Ahead of his comeback, Errol Spence Jr has opened up on his extended layoff from the world of boxing, revealing whether a return to the sport was always definite.
Spence maintained his undefeated record through 27 fights to announce himself as the welterweight standout, defeating Kell Brook to claim the IBF world title before unifying the WBC and WBA titles with wins over Shawn Porter and Yordenis Ugas respectively.
‘The Truth’ has not fought since, but his comeback against Australia’s Tim Tszyu has now been formally announced, as the Long Island-born southpaw seeks to prove that he still has plenty to offer.
Although, speaking with Main Event, Spence revealed that he considered retirement after his devastating defeat to Crawford, but now believes that his inactivity has served him well.
“Definitely, there were thoughts of retirement, but I feel rejuvenated. That long layoff has definitely helped me physically, it has definitely helped me mentally and I am ready to show everybody whatI have got left because I am sure there are a lot of doubters.
“A lot of people will be saying ‘oh, he is going to be a shell of himself’ or ‘he can’t come back’, but they always say that, eye injury, they said the same thing, car crash, they said the same thing, they are going to continue saying the same thing and they are just adding fuel to my fire.”
Tszyu-Spence will take place in Australia on July 25.
Thanks to Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, Arsenal have won their 14th league title.
Southampton have been banned from the Championship play-off final for spying on their opponents’ training session. Fribourg and Aston Villa will face each other in the Europa League final. Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from Wimbledon. Filippo Ganna dominated the 10th stage of the Giro.
FILE – Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is seen in the first half of an NBA basketball game, March 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
DALLA — Jason Kidd is out as coach of the Dallas Mavericks after five NBA seasons, and two weeks after the club hired former Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as team president and governor.
The team said Tuesday it was parting ways with Kidd, describing the move as a mutual decision. The Hall of Fame point guard led the franchise to its only championship as a player in 2011.
When asked about the future of Kidd at his introduction on May 5, Ujiri was noncommittal, saying he would talk to Kidd while evaluating all aspects of the team.
“As we evaluate the future of our basketball program, we believe this is the right moment for a new direction for our team,” Ujiri said in a statement. “We have high expectations for this franchise and a responsibility to build a basketball organization capable of sustained championship contention.”
Kidd, who didn’t respond to a request for comment, made two deep playoff runs with Luka Doncic, reaching the NBA Finals in 2024, two years after a loss to Golden State in the Western Conference finals.
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The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 season, getting Anthony Davis as the centerpiece in a deal that backfired badly on the franchise. Dallas missed the playoffs that season and again in 2025-26.
The 53-year-old Kidd had said he was looking forward to developing 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, who won Rookie of the Year. Instead, that task will fall to someone else.
Kidd finished with a .500 regular-season record (205-205) with the Mavericks, an appropriate illustration of the up-and-down nature of his tenure.
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The run to the West finals came in his first season, when Dallas stunned the favored Phoenix Suns in Game 7 on the road in the second round. The Mavericks lost in five games to the Warriors, who won the title.
Then-general manager Nico Harrison traded for Kyrie Irving the next season, but injuries to him and Doncic limited their chances to be an elite scoring pair. Dallas missed the playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Nico Harrison, left, and head coach Jason Kidd, right, pose for photos with the No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg, center, following an NBA basketball press conference at the team’s practice facility Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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In their only healthy season together in 2023-24, Doncic and Irving led the Mavericks to the Finals for the first time since Kidd helped Dallas win it all.
Nine months later, Harrison shocked the NBA with the trade of Doncic. Because of injuries, Irving and Davis played together for just 2 1/2 quarters.
Harrison was fired early in the 2025-26 season, after a slow start and with Davis injured again. Davis was later traded to Washington, and despite plenty of brilliant play from Flagg, the Mavericks finished 26-56.
Dallas becomes the fourth team with a coaching vacancy, joining Orlando, Chicago and Portland. The Trail Blazers were led by Tiago Splitter in an interim role this season. Since the regular season ended, Milwaukee has hired Taylor Jenkins and New Orleans brought in Jamahl Mosley.
