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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Boxing-Usyk demolishes Dubois with fifth-round knockout
LONDON - Oleksandr Usyk floored Briton Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of a thrilling contest at Wembley Stadium on Saturday to once again become the undisputed heavyweight boxing world champion. The win saw Usyk reclaim the IBF belt he vacated last year, before a December rematch with Tyson Fury, with Dubois upgraded to champion and then defending the title against compatriot Anthony Joshua last September. Asked about beating his younger opponent, Usyk said: "38 is a young guy, remember! 38 is only (the) start! "I want to say thank you to Jesus Christ. I want to say thank you to my team and Wembley, thank you so much! It's for the people. "Nothing is next. It's enough, next, I don't know. I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children, I want to rest now. Two or three months, I want to just rest." Usyk's technical ability was on full display from the outset as he sidestepped everything thrown his way with deceptive ease and connected repeatedly with his jab, putting on a masterclass in counter-punching. Despite weighing in at a career-heaviest 227.3 pounds on Friday, Usyk floated around the ring with an almost balletic grace and prevented Dubois from making the most of his superior size. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Mindef, SAF units among those dealing with attack on S'pore's critical information infrastructure Asia How China's growing cyber-hacking capabilities have raised alarm around the world Asia At least 34 killed as tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam's Halong Bay Singapore 1 dead, 1 injured after dispute between neighbours at Yishun HDB block Singapore Vessels from Navy, SCDF and MPA to debut at Marina Bay in NDP maritime display Asia Autogate glitch at Malaysia's major checkpoints causes chaos for S'porean and foreign travellers Asia SIA, Scoot, Cathay Pacific cancel flights as typhoon nears Hong Kong Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore The Ukrainian comfortably outclassed his opponent in three of the first four rounds, but most of the damage was dealt out in a brutal fifth-round beatdown. The Ukrainian sent his opponent to the canvas with an overhand right, before a booming left hand right on the chin dashed Dubois' dreams and brought an end to the bout. The unification fight was a rematch of one that Dubois lost by a controversial ninth-round knockout in Wroclaw, Poland, in 2023, after Usyk was given time to recover from what the referee ruled was a low blow. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Scheffler in Tiger-mode as he closes in on British Open
Scottie Scheffler of the US hits his tee shot on the 6th hole during the third round. PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - The last nine times American Scottie Scheffler has led after 54 holes on the PGA Tour, he has closed out the victory and there is no reason to suggest he will not make that a perfect 10 at the British Open on July 20. The 29-year-old world number one extended his lead from one to four strokes with a calm and collected bogey-free round of 67 on a picture-perfect Royal Portrush course on July 19. Barring a nonchalant eagle at the par-five seventh, he left the chasing pack to provide the fireworks as he displayed the sort of Zen-like focus once associated with 15-time major winner Tiger Woods in his pomp to seize control. Scheffler also led after 54 holes in all of his three major wins and while he will be taking nothing for granted on July 20, someone will surely have to do something special to stop him. "Your guess is as good as mine," Scheffler, the first world number one to lead the Open at the halfway stage since Woods in 2006, said when asked why he has become such a good finisher. "I like being out here competing. This is why we work so hard is to have opportunities like this, and I'm excited for the challenge of tomorrow. Winning major championships is not an easy task, and I've put myself in a good position. "Going into tomorrow I'm going to step up there on the first tee and I'm going to be trying to get the ball in the fairway, and when I get to the second shot I'm going to be trying to get that ball on the green. There's not much else going on." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Mindef, SAF units among those dealing with attack on S'pore's critical information infrastructure Asia How China's growing cyber-hacking capabilities have raised alarm around the world Asia At least 34 killed as tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam's Halong Bay Singapore 1 dead, 1 injured after dispute between neighbours at Yishun HDB block Singapore Vessels from Navy, SCDF and MPA to debut at Marina Bay in NDP maritime display Asia Autogate glitch at Malaysia's major checkpoints causes chaos for S'porean and foreign travellers Asia SIA, Scoot, Cathay Pacific cancel flights as typhoon nears Hong Kong Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore That simple mantra has worked wonders on Portrush's Dunluce Links. He has made only three bogeys in three rounds -- a figure matched only by China's Li Haotong who is his nearest challenger ahead of Sunday's finale on the Antrim coast. After July 18's majestic round of seven-under 64 , the lowest of