THE SAD STORY OF TREVOR BERBIK | BOXING 🥊

 

Trevor Berbick stood at the exact hinge of boxing history, twice. And both times, it broke him.

In December 1981, he shared a ring with Muhammad Ali. It was the last fight of Ali's life, the final, sad chapter of the greatest career the sport had known, and it was Berbick who beat him, by unanimous decision. He had closed the book on a legend.

Five years later, he was on the wrong side of the next one. On November 22, 1986, Berbick defended his WBC heavyweight title against a ferocious 20-year-old named Mike Tyson. It lasted two rounds. Tyson battered him to the canvas, where Berbick famously staggered and fell three times trying to stand, and became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Berbick was the stepping stone to the Tyson era.

From there his life unravelled. In 1992 he was convicted in Florida of raping his children's babysitter and sent to prison. After serving his time he violated parole, and in 1997 he was deported from the United States.

He went home to Jamaica, and that is where it ended. On October 28, 2006, Trevor Berbick was found dead in a church courtyard, his head split open by a steel pipe. He had been beaten to death over a land dispute, and the men convicted of killing him included his own nephew.

The man who beat Ali and lost to Tyson, murdered by family in a churchyard. 🥊

- Fight Stories

EDEIN VALERI WAS 27-0 WITH 27 KNOCKOUTS HE MURDERED HIS WIFE AND AND COMMITTED SUICIDE IN JAIL

Edwin Valero was one of the most destructive punchers in modern boxing history. Born in Venezuela in 1981, he turned professional in 2002 and immediately became known for his frightening power and relentless pace. Valero began his career with a streak rarely seen in the sport, winning all 27 of his fights by knockout. His southpaw stance, violent combinations, and refusal to back down made him a fan favorite and a rising superstar. He captured world titles in two weight divisions and seemed destined for legendary status.

However, outside the ring, his life began to unravel. Reports of erratic behavior, substance abuse, and domestic violence painted a darker picture of the undefeated champion. In April 2010, Valero was arrested after confessing to killing his wife, Jennifer Viera, in a hotel room in Valencia, Venezuela. Less than twenty-four hours later, he was found dead in his jail cell, having taken his own life.

The tragedy of Edwin Valero remains one of boxing’s most haunting stories. His unmatched knockout streak and explosive talent were eclipsed by personal demons, mental instability, and violence that ultimately destroyed everything he had achieved. What was once a tale of dominance and potential became a chilling reminder of how greatness can collapse when power and pain intertwine.

#knockout #boxing #suicide #death #boxing 

ICONIC F1 DESIGNER REVEALS CANCER DIAGNOSIS

© XPBimages
 

Gordon Murray, one of the key architects of the iconic McLaren MP4/4 of 1988, has revealed a diagnosis of an aggressive form of cancer.

Murray, 79, was given his chance as an F1 technical director by Bernie Ecclestone at Brabham in the 1970s, designing the infamous BT46B - also known as the Fan Car - before it was promptly banned. 

Murray's cars won the 1981 and 1983 drivers' titles for Nelson Piquet, before Ron Dennis enticed him to McLaren for 1987.  

At the team, Murray was instrumental in designing the MP4/4, which won 15 out of 16 races and handed Ayrton Senna his first title, before Murray-designed cars swept the next three seasons of titles - two for Senna and one for Alain Prost. He stepped back from F1 involvement in the mid-1990s.

He was also the designer of the famous McLaren F1 road car, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, South African Murray revealed that in 2024, he had been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer which starts in the glands.

The Oesophageal cancer was caught early, with Murray undergoing chemotherapy and then a new type of surgery. 

His heart rate ballooned to 180bpm at times during the chemotherapy, with his heart being stopped to reset it, with the cancer being removed in "PlayStation" surgery in July 2024.

"The surgeon sits on the other side of the room with a PlayStation, basically, and you are lying there and everything is done with robots," Murray told Telegraph Sport.

Murray left the ICU within six days of surgery, but has been getting used to being fed via a tube. 

- Jake Nichol

NEW NBA RECORD 🔥

100+ points in 107 straight games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse 🤯

A new NBA record with 107 consecutive games with 100+ points at home, breaking the Spurs record set between 1978-1981.

