Sports
Oleksandr Usyk set to ignore WBC order and risk losing world title
The WBC recently approved Oleksandr Usyk’s title defence against Rico Verhoeven but ordered the Ukrainian to face interim champion Agit Kabayel next.
Usyk will face kickboxing star Verhoeven in Egypt this May, with the contest originally thought to be for a commemorative WBC belt but later sanctioned as a legitimate world title bout. The WBC has received backlash for the decision, given the Dutch kickboxing champion has just had one professional boxing match and does not feature in the world rankings.
President Mauricio Sulaiman has guaranteed that Kabayel’s well-earned shot will be next up, but Usyk’s most recent interview, in which he revealed his planned final three fights before retirement, made no mention of the German heavyweight.
With the two-time undisputed champion looking to face Verhoeven, the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury, it appears he plans on ignoring the WBC order and risks being stripped of the green and gold belt.
Should Usyk manage to keep hold of his IBF and WBA belts – far from guaranteed as neither sanctioning body has commented on the Verhoeven bout – and negotiate with the winner of WBO champion Wardley vs Dubois, he may lobby for the WBC to allow the undisputed contest to trump his mandatory challenge and be allowed to keep the belt.
That would be a hammer blow to Kabayel, who has held the interim belt since February 2025 with a win over Zhilei Zhang. He has since defended against Damian Knyba in Germany, drawing a packed arena to move to 27-0 with 19 knockouts.
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IPL: Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS hunt down 210 with ease, hand CSK second straight loss | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings registered an impressive five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2026 clash at Chepauk, chasing down a big target of 210 with confidence. Despite CSK putting up a strong total, PBKS handled the pressure better and sealed their second straight victory of the season.After being put in to bat, CSK built their innings around a solid partnership between Ayush Mhatre and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The duo added 96 runs for the second wicket, giving the team a strong platform.
Mhatre was the standout performer, scoring a fluent 73 off 43 balls with a mix of boundaries and sixes.In the later stages, Sarfaraz Khan played a quick cameo, smashing 32 off just 12 balls, while Shivam Dube remained unbeaten on 45, finishing the innings strongly. Their efforts pushed CSK to a competitive total of 209/5 in 20 overs, which looked challenging on the surface.In reply, PBKS came out attacking and maintained a steady run rate throughout the chase. Young opener Priyansh Arya provided a quick start, while others chipped in to keep the scoreboard moving. Captain Shreyas Iyer played a key role, scoring a composed 50 off 29 balls and guiding the innings.Even when wickets fell at intervals, PBKS didn’t panic and continued to play positive cricket. Contributions from the middle order ensured the chase stayed on track, and they eventually reached 210/5 in 18.4 overs.While CSK impressed with the bat, their bowlers struggled to contain runs. PBKS, on the other hand, executed their chase smartly and deservedly came out on top.
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‘You Have Two Scenarios’ – Regian Eersel Breaks Down Rodtang vs. Takeru II At ONE SAMURAI 1
Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa will meet once again, and the rematch has captured the attention of the global striking community.
The two superstars will collide for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 1, which emanates live from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, April 29.
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It will mark Takeru’s final kickboxing clash and his last chance to win ONE World Title gold. Meanwhile, “The Iron Man” has an opportunity to achieve two-sport glory and become the only person to defeat the Japanese icon twice.
Their first encounter ended in just 80 seconds, when Rodtang delivered a stunning knockout that silenced the home crowd and cut short what many believed would be a defining battle between two of the sport’s most celebrated names.
Now scheduled for five rounds, the sequel offers a far more complete proving ground. The magnitude of the contest has drawn interest of world-class strikers from around the globe, including reigning ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion Regian “The Immortal” Eersel.
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Eersel offered a composed and tactical assessment of the main event showdown:
“I know Rodtang has a lot of power. Takeru has to fight smarter and keep his hands higher.
“If he’s smart and moves a lot, he just has to avoid the power shots of Rodtang. Move out, move in, move out, move in. Then, he can win – not easily, but he can win.”
When Rodtang and Takeru first collided at ONE 172 in March 2025, the fight never had the opportunity to evolve. A brief exchange quickly escalated before the Thai’s trademark power ended the tilt almost instantly.
