Sports Roundup: Upsets and Shake-Ups Across the Globe

In a day filled with exciting developments across the sports world, several teams and athletes made headlines for their impressive performances, unexpected setbacks, and surprising announcements.

Konnor Griffin, the 19-year-old shortstop and top prospect of the Pittsburgh Pirates, stole the show with his impressive display of power hitting. Griffin hit home runs off Red Sox pitchers Ranger Suarez and Seth Martinez, solidifying his position as the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball.

Meanwhile, in the world of boxing, Manny Pacquiao's team denied reports of a highly anticipated exhibition bout with Ruslan Provodnikov in April. According to Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, the bout had not been finalized, contrary to an earlier announcement by Banner Promotions.

In European football, Newcastle United's manager Eddie Howe expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete with the best in the Champions League. Following their impressive sweep of Qarabag in the knockout play-offs, Newcastle is set to face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the Round of 16. "We can compete with anybody," Howe said, highlighting his team's determination to make a deep run in the tournament.

In a surprise move, West Bromwich Albion sacked head coach Eric Ramsay after just nine games in charge. The 34-year-old coach was appointed in January, but failed to win a single match, leaving the team just one point above the Championship relegation zone. Assistant head coach Dennis Lawrence also departed the club, with James Morrison taking over as interim coach.

In a lighter moment, Mario Cristobal and Kirby Smart traded jokes at the 2026 Steve Spurrier Awards dinner. The two coaches poked fun at each other, with Cristobal joking about needing to be careful around Smart. The lighthearted exchange was fitting for an event named after the witty coach Steve Spurrier.

As the sports world continues to evolve, one thing is certain – there will always be exciting developments and unexpected twists to keep fans on the edge of their seats.