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Of the 12 coaches to take teams to the NBA Finals since 2019, seven are no longer with those clubs — including four who won championships: Nick Nurse with Toronto in 2019; Frank Vogel with the Lakers in 2020; Mike Budenholzer with Milwaukee in 2021; and Michael Malone with Denver in 2023.
The other coaches who went to the Finals since 2019 and are no longer with those teams: Monty Williams (Phoenix in 2021), Ime Udoka (Boston in 2022) and Kidd.
Kidd has a 388-395 record in nine-plus seasons as a head coach. He became a coach immediately after retiring as a player, leading Brooklyn to the second round of the playoffs in 2013-14. He bolted for Milwaukee, where he was fired in the middle of his fourth season.
After two seasons as an assistant with the Lakers, including their 2020 title run in the playoff bubble with LeBron James and Davis, Kidd was hired by the Mavericks.
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Ujiri told reporters not to read anything into him being noncommittal about Kidd’s return, saying the incumbent lasted several years as coach in each of the previous times he was hired to run basketball operations, with Toronto and Denver.
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Terrell Owens accused his former manager of over 15 years of stealing money from him while working for him.
The Hall of Fame receiver posted a photo of an email pointing out alleged funds and a screen recording of a text exchange between the two in which Owens called out Heather Mesalam for “stealing.”
“I’m posting this because (Heather Mesalam) has handled my business affairs for 15+ years and I discovered on last Oct 3rd that she had stolen from me. The video screenshot puts everything in perspective,” Owens said in a lengthy Instagram caption.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens stands on the sideline during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 28, 2008.(Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
The photo of the email shows Owens’ apparent funds and expenses that Mesalam emailed him, which includes the line, “Me – 1500.”
Owens said in a message that those funds were “without my knowledge.”
“A PERSON CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH! Growing up my grandmama said there’s 2 people she can’t stand…A LIAR and A THIEF… When you’re managing someone’s affairs and getting paid to do it, you have to be accountable for it!” Owens said. “I haven’t always used my voice when I should but I GOT TIME TODAY.”
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Owens said he debated putting the business out in public “because of the many questions I would receive of what and/or why,” but “with the recent deaths of football players by suicide and for my own mental sanity I need to get this off my chest.”
“Because if ‘I’ had stolen from someone, I’d be ALL OVER the news, media, talking heads at ESPN would be having a field day with it along with blogs where my reputation and character would be questioned and destroyed ruining business opportunities and relationships,” Owens continued.
Former NFL player Terrell Owens looks on from the sideline prior to a game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sept. 25, 2023.(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“Heather Mesalam(mezchick), it’s people like you that think that you can just steal from me and think that you’re going to get away with it. Trust me, with ALL that I’ve been through with former agents like Drew and Jason Rosenhaus, the financial advisor Jeff Rubin that they referred me to upon signing with them where they mismanaged football earnings, paying extraordinary child support payments and more.”
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Rubin was linked to a scandal that involved several NFL players combining to lose over $40 million from 2008 to 2011.
“It’s stuff like this that people don’t see and may consider small but it’s what triggers us as athletes and those that have committed suicide in what some call, a selfish act,” Owens continued.
Owens also confirmed that Mesalam, “who stole from me,” “no longer [works] for me in any capacity” and implored his fans not to worry about him.
Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Terrell Owens stands on the field at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, before Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 11, 2024.(Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports)
Fox News Digital reached out to Mesalam for comment.
The former San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys star earned almost $80 million in his career from on-field contracts and endorsements, according to Spotrac.
Tournament: Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Club des Cheminots, Rabat, Morocco
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Category: WTA 250
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: $283,347
Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports
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Alycia Parks vs Jil Teichmann preview
Alycia Parks at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2026. (Source: Getty)
Eighth seed Alycia Parks will square off against Jil Teichmann in the second round of the Rabat Open 2026.
Parks was up against Moyuka Uchijima in the first round. The American raised her level halfway through the opening set, reeling off four consecutive games to clinch the opener. She went down a break to fall behind 2-4 in the second set but went on another four-game run to score a 6-2, 6-4 win.
