Digest

BOXING

Whyte no-show fires up Fury for title defense

The WBC heavyweight champion's all-British title defense against Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium might not be until April 23 but Tyson Fury believes he has got the upper hand already.

Whyte didn't turn up to the first media conference to publicize the fight on Tuesday, with Fury's UK promoter, Frank Warren, claiming the challenger demanded and then turned down the offer of a private jet to fly him over from his Portugal base.

Fury said Whyte's no-show in London "has given me that much more confidence".

"He's definitely shown the white flag in this fight, the way he's going on about not going face to face," Fury said at Wembley. "Of course he doesn't. Because he'll see the fire in my eyes and think, 'I'm getting smashed to bits'.

"It's fear, it's terror, I don't blame him for not being here today … The buildup to the fight will be fantastic because Tyson Fury versus his own shadow sells."

BASKETBALL

Lakers sign Augustin, waive DeAndre Jordan

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived center DeAndre Jordan and signed veteran point guard DJ Augustin and forward Wenyen Gabriel.

The Lakers also waived Sekou Doumbouya on Tuesday before their home defeat to Dallas (109-104).

Jordan was a flop in his only season with the Lakers, who signed the 14-year veteran in September. He has been stuck to the Lakers' bench since Christmas, appearing in only five games.

Jordan averaged 4.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while struggling to fit into Los Angeles' system on offense and defense. Dwight Howard has logged the majority of the minutes for a true center with the Lakers, who use Anthony Davis or LeBron James in the spot for long stretches.

Augustin appeared in 34 games for Houston this season, averaging 5.4 points and 2.2 assists per game in his 14th NBA campaign. The Rockets waived him on Feb 11.

BASEBALL

MLB cancels opening day amid deadlock

Major League Baseball has canceled opening day, with commissioner Rob Manfred announcing Tuesday the sport will scrap regular-season games over a labor dispute for the first time in 27 years after acrimonious lockout talks collapsed in the hours before management's deadline.

Manfred said he is canceling the first two series of the season that was set to begin on March 31, dropping the schedule from 162 games to likely 156 at most. Manfred said the league and union have not made plans for future negotiations, and that players won't be paid for missed games.

"My deepest hope is we get an agreement quickly," Manfred said. "I'm really disappointed we didn't make an agreement."

After the sides made progress during 13 negotiating sessions over 16 1/2 hours Monday, the league sent the players' association a "best and final offer" on Tuesday on the ninth straight day of negotiations.

Players rejected that offer, setting the stage for MLB to follow through on its threat to nix opening day.

SOCCER

Fresh Conte doubts after Spurs' Cup exit

Middlesbrough produced another FA Cup shock to extend Tottenham's long wait for silverware with a 1-0 win after extra time at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday, while Manchester City eased into the last eight with a 2-0 victory at Peterborough.

Boro knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford in the fourth round and the Championship side was the worthy winner to condemn Spurs to another trophy-less season.

Not since a League Cup win in 2008 has Tottenham lifted a trophy and another hugely disappointing defeat poses further questions over the future of manager Antonio Conte.

The Italian only took charge in November, but has already hinted he could walk away after a run of four defeats in the past six Premier League games.

Agencies