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Naoya Inoue called out by new US world champion: “I’ll be first to beat him”

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Naoya Inoue remains as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound superstars and the Japanese phenomenon may finally move up to featherweight this year. There, each of the 126lb champions are hoping to be selected as his opponent, but none more so than a newly crowned titleholder from the United States.

Inoue has ruled at light-flyweight, super-flyweight, bantamweight and super-bantamweight over the course of his 32-fight career, becoming undisputed at both 118lbs and 122lbs as one of just three multi-divisional undisputed champions in the four-belt era.

However, despite a legacy-defining showdown with Junto Nakatani on the horizon, many fans in the United States are keen to see Inoue fight on American soil and to do so in the featherweight division.

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Now, after registering a knockout of the year contender in a world title win in his hometown, WBC featherweight world champion Bruce Carrington informed Sean Zittel that he would accept a fight with ‘The Monster’ over possible title unifications.

“It [the fight with Inoue] is very realistic now and I am super excited for what is to come. These next two years are going to be really special, we are going to be making a lot of noise and I think that it is right there, it is on the cusp of happening.

“Everything is really falling into place for me, man. I really want to be the first guy to do it, to beat Inoue, and then we are going to be on that road, superstardom level.

“[I would rather] a fight with him [than unifications], because with the unifications, I feel like I could still do that regardless, after [fighting Inoue]. I think that the fight with him is something that I want more, because it would just put me on that level.

“Me beating him would put me on a certain level, over the unification fights, honestly.”

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Carrington then went on to explain why he believes that the interest in that bout should not be one-sided, declaring that Inoue should be seeking events across the pond in order to improve on his star power.

“He should have some interest in fighting in America as well, that will make him into an even bigger fighter if he becomes more successful with more fights here and builds his name.”

Should Inoue wish to debut at featherweight in the U.S. then Carrington sticks out as the obvious candidate and with his New York roots, a clash at Madison Square Garden makes sense for both men, providing Inoue comes through his meeting with Nakatani unscathed.

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UConn stuns Duke in Elite Eight matchup

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The UConn Huskies needed to dig themselves out of a hole in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils, and behind Braylon Mullins’ clutch 3-pointer and Tarris Reed Jr.’s high-percentage scoring, they were able to pull off an incredible comeback victory to advance to the Final Four.

The Huskies were able to effectively pressure the Blue Devils into a turnover with less than seven seconds left. Caden Boozer had his pass deflected and the ball got into Mullins’ hands.

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Braylon Mullins celebrates

UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) celebrates after a basket against Duke during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Braylon Mullins with his teammates

UConn guard Braylon Mullins, right, celebrates his game winning basket with guard Malachi Smith (0) during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Duke, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

The freshman was well beyond the 3-point line when he chucked up the ball. His prayer was answered as the ball went through the back of the net. UConn’s 19-point comeback was complete as the Huskies’ bench jumped in jubilation.

UConn was able to get the ball into Reed many times over the course of the game and for nearly half of the second half, the Huskies were in the bonus. Reed finished with 26 points on 10-of-16 from the field with nine rebounds. He was 6-of-9 from the free-throw line.

MICHIGAN ROUTS TENNESSEE TO WIN REGIONAL FINAL, ENTER NCAA MEN’S FINAL FOUR

Duke's Dame Sarr celebrates a basket

Duke guard Dame Sarr celebrates a basket against UConn during the first half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Duke was up three points with 28 seconds to go. UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. was fouled and went to the free-throw line for two shots. He missed the first and made the second. The second free throw enabled UConn to set up its press defense and force the turnover in the end.

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The Huskies outscored the Blue Devils 44-28 in the second half after being down 44-29 in the first half.

Cameron Boozer led Duke with 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Tarris Reed Jr dunks the ball

UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks during the second half against Duke in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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UConn is back in the Final Four for the third time in three years. The Huskies will be looking to get back to the national championship after winning two titles in the last three years. UConn will take on Illinois and Michigan will go up against Arizona in the Final Four.

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Fans slam Bubba Wallace for causing a 15-car wreck at Martinsville

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Bubba Wallace was at the center of the biggest wreck of the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. Fans online reacted strongly after a late-race crash triggered by the 23XI Racing driver caused a multi-car pileup and ended the race for three cars.

Wallace spent much of the race hovering around the middle of the field, struggling to move forward on a track where passing often comes down to tight, physical racing. Martinsville’s nature means bumpers are constantly in play, especially in congested traffic. But this time, what initially looked like routine contact escalated.

Wallace made repeated contact with Carson Hocevar while entering Turn 4 and through the corner. With limited space on the outside lane, Hocevar was forced up into Zane Smith. The contact sent Smith hard into the outside wall and triggered a stack-up behind. Within seconds, the track had over a dozen cars piled in with nowhere to go.

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The crash involved Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez, Chris Buescher, Erik Jones, Connor Zilisch, Riley Herbst, and others. Wallace spun in the incident, ending his race along with Herbst and Ty Dillon. Smith retired initially but returned later. The incident drew strong reactions from fans online, many of whom placed the blame squarely on the No. 23 driver.

Some comments on X did not hold back, pointing to what they felt was excessive aggression from Bubba Wallace in a tight corner.

“Bubba Wallace, what an F-ing joke,” a fan wrote.

Bubba Wallace, what an F-ing joke.

“Retard wrecks half the field bc he got passed,” another one commented.

Retard wrecks half the field bc he got passed.

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Others echoed the sentiments.

“Didn’t mean to?? He plowed him 4 times in 1 turn 🤣🤣,” someone wrote.

Didn’t mean to?? He plowed him 4 times in 1 turn 🤣🤣

“Bullsh*t, he hit him three times. What a disgrace,” another one chimed in.

Bullsh*t, he hit him three times. What a disgrace.

“Awww little man baby, trying to avoid a penalty. Nice try. Can’t wait to see what that penalty is,” a fan tweeted.

“Awww little man baby, trying to avoid a penalty. Nice try. Can’t wait to see what that penalty is.”

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Others questioned whether the move was avoidable, especially given the lack of space Carson Hocevar had on the outside. While the language varied, the overall sentiment remained consistent, as many viewed it as a preventable incident.


Bubba Wallace reacts after crash ends his race early: “I misjudged”

Bubba Wallace (23), Ross Chastain (1), and Carson Hocevar - Cook Out 400. Source: GettyBubba Wallace (23), Ross Chastain (1), and Carson Hocevar - Cook Out 400. Source: Getty
Bubba Wallace (23), Ross Chastain (1), and Carson Hocevar – Cook Out 400. Source: Getty

After being released from the infield care center, Bubba Wallace addressed the incident and accepted responsibility for the contact with Carson Hocevar. His explanation pointed to a misjudgment rather than intent, though the result had already reshaped the race.

“I misjudged. I didn’t appreciate the three-wide in (Turn) 1 fine, and then I misjudged the center of the corner. Didn’t mean to turn him… What a frustrating day, man,” he said.

Wallace also reflected on the expectations heading into Martinsville, a track he has often considered one of his better opportunities.

“So much expectation coming here, favorite track, Hardee’s on the car. Just wasn’t the day we wanted. We really really have to figure out what it is at this place. We can win Saturday in practice, just don’t show up on Sundays. I hate it for our team,” he added.

It marked another setback for Bubba Wallace in what has otherwise been a strong start to the season. The 23XI Racing No. 23 finished inside the top 11 in the first five races. However, a DNF at Darlington followed by this crash at Martinsville has now dropped him nine places in the standings.