One of the great rivalries in boxing has only one winner.

It’s Katie Taylor, again.

Taylor beat archrival Amanda Serrano by majority decision Friday, July 11, giving the Irish boxing star a victory in each of her three matches against Serrano.

With the latest bout streamed by Netflix, Taylor defended her undisputed super lightweight championship. The judges scored the 10-round bout 95-95, 97-93, 97-93 in favor of Taylor.

“What an amazing fighter,’’ Taylor said of Serrano. “… It’s such a privilege to stand in the ring with her.’’

Soon after, the two women embraced in the ring.

Taylor beat Serrano by decision in 2022 in their first bout and by decision again in their rematch as the co-main of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson card in November. On Friday, their 10-round bout got top billing on an all-women card at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

It was a disciplined fight, unlike the free-for-alls that broke out during their first two fights.

Serrano, who suffered a deep cut over her right eye in their second bout after a headbutt from Taylor, seemed to fight more conservatively Friday.

“I tried to keep my distance, tried not to go in there and fight with her because apparently it didn’t work the first two fights,’’ Serrano said. “So we tried to stick with the longer punches, the 1-2s, and I guess … it just wasn’t enough.’’

According to CompuBox, Taylor and Serrano both landed the same number of punches, 70. But Taylor landed more power punches – 57 compared to 49 by Serrano.

Taylor, the 39-year-old Irish star, improved to 25-1. Serrano, the 36-year-old Puerto Rican star, fell to 47-4-1.

USA TODAY Sports had updates, analysis and highlights from the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano card:

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano punch output

The free-for-all fans have come to expect from Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano did not materialize in their trilogy fight.

On Friday, Taylor and Serrano landed a combined 140 punches – 70 punches from each.

By contrast, during their rematch Nov. 15, the two combined for 541 landed punches. And in 2022, when they fought for the first time, Taylor and Serrano combined to land 320 punches.

“I was obviously trying to come in here to fight disciplined, to fight smart,’’ Taylor said.

Offered Serrano: “I tried to keep my distance, tried not to go in there and fight with her because apparently it didn’t work the first two fights.’’

Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1: A conservative start as Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor circle and measure. They throw punches but short, neither diving in for the first flurry. Flicking punches, flicking punches. Taylor may have grazed Serrano, enough to win this round. Taylor 10, Serrano 9.

Round 2: Now they’re firing. Taylor strikes Serrano’s body. Serrano avoids a left. Here comes Serrano behind the jab and she lands a left. Serrano is stalking now, but seems careful of any possible head clashes. Taylor 19, Serrano 19.

Round 3: Serrano out stalking again, moving forward behind the right jab. Taylor content fighting on her back foot. Doesn’t feel like this fight has started in earnest yet. Serrano closes and throws a few shots. Taylor scores with a right and finishes the round with a flurry. Taylor 29, Serrano 28.

Round 4: Serrano looking conservative, perhaps guarding against the feared headbutt. Taylor scores with a solid right. Taylor finding her range and bouncing on her toes. She looks in control. Serrano catches her with a right and Taylor answers with a flurry. Taylor 39, Serrano 37.

Round 5: Taylor looks sharp. Keeping Serrano at bay with quick punches. Serrano tags Taylor in an exchange and finally shows more life. She continues to stalk and cut off the ring but Taylor answers with her jab. But not hard enough. Taylor 48, Serrano 47

Round 6: Serrano stalking again but looks afraid to get too close. Now she comes forward and lands punches, but Taylor fights back with a flurry of punches. Taylor catches Serrano again, but Serrano responds with a couple of shots. Was that a headbutt? Uh oh. Serrano finishes the round by popping Taylor with a right. Taylor 57, Serrano 57.

Round 7: Serrano comes out with more bounce. She flashes the jab and Taylor fires her right. Taylor is cut under her right eye. Doesn’t seem to be an issue. And this round features a lot more missed punches than landed punches. Taylor 67, Serrano 66.

Round 8: The free-for-all we’ve seen before looks like a distant memory. But Serrano lands a power shot. Was that a boo? Or two? The crowd may be growing restless. Serrano lands two good left hooks. Now she’s stalking Taylor again. Taylor 76, Serrano 76.

Round 9: Still fighting at a distance before Taylor lands a left. She snakes in a couple of other shots before Serrano counters with a left. Taylor looks elusive and up go the chants: “Katie! Katie!” Taylor 86, Serrano 85.

