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Serena Williams made quite a confession on the second episode of her podcast hosted with Venus as the former 23-time Grand Slam champion revealed she once thought she wouldn’t be that good or be able to legitimately challenge the top players.

After premiering their podcast named Stockton Street, Serena uploaded the latest episode of the podcast on her X account. During one segment, the 44-year-old opened up about the time she didn’t have much belief or confidence in herself.

“I sucked. I was bad. I didn’t have it. I only hit lobs. Remember, I only hit lobs. I was terrible. I mean, even when I first turned pro, I was really bad. Not that I didn’t, but I just thought I wasn’t that good. I thought I could outlast people because I was small at the time. I thought I could outlast them and just be out there. And yeah, I never really thought about it,” Serena admitted on Stockton Street.

Serena Williams makes deeply honest confession about her early-career insecurities

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Serena Williams: Even after I picked the US Open to win, I didn’t believe that I would accomplish it

After Richard Williams heard about Serena’s insecurities, he told his daughters to pick a Grand Slam they would win. Venus picked Wimbledon, so Serena was told that she had to pick a different Major to win.

“Then, when dad told us to pick a tournament to win so we could focus on the goal, you picked Wimbledon too. And then he said I needed to pick something different. So I picked the US Open, but I didn’t really think I would make it,” the American tennis icon shared.

Well, it didn’t take long for Serena to convince herself that she definitely had what was required for her to win on the biggest level since she was just 17 when she defeated former world No. 1 Martina Hingis in the 1999 US Open final for her first Grand Slam win. Over the next 18 years, the American added 22 more Grand Slam titles to her collection, and ultimately finished as one of the greatest to have ever played the game.

When it specifically comes to the US Open, Serena Williams enjoyed six triumphs at Flushing Meadows.

Floyd Mayweather Reportedly Tried to Shoot His Shot With 19-Year-Old Summyah Marie And Got Rejected

Boxing great Floyd “Money” Mayweather can have a perfect record in the boxing ring, but a viral clip shows he just suffered a rare “L” beyond it. The five-time world champion supposedly had someone from his camp ask budding streamer Summyah Marie (who streams under her nickname Maya) for her number, but the latter smiled and said no due to her already having a boyfriend.

The Knockout Was Courtesy Of Maya, Not Mayweather

During a livestream, a person spotted Mayweather nearby and just started buzzing in the chat. “That’s Floyd Mayweather!” someone shouted, bringing disbelief and excitement. Maya, clearly stunned, at first laughed at the exchange. “I thought they were lying. They said, is that Floyd Mayweather?”

Floyd Mayweather Reportedly Tried to Shoot His Shot With 19-Year-Old Summyah  Marie And Got Rejected

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People were egging her on to push him into the stream, but Maya confessed that she was shy: “I’m so shy… like, it’s Floyd Mayweather. I think he’d be doing that kind of stuff though.”

“Sorry, Champ, I Have A Boyfriend”

It was related by Maya that a guy in the camp of Mayweather had approached her for her number on his behalf. Rather than getting caught up in sentiment, she stood her ground. “Oh, um. I have a boyfriend, so… no, it’s alright, I’m not interested,” she replied politely.

She was asked to spell her name, she replied this way: “My name is Maya, but I have a boyfriend.” Reports stated that the name was repeated back to her by Mayweather, “Maya,” before a concluding thank you.

From Livestream to Highlight Reel

Though Maya joked during the live-stream, “I hope that gets clipped,” the internet is never a beat behind. Fans are already uploading the clip and thanking her for denying one of the world’s most famous athletes. Some called it a “power move,” others quipped that this was the first rejection ever recorded by Mayweather.

The Real Undefeated Champion Could Be Her Boyfriend

The exchange is a universal truth about culture: even mega-stars such as Floyd Mayweather aren’t always getting their way. And for Maya, the encounter can become a signature viral moment that anchors her brand as relatable as well as steadfast.

