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Frances Tiafoe heads into Wimbledon on the heels of his first title at a grass-court tournament and his first appearance in the Top 10 of the ATP rankings

Savannah Marshall will bid to reclaim her status as a world champion this weekend, as the former middleweight title holder moves up a division to challenge Franchon Crews-Dezurn for her undisputed belts. Marshall was unbeaten until she suffered a decision loss to Claressa Shields last year, a result that saw the Briton lose her WBO middleweight title as Shields became undisputed in the division. Now, the Hartlepool fighter takes on another American in Crews-Dezurn, who will put all four of her super-middleweight belts on the line against Marshall in Manchester. Marshall will take encouragement from an amateur victory over Crews-Dezurn, whom she outpointed in 2011. The event marks another big night in women’s boxing, with Natasha Jonas also in action and seeking to become a two-weight world champion. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The fight will take place on Saturday 1 July at the AO Arena in Manchester. The main card is scheduled to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET), with ring walks for the main event due at approximately 10pm BST (2pm PT, 4pm CT, 5pm ET). How can I watch it? In the UK, the event will air live on Sky Sports and on the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app. In the US, ESPN+ will air the fights live. Odds Marshall – 1/4 Crews-Dezurn – 16/5 Draw – 14/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Franchon Crews-Dezurn (C) vs Savannah Marshall (WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF women’s super-middleweight titles) Natasha Jonas vs Kandi Wyatt (vacant IBF women’s welterweight title) Zak Chelli vs Mark Jeffers (super-middleweight) Ben Whittaker vs Vladimir Belujsky (light-heavyweight) Callum Simpson vs Boris Crighton (super-middleweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Dillian Whyte reveals why Anthony Joshua rematch is being delayed Carl Froch criticises Tyson Fury legacy — and outlines what he needs to become ‘the best of a generation’ The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings Savannah Marshall and Franchon Crews-Dezurn trade barbs before huge title fight Savannah Marshall looks to move on from Claressa Shields defeat What time does Marshall vs Crews-Dezurn start in UK and US this weekend?

Sean Strickland and Abus Magomedov will square off in a meeting of middleweight contenders this weekend, as the pair clash in a UFC Fight Night main event. American Strickland, 32, is looking to make it back-to-back wins, having beaten Nassourdine Imavov on points in January, following two straight losses last year. Meanwhile, Russian Magomedov, also 32, enters Las Vegas on the back of a three-fight win streak, with all of those wins having come via stoppage. Strickland sits at No 7 in the middleweight rankings as he bids to re-enter the title picture, and he is risking his place in the top 10 here as he faces an unranked opponent in Magomedov. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The event will take place on Saturday 1 July, at the UFC Apex institute in Las Vegas. The prelims are set to begin at 9pm BST (1pm PT, 3pm CT, 4pm ET). The main card is then due to follow at 12am BST on Sunday 2 July (4pm PT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Odds Strickland – 4/7 Magomedov – 13/10 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Main card Sean Strickland vs Abus Magomedov (middleweight) Damir Ismagulov vs Grant Dawson (lightweight) Max Griffin vs Michael Morales (welterweight) Ariane Lipski vs Melissa Gatto (women’s flyweight) Ismael Bonfim vs Benoit Saint-Denis (lightweight) Brunno Ferreira vs Nursulton Ruziboev (middleweight) Prelims Kevin Lee vs Rinat Fakhretdinov (welterweight) Joanderson Brito vs Westin Wilson (featherweight) Yana Santos vs Karol Rosa (women’s bantamweight) Guram Kutateladze vs Elves Brener (lightweight) Ivana Petrovic vs Luana Carolina (women’s flyweight) Alexandr Romanov vs Blagoy Ivanov (heavyweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Ilia Topuria makes bold Alexander Volkanovski claim after dominating Josh Emmett Elon Musk picks UFC legend to train him for Mark Zuckerberg fight UFC star’s dream Olympic anniversary derailed by injury Michael Chandler reassures fans over Conor McGregor fight Khabib’s coach makes Musk vs Zuckerberg prediction

