In the minds of many, the Minnesota Vikings have already decided who is going to start at quarterback: veteran newcomer Kyler Murray. If that is indeed the case, then the Vikings’ GM may have some explaining to do, at least if J.J. McCarthy has a noticeably better August.

Nolan Teasley chatted with KFAN’s Paul Allen in June. The conversation — a rite of passage for anyone prominent within the world of Minnesota Vikings football — predictably swerved into the quarterback competition that got started prior to Teasley being hired. After noting the “talent” and “upside,” Teasley said that the battle is a true meritocracy: “may the best man win.” The simple, offhand comment could become very important if the competition goes in a certain direction.

The Vikings’ GM: Let the Best QB Win

There is, at least to a certain extent, some silliness in the conversation here. What’s the executive supposed to say other than that the better of the pair will get the top job?

The NFL markets itself as a place where talent wins. A lot of the time, that reflects reality, but it’s not always so. The National Football League is a business above all, meaning that money gets the final say. More often than not, those two ambitions — stacking piles of cash and featuring talent — converge, but that’s not always so. Sometimes, strategic decisions get made that aren’t about winning.

Consider, for instance, what took place in Arizona last year. Some insisted that there was a soft benching taking place with Murray allowed to remain away from his starter’s position in the name of injury recovery. Rolling out a tank commander to drive down the record was considered better for a Cardinals team that was keen to earn a very high draft choice.

In Minnesota, the likeliest scenario features a Week 1 game where Mr. Murray is the QB1. That’s not a locked-in reality, though. All of Kevin O’Connell, Nolan Teasley, Justin Jefferson, and others have proclaimed this a true competition.

Is that actually so? A lot of people don’t buy it.

One way of measuring the veracity of the consistent claim is to witness the competition that has yet to begin. Where the purple rubber would meet the golden road is if J.J. McCarthy is clearly and decisively better. That’s a possible, albeit unlikely, path that would feature no shortage of intrigue.

Murray, per the common wisdom, was brought to town to start. Would he really accept living as the QB2 for a year of his prime? Some don’t think so.

But then there’s the danger in demoting a McCarthy who shows to the coaching staff, teammates, and fans that he’s more deserving of being the starter. Doing so before then being bumped down the depth chart could lead to some tough questions about how legitimate the competition was in the first place (which is to say nothing of the speculated McCarthy mutiny).

Consider some basic facts to step off of the shaky ground that is speculation:

• J.J. McCarthy was chosen at No. 10 overall in 2024 to be MIN’s franchise passer.
• J.J. McCarthy had battled a ton of injuries and has played poorly overall.
• Kyler Murray is coming off a disappointing time as the Cardinals’ QB1 but boasts insane talent and is in the prime of his career.
• The Vikings’ GM has indicated that whoever is better will be the starter. So have coaches and players.

Orbiting around these basic facts are the whims and fancies of the masses of Minnesota onlookers. The online orthodoxy can be tossed to and fro but God help you if you get onto the wrong side of it on any particular day. People feel strongly about their perspective, declaring it so vociferously that to disagree is paramount to proclaiming one’s idiocy.

Forced to guess, I’d say that most think Murray is inevitable. Minnesota is paying lip service to the idea of competition but this one is already in the books.

Where things would get fascinating is if J.J. McCarthy clearly and decisively proves to be the most promising QB1. Seeing that possibility turn into a reality isn’t super likely but can’t be outright dismissed. Seeing that possibility turn into reality would force the decision makers to back up what has long been promised: may the best man win.

The Vikings are moving into a 2026 season that’s trying to bridge the old with the new, made evident in the Vikings’ GM decisions (firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah before hiring Nolan Teasley). Moreover, there’s the quarterback competition as a reminder that Minnesota is open to at least a partial franchise reset.

Vikings rookies arrived at TCO yesterday for training camp. The vets arrive tomorrow. Soon enough, Murray and McCarthy will compete in front of the masses.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Joseph O’Brien landed the day one feature at the Galway Races, the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap with Comfort Zone (18/1).

