General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 11:44 PM ET

Boxing & MMA

Oleksandr Usyk survived a controversial 11th-round stoppage against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Giza, Egypt, preventing what would have been a monumental upset that threatened his unbeaten record. The Ukrainian unified champion avoided a huge scare after Verhoeven, a three-time Glory heavyweight champion, dominated portions of their crossover bout. Meanwhile, British contender Hamzah Sheeraz captured his first world title by stopping Alem Begic to claim the vacant WBO super-middleweight crown in what observers called a mismatch. Joe Schilling lasted just 37 seconds in his PFL light-heavyweight return before quitting following a headbutt against Donegi Abena, marking another bizarre chapter in his combat sports career. Floyd Mayweather filed a $175 million lawsuit against a former associate alleging a yearslong fraud scheme that threatens to overshadow his boxing legacy.

NBA Free Agency & Player Movement

LeBron James heads the rankings of 20 free agents expected to command significant salaries this summer, with Bobby Marks analyzing how the NBA's leading career scorer fits into teams' salary cap strategies. Sabrina Ionescu plans her season debut Sunday as the Liberty face the Wings, marking a crucial return for the franchise cornerstone. Caitlin Clark acknowledged the mental challenges of returning from 2025 injuries, admitting she missed her first game of the season due to back soreness and calling the comeback "a real mental challenge." Azura Stevens will make her season debut Saturday against the Lynx after missing the Sky's first five games with a bone bruise in her left knee. Victor Wembanyama continues shattering the NBA's age curve as the Spurs' young superstar defies conventional wisdom about playoff experience necessity.

Formula 1 Drama

Max Verstappen renewed his quit threat regarding Formula, warning he could leave the sport at season's end if planned engine regulation changes are blocked. The Dutch driver hinted at staying while suggesting upcoming rule changes would return racing "almost back to normal," creating confusion about his actual intentions. Lewis Hamilton dismissed retirement speculation entirely, insisting he has "no plans to retire from F1" and will "be here for quite some time." Three female drivers are racing through McLaren's ranks, with Ella Häkkinen, Ella Lloyd and Ella Stevens representing the next generation of potential Formula 1 talent.

International Football

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino selected Gio Reyna for the 26-man World Cup roster, confirming the Borussia Dortmund midfielder's inclusion despite recent injury concerns. Bordeaux completed a remarkable Champions Cup victory over Leinster, highlighting the gulf between sides after their previous European final defeats came down to "fine margins." Bordeaux Begles reached consecutive Champions Cup finals chasing back-to-back titles on Saturday, remarkable given their promotion to France's top flight only in 2011. From bankruptcy to "people's team," Bordeaux's rise represents one of European rugby's most improbable success stories.

Tennis - French Open Buildup

Jannik Sinner enters the French Open as the biggest favorite since Rafael Nadal in his prime, with his dominance and Carlos Alcaraz's absence creating a one-horse race scenario. Emma Navarro claimed her first title in over a year by defeating top seed Victoria Mboko at the Strasbourg Open, providing momentum heading into Paris. Cameron Norrie struggled with rib injury during French Open preparations, adding to British players' fitness woes this season. Emma Raducanu faces a tricky first-round test against Argentine clay-court specialist Solano Sierra, complicating her Roland Garros return.

Rugby League & Union

Catalans Dragons scored six tries in a 36-22 win against York Knights under new head coach John Cartwright, showcasing attacking prowess in the Super League. Leeds Rhinos thrashed bottom club Huddersfield with nine tries to reclaim top spot in the Super League standings. Josh Charnley grabbed a hat-trick as Leigh Leopards breezed past Hull FC, moving closer to Ryan Hall's Super League try record. Wakefield withstood a late Toulouse rally to battle back from 8-0 down and win in France, securing a crucial victory on the road.

Cricket

England face New Zealand in the second of three T20 matches in Canterbury, continuing their women's international series. Jacob Bethell returned to the UK after sustaining a finger injury during his Royal Challengers Bengaluru stint in the Indian Premier League. Somerset began their T20 Blast title defence by repeating their 2025 final victory over Hampshire, demonstrating early championship intent. Surrey started their Women's T20 Blast defence with a six-wicket win over Lancashire Thunder, while Essex and The Blaze also opened with victories.

Golf

Aaron Rai revealed the powerful advice that helped him win the US PGA Championship, crediting his wife's words before the biggest round of his career. Si Woo Kim nearly made history at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, bogeying the final hole when a par would have given him the 16th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history.