Tyson Fury Dominates Wach, Sets Up Potential Joshua Clash with Seventh-Round TKO

• ‘Gypsy King’ stops Polish veteran in Thailand, then delivers brutal message to fellow Briton: “Let’s see if he has the guts”

Tyson Fury moved one step closer to a blockbuster heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua after delivering a dominant seventh-round technical knockout victory over Poland’s Mariusz Wach on Friday, but the self-styled ‘Gypsy King’ immediately cast doubt on whether his long-time British rival would actually step into the ring with him. Fighting in front of approximately 1,500 spectators at the Max Muay Thai Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand, the 37-year-old former two-time world heavyweight champion systematically broke down the 46-year-old Wach until his corner pulled him out on his stool at the end of the seventh round. The bout was notably absent from television screens, with organisers reportedly reserving highlights for the third series of Netflix’s ‘At Home with the Furys’.

The contest proved to be a training exercise for Fury, who weighed in at 265lbs—some 26.4lbs lighter than the Polish veteran, who tipped the scales at 291.4lbs. Despite the weight disadvantage, Fury used his superior reach and speed to dictate proceedings from the opening bell, switching between orthodox and southpaw stances to confuse his opponent. Wach, who has now lost 11 of his last 17 bouts dating back to 2017, managed to land an early shot in the second round but soon became a human punchbag, absorbing a brutal barrage of uppercuts in the fifth round, with Fury at one stage landing five in a row. As the bell rang to end the seventh round, Wach stumbled wearily to his stool and remained there, his corner deciding they had seen enough.

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Fury, who has now secured his second win in as many contests this year following his unanimous points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, was characteristically blunt when assessing the likelihood of finally facing Joshua, questioning the size of his rival’s courage and telling reporters: “It’s how big his balls are! I think he’s a big s*******.” He added: “I got through my test tonight. Let’s see if he gets through his test,” referring to Joshua’s upcoming warm-up bout against Kristian Prenga. “At Tottenham in front of 70,000 people, he never had the guts to get in the ring and face me. Let’s see if he ever does. I’m not convinced.” The 37-year-old made it clear he would not be travelling to Saudi Arabia to watch Joshua’s fight on Saturday, despite Saudi organisers reportedly arranging travel in the hope Fury would be in attendance. “Will I balls! I’m going to face off with my wife. I’m definitely not going to Jeddah, I’m going home to my wife and kids who have been supporting me from a distance,” Fury declared, adding that he had been away in training camp for ten weeks and was eager to rest and regroup, hoping that the next big fight would be signed soon.

Attention now turns to Saturday’s bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Joshua faces Albanian puncher Kristian Prenga, with victory for the 36-year-old setting up the long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown with Fury. Joshua, who has not beaten an established heavyweight since getting the better of Otto Wallin in December 2023, has insisted he is fully focused on the task at hand, stating at Thursday’s news conference in Jeddah: “We’ve been working since January, working hard, keeping my head down and aligning all my stars. I’m fully focused. I understand there’s a big picture. The goal is to conquer the universe, right? But first we must conquer Earth. And this is my target here.” The Watford fighter’s return to the ring comes after a tragic period in his life, having been involved in a car crash in Nigeria in December that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, with his last competitive appearance being his knockout loss to IBF world champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.

While both fighters have signed contracts for a potential November clash, the venue remains the subject of intense negotiation, with Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh indicating that while he wants the fight in the UK, it will only happen at Wembley if local authorities agree to a later-than-usual start time to accommodate American television audiences. Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as a possible alternative, with Netflix reportedly preferring a US venue to maximise their audience, stating: “Netflix want the biggest audience possible, and they feel like a mid-afternoon start time in the US will jeopardise the potential to maximise the audience.” Fury, however, seemed unconcerned about the location, joking: “Wherever we head, f*** knows. Is it gonna be in New York, is it going to be in Ireland, is it going to be in London? Who knows where the fight is going to be? It might even be here in Pattaya.” The fight, which took place second on the card rather than as the headline bout, also served a charitable purpose, with proceeds from ticket sales donated to the Father Ray Foundation, a charity in Thailand that helps underprivileged children, while Fury emphasised the importance of staying active after a 16-month layoff, saying: “Of course I’m going to fight again, I’ve had one fight in two years. It’s my second fight in two years. I wanted to get the rounds.”

Tyson Fury Dominates Wach, Sets Up Potential Joshua Clash with Seventh-Round TKO

Gaza celebrates Spain’s World Cup victory as Palestinians hail La Roja in emotional scenes

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final became more than a football match for many people in Gaza, as residents celebrated Spain’s World Cup victory with jubilation, describing the triumph as a moment of hope and solidarity amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final to lift the trophy for the second time in the country’s history. As the final whistle sounded, celebrations broke out across parts of Gaza, where football fans gathered in cafés, outdoor viewing centres and temporary shelters to watch the match despite the challenges posed by the conflict.

Many supporters waved Spanish flags, chanted in celebration and praised Spain’s players, particularly teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, whose previous display of a Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations earned him admiration among many Palestinians.

For numerous fans in Gaza, support for Spain extended beyond football. Many said the Spanish government’s consistent calls for a ceasefire, increased humanitarian assistance and support for Palestinian rights influenced their decision to back La Roja during the tournament.

The Gaza al-Irada amputee football team also publicly declared its support for Spain before the final, releasing a video message that read: “Whoever raises the Palestinian flag deserves to raise the World Cup.” The message gained widespread attention on social media ahead of the championship match.

Saadi al-Masri, captain of the Gaza al-Irada amputee football team, watched the final with friends at a crowded café.

“I support Spain because we see it as a country that stands with the Palestinian cause and supports Palestinian rights,” he said after the match.

