
Bivol vacates WBC title to pursue Beterbiev trilogy
Dmitry Bivol has relinquished his WBC light-heavyweight world title after just six weeks as undisputed champion in order to pursue a third fight against Artur Beterbiev.The Russian defeated Beterbiev on 23 February to gain revenge over his fiercest rival and claim the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF world titles.WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Bivol had vacated the title because the 34-year-old is seeking another fight against his fellow Russian Beterbiev. The first two fights between Bivol and 40-year-old Beterbiev had been for the undisputed title.But in the wake of Bivol's victory, the WBC had ordered him to fight its top contender David Benavidez next and a purse bid was scheduled for Tuesday. American fighter Benavidez, who is unbeaten in 30 bouts, has been upgraded to world champion status.Liverpool's Callum Smith will be among those vying to fight Benavidez after he beat top contender Joshua Buatsi in February.

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Belfast Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
I could have closed gap to Celtic, insists former Rangers boss Philippe Clement
Clement felt he was working on a long-term project after the board told him to cut the wage bill last summer and develop younger players to fuel future spending. But his reign ended in February after back-to-back home defeats by Queen's Park and St Mirren left them out of the Scottish Cup and 13 points adrift of Celtic in the Premiership. Russell Martin has now been installed as his permanent successor after an interim stint from Barry Ferguson and the financial backdrop has changed following a takeover by an American consortium. 'It's a pity that the story stopped, that the board didn't have the patience or maybe listened too much to some fans,' Clement told BBC Scotland. 'There are other clubs where there is a difficult moment and everybody sticks together because everybody knows the story, how the work is done inside the building, and they continue and they are successful afterwards. 'In three or four windows, we could have closed the gap with a good development of players, but the decision is made and you need to accept it.' Clement pointed out that this time last year he was told the club's spending was not sustainable 'There was not fresh investment in the club, but the money available for the transfers would be the sale of players, so the amount you can get out of that,' he added. 'That was not much at the end, because the squad was with a lot of older players. So people didn't want to pay any more for them. Six players were out of contract, so they left for free.' The Belgian added that the wage bill was cut by 35 per cent in order to rebuild the squad. 'And the idea was, and that was clearly said at the board, that the club needed three, four transfer windows to get at the level of Celtic, because you have to gain money again by bringing young players in, developing them, making them better, selling them and getting money to make the squad better and better in the next two, three years,' he added. Clement believes progress has been made in that sense with the development of the likes of Nico Raskin, Jefte, Hamza Igamane and Clinton Nsiala. 'If they say there's no new investment, I now understand why,' he said. 'Because at the end, some people were already thinking about selling the club and selling their stocks.' Clement claimed Rangers under-achieved domestically but over-achieved in the Europa League and felt some players were not ready for the demands of competing on both fronts. 'I think it's normal in the financial situation the club was, but it's not good enough,' he said. 'But you need patience then to build it or you need to spend money. It's one of the two. Without one of the two, it's an impossible job.' Clement hopes his successor gets that backing. 'I hope that there comes stability, to work in a good way with the players, with the staff, with everybody in the club, to have a consistent story,' he said. 'I think that's a big part that the club has been lacking for years and I hope that the new owners can bring that for the club and for the manager also, for the players.'


Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Aryna Sabalenka responds to Coco Gauff after 'rude' comments in French Open row
Aryna Sabalenka was criticised for appearing to play down the performance of her opponent after Coco Gauff came from behind to beat her in the final of the French Open Aryna Sabalenka has rowed back from her controversial comments in the wake of her defeat by Coco Gauff in the final of the French Open. Gauff came from behind to triumph 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 on Saturday inside a windy Court Philippe Chatrier. Sabalenka started the stronger player and took a lengthy opening set before her game unravelled. The world No.1 made 70 unforced errors as the wind and her own emotions undermined her efforts. Gauff played much more solid tennis in the final two sets and was relentless in chasing every ball as she claimed her second Grand Slam title. While the two players shared a hug on court, there was some needle in the post-match press conferences. Sabalenka appeared to try and downplay Gauff's performance, claiming the result was mainly down to her own 'terrible tennis'. She also claimed that if Iga Swiatek had reached the final and not her then the beaten semi-finalist would have overcome Gauff on the day. The American fired back bluntly: "I mean, I don't agree with that." She then added pointedly: "I'm here sitting here." Former player Rennae Stubbs was among those to take exception to Sabalenka's reaction to defeat, labelling the Belarussian 'rude' on social media. Sabalenka has tried to explain herself by writing on Instagram: "Yesterday was a tough one. Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win. She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned. "You all know me... I'm always going to be honest and human in how I process these moments. I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can't pretend it was a great day for me. But both things can be true... I didn't play my best, and Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose. She earned that title. Respect. Time to rest, learn, and come back stronger." Gauff handled things admirably in her own press conference, calmly explaining her own recent successes against Swiatek. 'Last time I played - no shade to Iga or anything, but I played her and I won in straight sets. Yeah, I don't think that's a fair thing to say, because anything can really happen,' the 21-year-old said. "Yeah, honestly the way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favourite to win. So I think she was the best person that I could have played in the final. Her being No.1 in the world was the best person to play, so I think I got the hardest match-up just if you go off stats alone." Reacting to Sabalenka's comments, former Australian player Stubbs had written on X: ' tennis was not that bad. You made a bazillion unforced errors because you're playing against the fastest players in the world who is as gutsy as hell and had better composure then u!! But to say it was Damn that was rude. I said what I said.'


Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Incredible ringside angles of Fabio Wardley's dramatic KO of Justis Huni as Frank Warren teases Oleksandr Usyk fight
Check out the punch stats below ON A WAR PATH Incredible ringside angles of Fabio Wardley's dramatic KO of Justis Huni as Frank Warren teases Oleksandr Usyk fight Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) INCREDIBLE ringside footage captured the moment Fabio Wardley dramatically knocked out Justis Huni to set up a world title shot. Wardley was down on all the judges scorecards and behind on the punch stats after ten rounds at Ipswich's Portman Road. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Fabio Wardley knocked out Justis Huni Credit: Getty But the hometown hero produced the mother of all Hail Mary's to knock Huni out with a huge right hand. Ringside angles captured by Queensberry Promotions and DAZN revealed the brutal extent of Wardley's home run shot. The British heavyweight slipped to his left and his counter right produced a thudding sound - and down went Huni. Wardley, 30, walked away with his unbeaten record intact and a WBA interim title for his troubles. READ MORE IN boxing 'Class act' Justis Huni's incredible dressing room reaction moments after Fabio Wardley KO It puts him in line for the belt that Oleksandr Usyk defends on July 19 at Wembley against Daniel Dubois. Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told Boxing News: "No rush for anything, he's secured his position with the WBA. "A big fight's happening on the 19th of July at Wembley between Usyk and Daniel Dubois. "Whoever comes away with the four belts is going to have to start to make some mandatories and all the mandatory contenders are guys we work with. 3 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "So they're going to be pretty easy fights to make." Wardley is on the verge of going from recruitment consultant-turned-white collar boxer to genuine world title contender. Callum Simpson credits late sister for inspiring comeback Ivan Zucco KO after being dropped eight seconds into fight But he said: "I don't profess to be any kind of Usyk or Justis Huni - someone with all the skills. "But one thing I do know is how to win fights, dig deep, find a bit of heart, bite down on the gumshield, find a way to win. "That's one thing I had to do tonight. I should have performed better in some of the rounds. "It's not always the way it goes. Sometimes you just need to find a different way to win. So look, we pulled something out of the bag."