REGGAE LEGEND BOB MARLEY WITH SOCCER LEGEND PELÉ

Did you know Bob Marley’s life story is as powerful and inspiring as his music? Raised in the poverty-stricken slums of Kingston, Jamaica, Marley faced discrimination and hardship—but he used music as a weapon for change. His blend of reggae, soul, and revolutionary lyrics made him an international icon, but here’s something even more jaw-dropping: Bob Marley’s hit *No Woman, No Cry* was actually inspired by the struggles of his own childhood in Trenchtown, where he watched his mother raise him through poverty. 

Bob didn’t just change music—he changed the world. His fusion of Rastafarian spirituality, social justice, and cultural pride made him a voice for the oppressed. Songs like *Redemption Song* and *Get Up, Stand Up* weren’t just about revolution—they were anthems of hope, resilience, and human rights. And get this—despite being diagnosed with cancer in 1977, Marley continued to tour and perform with relentless energy until his death in 1981 at just **36 years old**.

Even after his passing, Bob Marley’s influence only grew. He became not just a musical legend, but a symbol of unity, peace, and love. To this day, his music continues to inspire millions around the globe, reminding us to *stand up for our rights* and *love one another*. 🌍✌️🎶

HUBIE BROWN BIDS FAREWELL TO 'FANTASTIC RIDE' IN FINAL BROADCAST

The 91-year-old former coach calls his last game Sunday after 35 seasons behind the mic, including 18 NBA Finals.

Brown has been with ESPN since 2004. / Justin Ford-Imagn Images

Hubie Brown received tributes from across the NBA community as the former coach and longtime broadcaster headed into retirement after spending more than half a century in pro basketball.

The 91-year-old Brown called his final game Sunday as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 135-127. He was awarded the game ball after the final horn sounded.

“I have so many things to be thankful for, but my family and I can never thank everyone enough,” Brown said at the end of the telecast. “We just want to send them the love that I’ve seen today right back with a big hug. It was a fantastic ride.”

Players from both teams approached him before the game to shake his hand. He received a standing ovation during the opening timeout as a video honoring him aired on the Fiserv Forum scoreboard. Brown responded by blowing kisses to the crowd and mouthing “Thank you.”

Brown indicated he almost cried as that video aired.

He considered it fitting that he was in Milwaukee for his final game as a broadcaster. His first NBA coaching job was as an assistant with the Bucks on Larry Costello’s staff, a two-season stint that began in 1972.

“When I came here to the Milwaukee Bucks and Larry Costello, I received a master’s degree and a doctorate’s degree in basketball in two years,” Brown said at the start of Sunday’s telecast.

That launched an illustrious career on the bench and behind a microphone.

Brown coached 15 seasons with the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels (1974-76) and NBA’s Atlanta Hawks (1976-81), New York Knicks (1982-87) and Memphis Grizzlies (2002-05). He won an ABA title with Kentucky in 1975 and was voted the NBA Coach of the Year in 1978 and 2004.

He spent 35 years as a national TV and radio analyst, covering 18 NBA Finals. Brown was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.

“I’m sure he’s seen so much growth and so much change not only in the game of basketball but in the league,” Bucks guard Damian Lillard said after the game. “It’s come so far in a lot of ways, and I think that obviously you’re going to have the commissioners and you’re going to have players come along, but I think it’s the people who love on the game and love the league and the contributions that come from people like Hubie Brown is what has allowed it to become what it is, is what makes it special.”

Mike Breen, the play-by-play broadcaster for Sunday’s game, called it the “ultimate honor” to have Brown as a colleague. Breen spoke for other play-by-play broadcasters who worked alongside Brown by saying “you’ve been like a father to many of us, our NBA father.”

“Could we pause, as I have a tear here,” Brown replied.

ABC started its Sunday telecast by showing footage of Brown’s very first NBA broadcast, a 1981 game airing on USA Network. NBC’s Mike Tirico, Brown’s former broadcast partner, joined the telecast remotely to pay his respects late in the first quarter.

During breaks in the telecast, ABC showed highlights from Brown’s coaching and broadcasting career along with testimonials from various NBA figures.

“You brought so much passion to every telecast,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during one of those breaks. “You took great joy in teaching the finer points of basketball.”

Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse presented Brown with a tiny replica of the Liberty Bell in the green room before the game. Bucks assistants wore a T-shirt with the message “Thank You Hubie” and a heart during pregame warmups.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Brown remains one of the former coaches he often seeks out for advice.

