’Angelo speared both men through the announce table. It came down to D’Angelo and Hendry.
Advertisement
D’Angelo hit the Dead to Rights and pinned Hendry to win the NXT Championship.
Joe Hendry faces off with Tony D’Angelo at The Factory in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 2026.(Bradlee Rutledge/WWE)
Not everyone was convinced by Marcus Rashford’s performance despite Barcelona beating Atletico Madrid
Sections of the Spanish media were unconvinced by Marcus Rashford’s most recent display for Barcelona despite the Manchester United loanee scoring against Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona opened up a seven point gap at the top of La Liga over bitter rivals Real Madrid, capitalising on Los Blancos’ defeat to RCD Mallorca earlier on Saturday. Hansi Flick’s side endured a tough night at the Metropolitano Stadium but managed to secure a 2-1 victory over Diego Simeone’s Atletico.
Advertisement
Having gone behind in the 39th minute, Rashford equalised for Barcelona just three minutes later on the stroke of half-time. The England star pulled off a neat one-two with Dani Olmo before firing the ball in-between Juan Musso’s legs. Robert Lewandowski sealed the win late on with a point-blank ricocheted goal.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Rashford ultimately helped secure three crucial points, which will only help his case in trying to seal a permanent transfer from Manchester to Catalonia this summer. Given Raphinha’s absence, the 28-year-old has a free run to convince Barcelona to trigger his £26million option-to-buy clause.
But he seemingly divided opinion against Atletico, as the Manchester Evening News takes a look at how the Spanish press dissected his most recent performance.
Advertisement
Diario AS
AS criticised Rashford’s inconsistent display – something he has suffered from repeatedly in recent years. The publication wrote: “He scored an important goal, as it levelled the score after Atlético had taken the lead a few minutes earlier.
“His performance was inconsistent. He started very dynamically and directly but his game gradually faded. He continues to be inconsistent.”
SPORT
SPORT was far more complimentary, describing Rashford as arriving “like a runaway train, brimming with malice” when finishing his chance to level the score for Barcelona.
Advertisement
The publication went on to say: “Rashford was tireless on the flank, although he also played as the main striker. He beat Musso to spoil Atletico’s party before half-time. He was replaced by Lewandowski in the final stages.”
Football Espana
Football Espana was more critical of Rashford, highlighting that he needs to play better to fill Raphinha’s shoes for the remainder of the season. The outlet claimed: “Rashford did not have an overly successful night until he scored Barcelona’s equaliser just before half time.
“He needs to be at his best to cover Raphinha’s absence and tonight was a good start.”
Mundo Deportivo
Mundo Deportivo took a different stance. They heaped praise on the forward, writing: “Rashford appeared when he was most needed. Starting for the first time after Raphinha’s injury, the winger took on the responsibility in a demanding situation. Just two minutes after Atletico’s opening goal, scored by Giuliano Simeone, the Englishman carried the team on his shoulders.
Advertisement
“He drove down the left flank, combined with Dani Olmo, who returned a delightful assist, and finished confidently past Juan Musso. It was an immediate equaliser but also a message from a proud Barca side that already knew of Real Madrid’s slip-up in Mallorca.
“The 1-1 equaliser, besides being Rashford’s eleventh goal of the season, was a response to the step forward he was expected to take after Raphinha’s injury at a crucial point in the season. In a team that had lost a key attacking threat, the Englishman responded with personality and determination.”
Up to 70% off Man United kits and merch
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The first Sunday night game at Comerica Park in Detroit this season was supposed to be a special event. Then came the bad news on Saturday afternoon.
Justin Verlander was scheduled to make his home first start in a Detroit Tigers uniform since Aug. 20, 2017, against the St. Louis Cardinals. However, the 43-year-old right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left hip inflammation.
Verlander said the injury wasn’t serious but the organization didn’t want to take any chances this early in the season.
“It’s frustrating for me, obviously,” he said. “I also know a lot of fans were excited about [Sunday] night.”
Verlander won the first of his three Cy Young Awards in 2011 with the Tigers. He pitched in Detroit from 2005-17 and later played for the Houston Astros, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants before returning to Detroit as a free agent. Of his 266 career wins, 183 came as a member of the Tigers.
Advertisement
Right-hander Keider Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo and is expected to take the mound in Verlander’s place during the finale of a three-game series.
The team had marketed the nationally televised event as Verlander’s long-awaited return, but the fans and TV audience will have to settle for Montero’s 29th start in a Tigers uniform.
Montero was 5-3 with a 4.37 ERA in 20 appearances with Detroit last season, including 12 starts. He gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings of relief in his lone career outing against the Cardinals last May but didn’t figure into the decision in the 11-4 loss.
