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Zuffa Boxing plans to proceed with Chris Billam-Smith fight despite legal challenge from rival promoter

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Zuffa Boxing’s first show in the UK, featuring Chris Billam-Smith, appears set to go ahead on Saturday despite legal action from rival promoter Boxxer.

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Billam-Smith is scheduled to fight Canadian Ryan Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Centre as the headline bout, with fellow Britons Jack Massey and Sam Hickey both on the undercard.

The event is due to be shown on Sky Sports, but promoter Boxxer claims to have contractual rights involving fighters on the bill and says they are appearing without “consent or authorisation”.

BBC Sport understands that Zuffa does not accept the claims by Boxxer and plans to proceed with the event as planned.

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“Boxxer can confirm it is seeking urgent injunctive relief against Zuffa Boxing and Sky Sports concerning the promotion and proposed participation of fighters who remain subject to binding contractual obligations to Boxxer,” said a statement from Boxxer.

“Boxxer have ensured that all parties involved are fully aware of the contractual obligations owed to Boxxer by the fighters being promoted for Saturday’s event. Despite this, those fighters continue to be advertised and promoted without Boxxer’s consent.

“As a result of the conduct it has witnessed in recent months, Boxxer has been left with no option but to seek further relief from the English courts.”

Zuffa Boxing, which was founded by UFC president Dana White and backed by Saudi Arabian funding, is looking to rival the sport’s established promoters.

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Billam-Smith signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing in April after previously being promoted by Ben Shalom’s Boxxer.

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Knicks take 2-0 NBA Finals lead over Spurs on Jalen Brunson free throw

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The New York Knicks will return to Madison Square Garden just two wins away from ending their long championship drought.

Jalen Brunson hit a go-ahead free throw in the closing seconds Friday night, lifting the Knicks to a 105-104 win over the Spurs in Game 2. Moments earlier, Victor Wembanyama missed a jumper that could have swung the game in San Antonio’s favor.

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Victor Wembanyama reacts after a foul call

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard De’aaron Fox (4) reacts after a foul call during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the New York Knicks on June 5, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Brunson and Mikal Bridges each scored 20 for the Knicks. They have won 13 straight, the second-longest streak by any team in NBA playoff history.

The Knicks are now just the third team to win the first two games of a finals on the road, joining Michael Jordan and the 1993 Chicago Bulls, and Hakeem Olajuwon and the 1995 Houston Rockets.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Victor Wembanyama during the NBA Finals

Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball against Victor Wembanyama (1) of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter in Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 05, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Both of those teams won championships, the Bulls needing six games to oust the Phoenix Suns, the Rockets going home after winning those first two games in Orlando and sweeping the Magic. The Knicks, seeking their first championship since 1973, are in position to join them.

Wembanyama, after a very quiet first half, scored 29. De’Aaron Fox had 20 for San Antonio.

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The series now shifts to New York. Game 3 is at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.

KNICKS-SPURS NBA FINALS GAME 3 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COULD BECOME MOST EXPENSIVE SPORTING EVENT ON RECORD

The Spurs erased a 12-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter, completing the rally when Wembanyama converted a three-point play with 57 seconds left to give San Antonio its first lead in nearly two quarters, 104-102.

Brunson scored on the next possession, just his seventh basket in 24 shots on the night, and the game was tied. Wembanyama missed a long jumper, OG Anunoby got the rebound for New York with 30 seconds left, the Knicks called time and the stage was set.

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Jalen Brunson celebrating a three-point basket with Karl-Anthony Towns during NBA Finals game

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates a three-point basket with Karl-Anthony Towns during Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

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The Spurs got the stop they needed, but Victor Wembanyama turned the ball over on the ensuing possession. Brunson was fouled moments later and put the Knicks back in front for good before the clock hit zero.

Game 3 is set for 8:30 p.m. Monday in New York.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Michelle Wie West found something rare in U.S. Women’s Open farewell

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Women’s World Cup qualifying: Wales aim to right their wrongs against the Czechs

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Wilkinson reshuffled her starting side in Montenegro, with five changes to the team which began April’s win in Albania.

