Sports
Boxing: Terence Crawford defeats Spence Jr. to claim the undisputed welterweight title
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Terence Crawford decimated Errol Spence Jr. in a tour de force performance Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, winning a ninth-round TKO to capture the undisputed welterweight belt.
Crawford floored Spence twice in Round 2 and once more in Round 7, completing a two-handed beatdown to take the IBF, WBA, and WBC 147-pound crowns, in addition to the WBO belt.
Crawford, 35, crumpled a bruised and swollen Spence in Round 9 and was unloading unanswered blows when referee Harvey Dock mercifully called time at 2:32.
Spence, 33, objected to the delay but seemed to lose every round but the first.
“Like I said before, I only dreamed of being a world champion,” said Crawford, ESPN’s No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer. “I’m an overachiever. Nobody believed in me when I was coming up, but I made everybody a believer.”
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs), nicknamed “Bud,” won his first world championship in 2014, a decision against Ricky Burns at 135 pounds, in Scotland. He went on to win the uncontested 140-pound championship and is currently the first guy to hold all four 147-pound titles.
“It means everything because of who I took the belts from,” said Crawford, who was accompanied by music superstar Eminem and his seminal hit “Lose Yourself” as he entered the ring.
Crawford dominated the fight from the start when Spence was downed for the first time in his career in Round 2. Crawford landed a left punch to Spence’s midsection, setting up a southpaw jab for a quick knockout.
Crawford later told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith that after Spence struck with a looping overhand left in the first two rounds, he thought, “This is it?… He’s going to have a rough night.”
And it was, despite the fact that Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) never stopped coming forward behind his consistent southpaw jab. He got cut above the right eye in Round 3 and scarcely landed a blow of significance for the rest of the fight.
Source: ESPN
Sports
Harry Maguire accepts Isaac Adongo’s apologies
Harry Maguire, a Manchester United defender, has accepted Hon. Isaac Adongo’s apologies for dragging him through the dirt.
The Ghanaian politician previously rated the former Leicester City captain as the worst player recruited by the Red Devils.
Adongo was discussing the budget when he likened Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s economic management to Maguire’s on-field performances.
Mr Adongo, however, apologised to Maguire in Parliament on Tuesday, saying the Manchester United defender now performed better for his club than Dr Bawumia, whom he said had repeatedly supervised the country’s economic incompetence and had subsequently gone to the (IMF) for a bailout.
“I was very quick to compare my big brother Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to Harry Maguire. Mr. Speaker, I now apologize to Harry Maguire…Today Maguire has turned the corner; he is a transformational footballer. Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.”
“Mr Speaker, Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United. As for our Maguire, he is now roaming at the IMF with a cup in hand,” he stated.
Following the apology, Maguire stated on social media, “MP Issac Adongo apology accepted.” “Hope to see you at Old Trafford soon.”
Meanwhile, Everton will play Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison Park.
Sports
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has hinted that he may resign
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has indicated that he is considering stepping down after five years in charge.
Scaloni made the stunning statement following Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Brazil on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro.
Before winning the World Cup in Qatar last year, the 45-year-old guided Argentina to the Copa America in 2021.
“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well,” said Scaloni.
“I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time.
“It’s not goodbye or anything, but I need to think because the bar is very high and it’s complicated to keep going and it’s complicated to keep winning.
“These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. I will talk to the FA president and the players afterwards.”
Messi on fan-police clashes: “There could have been a tragedy.”
After a brief stint in command of Argentina’s under-20 team, Scaloni took over as manager in August 2018.
Argentina’s 2021 Copa America victory was their first major championship in 28 years, and it qualified them for the Finalissima against European champions Italy in June 2022, which they won 3-0 at Wembley.
Later that year, they won their third World Cup in Qatar, and first since 1986.
“We are sure and hope that Scaloni will continue,” said Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.
“Let’s see now he will have time to think, he didn’t say anything in the dressing room about it. We will try to convince him.”
Argentina’s victory against Brazil on Tuesday was their first-ever away win over their rivals in World Cup qualification, and it took them two points clear at the top of the table.
The game at Rio’s Maracana stadium was delayed for 30 minutes due to a scuffle during the national anthems.
Sports
2026WCQ: Chris Hughton under pressure after Black Stars defeat in Comoros
Chris Hughton’s Black Stars suffered their first competitive loss as head coach, falling 1-0 to Comoros in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Myziane Maolida’s first-half goal was enough to give the hosts their second straight victory over the Black Stars.
Ghana is now in fourth position, three points behind early group leaders Comoros, who have won both of their initial qualification games.
Following a tense, late win against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last Friday, there was some hope that the Black Stars may capitalise on Mali’s slip-up against the Central African Republic to grab the group lead.
Ghana could have grabbed an early lead in Tuesday’s encounter when Inaki Williams set up Antoine Semenyo for a goal, but the Bournemouth striker hit the crossbar.