Jake Paul beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision Saturday night, in a victory Paul had predicted and said would be the next step in his pursuit of a world title.

Paul dominated the first eight rounds before Chavez came alive in the final two rounds of the 10-round cruiserweight fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Chavez caught Paul’s attention with left hooks and a right, but Paul simply fought back. And Chavez clearly needed a knockout after looking inept for more than half of the fight.

The judges scored it 99-91, 97-93, 98-92 in favor of Paul.

Paul, 28, improved to 12-1.

The crowd booed after Paul was declared the winner. During an in-ring interview, Paul said he “loved’’ the crowd’s response but responded with profanity.

Paul said he wasn’t disappointed he couldn’t knock out Chavez. In fact, he didn’t even knock him down.

“He’s a tough, tough guy,’’ Paul said. “He’s never been stopped. And he’s a Mexican warrior.

“I respect Mexican warriors. I respect Mexico. But I’m also a warrior and I came out on top tonight.’’

Paul said he plans to fight again this year.

“I want tougher fighters,’’ he said. “I want to be world champion.’’

Chavez, 39, had indicated he would retire if he lost to Paul, and the defeat reinforced his reputation as a boxer past his prime. The son of legendary Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., he has lost five of his last nine fights and his record dropped to 54-7-1.

Chavez said he thought Paul was “a strong, good boxer’’ for the first three or four rounds of the fight, then tired.

“So I don’t think he’s ready for the champions,’’ Chavez said. “But he’s a good fighter.”

Paul, who embarked on a pro boxing career in 2020, won his sixth straight fight since suffering his lone defeat. That loss came against Tommy Fury by split decision in 2023.

Entering his fight against Chavez Jr., Paul was coming off a victory over Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in November.

USA TODAY Sports has you covered with updates, analysis and highlights from the Paul-Chavez Jr. card here:

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Round 10: Up go the chants. “Julio! Julio!’’ Chavez advancing again and digs in with a left hook. Paul responds. Paul lands a sharp, short right. Time’s running out on Chavez. Now he’s letting the punches fly. A left and a right. But nothing lands solid and Paul fights back. Chavez lands a solid left and eats punches as he looks for one more. Lands a hard right and a jab. Is there a miracle here waiting to happen? Chavez and Paul exchange big punches, including a Chavez left at the bell. But, no miracle. Paul 99, Chavez 91. 

Round 9: Chavez lands a right but draws a warning from the referee about low blows. Chavez whips a right into Paul’s head but there’s no follow up. Paul quickly responds. Chavez advances, though, and throws a couple of rights off the mark. But he lands a left to the body and then a right. Two more body shots from Chavez, who then eats a flurry of punches. Chavez comes back with a right and a big uppercut. Crowd on its feet. And Chavez lands a big left. The crowd roars as the round ends. Paul 90, Chavez 81.

Round 8: Chavez is going to need a knockout to win this. Unless Paul pulls the craziest “No Mas’’ in boxing history. Paul throws a couple of jabs. Chavez fires back with one of his own. Chavez throws a hard left but it misses. Doesn’t look like there’s much in Chavez’s tank, or a willingness to open up. Chavez throwing an occasionally left, but nothing to slow Paul from throwing combinations. Chavez lands a couple of nice shots – one to the body and one to the head – and Paul fires back. Paul 80, Chavez 72.

Round 7: Paul out with authority, and attacks Chavez’s body. Chavez moves forward and threw a right that glanced off Paul’s head. They’re tied up now. Chavez absorbing lots of punches, but comes forward again as he digs a left into Paul’s body. Paul scores with an uppercut. They’re tied up again and look fatigued. Looks like they’d like to slow dance for the last 30 seconds of the round. But the referee separates them. Briefly. Paul 70, Chavez 63.

Round 6: Paul throws an uppercut that squeezes through the high guard. He lands another hard uppercut and Chavez advances. Chavez landa a body blow – but it’s one and done for him. But then he lands a left hook. It’s a stinging shot that caught Paul’s attention. In fact, Paul leaned on Chavez as if to catch his breath. Chavez coming alive as Paul unloads. Paul 60, Chavez 54.

Round 5: Paul comes out firing the jab again. Chavez backs into his defensive mode. But now he comes forward and throws a right. There is life in this man. But Paul looks unaffected and continues to throw and land punches. Chavez appears to have caught Paul below the belt, but the fight quickly resumes. Still so striking how much stronger Paul looks. Maybe that’s why Chavez is spending most of his time covering up. Chavez advancing now, but misses with a right before eating one. Paul 50, Chavez 45.

Round 4: Paul comes out quick with an overhand right. Follows it up with a left. Paul scoring with both hands and Chavez has turned inactive again. Paul lands body shots. Chavez whiffs with a right and eats a right from Paul. Now he moves forward, lands a left to the body and looks angry. Paul counters with a right. Chavez digs in to Paul’s body with another left and may be coming to life? Chavez now advancing and lands a right. They exchanges jabs as the round comes to a close. Paul 40, Chavez 36.

Round 3: Chavez emerges for the round without a white flag. But he doesn’t look much more interested in fighting. He takes a hard right to the body. Paul scores again to the body. Chavez complaining that Paul was hitting him in the back of the head. Chavez, meanwhile, does not look inclined to hit Paul at all. In the crowd, Chavez’s father, the legendary fighter, looks frustrated. Now he’s on his feet urging his son to punch. Chavez finally lands a SOLID left to Paul’s face. Almost shocking. Paul 30, Chavez 27.

Round 2: Paul comes out firing the jab. Chavez has his hands up and looks futile. He throws a weak jab. Paul stifles laughter? Referee calls for time and asks for Vaseline be removed from Paul’s face. That doesn’t see to help Chavez. Paul lands a left, but not with authority. Chavez looks like he’s forgotten how to box, almost inept as Mike Tyson looked in November. Chavez finally lands a right, to Paul’s body. Whoopee. Paul lands a combination  and Chavez is backpedaling again. Paul 20, Chavez 18.

Round 1: It’s on – Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who by prefight applause is clearly the crowd favorite at the Honda Center. Paul clearly the bigger and more muscled fighter. They hustle to the center of the ring. Chavez has the high guard in place as the fighters circle. Chavez throws a weak wide right. Paul fires at Chavez’s body, then Chavez responds with a jab. Paul looks more comfortable and throws punches with both hands. Chavez is not exuding confidence. Paul stalking and throws a big right. Chavez looks concerned and isn’t throwing punches. Chavez whiffs with a left. Paul lands a right on the top of Chavez’s head and he complains. Rather than fighting back. Paul 10, Chavez 9. 

Jake Paul boxing record

Paul is 11-1 – better than virtually everyone expected when the YouTuber embarked on his pro boxing career in 2020. He has knocked out seven of his opponents.

