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Sport shorts: Ruiz Jr slams Joshua’s boxing ability, Barty tops world rankings, Messi’s Copa begins now
Ten things from the world of sport on Monday 24 June
World heavyweight boxing champion Andy Ruiz Jr is expecting a “hell of a fight” in the rematch against Anthony Joshua, but the Mexican has slammed the Brit’s ability in the ring.
After Ruiz knocked out Joshua to win the WBA, WBO and IBF world titles in New York on 1 June, ESPN reports that a rematch between the two fighters is to be scheduled for November or December.
Speaking at a news conference Ruiz Jr said of his rival: “I know his flaws. I can do a lot better. The only thing that he can do is just run around, he’s not good at boxing.
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“The rematch is going to be the same. I am going to be more prepared and more ready. People thought I wasn’t going to do anything, I was too big, too overweight.
“There is going to be a lot of changing, I am going to come at a better weight this time. It’s going to be a hell of a fight.”
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that the winner of the Ruiz Jr vs. Joshua rematch will fight WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk. The 32-year-old Ukrainian is unbeaten in 16 professional fights.
2. Folau fundraiser shut down
A crowdfunding campaign started by Australian rugby union player Israel Folau has been shut down by GoFundMe because of his anti-gay views. Folau, a Christian, lost his contract with Rugby Australia after saying that “hell awaits” homosexuals. He had been trying to raise money to fight a legal campaign against Rugby Australia, claiming religious discrimination.
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3. Murray sets sights on singles titles
Former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray won the doubles title at the Queen’s Club yesterday, just five months after undergoing a hip resurfacing operation. Following his victory alongside Feliciano Lopez in the final in London, the 32-year-old Scot said: “I’ve won with a metal hip. It is mental really.” Murray added that he was aiming to return to the singles game - and hinted that he might enter the US Open later this year.
4. Barty tops world rankings
Australia’s Ashleigh Barty has become the world No.1 in women’s tennis following her victory at the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham at the weekend. The French Open champion, who replaces Naomi Osaka in the top spot, said: “You always dream of it [being world No.1] as a little kid but for it to become a reality is incredible.”
5. Hannah Green wins first major
Another Australian woman making waves at the top of her sport is golfer Hannah Green. The 22-year-old won the first major title of her career after a one-shot victory in the women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine. She told The Guardian: “I’m pretty much speechless.”
6. Roy ruled out of Australia clash
England opening batsman Jason Roy will not be fit to face Australia in tomorrow’s Cricket World Cup fixture at Lord’s. Roy sustained a hamstring injury against the West Indies on 14 June and James Vince will continue to deputise. England coach Trevor Bayliss said: “We’re not going to risk him, that’s for sure. We’ll play each game as it comes and get the medical people to let us know whether they think he is right for the next game.”
Chris Ashton has withdrawn from England’s Rugby World Cup training squad because of family reasons. The 32-year-old, who was included in Eddie Jones’s preliminary 29-man squad, said: “I wish Owen [Farrell] and the boys all the very best with their preparation over the coming months.”
8. Eto’o: Barca a better fit for Salah
Former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o believes that Liverpool star Mohamed Salah should sign for the Spanish champions. Ex-Real Madrid and Chelsea player Eto’o told the BBC: “If he has the chance to play in the best league of the world, which is the Spanish one, he has to sign for Barcelona. Mo has everything to be one of the best players in the world.”
Lionel Messi’s Argentina are through to the quarter-finals of the 2019 Copa America after beating Qatar 2-0 in their must-win match on Sunday. After the match Messi said that Argentina’s Copa campaign “begins now”. Messi, who is 32 today, said: “This will be an important boost for what’s to come... another Copa begins now. This victory must give us strength and make us grow as a team.”
England are through to the quarter-finals of the Fifa Women’s World Cup after a bruising and controversial victory against Cameroon.
Phil Neville’s side won 3-0 in Valenciennes yesterday but the match was overshadowed by the behaviour of Cameroon’s players.
Neville said: “I am completely and utterly ashamed of the opposition. If that was my team - and it will never be any of my players - they would never play for England again, with that kind of behaviour.
“It didn’t feel like football. It was a good win but that wasn’t a World Cup last-16 tie in terms of behaviour that I want to see from footballers.”