Teichmann commenced her run at the Rabat Open against Julia Grabher. The Swiss rallied from a break down to capture the first set. There were multiple momentum shifts in the second set, which was ultimately decided via a tie-break. Teichmann came out on top in it to register a 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory.
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Alycia Parks vs Jil Teichmann head-to-head
This will be the first career meeting between the duo, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0 for now.
Alycia Parks vs Jil Teichmann odds
Player
Moneyline
Handicap Bets
Total Games
Alycia Parks
-145
+1.5 (-350)
Over 21.5 (-120)
Jil Teichmann
+110
-1.5 (+225)
Under 21.5 (-120)
(Odds via BetMGM)
Alycia Parks vs Jil Teichmann prediction
Jil Teichmann at the US Open 2025. (Source: Getty)
Parks improved her record on clay at the main draw level to 4-5 with her latest win. She will now aim to win back-to-back main draw matches on clay for the first time this season.
Teichmann tallied her very first win at the WTA level this season by beating Grabher. It also marked her first main draw win since August 2025. She returned to the tour following an injury hiatus just last month. She competed at the lower levels prior to the Rabat Open, compiling a 3-4 record, all on clay.
Parks played with controlled aggression against Uchijima, and dominated the proceedings without too many costly errors. If she maintains that same level of focus against Teichmann, then she will be favored to win.
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Pick: Alycia Parks to win in straight sets.
Alycia Parks vs Jil Teichmann betting tips
Tip 1: The match will have at least 22 games.
Tip 2: Parks to win at least one set with a score of 6-4.
PHOENIX — Brittney Sykes had 31 points, Marina Mabrey added 30 points and six 3-pointers, and the Toronto Tempo beat the Phoenix Mercury 98-90 on Tuesday night.
Toronto created some separation by starting the fourth quarter on a 12-4 run to take an 85-78 lead. Then Maria Conde and Kiki Rice each made a shot in the lane, sandwiched around a Phoenix turnover, to give the Tempo a 93-86 lead with 2:32 left.
Mabrey sank her sixth 3-pointer with 1:25 left from the corner to make it 96-90.
Toronto finished with a season-high 15 makes from behind the arc, while Phoenix went 4 of 22.
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Kahleah Copper scored 18 points and Alyssa Thomas had 17 points for Phoenix (2-3). DeWanna Bonner scored 13 on 4-of-11 shooting and Jovana Nogic also scored 13. Natasha Mack had 12 points and 10 rebounds before leaving late in the third quarter after a hard fall.
Rice had 15 points and Laura Juskaite added 10 for Toronto (3-2). Sykes, who was coming off a career-high 38 points in a 106-96 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday, went 10 of 19 from the field with four 3-pointers.
Mabrey made her third 3-pointer of the first half with 20.8 seconds left to give Toronto a 45-44 lead. Mabrey finished the half with 15 points and Sykes added 14, while the rest of their teammates went 5 of 16 from the field.
Toronto concludes a four-game road trip at Minnesota on Thursday.
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Phoenix ends a four-game homestand on Thursday against Los Angeles.
Mohammad Rizwan mocked by Bangladesh Player in 2nd test (Image: X/Screegrab)
During the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan found himself at the centre of an animated on-field exchange with Bangladesh players.The incident occurred on Day 4 during Pakistan’s daunting chase of 437 runs in the second innings. With wickets falling around him, Rizwan stood firm to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive, but his resistance also triggered a heated verbal battle involving Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das and several close-in fielders.
How the confrontation began
The drama unfolded during the 72nd over when Rizwan suddenly pulled away from his batting stance, complaining to the umpires about movement behind the bowler’s sightscreen. The Pakistan batter appeared unhappy with distractions near the boundary area and sought intervention from the officials.Litton Das, clearly frustrated by the interruption, immediately confronted Rizwan. In the stump mic recordings, the Bangladesh wicketkeeper asked, “What are you doing?” When Rizwan pointed towards the sightscreen and explained the distraction, Litton responded sharply: “Why are you looking over there? Focus on your batting here.” Rizwan did not hold back either and fired back by questioning Litton’s authority in the matter. “Is that your job, mine, or the umpire’s?” he replied, leading to a tense face-off between the two players.The exchange quickly escalated before on-field umpires Allahudien Paleker and Richard Kettleborough stepped in to calm the situation and separate the players.
