YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has undergone a second surgery on his broken jaw following his knockout defeat by Anthony Joshua in December.

The 29-year-old American suffered the injury during a sixth-round stoppage loss to the former two-time heavyweight world champion.

Paul revealed on social media that further medical intervention was required after complications arose during his initial recovery.

Recovery setbacks

The social media star admitted that a lack of rest had contributed to the failure of his initial treatment.

“Had to get another jaw surgery,” Paul posted on Instagram.

“The screws and plates were coming loose because apparently I didn’t rest for the past two months.”

Paul shared images from the hospital alongside his partner Jutta Leerdam, a Dutch speed skater and Olympic medallist.

Despite the medical setback, the cruiserweight appeared to be in good spirits regarding the procedure.

He posted edited video clips mocking his condition, featuring a CGI mechanised jaw and robotic sound effects.

Joshua’s return delayed

While his opponent continues his rehabilitation, Joshua has faced a difficult period outside the ring.

The 36-year-old was involved in a car accident in Nigeria 10 days after the fight which resulted in the death of two close teammates.

Although the Briton returned to training in January, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that a competitive return has been pushed back.

“Originally the plan with AJ was for him to fight in March, and then fight Tyson Fury in August,” Hearn said.

Hearn dismissed suggestions of an immediate bout with Fury, citing Joshua’s need for physical recovery.

“He’s going to come back – I believe – late summer, but physically he’s not yet in a position to return to camp,” Hearn added.

Claressa Shields embraces heavyweight history ahead of Crews-Dezurn rematch

Claressa Shields admits becoming undisputed heavyweight champion was never in her plans as she prepares to defend her titles against Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Detroit.

The American secured her status as the sport’s ultimate trailblazer after becoming the first undisputed female heavyweight ruler last year.

It added to a historic resume that already included undisputed reigns at super-welterweight and middleweight.

However, the two-time Olympic gold medallist confesses that dominating the heaviest weight class was an unexpected twist in her decorated career.

“Heavyweight was never in my plans,” Shields told Sky Sports.

“Being at that weight class, I just have to keep showing my skill, keep showing my speed, keep showing my power.

“I feel like it’s my job to show that all the weight classes of women’s boxing are entertaining. That we all got skills, from heavyweight to flyweight, strawweight, we all got hands, we all can fight, we all have skill.”

Joining the American greats

Shields believes holding the heavyweight crown carries a specific prestige within the United States sporting landscape.

The Michigan native feels the achievement places her alongside the most legendary figures in boxing history.

“Adding undisputed heavyweight world champion to Claressa Shields’ name has definitely broadened my brand,” she said.

“I can say I’m an American heavyweight champion and when you think of American heavyweight champion you think of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield amongst those greats.

“Just to have my name added to that on the women’s side it’s still just really big and really great.”

She also views her success as a continuation of boundaries broken by pioneers such as Jack Johnson.

“I think that I was already Black history enough. Now I’m just history all over, with that,” Shields added.

“So I’m the first Black women’s heavyweight champion in boxing. I really embrace that and I want to keep defending my titles and I’m just wearing it strong, you know how I should.”

Crews-Dezurn awaits in Detroit

Shields’ focus now turns to Sunday’s homecoming bout in Detroit against a familiar foe.

She previously defeated Crews-Dezurn in 2016 when both women were making their professional debuts.

The challenger has since established herself as a force at super-middleweight, holding wins over dangerous punchers like Shadasia Green.

“She’s top at her weight class, at 168lbs. She beat the heavy hitter Shadasia Green, who everybody said is the queen of that division,” Shields said.

“I know she’s going to come, she’s going to bring it, she’s more familiar with me than anybody else.”

England host Ireland at Twickenham knowing that a second defeat for either side would effectively end their hopes of winning the Six Nations title.

Steve Borthwick’s side are looking to banish the memories of a calamitous start against Scotland, where they trailed 17-0 inside the opening quarter.

The Red Rose coaching staff have identified a lack of physical intensity as the primary cause for that defeat in Edinburgh.

Assistant coach Kevin Sinfield insists the squad accepts responsibility for the slow start at Murrayfield.

