Former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs has given his prediction for the strongly rumoured showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder.

Last week, Usyk announced the decision to vacate the WBC, IBF and WBA. However, the Ukrainian confirmed he wouldn’t be retiring straightaway, targeting one more fight before hanging up the gloves on a stellar career.

Talks to face former WBC titlist Wilder have restarted after stalling earlier in the year. Usyk’s team has made it clear that the three-time undisputed champion wants to headline in the US before retiring, and Wilder, as one of this era’s standouts, makes sense. ‘The Bronze Bomber’s team have said they are open to taking the fight.

Speaking to Wilder in a clip captured by ES News, fellow knockout artist Briggs advised ‘The Bronze Bomber’ on how to approach the match-up. ‘The Cannon’ concluded that the American would be able to win against the undefeated Usyk.

“He’s gonna fight Usyk and I’m rooting for him. He deserves the fight because he’s fought  so many fights and defended his title so many times.”

“I want you to win that fight. You are going to do your thing. I know you are going to pull it off, too, with that right hand you got. Listen champ, just line him up, line him up. Hit them on top of the head.”

“He’s gonna come like this [in the southpaw stance] and he don’t leave much [open]. But, with that right hand you got, right down the middle… You’re gonna do it.”

Wilder is coming off a rare points victory over Derek Chisora in Manchester, and had been understood to be considering a rematch before this opportunity presented itself. With talks reportedly now ongoing behind the scenes, fans may not have to wait too long for an announcement, though Usyk is also considering a left-field fight with former UFC champion Jon Jones.

England forward Aggie Beever-Jones has signed a new contract with Chelsea, extending her stay at the club she joined as a nine-year-old until 2030.

The 22-year-old has become an established member of Chelsea’s first-team over the past three seasons after loan spells with Bristol City and Everton earlier in her career.

Beever-Jones has made 97 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 32 goals, and has helped the club win two Women’s Super League titles, two Women’s FA Cups and two Women’s League Cups.

Speaking after signing her new deal, she said: “It feels great. Chelsea has been my club since I was a young girl, and that means a lot to me and my family.

“It’s a very proud day, and I’m super excited to continue my journey and make more memories in blue.”

The Chelsea Academy graduate made her first senior start for England in May 2025 and marked the occasion with an impressive hat-trick in a 6-0 Nations League victory over Portugal at Wembley Stadium.

She was later named in England’s squad for Euro 2025, scoring in a 6-1 group-stage win over Wales before helping the Lionesses lift the trophy.

Five years ago Josh Tongue was considering an early end to his cricket career but he is now just one step away from fulfilling his ambition of becoming England’s all-format “impact bowler”.

A highly-rated youth pace prospect, Tongue was forced to contemplate a premature move into coaching after a shoulder complaint known as thoracic outlet syndrome forced him out of the game for 15 months in his mid-20s.

A ruptured pectoral in the summer of 2023 put him back on the shelf a matter of weeks after he battled back to earn a place in the Test team, and a torn hamstring meant he missed the entire season in 2024.

But as England begin to build towards their next chapter, Tongue, now 28, has emerged as a cornerstone of their attack.

He is inked into the Test XI after out-performing the pack in last winter’s Ashes defeat, made his T20 debut in Saturday’s victory over India at Emirates Old Trafford and could add a first ODI cap later this month after winning a call-up for the 50-over series.

Tongue’s injury history might have tempted the management into a more cautious workload, but the Nottinghamshire quick is relishing the chance to make up for lost time.

“I want to be a big impact bowler in every format, in Tests, T20s and 50 overs as well,” he said.

“Obviously I struggled with injuries a few years back, but that’s part of being a fast bowler. I’ve always wanted to play three formats for England.

“With the injuries I had a few years ago, not knowing if I was still going to be playing cricket, I put a lot of hard work in at the gym, running as well. There were some gloomy days in the gym, where you feel the walls are getting closer and closer, but that’s the hard work you need to put in to make sure you can stay out on the park and keep representing England. I want to play as many games as I can because it’s a privilege.

“Test cricket is very demanding, I’ve learnt that over the last few years. It’s about knowing your own body inside-out and knowing you’ve got the support to stay as fit as you can. The science and medical team are always asking how I am and we go from there.”

Tongue will take his place in an unchanged England XI at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, with the hosts 1-0 up with three to play in the Vitality Series.

