Oleksandr Usyk will be stripped of his WBC heavyweight title if he does not face mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel in his next bout, according to president Mauricio Sulaimán.
Mandatory obligations enforced
The World Boxing Council previously sanctioned a voluntary defence for the unified champion against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in Egypt.
However, the governing body has now officially ordered the Ukrainian to fulfil his mandatory obligations following his 11th-round stoppage victory in May.
Many fans called for an immediate rematch due to the dramatic finish in front of the pyramids, but that option has been firmly ruled out.
The WBC ruling was very clear. We accepted Usyk’s petition for a voluntary defence, which has now taken place.
Now the mandatory fight is Usyk against the interim champion Kabayel.
Risk of losing unified status
Kabayel has patiently held the position of WBC interim champion and primary contender since February 2025.
The undefeated German challenger now awaits his long-overdue opportunity at the top prize.
Should the mandatory bout fail to materialise, the reigning WBA, WBC and IBF champion risks losing one of his three prestigious belts.
Usyk previously vacated his WBO crown in late 2025, which ultimately led to Daniel Dubois claiming the heavyweight title.
Sulaimán refused to confirm whether the interim titleholder would automatically be elevated to full champion if the belt is vacated.
Only when something happens, when something is presented, do we go through the Board of Governors to make the proper ruling.
Referee defended over controversial stoppage
Usyk’s recent title defence was heavily debated after referee Mark Lyson stopped the bout with just one second remaining in the 11th round.
Verhoeven, competing in only his second professional boxing match, had pushed the veteran champion to his limits before being dropped by a vicious uppercut.
Despite criticism that Lyson waved off the contest prematurely, the WBC president offered strong backing for the British official.
I’m very proud of Mark Lyson, the referee. Because the referee’s only concern is the safety of the fighter.
He’s not a timekeeper. He’s a lifekeeper. We will always support a referee.
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe on a free transfer when her Arsenal contract expires on 1 July.
The 30-year-old has committed to a three-year contract with the Blues, which includes an option to extend her stay at Stamford Bridge for a further 12 months.
Her imminent arrival in West London marks the end of an illustrious 11-year spell with her former club.
End of an era in north London
During her time with the Gunners, the versatile left-sided player amassed an impressive 305 appearances across all competitions.
She played a pivotal role in helping the team secure the Women’s Super League title in 2019.
It is understood that the Irish international attracted significant interest from Manchester City and clubs in the National Women’s Soccer League before opting to remain in the capital.
Family ties and future ambitions
A move to the Blues carries personal significance for the experienced international, as her family are passionate Chelsea supporters.
“It’s a new chapter in my career. This is something that I feel I’m ready for right now.”
“I’m really excited to get going and show the Chelsea fans how ready I am to perform for the badge.”
The incoming defender expressed her desire to compete for major honours and restore dominance at her new club.
“I’m so looking forward to walking out at Stamford Bridge as a home player, being around the fan base and competing for trophies on all fronts.”
“This club has been successful for so many years. I want to keep pushing and driving that, and for me, it’s about bringing that success back to Chelsea.”
Historic run for teenage prodigies
Teenage sensations Rafael Jodar and Joao Fonseca have reached the French Open quarter-finals, disrupting the established order to guarantee a new men’s champion in Paris.
The 19-year-old prodigies are on a collision course for a spectacular semi-final showdown in the bottom half of the Roland-Garros draw.
Their unprecedented progress ensures a first-time winner will lift the coveted Coupe des Mousquetaires on Sunday.
Meteoric rise from college to clay
Jodar was ranked outside the top 900 just a year ago while playing college tennis at the University of Virginia.
The 6ft 4in Madrid native is now competing in the last eight of a major tournament during only his second Grand Slam appearance.
His world ranking has skyrocketed to 29th following an impressive European clay-court swing that included a Challenger Tour title and deep runs in Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.
The rising Spanish star proved his pedigree in the Spanish capital last month by dropping just four games to stun world number five Alex de Minaur.
Toppling a tennis titan
Fonseca has matched his contemporary’s extraordinary progress by carving through the Parisian draw with equal menace.
