Canelo Alvarez no longer holds a super-middleweight world title, but that hasn’t stopped a host of his 168lb rivals from targeting a fight with him.

Alvarez lost as a super-middleweight for the first time when he was outpointed by Terence Crawford last year, but the 35-year-old will have the opportunity to reclaim the WBC belt upon his return in September when he fights new champion Christian Mbilli.

Victory will see Canelo continue into the next era of the super-middleweight division as a man with a target on his back, as a number of fresh-faced operators each jostle to land a lucrative scrap with the four-division world champion.

One of those men is California’s Diego Pacheco, who had been positioned for a shot at the WBO super-middleweight world title against Hamzah Sheeraz until he withdrew from purse bids and allowed Sheeraz to fight Alem Begic – who was halted inside two rounds by the Brit.

In an interview with ESNEWS, Pacheco named his three-man hitlist, which included both Canelo and Sheeraz, as well as WBA super-middleweight titleholder Jaime Munguia.

“[Jaime] Munguia, [Hamzah] Sheeraz and Canelo, [that is who I want]. I think that me and Munguia go the distance, I stop Hamzah Sheeraz and me and Canelo go the distance, as well, but I win all three, for sure.”

Pacheco recently extended his contract with Matchroom Boxing and he will hope to maintain his 25-fight undefeated record when he appears on home soil against Immanuwel Aleem, on the Cruz-Bell undercard on Saturday, July 18.

Lucy Yeomans, a Cranbourne-based trainer, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to train a horse for some of Australia’s most distinguished owners.

Yeomans is preparing to run Changing Colours, a mare previously trained by Chris Waller, in the Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1420m) at Flemington this Saturday.

Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski, notable owners who have achieved success in some of Australia’s most significant races, are part of the ownership syndicate.

Yeomans’ prior employment with Ciaron Maher led to her acquaintance with Kheir and Sokolski, and her partner, jockey Blake Shinn, has ridden feature race winners for the pair.

“Brae gave a big push for the horse to come to us which I’m very grateful for,” Yeomans said.

The mare, a rising six-year-old by The Autumn Sun, recorded three wins from her 15 starts for Waller prior to her move to the new stable.

Yeomans mentioned that Waller had sent her an email regarding the mare.

“He’s been really nice, accommodating and forthcoming about the horse,” Yeomans stated regarding Waller.

“She’s a bit of a quirky mare and they just thought she would be better suited to a smaller environment.

“She’s come up really well and we’re really excited to get her to the races.

“We’ve taken our time with her, got to know her, and she spends a lot of time out in the sandhills.

“We thought that was a point of difference to what she has been used to, but she left Chris’ in great order before coming to us.”

Yeomans confirmed that Changing Colours had galloped and trialled effectively in preparation for her first start since February.

The mare was successful in a 1000m jump-out at Cranbourne on June 1, having finished fourth in another trial at the same venue the month prior.

“She seems a naturally fit horse, she has good first-up form, has drawn a nice gate,” Yeomans said. “We are not going there expecting to win, but it’s a nice kick off point and ideally the owners want to get some Black Type. At her best she might be, those fringe Black Type races, so we’ll see how we go on Saturday.”

Explore the best Australian betting sites for all the upcoming races at https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/australian-betting-sites-list.

Alex Eala heads to Bad Homburg Open as the 27th seed. —WTA PHOTO

Alex Eala’s most memorable 2026 WTA run ended on Sunday morning in Manila when the Czech Linda Noskova needed just 69 minutes to bundle out the hard-fighting pride of the Philippines in the semifinals of the Berlin Open.

And that leaves the 21-year-old setting her sights on another WTA 500 event starting Monday when she battles Elise Mertens in the round-of-32 of the Bad Homburg Open at the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court.

There will be no shortage of giants to chop down in Homburg in Germany, with former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland and newly crowned French Open champion Meera Andreeva ranked 1-2 in the event and where Eala will get a chance of facing Noskova again after taking a 6-2, 6-4 defeat in Berlin.

With Filipino blood

A second player with Filipino roots in Leylah Fernandez of Canada is also entered and they could find their paths crossing in the quarterfinals with Fernandez opening up against wild card Katie Boulter.

Eala, who owns a win over Swiatek carved out in magical Miami Open stint last year, had said in Berlin that she was just thankful for the chance of playing some of the biggest names in the world—and beating some of them like world No. 2 Elena Rybakina before taking out Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.