Round 10: Taylor and Serrano exchange shots early in the round. Serrano struggling to find her target. Taylor scores with a left. Taylor scores with some lighting-quick punches. “Katie! Katie!’’ Serrano looks lost. Befuddled. Taylor 96, Serrano 94. 

A packed house for Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor

The ring announcer says it’s a sellout at Madison Square Garden, as the introductions begin for the main event.

Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor: Is this their last bout?

Amanda Serrano, when asked about the possibility of a fourth fight against Katie Taylor, said, “No, I don’t think so. I’m kind of tired of Katie Taylor. We have great, great moments together. We have great fights together. But, hey, two is better than one, right? She’ll have two (victories) and I’ll have one so she can live with that.” 

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Time, PPV, streaming for fight

The highly anticipated bout between Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano will take place on Friday, July 11 and can be watched on Netflix. Preliminary bouts begin at 5 p.m. ET and can be streamed on the Most Valuable Promotions’ YouTube page and Tudum.

Date: Friday, July 11
Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
Main card time: 8 p.m. ET
Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano main event ringwalks: 11 p.m. ET
Main card live stream: Netflix
Preliminary card time: 5 p.m. ET
Preliminary card live stream: Most Valuable Promotions’ YouTube page and Tudum

Alycia Baumgardner def. Jennifer Miranda by unanimous decision

In a bout that at times turned into a messy brawl, Baumgardner somehow emerged relatively pristine.

Miranda never backed down, and as a result Baumgardner had to eat punches while dishing them out. It was clear who got the best of those exchanges.

The judges scored it 98-92, 98-92, 97-93 for Baumgardner, the 31-year-old from Dallas who improved to 16-1.

Miranda, a 39-year-old from Spain, fell to 12-1.

Alycia Baumgardner vs. Jennifer Miranda: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1: Alycia Baumgardner’s undisputed super featherweight championship is on the line. Jennifer Miranda is trying to steal it. And so the co-main event begins. They come out crouching, at a distance. Not much punching. Have they already forfeited a shot at that $250,000 performance bonus? Baumgardner connects to the body, then connects with a jab. And so, ladies and gentlemen, we have a Round 1 winner. Baumgardner 10, Miranda 9.

Round 2: Baumgardner scores quickly with a jab and a right. She lands two more rights and Miranda is on the canvas, the result of a slip. But the canvas is waiting for Miranda again as Baumgardner lands a left hook followed by a straight right. She lands yet another right. Baumgardner 20, Miranda 18.

Round 3: Miranda lands a left jab and attempts to throw a combination but quickly comes under fire. Miranda not backing away, and she lands a nice right. Baumgardner lands a nice left, then backs away as Miranda lands a left. But nothing that fazes Baumgardner. Baumgardner 30, Miranda 27.

Round 4: Baumgardner scores with an overhand right but Miranda’s not running. Baumgardner lands a couple of body shots. Baumgardner uncorks several shots and goes on the offensive, but Miranda fights off the assault and looks poised. Baumgardner 39, Miranda 37.

Round 5: Baumgardner opens the round with two punches to the body. And another body shot. Miranda roughing things up and Baumgardner puts her in a headlock before they separate. Baumgardner scores with two more body shots. Baumgardner 49, Miranda 46.

Round 6: Miranda comes out stalking. But quickly she’s eating two power shots from Baumgardner. No backing away from Baumgardner and Miranda scores with the right. Here come some big punches, and Baumgardner escapes relatively unscathed. Baumgardner 59, Miranda 55.

Round 7: Things are getting a little rough as Baumgardner charges in behind a jab and Miranda charges back. It’s boxing bumper cars. And Baumgardner lands a big right. It does not faze Miranda. But Miranda needs to start landing punches. Baumgardner 69, Miranda 64.

Round 8: Miranda barrels in and catches Baumgardner with a right as the fight briefly turns into a brawl. Miranda connects with a right and is comfortable with the brawling. Baumgardner 78, Miranda 74.

Round 9: Baumgardner comes out behind the jab again, then lands a left hook. But Miranda connects with a big right and then is draped over Baumgardner. Miranda using her reach to try to keep Baumgardner at bay and now Miranda looks to be in control. Baumgardner 87, Miranda 84.