Jake Paul net worth is…substantial

Jake Paul’s net worth was $100 million in January 2025, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Paul said he made $40 million from his fight against Mike Tyson in November.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Canelo Alvarez

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Canelo Alvarez squared off in 2017. Alvarez dominated the 12-round super middleweight fight and won by unanimous decision, 120-108, 120-108, 120-108.

Jake Paul has tried to get a shot at Alvarez but negotiations fell through in February.

How old is Jake Paul?

Jake Paul is 28. His opponent, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., is 39.

Gilberto Ramirez def. Yuniel Dorticos by unanimous decision

Ramirez defended his WBO and WBA cruiserweight world title with a unanimous decision in the 12-round fight.

The so-called “KO Doctor,’’ Dorticos landed some hard blows. He also landed an excessive number of low blows and for that the referee deducted a point. 

By contrast, Ramirez landed crisp and clean blows – above the belt — and for that he was rewarded on the scorecards.

The three judges scored it 115-112, 115-112, 117-110 for Ramirez, the 34-year-old Mexican who improved his record to 48-1.

Dorticos, a 39-year-old Cuban, fell to 27-3.

Gilberto Ramirez vs. Yuniel Dorticos, cruiserweight, 12 rounds 

Round 12: Dorticos digging into the body, and Ramirez responds with those softer but crisper punches. He lands a hard left while scoring with a series of punches. Ramirez showing precision and Dorticos somehow keeping his punches above the belt. Ramirez 115, Dorticos 112.

Round 11: Dorticos is warned about low blows yet again but doesn’t deduct a point. Dorticos throws what appears to be another low blow, but Ramirez keeps firing – above the belt. Ramirez slips again. Was the boxing ring built on an ice rink? Dorticos has Ramirez against the ropes and is letting his punches fly. Ramirez 105, Dorticos 103.

Round 10: Dorticos showing some of the same power he showed in the early rounds. But Ramirez looks unfazed – that is, until Dorticos hits him with three straight low blows. This time the referee deducts a point. Dorticos still throwing low blows, almost begging the referee to deduct another point. Ramirez stays focused on pummeling Dorticos. Ramirez 96, Dorticos 93. 

Round 9: Dorticos showing more energy, but Ramirez is the cleaner, crisper puncher now. Dorticos lands an uppercut, but Ramirez continues to move forward and unload. Ramirez’s punches gaining power as he connects with the body and head. Ramirez almost slips and falls, and he eats a straight left. But he looks poised as the round ends. Ramirez 86, Dorticos 85.

Round 8: Ramirez moving forward, but Dorticos stands his ground. They’re grappling now. Ramirez looks content to continue the inside fighting and is landing shots. Dorticos revs it up but Ramirez answers with a flurry. Dorticos 76, Ramirez 76.

Round 7: Dorticos comes out firing the left. Ramirez works the body again and lands a left uppercut, followed by a nice combination. Now they’re trading blows in close quarters, and Ramirez lands a hard left. Ramirez finishes strong. Dorticos 67, Ramirez 66.

Round 6: Round opens with some pattycake. Power surging now. Dorticos lands a couple of hard lefts and rips an uppercut that may have snuck through Ramirez’s high guard. Ramirez fights back with a head-snapping left. The round ends with a decent exchange. Dorticos 58, Ramirez 56.

Round 5: Action slows, and Ramirez finally moving forward. He pokes at Dorticos’ body and then lands a left to the face. Ramirez showing more precision with his punches. They exchange big shots before Ramirez scores with a combination. Ramirez showing more movement and dodges a couple of big punches. Dorticos 48, Ramirez 47.

Round 4: Dorticos unloads early and remains the aggressor. Ramirez scores to the body, but it’s unclear if it’s with enough force to make a difference. Dortico connects with two clean shots to the tone of Ramirez’s head. Follows up with a nice left. Ramirez fights back but Dorticos is getting the best of this as he backs Ramirez against he ropes. Dorticos 39, Ramirez 37.

Round 3: Ramirez scores to the body as the two circle at the center of the ring. Ramirez throws a combination that lacks fire. But he connects to the body. Ramirez lands shot and Dorticos quickly counters. Dorticos is warned for low blows for the second time, then finishes with a flurry. Dorticos 29, Ramirez 28.

Round 2: Dorticos showing more aggression, throws a few hard rights. Ramirez responds with precise punches that lack power. Dorticos stalking and lands a left. Dorticos clearly the aggressor now and he lands a couple of uppercuts. Ramirez pocking at Dorticos’ body while Dorticos fires hard shots. Ramirez 19, Dorticos 19. 

Round 1: Gilberto Ramirez and Yuniel Dorticos heads toward the center of the ring with Ramirez’s WBO and WBA world titles on the line. Ramirez opens with a right that misses, then follows up with one that lands. He fires two lefts at Dorticos’ midsection. Then connects with a right to Dorticos’ chin. No KO power yet, but he’s connecting. Dorticos finally opens up with a couple of wide rights. Nothing to write home about, but enough to live blog about. Ramirez 10, Dorticos 9.

Jake Paul’s brother makes prediction

Logan Paul, Jake’s older brother, has arrived and made a prediction about the fight. At some point, he said, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will get knocked down, realize Jake Paul hits harder than he expected and have to make a decision.

Get up? Or stay on the canvas?

“I think he’s going to quit,’’ Logan Paul said of Chavez on DAZN’s livestream. “I don’t think he’s got the fight in him.’’

Raul Curiel def. Victor Rodriguez by TKO

With the fight unexpectedly close in the fourth round, Curiel abruptly ended it.

He throttled Rodriguez with a body shot and uppercut that knocked Rodriguez to the canvas, left a nasty gash under Rodriguez’s eye and all but ended the welterweight fight.

Rodriguez got to his feet, but Curiel quickly smothered him and the referee waved off the fight at 2:01 of the fourth round.

Curiel, the 29-year-old from Mexico, improved to 16-0-1. Rodriguez, a 29-year-old from Uruguay, fell to 16-1-1.

Raul Curiel vs. Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez, welterweight, 10 rounds

Round 4: Curiel comes out strong, but Rodriguez stands his ground. More exchanges at the center of the ring. Curiel clearly the more polished fighter. And with power! Down goes Rodriguez! He’s bleeding under his right eye as he reaches his feet and the fight resumes. Curiel pounding away on Rodriguez and the referee calls off the fight! It’s Curiel by TKO. 

Round 3: Rodriguez connects with a solid right during a flurry. Curiel responds with an uppercut. Curiel still proving to be the more elusive fighter and landing cleaner shots. But Rodriguez unloads and occasionally catches Curiel. Rodriguez may have muscled his way to winning that round. Curiel 29, Rodriguez 28.

Round 2: Fighters exchanging punches almost as soon as the round starts. No measuring here. Just letting the punches go. Rodriguez connects hard with two body punches, and Curiel responds with a combination that includes a nice uppercut. Curiel evading punches, then scores with counterpunches. Curiel 20, Rodriguez 18.  

