Shawn Porter has given an honest assessment of how Errol Spence Jr, his former foe, might fare against Tim Tszyu at a catchweight of 158lbs.

The pair will square off in Australia on July 25, with Spence entering his first outing since suffering a ninth-round stoppage defeat to Terence Crawford in 2023.

Prior to that, many felt the American was capable of remaining unbeaten, only for him to endure a one-sided beatdown at the hands of ‘Bud’.

As a result, Spence was relieved of the IBF, WBC and WBA world welterweight titles he had acquired by dethroning Kell Brook, Porter and Yordenis Ugas, respectively.

Tszyu, meanwhile, is coming off a pair of routine points victories after finding himself on the receiving end of a seventh-round finish against Sebastian Fundora last July.

Their first encounter saw Fundora edge a split decision in 2024, before Tszyu suffered a punishing third-round stoppage defeat to Bakhram Murtazaliev later that year.

The 31-year-old is therefore hoping to restore his position at world level, but must first collide with Spence at a reported 4lbs above his usual fighting weight.

As someone who lost a split decision to Spence in 2019, though, Porter believes the 36-year-old is capable of derailing Tszyu’s ambition to become a two-time world champion.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Porter dismissed the impact that a three-year layoff may have on ‘The Truth’.

“I’m inclined to believe that Errol Spence beats Tim Tszyu. Prior to [fighting] Terence Crawford, I feel like he would have beat Tim Tszyu.

“I don’t believe that much has changed in that amount of time. He has taken a tremendous amount of time off, [but] he says he was just waiting [for] that itch to come [back].”

At this stage in his career, it should be interesting to see what type of threat Spence can pose to the middleweight or super-welterweight division.

Antoine Huby pushes his way to the finish. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANGATAREM, Pangasinan—Nikita Shulchenko’s hold on the MPTC Tour of Luzon overall lead will come under pressure in the final two days after French rider Antoine Huby positioned himself as a threat following Monday’s Stage 12 that ended at Daang Kalikasan here.

Huby, 25, moved up to second in the general classification after dominating the stage that began at the Eagle of the North landmark in Agoo, La Union, clocking three hours, 17 minutes and 37 seconds while slicing more than a minute off the Russian cyclist’s lead.

Shulchenko placed second in 3:18:57, adding to his aggregate time of 36:16:21 compiled over 11 stages, excluding Stage 2, which was a team time trial at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The LCW UAE Team Emirates rider finished 1:20 behind Huby of 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines, seeing his overall lead trimmed to 2:30 after a climb that, while not as steep as Bessang Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, over the weekend, posed a different challenge because of the heat.

Psychological edge

“It was hot. Very hot,” Shulchenko said ahead of Tuesday’s penultimate stage, an individual time trial around nearby Lingayen, and Wednesday’s final stage from the Pangasinan capital to Baguio via Kennon Road.

“I will still try to protect my yellow jersey,” added Shulchenko, who will head into the ITT with a psychological edge after topping the first time trial in Stage 7 in Pagudpud.

The 26-year-old Shulchenko won that stage in 30:06, while Huby placed ninth, more than two minutes behind.

The climb to Baguio, however, could set up a head-to-head showdown for the title. Huby ruled the punishing Stage 10 that ended at Bessang Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, while Shulchenko came in second, 50 seconds back.

“I don’t know if I can still catch up in the GC, but I will do my best,” said Huby, who hovered in the top 10 during the early stages before steadily climbing the standings in the second half of the race.

His second-stage win, this time in what is considered the “Cycling Capital of the Philippines,” allowed Huby to leapfrog Shulchenko’s teammate Ibrahiem Alrefai, who dropped to third overall at 4:29 behind Shulchenko and 1:59 behind Huby.

Malaysia national team rider Muhammad Mazlin sits fourth at 7:06, while 7-Eleven’s Ronnilan Quita moved up to fifth, 7:19 behind Shulchenko, making him the highest-placed Filipino rider.

Not as steep

The ITT will cover a 20-kilometer straight route along the Pangasinan Baywalk with a hairpin turn at the halfway mark. The first 56 riders, starting from the bottom of the standings, will be released at one-minute intervals.

The last 15 riders, including Huby and Shulchenko, will start at two-minute intervals.

Daang Kalikasan was not as steep as Bessang Pass, with the climb classified only as a Category 2 in the King of the Mountain race.

Huby was part of a seven-man lead pack before Shulchenko caught up, though not enough to overhaul the Frenchman.

Like Shulchenko, Huby had to gut it out to the finish.

