Tyson Fury has challenged Anthony Joshua to agree to a blockbuster all-British heavyweight clash before the end of the year, following his upcoming bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The 37-year-old takes on the Russian at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, marking his first ring appearance since December 2024.
Securing a long-awaited bout with his domestic rival remains the primary focus for the returning former world champion.
Previous attempts to finalise the highly anticipated match-up have repeatedly collapsed over the past decade.
Tragedy and a return to training
The prospect of a 2026 meeting faded following a fatal car accident in Nigeria last December that tragically killed two of Joshua’s close friends and team members.
However, the Olympic gold medallist has since resumed training and attended Deontay Wilder’s recent victory over Dereck Chisora in London.
With the American now heavily linked as an opponent for the Watford-born fighter, Fury believes a domestic showdown must happen immediately.
“This fight was supposed to happen so many times over the last 10 years, but then someone has had one more fight in between and someone has got knocked out or injured,” Fury said.
“I think we should get this fight on as soon as possible in case something happens in between.”
“Forget Wilder, the man is a shell of himself. Let me get through Saturday and then we will do the fight before the end of the year.”
Family rift overshadows comeback
It remains uncertain whether John Fury will be present in north London this weekend, as father and son are currently not on speaking terms.
Last month, the family patriarch publicly urged the heavyweight star to retire, claiming the gruelling trilogy with Wilder has left him severely diminished.
The returning veteran dismissed those comments, insisting his sole focus remains on his impending ring walk.
“I don’t care if he’s there, I’ve got business to take care of and who’s in the crowd is not an important thing to me at all,” he added.
“I haven’t really paid any attention to it because I take it with a pinch of salt.”
American golfer Andrew Novak is preparing to make his highly anticipated Masters debut at Augusta National this April among an unusually experienced class of first-time players.
The PGA Tour professional has spent years obsessively studying tournament footage from the iconic Georgia course.
He likens his intense preparation to analysing American football tape, building a mental encyclopaedia of specific putts and memorable shots.
Despite missing the cut at the Players Championship in March, the 30-year-old remains sharply focused on his upcoming appearance at the season’s first major.
Transitioning from spectator to competitor
Every April, the self-confessed golf fanatic creates a multi-screen setup at home to monitor every available angle of the action.
However, he acknowledges that digital preparation can only simulate so much of the unique Augusta environment.
“I just feel like I do know the course better than what an average first-timer does,” Novak said.
“That being said, I’m sure come Thursday on the first tee I’m going to be completely numb.”
Historical hurdles for tournament debutants
History is notoriously unkind to newcomers attempting to conquer the pristine fairways of the legendary layout.
American Fuzzy Zoeller was the last player to win the green jacket on his first attempt, achieving the remarkable feat 47 years ago.
Two-time champion Bubba Watson believes that patience and observation are crucial for those making their inaugural appearance.
“If I’m being honest, if you get lucky enough to win at this place, more than likely it’s going to be later,” Watson advised.
“Just enjoy it, take it all in, try to learn some things and get ready for the next time you come around here.”
A uniquely qualified rookie class
This year’s crop of 16 non-amateur debutants possesses an unusual level of professional pedigree.
The group collectively boasts 12 PGA Tour victories and 12 DP World Tour titles.
While claiming victory on Sunday remains a monumental challenge, this seasoned rookie contingent threatens to upset the established hierarchy.
Harlequins have signed England full-back George Furbank from Premiership rivals Northampton Saints ahead of next season.
The 29-year-old departs Franklin’s Gardens after spending nearly a decade in the first team, having originally joined the club’s youth setup as a teenager.
His arrival in southwest London is viewed as a major acquisition for a side aiming to rebuild under recently appointed permanent head coach Jason Gilmore.
Quins have endured a difficult domestic campaign and were eliminated from the Investec Champions Cup by Sale Sharks in the last 16 on Saturday.
‘Time to step out of my comfort zone’
Furbank believes the move will reinvigorate his career as he looks forward to forging a playmaking partnership with fly-half Marcus Smith.
