British heavyweight Anthony Joshua has returned to intense training alongside former rival Oleksandr Usyk in Ukraine, four months after surviving a fatal car crash.
Unlikely alliance follows tragic accident
The 35-year-old’s boxing future appeared uncertain following a tragic incident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two teammates.
However, the Watford-born fighter quickly resumed gym work before travelling to eastern Europe to link up with the unified heavyweight champion.
The partnership marks a remarkable shift in dynamics after the Ukrainian dethroned Joshua in 2021 and retained the belts in their 2022 rematch.
Gruelling circuits and newfound motivation
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the joint sessions have provided his fighter with a much-needed psychological and physical resurgence.
Hearn detailed a brutal regime involving tempo sprints, kettle-bell routines and heavily weighted sledge pulls overseen by the pound-for-pound star.
“When I was there, he’d be doing these circuits, like he’s doing these tempo sprints,” Hearn stated.
“He would do his sprints, then he’d go over and do this kettle-bell circuit, then he’d do sledge – with this f***ing big fitness trainer standing on the sledge.”
Setting sights on future challenges
The former undisputed cruiserweight king has actively taken on a motivational role during the gruelling workouts.
“What you didn’t see was times when AJ was all out on his heart rate and Usyk was going: ‘Push, push, push,'” Hearn added.
“You’ve got the pound-for-pound number one, you’ve got the guy who he beat twice – who’s probably the biggest star in the sport – and it’s incredible.”
This unique collaboration has left the British promoter convinced that his heavyweight contender is now fully prepared to defeat domestic rival Tyson Fury.
Ellie Scotney has become Britain’s youngest-ever undisputed boxing champion after defeating Mayelli Flores to secure the super-bantamweight titles.
The 28-year-old Catford fighter claimed the historic victory on Easter Sunday, capping off a remarkable journey to the pinnacle of the sport.
Her triumph marks a stunning rise for an athlete who initially quit the ring as a child due to a total lack of female opponents.
From childhood temptation to undisputed champion
Scotney first stepped into a boxing gym at the age of nine, enticed by the promise of sugary snacks rather than sporting glory.
I always mess around and tell the story that my brother came home with a Mars bar and a Ribena, and I was like: ‘I want that!’
Ellie Scotney
The devout Christian abandoned the gloves after just a year because women’s boxing lacked the necessary infrastructure to provide her with competitive bouts.
She eventually returned to the sport eight years later to forge a path alongside a groundbreaking new generation of female fighters.
Paving the way for future generations
The undefeated Londoner now finds herself inspiring the next wave of athletes in a rapidly transforming landscape.
I walk in the gym now, and there’s probably as many girls as boys, and the girls are really good.
Ellie Scotney
She credits trailblazers such as Jane Couch, Christy Martin, and Katie Taylor for bearing the load and breaking down traditional sporting barriers.
Despite her elite status as a unified world champion, the 122lb titlist insists she remains grounded and strictly focused on encouraging others in her community.
Family backing and a pending reward
Family support has been a constant pillar throughout her ascent to the top of the super-bantamweight division.
My mum loves it. I think she aged about 10 years during the Flores fight, but the joy and the backing my family give is just endless.
Ellie Scotney
As she celebrates etching her name into the British history books, the newly crowned undisputed queen is also reportedly awaiting a unique bonus prize.
American YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul famously owes the historic champion a car following her Easter Sunday achievement.
The future of LIV Golf is in serious doubt following an emergency executive meeting in New York amid reports that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund is considering withdrawing its financial backing.
Executives from the breakaway circuit held urgent discussions on Tuesday to address mounting concerns over the project’s long-term viability.
The sovereign wealth fund has reportedly poured almost $5bn into the controversial league over the past four years.
However, the UK-based entity behind the enterprise posted significant operating losses of £461.8m in 2024 alone.
Mounting financial pressure and strategic shifts
Speculation surrounding the tour’s potential demise aligns with a broader strategic shift from its primary financial backers.
The Saudi fund, which manages nearly $1tn in global assets, recently outlined a revised investment blueprint for the remainder of the decade.
This new approach mandates a strict focus on achieving sustainable value and increasing overall investment efficiency across their vast portfolio.
Consequently, tour executives are believed to be evaluating an exit strategy while determining the immediate next steps for the golf venture.
Mexico City disruptions and player reactions
Despite the backstage turmoil, preparations for this week’s scheduled tournament in Mexico City are continuing.