“My legs were saying, ‘Hey, you need to stop,’ but I just wanted to continue for my team,” said Huby, who competed in the UCI World Tour in 2024 and 2025 before joining 7-Eleven for the Tour of Luzon. INQ

The $2.7 million investment in St Gotthard paid handsome dividends as he powered to an emphatic success in Saturday’s Group 3 $200,000 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast.

Trained by Chris Waller, St Gotthard notched his second start and maintained an unblemished record by distancing his opposition.

Jockey James McDonald, riding the colt for the second time, has emerged as his foremost admirer.

“He cost a lot of money but he has a beautiful temperament, killer looks and incredible acceleration – he’s a beauty, he’s all class,” McDonald said.

Starting at $2.40 on course, St Gotthard raced rearward, took the wide path on the corner and surged clear with a devastating burst to win by four expanding lengths from Silken Salute ($8.50), Boomelli ($8.50) third, a length away.

Bred in the purple as a Snitzel colt from imported dam Ms Bad Behaviour at Arrowfield, he is a full-brother to Group 1 conqueror Switzerland and fetched $2.7 million from a Coolmore syndicate at last year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Waller, successful with Switzerland too, took a patient stance with St Gotthard rather than forcing him into autumn majors like the Golden Slipper.

He began modestly at Warwick Farm with a strong win, then peaked at the Gold Coast meeting.

Not present at Gold Coast, Waller’s foreman Darren Beadman called the impressive St Gotthard a “classic looking colt”.

“He could have easily lined up in some of the bigger races over the autumn carnival but Chris, being the trainer he is, treats them all as individuals and gave this colt time and it is getting dividends now,” Beadman said.

“It was just nice to see him add another dimension to his race pattern today. They went quite quick up front but he sat back ‘curling the mo’ behind them then let loose in the straight.”

His electric win compressed St Gotthard’s odds from $8 right into $3.50 joint fave with The Next Episode for the Group 2 $1 million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 30.

Find the leading betting sites offering racing odds for key events like the Ken Russell Memorial Classic.

Roberto De Zerbi believes Tottenham’s fight for survival in the Premier League will go down to the final day after they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Leeds.

Spurs were set to move four points clear of 18th-placed West Ham when Mathys Tel curled wonderfully into the top corner after 50 minutes, but he went from hero to zero in the 69th minute.

After Tottenham dealt with the initial ball into the box, Tel’s attempted overhead kick clearance struck Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu in the face and Dominic Calvert-Lewin tucked away the resulting spot-kick after a lengthy VAR check before a frantic finale failed to produce a winner following Antonin Kinsky’s stunning save to deny visiting substitute Sean Longstaff.

“I think we are in the right way,” De Zerbi insisted.

“It will be tough until the last minute against Everton, for sure but after the Sunderland game, it was a difficult to imagine ourselves before the last two games to stay up two points of West Ham.

“I remember very well the game in Sunderland was my first game and we can’t forget what was the situation just 15 days ago. We can’t forget after four games in a row we made eight points.

“And West Ham they have to also play Leeds at home. I think Leeds they will play like today with the same spirit, with the same qualities.”

After a tense first half where Tel contributed towards the nervous energy inside the stadium with a dangerous ball across the face of his own penalty area, the young French attacker raised the decibel levels in the 50th minute.

Pedro Porro’s corner was cleared to Tel, who took a touch and curled sumptuously beyond Karl Darlow and into the top corner, but his last telling action was a misguided clearance on Ampadu in the 69th minute.

Asked what he would say to Tel, De Zerbi insisted: “A big hug and a big kiss. Nothing more because he is a young player, he is a big talent and he score a great goal.

“He made a mistake for the experience because he has not the right experience and he has not played too many games in his career and we have to accept, but I am proud and I am happy for the mentality we show.”

James Maddison made his first competitive appearance in 12 months and almost provided late drama when he went down inside the penalty area, but referee Jarred Gillett and a quick VAR review ignored spot-kick appeals.

“Great news for us. He is a different player as a quality, as a guy and he will be I hope crucial for us,” De Zerbi added.

The Spurs boss did not want to be drawn on the penalty decision, but took aim at referee Gillett and questioned if the controversial VAR call in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday had influenced the officials.

“I didn’t see and I didn’t watch it again,” De Zerbi reflected.

“The first minute until the end of the game the referee went to me, ‘if you go out, yellow card,’ and I think they were not calm today. Maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday the West Ham-Arsenal game and VAR.”

West Ham’s defeat on Sunday guaranteed Leeds’ safety, but Daniel Farke promised Tottenham they would give everything on the final day at London Stadium.

Farke said: “We have played an unbelievable season, with an amazing outcome.

“It says a lot about this team to already be on this amount of points and safe with three games to go, it is massive.

“We will fight until the end for each and every point.”

