Sports

Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. arrested by ICE for deportation, federal officials say

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Famed Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested for entering the U.S. illegally and will be deported to Mexico, where he faces organized crime charges, federal officials said Thursday. The arrest in Studio City, California, on Wednesday comes only days after the former middleweight champion lost in a match against Jake Paul in Anaheim, California. The Department of Homeland Security said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Chávez for overstaying a tourist visa and lying on his green card application. They said he has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives and is believed to be an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother killed in a car accident in Spain

MADRID (AP) — Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead after their car went off a road near the northwestern city of Zamora. Police were investigating the causes. They said there were no other vehicles involved. The 28-year-old Jota and his brother, 25-year-old André Silva, both Portuguese players, were in the car. Jota also played for Portugal’s national team. Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.

Guardians’ Luis Ortiz placed on leave by MLB amid gambling investigation, AP sources say

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has been placed on non-disciplinary leave due to a gambling investigation by Major League Baseball. That’s according to two people with knowledge of the investigation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday due to the nature of the investigation. The investigation is related to in-game prop bets on two pitches thrown by Ortiz that received higher activity than usual during two starts. The Athletic was the first to report that Ortiz’s suspension was related to gambling. MLB and the Guardians had no further comment on the investigation.

Supreme Court will take up a new case about which school sports teams transgender students can join

WASHINGTON (AP) — Just two weeks ago, the Supreme Court upheld a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. On Thursday, the justices said they’ll review lower court rulings in favor of transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia. The case will be argued in the fall. West Virginia’s attorney general calls it “a great day, as female athletes in West Virginia will have their voices heard.” Lawyers on the other side say they stand ready to defend the lower-court rulings. More than two dozen states have enacted laws restricting transgender women and girls from participating in certain sports. Some of these laws have been blocked in court.

Some fans question US readiness for 2026 World Cup after Club World Cup experience

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Soccer fans have mixed feelings about the United States hosting the World Cup next year. Some worry about stadium readiness and security. Fans also cite concerns about extreme heat, game scheduling, and the lack of enthusiasm in some places during the ongoing Club World Cup. Others, however, praise improvements in security and organization, saying the U.S. has the infrastructure to host successfully. The Club World Cup is seen as a test run for the World Cup, allowing organizers to address challenges before welcoming even more global soccer fans next year.

Doug Ghim sets pace at John Deere Classic with a 62 and the early lead

SILVIS, Ill. (AP) — Doug Ghim has set the early pace on a day of low scoring in the John Deere Classic. Ghim holed out from the fairway for eagle on his way to a 62. That gives him a one-shot lead over Max Homa and Austin Eckroat among the early starters at the TPC Deere Run. The tournament is renowned for producing first-time winners on the PGA Tour. Ghim is in his sixth year on the PGA Tour and has played 160 times as a pro without winning. He’s been around long enough to know Thursday is little more than a good start.

Nationals slugger James Wood joins Ronald Acuña Jr., Cal Raleigh as participants in Home Run Derby

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood became the third player to announce he will take part in the Home Run Derby. The derby will be held on July 14, the night before the All-Star Game, at Truist Park in Atlanta. Wood joins Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 33 homers, in the contest. Wood has 22 homers this season. He’s the third Nationals player to take part in the Home Run Derby, joining Juan Soto (2022) and Bryce Harper (2013 and ’18). The 22-year-old Wood has 12 homers that have been hit harder than 110 mph.

Wimbledon: No. 1 Jannik Sinner moves into the 3rd round with a straight-set victory over Vukic

LONDON (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has moved into Wimbledon’s third round with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Aleksandar Vukic of Australia at Centre Court. Sinner had 38 winners and just 11 unforced errors in the 1-hour, 40-minute match and saved all four break points he faced Thursday. The owner of three Grand Slam titles advanced to face 52nd-ranked Pedro Martinez of Spain on Saturday. Wimbledon is the only major tournament where Sinner has yet to reach a final; he lost in the 2023 semifinals at the All England Club.

Djokovic sets another record at Wimbledon and jokes about sipping margaritas on beach with rivals

LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic added another record to his name by reaching Wimbledon’s third round for a 19th time with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win over Dan Evans on Centre Court. It was Djokovic’s 99th match win at Wimbledon overall, and his 19 third-round appearances put him one ahead of Roger Federer for most by any man in the Open Era. It’s hardly the most prestigious record for Djokovic, whose 24 Grand Slam titles are the most by a male player. But he used it to poke fun of his younger rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. He said “19 is a great stat” and that it’s “probably almost as much as Sinner and Alcaraz have years in their lives.”

George Russell says he expects to stay at Mercedes despite signs Max Verstappen could join

SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — George Russell says there’s an “exceptionally low” chance he’ll leave Mercedes next year even after he claimed the team was holding talks with Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen. Speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix, Russell says he’s confident of staying with Mercedes. He says changing drivers would risk the team’s competitiveness when sweeping rule changes come in 2026. Russell caused a stir last week when he suggested to broadcaster Sky Sports that “conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing” and were a reason why he had yet to renew his contract for 2026.