Irish boxing superstar Katie Taylor could announce her retirement from the sport if she fails to secure a career finale at Croke Park late this summer.
The Olympic gold medallist has already achieved legendary status by becoming an undisputed world champion in two separate weight divisions.
The acclaimed fighter spectacularly avenged her sole professional defeat against Chantelle Cameron and recently completed a historic trilogy with Amanda Serrano.
However, competing in front of a capacity crowd at Ireland’s 80,000-seat national stadium remains the one elusive goal for the undisputed champion.
‘Croke Park or bust’ for final bout
Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn admits that failing to deliver the Dublin venue would likely mark the immediate end of her professional journey.
“Croke Park or bust. [If] it’s not happening, I think she’d go: ‘I’m done,'” Hearn stated.
“I think the deflation of not getting Croke Park will lend itself to saying I surrender.”
Despite the stark warning, the promoter remains highly optimistic that an agreement for a late August or early September bout is nearing completion.
He revealed that huge progress is being made to stage a spectacular event that transcends the sport itself.
A celebration of Irish heritage
Hearn envisions the proposed stadium show as a monumental national event rather than just a standard boxing card.
“This is above and beyond boxing, this is folklore in this country,” Eddie Hearn explained.
The massive spectacle would heavily feature Irish music, heritage, and culture, supported by a strong undercard of competitive fights.
An opponent for the prospective swansong has not yet been finalised, with financial demands and weight class considerations playing a pivotal role in negotiations.
Initial discussions have taken place with Most Valuable Promotions regarding lightweight world champion Stephanie Han and highly-rated contender Caroline Dubois.
The Irish icon also holds four mandatory challenger obligations across different governing bodies, providing ample options for a legitimate final test in the ring.
“We want a good fight. It’s got to be a real fight,” Hearn concluded.
World number one Scottie Scheffler is among seven players sharing the lead after Thursday’s opening round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.
The pre-tournament favourite carded a three-under-par 67 to sit atop a crowded leaderboard alongside Martin Kaymer, Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune and Alex Smalley.
This remarkable logjam represents the largest shared lead following the first 18 holes of the prestigious tournament since nine players were tied in 1969.
It also marks the very first time the American star has held a lead or co-lead after the opening day of a major championship.
McIlroy struggles as chasing pack looms
While the leaders enjoyed fruitful rounds at a venue hosting the event for the first time since 1962, Rory McIlroy endured a disastrous start to his campaign.
The Northern Irishman slumped to a four-over-par 74, leaving him with a significant mountain to climb to make the weekend cut.
Just one stroke behind the leading septet is a dangerous trio tied for second place at two under par, featuring Xander Schauffele, Shane Lowry and Sahith Theegala.
Heavyweights lurking one shot further back
A massive group of 18 competitors are closely tracking the frontrunners at one under par, setting up a fiercely competitive Friday.
Among that contingent are established superstars Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and five-time major winner Brooks Koepka.
With 28 players separated by just two strokes, the battle for the historic Wanamaker Trophy remains remarkably open heading into the second round.
Bryson DeChambeau faces an uphill battle to make the cut at the PGA Championship after struggling to a six-over-par 76 during his opening round at Aronimink Golf Club on Thursday.
The two-time US Open champion has experienced a noticeable decline in golf’s biggest events since finishing tied for second at this tournament last May.
A disastrous title defence at the US Open resulted in a missed cut, while an early exit at The Masters last month highlighted his ongoing struggles on the grandest stages.
Uncertainty taking a toll
The world number 28 bogeyed two of his opening four holes after starting on the back nine, immediately setting a negative tone for his round.
Following his disappointing performance, the American declined to speak to the media.
This silence mirrors his approach during last week’s LIV Golf event in Virginia, prompting speculation about his current mindset.
McGinley points to LIV Golf transition
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley suggested that the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Saudi-backed circuit could be impacting the player’s focus.
“The uncertainty regarding LIV has to be part of it, as he missed the cut at The Masters as well,” McGinley said.