That means a chance to renew his new-ball duel with 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Tongue beat the schoolboy sensation with his first two balls as the pair crossed paths on their respective debuts, before being clattered for six as the youngster showed off his remarkable ball-striking ability.

“I’ve watched him at the IPL and he’s an amazing player, an exciting talent,” he said. “He got hold of me for that six, which was obviously a nice shot, but I try to focus as much as I can on myself.”

India’s power-packed top three of Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan will be licking their lips in Nottingham, where short boundaries and true pitches have made for big totals in the past.

But to square the series they will need to outmatch an England side who chased down 191 with an over to spare in Manchester, as Jacob Bethell’s 76 not out carried them home.

For a while, the football appeared to have taken over the politics at the 2026 World Cup. Cape Verde taking world champions Argentina to the wire, Paraguay knocking out Germany and Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe fighting it out for the top scorer’s Golden Boot — the focus was on the pitch.

But just before Norway upset Brazil and England knocked out co-hosts Mexico in one of the tournament’s best games, Donald Trump put his thumb on the World Cup scales. Reports from multiple sources state that the US President lobbied to have the red card suspension of his country’s top scorer, Folarin Balogun, in effect, overturned.

He was successful, with FIFA ripping up the rulebook that bans red card appeals to say that the “automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.” FIFA cited Article 27, a broad provision that allows them to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”

The decision was handed down a little more than 48 hours before the US are to face Belgium in the quarterfinals. Trump celebrated with a post on his Truth Social platform that read, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

The close relationship between Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who created a FIFA Peace Prize to award Trump in December, has faced much scrutiny in the buildup to the tournament and will now come under the microscope again.

What has the US and Belgian reaction been to Balogun decision?

Belgium, as you might expect, are not happy. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) responded with a strong statement of condemnation, saying they were “astonished” by the decision.

“I didn’t know that 5 July was equal to 1 April [April Fools’ Day] at FIFA,” joked a clearly angry Belgium coach Rudi Garcia in his prematch press conference.

On Monday, The Athletic reported that the RBFA have been granted the right to appeal the decision to a member of the FIFA appeals committee not associated with UEFA, Europe’s football confederation, or the North American equivalent CONCACAF. The judgment on that appeal could land as late as 12 hours before the quarterfinal kicks off.

Garcia’s opposing coach, Mauricio Pochettino, suggested issues had been “conflated” by those with an unspecified “agenda” to justify the decision.

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“If anyone was harmed in this whole situation, it was the United States. Can anyone justify the idea that we weren’t punished? I mean, playing 30 or 35 minutes a man down in a World Cup knockout match? It’s not as if we’re benefiting. Ultimately, we aren’t victims, but we aren’t the villains of this story either.”

How has the rest of the football world reacted to FIFA’s decision?

Those without skin in the game have, almost universally, backed the Belgian standpoint. The US are manifestly not the only side in the tournament frustrated by a call they believe is incorrect. UEFA, which is increasingly at loggerheads with FIFA, said the u-turn “crossed a red line” in a statement released on Monday.

Norway coach, Stale Solbakken, admonished Infantino’s organization even before Trump’s involvement became clear.

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“It is a big mistake by FIFA. It is not a great conclusion. He got a red card and the VAR concluded that it was a red card. That means you are suspended for one game,” he said. “I think what is really bad about that situation is, if the USA beat Belgium, they will always have that extra thing about it. The Belgians will be furious.”

The German FA, in the form of DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, called for an immediate clarification.

“The impression that there has been active political interference in sports must be dispelled swiftly and conclusively. The integrity of the competition and the credibility of FIFA are at stake,” he said, calling on FIFA to clarify Trump’s involvement.

His compatriot, England coach Thomas Tuchel, was among those who questioned whether this case now becomes a precedent.

“Where does this start and where does this end now? Can we overturn it or not overturn it? What’s going on? Where to draw the line is the question that I ask. I have no answer to that,” he said.

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What could happen next in the Balogun case?

Pending the result of Belgium’s appeal, Tuchel’s questions will no doubt be among those considered by every federation left in the tournament, and perhaps even some who are out. If this red card can suddenly be overturned, the thinking goes, why not others? Or a disallowed goal? Or a yellow card leading to suspension for a key match?

