List of All Articles with Tag 'sports'

Conference realignment should be called college football consolidation because that's what's happening

There’s been a sense all season that whoever wins the AL Central will be the weak link in the American League playoffs

Australia will look to advance to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup as they host Denmark at a sold-out Olympic Stadium in Sydney. The World Cup co-hosts survived a “do or die” clash with Canada to progress to the knockout stages in style, thrashing the Olympic champions 4-0 to finish top of Group B. The Matildas could be boosted by the return of star striker and captain Sam Kerr, who missed all three group games due to injury but could be back for the knockout stages. Denmark are led by Kerr’s former Chelsea team-mate Pernille Harder and reached the last-16 after finishing runner-up to England in Group B. The early exits of Germany, the USA and Brazil have opened up the World Cup and now Australia and Denmark have an opportunity to make a claim. Follow live updates from Australia vs Denmark in the Women’s World Cup last-16, below. Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup?

On Saturday night, Jake Paul once again blurred the lines between boxing and acting with another win. His opponent in Dallas was Nate Diaz, a renowned MMA fighter, with a rudimentary understanding of the boxing game, but a huge heart. And a cult following. On the day that Dillian Whyte was ruled out of this Saturday’s sold-out fight with Anthony Joshua, a tank was used to take Paul to the ring. It was mayhem, boxing for a new market, a novice against a man making his professional boxing debut. Meanwhile, in the real world of boxing, Whyte will appeal the findings of the latest test he has failed; Paul will continue to grab headlines as he feasts on a list of faded athletes from other sports, especially veterans from the UFC circuit. The UFC fighters are genuine brawlers, they bleed for their trade but they sell each fight like members from wrestling’s glory days of the Eighties and Nineties. Against the backdrop of excesses, it must be remembered that Paul did lose on points to Tommy Fury, a genuine novice boxer, in Saudi Arabia a few months ago; the step up in class was simply too much, which should be the pay-off line to a very funny joke. However, here is a punchline to choke the purists: Paul made over 30 million dollars for the eight-round fight with Fury. Fury, incidentally, has fought as a legitimate boxer with a British Boxing Board of Control licence, but he will go full carnival in October when he fights the entrepreneurial YouTuber, KSI, in Manchester on a show under the Misfits promotional banner. Paul, Fury and KSI are making more money for their fights than just about every single boxer in the British business. The cynics and purists are scoffing, but the demand for the fights is there and it is increasing. It is pointless standing on the outside and saying they are rubbish – they might be, but they have a following and a formula that works. Fury’s big brother, Tyson, fights a man called Francis Ngannou in a Saudi Arabian ring in late October. Ngannou will make in excess of $10m for the non-title fight. Fury is the current WBC heavyweight champion; he is unbeaten in 34 fights and Ngannou has never been in a single boxing match. Ngannou, you see, is, like Diaz, a former champion from the MMA circuit. He recently quit the UFC business as their heavyweight champion to sign with a rival company; Jake Paul is heavily involved with the new company. It is mad to think that at the end of this year, Tyson Fury, for just one fight against a huge wrestler, will be the highest-paid British boxer of the year. And, his little brother, Tommy, will be the third highest-paid British boxer. Joshua will be second on the list. Paul, meanwhile, is not in the Canelo Alvarez earning realm but is probably in the top five earners in America. He might even be number two. Young Tommy is unbeaten in nine, ranked a generous 16 out of 54 boxers at his weight in Britain and he should start his fight with KSI as the favourite. His brother, the heavyweight champion of the world, will start as a bigger favourite when he meets a man who has never boxed before. It is a circus, make no mistake, but it is an entertaining circus. And yes, it is wrong that Fury, a novice, is making a hundred times more for his non-title fights than a British champion can make for a defence. It is wrong, but not illegal, which could be boxing’s motto. Tommy’s fight with KSI is not being held under Board rules but the safety measures in place on any Misfits shows are exceptional. There was a further blurring of the lines when it was announced last Friday that Mike Tyson, the original Tyson, would work in the gym with Ngannou to prepare for Fury. “I would consider all offers,” Tyson replied when I asked him if he would have liked a cross-over fight during his fighting days. Incidentally, Fury against Ngannou in Riyadh will be fun until Fury gets serious and then there will be few laughs. The real debate in boxing is whether the millions of fans that watch KSI and Jake Paul in their day jobs as influencers will watch boxing beyond the appearances of their idols. Does it really matter if all the millions and millions of so-called new fans have switched off before Ekow Essuman’s latest defence of his British welterweight title? Tommy Fury has certainly never stolen one of Ekow’s fans, but there is a very real chance that a fighter like Ekow could steal a few of Fury’s followers. The YouTubers, tourists from the MMA world, Love Island refugees, influencers and other assorted clowns are not going away; the boxing invasion is happening and boxing needs to find a way to somehow embrace the potential new fans that are watching. Read More Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz prize money: How much did fighters earn for boxing match? ‘Boo if you’re a virgin’: Jake Paul mocks crowd after beating Nate Diaz I hate to admit it, but it’s time to face facts – the Paul brothers are generational talents Jake Paul arrives on tank for Nate Diaz fight What is an exhibition fight and how is it different to a professional bout? Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz LIVE: Boxing fight result and reaction from Dallas

