Kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven will challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title in Egypt on 23 May after a tragic car crash derailed his planned bout with Anthony Joshua.

The 36-year-old Dutchman had initially been lined up to face Joshua in a crossover boxing match scheduled for 2026.

However, those plans were abandoned when the British heavyweight was involved in a fatal collision in Nigeria.

With the former world champion stepping away to mourn the loss of two teammates, Verhoeven and his camp quickly pivoted to find a new opponent.

Undisputed champions collide

The historic encounter is set to take place against the spectacular backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza.

Speaking at a press conference in London, the kickboxing icon explained how the tragic circumstances unexpectedly led to a world title opportunity.

“The fight was there, only the tragic accident happened, so that’s what derailed everything,” said Verhoeven.
“AJ needed some time to just resettle, get back to himself, and that was that.”

Instead of waiting on the sidelines, the Glory heavyweight titleholder suggested pitting his own supremacy against the Ukrainian’s boxing dominance.

“I said: ‘What about Usyk? That makes sense. Undisputed versus undisputed’,” he added.

WBC title credentials questioned

Despite his legendary status in a different discipline, an immediate shot at the prestigious WBC strap has raised eyebrows among boxing purists.

The challenger dismissed criticism regarding his lack of professional boxing experience by pointing to the governing body’s own infrastructure.

“I understand that for the people that are not into the kickboxing game, they do not know my credentials,” he explained.
“The WBC also have a Muay Thai kickboxing department, so for them, it did make sense.”

In preparation for his monumental test in the desert, Verhoeven has enlisted the expertise of veteran boxing trainer Peter Fury.

Tyson Fury’s 12-round victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium attracted an average UK audience of more than five million viewers on Netflix.

The former heavyweight world champion secured a dominant win on Saturday in a venue that was not fully sold out.

Despite the lack of a capacity live crowd, the broadcast became one of the most-watched British boxing encounters of the past decade.

This represents a significant shift for the sport, as the vast majority of high-profile fights have been restricted to pay-per-view audiences since 1996.

Strategic timing and reality television

The timing of the heavyweight’s return to the ring was carefully orchestrated by the streaming giant.

Hours after the Briton had his hand raised in London, the second season of his documentary series premiered.

The reality show, At Home with the Furys, has been trending at number one across the UK and Ireland since its release.

By combining live sporting action with reality content on such a massive platform, boxing is recapturing a level of mainstream exposure not enjoyed for decades.

Historic viewership and streaming success

While impressive, the recent broadcast figures still fall short of the historic free-to-air television records set in the 1980s.

Barry McGuigan’s 1985 victory drew 19 million UK viewers, while Frank Bruno’s triumph over Joe Bugner in 1987 reached an audience of 18 million.

However, recent streaming events have demonstrated an unprecedented global reach for the sport.

Jake Paul’s victory over Mike Tyson drew 125 million viewers globally, while Katie Taylor’s trilogy encounter with Amanda Serrano captured an audience of six million.

The highly anticipated domestic showdown

A blockbuster bout between the victorious Briton and Anthony Joshua appears to be the next major target for the broadcaster.

Netflix recently had to retract an incorrect announcement stating an autumn clash between the two British fighters had already been signed.

No formal agreement is currently in place between the two respective camps.

Joshua is reportedly weighing up whether to take a warm-up bout in the interim before committing to the mega-fight.

Wembley Stadium in London and Dublin’s Croke Park are already being discussed as potential host venues for the prospective showdown.

Unbeaten British heavyweight Fabio Wardley will defend his WBO title against compatriot Daniel Dubois at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Saturday, 9 May.

The highly anticipated all-British clash guarantees explosive action between two of the division’s most dangerous punchers.

Wardley enters the main-event showdown boasting an unblemished professional record and a formidable reputation for dramatic late finishes.

The 31-year-old from Ipswich rallied from behind on the scorecards to secure knockout victories over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker in his last two outings.

