Oleksandr Usyk’s next move remains uncertain.

The unified heavyweight world champion is expected to return to action this summer, but he continues to be linked with a host of potential opponents and one former heavyweight ruler has revealed that the Ukrainian has personally assured him their long-awaited fight will happen.

Usyk had been linked to a showdown with Deontay Wilder at the beginning of the year, but prolonged negotiations led to Wilder instead opting to take on Derek Chisora, for what will be both men’s 50th professional contest.

Additionally, Usyk has been mentioned for a meeting with former unified world champion Andy Ruiz Jr, as well as a shock bout against Dutch kickboxer, Rico Verhoeven.

This week, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced that Usyk has requested a voluntary defence of his titles, but that he must then take on WBC Interim champion Agit Kabayel in the fight that follows to avoid being stripped.

However, when speaking with Gunman Boxing, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ revealed that the Ukrainian has given him ‘his word’ that victory over ‘Del Boy’ will tee up a shot at his titles.

“I believe so [that Usyk will come next], I’m going to keep Usyk for his word. I believe that he is a man of his word and I understand that [fighting me] is what he wants to do.

“He don’t need me because he has done great things throughout [his career], but he does need me if he wants that end of an era legacy [fight].”

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It appears unlikely that Usyk will remain on the sidelines until a potential showdown with the American later this year, with Verhoeven now emerging as the surprise frontrunner to face the unified champion next.

The first Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival in 2026 will feature eight starters in the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington.

Strikingly, for a race open to all ages and sexes, the three-year-old fillies boast the highest representation.

Three such fillies are entered out of eight for the 1000m test, pursuing a third win in the event over the past 25 years.

Regimental Gal provided the fillies’ success in 2004, with Coolangatta achieving it most recently in 2023.

Six-year-old mare Benedetta joins them, positioning the females to potentially raise their count to four in the Black Caviar Lightning after victories by Coolangatta, Imperatriz and Skybird in the previous three runnings.

My Gladiola and Military Tycoon, both Melbourne-trained fillies, will accompany Michael Freedman’s Marhoona, who has been quartered at Flemington for slightly over one week in readiness for the Group 1 dash on Saturday.

Marhoona exhibited top-class form at two when chasing Tempted home in the Reisling Slipper at Randwick, then annexing the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) next at Rosehill.

In spring, she competed just twice: victorious on debut in the Heritage Stakes at Rosehill, then third in the Roman Consul Stakes at the same track.

Freedman indicated Golden Slipper winners face difficulties returning at three, but Marhoona is primed for autumn action, evidenced by her trial win against Autumn Glow at Randwick on January 27.

“I think she has come back great,” Freedman said.

“Slipper-winning fillies aren’t easy to place, especially the ones that are more sprinting types.

She is already a Group 1 winner so we want to try to line her up in races that can only potentially enhance her page, so we had a chat about it and thought we’d have a crack at the Lightning.”

No worries for Freedman regarding Marhoona’s straight course novelty, as stablemate Pallaton won there on Melbourne Cup Day.

The filly gets a new jockey in Michael Dee.

“We had Craig Williams booked, but he is suspended on Saturday, so we had to make a bit of a late change,” Freedman said.

Check the racing betting markets for the Black Caviar Lightning to find the strongest prices.

The post Golden Slipper winner in Black Caviar Lightning bid first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman said he was “very, very happy” after scoring and providing an assist in Atletico Madrid’s 4-0 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.

Lookman praised his team’s performance and said the players worked well together. “Of course, scoring is good, but I think the team played really well tonight,” he said after the match.

The Nigerian forward also highlighted Atletico’s teamwork in front of goal. “In the box we were very professional, and today we showed a great level of teamwork,” he added.

Lookman said the fans played a big role in the victory. “We got that energy from our fans tonight, they were amazing, so we are glad,” he said.

The forward explained that he is always looking to score and help the team. “You always want to score as an attacker, always looking to get into dangerous positions, so I just try to be in the right place at the right time,” he said.

Despite the big win, Lookman warned that the tie is not finished. “Of course, it’s a big victory. But we have a few more games coming up before we play away, so we need to stay with the same mindset and focus on those matches,” he said.

Atletico now have a strong advantage going into the second leg, while Barcelona will need a big comeback to stay in the competition.

Australia suffered one of the most shocking defeats in their second Group A clash of the 2026 T20 World Cup against Zimbabwe in Colombo on February 13. After a comfortable win over Ireland in their tournament opener, the Men in Yellow looked off-color from the get-go against a spirited Zimbabwean unit.

On a two-paced wicket, the Aussies conceded 169 to Zimbabwe in 20 overs, picking up only two wickets. In response, they suffered an embarrassing collapse in the power play to be relegated to 29/4 in the fifth over.

Despite a brief recovery, thanks to Matt Renshaw’s brilliant 65, Australia lost wickets throughout their innings. They were eventually bowled out for 146 in the last over, resulting in a 23-run defeat.

It was Australia’s second defeat in as many T20 World Cup matches against Zimbabwe, following their stunning five-wicket loss in 2007.

Fans on X reacted to Australia’s loss to the lower-ranked Zimbabwe as follows:

Fans continued reacting to Australia’s stunning loss to Zimbabwe, with one saying:

“Australia deserve to lose for not taking T20 World Cup seriously.”

“Australia’s overconfidence has been broken,” a fan posted.

“The second time they have beaten Australia in T20Is. This was a pathetic performance by Australia. I haven’t been convinced by their squad since the start. I don’t like their approach towards the World Cup at all. One of the weakest Australian units I have seen,” said a fan.

“We’ve been here before” – Travis Head

Australian skipper Travis Head remained upbeat despite the side’s stunning defeat to Zimbabwe, pointing to the 2023 ODI World Cup as an example of their ability to bounce back. The Men in Yellow lost their opening two matches of that tournament but bounced back to clinch the title by defeating India in the final.

“We’ve been here before. We said at the toss a little bit about 23 and having injuries and working through navigating through tournament play, which is typical. And we’re seeing a lot of tight games. And yeah, we’ve found ourselves in this position before. We had a few guys in that dressing room who were here in India in 23 that navigated through that, and we ended up on the right side of it. So, we’ll go back to the blueprint of that,” said Head at the post-match presentation (via Cricbuzz).

The loss leaves Australia in a precarious position in Group B, with the side having to win its last two group stage games to have a chance of advancing to the Super Eights. They will take on co-hosts Sri Lanka in their next outing at Pallekele on Monday, February 16.