the week, July 19 was about making sure he consolidated having built a strong foundation. With eagles and birdies being sunk all across the course, Scheffler took a while to get going but just when the field began to sense an opportunity, he eagled the seventh thanks to a sublime approach shot and then birdied the eighth. He then dug in, making a vital par-save from 10 feet on the 11th hole after a rare missed green. "I think the card could look stress-free, but I had two really nice par saves on the back nine that were key," he said. "I made a nice eight-ish footer on 11, another one on 14, so two really important putts I felt like. "I think anytime you can keep a clean card around a major championship, you're going to be having a pretty good day." Scheffler, whose tied seventh last year at Troon was his previous best Open result, knows there is still plenty of work to do, but he is looking immovable. Home favourite Rory McIlroy, who will start six shots back in a tie for fourth, said he was not surprised by Scheffler's display so far. "He's playing like Scottie. Everyone's seen the way he's played over the past two or three years. He's just so solid. He doesn't make mistakes," McIlroy said. "He's turned himself into a really consistent putter as well, so there doesn't seem to be any weakness there. Whenever you're chasing down a guy like that, it's hard to do. "He's incredibly impressive." REUTERS
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Scheffler in Tiger-mode as he closes in on Open
Golf - The 153rd Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland, Britain - July 19, 2025 Scottie Scheffler of the U.S. hits his tee shot on the 6th hole during the third round REUTERS/Paul Childs PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - The last nine times American Scottie Scheffler has led after 54 holes on the PGA Tour, he has closed out the victory and there is no reason to suggest he will not make that a perfect 10 at the British Open on Sunday. The 29-year-old world number one extended his lead from one to four strokes with a calm and collected bogey-free round of 67 on a picture-perfect Royal Portrush course on Saturday. Barring a nonchalant eagle at the par-five seventh, he left the chasing pack to provide the fireworks as he displayed the sort of Zen-like focus once associated with 15-time major winner Tiger Woods in his pomp to seize control. Scheffler also led after 54 holes in all of his three major wins and while he will be taking nothing for granted on Sunday, someone will surely have to do something special to stop him. "Your guess is as good as mine," Scheffler, the first world number one to lead the Open at the halfway stage since Woods in 2006, said when asked why he has become such a good finisher. "I like being out here competing. This is why we work so hard is to have opportunities like this, and I'm excited for the challenge of tomorrow. Winning major championships is not an easy task, and I've put myself in a good position. "Going into tomorrow I'm going to step up there on the first tee and I'm going to be trying to get the ball in the fairway, and when I get to the second shot I'm going to be trying to get that ball on the green. There's not much else going on." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Mindef, SAF units among those dealing with attack on S'pore's critical information infrastructure Asia How China's growing cyber-hacking capabilities have raised alarm around the world Asia At least 34 killed as tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam's Halong Bay Singapore 1 dead, 1 injured after dispute between neighbours at Yishun HDB block Singapore Vessels from Navy, SCDF and MPA to debut at Marina Bay in NDP maritime display Asia Autogate glitch at Malaysia's major checkpoints causes chaos for S'porean and foreign travellers Asia SIA, Scoot, Cathay Pacific cancel flights as typhoon nears Hong Kong Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore That simple mantra has worked wonders on Portrush's Dunluce Links. He has made only three bogeys in three rounds -- a figure matched only by China's Li Haotong who is his nearest challenger ahead of Sunday's finale on the Antrim coast. After Friday's majestic round of seven-under 64, the lowest of the week, Saturday was about making sure he consolidated having built a strong foundation. With eagles and birdies being sunk all across the course, Scheffler took a while to get going but just when the field began to sense an opportunity, he eagled the seventh thanks to a sublime approach shot and then birdied the eighth. He then dug in, making a vital par-save from 10 feet on the 11th hole after a rare missed green. "I think the card could look stress-free, but I had two really nice par saves on the back nine that were key," he said. "I made a nice eight-ish footer on 11, another one on 14, so two really important putts I felt like. "I think anytime you can keep a clean card around a major championship, you're going to be having a pretty good day." Scheffler, whose tied seventh last year at Troon was his previous best Open result, knows there is still plenty of work to do, but he is looking immovable. Home favourite Rory McIlroy, who will start six shots back in a tie for fourth, said he was not surprised by Scheffler's display so far. "He's playing like Scottie. Everyone's seen the way he's played over the past two or three years. He's just so solid. He doesn't make mistakes," McIlroy said. "He's turned himself into a really consistent putter as well, so there doesn't seem to be any weakness there. Whenever you're chasing down a guy like that, it's hard to do. "He's incredibly impressive." REUTERS
