On 29 August 29 one of the feistiest upstarts in modern boxing will celebrate a fifth anniversary.

On the same date in 2021, Most Valuable Promotions’ headline bout for its inaugural show in Cleveland, Ohio, featured co-founder and online influencer Jake Paul taking on MMA fighter Tyron Woodley in the boxing ring.

MVP’s second event, just under four months later in Tampa, Florida, was a Paul-Woodley rematch.

For a long time, MVP’s most notable event featured Paul fighting Mike Tyson.

It came at a time when Tyson was so far over the hill that the hill could not be seen in the rearview mirror.

MVP’s reputation developed as it put together cards with names and output that were anathema to boxing purists.

The five-year anniversary card, however, shows a side of MVP which has emerged alongside what some would consider its gaudiness.

And perhaps what takes place this weekend offers a better indication of the promotion’s future than the fights that have gone before.

The main card features five women’s bouts, headlined by Mikaela Mayer taking on Chantelle Cameron to unify the WBA, WBC and WBO light-middleweight belts.

The primary support showcases Caroline Dubois defending her WBC and WBO lightweight titles against Amelia Moore.

MVP, for years dismissed by critics as a snot-nosed upstart of a promotion, is now a major player and the primary UK promoter of women’s boxing.

“Respect is the biggest change. I’ve seen and felt it,” Dubois told BBC Sport.

“I remember if you said you’re a female boxer, people would look at you like ‘ah’ – but now people are like ‘OK, let’s see you fight’ – it’s not a joke, a gimmick, a side caricature. It’s part of the real deal.”

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff says he is “not at all” disappointed by Max Verstappen having committed to Red Bull with a new contract that runs until 2030.

Ahead of the Formula 1 season resuming with Verstappen’s home Dutch Grand Prix over the weekend, Red Bull ended speculation over the four-time world champion’s future by announcing the extension.

While Verstappen’s previous deal was set to run until 2028, exit clauses in the agreement meant the 28-year-old would have been free to join another team in 2027, with possible switches to Mercedes and McLaren having been the subject of significant speculation.

Wolff made a very public pursuit of Verstappen after Lewis Hamilton announced in February 2024 that he was leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025, and the Mercedes boss appeared to still be interested in signing the Dutchman last season

However, Wolff has insisted in recent months that he is happy with his driver pairing of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who sit first and second, respectively, at the top of the Drivers’ Championship after Sunday’s race in Zandvoort.

Asked about Verstappen’s new contract in an interview with Sky Sports F1 on Saturday in Zandvoort, Wolff said: “Most important was that we had the clarity in the team since a long time.

“We’re committed to George and Kimi, and in a way, that was just a logical consequence what happened now.

“Silly season is officially cancelled now, and everybody can concentrate on the racing.”

Pushed on whether he felt any disappointment about the length of Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull, Wolff added: “No, not at all.

“We know each other well. With Kimi and George, it’s the perfect set-up we have and the perfect line-up, so there is no disappointment.”

Rosberg: I don’t think Max had any options

The cooling of Wolff’s interest in Verstappen appears as though it may have been influenced by the hugely impressive form that has put Antonelli in control of the championship.

The Italian, who turned 20 on Tuesday, has unexpectedly outperformed the far more experienced Russell to build a 59-point advantage over his team-mate at the top of the standings.

While Mercedes showed huge faith in Antonelli by fast-tracking him in as Hamilton’s replacement as a teenager, an inconsistent rookie campaign left doubt over whether he would be able to live up to expectations.

However, his 2026 form, which saw him break countless records by winning five successive races after finishing second in the season opener, could potentially have made Wolff reconsider whether bringing Verstappen to Mercedes remained necessary.

McLaren appeared to be similarly content with their current driver line-up of reigning world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who have combined to lead the Woking squad to successive constructors’ titles.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Nico Rosberg, who won the 2016 world championship with Mercedes, said: “It’s fantastic news for Formula 1 because Max Verstappen is the greatest driver at the moment, and we want him to stay here. He’s a phenomenal driver!

“He was thinking about taking some time off, or stopping F1 for a while, so that’s great.

“I don’t think he had any options. He was in talks with McLaren, but I think that was just to strengthen his position at Red Bull.

“Red Bull need stability so you offer him a bit more money, and the range is from £70-90m a year, so let’s land on £80m – which is a lot of money!”

Formula 1 heads to Monza for Ferrari’s home race at the Italian Grand Prix on September 4-6, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

We have a busy day’s racing on Wednesday with flat action from Newbury and Wolverhampton, live on Sky Sports Racing…

6.30 Newbury – Cloud Forest and River Card headline feature handicap

Cloud Forest and River Card clash in an excellent renewal of the feature Gracelands Handicap at Newbury.

Saeed bin Suroor saddles Cloud Forest, who drops back to a mile as he makes his handicap debut after three starts this season. The form of his recent second at Kempton has been boosted and he can go well under Hector Crouch.

River Card claimed the notable scalp of Maltese Cross when winning an Ascot maiden last year but finished well beaten in a sales race over in Deauville next time. He makes appeal if fit enough on this seasonal return and handicap debut with Tom Marquand in the saddle for the first time.

Others to note include Haydock winner Home Hero, while the hat-trick seeking Accademia must be feared despite a six-pound penalty for her course and distance success last month.

3.30 Wolverhampton – In-form The Craftymaster faces Boilermaker

In-form The Craftymaster takes on six rivals in a trappy attheraces.com/Marketmovers Handicap at Wolverhampton.

Tony Carroll’s charge has won three of his past four starts and seeks a hat-trick under new pilot Molly Gunn. A narrow winner at Lingfield and Newmarket the last twice, he switches back to the all-weather with obvious claims.

Boilermaker recorded a first career success at Sandown last month and, with confidence boosted, the sole three-year-old in the field ought to make his presence felt on just his third all-weather run.

Thomas Faulkner’s V Power merits respect on the pick of his form, while Letmebetheboss and Fair Dinkum complete the shortlist.

5.55 Newbury – Somers Isles and Bidsta clash in hot fillies maiden

Somers Isles and Bidsta clash in a hot edition of this IRE Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at 5.55pm.

The Andrew Balding-trained Somers Isle made a pleasing start to her career when runner-up at Newmarket last month and, with the yard in cracking form, she could go one better under Oisin Murphy.

Richard Spencer’s Starburster showed ability when getting the hang of things late on debut at Windsor and granted natural progression she looks an each-way player.

George Boughey’s Bidsta is a fascinating newcomer for Victorious Racing. A 380,000-guineas purchase at two, she is closely related to useful sprinter Ferrous and should be in the mix for a yard who have done well with juveniles this summer.

Best of the rest

2.30 Wolverhampton – My Maria and Lovely Dark Angel contest strong novice.

4.10 Newbury – Informative Nursery with 15 runners.

4.45 Newbury – Maiden with several interesting types including Yabreen, Solar Swing and Perfect Strike feature.

5.20 Newbury – Darjeel and Saturn Star feature.

5.30 Clairefontaine – Listed Handicap

4.30 La Teste De Buch – Listed where New Connection represents Wathnan and Graffard.