Claressa Shields is a unique fighter. An undisputed champion, she is a multi-weight titlist who has also competed in MMA and who will go for a title in a fourth division later this month.
She will challenge Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for the WBC heavyweight championship in Detroit.
The Olympic middleweight gold medal has only been won by two women, Shields in 2012 and 2016, and most recently Wales’ Lauren Price, who triumphed at the Tokyo Games.
Price dropped down to welterweight after the Olympics and is only seven bouts into her professional career, but has won the inaugural women’s British title and the WBA world title already.
Lauren Price claimed the WBA world title after beating Jessica McCaskill on points and said it was the start of many more big nights in Cardiff
Shields does not rule out Price becoming one of her future rivals.
“It’s hard to put anything past Olympic champions. She won the Olympics 2021,” Shields told Sky Sports.
“I feel like when you’ve been all over the world and you’ve boxed and you’ve won World championships, it’s kind of destined for you to be great in the pros. I wish her the best of luck.”
They are not on a collision course in the immediate future. Price has plenty of ambitions to realise at welterweight and Shields is moving up in weight for the Lepage-Joanisse fight.
Lauren Price reflects on her victory over Jessica McCaskill to become Wales’ first female boxing world champion and discusses what’s next in her boxing career
But heavyweight is what the WBC calls its 12st 7lbs division, i.e. light-heavyweight (the WBO light-heavyweight title will also be on the line in their fight).
Shields has operated across several weight classes, super-welter and super-middle included, but is a natural middleweight.
Price’s greatest amateur successes were at middleweight, where she won World and European gold medals as well as the Olympic Games. Along the way, she also beat a light-heavyweight World champion at 75kgs.
Lauren Price received an incredible reception from fans after becoming Wales’ first female boxing world champion
Shields doesn’t think their current weight classes will necessarily keep them apart.
“She won the Olympics at 165lbs (75kgs) just as I did – two times – and if she ever wants to fight I would love to fight against her too,” Shields said.
“I believe anything is possible and I really want to fight anybody that wants to fight me. So if Lauren Price keeps winning and comes to 154lbs, 160, 168, we can fight and prove who’s the best Olympic champion.”
Lauren Price claims the WBA welterweight world title with a dominant win over Jessica McCaskill
Shields’ great rival is another Briton, Savannah Marshall. The American beat Marshall in their 2022 grudge match. But Marshall is now also competing in MMA as she pursues another clash with Shields.
“I beat her in the UK with 20,000 of her fans. She needs to come to America and fight me in front of 20,000 of my fans and let’s see if she can handle being booed and her national anthem being booed and people telling her she sucks!” Shields declared.
Savannah Marshall discusses the rematch with Claressa Shields and if we’ll see it in the boxing ring or the MMA cage
“I would love to fight her again and prove that I’m not just one time better than you, I’m two times better than you either inside the cage and definitely inside the ring. It really doesn’t matter which one.”
But first Shields has a more immediate task, winning yet another accolade against Lepage-Joanisse.
“I’m going for my fourth division,” she said. “It’s going to be big and it’s going to be history-making.”
Andy Murray’s place in the men’s doubles event at the Paris Olympics alongside Dan Evans has been confirmed.
The Scot’s singles spot for what is set to be the final tournament of his career was announced a couple of weeks ago, with Murray securing entry as a two-time former gold medallist and three-time grand slam champion.
But he and Evans were left waiting to see whether they would get into the doubles, which represents Murray’s best chance of a medal.
It comes amid the wait to find out whether Murray will play in the men’s singles draw at Wimbledon in what is set to be his final appearance at the tournament, with his involvement in doubt following surgery to remove a spinal cyst. He is, however, expected to compete in the doubles alongside brother Jamie.
Jacquie Beltrao brings the latest update on Murray’s recovery and his efforts toward Wimbledon
It will be a fifth Games for the 37-year-old, who picked up gold medals in singles in 2012 and 2016 as well as a silver medal in mixed doubles with Laura Robson in London.
Men’s doubles is the only event where a medal has so far eluded him, with Murray and Joe Salisbury desperately disappointed with a quarter-final exit in Tokyo three years ago.
Injury doubts surrounded both Murray and Evans when they retired from matches at Queen’s Club but Evans’ knee problem was not as serious as feared while Murray is fighting to be fit for Wimbledon following back surgery.
There will also be a fourth Olympic appearance for Heather Watson in the women’s doubles alongside debutante Katie Boulter, who is Britain’s only representative in the singles.