The sense before the game was that Wilkinson omitted the likes of Rhiannon Roberts, Angharad James, Mared Griffiths and Ceri Holland to keep them fresh to face the Czechs.

The feeling come full-time was that Wales might have been better off fielding all their big hitters, given that victory – as it turned out – would have given them the upper hand in the group.

Then again, Wilkinson might argue – and with some justification – that the team she picked should have been good enough to see off Montenegro with relative comfort.

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Too often, however, Wales lacked the intensity and tempo to trouble inferior opponents, which was presumably thanks in part to the Gradski Stadion heat.

Another contributory factor may have been Wales’ far from ideal preparation, after they only arrived in Pogdorica 23 hours before kick-off thanks to Wednesday evening’s electrical storms in the Montenegrin capital.

The team flight was diverted to Italy, with the Football Association of Wales eventually securing accommodation for Wilkinson’s players in the early hours of Thursday morning.

They finally made it to Montenegro that evening, after a rough night for many and no chance for a proper training session on the eve of the game.

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Wilkinson had insisted there could be no excuses, and did not pin the blame for a dispiriting display on chaotic preparation.

But clearly, Wales will hope for – and expect – a smoother build-up to the group decider against the Czechs.

“You look at the game and it’s definitely not to our standard, but now we have got to look towards Tuesday,” said Carrie Jones, Wales’ skipper for the first time in Montenegro.

“We know we are a good team based on our history. On Tuesday we have got to turn up.”

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‘Ek Bihari, sab pe bhari’: After a record-breaking IPL season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets his India moment | Cricket News

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'Ek Bihari, sab pe bhari': After a record-breaking IPL season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets his India moment
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (BCCI/IPL Photo)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s childhood coach Manish Ojha describes his ward as a “God’s child” and credits fate and divine guidance for bringing the youngster to his academy.“A couple of years ago, I thanked Vaibhav‘s father (Sanjeev Sooryavanshi) for bringing the kid to me. Ispe bhagwaan ka haath hai (He is God’s child). It is because of him that I got recognition, otherwise who gives two cents about a cricket coach in Bihar?,” an emotional Manish tells TimesofIndia.com after the 15-year-old received his maiden India call-up for the Ireland and England series. “Sab Bhagwaan ki kripa hai (God has been kind). The kid is immensely talented and has worked hard. Credit to his father as well,” he says.Riding on a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, the 15-year-old from Bihar will now don the blue jersey.“When we talk about Bihar, we always talk about our past, from the Maurya Empire, Gupta Empire, Buddhism, Jainism, Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Yatra or the JP Movement. In modern times, it has often been in the news for all the notorious things. This teenager is not only hitting sixes but also smashing those stigmas associated with Bihar out of the park. Imagine Sachin Tendulkar calling him ‘truly special’ or Virat Kohli telling Vaibhav, ‘Ek Bihari, sab pe bhari, phir khatam game.‘ What Vaibhav has managed to achieve in the last few months is phenomenal,” says Ojha.Sooryavanshi smashed 776 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30. He also hit a record-breaking 72 sixes during a season that saw him narrowly miss out on the fastest century in IPL history.

Vaibhav-Sooryavanshi-0406-I

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bagged the Orange Cap in IPL 2026. (BCCI/IPL Photo)

“He is a big-match player. We have seen that in the IPL playoffs. In the U-19 World Cup final, he again played a scintillating knock. It is a great call by the selectors to pick him. And this is just the beginning. He will achieve a lot more,” says Ojha.Ojha says his ward is a “quick learner”. According to him, the preparation before every game helps Sooryavanshi play his aggressive brand of cricket and take on the best bowlers without fear.“He prepares in his own way. It’s not that he sits with video analysts, but he does his homework,” says Ojha.This conscientious approach and unshakeable temperament led the selectors to name the explosive Sooryavanshi in the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

File photo of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. (AP)

Sooryavanshi has not only caught the attention of greats like Tendulkar and Kohli, but India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has also been effusive in his praise for the teenager. In a near-solo effort, Sooryavanshi almost dragged Rajasthan Royals into the IPL 2026 final. In the Eliminator, he smashed a 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and then followed it up with a 47-ball 96 against Gill’s Gujarat Titans.“I think he’s had a remarkable season. I’ve not seen anyone bat the way he bats and, in this format, he is probably one of the best batters in the world right now,” Gill had said after Qualifier 2 in Mullanpur.“It is remarkable to watch his batting, not just the hitting but also his biomechanics and hand speed. He didn’t get off to a flyer in Qualifier 2, but the way he managed to come back into the game and kept putting us under pressure tells you about the mindset he has. I think, in the years to come, the opposition he plays against is going to have a tough time against him,” Gill had said.

