Christian Mbilli has revealed the extent to which a month-and-a-half delay has affected his preparation for Canelo Alvarez.

The pair were originally scheduled to square off on September 12, only for Canelo to cite family problems as the reason for postponing their showdown to October 31.

As a result, both combatants will have incurred over a year of inactivity by the time they collide for Mbilli’s WBC world super-middleweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Frenchman was upgraded from ‘interim’ to full champion last December, just a few months after boxing to a 10-round draw against Lester Martinez.

This was because Terence Crawford announced his retirement and vacated all four major 168lb belts that same month, having become a three-division undisputed king.

The American did so by unanimously outpointing and dethroning Canelo, who was handily defeated by ‘Bud’ but arguably produced one of his better performances in recent times.

Clearly feeling as though he has more left to offer, the 36-year-old is now focused on reclaiming one of his old belts against Mbilli.

The defending champion, meanwhile, has told FIGHTMAG during a public workout that, having chased the Mexican for years, he does not believe a month-or-so delay will make any difference to his performance.

“I really wasn’t stressed [about the delay]. I was pretty calm about it.

“We’ve been waiting for this fight for so many years that one month, two months, three months, four months [or] more doesn’t change much.

“We’re going to go and get that victory.”

From a stylistic perspective, Canelo is considered the more skilful fighter while Mbilli could cause the challenger problems with his relentless aggression and punch output.

Opinion in the boxing world is split, with the likes of Shawn Porter and Robert Garcia backing Canelo, but Paulie Malignaggi believing Mbilli’s pressure will be too much for the Mexican.

Magnolia Hotshots’ Zavier Lucero during a game against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.-Lucero is expected to play a crucial role for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Zavier Lucero is looking to carry his role as one of the best defenders in the PBA into Gilas Pilipinas when it tries to retain the gold in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The Magnolia forward will be among those coach Tim Cone and his staff are going to bank on to make Gilas efficient at making stops during the course of the continental meet.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas at Asian Games 2026: What you need to know

“It’s going to be super important,” Lucero said during a recent virtual press conference arranged by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

“I think everyone on this team has the capacity to be a good defender. If we just defend as a team, I think that’s the most important thing. No one can stop the team by himself,” he added.

Lucero is one of the tallest players on the team at 6-foot-6, though he’ll likely play the role of guarding not just the shaded lane, but multiple positions.

“I’m taking my role as I take my role on any team [which is] first to defend,” he said. “So I think everyone’s taken that approach and if we can work together as a team, play team defense, and rebound, that should help our offense.

READ: Shorter Gilas crew to run foes to the ground in defense of gold

“And that’ll help us to be able to outrun these teams and play to our advantage,” added Lucero.

Gilas’ defense will have plenty of work that needs to be done after being handed an 81-55 loss by South Korea in the first of two tune-up games in Suwon.

More than its offensive woes was Gilas allowing South Korea to knock down nine triples, seven coming from Hyungjun Lee.

That game also saw Lucero appearing for 30 minutes and finishing with three points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Gunalan Kamalini, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav.

Pakistan Women: Muneeba Ali(w), Shawaal Zulfiqar, Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana(c), Umm-e-Hani, Eyman Fatima, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Momina Riasat, Eman Naseer, Waheeda Akhtar

Last year, the Vikings’ defensive line was being led by Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The pair of veterans eventually got leapfrogged by Jalen Redmond as the clear DT1.

Going into 2026, Mr. Redmond is now the elder statesman since Allen and Hargrave have been cut. Redmond finds himself at 27 years old and is going into just his third full NFL season. He’ll be leading what is an unusually young cluster of trench talent.

The Vikings’ Defensive Line is Unusually Young

If the expected occurs, the Vikings’ defensive line will see the depth chart look accordingly (starters are in bold and practice squad in italics):

Of those options, the eldest is Jones, the practice squad nose tackle who just got added a few days ago. He’s a 28-year-old veteran with limited upside but some utility insofar as he’s a large, experienced player who could probably gobble up blockers in a pinch. He’ll be playing a depth role as a possible Sunday call up. The other practice squad talent, Mr. Ritzie, is 23.

