Rajasthan Royals beat Punjab Kings by 6 wickets. (Image: BCCI/IPL)
Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey produced a sensational finish, stitching an unbeaten 77-run partnership off just 32 balls to guide Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling six-wicket win over Punjab Kings in Match 40 of IPL 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh.With the chase finely poised after 14 overs and the required rate climbing beyond 12, the duo turned the game on its head. Ferreira and Dubey targeted the pace attack with precision, capitalising when the spinners were out of the attack. Arshdeep Singh was taken apart for three boundaries in an over, while Marco Jansen also leaked crucial runs. Their fearless hitting ensured RR cruised home with ease, handing PBKS their first defeat of the season.
Sooryavanshi Sets the Tone
Earlier, Rajasthan’s chase was ignited by a stunning cameo from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. After being given the strike by Yashasvi Jaiswal, the youngster made an immediate impact.Despite Arshdeep starting with pinpoint yorkers, Sooryavanshi counterattacked brilliantly, smashing 6, 4, 4 in the opening over. He continued his assault against Lockie Ferguson and Jansen, racing to 43 off just 16 balls (3 fours, 5 sixes) before being dismissed.In the process, he reached 400 runs in just 167 balls at a staggering strike rate of 238.09, the fastest to the mark in an IPL season. RR stormed to 66/1 in just four overs, setting the foundation for the chase.After Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, Yashasvi Jaiswal took charge, playing a composed yet aggressive knock. He brought up a 26-ball fifty, finishing with 51 off 27 balls. However, PBKS fought back through Yuzvendra Chahal, who removed both Jaiswal and Riyan Parag (29) in quick succession. Along with Dhruv Jurel’s slow 16 off 20, RR’s momentum dipped, managing just 25 runs across four overs.At one stage, the equation read 100 needed off 52 balls, with the pressure firmly back on Rajasthan. Just when PBKS looked to regain control, Ferreira and Dubey flipped the script. With clean hitting and calm composure, they dismantled the bowling attack in the death overs.Ferreira led the charge with a blazing 52, while Dubey played the perfect supporting role as RR chased down the target in 19.2 overs without losing another wicket. Earlier: Stoinis Powers PBKS to 222Batting first, Punjab Kings posted a strong 222/4, thanks to a late blitz from Marcus Stoinis (62 off 22).Prabhsimran Singh (59) anchored the innings, while Cooper Connolly (30) and Shreyas Iyer (30) chipped in with useful contributions. Stoinis’ explosive finish ensured PBKS crossed the 220 mark.
Both the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments are expected to expand to 76 teams, effective next year, a source confirmed to CBS Sports on Tuesday.
A formal announcement by the NCAA is expected in May.
Expansion of the NCAA Tournament has been discussed and debated for years. Proponents celebrated the idea of more access while adversaries insisted it would lessen the regular season and be a net-negative for the sport. In the end, the argument for a bigger tournament that will generate additional revenue won out.
How a 76-team bracket would work
This will be the first expansion of the NCAA Tournament since it went from 64 to 68 teams in 2011. The move will create eight additional at-large bids. What’s been known as the First Four — eight teams playing four games in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday and Wednesday of the first week of the NCAA Tournament — will now include 12 games played by 24 teams at two different locations, one of which will remain Dayton. The second opening round site is not known but will be in the Pacific, Mountain or Central time zones.
The move to 76 would mean 52 teams would auto-slot into the main bracket and 12 games for 24 teams Tuesday and Wednesday for a rebuilt opening round.
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Farewell to First Four
The 12 games for the 24 teams in the expanded NCAA Tournament will be labeled “the opening round” when the tournament expands in 2027. The “First Four” is dead, a source told CBS Sports.
The expanded opening round will be split between at-large teams and teams who have won automatic bids by winning their conference tournaments. All No. 16 seeds and half the No. 15 seeds will play games Tuesday and Wednesday of the opening round. The other half of the games will be a mix depending on team quality comprised of No. 11, No. 12 and maybe a No. 13 seed.
Any similar incident at the upcoming tournament will now result in a red card, following a unanimous agreement by football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), in Vancouver on Tuesday.