“He was one of my first calls all the time and still is when things are rough or I’m trying to figure out something to me that’s complicated,” Rivers said.

Rivers said he often sought Brown’s counsel in those situations because he figured there wasn’t any kind of situation that the longtime coach and broadcaster hadn’t encountered at some point in over a half-century in professional basketball.

Bucks veteran center Brook Lopez made sure to talk to Brown before the game and say how much the former coach and broadcaster had meant to the NBA.

“That was one of my real first, real cool ‘welcome to the league’ experiences, was having him call one of my games and to see him in person, get to meet him, hearing he was a fan of me and my game, appreciated my game,” Lopez said. “He’s always had good tips for me. He’s still coaching, even though he’s commentating. It’s in his DNA and in his blood, trying to help players get better.”

As the Bucks prepared for Sunday’s game, Rivers asked the youngest players on the roster what they knew about Brown. When they weren’t aware of Brown’s accomplishments, Rivers got Lopez to offer a primer.

“He gave a very impressive history run on Hubie and even knew the reason his last game was in Milwaukee is because this is where it all started, with him and Larry Costello,” Rivers said.

Brown said that’s what made it so appropriate to finish his career in Milwaukee.

“For me to end it here is very meaningful because I learned so much here,” Brown said.

- Nba.com Staff

AGA KHAN: FIVE THINGS ABOUT PRINCE OF SPORT

Paris (AFP) – Apart from being an Islamic spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, who died on Tuesday aged 88, was a byword for the biggest and best in the world of horse racing.

The Aga Khan was a central pillar of the racing world since taking over from his father in 1960 © DOMINIQUE FAGET / AFP/File

He owned stables, stud farms and an auction house, his horses winning many of the great races across seven decades.

AFP look at five things about the Aga Khan's sporting world.

- Winter Olympian -

Before he got into racing, the Aga Khan was already a keen skier. "I like the atmosphere in ski racing," he said. "It is a democratic sport. One's name does not count."

The Aga Khan (L) training on the slopes of Val d'Isere with his ski instructor Hans Senger six years after his 1964 venture at the Innsbruck Winter Olympics © - / AFP/File

While too busy to focus full time on the slopes, he was good enough to train with the Austrian team. In 1962 he participated in the world championships at Chamonix as a member of the British team but two years later opted to compete at the Innsbruck Winter Olympics for Iran.

He finished 53rd out of 96 in the giant slalom and 59th out of 84 in the downhill. "It was respectable if not glorious," he said.

Bloodstock

With his grandfather having owned five Derby winners between 1930 and 1952, racing was certainly in the genes but it was not one of the young Aga Khan's passions.

That changed when he suddenly found himself the steward of the family's bloodstock empire when his father was killed in a car crash in Paris in May 1960, dual Classic winner Petite Etoile among the horses to fall to him.

The Aga Khan keeping an eye on the action at the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July 1961 © - / AFP/File

After some negotiating with his younger brother Amyn and his half-sister Yasmin, Rita Hayworth's daughter, he acquired their 60 percent interest in the stable at Chantilly.

Over the years he expanded to eight stud farms, four located in Ireland in County Kildare and four in Normandy. He also bought the French auction house Arqana in 2006.

"Thoroughbreds can be either a sportsman's hobby or a business," he said. "Where a large stable and a lot of money are involved, obviously racing is no longer a hobby."

His red and green colours became internationally famous, with the Aga Khan name-checked in Peter Sarstedt's 1969 hit song 'Where Do You Go to My Lovely'.

Winners

The Aga Khan amassed 168 Group One winners over the course of his time in racing.

He won the Epsom Derby five times, with Shergar in 1981 followed by Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand.

The Aga Khan was a close friend of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, the pair seen here talking after his horse Harzand won the 2016 Derby at Epsom © GLYN KIRK / AFP/File

He also won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the top race in France, four times, through Akiyda, Sinndar, Dalakhani and Zarkava.

Very close to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, he gave her several racehorses, including Estimate which gave her perhaps her most enjoyable win in the 2013 Ascot Gold Cup.

- Shergar -

Arguments can rage over which was the greatest of the Aga Khan's horses but there is no doubt about which is the most famous.