That abrupt finish left little room for adjustments or strategy to take shape. It is precisely the kind of scenario Eersel believes must be avoided if the former three-division K-1 Champion hopes to even the score, win the belt, and retire on top.
The Dutch-Surinamese kingpin added:
“It takes a lot of conditioning and drilling to have that kind of game plan. It’s a little bit like I did with Alexis [Nicolas] the second time – move out, move in, move out, move in. If you fight like that, you get away from the danger.
“If not, if you’re going to stand and bang. That’s Rodtang’s game. Then, you’re not going to make it out.”
Eersel speaks from experience. In his own rivalry with the French kickboxer, the 33-year-old made the necessary adjustments in their ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title rematch in October 2024 to avenge an earlier defeat, relying on disciplined movement and controlled engagements rather than prolonged exchanges.
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Ultimately, he emerged victorious once again in their trilogy bout at ONE Fight Night 30 six months later.
That same approach, he suggests, could be the key for the “Natural Born Krusher.” Against a pressure fighter like Rodtang, maintaining distance and avoiding extended firefights is not just a strategy. It is a requirement.
Eersel said:
“You have two scenarios because it’s for an interim title now. If Takeru moves around the whole five rounds, he can win. But if he stands toe-to-toe, he’s not going to make it. So, he has to avoid that kind of situation.”
Eersel Eyes Kickboxing Gold At The Inner Circle On April 10
While offering insight into one of the year’s biggest rematches, Regian Eersel is preparing for a pivotal contest of his own.
On Friday, April 10, he will face Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong for the vacant ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title in the main event of The Inner Circle, airing live in Asia primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The bout places two elite strikers on a collision course with 26 pounds of gold on the line.
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For Eersel, it represents a chance to reclaim the belt that first elevated him to global prominence and restore his status as a two-sport ONE World Champion. For Rungrawee, it is an opportunity to capture the biggest prize of his career in front of a home crowd and cement his position among the sport’s elite.
Eersel said:
“I’m very excited. I hope I get my baby back, my first baby, my first title in ONE Championship. I won it in 2019. So yeah, in 2026, I hope to reclaim it, win it again, and become a double champ again.”
With a 64-5 professional record that equates to a remarkable 93 percent winning rate, Eersel has built one of the most consistent careers in modern striking.
“The Immortal” has also amassed 13 victories in ONE Championship, establishing himself as the gold standard across both Muay Thai and kickboxing.
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Inside the ring, the Sityodtong Amsterdam product is defined by rhythm and precision. His long frame allows him to control range, while his high-volume combinations and composure enable him to dictate tempo against top opposition.
But Rungrawee presents a different kind of challenge. The Thai striker, who holds a 158-48 career record, has earned his “Legatron” nickname through devastating low kicks that have dismantled opponents over time. He combines traditional Muay Thai fundamentals with fight-altering power.
Their meeting is a classic stylistic clash. It’s Eersel’s fluid, high-output kickboxing colliding with Rungrawee’s calculated destruction.
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Eersel respects his forthcoming rival, and he is eager to test his mettle against him:
“He’s a good fighter. Southpaw fighter. Strong legs, big legs. He’s smart. Typical Muay Thai fighter. He fights a little bit on the counter also. So, I’m curious how he will do against me.”
Sports
Chase DeLauter rakes fifth home run in seventh career regular-season game as Guardians top Cubs in home opener
When Cleveland Guardians rookie right fielder Chase DeLauter fouled a Shohei Ohtani pitch off his back foot on Tuesday night, it looked like the 24-year-old himself might be the only one who could actually put a stop to his season-opening power surge.
After grounding out later in that at-bat, DeLauter left the game with a left foot contusion, and he didn’t play in the series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers the following day, although manager Stephen Vogt said DeLauter was supposed to be off regardless.
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With negative X-rays, DeLauter was confident he’d return to the lineup for the Guardians’ home opener on Friday. He was back, and the same could be said for his seismic swing, which delivered another home run in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.
DeLauter has now hit five home runs over his first seven career regular-season games, tied for the second most in such a span since at least 1900, according to MLB researcher and reporter Sarah Langs.
The only player with more in that data set is Trevor Story, who scattered seven homers across the first seven games of his rookie season with the Colorado Rockies.
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This story is being updated.
