As PWMania.com previously reported, “nobody knew” CM Punk would call out “Hangman” Adam Page for an AEW world title rematch at Dynamite on August 17th, 2022. It’s possible that CM Punk calling out Page was a “receipt” for something Page said in a promo prior to the 2022 Double or Nothing PPV.
According to a source, Page did not come to the ring in response to CM Punk’s challenge.
“Even if he was aware of it, what would he have done? Charged to the ring past Tony (Khan)? Interrupted a promo he knew he wasn’t supposed to be a part of? There was no way Hangman could have ‘won’ in that situation.”
During Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline.com noted that there are “no plans” for a CM Punk vs. Page match. Alvarez also said the following:
“There were a few people furious at CM Punk backstage, because Hangman is a well-liked guy. So they’re mad at Punk. Also, you have people who are on Punk’s side who say Hangman started this, so they’re mad that you’re mad at CM Punk. I know this is pro wrestling, and we have the MJF deal, but I was told that it’s not. It was started when Hangman was unprofessional, and CM Punk followed that up by making Hangman look like a fool.”
Deontay Wilder predicts Oleksandr Usyk will “easily” beat Anthony Joshua in their world heavyweight title rematch on Saturday night.
The former champion is making his return to the ring on October 15 in New York to face Robert Helenius in New York, and is hoping to eventually forge a path towards an eventual bout with the Usyk vs Joshua 2 winner. And the American is backing the favourite in the second fight between the pair, having watched the Ukrainian take a comfortable win in his last outing against his rival.
Wilder has a famous history of world heavyweight title rematches, having thrice faced Tyson Fury. He also offered second chances at the WBC belt during his five-year reign to Bermane Stiverne, whom he beat for the title, and Luis Ortiz who was arguably winning both of their bouts before the American caught him and landed a pair of massive knockouts.
“My totally honest opinion is that it’s going to depend on the fighters,” Wilder explained during an appearance on the PBC Podcast. “A lot of time has passed and there’s been a lot of time given to strategize for the second time around. They say when you fight a person you know him a little bit better the second time, even a little bit more the third.
Usyk entered the first fight with Joshua as a relatively sizeable underdog with oddsmakers given his status as a pound-for-pound great and unbeaten former undisputed cruiserweight champion. But after defying their predictions and handily outboxing Joshua over 12 rounds, the Ukrainian has flipped the odds completely and is now a major favourite.
During Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, Usman (20-1 MMA, 15-0 UFC) and Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) traded barbs about plenty of things – much of which had nothing to do with this weekend’s fight inside the octagon for the welterweight title.
“Talk is talk,” Usman told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “There’s one thing that got me here, and that’s my work ethic. Success only drives me to work even harder. If they think I’m slipping, it’s going to be a bad night for him.”
Despite Usman’s comments, Edwards stands by his beliefs going into UFC 278, which takes place at Vivint Arena and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ABC and ESPN+.
“It’s not personal for me,” Edwards said. “I believe I am No. 1. I’m out to prove it. He’s just now wearing a t-shirt and closing up his t-shirt. It’s all good.”
Usman said he’s not particularly bothered by Edwards’ insinuations, and said it all stems from the challenger wanting what the champion has.
Group B
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1-0 Germany U-20/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/116406.png){kind=logo}
Group B
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2-2New Zealand U-20 /images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/116400.png){kind=logo}
Group A
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0-3 Spain U-20 /images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/122046.png){kind=logo}
Group A
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5-0 Costa Rica U-20/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/118700.png){kind=logo}
Group D
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1-3 Japan U-20/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/117357.png){kind=logo}
Group D
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4-1 Ghana U-20/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/118703.png){kind=logo}
Group C
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— France U-20 /images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/116410.png){kind=logo}
Group C
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— Canada U-20 /images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/116403.png){kind=logo}
With bronze and silver medals already in his pocket, there was only one more step for Matt Hudson-Smith to take this breakthrough summer.
On Wednesday night, with a scorching run in the European 400m final in Munich, he took it.
Given his personal circumstances, including the recent admission that he attempted suicide last year, his success this season has been delightful.
He said: ‘I’m so happy to be European champion again. It has been a busy summer. I am so pleased to be able to compete against the best in the world – there’s not much more you can ask for really.’
Anthony Joshua has dismissed suggestions he could retire from boxing should he lose to Oleksandr Usyk again on Saturday night, Tony Morgan, Metro 50 writes.
Joshua, 32, was comprehensively beaten by Usyk in London last September as he suffered just the second defeat of his professional career, losing his IBF, WBO and WBA titles in the process.