In 1981, the Michael Stoute-trained Shergar won five of his six races, including the 202nd Epsom Derby by 10 lengths -- still the biggest winning margin in the historic race -- as well as the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

He was retired to the Aga Khan's Ballymany Stud in County Kildare in Ireland whence the four-year-old was kidnapped on February 8, 1983.

The £2 million ransom was not paid and Shergar was never seen again, believed to have been killed when negotiations stalled.

Suspicion fell on the Irish Republican Army which always denied the charge.

"Ireland was a very unhappy country at the time and I don't think you can hold the people of a country responsible for criminal behaviour," said the Aga Khan. "It is ethically wrong."

Yves Saint-Martin

The Aga Khan's horses attracted the very best jockeys. Walter Swinburn rode Shergar to success in the Derby while Johnny Murtagh steered Sinndar to a brilliant treble in 2000, winning the Derby, Irish Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the space of a few months.

The Aga Khan IV (R) with Yves Saint-Martin after his victory on Akiyda after their 1982 win at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe © Philippe BOUCHON / AFP/File

But French jockey Yves Saint-Martin is perhaps the name most closely associated with him.

He steered Akiyda to the 1982 Arc and also won four Prix du Jockey-Club, with Top Ville in 1979, Darshaan in 1984, Mouktar in 1985 and Natroun in 1987.

Doping

The Aga Khan fell foul of British racing when his filly, Aliysa, was disqualified from the 1989 Oaks after testing positive for camphor, a prohibited substance.

Harzand (L) ridden by Pat Smullen gave the Aga Khan his fifth Epsom Derby victory in 2016 © GLYN KIRK / AFP/File

He felt there were failings in the testing system and removed all of his horses, only ending his boycott at Royal Ascot in 1995. Another positive test in 2000 saw him withdraw his horses from Luca Cumani's stables in Newmarket.

He retained horses with Stoute but focused more on France. It was Irish trainer Dermot Weld who provided a fifth Derby and Irish Derby double in 2016 with Harzand, and the Aga Khan's last British Classic winner Ezeliya in 2024.

© 2025 AFP

"99% OF DOMESTIC COACHES IN PAKISTAN HAVE NOT EVEN PLAYED PROPER CRICKET" : SHOAIB MOHAMMAD

In our latest exclusive interview with PakPassion, Shoaib Mohammad, former Pakistan Test cricketer and son of the legendary Hanif Mohammad, joined Saj and shared his candid insights on the current state of Pakistan cricket.

With an impressive career and years of experience in coaching, Shoaib spoke about the challenges faced by the national team, the technical flaws in modern-day batting, and what needs to be changed for Pakistan to regain its lost glory.

Main topics covered in this interview:

Modern batters’ lack of technical discipline: He emphasized that today’s batters prioritize aggression over technique, undermining their ability to thrive in Test cricket’s demanding format.

PCB’s flawed coaching structure: Highlighted the PCB’s reliance on inexperienced coaches, stressing that most lack high-level playing credentials, which hampers player development.

Abdullah Shafique’s need for technical refinement: Pointed out Shafique’s struggles with footwork and shot selection, urging him to adapt his approach for long-term success.

Saim Ayub’s potential: Praised Ayub’s "exceptional talent" and shot-making ability but emphasized the importance of patience and crease occupation to cement his place.

Babar Azam’s struggles: Acknowledged Babar’s dip in form but highlighted his class, comparing his phase to Greg Chappell’s 1981 slump and backing him to rebound.

India-Pakistan rivalry: The absence of regular clashes deprives players of a career-defining stage and fans of cricket’s "most exciting rivalry."

Shan Masood’s leadership vs. batting form: He spoke about Masood’s captaincy mindset but stressed the need for him to improve his batting to inspire confidence as a leader.

- Saj Sadiq

LAKERS TO HONOR EX-COACH PAT RILEY WITH STATUE OUTSIDE ARENA

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers will honor former coach Pat Riley with a statue outside their downtown arena.

The Lakers announced Monday that they have commissioned a statue to stand in Star Plaza immortalizing the coach who won four championships with the "Showtime" Lakers of the 1980s. Riley also won championship rings with the Lakers as a player and an assistant coach.

Riley, 79, has been part of the Miami Heat as a coach and executive for the past three decades, but his NBA roots are planted firmly with the Lakers. He played for Los Angeles from 1970 to 1975, and he was a team broadcaster before becoming Paul Westhead's assistant in 1979.