Bangladesh players mock Rizwan on stump mic
Even after the umpires diffused the confrontation, the atmosphere remained heated. Bangladesh’s close-in fielders continued to target Rizwan verbally, with the stump microphones clearly capturing their comments. In a humorous yet sarcastic jibe, one of the fielders used a famous dialogue from the Bollywood movie Hera Pheri, saying:“For overacting, we’ll dock 50 paise.” (overacting ke 50 paise katenge)The comments did not stop there. Other fielders were also heard mocking Rizwan’s behaviour and accusing him of trying to disrupt Bangladesh’s bowling rhythm.“You are acting well; you want to teach everyone,” (achha acting krra hai, sbko sikha rha ha) one player said. Another added, “Now that he has scored a 50, he has cemented his place in the team, that’s why he is doing all this.” (Jagah pkka hai team bhaii jagah pakka isliye aisa krra hai).
The Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens line up at the line of scrimmage during third-quarter action on Nov. 9, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The interconference matchup featured two physical contenders battling for positioning late in the season as both teams continued pushing toward postseason contention in their respective conferences. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Every summer, at least as of late, the Minnesota Vikings schedule joint practices with another NFL team, either in Eagan or on the other franchise’s turf. In 2026, that dance partner is the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore’s August trip to Eagan now has an interesting purple-on-purple wrinkle.
It’ll be trial by fire for the Vikings in August, and that’s not a bad thing.
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Baltimore Brings a Real Test to Vikings Training Camp
Two purple teams in Eagan. Book it.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson greets Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy after a matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The quarterbacks shared a postgame moment on Nov. 9, 2025, after Jackson and the Ravens battled McCarthy’s Vikings during a notable interconference showdown featuring two of the league’s most dynamic signal-callers. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
MIN-BAL = Joint Practices
It’s official, as Vikings.com’s Craig Peters wrote Monday, “There will be purple on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Minnesota Vikings will host the Baltimore Ravens for two days of scheduled joint practices during 2026 Training Camp, the teams announced Monday. Details for timing and ticketing will be announced later, but the joint practices are planned for Wednesday, Aug. 19 and Thursday, Aug. 20.”
“The teams will conclude their week of work on Saturday, Aug. 22 when Minnesota hosts Baltimore for a noon (CT) kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium in the second preseason game for both teams. It will be the lone home exhibition contest this year for Minnesota, which will host nine regular-season games.”
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Last year, Minnesota danced with New England during the summer — and the Patriots later reached the Super Bowl.
Every Four-Year Cadence
Matching up against the Ravens is pretty fitting because the Vikings don’t see that franchise often. Based on the league’s typical schedule rotation, the clubs meet every four years, and it just so happens that Baltimore toppled Minnesota last November.
Unless the teams finish in the same place in the NFC North and AFC North, respectively, they won’t face each other until 2029. Or — for example — if the Ravens win the AFC North while the Vikings capture the NFC North, they’ll square off in 2027 in Baltimore.
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Generally speaking, that’s unlikely, so hooking up with an unfamiliar opponent during the summer is good business.
Our Janik Eckardt’s take on the joint practice system: “The Ravens will test the Vikings. They will have elite quarterback Lamar Jackson under center, a player that Brian Flores has had success against over the years. It will be a good test regardless. The Ravens will also have a new head coach on the sidelines, as they said goodbye to John Harbaugh, going with Jesse Minter, who was the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers.”
“The Vikings’ training camp will have one primary theme and that’s the so-called quarterback competition that every reporter and the head coach is teasing. Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will square off in training camp to determine the Week 1 starter.”