As for talent on the roster, it’s a lot of young fellas. Look at the ages attached to each player:

• Jalen Redmond: 27
• Levi Drake Rodriguez: 26
• Ty Ingram-Dawkins: 23
• Elijah Williams: 23
• Caleb Banks: 23
• Domonique Orange: 22

Do the tally by adding up all of those ages and then dividing the number by six (the amount of defensive linemen). What’s the average? Just 24 years of age.

Of those options above, Redmond is the most experienced even as he’s somebody who is only working into his third full NFL season. Pretty wild, right? He first got into the NFL as an undrafted talent in 2023 but had Carolina move on. His rookie season arrived in 2024 before he fully solidified himself in 2025.

Quite possibly, we’ll end up looking at 2026 as Jalen Redmond’s true breakout.

Both of Redmond and Rodriguez are going into their third NFL seasons. Ingram-Dawkins and Williams are moving into sophomore seasons. Banks and Orange are about to set sail on their rookie years.

Again, it’s a youthful crew.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has more than earned the benefit of the doubt. Pivoting toward unproven youth under the DC should be cause for excitement rather than consternation. Newcomer Ryan Nielsen has been coaching defensive linemen for a long time even if he’s just getting to Minnesota. If you ever get the chance, go to practice and watch Coach Nielsen go to work teaching the linemen. He’s a technician who appears to be ultra detailed as a teacher.

The Vikings’ defensive line will look to win the trench battle in Week 1 when the Green Bay Packers visit Minnesota.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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The LSU Tigers and Clemson Tigers face off in a marquee Week 1 matchup Saturday night to begin their 2026 college football seasons. Lane Kiffin debuts as head coach of LSU, matching wits with four-time national championship-winning coach Dabo Swinney and Clemson, a rematch of a Week 1 matchup last year, won 17-10 by LSU. Each team is looking to bounce back from subpar 2025 seasons; LSU finished 3-5 in the SEC, Clemson was 4-4 in the ACC. Visit our DraftKings promo code review and get $200 in bonus bets as a new user after $5+ in wagers here:

Kickoff is set for 7:30 ET from Tiger Stadium in Baton Rogue, La. After opening at -9.5, host LSU is favored by 10 points in the latest Clemson vs. LSU odds, while the over/under is 50.5. LSU is -389 on the money line, while a Clemson win would return +306. Before making any LSU vs. Clemson picks, check out the Clemson vs. LSU predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model. 

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Enric Mas extended his lead of the Vuelta a Espana in a reverse result to the last time the race summited the Sierra de la Pandera, as Marco Brenner took his first grand tour stage win and only his third pro victory.

24-year-old Brenner was part of a four-rider group who got clear on the category-one final climb, chasing down a late flyer by Santiago Buitrago and passing him for the biggest win of his career.

“I think yes [it’s the best day of my career],” a beaming Brenner said. “I cannot really believe it yet, I wasn’t feeling super until now, not feeling like myself, struggling with some sickness early in the race and a crash.

“I really wanted to show myself and my teammates that I can be up there. On the final climb I could feel that I actually have the kick today, and in the end I started believing it. You live for days like today, I guess.”

Spain’s Mas lost time to rival and eventual champion Primoz Roglic when the race visited the Andalusian climb in the 2022 edition, one of two in which Mas has finished runner-up to the Slovenian.

But this time he added another 25 seconds to his lead over the four-time champion, accelerating away on the upper slopes on another day in which his Movistar squad got their tactics exactly right.

Roglic slipped to third overall, 2’10”, as Felix Gall – who could not be separated from the maillot rojo despite the Swiss rider’s best attempts – moved up to second, 2’06” behind Mas.

As expected all the drama came on the final climb of the day, Sierra de La Pandera, an 11.8km monster averaging 7.5% but with multiple sections – including towards the summit – of 15% and some hitting gradients of 17%.

The 154.5km stage from Jaen was the last major mountain stage of the second week, and as in previous days an enormous breakaway got up the road, with UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider Kevin Vermaerke the first to break clear.

The American attacked with 53km to go but his solo charge was brought to an end by Georg Steinhauser with 14km remaining.

The lead chopped and changed on the final climb until a final quartet was established, with Brenner reacting superbly to a late attack by king of the mountains leader Buitrago – despite being caught zipping up his jersey at the exact moment Buitrago launched.

