Moses Itauma may never lose again if he can get over the “humiliation” of his IBF heavyweight title defeat, says Filip Hrgovic, who stunned the Briton in August.

The Croatian, 34, stopped Itauma, who had been the strong pre-fight favourite, in the ninth round of their meeting at the O2 Arena.

The early signs suggested Itauma had the measure of his opponent, with Hrgovic touching the canvas in the second round and conceding that he was “outboxed” early on.

Hrgovic took advantage when Itauma tired but stressed the 21-year-old southpaw is so skilful that he could go on to have a hugely succesful career if he learns from his loss.

“He’s really good. He’s special. Very fast, very talented and he countered whatever I tried with his speed and timing,” said Hrgovic.

“I never was in the ring before with such a talented kid, with such a fast guy. You have some fast guys but they’re small heavyweights. You can handle them with your power but this kid is fast and big. He’s got great IQ and great talent.

“I’m still kind of angry because he outboxed me. In my whole career, in 20 years of boxing, I was never outboxed in any sparring or any fight.”

While Hrgovic, who wants to unify the division, praised Itauma’s boxing abilities, he suggested doubts remain over his mentality.

“It was big shock for him, big humiliation, so maybe it’s end of his career if he’s not mentally tough. If he recovers from this loss, mentally, it will be hard for anyone to ever beat him again,” Hrgovic added.

“A lot of people after that kind of loss, they never come back. So, it will be a hard journey for him to come back.

“You have to go through a ruthless, hard training camp. You need to go through hell to be mentally ready for this. I think he was physically ready but it’s the mental part.”

“You never know.”

Famously that was right-hander Joaquin Andujar’s favorite phrase in English, because you never know what will happen next in baseball. And that’s what makes it great. It’s a refined version of Yogi Berra’s “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”

Well, ACTUALLY. With less than a week of regular-season games left in 2026, we know a lot about what’s still possible — and what isn’t. Most postseason spots are clinched, and all but two division titles have been won. Most of what’s left in the regular season is bookkeeping. Even looking to the far-flung future of next week, we know a lot about how the postseason will play out.

“You never know” is something that teams and individuals say to make themselves feel better in desperate times — and while it contains grains of truth, it’s only true to a point.

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched the AL East at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. The Rays winning the division has been inevitable for a while, especially with the New York Yankees missing Aaron Judge for 90-something games because of a fractured rib and a strained calf muscle. The Yankees, bless ’em, were good enough to qualify for the AL Wild Card but say that Judge won’t be healthy enough to play next week in the Wild Card Series.

We’ve already seen at least one media post using tortured logic to imagine how the Yankees could win without Judge. It’s a little like picking the Chicago Bulls to win the NBA title during that season Michael Jordan retired. Basically the reasoning is: “You never know.”

Yes, you do. You know. The Yankees maybe could win a postseason series, but only because the other team, like most of the American League, stinks. The Yankees ain’t winning no World Series without Aaron Judge. This is not to say they should just give up without their best player. But it is OK for everyone else to give up on the Yankees.

Delusions of grandeur are happening on the National League side too. The Chicago Cubs sustained a major injury Sunday when Alex Bregman was struck in the face with a foul ball while standing in (or near) the on-deck circle. He suffered multiple facial fractures, and looked like he went 15 rounds with Mike Tyson. If not the boxer, at least the middle infielder of the same name from the 1970s.

Early reports are that Bregman’s vision checks out OK. It could have been a lot worse, and there’s still time for that, actually, but the Cubs are acting like it’s just a flesh wound.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters Tuesday that Bregman is not going on the injured list and he might even play in their final regular-season weekend series before the NL Wild Card round starts. Sounds really optimistic, considering how a similar injury happened to David Fry in 2025 and Giancarlo Stanton in 2014 and they didn’t play again in those seasons.

But the Cubs stand much less of a chance without Bregman in the lineup, so they’re going with it.

“I think Alex is going to be fine,” Counsell said.

Hey, you never know.