I am incredibly excited to be joining Harlequins next season. The Stoop is a brilliant place to play – it always has a great atmosphere.
I have been at Saints since I was 14-15 years old so it will be a different challenge, but I am keen to step out of my comfort zone.
The former Saints captain added that he shares a very similar philosophy with Gilmore on how rugby should be played.
England ambitions and Northampton’s future
Despite being included in Steve Borthwick’s recent Six Nations squad, the versatile back did not feature in the tournament amid concerns over his match sharpness following recent injury struggles.
However, his club form has been impressive of late, culminating in a try-scoring performance as Northampton defeated Castres to secure a Champions Cup quarter-final against Bath.
Saints have prepared for his eventual departure by securing long-term contracts for key players including Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith and Alex Coles.
The East Midlands outfit remain confident in their existing backline options, with George Hendy, Edoardo Todaro and highly-rated academy prospect James Pater ready to step up.
World number one Scottie Scheffler has adopted a philosophical approach ahead of this week’s Masters at Augusta National, revealing he will not let his recent dip in form define him.
Despite maintaining his status at the top of the world rankings, the American has experienced a slight struggle since claiming his first victory of the year.
The two-time champion followed that early triumph with a pair of top-four finishes before his results began to slide.
In his last three outings, the elite ball-striker has failed to break 70 in his opening rounds, resulting in frustrating finishes outside the top 10.
Seeking balance at Augusta
Arriving at the season’s first major, the reigning world number one emphasised the mental toll inherent in professional golf.
“Most of the time in golf, you’re probably going to be a little bit disappointed at the end of the week just because there’s only one winner,” he stated.
He elaborated on his strategy for maintaining perspective amid the intense pressure of the sport.
“It’s always been a battle for me trying to strike a balance between continuing to work hard, staying competitive and also not having either my good golf or my bad golf define me.”
“If I let my bad golf define me, I’d be a pretty miserable person,” he added.
The challenge of reclaiming the green jacket
A return to the iconic Georgia venue often provides a comforting reset for past champions.
“Once you drive down Magnolia Lane, everything else melts away,” he remarked.
The Texan is aiming to reclaim the prestigious green jacket, a prize he has secured twice before but relinquished to Jon Rahm in 2023 and Rory McIlroy last year.
When asked to compare his current form to his previous victorious campaigns, he insisted his focus remains firmly on the present.
“I try not to look too far in the past, I try not to look too far in the future,” he said.
Defying the odds of back-to-back victories
Successfully defending a title at Augusta National remains one of the rarest feats in golf, achieved only by Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.
The former tournament winner acknowledged the extreme difficulty of securing consecutive major championships.
“I think defending can always be difficult but I think that’s mostly just the odds of winning a tournament in back-to-back years,” he concluded.
World number one Scottie Scheffler leads a star-studded field as the 2026 Masters Tournament gets underway at Augusta National this Thursday.
Rory McIlroy returns to Georgia as the defending champion after claiming the coveted green jacket last season.
However, it is two-time winner Scheffler who arrives as the overwhelming favourite among golfing analysts.
The American currently tops the global rankings and is seeking a third career victory at the historic venue.
Rahm and DeChambeau pose major threats
Jon Rahm has quietly been producing some of the most impressive golf of his career over recent months.
The formidable Spaniard is widely tipped to re-emerge into the spotlight and awaken the famous Augusta roars.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau enters the first major of the year in scintillating form after securing victories in his last two worldwide starts.
The heavy-hitting superstar has significantly improved his putting on these iconic greens, dropping two putts per round off his average since 2023.
Rose seeks elusive maiden victory
English veteran Justin Rose represents a compelling contender following three previous runner-up finishes at this prestigious event.
No player in tournament history has led more rounds without ultimately securing the title.
The former US Open champion is currently displaying exceptional consistency, ranking tenth on tour in strokes gained on approach.
Precision iron play remains a critical factor for successfully navigating the notoriously demanding layout.
Schauffele and Koepka remain dangerous
Xander Schauffele boasts an outstanding recent record here, finishing inside the top 10 in five of his past seven appearances.
