General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: May 24, 2026, 11:51 AM ET

Boxing & Combat Sports

Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight titles with a dominant decision over Rico Verhoeven, though questions linger about his next move and the division's future landscape. The win prompted analysis of Usyk's legacy and potential opponents, with the Briton Hamzah Sheeraz claiming his first world title hours later by stopping Alem Begic for the vacant WBO super-middleweight crown. Meanwhile, former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel made a successful MMA debut, stopping social media influencer Bob Menery in the first round, while veteran Joe Schilling quit his PFL return just 37 seconds in following an illegal headbutt.

Tennis – French Open Prelude

With Carlos Alcaraz out, experts favor Jannik Sinner to capture the men's title, though the draw remains perilous. American Coco Gauff is the slight favorite to repeat on the women's side. The tournament's start arrives amid player protests over revenue shares, but demonstrations are set to pause once play begins. Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk revealed a missile struck just 100 meters from her parents' Kyiv home hours before her match, a stark reminder of the war's proximity. Emma Navarro claimed the Strasbourg Open to end a title drought, while 17-year-old Anna Huang made LET history with her third tour victory in Morocco.

Global Football

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino selected Gio Reyna in his 26-man roster for the upcoming World Cup, ending a period of uncertainty for the playmaker. In cricket, Glamorgan's Asa Tribe continued his England Lions form against South Africa A, bolstering his case for a senior call-up. Club América Femenil clinched their first international trophy with a 5-3 win over the Washington Spirit in the Concacaf W Champions Cup final. England's men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams booked Commonwealth Games spots through qualifying.

Motorsports & Racing

NASCAR retired Kyle Busch's No. 8 car temporarily until his 11-year-old son Brexton is ready to drive, a unique tribute following the veteran's recent retirement. Max Verstappen renewed his Formula 1 quit threat, warning he could leave at season's end if planned engine regulation changes are blocked. Ahead of the Indy, Ryan McGee provided a guide to sounding smart on race day, emphasizing the event's civic importance. Steve O'Donnell called Busch 'an American badass', highlighting his rebellious legacy and feuds with the sport's governing body.

Diamond Notes

The Rockies placed Mickey Moniak on the injured list, a significant blow to their outfield depth and a key fantasy baseball ripple. As the trade deadline approaches, early X factors include unexpected dealers emerging and the status of Tarik Skubal, which could reshape the market. The Braves' Spencer Strider is also drawing interest, with his agent noting the right-hander is "open to exploring all options" as Atlanta gauges return packages.

Basketball & Beyond

Sabrina Ionescu plans her season debut for the Liberty against the Wings, a major boost for the WNBA title contenders. In the NHL, Brent Burns wants to win a Cup for a specific group—the Avalanche's young core—beyond his own legacy. Drake Maye should improve in Year 2 with a better grasp of the Patriots' system and new offensive weapons. Fred Kerley vowed to run clean at the Enhanced Games while still targeting the 2028 Olympics, a rare stance in the contentious enhanced competition debate.