Daniel Dubois dismisses Oleksandr Usyk’s ‘mind games’ before showdown

Daniel Dubois has warned Oleksandr Usyk that none of the mind games will matter when they step into the ring for their heavyweight title ­unification contest and suggested the Ukrainian would simply not be able to “handle the pain” when they meet at Wembley on 19 July.On Tuesday afternoon, Dubois and Usyk presented a compelling study in contrast as, in separate conversations to officially launch the fight, the two men ­echoed the differences between them that had already been made plain 24 hours earlier.During a face-off on the ­Wembley pitch on Monday afternoon, the ­normally mild-mannered Dubois had shoved Usyk, who responded, after his initial surprise, by bursting into laughter. Dubois, the IBF champion, shook his head when asked if his actions had been premeditated. “No, it was just one of them things,” he said

Fine forecast as Women’s State of Origin goes from strength to strength | Jack Snape

A forecast for clear skies for Brisbane on Thursday has players and officials optimistic that women’s rugby league will launch itself into a new era of prominence in the first match of this year’s Women’s State of Origin.Last year’s series featured three contests for the first time, unprecedented television ratings and record crowds, but each clash was affected by inclement weather, giving rise to hopes of even larger attendances in 2025.Maroons’ forward Jess Elliston said the example of a near-capacity crowd in game two last year in Newcastle despite heavy rain showed fans were now committed to the women’s game.“Even though we were getting booed like all shit, it was the most insane atmosphere I’ve ever been to, you couldn’t hear anyone,” she said. “My chest was rattling from the booing, which was just so cool

No criminal charges to be brought over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson

No criminal charges will be brought against an ice hockey player arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the death of Adam Johnson, with the Crown Prosecution Service deciding there was no realistic chance of a conviction.The Nottingham Panthers player died of a neck injury from a skate after a collision with Sheffield ­Steelers’ Matt Petgrave in a match in October 2023. The Panthers described the incident at the time as a “freak accident”. CPR was administered on the ice at the Sheffield Arena, but ­Johnson died from his injuries.Petgrave was put on police bail, but after an 18-month investigation the CPS said it had now closed the case

Nat Sciver-Brunt named England Women’s captain and vows to empower team

Nat Sciver-Brunt has said she will empower her players to be the “best version of themselves” after being appointed as the new captain of the England women’s team. As first reported last week, the 32-year-old all-rounder has stepped up to fill the vacancy left by Heather Knight’s departure in March, the first appointment by the new head coach, Charlotte Edwards.Sciver-Brunt, who is on parental leave after her wife, the former England seamer Katherine Sciver-Brunt, gave birth, said: “I’m really proud to take on the role and it’s an honour to have been asked by Charlotte, someone I’ve always looked up to.“I will try my best to lead this team to success, whilst empowering them to be the best version of themselves. We have a really talented group, and we have a group that’s united

The Breakdown | Red Roses triumph again but cannot afford another World Cup wobble

Seven straight Six Nations titles is impressive but rivals may have been encouraged by the nervous finish against FranceThere are two contrasting schools of thought after England’s grand-slam clinching win against France on Saturday. According to John Mitchell, the Red Roses’ head coach, his side’s nervy 43-42 victory was ideal preparation for the World Cup this year. Alternatively, as the former England hooker Brian Moore succinctly put it during post-match TV analysis: “If they were playing New Zealand, would they have got away with that?”Between them Mitchell and Moore know plenty about World Cup disappointment. The former was head coach of the All Blacks side beaten in the semi-finals of the 2003 men’s tournament in Australia. Moore was part of the England team edged out by the Wallabies in the final in 1991

Marathon great Des Linden’s last dance: what happens when an 18-year career ends?

One of America’s greatest distance runners is excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead after a job she modestly describes as ‘cushy’There is no better word to describe Des Linden’s 18-year professional career than consistent. No matter the race, weather, or competition, she always showed up with her best – and the results back it up. A two-time Olympian, winner of the 2018 Boston Marathon, and world record-holder in the 50k, Linden is one of America’s greatest ever distance runners. But like any good thing, her career can’t last for ever.“This will be my last time racing Boston in the professional field,” Linden said a few weeks before this year’s race