The Filipino made the Berlin draw as a wildcard and sealed a place in the final four after humbling world No. 8 Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4. Eala wasted no time paying tribute to her vanquished opponent.

“Elina is a huge fighter, and I’ve seen it many times,” Eala said in her on-court interview after the match on Friday, Berlin time.

Shot at Andreeva

“I’ve been watching her since I was a kid, so to be able to compete with her today is such an honor, and I really admire her. She’s a mother, and I find her to act with such elegance and strength, and I’m really lucky to have had this match today.”

Svitolina, like Swiatek, Andreeva and Karolina Muchova all earned first round byes, with Eala, being at the bottom half of the draw as the 27th seed, having a shot at Andreeva in the third round.

But for that to happen, Eala would of course have to beat Martens first to advance into a likely collision with another charismatic player in Japan’s Naomi Osaka, another multiple Grand Slam winner entered as the 25th seed in Homburg.

Noskova, meanwhile, now has a 2-0 record against Eala and will battle Jessica Pegula of the United States after the American scored an impressive 6-4, 7-6, 6-0 dismantling of current No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the other semifinal.

Pegula will not be in Homburg. INQ

Belgium vs Iran

Belgium head into their Group G clash with Iran knowing that a victory could secure their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds. Despite being held by Egypt in their opening match, the Red Devils remain one of the strongest sides in the group and will be expected to produce a more clinical display. 

Led by the experienced midfield trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana, Belgium possess the quality to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game. Iran are likely to rely on quick counterattacks, but Belgium’s superior depth and strong recent record, unbeaten in their last 14 international matches, make them favourites to collect all three points in Los Angeles.

Uruguay vs Cape Verde

Uruguay and Cape Verde meet in a crucial Group H encounter with both sides aiming to strengthen their hopes of reaching the Round of 32. Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in their opener and will be looking for a more convincing attacking display after struggling to create chances. 

New Zealand vs Egypt

New Zealand and Egypt head into their Group G clash in Vancouver searching for a first victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after both settled for draws in their opening matches. The All Whites impressed in a 2-2 draw against Iran, with Elijah Just scoring twice, but were unable to hold onto their lead and had to settle for a point. 

Egypt experienced similar frustration against Belgium, taking the lead through Emam Ashour after a Mohamed Salah assist before eventually being held to a draw. Both sides showed attacking promise in their openers and will view this encounter as a crucial opportunity to boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Argentina vs Austria

Argentina head into their second Group J match full of confidence after a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria, inspired by a stunning Lionel Messi hat-trick that reinforced their status as one of the favourites to retain the FIFA World Cup. Another win would secure a place in the Round of 32, and Lionel Scaloni is expected to stick with the side that impressed in the opener, including the centre-back pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero. Julian Alvarez could again start on the bench. 

Austria also began with a win, beating Jordan 3-1, and veteran striker Marko Arnautovic is pushing for a start after making a decisive impact off the bench in the opening match.

FIFA World Cup 2026: June 22 matches live streaming and telecast detail

Which two teams will feature in the first game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 22?

Belgium will take on Iran in the first match of the day from 12:30 am IST.

Which two teams will feature in the third game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 22?

Uruguay vs Cape Verde and Senegal will square off in the 2nd game of the day at 3:30 am IST.

Which two teams will feature in the fourth game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 22?

Where to watch the live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 June 22 matches in India?

The broadcast of the June 22 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels for fans in India.

Where to watch the live streaming of the FIFA World Cup 2026 June 22 matches in India?

The live streaming of the June 22 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on the Zee5 app and website for viewers in India.

At times on Sunday at Shinnecock Hills it felt like becoming a case of if, and not when, Wyndham Clark would collect a second US Open title and the moment he has craved since smashing up a locker at Oakmont a year ago.

Having led at the end of each of the previous three days, the American, who had built a six-shot lead, began his fourth round as the overwhelming favourite.

However, by the time he reached the end of the seventh hole, the 2023 champion was wobbling. His massive advantage had evaporated to a single stroke with Sam Burns in hot pursuit.

Crucially though, nobody was able to draw level with Clark. And while there were several more plot twists, it was only when he holed a stunning 25-foot birdie putt on the 16th that it felt like he would cross the finishing line as the first wire-to-wire winner of the tournament since Martin Kaymer in 2014.