His October triumph over Parker earned him the interim WBO belt, which was subsequently upgraded to full championship status after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the regular title.

Dubois targets redemption after Usyk defeat

Challenger Dubois is looking to bounce back emphatically after suffering a stoppage loss to unified champion Usyk last July.

That defeat cost the 28-year-old Londoner his IBF title, but he remains a severe threat to anyone in the heavyweight landscape.

A victory for either fighter in Manchester could pave the way for a lucrative shot at the undisputed heavyweight crown.

Fight date, start time and viewing details

The domestic dust-up takes place at the newly opened Co-op Live venue.

While exact timings are yet to be finalised, the main pay-per-view card is expected to commence at 19:00 BST.

Ring walks for the headline attraction are anticipated at approximately 22:00 BST.

Fans can watch the action unfold live on DAZN pay-per-view.

Full fight card

Rory McIlroy has become only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back Masters titles after securing a one-shot victory over Scottie Scheffler at Augusta National.

The world number two successfully defended his crown to claim a sixth major championship, matching the British record held by Sir Nick Faldo.

His latest triumph comes exactly a year after he completed the career Grand Slam with a dramatic play-off victory over English veteran Justin Rose.

Targeting long-term success

Rose challenged again during a roller-coaster final round, briefly holding a two-shot lead before finishing tied for third.

Despite the 45-year-old missing out on an elusive second major championship, his Ryder Cup team-mate was heavily impressed by his enduring ability to contend.

“What he is doing at his age is incredible and I think everyone would love to see him get another major, because I think he deserves it,” McIlroy told Sky Sports.
“What Rose is doing is sort of the blueprint for me. I feel like I can look at him and see myself competing at the highest level when I’m that age, as well.”

Augusta becomes a home course

The Northern Irishman took an unconventional three-week break from the PGA Tour to prepare exclusively for the first men’s major of the season.

He made multiple scouting trips to Georgia, frequently completing practice rounds after dropping his daughter off at school.

“I took three weeks into this event to make sure that my body was right, to make sure my preparation was right,” he added.
“I’m not going to do that for every major, because I’m not able to, but I think I felt the most prepared coming into this event than I ever had.”

The 36-year-old admitted the relentless practice schedule paid off perfectly, making the iconic venue feel almost like a home golf course.

ESPN Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Vitale has announced he is facing a fifth battle with cancer after being diagnosed with melanoma in his lung and liver.

The 86-year-old will begin immunotherapy treatment shortly as he prepares to tackle the disease once again.

The legendary college basketball voice has already overcome four different types of cancer in recent years.

Confidence in latest health battle

He most recently underwent surgery during the summer of 2024 to address an issue discovered via a lymph node biopsy in his neck.

“I’ve beaten melanoma. I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten vocal cord cancer. I’ve beaten lymph node cancer,” he said in a statement on Monday.

“I’m four-for-four and I’m fully confident I’m going to make it five-for-five.”

A storied broadcasting career

The veteran commentator initially returned to the microphone in February 2024 after declaring himself cancer-free following a nearly two-year absence.

He recently concluded his 46th year covering the collegiate game for the American sports network.

Having joined ESPN shortly after its launch, the historic broadcasting figure called his first major NCAA game in December 1979.

Overwhelming public support

Since his debut, he has commentated on well over 1,000 fixtures and was inducted into the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame in September 2024.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the love, support, prayers and messages I’ve received from so many people,” he added.

“Their support has inspired me to keep fighting and I will do everything in my power to win another battle.”

“The best news I can share today is this: I feel fantastic.”

Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been granted permission to compete under their national flags at senior World Aquatics events following the lifting of a strict ban.

Competitors representing the two nations had previously been restricted to neutral status since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Swimming’s global governing body had already permitted junior competitors to race under their own colours since December.

Strict testing protocols required for return

The latest update aligns senior regulations with a recent recommendation from the International Olympic Committee summit.

World Aquatics president Husain Al Musallam stated the organisation is committed to keeping international conflict out of the sporting arena.

“We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition.”