One thing is for sure: if Floyd Mayweather can’t win the heart of Maya, her boyfriend just may be the ultimate undefeated champion.

Oleksandr Usyk Heartbreakingly Set to Miss Out on Dream Fight, Says Klitschko Mentor

The boxing world is anticipating Oleksandr Usyk’s next move in the heavyweight division. Still, according to Bernd Boente, former 17-year manager of the Klitschkos and long-time Sky Germany and DAZN DACH commentator, Usyk may never get the chance to defend his world titles in Kyiv’s Olympic Stadium—a fight he has long dreamed of.

Boente, a two-time The Ring Magazine Manager of the Year and German Boxing Manager of the Year in 2017, exclusively told World Boxing News that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine makes the Kyiv dream fight unlikely.

Oleksandr Usyk

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Kyiv Fight in Jeopardy
“Usyk doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone anymore,” Boente told WBN. “His dream is to defend his world titles in Kyiv’s Olympic Stadium after the war. But unfortunately, there are currently no signs that Russia will end its brutal war of aggression anytime soon.”

Boente also outlined Usyk’s potential path if he chooses to continue:

“With an undisputed champion like Usyk, waiting is always a problem for the official challengers. The winner of Parker vs. Wardley is next, and then hopefully Agit Kabayel sometime in 2026. However, if Usyk retires before then, Agit would immediately become WBC World Champion.”

A Career Defined by Mastery and Legacy
Boente praised Usyk’s recent performances and emphasized the importance of finishing a career at the top.

“I would like to see the great person and champion Oleksandr Usyk retire as reigning champion, like Rocky Marciano, Lennox Lewis, and Vitali Klitschko before him. He could even be the second heavyweight champion after Marciano to retire undefeated. Usyk delivered a terrific performance against Dubois. A sold-out Wembley Stadium and excellent PPV sales suggest that the rematch, after Dubois’ sensational KO victory over Anthony Joshua, was a complete commercial success.”

“Usyk has already achieved everything. The right path now is to retire while still at the top—that’s how true champions build legacies that last forever,” Boente added.

What’s Next for Usyk
If Usyk decides to continue fighting, the heavyweight division awaits. Boente noted that official challengers must plan around Usyk’s schedule, with names like Agit Kabayel and the Parker vs. Wardley winner poised for potential title shots.

However, retirement could make those matchups moot, instantly elevating challengers like Kabayel.

Usyk Career Highlights
2012: Wins Olympic Gold in Heavyweight (London).

2013: Turns professional at age 26, debuting on November 9.

2016: Captures WBO Cruiserweight title by defeating Krzysztof Głowacki.

2018: Becomes the undisputed Cruiserweight champion after defeating Murat Gassiev in the WBSS Final.

2019: Moves to Heavyweight, defeating Chazz Witherspoon.

2021: Beats Anthony Joshua to become Unified Heavyweight Champion (WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO).

2022: Successfully defends Unified Heavyweight titles in rematch against Anthony Joshua.

2023: Defends Unified Heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois in Wrocław, Poland.

2024 (May): Defeats Tyson Fury via Split Decision to become Undisputed Heavyweight Champion (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and The Ring).

2024 (December): Defeats Tyson Fury via Unanimous Decision to successfully defend the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship.

2025: Reclaims undisputed heavyweight titles in a rematch against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.

Analysis
Boente’s insights underscore the challenges elite champions face: balancing legacy, opportunity, and external factors beyond their control.

Usyk has accomplished nearly everything inside the ring, and his choices now, whether to retire or continue facing challengers, will define the lasting legacy of one of modern boxing’s greatest heavyweights.

The Florida State Athletic Commission has released detailed rules for the Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis bout that will take place on November 14 and be broadcast on Netflix.