Indeed, the French Football Federation (FFF) is considering appealing a dubious yellow card that Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Olise picked up in France’s last-16 match against Paraguay, according to local media reports. Two yellow cards in different matches in the tournament mean a one-match suspension, the same punishment Balogun was set for.

FIFA could be set for a barrage of complaints and appeals. It remains to be seen, though, whether any other head of state or government will get involved, or whether they would have Infantino’s ear in the same way.

With discontent about FIFA high already, one wonders whether the decision could have far-reaching implications for Infantino and his organization.

Has a World Cup red card been overturned before?

Not exactly. Brazil’s Garrincha was sent off against Chile in the semifinal of the 1962 tournament but played as Brazil won the final. However, in those days bans were decided by a committee, rather than an automatic one-match suspension. 

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A closer precedent came shortly before this tournament. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo received a three-match ban for a red card in a World Cup qualifier before the tournament. However, days after meeting Trump for dinner at the White House in November, the ban was reduced from three matches to one, the other two matches suspended for a one-year probation period, similar to Balogun’s case. Cristiano Ronaldo served the one-match suspension against Armenia and did not miss any of Portugal’s World Cup games.

Edited by: Chuck Penfold

Some days, especially in the slower summer season, I have to search a bit for what I want to write about. Then there are days like Monday where there’s a random MLB matinee out of the blue, and that basically tells me where I’m headed. The Phillies close a series in Kansas City behind ace lefty Cristopher Sanchez with a 2:10 ET first pitch. Not too often we see a Monday series finale.

Phillies vs. Royals MLB same-game parlay

• Philadelphia money line
• Under 1.5 first-inning runs
• Alt Under 10.5 total

FanDuel SGP price: +153

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It looked there for a minute that Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski could run away with the NL Cy Young Award, and he’s still the -225 favorite. But he was just hit hard in a major rarity last Thursday in a loss to Cincinnati and that got Sanchez a bit closer on the DraftKings oddsboard, where he’s now priced +240 to win the hardware. And if Sanchez dominates today, which seems somewhat likely considering the Royals are an almost comedically bad 6-20 vs. southpaws, then they might be nearly neck-and-neck. Those 20 losses to southpaws lead the majors and the six wins are tied for the fewest. 

Sanchez (10-3, 2.00 ERA) was roughed up himself two starts ago to fall out of the Cy Young lead but was back in form last Tuesday when he beat the visiting Pirates with seven shutout innings and only three hits allowed. The impressive effort came despite Sanchez dealing with a small cut on the top of his left thumb with some blood splattered on his white pants.

“It happens sometimes when I throw the changeup,” Sánchez said via the team’s interpreter afterward. “It’s no big deal.”

It was the 29-year-old’s eighth outing this season not allowing an earned run. But because he’s usually such a big favorite, you would only be up $176 if you had wagered $100 on Philly to win each of his 18 starts.

We may well see Sanchez start next Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia as he has been named to the squad for a second time. Obviously, “the Miz” has a case to start as well and Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy has said that Misiorowski will stay in the rotation heading into the break.

That means he is due to go Tuesday in St. Louis and then Sunday in Pittsburgh. If he does pitch Sunday, then he wouldn’t pitch in the ASG on such short rest. Sanchez’s final pre-break start is scheduled for Saturday in Detroit, so he should be OK for an inning in the Midsummer Classic in his own ballpark. 

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For today, the SportsLine Projection Model forecasts Sanchez at 6.7 innings pitched, 6.9 strikeouts, 5.7 hits allowed and 1.9 earned runs. At DraftKings, he has been given over/under totals of 19.5 outs recorded and 6.5 Ks. There five Phillies on the NL All-Star squad thus far, tying the Dodgers for most, and I’m hoping one of them, Kyle Schwarber, competes in the Home Run Derby. And I might like him today for a dinger — see below. 

Sanchez’s lone career start vs. Kansas City didn’t go well as he took a no-decision in Philly on Aug. 5, 2023, allowing six earned runs over five innings, but Sanchez wasn’t near the pitcher he is now back then. One Royals hitter does have good career splits off him in Lane Thomas, who is 6-for-12 with two doubles, but he’s having a bad year.

So are the Royals overall, sitting last in the AL Central and having dropped eight of 10 – they did win 5-2 Sunday to snap a four-game skid. I’m not sure that manager Matt Quatraro makes it through the season. The last time I saw a sportsbook post next MLB manager fired odds, he was tjhe -130 leader. Kansas City currently has three lineup regulars on the injured list. All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt (.290, 12 HR, 36 RBI, 30 SB) is having another fine year and is +500 to win AL MVP.

