Ryan Garcia is making the first defence of his WBC welterweight title when he takes on Conor Benn next month, and two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez has shared his thoughts on the fight.

Lopez lost his WBO super-lightweight title to Shakur Stevenson in January and revealed plans to move up to welterweight soon after. On Saturday, he makes his debut in the new division, challenging Rolando Romero for the WBA welterweight crown.

Should he be successful, Lopez is hoping to secure a unification bout against the winner of Garcia-Benn in the outing that follows, but whilst ‘The Takeover’ recognised Benn’s chances in the showdown, he told Fight Hub TV why he would prefer ‘King Ry’ to triumph.

“I think that Conor Benn has a great chance of winning and pulling an upset. He wants it more. He may not have the skills, but look what people said about Rolly and Rolly wanted it more, and he beat Ryan Garcia.

“Anything is possible, it all depends how bad you want it. Another thing is that I feel like Conor Benn has had more rugged fights, more tougher fights. 

“The only thing that makes me step back is, I don’t know if it is true and if it came from his own mouth, but him saying that this is his only fight at 147lbs. So, I got to go with Ryan.”

“Where does that go for the WBC, does it become vacant? Then I have got to talk to Mauricio Sulaiman and see how we can make things work, it is just a longer process.”

As Lopez mentioned, Benn has indeed stated that this will be his final contest as a welterweight, leading to doubts as to whether he will be able to perform at his best when he collides with Garcia on Saturday, September 12.

Two clubs that have disappointed this year and are likely to miss the postseason meet in the earliest game of Wednesday when Detroit visits Pittsburgh with a 12:35 p.m. ET first pitch in the rubber match of the series. I believe there’s a legitimate chance it’s the final start this season for struggling Pirates ace and reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes if he’s “off” yet again. Bet $5+ and get $150 in bonus bets instantly when you bet on baseball at DraftKings:

If you’re interested in MLB betting and want to try it on the best sports betting apps, you can check out the SportsLine Projection Model for picks on games like Tigers vs. Pirates from the model’s 10,000 simulations as well as our experts.

Skenes (9-11, 3.88 ERA) was originally slated to start Sunday against Boston, but manager Don Kelly opted to push the 24-year-old right-hander back to Wednesday. Skenes supported that decision and swears he is healthy despite a noticeable drop in velocity this season and having gone 3-5 with a 5.28 ERA in 11 starts since June 9. The Pirates are 3-8 across Skenes’ last 11 starts. The former No. 1 overall pick has been one of the worst starting pitching bets all season as you would be down $983 if you bet Pittsburgh to win all of his outings.

Everything apparently changed around midseason when Skenes changed his delivery – SI’s Tom Verducci, one of the most respected MLB guys in the country, did a pretty interesting deep dive on Skenes last week, so I want to make sure I credit him here. I’m aware of pitching mechanics, but I’m certainly no expert on these changes.

June 9 was the day Skenes adjusted his stride to be less crossfire than ever before. Per Verducci, there is a difference since that change in “Skenes’ feet position (more direct to the plate) and hand position (less offset) … and that by not stepping across his body as much, Skenes is releasing the baseball with 8-9″ less offset (from the center line of the plate).”

Place your Tigers-Pirates wagers and get $1,500 in bonus bets back at BetMGM Sportsbook::

Tigers-Pirates MLB same-game parlay

• Pittsburgh money line
• Alt Under 9.5

BetRivers SGP price: +130 (may change)

Long story short, right-handed hitters are now killing Skenes. Through June 8, they were hitting .193 and slugging .307. Since that change, those numbers are .301 and .470. Skenes went just 65 pitches last week in a loss in Miami and averaged career-low 95.7 mph on his fastball. He induced just four misses on 34 swings for a 12% whiff rate, the lowest single-game mark of his big-league career. His average overall fastball velocity this season is 96.8 mph, down from 98.1 mph last season and 98.8 mph in 2024 when winning NL Rookie of the Year.

