Archive June 28, 2025

In the seventh round of Kansas, former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder defeated the overmatched Tyrrell Herndon, returning to winning ways with a subdued comeback victory.

In the second round, Wilder dropped his fellow American, scored a second knockdown, and finished the match with two chopping right hands, prompting the referee to wave it off.

Wilder recorded his first victory since October 2022, winning three of his previous four fights, most recently Zhilei Zhang, in Saudi Arabia.

Although it gave a strong performance, Bronze Bomber was not at its best.

The old Wilder, who was once the most feared puncher in the division and perhaps the greatest one-shot finisher ever, would have likely dispatched Herndon sooner and with more fanfare.

The Charles Koch Arena in Wichita was a sparse crowd for a fighter who once shook arenas and hosted pay-per-view competitions against Tyson Fury and had little access to a major television broadcast.

The costumes with diamonds and theatrical entrances are no longer in use. Perhaps Wilder needed that in the form of a stripped-back re-entry because of this.

Herndon was floored by Wilder’s sharp counter left hook in the second round, a sign that his timing and instincts are still a danger. Wilder recently split from Malik Scott, who had recently broken up with him.

However, his signature weapon, the devastating straight right, remained silent for the majority of the first few rounds. His success was not due to his steady jab and his left hand.

“I desired to display more.” Taking my time to prepare my shot so that my left hand can do it for me. After the fight, Wilder declared, “I want to become a complete, all-round fighter.”

Herndon, 37, had lost five of his previous 28 fights. Richard Torrez Jr., a highly regarded American prospect, stopped him in two rounds in 2023.

Wilder was beginning to find the right hand more consistently by the halfway point. Herndon was still at his feet when the stoppage occurred, and even though it was a little premature, the outcome seemed certain.

It was a straightforward and composed victory, but it wasn’t particularly explosive.

Wilder has now defeated 43 opponents, many of whom have won in dramatic fashion.

Wilder hasn’t looked good since his trilogy with Briton Fury, a brutal, history-making conflict that saw him be floored five times and stopped twice, in the eyes of the day.

His reputation, confidence, and perhaps his trust in the sport were all appeared to be draining after those defeats.

In the aftermath, Wilder made unsupported accusations about betrayal from his team, including spiked water and loaded gloves, which drew criticism and alienated some fans.

In late 2023, a long-rumored fight with Anthony Joshua appeared close, but Joseph Parker of New Zealand beat Wilder in the end in Saudi Arabia. A flat, uninspired display that stifled the Joshua fight and rekindled doubts about Wilder’s future.

Then Zhang’s crushing fifth-round defeat, which many believed would be the end, came after the game.

Wilder was cast aside. He avoided attention on social media and stayed quiet.

He claims he has been working with a sports psychologist to help him regain his love for boxing and that he never intended to leave.

Wilder claims to still want to win the world title as a whole. That goal seems distant in the present. Next month, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will square off against one another for the undisputed title.

Nothing is impossible in heavyweight boxing, where power and name value still matter.

Wilder said, “When you’re in the heavyweight division, you’re always one fight away from a title fight,” adding that he’ll “take his time” before facing the division’s elite.

There is a lot of money on the line, he continued, but sometimes it’s not just about the money.

Joshua is up for a fight. It was once the division’s ultimate matchup, and now the division’s two former champions have nothing to lose.

Their careers, pride, and perhaps one last chance at glory may no longer be in the hands of one person.

Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Dave Allen, has been promoting a lucrative fight with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Africa.

The Women’s Euro 2025 starts on Wednesday in Thun and ends in Basel on Sunday, 27 July.

One of the 16 teams competing in the tournament, which will consist of 31 matches spread over 26 days, is England, Holders.

Who will lift the trophy this time? Who are the favorites? And how will England and Wales do, as they begin in Group D with France and the Netherlands?

Ellen White, England’s all-time top female goalscorer, genuinely believes that they can defeat anyone on any given day. They have got a great and talented squad. We have a talented group, and I believe we can win, despite the fact that there are other excellent teams out there.