Round 1: Raul Curiel and Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez, both unbeaten boxers, make their way to the center of the ring. The fighters are exchanging crisp jabs. Then Curiel starts to work the body. He looks like the quicker fighter, but Rodriguez turns aggressive and Curiel backs away. Temporarily. Rodriguez throws some solid rights, then digs into Curiel’s body with lefts. Curiel fights back, lands a combination. Curiel scores late. Curiel 10, Rodriguez 9.

Julian Rodriguez def. Avious Griffin by KO

With the fight potentially coming down to the judges’ scorecards in the 10th and final round, Rodriguez took matters into his hands.

Both hands.

He caught Griffin with a left, followed with a right to the body and drilled him with two more lefts that knocked him him down – and out.

DAZN later reported that two of the three judges had the fight tied, 85-85, on their scorecards entering the 10th round of the welterweight fight.

Rodriguez, 30, improved to 24-1. Griffin, 31, suffered his first loss and fell to 17-1.

Avious Griffin vs. Julian Rodriguez, welterweight, 10 rounds

Round 10: Neither fighter taking chances early. They trade lefts and Rodriguez gets inside, where slugging ensues. Griffin lands a right and Rodriguez ties him up. Rodriguez on the run but countering Griffin. Rodriguez lands a flurry and then knocks down Griffin!  Griffin staggers as he attempts to reach his feet and Griffin wins by knockout!!

Round 9: Griffin comes out oddly inactive after that brawling Round 8. Rodriguez hurts Griffin with a flurry! Rodriguez draws blood from Griffin’s nose, but Griffin fights back behind the jab. Misses with a big right, but scores with one later. Griffin 85, Rodriguez 85. 

Round 8: Griffin lands punches early, and some big ones! Down goes Rodriguez after getting hit with a left!  But he’s up and the fight resumes. And so does Griffin’s outburst. Griffin showing his vaunted power before Rodriguez fights back and lands a couple of solid punches, only to eat an uppercut. Both fighters look fatigued, but Griffin lands a couple of punches as the round. Griffin 76, Rodriguez 75.

Round 7: Griffin flicking jabs. That’s not going to get it done. Rodriguez darts in and scores with another big left. He’s showing the ability to duck down, close the gap and score. Griffin lands a solid right. Rodriguez 67, Griffin 66.

Round 6: Rodriguez looks increasingly comfortable working with the size disadvantages, darting inside when he finds an opening. Griffin still snapping jabs but with little impact. Rodriguez scores with two big lefts. And another. Then he evades some heavy punches from Griffin. Griffin 57, Rodriguez 57.

Round 5: Rodriguez opens with a solid combination. Rodriguez muscles into the corner and tags Griffin, then digs into the body. Griffin lands a lanky left and Rodriguez looks in control as the round comes to an end. Griffin 48, Rodriguez 47.

Round 4: Rodriguez clubs Griffin with a right. Griffin fights back. Griffin initiates an action, but Rodriguez fires back. Griffin lands a big right and Rodriguez looks unsteady. Griffin 39, Rodriguez 37.

Round 3: Rodriguez scores with a forceful jab. Griffin responds with a jab with far less snap. The crowd boos, because that’s what this crowd does best. Griffin lands two solid lefts. But Griffin lands a left that stuns Griffin. But Rodriguez a little tentative rather than seizing the moment, and the round ends with Rodriguez backpedaling. Griffin 29, Rodriguez 28.

Round 2: The boos surface early as the boxers measure each other. Griffin’s jab is not enough to excite the fans. Rodriguez lands a solid right and sends Griffin backpedaling. Action stalls again, boos resurface. Rodriguez charges in late and scores. Griffin 19, Rodriguez 19.

Round 1: The 6-foot Avious Griffin has a clear size advantage over the 5-9 Julian Rodriguez as they meet near at the center of the ring. But Rodriguez showing impressive quickness. Griffin scoring with the jab and that reach advantage is obvious, too. Crowd growing restless during a fairly inactive round. Griffin 10, Rodriguez 9. 

Floyd Schofield def. Tevin Farmer by TKO

Schofield wept after beating Farmer by first-round TKO in their lightweight fight and indicated the emotion stemmed from controversy.

In February, Schofield was accused of ducking Shakur Stevenson in February when he withdrew the week of their fight with an undisclosed illness.

But now the talk will be how he dismantled Farmer, a formidable 34-year-old veteran, while improving his record to 19-0.

Schofield, 22, knocked Farmer down twice and was smothering Farmer again when the referee waved off the fight at 1:18 of the first round.

Farmer’s record dropped to 33-9-1.

Floyd Schofield vs. Tevin Farmer, lightweight, 10 rounds

Round 1: Tevin Farmer throwing punches early, but nothing landing. Whoa! Down goes Farmer, dropped by Floyd Schofield’s right. Farmer goes down again!!! This time Farmer was floored by a combination. Schofield drills Farmer again and the fight’s over! The referee waves it off! Schofield wins by TKO. And a disoriented Farmer is bleeding from the mouth.

Holly Holm def. Yolanda Vega by unanimous decision

Holm, a boxing Hall of Famer and former UFC champion, made a successful return to the ring more than 12 years after her last pro boxing match.

Holm, 43, outpunched and outworked Vega, 30, in what the judges saw as a lopsided 10-round women’s lightweight bout.

All three judges scored the fight 100-90 in favor of Holm, who improved 34-2-3.

It was Vega’s first career defeat as her record dropped to 10-0. But she landed some solid punches, evidenced by Holm’s bloody nose.

“It was a great fight tonight,’’ Holm said. “…I was glad to be up against somebody that’s tough and put my skills to the test and see how it feels again.’’

Holm said she plans to box again. Laughing, she said people have been telling her to retire since 2012.

How tall is Jake Paul?

Jake Paul is 6-1, and interestingly, he’ll be looking Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. eye to eye. That’s right, Chavez also is 6-1.

Jake Paul vs. Chavez Jr. common opponent

Both Chavez and Paul have stepped inside the boxing ring with Anderson Silva, the legendary MMA fighter.

Chavez faced him in 2021, when Silva had only two pro boxing matches. Chavez came into the bout 2.4 pounds over the maximum weight of 182 pounds, forfeited $100,000 of his purse to Silva as a result and then lost the eight-round fight by split decision.

In 2022, Paul got his shot against Silva, then 2-2 as a pro boxer. Paul knocked him down in the eighth round, the final round of their fight, and won the bout by unanimous decision. Paul out-landed Silva in total punches, 83-79, and Silva out-landed Paul in power punches, 66-51.

Who did Jake Paul lose to?

Paul has won five fights in a row since his lone defeat – a loss to Tommy Fury by split decision in 2023. Paul scored the only knockdown of that eight-found bout, but Fury still prevailed on the scorecards, 76-73, 74-75, 76-73. 

