After David Benavidez’s stellar debut in the cruiserweight ranks this year, some in the sport started to believe that he could handle a heavyweight move immediately.

‘El Monsturo’ had just two fights at light-heavyweight before jumping up to 200lbs in May to beat unified champion Gilberto Ramirez, becoming the first man to stop the durable Mexican.

Though he can still make 175 and may intend to drop back down in the future, Benavidez was quickly linked to some intriguing heavyweight fights.

Speaking to Luis Parra, he was asked directly about challenging Oleksandr Usyk, widely regarded as the best in the division, after boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh publicly expressed his desire to see it.

“[Alalshikh] didn’t talk to me directly, [but] he was talking to the people around me and said he wanted to make that fight. But honestly, I have a lot of respect for Usyk, and I’m not ready for that right now. If he came down to cruiserweight, then yeah, we could fight at cruiserweight. But I’m not moving up.”

Despite that sentiment, it has been revealed this week by Ricardo Celis that Jose Benavidez Sr, father and trainer of David, contacted Alalshikh directly trying to make the fight against the great Ukrainian.

🚨 USYK vs DAVID BENAVIDEZ IN PLAY FOR CINCO DE MAYO 2027?

BENAVIDEZ SR REVEALS PRIVATE TURKI MESSAGES | DEMANDS USYK FIGHT FOR CINCO DE MAYO!

David Benavidez’s father shows messages sent directly to Turki Alalshikh as Team Benavidez push for David Benavidez vs Oleksandr Usyk… pic.twitter.com/iyXFOFZec4

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— Boxing King Media (@boxingkingmedia) August 23, 2026

Usyk, once undisputed at cruiserweight and twice at heavyweight, recently vacated his unified titles alongside an announcement that he would have just one more fight before hanging up the gloves. He has since been strongly linked with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

Given that the 39-year-old pound-for-pound star wants Wilder’s name on his resume since the American was part of his generation of heavyweights, it seems unlikely that he is going to be the man to welcome Benavidez to the heavyweight ranks.

Instead, Benavidez is expected to face Michal Cieslak this December, perhaps for a vacant WBC belt, before pursuing Opetaia.

While much of the talk surrounding the Steelers has been backup quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar, the focus on Monday shifted to another player who has been notably absent this summer. 

Joey Porter Jr. has been present during Steelers’ practices, but the veteran cornerback has yet to practice as he is hoping to land a new contract. Coach Mike McCarthy said that the team is at an “impasse” with Porter, who is also on the team’s physically unbale to perform list after aggravating his back during the team’s mobility test on the first day of training camp. 

Along with Porter, fellow defensive back Jalen Ramsey also missed training camp as he was dealing with a knee injury. Ramsey, who was taken off the team’s PUP list on Monday, feels that it’s time something got done with regard to Porter’s contract. The Steelers’ unofficial deadline to get something done with Porter is September 13, when they host the Falcons in Week 1.   

“We need the whole secondary out there,” Ramsey said, via ESPN. “They got to pay Joey Porter, and we need got some other guys that are out as well. So, the secondary has not been out there together yet, so I can’t answer that for you.”

At this point, it’s more likely that Porter remains in Pittsburgh through 2026. But if that were to change, here’s a look at some of the possible landing spots for Porter. 

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas makes sense on several fronts, starting with the fact that Porter would complement what the Cowboys already have in the secondary. Porter could serve as a mentor of sorts for first-round pick Caleb Downs. 

The Cowboys, who have been in spending mode since trading Micah Parsons last summer, have a considerable amount of cap space and could make a move to acquire Porter if they were inclined to do so. Making this even more logical is the fact that Jerry Jones and Steelers GM Omar Khan have a history of working out significant trades. 

Speaking of Jones, the Cowboys’ 83-year-old owner is desperate to end Dallas’ championship drought, which is now at 31 years. That, coupled with the fact that Jones loves making splashy trades, makes this scenario even more logical. 

Chicago Bears 

Chicago’s pass defense was one of its biggest weaknesses in 2025, and based on how it currently looks, that may well be the case for 2026 unless the Bears do something soon. The Bears spent a high draft pick on safety Dillon Thieneman, but he alone won’t help make up for the current injuries the unit is dealing with. Starting safety Coby Bryant (knee) and starting nickelback Kyler Gordon (calf) are currently dealing with injuries. 