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

But with all the praise comes responsibility and scrutiny. Questions have already been raised about whether he can succeed in Test cricket. Even his father has set lofty goals for his son.“Jab tak Test na khele, kya bada cricketer (Till the time he does not play Tests, I won’t consider him a big cricketer),” Sanjeev had told this website after Sooryavanshi’s heroics in the U-19 World Cup.For now, though, the focus is on the next step of a journey moving at a breathtaking pace. From a small town in Bihar to IPL superstardom and now an India call-up at just 15, Sooryavanshi has already shattered expectations. The challenge ahead will be to convert extraordinary promise into lasting greatness, but if his coach is to be believed, this is only the beginning of a much larger story.

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Carl Frampton names the two heavyweights who can beat Oleksandr Usyk

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Carl Frampton suspects Father Time is creeping up on Oleksandr Usyk, naming two heavyweights who he now believes could defeat the Ukrainian.

The 39-year-old produced a subpar performance against Rico Verhoeven last month, but nonetheless retained his WBC, IBF and WBA titles with an 11th-round stoppage.

Prior to the finish, Verhoeven had enjoyed considerable success for a man whose only previous boxing match, in 2014, saw him stop an 0-5 journeyman in round two.

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The Dutchman was even ahead on one of the judges’ scorecards, only for Usyk to score an 11th-round knockdown before referee Mark Lyson drew a controversial halt.

Verhoeven had risen from the canvas, offering some form of defence, but was ultimately stopped on his feet immediately after the bell had sounded.

Usyk then revealed in his post-fight interview that, prior to stepping through the ropes, his daughter had phoned him from a bomb shelter in Ukraine.

The extent to which this impacted his performance, only he will know, yet many have nonetheless made up their minds that the three-time, two-division undisputed champion should call time on his illustrious career.

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One man who would like to see him hang up the gloves is Frampton, who told Boxing Now that he would favour Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma to beat this version of Usyk.

“When you’ve had the career and have been involved in boxing for the amount of years that Usyk has, then [Father Time] catches up on you.

“Going off that performance [against] Verhoeven, I would favour Kabayel. I would also favour Moses Itauma over him.”

While having ruled out a clash with Itauma, Usyk has been ordered to defend his WBC title against ‘interim’ champion Kabayel, who represents a likely next opponent.

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What we learned about Canada after final World Cup tune-up

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MONTREAL — The Canadian men’s team will enter the FIFA World Cup on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run and with just one regulation time loss in its previous 17 outings.  

Yet, the June international window was a mixed bag for Canada, as it failed to put together a 90-minute performance in a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in Edmonton earlier this week and again in a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland on Friday in Montreal.  

Canada’s final tune-up match was especially disappointing considering Ireland didn’t qualify for the World Cup and manager Heimir Hallgrímsson didn’t bring his strongest side to Quebec — no less than 17 players on his 24-man squad had five games or less of international experience.  

With his team’s opening World Cup match just one week away, Canadian coach Jesse Marsch clearly wants to control the narrative, and he was quick to quash any criticism of his team when speaking to reporters after the stalemate in Montreal.  

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“I’m sure we’re going to get a million questions, but I’m going to be positive, guys. I’m not here to take a bunch of negative questions, and if you ask me negative questions, I’ll just move on to the next one,” Marsch said in laying down the law.  

Midfielder Ismaël Koné also tried to put a positive spin on drawing Ireland, a nation that sits 59th in the FIFA world rankings, 29 spots below Canada.  