An IFAB statement outlining the law change read: “At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.”
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UEFA announced last Friday that Prestianni had been given a six-match ban in relation to the incident for discriminatory conduct that was homophobic in nature, with three of the games suspended for two years and one already served on a provisional basis.
UEFA announced last Friday that Prestianni had been given a six-match ban in relation to the incident for discriminatory conduct that was homophobic in nature (AFP/Getty)
It is understood Vinicius’ allegation of racism was found not proven by UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body (CEDB) and that Prestianni admitted using a homophobic slur towards the Brazilian. The sanction imposed is still subject to appeal.
FIFA brought the idea of bringing in sanctions for players covering their mouths to the IFAB’s annual general meeting in Wales in February, shortly after the incident occurred.
The day after the meeting, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Sky News he thought red cards should be issued when a player confronts an opponent and covers their mouth.
Players who walk off the pitch in protest at refereeing decisions – and officials who incite players to do so – will also face instant dismissal at this summer’s finals, again following a recommendation from FIFA to the IFAB.
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A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.
The change follows the chaotic scenes witnessed during the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, when Senegal’s players left the field after the award of a penalty to hosts Morocco deep into injury time.
Their actions delayed the match by 17 minutes, and Senegal went on to win after Brahim Diaz missed the spot-kick and the game went to extra time.
Senegal were stripped of the title by an appeal board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which last month overturned the result and awarded the trophy to Morocco.
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Senegal is appealing against that decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
There has been an unfortunate update about WWE RAW star Stephanie Vaquer. La Primera competed in a title match at WrestleMania 42 last weekend but came up short.
The Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Roxanne Perez jumped Vaquer backstage during last night’s edition of the red brand and unleashed a brutal attack as a way to write the former champion off WWE TV. Michael Cole later announced that Vaquer suffered a second-degree AC joint sprain and would be out of action for a while.
Thanks for the submission!
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According to Bryan Alvarez of The Wrestling Observer, Vaquer’s injury is legitimate. However, it remains unknown when the popular star’s injury took place.
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Stephanie Vaquer captured the Women’s World Championship at Wrestlepalooza 2025 and held the title until WrestleMania 42. Liv Morgan defeated Vaquer at The Show of Shows to become the new Women’s World Champion. The match only lasted seven minutes at the biggest show of the year earlier this month in Las Vegas.
Stephanie Vaquer calls out WWE fan who made her uncomfortable
Stephanie Vaquer recently called out a wrestling fan who made her feel uncomfortable.
A wrestling fan suggested that Vaquer was rude, and the former champion responded on social media. The WWE RAW star stated that she politely asked the fan for space, but the fan continued to follow and harass her. She added that it made her sad to see people like that refer to themselves as fans.
“I always stop and I’m very kind to my fans. Yesterday was my birthday and I was honestly having a really bad day. Even so, I politely asked for understanding, and many people respected that. But you followed me for a long time, saying hurtful things and making me feel uncomfortable. I told you no multiple times, and you kept following me and recording. And now you’re posting this on social media. It’s sad to see people like you call themselves fans….,” she wrote.
I always stop and I’m very kind to my fans. Yesterday was my birthday and I was honestly having a really bad day. Even so, I politely asked for understanding, and many people respected that. But you followed me for a long time, saying hurtful things and making me feel
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Stephanie Vaquer spent years on the independent wrestling scene before signing with WWE in 2024. Only time will tell when the 33-year-old will be cleared to return to the ring.
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Manchester City are locked in a Premier League title race with Arsenal heading into the final month of the season, and the congested fixture schedule late on is set to make things very interesting
Manchester City know there’s a 15-day period that is set to define their Premier League title credentials in the final month of the season. Arsenal’s win over Newcastle United at the weekend saw the Gunners reclaim top spot.
A goal from Eberechi Eze saw Arsenal pick up an important three points, but City now have a game in hand due to their FA Cup endeavours at the weekend. Pep Guardiola’s men defeated Championship side Southampton under the Wembley Arch to set up an FA Cup final clash with Chelsea.
