Tyson Fury’s claim that he has turned his attention to a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk has been rubbished by the Ukrainian’s managers.

Negotiations are still ongoing for a heavyweight clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua in November, but Fury insists his fellow Briton is seeking ways to back out of the deal.

Fury has issued a series of messages on social media to Usyk, who beat him in May and December 2024, proposing the unbeaten 39-year-old steps in to turn their rivalry into a trilogy.

But in a statement to Sky Sports News, Usyk’s manager Sergey Lapin said: “Usyk is not Tyson’s back-up plan.

“If Fury needs an opponent, he should visit the Ready to Fight platform. They can help him find a worthy opponent there.

“Oleksandr is always open to big challenges. But serious intentions are backed by a concrete offer, not statements in the press.”

Usyk vacated his three heavyweight belts in June, shortly after beating former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Cairo. But he has made no indication of retirement.

Fury insisted on Sunday that he had given up on facing Joshua, who “would never fight the Gypsy King”, and announced that he was looking for a new opponent.

Fury and Joshua have already signed individual contracts for the fight but negotiations have stalled over the venue, with Joshua reportedly insisting it takes place in London, while other options including New York’s Madison Square Garden are also being considered.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot against Iva Jovic of the United States during their Women’s Singles Third Round match on Day Seven of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

Filipino sensation Alex Eala said she can’t wait to experience the “really fun environment” of the Asian Games after a battling defeat in the third round of the US Open.

The rising 21-year-old will be the favorite to win women’s singles gold when the Games begin in Japan on September 19.

At the previous edition of the Games, in 2023 in China, Eala went home with bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles.

READ: Alex Eala on upcoming Asian Games stint: ‘I love being with PH team’

Much has changed for Eala since, last month becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA singles crown and now ranked 18 in the world.

Her ground-breaking exploits have made her a superstar back home.

“I love playing and competing with the Philippines team,” Eala said after her agonizing three-set loss to United States teenager Iva Jovic in New York on Saturday.

Proud Filipino Eala has been a regular at the Southeast Asian Games, winning singles gold last year, and she added: “I think it’s a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time.

“I think they are really memories that stick with me.”

China’s Zheng Qinwen won Asian Games singles gold three years ago on home turf.

She will not defend her title in Aichi-Nagoya.

Also not involved will be Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who will be in action at the China Open in Beijing.

Eala will miss Beijing knowing that gold at the Asian Games will seal an automatic berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Eala is set to play at the Singapore Open on September 21-27, with the Asian Games women’s singles starting the same day that Singapore ends.

Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma grew up together, received their initiation into cricket together and emerged as superstars in world cricket together. While Shubman Gill is currently India’s Test and ODI captain, Abhishek Sharma is currently No. 3 in the ICC rankings. They have played together for Punjab and have been part of the same India squads. On Monday, however, they were rivals on opposite sides. In a Sher-E-Punjab T20 League match in Mohali, Shubman Gill represented Fazilka Falcons, while Abhishek Sharma was playing for Amritsar Soormas. Batting first, the Falcons scored 191/6 in 20 overs. Gill was the top scorer with a 35-ball 67, hitting eight fours and three sixes.

That innings came to an end in the 10th over. The over started with Gill hitting Abhishek for a six straight down the ground off the first ball. On the third ball, Gill struck a four through deep mid-wicket, followed by another six off the fifth delivery. Sharma, however, had the last laugh on the final ball of the over as Gill was caught by Naman Dhir while trying to go big.

Later, Abhishek scored a 15-ball 49 (6x4s, 4x6s) to give his team a flying start in the chase.

Recently, Shubman Gill smashed seven fours and a six in his 21-ball 40 as his team, Fazilka Falcons, pipped the Arshdeep Singh-led Ludhiana Lions by a solitary run in their Sher-E-Punjab T20 League match.

Playing his first match of the season for the Falcons, India’s Test and ODI captain provided a flying start to the innings, but they could manage only 170/9 in their 20 overs. In reply, the Lions were restricted to 169/9 after 20 overs.

For his explosive contribution at the top of the order and the impact of his much-awaited first appearance of the season, Gill was named Player of the Match.

Ludhiana found a way to fight back through Kartik Chadha, who produced a remarkable spell to derail the Falcons’ momentum.

