Tyson Fury has added one more name to his wish list if a clash with Anthony Joshua doesn’t come to fruition.

Negotiations for the fight between Fury and Joshua currently remain at an impasse due to disagreements over the location for the bout, with Fury and event organisers Sela wanting to stage it in New York, while Joshua and Eddie Hearn want it in the UK.

It led Fury to release a video earlier today stating he will soon put his attention elsewhere if there is no resolution soon, calling out world champions Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic for potential bouts.

‘The Gypsy King’ has now released a new video, stating that he is also happy to shift his focus to a trilogy with former rival Oleksandr Usyk, who is now working alongside Joshua as part of his training team.

“One man I forgot earlier when I speaking is Joshua’s Sensei Oleksandr. I know he’s a game man and a brave man and he doesn’t have any fights coming up. Let’s do that in the US. I’ll get a fair result here. It will be fair this time.

“Oleksandr, I am Achilles, and I am waiting for you sucker. Let’s run it back for the trilogy. If your boy is a sh**house and a coward and a yellowbelly, then I know you’ve got guts and you know I’m your biggest payday you’ll ever get.

“Like last time I will make it happen for you Usyk, let’s go rabbit, let’s go. I’m going to give this freak another few days and then I’m coming after you boy, I’m coming Sensei, let’s go.”

Fury famously had two fights with Usyk in 2024, losing them both on points, but the Ukrainian vacated his unified world heavyweight titles earlier this year and was believed to be targeting Deontay Wilder, but could now be tempted for a third meeting with Fury.

India storm into Asia Cup semis (Image: BCCI/X)

Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking 124 and a clinical bowling effort helped India crush Hong Kong by 137 runs in their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 clash in Dubai. After posting 193/5, India bowled Hong Kong out for just 56 in 16.2 overs to seal a massive win and book their place in the semi-finals.

Mandhana’s record-breaking assault

Hong Kong won the toss and elected to field, but Mandhana quickly put their decision under pressure. The India opener and Shafali Verma gave their side a strong start, with Verma smashing 28 off 17 balls before departing.Wickets began to fall regularly after the opening stand, but Mandhana continued to attack from one end. She reached her half-century in 40 balls before dramatically increasing the tempo, bringing up her century in just 57 deliveries.Mandhana finished with a sensational 124 off 64 balls, hitting 14 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 193.75. The innings took her to 18 international centuries, moving her past Meg Lanning’s tally of 17 and making her the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket.She also broke Chamari Athapaththu’s record for the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing the Sri Lankan’s unbeaten 119.Mandhana’s innings eventually ended in the final over when she was run out after a mix-up with Bharti Fulmali. Her dismissal, however, came after she had already powered India to a formidable 193/5.

India’s spinners choke Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s chase never got going as India’s spin-heavy attack strangled the batting lineup from the beginning. They slipped to 32/3 and struggled to score freely against India’s disciplined bowling.Deepti Sharma led the attack with 3/9 from three overs, removing key batters Natasha Miles and Yasmin Daswani while keeping the scoring rate under control. Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharma and Shree Charani then continued to chip away at the Hong Kong batting order.Marina Lamplough offered some resistance with 14, but Shree Charani eventually removed her before the lower order folded quickly. Nandani Sharma claimed two wickets, while Prema Rawat finished with two as India’s spinners kept the pressure on.Hong Kong were eventually bowled out for just 56 in 16.2 overs. Shree Charani completed the victory by stumping Shanzeen Shahzad after a sharp piece of work from Richa Ghosh.

The Furious Stakes is shaping up as a fascinating encounter between Chilly Girl, the winner of the Rosebud, and Pembrey, the victor of the Silver Shadow Stakes, as the early season three-year-old form continues to develop.

Both fillies have made their mark in the spring, with Chilly Girl showing determination to get past Blue Door in the Rosebud (1100m), and Pembrey displaying sustained speed to win the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) comfortably.

These two fillies are the leading contenders in a final field of ten for the second race in the Princess Series. They have the chance to build on their initial strong performances against a competitive field including Reisling Stakes winner Chayan, former Perth filly Striking Alibi, and Silver Shadow Stakes runner-up Bangkok Hottie.

Chilly Girl’s co-trainer, Sterling Alexiou, reported that the filly has made an excellent recovery from her first-up run, considering it was her first race since January and only her second career start.