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The two top-flight teams will meet at Wembley on May 16, in what could be a crucial run of games for City. Arsenal are still in the Champions League, which could be a welcome distraction for a City perspective.
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Guardiola’s side have just six games left to play, while Arteta’s team could have seven games. The Gunners are back in Premier League action at the weekend when they take on Fulham, but City will have a few more days rest before they take on Everton.
Things really start to ramp up after the first weekend in May. Guardiola’s team host Brentford on May 9th, and will have to play five games in the space of 15 days if you include that clash against the Bees.
For Arsenal, they’ll have just three top-flight games to play in the same timeframe, but could also have a Champions League Final on the horizon if they come through a two-legged affair with Atletico Madrid in the next fortnight.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks on during pregame moments before facing the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium, with Sep. 15, 2024 capturing the scene in Glendale. Murray scans the field and prepares for kickoff as the Cardinals get set for a divisional matchup at home. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images.
The 2026 NFL Draft is complete, and the Minnesota Vikings walked away from the event with nine new players, in addition to 19 undrafted free agents signed over the weekend. Now, NFL.com has turned its attention to the rest of the spring and summer, identifying three main questions for Kevin O’Connell’s team.
Minnesota has most of its roster set, but a few decisions matter before training camp in July.
Oddsmakers expect Minnesota to finish 8-9 or 9-8 in 2026; here’s what it may need to answer to bump that forecast to 10-7 or so.
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The Vikings Still Have Three Loose Ends to Solve
It’s a “Big Three” from NFL.com.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray speaks with reporters after signing during 2026 NFL free agency, with March 12, 2026 capturing his introduction in Eagan. Murray addresses expectations, roster fit, and the transition to Minnesota as the franchise presents its new starting quarterback to the media. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
1. Is Kyler Murray the Obvious QB1?
The Arizona Cardinals severed ties with Murray in March after months of onlookers expecting the outcome. Then, the Vikings pounced, striking a one-year deal with Murray worth just $1.3 million, as he was already paid for 2026 by Arizona.
Now, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra wonders if Murray is the for-sure QB1. He wrote, “Now that we’re past the draft, the quarterback battle royale in Minnesota can commence. The assumption is that Murray signed to be the starter, and little we’ve heard suggests otherwise. But we need to see the QBs on the field to cement that belief. The future of J.J. McCarthy is the big question.”
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“Will he push Murray? Will he wash out and even be leapfrogged by Carson Wentz? Kevin O’Connell has always spoken positively about McCarthy, but the Vikings’ offseason actions in the QB room tell a different story. Would the Vikings keep the first-round pick around if he’s QB3?”
There’s a somewhat common misnomer that Murray needs some kind of career reclamation with the Vikings — akin to Sam Darnold in 2024. But in reality, this isn’t like that at all. Not one bit. Murray is, at worst, a Top 15 quarterback when healthy, producing efficiency numbers similar to those of Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers. Murray doesn’t need to rekindle anything in the Twin Cities; he just needs to be himself and use the tools his maker gave him.
McCarthy, on the other hand, will likely need serendipity to get a shot at his QB1 job. Yes, you can call that a Murray injury. Wentz is in the house for QB3 insurance because two Vikings seasons in the last three years have been ruined by injuries to Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, McCarthy, and even Wentz personally.
Our Answer: Murray will win the QB1 job handily; a “competition” is just window dressing.
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2. Will Harrison Smith Return?
In early January, Minnesota defeated the Green Bay Packers in the final game of the 2026 campaign, and, based on the fan and team festivities, it felt like Smith’s final game. Soon after, the offseason arrived — and nothing happened with Smith. He didn’t retire; he hasn’t signed a contract extension.
Patra noted, “As we get to May, Smith still hasn’t announced his intentions for 2026. If he decides to play, the Vikings have said they’d love to have him back. Minnesota selected Jakobe Thomas in the third round, but didn’t add a veteran to the safety crew. There is no question that the secondary would be better if Smith returned.”
This one is 50-50. Smith has joked in the past that when his time in the NFL was over, nobody would know it, and he’d just fade away. That appears to be happening now.