“There is a lot going on in men’s golf and Bryson is in the middle of it.”
The Sky Sports analyst also noted the stark contrast in competitive intensity between LIV Golf events and traditional major championships.
“Guys like him and Jon Rahm are not playing on a circuit as competitive as the PGA Tour and courses aren’t as difficult,” McGinley added.
“They are then having to elevate their game into major championships and that is a big, big jump.”
An inquest has recorded a verdict of accidental death for Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Michael O’Sullivan, who died after a fall at Thurles racecourse.
The 24-year-old suffered a catastrophic brain injury during a handicap chase in County Tipperary and passed away ten days later at Cork University Hospital on 16 February 2025.
He was highly regarded in the sport, having secured a landmark victory at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, and was described at the hearing as being towards the pinnacle of his career.
Medical findings confirm severe trauma
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster conducted the post-mortem examination and shared her findings with the grieving family at the Cork inquest.
She confirmed the young rider sustained multiple skull fractures and died from a catastrophic brain injury complicated by cerebral swelling.
“He would have been deeply comatose and wouldn’t have known anything,” Dr Bolster stated.
First responder describes chaotic final fence
William Sweeney, a cardiac first responder with the Order of Malta, was stationed at the final obstacle when the tragic incident unfolded.
Sweeney noted in his Garda statement that the approaching horses were being heavily pushed down the final straight, prompting him to anticipate trouble.
“The horse had fallen onto the rider, whom I now know to be Michael O’Sullivan, and until it was safely removed it had been on top of him, kicking in panic,” Sweeney recalled.
After the animal was safely moved, Sweeney was instructed by the racecourse medical officer to secure the stricken competitor’s head and cautiously remove his helmet.
Emergency personnel applied pressure to his injuries for approximately 15 minutes before an air ambulance arrived to transport him to hospital.
England are aiming to secure an eighth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title and a fourth successive Grand Slam when they face an undefeated France side in Bordeaux on Sunday.
The Red Roses stand just one game away from registering a staggering 38th consecutive test match victory.
Extending that historic run will require overcoming a formidable French outfit boasting the tournament’s tightest defensive record.
Both heavyweights enter the final round level on points following a dominant, unbeaten campaign from each nation.
Injury crisis tests champion resolve
The reigning champions have navigated the 2026 tournament without 11 prominent squad members due to a combination of injuries and pregnancies.
Influential captain Zoe Stratford remains sidelined, joining a growing absentee list that includes eight of the 13 forwards who featured in their last World Cup final squad.
The recent international retirements of seasoned stars such as Emily Scarratt and Abby Dow have further depleted the squad’s immense depth.
Despite these significant setbacks, an unfamiliar starting XV has continually passed every test, averaging an astonishing 60 points across their four emphatic victories.
Memories of Twickenham thriller
Sunday’s highly anticipated clash serves as a repeat of last year’s epic Grand Slam finale at Twickenham.
On that occasion, the English outfit narrowly edged out their cross-Channel rivals 43-42 in one of the most extraordinary encounters in the competition’s history.
The French side mounted a ferocious comeback from a 31-7 deficit before a devastating late knock-on ultimately condemned them to a heartbreaking defeat.
Les Bleues will carry genuine optimism into this weekend’s revenge mission after conceding just 49 points throughout the entire championship.
Defensive frailties offer French hope
The visitors have shown rare defensive vulnerabilities this year, leaking 76 points across four rounds compared to a mere 29 at the exact same stage last season.
This defensive drop-off was particularly evident during a frantic 61-33 triumph over Italy in the previous round.
However, World Cup-winning flanker Sadia Kabeya is expected to return to the pack, providing a much-needed boost for the English forwards.
Elsewhere on the final day of the 2026 championship, Wales will host Italy before Scotland welcome Ireland to close out the tournament.
Italian rider Davide Ballerini dodged a devastating late crash on wet cobbles to claim his first Grand Tour victory on stage six of the Giro d’Italia in Naples.