Bregman’s face is broken! And he’s just going to step back into the batter’s box less than a week later like nothing happened? There’s optimism and there’s hallucination. Show some respect for reality, Cubbies. This is a Mets medical staff putting a concussion sufferer on an airplane-level bad idea.

Yogi saying “It ain’t over ’til it’s over,” and Andujar updating it was generally good for baseball. But this is Quirky Saying Abuse (QSA). Not all truisms are true all of the time.

Sometimes, it’s right to just say: “It’s over.”

The Pac-12 is off to a pretty rough start this year: Going 0-11 against Power Four opponents sends the wrong message for a league looking to make its mark.

It may take longer than expected to reach true power-conference status, but this week offers some final opportunities.

The most important thing the conference needs is for Boise State to blow out Western Michigan. The Broncos need to prove that last week was a fluke.

In the middle of the league San Diego State, Oregon State, and Fresno State all need to get wins.

The biggest dub, however, would be a Washington State victory over Arizona, it could project as a statement going forward to end the non-conference slate.

The season started differently than expected, but it is what it is. The story is still being written.

San Diego State at Toledo

Saturday, September 26
9:00 AM PT, CBS Sports

Something needs to change in San Diego. The Aztecs embarrassed themselves last week.

It’s one thing to lose to a pretty good UCLA team; it’s another to suffer a loss at home against James Madison, which was treading lightly.

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Sean Lewis needs to figure things out immediately, or else a team from where he earned his credibility is going to end his credibility.

The key to this contest is for San Diego State to get better play out of its quarterback.

Jayden Denegal isn’t quite figuring things out, and he has talent around him. Denegal completed 55 percent of his passes for 209 yards and two interceptions in the loss against the Dukes.

Even though Toledo has a new Head Coach in Mike Jacobs, this is a program that hasn’t had a losing season since 2009. If they sense weakness, SDSU is in trouble.

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This offense has combined for 23 points in two games against Power Four opponents. If the Aztecs intend to change signal-callers or schemes, the time is now.

Javion Kinnard shined with Lucky Sutton out, who proved to be a dual-threat running back against JMU.

But John Alan Richter is off to a hot start for the Rockets; he’s thrown for 877 yards, nine touchdowns, and one interception.

Lewis needs to get his team moving—FAST.

Boise State at Western Michigan

Saturday, September 26
12:30 PM PT, ESPN2

Boise State got a little cocky last week, but they got the win.

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This matchup feels unfair in a lot of ways. Western Michigan deserved to get the dub against Michigan, but the Broncos are also gonna be pissed off heading into this matchup.

At the very least, BSU will take the Broncos seriously. It’s Bronco Buster time.

WMU boasts a solid defense, ranking 33rd nationally in points allowed per game.

Last year, Western Michigan ranked ninth in this same statistic. The main difference between the two teams, however, should prove to be Boise State’s rushing attack.

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BSU’s firepower in the backfield is Power-Four level. Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley have combined for 688 yards and four touchdowns as rushers.

Riley is the better runner, but Gaines has added a dual-threat option out of the backfield.

The crowd should also be juiced for this contest, but this is where the experience of Maddux Madsen is clutch. Madsen has played in bigger games than this, but results are expected here.

Western Michigan’s defense may be able to stymie Boise for a bit, but it feels unlikely it’ll happen for sixty minutes. WMU woke up the big dawgs when they beat the Wolverines, and big dawgs gotta eat.

Arizona at Washington State

Saturday, September 26
4:30 PM PT, CBS

In a lot of ways, this feels like the Pac-12’s last chance to earn some P4 respect this season.

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If Washington State gets blown out by Arizona at home, they will have gotten beaten by a mid-tier team from their old conference.

The Cougars’ defense feels like they should be able to hang in this matchup, but going against a Noah Fifita-led Arizona squad means the offense will need to do things.

The Wildcats found their rhythm against Northern Illinois, scoring 42, and Fifita threw for 325 yards, four touchdowns, and finished with a 91.2 percent completion rate.

He also set the U of A all-time passing yards record in the contest.