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) scores a touchdown in front of Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) during first-half action at Ford Field, with Jan. 5, 2025 marking the divisional matchup. Gibbs crosses the goal line as Smith trails the play in a key scoring moment for Detroit. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images.
Without Smith, Minnesota would roll with Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, and the aforementioned rookie, Thomas, at safety. That might just be enough.
It’s also strange that Smith wouldn’t say one single peep of goodbye to the fan base that has unconditionally loved him since 2012.
Our Answer: Smith returns for one more year because he can’t stand to think of Murray and the Vikings winning a Super Bowl without him.
3. Who’s the WR3?
This one may already be on a path to clarity. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “49ers free-agent wide receiver Jauan Jennings is visiting tonight and Wednesday with the Minnesota Vikings, per source.”
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Jennings is a dream WR3 for O’Connell — he’s a “culture guy,” and he blocks downfield for running backs. There’s also ample overlap between O’Connell’s system and Kyle Shanahan’s in San Francisco.
Unrelated to Jennings, Patra opined on WR3: “The loss of Jalen Nailor has mostly flown under the radar. The Vikes didn’t draft any WR depth, pushing 2025 third-rounder Tai Felton up the depth chart. Can the player with three catches as a rookie take on a bigger role?”
“No receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the roster gained more than 25 receiving yards in 2025.”
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) takes the field before kickoff at Levi’s Stadium, with Jan. 3, 2026 capturing the pregame moment in Santa Clara. Jennings walks onto the field as the 49ers prepare for action, offering a glimpse of the wideout ahead of another contest. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images.
If the Jennings visit doesn’t produce a contract, the Vikings have Felton as a WR3 possibility, assuming he shows significant strides at training camp in July and August.
Otherwise, this list of free agents is pretty spiffy:
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Brandon Aiyuk (if traded)
Curtis Samuel
DeAndre Hopkins
Jauan Jennings
Keenan Allen
Noah Brown
Stefon Diggs
Tyreek Hill
After the Schefter tweet, this one probably isn’t complicated.
Our Answer: It’s Jennings as the Vikings’ WR3 after a fruitful Tuesday meeting.
Rajasthan Royals players celebrate after the match. (Pic credit: IPL)
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday did what no other team had managed in IPL 2026, defeating league leaders Punjab Kings by six wickets at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh. The win lifted RR one place up in the standings to third, with 12 points from nine games, marking their sixth victory of the season.Meanwhile, PBKS suffered their first defeat of the campaign after eight matches, but they continue to sit atop the points table with 13 points. Despite the loss in a high-scoring encounter, Punjab retain a strong net run rate (NRR) of +1.043, which keeps them comfortably ahead.
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Axar Patel shares big update on Mitchell Starc
RR not only leapfrogged Sunrisers Hyderabad in the standings but also improved their NRR to +0.617, strengthening their position in the top four.SRH, as a result, slipped to fourth place. They have 10 points from eight matches and still boast a healthy NRR of +0.815, keeping them firmly in contention.Royal Challengers Bengaluru continue to hold second place with 12 points — level with RR — but remain ahead due to a superior NRR of +1.919, the best in the competition so far. Their dominant win over Delhi Capitals on Monday significantly boosted their standing.Beyond the top four, the rest of the table remains unchanged following Tuesday’s match. Gujarat Titans occupy fifth place with eight points, followed by Chennai Super Kings with six.Further down, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders (five points), Mumbai Indians (four points), and Lucknow Super Giants (four points) round out the standings.
Latest IPL 2026 Points Table after PBKS vs RR match:
Sep 3, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; University of Miami Athletic Director Dan Radakovich walks on the field prior to the game against Bethune Cookman Wildcats at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
University of Miami athletic director Dan Radakovich announced his retirement on Tuesday, effective June 1.
Radakovich, 67, has guided the Hurricanes’ athletic department since 2021 after previously working as the AD at Clemson (2012-21), Georgia Tech (2006-12) and American (2000-01).
