All about Joshua's toughest fight, Frustrated Vikings, Giant concern

Joshua sees Povetkin as toughest fight since Klitschko

World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua expects his title defense against Russian Alexander Povetkin on Saturday to be his toughest fight since Wladimir Klitschko -- and to end with a similar outcome. Joshua, 28, knocked out Ukrainian Klitschko at Wembley in April 2017 and the 2012 Olympic champion is returning to the national stadium for the first time for his 22nd professional fight.

WBA champion Carr's title defense canceled after 'suspect' test

Heavyweight champion Manuel Charr will not defend his WBA belt next week against American challenger Fres Oquendo after a 'suspect' doping test by the Syrian forced the fight to be canceled, his management said on Thursday. Charr's A sample from an Aug. 31 test showed "two suspect substances" and due to time constraints regarding the opening and testing of the B sample, the bout was now canceled.

Frustrated Vikings out to drill winless Bills

The Minnesota Vikings are one kick away from being 2-0 but have been aggressive in upgrading their roster after playing to a tie at Green Bay last week. The Vikings host a winless Buffalo Bills (0-2) team searching for answers throughout the lineup after playing from behind for all but 12 minutes of the first two games.

Giant concern: Protecting Manning vs. Watt, Texans

Even during the practice week, the hits keep coming for Eli Manning and the winless New York Giants as they prepare for the Houston Texans. Already saddled with a beleaguered offensive line that left Manning under frequent duress last Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants added injury to insult by placing starting center Jon Halapio on injured reserve after he suffered fractures in his lower leg and ankle in the third quarter of their seventh loss in eight games.

Packers, Redskins both looking for offense

The Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins both will need to do a better job finding the end zone when they meet Sunday at 1:05 p.m ET at FedEx Field. Washington (1-1) dropped a 21-9 decision to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday and hasn't scored a touchdown since the first half of Week 1.

Giorgi upstages defending champion Wozniacki in Tokyo

Italian Camila Giorgi once again frustrated Caroline Wozniacki on a hard court as she beat the defending champion 6-2 2-6 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Thursday. Giorgi has now beaten the Australian Open champion in each of their three hardcourt meetings and will next face former world number one Victoria Azarenka for a place in the last four.

WADA votes to reinstate RUSADA subject to conditions

The ban on Russia's anti-doping agency RUSADA was lifted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Thursday, subject to various conditions, in a decision greeted with dismay by campaigners. Although the change will have no immediate effect on current bans on the Russian federations for athletics, weightlifting, and Paralympics, it opens the door for their return, following the reinstatement of the Russian Olympic Committee after the country was banned from this year's Winter Games in South Korea.

From Congo to Greece's basketball league: a migrant boy's journey

He fled hardship and unrest in the Congo Republic with nothing but his ball and a change of clothes. Now, not yet 18, Christ Wamba is training with a professional basketball club in Europe. Taking a well-trodden route north out of sub-Saharan Africa, Wamba clung on to his treasured ball until he had to jettison it on the sea crossing from Turkey to Greece. He is now under the wing of one the country's biggest clubs, Aris, as he waits for his asylum application to be processed.

Seahawks focus on protecting QB Wilson from Cowboys

After getting run over on the road by Denver's Von Miller and Chicago's Khalil Mack, the Seattle Seahawks' struggling offensive line will not catch a break at home this Sunday against DeMarcus Lawrence and the Dallas Cowboys. Seattle (0-2) surrendered a league-worst 12 sacks, six each by the Broncos and the Bears, in two games.

Cowboys extend reign as most valuable NFL team: Forbes

The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable National Football League team for a 12th consecutive year, valued at nearly twice the league average, according to the annual list published by business magazine Forbes on Thursday. The Cowboys, who have reached the playoffs only nine times since winning their last Super Bowl in 1995, are worth $5 billion, up 4 percent from last year, Forbes said in a statement.

(With inputs from Reuters)