Even then there was drama. A bogey on the 17th left him needing to par the last, which he did with a superb 53-foot birdie putt that finished inches from the hole.

This victory will not fully atone for his infamous meltdown at last year’s championship that led to him receiving a ban from the Pennsylvania club until he underwent anger management therapy and paid for the repairs to the ancient lockers he damaged.

And there were occasions on Sunday, when it appeared like his subsequent acts of contrition had not cut through to the galleries judging by their reactions to him.

With many willing on his playing partner, world number one Scottie Scheffler, to complete a career Grand Slam, a huge number of fans celebrated Clark’s bogey on the seventh and others were reportedly ejected from the course because of their hostility.

It was far from the scenes Europe’s players were faced with at Bethpage Black at September’s Ryder Cup but Clark blocked out the noise to complete the victory.

Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Switzerland star Johan Manzambi who is currently starring for his country at the World Cup

Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller has explained why his former club should swoop in and sign Johan Manzambi amid rumours of potential interest from Manchester United. The Reds have been credited with an interest in signing the Switzerland international ahead of the summer transfer.

United are yet to strengthen their squad ahead of next season but have already reached an agreement to complete their first signing of the window.

Atalanta star Ederson is expected to become a United player this summer after the club agreed a £35million deal with the Serie A outfit for the Brazilian, which also includes a further £3.8million in add-ons.

It remains to be seen who else United will look to target this summer, with Freiburg star Manzambi being mentioned as a potential target over the last few months.

Manzambi is currently starring for Switzerland at this summer’s World Cup, which is being held in North America, and put in an impressive performance in the country’s 4-1 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina earlier this week.

The 20-year-old midfielder – who is reported to be valued at around £43million, scored two goals in the game and has since been praised by Muller, who has urged his former club, Bayern, to make a move this summer.

“He’s a good player overall. We’ve had him on our list for a while now,” Muller stated on MagentaTV.

“For me, he’s someone, and now we can make a headline, that FC Bayern should also consider.

“You can sense his flexibility. You can also sense his carefree attitude. At the same time, you can already see a certain maturity in his actions, in his decision-making, his work ethic.

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“He’s now in Freiburg in a team where they really work hard. I think his development is very, very good. He’s a player who can play as No.6 he can play as No.8, he can play as No.10. He wears No.9 on his back, so maybe we could also market him as a striker!”

Manzambi admitted he was going to find it tough to come back down to earth after his World Cup goals for Switzerland.

“Honestly, it’s incredible, it’s the first brace of my career, and at the World Cup on top of that,” Manzambi said via FIFA’s website.

“Scoring two goals in front of the fans and my family, that’s very, very nice. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

A promising filly, Chains Of Love, is set to compete in black-type events again after a commanding win in the Highway Handicap at Randwick, where she proved too strong for a field of more seasoned gallopers.

This exceptionally bred daughter of I Am Invincible, out of the 2015 Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me, is being prepared for a trip to Victoria. Her next likely start is the Listed Creswick Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington next month, followed by a brief rest before targeting The Kosciuszko (1200m).

“There is a stakes race for three-year-olds in Melbourne in two weeks down the straight, so that could be a possibility,” stated the filly’s trainer, Paul Messara.

“Then we’ll probably give her a little let-up and go for the ‘Kosi’.”

Messara elaborated on his plans, saying, “I thought she was a Kosciuszko type.”

The Highway Handicap (1200m) at Randwick marked only the fifth start for Chains Of Love. In her previous race, she finished midfield in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

Messara noted that Chains Of Love is still developing but performed admirably under the circumstances, especially given a wide draw at Randwick. He also commended the ride from jockey Aaron Bullock.

“He put her in a position to win the race, and she was too good late,” Messara commented.

“She’s still learning her craft, but she’s progressive,” he added.

Messara also provided an update on the juvenile Cormier, who is currently spelling after finishing second to Tron Bolt in the J J Atkins Stakes (1600m) in Brisbane. The colt is being readied for an ambitious spring campaign.

“He’s great. He’s having a little break, and he will be back for a Golden Rose ‘prep’,” the trainer confirmed.

With the Creswick Sprint Series Final approaching, consider checking out the available racing odds on top Australian betting sites.

It’s been talked about ever since Serena Williams announced nearly three weeks ago that she was returning to professional tennis after almost four years away from the sport.

Still, seeing the single-sentence announcement from The All England Club that the 23-time Grand Slam champion will play singles at Wimbledon was stunning nonetheless.