The fight announcement took fans by surprise, mainly due to the significant size difference between the two opponents. Paul’s last fight was at cruiserweight, while Davis is the WBA lightweight champion. ‘The Problem Child’, 6’1″, also holds an 8 inch height advantage over ‘Tank’ Davis.

The fight was initially set for Atlanta, Georgia, however, was later shifted to Florida following the previous commission refusing to sanction it. The fight poster, meanwhile, is inspired by GTA VI. Paul’s marketing genius has once again been on display and more rules for the Davis bout have now come to light.

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Commission reveals Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis rules

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the fight is that Paul vs Davis will have two human judges and one AI judge for the bout.

The bout will consist of 10 rounds, each lasting three minutes. While it’s an exhibition, TKO and KO will still be in play. In a statement, the Florida State Athletic Commission revealed:

“The Florida Athletic Commission confirms that this event has been sanctioned as an exhibition. The match will be logged in the national registry as an exhibition, and it will not count toward either athlete’s professional record.”

– FAC

The Commission added, “The exhibition will classify knockouts and technical knockouts as fight-ending in the same manner as professional contests. The Florida Athletic Commission remains committed to transparency, regulatory compliance, and the continued safe advancement of combative sports in Florida.”

AI judging is definitely something new and adds another unique talking point to the already hyped Paul vs Davis bout. ‘The Problem Child’ never fails to grab eyeballs, despite fans remaining skeptical of the merit of his opponents so far. ‘Tank’ Davis, meanwhile, is one of boxing’s most notable superstars and it’s always fireworks when he’s in action.

Jake Paul disses Gervonta Davis in fight build-up

Paul knows how to hype a fight up and he has been doing so through relentless trash talk for the ‘Tank’ Davis showdown. Paul isn’t pulling any punches and the YouTuber turned pro-boxer told Netflix:

“His nickname might be Tank, but I’m an FPV drone, and I’m about to disable his ass. Yes, he is one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, but my motto is anyone, anytime, anyplace, against all odds. And I like my odds.”

– Jake Paul

Terence Crawford urged to accept ‘fight for the ages’ with undefeated former unified world champion

Eddie Hearn wants to see Terence Crawford face Jaron Ennis in 2026.

Crawford has yet to commit to his next move in the sport and is pondering his future after becoming undisputed 168lbs champion with victory over Canelo Alvarez.

Terence Crawford Didn't Hesitate When Asked If He Is Now Interested In A Jaron  Ennis Fight - Seconds Out

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He has teased both retirement from the sport and potential fights at 160lbs, or whatever route will provide any life-changing financial incentive.

The likes of middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and Carlos Adames have offered to step in with Crawford in recent weeks.

But now it is a familiar face who wants to take on Crawford, several years after the pair were originally ordered to face each other.

Eddie Hearn wants his charge Jaron Ennis, who has been tipped as a future pound-for-pound king in the sport, to step in with Crawford imminently.

He said: “For me, that is a fight for the ages, against (Terence) Crawford.

“But, we have to prove ourselves — look, Terence is only going to fight ‘Boots’ if there’s loads of money on the line.

“Because he knows how good Ennis is, and he’s not gonna fight anymore, unless it’s for a lot of money.

“He has to earn his shot against Crawford, but that is the fight in nine to 12 months time — three fights down the line.”

Ennis’ would arguably be the biggest remaining test on the table for Crawford within the three weight classes he is open to competing in.

Will Terence Crawford vs Jaron Ennis actually happen?

Crawford vs Ennis seems unlikely given a bout previously failed to materialise.

In July 2023 while both at 147lbs, Crawford was ordered to face ‘Boots’ for the IBF title by the governing body, but the bout didn’t happen.

Crawford’s team reportedly suggested they’d be unable to fight Ennis, and the showdown remained on ice with the champion stripped of his title.

‘Bud’ later suggested Ennis had been given opportunities to bring the clash to life but had turned them down.

A huge all-American clash would be huge for the sport, but Ennis is yet to make the same splash as Crawford commercially despite his elite skills.

