Sports

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Canelo Álvarez will return to the ring May 6 in his native Guadalajara, Mexico. He will defend his four super middleweight title belts against Britain’s John Ryder. The bout will be at Akron Stadium, the home of famed Mexican soccer club Chivas. Álvarez is fighting

By The Associated Press The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA’s Council on Tuesday, increasing the total to 104 matches from 64 in the 2022 tournament in Qatar. That means to win a World Cup, a nation will

CHELTENHAM, England (AP) — The Cheltenham Festival got off to a breathtaking start as Constitution Hill underlined his growing status as one of the best ever horses over hurdles and Honeysuckle ended her brilliant career with an emotional win. Six-year-old Constitution Hill justified his odds as the 4-11 favorite for the Champion Hurdle by finishing

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia coach Kirby Smart insists he has not lost control of a program that has produced back-to-back national championships but has been rocked by offseason arrests and a car crash that claimed the lives of a player and a recruiting staffer. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter’s

By The Associated Press PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has launched the 500-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. It brings the public up to date with his government’s hopes for the Games including the ambitious use of the Seine. Macron addressed hundreds of officials at a “speech of thanks” in

By MARK LONG AP Pro Football Writer JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A person familiar with negotiations says backup safety Andrew Wingard has agreed to return to Jacksonville on a three-year, $9.6 million contract. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move can’t become official until Wednesday. The person says

By PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee put on a strong face and a good showing for NFL teams at the school’s pro day on Tuesday. Bresee is the 6-foot-5, 298-pound junior who is projected a mid-first-round selection in next month’s draft. His final season at Clemson

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona big man Azuoulas Tubelis’ stoic nature often leaves teammates and coaches wondering if he’s serious about something or joking. Opponents have no trouble figuring out his intentions on the court. The 6-foot-11 forward from Lithuania put in a dominating junior season while leading the

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Golf’s governing bodies want the golf ball to go a little shorter for the biggest hitters. The U.S. Golf Association and Royal & Ancient Golf have released a proposal for a new test that would require different golf balls for elite competition. It would be covered under a Model

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers have agreed on a $33 million, three-year deal, a person familiar with the contract told The Associated Press. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be announced until Wednesday, said it

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — USA Swimming will reward its athletes financially if the Americans sweep all seven relays at this summer’s world championships and at the 2024 Paris Olympics. If the U.S. wins all seven of these relays at the world meet in Fukuoka, Japan, this summer, all the pool and open water world

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Houston Texans have agreed to send the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a sixth-round draft pick for guard Shaq Mason and a seventh-round pick, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the

CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. men’s soccer team will play Mexico in an exhibition on April 19 at Glendale, Arizona. The match is not on a FIFA fixture date, meaning many if not all Europe-based players will not be available, a group that includes most starters from last year’s World Cup roster. The U.S., with

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Olympic gymnastics champion Oleg Verniaiev has had the doping ban which caused him to miss the Tokyo Games halved at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The decision potentially paves the way for his return at next year’s Olympics in Paris. The 29-year-old Ukrainian tested positive for the banned substance meldonium

CHELTENHAM, England (AP) — The Cheltenham Festival got off to a breathtaking start as Constitution Hill underlined his status as one of the best ever horses over hurdles with a nine-length win in the Champion Hurdle. It was the marquee race on Day 1 of the prestigious meeting. Six-year-old Constitution Hill justified his odds as

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer The expanded World Cup in North America got even more supersized on Tuesday. The governing body of soccer increased the size of the 2026 tournament for the second time — six years after the first — by approving a bigger group stage for the inaugural 48-team event. By retaining

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer A person with a knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that quarterback Taylor Heinicke has agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth up to $20 million. The deal cannot be signed until the official start of free agency on Wednesday. It’s a homecoming for Heinicke, who

By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears have added help on the defensive line, agreeing to a deal with former Tennessee Titans defensive end DeMarcus Walker. Walker tweeted that he has an agreement in place with Chicago. The Bears agreed to a two-year contract extension with fullback Khari Blasingame through