Round 10: Miranda out quickly behind her jab. Baumgardner muscling in and throwing a flurry of punches. Baumgardner eats a punch and serves up several for Miranda. Miranda tying up Baumgardner, and that looks to be her best strategy. Baumgardner pressuring, but Miranda fighting back. Baumgardner 97, Miranda 93.

Shadasia Green def. Savannah Marshall by split decision

Green wept and fell to the canvas after she beat Marshall by split decision and won the unified super middleweight world title.

Green also hugged her trainer, who fell to his knees on the canvas. It’s been 20 years since her boxing journey began, Green explained.

“I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude and joy,’’ she said.

It was Marshall’s first fight in two years, but the ring rust didn’t last long. She showed her impressive form you’d expect from the only boxer to have defeated Claressa Shields. But Green punched with even more power and accuracy.

The judges scored the fight 95-94, 93-96, 96-93 in favor of Green, a 35-year-old from New Jersey who improved to 16-1.

Marshall, the 34-year-old Brit, fell to 13-2.

Shadasia Green vs. Savannah Marshall: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1: With the unified super middleweight title on the line, the bell sounds for Savannah Marshall and Shadasia Green. Marshall throws a few feints, Green throws a punch and we’re off. Marshall leading with a jab and looks to have scored with a right. Green and Marshall exchange some solid shots. Marshall trying to use her reach advantage with a looping jab. Green lands a solid right and avoids any punishment. Green 10, Marshall 9.

Round 2: Marshall moves forward behind that left, then eats a right from Green. Green weathering a semi-storm before fighting back jabs followed by a right. Green is warned for holding, then closes the round with a left hook. Green 20, Marshall 18.

Round 3: Green lands a nice body shot. Then goes to the head. Now they’re in close quarters, which is where Marshall wants to be. Marshall lands, but Green again has an answer. Green 30, Marshall 27.

Round 4: Round opens with a heavy exchange. Green blocking punches and landing her own. But Marshall working Green’s body. Oh, boy. Referee Thomas Taylor deducts a point from Green for holding. Green lands a hard left. Green 38, Marshall 37.

Round 5: Green lands a hard right and Marshall looks shaken. Green slugging away but takes a right too. Green uncorking punches and Marshall is holding on. Green snaps a right on Marshall’s face and the Brit is on the ropes and looking tired. Green 48, Marshall 46.

Round 6: Marshall throwing feints, then eats a left hook. Marshall fighting back, maybe to her own detriment. Green popping Marshall with jabs. Marshall flopping around like a marionette, then lets the punches fly. Green 58, Marshall 55.

Round 7: Green opens with the jab and backs away as Marshall pushes forward. Green capitalizes on the jab again. Marshall has Green on the ropes and she spins out and away. But Marshall stalks and now they exchange some big shots. Green 68, Marshall 64.

Round 8: Marshall out quickly, but Green fires back. Marshall moves in behind a flurry, but it’s not clear what gets through. Green answers with punches from both hands. Marshall continues a steady output of punches. Green 77, Marshall 74.

Round 9: Marshall comes out fast, lands a couple of hard lefts. Another exchange of solid shots. Another solid round from Marshall. Green 86, Marshall 84.

Round 10: Both welcoming the exchanges, and they’re coming early. Green lands a big right. A lot of swinging and missing as fatigue sets in. Green surging in for a late punch but can’t connect. Green 95, Marshall 94. 

Ellie Scotney def. Yamileth Mercado by unanimous decision

Scotney landed a boatload of punches, landed the harder punches and decked plenty too as she beat Mercado.

Throughout the 10-round bout, Scotney showed precision, power and nice footwork. It clearly impressed the judges. They scored the fight 100-90, 98-92, 98-92 for Scotney, the 27-year-old Brit who improved to 11-0.

With the victory, Scotney becomes the unified super bantamweight world champion.

Mercado, a 27-year-old from Mexico, fell to 24-4.

Ellie Scotney vs. Yamileth Mercado: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1: With the super bantamweight championship at stake, here they come, Ellie Scotney and Yamileth Mercado. Mercado throws a punch to the body. Mercado responds with a couple of jabs. Scotney fires quickly with both hands and pushes forward. Mercado stands her group and gets aggressive with her right. Scotney lands another thudding right late. Scotney 10, Mercado 9.

Round 2: Mercado throws a nice uppercut and then Scotney play some defense, evading a couple of punches. Then she goes on the offense, landing a couple of left hooks. No lull here, as Mercado swings big and misses big with her left. Mercado initiates the action, but Scotney looks in control. Scotney 20, Mercado 18.