Former England midfielder/defender Anita Asante: Germany are quietly going about their business. They are well-known for winning this competition, and their popularity may soon be back.

England’s most-capped international Fara Williams: I am torn between Germany and Spain. I’m going to favor Spain because of their momentum following their World Cup victory. With the players they have got and the squad as a whole, their depth is probably the best in the tournament.

Alex Scott, a former England defender, says “england.” I know Spain are favourites, but I think with everything going on with the announcement of retirements and some players not playing, sometimes that can galvanise a team and I’m hoping England prove everyone wrong and retain that trophy.

Ex-Manchester City and England U21 defender Nedum Onuoha: Given that they are world champions and that so many different sides have shown inconsistent behavior during this European campaign, it’s difficult to not pick them. Spain have that quality and it will be very tough to beat them.

Helen Ward, the former Wales striker, says it’s too difficult to look past Spain. They are such a good side with balance, talent and youngsters coming through. They are my firm favorites, in my opinion.

Nedum Onuoha: I have genuine belief that England will get out of the group. Although it may not be glamorous, I believe they will likely come out on top. With the path they will be on, I think the game they might lose would be a semi-final appearance against Spain, but realistically anything can happen.

Anita Asante: We trust Sarina despite the fact that England is a very tough country. I think they can get to the final. Players retiring and resigning will be difficult, but this could be the generation to fill those positions and bring it about. If they get out of the group stage, everything is possible.

Fara Williams: I hope England will win the championship, but hope is the key. I think England and France will progress out of the group. I’m hoping England comes out on top and that we will reach the semi-finals. If we finish second we are in trouble because we will get the Germans in the quarter-finals.

Steph Houghton: I believe England will reach the championship match. Our group is tough in terms of the competition with three different types of opponents, but I really do believe in the quality and the strength in depth in the squad. particularly in the forward regions. I think England will play Spain in the final.

Danny Gabbidon: As a Welshman, I’m hoping that England doesn’t make too much progress. They are a fantastic team. They are the winners, and their lineup is so talented. They have had a little bit of upheaval, but you would expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the tournament. They lead the second-best team behind Spain.

Danny Gabbidon: I’m hoping Wales go all the way and win it, but being realistic with it being their first tournament I’m going to say something similar to what I said when the men qualified for Euro 2016 – if they can get out of the group that would be a really good achievement with how difficult that group is. That would be a fantastic accomplishment if they were to leave the group.

Nedum Onuoha: I feel for Wales because they have been so unlucky to end up in this group with Netherlands, France and England. In each of those games, they are the underdog. But I think they will get a win, I just don’t think it will be enough to get them out of the group. I anticipate that they will face a very difficult opponent, especially England. With a strong start, they could be playing for a place in the knockouts in that final game. However, I don’t see them leaving the groups.

Fara Williams: I am rooting for Wales. It’s always important to show our support for the development of home countries during their first tournament. I think they will go out in the group stages. They are a tough group, and they are likely to finish last overall. Those Welsh players will give absolutely everything for the badge. Their nation is everything to them, despite having played for a select few at the club level.

Alex Scott: I think it is epic they have reached their first major tournament and I’m all for that feeling that it can bring you together. They have been waiting a while. I hope they can be a dark horse and surprise France and the Netherlands.

Steph Houghton: I believe Wales will face challenges, but they have already accomplished incredible things to win this tournament. To be involved in a group full of experienced teams at the highest level is going to be tough, but with this Welsh side I know they will never give up so it could be a surprise one for us all.

Nedum Onuoha: Although Sweden won’t be one of the top-ranked teams, they are a very difficult opponent to play against due to their aggressive play and their tendency to win major international competitions. I wouldn’t be surprised for them to go further than some people expected.

Fara Williams: We saw what Switzerland did for England in 2022, and this can really help them. They have a few good individual players and the backing of the home crowd. They have a very experienced manager]Pia Sundhage] who will allow that balance for the players to experience what the home support is as well as keeping them focused. They belong to a good group.