“If you look at the result, some people might be disappointed. But in general, as a team and what we wanted to accomplish tonight in front of our home crowd, for me the objective was completed,” Koné offered.  

So, what did we learn about Canada from this week’s pair of games ahead of its opening World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto?  

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Here are three main takeaways.  

Canada can’t afford to wait: It needs David and Larin to step up now  

Jonathan David (39 goals) and Cyle Larin (30 goals) are the top two scorers in the history of the Canadian men’s team, but both are mired in terrible slumps.  

Larin has now gone 14 consecutive games for Canada without scoring, his last goal coming in 2024. David scored a pair of goals from the penalty spot against Iceland in March — aside from that, he’s without a goal in eight appearances for his country.  

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Both players were rather anonymous against Uzbekistan. Neither one of them had a single shot on target, and both were unable to put their respective stamps on the game by way of carving out dangerous scoring chances. It wasn’t much better against Ireland as David again didn’t register a shot on target in 90 minutes.   

Larin did have one dangerous attempt saved by Ireland’s goalkeeper, but like David he offered very little up front. Larin also committed the foul that saw Ireland awarded a penalty from which it scored the equalizer during the second half.   

Honestly, it hasn’t been close to good enough for Canada’s top forward tandem for quite some time. Canada hadn’t scored from open play before the win against Uzbekistan since last November when Koné’s first-half strike over Venezuela ended the team’s previous goal drought at 342 consecutive minutes.   

The other two forwards on Marsch’s World Cup roster, Tani Oluwaseyi and Promise David, have five goals between them in 34 combined appearances for Canada. So, it’s not as if Canada is teaming with legitimate goal scorers at the forward position. If Canada has any hope of getting out of the group stage, it’ll need its top two goal scorers in David and Larin to produce.  

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Luc de Fougerolles could fill in for Moïse Bombito if needed  

In an ideal world, centre backs Moïse Bombito and Derek Cornelius will anchor Canada’s back line like they have for much of Marsch’s tenure in charge.  

But Canada’s top defensive duo is in danger of being broken up at the World Cup as Bombito is still trying to get back to full fitness after suffering a left tibia fracture last October while playing for his pro club OGC Nice.  

Bombito was on restrictive duty against Uzbekistan due to his lengthy injury layoff and was subbed out in the 32nd minute. Considered one of its most important players, Bombito laboured through his first game for his country since March 23, 2025. He looked well short of his best and failed to make a play on a dangerous scoring chance that saw the visitors nearly open the scoring.   

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Lucky for Canada that Luc de Fougerolles stepped up when he replaced Bombito in Edmonton and then started in his place in Montreal, distinguishing himself with his sound defensive positioning, his ability to snuff out danger before it developed, and his comfort level in playing the ball out from the back.  

Bombito and Cornelius are Canada’s most experienced defenders, but it was de Fougerolles, still only 20 years old, who was the team’s best centre back in Edmonton and Montreal.  

If Bombito isn’t fit to go for the opening match at the World Cup, it’s more than likely that Marsch will once again turn to de Fougerolles, who, based on his stellar performances in Canada’s last two games, is ready to handle the responsibility  

“I thought Luc with the ball was outstanding and (he) helped set up a lot of our initial movements to get us into the attack. I thought he was really good on what we call ‘rest defence’, and defending some difficult moments, standing players up, not giving away fouls. I thought overall was a really strong performance from Luc,” Marsch said after the Ireland game. 

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Ismaël Koné could be the key for Canada at the World Cup 

Koné’s reputation as Canada’s midfield general has grown by leaps and bounds following a successful debut season in Italy’s Serie A with Sassuolo, finishing the campaign with six goals in 36 matches across all competitions. 

A physical two-way midfielder runs himself ragged in covering a lot of ground, Koné is part enforcer in Canada’s central midfield duo with Stephen Eustáquio, and part distributor who keeps the attack progressing with his immaculate touch and sublime passing. 

Koné was Canada’s top passer against Ireland with a 92 per cent success rate, playing a key role in helping his side turn the screws on Ireland by pinning them back deep inside their half for long stretches. Defensively, the Montreal native was a bulwark with three tackles, one block and seven recoveries. 

