Teofimo Lopez has revealed who he believes is capable of handing Shakur Stevenson his first career defeat.

Stevenson has won all 25 of his fights to date, claiming world honours at featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, and super lightweight since making his debut back in April 2017.

His last triumph came against Lopez himself, earning a one-sided unanimous decision victory at Madison Square Garden in New York back in January to win the WBO title at 140lbs.

While Lopez was unable to get the better of Stevenson, he has now named the man who he feels has what it takes to end that unbeaten record.

In a feature with Daily Mail Sport, Lopez was discussing several possible match-ups in the welterweight division, where he was asked to predict who would win in a battle between Stevenson and current WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney.

“I think Devin Haney.”

Haney previously reigned as undisputed lightweight champion before then holding the WBC super-lightweight title, and he became a three-division world champion in November when he earned the WBO welterweight strap with a dominant points win over Brian Norman Jr.

Stevenson and Haney have been linked to a fight with one another for several months, but one sticking point appears to be the 144lb catchweight offer that has been bandied about the two camps.

It still remains to be seen whether or not a bout will come to fruition anytime soon, with Haney instead reportedly in talks for a showdown against fellow multi-weight world champion Gervonta Davis.

If you believe Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is one of the top defensive coaches in football, you are not alone. NFL writer Daniel Rios ranked all playcallers on defense this week, and unsurprisingly, Flores got his flowers.

Rankings for defensive coaches are rare, but this go-around, Flores checked in at No. 4.

Vikings Defense Keeps Its Loudest Advantage

Flores Earns 4th-Best Defensive Playcaller Ranking

Flores grabbed No. 4 on Rios’s list, and he explained the placement: “Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has completely transformed the team’s defensive identity since arriving. His aggressive approach forces offenses to play on his terms, using pressure packages and constantly changing looks to keep quarterbacks uncomfortable.”

“Few coordinators disguise pressure as effectively as Flores. His defenses often show six or seven potential rushers before dropping multiple defenders into coverage, creating hesitation and forcing quarterbacks into rushed decisions.”

Flores basically has a 100% approval rating among fans.

“Flores deserves credit for maximizing his personnel. Minnesota doesn’t always feature the league’s most talented defense, but its scheme consistently elevates players by putting them in a position to succeed,” Rios continued.

“The aggressiveness occasionally leaves his defenders vulnerable to explosive plays, but the overall results speak for themselves. Week after week, Flores creates game plans that completely alter how opposing offenses operate, cementing himself among the league’s elite playcallers.”

Deservedly So

The ranking won’t get any shade from any reasonable people, and if anything, it could be too low.

Since Flores took over the Vikings’ defense, it has fundamentally changed for the better. Here’s the money stat to know:

Only the Cleveland Browns have a better defense since 2023, mainly because former Brown Myles Garrett is such a tyrant. Minnesota’s 2022 campaign was undone by a strangely poor defense, marshaled by Ed Donatell, but it put its foot down during the 2023 offseason and onboarded Flores. Since then, defense has become the team’s calling card, a sweet perk for a team with an offense-first head coach in Kevin O’Connell.

He’ll Have an Offense Next to Him in 2026

Suddenly, the Vikings can be a serious team again. The offense might be back. In 2025, Minnesota finished with a 9-8 record despite showcasing the NFL’s fifth-least-efficient quarterback play, courtesy of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski signed Kyler Murray in March for $1.3 million, and he has the chance and the physical tools to unlock an offense that floundered last season and prevented a playoff berth. The Vikings were also a win away from taking the NFC North. That’s in play again with Murray in the house.

Minnesota will also showcase these weapons, an upgrade from last year due to the Jennings free-agent addition:

• Justin Jefferson
• Jordan Addison
• Jauan Jennings
• T.J. Hockenson
• Aaron Jones
• Jordan Mason
• Demond Claiborne

That revised group of playmakers could feast in 2026 if Murray lives up to his first overall draft stock in 2019. Flores’s defense won’t be asked to do it all — like last year.

Who’s the Best?

The league’s best defensive mind? Rios capitalized on Seattle Seahawks’ skipper Mike Macdonald’s Super Bowl triumph, naming him the top dog.

He wrote, “It’s hard not to have Mike Macdonald in the top spot after what he did last season with the Seattle Seahawks. He’s quickly become the NFL’s premier defensive playcaller after leading dominant defenses in Baltimore and Seattle.”

“He’s established himself as the coach every franchise hopes to find when building a championship defense. Macdonald’s greatest strength is unpredictability. His defense rarely shows quarterbacks the same picture before and after the snap, using disguised coverages, simulated pressures and changing personnel groupings to create confusion. Unlike aggressive coordinators, Macdonald generates pressure without relying on a ton of blitzes.”

Former Vikings Sam Darnold received much of the credit for the Seahawks’ unforeseen Super Bowl sprint, but the defense really did most of the heavy lifting.