“Even though she’d had a really good grounding, she was first-up after quite some time, and she really had to dig deep,” Alexiou said.

“She bounced through it incredibly well. She nearly could have backed up in the Silver Shadow.”

“She’ll take her place in the Furious and we expect her to run really well, then she’ll go on to the Tea Rose (Stakes),” he added.

The form from the Rosebud has been further validated, with Blue Door subsequently finishing second to the Golden Slipper hero Guest House in the San Domenico Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Chilly Girl has drawn favourably in barrier three, while Pembrey will start from gate seven, and the returning Chayan from the outside alley.

Tim Clark will continue his partnership with the Rosebud winner, and Alexiou confirmed that Chilly Girl has maintained her good form.

“She has trained on well. It’s going to be a pretty strong race, but we feel she’s right up to those better fillies,” he commented.

With the Furious Stakes on the horizon, the online bookmakers are offering competitive odds for the exciting contest.

Stefanos Tsitsipas was not surprised that Nick Kyrgios was suspended from tennis for drugs.

“Pretty much expected, to be honest,” Tsitsipas said. “I am surprised it came so late, though.” Kyrgios was banned earlier this month after he revealed he tested positive for cocaine in June when he was in Spain to play at an event. The Australian could be suspended for four years, though a lighter punishment is expected.

Tsitsipas was asked about Kyrgios on Monday after upsetting No. 10-seeded Arthur Fils in the first round of the U.S. Open.

“I mean, to be entirely honest with you, I knew about this before the announcement. Myself, I knew about it,” Tsitsipas said.

“So what can I tell you? I will just tell you the truth. I knew about all of this before any announcement was made, and when I saw it on social media, I was, like, Here we go.’ I kind of expected it, to be honest.” Tsitsipas and Kyrgios played a fiery match at Wimbledon in 2022, when Kyrgios reached his only Grand Slam final. Tsitsipas blasted a couple shots directly at Kyrgios, intentionally hit a ball into the crowd, and afterward called Kyrgios a “bully.” Kyrgios has largely battled injuries since and said when he was suspended that he had felt “helpless and alone,” though added that “none of that excuses what I did.” Nor did it come as a shock to Tsitsipas.

“I knew that those were things that were happening away from the tennis courts. I will tell you that,” he said. “I’m not going to try and cover up someone that I know the truth for. I’ll consider myself a nice person with everyone, but these were behaviors that I personally heard on the tour and heard other people in that same environment saying those sort of things to me.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan says he is “really keen” to host the proposed Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight at Wembley Stadium and has urged promoters to get in touch.

BBC Sport understands Saudi organisers Sela have contacted the mayor’s office in recent weeks about bringing the long-awaited contest to the national stadium.

However, with organisers and broadcaster Netflix understood to favour New York’s Madison Square Garden for a November bout, sources close to the discussions say talks over a London venue have not progressed, with no detailed talks over dates or timings.

“A message to the promoters – we want to host it in London. Talk to us, we’re really keen to have it,” Khan told BBC Sport on Thursday.

Wembley Stadium’s usual curfew is 23:00, although Khan has previously indicated he would support efforts to bring the fight to London.

A late-night fight in London – potentially in the early hours – could mean it draws a larger television audience in the US.

Brent Council, the local authority involved in any approval, has said a potential extension of the curfew would need to be assessed by Wembley’s safety advisory group.

It remains unclear how late that curfew could be pushed back.

“Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are two great British boxers. Both have been world champions,” Khan said.

“They both recognise and love the fans in this country who have supported them throughout their careers, amateur and professional.

“Wembley has hosted many fantastic events, including bouts involving Tyson and Anthony. We, the fans, want to see them box live in London.”

There is hope that the venue will be finalised within the coming days. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has said he wants an announcement this week, with a news conference to follow next week.

The Houston Astros have essentially owned the American League West for a decade now, winning seven division titles, four American League pennants and two World Series championships. However, the Astros’ divisional dominance could be up for grabs, as the organization must manage an aging roster and a likely need for new leadership in multiple positions. 

On Tuesday, a new threat entered the proverbial AL West chat, with a resume that features a championship-winning pedigree across every major sport on two continents.