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Games are going to come fast and furious for Canada at the World Cup against a variety of opponents with different playing styles. Koné has shown he can be an impact player for Marsch’s side, and he has the potential to be one of the team’s breakout players this summer. 

“I got after him after Uzbekistan, because I felt like he was just floating around the pitch way too slow and not intensive enough. And today he picked it all up and put together a complete performance, where against the ball he was winning duels, he’s winning head balls, he’s picking up loose balls, with the ball he’s driving, he’s finding actions,” Marsch said. 

He added: “This is what my vision from the beginning (has been) of Ismail: an intensive player that also has a gift of just moving around with the ball that teams can’t really match plan for, right? He’s an X-factor for us.” 

Editor’s note


John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 27 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.

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Marcus Rashford return, new striker, Sandro Tonali – Man United transfer questions answered

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The season is over, the World Cup is nearly upon us, and although the transfer window isn’t officially open yet, clubs are cranking into gear when it comes to doing business over the next few months.

Manchester United effectively have their first signing in the bag, having agreed an initial £35million fee with Atalanta to sign Ederson, with a further £3.8million in add-ons.

That is the first piece in the jigsaw in midfield and more will follow, while United also want to strengthen in other areas and there will be departures to come as well.

We run weekly question and answer sessions, so click here to submit your questions, and we’ll answer them next week. Here are the answers to some of this week’s questions:

Is there any development on Elliot Anderson? I’d rather we went for Morgan Rogers.

No development from a United point of view. Manchester City reportedly had a bid rejected earlier this week and it is still City who lead the chase. The Etihad remains Anderson’s preference.

If the sums don’t work for City then United could certainly come back into the frame. They have shown a willingness to outbid their neighbours before, although whether that would happen under this regime isn’t as clear-cut.

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I’d say Anderson and Rogers fall into very different categories. One is seen as a No.6, the ideal Casemiro replacement and the tone-setter in midfield. The other is an attacking midfielder who could play on the left and eventually take over from Bruno Fernandes as the No.10.

I don’t think it’s a case of either/or this summer, but obviously, it would be difficult to sign both given the figures involved. The problem with Rogers will be that the competition is even more fierce than for Anderson, but he is a player that United like.

What does the future hold for Rashford? We still need him.

As things stand, it’s very difficult to see how Rashford has any future at Old Trafford. He doesn’t fit the squad culture that is being built and he doesn’t fit the wage structure, either.

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Barcelona have until June 15 to activate that £26million option but it’s already clear they won’t be doing that. That’s when it gets tricky for United. Barcelona would take Rashford back, but on their terms, and those terms might not be as acceptable to United.

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The question is whether another loan would be considered, and I imagine that would only happen if Barcelona cover almost all of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages. Another possible scenario is interest emerging from elsewhere, such as Bayern Munich or Arsenal, if he has a good World Cup. Both those clubs want a left-winger.

United are in the market for one of those, as well, but Rashford won’t be the answer. The decision to remove him from the first-team squad and try and move him on was a club-led call, not one forced by Amorim.

Let’s sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. My dream signing for the season.

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Think a lot of people would like to see Tonali at Old Trafford next season. It’s been a little quiet on his future but it’s not one to entirely rule out just yet. As with Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni, I think the elite-level market will take time to develop.

Tonali clearly wants out of Newcastle and his only route to that is at a Premier League rival. If City sign Anderson, that rules them out. The Italian’s agent made admiring glances towards Arsenal in January, and it might be that the Emirates or Old Trafford becomes his likeliest destination.

Having sold Anthony Gordon, Newcastle are in a strong position financially now. It might need Tonali to force the issue to get his move.

Does Carrick have full authority to sign anyone he wants?

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No, is the short answer. United have moved away from an era in which an all-powerful manager dictated transfer strategy and picked the players he wanted.

Carrick has input into recruitment and can offer opinions and ideas of who might be a good fit, but he doesn’t have the final say. It is a collaborative approach in the recruitment department now, which is the way it works at every big club.

Shouldn’t we be concerned about adding a proven striker?