Carrying the colours of J.P. McManus, the Derek O’Connor-ridden seven-year-old hadn’t performed in the race last season, but produced a battling display on Monday evening.

Dublin handler Bill Durkan provided both the runner-up Holy See (40/1) and the fourth-place finisher Eagle Fang (13/2). The former, who had won at Gowran on his penultimate outing, was three-quarters-of-a-length behind the winner.

Galway specialist Teed Up (14/1), who has won four flat races and two hurdles contests at the Ballybrit venue was third, a half-length ahead of Eagle Fang in fourth.

O’Brien double

O’Brien quickly doubled up in the following race when Dylan Browne McMonagle guided the 13/8 favourite to a four-and-a-quarter length success. The bay daughter of Saxon Warrior, who was 16lbs well in after a Listed win at Naas in June, never looked in danger when heads turned for home in the straight.

Expert Dancer and Sam Coen (11/1) gave trainer Andy Slattery the runner-up spot, while Motta Alta (13/2) was third for yesterday’s German Group 1-winning combination of Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington.

Witches Familiar wins Novice Hurdle

As expected the two powerhouses of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot were to the fore in the opening Galmont Hotel & Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle – the opener of the 2026 Galway Races Summer Festival.

It was the former, with his French import Witches Familiar (13/8 favourite), who took the 5.10pm race as the Ballinrobe maiden hurdle winner in May ran out a ready eight-and-a-half length winner in the hands of Paul Townend.

Another French-bred, Mino Des Mottes (8/1), from the Elliot yard, and ridden by Jack Kennedy, was runner-up, and Arouet (7/1), with Daniel King in the saddle, competed a trifecta for horses bred in France, coming home four-and-three-quarter lengths further back.

Timurshah completes hat-trick

Aidan Melia’s son of Mastercraftsman, Timurshah (12/1) completed a hat-trick of wins when taking the Easyfix Iggy Daly Handicap Hurdle. Ridden by seven-pound claimer Conor Smithers, the five-year-old, who had won this season at Clonmel and Sligo, had six-and-a-half lengths to spare over Whats New (10/1) and Darragh O’Keeffe at the line. Soldante (15/2) and Eoghan Finegan were three-and-three-quarter lengths behind the Andy Slattery-handled Soldier’s Call gelding.

Trean (11/4), in the colours of the Red Lily Racing Syndicate, ran out a four-and-three-quarter length victor in the Eventus Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden for Billy Lee and Paddy Twomey.

A disappointing tenth of 12 runners behind Abraham Lincoln on Dubai Duty Free Irish Weekend at The Curragh, the juvenile son of Ballylinch Stud’s Bayside Boy was prominent behind the pacesetter, City Of Gold (7/1) throughout, before scooting clear prior to the final bend. The Wayne Lordan-ridden City Of Gold, from Ballydoyle, was second, with another Aidan O’Brien inmate HMAS Perth (12/1) third. The Joseph O’Brien-handled favourite, One Number (5/2), disappointed to finish back in fifth place.

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

Adam Ramsay-Peaty maintained that winning is no longer everything after he was forced to settle for a second bronze medal in the men’s 50 metres breaststroke final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Two days after cutting an emotional figure after his third-placed finish in his favoured 100m, Ramsay-Peaty cut a much more composed figure as he stressed that a shift in priorities is essential if he is to stay focused heading deeper into the 2028 Olympics cycle.

Watched once again by his pregnant wife Holly Ramsay from the stands, Peaty failed to haul his way back from a slow start and finished in a time of 26.94 seconds, well off Australia’s Sam Williamson, who won in 26.50, with Michael Houlie of South Africa taking silver.

“Super power looks very different now,” said Ramsay-Peaty.

His former extraordinary dominance has dimmed in recent years, following a year out in 2023 to prioritise his mental health, and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.

