António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has called Israel’s ‘targeted strike’ on Hamas officials in Doha a ‘flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.’
Fabio Wardley said he had no hesitation about taking a fight with Joseph Parker and plans to prove he is a world class heavyweight by knocking out his rival.
The Briton faces Parker on 25 October at London’s O2 Arena, with the winner expected to be Oleksandr Usyk’s next opponent.
Like Parker with the WBO, Wardley is ranked highly by the WBA but decided to take on the New Zealander rather than wait for an injured Usyk to return to action.
“It wasn’t really much of a consideration,” 30-year-old Wardley told BBC Sport.
“I believe I should be in the conversation for those top heavyweights. It’s something maybe the public think needs to be proven.
“But what better way to do that than take on the number two heavyweight in the world in Joseph Parker.”
The heavyweights met at their first news conference on Thursday in London, but there were few fireworks aside from the customary promises of domination and knockouts.
Former world champion Parker, 33, has always been a fan favourite but has reinvented himself in recent years with big wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole.
His run was meant to rewarded with a world title shot, but a meeting with then IBF champion Daniel Dubois in February was cancelled in fight week.
Parker, the WBO’s interim champion, then had his shot at Usyk postponed because of an injury to the Ukrainian.
There is a chance Usyk decides to vacate before then, but it is the second time a row Parker has had a world title shot delayed.
“As a fighter all you want to do is fight,” Parker said of the disappointment.
“Every fight’s a risky fight, but at this stage it is a big risk. I have a lot to lose.
“I don’t want to be waiting around for Usyk. I want to be busy and I want to fight often.
Should the bout get upgraded to a world title fight is of no concern to Wardley, however.
The knockout artist will take Parker’s position as next in line with a victory and cap off what will be a stunning rise to world class level having started off in white collar boxing.
“This is already a world title fight. With it on the line or without it there, this is the biggest test of my career to date. This is my world title fight. We know what comes after,” Wardley said.
“I don’t see this going the distance. One way or another there is going to be a knockout.
“So far so good for me, it’s always been me. I’ve always found a way to win. We know how much of a right hand in me that I can pull out at any moment.
Fabio Wardley said he had no hesitation about taking a fight with Joseph Parker and plans to prove he is a world class heavyweight by knocking out his rival.
The Briton faces Parker on 25 October at London’s O2 Arena, with the winner expected to be Oleksandr Usyk’s next opponent.
Like Parker with the WBO, Wardley is ranked highly by the WBA but decided to take on the New Zealander rather than wait for an injured Usyk to return to action.
“It wasn’t really much of a consideration,” 30-year-old Wardley told BBC Sport.
“I believe I should be in the conversation for those top heavyweights. It’s something maybe the public think needs to be proven.
“But what better way to do that than take on the number two heavyweight in the world in Joseph Parker.”
The heavyweights met at their first news conference on Thursday in London, but there were few fireworks aside from the customary promises of domination and knockouts.
Former world champion Parker, 33, has always been a fan favourite but has reinvented himself in recent years with big wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole.
His run was meant to rewarded with a world title shot, but a meeting with then IBF champion Daniel Dubois in February was cancelled in fight week.
Parker, the WBO’s interim champion, then had his shot at Usyk postponed because of an injury to the Ukrainian.
There is a chance Usyk decides to vacate before then, but it is the second time a row Parker has had a world title shot delayed.
“As a fighter all you want to do is fight,” Parker said of the disappointment.
“Every fight’s a risky fight, but at this stage it is a big risk. I have a lot to lose.
“I don’t want to be waiting around for Usyk. I want to be busy and I want to fight often.
Should the bout get upgraded to a world title fight is of no concern to Wardley, however.
The knockout artist will take Parker’s position as next in line with a victory and cap off what will be a stunning rise to world class level having started off in white collar boxing.
“This is already a world title fight. With it on the line or without it there, this is the biggest test of my career to date. This is my world title fight. We know what comes after,” Wardley said.
“I don’t see this going the distance. One way or another there is going to be a knockout.
“So far so good for me, it’s always been me. I’ve always found a way to win. We know how much of a right hand in me that I can pull out at any moment.
BMW PGA Championship
Venue: Wentworth, Surrey Dates: 11-14 September
There will be no resting on his laurels for Tommy Fleetwood as he returns to competitive action for the first time since his breakthrough victory in America at last month’s Tour Championship.
Fleetwood says he is glad to be “back at work” as he prepares for this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
The 34-year-old is also viewing the DP World Tour’s flagship event in the context of Europe’s upcoming Ryder Cup defence at Bethpage in New York.
Victory at the Tour Championship in Atlanta brought a $10m (£7.4m) winner’s cheque and sparked a torrent of congratulatory messages.