Rios added, “He uses creative fronts and pressure packages to create one-on-one opportunities for pass rushers while keeping seven defenders available in coverage. What may be even more impressive is his adaptability.”

“Whether facing a run-heavy offense or an elite passing attack, Macdonald consistently adjusts his scheme to eliminate the opponent’s biggest strength. Combined with elite player development and good in-game adjustments, he enters the 2026 season as the NFL’s best defensive playcaller.”

Vic Fangio of the Philadelphia Eagles and Steve Spagnuolo from the Kansas City Chiefs checked in at No. 2 and 3, respectively.

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Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory against McCartney Kessler of the United States in their second round women’s singles match, at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

LONDON–World number one Aryna Sabalenka battled through a tough second set against American McCartney Kessler to reach the Wimbledon third round on Wednesday.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who has reached 14 successive major quarter-finals, won 6-1, 7-6 (11/9) on Court One to secure a last-32 meeting with former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko.

READ: Wimbledon rolls out stars in strong opening days

“That was a true battle and I’m super happy that I was able to stay in that second set to get into that tie-break,” said Sabalenka.

“She really tested me and I’m super happy to pass the test.”

Sabalenka has never won Wimbledon, losing in the semi-finals on each of her past three visits.

Kessler missed two set points when serving for the second set at 5-3 ahead, before Sabalenka fought back and took a tie-break, in which her 57th-ranked opponent saw another two set points come and go.

Oscar De La Hoya has revealed exactly what he made of Jaron Ennis‘ performance against Xander Zayas on Saturday.

Ennis was successful in his quest to become a two-division world champion as he earned a seventh round stoppage win over Zayas at the Barclays Center in New York.

With the WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles now in his possession, it appears that ‘Boots’ will either look to go in search of the other belts at 154lbs, or turn his attention to a long-awaited showdown with fellow unbeaten star Vergil Ortiz.

Ortiz is promoted by De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, but there have been legal issues in recent months that contributed to the clash between ‘Boots’ and Ortiz never coming to fruition.

It has been reported recently that those issues could be on the brink of getting resolved, with Ortiz said to be nearing a return to the ring.

With that in mind, De La Hoya has posted on social media praising Ennis for the performance against Zayas, before stating his desire to make ‘the biggest fight in boxing’ against Ortiz.

“Boots Ennis, what a great fight, you are a machine. Zayas a little inexperienced, but you will be back, you’re a great fighter. Let’s make the biggest fight in boxing today. Vergil Ortiz, Boots Ennis, let’s go.”

Ortiz hasn’t fought since defeating Erickson Lubin inside two rounds back in November, so may choose to have a fight in the interim before heading into a clash with Ennis, but it would certainly be a must-see bout if and when the 154lb showdown takes place.

Chelsea ace Cole Palmer has vowed to deliver an improved performance for the club in the 2026-27 season following his FIFA World Cup snub. The England international was overlooked for the Three Lions squad to the Mundial after failing to impress for much of the campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Palmer posted a video of himself in training ahead of the commencement of pre-season, and he got a comment from a fan, hoping to see him back to his best. The midfielder responded with his usual assuredness, promising the fan that he will be back to his best for the new season.

“@dutchieroberts we will be there”, he commented.

Cole Palmer failed to make Thomas Tuchel‘s FIFA World Cup squad after an injury-hit below par campaign for Chelsea. The 24-year-old managed ten goals in 26 league appearances, with his tenth and final goal coming on the final day of the season. The Blues finished a disappointing tenth in the league following a collapse in the second half of the campaign.

Palmer delivered moments of brilliance, such as when he scored a hat-trick against Wolves in February, but he failed to perform consistently. Tuchel’s snub has enabled the talented midfielder to get a rare summer off for the first time in four years.

Cole Palmer promises a fresh start under Xabi Alonso and with his injury problems firmly behind him. The number ten for Chelsea helped the club to win two titles in the 2024-25 season, and will look to reach those levels in the new campaign, once more.

Chelsea set date for pre-season resumption for non-FIFA World Cup players

Chelsea have announced the date for their players to resume pre-season training ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Blues are set to launch a new era under the management of Xabi Alonso, who joined as a replacement for Liam Rosenior, who was sacked after just 104 days in charge.

The Blues will have their players back on Thursday, July 9, for the commencement of pre-season under Alonso. This does not include their players who are at the FIFA World Cup with their various teams, as well as those who have been eliminated from the competition.

Chelsea have a light FIFA World Cup contingent, with the likes of Jorrel Hato and Moises Caicedo already eliminated and Reece James injured. The likes of Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto, Nicolas Jackson are all expected back a bit later following the tournament.

Alonso will enjoy the benefit of working with most of the squad from the start of pre-season, an opportunity that they were not afforded last summer. The players will proceed on a tour of Asia after a period of training in the club’s own training ground.