Following a frustrating injury-delayed 2025 campaign, the Olympic gold medallist recently secured a highly encouraging third-place finish at the Players Championship.
Brooks Koepka also cannot be discounted as he looks to add to his impressive haul of major championships.
The 35-year-old possesses a renowned ability to elevate his game on the sport’s grandest stages.
Former US Open champion Gary Woodland has revealed he battles post-traumatic stress disorder daily following surgery to remove a brain tumour in 2023.
The 40-year-old American underwent a serious medical procedure last year to address a lesion found on his brain.
While the operation was deemed a physical success, the mental toll has presented an entirely new and formidable challenge.
A difficult diagnosis
The major winner was only officially diagnosed with the mental health condition approximately one year ago.
“I am battling every day,” Woodland stated when discussing his ongoing recovery journey.
He explained that navigating the emotional aftermath of such a severe health scare has been deeply exhausting.
Return to competitive action
Woodland famously secured his first and only major championship title at Pebble Beach in 2019.
Despite his ongoing health battles, the resilient golfer made an emotional return to the PGA Tour earlier this season.
His decision to speak openly about his psychological struggles brings important awareness to the unseen impacts of major medical trauma.
Jon Rahm remains highly confident he will successfully negotiate a deal with the DP World Tour to ensure his eligibility for Europe’s upcoming Ryder Cup campaigns.
The two-time major champion’s participation in the prestigious biennial tournament has been under intense scrutiny since his lucrative move to the LIV Golf circuit.
Under current regulations, European competitors must maintain active DP World Tour membership to represent their continent against the United States.
However, competing in conflicting LIV events without official tournament releases has triggered significant fines and potential suspensions for the former world number one.
Navigating the eligibility hurdle
Despite the ongoing friction between the rival tours, the Spaniard is adamant that a compromise will soon be reached.
“We’re going to work it out!”
The 29-year-old recently appealed his accumulated sanctions, a tactical legal manoeuvre that temporarily allowed him to compete in the Spanish Open.
This critical move enabled him to fulfill his minimum tournament quota for the season and temporarily retain his crucial tour card.
Importance to Team Europe
Rahm was an indispensable cornerstone of Luke Donald’s victorious side in Rome last year, delivering an undefeated return of three points.
Losing the former Masters winner would represent a catastrophic blow for the European squad ahead of a hostile title defence at Bethpage Black in 2025.
While peace talks between golf’s traditional powerbrokers and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund continue behind closed doors, elite players currently remain trapped in administrative limbo.
World number one Scottie Scheffler headlines a highly unpredictable field at the 2026 Masters following injury setbacks for defending champion Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa.
The 90th edition of the prestigious tournament at Augusta National is widely considered the most open contest in recent memory.
Injuries to top contenders and a month-long layoff for the American world number one have significantly levelled the playing field.
The prolific American recently welcomed a baby boy and has not played competitively in four weeks.
Challengers sense an opportunity
Meanwhile, Northern Irishman McIlroy and American Morikawa are both recovering from untimely back problems.
The defending champion claimed a dramatic victory here last year but has struggled to find his best form this season.
His injury concerns open the door for a wider group of hopefuls to claim the coveted green jacket.
Former champion Patrick Reed believes the immense depth of elite golf makes this year’s event exceptionally competitive.
“I definitely feel like this year you have 10 to 12 guys who have a really legitimate opportunity to win the green jacket.”
Returning stars target green jacket
The 2018 winner recently left the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league to return to the PGA Tour.
He boasts five top-10 finishes at this historic venue since his maiden major victory.
“It just makes this event a little bit more special and even more fun going out there and playing against the best.”
Fellow LIV competitors Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau remain potent threats despite the Spaniard’s recent major championship struggles.
Grand Slam ambitions and history
Xander Schauffele arrives in superb form and could secure the third leg of the career Grand Slam with a victory.
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka also possesses the elite pedigree required to conquer the famous Georgia layout.
Historical trends suggest top-ranked players dominate this tournament, with every winner since 2019 ranked inside the world’s top 15.
However, with established favourites battling fitness and form, an unexpected victor could easily emerge from the chasing pack this week.