Vikings Get One of the League’s Best
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A saying like “iron sharpens iron” might apply here — if one assumes the Vikings will contend for the postseason in 2026. Baltimore sure will, perceived by sportsbooks as the second most-likely club to win the Super Bowl this year. The Los Angeles Rams lead the pack at +700, according to oddsmakers, but the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, and the Ravens are not far behind at +1,000.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry carries the football while Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith closes in during second-quarter action at U.S. Bank Stadium. The veteran stars squared off on Nov. 9, 2025, during a physical matchup between Baltimore and Minnesota as Henry powered the Ravens’ rushing attack against Brian Flores’ defense. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Theoretically, Minnesota could’ve scheduled joint practices against a weaker team, like the Miami Dolphins, but would that really provide the challenge and competition that Baltimore offers? Unlikely.
If wins and losses are not assigned in the summer, there’s no reason not to scrimmage against an elite team — to determine how close Minnesota is to true contention.
Former Player + Coach Angles
The Ravens’ new skipper, Jesse Minter, worked as the Michigan Wolverines’ defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023. That’s when Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy played there. Minter will know McCarthy better than most, making it a productive few days for McCarthy, as Minter will bring the heat and awareness of McCarthy’s talents.
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Too, this offseason, Brian Flores interviewed for the Ravens’ head coaching job, but Baltimore declined and hired Minter. Some fuel for Flores.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins scans the field for a pass while offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw blocks Ravens pass rusher Justin Houston at M&T Bank Stadium. The play unfolded on Nov. 7, 2021, during Minnesota’s road matchup against Baltimore as Cousins operated behind one of the Vikings’ emerging young offensive linemen. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.
Vikings TE2 Josh Oliver spent his rookie contract in Baltimore. He’ll get to see his old buddies in August.
On the Ravens’ end, former Vikings safety K’Von Wallace, who spent some of the summer of 2025 in Minnesota, will be on the field as a roster bubble candidate. And for full disclosure, most Vikings fans, including this website, believe Minnesota should have drafted Kyle Hamilton in 2022 when it had the chance. He’ll patrol the Ravens’ summer defense in Eagan.
Sportsbooks expect the Ravens to finish around 11-5 or 12-6 in 2026, while Minnesota has an 8-9 or 9-8 forecast.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
SAN DIEGO — Alex Call slid home with the tiebreaking run on Andy Pages’ sacrifice fly off Mason Miller in the ninth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers hung on for a 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.
Freddie Freeman hit two homers for the Dodgers before they manufactured an unearned run off Miller (1-1), the Padres’ vaunted closer who had held opponents scoreless in 20 of his first 21 appearances this season.
Max Muncy successfully challenged a called third strike to draw a walk with one out in the ninth. Miller caught pinch-runner Call taking off for second, but his pickoff throw got past first baseman Ty France, allowing Call to move to third.
Pages then fouled off four two-strike pitches before driving a fly to Fernando Tatis Jr. in right. Sung-mun Song relayed the throw home, but Call barely got under the tag.
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Manny Machado and Miguel Andujar hit early two-run homers for the Padres, whose four-game winning streak ended after their 1-0 victory Monday in the Southern California rivals’ first series of the season.
Tanner Scott (1-1) got four outs in relief, and Will Klein pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first career save.
Freeman broke out of a 4-for-29 slump with his first multihomer game of the season for the Dodgers, who have won six of seven. Manager Dave Roberts said before the game that his 36-year-old first baseman was feeling better after being under the weather in recent days.
Griffin Canning pitched five innings of four-hit ball in his fourth start for the Padres, striking out five and leaving with a lead.
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Emmet Sheehan got through just four innings for the Dodgers, yielding four runs on five hits.
Shohei Ohtani led off the game with a double and scored two batters later on Freeman’s homer.
Teoscar Hernández doubled and scored on Ohtani’s groundout in the fifth, and Freeman hit a tying solo shot off Jeremiah Estrada in the sixth.
New Padres owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones attended the game.
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Ohtani (3-2, 0.82 ERA) makes the eighth start of the season on the mound in the series finale Wednesday. Randy Vásquez (5-1, 2.68) goes for the Padres.
The ending of WWE NXT on 19th May was one of the more shocking ones we have seen in a while. The superstar who got brutally kicked out of his faction was helped to the back.