“Serena Williams (USA) receives the final ladies’ singles wild card,” read the key line in Sunday’s announcement, which was issued eight days before the grass-court Grand Slam begins.

At 44, Williams will actually play both singles and doubles at Wimbledon after already accepting a wild card for the doubles competition with older sister Venus.

“This is not a drill,” Wimbledon said on its social media accounts Sunday.

Commented the WTA Tour, “Name a more iconic returnwe’ll wait.” 
Wimbledon held open the eighth and final women’s singles wild card spot until Williams made up her mind. As recently as earlier this week after losing a doubles match in Berlin, she appeared to be waffling over the decision.

“Oh my gosh, there are some left?” she replied when she was told there was still a wild card spot open. 

Wild cards are special invitations handed out by tournament organisers, which allow former champions and others access to the main draw without the necessary entry qualifications. But then she mused about her readiness for it.

“Do you think I’m ready for singles?” she asked a reporter and then turned to doubles partner Karolina Muchova to ask what she thought.

“I think I would be interested in it,” the Czech player responded.

“That’s the question of the hour, right?” Williams said. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I wonder why there’s I don’t know.” 
Well, now that Williams has made up her mind, the big remaining question is how she can physically handle singles play after so long.

Serena’s most-recent singles match was a loss to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 US Open. At the time, she said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis.

Her second daughter was born in 2023.

“Just finished a mean game of duck duck goose,” Williams said on X after the wild card announcement.

Of Williams’ 23 Grand Slam titles in singles, seven have come at Wimbledon: in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016. She’s also won 14 Grand Slams in doubles, all with Venus, and six of them at Wimbledon.

Serena also swept the singles and doubles (with Venus) titles at the 2012 London Olympics, when the tennis competition was held on the hallowed grass of the All England Club.

At her last Wimbledon appearance in 2022, Serena was beaten in the opening round by 115th-ranked Harmony Tan in her first match since having to stop less than a set into her opening contest at the All England Club because of an injury the year before.

Serena won a doubles match with partner Victoria Mboko at Queen’s Club last week but the pair had to withdraw after Mboko injured her knee in a singles match.

In another doubles match at the Berlin Open on Tuesday, Serena and Muchova were beaten by Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe.

As of Sunday, Serena had not entered the singles draws of any grass-court tuneup tournaments before Wimbledon.

She will learn who her first-round opponent is on Friday when the singles draws for Wimbledon are held.

While she’s No. 593 in the doubles rankings courtesy of her victory last week, Serena has no singles ranking after being away for so long.

Iga Swiatek is the defending Wimbledon champion, while Aryna Sabalenka is ranked No. 1.

Because Serena has no ranking, she could potentially face Swiatek, Sabalenka or any other top-ranked player in the opening rounds.

Iran made World Cup history on Saturday by naming the oldest starting line-up ever seen at the tournament, but the experienced side still had enough quality to earn a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium in California.

The Iranian team started the match with an average age of more than 32 years, setting a new World Cup record. Despite their age, they matched Belgium throughout the contest and came close to securing all three points.

Iran thought they had taken the lead in the first half through striker Mehdi Taremi. Captain Ehsan Hajisafi cleverly rolled a free-kick around the Belgian wall for Taremi, who turned and fired past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside.

While Iran’s squad was the oldest in World Cup history, it was Belgium who appeared short of energy at times. The 2018 World Cup semi-finalists dominated possession, enjoying 81 per cent of the ball in the opening half, but created very few clear chances.

Kevin De Bruyne saw an effort blocked, while Maxim De Cuyper forced a save from Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, but Belgium struggled to break down the organised Iranian defence.

Iran continued to threaten after the break. Taremi tested Courtois with a powerful effort before Belgium responded through De Cuyper, whose close-range shot was saved by Beiranvand.

Belgium’s task became more difficult in the 65th minute when defender Nathan Ngoy was sent off. The defender panicked after a poor backpass and brought down Taremi as the Iranian forward raced towards goal.

With a numerical advantage, Iran pushed for a winner, but Courtois produced another important save to deny Saeid Ezatolahi’s long-range strike.

Belgium also had late opportunities, with De Cuyper going close again, but neither side could find a breakthrough.

The draw leaves both teams with plenty to play for heading into their final group matches, while Iran’s veteran squad continued to prove that experience can still be a valuable weapon on football’s biggest stage.