Advertisement
“We didn’t anticipate needing rotation help this week,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “But it came up and we have someone who arguably could have been on the team from the get-go. And now he gets an opportunity to help us. We’re very lucky to have someone of his caliber, who’s pitched in some of the biggest moments in the last couple of years to come up and be ready to go.”
The Tigers will be looking for a sweep. Detroit’s bats heated up on Saturday, as it clobbered four home runs in an 11-6, rain-delayed victory.
Kerry Carpenter, Zach McKinstry, Gleyber Torres and Matt Vierling each supplied their first home runs of the season. The Tigers had just two home runs, both by catcher Dillon Dingler, in their first seven games.
Montero will be opposed by right-hander Kyle Leahy (0-1, 7.20 ERA). In his first start this season, Leahy gave up four runs and eight hits in five innings in a 4-2 to the New York Mets on Monday.
Advertisement
“I made a lot of good pitches with runners on, but then I made some not-great pitches to let those runners get on,” Leahy said. “Definitely, a lot to learn from this one and be better as it goes.”
Leahy’s fastball velocity went down from the first inning, when he averaged 95.8 mph. It was closer to 93 mph the rest of the way. Leahy is still getting used to starting after being used as a reliever his first three seasons.
“That’s just part of the transition for my body getting used to this again,” Leahy said. “I felt really good early, and I thought I pitched with not my best stuff (Monday) and still competed as hard as I could. That’s just a build-up thing, and hopefully I’ll be better off as the year goes.”
Leahy has made two relief appearances against Detroit in his career and was tagged with a loss both times. His ERA in those games is 10.13 after allowing three runs on four hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Manchester City cruised into the FA Cup semi-finals with a 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, with Erling Haaland finding the net three times.
Having lost the League Cup final two weeks ago, Arsenal squandered another chance of silverware by falling to a surprise defeat against Championship side Southampton.
In Ligue 1‘s Derby du Nord, it was Lille who flattened arch-rivals Lens with a 3-0 win at home. While the visitors lost ground on league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, Lille provisionally climbed back up to third place in the table.
Barcelona are well on their way to retaining their La Liga title after a late Robert Lewandowski goal saw off ten-man Atlético Madrid on Saturday evening and establish a seven-point lead. Real Madrid, who lost to Mallorca earlier in the day, are now seven points adrift of the Catalans.
Advertisement
The spoils were shared at this year’s Boat Race between Cambridge and Oxford students, as the latter university put an end to an eight-year losing streak in the women’s race. French rower Noam Mouelle later led his Cambridge teammates to a fourth consecutive victory in the men’s race.
The Toronto Blue Jays are making some changes in their bullpen ahead of Sunday’s series finale in Chicago.
Relievers Brendon Little and Lazaro Estrada were optioned to triple-A Buffalo, the Blue Jays announced, with Joe Mantiply and Austin Voth selected to the major-league roster in their place.
To make room for the new pitchers on the 40-man roster, Cody Ponce and Anthony Santander were transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Little has struggled mightily for the Blue Jays in 2026, allowing 10 earned runs in 3.2 innings and earning two losses. Three of those runs came on Saturday, when Little allowed two home runs to left-handed batters and coughed up Toronto’s lead.
Advertisement
The 29-year-old will head to triple-A and look to recapture his form from the first half of 2025, when he struck out 65 batters in 44.1 innings and carried a 2.03 ERA.
Estrada will head back to Buffalo after four hitless innings on Saturday. The 26-year-old was recalled after Cody Ponce’s injury earlier in the week and figured to give the Blue Jays some bulk innings in relief.
But after tossing 66 pitches on Saturday, Toronto is opting for some fresh arms for the coming days.
Mantiply and Voth, a pair of veteran pitchers, arrived with the Blue Jays after inking minor-league deals with the club earlier in the spring.
Advertisement
Mantiply, 35, was let go by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025 after allowing 17 earned runs in 9.2 innings. An all-star in 2022, the left-hander landed with Toronto later in the season and posted a 3.45 ERA over 15.2 triple-A innings.
This season, Mantiply has allowed one earned run in 3.2 innings, striking out three and walking none for the Bisons.
Voth, meanwhile, last pitched in the majors in 2024 with the Seattle Mariners and spent 2025 pitching in Nippon Professional Baseball.
He had made just one triple-A appearance in 2026, allowing two runs in 3.0 innings of work.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the draw for this season’s FA Cup semi-finals. Manchester City are here again, having reached eight consecutive semi-finals in the world’s oldest domestic cup competition.
Pep Guardiola’s team have an excellent record in the last four – having not lost an FA Cup semi since 2022. The team that beat them on that occasion, Liverpool, were well beaten by the Blues on Saturday and after Arsenal’s shock exit yesterday – City will fancy their chances of another trophy.
Keep up to date with all the latest in our live blog throughout the afternoon and evening to discover who plays who in the FA Cup semi-finals later this month.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login