I’m not entirely sure what I had achieved by the age of 26, but it certainly wasn’t anything close to that of Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.

I mean, managing to order a drunken taxi home with one eye closed while juggling one of London’s best Turkish kebabs could be filed under success to some, perhaps.

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Anyway, “Bam” is a bonafide superstar.

The pound-for-pound contender is a two-weight world champion, blasting his way to an unbeaten 23-0 record. He makes a jump up to bantamweight this weekend looking to extend this run and add a third divisional title to his honors board.

And if that was a bit too proper and legitimate for you, former Love Island star and younger brother of Tyson Fury, Tommy Fury, fights former strongman Eddie Hall on a MF-Pro show in Manchester, England.

You see: Something for everyone.

Let’s take a look at the best of the weekend’s action.

1. ‘Bam’ is up at bantamweight and is still must-see TV

“Bam” Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) is on the move this weekend, up in new waters at 118 pounds and attempting to become a three-weight world champion. To do so, he has to get past a solid, but also limited (elevated) WBA bantamweight champion in Antonio Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona.

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The truth is the “Bam” train is unlikely to get derailed by the current champion. That’s not to totally overlook the 29-year-old, but Vargas’ career has sort of slogged along in the shadows in recent years, unable to grab that big career-changing promotional push.

Vargas’ last win came in 2024 against Winston Guerrero, and he has since edged a draw on the cards in Yokohama, Japan against Daigo Higa in an all-out war. The fact that Vargas has found himself on the canvas in each of his past three contests will be all the motivation the explosive-hitting Rodriguez needs.

“Bam” is a special, special talent — 118 pounds probably won’t be his ceiling in the sport, but Vargas is the perfect opponent to see how this particular rung on the ladder feels.

2. Jones, Carranza run it back

We’re going to try and clear up some confusing scorecards this weekend, as Oshae Jones (9-0, 3 KOs) and Elia Carranza (11-2, 3 KOs) run back their IBF junior middleweight title fight from last July.

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Two of the three judges felt Jones had done enough to win that first meeting, scoring it 8-2 and 6-4 respectively. The third official, however, saw things very differently, awarding every single round to Carranza.

So we head to Orlando for Most Valuable Promotions’ MVPW-04 show at Caribe Royale Resort on Saturday, and Jones heads to the Sunshine State looking to prove any doubters wrong.

“I definitely didn’t want this fight,” Jones told ESPN. “When I beat her the first time, I wasn’t 100% but I got the job done, and that’s all that should matter. But now it’s a big rematch, and that motivates me to blow her out of the water.”

3. Kiwitt continues his German run

Since losing in the United Kingdom to Luther Clay in 2019, German super welterweight Freddy Kiwitt has decided to ply his trade back on home soil, running up a 12-fight win streak in Germany (with one fight coming in Denmark).

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His ability to do so underlines the boom that boxing is enjoying in Germany at the moment, with heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel leading the charge.

Kiwitt (29-3, 18 KOs) returns to the ring against Venezuela’s Jose Arcon (15-1, 13 KOs) this weekend, headlining a card that — at the time of writing — reads like a UN meeting. Nations including Germany, Czechia, Ukraine, Austria, Venezuela, Romania, Singapore, Kenya, Argentina, Nicaragua, Azerbaijan, Syria and the United Kingdom are all represented by fighters inside the Gorzelniaski Hall, Flensburg.

Kiwitt was supposed to be defending his WBF and WBO Global super welterweight titles, but due to a late change of opponent, it’s just a good old-fashioned dust-up.

4. Love Island’s Tommy Fury is fighting retired strongman Eddie Hall 

MF-Pro fights are supposed to be a bit of fun, right? And that’s exactly what to expect when Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall lock horns this weekend in Manchester, England.

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Fury (11-0, 4 KOs) can fight. Just not that well. We saw him struggle against KSI and Jake Paul in similarly viral bouts, and he’s clearly decided to go down the novelty route rather than trying to carve out a more traditional boxing career like the rest of the Fury clan.

As for Eddie Hall? Who knows. The strongman — and the most prolific record-breaker in the history of strength sports — lost his only other boxing bout against Iceland’s Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson in something that I am not going to watch back, and, arguably, the most shocking thing about him is that he is only 37 years old!

It’s billed as “Beauty vs. The Beast” — but don’t be surprised if it turns into “Tangled.”