“Juggling babies with milk and having a toddler around is a different super power,” added Ramsay-Peaty, who has a five-year-old son from a previous relationship.

“I’ve still got that mentality – we just have to approach it very differently. I’ve been that person who wins all the time and it costs you pretty much everything and I wouldn’t say it’s worth it now.

“I think for me that period of time when I was undefeated for eight years, it was athlete first, then human. Now it’s human first, then athlete, which is a very fair price to pay.”

Ramsay-Peaty had vowed to put a “battle plan” in place after finishing third over the longer distance on Saturday, but he looked somewhat less than combative through the heats and qualified third for the final, behind Houlie and Williamson, the 100m gold medallist.

Despite winning three individual world titles, Ramsay-Peaty has never been able to assert his authority to such a degree over the shorter distance. He twice finished runner-up to Cameron van den Burgh at the Commonwealth Games before finally reaching the top of the podium in Birmingham in 2022, two days after a shock fourth place over 100m.

The addition of the 50m breaststroke event to the swimming programme for the Los Angeles Games has been cited as one of the reasons for Ramsay-Peaty’s decision to pursue at least one more Olympic cycle – but it remains to be seen whether he will consider it a price worth paying.

The trade deadline in Major League Baseball is now just one week away, as it is set for Monday, Aug. 3. Some jockeying still needs to be done by then, of course, as the overwhelming majority of teams are still technically in the playoff race. On that front, we’ll see some action this week, but much of the maneuvering will happen next Monday. 

In the meantime, let’s get to the rumors from today. 

Dodgers unlikely to add Skubal

We aren’t even sure if the Tigers are sellers or not, given that they enter Monday 3 ½ games out of a playoff spot. If they do end up as sellers, two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will be the big deadline prize. The two-time defending-champion Dodgers, at least for now, aren’t expected to pursue Skubal should he become available. Per the LA Times:

With a week to go before the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 3, the Dodgers don’t appear to be moving toward a trade for Skubal, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.  

Things can change, obviously. The Dodgers are always lurking with their deep pockets and fruitful farm system. Even if they don’t necessarily need starting pitching, the move here would be to prevent other teams from getting the ace lefty. 

Also, keep in mind that Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are injured and Shohei Ohtani has been shut down from pitching indefinitely. The hunch here is, if Skubal becomes available, the Dodgers are lying in the proverbial weeds. 

Astros are buyers

Astros general manager Dana Brown continues to make it clear that the Astros are planning to buy in the hopes of making the playoffs in the final year of his contract. 

“The division is wide open,” he said (via The Athletic). “The wild card is wide open. There’s some parity there. There’s a lot of teams bunched up,” Brown said on the Astros pregame radio show Sunday. “I think the team that gets hot is going to be the team that takes the run. We would anticipate that we’re going to be buyers.”

The Astros are two games out in the AL West and from the third American League wild-card race. 

As for what the Astros would like to add, a big bat in the outfield appears to be the priority. 

“We’re looking for some type of offensive bat that can play the outfield,” Brown said. “If it’s a left-handed bat, great, but any type of offensive upgrade that can help lengthen the lineup would be our focus.”

Phillies, Rays watching All-Star pitcher

The Nationals are only one game away from the last National League wild-card spot right now, but the organization is in the midst of a retooling and has shown a willingness to deal from the big-league club. Lefty All-Star Foster Griffin (12-2, 2.76) is on a one-year deal and, accordingly, is drawing a ton of interest. 

The Phillies and Rays both had a scout watching Griffin in his start on Saturday, per The Athletic. The big takeaway here isn’t necessarily that those teams are hotter on Griffin than others, but instead that he’s a major trade chip here during his breakout season.

The expectation should be that every contender looking for starting pitching will be involved.