Round 3: Scotney showing her quickness with the jab. Mercardo sneaks in a right, misses with the next. Mercardo’s activity looks a little like desperation, and Scotney scores with an overhand right. Then lands another. Scotney delivering big with the right. Scotney 30, Mercado 27.

Round 4: Scotney almost surgical as she delivers her punches. While Scotney’s hitting the mark, Mercado at times is swinging wildly. Now Mercado finding her range – and maybe with enough aggression to earn the round. Scotney 39, Mercado 37.

Round 5: Mercado winding up for the big punches. Scotney continues to evade the potentially dangerous ones. Now they’re tangled. Scotney lands a left while ducking a punch. Mercado bleeding from over her right eye, likely the result of a headbutt. Scotney 49, Mercado 46.

Round 6: Both fighters appear to be bleeding from headbutts. Mercado swinging for the fences and mostly missing. Scotney closing the gap, then backpedaling. Mercado bleeding profusely. Scotney maintains control. Scotney 59, Mercado 55.

Round 7: Mercado out quickly behind the left and follows it up with a right. Scotney, compact and technical, drives a punch into Mercado’s body. The body work continues and a straight right to the body stuns Mercado. Fatigue may be setting in. Scotney 69, Mercado 64.

Round 8: They’re mixing it up early. Mercado lands a solid right and follows it up with a couple of left hooks. This is Mercardo at her best, but Scotney fires back with a flurry and that nasty cut from over Mercado’s eye has opened again. Scotney finishes the round strong. Scotney 79, Mercado 73.

Round 9: Mercado slinging that left hook. Scotney ducks one and pounces. Throws Mercado to the canvas and up go the boos. The pace quickens, and Scotney lands repeatedly, including a hard straight right. Scotney 89, Mercado 82.

Round 10: Wham! Scotney and Mercado rush to the center of the ring and exchange big punches. Scotney lands a right, and Mercado stumbles. Her tank looks empty, and Scotney pounces again. And for good measure, lands a big right as the fight comes to a close. Scotney 99, Mercado 91.

Muhammad Ali’s reaction to women’s boxing

Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali and once arguably the world’s best women’s boxer, says this card could change opinions about women’s boxing.

“My own father, when I told him I wanted to box, told me, ‘Don’t box. It’s not for you. I don’t want to see you do it. It’s not for women.’’’ Laila Ali said on the Netflix livestream. ‘And I had to tell the ‘Greatest of all Time,’ ‘I’m going to do it and I’m going to show you.’ And then he came to me right when I was fighting for a world title and said, ‘I’m proud. I was wrong. You can fight. Women can fight.’ I was able to change his mind. They can change the minds of others as well.’’

Laila Ali went 24-0 with 21 knockouts before retiring in 2007 without every boxing on a stage like the one Nexflix is providing tonight.

“So this is the platform they need,’’ she said.

Cherneka Johnson def.  Shurretta Metcalf by TKO

Johnson punished Metcalf for eight rounds before something other than her fists stopped the fight. The ringside doctor stepped on the apron to inspect Metcalf’s left eye before the referee Charlie Fitch stepped in.

“She’s taking too many punches,’’ Fitch said, and roughly two seconds into the ninth round, the fight was over.

With the victory, Johnson became the undisputed bantamweight world champion.

“I’ve envisioned this moment, so I already feel like I’ve been here before,’’ said Johnson, a 30-year-old Australian who improved to 18-2. “…This is just beginning.’’

Johnson knocked down Metcalf in the fourth round, but the 40-year-old from Dallas got off the mat and kept fighting. But she also continued to absorb punishment – eventually too much as far as the referee was concerned.

Chantelle Cameron def. Jessica Camara by unanimous decision

Cameron finished the bout with a welt over and under her right eye. But former undisputed world super lightweight champion inflicted more punishment than she took.

Drawing on her experience and power, Camera outpunched Camara in a performance that left the judges convinced. They scored it 99-91, 98-92, 99-91 in favor of Cameron, the 34-year-old from Great Britain who improved her record to 21-1.

But Jessica Camara, a 37-year-old from Canada, landed plenty of shots even while her record fell to 14-5.

Ramla Ali def. Lila Furtado by unanimous decision

Any boxing card, including  a stacked all-women’s card, deserves a little judging controversy, right?