“Dan came to us with an outstanding track record. I’ve enjoyed working with him as we’ve rebuilt and advanced Miami Athletics during an incredibly transformative time,” Miami president Joe Echevarria said. “Dan is a person of high character and has been an invaluable thought partner. I will continue to seek his advice and counsel going forward and wish him and his family all the best in what comes next.”
Radakovich was the senior associate AD at LSU from 2001-06. He began his career as an athletic business manager at Miami from 1983-85.
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“Serving the University of Miami again has been an absolute privilege,” Radakovich said. “This place means everything to me, and I’m proud of what our student-athletes, coaches and staff have accomplished together. The program is in a great place, and it’s the right time for fresh leadership to shape what comes next.”
Highlights from his tenure in Coral Gables, Fla., include the football team’s run to the CFP championship game last season, the men’s basketball team’s first-ever Final Four in 2023 and the women’s basketball team’s first Elite Eight the same year.
The Miami athletic department matched a school record this past year with a graduation rate of 94%.
A national search for a successor is already underway. Deputy athletic directors Brian Baptiste and Rachelle Paul will serve as co-leaders of the department during the transition.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele scored twice each as Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in an epic first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, an extraordinary encounter becoming the highest-scoring match ever at this stage of the competition.
The first half alone was crazy, with Harry Kane giving Bayern the lead from a penalty only for Kvaratskhelia to equalise before Joao Neves headed the hosts in front at an enthralled Parc des Princes.
Michael Olise made it 2-2, but a Dembele penalty in first-half stoppage time had the reigning champions back ahead at the interval.
Kvaratskhelia, surely the standout player in this season’s Champions League, and Dembele both then scored again to have PSG seemingly out of sight, only for Dayot Upamecano to pull one back before Luis Diaz made it 5-4.
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An unforgettable game – perhaps better even than last season’s semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona – leaves the tie between the continent’s two best teams of the moment wonderfully poised for next Wednesday’s return at the Allianz Arena, with a place in the final in Budapest on May 30 on the line.
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Luis Enrique’s Parisians will be returning to Munich – scene of their 5-0 win over Inter in last year’s final – with the advantage, but Bayern will be confident they can overturn the narrow deficit at home.
The French champions are seeking to become just the second side in the modern Champions League era to retain the trophy, while the German champions are hoping to reach the final for the first time since 2020, when they defeated PSG to lift the trophy for the sixth time.
Instant classic
Vincent Kompany’s team arrived in Paris having scored 167 goals this season, led by the remarkable Kane who had netted 53 times in 45 appearances.
This tie had a lot to live up to, after Bayern’s spectacular win over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, but it was an instant classic as both teams showcased their devastating firepower.
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Bayern went ahead in the 17th minute as Willian Pacho chopped down Diaz and Kane made no mistake with the resulting penalty to make it 54 for the campaign.
The visitors won 2-1 here in November in the league phase thanks to a Diaz double and they were the better team early on this time.
But their front-foot approach made them vulnerable to the counter-attack, and Dembele should have equalised before the leveller came just after the midway point in the first half.
Kvaratskhelia’s genius on the wing has regularly been the difference for PSG recently, and he broke clear of Josip Stanisic down the left before cutting inside and firing into the far corner.
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A classic Kvaratskhelia goal was followed by Neves heading in Dembele’s corner on 33 minutes.
The action was only just getting started, however, as French international Olise drove towards the PSG box before smashing in for 2-2 with his 20th of the season.
PSG then won a penalty at the end of the first half, when a Dembele cross struck the arm of Alphonso Davies, the Canadian making his first start in the Champions League this season after injury.
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It was given by the Swiss referee after a VAR check, and Dembele beat Manuel Neuer to make it 3-2 at the interval – a lead which PSG added to after the restart, leaving Bayern stunned.
Achraf Hakimi’s assist was swept in by Kvaratskhelia for 4-2 on 56 minutes, the Georgian getting his seventh goal in seven games in the knockout phase.
Bayern had not been able to reset before Dembele surprised Neuer with a low shot in off the near post to make it 5-2 with his second of the night.
But Bayern were not done, as Upamecano headed in Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick for 5-3, taking Kompany’s side to 170 for their season tally.
