WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia appears to have had a change of plan when it comes to his future, seemingly looking elsewhere after previously announcing his next opponent.

‘King Ry’ dominated his clash against Mario Barrios back in February, utilising the right-hook, rather than his trademark left, to catch ‘El Azteca’ by surprise and comfortably claim a unanimous decision win to finally get his hands on world honours.

That triumph seemed to tee up a grudge match rematch and now title unification against fierce rival and WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney, but the latter was instead targeting an alternate champion in Rolando Romero (WBA).

Then, at the beginning of the month, Garcia revealed that he would be taking on Teofimo Lopez on Saturday, July 25, but collapsed talks for a fight between Haney and Romero seem to have intervened on those plans.

Instead, on a Kick stream, Garcia told UFC lightweight title hopeful Arman Tsarukyan that he is currently hoping that the Haney rematch can happen next.

“Hopefully, [it is Devin Haney next]. He doesn’t really want to call me out, I put a lot of fear into him last time.”

Additionally, WBC mandatory challenger Conor Benn is intending on fighting Garcia later this year, but a unification bout between Garcia and Haney would trump any mandated fight between Benn and the WBC champion.

Haney-Garcia II was previously touted for September, with Haney wanting a fight beforehand, seeking to give himself the optimal chance to right the wrongs of their initial encounter.

LSU Tigers star Flau’jae Johnson has been widely projected to be a lottery pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. Johnson’s collegiate career ended last month, and she has her eyes set on Monday’s draft.

In her interview with NBC Sports on Thursday, Johnson was asked by hosts Natalie Esquire and Terrika Foster-Brasby about her preferred destinations in the WNBA.

“My mindset right now is really just like, I can’t control none of that,” Johnson said. “I’m not even thinking about that. Honestly, I’m like, whoever picks me, I’m grateful, you know, to even have the opportunity to play in the WNBA. Like that sounds crazy. And whoever doesn’t pick me, like I get to see them all the time. I get to play them.

So for me, it’s a win-win situation. For whoever drafts me is a win-win situation. I’ll be very thankful to bring my talents to that city and represent how I do. But I can’t control any of it. It’s not like I could be like, ‘I wanna go there.’ So I’m just thankful for where I’m at right now. I just wanna hear my name get called.”

In her final collegiate season with the Tigers, Johnson averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 46.5% shooting, including 39.3% from 3-point range. She was a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award as the National Player of the Year this year and ranks No. 6 in LSU history with 2,050 career points.

Johnson was part of LSU’s 2023 championship team. Following that, she led the team to two Elite Eight appearances and a Sweet 16 berth this season.

In ESPN analyst Michael Voepel’s mock draft on Wednesday, Flau’jae Johnson is projected to be selected by the Chicago Sky with the No. 5 pick.

Flau’jae Johnson is part of the official WNBA draft invitees

On Friday, the WNBA released a list of 15 prospects who will attend Monday’s draft day at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. The list notably includes LSU Tigers star Flau’jae Johnson, Spain’s Awa Fam, UCLA’s Lauren Betts, Connecticut’s Azzi Fudd and TCU’s Olivia Miles.

Before the traditional “orange carpet,” the invited prospects will visit the Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony to celebrate the draft. Also invited are Nell Angloma, Angela Dugalić, Gabriela Jaquez, Raven Johnson, Gianna Kneepkens, Ta’Niya Latson, Cotie McMahon, Madina Okot, Kiki Rice and Marta Suárez.

The Dallas Wings have the top pick in the WNBA draft for the second straight season. The Minnesota Lynx have the No. 2 pick, followed by the Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky. The expansions teams, Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, will have the No. 6 and No. 7 picks, respectively.