Well, this card got a wallop of it in the super bantamweight fight between Ali, a 35-year-old from Britain, and Furtado, a 34-year-old from Brazil.

In the second round, Ali drilled Furtado with a right hand that almost knocked down the Brazilian. Instead, the punch appeared to wake her up. The sluggish Furtado started slugging and appeared to dominate the rest of the eight-round fight. Then the judges’ scorecards were read: 77-75, 77-75, 78-74 in favor of Ali.

With some disbelief, Ali improved to 10-2 and Furtado fell to 11-3

Tamm Thibeault def. Mary Casamassa by TKO

Tamm Thibeault, once a stalwart amateur boxer, is emerging as a promising pro. She stopped Mary Casamassa in the fifth round of their middleweight bout.

Thibeault struck quickly, knocking Casamassa down in the first round.  She continued to use her left jab to keep Casamassa at bay and then started to unload body shots. It was too much for Casamassa, who winced and bent over before the referee halted the fight at 2:18 of Round 5.

Thibeault, a 28-year-old Canadian, improved to 3-0. Casamassa, a 25-year-old from Pittsburgh, fell to 6-2.

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano preliminary fights begin

The preliminary card begins with a women’s middleweight bout between Mary Casamassa and Tamm Thibeault. The fight is scheduled for eight rounds at three minutes apiece.

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano price

The main card for the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano fight will be on Netflix. There are several price structures available: Standard with ads ($7.99/month), Standard ($17.99/month) and Premium ($24.99/month). Netflix subscribers will be able to watch the main card in its entirety.

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano fight card

Preliminary card

Cherneka Johnson vs. Shurretta Metcalf; IBF women’s bantamweight title, vacant WBC and WBO women’s bantamweight titles
Chantelle Cameron vs. Jessica Camara; Women’s super lightweight bout
Ramla Ali vs. Lila Furtado; Women’s super bantamweight bout
Tamm Thibeault vs. Mary Casamassa; Women’s middleweight bout

Main card

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano; IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC women’s super lightweight titles on line
Ellie Scotney vs. Yamileth Mercado; IBF, WBC and WBO women’s super bantamweight titles
Alycia Baumgardner vs. Jennifer Mercado; IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC women’s super featherweight titles
Savannah Marshall vs. Shadasia Green; IBF and WBO women’s super middleweight titles

Amanda Serrano cut

The lasting image from the Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor rematch Nov. 15, 2024: Serrano fighting despite a gruesome cut over her right eye. Serrano suffered the gash after a headbutt from Taylor in the fourth round and later said it required eight stiches to close the cut.

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano stats

Katie Taylor is 2-0 against Amanda Serrano headed into the trilogy fight. Overall, Taylor is 24-1 with 6 KOs. Serrano is 47-3-1 with 31 KOs.

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano fight card odds

All odds are for moneyline bets as of of Thursday according to DraftKings.

Katie Taylor (+150) vs. Amanda Serrano (-185); IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC women’s super lightweight titles on line
Ellie Scotney (-1000) vs. Yamileth Mercado (+550); IBF, WBC and WBO women’s super bantamweight titles
Alycia Baumgardner (-2500) vs. Jennifer Mercado (+1100); IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC women’s super featherweight titles
Savannah Marshall (-650) vs. Shadasia Green (+450); IBF and WBO women’s super middleweight titles
Cherneka Johnson (-400) vs. Shurretta Metcalf (+300); IBF women’s bantamweight title, vacant WBC and WBO women’s bantamweight titles
Chantelle Cameron (-3000) vs. Jessica Camara (+1100); Women’s super lightweight bout
Ramla Ali (-475) vs. Lila Furtado (+330); Women’s super bantamweight bout
Tamm Thibeault (-1800) vs. Mary Casamassa (+900); Women’s middleweight bout

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano Predictions

FanDuel: Serrano by points or decision

Austin Swaim writes: ‘Boxing is always going to be boxing when it comes to the judges’ scorecards, but if we got a similar looking fight to the (second) after common knowledge that Serrano was pretty inexplicably robbed, it’s hard not to envision this series extending to four as Amanda’s hand gets raised. This version might be even more dominant, though.’

