Oleksandr Usyk has responded to Derek Chisora’s bold prediction that Rico Verhoeven will pull off a monumental upset in Egypt.
The Dutch kickboxer is considered an almighty underdog as he attempts to dethrone Usyk, the bona fide heavyweight king, at Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza.
Having had just one professional boxing match, against an opponent who retired with an 0-6 record, it is clear to see why Verhoeven is such an outsider.
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Still, he managed to score a second-round finish over Janos Finfera in 2014, but this came at a level that the likes of Usyk are hardly familiar with.
Instead, the Ukrainian is far more accustomed to facing world-class opposition, with his last six outings involving two victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, respectively.
His consistency at the highest level can therefore explain why he has become a three-time, two-division undisputed champion, considered by many as the sport’s No.1 pound-for-pound operator.
In response, though, Usyk has told Boxing King Media that his former opponent, who he unanimously outpointed in 2020, is merely going against the grain in an effort to stir up trouble.
“Derek, you’re crazy. [These are] only words – blah, blah, blah.”
Some have credited Chisora for giving Usyk one of his toughest tests, applying non-stop pressure in an attempt to disrupt the masterful southpaw’s rhythm.
Since then, though, the former cruiserweight king has only gone from strength to strength, progressively establishing himself as a fully-fledged heavyweight champion.
South Africa came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic on Thursday. The Czechs made the brighter start and took the lead after just six minutes when Michal Sadilek found space inside the penalty area to convert Alexandr Sojka’s pass.
Bafana Bafana gradually grew into the contest and created a series of chances after the break. Evidence Makgopa forced a fine save from goalkeeper Matej Kovar with a powerful header, while Hugo Broos’ substitutions injected fresh energy into the attack.
The decisive moment arrived in the 82nd minute when substitute Pavel Sulc was penalised for handball inside the box. Mokoena stepped up and calmly sent his penalty low into the corner one minute later to level the score. South Africa pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but the Czech Republic held firm as the two sides settled for a point apiece.
Trainer Enver Jusufovic has revealed that New York Lustre has a limited number of races left before her retirement to the breeding barn.
Her next scheduled race is on Saturday in the Brian Beattie Handicap, a 1100-metre event at Flemington.
Following this, New York Lustre is slated to compete in two Group 3 races: the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) on July 11 and the Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) two weeks later, both at Caulfield. Last year, she finished second and fourth respectively in these races.
Jusufovic mentioned that New York Lustre has been booked to visit Tentyris, a successful Group 1 winning sprinter, for the upcoming breeding season.
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The mare has a perfect record from two starts on the Flemington straight, including her last-start win in the Group 3 Begonia Belle Stakes (1100m) in the spring.
This campaign, Jusufovic has taken New York Lustre to Adelaide twice. She began with a third in the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville, followed by a fourth in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) on May 9.
“She was probably in the wrong part of the track on the inside last time,” Jusufovic said. “There were probably a few hard luck stories, but if there was speed from the gates drawn inside, I think she would have got into a lot more favourable position and not have been hemmed in there on the fence and pushed to the slower going. Group 1 races, you need everything to go your way to win, and in the end, she was only three-quarters-of-a-length off the winner. After Saturday she’ll go to the Sir John Monash and the Bletchingly and then she’ll go off to stud as she’s already booked to go to Tentyris.”
New York Lustre has won six of her 16 starts, and Jusufovic admitted it would be a sad occasion when the nearly seven-year-old mare departs his stable.
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“I think she’s still improving actually, and it will be sad to see her retired,” Jusufovic stated. “But (owner) Mike Howard is a breeder, and unfortunately for me, the breeding barn beckons. Hopefully, in time, we’ll see some of the offspring come through my stable.”
With her racing career drawing to a close, New York Lustre is being prepared for her final runs before heading to stud. Get involved with the racing betting markets for upcoming events at online bookmakers.
New York Knicks superstar guard Jalen Brunson is the toast of New York City right now after guiding his team to an NBA title, the franchise’s first in more than 50 years.
“There’s a lot of people who have a lot of opinions, but when you prove ’em wrong, you really don’t have to say [expletive] to them,” Brunson told the crowd to roaring cheers. “Nah. They don’t deserve it.”
