Sports

July 20, 2025

Published 29 days ago

TL;DR

Barrios-Pacquiao ends in draw, Germany reach Euro semis, Rashford nears Barcelona loan.


Highlights

  • Mario Barrios retained the WBC welterweight title after a majority draw with 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao; both fighters open to a rematch 1.
  • Pacquiao, fighting for the first time since 2021, led after 10 rounds but Barrios swept the final two to keep his belt 1.
  • Germany advanced to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 semi-finals, defeating France 6-5 on penalties after playing with 10 for most of the match 2.
  • Germany will face Spain in the semis; England meets Italy in the other semi-final 2.
  • RCD Mallorca signed Pablo Torre from Barcelona for €5M (50% rights), with a €25M buy-back clause 3.
  • Barcelona is finalizing a loan for Marcus Rashford from Manchester United for 2025-26, with a €30–35M buy option; Rashford to take a 25% pay cut 3.
  • WNBA All-Stars staged a pay protest at the All-Star Game amid tense CBA negotiations, raising lockout risk for 2025-26 4.
  • Pakistan named a 15-man T20 squad for the Bangladesh series, omitting Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf; Bangladesh fielded an unchanged squad and won the toss in the first match 5.
  • OpenAI launched ChatGPT Agent; security concerns have emerged over gambling exploit attempts on the platform 6.

Commentary

Barrios’ majority draw with Pacquiao keeps the WBC welterweight title picture unresolved, with both fighters expressing interest in a rematch 1. Pacquiao’s strong early performance and Barrios’ late surge suggest any second bout will be closely contested 1. For bettors, rematch lines and training camp updates will be key; for fantasy boxing pools, Pacquiao’s continued activity is notable given his age and recent form 1.

Germany’s penalty shootout win over France, achieved despite playing most of the match with 10 players, sets up a high-stakes semi-final against Spain 2. Squad fatigue and potential suspensions could impact fantasy and betting markets. England and Italy’s upcoming semi-final adds further uncertainty to the Euro 2025 landscape; monitor team news and possible lineup rotations 2.

In football transfers, Mallorca’s acquisition of Pablo Torre and Barcelona’s near-complete loan for Marcus Rashford (with a significant salary cut and buy option) could affect La Liga fantasy and futures markets 3. Rashford’s move, if finalized, will be closely watched for its impact on Barcelona’s attack and his own value 3.

WNBA players’ pay protest at the All-Star Game signals a real risk of labor disruption for 2025-26 4. Fantasy managers and futures bettors should factor in the possibility of a lockout. In cricket, Pakistan’s T20 squad for the Bangladesh series is missing several key players, increasing volatility for match outcomes and player performance projections 5.

Lastly, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent launch has sparked security concerns, especially regarding gambling exploit attempts 6. Bettors and fantasy players using AI tools should be cautious and verify recommendations 6.

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