Yet the atmosphere at the venue has been notably strained, with Tuesday’s media obligations abruptly cancelled.
Officials blamed local power outages for the sudden closure of the media centre and the abandonment of scheduled press conferences.
Meanwhile, competitors remain officially in the dark regarding any impending collapse of the Saudi-backed circuit.
Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia insisted that the roster still trusts the reassurances provided earlier this year.
“Honestly, we aren’t going to listen to anything except for what Yasir [Al-Rumayyan] told us at the start of the year, that he is behind us, that they have a project for many years.”
The Spanish veteran acknowledged the swirling rumours but maintained that players have received no official updates regarding an imminent shutdown.
Former two-weight world champion Conor McGregor has confirmed he will return to the UFC this summer after settling a high-profile legal dispute at Dublin’s High Court.
The MMA star reached an agreement with former fighter Artem Lobov regarding the multimillion-pound sale of the Proper No. Twelve brand.
A trial was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, but legal representatives for both parties informed Mr Justice John Jordan that a settlement had been reached.
The judge commended the sensible resolution, noting it spared the court’s time on what was ultimately a matter of negotiation.
Focus shifts to summer octagon return
McGregor was not present at the hearing, but his barrister Mark Lynam read a brief statement on his behalf confirming his imminent comeback.
“I’m satisfied that this matter has been resolved and I can focus on my training and this summer’s fight.”
“I want to thank Artem for his hard work for my whiskey business.”
Lobov, a Russian-Irish fighter who originally sought legal action over proceeds from the 2021 sale to Proximo Spirits, told reporters he was happy with the outcome.
Long-awaited comeback for the Irishman
The former featherweight and lightweight champion has not competed since suffering a devastating leg break against Dustin Poirier.
That trilogy bout ended in the first round, beginning an extensive rehabilitation period that has kept him sidelined for several years.
He was previously scheduled to face Michael Chandler, but a broken toe forced him to withdraw from that matchup at just two weeks’ notice.
Speculation now suggests a July return in Las Vegas, with current featherweight contender Max Holloway emerging as a potential opponent.
The Dublin native is expected to headline the flagship card of International Fight Week.
Issuing a stark warning to the lightweight division on social media, he declared his intention to “knock people out for my money”.
Oleksandr Usyk has claimed the number one spot in the men’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings following Terence Crawford’s retirement, while Tyson Fury has missed out on the top 10 despite winning his comeback fight.
Fury defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov by unanimous decision in London on Saturday to mark his sixth successful return from retirement.
However, the heavyweight’s latest victory was not deemed significant enough to elevate him back into the sport’s elite cross-division conversation.
Usyk assumes top spot
Unified heavyweight champion Usyk moves to number one following an undefeated 24-fight professional career.
The 38-year-old Ukrainian last fought in July 2025, delivering a one-sided knockout victory in his rematch with Daniel Dubois.
He will next defend his WBC title against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in May.
Inoue and Rodriguez complete top three
Undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue sits second on the list after maintaining a blistering fight pace.
The Japanese star secured four victories in a single calendar year and will next face compatriot Junto Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome.
Unified junior bantamweight titleholder Jesse Rodriguez takes the third position following a dominant 10th-round stoppage of Fernando Martinez.
Opetaia debuts as Fury seeks Joshua bout
Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has made his debut on the list at number 10 following a unanimous decision win over Brandon Glanton.
To join him in the rankings, Fury will likely need to deliver a definitive performance against a top-tier opponent.
The British fighter has already targeted a high-profile domestic showdown with Anthony Joshua later this year to force his way back into contention.
Two-time Olympic and world badminton champion Viktor Axelsen has announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 32 due to a persistent back injury.
The celebrated Dane confirmed his decision via social media, stating that his body can no longer handle the rigorous demands of elite competition.
His departure marks the end of an era for men’s singles, concluding a career decorated with unmatched modern dominance.
A legacy of Olympic and world dominance
The towering athlete secured consecutive Olympic gold medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, adding to a bronze claimed at Rio 2016.
Beyond his Olympic triumphs, the former world number one captured World Championship crowns in 2017 and 2022, alongside four European titles.
He also maintained the top spot in the global rankings for more than 100 consecutive weeks.
That remarkable streak is surpassed only by Malaysian legend Lee Chong Wei, who held the premier ranking for an astonishing 349 weeks.
Listening to a physical breaking point
Despite a profound desire to continue playing, the physical toll of recurring back problems forced the ultimate decision.