The daughter of reggae legend Bob Marley is the “fairy godmother” of the Jamaican players at the Women’s World Cup

Andre Onana, Declan Rice, Christopher Nkunku, Dominik Szoboszlai, James Maddison and Moussa Diaby are among the most interesting offseason signings in the Premier League in a summer dominated by big-name arrivals in Saudi Arabia

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is still not satisfied after finally transferring domestic dominance to Europe by winning the Champions League last season

History will be made Tuesday in at least one of the Women’s World Cup knockout games, where three teams try to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in their history

England face their biggest test of the Women’s World Cup yet as the Lionesses take on Nigeria in the last-16 in Brisbane. It’s been a tournament of shocks and surprises so far and Sarina Wiegman’s side will be wary of becoming another, after the defending champions United States joined Germany, Canada and Brazil in exiting the competition on Sunday. But it means the tournament is opening up, with England among those who are looking like contenders in Australia and New Zealand. The Lionesses produced a brilliant performance to thrash China 6-1 last time out, so confidence is high among the camp. Nigeria are dangerous opposition: led by star striker Asisat Oshoala, the Super Falcons stunned Australia and held Canada on their way to qualifying for the knockout stages. Follow live updates from England vs Nigeria in Brisbane as the Lionesses look to reach the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Lauren James: England’s new superstar taking World Cup by storm Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings?

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund reported a $15.6 billion comprehensive loss in 2022 after the value of its

England face their biggest test of the Women’s World Cup yet as the Lionesses take on Nigeria in the last-16 in Brisbane. It’s been a tournament of shocks and surprises so far and Sarina Wiegman’s side will be wary of becoming another, after the defending champions United States joined Germany, Canada and Brazil in exiting the competition on Sunday. But it means the tournament is opening up, with England among those who are looking like contenders in Australia and New Zealand. The Lionesses produced a brilliant performance to thrash China 6-1 last time out, so confidence is high among the camp. Follow LIVE: England vs Nigeria in Women’s World Cup last-16 as Keira Walsh starts Nigeria are dangerous opposition: led by star striker Asisat Oshoala, the Super Falcons stunned Australia and held Canada on their way to qualifying for the knockout stages. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of England vs Nigeria at the Women’s World Cup. When is England vs Nigeria? The match will kick off at 8:30am BST on Monday 7 August. What TV channel is it on? England’s first match of the knockout stages against Nigeria will be shown on BBC One, with coverage starting from 8am. The match will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer. What is the England team news? Keira Walsh has made a stunning return for England’s last-16 Women’s World Cup clash against Nigeria. Walsh was carried off on a stretcher late in the first half of the Lionesses’ 28 July victory over Denmark, with fears that the influential midfielder’s tournament could be over, but scans revealed her knee injury was not as serious as first suspected. And after taking part in full training over the weekend, Walsh is back in England’s starting line-up. She is the only change to Sarina Wiegman’s side from the team that thrashed China 6-1, replacing Katie Zelem in midfield. It means England keep their 3-5-2 formation, Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly start at full-back, either side of a back three of Jess Carter, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood, with Mary Earps in goal. Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp started as a front two against China and keep their places after both finding the scoresheet in the 6-1 win, while Lauren James is the first name on the teamsheet after her stunning two-goal and three-assist display against China. Walsh partners Georgia Stanway in midfield, with the Bayern Munich star impressing in the number six position in Walsh’s absence. One thing Wiegman may consider is she has three players, Stanway, Hemp and Greenwood, who are on yellow cards and would miss the quarter-final if they pick up another and England make it there. Yellow cards are not wiped until after the last-16. Read More Sharpened England face a World Cup test with a different edge Millie Bright on England captaincy: ‘I don’t give the orders - everyone has a platform’ USA’s dominant era ends on a night of chaos, confusion and heartbreak England vs Nigeria LIVE: Women’s World Cup build-up and team news Sarina Wiegman reveals stunning Keira Walsh fitness update on eve of Nigeria clash Millie Bright: ‘I don’t give the orders - everyone has a platform’

Mitchell Marsh is in line to captain Australia for the first time because of an injury to Pat Cummins for a limited-overs tour to South Africa ahead of the Cricket World Cup