There are four championships on the line Sunday night in Minneapolis as SummerSlam enters its second day

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Aug 2, 2026

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Canelo Alvarez lost as a super-middleweight for the first time in his career when he was trumped by Terence Crawford last September, and the Mexican superstar has opened up on the ‘strange’ pre-fight feeling that he had when heading into that fight.

Until that night, Canelo had been the only fighter in history to have claimed the undisputed super-middleweight world title – and he had done it twice.

His second reign came to an end when Crawford proved that he belongs amongst the greats as he dramatically jumped up in weight and dethroned Canelo, who was outboxed down the stretch in a clash that will live long in the memory.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Canelo admitted that he had no issues in camp, but declared that his mind was not focussed when heading into the showdown against ‘Bud’

“I did everything good in the training camp, but my mind wasn’t there. I don’t know why but I feel like it wasn’t there.

“I was thinking about other things, a lot of things were happening in the fight week, sometimes we are going out of basics. Focus on the fight, focus on boxing.

“Like I say, I did everything good in the camp, I always train very hard, but it’s not just that. You can be physically ready, but if your mind is not there it is not the same.”

Continuing, the 67-fight veteran went on to state that he felt like he wasn’t there whilst making his ring walk, but maintained that he is not making excuses and that he needs to move on from the defeat. 

“I just cannot tell you how that happened, it just happened and I need to learn about what happened. I don’t want to victimise myself, it has already happened, I need to move forward, right? I just need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. 

“[The feelings] were there [on the ring walk]. I wasn’t doubting myself but I felt like I wasn’t there, it is a very strange feeling, but I know what I don’t need to do again.”

Canelo will challenge for the WBC super-middleweight world title against Christian Mbilli in on Saturday, October 31, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as he looks to regain world honours at the first attempt.

As time has gone on, politics and sports have continued to merge more closely together in the cultural fabric.

NFL legend Rob Gronkowski played for 11 seasons, from 2010 to 2021, and said that as his career went on, there were more political discussions in the locker room. However, the New England Patriots great said they didn’t have as big an impact on the team as many people perceived.

“I would say the conversations and awareness grew, but it didn’t really make a significant impact, like it wasn’t like skyrocketing like it, that it seemed like on the outside. It wasn’t like that in the inside,” Gronkowski told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

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Rob Gronkowski attends WrestleMania 42 Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 19, 2026. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE)

The four-time Super Bowl champion said the team’s lone goal was to win games, and political discussions were not going to interfere with that.

“It’s not political in the locker room. We’re all together as one, and that’s what it’s all about. And that’s how I believe it should be all about, is that we have one purpose. It was to win games and it was to be the best football team,” Gronkowski said.

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Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots gains yards against the Kansas City Chiefs during an AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., on Jan. 15, 2016. (Bob Breidenbach/The Providence Journal/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end, who spoke to Fox News Digital on behalf of a recent partnership with eBay, discussed how football is a unifier because everyone’s accepted.

“The politics really never get in the way in the locker room and that’s a good thing and that’s what makes football so great, is that everyone’s accepted. No matter what your culture is, no matter what your political views are, and that’s why I love sports.” Gronkowski said.

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New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski gets a high five from head coach Bill Belichick after his third quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 14, 2014. (MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

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Gronkowski is one of the greatest tight ends of all time. He spent nine seasons with the Patriots before retiring in 2019. He came out of retirement in 2020 and played with the Buccaneers and Tom Brady for two seasons before retiring again.

In 11 seasons, the five-time Pro Bowler caught 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Sometimes, the Vikings news is so abundant that Vikings Territory doesn’t give each item its own piece. Opting for a quick-hitter summary can therefore be helpful.

Over the past week, there has been health chatter about DT Caleb Banks, LT Christian Darrisaw, CB James Pierre, and even EDGE Jonathan Greenard. Minnesota’s cap space has come into focus and there’s been praise for guys like TE Gavin Bartholomew and WR Jordan Addison. There may have even been a QB piece or two (or three). Consider some of the other bits of Vikings news.

Vikings News: 5 Quick Items

1 — Ian Rapoport Says J.J. McCarthy is Being Challenged

Check out what the NFL insider had to say. Decide for yourself whether you feel he’s onto something or whether it’s just good TV:

Might the Minnesota Vikings discussion benefit from a hearty helping of Tom Pelissero?

2 — DB Coach Gerald Alexander Suspended for DWI

People make mistakes. I don’t mean for that basic proclamation to be flippant. Rather, the point is to say that I’m not willing to write off the coach for making a bad mistake.

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Consider what ESPN’s Kevin Seifert had to say: “The Vikings have suspended DBs coach Gerald Alexander for three weeks in response to an arrest for drunken driving this spring.”

More from Seifert: “According to the statement of probable cause, an Edina police officer encountered Alexander passed out in his car at 4:01 a.m. in the middle of an intersection.”

At minimum, Coach Alexander needs to ensure this never happens again. Even better will be if he works toward ensuring those around him don’t make the same mistake.