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WSU played well against Duquesne, but looked pretty bad against Kansas State. The offense cannot play at that level if they expect to compete in this game.

The Cougs’ biggest problem is figuring out who will replace Tony Freeman. He would’ve been Washington State’s best skill player on offense, but he’s out for the year.

Maxwell Woods looked like he could be the guy, but he’s still unproven against better competition. Branden Ganashamoorthy also made nice snags about the Dukes.

The Pac-12 is 0-11 against Power Four teams, but there’s one more chance.

Oregon State at UTEP

Saturday, September 26
6:00 PM PT, MW+

Oregon State feels like the surprise team that the Pac-12 needs. The Beavers looked nice the first three weeks of the season. The blowout of Montana is also more impressive than it seems.

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But if they lose to UTEP, their credibility would take a hit. This feels like a game OSU would have lost in past seasons.

This Beaver team should be different this time, though; they’re battle-tested against two top-25 teams that have both looked the part.

The Miners could be one of the worst teams in the country, but it’s difficult to know where they really stand at this point in the season; they’ve played either elite or subpar competition.

UTEP’s schedule has actually been tougher than Oregon State’s, having already played Oklahoma and Michigan.

The Miners’ best offensive player is probably quarterback EJ Colson Jr., who is playing solid in the early season. He has thrown for 377 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception.

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Another important player is safety Xavier Smith, who leads the team with 21 total tackles. Even though UTEP has struggled defensively this season, they’ve forced four fumbles, so the Beavs need to protect the ball.

Oregon State needs to be ready for UTEP, which would love to notch a win over a Pac-12 team for the Mountain West.

Writes about football and basketball as a Senior Writer and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Show” for SuperWest Sports.

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No. 1 Nebraska closes its nonconference schedule Wednesday night, hosting Missouri at Bob Devaney Sports Center in a match that picks up where the two teams left off earlier this month. The Cornhuskers enter at 10-0, while the Tigers arrive at 7-4.

The teams’ original meeting, part of the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on Sept. 6, was suspended. By mutual agreement, Wednesday’s match will restart at 0-0 rather than count any of that action toward the final result.

How to Watch Nebraska vs. Missouri Volleyball

Nebraska vs. Missouri Preview

Nebraska has not lost a match this season and enters Wednesday ranked No. 1 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. Missouri’s 7-4 record includes losses to No. 5 Louisville and No. 25 Oregon, along with wins over Arkansas State, Wichita State, Florida Gulf Coast and Bowling Green.

Nebraska holds a 74-3-1 lead in the all-time series and has won 18 straight matches against Missouri. The last meeting between the two came in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, a Nebraska sweep.

Nebraska’s Remaining 2026 Volleyball Schedule on FOX Networks

Here is every Nebraska match left this season that airs on FOX, FS1 or BTN, current as of Sept. 23. All times are Eastern and subject to change.

• Saturday, Sept. 26: vs. Ohio State, Lincoln, Nebraska – 9 p.m. ET (BTN)
• Thursday, Oct. 1: at Penn State, University Park, Pennsylvania – 7 p.m. ET (BTN)
• Thursday, Oct. 8: at Indiana, Bloomington, Indiana – 6:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
• Saturday, Oct. 10: vs. Wisconsin, Lincoln, Nebraska – TBA (FOX)
• Saturday, Oct. 17: vs. Purdue, Lincoln, Nebraska – 5 or 9 p.m. ET (BTN)
• Thursday, Oct. 22: vs. UCLA, Lincoln, Nebraska – 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
• Saturday, Oct. 24: vs. USC, Lincoln, Nebraska – 9 p.m. ET (BTN)
• Saturday, Nov. 7: at Oregon, Eugene, Oregon – 10 p.m. ET (BTN)
• Sunday, Nov. 8: at Washington, Seattle – TBA (FS1)
• Tuesday, Nov. 17: vs. Minnesota, Lincoln, Nebraska – 8:30 p.m. ET (BTN)

Nebraska’s schedule also includes matches on B1G+ and other outlets outside FOX’s family of networks. Stream every FOX, FS1 and BTN broadcast with FOX One, which brings all of FOX’s Nebraska volleyball coverage into one subscription. The Big Ten Volleyball Tournament runs Nov. 20-25 at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana, and FOX will air the championship match at 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 25 if the Huskers advance that far.