Jake Paul in another gigantic fight for ages

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will become the seventh of Paul’s 11 opponents who at least 10 years older than Paul, 28, at the time of their fight. (Tyron Woodley, who fought Paul twice, was 39 during each of those bouts.) Paul was eight years younger than two other opponents.

Jake Paul promises more than KO

Earlier this week, Jake Paul predicted he’ll knock out Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the first round. Today he promised something else.

“I’m taking his soul tonight,” Paul wrote on X.

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: Time, PPV, streaming for fight

The highly anticipated bout between Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will take place on Saturday, June 28 and can be watched on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Anaheim, Calif.
PPV: DAZN

Watch Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. with DAZN

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. main card, ring walk start times

Main card start time: 8 p.m. ET
Main event ring walks: 11 p.m. ET (approximate)

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight card

Main card

Fight card according to DAZN.

Jake Paul vs Julio César Chávez Jr.; Cruiserweight
Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez vs Yuniel Dorticos; Cruiserweight, for the WBA and WBO titles
Raul ‘Cugar’ Curiel vs Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez;Welterweight
Avious Griffin vs Julian Rodriguez; Welterweight
Floyd Schofield vs Tevin Farmer; Lightweight

Prelims

According to Yahoo! Sports.

Women’s lightweight: Holly Holm vs. Yolanda Guadalupe Vega Ochoa
Welterweight: Joel Iriarte vs. Kevin Johnson
Light flyweight: Naomy Valle vs. Ashley Felix
Heavyweight: Joshua Edwards vs. Dominic Hardy
Bantamweight: Alexander Gueche vs. Vincent Avina
Super featherweight: Victor Morales vs. Rene Alvarado
Super flyweight: John Ramirez vs. Josue Jesus Morales

Jake Paul fight results: Prelim bouts

Here is how the preliminary fights have gone before the main card.

Bantamweight: Alexander Gueche defeats Vincent Avina by unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 79-73)
Heavyweight: Joshua Edwards defeats Dominic Hardy by knockout
Super featherweight: Rene Alvarado defeats Victor Morales by unanimous decision (96-94, 99-91, 99-91)
Super flyweight: John Ramirez defeats Josue Jesus Morales by unanimous decision (79-73, 80-72, 80-72)
Welterweight: Joel Iriarte defeated Kevin Johnson by unanimous decision, 78-74, 80-72, 79-74

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight odds

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

Paul (-700)
Tie (+1600)
Chavez Jr. (+400)

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Predictions

Josh Peter, USA Today: Paul by TKO

Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: At 39, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is well past his prime. At 28, Jake Paul is approaching his prime. Thanks to youth and a powerful right hand, Paul will prevail. Prediction: Jake Paul by TKO, Round 9.  

Jon Hoefling, USA Today: Paul by decision

Considering Paul could not knock out a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, a matchup against someone in likely better shape and closer to his prime than Tyson shouldn’t result in anything greater. Paul is younger, faster, has been active more recently, and his strength is nothing to scoff at, but it seems way more likely that Paul and Chavez will go the distance than anything else.

C. Jackson Cowart, Sportsbook Review: Paul by mid-to-late decision, possibly TKO

Cowart writes, ‘Youth, power, reach, and recent consistent performance give Paul a clear edge. Chavez Jr. has the skills and pedigree, but his age, lack of recent high-level activity, and motivational concerns are big red flags. Paul’s physical advantages and training discipline should outweigh Chavez Jr.’s experience.’

OddsShark: Paul by KO/TKO (+140)

OddsShark writes, ‘Unless Chavez Jr. shows up in peak form, this is Paul’s fight to lose. He’s in better shape, he’s more active, and his power is real. Chavez Jr. might have the pedigree, but Paul has the tools and the drive right now.’

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. price

The full card will cost viewers in the United States $59.99 to watch.

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: Tale of the tape

It was another Shohei Ohtani bump day, and for the first time in 2025, he went more than one inning.

And he brought the heat in Kansas City.

Ohtani pitched two innings of scoreless baseball against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, June 28, and he notched another career achievement when he threw the hardest pitch of his career at 102 mph.

‘I don’t think I would have been able to do it in a live (batting practice) setting,’ Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton in the clubhouse after the game. ‘It’s nice to be able to hit this velo.’

Saturday was a first for the Los Angeles Dodgers star in 2025 in that he pitched away from home. In his first two starts, he tossed an inning of work before he rushed near the dugout to get his batting gear on so he could bat leadoff. This time around, he got to take an at-bat before he threw a single pitch, allowing him to have a not-so-chaotic first inning.

It didn’t start well at the plate, as Ohtani struck out on three pitches, the third straight time he started the day with a strikeout when pitching.

Trouble was brewing in the first inning of pitching for Ohtani, but he was able to work out of it. After he got leadoff hitter Jonathan India to fly out, he gave up a bloop single to Bobby Witt Jr. before he walked Maikel Garcia on five pitches. Batters have reached in all of Ohtani’s first innings of work, but the threat ended quickly when he got Vinny Pasquantino to ground into a double play.

He got Pasquantino out the fastest thrown pitch of Ohtani’s career, which was technically 101.7 mph.

The second inning was much more smooth for the two-way star. He retired the side, including a strikeout on rookie Jac Caglianone, on 13 pitches, and the velocity was still up in the high 90s.

He finished the day on the mound with 27 pitches − 20 of which were strikes −against seven batters, giving up one hit and one strikeout. After he was dependent on the sweeper in his most recent outing against the Washington Nationals, Ohtani relied on the fastball in Kansas City. He threw it 11 times and he threw triple-digits three times on the day.

The sweeper was also used often, but it was the first time Ohtani reincorporated the slider into his pitch arsenal. He certainly got Kansas City conscious of it as the Royal swung on all four sliders he threw, including the swinging strikeout by Caglianone.

Since giving up a run in his 2025 pitching debut, Ohtani hasn’t given up another score since.

Ohtani said he was overall happy with the performance, and he still has things he wants to work on mechanically. He went 0-for-4 on the day with three strikeouts at the plate in the 9-5 loss to Kansas City.

Shohei Ohtani 2025 pitching stats

Innings pitched: 4.0
ERA: 2.25
Strikeouts: 3
Hits: 3
Walks: 1
Home runs: 0
Runs: 1

Chase Elliott won a back-and-forth battle in the closing laps of the prime-time NASCAR Cup Series race on Saturday, June 28 and set off a celebration in the grandstands of EchoPark Speedway as the Georgia native made good on his home track.

Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, passed Brad Keselowski in Turn 2 of the final lap of the Quaker State 400, edging the RFK Racing driver and owner by 0.168 seconds as the fans roared their approval.