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Spain has emerged as one of Europe’s strongest voices calling for stronger international action over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Spanish government has repeatedly urged greater humanitarian access, supported international ceasefire efforts and advocated tougher European Union measures in response to alleged human rights violations during the conflict.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also defended Lamine Yamal after the Barcelona winger came under criticism for displaying a Palestinian flag during his club’s title celebrations. Sánchez said the young footballer’s gesture reflected the solidarity many people in Spain feel towards Palestinians.

On the other side, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly backed Argentina ahead of the World Cup final. Netanyahu, who maintains close diplomatic ties with Argentine President Javier Milei, wished the South American side success before the championship match, adding a political dimension to an already symbolic football contest.

Following Spain’s victory, the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations congratulated the Spanish national team by sharing an image of the newly crowned champions on social media with the caption “World Champions.”

Watching the tournament, however, was far from easy for many residents in Gaza. Large sections of the territory continue to experience widespread destruction, electricity shortages and unreliable internet services. Many football fans relied on internet cafés, community viewing centres or short highlight clips shared on social media platforms to follow the tournament.

Twenty-three-year-old Arkan al-Walaida said she visited internet cafés every morning during the World Cup to watch highlights because stable internet access remained limited.

“Honestly, I felt like I was about to cry from happiness,” she said after Spain’s victory. “We see their support as a sign of humanity.”

Although celebrations spread through several neighbourhoods immediately after Spain secured the title, security concerns prevented prolonged festivities. Residents said fears of possible airstrikes meant many people returned home shortly after the final whistle instead of holding large street parties.

For many Palestinians, Spain’s World Cup triumph represented more than sporting excellence. It became a symbol of solidarity, recognition and hope, while also highlighting football’s unique ability to bring people together, even during one of the most challenging periods in Gaza’s recent history.

Gaza celebrates Spain’s World Cup victory as Palestinians hail La Roja in emotional scenes

La Liga President tells Infantino to resign, accuses FIFA of damaging football

La Liga president Javier Tebas has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down, accusing football’s world governing body of prioritising commercial interests over the long-term growth of the sport and implementing policies that are damaging domestic football competitions across the globe.

In a strongly worded interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas said he believes Infantino’s tenure as FIFA president should come to an end, arguing that the organisation’s recent decisions have placed increasing pressure on clubs, players and national leagues.

Asked directly whether Infantino should resign, Tebas replied: “In my opinion, yes. I think his time is up.”

Despite his criticism, the Spanish football executive acknowledged that Infantino remains firmly in control of FIFA because of the strong backing he enjoys from the organisation’s member associations.

According to Tebas, FIFA’s electoral system makes it almost impossible for a challenger to emerge.

“There is no opposition candidate because nobody wants to stand simply to lose,” he said, describing the governing body’s election process as “rotten at its core.”

Tebas, who travelled to the United States to watch Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, claimed dissatisfaction with Infantino’s leadership is widespread within international football, although many administrators prefer to express their concerns privately rather than publicly.

“I’ve spoken to many people here who disagree with what Infantino is doing. They say it privately but remain silent publicly. I don’t know which is worse—the silence or the complicity—because those who remain silent understand the damage football is suffering,” he said.

The La Liga president also revisited the controversy surrounding United States striker Folarin Balogun, whose suspension during the 2026 FIFA World Cup was lifted following intervention by US President Donald Trump.

According to Tebas, the decision raised serious questions about FIFA’s governance and could have severely damaged Infantino’s leadership had the United States progressed further in the tournament.

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“The suspension of the American player’s ban was extremely serious. They were fortunate Belgium eliminated the United States because otherwise it might have become a case capable of costing Infantino his position. Since Belgium won, the issue disappeared, but it is only the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

Tebas also criticised discussions about expanding future FIFA World Cups to 64 teams, warning that such a move would further congest the football calendar and weaken domestic leagues.

He argued that national competitions remain the foundation of the global football economy and should not be sacrificed in favour of increasingly larger international tournaments.

“Not everything can revolve around the World Cup. Expanding the number of participating countries makes no sense. The football industry is much bigger than one tournament. Domestic competitions generate employment, develop talent and sustain football throughout the year,” he said.

He added that football needs fewer international fixtures and stronger protection for domestic competitions to preserve the sport’s long-term sustainability.

The La Liga chief also criticised FIFA’s decision to introduce mandatory hydration breaks during every match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arguing that the policy was applied even in climate-controlled stadiums where weather conditions did not justify such interruptions.

According to him, the breaks appeared to create additional commercial advertising opportunities rather than genuinely serving player welfare.

“Hydration breaks are a lie. In La Liga we only introduce them when temperatures genuinely require it. At several World Cup stadiums, I even needed a jacket because of the air conditioning. Those breaks became advertising opportunities,” he said.

He further criticised FIFA’s decision to extend halftime during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to accommodate a star-studded entertainment show, arguing that commercial interests increasingly outweigh football traditions.

Tebas maintained that FIFA now makes major decisions without adequately consulting domestic leagues and other football stakeholders, creating growing tension between the governing body and national competitions.

His latest comments add to ongoing debates over football governance, fixture congestion, tournament expansion and the balance between international competitions and domestic leagues.

Several European football leagues have repeatedly expressed concern that FIFA’s expanding calendar places excessive physical demands on players while reducing the importance of domestic football competitions.

Although Tebas believes Infantino should resign, he admitted the FIFA president remains the overwhelming favourite to secure another term in office because of the continued support he enjoys from national football federations.

The remarks are expected to intensify discussions about the future of global football governance, FIFA’s leadership and the growing calls for reforms aimed at balancing commercial growth with the long-term interests of clubs, players and domestic leagues.

La Liga President tells Infantino to resign, accuses FIFA of damaging football