Chadha claimed the prized wicket of Gill and finished with outstanding figures of 4/9 in his four overs, putting the brakes on the Falcons’ scoring rate.

Despite the setback, important contributions from Prerit Dutta (36 off 23) and Jaiveer Bhinder Singh (21 off 18) helped the Falcons recover and post a competitive 170/9 in 20 overs.

Chasing 171, the Ludhiana Lions were under pressure early as the Falcons’ bowlers struck at regular intervals. Opener Karteek Sharma attempted to steady the innings with a patient 32 off 29 balls, but the Lions continued to lose wickets as the required run rate climbed.

Just when the chase appeared to be slipping away, Krish Bhagat and Madhav Pathania produced a stunning late revival.

The pair launched a counterattack, putting the Falcons’ bowlers under immense pressure and stitching together an unbeaten 61-run partnership from just 29 balls.

Pathania was particularly destructive, smashing an unbeaten 37 off 16 balls, while Bhagat remained not out on 28 off 23 balls, keeping the Lions firmly in contention heading into the final over.

With 19 runs required from the last six balls, the game went down to the wire.

The Lions kept their hopes alive until the final delivery, but with six needed off the last ball, Pathania could manage only a boundary, leaving Ludhiana agonisingly short of victory.

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Nxled is headed to the PVL Finals for the first time in franchise history. —MARLO CUETO

The wait, for Nxled, was almost as nerve-wracking as its own survival match.

In fact, for setter Gel Cayuna, it was more tense.

“Personally, I was more nervous watching the other teams play than during our own game,” she said.

Cayuna and the Chameleons secured at least a battle for bronze berth after beating the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, in the first game of Sunday’s triple header.

“After our game against Farm Fresh, there was nothing else we could do but wait and hope the results [of the other games] would go our way,” the new Nxled setter told the Inquirer in Filipino.

To book their breakthrough PVL finals appearance, they needed a losing result from either EST Cola of Thailand or Creamline, which was led by the 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago-Minowa.

The Thais made short work of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City in straight sets to dash that Nxled path and reach their own route to their first-ever PVL finals.

That EST win, the guest team’s fourth straight, also dethroned PLDT even before its match against Creamline, which put the Chameleons last hope hanging by a thread.

However, despite being relegated to the battle for third, Savi Davison played her heart out and set a new career-high 37 points, as PLDT clipped Creamline, and forged a 25-17, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12 victory on Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum despite Santiago-Minowa’s nine blocks and 25 points.

That also gave Nxled its first PVL Finals appearance as it battles EST Cola in a winner-take-all duel on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

“It was really exciting and fulfilling to get the result we needed, especially since making the Finals was no longer in our control,” said Cayuna, as all three teams finished at 3-2 (win-loss).

Nxled advanced through the FIVB point-system tiebreak with 10 points, ahead of Creamline’s nine and PLDT’s eight.

In just her second tournament as a Chameleon, the two-time Season Best Setter has adapted to the system of Nxled under Italian coach Ettore Guidetti and the core composed of champion players from the defunct Petro Gazz.

“It’s very fulfilling, especially considering how little time we had together to prepare and build our connection as a team. I’m grateful that we’re finally seeing the results of all our hard work,” Cayuna said on the heels of the milestone achieved despite missing three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle due to a shoulder injury.

“And knowing that this is Nxled’s first time reaching the Finals makes it even more special for all of us.”

Cayuna has been maximizing the talent around her, with MJ Phillips and her fellow ex-Cignal Jackie Acuña manning the middle, while Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, EJ Laure-Cariño and Myla Pablo led the offense.

It will be Cayuna’s fourth PVL finals—settling for bridesmaid finishes in her first three with Cignal, including the All-Filipino Conference last May just days before her previous team filed for leave of absence.

As one of the most experienced players for first-time finalist Nxled, the Far Eastern University product gets another shot at an elusive PVL title against an international club.

“There’s really nothing new with my mindset. For me, every game is important, so you always have to prepare mentally and physically. Every game, you have to give your best,” said Cayuna. INQ

The AFC South is shaping up to be one of the NFL’s most unpredictable divisions this season. The Houston Texans have held the crown for years, but can they reclaim the division with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ young core not going away any time soon?