“If I were the manager, I’d probably do it too,” Skenes said of being pushed back. “[Kelly] walked me through everything, and it made sense. It certainly can’t hurt in terms of recovery.”

Needless to say, Skenes is a massive part of the Pirates’ future – at least until the Dodgers trade for him (sigh) when he gets too expensive. So if his velo is down yet again Wednesday, I could absolutely see the Bucs shutting him down. They aren’t getting a playoff spot.

In three career starts vs. Detroit, Skenes is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 18.0 innings. The model has Skenes at 5.5 innings (I’m skeptical), 6.6 strikeouts, 4.5 hits allowed and 1.7 earned runs. I’m excited to see him face Tigers superstar rookie Kevin McGonigle for the first time in their MLB careers with McGonigle the runaway -525 favorite for AL Rookie of the Year. The 21-year-old infielder looks like a future AL MVP. 

Bet on MLB at DraftKings, where new users get $150 in bonus bets after placing a $5+ first wager:

McGonigle was a very touted prospect, and so was Wednesday starting pitcher Jackson Jobe (1-1, 6.23 ERA). But the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft and one-time No. 1 overall pitching prospect in the sport (like Skenes was) hasn’t lived up to the promise yet. Jobe pitched in just two games in 2024 and 10 last year due to Tommy John surgery. He was reinstated from the injured list a less than two weeks ago.

Jobe’s first start was great as he hit 100.1 mph on the gun while pitching five shutout innings in a win at San Francisco. But Jobe was rocked in start No. 2 last Friday by the White Sox, allowing six runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. This marks his first career start vs. Pittsburgh, and the model has him at 5.0 innings, 4.6 strikeouts, 4.9 hits allowed and 2.6 earned runs.

Bet on MLB and more at FanDuel, where bettors can get up to $1,000 in Bet Reset Tokens:

Day games after a night game generally are lower-scoring with guys a bit tired, and weather shouldn’t much factor at PNC Park. Skenes has been decent his past two outings and a bit better at home overall this year, and I’m not sure which Jobe we get. With both teams off Thursday, the bullpens can be used plenty if need be. The model has the Pirates winning 4.6-4.1. Check out other expert picks in the SportsLine daily newsletter.

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina hits a return to Poland’s Iga Swiatek during a National Bank Open tennis match in Toronto on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

MASON, Ohio — Elina Svitolina has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open ahead of a third-round match because of a right ankle injury sustained in Toronto.

“Unfortunately, I tried my best to recover, but I didn’t recover as (quickly) to get ready for my next round,” Svitolina said Tuesday.

READ: Iga Swiatek beats Elina Svitolina to reach first WTA final of 2026

“I’ve been advised by the doctors to take a little bit of time to rest and recover completely. I was looking forward to playing here. Had a great match here two nights ago. Very sad to pull out (of) this round.”

Svitolina, who is ranked No. 9, was scheduled to face Xiyu Wang on Tuesday. Wang will advance to the fourth round, where she’ll face American Madison Keys on Wednesday.

During the second set of her second-round comeback win against Tereza Valentova on Sunday, Svitolina took a medical timeout to have her right ankle checked but recovered to save seven match points to win the set.

Rodri has completed his move to Barcelona from Manchester City.

The midfielder, named player of the tournament during Spain’s World Cup triumph this summer, completed a £65.4million transfer on Tuesday after undergoing his medical with the club.

He has signed a four-year deal at the Camp Nou.

Rodri spent seven seasons at City, helping them win the Premier League title on four occasions and scoring the decisive goal as they beat Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final.

“Barcelona and Manchester City have reached an agreement for Rodri, who is committing to the Catalan club until June 30 2030,” read a statement from the LaLiga champions on their website.

Barca’s statement added Rodri is “considered one of the best players in the world in his position”, adding he “stands out for his tactical intelligence, composure on the ball, ability to regain possession and precision in his passing”.

Rodri flew to Barcelona’s El Prat airport on Monday ahead of the finishing touches to his move being finalised and told reporters: “Playing for Barcelona is a dream come true for me.”