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Billionaire team owner Stan Kroenke and Kroenke Sports Entertainment (KSE) entered into a definitive agreement on Tuesday to purchase the Los Angeles Angels from the Arte Moreno family for a reported MLB-record $4 billion. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027.

“The Angels are a storied franchise anchored in a great market,” Kroenke said in a statement released by both the Angels and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. “We look forward to an exciting future with the Angels organization.”

Why should Astros worry about Stan Kroenke?

Kroenke, who owns four franchises across four leagues, will likely bring a fresh perspective to a franchise that’s been moribund and listless. The Angels are on track to miss the postseason for the 12th straight year and have essentially wasted the prime years of two of the best baseball talents of a generation in Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. 

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Under Kroenke’s leadership, his teams have all won titles in the past five years, including: 

• NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, 2021

• NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, 2022

• NBA’s Denver Nuggets, 2023

• English Premier League’s Arsenal, 2026

A championship standard is now attainable KSE’s as foundation for success, not just an aspirational one. Josh Kroenke, Arsenal’s co-chairman, demonstrated these aspirations when hiring Andrea Berta as the club’s new sporting director. 

“I went to Andrea, and I laid out our championship rings,” Josh Kroenke said to James Benge of CBS in May. “I said: ‘This is what we’re here for. So as we start to shape our thinking, know this is what we’re going for.’ He was looking at them pretty close!”

Could Angels become MLB’s next premier destination?

KSE isn’t simply purchasing a baseball team; they’re buying back into Southern California in an area that’s highly valuable yet wholly undeveloped in Orange County. Kroenke’s institutional knowledge means there is a real possibility of turning an aging ballpark and sports district into another year-round real estate and entertainment engine.

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“The addition of the Angels to the KSE portfolio creates the opportunity for a year-round Southern California calendar of events,” reads a statement from KSE on their future strategy. 

The Angels sit on land-currently owned by the City of Anaheim-that could ultimately be more valuable than the team itself. Angel Stadium sits on approximately 150 acres, with surrounding areas potentially up for grabs. In fact, KSE recently developed SoFi Stadium as the anchor of a 300-acre Hollywood Park entertainment district focused on retail, offices, residences and hotels. 

The Angels’ reputation has suffered greatly under previous ownership, as the squandering of talents like Ohtani and Moreno has coincided with reports of downsizing in scouting, development and organizational resources. KSE’s ownership has continually focused on stadium upgrades, revamped clubhouses, sports science investment and family-friendly facilities for players.

That type of resource commitment is enough to attract marquee players to any organization, but offering a Southern California lifestyle that includes year-round good weather, access to beaches, major entertainment opportunities, and increased endorsement potential can be a big joker in negotiations. 

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“Kroenke’s got a track record of success and winning championships with his teams,” Trout said to reporters on Tuesday. “I’m super excited about it and can’t wait to meet him.”

Just ask the Los Angeles Dodgers about offering such a benefit to free agents. 

Houston’s leadership questions arrive at dangerous time

The Astros already booted their general manager in August, and Joe Espada’s tenure as manager is clearly in doubt. Moreover, Astros owner Jim Crane has already shown hesitancy to spend big, instead relying on a cautious, methodical approach. 

That strategy served the Astros well during their title-winning run, as their roster was stacked with future Hall of Famers and a minor league system stocked with future All-Stars. The club also featured rising stars in various leadership positions that proved to be innovative (and at times, too clever) before moving on to other teams. Playing in a warm-weather city with lucrative tax benefits has always been a plus, but for some, playing in Southern California has an appeal all its own. 

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The AL West includes teams that are either resource-rich but inconsistent, like the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, or struggling significantly, such as the Athletics and Angels. In this environment, being consistently competent has been key to success, as the Astros have demonstrated for over a decade. But 2026 has proven how low the bar is for competency. 

“The reality is no AL West team really deserves to reach the postseason this year. All five teams deserve to go home at the end of September,” Yahoo MLB insider Russell Dorsey said in August. “But it doesn’t work that way in baseball. So we all have to resign ourselves to watching maybe the saddest division race MLB has ever seen.”

The Astros have a 138-89 record against the Angels since joining the AL West in 2013, but competency has now landed in Southern California. The Astros should prepare themselves accordingly. 