“I’m so happy,” said Watson. “This will be my fourth Olympic Games. It was a huge goal of mine this last year. It will be very special to share it with Katie, to play doubles with her there. We get along super well.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with her. We played a couple times, once years ago on the grass, then just recently at Roland Garros. She’s a great girl. I love playing doubles with her.
“I love being in the Billie Jean King Cup with her, as well. She’s such a good energy, lovely person to be around and a good friend of mine.
“I’ll just lap it all up, take in the experience. So far nothing has beat London 2012. But yeah, hopefully this is a good one.”
Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie and Evans will also compete in singles, while Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski will have high hopes of a medal in the men’s doubles.
Emma Raducanu relates to Murray’s injury struggles and hopes that he will be fit to play at Wimbledon
Wimbledon planners happy for Murray to take time over singles decision
Wimbledon organisers are happy for Murray to leave it as late as he needs to before deciding whether to play singles one final time.
The 37-year-old is battling to recover from surgery last weekend to remove a spinal cyst that was pressing on nerves and causing a weakness in his right leg.
Murray was planning to give himself until Monday evening, potentially after the order of play is published, to decide if he is able to face Czech Tomas Machac.
Murray got a feeling of what it’s like to chat with himself as he was interviewed by comedian and impressionist Josh Berry
Chief executive Sally Bolton said: “We’ve always got plenty of scheduling challenges to face. As he said himself, Andy has earned the right to make the decision and we will absolutely respect that.
“All of us have therefore got to be agile in the way that we deliver our plans, but we’re really happy to do that. It’s very much for Andy to make this decision and make it at the right time for him.”
It would undoubtedly be a blow to the tournament if Murray is not able to compete, although there appears to be a very good chance that he will be fit enough to team up with his brother Jamie in doubles even if he decides against singles.
“We would love to see him on court,” said Bolton. “Of course, if he isn’t, we’ve got plenty of other tennis going on, but I know the fans will be absolutely desperate to see him play so we wish him well in getting on court.”
Bolton was keeping close to her chest Wimbledon’s plans for honouring Murray whenever his final moment at the All England Club comes.
Image: Murray is set to feature at Wimbledon for the final time
“We have got a variety of plans sitting waiting to deliver,” she said. “It really is for Andy to make that call and we’ll be ready whenever that happens. There’s been various conversations ongoing for some time now. Andy of course is very focused on his performance, not really on anything else.
“Once he decides to retire and we all get the chance to celebrate him I think you’ll really see how much he has meant to not just the tennis-loving public but the sports-loving public in the UK. I think there’ll be tears around the house.”
Murray confirmed last week that he is planning for Wimbledon and the Olympics to be the final events of his career.
Bolton hinted that the 37-year-old will join Fred Perry in having a statue somewhere in the grounds once his playing career is over, but that may not be outside Centre Court.
“You could argue that’s a bit of an obvious location,” she said. “As we reflect on the shape of these grounds and we think about the potential development over the road, we’ve got time to think about where any kind of physical celebration of Andy’s career might be.
“And, in any event, we’d want to work with Andy on that and he understandably is not ready to have those conversations just yet. We will make sure we get this right because this is for all time.”
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Hamburg Open (ATP 500) 15-21 July
Newport Hall of Fame Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Swiss Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Bastad Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Palermo Ladies Open (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Hungarian Grand Prix (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Prague Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
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World No 1 Scottie Scheffler became the first golfer to record six wins on the PGA Tour before July since Arnold Palmer in 1962 after beating Tom Kim in a play-off at the Travelers Championship.
In the blog below, the reigning Masters champion reflects on pipping a good friend to victory, not defining himself by wins, and how much he is looking forward to competing for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics in Paris…
It’s pretty special to win my sixth tournament and it’s been a great season. I’ve been fortunate to come away with some wins and it’s been a lot of fun. Tom Kim played his heart out and it was fun battling him. He’s one of my good buddies and play a lot of golf together at home in Dallas as well as out here on Tour.
Highlights from the final round of the Travelers Championship as Scheffler beat Tom Kim in a play-off
It’s always fun competing against your friends but it’s also really tough. Then when I see him make bogey in the play-off hole, it hurts because that’s my friend. However, Tom should remember the putt he made on 18 (in regulation play to make the play-off) because it was pretty special.
I’m sure that’s something he’ll remember for a long time. He’s got a habit of making those putts when it matters. He’s got the right attitude to play out here for a long time and he’s only 22. I told him he’s a great player and a great champion, and I’m proud of him.
During the final round, the putts were hanging right around the edge and I felt like I hit a lot of good putts, especially on the back nine. Man, it was tough watching each one roll by the edge but I kept fighting and stayed in it.