Rodri, who joined from Atletico Madrid in July 2019 when City paid a then club-record £62.6m, had entered into the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Barcelona saw an initial £40m offer and an increased bid turned down before an agreement was struck on Sunday, despite new City boss Enzo Maresca admitting he wanted to keep the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner.

While an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the 2024-25 season and hamstring and groin problems in the 2025-26 season – Pep Guardiola’s last at the club – have restricted his involvement, he was at his best for Spain in North America.

In a message to City fans on the club’s website, Rodri wrote: “I found that saying goodbye is one of the most difficult things in life but I am going to try.

“I knew I came into a top team but I never thought we could be able to create the legacy we made winning trophies, fans around the world, love and respect.

“We made an example to inspire the next generations not only because the success, also because the way we did it. And the fans were with us every step of the way.

“City didn’t just make me grow as a player. They made me grow as a human. I saw my brother graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University. I could see my girlfriend working for the NHS.

“Manchester shaped my whole life. It’s time to say goodbye, thanks to the club, the fans, the staff and my team-mates. This journey couldn’t be the same without you, my heart will always be blue.”

City have already seen club captain and Rodri’s fellow midfielder Bernardo Silva walk out the door this summer after joining Real Madrid on a free transfer, while they have agreed a deal to sell Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah.

However, Elliot Anderson has joined from Nottingham Forest for £116m and City have also been linked with Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.

Serena Williams and Venus Williams of the United States confer while playing Marta Kostyuk of Czechia and Peyton Stearns of the United States during day seven of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK — Venus Williams was given a US Open singles wild card on Tuesday and the tournament is keeping one on hold — perhaps in case her sister Serena wants to join her.

Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, was one of six other women to receive a wild card, and the U.S. Tennis Association said the final one is still to be announced.

That almost certainly would go to Serena Williams, if she decides she wants to return to the tournament at 44.

READ: Serena and Venus Williams return, lose close doubles in Cincinnati

Venus Williams received a wild card last year, returning to the Grand Slam event she won twice for the first time since 2023. The 46-year-old has become the oldest entrant in singles at the tournament since Renee Richards played at 47 in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation.

She has continued to play some singles matches and this week joined Serena for their first doubles tournament together since the 2022 U.S. Open. They lost Monday at the Cincinnati Open in a match tiebreaker against Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns.

The sisters planned to play at Wimbledon but had to withdraw after Serena injured her knee in her singles match. That marked her first time playing singles since the 2022 U.S. Open, and she indicated afterward that she hoped to keep competing if healthy.

Headlining the wild-card recipients on the men’s side were 39-year-old Gael Monfils, a past U.S. Open semifinalist who is set to play his final Grand Slam tournament before retiring, and Australian Alexei Popyrin, who upset Novak Djokovic in 2024 on the way to the fourth round.

One spot is also being held among the eight men’s wild cards. Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 champion at Flushing Meadows who at 41 is playing his final season, could be a candidate for that.

READ: Serena Williams pulls out of Wimbledon doubles with knee injury

Also receiving women’s wild cards were Carol Young Suh Lee, Reese Brantmeier, Thea Frodin, Leolia Jeanjean and Taylah Preston.

The other men receiving wild cards were two-time reigning NCAA singles champion Michael Zheng, Martin Damm, J.J. Wolf, Sebastian Gorzny and Jack Kennedy.

Kei Nishikori, the 2014 U.S. Open runner-up who also is retiring, was given a wild card into the men’s qualifying tournament, along with Jordan Lee, Trevor Svajda, Andre Ilagan, Spencer Johnson, Michael Antonius, Andrew Johnson and Daniel Milavsky.

Women given spots in the qualifying tournament were Caroline Dolehide, Janae Preston, Katrina Scott, Ayana Akli, Annika Penickova, Julieta Pareja, Kristina Penickova and Savannah Broadus.

The main draw begins Aug. 30, with the qualifying tournaments being played earlier that week.

Teofimo Lopez has criticised his father for showing a lack of competence during his unanimous decision defeat to Shakur Stevenson.