The fellow teenager produced the shock of the tournament by eliminating 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic in the third round.
Their combined success represents a definitive changing of the guard, exacerbated by the injury absence of seven-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz.
Both fresh-faced talents must now navigate their respective Tuesday fixtures to set up a highly anticipated semi-final clash.
Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska has made history by reaching the French Open quarter-finals with a stunning 6-3 6-2 victory over home favourite Diane Parry.
The 24-year-old is the first qualifier in six years to advance to the last eight of the women’s singles at Roland Garros.
Having navigated three demanding qualifying rounds, the world number 114 shook her head in disbelief following her triumph on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Prior to this breakthrough tournament, the Polish player had secured just two tour-level main-draw wins on clay and registered only one Grand Slam victory.
A remarkable return from adversity
The rising star stepped away from tennis completely in 2021 to battle depression and admitted she was unsure if she would ever return to the sport.
She has now won seven consecutive matches in the French capital, claiming six of those encounters in straight sets.
This remarkable sequence of results means the former Wimbledon debutant is projected to break into the world’s top 50 for the very first time.
“I didn’t expect it for sure. I’m just very grateful to be here,” Chwalinska told the crowd.
“Nobody knows me, to be honest.”
Kalinskaya awaits in the quarter-finals
The surprise package could now become only the second qualifier in the Open era to reach the semi-finals after Nadia Podoroska achieved the feat in 2020.
Standing in her way is Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya, who survived a brutal three-hour epic against Anastasia Potapova.
Kalinskaya recovered from a 4-1 deficit in the final-set tie-break to eventually triumph 6-4 2-6 7-6 (10-7).
On the prospect of facing the 27-year-old, Chwalinska remained fully aware of the monumental task ahead.
“She is one of the top players in the world,” Chwalinska said.
“So definitely, a very challenging one again – like every match here. I need to play my best tennis to win.”
Shnaider stuns Keys to advance
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, American 19th seed Madison Keys was eliminated following a heavy defeat to Diana Shnaider.
The 22-year-old Russian dismantled the 2025 Australian Open champion 6-3 3-6 6-0 to secure her first ever Grand Slam quarter-final appearance.
Shnaider will next face either world number one Aryna Sabalenka or four-time major winner Naomi Osaka for a place in the semi-finals.
The Los Angeles Rams are finalising a blockbuster trade to acquire two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Jared Verse and draft compensation.
Persistent pursuit pays off
The shocking move represents one of the most significant defensive trades in league history.
Los Angeles aggressively pursued the 28-year-old pass rusher, eventually meeting steep demands from the AFC North organisation.
The agreement includes sending 25-year-old edge rusher Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick and additional assets to Ohio.
Going all in for a home Super Bowl
The franchise is mirroring its successful 2021 strategy, when they acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford before winning a home championship.
With Super Bowl LXI scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium, the NFC West team is once again mortgaging future draft capital for immediate success.
Cleveland originally declared their prized defender untouchable, despite modifying his contract in March to make a potential departure financially viable.
They insisted that any negotiation must include the 2024 first-round draft pick.
Long-term value for Cleveland
Initially reluctant to part with their young talent, the Californian outfit eventually relented to secure the premier superstar.
Verse has registered 12 sacks and 22 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, providing an immediate, youthful replacement on the defensive line.
The transaction is expected to save the Browns approximately $30m (£23.5m) in cash.
They view the incoming rookie-contract defender as a vital long-term building block for their evolving roster.
Promoter Eddie Hearn feared Anthony Joshua would retire from boxing following a devastating car crash in Nigeria last December that killed two of the heavyweight’s close friends.
The 36-year-old was travelling in a Jeep that collided with a stationary truck, resulting in the deaths of his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami.
While the British fighter escaped with minor physical injuries, he required hospital treatment and extensive rehabilitation.
Physical and mental toll
Speaking ahead of a scheduled bout with Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on 25 July, Hearn revealed the profound impact the tragedy had on his fighter.
The Matchroom boss admitted he had serious doubts about whether the former two-time world champion would ever return to the ring.