Hammon doubled down on her criticism during the Knicks’ stellar playoff run, which made the take even worse when you were actively watching what Brunson was doing on the basketball court.
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Brunson can now call himself an NBA champion and put Hammon’s critique that he can’t win a title for a team as its “1A” superstar to rest. He was right; she was wrong. Such is life, but a parade is the perfect time to gloat.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a turning point for African football. With the tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams, the African continent is enjoying unprecedented representation on soccer’s biggest stage.
Ten African nations qualified for this year’s World Cup: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana and Cape Verde.
In last week’s opening match against Mexico — one of three host nations alongside the United States and Canada — South Africa faced a huge challenge in front of one of the tournament’s loudest crowds.
Though Mexico secured a 2–0 victory, Bafana Bafana, the nickname of South Africa’s national football team, meaning “The Boys” in isiZulu, worked hard to move beyond their 2010 World Cup legacy.
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The 2010 tournament in South Africa — the first World Cup hosted on the African continent — remains historic, despite the country becoming the first host nation to exit in the group stage.
Not all Africans rallied behind South Africa in the 2026 World Cup opening match last Thursday, though. Many backed Mexico amid lingering resentment over recent xenophobicattacks in South Africa.
Why Africans are turning against Bafana Bafana
Cote d’Ivoire coach Emerse Fae said, “We came here with ambitions, with high hopes,” after the Elephants’ dramatic 1–0 win over Ecuador.
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Striker Sebastien Haller, one of the most important figures in the Elephants’ squad, who’s known for his strength, aerial ability and finishing, played a key role in Cote d’Ivoire’s triumph in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco have transformed from outsiders into genuine contenders after their historic 2022 semi-final run. With players like Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz, the Atlas Lions made a statement in their first 2026 World Cup match against Brazil on Saturday, earning a 1–1 draw.
And Ghana, yet to play their first match against Panama, hopes a new generation around midfielder Mohammed Kudus can restore the Black Stars’ reputation.
Drama in Tunisia first match
Further opening matches brought more drama: Egypt drew 1–1 with Belgium, with all eyes once again on forward and team captain Mohamed Salah.
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Tunisia suffered a difficult start, losing 5–1 to Sweden.
“This is football, and results decide everything,” said Sabri Lamouchi, Tunisia’s head coach, after the match. The defeat led to his immediate dismissal, making him the first coach in World Cup history to be sacked after only one match.
Tunisia fired coach Sabri Lamouchi after the team was routed 5-1 by Sweden in its opening game on SundayImage: Daniel Becerril/REUTERS
“All of us, we are happy because we work a lot to be here. We deserve to be here,” said Vozinha. In the hours following the match, his Instagram following skyrocketed from 50,000 to over 6 million.
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France vs. Senegal: the Francophone derby
Tuesday’s heated clash between France and Senegal, which France won 3–1, carried a deeper historical meaning: Senegal was a French colony until gaining independence in 1960, and the relationship between the two countries remains complex.
France remains one of Senegal’s key economic partners, with close links in areas such as infrastructure, investment, energy and business, while migration between the two countries has created large Senegalese communities in France.
Goalkeeper Vozinha became the new hero of Cape Verde during its surprise 0-0 draw against World Cup champion SpainImage: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto/picture alliance
Senegal players such as Kalidou Koulibaly, born in France to Senegalese parents, and Edouard Mendy, who also has Senegalese heritage and grew up in France, reflect the shared history between the two countries.
Others, like Sadio Mane, built their careers internationally while representing Senegal’s identity and football ambitions.
And many of France’s biggest football stars, including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise, have African roots.
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Ousmane Sonko, speaker of Senegal’s National Assembly and former prime minister, summarized it this way: “Whichever team wins, it is Africa that will have beaten Africa.”
Back after 50 years: DR Congo’s Leopards
Meeting Portugal in their first match on Wednesday, the DR Congo’s Leopards are back for the first time since the 1974 World Cup, led by a new generation including stars such as Yoane Wissa.
The team attracted attention even before playing a single match, with one of the tournament’s most distinctive arrival looks: tailored suits featuring leopard patterns, paired with matching leopard-inspired bags. The outfits were designed by Alvin Mak, a Congolese designer.
DR Congo’s probably also has the most famous football supporter: Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, better known as “Lumumba,” became instantly recognizable through his distinctive appearance.