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
WTA roundup: Lois Boisson makes first final in Hamburg
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 5, 2025 France's Lois Boisson in action during her semi final match against Coco Gauff of the U.S. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo No. 5 seed Lois Boisson of France and No. 7 Anna Bondar of Hungary will both play in their first WTA Tour final on Sunday in the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open in Germany. Boisson eliminated No. 2 seed Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine 6-1, 7-6 (5) in Saturday's semifinals. She converted three of five break chances and found success with her second serve, winning 70 percent of the points (16 of 23). Bondar rallied for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win against Slovenia's Kaja Juvan. Bondar converted five of six break points and took advantage of six double faults by Juvan. Unicredit Iasi Open No. 6 seed Jil Teichmann of Switzerland advanced to her first WTA Tour final since 2021 and will take on No. 7 seed and home hopeful Irina-Camelia Begu on Sunday in Romania. Teichmann knocked out Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals, overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the first set by winning nine of the next 10 games. Teichmann also saved four of six break points. Begu ousted fellow Romanian and No. 2 seed Jaqueline Cristian 6-4, 6-4. Begu saved nine of 11 break points and finally put away Cristian on her fifth match point. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Mindef, SAF units among those dealing with attack on S'pore's critical information infrastructure Asia How China's growing cyber-hacking capabilities have raised alarm around the world Asia At least 34 killed as tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam's Halong Bay Singapore 1 dead, 1 injured after dispute between neighbours at Yishun HDB block Singapore Vessels from Navy, SCDF and MPA to debut at Marina Bay in NDP maritime display Asia Autogate glitch at Malaysia's major checkpoints causes chaos for S'porean and foreign travellers Asia SIA, Scoot, Cathay Pacific cancel flights as typhoon nears Hong Kong Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore --Field Level Media REUTERS
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
No luck boxing, blackout is Schauffele's key to Open success
Golf - The 153rd Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland, Britain - July 19, 2025 Xander Schauffele of the U.S. hits his tee shot on the 1st hole during the third round REUTERS/Russell Cheyne PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - Defending British Open champion Xander Schauffele dragged himself back into contention on Saturday with a superb third-round 66 he put down to "luck boxing". The 31-year-old American, who won last year's PGA Championship to claim his first major title before lifting the Claret Jug at Troon, has struggled for form this season. Opening rounds of 71 and 69 at Royal Portrush left him well off the pace but he finished on seven under to stay on the coat-tails of the leaders. "Today was nice," he said. "Yesterday felt terrible. Even with some of the shots coming in, I felt like I was luck boxing my way through the back nine, somehow making contact and then sitting it somewhere near the hole and getting it in." Schauffele rediscovered his touch on the greens to post two eagles and two birdies. "I've been putting a lot better this week than last week actually," he said. "Tried pretty hard to figure out how to get everything correct to roll the ball well on these greens." Schauffele is enjoying the buoyant atmosphere around the course created by the local excitement about Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy's bid for a second Open title. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Mindef, SAF units among those dealing with attack on S'pore's critical information infrastructure Asia How China's growing cyber-hacking capabilities have raised alarm around the world Asia At least 34 killed as tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam's Halong Bay Singapore 1 dead, 1 injured after dispute between neighbours at Yishun HDB block Singapore Vessels from Navy, SCDF and MPA to debut at Marina Bay in NDP maritime display Asia Autogate glitch at Malaysia's major checkpoints causes chaos for S'porean and foreign travellers Asia SIA, Scoot, Cathay Pacific cancel flights as typhoon nears Hong Kong Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore "It's loud, it's cool," he said. "I'm glad he's playing well for his home country. It's sort of what golf needs, and entertainment's high." Schauffele, however, believes it will be very difficult to retain the Claret Jug with compatriot Scottie Scheffler six shots ahead of him late in his third round. "I'm so far back, who knows with the weather and whatnot," he said. "I believe in myself and what I can do. So just blackout hopefully. No luck boxing, blackout, there's your headline, and try to shoot something and give myself a lot of opportunities." REUTERS