Boxing News: Serrano is the favorite

Staff writes: ‘I am backing Amanda Serrano in this one as I just feel like the fighting pride of Ireland may be running out of steam. Serrano has hurt Taylor a number of times across the first two fights, but she’s been unable to really capitalize on this due to Taylor’s grit and toughness. I actually like the price of Katie Taylor to be knocked down at odds.’

Odds Shark: Amanda Serrano to win by decision

Staff writes: ‘Serrano’s volume punching hasn’t been enough to earn a victory. So look for the challenger to change her game plan slightly, and pick and choose her spots to attack. While Taylor’s durability has been fantastic, damage starts to catch up to even the greatest fighters eventually. For that reason, I’m with the sportsbooks fading Taylor, and betting the OVER 0.5 total knockdowns at +250 odds. With a massive volume of punches, it’s very likely one of these fighters hits the mat at MSG. Plus, as the old NFL saying goes, it’s tough to beat a team a third time, and I think that mantra holds true at Taylor vs. Serrano 3.’

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Tale of the tape

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano live stream

Coverage of the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano will be available on Netflix. Subscribers will be able to watch the main card in its entirety.

Serrano vs. Taylor highlight of Paul-Tyson fight card

When Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor fought in the co-main event on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card on Nov. 15, 2024, they rescued the show from the doldrums with their electric, 10-round bout. Serrano and Taylor combined to land 541 punches. By comparison, Tyson and Paul landed a combined 96 punches – a meager 18 from Tyson.

How Jake Paul ‘offended’ Amanda Serrano in first meeting

Amanda Serrano, the star women’s boxer of Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), was not impressed with the social media influencer after their first meeting, said Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s business partner.

It happened in 2020 when Serrano fought on the undercard of Paul’s pro boxing debut, according to Bidarian.

“She tried to shake Jake’s hand,’’ Bidarian told USA TODAY Sports. “Jake gave her a fist bump. She later told us she was offended.’’

Read more from the full account by clicking here.

Cal Raleigh has emerged as a superstar for the Seattle Mariners throughout the first half of the 2025 MLB season. And Friday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers proved to be another grand occasion for the catcher.

Raleigh belted a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning against the Tigers on July 11 for his 38th home run of the season. It was his second home run of the night following a solo shot in the top of the eighth.

The Mariners went on to beat the Tigers 12-3.

Raleigh became the first player since the first MLB All-Star Game in 1933 with 38+ home runs and 80+ RBI before the All-Star break, according to the Mariners PR social media account.

His home run total before the All-Star break trails only Barry Bonds, who hit 39 before the break in 2001.

Is Cal Raleigh playing in the MLB All-Star Game?

The fans voted Raleigh to be the starting catcher for the American League in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

The All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. now has a limited itinerary for the upcoming MLB All-Star festivities.

Acuna has officially been removed from the Home Run Derby, which is scheduled for Monday, July 14 in Atlanta. He has competed in the event before, reaching the semifinals in 2019 and the quarterfinals in 2022.

The team did not provide a reason for the change.

Atlanta will still be represented during the derby with first baseman Matt Olson tabbed to replace Acuna.

Ronald Acuna Jr. stats

Acuna is 48-for-148 with 11 home runs, 36 runs, 20 RBIs and 33 walks in 42 games for the Braves this season. He’s stolen four bases and struck out 48 times.

There’s a new era of Chicago Bears football beginning this fall.

Year two with quarterback Caleb Williams has all the signs of improvement from a 5-12 campaign in 2024 thanks to the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach and a number of key roster moves.

Those moves include trading for upgrades on the offensive line as well as drafting more reinforcements on offense, specifically at tackle and tight end.

Johnson was hired on a five-year deal that keeps him on the books with the Bears through the 2029 season. The franchise made a move today to ensure he’ll be in place with the team’s current general manager Ryan Poles.

USA TODAY Sports confirmed Chicago signed Poles to an extension to keep him with the team through the 2029 season as well. His contract had two more years left before this extension but now he’ll be on the same timeline as Johnson.

Poles started as general manager with the team in the 2022 NFL season. He oversaw a trade with the Carolina Panthers during the 2023 offseason that ultimately secured the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The team used that to select Williams, one of the top-rated quarterback prospects of the last decade.

That trade also netted the team wide receiver DJ Moore as well as picks that became right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, punter Tory Taylor and wide receiver Luther Burden III.