From Japan to potential trade deadline gem: Nationals’ Foster Griffin is one of MLB’s biggest success stories

Mike Axisa

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Mets have a high bar for players under control past this season

The Mets will be one of the biggest sellers at the deadline this season, and their lineup boasts a number of players set to hit free agency after this season. As for players under control past 2026, president of baseball operations David Stearns will set a high bar on any return in order to make a deal, according to the New York Post. He’s open to moving such players, as long as the price is met. 

Mets players hitting free agency after this season: Luis Robert Jr. (team option for next season), Clay Holmes (player option), Tyrone Taylor, A.J. Minter, Freddy Peralta, Brooks Raley

Mets players controlled through 2027: Luke Weaver, Jorge Polanco, Huascar Brazobán

Needless to say, we’ll be talking about the Mets a lot this coming week, regarding the trade market.

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Reds place trade candidate on IL

Bad timing here. The Reds have placed utility power hitter Spencer Steer on the 10-day injured list due to a right wrist sprain. He’ll be in a splint for the next two weeks and then re-evaluated, but surgery is not part of the plan, Steer told reporters on Monday. The expectation was that Steer would be on the move here in front of the deadline (and president of baseball operations Nick Krall conceded that was likely), so the wrist injury complicates things. Keep in mind, though, that it isn’t unheard of for an injured player to be traded. The Dodgers added Tommy Edman in 2024, for example, and he didn’t return until Aug. 19 that season before being a regular starter in the playoffs en route to a World Series title. 

Steer, 28, is hitting .238/.319/.421 (101 OPS+) with 16 home runs this season. He’s under team control through 2028.

White Sox add Urquidy

The White Sox have acquired right-handed pitcher José Urquidy, the team announced late Sunday.

Once a productive starter, Urquidy posted an 8.53 ERA in 6 ⅓ innings for the Pirates earlier this season and a 7.71 ERA in 2 ⅓ innings last season for the Tigers. He’s clearly a flier for the White Sox here, as they could use the organizational depth with starting pitching.

Gianni Infantino is not a man used to apologizing. And even though he said sorry three times on the second slide of a 15-page Instagram post, that remains the case.

“To everyone who missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the crying, the deception, and the joy. To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness. Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” read a missive from the FIFA president posted on FIFA’s website, his personal Instagram account, and FIFA’s online and social channels. Comments were turned off.

The Swiss executive went on to claim that the World Cup, had brought “no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!” The exclamation mark was not the only part of the message reminiscent of US President Donald Trump’s communication style.

Infantino claims to have ‘united’ Iran and USA

“While you spread hatred, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war. Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict,” Infantino wrote.

In fact, Iran were treated differently to any of the other 47 teams at the World Cup. They were forced to stay in Mexico and travel to their games in the US and had further last minute restrictions imposed on them after their matches.

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Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team were the “most oppressed” at the World Cup after the travel chaos came on top of several support staff being denied visas.

Travel bans and visa refusals were a running theme of the tournament. Trump’s travel bans denied entry to fans from several participating countries, including Haiti, Senegal, Iran and the Ivory Coast, which faced varying levels of bans or restrictions.

Iran at the 2026 World Cup

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Furthermore Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US due to unsubstantiated US government claims that he had an “association with suspected members of terror organizations,” despite the fact that he held a diplomatic passport and the had been issued the correct visa.

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FIFA and UEFA split becoming clearer

But, Infantino said, people should instead be looking at FIFA’s successes.

“You mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world. Because football unites the world, and it was demonstrated impressively this summer,” he added.

Infantino’s relationship with Trump has been another bone of contention for many. After awarding Trump the newly introduced FIFA Peace Prize in December, Trump admitted to phoning Infantino to lobby on behalf of US striker Folarin Balogun, whose red card ban was suspended in a near-unprecedented move at a World Cup.

Could Europe’s football union ditch FIFA?

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“Indeed, ‘arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange” disciplinary rulings such as for instance potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide,” Infantino wrote.

