Sports

Stevie McKenna is ‘locked in’ on all-Irish showdown with Callum Walsh after viral KO win, says manager Mike Borao | Boxing News

Published

36 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

Stevie McKenna is ‘locked in’ on an all-Irish showdown with Callum Walsh after delivering a dramatic victory in Dublin, says his manager Mike Borao.

McKenna produced a spectacular knockout victory over Owen O’Neill that went viral on social media before his younger brother Aaron was crowned IBF middleweight champion in the main event of Zuffa Boxing 10 on Saturday.

On the same bill, Walsh preserved his unbeaten record with a hard-fought win over Tyler Denny and could now be heading for an explosive clash with Stevie McKenna.

“At the moment, Stevie is locked on one fight – Callum Walsh in a major stadium in Ireland or New York. It’s all he talks about,” his manager Borao told Sky Sports.

“The crowd’s reaction after the fight, when Stevie asked if that’s what they wanted to see next, made it clear this would be a major attraction.

“Stevie has even mentioned to me that he would be open to stepping up against [WBA world champion] Erislandy Lara next.

“We’ll sit with our partners at Zuffa and decide what’s next for Stevie. They’ve been outstanding. That relationship already delivered a world title for Aaron in short order, and I have no doubt a major opportunity will follow for Stevie.”

McKenna has returned with first round knockout wins over O’Neill and Casey James Streeter in June since his first career loss on points to Lee Cutler in December 2014.

Borao, who secured an IBF world heavyweight title fight for Frank Sanchez, has also guided Teofimo Lopez to a WBA welterweight title fight against Rolly Romero later this month, and believes Stevie McKenna is next to land a major fight.

“Zuffa and Sky Sports have been incredible for Aaron and Stevie’s careers,” said Borao.

“It’s remarkable how involved Dana White and Zuffa are in backing their athletes. Aaron and Stevie have never received this type of support.

“Stevie is must-see TV – his latest knockout proved it, but the best is yet to come!”

Watch MVPW-06 in Birmingham, headlined by Mikaela Mayer vs Chantelle Cameron and with Caroline Dubois also in action, live on August 29 on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.

Sports

'Best out of three?' | Jordan's toe forces coin toss to be retaken!

Published

2 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

qasimgillani

In the coin toss for the match between Trent Rockets and Southern Brave, the coin hit Chris Jordan’s shoe, forcing a retake.

Sports

Rory McIlroy returns to action for first FedExCup Playoff event as he targets record-extending fourth title | Golf News

Published

9 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

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Rory McIlroy returns to action at the FedEx St. Jude Championship this week, live on Sky Sports, with the world No 2 targeting a big finish to the PGA Tour season and a record-extending fourth FedExCup title.

McIlroy heads into the first of three FedExCup Playoffs 12th in the season-long standings, with only the top 50 after this week progressing to the BMW Championship and then the top 30 qualifying for the season-ending Tour Championship.

The back-to-back Masters champion skipped last year’s FedEx St Jude Championship but is part of this year’s 69-man field at TPC Southwind in Memphis, where world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Justin Rose also feature.

McIlroy has only played six events – and three outside of the majors – since successfully defending his Masters title in April, claiming tied-19th at the Truist Championship, tied-12th at The Memorial and a share of seventh at the Genesis Scottish Open.

But Brad Faxon, McIlroy’s putting mentor, told the Sky Sports Golf Podcast that the 37-year-old has earned the right to cherry-pick his tournaments.

Faxon said: “After back-to-back Masters titles, he is like, ‘not only financially can I afford to do this but mentally, too’.

“Rory is not physically tired after playing a round of golf but it is the mental fatigue of always being on, always in the spotlight, never getting a break. Whether it’s walking into the gates or going to dinner at night, somebody is always coming up to you.

“I have never seen anybody more patient in that situation than Rory but for him to go to the Greek islands with some of his closest friends, that’s a way to get away from the game.

“When Rory said to his daughter, ‘Poppy, I need to go and practise. Her great quote was, ‘you already know how to play, daddy’. Rory hasn’t forgotten how to play and had a pretty good track record in the playoffs.

“In the brutal summer months that you get in the south, you are going to have to be in very good physical shape these next few weeks to contend for the FedExCup.”

How do the FedExCup Playoffs work?

All season long, players have earned points based on how they have performed in PGA Tour events, with extra points available for the signature events and majors.

Only the top 70 in the standings have reached the FedEx St Jude Championship (August 13-16), with just the top 50 then progressing to the BMW Championship (August 20-23) and then only the top 30 making it to the finale, The Tour Championship (August 27-30).

Winners of the first two play-off events earn 750 points apiece – the same as The Players and the majors – before the points reset to zero ahead of the Tour Championship.

In the closing event, all players begin at even par with the starting-strokes model based on FedExCup placings at that point axed in 2025.

The winner of the Tour Championship becomes FedExCup champion for 2026, earning $10m (£7.4m) dollars and a five-year PGA Tour exemption.

What else is at stake?

Those who have qualified for the FedEx St Jude Championship are guaranteed to retain their PGA Tour card for 2027 and also clinch a spot at The Players, while the 50 to make the BMW Championship earn places in next term’s signature events.

For the 30 who make it to the Tour Championship, they can look forward to a two-year PGA Tour exemption and teeing it up at the Masters at Augusta National. Spots in the US Open and Open are also set to come their way.

Why you should keep an eye on Koivun

After winning the 3M Open in just his third start as a pro after staying cool amid a charge from Scheffler, Jackson Koivin, 21, went on to wrap up a FedExCup Playoff spot after just five events, matching Tiger Woods’ record.

Faxon added of the hot prospect, who he says would be great fit for USA at the away Ryder Cup in Ireland next September: “Koivun dominated college and he is the hardest working kid I have ever seen.

“He comes blessed with a great putting stroke and a great putting attitude.

“I spend a lot of my time at the Titleist Performance Institute, where you can do all the testing of your equipment. I first met Jackson there and talked about his game.

“Every single guy who did the club fitting and ball fitting, was saying, ‘nobody is close to what this guy is doing’. We have seen how good he hits the iron as well so I am excited for him.

“I am a long-term believer in Jackson Koivun.”

List of FedExCup champions

2025: Tommy Fleetwood
2024: Scottie Scheffler
2023: Viktor Hovland
2022: Rory McIlroy
2021: Patrick Cantlay
2020: Dustin Johnson
2019: Rory McIlroy
2018: Justin Rose
2017: Justin Thomas
2016: Rory McIlroy
2015: Jordan Spieth
2014: Billy Horschel
2013: Henrik Stenson
2012: Brandt Snedeker
2011: Bill Haas
2010: Jim Furyk
2009: Tiger Woods
2008: Vijay Singh
2007: Tiger Woods

The PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoffs begin on Thursday with the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Watch live on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm or stream with no contract.