Crawford has also already captured a world title belt at 154lbs, where Ennis will debut this weekend against Uisma Lima.

So it is deemed more likely that he will choose to return at 160lbs, with the chance to make further history more attractive.

Phil Mickelson’s $9 million gamble on Tiger Woods backfired spectacularly

When The Match: Tiger vs. Phil was first announced, it sounded like a dream come true for golf fans. Two of the sport’s biggest legends were set to face off in a one-on-one duel for a winner-take-all prize of nine million dollars. The event promised excitement, tension, and a chance to relive one of golf’s most famous rivalries. But when the day came in November 2018, it didn’t go as planned.

At that time, both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were past their prime years. The fire that once fueled their battles on the PGA Tour wasn’t quite the same. Still, the idea caught everyone’s attention, and it turns out the person who made it all happen was Mickelson himself.

Tiger Woods Vs. Phil Mickelson and Golf's Top 10 Rivalries of All-Time

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During a recent episode of the Bible Caddie podcast, golf creator Grant Horvat shared that Mickelson had been the driving force behind The Match series.“Phil set up a lot of that,” Horvat said. “He was the one who pushed for those Capital One events with Tiger, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning.”

Phil’s Vision Turned Into a TV Headache

Mickelson wanted to bring a new kind of entertainment to golf, blending the atmosphere of a big pay-per-view fight with the calm precision of the sport. On paper, it looked like a great idea. In reality, things went sideways before the first hole was even played.

Fans who paid $19.99 to watch the event couldn’t log in because of a streaming failure. According to Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report ended up making the broadcast free to avoid more backlash. Viewers missed the start of the match, and the buzz quickly turned into frustration.

Once play began, the excitement never really showed up. The banter felt flat, and the competition moved slowly. Commentator Charles Barkley even joked on air that it was “some pretty bad golf.” After 18 holes, the match was tied, and it took four extra playoff holes before Mickelson finally won. The problem was that by then, most viewers had already tuned out, as reported by The Guardian.

A Lesson in Missed Opportunities

Mickelson’s later event, Champions for Charity, featuring Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, went much smoother and raised millions for COVID-19 relief. That version of The Match had humor, teamwork, and the kind of energy fans wanted the first time around.

The original $9 million showdown between Woods and Mickelson remains a reminder that big names and big money don’t always equal big entertainment. For Phil, it was an ambitious idea that changed how golf approached televised events, but it also showed how even the best concepts can fall short when the execution isn’t right.

Tiger Woods has undergone his seventh back surgery — his second in just over a year — after doctors discovered a collapsed lumbar disc that had caused severe pain and mobility issues.

The 49-year-old golfer announced on social media Saturday that the latest procedure, a disc replacement, was performed Friday in New York.

“After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with doctors and surgeons to have tests taken,” Woods wrote. “The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal. I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back.”

Tiger Woods’ medical history in the last 10 years

Tiger Woods Spinal Fusion Surgery: What Happened? | Golf Monthly

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The operation adds to an extensive medical history for Woods, who has endured a string of surgeries on his back, knees, leg and Achilles over the past decade. He has not competed this year while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in March, and it is unclear when — or if — he will return to competitive golf. The 15-time major champion’s latest setback likely rules out appearances in December’s Hero World Challenge, which he hosts, and the PNC Championship, where he has played alongside his son Charlie.

Since surviving a 2021 car crash that nearly resulted in the amputation of his right leg, Woods has played only sparingly — just 15 official events in four years, often withdrawing mid-tournament due to pain. His most recent competitive round came in the TGL simulator league he co-founded with Rory McIlroy, though his October surgery now makes participation in the league’s upcoming season improbable.

Coco Gauff informed she has a ‘real problem’ as two areas she must improve are identified

Coco Gauff is safely through to the semi-final of the Wuhan Open, but the American has been urged to improve two parts of her game.