Sean Strickland and Abus Magomedov will square off in a meeting of middleweight contenders this weekend, as the pair clash in a UFC Fight Night main event. American Strickland, 32, is looking to make it back-to-back wins, having beaten Nassourdine Imavov on points in January, following two straight losses last year. Meanwhile, Russian Magomedov, also 32, enters Las Vegas on the back of a three-fight win streak, with all of those wins having come via stoppage. Strickland sits at No 7 in the middleweight rankings as he bids to re-enter the title picture, and he is risking his place in the top 10 here as he faces an unranked opponent in Magomedov. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The event will take place on Saturday 1 July at the UFC Apex institute in Las Vegas. The prelims are set to begin at 9pm BST (1pm PT, 3pm CT, 4pm ET). The main card is then due to follow at 12am BST on Sunday 2 July (4pm PT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Odds Strickland – 4/7 Magomedov – 13/10 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Main card Sean Strickland vs Abus Magomedov (middleweight) Damir Ismagulov vs Grant Dawson (lightweight) Max Griffin vs Michael Morales (welterweight) Ariane Lipski vs Melissa Gatto (women’s flyweight) Ismael Bonfim vs Benoit Saint-Denis (lightweight) Brunno Ferreira vs Nursulton Ruziboev (middleweight) Prelims Kevin Lee vs Rinat Fakhretdinov (welterweight) Joanderson Brito vs Westin Wilson (featherweight) Yana Santos vs Karol Rosa (women’s bantamweight) Guram Kutateladze vs Elves Brener (lightweight) Ivana Petrovic vs Luana Carolina (women’s flyweight) Alexandr Romanov vs Blagoy Ivanov (heavyweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Ilia Topuria makes bold Alexander Volkanovski claim after dominating Josh Emmett Elon Musk picks UFC legend to train him for Mark Zuckerberg fight UFC star’s dream Olympic anniversary derailed by injury Michael Chandler reassures fans over Conor McGregor fight Khabib’s coach makes Musk vs Zuckerberg prediction

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg’s promised cage fight could take place in Rome’s Colosseum. Mr Musk suggested that the mixed martial arts bout could happen in the historic arena, which long ago served as the home of gladiatorial contests. Now it could see the two billionaires face off in a battle that could see the two revive some of that history, according to Mr Musk. He tweeted that there was “some chance” that the fight happened in the Colosseum, joking that he would need to work on his endurance as he shared a clip from The Life of Brian. The minister of culture has reached out to Mr Zuckerberg to propose the location, TMZ reported. Both the billionaires are said to be intrigued by the idea, the site said. That request was passed on to Dana White, the head of the UFC who has expressed an interest in co-ordinating the fight. The three have been negotiating about the details of the fight daily, TMZ reported. It is not clear where in the Colosseum the fight could actually take place. While it could once hold tens of thousands of people, it can no longer host more than a few hundred people inside special temporary seating, and it has hosted few large events in recent times. The fight between the two billionaires originally appeared to begin as something of a joke, after rumours that Mr Zuckerberg was looking for a competitor and Mr Musk tweeted that he was “up for a cage match”. Mr Zuckerberg replied to that tweet in a post with the caption “send me location”, and the fight appears to now be moving forward. That has led to much speculation over how the two men would fight, and suggestions that it would be the biggest face-off in history. The details of any such event are far from agreed – but that has not stopped speculation about who would actually win such a battle. Read More Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg: Who would win a cage fight? Elon Musk’s sparring partner says he’s ‘extremely impressed’ by his strength Elon Musk picks UFC legend to train him for Mark Zuckerberg fight