3 — Former Vikings Passer Got Fired Due to Injury

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Lots of shuffling during this portion of the calendar. Unfortunately, that led to a former Vikings employee being shown the door.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter: “Falcons released veteran QB Trevor Siemian with a non-football injury designation.”

Ironically, Atlanta picked up Cooper Rush. He was looking like the emergency option if injury strikes.

4 — Justin Jefferson Joins the WWE (Not Really)

Nothing to add. Here’s the clip:

Justin Jefferson welcomes @WWE SummerSlam to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis this weekend.

Stream both nights of the event live on the ESPN App. pic.twitter.com/JboXM5smho

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— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2026

5 — Adrian Peterson is Getting Honored at U.S. Bank Stadium

Nobody has ever done it better in a Vikings uniform.

No doubt, his story is one of a very flawed human being who has made some terrible mistakes away from the game. On the field he was pure magic. NFL athletes are all rugged athletes who can function within violent confines. Peterson often made these players look foolish with his explosive power.

He’ll now be honored in front of fans.

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

Jaismine Lamboria at Commonwealth Games© Getty Images

Kelsey Plum is headed to Phoenix.

The Los Angeles Sparks traded the five-time All-Star guard to the Phoenix Mercury late Saturday night in exchange for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.

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The blockbuster deal came just hours before Sunday afternoon’s WNBA trade deadline and sent the biggest available name on the market to a Mercury team trying to make another postseason run.

LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) reacts at the end of the first half against the Golden State Valkyries at Crypto.com Arena. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

Plum, a two-time WNBA champion, has not played since June 21 because of a lower left leg injury. She was expected to return Sunday against the Portland Fire on a minutes restriction, though it is not yet clear whether she will be available when Phoenix visits the Chicago Sky on Monday.

The 31-year-old was putting together one of the best statistical seasons of her career before the injury. Plum is averaging 23.9 points and 6.4 assists through 12 games — both career highs — and led the league in scoring earlier this season.

Her time in Los Angeles lasted only a season and a half.

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Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives past Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins (7) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. (Jayne Kamin/Oncea-Imagn Images)

The Sparks acquired Plum before the 2025 season in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick, hoping the veteran guard could help accelerate a rebuild centered around Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. Seattle eventually used that selection on Dominique Malonga, who became an All-Star in her second season.

But the gamble never produced the turnaround Los Angeles envisioned.

The Sparks missed the playoffs in 2025 and currently sit at 10-17 after losing six straight games. They have gone just 2-9 during Plum’s latest absence and are in danger of missing the postseason for a sixth consecutive year.

MERCURY’S NOW-DELETED SOCIAL MEDIA POST MOCKING CAITLIN CLARK DRAWS SCRUTINY AFTER STAR’S INJURY

Los Angeles also parted ways with general manager Raegan Pebley in July, leaving assistant general managers Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen in charge on an interim basis.

Plum was set to become a free agent after the season and reportedly did not plan to re-sign with the Sparks, making her the league’s most prominent trade candidate ahead of the deadline. The New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream had also shown interest.

Alyssa Thomas side-steps ugly Caitlin Clark foul, claims to be receiving threats. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Instead, she lands with a Phoenix team that appears determined to keep pushing forward despite its own disappointing record. The Mercury are 11-19 and six games behind the eighth-place Liberty for the final playoff spot.

So Plum has her work cut out for her.

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She should immediately provide Phoenix with another proven scorer, secondary playmaker and championship-tested guard. She could also take some of the offensive burden away from Alyssa Thomas, who leads the Mercury with 8.3 assists per game.

The move marks only the fourth time in WNBA history that an All-Star has been traded during the season.

The rich get richer, or in the case of the Los Angeles Dodgers trading for Tarik Skubal, the best simply get better.

As first reported by ESPN late Saturday evening, the back-to-back American Cy Young winner with the Detroit Tigers is heading to play for the two-time defending World Series champions in a deal sending three prospects to the Motor City.

The Tigers are shipping Skubal to Los Angeles in exchange for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-hand relievers Brady Smith and River Ryan. MLB currently ranks the 21-year-old Hope as the No. 25 prospect in baseball.

Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers delivers his 1,000th strikeout pitch against Taylor Ward of the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Comerica Park on July 29, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

MLB’S SALARY CAP PROPOSAL WON’T FIX THE LEAGUE’S NON-EXISTENT COMPETITIVE BALANCE PROBLEMS

Skubal, who is set to become a free agent this upcoming offseason, underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in May after making seven starts for Detroit to begin the campaign. The 29-year-old ultimately missed just six months following the procedure and made his return to the bump in mid-June.

Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers looks on from the pitchers mound during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park on July 29, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. The Orioles defeated the Tigers 10-9 in 12 innings. (Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Skubal, 7-5 as a starter this season, is owed the remainder of his $32 million salary, but will not be eligible to receive a qualifying offer from the Dodgers due to the trade taking place during the season.

With the Dodgers already being the favorite to win what would be a third-straight World Series title this fall, the organization acquiring one of the best arms in baseball doesn’t necessarily add excitement for fans of teams around the league with the postseason fast approaching.

