Sonny Bill Williams vs Paul Gallen LIVE: Round-by-round updates and reaction from Australia's most hotly anticipated footy fight night
Up next: Anthony Mundine's son
Rahim Mundine is up against Joe Vatusaqata in a super middleweight bout. Choc's son has won his only pro bout so far, a unanimous decision over Lepani Levatia last December.
Stunning KO to kick things off
Alex Leapai Jr has knocked out Herve Silu Mata in the first round in what's probably his most impressive performance to date.
The son of the former heavyweight world title challenger came out hard from the bell, throwing combinations and going to the body.
He got through with a stiff right hand that had Mata in all sorts and the ref waved it off after he crashed to the canvas.
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Reuters
4 minutes ago
- Reuters
Australia look to reinforcements to take Lions series into August
BRISBANE, July 20 (Reuters) - Australia are banking on heavyweight reinforcements Rob Valetini and Will Skelton to help them avoid losing the series to the British & Irish Lions next weekend after they were outclassed in the first test on Saturday. Loose forward Valetini, who has been Australia's best test player for at least the last two years, and lock Skelton, who brings much-needed heft to the Australia pack, both missed the series opener due to calf strains. Coach Joe Schmidt confirmed both would be fit to face the Lions next week at Melbourne Cricket Ground as the Wallabies look for a win which would send the series into a decider in Sydney on August 2. The prospect of the series remaining in the balance into August looked like a pipe dream in the first hour at Lang Park on Saturday as the Lions hammered into the Wallabies and ran up a 24-5 lead. The fact that Australia fought back to score two tries in the final quarter to lose by only eight points gave Schmidt some hope that the series was not already dead in the water. "If you kind of win the second half, it at least gives you some belief," Schmidt said. "We will have a couple of fresh guys training fully with the team this week, which will also add a bit of ballast to our forward pack, hopefully." While Valetini and Skelton might help the Wallabies in the physicality stakes, bridging the gulf in class between the halfback pairings would look a tougher task. Flyhalf Finn Russell and scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park put on a masterclass as they guided the Lions around the park like the seasoned internationals that they are. Australia's playmaker Tom Lynagh, who was making his first test start, was brave in the face of the early storm but kicked poorly and struggled to make an impact without any front-foot ball. The Wallabies did look more threatening once Lynagh's Queensland teammate Tate McDermott replaced Jake Gordon at scrumhalf but by then too much damage had been done. Schmidt might make other changes to get the Wallabies into better shape for the second test but the canny New Zealander was also painfully aware that the tourists will not be standing still. "They're going to get better. They've got strength and depth," he said. "We've got to keep learning fast and hit the ground running next week, otherwise it becomes a dead rubber in Sydney. "I know the Lions will want to close it out in Melbourne. So I think Melbourne is going to be massive for both teams."
The Guardian
33 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Manny Pacquiao v Mario Barrios: WBC welterweight championship
Update: Date: 2025-07-20T01:59:27.000Z Title: Las Vegas has never shied away from a nostalgia act and tonight is no exception. Content: Pacquiao, 46, bids for title after four-year retirement Send a note to Bryan on Bluesky or email him Bryan Armen Graham Sun 20 Jul 2025 03.59 CEST First published on Sun 20 Jul 2025 03.45 CEST 3.59am CEST 03:59 At 46 years old, Manny Pacquiao, one of boxing's most decorated and beloved champions, steps back into a professional ring for the first time in nearly four years, chasing one more title for a résumé overflowing with them. He faces Mario Barrios, the 30-year-old WBC welterweight champion with youth, size and momentum on his side. It's a steep climb for the Filipino legend, who is giving up six inches in height, four inches in reach and more than a decade and a half in age. But this is the same Pacquiao who's made a career of overcoming odds. Eight divisions. Twelve major world titles. One Hall of Fame induction, just last month in Canastota, New York. Can Pacquiao, who last tasted victory in 2019, still compete at the highest level? Or will Barrios, soft-spoken but confident, send the fighting senator into retirement once and for all? The build-up has been respectful, almost reverent. Barrios, who held onto his title with a narrow split draw against Abel Ramos last fall, knows what he's up against: a southpaw whose rhythm was hard to replicate, whose footwork flummoxed, whose heart never really left the fight game. 'Manny is one of a kind,' he said. 'But I'm the champion now.' Pacquiao, meanwhile, insists he's ready. 'The passion is still there,' he said this week. 'Even with the layoff, the fire to compete and be a champion again is still burning.' He's been training with the intensity of his younger years, sparring and running with the same monastic discipline that turned him into a global icon. The last time he fought at the MGM Grand, he outpointed the then-undefeated Keith Thurman in a modest upset. He's hoping history repeats. Also on tonight's bill: a fiery rematch between Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu in the super welterweight co-main. Their March meeting was one of the most gruesome and punishing contests of the year and the rematch promises no less. So here we are. Pacquiao, back under the lights. Back in Vegas. Back for a belt. Time may be undefeated, but Pacman hasn't given up the fight. Stay with us for live round-by-round coverage, results and reaction as the night unfolds. 3.45am CEST 03:45 Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here's Donald McRae's report from the heavyweight happenings at Wembley a few hours ago.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Manny Pacquiao v Mario Barrios: WBC welterweight championship
Update: Date: 2025-07-20T01:45:36.000Z Title: Bryan will be here shortly. Content: In the meantime here's Donald McRae's report from the heavyweight happenings at Wembley a few hours ago.