To give you some context, the main event of NXT this week saw DarkState, known by some as the next Shield, go up against The Vanity Project’s Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes, with the Tag Team Titles being on the line. It was The Vanity Project who dethroned DarkState in the first place, which is why there was a clear chip on the shoulder for the group. Leader Dion Lennox and Shaquan Shugars represented the team, and it was a moment of miscommunication that led to The Vanity Project picking up the pin, with Shugars taking the pinfall. As a result, Shugars was kicked out of the DarkState faction, with Cutler James and Osiris Griffin starting the attack before Dion Lennox joined in.
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After NXT went off the air, the social media page posted a video of Saquon Shugars getting helped to the back. He received a standing ovation from the crowd.
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One has to wonder what the future of Saquon Shugars will be as a singles star. One also has to wonder why the decision was made to go ahead without him in DarkState.
Either way, one can expect a singles run from Shugars. The good news for him is that there is an opening in WWE NXT, with several of the top talent having departed for the main roster. As a result, superstars are vying to take those spots, and Mason Rook is perhaps the most notable name in the men’s division taking things by storm, while Lizzy Rain is doing something similar in the women’s division.
Overall, it’s an exciting time in WWE NXT filled with raw talent.
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Enzo Maresca has been tipped to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City
Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is the favourite to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Guardiola is set to call time on his reign at the end of the season after an unforgettable decade in charge at the Etihad Stadium.
Maresca, who spent a year in charge of City’s Elite Development Squad and was previously one of Guardiola’s assistant coaches, has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in January. During his time at Stamford Bridge, the 46-year-old won the Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
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The Italian coach has been linked with replacing Guardiola for several months but it would remain a monumental task, given the success that the City boss has overseen. Guardiola has clinched six Premier League titles among a litany of other major honours, including the FA Cup and League Cup this term.
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Should Maresca be appointed by City, the ex-Chelsea manager would have several big decisions to make ahead of next season. Here, MEN Sport looks at how Maresca could ensure he continues to build on Guardiola’s legacy.
Chelsea transfer raid
Maresca could look to some of his former players to help strengthen his new City squad. Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso but may still sell key players if the club miss out on European football.
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Ex-manager Liam Rosenior dropped Enzo Fernandez after the midfielder admitted to being unsure about his future. The Argentina international also spoke about how Marseca’s exit had impacted the squad.
A reunion at City would allow Maresca to bolster a key area of the team as Bernardo Silva prepares to leave the club. The major issue would be agreeing on a fee for the 25-year-old, who joined Chelsea in a British record £107million transfer in January 2023 and has six years left on his deal.
Another Chelsea star who could help Maresca build a formidable squad is Levi Colwill. With John Stones also set to leave City, the 23-year-old defender could be an ideal replacement.
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The England international recently returned from an ACL injury and could be seen as a risk but Maresca has already proven he can get the best out of the centre-back. The Chelsea defender also appreciated their time working together, as he showed on social media.
“Not just a top manager but a top person,” Colwill wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for everything. It was a pleasure to work with you and create great memories.”
Elliot Anderson deal
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has been linked with a blockbuster move to City throughout the campaign. The 23-year-old is expected to be at the centre of a transfer saga, with rivals Manchester United also interested in the England international.
Maresca can make a statement by landing Anderson as the first marquee signing of his reign. The former Newcastle United prospect would be able to fill Bernardo Silva’s role or step in for Rodri as a defensive midfield option.
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Forest achieving Premier League survival means Anderson’s valuation is set to be in the region of £100m. However, that could prove value for money if Anderson can be a long-term part of City’s midfield.
Phil Foden factor
Phil Foden has struggled to reach the heights he achieved during the 2023/24 campaign. If City wish to replicate the dominance the club enjoyed under Guardiola, having all members of their squad on top form will be crucial.
The 25-year-old has retained the club’s faith after agreeing a new four-year deal earlier this month. It will be down to Maresca to help the gifted midfielder rediscover the levels that saw him named Premier League Player of the Season two years ago.
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The 46-year-old coach will be confident of bringing Foden back to his best following his work with Cole Palmer at Chelsea. The ex-City academy starlet thrived under Maresca and Foden could enjoy similar success under his new boss.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
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