With a healthy Daniel Jones back for the Indianapolis Colts and veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen now in the fold, the Colts could make some real noise. Over in Tennessee, the arrival of Robert Saleh puts a rebuilding Titans team in a prime position to play spoiler down the stretch.

If you want to know how the AFC South will unfold, the “First Things First” group of co-hosts were all over it. On Thursday’s show, Nick Wright, Danny Parkins, and Chris Broussard broke down the AFC South. They didn’t stop at general commentary, either. The trio made their definitive predictions for how the division will shake out.

Nick Wright’s AFC South Prediction

The Titans are entering a full rebuild under head coach Robert Saleh, but Nick Wright still sees potential for growth. With offensive additions like Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, Wright believes a six-win season is well within reach.

“I do have them getting six wins … here’s the case for them,” Wright said. “Carnell Tate, Cam Ward take a year or two jump, and maybe Robert Saleh is actually a good head coach.”

When it comes to the expectations for the Colts, all eyes shift towards Jones and his recovery from the season-ending Achilles injury. Wright’s concerns aren’t about Jones specifically, but they’re focused squarely on head coach Shane Steichen. 

After failing to meet expectations, Wright believes Steichen should be firmly on the hot seat.

“Daniel Jones [is] quickly coming back from the Achilles injury, but how mobile is he actually going to be,” Wright said. Also, I worry about Shane Steichen, and I worry about the instant hot seat.”

When it comes to the Jaguars, they’re not so easy to predict. After winning 13 games last season and winning the division, they could be a team that’s not just on the rise, but could be competitive for years to come.

Wright made sure to highlight the Jaguars’ young core in quarterback Trevor Lawrence and two-way standout Travis Hunter.

“13 wins like last year,” Wright said. “There’s no way they don’t get at least a little more out of Travis Hunter this year. They’re not going to get less. Year two of Trevor Lawrence and [Liam] Coen…I like that. They have, far away, the best quarterback in that division.”

The Houston Texans topped Wright’s predictions. He highlighted that the performance of quarterback C.J. Stroud will be a large factor in Houston’s success this season.

“I think they will be fighting for the No. 1 seed all year,” Wright said. “I think they go 12-5. If CJ Stroud is average, they can win 11 games. If he’s above average, they can win 12 games. If he’s good, you can argue they’re the best team in the league.”

Chris Broussard’s AFC South Prediction

Broussard followed Wright’s lead in his AFC South predictions, with the Texans standing at No. 1 and the Titans at the bottom. With new head coach Robert Saleh, Broussard is hoping for good things to come out of Saleh’s first year and Ward’s second starting season.

“I hope I’m wrong. I like Cam Ward. I would really like to see him do something this year,” Broussard said. “I’d like to see Saleh get a real chance … We’ll see, I’m pulling for him.”

For the Colts’ third-place prediction, Broussard has a hard time believing that Indianapolis won’t follow the same pattern this season as it did last season. 

“We all remember the 8-2 start, and then one of the worst collapses in NFL history. They lost their last seven. They lost their last three when Jones was healthy. Why? Because they started playing good teams,” Broussard said.

For the Jaguars at second, their run to the playoffs was impressive, but Broussard does not see back-to-back appearances. 

“At No. 2, the Jags, but missing the playoffs,” Broussard said. “He was very good last year. Is that who he finally is? Or is he going to go back down the roller coaster? I’m not betting on a bad year, but I’m not expecting a good year.”

As the Texans top Broussard’s list, the talented defense is a large factor in its success. However, the talent that Stroud brings to the offense will be another point of focus for Broussard. 

“The Houston Texans [are] winning this division. Contrary to popular opinion, C.J. was average last year … obviously he was banged up for a few games. I expect a bounce back,” Broussard said. “I don’t know if I’m ever expecting him to be that great top-five quarterback that we thought he was going to be.”

Danny Parkins’ AFC South Prediction

Like Wright and Broussard, Danny Parkins placed the Titans in last. Parkins did not hold back when it came to what the Titans season could look like under quarterback Cam Ward.

“I’d be really worried if I was a Titans fan. I love Carnell Tate, I loved it leading up to the NFL Draft,” Parkins said. “I didn’t see much of anything to believe in Cam Ward. I think they are in contention, with the Dolphins, for the worst team in the NFL.”