However, FIFA’s own rules state that red card bans at World Cups cannot be appealed or overturned, which Balogun’s, in a World Cup context at least, was.

“It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticizing,” continued Infantino in what appeared to be a shot at European governing body UEFA, which publicly said FIFA had “crossed a red line” in the Balogun incident. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin failed to attend the World Cup final, a move widely understood to have been in protest — with FIFA and its biggest continental association at loggerheads.

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Trump wants Infantino as UN Secretary-General

Shortly after the final, Trump recommended Infantino for the post of secretary-general of the United Nations, which is up for grabs at the end of this year.

But, despite the thoughts of his “close friend,” Infantino looks set to remain at FIFA, where he is expected to be elected unopposed once again next year. In Sunday’s message he praised his own organization for delivering despite the further criticism of hydration breaks and FIFA breaking their own rules to extend halftime in the final.

“To the pens and papers, to all the screens, may you find love and peace where the people behind you couldn’t.

2026 World Cup, the tournament that changed football forever

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May you find peace; we at FIFA have found ours and we deliver it, by delivering the most outstanding FIFA World Cup. May football rise above all hate.”

It is a message that the Iranian team, Haitian fans and Omar Artan may well have shared, had they been allowed to enjoy the World Cup with the same freedoms as Infantino.

Edited by: Chuck Penfold

One of the initial tasks for first-year Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur is figuring out who the team’s starting quarterback will be, now that the post-Kyler Murray era has arrived.

The answer might not be coming any time soon.

Veteran Jacoby Brissett — who started the final 12 games last season — was the initial favorite to land the role, but didn’t practice with the team during the offseason because he’s unhappy with his contract situation. However, he participated in Thursday’s workout in a signal a new deal could be close.

Brissett appears to be in a three-man battle with veteran Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck for the starting job, but LaFleur didn’t give any clues about the depth chart when asked to describe the competition.

“I’d describe it as practice one on July 23,” LaFleur said.

The 33-year-old Brissett is in the final year of a $12.5 million, two-year deal, though only $1.5 million is guaranteed. If he remains the starter, he would be among the league’s lowest-paid quarterbacks.

Brissett had good individual stats last season with 3,366 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions, but the Cardinals went 1-11 in his starts. The Cardinals finished last in the NFC West at 3-14.

Safety Budda Baker made his feelings known about Brissett’s situation on social media earlier this month, posting: “Just want bro to get his (expletive) done… he is not asking for what you think. Bro is asking for below the bare minimum. Let’s just get it done!!!”

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Baker stood by his statement on Thursday.

“I definitely think Jacoby did a great job coming in last year,” Baker said. “I know we didn’t get the wins that we wanted to get, but I think he commanded the offense at a high level.”

Johnson And Sweat On The PUP List

Starting left tackle Paris Johnson (knee) and star edge rusher Josh Sweat (knee) opened camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

LaFleur said he wasn’t concerned about the long-term prognosis for either player.

“The Paris thing, that’s really, honestly nothing. We’re all on the same page, it’s really just maintenance stuff so he’ll be back before you know it,” LaFleur said. “Same thing with Josh. Seeing him yesterday, he’s fired up to be here. He was in great spirits and looked really good.”

Johnson and Sweat won’t practice, but they still count toward the 90-man training camp roster limit. They are permitted to attend meetings and can return to practice at any point during the preseason.

Johnson is entering his fourth season as a starter, while Sweat had a career-high 12 sacks last season.

The other two on the PUP list — cornerback Garrett Williams (Achilles tendon) and Tip Reiman (ankle) — are still recovering from serious injuries that happened last season.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Off-The-Field Issues Percolate

LaFleur’s first training camp — including the quarterback battle — has been overshadowed by off-the-field issues over the past few weeks.

The NFL suspended Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold indefinitely on July 17 for violating the league’s gambling policy. The league said its investigation determined that Gold provided confidential, non-public inside information regarding 2026 draft selections by the Cardinals before the picks were announced, and Gold also participated in parlay bets on NFL and college games.