Gauff has come through a difficult draw in Wuhan to continue her excellent form on the WTA Tour’s Asian leg.

The American has defeated Laura Siegemund, Zhang Shuai, and Moyuka Uchijima at the Wuhan Open, and she has dropped just nine games in the process.

Coco Gauff says the China Open feels like a 'practice tournament' as she  admits she doesn't know how to feel right now

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Despite her dominance in Wuhan, Sky Sports commentator Colin Fleming has pointed out two areas where Gauff can improve.

Colin Fleming urges Coco Gauff to improve her second serve and forehand

Gauff has already won several Grand Slams, but she’s never been able to capture the top spot of the WTA Tour rankings.

Fleming believes that Gauff must work on her second serve, as well as her forehand, in order to challenge Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at the top.

“You look at the top 50 WTA players this season, Coco Gauff has won 43% of second serve points in total. That puts her 47 out of 50, which for someone of her ranking is a real problem,” said Fleming on Sky Sports commentary duties.

The star’s double faults have become an unfortunate part of the American’s game, but Fleming pointed out one silver lining.

“When the second serve has gone into play, she’s won 58% of those points, which puts her third out of the top 50. So if she can just get a more reliable second serve, it’s huge for her,” he said.

“You’re talking more slams, you’re talking push toward World No. 1, and if you can do the same and make the forehand just a little bit more reliable and cleaner, then you’re seriously in business.”

“The strengths are there for all to see: the movement, the fighting spirit, her ability to figure matches out, her backhand, her volleys. So many strengths.”

Gauff is currently World No. 3 and captured her second Grand Slam of her career at Roland Garros earlier this year.

Coco Gauff reaches 12th WTA-1000 semi-final

Despite her experience on the tour, Gauff is still only 21 years old and her latest win in Wuhan has broken another Serena Williams and Venus Williams record.

Gauff’s route to the final four of the Wuhan Open is the 12th WTA 1000 semi-final of her career, which is one more than the Williams sisters before they were 22.

However, Gauff has only managed to turn two of those semi-final appearances into wins, at the 2023 Cincinnati Open and the 2024 China Open.

The American has also lost two WTA 1000 finals this year at the Madrid Open to Sabalenka and the Italian Open to Jasmine Paolini.

Celebs pretty much always bring the style heat, right? Whether it’s the classic monochrome vibes from royals like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle or those bold cut-out moments from Heidi Klum and Jenna Dewan, there’s always something to obsess over.

And Serena Williams? She’s definitely on that list. From rocking the perfect slip dress all summer to those effortlessly cozy two-piece sets, she knows how to show up and show out. Her latest look? Just as flawless.

Serena, 44, recently hit up Zeta Live ’25 on October 9 in New York City and she showed up in a look that was equal parts chic and fitting for the event. She wore a cap-sleeve teal green dress that hit right at mid-knee, paired with matching pumps. But the coolest part? The dress featured an asymmetrical neckline that instantly elevated the whole outfit.

That little twist gave an edge to an otherwise sleek and professional look, simple but totally stylish. She kept her blonde hair down with soft curls and accessorized with stud earrings and a watch for just the right touch.

Back in July, Zeta Global announced Serena as a keynote speaker for the conference.

“Williams joins the Zeta Live mainstage as a powerful voice on reinvention, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence. From dominating the world stage in sports to redefining success in business, Williams embodies the mindset at the heart of this year’s theme,” the release said.

And let’s be real, Serena’s no stranger to turning heads. The tennis icon recently stunned in a bubblegum pink dress with playful cutouts. That dress had a halter neckline, flowy fabric that draped off her arms and a cheeky peek-a-boo cutout up front and it was totally backless.

She completed the look with voluminous, tight curls swept into a deep side part, a soft glam beat with plum lipstick and the perfect pop of blush.

“Call me EXTRA because I stay poppin’ — bubble gum that is,” she cheekily captioned the post.