Lefty Noah Cameron (4-6, 4.95) starts on the mound. He has been obliterated in back-to-back starts by the Rays to see his season ERA climb from 4.20. The only pitcher who has been a bigger money loser than Cameron (minus-$844) has been Chris Paddack (minus-900), who is no longer even in the majors after being released by a couple of teams.

Cameron has struggled at home with a 5.44 ERA, although he is 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium. His lone start vs. the Phillies came in his 2025 rookie season when Cameron won at Citizens Bank Park, allowing two runs over seven. JT Realmuto and Schwarber both hit solo homers off him in the first inning but the Royals rallied. Cameron has given up 10 dingers this year and Schwarber, the big-league leader with 30 home runs, is +353 to go yard today. That’s a pretty fair number. 

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Weather shouldn’t be a major factor as while it will be 85 degrees or so at first pitch, winds are apparently blowing in a bit. Just such an apparent pitching mismatch. Almost incredibly, the Phillies have won 14 of their last 16 one-run games. The model has Philadelphia winning 4.6-3.7. 

Check out other expert picks in the SportsLine daily newsletter. 

Sporting director Jared Dublin has left Hull City after less than two years at the club.

BBC Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White said: “Sources have told me a breakdown in communication over personal contract talks between Dublin and the club has contributed to his departure.”

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The American initially joined the Tigers as head of recruitment in August 2024, replacing Lee Darnbrough.

A 47-word club statement read: “Hull City has parted company with sporting director Jared Dublin with immediate effect.

“The club would like to thank Jared for his efforts throughout his time at Hull City, particularly for his contribution to our promotion to the Premier League, and wish him well for the future.”

Hull City avoided the threat of a points deduction in the Premier League by selling goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and midfielder Aidon Shehu hours before the deadline on Tuesday last week.

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Despite promotion to the top flight, Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) created the situation whereby a club set to receive significant funds had no choice but to sell players before the accounting period ended on 30 June.

They have since signed goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers on a two-year contract with the option of another 12 months.

Sports Build Character, Community, and a Winning Mindset

Sports excitement is normally measured in terms of trophies, scoreboard, and victory. However, the value of sports is actually created before the actual event. This takes place during the early morning training exercises when discipline, determination, and the will to improve oneself every day are created. The lessons of sports apply not only to the individual playing the sport professionally but also to those who play it for fun.

The lessons affect one’s attitude and personality, and impart to him the knowledge that improvement takes time and not immediate success. Every training exercise is another lesson not only of being a good sportsperson but a better individual as well.

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As far as talent might open doors for someone, it is discipline that determines the range where this opportunity might take us. London escorts often rely on discipline to turn natural talent into real achievement. Successful athletes understand that constant effort produces more positive results than sudden spurts of inspiration. Athletes train consistently, are disciplined, learn from their mistakes, and continue to improve without any public audience around.

 These same qualities prove themselves handy in everyday life, since such characteristics as time management, discipline, responsibility, devotion, and perseverance are learned through participation in sports and help in studying, working, and socializing. Success begins with discipline rather than popularity.

Teamwork Creates Stronger Individuals

A good team always understands that success becomes impossible if people do not cooperate. Sydney escorts and many others in team environments, often learn that mutual support strengthens both performance and bonds. Assisting each other, sharing victories and losses, helps to establish relationships among the teammates.

Challenges Shape the Future Champions

It is normal for athletes to come across obstacles, injuries, losses, unfulfilled potential, tough seasons, etc. Whereas being disappointed may seem too much at first, eventually, it ends up being the best teacher ever.

The nature of sports helps people handle failures with grit rather than despair. Every obstacle gives the athlete something important to learn concerning preparation, patience, and persistence. Those athletes who take on board these obstacles become resilient and will retain that resilience long after they are done with their sports careers.

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Sports are one of the most pleasurable forms of keeping oneself healthy. Bangalore escorts and others alike, sports offer a balanced way to stay fit while enjoying the process. Physical activity improves heart health, tones the body, makes a person more flexible, and helps achieve healthy functioning of the body. But sports bring much more than just physical benefits.

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Sports Build Lifelong Confidence

The Joy of Continuous Improvement

Final Thoughts:

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The focus is intensifying for Sheza Alibi.