Brenner bridged across quickly and edged ahead of him in the final kilometre, punching the air as he crossed the line.

The last time the Sierra de la Pandera featured in the Vuelta Richard Carapaz won the stage and his EF Education-EasyPost squad attempted to lead him out for more heroics this time around.

But Movistar wrestled back control, leading the peloton up the punishing slopes, until the Ecuadorian launched from a heavily reduced group of favourites. Only Gall, Mas and Roglic were able to keep pace with the former Giro d’Italia winner before he and Roglic were distanced.

Gall suffered a blow earlier in the stage as he lost a second key lieutenant in as many days: after Gregor Muhlberger abandoned during stage 13 Jordan Labrosse withdrew partway through stage 14, with the balance of power within the peloton shifting towards Movistar ahead of a difficult final week.

But the Swiss produced another fine climbing performance to leapfrog Roglic, a key move ahead of stage 18’s individual time trial, where Roglic is expected to gain significant ground on both Gall and Mas.

There were no other changes to the order of the top eight in the general classification, with Britain’s Oscar Onley remaining in fifth place and in the best young rider’s jersey, 5’44” behind Mas having lost another 1’15”.

The race continues on Sunday with a hilly 189.7km run from Palma del Rio to Cordoba.

In the Tour of Britain Cees Bol won stage 4 in Leyburn as British rider Lewis Askey lost the overall lead to Tim Wellens; the Belgian leads him by 21 seconds going into the final stage.

Enzo Le Fee scored a late penalty to rescue a point for Sunderland in a lively 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

It was a moment of redemption for the midfielder, who embarrassed himself with a botched panenka spot-kick on this ground last season.

Regis Le Bris’ side were comfortably beaten that day in January but here they bullishly refused to go down easily after falling behind to Vitaly Janelt’s half-volley early in the second half.

At that stage, they looked like paying the price for failing to take advantage of a first half they had dominated, a contentious and highly drawn-out VAR check chalking off a goal from Dan Ballard whilst Le Fee struck a post and Brentford clung on more by luck than by design.

Keith Andrews suffered the misfortune of losing his captain Nathan Collins inside 20 minutes, then having gone behind, gambled on three half-time changes that looked to have paid off in the shape of Janelt’s strike and three points.

Then, in the 82nd minute, substitute Wilson Isidor went down with Keane Lewis-Potter’s hands on him. A penalty was the decision and there was catharsis for Le Fee as he got it right from 12 yards.

Sunderland were excellent in the first half. Ballard finished smartly into the bottom corner after eight minutes before a VAR check determined Kevin Danso, on his debut, had strayed offside and blocked goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s view.

Collins was forced off after clashing with Noah Sadiki. Deprived of their captain, Brentford were inches away from falling behind moments later when Le Fee struck the post with a powerful shot from 10 yards.

Thomas Meunier ought to have done better when firing a first-time effort straight at substitute Jannik Schuster.

The home side were struggling with Sunderland’s physicality and directness, particularly the runs in behind by Meunier and Nilson Angulo, and the unyielding midfield stewardship of Granit Xhaka.

Brentford could count themselves lucky to be level at the break and Andrews responded with three changes, which did the trick.

Suddenly it was Sunderland who had no outlet, no means of escaping their own half, and just before the hour the hosts led.

Nordi Mukiele did well to adjust and head away a dangerous cross, but no team-mate in blue was there to help him and finish the job, with Janelt allowed to stride onto the ball 15 yards out and strike it sweetly into the top corner.

Lewis-Potter should have settled it but miscued a volley into the ground and over, then Anthony put the ball in the net but was penalised for taking the ball from the hands of goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

Kelleher got down well to keep out Isidor’s free-kick, but with 10 minutes to go Sunderland levelled.

Lewis-Potter had his hands on Isidor but the award of a penalty appeared generous. However, Le Fee sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to earn a point and make amends for his profligacy here at the start of the year.

History is aligning for Cavalry Girl as she aims to extend her winning streak in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.

Since the Moir Stakes was moved to an early September date in 2024, both subsequent winners, Baraqiel and Mornington Glory, had previously succeeded in the Carlyon Stakes (1000m) in the lead-up.