They came from the likes of Tiger Woods, Lebron James and Caitlin Clark as well as friends and family and scores of golf fans from all parts.
“Winning’s great, but it’s only as great as the people that you share it with and appreciate it,” Fleetwood told BBC Sport. “And I think the support that I got was amazing.
“And then the outpouring afterwards, the amount of people that you don’t realise became invested in a story that was building, that was the overwhelming thing.
Fleetwood enjoyed his success with his family after the tournament. His wife, Clare, and stepson Murray missed the East Lake triumph because Murray was recovering from back surgery.
“Our middle boy, Mo, had a spinal operation just over a month ago, so my family were unable to travel,” Fleetwood revealed. “He had three and a half weeks in hospital.”
The player added that Murray is making a good recovery and will be at Wentworth this week to support his stepdad’s quest to land a first tour win on English soil.
The seven times DP World Tour winner claimed his first PGA Tour triumph at the 164th attempt.
“I really enjoyed it for the first week and it was just nice to watch a few things back and just look at what happened,” said Fleetwood.
“I learned from all the losses, you learn from the wins too. So I tried to go through the same mental process and look back and debrief everything that had happened, but also enjoy and relive those moments for a few days.
“And then I really did want to get back to work because there’s so much more to come and such a big part of the golfing calendar to come.”
Fleetwood’s only professional wins on home soil came at the Formby Hall Classic in 2011 and the British Par-three Championship in 2013.
A bigger priority is at Wentworth this week and sustaining his fine form of 2025, which has seen him record eight top-10s including a joint third, fourth and the Tour Championship win in the PGA Tour’s three play-off events in August.
“I always try and stay as present as possible,” he said.
Nevertheless he cannot help turning his mind towards the end of the month and Europe’s bid for a first away win in 13 years. “We are firmly in the middle of Ryder Cup season,” Fleetwood said.
“The team’s been set. We’re now getting together, you see your team-mates and you’re spending time with them.
“We have the practice trip to come, (the team depart for New York on Sunday night) then you have the week of the Ryder Cup.
“This is going to be my fourth Ryder Cup, which is special to think of and really cool.
“But whether it’s your first, or your fourth, or your eighth, this is what we dreamt about as kids and you know you have to embrace it and enjoy it.
“And look forward to every single thing that comes with the Ryder Cup. I love being a part of this process.”
Fleetwood’s popularity among US fans was evident as he edged out American Patrick Cantlay in Atlanta, but he knows it is likely to be more hostile for the European players at Bethpage.
“Well I hope they don’t dislike me too much for a week,” Fleetwood smiled. “I hope our love for each other remains.
“One of the great things about the Ryder Cup is what impact the home fans can have. “That’s the way it should be. And I’m really excited about what the atmosphere will be.
“It’s an experience that I’ve definitely never had before, an away New York crowd and that’s probably the same for all of us. I’m just really looking forward to embracing it and taking it all in and enjoying it.”
Before that there is this week’s attempt to make up ground on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai where the largely American-based Fleetwood languishes in 94th place.
It would be radically improved with a victory here at Wentworth.
“There have been times when I’ve got myself up there in this event, but I have never really had a shot at it coming down the stretch on a Sunday,” he admitted.
“I would really love to be in that position, just to get that home crowd feeling.
BMW PGA Championship
Venue: Wentworth, Surrey Dates: 11-14 September
There will be no resting on his laurels for Tommy Fleetwood as he returns to competitive action for the first time since his breakthrough victory in America at last month’s Tour Championship.
Fleetwood says he is glad to be “back at work” as he prepares for this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
The 34-year-old is also viewing the DP World Tour’s flagship event in the context of Europe’s upcoming Ryder Cup defence at Bethpage in New York.
Victory at the Tour Championship in Atlanta brought a $10m (£7.4m) winner’s cheque and sparked a torrent of congratulatory messages.
They came from the likes of Tiger Woods, Lebron James and Caitlin Clark as well as friends and family and scores of golf fans from all parts.
“Winning’s great, but it’s only as great as the people that you share it with and appreciate it,” Fleetwood told BBC Sport. “And I think the support that I got was amazing.
“And then the outpouring afterwards, the amount of people that you don’t realise became invested in a story that was building, that was the overwhelming thing.
Fleetwood enjoyed his success with his family after the tournament. His wife, Clare, and stepson Murray missed the East Lake triumph because Murray was recovering from back surgery.
“Our middle boy, Mo, had a spinal operation just over a month ago, so my family were unable to travel,” Fleetwood revealed. “He had three and a half weeks in hospital.”
The player added that Murray is making a good recovery and will be at Wentworth this week to support his stepdad’s quest to land a first tour win on English soil.