Lumumba wore a bright blue, red and yellow suit matching the colors of the Congolese flag, combined with a hairstyle and glasses that closely resembled Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of independent Congo.
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His unique matchday ritual, standing almost motionless during games, reminds many of the Lumumba statue in Kinshasa. Mboladinga says his silent presence is a way of supporting the team itself. “I remain still to give strength to the team, to give energy to the players,” he told The Associated Press.
While African teams are celebrating their biggest-ever presence at the World Cup, the tournament has also highlighted wider issues beyond the pitch.
The US State Department fully or partially suspended the issuance of travel visas to 39 countries, including Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.
Somali referee Omar Artan was set to make history as the first official from his country to referee at a men’s World Cup. However, he was denied entry to the United States because of his supposed links to “suspected members of terror organizations,” the Trump administration said.
A spokesperson for the governing body FIFA told the German press agency dpa that Artan, the 2025 African referee of the year, would receive his full tournament fee despite not officiating any matches.
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That, however, does not shrink the excitement surrounding the tournament — and the passion with which fans support their teams, even from afar.
Somali referee denied US entry before World Cup debut
New York City is set to erupt in a classic ticker-tape parade Thursday, celebrating the Knicks’ long-awaited NBAchampionship, a victory that has finally ended a 53-year drought and electrified generations of fans.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has predicted the event could be one of the largest in the city’s storied history and viewing areas were already full three hours before start time as thousands of jubilant fans flooded into the city hours before the procession.
Frustrated fans were heard chanting “Let us in!” after the New York Police Department announced that all viewing pens were full. “No one else will be allowed in the viewing area,” the NYPD said at around 7:30 a.m., long before the parade was scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
The parade itself marks a historic first. Despite the Knicks securing two championships in the 1970s, the city did not host a ticker-tape celebration for either win. Then-Mayor John Lindsay, citing financial and other concerns, opted for more subdued tributes, including a reception at the mayoral mansion in 1970 and a packed ceremony outside City Hall in 1973. This time, however, the city is pulling out all the stops.
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“There will be performances, there will be New Yorkers, there will be the team and there will be history,” Mayor Mamdani declared Monday, setting the stage for a monumental celebration.
Fans flood lower Manhattan ahead of the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally (Getty Images)
The festivities are set to kick off near Battery Park, with the parade winding its way up Broadway through the iconic “Canyon of Heroes,” a route flanked by towering skyscrapers.
The procession is slated to culminate at City Hall, where the team will receive another traditional honor: keys to the city. Knicks legends Walt “Clyde” Frazier, a member of the 1970s championship teams, and Patrick Ewing are expected to join the parade, according to an anonymous source familiar with the plans. Mike Breen, the Knicks’ play-by-play announcer for MSG Network, is set to emcee the City Hall ceremony.
Adding to the star power, Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys, known for her collaboration with Jay-Z on the New York anthem “Empire State of Mind,” has been tapped to perform. “How could I not?” Keys remarked Wednesday in a social media video, featuring her on a call with Knicks forward OG Anunoby.
The New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after their victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals (Getty Images)
The emotional resonance of the victory was palpable among fans. State Senator Zellnor Myrie, a devoted Knicks supporter, was seen beaming in Knicks gear outside City Hall early Thursday. He described the championship as a moment of “generational catharsis” for his family, particularly his father, after years of frustration.
“I remember calling him right after we won — because he’s out of the city now — and he said, ‘I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders,’” Myrie recounted. “And as he said that, I got so emotional and felt it. I think all of us have memories like that, and that’s why today’s so special.”
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Ensuring public safety, police plan to deploy 10,000 officers for the event. This extensive security presence follows some chaotic street celebrations and isolated incidents of violence during the Knicks’ playoff run to victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
“We want people to enjoy this moment,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated at a planning meeting Wednesday, “but public safety comes first.”
Fans line up along the route before the New York Knicks’ NBA championship parade (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
In anticipation of the aftermath, approximately 650 sanitation workers have been assigned to clean up what could amount to tens of thousands of pounds of debris, drawing on lessons from past large-scale events.
Ticker-tape parades, named for the narrow strips of paper once used by telegraph-era “stock ticker” machines, originated in the late 19th century when New York brokerage firm workers would toss the paper from their office windows, creating a swirling spectacle.