The 29-year-old scored his first victory of the 2025 season, taking the checkered flag for the first time in nearly nine months. But this win was special to the driver born and raised in Dawsonville, Georgia.

“Unbelievable! Are you kidding me? Thank you so much!” Elliott shouted to the crowd after climbing from his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

Elliott was one of just a few drivers who avoided the massive wrecks that took out more than one-third of the field Saturday night and dinged up the majority of the cars. And because of that, he was able to battle up front in the final stage as the lead changed hands multiple times in the final 20 laps.

First it was Keselowski, then Zane Smith, then Alex Bowman. Then Keselowski again, and Bowman again, and Smith again. Then Ricky Stenhouse Jr. made a bold move to take the lead before Keselowski overtook him to reclaim it. But the final pass would belong to Elliott.

“What a special car,” Elliott said. “It was a lot of fun. This is something I’ll never forget.”

At times the track, until recently known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, resembled Talladega or Daytona with the two multicar crashes that ended Stage 1 and opened Stage 2. One contender after another – including pole winner Joey Logano, points leader William Byron, 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney, and three-race winners this season in Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell – were taken out in those crashes, giving a slew of winless drivers a chance to celebrate in victory lane.

The crashes also upended the first round of the inaugural NASCAR In-Season Challenge, which opened Saturday night with a field of 32 contenders, who were seeded and matched up in head-to-head competitions. Sixteen of those drivers advanced to the second round next weekend on the streets of Chicago, and the other 16 were eliminated, including No. 1 seed Hamlin.

USA TODAY Sports had full coverage of the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. Scroll below for results, highlights and a recap of the action.

NASCAR Atlanta Quaker State 400 extended highlights

NASCAR In-Season Challenge first round

The first round featured 32 drivers in 16 head-to-head matchups, with the goal to finish better than your opponent in the Quaker State 400. The 16 losers were eliminated and the 16 winners advanced to the second round next weekend in Chicago. Here are the full results and bracket:

Top half of draw

No. 32 Ty Dillon def. No. 1 Denny Hamlin (DNF)
No. 17 Brad Keselowski def. No. 16 Kyle Busch
No. 8 Alex Bowman def. No. 25 Joey Logano (DNF)
No. 9 Bubba Wallace def. No. 24 Daniel Suarez (DNF)
No. 12 John Hunter Nemechek def. No. 21 Josh Berry (DNF)
No. 5 Chase Elliott def. No. 28 Austin Dillon
No. 20 Erik Jones def. No. 13 Ross Chastain (DNF)
No. 29 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. def. No. 4 Christopher Bell (DNF)

Bottom half of draw

No. 31 Noah Gragson def. No. 2 Chase Briscoe (DNF)
No. 15 Ryan Preece def. No. 18 William Byron (DNF)
No. 26 Carson Hocevar def. No. 7 Ryan Blaney (DNF)
No. 23 Tyler Reddick def. No. 10 Kyle Larson
No. 22 AJ Allmendinger def. No. 11 Michael McDowell
No. 6 Ty Gibbs def. No. 27 Justin Haley
No. 14 Zane Smith def. No. 19 Austin Cindric (DNF)
No. 3 Chris Buescher def. No. 30 Todd Gilliland

NASCAR Atlanta Quaker State 400 results

Here are the top 10 finishers of the NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway on June 28 (starting position in parentheses):

(15) Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
(6) Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
(9) Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet
(23) Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
(26) Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota
(37) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet
(8) Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
(14) Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet
(13) Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
(30) Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet

FINISHING ORDER: Full results of the Quaker State 400

Chase Elliott win NASCAR Atlanta race

Georgina native Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, won on his home track, taking the lead on the final lap of the Quaker State 400 for his first victory of the 2025 season.

Elliott cleared Brad Keselowski for the lead off Turn 2 on Lap 259 of 260 then held off the RFK Racing driver to win by 0.168 seconds.

NASCAR Atlanta: Justin Haley brings out caution with 33 laps to go

Ty Dillon made contact with Justin Haley, causing Haley to spin and bring out the caution on Lap 227 of 260. No other cars were involved. The first two rows are being controlled by two teams: RFK Racing with Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher, and Hendrick Motorsports with Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman.

NASCAR Atlanta race under caution at midpoint of Stage 3

The ninth caution of the race, for a spin by David Starr, halted the Quaker State 400 with 57 laps remaining. Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Ty Gibbs and Alex Bowman hold the top 6 positions.

NASCAR Atlanta restarts with 70 laps to go

The Quaker State 400 restarted on Lap 191 of 260 with Ty Gibbs and Ryan Preece on the front row. Most of the field had come down pit road following the caution on Lap 176. Justin Haley, Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott and Ty Dillon are also racing in the top 6.

Tyler Reddick was penalized during his pit stop and lost his front row track position.

NASCAR Atlanta: Shane Van Gisbergen spins, brings out caution

Shane Van Gisbergen, racing in the top 10, spun into the grass on Lap 176 to bring out the yellow flag with 85 laps to go in the Quaker State 400. Alex Bowman had the lead at the time of caution followed by Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher, Erik Jones and Tyler Reddick. Some drivers, including Buescher and Reddick, decided to come down pit road for fuel and tires, while others, including Bowman and Elliott, stayed out.

Chase Elliott begins Stage 3 with lead at Atlanta

A Georgia native and NASCAR’s most popular driver, Chase Elliott jumped out to the lead on the restart to begin Stage 3 of the Quaker State 400. Elliott got a push from Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman.

Tyler Reddick wins NASCAR Atlanta Stage 2 in photo finish

Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott battled right to the line to end Stage 2 as NASCAR went to video review to decide the winner of the 100-lap stage. Officials determined Reddick beat Elliott by 0.001 seconds to earn the stage win.

Chris Buescher, Alex Bowman, Erik Jones, Ty Dillon, Shane Van Gisbergen, John Hunter Nemechek, Zane Smith and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top 10.

Following the huge crash to open the second segment, there was only one other caution when Riley Herbst spun out on Lap 110 and collected Todd Gilliland.

NASCAR Atlanta Lap 220: Battle for the lead

Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman are battling for the lead with 40 laps remaining in Stage 2. Chris Buescher, Zane Smith and Justin Haley are also racing in the top 5.

NASCAR Atlanta: Eight cars officially out of the race

Following the Big One to open Stage 2 and the multicar crash that ended Stage 1, eight drivers are officially out of the race: Josh Berry, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, William Byron, Austin Cindric, Cory LaJoie and Ryan Blaney.

Three Joe Gibbs Racing drivers remain in the garage while their teams attempt to make repairs: Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell.

NASCAR Atlanta race restarts on Lap 77

Chris Buescher and Ty Gibbs led the field to green for the restart of Stage 2. More than 10 cars are either out of the race or in the garage.

Garage area busy after crash to open Stage 2

Joey Logano joined Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney with an early exit from the Quaker State 400 after his crew was unable to repair the big damage from the multicar crash to open Stage 2. NASCAR points leader William Byron was also in the garage along with last week’s leader Chase Briscoe and Trackhouse racing teammates Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez.