Sports
Blue Jays’ Mason Fluharty to start Game 2 vs. White Sox
The left-handed reliever will start Saturday’s Game 2 against the Chicago White Sox, Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reported Friday.
Eric Lauer had been scheduled to start, but manager John Schneider told reporters pre-game on Friday that the team elected to give him an extra day’s rest.
Fluharty, 24, has pitched 1.2 innings across four games this year, owning a 10.80 ERA with four strikeouts and no walks.
In his rookie season in 2025, the Lewes, Del., native owned a 4.44 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 24 walks across 52.2 innings in relief.
Catch Saturday’s game on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ with coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.
Sports
Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle Dockers Tips, Odds and Teams – AFL Round 4 2026
Adelaide Oval will play host to Friday’s
Round 4 AFL game between Adelaide Crows and
Fremantle Dockers. The game kicks off at 7:15 pm with Adelaide Crows heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Adelaide Crows vs.
Fremantle Dockers
game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday April 3, 2026 at 7:15 pm
Where: Adelaide Oval
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle Dockers Odds
Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle Dockers Preview
Two sides fully invested in their 2026 ambitions face off in what shapes as a revealing early-season encounter. Both teams have shown flashes of high-end performance, but consistency remains a work in progress. Midfield battles and turnover efficiency are expected to be pivotal, with each side looking to control tempo and territory. Defensive structures will also come under scrutiny against attacking units capable of quick scoring bursts. With pressure building to deliver results, this match offers a valuable insight into which team is better equipped to sustain performance and handle key moments.
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Oklahoma Sooners beat Kentucky 9-1 for fourth-straight win
The Oklahoma Sooners moved to 37-3 and 10-1 in SEC play with a 9-1 run-rule win over the Kentucky Wildcats on Friday. It was the Sooners’ fourth straight win and their 11th game in a row in which the pitching staff allowed fewer than four runs.
The Sooners fell behind in the first inning once again when Kentucky took a 1-0 lead on Carly Sleeman’s lead-off home run. But starting pitcher Miali Guachino settled in to retire the next three hitters in order. That kicked off a run of nine straight Kentucky hitters retired by Guachino. The Wildcats’ next hit wouldn’t come until the fourth inning, a lead-off single from No. 2 hitter Allie Blum.
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In the win, Guachino allowed just three hits over four innings, striking out three, to move to 11-0 on the season.
It didn’t take long for the Sooners to answer the first inning home run by Sleeman. In the bottom of the first, Lexi McDaniel and Ailana Agbayani earned two-out walks with the bases loaded to push across a pair of Oklahoma runs to retake the lead.
In the second inning, Oklahoma’s lineup went to work. Kendall Wells’ sacrifice fly moved Abby Dayton to third on a sacrifice fly, and Kasidi Pickering drove Dayton in on an infield single. Ella Parker doubled to drive in Gabbie Garcia to make it 4-1, and Lexi McDaniel’s two-RBI single made it 6-1 Sooners.
After a strong night hitting with two outs on Thursday, the Sooners picked up right where they left off with each of their first six runs coming with two outs on Friday.
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In the third, Kendall Wells hit her 29th home run of the season, giving her eight home runs in 11 SEC contests in her true freshman season.
Fellow freshman McDaniel put Oklahoma in run-rule territory with a two-run home run, giving her five RBIs on the day. The home run was her ninth of the season. It was McDaniel’s first home run since March 11 against Tulsa.