United would like to address this in the summer, and in an ideal world, Joshua Zirkzee would be sold with a more experienced striker replacing him.

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When you say ‘proven,’ the market the club will focus on is an older head who can be Benjamin Sesko’s backup, providing rotation and competition. Someone like Danny Welbeck could be a good fit.

What they won’t be doing is dropping big money on another big-name striker. There is faith in Sesko’s ability to lead the line for a long time to come and his first season was promising.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Karl-Anthony Towns for NBA Finals MVP? KAT has been the best player on the court through two games

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Early in the second quarter on Friday night in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals, Karl-Anthony Towns curled toward the baseline and caught an inbounds pass from Jose Alvarado on the move. He took one dribble, skipped through a gap in the defense and threw down a two-hand slam ahead of the outstretched arms of Victor Wembanyama

Immediately, Towns turned and screamed in Wembanyama’s face. 

Towns didn’t say anything in that moment, but he didn’t have to. His game has done the talking. 

Through the first two games of these Finals between the Knicks and Spurs, Towns has not only outplayed Wembanyama in their personal frontcourt battle, he’s been the best player on the court. Yes, Jalen Brunson has come up with the biggest individual moments, and did so again late in Game 2 on Friday, but Towns is the biggest reason why the New York Knicks are up 2-0 on the San Antonio Spurs, and two wins away from their first title since 1973. 

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Towns finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block on 8 of 12 shooting in 34 minutes in Game 2, and the Knicks were +11 with him on the floor — the highest mark of any Knicks starter. Single-game plus-minus is not a foolproof stat, but the Knicks were also +14 with Towns on the floor in Game 1. 

Through two games, Towns is averaging 19.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, four assists and one block on 55.6/42.9/100 shooting splits. Among all players, he’s third in scoring, first in rebounding, tied for fourth in assists and tied for third in blocks. Entering the series, Towns was +2200 to win Finals MVP. He’s now +185. 

Towns vs. Wembanyama in the Finals

Towns

19.5

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12.5

4

0.5

1

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55.6

42.9

Wembanyama

27.5

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10.5

2

1.5

3.5

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40.5

26.7

‘It’s bringing us into difficult areas’

Towns’ ability to space the floor gives the Knicks a true five-out look that has presented new challenges for the Spurs. Unlike in previous series, Wembanyama hasn’t been able to spend all night roaming around on the backline as an omnipotent threat erasing even the thought of attacking the rim. 

“It’s very different from the previous series. It’s bringing us into difficult areas because they’re good players. [Towns] is a good player,” Wembanyama said after Game 2. “Yeah, I mean, we just need to figure it out. We need to keep working on it. How many points did they score tonight? 105? We can do a little bit better. We can do better defensively.”

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Towns knocked down three 3s in Game 2, but he’s also been able to put the ball on the deck and create for himself in one-on-one situations, as he showed with his big dunk in the second quarter. The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals in part because Chet Holmgren was afraid to attack Wembanyama, but Towns has had no such fear. 

Towns’ ability to find the perfect level of aggression has been extremely impressive. It’s never felt like he was forcing the action or taking bad shots. 

“It comes with experience. I’ve been in playoff series where I’ve done too much, and it was the detriment to the team, and I’ve been in playoff series where I’ve done too little, and it was a detriment to the team,” Towns said ahead of Game 2. 

“It’s a fine line. It comes with experience where you learn what truly is best for the team and being able to find that balance of being aggressive and impacting the game with your skill set, but also utilizing that skill set to make others better. Something that experience has taught me. I think right now, I’m doing the best I’ve done at it.”

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‘He’s been pretty phenomenal on both sides of the ball’

Towns is one of the most talented and versatile offensive big men the league has ever seen, so it’s not some major shock that he’s finally put everything together at the highest level. The defense he’s been playing, on the other hand, has been stunning. Throughout this entire playoff run, Towns has stepped up on the defensive end like never before. 

“He’s been pretty phenomenal on both sides of the ball,” Brunson said after Game 2. 