He has the chance to reclaim those belts and reposition himself back at the summit if heavyweight boxing in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
Given the stakes, some within boxing have claimed another defeat to Usyk could force Joshua into retirement, with former world champions Carl Froch and Johnny Nelson among those suggesting the Briton could walk away.
But Joshua has no intention of hanging up his gloves anytime soon.
‘People will always ask questions. But I still want to continue. I love it. I’m competing with pound-for-pound fighters. If I was losing to some has-been, then, yes.
‘But it’s crazy to talk about retiring when I lost to one of the best fighters in the world. What sort of nonsense is that? I respect people’s opinions, but I don’t want to retire.
‘This is my 12th consecutive world title fight and, because this is world level, you’re up against world-level quality opponents. This is my third Olympic gold medallist, but we are here to entertain.’
The 34-year-old Nigeria international was a major part of the squad that reached the Europa League final and won the Scottish Cup last season, playing 37 games across all competitions.
He was an unused sub in Seville as Rangers lost to Eintracht Frankfurt in a penalty shootout but played the full 120 minutes five days later when Hearts were defeated in extra time at Hampden in the Scottish Cup Final.
However his contract was not renewed and he left Ibrox at the end of the season, but has not yet secured a new club.
Both PSV goals came from set pieces as they first took the lead then scored a second-half equaliser to take a draw to the Netherlands.
Rangers legend and the club’s record goal scorer Ally McCoist has now questioned the decision to let Balogun, who has been in attendance at Ibrox for the last two European games as a fan, leave and urged van Bronckhorst to reconsider while he is still available.
Speaking as a pundit on BT Sport, the 59-year-old, who also managed the club between 2011 and 2014, said: “He’s sitting up in the stand watching Rangers and I’m not too sure I’d have been letting him go.
“You look at Souttar’s injuries, and Helander’s injuries.”
McCoist responded: “Do you know something Kenny? Perhaps there is and it’s not with hindsight I say that.
“I was surprised to see him go – I really, really was.
“And I tell you what, we could have done with him tonight because he’s got height, presence and he scores goals in Europe.”
The Super Bowl will be shown live on STV after the National Football League agreed a new three-year broadcast deal with ITV, Andy Coyle writes.
The NFL is moving from BBC, with live games and highlights shows to be broadcast to bring fans the best of the action from the biggest games.
Sports Presenter of the Year Laura Woods will be joining award-winning analysts Osi Umenyiora, a two-time Super Bowl winner, and Jason Bell when coverage begins on Friday September 9 with the first in a series of hour-long weekly shows, airing at 11.30pm.
Super Bowl LVII will be broadcast live from Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday February 12, aand two of the season’s three matches in London will also be screened.
The New York Giants will face the Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday October 9, kicking off at 2.30pm UK time, before the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, October 30, kicking off at 1.30pm UK time.
“We have seen the NFL grow to a level I could never have imagined from when I played here for the Giants in 2007,” said Umenyiora. “This new partnership can see us bringing the sport to an even broader audience. We have felt so embraced by British fans and we are excited that they will be able to watch us on ITV.”
It was the second meeting between the pair, with Murray winning the first in 2019, but Norrie, seeded ninth, got his revenge and advanced to the last 16.
The Scot left the court having had treatment on cramp on his thigh but the 11 missed break points will have hurt more.
“I think there was not much in it,” Norrie said on Amazon Prime.
“I am still struggling with the conditions a little bit and trying to find rhythm. I just got through with my attitude and stay positive.
“I managed to find myself at one set all, I don’t know how and the last set was a battle, he had some chances and I played a couple of good points.
“That’s how it rolls sometimes in tennis. It’s a massive win for me beating Andy for the first time. It’s not the way I wanted to beat him with him cramping, but it’s nice to get through.”
After there was an exchange of breaks in the first two games, Murray assumed control and dictated the points.
He missed the chance to break in Norrie’s second service game but continued to play on his terms and eventually broke at 4-3 before serving out the next game to take the first set.
But with the court gaping he put a routine volley wide and Norrie survived.
And that miss proved big as Norrie began to knock on the door. Murray was able to save break points at 2-3, but could not repeat the trick at 3-4 as the British number one struck to go 5-3 up.
He had 40-0 as he try to force an immediate break back but Norrie got himself out of trouble and served out the second set.
Murray regrouped and his big moment came in a lengthy sixth game, but he squandered three break points and Norrie survived.
Eventually all those missed opportunities came back to haunt the 35-year-old as a double fault handed his compatriot the crucial break and he served it out to claim a victory that will have tasted very sweet.