With the win, the Sooners secured the series against the Wildcats. They’ll close the series with a Saturday morning contest vs. Kentucky, looking to complete the three-game sweep ahead of their series with the Texas Longhorns next weekend in Austin.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma beats Kentucky 9-1 in run-rule fashion
Sports
‘Spinners’ off day cost us’: CSK captain throws Rahul Chahar and Noor Ahmad under the bus after loss to PBKS | Cricket News
Ruturaj Gaikwad blamed his spinners for Chennai Super Kings’ five-wicket loss to Punjab Kings in their IPL match on Friday, saying an off day from them hurt the team despite a strong total on the board.Chennai Super Kings posted 209 for 5, with Ayush Mhatre scoring 73 off 43 balls. But Punjab Kings chased down the target in 18.4 overs, led by captain Shreyas Iyer, who made 50.After the match, Gaikwad pointed to the performance of his spinners, Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar, as a key factor in the defeat. Chennai had seam options like Gurjapneet Singh and Jamie Overton available as impact substitutes but chose to bring in Chahar.“We felt we had three seamers going in, and obviously we have two good wrist spinners (Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar) bowling in tandem, especially in the middle after the powerplay. We felt that, you know, it will help,” said Gaikwad.“But I think, you know, slight off day for both of them. So, I think, that is what cost us. Sometimes we executed really well. Sometimes we just didn’t execute at the right time,” he added.He said the team could not build pressure in the middle overs.“There was a point when it (required run-rate) went to 11, and a couple of good overs would have taken it to 12-13. We just did not get momentum in the middle (with the ball).”Gaikwad added that the batting had positives, with contributions from Mhatre and Shivam Dube, but said the bowling needs to improve.Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer said the start given by openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh played a big role in the chase.“The way we started today, that was an exceptional start for us. I feel the way they (Arya and Prabhsimran) have been batting has been phenomenal and it stabilises the rhythm for us,” Iyer said.“I am glad everyone is getting to bat. It gives immense confidence to the team. Whenever we are in a pressure situation, people are aware on how to handle it. We just decided in the dressing room, we will play a brand of cricket to impress each other — that gives us a certain sort of clarity, and basically challenging each other.”In the chase, Iyer’s 50 off 29 balls and his 59-run stand with Nehal Wadhera helped Punjab reach 210 for five. The target was 209.Punjab also got contributions from Priyansh Arya (39 off 11), Prabhsimran Singh (43 off 34) and Cooper Connolly (36 off 22).Iyer started slowly, scoring 8 off 9 balls while Connolly took charge. After Connolly fell to Anshul Kamboj, Iyer took control and targeted the spinners. He reached his fifty in 26 balls but was later dismissed by Kamboj while going after a wide delivery.Punjab completed the chase in 18.4 overs, handing Chennai their second loss in a row.
Sports
Rashee Rice will not face NFL suspension amid assault allegations
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will not face discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy amid an ongoing civil lawsuit accusing him of domestic assault.
The NFL announced April 3 it had concluded its investigation into the accusations made against Rice by his former girlfriend, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
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“There was insufficient evidence to support a finding that he violated the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement.
Sean Lindsey, an attorney representing Rice, addressed the news with a statement of his own.
“Mr. Rice wants to thank the NFL for their thorough investigation, and looks forward to the start of the 2026-27 NFL season,” Lindsey said.
LERNER: The NFL is investigating Rashee Rice − here’s what happens next
Rice was named in a civil lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend in the Dallas County (Texas) court system on Feb. 16, 2026. The lawsuit alleged Rice assaulted the woman multiple times over a 19-month period. Police have not filed criminal charges related to the allegations against Rice.
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The complaint alleged that the Chiefs wide receiver had “grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit, and headbutted” his ex-girlfriend. She also alleges Rice threw things at her, “destroy[ed] property, punch[ed] walls, [broke] furniture” and locked her out of their shared home “in the middle of the night.”
Rice’s former girlfriend, who is also the mother of their two children, shared an Instagram post on Jan. 7 alleging she had been the victim of domestic violence for several years. She did not mention Rice by name in that post, which featured a picture of her with a bloody lip. The post has since been deleted.
“It’s been nothing but hell,” she wrote, adding, “I’ve protected his image too long and I’m done doing that. It’s time to protect my peace, protect my children and stand up for myself.”
According to the lawsuit, Rice’s ex-girlfriend was pregnant during much of the alleged abuse. She is seeking more than $1 million in damages in the civil suit.
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The lawsuit remains open, according to Dallas County court records.
USA TODAY Sports’ Jack McKessy also contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL concludes Rashee Rice investigation, will not discipline Chiefs WR
Sports
Teofimo Lopez lined up for immediate title shot despite Shakur Stevenson loss
Teofimo Lopez could be handed an immediate opportunity to bounce back in a major way following a one-sided defeat to Shakur Stevenson.
Lopez put his WBO super-lightweight world title on the line against Stevenson back in January. Despite boasting a size advantage, the champion was thoroughly outclassed by the challenger, with Stevenson winning almost every round on the scorecards to become a four-weight world champion at just 28.