The seven times DP World Tour winner claimed his first PGA Tour triumph at the 164th attempt.
“I really enjoyed it for the first week and it was just nice to watch a few things back and just look at what happened,” said Fleetwood.
“I learned from all the losses, you learn from the wins too. So I tried to go through the same mental process and look back and debrief everything that had happened, but also enjoy and relive those moments for a few days.
“And then I really did want to get back to work because there’s so much more to come and such a big part of the golfing calendar to come.”
Fleetwood’s only professional wins on home soil came at the Formby Hall Classic in 2011 and the British Par-three Championship in 2013.
A bigger priority is at Wentworth this week and sustaining his fine form of 2025, which has seen him record eight top-10s including a joint third, fourth and the Tour Championship win in the PGA Tour’s three play-off events in August.
“I always try and stay as present as possible,” he said.
Nevertheless he cannot help turning his mind towards the end of the month and Europe’s bid for a first away win in 13 years. “We are firmly in the middle of Ryder Cup season,” Fleetwood said.
“The team’s been set. We’re now getting together, you see your team-mates and you’re spending time with them.
“We have the practice trip to come, (the team depart for New York on Sunday night) then you have the week of the Ryder Cup.
“This is going to be my fourth Ryder Cup, which is special to think of and really cool.
“But whether it’s your first, or your fourth, or your eighth, this is what we dreamt about as kids and you know you have to embrace it and enjoy it.
“And look forward to every single thing that comes with the Ryder Cup. I love being a part of this process.”
Fleetwood’s popularity among US fans was evident as he edged out American Patrick Cantlay in Atlanta, but he knows it is likely to be more hostile for the European players at Bethpage.
“Well I hope they don’t dislike me too much for a week,” Fleetwood smiled. “I hope our love for each other remains.
“One of the great things about the Ryder Cup is what impact the home fans can have. “That’s the way it should be. And I’m really excited about what the atmosphere will be.
“It’s an experience that I’ve definitely never had before, an away New York crowd and that’s probably the same for all of us. I’m just really looking forward to embracing it and taking it all in and enjoying it.”
Before that there is this week’s attempt to make up ground on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai where the largely American-based Fleetwood languishes in 94th place.
It would be radically improved with a victory here at Wentworth.
“There have been times when I’ve got myself up there in this event, but I have never really had a shot at it coming down the stretch on a Sunday,” he admitted.
“I would really love to be in that position, just to get that home crowd feeling.
Grant Forrest says he did not get much of a word in during a “bonkers” and “cool” conversation with Donald Trump after his win at the NEXO Championship in Aberdeen last month.
The event was played at the Trump-owned course just north of the city and, after securing a four-stroke victory and his second win on the DP World Tour, the 32-year-old from West Lothian received a video call from the US President.
“It’s been radio silence since the win,” the 32-year-old laughed. “I didn’t take him up on his offer to play the very next day.
“Bonkers, really. I suppose he’s more speaking to me as the owner of the golf course in that situation, but he just happens to be the president of the United States. It was funny.
“I’ll certainly not forget it. Not many people have been on FaceTime with the president.
“Obviously, everyone that congratulates you, that’s the next thing they say. ‘How was it speaking to Donald Trump?’ I didn’t really say much, to be honest. It was just off he went.
This week, Forrest is one of eight Scots in the field for the DP World Tour’s flagship event, the PGA Championship at Wentworth.
He is also chasing one of the PGA Tour cards available to the top-10 players who have not already secured a place on the US circuit.
Forrest is currently in 39th position but knows, with some big events still to come in the final few weeks of the season, there are still plenty of rankings points up for grabs.
“Whether you’re in 90th, you’re trying to stay out of here next year or you’re trying to get into Abu Dhabi or Dubai,” he said.
“If you’re 30th, you’re looking to get up into the PGA Tour cards, so there’s always something more. We just stick to our plan and keep chipping away at what we’re doing and see where it leaves us.
“Obviously, I’d love to get one of the cards. I’d love to have a go at it out there, but for me, that’s not the be-all and end-all. I’m just trying to keep improving every day and I think with that, it is a realistic possibility.”
Forrest played part of the Wentworth course on Monday with Ludvig Aberg and Rory McIlroy, who arrived fresh from his Irish Open triumph.
“That was good to just measure up against two of the best at the moment,” Forrest said of his practice holes.
“Especially Rory, the year and career he’s had. He’s been at the top for so long and to play with someone who’s at that level, it’s great just to pick their brains and see what they do.
“He’s a phenomenal player so it’s always good to see what they’re doing.
“Rory hits the ball so well, so far, so straight. You can see why he wins so much.