Gold is in his 13th season with the organization.

More recently, Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams was arrested in Canada on four weapons charges. Adams, a third-year player who is competing for a starting spot, was at camp Thursday.

The 25-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm obtained in a crime, possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm, no license while in possession of a loaded firearm and possessing a prohibited device. Adams’ attorney, Adam Weisberg, said in a statement that Adams is “completely innocent in this matter.”

“He’s doing good,” LaFleur said of Adams. “I’m not going to comment too much on that obviously … but he’s doing good and it’s good to see him.”

Reporting by the Associated Press. 

UK wellness interiors specialist Zynk Design has completed the design of Round House, a new martial arts academy in Makati, Metro Manila, created to offer a more premium and inclusive alternative to the traditional combat gym.

Located on the sixth floor of A and V Crystal Tower in Legazpi Village, the academy combines a large martial arts floor with strength and conditioning, private training, premium changing facilities and a dedicated recovery suite.

Round House was founded by Jonathan Fong, who drew on his experience of training overseas to create an academy where beginners and experienced martial artists can learn alongside one another through structured programming and high-quality coaching.

The name combines the precision of the roundhouse kick with the idea of the academy as a welcoming place to gather – a dual identity reflected in Zynk’s design.

Rather than relying on the red-and-black palette traditionally associated with combat sports, Zynk has anchored the training spaces in charcoal, grey and deep green, creating an environment that feels disciplined and athletic without becoming intimidating.

The main floor is wrapped in mirrors, broadening the sense of space and giving students continuous visual feedback as they train. Grey and green mats define the activity zones, while black structural elements, equipment and storage create a strong visual framework around the perimeter.

Overhead, a combination of angular white light panels and linear strips cuts across the dark ceiling. Their fragmented geometry picks up the faceted Round House brand mark and brings energy and movement to the interior, while delivering the even illumination needed for coaching and training.

The academy’s punching bags have been arranged around the edge of the floor, leaving the centre open and adaptable for classes, drills and sparring. Integrated timber storage provides a place for equipment, helping the academy maintain a more ordered appearance than the typically crowded combat gym.

The strength and conditioning zone continues the dark, industrial treatment, with black rubber flooring, exposed services and streamlined lighting. Perimeter windows bring daylight into the space, while a mirrored wall increases visibility and makes the compact training area feel larger.

Zynk has used a markedly softer palette in the changing rooms and recovery spaces. Timber locker fronts, matching benches and built-in vanity joinery introduce warmth, while concealed lighting and pale finishes create an atmosphere closer to a premium health club or spa.

The recovery suite includes a plunge pool and shower, set within a compact, softly illuminated room featuring stone-effect surfaces, timber detailing and recessed ceiling lighting. Its inclusion supports Round House’s positioning of martial arts as part of a wider wellness routine rather than simply a competitive sport.

“We don’t just see this as a gym,” said Jen Uyehara, vice president of operations. “It’s an academy that integrates world-class coaching, meaningful community, holistic recovery and premium facilities.”

Round House offers classes in kickboxing, Muay Thai and mixed martial arts disciplines and is affiliated with the Bas Rutten-inspired Bang Muay Thai system, which combines traditional Muay Thai with modern MMA techniques. Its philosophy – “precision over power” – is expressed through a structured curriculum intended to develop technique, confidence and long-term progression. Round House

The project builds on Zynk’s experience in the Philippines. In 2023, the company designed the 12,000sq ft gym at SMDC’s Rich Residences in Manila, creating a two-storey facility with a prominent boxing and MMA offer, strength and conditioning and multi-use sports spaces. Zynk Design

Round House officially opened in July 2026. Garage Philippines

Errol Spence Jr suffered the second loss of his career when he was beaten by Tim Tszyu on Saturday, with that defeat causing him to retire from the sport. Now, two-division world champion Tim Bradley has offered his thoughts on the American’s performance.