You’re talking about six months where he was involved in a tragic accident. Physically, he was seriously damaged in that accident.
Before he could even get into camp, he had to do three months of rehab, the menial stuff, being on a bike for three hours a day.
Hearn explained that the initial focus was entirely on basic physical recovery through minor body movements rather than boxing training.
A renewed driving force
Despite the physical setbacks, overcoming the psychological trauma posed an entirely different challenge for the heavyweight.
However, the promoter believes the tragic loss of his key team members has provided a new purpose for his upcoming return.
Mentally and emotionally, you can only imagine what was going through his mind. What he has done to pull himself back, physically and emotionally with this driving force. He’s more dangerous than he’s been before.
They actually dedicated their own lives to the movement of AJ and achieving his dreams in the sport and I think he’s carrying that purpose.
Hearn added that the victims were two of his greatest supporters who wanted him to succeed more than anything.
Legal proceedings ongoing
An immediate police investigation was launched in Nigeria following the fatal collision.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, appeared at Sagamu Magistrates Court in Ogun state in February charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
He also faces charges of reckless and negligent driving, alongside operating a vehicle without a valid licence.
The accused was previously granted bail as he faces the prospect of a severe custodial sentence.
Celtic midfielder Arne Engels wants to leave the Scottish Premiership champions this summer to pursue a new challenge, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old played a crucial role in securing the league title on the final day of a turbulent season in Glasgow.
However, the Belgium international has now decided his future lies away from Celtic Park.
Premier League and Serie A interest
The powerful playmaker has recently joined the DWMA football agency to help facilitate a permanent transfer.
Nottingham Forest remain strongly linked with the player after having a £25m bid rejected during the January transfer window.
Italian giants AC Milan are also closely monitoring the situation alongside several other top European clubs.
The highly-rated prospect registered seven goals and eight assists across 46 appearances this campaign.
Rebuilding after a chaotic campaign
A departure would force Celtic into another significant midfield rebuild following the previous high-profile exit of Matt O’Riley.
The Scottish giants expect to demand a substantial transfer fee which could be reinvested to strengthen multiple areas of the squad.
It comes at the end of a highly unusual season that saw three different managers take charge of the first team.
Following the departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, interim boss Martin O’Neill eventually guided the Hoops to a dramatic final-day triumph over Hearts.
Despite missing out on Belgium’s World Cup squad, the energetic midfielder’s stock remains incredibly high across the continent.
England forward Raheem Sterling has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of drug driving following a collision on the M3 in Hampshire on Thursday morning.
The international attacker was detained by police after reports emerged of his Lamborghini being driven dangerously near Junction 4.
Dashcam footage from a trailing vehicle has since surfaced, appearing to show the sports car veering erratically across multiple lanes.
The 52-second video captures the vehicle narrowly avoiding other motorists before eventually striking the roadside barriers.
Eyewitness describes erratic motorway driving
A van driver who witnessed the entire incident detailed the alarming moments leading up to the eventual crash.
The anonymous motorist observed the high-performance car swerving violently and drifting heavily towards the hard shoulder.
“Just after I got on the M3 westbound I saw a Lamborghini swerving. He nearly crashed into the left-hand barrier.”
Attempts to alert the former Chelsea and Manchester City star by sounding a horn were reportedly completely unsuccessful.
Bridge collision and vehicle spin
The dangerous situation rapidly escalated as the vehicles approached the Minley interchange at Junction 4A.
According to the witness, the winger overtook traffic at high speed on the wrong side of the road over a flyover bridge.
“He cut in front of me and then veered left into a barrier and hit the front left of his vehicle and the tyres went about 4ft into the air.”
“The car spun about 180 degrees. He would have kept going I’m sure if he hadn’t hit his wheels.”
The eyewitness firmly believes the vehicle would have continued moving had the severe impact not destroyed its front wheels.
Police investigation continues
The experienced forward remains a highly prominent figure in English football, having represented his country at multiple major international tournaments.
Representatives for the player have yet to issue any public statement or comment regarding Thursday’s alarming events.
Authorities are continuing their active enquiries into the incident while reviewing the newly emerged dashboard camera evidence.