Entering the series, there was a lot of talk about how well OG Anunoby defended Wembanyama during the regular season, and how big wings like him can give the 7-foot-4 Frenchman trouble. But Mike Brown decided to give Towns the Wembanyama assignment to start Game 1, and has not needed to make an adjustment. 

“KAT is smart. He’s got a good feel. He’s got better feet than what you think. He’s long. He’s long and he’s strong. Those combinations bode well for a guy defensively,” Brown said ahead of Game 2. “It’s just about embracing it and staying present while understanding what the small details of your job should be.”

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Towns isn’t suddenly blocking shots left and right, or making spectacular defensive plays, but he’s consistently been in the right spot and has worked hard to make life difficult for Wembanyama. Towns’ length and activity has played a big role in keeping Wembanyama out of the paint, and making him less efficient than usual when he has gotten there. 

Through two games, Wembanyama has taken more shots outside of the paint (22) than inside the paint (20), and is shooting 40.5% from the field — down from 51% in the first three rounds of the playoffs. The NBA’s tracking data is not perfect, and has not yet been updated to include Game 2, but in Game 1, Wembanyama was 2 of 11 with Towns as the closest defender. 

Asked about his effort in slowing down Wembanyama, Towns refused to take any credit after Game 2. 

“It’s all about the team success, so for us to be up 2-0, it’s a testament to the coaches getting us a great game plan and to my teammates executing the game plan,” Towns said. “It’s a team effort, and we found a way to win these two games. So it’s a shoutout to everyone coming together for the greater cause.”

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‘It strengthens you beyond measure’

In April 2020, Towns lost his mother, Jacqueline, to COVID-19. Towns was extremely close to his mother, and said that he could feel her presence in the arena during Game 1 on Wednesday. 

“I don’t know what it was, but I just felt a calm and a peace that had to come from the woman above,” Towns said after Game 1. “I felt really confident about today. I felt good. I felt like a kid. It was just fun out here. This was something as a kid you always dream about. You always hope just to be an NBA player, let alone be in the NBA Finals. 

“All day it was just a weird feeling. I felt like I was a kid getting ready to go play my Saturday AAU games and Sunday AAU games. In a way, I felt like I was seeing [my mom] in the stands. It was fun. It was really fun. And it was really comforting.”

After the final buzzer sounded on Friday, Towns looked up to the sky and blew a kiss. He told the broadcast that he was telling his mom he “needed a stop” on the final possession, when Wembanyama missed a mid-range jumper that would have won the game for the Spurs. 

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“It’s amazing, as you go through life, you lose a parent, anyone who’s listening, you just look for signs. I’ll take any sign I can get and I prayed to her strong before that possession,” Towns said. “A great player got a great shot, it just didn’t go in… I take it as a sign my mom is here with me, so I appreciate her so much. 

A short time later, Towns made an appearance on ESPN with Scott Van Pelt and again spoke about his mother and how her death has strengthened him as a person and a player. 

“When you go through something like that, other than losing a child, there’s nothing worse you can go through,” Towns said. “It builds you up, and it strengthens you beyond measure. … I was strengthened on April 13th when I lost my mother. … What I do know is I truly can do anything when I walk in faith and I walk with the angels beside me. I feel like anything’s possible. I feel like nothing’s impossible. I’m just grateful to be in this position.” 

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Collingwood Magpies vs Melbourne Demons Tips, Odds and Teams – AFL Round 13 2026

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MCG will play host to Monday’s
Round 13 AFL game between Collingwood Magpies and
Melbourne Demons. The game kicks off at 3:15 pm with Melbourne Demons heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Collingwood Magpies vs.
Melbourne Demons
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Monday June 8, 2026 at 3:15 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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Collingwood Magpies vs Melbourne Demons Odds

Collingwood Magpies vs Melbourne Demons Preview

The AFL’s annual Big Freeze clash returns on King’s Birthday as Collingwood and Melbourne renew one of football’s most significant rivalries at the MCG. Melbourne has been a different side at the home of football this season, remaining undefeated there despite struggling away from Melbourne. The Demons will be desperate to respond after a heavy defeat to GWS in Alice Springs. Collingwood also enters under pressure after narrowly falling to the Western Bulldogs, continuing an inconsistent run of form. Recent history favours the Magpies, who have won 11 of the past 12 meetings between the clubs at the MCG, including two close victories last season. With the occasion honouring the legacy of Neale Daniher, another memorable chapter could be added to this special fixture.