Historically, New York has hosted such parades for a variety of occasions, from honoring foreign leaders to celebrating feats in aviation, war, sports, and space travel, particularly up to the mid-1960s.
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The Knicks’ celebration marks the city’s 210th ticker-tape parade, following a similar event for the WNBA’s New York Liberty in 2024.
Frank Warren has shared his reaction after Tyson Fury revealed that a ‘big announcement’ with Dana White was imminent.
Warren has spent several years as the promoter of Fury, helping to guide him back towards the world heavyweight title during an epic trilogy with Deontay Wilder, before title defences in UK stadium fights against Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora.
Fury’s last few fights have been facilitated by Turki Alalshikh, and that will be the case again later this year when ‘The Gypsy King’ is set for a long-awaited showdown against countryman Anthony Joshua.
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A new twist emerged this week when Fury appeared at the UFC White House event and teased potentially signing with Zuffa Boxing chief White, despite Eddie Hearn claiming that the contract for the Joshua bout states that White can’t be the promoter for the fight.
Warren has now spoken to TalkSport about all of the recent drama, insisting that is still involved with Fury and that nothing has been decided yet in terms of where the fight will take place.
“Tyson hasn’t signed for anybody. At the moment in time, I have my arrangement with him which I’m very comfortable with, and we have a business relationship which has worked very well and continues to work well. I have no problems whatsoever.
“The last few fights have been promoter by [Turki], that’s where the money has come from to promote the shows, nothing has changed. Life goes on as normal.
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“We don’t know yet [where it will be]. Nothing has been decided yet. It would be lovely to be in Britain, it’s where it should be, it’s two Brits.”
Before their match-up later in the year, Joshua must first overcome Kristian Prenga in July, while Fury is also set to compete in August, with full details on that bout expected soon.
The Three Lions began their World Cup campaign with an upbeat win against Croatia. Thomas Tuchel’s tactics saw them get ahead and win 4-2 after the two sides were level at halftime. Meanwhile Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in the latest upset of a team considered to be among the favourites to win the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t get a shot on target and questions are being raised over how much time he should be given in games.
Italy in action vs Serbia during the VNL Week 2 at PhilSports Arena in Pasig. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Italy recovered from the brink of a meltdown and outlasted Serbia in five sets, 25-14, 25-15, 21-25, 21-25, 15-12, in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) women’s week 2 on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
With the game tied at 10 in the fifth set, Josephine Obossa took matters into her own hands, putting on the finishing touches to keep the Italians unbeaten in the Philippine leg of the VNL.
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Obossa finished with 18 points from 15 kills and three blocks, saving Italy after blowing a two-set lead.
Italy’s Josephine Obossa in action vs Serbia during a game in the VNL Week 2. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Italy tied the United States at 5-1 ahead of their marquee duel on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Sarah Luisa Fahr also came to the rescue for the Italians with 17 points off 10 kills and seven blocks. Linda Nwakalor and Kate Antrapova added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
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Serbia dropped to a 1-5 record after falling short of another five-set match, following their tough setback to Japan on Wednesday.
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Nina Cajic powered the Serbians comeback with 19 points. Branka Tica contributed nine points, while Minja Osmajic and Masa Kirov added eight each.
Serbia takes on the winless Dominican Republic on Friday at 4 p.m.
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Thursday features a nine-game MLB slate with games both in the afternoon and evening, creating plenty of online sports betting options for MLB fans and baseball bettors throughout the day. There are several entertaining forms of baseball prop betting, including MLB home run props. Before you lock in your MLB HR picks today, you’ll want to see what SportsLine data analyst Jacob Fetner has to say. Fetner was up 50 units on his MLB home run picks on betting sites last year and just revealed three MLB prop bets for Thursday, June 18. Claim $200 in bonus bets with a $5 wager at DraftKings here:
Two of Fetner’s three home run picks homered on Friday, backing the Brewers’ Jake Bauers (+453) and the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez (+340), who hit two home runs on Friday. Fetner had five correct home run picks last week, including one at +650 odds. Over the last few weeks, Fetner’s correct home run picks include the Tigers’ Kerry Carpenter (+479), Giants’ Casey Schmitt (+590) and Phillies’ Alec Bohm (+820) for nice paydays. He also hit a home run parlay bet, which paid out more than 30-1, a few weeks ago.