Not long after the loss, Lopez announced that he would be moving up to welterweight to join a stacked division, complete with champions Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Lewis Crocker and Rolando Romero.
‘King Ry’ won the WBC belt by handily beating Mario Barrios three weeks following Lopez-Stevenson. Though he has publicly targeted a unification fight with WBO champ Haney – a rematch following their controversial 2023 meeting in 2023 – he appears to have settled on a voluntary defence against Lopez, who is not yet ranked in the division.
The fight, however, is not official, and it would be a bold move for the WBC to allow yet another voluntary defence of their belt, with a mandatory fight not enforced in several years.
Barrios was upgraded from interim to full champion in 2024, and made his first defence against number eight ranked Abel Ramos, retaining the belt with a draw.
He then made another voluntary defence against returning Manny Pacquiao, drawing again to retain the title, before facing Garcia in yet another non-ordered bout. The sanctioning body made Conor Benn mandatory challenger at the beginning of this year.
He fights next weekend in London against Regis Prograis in a catchweight bout at 150lbs. Despite recently linking up with Zuffa Boxing – a promotional company intent on sidelining the major sanctioning bodies – the Brit says he will fight for the belt before the end of the year.
Sports
A Kevin O’Connell Theory Can Now Be Retired
Some have insisted that Kevin O’Connell is now the top decision maker in the Twin Cities. Minnesota’s well-respected head coach is the CEO over all things football, getting the final call on contracts, trades, draft picks, and so on.
Not so.
Rob Brzezinski is functioning as the team’s GM. Part of that job involves getting the final call on draft picks, just like a normal GM even if that’s not his official title. Mr. Brzezinski clarified the detail in a recent conversation with The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, getting the detail across the finish line before the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kevin O’Connell is the Vikings’ HC, Not Team CEO
The question had to do with how to settle disagreement within the front office when Minnesota is on the clock. Who gets the tiebreaker if there’s disagreement? Turns out the answer is quite clear.
Check out how Brzezinski discussed the hypothetical: “You’re hoping that you can have the answers to the test before you’re in the firing line. But there are times, maybe, when issues crop up. And the Wilfs have asked me to handle that in the event that we get into a position like that.”
Pretty straightforward.
The Wilfs are the team’s owners. For a long time, Brzezinski has worked for the Wilfs, meaning there’s a track record of trust in what the executive can do. Logically, there’s then some willingness to lean on him to make the final call if there ends up being an issue.
What’s similarly fascinating is that Brzezinski doesn’t foresee an issue. A situation where Kevin O’Connell is advocating for a specific player while Brian Flores is pushing for another while Chisom Opara, Jamaal Stephenson, and Ryan Grigson all make cases for their guys just isn’t going to happen.
Why not? Good question.
The reason why that scenario is very unlikely is because the debate is occurring right now. The powerful people working in Eagan are putting the finishing touches on the evaluation process, forming opinions along the way. Part of that process is internal debate, discussion, and disagreement. All healthy, all part of the process.
At some point, a final call is going to be made to form a draft board. There will then be a hierarchical list to rank the players. The Vikings will assemble a minimum of 18 players whom they’re comfortable with — nay, excited about — choosing in the 1st. Doing so ensures that there’s a minimum of one of those names left standing when decision time arrives.
Kevin O’Connell clarified at the league meeting that he does jump into player evaluations. He’s therefore going to toss his name into the mix as perhaps the most important influence on the final decision, but he’s still just one voice within a vast chorus.
In theory, some debate could exist if two or three of the best players are there at No. 18. Maybe the grades are identical, leading to a true flip of the coin. In that scenario, Rob Brzezinski makes the final call if there’s internal debate.
Likewise, a situation could exist where the debate is between a trade option or choosing a coveted young lad. If so, then Brzezinski gets the final call. He’s functioning as the GM, meaning he gets the authority of a GM.
Quite possibly, Brzezinski asks for Kevin O’Connell’s opinion and then choose to do what his head coach wants to do (personally, I’d do what Flores thinks is best, but that’s just me). O’Connell has proven to be pretty good at his job, so there are worse ideas in the world than opting to side with the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year. But, crucially, that will be the decision of the fill-in at GM.
Kevin O’Connell is going to have opinions. He’s going to be encouraged to offer them, but that’s not going to involve him hijacking the process on the night of Thursday, April 23rd.
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