5. Elif Nur Turhan defends her IBF lightweight title against Gabriela Tellez

Elif Nur Turhan is the new sparkly toy in the women’s game.

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Such was her appeal after going on a four-fight knockout assault of the super featherweight and lightweight divisions, that Matchroom struck and signed her up to a multi-fight deal on its DAZN platform.

The IBF lightweight queen is now 13-0 with eight stoppages and considered one of the fiercest punchers around her weight, but a lackluster display in her most recent outing against Taylah Gentzen in January will need improving on.

The Turkish fighter accepted the challenge of American Gabriela Tellez (7-0, 3 KOs) this weekend, defending her IBF strap on the Rodriguez-Vargas undercard in Glendale, Arizona.

The 31-year-old is tied for No. 9 in Uncrowned’s pound-for-pound rankings and will be eyeing a jump up by the end of 2026 with the likes of Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor winding down their remarkable careers.

Co-hosts Canada grabbed a second-half equaliser to draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday in the first World Cup finals game ever played on Canadian soil.

Cyle Larin got Canada’s goal after Jovo Lukic put Bosnia ahead with a header in the 21st minute in Toronto.

The result gave Canada its first point in World Cup history.

Canadian sides had a perfect record of futility at two previous tournament appearances in 1986 and 2022, with six losses.

Lukic’s goal from a corner sent the small but enthusiastic Bosnian contingent at the Toronto Stadium into a frenzy.

Canada had the majority of play in the first half but failed to generate any real chances.

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The stadium erupted in the 17th minute when forward Jonathan David had a clear shot on goal, but it was easily handled by Bosnian keeper Nikola Vasilj.

Canada’s Ismael Kone had a golden opportunity in the 30th minute, but sailed his strike well over the net, prompting groans from tens of thousands of Canadians who blanketed the stadium in a sea of red.

Canada’s missed opportunities

The second half began in similar fashion, with Canada largely on the attack, but unable to find the net.

Bosnia’s veteran defender Sead Kolasinac saved a certain goal when he diverted a strike from David onto the crossbar, extending Canada’s agony.

Watch moreTrump’s World Cup: More matches, higher prices, fewer foreigners

But Larin’s strike in the 78th minute marked a high point in Canada’s limited World Cup history, causing a mostly Canadian crowd of 43,000 to erupt.

Canada threatened to go ahead in the final minutes, narrowly missing a goal near the final whistle.

Canadian entertainment royalty attended the match at the home of the MLS’s Toronto FC, including film star Ryan Reynolds, from Vancouver, and Saturday Night Live and Austin Powers star Mike Myers, a Toronto native.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

GMHBA Stadium will play host to Friday’s
Round 14 AFL game between Geelong Cats and
Gold Coast SUNS. The game kicks off at 7:40 pm with Geelong Cats heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Geelong Cats vs.
Gold Coast SUNS
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday June 12, 2026 at 7:40 pm

Where: GMHBA Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Geelong Cats vs Gold Coast SUNS Odds

Geelong Cats vs Gold Coast SUNS Preview

Geelong returns home looking to snap a two-game losing streak when it welcomes Gold Coast to GMHBA Stadium on Friday night. The Cats have fallen agonisingly short in consecutive weeks, losing to Carlton and Adelaide by a combined five points, placing added importance on this clash as the race for the top four heats up. Gold Coast is also searching for a response after a disappointing QClash defeat to Brisbane. The Suns dominated Geelong in Opening Round, but history is against them in Victoria, having never won at GMHBA Stadium. Geelong’s strong home record and the urgency surrounding its season make this a crucial opportunity for Chris Scott’s side to regain momentum before the second half of the campaign.

The California Democratic Party made a post on social media that said, “You’re not allowed to watch the World Cup if you’ve ever voted against immigration,” on Thursday.

The post has come under immense scrutiny, as Americans across the political spectrum prepare to cheer together for Team USA in its World Cup opener against Paraguay.

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Preparations are made at Soccer House ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2026. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“Every one of those other Countries has its own immigration policy, where you can’t just cross the border. The hypocrisy is crazy,” one X user wrote.

Another user wrote, “Why? I don’t even understand the logic to this post.”

CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS ISSUE FLORIDA TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FIFA WORLD CUP OVER IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT TACTICS

Other harsh and sarcastic responses to the post went viral across X.

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The California Republican Party issued a statement in response to the controversial post.