The XDS-Astana cyclist successfully navigated a chaotic pile-up that eliminated several prominent contenders just hundreds of metres from the finish line.
He accelerated clear on the treacherous surface to hold off a determined sprint from Jasper Stuyven.
Chaos strikes the sprinters
Stuyven’s teammate Paul Magnier secured third place despite nearly coming to a complete standstill to avoid fallen competitors.
The young Frenchman showed remarkable agility to regain momentum and lead the remaining chasers across the line.
Heavy pre-race favourites Dylan Groenewegen and Jonathan Milan were both caught behind the carnage when a lead-out rider lost traction on a tricky right-hand bend.
Rain returns to test the peloton
Wednesday’s fifth stage was defined by torrential downpours, but the peloton enjoyed bright sunshine for the majority of the 141km route from Paestum.
An early four-man breakaway, featuring Mattia Bais and Luca Vergallito, was comfortably controlled by the chasing pack and caught with 35km remaining.
However, threatening clouds finally broke as the race entered central Naples, turning the decisive cobbled sector into a dangerous skating rink.
General classification remains unchanged
The late drama at the front of the race did not impact the battle for the overall leader’s pink jersey.
Bahrain-Victorious rider Afonso Eulalio safely retained his position at the top of the general classification standings.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has warned that the highly anticipated November heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will be cancelled if either British fighter loses their respective summer warm-up bouts.
Both heavyweights have officially signed contracts for a massive collision earmarked for later this year.
However, the two boxing superstars are scheduled to take interim fights before stepping into the ring together.
The former Olympian will face Kristian Prenga on 25 July in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while his long-time rival is also seeking a tune-up contest.
High stakes for summer returns
“In my opinion if either fighter loses, you cannot do the fight,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
The Matchroom Boxing chairman admitted he will feel significant anxiety when his client makes his ringwalk next month.
“I will feel sick at the ringwalk on July 25, especially with what AJ’s come back from,” he added.
Hearn noted that despite positive signs in training camp, there are still major hurdles to overcome in this crucial comeback appearance.
Potential first face-to-face meeting
The much-discussed opponents did not cross paths after the “Gypsy King” secured a recent comeback victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Despite the missed opportunity, Hearn hopes the Manchester-born heavyweight will attend the upcoming Riyadh event to confront the Watford native.
“When they come face to face for the first time, it will give every sports fan the shivers because this is something they will never forget,” Hearn stated.
Shared card remains a possibility
There is an outside chance that both British fighters could compete on the same bill in Saudi Arabia to prepare for their lucrative November meeting.
Hearn confirmed he has no objections to a shared event, though he acknowledged it might be difficult to convince Fury to fight on an undercard.
The final decision on scheduling ultimately rests with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
“I think everybody’s extremely focused, now that both fighters have signed, on just getting through the next couple of months and making sure we can give the world this mega-event,” Hearn concluded.
South Africa prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been handed an 18-month suspension for an anti-doping violation, ruling the forward out of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The 27-year-old tested positive for the prohibited substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in 2025 but continued playing while the investigation was conducted.
An independent tribunal panel issued the sanction after the player self-declared his use of the WADA-banned supplement under the mistaken belief it was permitted.
His suspension officially began on 13 May and will run until next November, concluding just after the global tournament finishes down under.
Lions pledge support amid appeal window
The Johannesburg-based franchise confirmed the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) had notified them of the formal ruling.
During this time, the Lions Rugby Company will continue to support Ntlabakanye as he navigates the process ahead.
The club issued their statement shortly after a recent United Rugby Championship defeat by Leinster, which marked the front-rower’s final on-pitch appearance.
He now possesses a 21-day window to formally appeal the independent tribunal’s decision.
Testosterone boost and international career
DHEA is strictly prohibited by global anti-doping authorities because it elevates testosterone levels, subsequently aiding muscle growth and overall athletic performance.
The imposing forward only recently established himself on the international stage, making his senior test debut against Italy in July 2025.
He has earned three caps for the Springboks since that breakthrough, a tally that will now remain stalled until at least late 2027.