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This article originally published at Astros’ AL West dominance may face a $4 billion threat in Southern California.

The NBA has handed the LA Clippers one of the most severe punishments in league history after an investigation found the organization violated salary cap circumvention rules involving Kawhi Leonard.

The Clippers must forfeit five first-round draft picks, one each in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts, and pay a $30 million fine.

The NBA’s independent investigation found that the Clippers helped create off-court income opportunities for Leonard through four companies doing business with the team: Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance. The league said the organization facilitated endorsement agreements, offered business to the companies to induce those deals, and paid personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives.

Leonard was also penalized and must pay the NBA $700,000. His former business manager, Dennis Robertson, has been banned from conducting business or otherwise engaging with NBA teams and their affiliates on behalf of players or other league personnel for five years.

The punishment also reaches the Clippers’ leadership. Owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended from all league and team activities for one year, while President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker received a one-year suspension without pay. President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank was suspended without pay for six months.

The Clippers will also be placed under a league-supervised compliance and monitoring program for five years.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said:

 “I am deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers’ institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct. The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations.”

The NBA and NBPA have agreed that the penalties are final and binding on all parties.

James Toney is clear with who he believes is the current number one pound-for-pound fighter in boxing.

Toney knows exactly what it is like to be viewed as one of the best around, having been at his peak in the mid 1990s, going unbeaten in his first 46 bouts before a loss to Roy Jones Jr in November 1994.

‘Lights Out’ would last compete in 2017 after 92 professional contests, with his stellar career seeing him become a three-division world champion at middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight.

While fighters such as Naoya Inoue and Oleksandr Usyk are often mentioned in pound-for-pound debates, it is another man who has reigned at both super middleweight and cruiserweight that Toney feels is the best around.

That is because the American Hall of Famer has told About Boxing that he believes David Benavidez is the current top dog in the sport.

Benavidez has an unbeaten record of 32-0, and having previously been a two-time WBC super middleweight champion, he stepped up to 175lbs in 2024 and became the WBC light heavyweight champion after wins over the likes of David Morrell and Anthony Yarde.

His most impressive win to date arguably came last time out though, heading up to cruiserweight and dethroning Gilberto Ramirez inside six rounds to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.

Benavidez now looks set to return in December against WBC interim champion Michal Cieslak, where the bout could yet be for the full WBC belt due to current champion Noel Mikaelian choosing to face Jai Opetaia rather than ‘The Mexican Monster.’

South African aviation authorities are reviewing a low-altitude flyover by two Airlink passenger planes at an international rugby match in Cape Town last weekend.

The regional airline, meanwhile, said it had canceled another flypast scheduled for Saturday’s rugby test between South Africa and New Zealand in Johannesburg this weekend, citing unfavorable weather.

In a statement, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said it was carrying out a “compliance verification” of the August 29 flyover at Cape Town’s DHL stadium to ensure “all safety protocols were adhered to by the crew.”

Footage of the flyby, showing two planes in formation passing over the crowd, was widely shared on social media and prompted discussion about potential safety risks.

According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the lead aircraft passed less than 15 meters (50 ​feet) above the top of the packed stadium.

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What did SACAA and Airlink say?

The SACAA said it was analyzing flight data provided by Airlink and would go over additional information requested from the carrier before issuing a report.

The regulator said the airline had made applications for the flyovers, which were approved in line with the requirements for special air events.

Airlink, for its part, said the maneuver had been carefully planned and rehearsed, with safety being “the first consideration at every stage of the process.” 

It said each aircraft had three senior captains on board with a combined 75,000 hours of flying experience.

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Nevertheless, it also recognized what it described as the “valid questions and concerns.”

Airlink Chief Executive de Villiers Engelbrecht said the decision had been made to withdraw plans for this weekend’s stadium flypast in Johannesburg because “the forecast weather points to unfavorable ⁠conditions for a ​safe formation flyby.”

A history of flybys in rugby

Stadium flybys have long been tradition at major rugby matches in South Africa, dating back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg, when a Boeing 747 swept overhead before the Springboks faced the All Blacks.

The SACAA said in a statement that South Africa “is ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for our aviation safety standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization.”

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There have been no fatal accidents in its commercial airline operations space for over four decades, it added.

The history of Black rugby in South Africa

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