Cavalry Girl clinched the Carlyon Stakes at Sandown a mere two weeks ago and is aiming to maintain that perfect sequence when she contests the Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown this Saturday.

This year’s Moir Stakes is being held at Sandown as Moonee Valley is undergoing reconstruction, a factor that Cavalry Girl’s trainer Tom Dabernig is fully aware of.

Crucially, Cavalry Girl passed an important test when victorious in the Carlyon Stakes, proving she could handle the demanding uphill finish at Sandown.

Dabernig indicated it would be imprudent not to pursue a Group 1 win with Cavalry Girl, especially given her current excellent form.

Cavalry Girl has triumphed in four of her last five starts, including her last three consecutive races. Nevertheless, Dabernig understands the step up in class the mare faces on Saturday.

“That Carlyon form has traditionally been good into the Moir as well as that benchmark 100 that she won before that as well,” Dabernig commented.

“We’ll follow the pattern and see what she can run well again.

“I realise it’s going to be a different ballgame again, but she’s ticked that box having won at Sandown now and she’s a 1000-metre specialist.

“We might as well give it a go whilst she’s in form, as if you tip them out, you don’t know whether they will come back.

“You could also wait for races over Caulfield Cup week and Melbourne Cup week, and you miss your window.”

Having previously outpaced her rivals in victories at Morphettville and Caulfield Heath before her Carlyon Stakes win, Dabernig mentioned it was pleasing to see the mare relax off the pace.

“It was good to see her come back and prove that she doesn’t have to lead all-the-time,” Dabernig said.

“She is good down the straight (at Flemington) so we might give her a freshen after this for Cup week, but we’ll get over Saturday first and worry about that later.”

Ahead of the Moir Stakes, explore the available betting markets for the race at Australian betting sites.

Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle shares his “mixed feelings” on their late 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, describing the goals conceded by his side at St. James’ Park as “slapstick”.

MATCH REPORT: Newcastle United 2-2 Bournemouth

Available to UK users only.

The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Houston Astros on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. ET from Daikin Park, Houston, TX.

The Houston Astros enter at 73-69 (.514), while the Arizona Diamondbacks sit at 74-68 (.521). Ethan Pecko (1-0, 6.23 ERA) takes the mound for the Astros, while Brandon Pfaadt (7-2, 3.49 ERA) starts for the Diamondbacks.

Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.

How to Watch Diamondbacks vs. Astros

Players to Watch

Houston needs its biggest bat front and center in this matchup, and Alvarez has been that guy all season. He leads the Astros in home runs with 37, batting average at .317, and RBI with 94 while carrying a .434 on-base percentage and .601 slugging percentage. For a Houston lineup that ranks fifth in MLB with 184 home runs, he is the clearest game-changing threat.

This matchup puts extra weight on every middle-of-the-order plate appearance because Arizona’s pitching staff has been steadier than Houston’s over the full season, posting a 4.15 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Alvarez is the hitter most capable of cutting through that with one swing. When he is driving the ball, Houston’s offense looks far more dangerous.

For Arizona, Moreno stands out as the bat most likely to pressure Houston across multiple at-bats. He leads the Diamondbacks in batting average at .299 and is tied for the team lead with 68 RBI, while adding an excellent .379 on-base percentage and .467 slugging percentage. In a game where Arizona may need to string together quality plate appearances, his profile fits the moment.

The Astros’ pitching staff has allowed 588 walks this season, so Moreno’s ability to reach base and keep innings alive could shape the flow of the night. He gives Arizona a steady offensive anchor, and that matters against a Houston club fighting to protect first place in the AL West.

Speed changes the picture for Arizona in this matchup, and Carroll brings the most of it among the projected starters. He is expected to play after being in the lineup Wednesday despite lower-back discomfort, and his season line still shows impact: 19 home runs, 61 RBI, a .335 on-base percentage, a .466 slugging percentage, and 21 stolen bases.

Arizona’s 98 stolen bases rank tied for 11th in MLB this season, and Carroll can stress the Astros in ways that go beyond extra-base power. One sharp night from him can turn singles into scoring chances fast, like a spark catching dry grass.

Diamondbacks vs. Astros Odds

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