Arsenal are wasting no time in capitalising on their progression from the last Premier League campaign, where they tied the club record for most wins in a single season at 26. The team secured an impressive second-place finish in the top flight, just behind Manchester City, with a remarkable 85 points - marking their highest point total since the historic invincible season in the 03/04 campaign. The Gunners have also recently finalised the £65 million signing of German national Kai Havertz from Chelsea and show no signs of slowing down in the transfer market. Arsenal are currently linked with several players, including Declan Rice, who could be a new British transfer record if he signs. Here’s all the latest on the potential comings and goings at the Emirates Stadium this summer. Declan Rice With Manchester City making a late push in the race for Rice, Arsenal fans had grown increasingly nervous after months of speculation had strongly linked the West Ham player to the Gunners. However, Manchester City have now ended their pursuit of the talented defensive midfielder, reopening a clear but costly path for Arsenal to secure West Ham’s signature. The Gunners’ bid for Rice is rumored to have reached a staggering £105 million, potentially making him the most expensive British transfer of all time. According to Sky Sports, a deal between the two clubs has been agreed with the payment structure the only detail holding up the deal from being finalised. Jurrien Timber Beyond Declan Rice, the 22-year-old Jurrien Timber seems to be the top target on Arsenal’s wishlist. The Dutch national, who featured in all 34 matches of the Eredivisie for Ajax in the past season, would bring immense versatility and much-needed depth to Arsenal’s back line. During the previous season, Arsenal’s form suffered greatly following the injury of their star French centre-back, William Saliba. Signing a player like Timber who can also play right-back would hopefully prevent a similar crisis from occurring. Negotiations between Ajax and Arsenal are progressing, though, with De Telegraaf reporting that a £40m deal has been agreed between the two clubs. Personal terms do not appear to be an issue, as the young Dutchman is eager to make the move to North London. Thomas Partey While there has been much discussion about potential new arrivals at Arsenal, the club will also witness the departure of a few key players from the Emirates. Thomas Partey, the 30-year-old Ghanaian captain, could be leaving Arsenal to join Serie A side Juventus. Initially, there was speculation of Partey moving to Saudi Arabia, but the defensive midfielder reportedly turned down the opportunity in order to continue playing European football, albeit outside the Champions League. Juventus, who had shown interest in signing Partey two years ago, believes that a fee in the range of £15-17m would be more than enough to finalise the deal. According to Sky Sports Italia, personal terms are not an obstacle between Partey and the Italian club, with only the transfer fee left to be settled. Arsenal are eager to complete the deal to avoid losing Partey on a free transfer next summer, claim the reports. Granit Xhaka With the impending arrival of Rice and Havertz already signed from Chelsea, Granit Xhaka is set to join Partey as another Arsenal midfielder leaving. Despite earlier speculation about his departure during the January transfer window, Xhaka was persuaded to stay and complete the season by Arteta. However, the Swiss international man now aims to make a move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, with The Telegraph reporting that the two clubs have agreed on a fee in the region of £13m. The deal appears to be all but finalised, with Arsenal temporarily putting it on hold to ensure they can secure their midfield with the new signing of Declan Rice. Romeo Lavia The prospects of the highly talented 19-year-old midfielder from Southampton joining Arsenal have significantly diminished. Lavia impressed in his 29 appearances for the Saints, attracting attention from several clubs including the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. Despite especially strong links to Lavia as reported by Fabrizio Romano, with Arsenal recently acquiring Havertz for £65m and the potential arrival of Rice for a substantial nine-figure fee, the club’s budget appears to be constrained. Lavia’s reported price tag of £40m or more has allowed other clubs, including Liverpool, to pursue the deal instead, leaving Arsenal looking on from the sidelines. Ethan Nwaneri Arsenal may already be building for the future with the potential incomings of Timber and Rice but they have also made moves in recent days to secure the long-term future of one of their brightest academy prospects. Last season, Ethan Nwaneri broke the record for the youngest player ever to appear in a top-flight English match when he came on as a substitute aged 15 years and 181 days. Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, a scholarship deal has been agreed between Arsenal and the midfielder with a professional deal to be signed when he turns 17. That contract will reportedly last two and a half years and will make Nwaneri the highest-paid academy player in Arsenal history.

Spain will head to the Women’s World Cup with two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and three of the 15 players who had renounced the national soccer team after a spat with coach Jorge Vilda

ESPN layoffs include two prominent NBA analysts.

The Chicago Sky snapped a lengthy losing streak with a win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night, and the two teams will face off again on Friday in Chicago.Los Angeles’ offense has been struggling with the loss of Lexie Brown (illness) – the team’s third-leading score...

Cardiff have been ordered to make the last two payments to Nantes for Emiliano Sala’s transfer by football’s global governing body FIFA. Sala died when the light aircraft he was travelling in from France crashed into the English Channel in January 2019, two days after Cardiff had announced the signing of the 28-year-old Argentinian forward from Nantes. The French club’s claim for the first six million euros (just over £5m) of the £15million transfer fee was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last August, and Cardiff announced on Friday they had now been ordered by FIFA to pay the last two instalments of the fee as well. Cardiff have paid the first instalment and it is understood they intend – albeit reluctantly – to now pay the remaining two. Cardiff have lodged a negligence claim in the French courts against Nantes. They maintain Nantes must be held accountable for the accident which led to Sala’s death, saying the flight was organised by Nantes’ agent. The Welsh club’s statement on Friday said Nantes chief executive Franck Kita had been placed in police custody alongside agent Bakari Sanogo, which they said related to an investigation opened in France last June into allegations of illegal exercise of sports agent activity, forgery and use of forgery, misuse of corporate assets and money laundering. The club said their negligence claim has exhibited direct exchanges which they say show Kita informed Sanogo of the proposed transfer fee for Sala. Cardiff said it is not clear why Kita informed Sanogo of the fee. Cardiff said: “In the circumstances, the club considers that it would have been fairer if the requirement to pay FC Nantes had been deferred until the conclusion of the French police investigations and the club’s claim against FC Nantes in the French courts.” A week ago, the EFL announced an independent disciplinary commission had confirmed an agreed position between the league and Cardiff regarding a fee restriction. Under the restriction, Cardiff could not pay fees in respect of transfers or loans for the January transfer window and are under the same restriction in the current summer window. The EFL said the sanction related to Cardiff triggering the EFL’s 30-day rule when it was late in making an initial payment to Nantes for the transfer of Sala, having been ordered to do so following a lengthy legal process involving FIFA, CAS and the Swiss Federal Tribunal. The sanction was reduced in length from three transfer windows to two following an appeal.

The rapidly expanding landscape of nonprofit collectives paying college athletes to promote charities has been hit with a potentially seismic disruption

After winning the European Championships on home soil last summer, England travel to Australia and New Zealand as one of the favourites to win the Women’s World Cup. The Lionesses defeated Germany at a sold-out Wembley last year and have since continued their unbeaten run under manager Sarina Wiegman to position themselves as one of the strongest teams in the world ahead of the tournament. The United States have won the past two World Cups and are the defending champions after beating the Netherlands - who were coached by Wiegman - at the 2019 World Cup in France. The Lionesses reached the semi-finals for the second World Cup in a row, only to lose to the USA, but will be looking to go a step further this time. Ireland will be making their debut appearance at the Women’s World Cup, while Germany, Spain, France and Sweden will all be contenders from Europe. The USA have been the dominant force in women’s football with four World Cup titles overall - while Japan, Canada and hosts Australia carry the threat from the rest of the world. Here’s everything you need to know. When is the Women’s World Cup? The tournament will kick off on 20 July 2023 with the opening match between hosts New Zealand and Norway. Australia will kick off against Ireland later that day. England play their first match of the World Cup against Haiti in Group D on 22 July. The knockout stages begin on 5 August, with the World Cup final taking place in Sydney on 20 August. What are the groups? Group A: New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Switzerland Group B: Australia, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria, Canada Group C: Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan Group D: England, Haiti, Denmark, China Group E: United States, Vietnam, Netherlands, Portugal Group F: France, Jamaica, Brazil, Panama Group G: Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Argentina Group H: Germany, Morocco, Colombia, South Korea Match schedule (All kick-off times BST ) Group stage: Thursday 20 July Group A: New Zealand vs Norway (08:00, Auckland) Group B: Australia vs Republic of Ireland (11:00, Sydney) Friday 21 July Group B: Nigeria vs Canada (03:30, Melbourne) Group A: Philippines vs Switzerland (06:00, Dunedin) Group C: Spain vs Costa Rica (08:30, Wellington) Saturday 22 July Group E: USA vs Vietnam (02:00, Auckland) Group C: Zambia vs Japan (08:00 Hamilton) Group D: England vs Haiti (10:30, Brisbane) Group D: Denmark vs China (13:00, Perth) Sunday 23 July Group G: Sweden vs South Africa (06:00, Wellington) Group E: Netherlands vs Portugal (08:30, Dunedin) Group F: France vs Jamaica (11:00, Sydney) Monday 24 July Group G: Italy vs Argentina (07:00, Auckland) Group H: Germany vs Morocco (09:30, Melbourne) Group F: Brazil vs Panama (12:00, Adelaide) Tuesday 25 July Group H: Colombia vs Korea Republic (03:00, Sydney) Group A: New Zealand vs Philippines (06:30, Dunedin) Group A: Switzerland vs Norway (09:00, Hamilton) Wednesday 26 July Group C: Japan vs Costa Rica (06:00, Dunedin) Group C: Spain vs Zambia (08:30, Auckland) Group B: Canada vs Republic of Ireland (13:00, Perth) Thursday 27 July Group E: USA vs Netherlands (02:00, Wellington) Group E: Portugal vs Vietnam (08:30, Hamilton) Group B: Australia vs Nigeria (11:00, Brisbane) Friday 28 July Group G: Argentina vs South Africa (01:00, Dunedin) Group D: England vs Denmark (09:30, Sydney) Group D: China vs Haiti (12:00, Adelaide) Saturday 29 July Group G: Sweden vs Italy (08:30, Wellington) Group F: France vs Brazil (11:00, Brisbane) Group F: Panama vs Jamaica (13:30, Perth) Sunday 30 July Group H: Korea Republic vs Morocco (05:30, Adelaide) Group A: Norway vs Philippines (08:00, Auckland) Group A: Switzerland vs New Zealand (08:00, Dunedin) Group H: Germany vs Colombia (10:30, Sydney) Monday 31 July Group C: Costa Rica vs Zambia (08:00, Hamilton) Group C: Japan vs Spain (08:00, Wellington) Group B: Ireland vs Nigeria (11:00, Brisbane) Group B: Canada vs Australia (11:00, Melbourne) Tuesday 1 August Group E: Vietnam vs Netherlands (08:00, Dunedin) Group E: Portugal vs USA (08:00, Auckland) Group D: Haiti vs Denmark (12:00, Perth) Group D: China vs England (12:00, Adelaide) Wednesday 2 August Group G: South Africa vs Italy (08:00, Wellington) Group G: Argentina vs Sweden (08:00, Hamilton) Group F: Jamaica vs Brazil (11:00, Melbourne) Group F: Panama vs France (11:00, Sydney) Thursday 3 August Group H: Korea Republic vs Germany (11:00, Brisbane) Group H: Morocco vs Colombia (11:00, Perth) Knockout stages Saturday 5 August Match 49: Winners Group A vs Runners-up Group C (06:00, Auckland) Match 50: Winners Group C vs Runners-up A (09:00, Wellington) Sunday 6 August Match 51: Winners Group E vs Runners-up Group G (03:00, Sydney) Match 52: Winners Group G vs Runners-up Group E (10:00, Melbourne) Monday 7 August Match 54: Winners Group D vs Runners-up Group B (08:30, Brisbane) Match 53: Winners Group B vs Runners-up Group D (11:30, Sydney) Tuesday 8 August Match 56: Winners Group H vs Runners-up Group F (09:00, Melbourne) Match 55: Winners Group F vs Runners-up Group H (12:00, Adelaide) Friday 11 August QF1: Winner Match 49 vs Winner Match 51 (02:00, Wellington) QF2: Winner Match 50 vs Winner Match 52 (08:30, Auckland) Saturday 12 August QF3: Winner Match 53 vs Winner Match 55 (08:00, Brisbane) QF4: Winner Match 54 vs Winner Match 56 (11:30, Sydney) Tuesday 15 August SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF 2 (09:00, Auckland) Wednesday 16 August SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4 (11:00, Sydney) Saturday 19 August 3rd place play-off: Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2 (09:00, Brisbane) Sunday 20 August Final: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (11:00, Sydney) Match venues Australia Sydney (Stadium Australia, 83,500) Sydney (Sydney Football Stadium, 42,512) Brisbane (Lang Park, 52,263) Melbourne (Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, 30,000) Perth (Perth Rectangular Stadium, 22,225) Adelaide (Hindmarsh Stadium, 16,500) New Zealand Auckland (Eden Park, 48,276) Wellington (Wellington Regional Stadium, 39,000) Dunedin (Forsyth Barr Stadium, 28,744) Hamilton (Waikato Stadium, 25,111) Read More ‘Very high’ expectations on England’s Lionesses at World Cup, Georgia Stanway says Alessia Russo fully focused on England after ‘tough’ summer of transfer talk Millie Bright offers injury update ahead of Women’s World Cup Staniforth added to England’s World Cup standby list amid injury worry On this day in 2015: England reach Women’s World Cup semi-finals for first time Premier 15s chief Belinda Moore hails ‘stand-alone’ appeal of women’s sport