Nebraska’s schedule is subject to change. Check back for updated start times and TV designations.

The Dolphins host Sydney at Suncorp Stadium with a grand-final berth on the line. Fresh from a week off, the hosts face a Roosters side surging after its 46-10 demolition of Cronulla. Sydney carries proven finals experience, but the Dolphins’ home advantage and outstanding night record shape a fascinating contest.

When: Friday September 25, 2026 at 7:50 pm

Where: Suncorp Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters Odds

Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters Preview

The Dolphins enter their first preliminary final after a week off, while the Roosters arrive in Brisbane with momentum from a commanding 46-10 win over Cronulla. Sydney led 18-10 at half-time before scoring five tries after the break, with James Tedesco producing 161 run metres and 11 tackle breaks and Mark Nawaqanitawase crossing twice. The Dolphins earned this home final by beating the Warriors 26-16 in the opening week and have won their past 13 night matches. That record, together with the Suncorp Stadium setting and extra recovery, gives the hosts a sound platform. Sydney’s experience and renewed attacking fluency make this dangerous, particularly if its quick shifts test the Dolphins’ edges. However, the Dolphins’ consistency in night football and capacity to control the middle should help them withstand a confident Roosters challenge.

JJ Gabriel has received a lucractive offer and ‘guarantees’ to sign for Barcelona with Real Madrid among the others chasing a move for the Manchester United talent

Barcelona want to sign Manchester United sensation JJ Gabriel and is ‘guaranteeing him a sporting project’ that that could fast-track him into the first-team, it has been claimed.

Last week, The Telegraph first reported that Gabriel, 15, has sent formal notice that he wishes to cancel his registration at United with immediate effect to become a free agent.

United were left stunned by Gabriel’s decision and he was due to be involved in the Carabao Cup squad to face Brighton. If he had featured, the teenage talent would have become the club’s youngest-ever player, eclipsing David Gaskell, who was 16 years and 19 days old when he debuted back in 1956.

Despite this, United believe the situation can still be resolved with Gabriel still having time left on his contract. He cannot be de‑registered unless all parties agree, but he can negotiate a move abroad once when he turns 16 next month, helped by the fact he has an Irish passport.

Although United are refusing to give up on retaining Gabriel, he has interest from Spain. Indeed, according to SPORT, Barcelona have given the teenager guarantees that he will be part of a sporting project that could lead to him joining the first-team squad in the near future.

Alongside that, Barca are willing to put Gabriel into his most favoured central attacking midfield position and give him a long, lucrative contract, which he can sign when he is 16.

It’s added that Barca sporting director Deco has intensified contact with Gabriel’s representatives, after the player and his family were spotted in Catalonia last week, and the club are pushing for a deal.

Real Madrid are another team interested in Gabriel, with Los Blancos feeling their offer was higher than Barcelona’s. They believe they have the edge in the race for the teenage talent.

Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are among the other European big-hitters keen on Gabriel, but his agent has informed them that his priority is a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Last week, Gabriel wiped all of the images from his Instagram, leading to some concern about his United future. It then emerged that his father, Joe O’Cearuill, has taken issue with how United have handled his son’s development, with three areas in particular proving problematic.

According to The Daily Mail, O’Cearuill wanted to see his son accelerated even faster to the first team picture, despite playing for the Under 21s at 15. There was also frustration that Gabriel was not included in the first-team squad to face Ipswich Town in the Premier League and Sabah in the Champions League, where some believed there was a suitable option for him to make his senior debut.

Gabriel instead scored a hat-trick for United’s Under 19s against Sabah as they won 5-0 in the UEFA Youth League. It was a complete performance with the Reds having 44 shots to Sabah’s zero.