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Diaz, who was sent off in the November meeting, was then played in over the top and dribbled past Marquinhos before slotting in for the night’s final goal.
Kompany, watching from the stands due to suspension, would have been delighted with his team’s response – even if they were relieved to see Senny Mayulu’s late strike for PSG come back off Neuer’s crossbar.
Spurs want Marcus Rashford if they stay up, Anthony Gordon is ‘likely’ to leave Newcastle and Arsenal are closely monitoring Victor Osimhen’s situation.
Tottenhamhave shown a “genuine interest” in signing Manchester Unitedforward Marcus Rashford, 28, if they avoid relegation amid reports Barcelona have doubt about making the England international’s loan permanent. (Sport – in Spanish), external
Arsenalsporting director Andrea Berta was in Istanbul on Sunday to watch Galatasaray amid speculation the Gunners want their 27-year-old Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. (AS – in Spanish), external
Jose Mourinho could start a second stint as Real Madrid head coach in the summer, with the Benfica manager the preferred candidate of president Florentino Perez. (Athletic – subscription required), external
Liverpool hope their strong relationship with RB Leipzig will help them land 19-year-old Ivorian attacker Yan Diomande early in the summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external
Liverpool are also monitoring Napoli’s Sam Beukema, 27, with the Dutch defender a long-term favourite of manager Arne Slot. (Teamtalk), external
Newcastleand Aston Villa are interested in signing Maxi Araujo, 26, from Sporting, with the Uruguay international able to play left-back and on the left wing. (Sport Witness), external
Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda, 27, has been added to the shortlist of attacking players wanted by Evertonthis summer, with Leeds, Tottenham and Brightonalso showing interest in the Japan international. (Teamtalk), external
Valencia are keen for Belgian winger Largie Ramazani to make a permanent move from Leedsafter the 25-year-old impressed on his loan spell in La Liga. (ElDesmarque – in Spanish) , external
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez suffered the first defeat of his career thirteen years ago, falling short against the great Floyd Mayweather.
The pair clashed on September 14, 2013 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in a fight billed as ‘The One.’ Mayweather entered as the unbeaten pound-for-pound number one and the sport’s biggest draw, while Canelo, just 23 at the time, brought an undefeated record and unified super-welterweight titles. It was contested at a catchweight of 152lbs, and generated huge commercial interest as a clash between the established king and boxing’s fastest rising star.
Mayweather delivered a complete performance, using his trademark defence, footwork and timing to control the distance throughout and repeatedly beat Canelo to the punch with sharp counters and accurate combinations. Alvarez struggled to cut off the ring or land cleanly.
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The American won by majority decision – judge C.J. Ross’ draw being widely criticised – but the performance itself was clear-cut and reinforced his status as the best fighter in the world.
Some feel it was shrewd matchmaking, with Mayweather adding a great name to his record before he reached his peak. Others disagree, believing Floyd would always have the beating of Alvarez.
In an interview with Oso Trava, Alvarez said that he believes that experience, not skill, was the defining factor that night in Las Vegas. The Mexican icon also revealed that suffering his first defeated ‘hurt’ him, but he was able to refocus by putting it into perspective.
“I got extremely frustrated, right? Because I felt capable – I felt capable of beating the best in the world at 23 years old. And I was capable, I just didn’t have the right experience, and I realised that afterward.
“It hurt me a lot because, however you want to call it, it hits your ego as a fighter – what you wanted to be, what you visualised that didn’t happen. And yeah, it hurt a lot, it hit me really hard, and maybe I went through some level of depression. I don’t know if there are levels of depression, but yeah, maybe I did.
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“But then, thinking alone at home – because I like having my time alone – thinking, I said, ‘Alright, let me get myself together, ground myself, and think: I didn’t lose to just anyone, I lost to the best in the world. I’m 23 years old, and he practically didn’t do anything to me.’
“I told myself that’s not going to stop me from being the best in the world one day.”
Asked what he lacked at 23 that he later gained, Canelo said confidence.
“Confidence. I think confidence more than anything as a fighter = not mentally, because mentally I was fine – but confidence. More fights in those kinds of scenarios, because it’s different. That would have helped me win.”
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