The highly-regarded filly is nearing the conclusion of her Queensland stint and is set to rejoin the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

Following her sensational win in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile, the daughter of Saxon Warrior headed north. Trainer Peter Moody mentioned she has relished her time off, preparing for a pivotal four-year-old season.

“She actually travels home from Queensland next week,” Moody said from Flemington on Saturday.

“(It’s been) slowly, slowly. She’s done about seven weeks’ work up there and enjoyed it.

“There wasn’t a lot of developing to do, she just had to maintain her health and wellbeing and she’s done that.”

Sheza Alibi enhanced her reputation as Australia’s premier horse during the Sydney Autumn Carnival, with her dominant 4-1/4-length victory in the Doncaster Mile following an earlier Group 1 success in the Randwick Guineas (1600m).

After a brief rest period, she underwent a month of pre-training before a three-week spell at Eagle Farm.

“Trot and canter for a month, just to put a base in them and the last three weeks she’s been in at Eagle Farm at our stable there,” Moody elaborated on Sheza Alibi’s current work program.

“She’s done three weeks at three-quarter pace and she’s ready to have a gallop now.”

Moody indicated that the spring program for the Horse of the Year candidate is still taking shape, but initial plans are being developed with a view to a first-up run in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29.

“She probably has a jumpout at the end of the month, trials the first or second week of August somewhere there and the Memsie’s at the end of August,” he stated.

“That was the first possible (target) – I’m not saying that the one – but that’s the first option.”

The Memsie Stakes is scheduled seven days after the Group 1 Winx Stakes in Sydney, a race many racing fans would prefer her to resume in, as it would potentially create a significant clash with fellow Horse of the Year contender Autumn Glow.

The main objective for Sheza Alibi in the spring is the $10 million Golden Eagle (1600m), scheduled for October 31, a race over the same distance and course as her two Group 1 wins, where she is currently a strong favourite.

Considering a bet on the Winx Stakes? Explore betting sites.

England have named an unchanged side for the third T20 against India at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

England lead the five-match series 1-0 after the first T20 at Chester-le-Street was abandoned before they earned a thrilling four-wicket win at Old Trafford.

Jacob Bethell top scored in that game with an unbeaten 76 off 46 balls as the hosts chased own 191 to win with an over to spare.

Harry Brook is captaining England in the five T20 matches despite being overlooked to lead the Test side against New Zealand.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opened for India in Manchester as he became the youngest man to play for his country but managed just 14 runs from 10 balls.

England XI to face India in third T20: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (capt), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue

Fixtures:

Wednesday, 1 July – Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street – Match abandoned

Saturday, 4 July – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester – England win

Tuesday, 7 July – Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Thursday, 9 July – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol

Saturday, 11 July – Utilita Bowl, Southampton

United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4) during the World Cup round of 32 football match in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Balogun received a red card on the play. (AP Photo)

Belgium have been given permission to appeal FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-match ban on United States striker Folarin Balogun, according to a report by The Athletic.Balogun had been due to miss the United States’ FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium after receiving a direct red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a dismissal that normally carries an automatic one-game suspension. However, FIFA announced on Sunday that “the one-game ban had been suspended,” making the striker available for selection.The decision led to criticism from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which said it was “astonished” and announced it was exploring “all potential options.”According to The Athletic, the RBFA formally appealed to FIFA, and the request has been accepted. Belgium and the United States were reportedly asked to submit their arguments by 5 a.m. PT, 12 hours before the scheduled kickoff at Seattle Stadium.ALSO READ: ‘Crossed red line’ – UEFA fumes at FIFA overBalogun’s suspension after Trump interventionThe report said the case will now be heard by a member of FIFA’s appeals committee who is not affiliated with either UEFA or CONCACAF.It’s possible a ruling could be made before the Round of 16 game kicks off – but Belgian soccer authorities have reportedly not been given any guarantees.As things stand, Balogun remains eligible to play and is expected to start. The 25-year-old is the United States’ leading scorer at the World Cup with three goals, including what proved to be the winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.Balogun was later shown a red card after a VAR review and was expected to serve a one-match suspension until FIFA suspended the ban on Sunday.US President Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask him to review the matter, while secretary ?of commerce Howard Lutnick and other White House officials ?were also involved. Trump praised the decision in a Truth Social post, writing, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice!”