M'sian Agilan is Askren's opponent in Singapore

One Championship welterweight champion Ben Askren of the United States will face Malaysian Agilan Thani at next month's One: Dynasty of Heroes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The other co-main bout for the May 26 mixed martial arts event will see atomweight champion Angela Lee take on Istela Nunes of Brazil. Tickets are available at onefc.com.

Celtics slip up in chase of Cavs, losing to Hawks

NEW YORK • The Boston Celtics' hopes of pipping the Cleveland Cavaliers for top spot in the National Basketball Association's Eastern Conference suffered a blow on Thursday, when they lost 116-123 to the Atlanta Hawks at the Philips Arena in Georgia.

The Celtics are now 50-29, lying in second place behind the Cavaliers, who are 51-27 and primed to lock up first place.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Lochte to be back in competition earlier

WASHINGTON• Ryan Lochte, who made headlines last year for manufacturing a story about being robbed during the Olympics in Rio, is poised to return to the pool after a hiatus.

The 32-year-old still has three months left to serve of a year's suspension, but he can compete in certain meets, and he intends to figure in the US Masters Spring National Championships from April 28 to May 1.

WASHINGTON POST

Kyrgios puts Aussies in control against U.S.

MELBOURNE• Nick Kyrgios eased past John Isner 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) in a duel of big servers, to fire Australia to a 2-0 lead over the United States in their Davis Cup quarter-final in Brisbane yesterday.

Australia's No. 1 tennis player carried on from the early work of compatriot Jordan Thompson, who stunned Jack Sock 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 .

REUTERS