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I think standing on the 13th tee, we were all tied and I kind of told myself like if I birdied three of the last six, it would be a play-off at worst. That kind of got me to a different frame of thinking because I felt I hit a lot of good shots and I hadn’t really made as many birdies as I hoped to, and if I stayed patient, I would be able to make some birdies which I did.
Scheffler: Olympics will be very special
I feel like I haven’t always been able to get it across the line at tournaments where they’re more of a shoot-out. Most of my wins have been on some difficult golf courses, so it’s nice to be able to come here where putting is so important and holing the right putts when you need to is important.
As most of you know, I try to not look too far into the past or look too far into the future. I’ve been very fortunate to come away with some wins this year and it’s been fun. It is a lot of hard work paying off, and I’m very grateful to have some trophies to show for it.
Scheffler brought his baby Bennett to the winner’s interview after the Travelers Championship
I’ve talked a good amount about why I don’t really define myself by my wins or by my losses, and I do my best to compete and have the right attitude.
It’s been a tremendous year and I’m grateful to have some wins, and I’m looking forward to competing in the Open, playing in the Olympics and then the FedExCup Playoffs. And I think I should be on the Presidents Cup team, and after that, I’ll take a break.
I think the Olympics is going to be very special. Any time you’re able to represent your country and wear the flag is something very few people get to experience, and I’m very proud to be representing the USA.
I’m very grateful as that’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time and it will be very special going over there and competing with the other three guys (Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Wyndham Clark). Hopefully, we’ll be able to bring home some medals for the USA.
I don’t set long-term goals, I never have. I’ve always been best just when I stay in the present. I have what I would call dreams and aspirations and those will probably never change, but as far as goals for the year, nothing really changes for me. I show up, and it’s most important for me to have the right attitude and try and compete.
I feel like the team around me this year has done a great job of getting on me a little bit when my attitude is not where it needs to be. I feel like on the golf course, Teddy (caddie Ted Scott) and I have been as tough this year as we’ve been in a long time and it’s been a lot of fun.
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Bryson DeChambeau is pinning his hopes of Olympic glory on the Los Angeles games in 2028.
Unable to participate at Tokyo 2020 due to COVID-19, the two-time US Open champion’s decision to join LIV Golf is keeping him out of the games in Paris this summer.
“I’ve done my best up until now to give myself a chance according to the (world ranking), but I realise and respect where the current situation of the game is, albeit it’s frustrating and disappointing,” DeChambeau said, with the US Open trophy beside him.
“Hopefully 2028 will be a little different situation, and it will make it that much sweeter.”
DeChambeau is 10th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). The Olympics uses the rankings to set the 60-man field, and the OWGR does not recognise LIV Golf with its closed shop (the same 54 players all year competing in 54-hole events) and simultaneous team play.
The OWGR has not figured out how to measure such a league with two dozen open tours around the world, and LIV hasn’t offered a solution on its end.
That means DeChambeau has only been able to earn rankings points in the majors this year, and he did his part by finishing tied for sixth in the Masters and second to Xander Schauffele in the PGA Championship before his US Open triumph last week at Pinehurst No 2.
The story of Bryson DeChambeau’s final round at the US Open which ended in a dramatic one-shot victory at Pinehurst No 2
A maximum of four players can represent any country in Olympic golf, and DeChambeau is the sixth highest-ranked American. The US team will feature Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, Schauffele, Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa.
DeChambeau made the US squad for the Tokyo Games only to test positive for COVID the week before his planned flight to Japan, which kept him from representing his country.