Steph Houghton: Sweden might be dark horses. Although they are not well known, they always find a way to reach the post-final stages thanks to a large number of players with extensive experience.

Helen Ward: I think Wales are going to throw a few surprises at the tournament. Expect heart, passion, desire, companionship, and a genuine example of the true underdog. The biggest thing is the passion. They will give it everything and make no changes.

Anita Asante: Norway have had such a bad showing of themselves in recent Euros, but on paper the squad is unreal. This might be the one they finally get right, and it just blends and blends together.

Danny Gabbidon: I saw Italy in the Nations League as they were in Wales ‘ group and I was really impressed. They defeated Wales, and they played excellent football. They are really organised and good off attacking set-pieces with lots of variation so I fancy Italy to surprise a few people.

Claudia Pina has been fantastic for Barcelona and Spain, according to Helen Ward. She doesn’t always start, but she comes on and makes a big impact. She is young, exciting, talented, and in top form right now. She has a goal in her sights.

Danny Gabbidon: Alessia Russo had a fantastic season for Arsenal with more than 20 goals. She has won the Champions League and is confident entering this competition. She is going to be the one leading the line for England and with the quality players around her creating chances you would expect her to be there or thereabouts for the Golden Boot and you would expect England to go deep in the tournament which helps with that.

Anita Asante: Given that I’ve chosen Germany as my country’s potential winners, Klara Buhl will have to be my choice.

Fara Williams: I’d love Alessia Russo to win it if she can carry on that form. Russo wins if England wins in the end. If not, I’m going with Pina.

Claudia Pina will be my choice, Nedum Onuoha. Whether or not she starts is not guaranteed, but you have seen the quality of her finishing and the impact she can have and the clinical nature she has, I think she is going to be a big part of their success.

Alessia Russo, presumably, will win the Golden Boot, according to Steph Houghton. That is what I want.

Michelle Agyemang is what I’m going to say, Nedum Onuoha. I think Sarina Wiegman has seen her quality and given how tough England’s games will be throughout the tournament, she could be someone that comes on and makes a difference towards the end of matches when people are tired and people are playing against her probably for the first time on most of these occasions. She can undoubtedly be the spark with her level of talent.

Anita Asante: If Grace Clinton gets a chance it could be her tournament. Otherwise, I’d like to see Aggie Beever-Jones break through and demonstrate everything that is already known. She has had an exceptional season, her goal-to-minutes ratio is ridiculous in the WSL. Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly from England’s previous competition can be seen in her.

Fara Williams: We saw what Claudia Pina did for Spain when she came off the bench against England in the recent Nations League game. Although she won’t start for the Spanish team frequently, I believe she will.

Helen Ward: Wales ‘ Carrie Jones could have a breakout tournament. She is a young talent who plays for her club side in Sweden. That has brought her game on a lot. She has the potential to make a big impact, even if she doesn’t start every game for Wales.

Alex Scott: There are a few young players that we need to keep an eye on. For [Spaniard teenager] Vicky Lopez, this might be a breakout event. When you look at the Spanish team they are stacked and Aitana Bonmati is just class with her elegance on the ball. She will be able to control the midfield and glide effortlessly without much effort.

On the night of the US Darts Masters’ opening night in New York, reigning champion Rob Cross and top-seeded Stephen Bunting both suffered shocking defeats.

Danny Lauby, an American who had previously lost three times in the first round of the competition, defeated England’s Cross 6-0.

Bunting was able to get 170 checkouts, but Jason Brandon, an Australian qualifier, won 6-4 to advance to face Damon Heta, an Australian qualifier.

Luke Humphries, England’s world number one, defeated American Stowe Buntz 4-3 to win the final three legs, setting up a meeting with Lauby.

Nathan Aspinall, a fellow Englishman, will take his place in the title matchup in Las Vegas in 2019, who defeated Canadian No. 1 Matt Campbell 6-2.

Michael van Gerwen, the two-time champion, made his return to action after declaring last month that he and his wife Daphne had broken up with Leonard Gates.