It was a strong showing for us Americans, but not enough to win the title of most attractive fanbase at the FIFA World Cup. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union)

“The World Cup is a beautiful event that brings people together from around the world and should have nothing to do with politics,” said California Republican Party Communications Manager Francisco Bedoya. “Rather than trolling on social media, they should put their phones down, touch some grass, and enjoy this historic World Cup. But, if Democrats want to make it political and continue to divide Americans, then we’re here to call out their hypocrisy.”

The United States is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the first time the U.S. has hosted the event since 1994, alongside Canada and Mexico.

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The U.S. is shouldering the bulk of the tournament, hosting 78 of the 104 matches across 11 major cities. All high-stakes games — including the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final — will take place in the U.S.

Friday’s FIFA World Cup opener features the U.S. taking on Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The match is crucial for setting the tone in Group D, which also includes Australia and Turkey.

One of the early talking points of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has not been a goal, a controversial decision or a surprise result. Instead, it has been the sight of thousands of empty seats at some matches despite official attendance figures suggesting near-capacity crowds.

The issue came into focus during South Korea’s 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, where the announced attendance was 44,985, fewer than 700 short of the stadium’s official World Cup capacity of 45,664. Yet television viewers could clearly spot large clusters of empty seats, particularly in premium sections around the halfway line.

So why does the visual reality often appear different from the numbers released by tournament organisers?

Tickets sold vs fans present

The biggest reason lies in how attendance is measured.

In football, attendance figures often represent tickets that have been sold or allocated rather than the number of spectators physically sitting in their seats when the match kicks off.

This phenomenon is common across major sporting events. A supporter may purchase a ticket but choose not to attend, while some fans may arrive late, spend long periods in concourses or hospitality areas, or leave before the final whistle.

As a result, official attendance numbers can appear significantly higher than what television cameras capture inside the stadium.

The corporate ticket factor

Major tournaments such as the World Cup reserve a substantial allocation of tickets for sponsors, hospitality guests and commercial partners.

These premium seats are often located in the most visible sections of the stadium, particularly around the halfway line. If corporate guests decide not to attend or arrive only for part of the match, the empty seats become highly noticeable on television broadcasts.

Why World Cup stadium capacities change?

Another factor that often creates confusion is stadium capacity.

Many venues hosting World Cup matches are operating below their normal maximum capacity because FIFA requires modifications to meet tournament standards.

Several North American stadiums were originally designed for American football rather than soccer. To accommodate FIFA-approved pitch dimensions, sections of seating have been removed to create additional space around the field.

Los Angeles Stadium, for example, regularly hosts crowds exceeding 73,000 for NFL games but is operating at a reduced capacity of just over 70,000 during the World Cup.

Additional media facilities, advertising zones and operational areas further reduce the number of seats available for supporters.

How attendance figures are calculated?

Unlike some domestic leagues, there is no universal requirement forcing organisers to publish a specific attendance metric.

Tournament organisers can choose whether to report tickets sold, tickets scanned or actual spectators present inside the venue.

FIFA has stated that its attendance figures are based on verified operational data, including ticket scans and spectators within the stadium footprint rather than simple visual estimates from television broadcasts.

Officials also noted that many supporters may spend portions of the match in concourse areas, food courts or hospitality lounges instead of remaining in their assigned seats throughout the game.

Are ticket sales becoming a concern?

The debate has also reignited questions about ticket demand.

Earlier this year, FIFA reported receiving hundreds of millions of ticket requests during the initial application phase and suggested that interest in the tournament was exceptionally strong.

However, not every fixture carries the same level of demand.

High-profile matches involving host nations have generally attracted packed stadiums and vibrant atmospheres. Mexico’s opening victory over South Africa was played before a sold-out crowd in Mexico City, with demand far exceeding supply.

Other group-stage fixtures featuring less commercially attractive matchups have faced a different reality, with thousands of tickets appearing on resale platforms in the days leading up to kick-off.

The Bigger Picture

The contrast between official attendance figures and visible empty seats is not unique to the 2026 World Cup. It is a long-standing feature of major sporting events where ticket allocations, hospitality programmes and spectator behaviour all influence what fans see on television.

While FIFA’s numbers may accurately reflect tickets scanned and spectators within the venue, the visual impression can tell a very different story.

As the tournament progresses, the debate serves as a reminder that a full stadium on paper does not always look full in practice.