Parkins switched things up and placed the Jaguars third. While Lawrence has been through ups and downs in his NFL career, Parkins is not expecting Lawrence to hold the same standard he did in last year’s 13-4 season. 

“A huge regression for the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Parkins said. “I think Trevor Lawrence cannot be trusted. Is it possible that Liam Coen unlocked it? Absolutely. … He did it with Baker, he did it with Trevor. But his whole career has been a roller-coaster. Seems like we might be ready for a big dip.”

As for Parkins’ second-place team, the Texans, the defense should not be an issue for Houston. However, the concern lies within Stroud at the helm of the offense.

“You have the best defense in the NFL, but defensive production year over year does fluctuate,” Parkins said. They had remarkable defensive health last year … I don’t have evidence that C.J. Stroud is good.”

And sitting atop his AFC South predictions, Parkins believes the Colts will take home the AFC South title. Parkins emphasized the Colts could be a dangerous team in the division if Jones is back in full force.

“They return four of five starters on their offensive line. … I really like their offense this year … they need to win by scoring,” Parkins said. “So if you see the best version of Daniel Jones for a full year, I think the Colts can win the AFC South.”

Ishan Kishan was in his elements for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone in Chennai on Monday. Batting at No. 5, Kishan played a true captain’s knock and scored 270 off 334 balls (30x4s, 7x6s) to help East Zone post 708 in the first innings. With his monumental knock, Kishan became only the third batter from East Zone to score a double century in the Duleep Trophy, joining Arun Lal and Saba Karim. Lal holds the highest score among the trio, having smashed 287 against West Zone in 1986, besides scoring 214 against Central Zone in the same year. Saba Karim, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 200 against West Zone in 1995.

Ishan Kishan also became the first East Zone captain-wicketkeeper to score a double century in a Duleep Trophy final, according to an Instagram post by Star Sports India. Overall, Kishan became the seventh batter to score a double century in a Duleep Trophy final.

East Zone’s innings was opened by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 44 off 37 balls. During the match, former India player Vivek Razdan had a message for Sooryavanshi.

“Sooryavanshi sahab, now you have to learn from players like Ishan Kishan. Once you are set, you have to learn how to play a long innings,” Razdan said on commentary.

“Every person who is present here at this time stood up and applauded this innings. Because this is not just technique, this is not just temperament, this is also match fitness. To stay out there for so long in such heat and play an innings like this. What an innings by Ishan Kishan.”

Coming to Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy final, despite losing wickets in the final session, East Zone eventually posted a mammoth 708 all out in 163 overs.

Earlier, Kishan and Kushagra continued from where they had left off on the opening day. The duo added 230 runs for the fifth wicket, giving East Zone complete control after they had ended Day 1 at 385/4.

Kushagra completed his maiden Duleep Trophy century off 128 balls, hitting eight fours and five sixes. He was dismissed soon after reaching three figures, caught in the deep off Vijay after scoring 101 from 132 deliveries.

The fifth-wicket partnership between Kishan and Kushagra was the defining stand of the day, with the pair taking East Zone past 450 before Kushagra’s dismissal.

Kishan then continued to dominate alongside Anukul Roy, with East Zone reaching 500 and then 550. The left-hander brought up his double century before eventually retiring hurt on 250, with East Zone on 611/5.

Anukul Roy contributed a useful 45 before being trapped leg before wicket following a review by South Zone. Mohammed Shami then added 28 before being dismissed by Shreyas Gopal.

Despite losing wickets in the final session, East Zone continued to pile up runs and moved past 700, leaving South Zone’s bowlers with a difficult task.

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Philippines’ Alexandra Eala hits a return to Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova during their women’s singles second round tennis match on day five of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 3, 2026. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Alex Eala is taking a positive outlook after getting the ax at the US Open following her defeat to good friend Iva Jovic in the third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

As she has always done this year, particularly during a successful summer run in the North American hardcourt swing, the Filipino tennis sensation is looking forward to things that she needs to do instead of wallowing in defeat.

And why not? She has the Asian Games coming and she gets to fight for the country in a way that’s different from her battles on the WTA Tour.

“I love playing and competing with the Philippines team,” Eala said after her agonizing three-set loss to American teenager Jovic in New York on Sunday (Manila time).

