General Sports 3d Briefing
×Boxing & MMA
Jai Opetaia bbc.com is set to lose his IBF cruiserweight title if he proceeds with his fight for a Zuffa belt against Brandon Glanton this weekend. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall bbc.com credits seeing Conor Benn secure a reported £11m one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing for convincing him to sign with Eddie Hearn. In MMA news, Francis Ngannou espn.com is a free agent after his release by the PFL, while Max Holloway bbc.com discusses his trademark 'point-down' technique ahead of facing Charles Oliveira for the BMF title at UFC.
Winter Paralympics
Varvara Voronchikhina bbc.com has won Russia's first medal of the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics with downhill bronze. Fred Warburton bbc.com is competing for Great Britain after taking up ski racing in a bid to impress his Italian father-in-law. The International Paralympic Committee confirmed Iran bbc.com will not participate as their sole athlete cannot travel safely to Italy. Great Britain's wheelchair curlers held nerve to beat USA bbc.com, though they lost their opener bbc.com to Estonia. Paralympics GB's snowboarder Nina Sparks bbc.com shares her journey from hobby to competition at the Winter Games.
Rugby Union
Wales captain Dewi Lake bbc.com believes a win is just around the corner after an encouraging display in their Six Nations defeat by Ireland. The team aims to have the last laugh against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium after being the subject of ridicule from Irish pundits bbc.com. Ireland captain Caelan Doris bbc.com says his side are "nowhere near" reaching their full potential after a record away victory over England. Meanwhile, England's U20 bbc.com title hopes ended despite a 37-17 victory over Italy, while Warrington Wolves bbc.com maintain their 100% start to the Super League season.
Cricket
Brendon McCullum bbc.com makes "no apologies" for running an informal dressing room as England coach, rejecting the perception it is casual. The England coach and director of cricket Rob Key bbc.com look likely to retain ECB support despite a disappointing winter. Jacob Bethell bbc.com shows why he's integral to England's future after completing the set of centuries across all formats. In T20 World Cup action, India bbc.com beat England in a semi-final despite Bethell's thrilling century bbc.com, while Sanju Samson bbc.com brings up a magnificent half-century in 26 balls.
Basketball
Miami (Ohio) espn.com finished the regular season as the only unbeaten team in Division I men's basketball, winning 110-108 in overtime over Ohio. No. 5 Vanderbilt's hopes for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament all but ended espn.com with a defeat to Ole Miss. High school sophomore Ava Smid espn.com caught fire at the game's conclusion to punch her ticket to the state title game. Star freshman Cameron Boozer espn.com leads Duke in his pursuit of greatness, while UCLA women's basketball stars performed a surprise dance routine espn.com.
Soccer
Lionel Messi bbc.com and Inter Miami team members visited the White House to celebrate their Major League Soccer Cup victory. England women's team moved their training camp bbc.com from the UAE to Pretoria with eight uncapped players set to travel. Tennis player Panna Udvardy bbc.com says she was sent "disturbing" messages including a picture of a gun, warning her family would be harmed unless she lost a match.
Motorsports
George Russell bbc.com knew his Mercedes was fast but was surprised by just how quick during Australian Grand Prix qualifying. Lewis Hamilton bbc.com says "I'm going to be here until that happens" as he pushes for a grand prix in Africa before retiring. Seven-time world champion Hamilton's chances of an eighth F1 title bbc.com are being discussed as the new season approaches. Tyler Reddick is on the verge of rewriting espn.com NASCAR's history books