LIV-PGA Tour – How did we get here
Nov 2019: Early framework of new tour to rival PGA Tour announced with Premier Golf League (PGL)
Oct 2021: LIV Golf Investments is announced with Greg Norman as its CEO
Feb 2022: Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson says the PGA Tour’s obnoxious greed could leave to players joining LIV. He apologises later that month for his comments and steps back from golf
May 2022: Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson is confirmed to play in the first LIV Golf event in London in June, with Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood among others on the entry list
Jun 6 2022: Mickelson signs up for LIV Golf after four-month hiatus where it turns out he was suspended by PGA Tour
Jun 9 2022: PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan declares players competing in first LIV Golf event are suspended, on same day tournament begins in London
Jun 21 2022: Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka is latest name to join LIV Golf, with Cameron Smith also announced in August, a month after winning The Open
Aug 2022: Woods and McIlroy hold a players-only meeting known as the Delaware Meeting, with increased purses at some events on PGA Tour announced
Apr 2023: DP World Tour wins an arbitration case against LIV Golf players who were seeking to play the former European Tour. DP World Tour given right to fine and suspend defectees
Jun 6 2023: Stunning agreement announced as PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Saudi Public Investment Fund governor Yasir Al Rumayyan sit side-by-side on American TV channel CNBC and announced a Framework Agreement had been reached to reunite men’s professional golf
Jun 13 2023: US Senate launch investigation into PGA Tour plans after proposed deal with Saudi fund
Aug 2023: Woods appointed to policy board as negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF are underway
Nov 2023: McIlroy resigns from the Tour’s policy board
Dec 2023: Masters champion Jon Rahm joins LIV Golf for a reported fee of £450 million
Dec 2023: A date of December 31, 2023 was set to conclude the deal to bring men’s professional golf back together, but that passed without the Framework Agreement being ratified
Feb 2024: The PGA Tour secure a $3bn investment as part of a partnership deal with the Strategic Sports Group, not PIF
May 2024: McIlroy’s interest in returning to the policy board is rejected. In a big blow, director Jimmy Dunne and board member Mark Flaherty resign
The 30-year-old knew not qualifying for the Olympics was a possibility when he joined LIV in 2022. He’s played only one tournament outside the majors and LIV events since then – last year’s Saudi International – but has finished in the top 10 in five of his nine majors played during that stretch.
PGA Tour officials are talking with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf, trying to reach an agreement for a new model for professional golf.
Bryson DeChambeau helped Johnson Wagner recreate the perfect shot from the bunker at the 18th, with the pair celebrating with the US Open trophy!
DeChambeau said he had been hoping for an agreement by now to allow him to play in the Olympics.
“It hasn’t worked out that way, and again I respect the decision that I made, and it is what it is,” he said. “It hurts, but you know what? There’s another one four years later.”
Until then, all DeChambeau can do is enjoy himself.
He’s been on a whirlwind tour since he beat Rory McIlroy by one shot last weekend at Pinehurst. He has appeared on a handful of TV shows and estimated he’s maybe slept 12 hours since Sunday.
He continued his celebration swing Wednesday, carrying the trophy with him into his news conference. He also made sure everyone touched it on his way out, as he did with the fans at Pinehurst.
Look back at Bryson DeChambeau’s best shots across the four days that helped him win his second US Open at Pinehurst No 2
His win also has given LIV Golf a boost. This event about 30 miles south of Nashville is nearly sold out before Friday’s start at The Grove, designed by LIV CEO Greg Norman, which also has hosted a Korn Ferry Tour event.
DeChambeau said he’s feeling as if he’s playing as well as he did in 2018 when he won consecutive FedEx Cup playoff events – even if the stats and rankings don’t put him at No. 1.
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He dodged the question of whether or not he’s the best player in the world, leaving that to others to answer.
“I’m not going to put a label or title on myself,” DeChambeau said. “That’s not what I do. I’m here to go play the best golf I can and inspire others and give people some great entertainment.”
Watch PGA Tour and DP World Tour action live this season on Sky Sports. The 152nd Open at Royal Troon is live from July 18-21 on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.
Rafael Nadal is set to miss Wimbledon to prepare for the Olympic Games, where
he will team up with Carlos Alcaraz in a dream doubles partnership.
The news was confirmed by Spain’s Olympic team captain David Ferrer on Wednesday – as reported by PA – with Nadal having said last month that it would not be good for his body to switch surfaces from clay to grass.
The 38-year-old made the French Open and Olympics his priorities after returning from a year out with hip problems.
He lost in the first round of the singles at Roland Garros last month to eventual finalist Alexander Zverev but will have another chance on the Parisian clay, with the Olympic tennis being held at the same venue.
With Nadal expected to retire at some point this year, it appears his final match at Wimbledon will be a quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz in 2022, following which he withdrew from the tournament because of an abdominal injury. He missed the 2023 championship due to surgery.
Alcaraz, who will make his Olympics debut, said last summer it would be a dream to play with Nadal in what is likely to be one of the final events of his career.
As well as winning the French Open 14 times, Nadal also has two Olympic gold medals to his name, in singles in Beijing in 2008 and in doubles with Marc Lopez in Rio eight years ago.
The pair have never played together in a match before, while Alcaraz is very inexperienced in doubles, but they are sure to be one of the biggest draws of the event.
Alcaraz will go into the singles tournament as arguably the favourite for gold having just won his third grand slam title at Roland Garros.
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Stuttgart Open (ATP 250) – June 10-16
Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
Berlin Open (WTA 500) – June 17-23
Halle (ATP 500) – June 17-23
Mallorca Championships (ATP 250) – June 23-29
Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29
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