For Thursday, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is among his best MLB HR bets today, and you can also parlay today’s selections for a return of over 130-1 on some of the best sports betting apps. Buxton is third in baseball with 23 home runs, and he’s gone deep in three of his last five games and in five of his last eight contests.
“Byron Buxton has three home runs over his last five games on the road,” Fetner said. “Buxton faces a same-side right-handed pitcher — no platoon edge, so the other factors need to carry the case. Buxton has been dominant against right-handed pitching this season, hitting .270 with a .977 OPS in 204 plate appearances, with 19 of his 23 homers coming off RHP this season. One thing to note: He’s been significantly better at home (1.115 OPS) than on the road (.774 OPS) — he’s on the tougher side of that split today.” Back Buxton to go yard on Thursday by clicking here to bet at FanDuel, where new users get $350 in bonus bets with a $5 bet over their first seven days:
Jared Young, Mets (+500, Hard Rock Bet)
“Jared Young (bats L) has the platoon advantage against Phillies right-handed Aaron Nola, posting a .762 OPS against right-handed pitching this season, and all eight of his home runs this season have come against RHP,” Fetner noted. “For context, he’s only posting a .473 OPS against left-handed pitching, so this is clearly the better matchup for him. Left-handed batters are hitting a .881 OPS against Nola, who has been struggling at home — a 6.91 ERA over his last three starts, allowing 11 earned runs in 14 ⅓ innings pitched. He has failed to record a quality start in any of those three outings.” Back Young to go yard on Thursday by clicking here to bet at Hard Rock Bet, where new users get $150 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins:
Dominic Canzone, Mariners (+475, Hard Rock Bet)
“Dominic Canzone is hitting .297 with a .955 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season, with 11 of his 11 home runs coming off RHPs,” Fetner said. “He’s hitting .338 with a 1.080 OPS at home this season, compared to .253 and .808 on the road. He has been on a tear lately, hitting five home runs over his last 10 home games. He has been swinging a hot bat, hitting .379 over his last 10 games.” Back Canzone to go yard on Thursday by clicking here to bet at Hard Rock Bet, where new users get $150 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins:
RFK Racing has locked in Chris Buescher on a multi-year contract extension but has not yet found a third charter for 2027. According to team president Chip Bowers, the team will run three cars next season and it is also prepared to enter races as an open team until a permanent solution is found.
The team, co-owned by Brad Keselowski, is staring at a major charter problem for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season. It owns Keselowski’s No. 6 and Buescher’s No. 17 charters, but leased the No. 60 Ford, driven by Ryan Preece, from Rick Ware Racing. And since NASCAR allows charters to be leased for one year at a time, RFK and RWR alternated between Ware’s two charters in 2025 and 2026. That arrangement is set to end after the 2026 season.
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Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Bowers responded to questions about the team’s charter plans and detailed what was non-negotiable inside the company.
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“We’re going to be a tier one team, and you can’t do that running a two-car operation, so we will find a third charter. If we have to run open next season, we will do that. We’ve already communicated that to our staff and organisation and to our partners, and we have wholesale support from our ownership all the way down to the interns in the organisation.”
One of Rick Ware Racing’s charters has been sold to Legacy Motor Club, which will expand its Cup Series program to three full-time entries in 2027. Once that charter moves to Legacy, RFK Racing will lose access to the leased entry.
Brad Keselowski also addressed the charter hunt recently. He said that no charters were available for sale despite the team’s active search.
“He wanted to be here” – RFK Racing president on Chris Buescher’s loyalty after contract extension shuts down rumors
Chris Buescher at Michigan International Speedway on June 6, 2026. – Source: Imagn
Chip Bowers also commented on RFK Racing’s recent contract renewal with Chris Buescher, who has been part of the team since joining its development program in 2009.
“Our organization is excited that Chris has been with us half of his life at this juncture. He’s been a stalwart within the RFK racing family. He’s just an exceptional human being,” Chip Bowers said.
“From day one, we’ve made it clear to him that he was a priority to us. And Brad and the entire organization wanted to make sure that he felt that from the very start of our conversations. And he wanted to be here. He’s excited about the future.”
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