Spence lost for the first time when he came up short against Terence Crawford when bidding for the undisputed welterweight world title in 2023, then a three-year stretch of inactivity left fans questioning whether the Texas-based operator would ever fight again.

Yet, on Saturday night, the former unified WBC, WBA and IBF welterweight world champion made his ring return, appearing in a middleweight clash against Tszyu in Australia.

From the opening bell onwards, it appeared as though Spence’s previous injuries, combined with his age and inactivity, had caught up with him and that his ability had faded as a result, lacking the power or speed to cause his Aussie opponent too much trouble.

Spence’s mentality saw him remain competitive in the fight and last the distance, after which a unanimous-decision and career-best win was awarded to the home fighter. On his YouTube channel, Bradley noted that Spence’s balance was off throughout the affair and admitted the performance was ‘hard to watch.’

“That was hard to watch, I’m not going to lie to y’all man. There was times when I was watching that s**t and I felt like jumping through the T.V. and helping Spence.”

“His body betrayed his a** last night. It goes to show that, you know what, you can have that mental, but your body is going to do what it is going to do once that age sets in.”

“It looked like Spence was on ice skates at times when he got hit, his whole body trembled. His balance was all off, it was like he was in high heels or some s**t. He was leaning forward, top-heavy like a motherf***a.”  

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Shortly after the judges’ verdict was confirmed, Spence revealed that the bout would be his last, walking away from boxing at the age of 36 with a record of 28-2.

Astronomix continued his impressive ascent through the grades with a powerful wide run to win the Happy Retirement Lynne McLean Handicap (1300m).

James McDonald, who is on the cusp of claiming a record-equalling eighth consecutive Sydney jockeys’ premiership and his 10th overall, had not competed in a Sydney Saturday race meeting since All Aged Stakes Day in mid-April.

His last appearance in Sydney was actually at a Canterbury midweek fixture on May 27, due to interstate and overseas commitments.

McDonald was seen to great advantage on Astronomix ($3.90), with the emerging three-year-old finishing strongly under 59kg to run down the determined front-runner Nullarbor Jane near the line, winning by a length. Aisle Two ($10) finished a further two-and-a-quarter lengths behind in third.

Lady Invictus, backed into $3.30 favouritism, appeared to have every opportunity but could only manage to finish fifth.

Astronomix has now amassed a record of three wins and three placings from six career starts, with the promise of more to come, according to McDonald.

“He’s a young horse with a lovely presence about him,” McDonald stated. “He has been so well handled, so well educated, and he was strong to the line today. I don’t think he’s any world-beater but he tries very hard in his races.”

The victory for Astronomix provided trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton with the second leg of a successful double, following the earlier win of two-year-old Scintillation.

“We like him, he’s a very genuine young racehorse,” O’Shea commented on Astronomix. “He’s only lightly raced, he gives his all but we feel he can only keep improving.”

Earlier, Leovanni also continued her impressive form surge, securing her third consecutive victory in the TAB Highway (1800m).

Leovanni had initially struggled to break her maiden status, accumulating eight minor placings. However, after finally breaking through with a win at Tamworth, she has now won successive Randwick TAB Highways over 1600m and 1800m.

The Cameron Crockett-trained Leovanni ($7) settled on speed, took the lead on the turn, and went on to score comfortably by three-quarters of a length from Maples ($5.50), with Moon Sweeper ($2.35 favourite) a long neck away in third.

“I thought she probably should have been favourite today,” Crockett said. “But when you have an Arrowfield horse (Maples) and one of Matt Dunn’s (Moon Sweeper) then I don’t mind being third favourite. If we win it doesn’t make any difference.”

“As soon as Alysha Collett got up outside the leader I was worried that maybe she might over-race. But when she relaxed and half switched off then I thought she won’t let any of them pass her as I know how tough she is.”

Consider the Australian betting sites for future races after this exciting performance.