The fact that the Dodgers were the team to land Skubal in exchange for just three prospects – a deal the majority of contenders around the league presumably could have also offered Detroit – is perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the situation for all non-Dodger fans looking on.

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Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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No fanbase in Major League Baseball is more dumbfounded by the move than Detroit fans themselves, with the Tigers sitting just 2.5 games out of the Wild Card in the American League. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have a 10-game lead in the National League West while boasting a 69-42 record.

Skubal made his last start for the Tigers on July 29 and could make his Los Angeles debut in the coming days with the Dodgers playing visitors to the Chicago Cubs for a three-game series beginning on Monday.

England tried to rally themselves following their semi-final defeat by New Zealand, but came up against a Diamonds team recovering from one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history.

Australia – who had previously been in every Commonwealth final and won the tournament four times – were stunned by Jamaica on Saturday afternoon, giving them less time to recover for the bronze-medal match than England.

The Roses worked hard to shut down the Diamonds’ forward-passing options from the start, but the team in green and gold found their rhythm with devastating consequences, overturning an early 9-7 deficit to lead 19-11 in a bruising first-quarter spell for the Roses.

Stembridge’s side, who lost 66-47 to the same opponents in the pool stage, then lacked impetus in the second period, showing signs of tired legs against one of the world’s most established shooting partnerships in Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin.

A loose pass from England captain Fran Williams allowed Austin to calmly extend the gap to 28-16 and her side kept the margin steady, resulting in a half-time score of 35-24.

The presence of substitute shooter Eleanor Cardwell in the third quarter helped the Roses score five without reply to trail 45-34, but they were still 49-36 behind with 15 minutes left to play.

Bronze is not a colour of medal that Australia ever imagined they would be playing for, but what seemed just as important to them was reminding the world what they are capable of and why they have been such feared opponents.

In that sense, Stacey Marinkovich’s Diamonds shone as ultimate professionals, and England again came up short against a top side, losing by one less point than the pool stage match between the teams.

“It’s so tough after we lost yesterday and the disappointment of not making a final, to pull yourself up. I’m just so proud of the girls, the fight that we had through this 10 days to keep showing up and responding,” Williams told BBC Sport.

“Probably a few of our errors came through that fatigue and the mental drain that being in tournament netball is, and that is no excuse.

“For so many of us, 10 of us, that was our first Commonwealth Games experiencing that and maybe that showed in a final-day game where you’ve got to turn it on when medals are on that line.

“I’m not going away from that World Cup next year without a medal and standing on that podium, hopefully with a gold, so we’ll be doing as much as we can in the next 12 months to make sure that we are in a better position to fight in these final games.”

It’s hard to find any real flaws in Dan Lanning’s first four seasons leading the Oregon football program.

He inherited a strong foundation left behind by Mario Cristobal but has taken the Ducks to new heights since taking over the flock.

Oregon has won 10-plus games in each of his first four seasons, including 13 in each of the last two seasons since the team made a leap up in difficulty by joining the Big Ten. The Ducks were the No. 1 seed in the 2024 College Football Playoff before making a quarterfinal exit and advanced to the 2025 CFP semifinals before running into the Indiana buzzsaw.

Since Lanning arrived for the 2022 season, Oregon’s 48-8 record is tied with Ohio State for the second-best in the country, trailing only Georgia.

This season, though, presents a new challenge for Lanning. Will Stein, his offensive coordinator the last three seasons, is now the head coach at Kentucky. Tosh Lupoi, his defensive coordinator for his entire Oregon tenure, is now the head coach at Cal.

Drew Mehringer and Chris Hampton were in-house promotions to replace them as offensive and defensive coordinator, respectively.

That makes this a year where Lanning can prove Oregon’s success has been firmly on his shoulders and that the Ducks will remain contenders as long as he’s in charge.

“Nobody’s going to have higher expectations for our team than us,” Lanning said Wednesday at Big Ten media days in Chicago. “We’re the guys in the building doing the work every single day. Certainly really proud of the team and the work they’ve put in. We have high expectations. We’ve got a lot that we want to accomplish.”

The good news for Lanning is that the 2025 roster is largely still intact in Eugene. Oregon returns 14 starters from last year’s team and sits 11th nationally in ESPN’s returning production rankings.

Lanning is already seeing the difference.

“Last year, I felt like we had a team that had a ton of talent. This year, we have a team that has a lot of experience returning,” Lanning said. “A lot of those young guys that played are guys that have great experience. I am excited to see what that looks like.”

Quarterback Dante Moore, who threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, chose to run it back with the Ducks instead of almost certainly going to the New York Jets as the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

The public is clearly believing in Lanning’s squad, with Oregon tied for the third-best odds (+750) to win the national title this season, according to DraftKings.

Lanning likewise believes, telling ESPN on Wednesday that his team is “close” to bringing home the program’s elusive first national championship.

The 2026 season would be quite a time for him to break through and become the fifth active FBS coach who has won a national championship.