“Today is not an easy day for me. Due to my recurrent back issues, I am no longer able to compete and train at the highest level.”
“Accepting this situation has been incredibly difficult. But I have now reached a point where my body won’t allow me to continue.”
The five-time World Tour Finals winner acknowledged that fulfilling his childhood ambitions made stepping away slightly easier.
“Since the day I picked up a racket, I knew my dream was to become the best in the world.”
Saying goodbye to the daily grind
With 10 Super 1000 tournament victories to his name, the legendary shot-maker leaves a lasting imprint on the international circuit.
“I have accomplished everything I once dreamed of, and more.”
He will now transition away from the grueling professional calendar to focus on his long-term physical health.
“What makes it hardest to say goodbye is not the competition itself, but everything around it. The journey, the daily grind, the people.”
“I have given everything to this sport. It has never been just a career to me. It has been my life and I have left no stone unturned.”
Rory McIlroy has completed a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters at Augusta National, despite prior claims from LIV Golf’s Talor Gooch that the victory carries an asterisk.
The Northern Irishman secured his second Green Jacket on Sunday by finishing 12-under par to cement his legacy among the sport’s absolute elite.
His historic achievement follows a previous dramatic play-off triumph over Justin Rose to initially break his Augusta hoodoo.
LIV Golf absence debated
The monumental milestone has resurfaced controversial comments from Gooch regarding the overall strength of the modern tournament field.
The American golfer previously suggested that any success at Augusta would be tainted without the full participation of breakaway league players.
When the Saudi-backed circuit launched in 2021, it sparked a mass exodus of top talent and fractured the traditional golfing landscape.
“If Rory McIlroy goes and completes his grand slam without some of the best players in the world, there’s just going to be an asterisk.” – Talor Gooch
Gooch made the controversial assertion to Australian Golf Digest, insisting that the majors must find a unified solution for qualification.
Joining golfing royalty
By capturing the title, the 36-year-old becomes only the fourth player to conquer all four modern major championships.
The former world number one joins an exclusive and historic club alongside Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.
Despite the criticisms surrounding field depth, 10 players from the breakaway tour actively competed in this year’s tournament.
Hatton mounts late challenge
Tyrrell Hatton applied fierce late pressure with a stunning six-under-par 66 on the final day to finish at 10-under.
The English contender was ultimately left nervously watching the leaderboard as the newly crowned champion held his nerve to close out the tournament.
Elsewhere, 2023 champion Jon Rahm endured a difficult final round, stumbling to a one-over-par finish after recording three bogeys.
Rory McIlroy has claimed back-to-back Masters titles at Augusta National, becoming only the fourth player in history to successfully defend the coveted green jacket.
The Northern Irishman secured his historic victory at the 90th edition of the prestigious tournament.
Having ended a decade-long major drought to complete the career Grand Slam last year, the 36-year-old entered this week’s event with renewed freedom.
Observers are now questioning how the six-time major champion will approach the remainder of the golf calendar.
Chasing double-digit majors
Experts point out that the former world number one slightly took his foot off the gas following his emotional triumph in 2025.
He recorded modest finishes of 47th at the PGA Championship, 19th at the US Open, and seventh at The Open Championship last summer.
However, this latest success in Georgia proves the veteran ball-striker retains the formidable game required to accumulate further major championships.
Only Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Walter Hagen have reached the legendary milestone of ten career majors.
“A second straight Masters victory proved that he still has enough game to stack up more major championships,” noted ESPN golf analyst Mark Schlabach.
Strategic preparation yields Augusta success
The historic win was underpinned by an evolving, meticulous approach to tournament preparation.
The defending champion spent extensive time on the property playing practice rounds before the official tournament week began.
This intensive focus is uniquely suited to Augusta, a venue where experience and specific course knowledge are famously paramount.
“He spoke at length about how he prepared for this year’s Masters by playing the course many times and spending time on property,” explained golf correspondent Paolo Uggetti.
The experienced campaigner now looks ahead to a schedule that includes an emotional Ryder Cup in Ireland next year and The Open at the Old Course.
What lies ahead for the champion?
While no remaining event this season carries the exact magnitude of a second green jacket, confidence is surging for the European star.
He has repeatedly demonstrated the rare ability to compete fiercely even when not operating with his absolute best game.
The remaining three majors of the year now carry heightened anticipation as he chases both mathematical and emotional milestones.
If he can maintain his current focus, reaching double-digit major victories is now a distinct possibility.