It goes without saying that Porter’s arrival in Chicago would strengthen the team’s Super Bowl aspirations. Adding to the likelihood of this scenario is that Khan and Bears GM Ryan Poles have a history of making notable transactions. 

Carolina Panthers 

The Steelers could trade Porter to a team that also has an interesting situation with one of their cornerbacks. Veteran cornerback Mike Jackson is entering the final year of a two-year, $10.5 million deal. Jackson outperformed his contract last season and is likely looking for a better deal for 2026 and beyond. 

In this scenario, it’s possible that the two teams could swap cornerbacks. The Steelers would be getting an adequate and cheaper replacement for Porter, while the Panthers would have one of the league’s best cornerback duos in Porter and Jaycee Horn, who, like Porter, is the son of a notable former NFL player. 

Pittsburgh would also be getting something else (likely a draft pick) in this scenario, given Porter’s stature as one of the league’s top young cornerbacks. 

New York Giants 

The Giants‘ have heightened expectations this season that are likely buoyed by John Harbaugh’s offseason arrival. But if New York really wants to have realistic hopes of competing in 2026, they need to strengthen a few areas of their team, which includes the secondary. 

Porter’s addition would be a big boost for the Giants, who play in a division that includes opposing quarterbacks Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, and Jayden Daniels. Harbaugh, who coached against Porter the previous three seasons, knows firsthand how disruptive Porter can be for an opposing offense. 

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New Orleans Saints

Like the Panthers and Giants, the Saints are another NFC team that is looking to take the next step in 2026. After a slow start, the Saints enjoyed a strong finish to the 2025 season, including four straight wins under new coach Kelln Moore. 

The Saints could use a player of Porter’s caliber in their secondary to increase their odds of winning what is the NFL’s most wide-open division. With that in mind, it’s possible that Saints veteran GM Mickey Loomis could work something out with Khan — a New Orleans native whose first NFL job was with the Saints — if he feels that Porter can help the Saints snap their five-year playoff drought. 

Green Bay Packers 

Yet another NFC team with high expectations that is looking to separate itself from the pack (pun intended). The Packers showed last year that they are willing to swing big when they traded for Parsons. It’s worth wondering whether Green Bay is considering a similar move now to add another notable player to its defense. 

Like the Steelers, the Packers are a franchise that measures itself only by championships. After falling short in the playoffs once again in 2025, the Packers are desperate to make a serious playoff push in 2026. That’s why the Packers should be considered as a legitimate landing spot if Porter ends up on the trading block. 

The exact number of runners Ciaron Maher will deploy in this Saturday’s $200,000 H D F McNeil Stakes is not yet confirmed, however, one colt who is a definite starter is Seraphox.

This Harry Angel colt is slated to commence a racing campaign that has been meticulously planned with the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in October as its primary target, with the 1200-metre Group 3 event at Caulfield serving as the initial step.

Maher’s stablemate Unit Five, a scratching from Sandown last Saturday, is expected to be a rival. Additionally, Maher has entered Tornado Valley and Milsons Point, both of whom competed over 1400m at Sandown last Saturday, though their final decisions are pending.

Jack Turnbull, the assistant trainer for Maher, confirmed Seraphox’s participation, identifying the McNeil Stakes as the perfect launching pad for his pursuit of the 1600m Caulfield Guineas on October 10.

“We see him as a 1400-metre horse, miler and he’s on a Guineas path,” Turnbull stated.

“He’s forward and ready to run a bit of a race, but I’d say he’ll be midfield and running on.”

“He’ll be competitive but he’s probably not going to be as sharp as some of the others in that race.”

Alongside his Maher stablemates, Seraphox’s potential competitors include the Group 1 winning Kiwi galloper Seize The Day, the promising colt American Eagle, Todman Stakes placegetter Wolf Gap, Sydney colt Confederation, and Anzac Day Stakes winner Blind Raise.