He took over as head coach in 1981 and led the Lakers through one of the most dynamic eras for any team in NBA history. With Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leading an exciting team with a groundbreaking fast-break offense, the Lakers went 533-194 (.733) in Riley's tenure and added 102 playoff victories over nine mostly outstanding seasons.

"Pat is a Lakers icon," Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement. "His professionalism, commitment to his craft and game preparation paved the way for the coaching we see across the league today. My dad recognized Pat's obsession and ability to take talented players and coalesce them into a championship team. The style of basketball Pat and the Lakers created in the 80s is still the blueprint for the organization today: an entertaining and winning team."

Current Lakers coach JJ Redick, whom some within the organization have likened to Riley for his intensity and sharp presentation, lauded the decision on Monday.

"Deserved," Redick said, adding that he watched the Hulu documentary "Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers," which features interviews with Riley, as part of his preparation for the season. "He's a legend in the game of basketball. And obviously did a lot for this franchise. ... So I'm very happy for him. Well deserved."

Riley will become the eighth Lakers luminary to be honored with a statue in Star Plaza, which has become a popular tourist attraction. The others are Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and broadcaster Chick Hearn.

Riley went on to coach the New York Knicks for four seasons before becoming the Heat's team president and coach in 1995. He has remained Miami's president ever since, and he won another NBA title in 2006 during his two stints as the Heat's head coach.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin contributed to this story.

- ESPN News Services

LOS ANGELES DODGERS BASEBALL ⚾ ICON FERNANDO VALENZUELA DEAD AT 63

Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela died on Tuesday aged 63. (MARIO TAMA)

Former Los Angeles Dodgers star Fernando Valenzuela, one of the sport's most loved figures, died on Tuesday at the age of 63, the Major League Baseball club said in a statement.

The Mexican pitcher played 17 seasons in MLB for six clubs but was best remembered for his time with the Dodgers, particularly for his role in the 1981 team who beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

His performances in that season and the excitement it caused became known as 'Fernandomania' and attracted a large Mexican fan-base to the Los Angeles team.

"On behalf of the Dodger organization, we profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando," Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said.

"He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes," he added.

Remembered for his 'wind-up' pitching style, he had been part of the team's Spanish language commentary team until recently and his passing led to a tribute from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

"Fernando Valenzuela was one of the most impactful players of his generation. His 1981 season ranks among the most decorated pitching years of all-time as Fernando was the National League Rookie of the Year, the NL Cy Young Award winner, a Silver Slugger and a World Series champion," Manfred said in a statement.

No cause of death was given, but the Dodgers announced earlier this month that Valenzuela would not commentate the rest of the season due to an unspecified health problem.

Born in Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico as the youngest of 12 children, Valenzuela made his Major League debut at age 19 with the Dodgers in September 1980, throwing 17.2 innings without allowing an earned run for the remainder of the season.

In 1981, beginning with a 2-0 opening day shutout of the Houston Astros in an emergency start, he went on an unprecedented career-opening run, with complete games in his first eight career starts and a 0.50 ERA launching the wave of popularity that surrounded him.

His death comes ahead of Friday's opening game of the first World Series between the Dodgers and the Yankees since the 1981 triumph.

"We will honor Fernando’s memory during the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Fernando’s family, the Dodgers, his friends across the game, and all the loyal baseball fans of Mexico," said Manfred.

- AFP

DAVIS CUP: HISTORY & FORMAT

What is The Davis Cup?

The Davis Cup is the foremost international team competition in men’s tennis, governed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). It’s an annual showdown that brings together teams representing over 140 competing countries from around the world. The Davis Cup is not just any tennis tournament; it is a celebration of national pride, fierce competition, and the camaraderie that transcends borders. It is where individual tennis stars unite to form national teams, vying for the coveted title of World Champions.

Davis Cup History: A Journey Through Time

The history of the Davis Cup is a captivating tale that begins in the late 19th century, rooted in the vision of James Dwight, the first president of the U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association. Dwight aspired to pit the best American and British players against each other in a sanctioned match. While his initial attempts didn’t bear fruit, the idea of international competition took root.

International Competitions Pre-Davis Cup

Before the Davis Cup’s inception in 1900, international tennis competitions were already underway. England and Ireland, for example, engaged in annual national team competitions, laying the groundwork for the Davis Cup’s format. In 1896, American player William Larned toured the British Isles, and this tour planted the seed for international team competition.