Beyond the 15-major haul and the 82 PGA Tour wins, there are even more numbers behind this man’s career that are quite staggering

He represents one half of the ‘greatest golfer ever’ debate with Jack Nicklaus. He never did chase down the Golden Bear’s major haul of 18 titles, but there were fireworks along the way.

82 PGA Tour wins, to be precise, and not to mention 15 major titles. His victory at the 2019 Masters was quite something at a time when everyone had written him off, 11 years after his most recent major win at that stage.

He fist-pumped, he cheered, and he cried during an unforgettable career, and one of the likes that we won’t see again.

Tiger Woods

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We want to go through the best statistics from Tiger’s career. We’ve given you some spoilers above with his PGA Tour and major tally, but we want to get into the specifics, the nitty-gritty, the numbers that are truly mesmerising.

Crazy Tiger Woods stats

Consecutive cuts made

This statistic is bananas. For over seven seasons, Woods made 142 cuts in a row.

He missed the cut at the 2005 EDS Byron Nelson Championship, and this was the first one he missed since the Bell Canadian Open in 1997. Remarkable.

Weeks spent as World No.1

Woods’ dominance wasn’t just clear by his trophy count, but also by the amount of time he spent at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings.

He was World No.1 for 683 weeks in his career. That is the equivalent of over 13 years. The next best is Greg Norman, who was World No.1 for 331 weeks, and Scottie Scheffler is the only current competitor who could conceivably catch either of these players.

Winning a major by 15 shots

A 15-shot margin is ridiculous, especially at a major. He won the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach by this margin, beating Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez in second place.

He had a 10-shot lead after three rounds, and extended it by five with a final-round 67. He also won The Masters in 1999 by 12 shots and The Open in 2000 by eight shots.

Winning 41 times in Europe without being a member

Woods has never been a member of the DP World Tour, or what used to be called the European Tour. But he is credited with 41 victories on the Old World Circuit.

His first win at a European Tour event that wasn’t a major was at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand in 1998.

The Tiger Slam

The Tiger Slam. Now this is something we will likely never see again. Woods held every major trophy at once, an achievement that spanned across 2000 and 2001.

His 2000 US Open started the streak. He then won The Open at St Andrews and the PGA Championship at Valhalla. Then April came around, and he won the Masters by two strokes from David Duval.

Win percentage

Through the 2025 season, Woods had played in 378 PGA Tour events and won 82 times. This is a win percentage of 21.69%, which is a truly staggering effort across a career spanning four different decades.

Leading the majors

This statistic is mightily impressive, but not completely surprising given he won 15 majors. When Woods led or shared the lead heading into the final round, he only lost once.

He led by two shots after the third round of the 2009 PGA Championship, but lost by three shots to Y.E. Yang. He came from behind to win the 2019 Masters, having trailed Francesco Molinari by two shots after 54 holes.

The Grand Slammers

Think of the number of golfers who have played in the majors in the history of the game. It is a lot, but there are only six golfers who have won all four men’s major titles.

Tiger Woods is one of them, and he completed his set of four at the 2000 Open. He was the youngest to do it, and he completed it in just three years to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus in this most exclusive club. Rory McIlroy earned his career grand slam at the 2025 Masters.

King of the US Amateur

Woods is the only player to have won the US Amateur three times in a row. His first came at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in 1994, beating Trip Kuehne in the final.

He beat Buddy Marucci a year later by the same score at Newport Country Club the following year, and then Steve Scott was his third victim at Pumpkin Ridge on the 38th hole of the 36-hole final.

Top finishes

Woods successfully defended a title on the PGA Tour 24 times. He also finished runner-up 31 times and came third 19 times. This shows just how many more events he could’ve won.

He also holds the record for the most consecutive rounds under par. The streak began at the 2000 GTE Byron Nelson Classic in the second round and finished 52 rounds later at the 2001 Phoenix Open in the second round.