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New York Knicks hold off Wembanyama’s Spurs to take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals

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Jalen Brunson drilled the go-ahead free throw as the New York Knicks held off a furious San Antonio rally to beat the Spurs 105-104 on Friday and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama had a crucial late turnover and missed a potential game-winner with two seconds remaining to leave the Spurs in need of an unprecedented comeback when the best-of-seven series shifts to New York for games three and four.

No team has lifted the trophy after dropping the first two games of the Finals at home.

Michael Jordan’s 1993 Chicago Bulls and the 1995 Houston Rockets are the only other teams to win the first two games of the championship series on the road, and both went on to win titles.

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The Knicks won their 13th straight game of the playoffs – the second-longest streak in postseason history – and will have a chance to close out their first title since 1973 in front of home fans at Madison Square Garden. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to be in attendance on Monday.

They had to withstand a scintillating fourth-quarter surge from the Spurs, who erased a 14-point deficit with a 14-0 scoring run.

Wembanyama shook off a slow start to score 22 of his 29 points in the second half, his three-point play with 57.3 seconds remaining giving the Spurs their first lead since the second quarter at 104-102.

It was tied at 104-104 with 9.5 seconds left when Wembanyama grabbed the rebound of a Brunson miss but turned it over with a bad pass into the back of teammate Stephon Castle.

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San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama reacts after a basket in the fourth quarter of the Spurs' loss to the New York Knicks in game two of the NBA Finals
San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama reacts after a basket in the fourth quarter of the Spurs’ loss to the New York Knicks in game two of the NBA Finals. © Ronald Cortes, Getty Images via AFP

Brunson scooped up the ball and was fouled then made the first of two free throws to put the Knicks back in front.

San Antonio had one last chance, coming out of a time out with 7.5 seconds left. They got the ball to their superstar but his jump shot clanged off the rim.

“I threw that one away,” 22-year-old Wembanyama said. “I messed up. We didn’t play great as a team. We needed to win that game.”

Read more‘We love Wemby’: San Antonio embraces French star ahead of NBA Finals

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Karl-Anthony Towns, who led the Knicks with 21 points and 13 rebounds admitted he was praying when Wembanyama put the Spurs’ final attempt.

“A great player got a great shot, and it just didn’t go in,” Towns said.

‘What a ballgame’

For the second straight game Towns delivered a stellar defensive performance that pushed Wembanyama out of his comfort zone.

“He’s a once in a generation player,” Towns said. “You got to make it difficult on him. So, just utilizing my experience, utilizing my size, my skill, and just trying to make it difficult for him.

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Brunson and Mikal Bridges scored 20 points each, OG Anunoby added 17 and Landry Shamet scored 13 off the bench for the Knicks.

Wembanyama added nine rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals, and De’Aaron Fox scored 20 points for the Spurs.

Desperate not to head back to New York in a 2-0 hole, the Spurs attacked the paint early.

Wembanyama thrilled Spurs fans at the Frost Bank Center – where Knicks supporters were a vocal presence — with his first basket of the night, a left-handed dunk that gave the Spurs a 15-10 lead.

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Fox’s alley oop layup off a feed from Devin Vassell pushed the lead to 10 with less than two minutes to go in the first.

The Spurs pushed their lead to 12 before the Knicks responded in a tense second quarter, taking the lead for the first time, 49-48, on Landry Shamet’s layup with 3:39 left in the first half.

San Antonio regained the lead, but Towns’s three-pointer over Wembanyama gave the Knicks a 56-52 halftime advantage that they pushed to as many as 12 before taking an 84-75 lead into the fourth quarter.

“What a ballgame,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “It’s a fantastic ballgame. They made a run. We made a run. They made a run. We made a run.

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“We could have folded a few times, but our guys just kept fighting … no matter what run they went on, no matter what time of the game, our guys just kept uplifting one another.”

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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