NASCAR Atlanta Stage 2 opens with big crash

Moments after the green flag waved to start Stage 2, the Big One unfolded at EchoPark Speedway after Denny Hamlin made contact with John Hunter Nemechek, causing a massive crash that engulfed a large chunk of the field. Both cars had begun the second segement in the top 10, so multiple rows racing behind them were collected.

Hamlin, the No. 1 seed in the inaugural NASCAR In-Season Challenge, was towed to the garage as was Stage 1 winner Austin Cindric after both suffered major damage. Pole winner Joey Logano also sustained major damage. An estimated 23 cars were involved in the crash, which will have big implications for the first round of the Challenge.

NASCAR displayed the red flag on Lap 70 of 260 to tow cars off the track and clean up the oval.

NASCAR Atlanta race: Stage 2 begins

Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher led the field to green on a restart on Lap 69 of 260 to begin Stage 2 of the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. The second and third segments are each scheduled for 100 laps.

Christopher Bell starts multicar crash; Stage 1 ends under caution

Christopher Bell got loose with three laps remaining in the 60-lap opening stage between Turn 3 and Turn 4 to trigger a multicar crash and bring out the caution flag. Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace, Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch and AJ Allmendinger were among the drivers who sustained some damage. Blaney exited his car, ending his race, after a hard hit into the outside wall. It was Blaney’s sixth DNF this season.

The stage finished under caution with Austin Cindric winning the opening segment. He was followed by Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, William Byron, and Carson Hocevar in the top five. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Josh Berry, Shane Van Gisbergen, Chase Elliott and Wallace rounded out the top 10.

NASCAR Atlanta race restarts on Lap 48

Joey Logano and Austin Cindric led the field to green following a roughly 15-minute delay for weather. The majority of cars came down pit road prior to the restart for fuel, tires and/or adjustments, including Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin. But the leaders stayed out. There are 12 laps remaining in the first stage.

NASCAR Atlanta race lap 43: Red flag waves

As the race remains under a weather delay at EchoPark Speedway, NASCAR officials displayed the red flag on Lap 43 and brought the cars down pit road. The rain remains light.

NASCAR Atlanta race lap 37: Caution flag waves

A light sprinkle has hit EchoPark Speedway bringing out the caution flag. Joey Logano has led every lap of the race so far. Drivers are expected to hit pit road for adjustments during the caution period.

NASCAR Atlanta race lap 35: Joey Logano leads

Pole winner Joey Logano has led all 35 laps in the opening stage of the Quaker State 400. The first stage is 60 laps. Austin Cindric, Josh Berry, Brad Keselowski, William Byraon and Kyle Larson round out the top six.

NASCAR Atlanta race starts as green flag flies

The green flag has waved for the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Joey Logano in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford is on the front row alongside Josh Berry in the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford.

How to watch NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta: TV, stream

Race: Quaker State 400
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: EchoPark Speedway (Hampton, Georgia)
TV: TNT, alternate telecast on truTV
Live stream: Sling TV

Stream the Quaker State 400 on Sling

What is the green flag time for NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta?

The green flag to start the Quaker State 400 is scheduled for 7:19 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 28, at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.

What is the lineup for NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta?

Joey Logano won the pole for the Quaker State 400 in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford as Ford drivers took the top eight spots in qualifying. Josh Berry will start alongside Logano on the front row in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford. Logano’s Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric, qualified third and fourth, respectively, and will start on the second row.

QUAKER STATE 400 LINEUP: Full starting lineup for tonight’s race at Atlanta

What is the weather forecast for NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta?

The Weather Channel is calling for a 65% chance of isolated thunderstorms around the Hampton, Georgia area, with the track placed on a lightning hold around 5:30 p.m. ET and lifted just after 6 p.m. ET. If rain hits the track, it should clear out of the area later this evening, with the forecast changing to showers around 9 p.m. ET and mostly cloudy skies at 10 p.m. ET. Temperatures will drop from the low 80s to the mid-to-low 70s.

NASCAR In-Season Challenge first-round pairings

Here are the pairings for the first-round race at Echo Park Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) on Saturday, June 28. The winner of each head-to-head matchup advances to the next round.

Top half of draw

No. 1 Denny Hamlin vs. No. 32 Ty Dillon
No. 16 Kyle Busch vs. No. 17 Brad Keselowski
No. 8 Alex Bowman vs. No. 25 Joey Logano
No. 9 Bubba Wallace vs. No. 24 Daniel Suarez
No. 12 John Hunter Nemechek vs. No. 21 Josh Berry
No. 5 Chase Elliott vs. No. 28 Austin Dillon
No. 13 Ross Chastain vs. No. 20 Erik Jones
No. 4 Christopher Bell vs. No. 29 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Bottom half of draw

No. 2 Chase Briscoe vs. No. 31 Noah Gragson
No. 15 Ryan Preece vs. No. 18 William Byron
No. 7 Ryan Blaney vs. No. 26 Carson Hocevar
No. 10 Kyle Larson vs. No. 23 Tyler Reddick
No. 11 Michael McDowell vs. No. 22 AJ Allmendinger
No. 6 Ty Gibbs vs. No. 27 Justin Haley
No. 14 Zane Smith vs. No. 19 Austin Cindric
No. 3 Chris Buescher vs. No. 30 Todd Gilliland

How NASCAR In-Season Challenge works: Matchups, rounds

The NASCAR In-Season Challenge puts the 32 drivers in a bracket, which begins with 16 first-round matchups.

The No. 1 seed faces the No. 32 seed in the first round, the No. 2 seed takes on the No. 31 seed, No. 3 matches up with the. No. 30 seed, etc. The losers of the head-to-head matchups will be eliminated, and the 16 winners will advance to the second round, where the winner of the No. 1 vs. No. 32 matchup will face the winner of the No. 16 vs. No. 17 matchup, the winner of the No. 2 vs. No. 31 matchup takes on the winner of the No. 15 vs. No. 18 matchup, etc.

Like March Madness, the tournament will move from a Round of 32 to a Sweet 16 to an Elite Eight to a Final Four and finally a championship race.

First round: 32 drivers in 16 head-to-head matchups; 16 drivers eliminated at end of race.
Second round: 16 drivers in eight head-to-head matchups; eight drivers eliminated at end of race.
Third round: Eight drivers in four head-to-head matchups; four drivers eliminated at end of race.
Fourth round: Four drivers in two head-to-head matchups; two drivers eliminated at end of race.
Fifth round: Two drivers in a head-to-head matchup; winner wins the in-season challenge.

TOURNAMENT: Full visual NASCAR In-Season Challenge bracket

How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta?

