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Filip Hrgovic predicts former opponent Daniel Dubois’ fight against Wardley

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This time next month, all eyes will be on Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois as they collide in an intriguing battle for the WBO heavyweight world title. Now, Filip Hrgovic, who faced Dubois back in 2024, has laid out his prediction for the fight.

Dubois and Hrgovic went toe-to-toe in a scintillating scrap for the IBF interim heavyweight title almost two years ago, where the Croatian suffered his first professional defeat despite a dominant start to the contest.

Victory for ‘Triple D’ saw him then upgraded to full IBF world champion, and he went on to halt Anthony Joshua to prove he was a worthy heavyweight ruler before losing his title to Oleksandr Usyk. He now looks to bounce back in a third straight world title bout, this time against newly crowned WBO titleholder Wardley.

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Speaking to iFL TV, Hrgovic said that he favours Dubois in the clash, predicting that the Londoner will become the United Kingdom’s fifth two-time heavyweight champion.

“Yeah, I give him the advantage. I think that he will win.”

‘El Animal’ then went on to reveal both his eagerness to fight Dubois once again and his doubts as to whether such an opportunity will ever arise.

“I want to have a rematch with him [Dubois] one day.”

“That [rematch for the WBO world title] would be great but I don’t think that is happening because I am not from Great Britain. You motherf***ers give your guys all of the opportunities!”

Wardley-Dubois takes place on Saturday, May 9, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, while Hrgovic takes on Dave Allen at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster the following week.

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Ulster Rugby: Province sign Irish-qualified fly-half Jamie Benson

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Ulster have confirmed the signing of Jamie Benson on a two-year deal.

The versatile 23-year-old can play at fly-half, centre or full-back and will arrive before the 2026-27 season from Premiership club Harlequins, where he graduated from the academy system.

Irish-qualified through relatives in Belfast, Benson has represented England at U18 and U20 level, while he was selected in a wider England A squad earlier this season.

In his senior debut for Quins in 2021, Benson kicked a last-gasp conversion in the Premiership Cup against Northampton Saints.

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He made his Premiership debut in 2024, producing a player of the match performance against Saracens last season. This season, he scored his first Champions Cup try in the victory over Bayonne.

“It feels like a fantastic time to be joining Ulster Rugby,” said Benson.

“The team are playing an entertaining brand of rugby, which I am excited to be a part of.

“I have strong family connections to the province through my mum, who grew up in Belfast, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

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Ulster general manager Rory Best said Benson’s arrival will add further competition for places in the squad.

“We are delighted to be signing a player of Jamie’s quality as we build our squad ahead of next season,” Best said.

“He has shown a lot of potential for Harlequins, performing well when given the opportunity and making an impact at Prem level and in the Champions Cup.

“Jamie brings quality and competition to our fly-half depth, and has that added strength of bringing versatility to the back line at inside centre or full-back.

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“At 23 years old, he joins us with his best years ahead of him and we can’t wait to welcome him to Ulster this summer.”

Benson will become the fourth new arrival at Ulster who have already confirmed the signings of Eli Snyman, Ben Donnell and Matt Devine.

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Borussia Dortmund plot third Jadon Sancho signing after troubled Manchester United spell

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Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Jadon Sancho for a third time when his troubled spell at Manchester United officially ends.

The winger is on loan at Aston Villa this season but is available on a free transfer in the summer and Dortmund have confirmed they hope to bring him back to the Signal Iduna Park.

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Sancho is in the final months of a six-year contract at Old Trafford – though he has not played for United since the 2024 Community Shield and has not appeared for them in the Premier League since 2023 – and while they have an option to extend his deal for a year, they are unlikely to do so.

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Dortmund, who made £73m when selling Sancho to United in 2021, also re-signed him on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 season.

Now, with the chance to sign the 26-year-old without paying a fee, Dortmund are looking at Sancho as a potential replacement for his former teammate Julian Brandt, who will leave in the summer.

Managing director Lars Ricken told Sport Bild: “We’re currently looking at a lot of players and analysing them closely. We check whether they can make us better. We’re doing that with Jadon as well.

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“Of course, we are looking for an offensive player who brings quality, can help us immediately, and doesn’t require an unrealistic transfer fee.”

Sancho has only made 83 appearances for United, scoring 12 goals and getting a mere six assists, and was not allowed to train with the first team by former manager Erik ten Hag after relations between them broke down.

While United have tried to sell him since then, he has instead had three loan spells, beginning with a return to Dortmund, who he helped reach the 2024 Champions League final.

He spent 2024-25 on loan at Chelsea, scoring in their Conference League final win over Real Betis, though the London club paid a £5m penalty clause to United when opting not to buy him.

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He joined Villa on deadline day in September and has since made 31 appearances, scoring one goal, and could reach a European final for a third successive season.

In his first spell at Dortmund, Sancho scored 50 goals and got 57 assists in just 137 games.

He became their third biggest sale ever after Ousmane Dembele’s move to Barcelona and Jude Bellingham’s transfer to Real Madrid.

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OKC Thunder vs LA Clippers Preview: Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction (April 8)

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The OKC Thunder and LA Clippers cross swords in a regular-season game at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday, with tipoff at 10 p.m. ET. It is the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with the Thunder leading the season series 2-0.

Both teams are playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The Thunder thumped the LA Lakers 123-87 on Tuesday, while the Clippers cruised to a 116-103 win over the Dallas Mavericks. OKC remained in first place in the West with a 63-16 record, while the Clippers are in eighth place with a 41-38 record.

OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Preview, Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction

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OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Betting Tips and Odds

Moneyline: Thunder (-258), Clippers (+210)

Spread: Thunder -7.5 (-111), Clippers +7.5 (-111)

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Total over/under o/u: Thunder o224.5 (-111), Clippers u224.5 (-111)

Editor’s note: Odds might change closer to tipoff.

Betting Tips

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to score over 30.5 points.
  • Kawhi Leonard is expected to score under 27.5 points.
  • Chet Holmgren is expected to record under 8.5 rebounds.

OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Preview

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams are automatic from the mid-range. They must punish the Clippers with their proven skill, especially when the Clippers are prone to playing drop coverage. OKC needs to utilize Chet Holmgren’s ability to draw big out on the perimeter, which will open driving lanes for the rest of the team.

The Thunder’s defense is as solid as it can get, with multiple players well-versed in guarding multiple positions at an elite level. Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso will put pressure on Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin, forcing them into tough shots and turnovers.

Meanwhile, the Clippers should look to slow the pace against the Thunder, which wreaks havoc in transition. Attacking the rim and putting OKC rim protectors in full trouble is another strategy that can yield high returns.

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Kawhi Leonard must outplay the reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander for the Clippers to beat the Thunder. Leonard’s ability to score on all three levels and defend at an elite level will allow the Clippers to compete with OKC.

OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Starting Lineups Tonight

OKC Thunder starting lineup

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG: Lu Dort, SF: Jalen Williams, PF: Chet Holmgren, C: Isaiah Hartenstein.

LA Clippers starting lineup

PG: Darius Garland, SG: Kris Dunn, SF: Kawhi Leonard, PF: Derrick Jones Jr., C: Brook Lopez.

OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers Prediction

OKC is a deeper and more disciplined team right now. While the Clippers will put on a strong fight, we expect the Thunder to pull away in the second half and win their seventh consecutive game.

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Final score prediction: Thunder win 118-109.