Wrestling

Officials to investigate wrestler forced to cut hair — New Jersey state officials Saturday said they had opened a civil rights investigation into the case of a black high school wrestler with dreadlocks who was forced to make a choice: cut his hair or forfeit his match. The wrestler, Andrew Johnson, was told by a referee that his hair and the hair cover he was wearing violated wrestling rules during a competition Thursday in southern New Jersey. He wanted to compete. So he received a hurried, last-minute haircut while teammates from Buena Regional High School shouted their support. Johnson went on to win his match, but the episode drew widespread attention and condemnation. Gov. Philip Murphy of New Jersey said in a statement: “Seeing Mr. Johnson forced by an official into a choice between giving up who he is or giving up his ability to compete was nothing short of disturbing. That he went on to win his match after this experience speaks to an incredible depth of character — and to our need to see that no future student-athlete has to endure a similar situation.”

Boxing

Warrington holds onto featherweight title — Josh Warrington retained his IBF featherweight title by beating Carl Frampton by unanimous decision after a thrilling 12-round fight on Saturday. The pair engaged in one of the contenders for fight of the year at Manchester Arena. Warrington, an underdog with the bookmakers despite relieving Lee Selby of the world title in May, was rewarded for a huge workrate to earn his 28th win from 28 fights. The judges gave it to Warrington 116-112, 116-112, and 116-113 in his first title defense.

Whyte earns KO to earn right to challenge Joshua — Dillian Whyte stopped Dereck Chisora in the 11th round of an all-British heavyweight bout at the 02 Arena on Saturday to make a claim to be Anthony Joshua’s next challenger. A largely competitive fight was instantly ended when Whyte threw a powerful left hook that left Chisora unconscious and down for worryingly long. Whyte beat Chisora on a split decision in 2016, but there was no disputing the result this time. Chisora led on the cards of two of the three judges but left his jaw exposed and Whyte took advantage. Whyte improved his record to 25-1 with 18 knockouts.

— From wire reports