10:23 PM ET LAS VEGAS — Welterweight world titlist Keith Thurman showed off his confidence on Wednesday during the final pre-fight news conference inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena ahead of his showdown with legend Manny Pacquiao. Thurman said he will lay down bets on himself at the MGM sports book to score a knockout
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that the unprecedented move to step in and jointly administer African football with the regional body CAF will “significantly improve” the sport on the continent. Infantino also brushed aside suggestions that there was widespread opposition to the move, which followed corruption allegations against CAF president Ahmad Ahmad. FIFA
9:10 AM ET Greg WyshynskiESPN If I were one of the executives hiring Ron Francis as the first general manager of the Seattle Whatevers — and I’m still all-in on the “Sasquatch” or “Kraken,” for the record — my first question would have been a simple one: “How much of that was your fault?” Under
9:53 PM ET Associated Press DETROIT — A police report says the death of former Nashville Predators captain Greg Johnson was an apparent suicide, according to the Detroit News. The paper said Wednesday it had obtained a Rochester Police report, and that Johnson was found by his wife shortly before 10 a.m. on July 7.
8:06 PM ET Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says it’s “a little bit tough to swallow” that closer Kenley Jansen changed his mind about the severity of a foot injury after blowing a save Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jansen was struck in the foot by Adam Haseley‘s grounder
8:14 PM ET CHICAGO — It took 14 home starts spread across two seasons and 17 calendar months, but Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish finally earned his first win at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. “It’s amazing,” Darvish said after leading the Cubs to a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. “First win at Wrigley. I
7:24 PM ET Class of 2021 heavily-sought quarterback Drake Maye is blazing his own trail. While many expected the 6-foot-4, 205-pound signal-caller to follow in the footsteps of his father, Mark, and brother, Luke, and suit up for the home-state North Carolina Tar Heels, Maye is headed to the SEC. The two-sport standout, who had
7:21 PM ET BURBANK, Calif. — Bellator is hoping to bring a major show to Japan later this year, headlined by Fedor Emelianenko. Scott Coker, Bellator’s president, told ESPN on Wednesday that discussions are underway to hold a card Dec. 29 at Saitama Super Arena with a main event featuring Emelianenko, perhaps the greatest heavyweight
6:44 PM ET Associated Press MIDLAND, Mich. — Canadians Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp shot a 5-under 65 in alternate-shot play Wednesday to take the first-round lead in the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, the LPGA Tour’s first-year team event. Henderson and Sharp had seven birdies and two bogeys at Midland Country Club. “We really
6:24 PM ET Free agent forward Cheick Diallo has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, league sources tell ESPN. Diallo, 22, comes to the Suns with hopes that coach Monty Williams can speed along his development as an active, 6-foot-9 player. The Suns hold a team option on the second year of