Seraphox’s record includes a third place in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes, his first outing in Victoria after a Warwick Farm maiden victory. This followed a debut seventh in the Group 2 Todman Stakes, reflecting the high opinion Maher’s stable has always held of Seraphox.

Turnbull nominated Seraphox and Tornado Valley as the stable’s top two contenders for the Guineas heading into the spring. Magic Millions winner Unit Five is set for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day.

Although the son of Supido will face a tougher field at Caulfield than he might have under the 59.5kg weight on Saturday’s Heavy track over 1000m, Turnbull noted that a number of factors made the Caulfield race a more appealing choice.

“How the track was, the way it’s been playing, the weight and having the option of the McNeil,” Turnbull explained as reasons for the strategic decision.

“He had a fair while off after that Magics prep and he’s come back really well, so we’re looking forward to getting back to the races.”

If you’re interested in the H D F McNeil Stakes, consider checking out Australian betting sites for the latest racing odds.

A world champion has expressed his “big belief” in defeating Shakur Stevenson, who is still yet to announce an opponent for his Zuffa Boxing debut.

The 29-year-old inked a multi-fight deal with Dana White’s promotional outfit earlier this year, coming off a unanimous decision victory over Teofimo Lopez in January.

It was arguably a career-best performance, in fact, that saw Stevenson become a four-division world champion and cement himself as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound stars.

Since announcing his landmark promotional deal, though, the American has seemingly progressed no closer to securing an opponent for later this year.

One would suspect that he is planning on fighting once more in 2026, yet there has been no mention of a date or location for his next outing.

In terms of an opponent for 2027, however, the WBO super-lightweight champion could be tempted by a unification match with WBC counterpart Dalton Smith.

The Sheffield man claimed his world title with a fifth-round finish over Subriel Matias in January, but must now make a mandatory defence against former champion Alberto Puello.

Should he emerge victorious on October 24, then Smith has told talkSPORT that he would be eager to face Stevenson next year.

“All respect to Shakur. I’ve known him [since] the amateurs … He’s always praised me, always given me respect, and I’ll always do that for him.

“He’s one hell of a fighter but, if we can get a fight made, of course I’m grabbing it with both hands. I’ve got the big belief that I’m going to beat him.

“That’s a fight, for me, that rolls back the Ricky Hatton-[Floyd] Mayweather days. You want that big American name so, for me, getting that over here [the UK] or in [Las] Vegas would be a dream come true.”

While Stevenson still holds the WBO title, it remains to be seen whether he will defend the belt or even continue to campaign at 140lbs.

Liv Morgan sent a three-word message after attacking a male WWE star. Morgan is the reigning Women’s World Champion and is a member of The Judgment Day on RAW.

The promotion shared footage today of the champion hitting Kevin Owens with an Oblivion at a live event. Dominik Mysterio followed it up with a 619 for a near fall after his Judgment Day stablemate connected with the move. The company also asked an interesting question in the captions of the Instagram post.

“Is this couple goals? 🤨”

Morgan responded to the post with a three-word message, and you can check out her message in the image below.

“U know it 🫶🔪,” she wrote.

Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio have been in a storyline relationship since SummerSlam 2024. Mysterio used to be in a romance storyline with Rhea Ripley, but betrayed The Eradicator in favor of Morgan at the PLE two years ago.

Rhea Ripley won the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42 but is currently out of action due to a major injury. Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer both recently returned on RAW and are chasing after Morgan’s Women’s World Championship.

Popular WWE star comments on working with Liv Morgan

Dominik Mysterio recently shared what it was like working with Liv Morgan in WWE.

In an interview with Paper Magazine, Dirty Dom noted that he enjoyed working with Morgan and hoped that they remained a storyline couple for the rest of their careers.

“Man, she’s the absolute best. She brings out the best in everybody because she’s always just so positive, very encouraging, honestly, just a joy to be around, and absolutely blessed to be able to work with her. I started off with Rhea Ripley, went on to Liv Morgan. Two of the best of the best. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about Liv, and I hope that we stay together. We work for a reason. There’s lots of gold around the Judgment Day, and it’s thanks to her,” said Dominik Mysterio.

It will be fascinating to see how long Morgan can hang onto the Women’s World Championship moving forward on RAW.