Ghanaian international footballer Thomas Partey, who is currently facing rape and sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom, has been refused entry to Canada and will be unable to take part in his team’s World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.

“FIFA ​can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable travel from Ghana‘s ​Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first ​match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as ⁠his ​visa application ​has been refused by the ​Canadian government,” said world football’s governing body in a statement to media outlets including ​Reuters and The New York Times.

“FIFA ⁠is not involved in the immigration ⁠processes ​of host countries, including the adjudication of visas,” the statement added.

Canada is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and the United States.

What is Thomas Partey accused of?

Midfielder Partey, 32, was charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London‘s Metropolitan Police. The charges date back to his time with current Premier League champions Arsenal.

He pleaded not guilty in September 2025 but was charged with two fresh counts of rape in February 2026, to which he also pleaded not guilty in April.

Partey, who now plays his club football for Spanish side Villarreal, appears to have had no issues entering the United States after arriving in Washington, DC, on June 4 with the rest of the Ghana squad.

But he will now be unavailable for the Black Stars’ opening fixture against Panama at Toronto‘s BMO Field stadium.

“The safety and security of Canadians is our priority as we welcome FIFA World Cup participants and visitors from around the world,” read a statement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) given to The New York Times earlier this month in anticipation of this eventuality regarding Partey.

“IRCC applies its rules consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament. IRCC officers are trained decision makers who assess an individual’s eligibility and admissibility in accordance with Canadian immigration laws,” the statement said. “If they believe that an individual could pose a security risk, they may decide to deny them entry.”

Ghana’s other two games in Group L are both in the United States — against England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Partey, who has scored 16 goals in 58 appearances for his country, should be available for those games.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

Jesse Rodriguez is unwilling to crown himself as the pound-for-pound king of boxing just yet, admitting that Naoya Inoue and Oleksandr Usyk should be ranked above him on a pound-for-pound list.

Based on achievements alone, it is difficult to dispute the 26-year-old’s assessment, given that both Inoue and Usyk have become two-division undisputed champions.

In terms of recent performances, however, it could be argued that ‘Bam’ is being a little harsh on himself, especially when considering Usyk’s subpar display against Rico Verhoeven last month.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, secured emphatic stoppages over Phumelela Cafu and Fernando Martinez last year, becoming the unified champion at 115lbs.

With this momentum, he now looks to become a three-division world champion against Antonio Vargas, who he faces for the WBA bantamweight title this Saturday.

If he emerges victorious, then Rodriguez is set to pursue a clash with super-bantamweight king Inoue, who he has named as the sport’s leading fighter.

Elsewhere on his list, ‘Bam’ has conceded that four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson is also ranked above him, purely based on his unanimous decision victory over Teofimo Lopez in January.

Revealing this information during a media huddle with several outlets, including FightHype, Rodriguez admitted that Usyk, too, deserves to be placed in the top three.

“I think I’m at number four. I was at number three but, with the win Shakur got [against] Teofimo, I feel like I have no choice but to put him at number three.

“So I’ve got Inoue at one, Usyk at two, Shakur [at three] and then myself [at four].”

While not quite doing enough to enter his own top three, Rodriguez would surely change his tune if he manages to defeat Inoue, who he could end up facing towards the end of 2026 or early next year.

Stratford High School has hired Desmond Cambridge to be the schools’ girls basketball coach, Metro Nashville Public Schools announced on June 12.

Cambridge takes over the program from William Cummings who was fired after the season ended in the Region 4-2A tournament in March. Cummings spent two years leading the Lady Spartans and finished with a 16-26 record, including going 9-13 this past season.

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Cambridge has more than 20 years of coaching experience at both the school and AAU levels. He’s spent the past 11 years coaching with the AAU program, Finest Basketball Club out of Atlanta.

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Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

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Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

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Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

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Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

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Day one photos from 2026 TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament

“The appointment of Coach Desmond Cambridge marks a new era of dominance for Lady Spartan Basketball,” said Dr. Michael Pratt, executive principal of Stratford STEM Magnet High School. “He is firmly committed to mentoring student-athletes, cultivating leadership, and outworking everyone to reach our goal of winning a state championship.”

Cambridge is a graduate of Whites Creek and played basketball there from 1994-98. He played college basketball at Alabama A&M University, and was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023. He holds the NCAA Division I men’s single-season record for most steals per game (5.52), set in 2001-02.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Stratford basketball hires Desmond Cambridge as girls coach