Fifteen years ago, a dollar bet on Keegan Bradley would’ve won $125.

Ten years ago, a buck on Jimmy Walker would’ve earned the same return.

Five years ago, that wager on Phil Mickelson would’ve brought home $250. 

Hmm. 

Could the underdog-winning-every-five-years trend continue this week at the PGA Championship? The odds are, well, long. For various reasons, players aren’t favorites, and what’s happened here is very likely coincidental. 

Then again, who doesn’t like a good story line?

Should you have some buy-in to that thought, members of our staff have each made a long-shot selection to assist you. It’s an enjoyable endeavor for us. Deploy it as you wish. 

On to our analysis.

2026 PGA Championship sleeper picks to watch 

Josh Berhow 

Sleeper pick: Kristoffer Reitan, +8,000. Don’t overthink it — he just won on Sunday and is still a long shot! All of these guys are good — but it’s hard not to like the one who was just better than everyone through 72 holes.

James Colgan 

Sleeper pick: Daniel Berger, +22,500. I probably wouldn’t take him to win this golf tournament, but it wouldn’t shock me if he delivered a surprisingly competitive performance in Philly.

Dylan Dethier   

Sleeper pick: Matt McCarty, +15,000. McCarty is playing really, really well. Don’t sleep on him! And let’s plunge much deeper for Ben Polland (+200,000), a talented club pro who could clock a top 40 here if all goes well.

Jack Hirsh 

Sleeper pick: Jordan Spieth, +8,000. Let’s have some fun, shall we. Grand slam, here we come.

Jessica Marksbury

Sleeper pick: Min Woo Lee, +6,000. Aronimink feels like a course where Min Woo can shine and play to his off-the-tee strengths. Plus, he’s been trending up recently, finishing tied for 18th at the Cadillac and tied for 14th at last week’s Truist.

Nick Piastowski 

Sleeper pick: Gary Woodland, +10,000. This would be one of the better stories in golf — but Woodland has also played solid golf this year. He’s posted four top 25 finishes, including a win. 

Josh Schrock

Sleeper pick: Rickie Fowler, +5,000: I’m just going to go back to the sleeper well with Fowler. He has been playing consistently good golf this season and has rediscovered the feel with his putter. Carded top-10s at the RBC Heritage and Doral. Could easily see him contending in Philly with his iron game.

Josh Sens

Sleeper pick: Keegan Bradley, +9,000. His heart might still be broken from the Ryder Cup, but his game has been coming together nicely lately. And we know he relishes the big stages. 

Johnny Wunder  

Sleeper pick: Patrick Cantlay, +4,500. Great ballpark for him, especially if the scores are low, which I’ve heard they might try to encourage. Pat is still the quiet assassin he’s always been. If he can get into the top of the board early in the week, my hunch is he stays there till the end. 

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Accidental Bid is bound for Queensland seeking a berth in the Queensland Derby.

Ciaron Maher’s charge is programmed to tackle the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) this Saturday at Doomben, building towards the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on May 30 at Eagle Farm.

The three-year-old was all the rage for the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 2 but drew no start as the top emergency.

There’s a nagging doubt in the Maher camp that Accidental Bid could be balloted out of the Rough Habit Plate again, putting his Queensland Derby hopes at risk.

A product of UK breeding, this unbeaten-in-Australia three-year-old captured a 1600m maiden at Pakenham and then went on to win over 2000m at Pakenham last month.

National Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull of Ciaron Maher Racing revealed Accidental Bid had a gallop at Ballarat last week, proceeded to Sydney, and is due in Brisbane this week.

Turnbull commented that Accidental Bid will be fully tuned up for Saturday despite no start in a month, having journeyed to Adelaide and back to Ballarat.

“We’ve been able to get work into him, factoring in the travel,” Turnbull said.

“He did well, condition wise, without running in the South Australian Derby, so we were happy to gallop Wednesday, knowing that he was going to travel twice in a six-to-eight-day period.

“I don’t think we will be using fitness as a problem, but he will need the run to be fully prepared for the Derby.

“We galloped him the reverse way, and he was very natural, which was helpful and I think he will be spot on for his next race and then he will improve again for the Derby trip.”

The Maher team rolled the dice by transporting Accidental Bid to Adelaide despite low odds of contesting the South Australian Derby.

“He was ready to be led across the road,” Turnbull said.

“We were waiting right until the death with him.

“Ciaron was happy to have the travel as it does bring them on and he’s a placid colt.”

Check racing betting markets for the latest on the Queensland Derby.

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi says his players are good enough to stay up after their draw with Leeds United leaves them two points clear above the relegation zone with two games to play.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham 1-1 Leeds United

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