Williams’ rookie season in 2024 didn’t live up to expectations and the Bears made a mid-season coaching firing for the first time in decades. Chicago lost 10 of its final 11 games and finished the year as the worst offense in the league by yards and 28th by points scored.

Johnson orchestrated the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL in 2024 with Detroit and brings an experienced staff with him to make changes. Longtime New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is in as the team’s defensive coordinator and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will coach running backs.

Chicago dealt for two-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney this offseason and signed top free agent center Drew Dalman to upgrade the interior offensive line, a weak point in 2024. The Bears also dealt for former Lions guard Jonah Jackson to provide Johnson a familiar player on the interior offensive line as well.

Ryan Poles record

Poles has been the Bears’ general manager for the last three seasons. In that time, the team has gone 15-36:

2022: 3-14
2023: 7-10
2024: 5-12

Ryan Poles history

Poles played offensive line at Boston College and went undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft. Chicago signed him as an undrafted free agent that offseason but he ultimately did not make the team.

He returned to Boston College in 2008 as a graduate assistant and moved to the Chiefs a year later, initially as a scouting assistant. He worked his way up in the coming decade to the following positions:

2010-15: College scouting coordinator
2016-18: Director of college scouting
2019-20: Assistant director of player personnel
2021: Executive director of player personnel

He replaced Ryan Pace as the Bears’ general manager in January 2022.

Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler will not pitch in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game next week.

Wheeler plans to step away to prioritize rest and prepare for the second half of the season with the Phillies.

“He came in the other day and said he wanted to make sure his body was good coming out of the break and carry on through the rest of the year,” Phillies manager Robert Thomson told reporters regarding Wheeler’s decision. “He wants to do what’s right by the club. I think he’s being smart.”

The starting pitcher has compiled a 9-3 record in 18 games this season. In 116 innings pitched, he’s recorded 148 strikeouts, tied for the second most in the majors this season. He leads the majors in batting average against at .177, his 0.84 WHIP ranks second, and his 2.17 ERA is the third-best this season.

Wheeler is scheduled to start for the Phillies on Saturday, July 12 against Yu Darvish and the San Diego Padres (7:35 p.m. ET, Fox).

MLB announced on its official X account that San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon has been added as a reserve pitcher for the National League, replacing Wheeler on the roster.

The MLB All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber is hopeful Lionel Messi and Inter Miami can agree to a contract extension to keep the Argentine World Cup champion in the league before next year’s World Cup.

Messi is under contract with Inter Miami – co-owned by brothers Jorge and Jose Mas, and David Beckham – through the end of the 2025 MLS season.

“Messi has been such an incredible part of the MLS story the last couple of years and playing so well. It’s just been a gift to have the best player in the world in Major League Soccer,’ Garber told USA TODAY Sports during an interview on Friday, July 11, two days before the FIFA Club World Cup final.

“We certainly look forward to him continuing his career in Miami. I know Jorge Mas and his partners are going to work hard to see if they’re able to re-sign him and have him play here – hopefully prior to him playing for Argentina next summer.

“And not anything more I can add on that, but I’m hopeful that we’re able to re-sign him,” Garber added.

USA TODAY Sports reported earlier this week that Messi and Inter Miami are in continued negotiations on a new deal. One part of the process is whether Messi would extend through 2026 or 2027, a person familiar with the talks said on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing nature of negotiations.

Messi and Inter Miami will host Nashville SC in their next match on Saturday, July 12.

Messi became the first player in the league’s 30-year history to score multiple goals in four consecutive league matches in his last match. He scored twice on the road in a 2-1 win against the New England Revolution on July 9.

Messi also helped Inter Miami and MLS make history in the Club World Cup, where his free-kick goal against Portuguese side FC Porto delivered the first win for a North American team against a European club in a major international competition.

Garber also cherished Messi and Inter Miami having a chance to compete against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16, before they were ultimately eliminated from the tournament following a 4-0 loss on June 29 in Atlanta.

“The beauty of the Club World Cup is our teams had an opportunity to stand and go toe-to-toe with the top teams in the world,” Garber said of Inter Miami, the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC representing MLS in the tournament.

“Miami had a good run and got out of the group [stage]. PSG is the best team in the world right now, and certainly is playing at the highest level. And while they lost that game, I think there was less talk about how Miami wasn’t good enough, and more about how great PSG is.

“But you got to get into the arena, and you got to fight the fight. And the Club World Cup gave our teams the opportunity to do that.”