The Birth of Davis Cup

In the summer of 1899, four members of the Harvard University tennis team embarked on a journey across the United States to challenge west-coast talent. Upon their return, Dwight Davis, one of the Harvard players, conceived the idea of a tennis event that would pit national teams against each other. He ordered the iconic sterling silver punchbowl trophy, now known as the Davis Cup, to be crafted. Contrary to the myth, Davis did not solely devise the idea but played a crucial role in its realization.

First Davis Cup Match

The inaugural Davis Cup match took place in 1900 between the United States and the “British Isles” team. The Americans, captained by Dwight Davis himself, won the first three matches, setting the stage for a long and storied history.

Evolution of Format

The Davis Cup format evolved over time. Initially, it was a challenge cup, with teams competing to face the previous year’s champion. In 1923, the competition introduced the concept of zones, including the “America Zone” and the “Europe Zone,” to determine the challenger for the cup. In 1955, the “Eastern Zone” joined the fray. In 1966, the “Europe Zone” split into “Europe Zone A” and “Europe Zone B,” further expanding the competition.

Australia’s Dominance

From 1950 to 1967, Australia dominated the Davis Cup, winning an astounding 15 times in 18 years, cementing its place as a tennis powerhouse.

Open Era and Professional Players

Before 1973, only amateurs and national registered professional players were allowed to compete in the Davis Cup. The Open Era, which began in 1968, gradually led to a more inclusive policy. Australian legends Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall, who had turned professional prior to the Open Era, were allowed to compete in the Davis Cup for the first time in years.

Tiered System

In 1981, a tiered system was introduced, distinguishing the top 16 national teams in the World Group from others competing in regional zones. This system created a more balanced and competitive landscape.

Knockout Tournament

Starting in 1972, the Davis Cup adopted a knockout tournament format, ensuring that the defending champion had to compete in all rounds. This change injected more excitement and unpredictability into the competition.

Diversity of Champions

While the early years of the Davis Cup were marked by the dominance of a few nations, the tournament’s history saw the rise of “outsider” nations, such as Sweden and others, who captured the coveted trophy. 

The Davis Cup Structure

The Davis Cup is not just a tennis tournament; it’s an intricate competition with a unique structure that sets it apart. Here’s a breakdown of the structure:

World Group: The top 18 national teams in the world compete in the World Group, the elite level of the Davis Cup. These teams play a four-round elimination tournament, with seeding based on ITF rankings.

World Group Playoff: The losers of the first-round matches in the World Group face winners from Group I of the regional zones in the World Group playoff. The winners secure their spots in the World Group for the following year.

Regional Zones: Davis Cup features three regional zones – Americas, Asia/Oceania, and Europe/Africa. Teams in these zones compete in groups, with promotion and relegation at stake.

Group I and II: Teams in Groups I and II of the regional zones play elimination rounds, and the losing teams face relegation to lower groups.

Groups III and IV: Teams in Group III and IV of the regional zones play round-robin tournaments with promotion and relegation.

FAQ – The Davis Cup

What is the Davis Cup?

The Davis Cup is the premier international men’s tennis team competition, featuring teams from over 140 countries.

How did the Davis Cup begin?

The Davis Cup started in 1900 as a challenge between the United States and Great Britain.

Who are the most successful nations in Davis Cup history?

The United States and Australia have historically dominated, with numerous titles.

How has the Davis Cup format evolved?

The format has changed over time, including the introduction of zones and a knockout tournament.

- Luke L

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON: FORMER ENGLAND MANAGER SAYS HE HAS CANCER AND 'BEST CASE A YEAR' TO LIVE

Sven-Goran Eriksson says he has "best case a year" to live after being diagnosed with cancer.

The 75-year-old Swede was the first foreign coach to manage England and led the side to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cup and 2004 Euros.

"I'm going to resist for as long as I can," Eriksson told Swedish Radio P1.

"I have an illness that's serious. Best case a year, I have worst case a lot less. It's impossible to say exactly, so it's better to not think about it."

Eriksson, who had a 42-year career in management, stood down from his most recent role as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad 11 months ago because of health issues.

He said he was trying to stay positive and "make something good" from his cancer diagnosis.

PARIS DAKAR RALLY 1981 | J.J. THUNER