Tyson, 58, concedes the role of villain to young foe in fight with Jake Paul

ARLINGTON, Texas >> Friendship is at the heart of how a fight came together between 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and much younger YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Friction helped build the hype for a bout that is testing the formula for how boxing is delivered to the masses, a first-ever combat sports offering from the streaming platform Netflix rather than pay-per-view or traditional cable.

Tyson’s first sanctioned professional fight in almost 20 years is set for Friday night at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. A crowd of at least 60,000 is expected while Netflix offers the bout at no additional cost to more than 280 million subscribers globally.

U.S. track wants to shorten Olympic trials and put them at L.A. Coliseum

COLORADO SPRINGS>> The leader of USA Track and Field cut through confusion surrounding the 2028 Olympic trials, saying the preference is to hold them in the L.A. Coliseum several weeks before the actual Olympic track meet takes place there.

Max Siegel also said plans are for the meet, which traditionally has been spread over 10 days, to be shortened in 2028.

World’s tallest teenager, 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux, plans to redshirt at Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. >> Florida coach Todd Golden said Thursday that Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 freshman who owns a spot in the Guinness record book, is planning to redshirt. Had the popular Canadian played in even one game, he would have burned one of his four seasons of college eligibility.

McIlroy tied for lead at World Tour Championship

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates>> Rory McIlroy was already an overwhelming favorite to win the European tour’s season-long Race to Dubai title.

He made his chances even better on Thursday.

McIlroy shot 5-under 67 and was tied for the lead with Tyrrell Hatton after the first round of the season-ending World Tour Championship.

Hull is fresh off a win and tied for the lead on LPGA

BELLEAIR, Fla. >> Charley Hull, fresh off her first victory in more than two years, didn’t lose her form from Saudi Arabia to Florida in opening with a 6-under 64 on Thursday to share the lead with Jiwon Jeon after the first round of The Annika.

Nelly Korda hasn’t lost much from being out of competition for nearly two months. The No. 1 player in the world ranking had four birdies over her last five holes to salvage a 66.

Springer, Lower share lead at the Bermuda Championship

SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda >> Hayden Springer birdied three of his last four holes Thursday for a 6-under 65, giving him a share of the lead with Justin Lower before darkness kept the opening round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship from finishing.

Messi, Vinicius have frustrating nights

ASUNCION, Paraguay>> Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Vinicius Júnior had frustrating nights in South American World Cup qualifying.

While Messi could not help his team avoid a 2-1 defeat at Paraguay, Vinicius Junior missed a second-half penalty as Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela on Thursday.