The Quaker State 400 is 260 laps around the 1.54-mile oval for a total of 400.4 miles. The race will feature three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 60 laps; Stage 2: 100 laps; Stage 3: 100 laps.

What time does the NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta start?

The Quaker State 400 is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 28, at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.

NASCAR In-Season Challenge races

All times Eastern

Round 1 — 32 drivers

Echo Park Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway)
Saturday, June 28 | 7 p.m. | TNT, truTV altcast

Round 2 — 16 drivers

Chicago street race
Sunday, July 6 | 2 p.m. | TNT, truTV altcast

Round 3 — 8 drivers

Sonoma Raceway
Sunday, July 13 | 3:30 p.m. | TNT, truTV altcast

Round 4 — 4 drivers

Dover Motor Speedway
Sunday, July 20 | 2 p.m. | TNT, truTV altcast

Round 5 championship — 2 drivers

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sunday, July 27 | 2 p.m. | TNT, truTV altcast

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.

The 2025 Home Run Derby, to take place July 14 at Truist Park just outside of Atlanta, is still in the early stages of setting its field. However, the fledgling bracket already has a pair of big names attached to it.

The first player to declare, hometown star Ronald Acuna Jr., is sure to be the most popular player of the night. However, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, colloquially referred to as ‘Big Dumper,’ has had a torrid first half of the season and is looking to become the first catcher to win the derby and the first switch hitter to win it undisputed.

As with every year in the Home Run Derby, however, there have been some notable declinations. The past two winners − the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez − will not participate in this year’s iteration. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani also will not compete, stating ‘the current rules are tough. I don’t think there’s a chance,’ per Bleacher Report.

USA TODAY Sports is tracking which players will be in the 2025 Home Run Derby, with updates as well below.

Who is in 2025 Home Run Derby?

The 2025 Home Run Derby currently has two players in the mix: Braves star Ronald Acuna and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who has stolen the national spotlight with 32 home runs through June 28.

Here’s the list as it continues to grow, along with how many seasons and career home runs they have so far.

Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves OF (9 HR in 2025, 174 career)
Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners C (32 HR in 2025, 125 career)

Latest Home Run Derby participant updates

This section will be updated as players accept, decline invitations

Who won Home Run Derby 2024?

The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez will be passing off the Home Run Derby crown. The Dodgers slugger eked out a win over the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. with 14 home runs in the final round, one more than Witt’s 13. Witt, finished with one more homer for the overall event, hitting 50 to Hernandez’s 49.

Hernandez, however, will not be returning, saying his attention is on a Dodgers World Series repeat in 2025.

“I was considering it at the beginning, but not right now,’ Hernandez told AM 570 LA Sports on June 27. ‘I think I’m not going to do it this year. Maybe next year. Because last year, when I finished the Home Run Derby, I was a little tired, tight. My body was a little tired, and with the injury that I had with my groin this year, I don’t want to put anything at risk. So I’m going to stay put and not participate this year.”

Elly De La Cruz declines Home Run Derby invite

In addition to Hernandez and Ohtani, another major name has declined an invite to Atlanta. Reds wunderkind shortstop Elly De La Cruz will not participate, but the door isn’t closed for the future.

“The time is going to come,” he said, per The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY network. “But not now.”

ATLANTA — One of the biggest FIFA Club World Cup matches will take place Sunday, June 29, featuring one of the greatest players of all time, and a reigning champion.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami from Major League Soccer will face Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup round-of-16 match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It’s the biggest match played by an MLS club in the league’s 30-year history, and it will come against the European champions.

Messi will face his former squad in PSG, where he briefly shined alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe before unceremoniously leaving in July 2023 to join Inter Miami. Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano will also face their former Barcelona coach in Luis Enrique, who is leading PSG.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Inter Miami-PSG matchup, and stay tuned for live updates from USA TODAY Sports.

What time is the Inter Miami-PSG match?

The match begins at noon ET (1 p.m. in Argentina, 6 p.m. in Paris.)

Where to watch Inter Miami-PSG match live stream link?

The match is available to live stream for free on DAZN.

Watch Inter Miami vs. Paris Saint-Germain live on DAZN

How to watch the Inter Miami-PSG match on TV in the US?

The match will be broadcast on TNT and TruTV in English; Univision and TUDN in Spanish.

Is Lionel Messi playing today?

Messi, in his first match since his 38th birthday June 24, is expected to play. His status will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup.

Is Ousmane Dembélé playing today?

Dembélé, one of the frontrunners for this year’s Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player, hasn’t played in the Club World Cup due to a quad injury. His status will be confirmed when PSG announces its starting lineup.

Inter Miami vs. PSG score prediction

Paris Saint-Germain 3, Inter Miami 1: This may not look pretty for Lionel Messi’s side and Major League Soccer. But just getting to this point in the Club World Cup is valiant enough. Messi scores a goal, but Inter Miami is outclassed by the Champions League winners. — Safid Deen

Inter Miami vs. PSG betting odds

Inter Miami is the biggest underdog of any team in the Club World Cup round of 16. Here are the betting odds for the match, according to BetMGM:

Paris Saint-Germain: -550
Draw: +725
Inter Miami: +1250
Over/under: 3.5 goals

Why did Lionel Messi leave Paris Saint-Germain?

Messi’s two-year spell at PSG was complicated, particularly upon his return to Paris from the 2022 World Cup triumph – having led Argentina to victory over France in the final. Imagine having to live and work in the same country you just delivered heartbreak to. Fans voiced their displeasure with Messi, who was also suspended by the club in May 2023 for taking an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia the day after a match.

When did Lionel Messi join Inter Miami?

Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023, joining the MLS club co-owned by Jorge Mas, Jose Mas and soon-to-be Sir David Beckham.

Who does Inter Miami/PSG winner face in Club World Cup quarterfinals?

The winner of Sunday’s Inter Miami-PSG match will face the winner of Sunday’s 4 p.m. match between Bayern Munich (Germany) and Flamengo (Brazil).

How has Inter Miami performed in the Club World Cup?

Messi and Inter Miami won a match, and settled for a draw in two others during the Club World Cup group stage. But they were able to advance as a Group A runner-up. They beat FC Porto (Atlanta), and drew against Al-Ahly (Egypt) and Palmeiras (Brazil).

How has Paris Saint-Germain fared in the Club World Cup?

PSG won Group B of the tournament: They beat Atlético Madrid 4-0, lost 1-0 to Botafogo (Brazil), and beat the Seattle Sounders 2-0 during the group stage.

When is Lionel Messi’s birthday?

Messi turned 38 years old on June 24, 2025. He will turn 39 during World Cup 2026. Check out these photos from his birthday celebration last week:

Will Lionel Messi re-sign with Inter Miami?

Messi is under contract with Inter Miami through the 2025 MLS season. The club hopes he re-signs a contract extension to remain through, at least 2026. It’s possible Messi could sign a longer extension.

Will Lionel Messi play in the World Cup?

Messi has not yet declared whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. If he does, it would be his sixth World Cup and he would help Argentina defend its 2022 crown.

The 2025 Home Run Derby, to take place July 14 at Truist Park just outside of Atlanta, is still in the early stages of setting its field. However, the fledgling bracket already has a pair of big names attached to it.

The first player to declare, hometown star Ronald Acuna Jr., is sure to be the most popular player of the night. However, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, colloquially referred to as ‘Big Dumper,’ has had a torrid first half of the season and is looking to become the first catcher to win the derby and the first switch hitter to win it undisputed.

As with every year in the Home Run Derby, however, there have been some notable declinations. The past two winners − the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez − will not participate in this year’s iteration. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani also will not compete, stating ‘the current rules are tough. I don’t think there’s a chance,’ per Bleacher Report.

USA TODAY Sports is tracking which players will be in the 2025 Home Run Derby, with updates as well below.

Who is in 2025 Home Run Derby?

The 2025 Home Run Derby currently has two players in the mix: Braves star Ronald Acuna and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who has stolen the national spotlight with 32 home runs through June 28.

Here’s the list as it continues to grow, along with how many seasons and career home runs they have so far.

Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves OF (9 HR in 2025, 174 career)
Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners C (32 HR in 2025, 125 career)

Latest Home Run Derby participant updates

This section will be updated as players accept, decline invitations

Who won Home Run Derby 2024?

The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez will be passing off the Home Run Derby crown. The Dodgers slugger eked out a win over the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. with 14 home runs in the final round, one more than Witt’s 13. Witt, finished with one more homer for the overall event, hitting 50 to Hernandez’s 49.

Hernandez, however, will not be returning, saying his attention is on a Dodgers World Series repeat in 2025.

“I was considering it at the beginning, but not right now,’ Hernandez told AM 570 LA Sports on June 27. ‘I think I’m not going to do it this year. Maybe next year. Because last year, when I finished the Home Run Derby, I was a little tired, tight. My body was a little tired, and with the injury that I had with my groin this year, I don’t want to put anything at risk. So I’m going to stay put and not participate this year.”

Elly De La Cruz declines Home Run Derby invite

In addition to Hernandez and Ohtani, another major name has declined an invite to Atlanta. Reds wunderkind shortstop Elly De La Cruz will not participate, but the door isn’t closed for the future.

“The time is going to come,” he said, per The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY network. “But not now.”

Dave Parker, the two-time World Series winner and two-time batting champion whose dangerous exploits at the plate earned him the nickname Cobra, died Saturday after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, just one month before he was to be inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Parker, 74, was an imposing left-handed hitting threat on two power-packed championship teams, the 1979 “We Are Family” Pirates and the 1989 “Bash Brothers” Oakland Athletics. He hit 339 home runs and won National League batting titles in 1977 (.338) and 1978 (.334) for the Pirates.

Parker never earned more than 24.5% support in 15 years of Hall of Fame voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, well short of the 75% required. But he was named on 14 of 16 ballots in December voting by the Classic Baseball Era Committee and will be elected alongside fellow Pennsylvania legend Dick Allen next month.

But neither will be around to see it. Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 and his prominence in the public eye diminished in the decade-plus since.

“I’m a battler,” Parker said in 2018.

That was evidenced in his climb to the Hall of Fame, and while he won’t be there for the induction, he was able to celebrate last December, when his election was announced.

“I’ve been holding this speech in for 15 years,” Parker told MLB Network that night.

Parker left such an impact that he’s a member of both the Pirates’ and Cincinnati Reds’ halls of fame. He was the 1978 NL MVP, when he led the majors in both batting average (.334) and OPS (.979), slammed 30 homers and earned an NL-best 7.0 WAR.

One year later, Parker banged out 193 hits and 20 home runs and, alongside Willie “Pops” Stargell, helped lead the Pirates to their first World Series title since 1960. Parker had a dominant postseason performance, getting four hits in 12 at-bats in an NL Championship Series sweep of the Reds, and was 10-for-29 (.345) and drove in four runs in the Pirates epic seven-game triumph over the Baltimore Orioles.

Parker left Pittsburgh for Cincinnati after the 1983 season but was still in his prime. He led the NL with 42 doubles and 125 RBIs in 1985 and earned All-Star nods in two of his four seasons with Cincinnati.

In 1989, he was the oldest player on a brash, power-hitting Oakland A’s team that featured beefed-up sluggers Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire and Hall of Fame leadoff man Rickey Henderson. Parker hit 22 homers as the A’s primary DH as he added a second championship to his portfolio. He made his seventh and final All-Star team one year later with Milwaukee.

‘Dave Parker was a gifted all-around player whose numerous accomplishments led to his upcoming induction in Cooperstown this summer,’ MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. ‘He was a World Series Champion with the 1979 Pirates and the 1989 Athletics, a beloved All-Star Red in his hometown of Cincinnati, and an All-Star in Milwaukee. Dave was also a three-time Gold Glover on the strength of his famous arm, a two-time batting champion, and the winner of the inaugural Home Run Derby in 1985.’All of us throughout the game are deeply saddened by this loss. We will remember the Cobra forever, especially as his name soon officially joins the legends of our national pastime.’

In 2019, Parker was the subject of a 90-minute documentary produced by MLB Network, “The Cobra at Twilight,” which did not glaze over any of his career.

In 1985, Parker was called to testify before a grand jury in a trial that resulted in the conviction of six Pittsburgh men and a Philadelphia Phillies clubhouse worker on 11 counts of distributing cocaine.

Parker acknowledged he battled addiction from 1979 to 1982 and used that experience to mentor young players to avoid mistakes he made earlier in his career.

“The thing that resonated with me more than anything was that he did not want me to drift into some of the things off the field that he did,” Eric Davis, the Reds’ All-Star outfielder and Parker teammate, recalled in the documentary.

Yet Parker was a trailblazer in so many other ways. He was just the second ballplayer to earn at least $1 million a season when he signed a five-year, $5 million contract with the Pirates, with a sartorial style that arguably captured the late ’70s ethos better than anyone.

He returned to his native Cincinnati after that contract expired and became a beloved Red, even as the franchise failed to recapture the glory of the Big Red Machine years featuring another native son, Pete Rose.  

Eventually, Parker’s body of work was recognized by the Hall of Fame, setting the stage for an emotional celebration of life and career next month in Cooperstown.

“We join the baseball family in remembering Dave Parker. His legacy will be one of courage and leadership, matched only by his outstanding accomplishments on the field,” says Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the Baseball Hall of Fame. “His election to the Hall of Fame in December brought great joy to him, his family and all the fans who marveled at his remarkable abilities.

“We will honor his incredible life and career at next month’s induction ceremony in Cooperstown, where his legacy will be remembered forever.”  

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.