Sport shorts: Deontay Wilder takes swing at ‘cheat’ Dillian Whyte and the 2026 Ryder Cup is set for Ireland
Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 25 July

1. Wilder takes swing at ‘cheat’ Whyte
British heavyweight boxer Dillian Whyte has been called a “cheat” and “donkey of the year” by WBC belt holder Deontay Wilder.
TalkSPORT says Wilder’s comments came after reports in the US claimed that Whyte had tested positive for a banned substance before his fight with Oscar Rivas on Saturday.
Whyte was previously banned in 2012 but his promoter Eddie Hearn said on Twitter that both fighters were subject to extensive testing and cleared for the bout.
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Citing the death of Russian boxer Maxim Dadashev this week, Wilder said: “This s*** has to stop… The bleeding has to stop somewhere, we just had a fighter f****** die in the ring because of taking too many blows to the head and you have idiots like Dillian Whyte who want to CHEAT just to come up in his career because he’s not good enough to do it alone.”
2. Ryder Cup heading to Ireland
The BBC reports that Adare Manor in Ireland will today be confirmed as the host venue for the 2026 Ryder Cup. Golf’s team event between Europe and the United States was last staged in Ireland in 2006 at the K Club in Dublin.
3. McIlroy’s major rethink
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy will reassess his major strategy after missing the cut at The Open last week. He told Sky Sports: “I think I’ve learned a lot in the four majors this year in terms of how I’ve started, how I’ve played in them, how I’ve tried to approach them. I almost tried to downplay the majors this year, tried to treat them like every other event and I’ve realised they're not, they’re not like any other event.”
4. Sky could put Prem highlights on YouTube
Sky are considering putting Premier League highlights on to its YouTube channel shortly after the conclusion of matches in the English top-flight. The Daily Mail says it could be a major threat to the BBC’s Match of the Day. However, presenter Gary Lineker said on Twitter it would be “no threat at all”.
5. Duo’s Tour’s disqualification ‘harsh’
Team Ineos principal Sir Dave Brailsford says Luke Rowe and Tony Martin’s disqualification from the Tour de France is “incredibly harsh”. Team Ineos rider Rowe and Jumbo-Visma’s Martin have apologised after their clash on stage 17. Brailsford said: “It’s nothing more than you see most days of the race.”
6. Shields leaves England camp
After injuring ligaments in his foot forward Brad Shields has been forced to leave England’s Rugby World Cup training camp in Italy. The Rugby Football Union said Shields will undergo further assessment in England to understand the extent of the injury. He will be replaced at the training camp by Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt.
7. Spurs stalk Juve ace Dybala
Tottenham Hotspur have made inquiries about the availability of Juventus star Paulo Dybala. According to reports, Spurs will need to fork out £80m if they’re to bring the South American to north London. Apparently Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a “huge admirer” of his compatriot, and is also ready to meet Dybala’s £120,000-a-week wage demands.
Premier League transfer news: Dybala, Zaha, Aubameyang, Eriksen, Coutinho
8. Hamilton’s praise for ex-PM May
Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has praised Theresa May after the former prime minister left 10 Downing Street yesterday. Writing on Instagram, Hamilton said: “This women [sic] put up with so much s**t from everyone and remains graceful as she exits. Wish her all the best.”
F1: Theresa May had ‘balls of steel’, says Lewis Hamilton
9. Mercedes and Ferrari to appear in Netflix series
Mercedes and Ferrari were not part of the Formula 1: Drive to Survive first series on Netflix, but it has been confirmed all ten teams will appear in season two when it is released next year. Ian Holmes, director of media rights at Formula 1, said: “Drive to Survive has enabled us to reach an entire new fanbase globally and partnering with Netflix for a second season ensures we are continuing to put fans at the heart of what we do and make the sport more open and accessible to all.”
10. England go from champs to chumps
From the awesome to the awful in ten bewildering days - that best sums up the fortunes of the England cricket team. Crowned world champions at Lord’s a week last Sunday, England offered up one of the most embarrassing performances in their long Test history as they were skittled out for just 85 by Ireland.
85 all out: reactions as Ireland humiliate England at Lord’s
Today’s back pages: Ireland commit a ‘midsummer Murtagh’
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