“That felt like a marathon and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match,” Jovic said of the three-hour match. “But it’s really worth it for this feeling. I’m usually not one that shows that many emotions, but this one really meant a lot to me. It’s everything to have another match here at the US Open.”

In a way, Eala has been competing for the Philippines on the women’s tour. Wherever she goes, a wall of passionate supporters follows her, waving Filipino flags.

“It’s indescribable to sum up the support and how it makes me feel in just a few words. It’s a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime,” Eala said. “[P]laying on Arthur Ashe and feeling the support and being in those environments and learning these lessons and fighting and doing what I love … I’m really happy. I’m really lucky to have these opportunities, to have these people support me, and to be working hard, to be able to work hard, and to be able to live this life how I am living it.”

The difference is that in the Asian Games, her opponents will have the same kind of flag-waving support as well. It’s going to be a pure battle for the country, with no individual prize money at stake.

The rising 21-year-old will be the favorite to win women’s singles gold when the Games begin in Japan on Sept. 19, with so many of the top guns not competing.

China’s Zheng Qinwen won Asian Games singles gold three years ago on home turf but will not defend her title in Aichi-Nagoya. Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who will be in action at the China Open in Beijing, will also not be involved.

At the previous edition of the Games, in 2023 in China, Eala went home with bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles.

Much has changed for Eala since, last month becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA singles crown and now ranked 18 in the world.

Her groundbreaking exploits have made her a superstar back home.

And defending national pride at the continental Olympics will amplify her popularity.

Eala has been a regular at the Southeast Asian Games, winning singles gold last year, and she said: “I think it’s a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time.”

“I think they are really memories that stick with me.”

Eala will miss Beijing knowing that gold at the Asian Games will seal an automatic berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Eala is set to play at the Singapore Open on Sept. 21 to 27, with the Asian Games women’s singles starting the same day that Singapore ends.

“The Asian Games happens once every four years and I find myself drawn to competing in that,” the world No. 18 said.—WITH A REPORT FROM AFP INQ

The Olympic gold medallist from Oldham suffered a heavy crash at the Ethias-Tour de Wallonie in June which has left him just returning to fitness for his home UCI ProSeries tour this week.

Matt Walls will be happy just to finish the Lloyds Tour of Britain as he ponders a return to the track ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

The Olympic gold medallist from Oldham suffered a heavy crash at the Ethias-Tour de Wallonie in June which has left him just returning to fitness for his home UCI ProSeries tour this week.

And having withdrawn from the Lidl Deutschland Tour on his return to the road in August, a crash on stage two from Boston to Skegness has left him happy to settle with just trying to cross the line on the final day in Earlston on Sunday.

“I’ve just been trying to ride into it and if we get opportunities, we’ll take them, but I ended up crashing on the way to Skegness, so we’ll just take it day-by-day,” said Walls.

“At this point, success would just be to finish it and survive. I came into it hoping for a decent result, but we’ll just see how it goes. The recovery from my crash in Belgium was quite a long one. I did quite a bit of damage and took quite a bit of time off, but I’m just taking it step-by-step and slowly building back up.”

Walls switched teams at the start of the year after not being renewed with World Tour team Groupama-FDJ and now rides on the Continental level Team Storck-MRW BAU. It represents a drop down for the track specialist, having struggled to find his place at the French team, but offers the opportunity for a reset on the road.

“It’s a nice environment. There are good riders and we all get on. It’s obviously a smaller team, but it just means we’re closer,” said the 28-year-old.

But with the LA28 Olympics now just two years away, Walls is undecided on whether a return to the track also beckons. Having won gold in the omnium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics games, held in 2021, he suffered a horror crash at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games that saw him fly into the crowd.

Since then, Walls has not picked up any international medals on the track, with his two medals in Tokyo the last major honours to his name.

“I haven’t done much track over the last couple of years, really since my crash at the Commies,” he said. “I’m not really sure if I’m coming back and doing more. I want to but it’s just hard trying to find that balance between road and track.”

British Cycling is inspiring riders and fans across the country through the Lloyds Tour of Britain, bringing the sport to life and celebrating the joy of cycling through Britain’s biggest free-to-spectate cycling event. Visit britishcycling.org.uk