“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work that out,” said the rugby league legend.
“Physically, at the start of last weekend, we weren’t where we needed to be. You can’t stand at the start of a Test match and be 17-0 behind and expect to claw your way back. We need to be better this week.”

Echoes of 2024 upset

The fixture carries significance reminiscent of March 2024, when Marcus Smith’s last-gasp drop-goal secured a shock victory over the visitors.

That result at HQ provided a vital foundation for Borthwick’s tenure, ending an Irish Grand Slam bid and restoring faith among the Twickenham faithful.

Current form suggests the hosts require a similar tonic, with training described as “feisty” by hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie this week.

Championship on the line

With both nations having already suffered a loss in this campaign, the margin for error has evaporated.

While France remain the standard-bearers, this encounter serves as a virtual knockout match for the two chasing heavyweights.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is expected to lean on experience, with senior figures such as Tadhg Furlong and Tadhg Beirne set to play crucial roles in their response.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged Harry Brook to demonstrate his “genius” and lead the national side’s charge in the T20 World Cup Super 8s.

The Yorkshireman began the tournament with a half-century against Nepal but has failed to pass 20 in his last three innings.

England reached the next stage of the competition following a nervy victory over Italy in Kolkata.

Vaughan believes the white-ball skipper possesses immense talent, evidenced by a recent unbeaten 136 against Sri Lanka.

Time to deliver in ‘showcase’ events

However, the 2005 Ashes-winning captain feels Brook has yet to dominate consistently on the biggest stage.

“That innings he played in Sri Lanka, he’s just got a genius in him,” Vaughan told the Stick to Cricket podcast.

He added that while Brook has played incredible knocks, they have often been away from major tournaments.

“The showcase in cricket for me is an Ashes series. Have you done it in a big Ashes series when it really matters? Harry Brook is yet to have done that.”

Vaughan insisted that the upcoming Super 8s stage is the perfect platform for the batter to prove his quality.

“Harry hasn’t played many World Cups, but this is his moment. These next two weeks, the Super 8s, go and deliver an 80 or 100 in a big, big game.”

Buttler prioritises team over personal form

Brook’s dip in production has been compounded by the struggles of his opening partner, Jos Buttler.

The wicketkeeper-batter has not scored a half-century in 14 international innings this winter, with a top score of just 39.

Despite the lean patch, Buttler has rejected advice from pundit Nasser Hussain to bat conservatively to regain his touch.

“In T20s, you’ve got to keep playing the scoreboard, if you’re chasing 10 an over you’ve got to play accordingly,” Buttler said.

He emphasised that the format demands selfless play rather than accumulation for personal statistics.

“I saw Nasser say ‘just bat for 15 overs’ and I would love to just bat for 15 overs but I don’t want to bat for 15 overs just for myself and ignore the game.”

Buttler maintained that despite his current form, the fundamental approach to his batting remains unchanged.

“I’ve been through lots of patches of poor form over 15 years in all different formats, it’s always the same things you come back to at the end which is stand still, watch the ball and trust.”

UK Athletics has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter following the death of Abdullah Hayayei, a Paralympic athlete who was killed during a training session in London in 2017.

The 36-year-old from the United Arab Emirates died after a metal throwing cage fell on him at Newham Leisure Centre.

He had been preparing for the World Para Athletics Championships when the fatal incident occurred.

Change of plea

The governing body was charged with corporate manslaughter last year and had originally pleaded not guilty.

However, the organisation changed its position on Friday, with lawyer Simon Antrobus entering the guilty plea on its behalf.

Keith Davies, the head of sport for the 2017 championships, also admitted to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The 78-year-old and UK Athletics are now expected to be sentenced in June.

‘Deepest sympathy’

Hayayei had represented his country in the javelin and shot put at the Rio 2016 Paralympics just a year before his death.

The thrower was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident in east London.

Following the hearing, the organisation issued a statement expressing its condolences to Hayayei’s teammates and family.

“UK Athletics deeply regrets that the incident in July 2017 resulted in the tragic loss of Abdullah Hayayei’s life.”

Jacob Bethell believes the real competition has begun for England as they prepare for the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup following a turbulent qualification campaign.

The defending champions finished second in Group C after narrow escapes against Associate nations and a defeat by the West Indies.

Victories over Nepal, Scotland and Italy were enough to progress, despite a controversy regarding pre-seeding that placed all group runners-up in the same pool.