The official statement confirmed that political conflict guidelines will no longer apply to those holding Russian or Belarusian sporting nationality.

Anti-doping and background checks implemented

Swimmers returning to international waters must first successfully pass a minimum of four successive anti-doping controls.

Thorough background evaluations will also be conducted by the Aquatics Integrity Unit alongside the International Testing Agency.

This decision mirrors a similar move by the International Paralympic Committee during the recent Games.

Meanwhile, Fifa president Gianni Infantino indicated earlier this year that world football’s governing body might consider lifting its own ban on Russian participation.

Scottish 200m record holder Beth Dobbin has announced her retirement from athletics at the age of 31 following a three-year battle with an undisclosed, life-changing health issue.

The former Olympian represented her country at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, where she impressively reached the semi-finals of her signature sprinting event.

On the international stage, the talented runner secured a 4x400m relay bronze medal for Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The 31-year-old also proved her consistency at the highest level by competing at three European Championships and two World Championships during her distinguished career.

A delayed breakthrough and historic records

Despite missing out on junior selections early in her career, the late-blooming sprinter finally burst onto the senior scene at the age of 24.

In 2018, she shattered a long-standing Scottish 200m record that had remained untouched for 34 years before being crowned British champion later that same season.

The record-breaking athlete subsequently set her personal best time of 22.50 seconds at the prestigious Anniversary Games in London the following year.

An enforced and cruel departure

Revealing the heart-breaking news of her departure across social media, the esteemed track star admitted she could not possibly list all the highs she had experienced.

However, she chose to keep the specific details of her debilitating medical condition private while reflecting positively on her unconventional journey to the top.

“I am very proud of my journey. From never getting close to making junior teams to breaking through at 24.”

Discussing her prolonged and difficult absence from competitive action, the Scottish athlete highlighted the isolated nature of dealing with severe sickness compared to standard sporting ailments.

“Unlike injuries, where you are surrounded by physio expertise, this often isn’t the case with illness.”
“Instead it’s been a journey of getting answers and trialing treatment.”

Leaving the track with fulfilled dreams

The physical toll and lengthy diagnostic processes ultimately forced the Commonwealth medalist to step away from the sport prematurely.

“On one hand it feels like my career has been cut short and it feels cruel not to be retiring on my own terms. On the other, I achieved so much more than I ever expected.”
“I may not be leaving the sport with an Olympic medal, but I’m leaving with many dreams fulfilled.”

Australian 18-year-old Gout Gout has set a new world under-20 record by running the 200m in 19.67 seconds at the national championships in Sydney on Sunday, eclipsing Usain Bolt’s fastest teenage time.

The Queensland-born athlete claimed the national title while officially bettering the 19.93-second mark established by Jamaican legend Bolt as a 17-year-old in 2004.

Bolt never ran faster as a teenager before eventually setting the senior world record of 19.19 seconds in Berlin five years later.

This latest blistering performance leaves the rising star less than half a second behind the greatest 200m time in history.

Record-breaking legal run

Although the lightning-fast youngster clocked a wind-assisted 19.84 seconds last season, Sunday’s stunning race marks his first legally recognised sub-20-second effort.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for. We have such incredible athletes in Australia and me being able to race these athletes, we push each other to the limits.”

“There’s a big weight off my shoulders knowing I ran it legally, and I have the speed and my body to run times like that,” he added.

Fellow compatriot Aidan Murphy also dipped under the 20-second barrier during the same blistering final, finishing in 19.88 seconds to secure a remarkable one-two finish.

Global targets on the horizon

The official world under-20 record previously stood at 19.69 seconds, set by American sprinter Erriyon Knighton.

While Knighton did clock a faster 19.49 in 2022, that particular time was never officially ratified by the sport’s global governing body.

Looking ahead, the teenager of South Sudanese descent will now skip the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this July.

Instead, his primary focus shifts to August’s World Under-20 Championships in Oregon, where he aims to cement his status as athletics’ next global phenomenon.