‘The Takeover’ was handily outboxed and dethroned by Stevenson in January, winning just one round as his opponent became a four-division world champion at 140lbs.

As a result, Lopez is now moving up to 147lbs in an attempt to reinvent himself and become a three-weight world champion against Rolando Romero.

But while he felt a change in weight was most certainly needed, the 29-year-old saw no reason to dismiss his father, Teofimo Sr, as his head coach.

This is in spite of the fact that Lopez Sr was heavily ridiculed for his efforts in the corner at Madison Square Garden, where Stevenson’s route to victory was only made clearer by his bizarre style of coaching.

Rather than offering his son any words of advice, he just simply pointed out his flaws and gave the defending champion no direction on how to improve.

Lopez therefore confronted his father while speaking with Ring Magazine, albeit with no threats of employing a different trainer.

“Every son wants to make their father proud. When you got your father in that moment – when you’re bleeding; when they’re allowing Shakur to do all these extra things … and your trainer is not going you instructions – they’re just talking you down: ‘Where’s your power? Where’s this? You’re gonna hate yourself’ – all roads lead to [defeat].”

As he takes on WBA champion Romero at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, it should be interesting to see how Lopez’s corner shapes up between rounds.

In any event, the American will be under a fair amount of pressure to produce an improved performance.

In fairness, Arden Walker is an innocent bystander. The kid had his release foisted upon him. Likewise, the claim from Green Bay wasn’t of his doing.

Still, some in Minnesota won’t be thrilled to see Vikings purple morph into Packers green.

Consider the news that’s getting passed along by ESPN’s Adam Schefter: “Packers claimed DE Arden Walker on waivers from the Vikings.” In Week 1, the Packers will come to Minneapolis to battle the Vikings inside of U.S. Bank Stadium. Gleaning some insight from Walker will therefore be quite helpful.

Arden Walker Leaves Vikings Purple Behind

Lately, there has been some online debate about the manner in which Minnesota has limited videos at practice.

Part of the rationale from the Vikings is that online videos can offer slivers of insight, especially early in the year. Green Bay isn’t gleaning scouting intel off fan videos on social media in this move. The Wisconsin football team is nevertheless positioning themselves to learn a thing or two about what the Vikings are cooking up for the 2026 season.

Arden Walker isn’t a household name. Maybe he’ll get there in time, but that’s a possibility that still needs to be chased down.

The pass rusher got into the NFL following the 2026 NFL Draft. Minnesota snagged him for just $2,000 in guaranteed cash. Even among UDFAs, Walker’s deal is very modest.

Walker tossed a pair of tackles onto the stat sheet last weekend. He played in 17 snaps against the New York Giants in what ended up being a winning effort. Per PFF, the rookie played pretty well, tossing up a reasonably promising 69.9 grade. He’ll look to carry whatever momentum he has into his next opportunity.

For whatever it’s worth, the Packers have lost some pass rush help when shipping out Rashan Gary earlier in the year. Similarly of note is that Micah Parsons isn’t yet back from injury, further depleting the depth.

Obviously, Walker isn’t being leaned on to replace those guys. He could, however, work toward snagging a practice squad spot as he grows his game.

For a little while, Jeff Diamond has argued Minnesota would benefit from some added pass rusher help.

“With Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace at inside backer,” the former GM wrote a couple weeks ago, “it’s apparent [Jake} Golday’s greatest impact this season will be if he’s that third edge rusher/OLB and doing it well. He’s been lining up both inside and outside in camp so he has a lot on his plate in learning multiple positions.”

If Golday can’t go at edge rusher, then the Vikings’ need is even more pronounced. To replace Arden Walker, the Vikings have picked up a different unproven young fella: Kenny Dyson.

The Vikings will wrestle with the Ravens in joint practices and then have a preseason battle over the weekend. Only one more preseason game will follow before it’s full-steam ahead for that Week 1 Packers game.

Joining Arden Walker as a former Viking putting in work for the Packers is DT Javon Hargrave, somebody who left with some poor feelings toward how he got deployed in Minnesota.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.