‘Proper competition starts’

England’s path to the next round was far from smooth, relying on a last-ball thriller against Nepal to stay in contention.

Despite the unconvincing start, the squad remains unfazed by their seeding position going into the business end of the tournament.

“I think everyone had the same mindset of the main thing is just to get through to the Super 8s and now we’re here, the proper competition starts,” said Bethell.

“I don’t think anyone would care if they were first or second, to be honest.”

Injury concerns and Sri Lanka test

The Warwickshire all-rounder has been a rare bright spark in a misfiring batting order, though he has been nursing an injury.

Bethell trained on Friday with a bandaged ring finger on his left hand following a fielding mishap against the Caribbean side.

While stitches have prevented him from bowling his left-arm spin, he will be assessed before Sunday’s clash with Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

Rain is forecast for the opener, where England hope to replicate the form shown in a recent series victory at the same venue.

“I think we’re definitely coming back to this part of the world with a lot of confidence,” he added.

“We’re winning games of cricket when we’re not firing, so imagine when we do?”

“From the whole group there were a few nerves at the start. But I think, especially round the batting group, it was just a bit of tentativeness.”

Off-field distractions

Beyond the boundary, the 21-year-old addressed a disciplinary issue involving a night out in New Zealand last November.

The incident, which involved captain Harry Brook, remains under investigation by the Cricket Regulator.

“We obviously made a mistake and we’re sorry for that,” Bethell said.

“But it’s still an ongoing process so I can’t really…”

The 2026 Winter Olympics concludes on Sunday as the curtain falls on Milano Cortina with a spectacular ceremony at the historic Verona Arena.

After more than two weeks of intense competition across Northern Italy, the Games will wrap up on 22 February.

While five sporting events remain on the final day, the focus will shift in the evening to the official handover and celebration.

How to watch the closing ceremony

Live coverage of the closing ceremony will be broadcast free-to-air in the UK on BBC Two from 19:00 GMT.

Viewers can also stream the spectacle live via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

For subscription holders, TNT Sports 2 offers extended coverage beginning at 18:00 GMT, available to stream on discovery+.

International viewers in the United States can watch via NBC from 14:30 ET, while Canadian fans can tune into CBC from 15:30 AT.

What to expect in Verona

The ceremony takes place at the Verona Arena, a stunning Roman amphitheatre that serves as a dramatic backdrop distinct from the snowy slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Organisers have titled the show ‘Beauty in Action’, promising a celebration of the athletes’ achievements and Italian culture.

Traditional protocols will be observed, including the extinguishing of the Olympic flame and the parade of nations.

The event also features the formal handover of the Olympic flag to the hosts of the 2030 Winter Games, the French Alps.

Final day sporting schedule

Before the festivities begin, the final medals of the Games must be decided on Sunday morning and afternoon.

The action commences at 09:00 GMT with the four-man bobsleigh and the women’s 30km mass start classic in cross-country skiing.

Women’s curling follows shortly after at 10:05 GMT.

The sporting drama concludes with the blue-riband event of the Winter Games, as the men’s ice hockey gold medal game faces off at 13:10 GMT.

Tyson Fury will end his retirement to face Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 11 April 2026.

The two-time heavyweight champion is stepping back between the ropes despite previously hanging up his gloves following a second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

Speculation has mounted over recent months regarding the Manchester-born fighter’s future after he shared training updates on social media.

Tottenham stage for heavyweight clash

It has now been confirmed that the ‘Gypsy King’ will headline a show in north London against Makhmudov.

The bout marks a significant return to the capital for Fury, with the event scheduled for a Saturday night in the spring of 2026.

While the contest will be broadcast live on streaming platform Netflix, organisers have released immediate ticket details for fans wishing to attend.

Ticket prices and availability

General admission tickets are currently available via Ticketmaster for the major heavyweight event.

Prices for the bout range significantly, starting at approximately £50 for standard entry and rising to £2,000 for premier seating.

For supporters seeking a more exclusive experience, specific hospitality packages have also been released through official partners.

VIP package breakdown

Premium retailer Seat Unique is offering several tiers of hospitality for the fight night, ranging from lounge access to full dining experiences.

The available packages include: