We will be talking sports and having fun doing it! We will be joined by University of Miami DT Tito Odenigbo, who will discuss his prep for the NFL Draft, playing at Miami, Manny Diaz, why he belongs in the NFL and so much more!
Show starts Thursday at 7pmest.
Listen below:
The San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, and Oklahoma City Thunder have all clinched playoff spots in the Western Conference. However, where they will be seeded in the playoffs is still a mystery.
Every team wants to avoid the number one seed in the West, the Golden State Warriors. Currently, San Antonio(47-34) is tied with the Clippers(47-34) for the 7th seed(Spurs hold the tiebreaker), and are a 1/2 game behind the Thunder(47-33) for the 6th seed. If the playoffs started today, the Spurs would play the Nuggets in the first round.
According to Spurs F Rudy Gay, who San Antonio plays in the first round does matter.
“I like to say it doesn’t matter,” Gay said on Friday after the Spurs routed the Wizards 129-112 in D.C. “But, obviously there are teams we match up with better. Going into the playoffs, you have to give it your all, so no matter what we want to be in there and actually compete. So, we have to be ready no matter who it is.”
This season, the Spurs are 2-1 against the Warriors, 2-2 against the Nuggets, and 1-3 against the Rockets. If I’m San Antonio, I would want to take my chances against the Nuggets. While Denver has a lot of talent, this team has a young core that has not tasted the playoffs, which could be an advantage for the more experienced Spurs.
Listen below as Gay talks victory over Wizards, playing in D.C, playoffs, and the “Rodeo Road Trip.”:
Welterweight contender Adrian Granados(20-6-2, 14 KOs) has six losses in 28 pro fights, but those losses don’t tell the complete story. You see, Granados has been in with some fierce opposition over the years and easily could have gotten his hand raised in many of his losses.
Now, Granados will face former two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia(34-2, 20 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight bout on April 20 from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California(FOX).
Just like in most of his fights, Granados will be the ‘B’ side when he faces Garcia, so he knows he has to win convincingly if he wants to get the victory.
“This is my chance to show the boxing world that I’m elite and get my title shot,” Granados said at his media workout on Thursday. “I’ve always wanted to become a world champion, and I haven’t got my opportunity at 140 where I beat the number-one contender. I’m not afraid to fight anyone, so I’m here to get a big win.
“I think I need a stoppage or a dominating win. It has to be one-sided. I have enough controversial losses that I know that I can’t leave it up to the judges. I’m training hard to dominate the fight.”
In 2017, Granados suffered losses to Adrien Broner and WBC welterweight champion Shawn Porter, but according to Granados, those losses have prepared him to beat Garcia.
“My fights against Shawn Porter and Adrien Broner were good preparation for this,” Granados said. “I think against Broner I should have gotten the decision, but I didn’t. Against Porter, I fought the wrong fight and missed the chance I did have. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder from both experiences.”
Ultimately, Granados believes he is the hungrier guy, and he thinks that will be the difference in the fight on April 20.
“I think I have more dog in me than Danny does. He complains a lot and also gets away with a lot. He does what he has to do to win. I’ve never been given anything, and I think I have a lot more to prove than he does.”
WBC, IBF and WBA Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields arrived in Miami yesterday to hold the final portion of her training camp at the Fifth Street Gym as she prepares to take on WBO Middleweight World Champion Christina Hammer in the main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION triple-header Saturday, April 13 live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Shields spent the last five weeks training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., following a two-week pre-camp in her hometown of Flint, Mich.
“We’ve been going twice a day every day except Sunday for five-straight weeks,” said Shields. “We put in lots of rounds sparring, tons of sprinting, pad work, push-ups, crunches and drills to help with my head movement.
“I’ve put my body through so much on this camp, and now it’s time to start cutting it down a bit. I’m in great shape and my weight is on point. I’m also in a great place mentally and very happy with this camp overall.”
In Florida, Shields is looking to prime herself for her showdown for the undisputed middleweight women’s world championship, in what is considered by many as the biggest fight in women’s boxing history.
“My main focus now is trying to relieve my body while keeping my conditioning,” said Shields. “I’m making sure that I go into fight week with no injuries or soreness. I’ve been in Colorado for over a month and it was time for some new scenery.
“I’m still going to be training very hard in Florida. I just need a little more sunshine and the additional space that’s provided for me down here. We did what we had to do in Colorado. Florida is just an ideal environment all-around and a happy place for me to be these last couple weeks.”
As Shields and trainer John David Jackson near fight night, the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist has a message for her fellow unbeaten opponent. “I know what I can and will do on April 13,” said Shields. “I already told Christina I’m going to beat her and mess her up. I’m taking this fight 100 percent seriously. I’m going to go out there and dominate her.
“I don’t want these belts handed to me. I’m coming to win every round on April 13. I’m a different kind of animal and Christina is going to see that on fight night. I’m ready. That’s it.”
Photo: Stephanie Trapp
Kubrat Pulev wanted to send a resounding message to the big names of the heavyweight division, and he did so by scoring an emphatic knockout victory in front of a sold-out crowd at The Hangar.
After recovering from a flurry of punches that caused a dangerous cut on his left eyebrow in the fourth episode, the Bulgarian contender blasted Bogdan Dinu by technical knockout at 2:40 of the seventh round.
“This is just part of being in a fight. The cut was not such a big problem. Sometimes blood makes me very hungry”, said Pulev. “I was very well prepared. I was ready for anything. At this moment I feel I can do anything inside the ring. I showed very good boxing skills. I also showed that I have good punching power and a good strategy”.
Photos/Top Rank/Mikey Williams:
Former two-division world champion Lamont Peterson and former 140-pound champion Sergey Lipinets went face-to-face Friday at the final press conference before they meet in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes this Sunday from MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
Once-beaten contender Anthony Peterson also faced off against his opponent, former world champion Argenis Mendez, as the Peterson brothers prepare to fight in front of their hometown fans as the main and co-main event in a nationally televised event for the first time since 2006.
Here is what the Peterson Brothers had to say as they prepare for their fights on Sunday night:
Lamont Peterson:
“I know how to keep the pressure off of myself before a fight. I know we’re at the top level and I’m facing a top guy. I’m looking to capitalize on the opportunity and move forward.
“Lipinets is a tough guy. He only has about 15 pro fights, but he was able to move through the ranks pretty fast. That got my attention and lets you know that he’s definitely coming to win.
“Anthony and I have fought on cards together but not on this stage for a while. I used to be nervous for him, but at this point we’re veterans and we’re just going to enjoy it.
“From day one we’ve treated every opponent like a champion. We always had that mindset that we had to go out there and take care of business, and that’s not going to change on Sunday night.
“Any time I fight at home, there’s a little bit more on it. It makes things easier when I’m getting through the whole progress of training camp. There’s a type of home court advantage. I knew when they opened this venue, that eventually I’d fight here. I’m going to enjoy it.
“I never felt like I was done fighting after my last fight, but you have to be smart. After each fight I assess the whole situation before I move on. That’s what I did before this one and I’m happy to be in this position.”
Anthony Peterson:
“My brother and I are at a point in our career where we’re having fun. It’s like a family event. We’re going to have fun and take care of business. I’m ready to put on a big performance. Don’t blink.
“I love the rush of getting into the ring in front of my hometown, that’s why I do it. The other stuff is cool, but I just love to see people excited and telling me I put on a great performance. It’s an amazing thing.
“It’s been a minute since I’ve been in the ring, but I’ve been fighting and working with guys like Shawn Porter, Jarrett Hurd, Robert Easter, Adrien Broner, Gervonta Davis and my brother. I’ve been in there with all the top fighters.
“My fire is still burning. I study boxing history and I look at guys who have gotten their breaks late in their careers, and I know I’m one of those guys.
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder(40-0-1, 39 KOs) will defend his title against Dominic Breazeale(20-1, 18 KOs) on May 18 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn(Showtime).
This will be a grudge match! There is a lot of bad blood between Wilder and Breazeale. The two were involved in an altercation in February 2017 in Alabama after they both fought separate bouts on the same card. In April 2017, Breazeale filed a lawsuit against Wilder, but that case was later dismissed.
Now, Breazeale has put himself into position to challenge for the WBC world title by ripping off three straight knockout victories following the only loss in his career, a seventh-round TKO to Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight world title match in 2016. In December he scored a knockout victory in Brooklyn over Carlos Negron for his second-straight win at Barclays Center.
“I’m sick of seeing this guy walking around with his belt,” Breazeale said about Wilder at a press conference in Brooklyn to announce the fight. “I’m going to put him down. People are going to be rising to their feet when I knock him down.
“I’m so excited to get this fight. I’ve been on Deontay’s undercards, and I steal the show every time. Deontay does nothing right in the ring. He looks like a circus act. All he does is talk. But there’s nothing he can say on May 18.
“Deontay loves to hear his own voice. All he does is talk and talk. It’s time to get in the ring. Nobody can get in there and save him. It’s just me and him — leather on leather. We’ll see who lands first. Hopefully, he gets off the canvas.”
Wilder should win this fight, but what makes this fight intriguing is the animosity between the two fighters. It should be interesting to see what that looks like on fight night.
Franchise and transition player designations were announced today for the 2019 NFL free agency signing period, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13.
A club can designate one “franchise” player or one “transition” player among its veteran free agents.
The salary offer by a player’s club determines whether the franchise player designation is exclusive or non-exclusive.
An “exclusive” franchise player – not free to sign with another club – is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 19; or (ii) the amount of the required tender for a “non-exclusive” franchise player, as explained below.
The Nonexclusive Franchise Tender shall be a one year NFL Player Contract for (A) the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position . . . at which the Franchise Player participated in the most plays during the prior League Year, which average shall be calculated by: (1) summing the amounts of the Franchise Tags for players at that position for the five preceding League Years; (2) dividing the resulting amount by the sum of the Salary Caps for the five preceding League Years . . . ; and (3) multiplying the resulting percentage by the Salary Cap for the upcoming League Year . . . (the “Cap Percentage Average”) . . . ; or (B) 120% of his Prior Year Salary, whichever is greater . . . .
If a club extends a required tender to a non-exclusive franchise player pursuant to this section, the player shall be permitted to negotiate a player contract with any club, except that draft choice compensation of two first-round draft selections shall be made in the event he signs with a new club.
The signing period for franchise players begins at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on March 13 and ends on the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season (November 12).
This year, six players were designated as non-exclusive franchise players.
2019 FRANCHISE PLAYERS
| Club | Player | Position |
| Atlanta Falcons | Grady Jarrett | DT |
| Dallas Cowboys | Demarcus Lawrence | DE |
| Houston Texans | Jadeveon Clowney | LB |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Dee Ford | LB |
| San Francisco 49ers | Robbie Gould | K |
| Seattle Seahawks | Frank Clark | DE |
A transition player is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top 10 prior year salaries at the player’s position, which average is calculated using the same methodology used for non-exclusive franchise players (the Cap Percentage Average); or (ii) 120% of his prior year salary.
If a club extends a required tender to a transition player, the player shall be permitted to negotiate a contract with any club subject to his prior club’s right of first refusal, except that no draft choice compensation shall be made with respect to such player if his prior club declines to exercise its right of first refusal.
The signing period for transition players begins at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on March 13 and ends on July 22. After July 22 and until 4:00p.m. (ET) on the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season (November 12), the prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.
This year, no player was designated as a transition player.
The Salary Cap for the 2019 league year has been set at $188,200,000 per club. The resulting 2019 Cap Percentage Average (“CPA”) tenders for non-exclusive franchise players and transition players are as follows:
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE PLAYERS
| Position | Tender Amount |
| Quarterback | $ 24,865,000 |
| Running Back | $ 11,214,000 |
| Wide Receiver | $ 16,787,000 |
| Tight End | $ 10,387,000 |
| Offensive Linemen | $ 14,067,000 |
| Defensive End | $ 17,128,000 |
| Defensive Tackle | $ 15,209,000 |
| Linebacker | $ 15,443,000 |
| Cornerback | $ 16,022,000 |
| Safety | $ 11,150,000 |
| Kicker/Punter | $ 4,971,000 |
TRANSITION PLAYERS
| Position | Tender Amount |
| Quarterback | $ 22,783,000 |
| Running Back | $ 9,099,000 |
| Wide Receiver | $ 14,794,000 |
| Tight End | $ 8,815,000 |
| Offensive Linemen | $ 12,866,000 |
| Defensive End | $ 14,360,000 |
| Defensive Tackle | $ 12,378,000 |
| Linebacker | $ 13,222,000 |
| Cornerback | $ 13,703,000 |
| Safety | $ 9,531,000 |
| Kicker/Punter | $ 4,537,000 |
Undefeated super lightweight contender Mario Barrios will look to continue his push toward a world title shot when he faces Mexico’s Richard Zamora (19-2, 12 KOs) live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, February 9 from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, in Carson, California and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The three-fight SHOWTIME telecast begins live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and is headlined by super featherweight world champion Gervonta Davis defending his title against former world champion Hugo Ruiz.
The 23-year-old from San Antonio can increase his knockout streak to seven on February 9, all since he moved up to 140-pounds. Here is what Barrios (22-0, 14 KOs) had to say about his upcoming matchup and more from training camp in Oakland, Calif.:
On his matchup with Richard Zamora:
“Zamora is my toughest opponent to date in my opinion. He’s won his last five fights, so I know he’s coming into this fight with a lot of confidence. He has power in both hands and he’s very tough. But I’m going into this fight with a lot of confidence myself. This is going to be a war and one I’m looking forward to. I have no doubt in my mind that I’m going to come out on top.”
On his recent training camp:
“Camp started back home with my dad Martin and he really got me ready before I left for California. I’ve spent the last six weeks training in the Bay Area with Virgil Hunter. I’ve also been training with Victor Conte and Remi Korchemny at the SNAC facility. Right now, my body is in the best shape of my life. I got good sparring with Devin Haney and a few other top-level fighters. All the hard work is almost done. We have one week left and then its fight week. Virgil and I are working great together and I’m ready to go.”
On fighting in the co-main event on SHOWTIME:
“I’m very excited to be fighting on SHOWTIME on a big card once again, this time in the co-main event. I’m going to bring a lot of excitement to those watching on TV. My style is fan friendly and everyone tuning in is going to see the next superstar in boxing. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity fighting on the big stage.”
On when he’ll be fighting for a world title:
“I’m currently ranked #1 in the WBA, so I know a world title shot is very close. Right now, my main focus is defeating Zamora. I must get past this fight and then it’s time to face all the top guys in the super lightweight division. I’m looking to be in a world title fight sometime this year.”
Super Bowl 53 will mark the ninth time that the duo of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have made it to the big game. The two have won five Super Bowls together and are hoping to get number six on Sunday against the Rams in Atlanta.
The Rams have a lot of talent, but the Patriots have two legends, and according to Bills LB Lorenzo Alexander, that could be the difference in the game.
“My heart tells me I want the Rams to win. Jared Goff, C.J. Anderson; Cal love,” Alexander recently told the Go4it podcast. “I actually played for Sean McVay when he was in Washington as a coach, but it’s hard for me to go against Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and those Patriots.
‘The way they come out each and every week; I think they do a great job of coming up with schemes, especially defensively to confuse a young quarterback. And maybe keep them at bay for awhile like they did last week(against Mahomes in AFC title game), and it will give them just enough time to put up enough points, and put themselves in the position to win it at the end. So, reluctantly, I’m going to go with the Patriots.”
While Alexander believes the Patriots will win on Sunday, he thinks the Rams can pull it off if Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh create havoc around Brady.
“But if they(Rams) do win, I’ll tell you who is going to have a big game; it’s going to be Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh in the middle,” Alexander said. “Being able to stuff the run, and really affect Tom Brady. Whether that’s sacking him, hitting him, maybe getting some hands on some deflections, but those are the two guys that I think will help win the game if the Rams come out victorious.”
Last season, I thought the Eagles had more talent than the Patriots, which is why I picked Philly to beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 52, but Brady almost pulled it off for New England. This season, I think the Rams are the more talented team, but will that matter? We’ll find out on Super Bowl Sunday.
Listen to the interview below:
